I started composing this letter over 18 months ago with a view to put it out there for debate (and hopefully some action from those who may be of influence) but, due to the roller-coaster issues we’ve been through in that time, I have held back on forwarding it until now as I was unsure if it would get the full focus of other fans whilst we were fighting to preserve our Premier League status and more recently, dealing with the ridiculously draconian points deduction for breaching PSR rules. But now, with the new stadium in its final year of completion, time is of the essence regarding the looming subject of the Goodison Park Legacy Project.
I am sure there are many like-minded people who may feel the same as I do about the prospect of the complete demolition of Goodison Park as part of the legacy project for the site which would effectively mean that no trace of any of the original structures of the stadium would remain.
I, like all Evertonians, am really excited about moving to our new home at Bramley-Moore Dock and also understand that we must move with the times and take our club into a new phase for future generations to enjoy and I for one, cannot wait for that first game in our shiny new riverside stadium to witness the start of a new chapter in our illustrious history. I am also realistic enough to realise that the legacy project for Goodison Park will mean that sadly, we cannot expect the Grand Old Lady to remain in its entirety and that we should embrace the important local community services, jobs, businesses and homes that this proposed redevelopment will bring.
However, what saddens me most is the fact that there is practically nothing in the new plans that will incorporate anything of the old stadium, particularly the most historic parts of the ground such as the 1920s Gwladys Street end and the Bullens Road stands, along with their Archibald Leitch latticework designs left for anyone to see what was there before. I also feel that just having a modern building that mimics part of the 1970s main stand on Goodison Road, or the proposed building earmarked to replace the Park End stand, which would only retain the more modern ‘Goodison’ sign in lights above it, or even a grassy centre circle in the middle of the development would come anywhere near enough in terms of a tribute to memories for what this site so richly deserves.
During the Club’s proposed move to Bramley-Moore Dock, a lot has been debated about the importance of retaining the heritage of the city and, to their credit, the Club have taken this on board to ensure that the original dock walls, hydraulic tower, cobbled areas and rail tracks etc have been preserved and indeed, showcased within the redevelopment so that future generations can physically see, experience and appreciate what went before and to fully understand how this city can evolve and be future-proofed so that past stories aren’t forgotten. But to my mind, if an old, derelict dock and let’s face it, a dock that the majority of people in this city hadn’t seen (or even heard of) before the stadium project came to light, can cause so much perceived love and affection for it, as if it were the local equivalent of Stonehenge or something, whilst another, even more historically important site in my view, known to everyone in the city and indeed millions of people across the world, can disappear without a trace and without a second thought, is quite frankly, beyond me!
I sometimes wonder what the mindset is of the likes of English Heritage and some of the desktop warriors in this city, who would kick up such a fuss over the infilling of an old disused dock, of which there are numerous (and better) examples all along the city’s waterfront, and when plenty of other docks have already been in-filled in the past for various reasons (a least 10 others to my knowledge, including one under the site of the water treatment works next door) without the enormous outcry that the Bramley-Moore Dock project has caused. But I will leave that to others to debate (as I think we all know the reasons why anyway…)
But my main reason for raising this is why has nothing been said about the complete demolition of such a historically important structure as Goodison Park which has been a part of my life for over 50 years and for hundreds of thousands of other people’s lives for nearly 150 years? Why is maritime history deemed more important than sporting or social history? But enough of my rantings on the mindset of others as it hasn’t stopped the new stadium build going ahead anyway and, at the time of writing, the erection of the new ground is well underway and already looking magnificent.
And so, back to the Goodison Legacy Project. First of all, let me be clear. I think the majority of the project is superb and no more than the local community of Walton and Kirkdale deserve for putting up with disgruntled (and occasionally, elated) match-going Evertonians over the years! As I mentioned before, the importance of this project regarding jobs, community services, education etc is immeasurable for this part of the city and it’s vital that they get it right. But for me, this can still be achieved whilst retaining a genuine piece of Goodison itself, for those of us from outside the L4 area to have an excuse to revisit occasionally and reminisce of bygone times at the Grand Old Lady.
I am realistic enough to know that the developers would not want to retain the whole structure of the ground and refurbish it for the community’s required needs. Nor even keep the entire Gwadys Street and Bullens Road stands, similar to what Arsenal have done with their old Highbury ground because, let’s be realistic here, L4 isn’t the first place most people would choose for a luxury apartment, is it? No, my proposal would be to just retain the corner of the ground where Gwladys Street and Bullens Road stands meet, maybe up to the first exit tunnels of each stand for example, and incorporate it into the proposed new buildings on either side. For me, this would leave a tangible and iconic slice of the oldest parts of the ground, which has witnessed countless memories from the times of Dixie Dean up to the present day. A ground that has also been graced with the likes of Pele, Eusebio and not forgetting our very own Holy Trinity of Ball, Harvey and Kendall.
Also, I feel that corner of the ground just happens to be not just the oldest, but the most unique and structurally interesting part of Goodison anyway, with its ‘higgledy-piggledy’ upper level facias that don’t quite join up with each other. That corner would also then retain both examples of the remaining Archibald Leitch designs, the criss-cross lattice work on the Bullens Road stand, compared with the solid vertical lines of the Gwladys Street stand. This, to my mind, could be a stunningly physical and historical focal point for the whole site rather than just a gentle ‘nod’ to what was there before. If history can be preserved at Bramley-Moore Dock, then why not at Goodison Park?
You only have to look at examples of other stadiums such as Sunderland’s Roker Park, Leicester City’s Filbert Street or even Spurs’ White Hart Lane grounds which have now completely disappeared, and all three of them being Archibald Leitch designs too. I for one know that many Sunderland fans for example, whilst proud of their new ground, bitterly regret the loss of their old stadium to a bland housing estate with nothing left other than a small piece of the old red & white steel latticework being on display at the entrance to a car park at the Stadium of Light. I know that Everton’s legacy plans are so much better than these examples with regard to the community facilities it will provide, but what a massively missed opportunity it would be not to have an iconic part of one of the most famous football stadiums in the world to be incorporated into such an important project.
That said, the question also needs to be asked: What would this corner structure be used for? As it would admittedly, pose an expensive and awkwardly-shaped part of the project to turn into something useful as well as compliment the surrounding buildings for the site without the architects having to start from scratch. And this is where my own limited knowledge falls short and would obviously need more ideas and examples from others to turn it into an attractive and viable proposal going forward. Having said that, I do have a few things in my mind’s eye that may kick off a more thorough debate if enough interest can be generated. But for me, as this project has not physically started yet, it would need to be the new buildings complementing and showcasing the older, more historical parts, and not the other way round.
Given that this proposed corner plot would effectively be shaped like a ‘slice of cake’, the first thing that comes to mind is an amphitheatre-type structure if, for instance, at least some of the seats were to be retained. This may not be such a pie-in-the-sky idea as some may think, especially if there is a grassy park or stage area in front of it. I was fortunate enough to be present at the Tony Bellew fight at Goodison a few years ago which took place in that very corner of the stadium so I know it can be done occasionally. And I am not saying that every event would need to be on the same scale, but just to get an idea of what can be achieved if enough thought is put into it. And it isn’t just boxing. What about plays, concerts etc? And I would bet our late chairman, Bill Kenwright (RIP) would have loved the idea of a theatre on the very spot where his beloved Boys Pen used to be! Also, this theatre-shaped structure, with the right funding, would not always have to be an outdoor venue if it were enclosed with glass with a stage space at the front for events during the colder months.
And what about the inside of the venue? How about a local sports bar, named “The Grand Old Lady”? A cafe and retail space for official and independent EFC merchandise such as Toffee Art and fanzines or even a football-themed art gallery? A local market space under the stands among the existing girders and posts could be another option. Also, there could be office space above for meetings for the various Everton supporters groups or other institutions such as the Everton Heritage Society, for example. The list of possibilities is endless. I feel that such an iconic space would be a magnet for locals and visitors from further afield and ensure some real, tangible ‘life’ is continually attracted to the area in the absence of matchdays, bringing in much-needed revenue into the community which I feel that locals alone would not be able to provide.