The Mail Bag
A simple solution?
Comments (29)
I note that the recent EGM did little to assuage the concerns of those many Evertonians opposed or in fear of the DK project. The fact that there appears to be no realistic alternative makes it inevitable that the Club must continue to pin their hopes on a positive outcome of the Inquiry. But with Liverpool FC in similar uncertainty, should not the whole stadia issue be taken over by a higher authority?
From this distance, it may be too simplistic a solution but I have totally failed to understand why the Liverpool City Council have not, by now, taken the initiative of claiming back the Stanley Park site and proposing to build a municipal stadium to host both Everton and Liverpool and the many major non-football events a vast auditorium could attract to the City.
Each club should be required to find circa £100 million, principally to fit and equip quite separate Everton and Liverpool Villages (named Goodison and Anfield?) at either end/or side of the stadium. The remainder of the cost (£300M?) would fall on the Council and their many business partners who would receive naming rights for stadium, stands and lounges.
In this way, the independence, traditions and honour of the clubs would be preserved and the Council would have retained their two most treasured residents.
As I said, it seems simple from here... will somebody instigate the dialogue? PLEASE!
Fergus Malloy, Posted 07/09/2008 at 14:22:16
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
I was initially opposed to a shared stadium, however, it appears that the club will entertain nothing, other than a Tesco/Knowsley proposition regardless of any other points of view.
If the only plan that EFC will discuss is a second rate stadium attached to a supermarket in Kirkby then I believe more intelligent people than I should look again at a shared stadium in Stanley Park.
Regarding the pitch, surely if Stanley Park was used with it’s vast area 1 or possibly 2 moveable pitches could be used alternatively throughout the season. This type of pitch is in use on recently built dome type stadia
If the only plan that EFC will discuss is a second rate stadium attached to a supermarket in Kirkby then I believe more intelligent people than I should look again at a shared stadium in Stanley Park.
Regarding the pitch, surely if Stanley Park was used with it’s vast area 1 or possibly 2 moveable pitches could be used alternatively throughout the season. This type of pitch is in use on recently built dome type stadia
I would groundshare rather than Kirkby.
It would be better financially in the short/long run.
It would be better financially in the short/long run.
The attraction of this proposal is that it sees Everton as a partner of LFC and the LCC and not a mere tenant in a joint stadium. But why hasn?t Cllr Bradley come up with something like this? After all, it?s about time the Council became pro-active if they really want to keep Everton within their boundaries.
In another 25 or so years, maybe less, I feel that those in the boardrooms of our two football clubs and the City council, will lament at the short sightedness of their predecessors. The opportunity to have a stadium second only to Wembley in our city is now staring us all in the face.
It is unlikely that LFC?s new stadium will even be started let alone built under their current ownership and who?s to say that their next owners would not look more rationally at the benefits that would accrue from a shared stadium.
Liverpool City Council should be more proactive with the management of its resources in an even handed way and recognise the benefits of a shared stadium to the city as a whole. Funding/grants for such a unique and unifying joint venture may well open doors to other sources both European and domestic.
The understandable entrenched views of fans against such a project. I feel are beginning to mellow, certainly on the blue side. It would be interesting to see a Toffee Web poll without the seemingly unattainable options of re development of Goodison and an alternative City site, just............Kirkby or a shared stadium.
On the point of how the pitch would hold up, there have been major improvement with blends of grass in recent years and the mud baths of the 60s and 70s have gone.
This opportunity should be explored its madness to discount it.
It is unlikely that LFC?s new stadium will even be started let alone built under their current ownership and who?s to say that their next owners would not look more rationally at the benefits that would accrue from a shared stadium.
Liverpool City Council should be more proactive with the management of its resources in an even handed way and recognise the benefits of a shared stadium to the city as a whole. Funding/grants for such a unique and unifying joint venture may well open doors to other sources both European and domestic.
The understandable entrenched views of fans against such a project. I feel are beginning to mellow, certainly on the blue side. It would be interesting to see a Toffee Web poll without the seemingly unattainable options of re development of Goodison and an alternative City site, just............Kirkby or a shared stadium.
On the point of how the pitch would hold up, there have been major improvement with blends of grass in recent years and the mud baths of the 60s and 70s have gone.
This opportunity should be explored its madness to discount it.
I agree with everything you have said Fergus.
I wonder if LCC could find the funds with a private finace iniative. They can’t even collect the council tax let alone find any spare cash lying around for a annother stadium / arena.
Shaun,
A shared stadium could release several financial opportunities, although it’s certainly not my first choice. LCC didn’t seem to do too badly securing Grosvenor’s £Bn investment, and several other large investments.
A shared stadium could release several financial opportunities, although it’s certainly not my first choice. LCC didn’t seem to do too badly securing Grosvenor’s £Bn investment, and several other large investments.
No other premier league club shares a stadium so why should EFC have to?
The problem with shared stadia is they never really belong to any one team and become synonomous with the most succesful team.
I am totally anti-KIrkby but i would ultimately prefer that than sharing a stadium with the other lot.
The problem with shared stadia is they never really belong to any one team and become synonomous with the most succesful team.
I am totally anti-KIrkby but i would ultimately prefer that than sharing a stadium with the other lot.
Eddy,
Sometimes you need to look outside the square!!
Sometimes you need to look outside the square!!
Eddy
Know what you mean about no other teams having to share, but ours and the Reds need are greater than most
I get the feeling LCC know they have all the Aces in their hand and are happy to sit it out until both clubs have no other alternative and come cap in hand
That’ll put them in a very strong position when it comes to laying down ground rules
Know what you mean about no other teams having to share, but ours and the Reds need are greater than most
I get the feeling LCC know they have all the Aces in their hand and are happy to sit it out until both clubs have no other alternative and come cap in hand
That’ll put them in a very strong position when it comes to laying down ground rules
Right this crap and talk of a shared stadium must stop now! It can never work, and doesn?t have the backing of the parties concerned. EFC and LFC are both on different levels both financially and fan base. Now before you all come on saying we are the City?s team and all that crap then just look at one of many issues that would arise. Example: - LFC want between 60/75000 capacity stadium, EFC 50,000!! If you watched soccer Aid last night then that?s what an EFC home game would look like in a shared stadium, the top tier closed. We would always be the poor relation due to the pulling power the teams have or in EFC case don?t have across the UK and Europe. If the RS went for a 55k seated stadium then that would reduce their earning capacity and that?s not good for investors. We are not on a level playing field so either we move up and they drop down is the only way ahead but as both clubs don?t even speak to each other then your having a pipe dream!!! EFC survival can only be kept by having a unique identity, be that at GP, Kirkby or any other single stadium venture. No No No No No No to a shared stadium! COYB
Fergus - Yes !
Alan Willo, you make some good points about both clubs having different requirements but your mistake is in assuming that just because you don’t know the answer to the problem you believe an answer doesn’t exist, it would be far better to pose the difficulties as quesions and see if anyone came up with innovative solutions that solved those problems, just a thought.
Hi Alan (Acolyte of Mrs Thatcher)
How is the sunny South East today busy panicking as the economy goes into meltdown. You would of course oppose such a move Alan because it encourages the community to share resources and as a rabid tory boy you would not like that would you? Both clubs are from City and a shared stadium does make logical sense from a business and environmental angle. As for identity it does not seem to deter Roma and Lazio from retaining theres does it?
Best Wishes from the Republic Al
How is the sunny South East today busy panicking as the economy goes into meltdown. You would of course oppose such a move Alan because it encourages the community to share resources and as a rabid tory boy you would not like that would you? Both clubs are from City and a shared stadium does make logical sense from a business and environmental angle. As for identity it does not seem to deter Roma and Lazio from retaining theres does it?
Best Wishes from the Republic Al
How right you are, Colin. Too many of us take up immovable positions on the stadium issue, not even listening to other?s view-points. No solution presents itself without first raising problems and this one is no exception. However, I do agree that the City Council should take the lead and I particularly like the Goodison/Anfield Village concept.
After all, the two clubs share the same city (FOR NOW!!!) so why not the same ground?
After all, the two clubs share the same city (FOR NOW!!!) so why not the same ground?
Can somebody with more nous than me please send Ferguses post on to Cllr Bradley and tell him to do something for a change instead of just rabbitting!
The way things are going it may only be financially viable for EFC and the dark side to share a stadium, IN KIRKBY!
One city no clubs!
One city no clubs!
Tom,
A very good point with the liverpool one. The Grosvenor Liverpool Fund was started some 4 years back to raise the half billion needed. But Grosvenor is a huge international company. Would LCC be able to pull a partner like that again?
A very good point with the liverpool one. The Grosvenor Liverpool Fund was started some 4 years back to raise the half billion needed. But Grosvenor is a huge international company. Would LCC be able to pull a partner like that again?
Remember my Wheels within Wheels parts 1,2,3,4,5,6 in which from day one I advocated the shared option. Remember how our resident experts overwhelmingly lambasted my ideas.
With DK staring us in the face I am not surprised that my original concept is gaining massive support.
Sadly, for Everton, the RS and LCC the dream of a truly magnificent world class stadium in the city has faded.
Billionaires are not interested in long term developments or the environmental and social welfare of the local populace.
In their mega rich world of one upmanship ?toys? are expected to show instant success.
They would rather spend 3 to 4 hundred million Quid on players to bring that success and not on a stadium that might bring success a lot further down the track.
Reluctantly I am forced to accept that Kirkby is the only realistic option on the table. I have come to that conclusion because LCC have proved to be nothing else but piss and wind. A long term rebuild of Goodison would be an expensive logistical nightmare that might uncover some nasty surprises.
Bestway and Sainsburys I put in the same box as LCC.
I have changed my original tune and now it is a case of Kirkby with hope in our hearts or watch that hope inevitably die with the old lady.
With DK staring us in the face I am not surprised that my original concept is gaining massive support.
Sadly, for Everton, the RS and LCC the dream of a truly magnificent world class stadium in the city has faded.
Billionaires are not interested in long term developments or the environmental and social welfare of the local populace.
In their mega rich world of one upmanship ?toys? are expected to show instant success.
They would rather spend 3 to 4 hundred million Quid on players to bring that success and not on a stadium that might bring success a lot further down the track.
Reluctantly I am forced to accept that Kirkby is the only realistic option on the table. I have come to that conclusion because LCC have proved to be nothing else but piss and wind. A long term rebuild of Goodison would be an expensive logistical nightmare that might uncover some nasty surprises.
Bestway and Sainsburys I put in the same box as LCC.
I have changed my original tune and now it is a case of Kirkby with hope in our hearts or watch that hope inevitably die with the old lady.
Would you trust the Council to get it right and for Bill Kenwright to raise £100 million ? I think that there’s more chance of me getting a lead role in one of Bill’s West End productions !!
I have to admit that I can’t sing in tune, dance in time or act convincingly but I’m sure that Bill would make allowances as I’m a real true blue :0)
I have to admit that I can’t sing in tune, dance in time or act convincingly but I’m sure that Bill would make allowances as I’m a real true blue :0)
Whilst I agree this is the ideal solution in theory, I cannot see it ever happening. With Kenwright?s record we would inevitably get another King?s Dock situation with the Everton contribution being promised right up to the deadline and then silence and disappointment.
With the sacred ?exclusivity? agreement still in place ? how very convenient that is! ? NOTHING will happen until the outcome of the DK Inquiry is known. Then, if it?s a no-goer, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. Ever.
How does this make sense financially?
Their new ground proposal costs £400 million+ and is threatening to totally derail them financially. We’re struggling to scrape £78 million together for Kirkby. So if we double up with the RS, we more than double our contribution to a stadium bankrupting ourselves and half the RS contribution thus helping them out to invest more in their playing staff.
I sometimes think some of these suggestions on these websites are LFC or LCC plants.
Their new ground proposal costs £400 million+ and is threatening to totally derail them financially. We’re struggling to scrape £78 million together for Kirkby. So if we double up with the RS, we more than double our contribution to a stadium bankrupting ourselves and half the RS contribution thus helping them out to invest more in their playing staff.
I sometimes think some of these suggestions on these websites are LFC or LCC plants.
Alan, just read the original post instead of sounding off! It suggests that the City Council take the lead and responsibility for the major share of funding. So how does that double Everton?s contribution?
I sometimes think some of our posters are dyslexic!
I sometimes think some of our posters are dyslexic!
Why not amalgamate the two clubs ?
Peter Howard wrote " Why not amalgamate the two clubs ?"
We could become Everpool City. Now where is Bobby Booth when you need him?
We could become Everpool City. Now where is Bobby Booth when you need him?
Good idea above. As long as we’re not called Liverton then I’m all for it. C’mon Everpool! We’d win the world cup. Probably.
The idea is not as mad as it sounds- at least it’s not a fudge which is what a shared stadium would be.
Be bold-fortune favours the brave.
If any two clubs were suitable for amalgamation it’s us-we were after all the same club once ( I don’t think any other two clubs can say that )
Build a huge stadium on Stanley Park and you’re guaranteed 80,000 + every home match. Football is going global and sooner or later someone, somewhere is going to merge. Let’s be ahead of the game.
Be bold-fortune favours the brave.
If any two clubs were suitable for amalgamation it’s us-we were after all the same club once ( I don’t think any other two clubs can say that )
Build a huge stadium on Stanley Park and you’re guaranteed 80,000 + every home match. Football is going global and sooner or later someone, somewhere is going to merge. Let’s be ahead of the game.
Peter Small (is your surname reference to your brain size?), where the hell do LCC come up with all that money?
What a fantastic idea! Let's just ask the kind men at LCC for £200million, I?m sure they?d oblige. This topic frustrates me so much because people just think money comes from thin air. If LCC are so forthcoming with funds, why don?t we just ask them for some money to redevelop Goodison?
What a fantastic idea! Let's just ask the kind men at LCC for £200million, I?m sure they?d oblige. This topic frustrates me so much because people just think money comes from thin air. If LCC are so forthcoming with funds, why don?t we just ask them for some money to redevelop Goodison?
© ToffeeWeb
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 07/09/2008 at 15:46:51
Report abuse
Ironically my main concern now would be how the pitch would hold up as weather conditions seem to play havoc with a pitch played on every odd week during the season.
Regardless however it does seem that notwithstanding fan power, the powers that be at Liverpool don’t want to entertain the idea. It seems far off in the current climate that they would be happy with anything that meant 50/50 split ownership.