Everton Heritage Society open letter

I completely agree Brendan. The unique design elements that you've mentioned, plus the waterside location, will elevate it above the identikit behemoths that our rivals are building. The best stadium in Britain, by far!

To me, the current situation casts massive doubt on BMD becoming a reality any time within the next few years.

If I'm wrong, it calls into discussion the actual wealth of Farhad Moshiri and the integrity of Liverpool City Council.

He is not a "wealthy" billionaire. Reportedly he's bog-standard at that level compared to more than the top ten English football club owners, minimum.

If BMD is built, regardless of Covid-19, I just wonder whether the Premier League, those paeons of integrity, of course, will allow Everton the accommodation they've always allowed the Sky-Babe clubs?

Without a mega-wealthy owner, I doubt it.

According to Mail Online, Usmanov's company is set to do a naming rights deal for the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium of circa £200m over a 10-year plus period.

Caveat alert: the article cites sources close to club.

Moshiri the alleged owner whilst to us gullible Brits the 100% genuine owner is in no way linked to Usmanov?

What could possibly go wrong?

Don @ 4; what could go wrong? All this virus stuff for a start.

All good stuff to hear and well done the Heritage Society...

Am I allowed to harbour even the tiniest doubt as to the timing - probably not, no, shame on me, whatever was I thinking, forget I even mentioned it.

On the contrary, Derek, I'm glad to see possible signs that normal life may actually be continuing, despite the growing contagion. I'm simply astounded how many posters have wrung through such an incredible myriad of possibilities with endless repetition on other threads. That's not to say that the uncertainty of the times will no doubt permeate this thread also. (See Post #2)

One thing the virus will do is bring economic recession but along with it virtually 0% interest rates for years to come. Financing costs will therefore likely come down and help the build. In addition, the government (central and local) will be doing everything they can to make sure projects like this go-ahead to stimulate the economy. In a macabre sort of way the current crisis will be a stimulus.

Always look on the bright side of life... da da da da.

Mike,

I fully agree. Life goes on and a lot of positives can come out of this dreadful situation.

Mike @7,

I like your optimistic view.

The virus issue will no doubt have many twists and turns to keep ToffeeWebbers amused and bemused...

Excellent letter that. Hope it all comes to pass.

A bog standard billionaire eh Don?

Mike @7

Nail on head.

This virus is going to hit the economy world wide.

The crash in 2007/8 saw planning laws relaxed in order to get the construction industry moving and therefore stimulate the economy, the BMD project would be looked upon more favourably due to the size the build, more people back in work, more people paying taxes again and less relying on social help.

Mike (7), always look on the bright side of life, that’s the spirit mate, watching George Formby on TV at the moment, plenty of doom and gloom all around us at the moment, so I’m laughing at a load of jolly nonsense to cheer me up as a tonic.

Mike 7, you’re right. After a crash comes a boom and vice versa. That’s just economics 101.

This recession/pandemic won’t last long and we will recover as we always do. My parents generation (WWII vets) would be embarrassed watching us moan and groan about a shortage of bog roll and the footy being suspended for a few week.

Let’s look forward to a fresh start for us (EFC) and for the world (climate change) and stop acting like a bunch of pansies!!

More now than ever the glass is half full., and a fine testimony from the Everton Heritage Society.

Things can only get better, it will take time, and it looks increasingly like lock down now, so we must all muckin and try and help family, friends, neighbours etc, typically elder people whom depend on public transport, in any way we can.

I’m no scientist but perhaps is if there’s a second wave of this virus or another strain, hopefully the global focus on developing a vaccine will, eventually see a proven canine and a solution.

Hopefully the football powers that be, will declare this season void, and hopefully the football season can resume later this summer..

Dave @ 13, ' turned out nice again Dave ' seriously another encouraging sign of progress for the BMD Project. Hope we have a worthy squad by the time we get to occupy it!

PAUL@15
They do say "a proven canine" is mans best friend!!
Excellent post by the way.

Great letter which all fans will support.

Dave Abraham @ 13.

'I'm watching George Formby on TV at the moment...'

Strewth Tony! Have a word with yer dad!

Not only is he still watching TV on a black and white Baird TV from the 1930s, he's still picking up the signals for the TV programs of that time!

No wonder his eyesight is going and he is never able to see Siggy or Schneiderlin have a good game for Everton from his spec at Goodison! (non-Covid-19-cough!).

Mike #7, where have you been for the last 10 years of virtually 0% interest rates?

Lot of doom mongers around as usual re coronavirus. Interesting piece in Telegraph over the weekend comparing the impact of Spanish flu, mortality rates of the young, working age and its impact on the economy against the lack of impact of coronavirus, noting market turmoil and the contradiction that it is a balance to an overpopulated globe, extinction rebellion’s aims and a pension crisis. Chip paper in 6/8 weeks...

He’s going deaf Jay, that’s why I find it much easier conversing with him on this great website mate!

Good spot Billy@15, these iPads!lol.

Well done to the Heritage Society. It is this sort of concise letter of support that is required at this stage with a strong underlying argument in favour of the approval of the scheme. The more letters of support the better. However the Council must surely realise by now that there is a huge ground swell of support for these proposals following last summers public exhibitions. Nevertheless the Chief Planning Officer, in reporting the application to his committee, must outline to the members how many letters/on-line comments in support of the scheme have been received and inevitably the number of objectors (if any!)

Jay (19), I can feel your envy, I bet you would be liking to see George Formby, better still “ Old Mother Riley” is on next!!! I wouldn’t bunk in to half of the modern day performers.

There's some truth in that, Dave!

It's BBB 2020 season here in Brazil - Big Brother Brazil. Brazil is BIGGGG on BB. Brazilians can't get enough of it, including my missus.

She doesn't understand why I curl up in the foetal position repeating 'When will it end? For heaven's sake, when will it all end?!' when each morning she briefs me of the overnight events in the BBB house, such as:

"Wau! It all kicked off last night when someone didn't do the washing up!"

My only fear if both of us should catch Covid-19 is that we could both be in lock-down together and there would be no escape for me from watching wall-to-wall BBB.

If it comes to that, one of us won't make it out alive.

And it won't be due to anything Covid-19 can throw at me.

And talking of Covid-19 and Brazil, I see this story has made it to the BBC sports pages.

Link

Brazil hasn't yet been seriously hit by the virus, but still the government is taking measures to restrict mass gatherings. They've closed cinemas and theatres, whilst sport events continue in the main behind closed doors.

Similar to Wayne Rooney's criticism of the authorities for exposing footballers longer than necessary to the risks, Gremio - Everton Cebolinha's team - played a state game today behind closed doors.

As a protest, the players took to the field wearing masks, but removed them when the game KO.

The all-conquering Flamengo manager Jorge Jesus has lent his support to cancelling all football in Brazil until further notice.

We should be very grateful to Brendan and the Everton Heritage Society for this excellent contribution. I have no doubt that BMD will go ahead as planned.
Thank you also to Colin@14 for some common sense amidst all the current hysteria.

Eric#20. For the last 20 years I have been benefiting from an extremely cheap mortgage due to low interest rates which has saved me a few grand. Yeaaah paying for my season ticket every year. Over the last year or so there has been increased pressure on rates to rise due to economic growth, increasing inflation etc. Even if these have been small the trend has been upwards. What this crisis is likely to is keep the interest rate down for the foreseeable which should save the club money in financing costs.

Worst case - Coronavirus could ultimately derail the Bramley Moore Dock project as clubs income could see a huge deficit in their income if Coronavirus issues are still around late this year. It could mean a £100m shortfall.

Please hope it doesn't impact the project, but hope it mean players wages and player transfer fees are substantially reduced.

Dave 25, Talking of George Formby, did you hear what he said when he bumped into Eddie Murphy?

"Turned out nice again, Mother Fucker!"

Mike @30

Hear what your saying, but, on the flip side, interest rates will remain at record lows for many years to come, cheaper borrowing.

What I'm more concerned about, is how much of Moshiri's and Usmanov's wealth is tied up in shares.

Keith.@32. I think you will find the super rich will get even wealthier as a result of this crisis. Moshiri and Usmanov will undoubtedly have assets including cash, bonds etc, which have not been adversely affected but can then be used to take advantage of the upsurge in the stock market when it does come.

Sounds like this is still on track. Work to start in autumn. Some good news at least.

@32 and @33

Firstly, I would like to say to everyone to take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Secondly, I hope this doesn't come across as callous in any way.

I think what we can realistically expect is this to definitely go ahead because of the Covid-19 pandemic, not in spite of it.

Often after an economic shock or a crisis (such as in 2008-09) you'll see, as you said, record low interest rates (making it cheaper to borrow the money) as well as planning laws being relaxed to facilitate large scale economy stimulating projects to go ahead with the minimum of fuss. Couple this to the councils/governments desire to create jobs, I'd say it was looking very good from an Everton/BMD perspective.