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Everton: Why we must move to Kirkby

Jul 31 2007

Everton FC’s future is at a critical point. Jessica Shaughnessy reports

by Jessica Shaughnessy, Liverpool Daily Post

 

An artist's impression of how the new Everton stadium is expected to look

EVERTON FC chairman Bill Kenwright and manager David Moyes last night gave their full support for the club’s controversial plan to move to Kirkby.

Goodison Park stars, including Andy Johnson, Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill, also gave their backing as the club prepares to sell its plans to around 38,000 fans quali-fied to vote in the coming ballot.

Today, the Daily Post can exclusively reveal information in the leaflet which will be circulated to shareholders and season ticket holders to help them make their decision. It tells interested parties:

The new stadium’s design allows for the planned 50,000 to 55,000-seat capacity to be increased to 60,000 in the future;

It will boast the ability to hold concerts and house state-of-the- art facilities for corporate events;

The Kirkby ground will have 38 corporate boxes, 326 metres of counter space, catering facilities and vast car parking.

Speaking for the first time about the move in a message to the fans, who will decide the club’s future, Mr Kenwright said: “If, via the ballot, you do not want us to continue to pursue the Kirkby option, we won’t. If you do, we will continue our negotiations. It’s as simple as that.”

Mr Kenwright said the decision to look at moving from Goodison was the result of much “soul searching”, adding: “I only want only one thing, what is best for Everton Football Club and its fans.

“No-one loves Goodison Park more than I do, but we have reached a critical moment in our club’s history.

“I have always made it clear that remaining in our current home is my preferred option, but that has simply not proved possible.

“So, we must look to a future in a new home – one that will provide both the benefits of modern design and the heart of Goodison.”

The proposed move is down to a joint deal thrashed out by Everton with Knowsley Council and Tesco.

It would involve a new £75m stadium built at a cost of £50m, thanks to the involvement of Tesco’s contractors. With land values thrown in – it is being pro-vided free by Knowsley – and internal fit-out costs, the value of the deal rises to somewhere around £150m, but at a cost of only £10m-£15m to the club, thanks to the sale of Goodison for around £15m and a naming rights deal.

 
 

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