ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Mid-Level Goodison

I'm interested in people's opinions, namely those who are concerned at the quality of stadium on offer in Kirkby as numerous posts have derided what will be a new 'mid-level' construction.

However, if we stayed at Goodison and funded a redevelopment ourselves on a gradual stand-by-stand basis, would you be content with a mid-level conversion job? I imagine realistically this is all we could afford, hence no fancy architecture or sexy internal fit out. Is the location, and in this respect, our spiritual home, more important than the build quality of any new stadium? Do fans who want to stay at Goodison think a rebuilt 'Old Lady' will likely be a 'world class venue'?
Alex Spelling, Bedlington Posted 01/05/2008 at 20:44:50

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Lee Smith
1 Posted 02/05/2008 at 05:44:47

Good question that Alex.

I personally would much rather stay at a ’mid-level’ Goodison than move to a ’mid-level’ Kirkby. Sort of doesn’t seem worth it if we can possibly choose between similar quality stadia, one in Liverpool, one outside, for possibly a very similar cost.

Wasn’t one of the reasons for the move because we would be getting a ’World Class’ stadium? If this was still the case, and as promised would leave us ’virtually debt free’, then I perhaps would have more time for project Kirkby. As this is now not the case, I really would prefer to stay at Goodison.

I don’t go to football matches for flashy fit outs and the clever architecture. Were only in the ground for a couple of hours or so and all I concentrate on is whats happening on the pitch.

I think the history and location of the ’Old Lady’ would reap many rewards in a city which is seemingly on the up. Keeping our identity, is in my view, of the upmost importance.

Gavin Ramejkis
2 Posted 02/05/2008 at 07:31:21

Ibrox was redeveloped and maintains the Leitch iconic crossworks, has toilets on a par with those currently at Goodison, retail food and drink outlets no better than what we have yet is a five star European graded stadium. Kirkby can’t even incorporate this crossworks, had an underground carpark plan cancelled through planning to being built on an infected rubbish tip. Goodison Park mid level? She may not currently be the best in the country but she could be on a par with Ibrox by increasing the seating and removing the obstructed views.

Paul Gladwell
3 Posted 02/05/2008 at 09:29:10

Mid level stadium with over a century of memories, an aura which by the year becomes one of the few with an aura,Dean and Cattericks last heartbeats here,Ashes buried here, people married here, Trophys paraded here, Pele, Eusebio, all a little bit different to a mid level stadium stuck in a carpark with B&Q with over a century to catch such memories and will it ever be able to match such memories? Goodison IS Everton to me and we can remain here without dying, we have done it long enough.

Bilbo Baggins
4 Posted 02/05/2008 at 10:01:46

What worries me is that you use the word quality, you must have been listening to bully beef to much. Tesco have stated that Everton will only have a mid-level Premier League stadium ? no mention of quality materials being used. If you're realistic, Everton will never have a world-class stadium; the best we can do is redevelop and keep some of the tradition that makes a stadium unique and recognisable from any other stadia.

Peter Laing
5 Posted 02/05/2008 at 10:03:32

Nail on the head Paul, all those memories mean something and its not just nostalgia. Football may be driven by greed and corporate neccesity these days but being a football fan is all about identity, nostalgia, heritage and the highs and lows. Goodison park is intertwined into the fabric of all these factors and what it means to follow this grand old club, Kirkby will never replicate what Goodison has given us and the Board should be ashamed of its actions as a betrayal to our fore-fathers.

Ed MacDonald
6 Posted 02/05/2008 at 11:45:46

Goodison can’t be redeveloped beyond 37,000 according to the club.

If true (a big if) we may as well forget it and move on.

Matty Thomas
7 Posted 02/05/2008 at 13:03:35

With the ongoing debate about the stadium
why have we gone from a world class stadium ie Kings Dock to something the likes of Tranmere may be happy with?

Paul Henshaw
8 Posted 02/05/2008 at 13:18:04

Ed....
Take a look at the KEIOC website and have a mooch down on how Goodison could possibly be redeveloped.

Gavin Ramejkis
9 Posted 02/05/2008 at 13:27:22

Ed the person responsible for the Goodison can’t be extended beyond 37000 is the same who broadcast a similar lie about Pittodrie, three guesses where Aberdeen are still playing?

Carl Howey
10 Posted 02/05/2008 at 14:20:38

Ed - According to the ITV.com/Football365 stats pages our average PL home attendance for this season is 36808.
If you then add in the sell out for the Newcastle game our average attendance for the season would be 36997.

http://itv.stats.football365.com/dom/ENG/PR/attend.html

And they want to build a 50000 seater in Kirby!!!

Tom Hughes
11 Posted 02/05/2008 at 14:29:31

Ed,
That feasibility study was carried out by Tesco’s own consultants..... they even had the temerity to pinch one of my drawings then fibbed about the capacity. The remit of their brief is obvious at a glance though..... poor use of corner sections probably limiting capacity by 6-10,000 in one go. Remodelling the Goodison road side, current capacity c.12,000, and only managing to achieve 6,000 in its place..... now that, even with the most stringent application of new regulations is farcical, and of course there is no attempt whatsoever to approach the subject of expansion...... so you can come to your own conclusion!

Jay Harris
12 Posted 02/05/2008 at 14:41:45

I keep repeating that contrary to the twin liar?s statements GP is NOT about to fall down nor be closed down. It has always passed safety standards with ease.

And as Tom Hughes has always pointed out, the capacity of GP is NOT a amximum of 37,000 in future.

There are also only 4 Premier League grounds with significantly more capacity than GP and only 3 with slightly more capacity: Anfield 42,000, Chelsea 43,000 and Villa 43,000.
All the rest including Tottenham, Bolton and Middlesboro, range from mid 30,000 down to low 20,000.

Rob Jones
13 Posted 02/05/2008 at 16:17:32

??Ed....
Take a look at the KEIOC website and have a mooch down on how Goodison could possibly be redeveloped.??

Oh yeah I forgot the board manipulate the facts but pure as snow KEIOC never do eh? I don?t trust either site for stats on the stadium, to be honest.

Colin Jones
14 Posted 02/05/2008 at 18:53:02

Well then, the truth is probably somewhere in-between isn?t it?

Colin Jones
15 Posted 02/05/2008 at 18:53:02

Well then, the truth is probably somewhere inbetween isn’t it?

Paul Henshaw
16 Posted 03/05/2008 at 15:54:13

Rob,
It was not KEIOC who came up with the drawings of a redeveloped Goodison but is just a showcase for the talents of Trevor Skempton if you care to notice.
And theres no plan B eh?.....