The Hill Dickinson Stadium

BMD is gonna be...

Hill Dickinson Stadium

Okay, Merseysiders, help me out here... Hill Dickinson?

Anyway, strong local connections: [from Wikipedia] "Hill Dickinson's origins can be traced back to 1810, with the establishment of a Liverpool legal practice by the firm's founder, Edward Morrall. John Edward Gray Hill joined the firm in 1865. John Dickinson (1847–1907) became a partner in 1872, and the firm traded as Duncan, Hill & Dickinson. It established itself as a leading maritime law office, and represented the White Star Line in connection with the sinking of the RMS Titanic and Cunard Line in respect of the sinking of RMS Lusitania which was torpedoed by a German U-boat on 7 May 1915.

In 1927 Edith Berthen joined the firm as one of the first women in England and Wales to qualify as a solicitor. In 1931 one of the firm's solicitors, Hector Munro, represented William Herbert Wallace in connection with his trial and subsequent appeal against his conviction for the murder of his wife Julia in their home in Wolverton Street in Liverpool's Anfield district. His conviction was later overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal, the first instance in British legal history where an appeal had been allowed after re-examination of evidence (see Regina v Wallace).

Partner William Goffey (known as WG) started his career in 1901 at Hill Dickinson's 10 Water Street office. He became senior partner in 1950 and continued to practice until shortly before his death in 1979 at the age of 94. As the son of a ship owning family who operated sailing barques from Liverpool under the name Goffey & Co, much of his practice was Admiralty and related work.

Goffey acted for Cunard Steam Ship Co Ltd in relation to the 1942 collision between the ocean liner RMS Queen Mary and HMS Curacoa (D41), which resulted in the sinking of the latter with great loss of life.

In the Black Solicitors Network's Diversity League Table 2009 Hill Dickinson was ranked 30th within the top 100 UK law firms. In January 2010, the firm was ranked as the sixth most female friendly firm (among the top 50 UK firms by turnover) with 27 per cent of its partnership made up of women."

Come on come on get down to Hill Dickinson park

Their turnover is £104M a year so I can't imagine why they are doing this and how they can afford it?

Seems like they have a significant charitable presence.

And they don't take bets online!

Chris, thanks for that history lesson. Interesting info.

They're not a well known enough company for it to sound too overly corporate, (King Power, Walkers, Emirates etc) but they're an international commercial law firm, which is quite classy. And they're local.

Don't come at me with “But the money…”

"The Dick Hillinsons" incoming. For fuck's sake.

Hill Dickinson — About Us

This is not a nice way to start this special weekend. I imagine fans will call it 'The Hill'. Sigh...

This was the institution in which the Titanic was (belatedly) entered and which covered, among other things, loss of life.

Is this an April 1st joke? We'll be the laughing stock of the football world. Gutted.

I was thinking Red Bull or Toyota, or any other global name. ….but never Hill Dickinson.

On the positive side, they must be Evertonians, and probably secret ToffeeWebers!

From now on we refer to it as ‘The HD Stadium' and nothing else.

(Kidding...)

The latter would be just about acceptable.

"You lost the league at the Hill Dickinson Stadium" doesn't have much of a ring to it.

I thought I was an unhappy soul until I came across some of the comments on ToffeeWeb. The sun is shining lads! New stadium, in the Premier League, more money. Please, for the love of God, straighten your faces. 😂

Guaranteed Rate Field
Smoothie King Stadium
Petco Park
Little Caesars Arena
Talking Stick Resort Arena
Loan Depot Field
Minute Maid Park

By comparison, Hill Dickinson seems pretty classy to me.

I'm just going to accept it, and call it “The Hill”

No doubt there'll be some stick from other fans, but the naming rights will probably mean a player or two more this summer.

To fuck with dignity and the moral high ground. They'd sell our soul in a heartbeat!Up the Everton ladies. Rah rah rah.

I was hoping the Castore company would be our sponsors. The owners are Wirral born and are now known all over the world sponsoring clubs in a variety of sports.

The “Castore Stadium” has a nice ring to it. Probably like most Evertonians and perhaps the rest of the country have never heard of them.

Who really cares what it sounds like as long as they can add to the Everton coffers...?

It's on par with Atletico Madrid's partnership with Riyadh Air for Wanda Metropolitano and significantly more than Arsenal's €6.9m deal for Emirates Stadium.

What a letdown

It'll catch on I'm sure, HD I like.

We should get a discount when International lawyers are required, and freebies from the stationery cupboard.

I think I'd have preferred AJ Bell Stadium if we were looking for a local sponsor.

We shall not be moved! The original and best.

Maybe Hill Dickinson isn't so bad.

If they truly have roots in and commitment to the community, seems like the best of an inevitably controversial decision.

But come on, it's gotta be The Dick, no?

Just about to get them changed.

They are a historic large law firm based in the city. It's better than some faceless multi-corporation.

WOOOOOOHHHHHH

Not as offensive as some of those mentioned above but I would have preferred a name with some global or even national impact. And how much is the club getting for this?

Well, at least a betting company wasn't chosen… but it doesn't give Everton an international look either. All very parochial.

What they call the edifice doesn't matter to me — I will always tell people I have a stone on the Everton Way at Bramley-Moore.

“Go to the Dick and get Hilled”

or something like that.

I know the money's going to come in handy but I will refer to it as the "Blue Mersey" Stadium.

The benefit, as well as the dosh, is that no ones going to shaft us over any law issues, the Premier League will leave us alone for sure!

My second reaction was it is concerning. Sounds like the sponsor of Wigan or Blackburn.

Remember when they changed Newcaste's stadium name and everyone just called it St James Park?

Let's as fans just agree to call it Branley-Moore, The Everton Stadium, or even New Goodison.

Awful name but who am I to say? Great move by them, this is the most iconic ground in Europe now. Bye Goodison, I for one only look forward on this. Goodison is associated with good things but many, many barren years and with Bill Kenwright.

If we'd moved with the times and granted naming rights to Goodison Park, we may not have had those points deducted.

Personally? I'd have loved it to be the Dixie Dean Koppites are Gobshites stadium but whatever we need to compete, so long as we're not beheading gays or insubordinate wives, I'll take it.;

And they're local! Hope they're fucking toffees though.

Having spent my working life in marine insurance, Hill Dickinson is a familiar name to me. A firm with a solid reputation and a strong connection to the city.

They're known colloquially as Hill Dicks, so the Hill Dicks Stadium it'll be I'm afraid.

Put it this way, you don't call the shirt the Stake shirt do you? It's the Everton shirt.

You see my point.

Typical Everton this. Hill-Dickinson-heads.

The Everton Ford Mustang Stadium.

It's Everton Stadium to me.

Great news it's not the Starbucks Arena or something equally tacky, and that the stadium is already bringing in a level of investment we have previously had no access to.

Hell's Bells.

I really thought Deacon Goldrein Green was gonna get it.

One plus for me is that a Company whose origins is in Liverpool has got the naming right.

And a big plus is, next time the Premier League do us for whatever, we might get free legal assistance!

The questions are, who?, why? what for?

Underwhelming to say the least. I thought the Toyota stadium maybe.

I can just see the stadium all lit up at night with the iconic name.

I think if the bottom three most purile names in the premier League were relegated we would be toast. Warburton's, now that's a name.

The Hill Dickinson Stadium, who will probably go into administration within five years.

I wonder if we can afford to have the name not shown backwards to anyone in the stadium, you know, as at Goodison park. NosidooG,

NosnikciD muidatS. Dosn't look as good, does it?

I was expecting a global brand.

This has to be a wind-up?

'Jeez Louise, you're all Evertonians, so I love you all, but for goodness sake, cheer up'.

Who is Louise Paul? Is she your make-believe friend?

Much better than, eg, the Carlsberg Stadium, or the Ford Focus stadium.

For me, it's the Everton Stadium.

A bit like the Etihad, which is technically still the City of Manchester Stadium.

Sponsors come and go.

Merchant Taylor's School Waterloo. Moloch Academy.

I hear the colloquial name for those in the know in the right circles is Hill Dicks. They couldn't even squeeze in an 'Everton' somewhere or even a limp 'Waterfront' or a stronger 'Mersey'?

think it's an excellent understated quality tie-in.

In 2020, their net worth was £41.545 million. Their cash on hand in 2022 was £27.479 million, up from £21.344 million in 2020.

The firm also experienced a 12% increase in revenue to £145.5 million in the 12 months to 30 April 2024.

Local associations with the city. One of the biggest stadium naming deals in Europe.

There was always going to be a sponsor so it could have been a hell of a lot worse. At least we are not named after crisps or beer or some gambling firm.

Just no.

"In the Black Solicitors Network's Diversity League Table 2009 Hill Dickinson was ranked 30th within the top 100 UK law firms. In January 2010, the firm was ranked as the sixth most female friendly firm (among the top 50 UK firms by turnover) with 27 per cent of its partnership made up of women."

Absolutely fantastic credentials, we can all breath easily now knowing that, because we care, yes, I am being totally sarcastic.

I actually couldn't give a toss about a Black Solicitors Network's Diversity League Table, or how many women work for them. We are here supporting a football team, remember?

Hill Dickinson really isn't that bad a name.

Whether on tv or at the stadium, you can always see Everton in HD!

Okay, Everton Stadium it is. :-)

I'd've loved the Alex Murphy Stadium, the Vinty Karalius stadium. The Fuck Wigan Pie-Eating Scab Stadium.

But money talks. Call it what they like. It's Bramley-Moore

As long as we don't support oppressive regimes and win the fucking Premier League, I don't care what it's called! Better than Quatar/Suadi etc

Nah!

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3712394/2022/10/26/john-bramley-moore-slavery-everton/"John Bramley-Moore, slavery and the site of Everton’s new stadium — The Athletic, 26 October 2022

"The Bell-e-field Hill-Dickies" would have been an unbearable piss-take!

Note that 'master negotiator' Levy hasn't got a stadium sponsor yet.

Could have been far worse. Imagine the Rex Makin Stadium!

THE HILL !!!

"Let's be careful out there!"

But at their size, what could they really be paying?

At least the name is clunky enough that no-one will ever call it that.

But for comedy purposes it’ll be …

Let’s all get down to “DICKY HILL”?

But it is still the City of Manchester Stadium.

The Everton Stadium or Bramley-Moore Dock will be our name. Sponsors will come and go.

Top English one is the Emirates at €6.9M. I'd love to know what we're getting for this.

“It's shit!”

Obviously, it could have been a lot worse: The Virgin Mates Stadium, The Reform UK Stadium or the Truth Social Stadium for example.

I just find it so underwhelming, like a couple naming their new baby after where it was conceived, ie Wilmslow, Top House, Slug and Lettuce (twins), or even Pump House.

To me, it will be Bramley-Moore foreverton.

And at least we are now backed by lawyers in case that corrupt Premier League comes knocking at the door again. We can chin them off!!

Trips off the tongue ok as well. Just hope the money's befitting.

After all, we have had to live with Hafnia, Danka, and even Fat Sam and Benitez.

Given the aforementioned, in the overall scheme of things.

However, how can this relatively small firm be paying what we all hoped would be a lavish amount???

I've worked with Hill Dickinson for years. Well respected Liverpool firm, with offices in Europe and Asia. I've a lot of time for the new CEO, Craig Scott, and Matt Noon. Both big Evertonians, and quality business people in Liverpool. We use them for mergers and acquisitions, but the firm is big in shipping around Asia.

Does it trip off the tongue? No, but neither does Stake. £30M+ a year for both ain't to be sniffed at.

Clearly not a big queue of corporates wanting to pay more. I've no idea if the £10M reported us true. I suspect not… but neither did I believe the £12.5M a year that Moyes supposedly earns either...

It's Bramley-Moore and that's it for most of us. At a push, l don't mind the suggestion above, The Dixie Stadium.

A local, albeit large and well regarded, law firm based a stone's throw from the ground itself. Hmmmm… It seems more fitting for a newly rebranded Goodison Park and its hopefully resurgent women's team.

I think we were all hoping for something like the ‘Microsoft Arena of Dreams' or ‘Paul McCartney Presents The Apple Stadium'.

Anyway, it is what it is. Onwards and upwards etc.

I think if it's announced that Doucoure is staying on and has had a pay rise then the vibe on Sunday might not be quite what was hoped!

Are we the third biggest team in Europe? No, but we have the third best naming rights deal in Europe.

If that's not ambition, I don't know what is. Perhaps you were expecting too much.

I do think that he majority of fans will be at least a little disappointed though. The money's very welcome, it's more about making a statement by association. The Emirates and Etihad are the prime examples of aspirational partnerships (putting to one-side the sports-washing).

Anyway, The Hill Dickinson Stadium it is. No doubt we'll get used to it (in due course).

I'm also sceptical about the financial value of this deal. Law firms are partnerships. Profits are split between the equity partners who each own a slice the firm.

It is incredibly hard to believe the partnership of a mid-sized firm with annual revenues of around £145M would have signed off on a deal worth anywhere near £5-10M. That's money that could be going directly into their pockets, and I would imagine significantly more than their annual marketing budget… I just don't see it.

I knew this new name would come as a shock to a lot of fans; however, it sounds professional and will grow on us all. Embrace the phoenix rising from the ashes. It's up to all of us fans to get on board, stick together and make this opportunity a big success story.

"Watch Everton rise to the top"

They know potential when they see it.

£10M a year?

Maybe useful with PSR legal advice.

I will get me coat…..

The stadium is stunning and HD are giving us good money. Small steps but it’s progress.

Secondly, I wonder whether part of the deal will be made up of the provision of free legal services

Hill Dickenson arena or something.

Everton rose to the top

The Shite scored none

Everton one

Moyes is a bit of a....

Dock and top don't rhyme.

"Everton ran down the clock"

Feck...three grand children are much less demanding.

Perhaps you posted on the relevant thread and I missed it and if so... ignore this.

What did you make of the Angus Kinnear interview?

A bit of reading online shows us as the third highest in Europe, with only Barcelona and Leverkusen above us. Bayern Munich and Dortmund are below us in the league table of naming rights. Our deal is double that of Arsenal with Emirates.

If it's over say 10 years, which appears to be something that does happen, then that's a good deal regardless of whether it's not Sony or Apple or whoever. Glitzy it ain't, but the money's good.

“Bramley Moore”, “The Dock”, or “The Ground” all sound fine to me.

Hickory Dickory dock

Everton opened the lock

We finished top four

Now close the door

Hickory Dickory lock.

Moyes is a ......

Please note the clever 'door' metaphor.

Seamus Heaney... I'm not

Bmd or HD slip out a lot easier in everyday chat...

We are witnessing the next stage of our club history, glad to be here, finishing a crazy season at the old lady, above utd and Spurs, the old lady gets a new life and we breath a new life into our new home...

Call it what you want, home is where the heart is, blue blooded is best,,coyb

I don’t know where this figure comes from

I've obviously read a different interview from you.

UK Solicitors do not pay tax on client bills that have not been paid unlike Sole Traders and Companies were Debtors are part of the tax return calculation. Hence the seemingly low Turnover.

The name might be warm to Worldwide Clients, but I can't see it being so for Evertonians.But I do think Christine has made a good point.

Yeah it does, but ONLY if you say it.

Everton should take the money and you (and I) should take the following pledge..

"I (insert your name) make a solemn pledge that I will never, ever, EVER refer to Everton's new stadium as anything other than 'Bramley Moore'. And should I break my pledge, I hope to die in a cellar full of rats."

Seriously, (sort of) there's one thing nobody can force you to do and that's call Bramley Moore by some other name.

And six months from now, should you hear a mate say "what time are we getting to The Hill Dickinson Stadium?" you can punch them full in the face and say "you made a vow!"

Up the Hill Dickinson Toffees!

OW!!

(just punched myself in the face)

What is the right figure Ryan?

On a positive side, the company seems to be progressive, which will upset the brexity/trumpy idiots, but fuck 'em.

English is littered, well there are enough to make it 'a thing' with words pronounced differently than they 'look on paper'.

Hill Dickinson - pronounced Bramley Moore.

Those familiar with the trouble the 'naughty words spelling police' app on GOT has with the 4 letter, starts with D, diminutive for Richard, will sit back and watch developments.

Still, at least we found a sponsor.

Edit;"...Anyway more posh lawyers cars in the car park besides players in future." states James Bentley

sorry mate, couldn't resist it.

Edit2; Jason @ 185; yep Dicks Dock will get plenty or usage, it will go with Dicky Lewis, or maybe BMD will be superseded by DD for ease of typing.

Ooh er missus Double Ds, let's get them all out of our system now

What better place than The Dick to be regularly yelling 'Get In!' ?

I think our generation has been bought and sold on overhyped marketing slogans. Enough of that shit already. Hill Dickinson it is. You have to hold the l's to get that edgy delivery. Try it after a beer or three.

Could you give me/us the direct source for your 'base figure' Ryan so that we can look at it for ourselves. That would be a direct source that specifically mentions this 'base figure'.

Cheers!

Many are saying they've never heard of them but isn't the whole point of sponsorship to raise the profile of your product or service?

The only adjustment I'd make is to include the name Everton in the branding.

A Liverpool based company who, it sounds, are committed to assisting with the regeneration and economic growth of the city.

But they are global with offices and operations across the UK, EMEA and APAC. Their HQ is in the centre of Liverpool near the old Cotton Exchange, a stones throw from the Pier Head.

I personally hadn't heard of Allianz, the Munich based insurance and financial services company based in the Bavarian capital had their name plastered all over Bayern's then new stadium.

As Bill says, sponsors don't give their name just to donate money. They do it to raise the profile of their brand.

And where have you heard that from, Ryan?

I don't like the historical connections with John Bramley-Moore.

Some Arsenal supporters still refer to the Emirates as Ashburton Grove, it's name prior to sponsorship, which could always change.

As I've already said, the Etihad is still officially the City of Manchester Stadium.

And when Newcastle's owner sponsored himself and labelled St James' Park, their supporters still called it St James' Park.

I know Tottenham supporters who still refer to White Hart Lane, although they did build on the same site.

And how many West Ham supporters were divided on calling it Upton Park or the Boleyn Ground.

It is a sponsor. It's a label, not a name. Each to their own. For me, I like the Everton Stadium.

I've mentioned this before. When we are playing in Europe, under current UEFA rules, sponsors names are dropped so we will have to call the name of the ground differently. That'll no doubt be another discussion. Bramley-Moore Dock or The Everton Stadium. My vote goes to the latter.

Another reason why supporters will always refer to the ground as something more longstanding.

Additional problem is the fans cannot agree on what to call it unofficially. Some say Bramley-Moore Dock and others say Everton Stadium.

Are we still going to sing Spirit of the Blues? Can't we still call it Goodison or has that idea gone now that it is remaining? Or was it never a thought with fans?

I'm appalled at the timing of this.

“Get down to Bramley-Moor Dock” fits in easily.

Did I just quote Shakespeare? What a twat I am. Sorry. But the great bard had a point. As many have said already, we can use our own handles and I'm sure there will be a plethora of nicknames till one becomes prevalent in toffee culture.

What matters more is the financial deal. If it is in fact close to £10M a season, as reputed sources are suggesting, then that is a very competitive deal and helps fill the stadium with better players, which is more important than any soubriquet.

I'm sure TFG had other companies wanting to have naming rights, I trust them that they went with the best option. A little more detail on length of the deal and how much would be nice to know.

And as for rival fans taking the piss… Who gives a shit?

We couldn't have called the new lady Goodison. She's not Goodison.

It would be like calling your new partner by your ex's name!!

I still don't understand why people are appalled as you say. It seems a good piece of business and another piece in the jigsaw for redevelopment of Everton and the northern docks.

For years we've bemoaned bing seen off with badly negotiated commercial deals. We land one and the natives are restless.

Of course we will still sing Spirit… Forever… and Marching (sorry, Mark). And run out to Z-Cars.

Just drop that If Ya Know Yer History song. Personal opinion.

We have talked about our new stadium acting as a catalyst for the redevelopment of the wider area, and working with local business is surely all part of that. Well done, and a good start to the weekend.

The RS can call it what they want. I do recall a few mates crowing when there was plans for their new stadium in Stanley Park.

Hey mate, we will have a shiny new stadium and your lot will still be playing in that relic. So fuck 'em.

'So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself'.

Things mean the same no matter what the name.

Nice one Sam 💙💙💙

There is also the opportunity for "new" history to be written, new legends to be created, and honoured… great times ahead, Blues.

Here goes:

With Hill Dickinson being a "law firm"', and the ground being built on a 'you-know-what', then surely for all of our future home games, it'll be a case of:

"Who's in the dock?
Who's getting sent down this week?"

When one reads about Liverpool's history, it is full of names like this… Todd Naylor to mention one.

It is all very much in line with a traditional English football club; having a stadium so named leaves that in no doubt.

''A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"

What a very apt quote Sam.

You are right, of course, and given the Scouse penchant for shortening names, a contributor on another fan site has already called it the "Dixie" stadium.

Very apt.

Hopefully it catches on quickly.

It could counter any Bramley-Moore Dock connotations. There is lyric potential for sure.

A blue rose hopefully.

I've suffered a lifelong disappointment that the Lancashire rose is a red one.

🔝 Top Stadium Naming Rights Deals in Europe

1. BayArena (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)

Sponsor: Bayer AG; Value: €30 million per year

Details: Despite its relatively modest size, the BayArena boasts one of the most lucrative naming rights deals in football, reflecting Bayer AG's deep-rooted association with the club.

2. Spotify Camp Nou (FC Barcelona, Spain)

Sponsor: Spotify; Value: €20 million per year

Details: In 2022, Barcelona entered a four-year agreement with Spotify, marking the first time the iconic Camp Nou incorporated a commercial name.

3. Etihad Stadium (Manchester City, England)

Sponsor: Etihad Airways; Value: £15 million per year

Details: Part of a broader £400 million deal encompassing both stadium naming rights and shirt sponsorship over ten years.

4. Allianz Arena (Bayern Munich, Germany)

Sponsor: Allianz; Value: £9.2 million per year

Details: Allianz secured a 30-year naming rights agreement for Bayern Munich's home ground, renowned for its illuminated exterior.

5. Riyadh Air Metropolitano (Atlético Madrid, Spain)

Sponsor: Riyadh Air; Value: €10 million per year

Details: In 2023, Atlético Madrid signed a nine-year deal with Riyadh Air, replacing the previous sponsor, Wanda.

6. Hill Dickinson Stadium (Everton, England)

Sponsor: Hill Dickinson; Value: Approximately £10 million per year

Details: Everton's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, set to open in August 2025, has been named after the Liverpool-based law firm in a deal considered one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

7. Ulker Stadium (Fenerbahçe, Turkey)

Sponsor: Ülker; Value: £7 million per year

Details: Since 2015, the Turkish snack company Ülker has held the naming rights to Fenerbahçe's stadium, officially known as the Ulker Stadium.

8. Emirates Stadium (Arsenal, England)

Sponsor: Emirates; Value: Approximately £6.25 million per year

Details: Arsenal's home ground has been known as the Emirates Stadium since 2006, following a 15-year naming rights deal with the airline, which was extended in 2012 to run until 2028.

As a happily retired lawyer who ran two practises in Liverpool City Centre for 25 years, I am astounded at the figure quoted for our new Stadium. However, Everton have said it is one of the biggest deals for naming rights in Europe.

Hill Dickinson are a brilliantly run practice with lots of very talented people working there. The publicity this will generate is massive for them and – having thought about it overnight – good luck to them… and what a coup!

The name is fine, it is not controversial, although "Operation Hill Dickinson Exercise" will, as stated earlier, take some getting used to. We will all learn to live with it – especially if it pays the wages per year of two or three significant new signings.

John Pickles #112; Good stuff, not 100% sure it will catch on though.

Paul, totally random, but your Romeo reference has just reminded me of another one of my less memorable marital bloopers.

We went to Verona and the wife wanted to visit the courtyard where the Juliet balcony is. Now, I'm a history buff, but literature and romantic tales were never my thing.

I went with it, she wanted a photo of us on the bench underneath the balcony. I made the mistake of questioning what was all this about. I got one of those looks only a female can deliver.

I complied and smiled for the photo and decided not to ask what she thought about Everton's next match.

Like you say, they are a respected firm.

If other fans are taking the piss, it means there taking notice. Who cares? Football is an expensive joke.

Thanks, boys and girls, for making me laugh.

I've stood outside Trump Towers in New York City.

The Trump Towers Stadium. Now that would spark debate!!

Took him a while to come up with the name, but, hey luvvveeeezzzz

Up The Hill Dicks!

Nick @ 231,

That Spectre will haunt this club forever.

Size matters.

Who should we have got?

I can see the firm's clients (usually large corporations) turning around and telling them: "Hey, looks like you are overcharging us, if you able to spend 25% of your revenue on 1 large marketing stream!"

I wonder if there is precedent anywhere in the world where a law firm has spent so much advertising money on a sports franchise? I doubt it. It all seems very strange and unreal. I don't mind the name at all.

Anything that doesn't contain genitals anywhere in the name.

The Dave Hickson Stadium!

Woke up and I'm used to it already.

Nothing to see here!

Huge Dickinson Stadium it is then.

There's a Chinese eaterie in the city centre called Mong Kok. At least they're not sponsoring us…

Personally, I have no problem with Hill Dickinson. Sounds classier than some of the corporate brands mentioned — particularly the betting companies.

It lists £9.2M and $10M before the Hill Dickinson £10M.

It's a fucking name — Everton, are reportedly getting up to £10M per year just for letting someone have their name as the title of their new stadium.

Honestly, if everyone clubs together and raises a few grand, I will sign a contract and let yers all call me any name you want!

I had a Liverpudlian trying to wind me up last night and my honest reply was that I'm only interested in people who want to make us great again, and I couldn't give a fuck about a name.

I told him how I'd drove past the site picked by Tesco, in Kirkby three times in the last fortnight, and shuddered at the thought of how any genuine Evertonian could have thought things through and decided that this would be a good place for an Everton ground.

It would have slowly killed us, whereas this new stadium has got the long term potential to make us great again, whatever it's sponsorship name.

But, an interesting interview with Peter Swales, the former owner of Manchester City ahead of the FA Cup Final.

Although he had handed over the reigns before, he stated his most memorable moment in football was when they came from behind late on against Gillingham to avoid remaining in the 3rd tier of English football for a second season.

He was very open. He was clear that if they hadn't clawed that back, the new stadium would never have happened. The new eventual ownership (who apparently had Everton in their sights ahead of City), wouldn't have happened. The subsequent sponsorship wouldn't have happened.

At face value, this looks and sounds like a good move by the club.

Respect the history. Embrace the change.

Not sure if it's been posted on here already, but there's a nice piece on the BBC site about Goodison.

Goodbye Goodison — BBC Sport

Bramley-Moore Dock does though, just.

Paul #200, great link that, brought a lot of memories and emotions to the surface, tomorrow will no doubt be the same.

He died in 1996.

Regarding the name, it's not a global brand that I was expecting but, in all honesty, I would have personally still referred to it as Goodison until this week's announcement that Goodison will remain. So for me, I'll probably call it Everton stadium.

I'm not wanting to be reference it to a Prick or Dick, so it rules out Dicks, Dixie and any other childish, negative or long winded names.

I could get on board with Castle on the Hill or simply HD Stadium but mostly I'll keep it Everton (or Everton's) Stadium.

Our new stadium was known as the Everton Stadium before yesterday but fans want to call it BMD or Everton Stadium. We need to decide what we want to call it despite the sponsorship name.

But how would I know?

I now like the new name. It sounds quite classy and upmarket. “We don't allow that sort of thing here, not at Hill Dickinson,” we'll be saying as we escort some undesirable from the premises.

Most fans probably won't refer to it as the Hill Dickenson Stadium, so what's all the fuss? I would much rather a local firm with strong connections to our city, than some Arab or American company.

I'm at Oxford Services trying to eat off a massive hangover. A coach of Man City fans just turned up. They look bored as fuck.

Imagine that was us!

He also had some very strong views on how the FA are running the game. And that he disapproved of the FA Cup Final not being the final fixture in the English football season calendar.

I'm reading Hill Dickinson do a lot of work in Asia, so this makes sense for them, and it also makes sense to Everton if they are paying the money reported.

“Good luck to us both!”

I think the HD sounds okay, but it will probably stay as Bramley-Moore Dock for now.

The name of the Turkish Minister for Tourism in the early noughties was Akin Koc.

They have their roots and HQ in the city, but are an internationally recognised company.

I didn't have a clue who Hafnia, NEC, Danka and countless other sponsors were, but we wore their brand and they used ours.

My sister used to work with a guy called Pat Mycock. Poor bastard. Imagine being him growing up.

As long as HMRC is happy, up to 100% can be deducted. Potentially they can recover around 47% of the cost. Might partly explain how a local firm has afforded one of the largest such deals in Europe.

If anyone's gonna put a dampener on things, it's him!

Knob jokes aside, that suggestion is good.

Talking of rude names, there's a village on the Derry/Donegal border named Muff.

A local entrepreneur developed a potato-based gin there and called it "Muff Liquor"

It might be. Or it might just be to believe it.

What are you gonna do? Write to google and complain they didn't sponsor our new ground?

Nice one, Christos, I wonder did your support begin in 1971?

I am not sure, but I have heard they are paying £10M for these naming rights. We need the cash, and I am afraid this is what the Premier League is all about now.

After years of spending like drunken fools and fucking with relegation, we're safe and look to be in sound financial hands.

Smile. Shit could be so, so much worse.

Bramley-Moore Dock. End of. Thank You, lawyers, for the dosh.

Names are names — doesn't matter what we call it, it will always be BMD to supporters...

Muff something or other

Sometimes?

Often I just race to the end, spew shite, and feel satisfied.

After about ten pints or so, you'd have to be careful how you worded that!

Hill Dickinson? Oh who cares. Just finances.

We win something? Then great. Well this "issue" evaporates...
to nothing. And prob is already. But, lawyer price reduction if proved Blue? Umm.

Lastly, I fully expect Southampton to beat us tomorrow. Last game. Last memory of somewhere my childhood was based. Last silliness!

But. always, always a Blue from first game in Bullens aged 5 in 1965 to now, 64, but still as silly. The big legacy? Still drink Bovril!

It is a terrible name but at least we got a deal over the line, better than Levy has managed to do. £10M a year is decent.

I hope that the name HD Stadium sticks or it continues to be known as BMD. Weird choice.

The place is glorious. That's what matters.

I'd counter that nonsense with Damon Hill or Janice Dickinson.

Hill-Dickinson, good solid Anglo names with a local connection. Far from the worst stadium name in the world.

I'm all for it.

It will forever be BMD anyway and that would have been the case even if the 2nd place bid had won... "Ducati Ferrari Colosseum", nahhh not for me...

When we were kids, me and a few others got caught doing something petty.

This bizzie lined us up and asked us our names. One of the lads said “Mickey Rooney'” The bizzie slapped him across the face for being “a cheeky young bastard” — the bizzie's words.

My mate's name was Michael Rooney!

I'd forgotten about the divers.

I don't really give two shits what they say or think. If you're getting stick, just remind them we have now built three stadiums in our city and still own two of them.

Rob, a German town on the Dutch border, where we used to stop and fill up using our petrol coupons before crossing the border near Venlo, is called Wankum. Obviously in German, the letter W is pronounced V, so it is "Vankum". Still a source of amusement and a place where many had their photo taken next to the sign as you entered the town!!

James, fair enough, but I'm still struggling to understand why it's causing so much angst.

It's a sponsor name that will generate revenue.

Clever bastards those law firms, striking those no win - no fee terms!

How many 25L jerry cans could you fit in your boot!

Alternatively call it the Dixon Hill Arena after Captain Jean-Luc's 1930s detective character on Star Trek.

If you know… you know; if you don't, just keep reading the next comment!

I also couldn't get the Benny Hill theme tune out of my mind when I saw the name – but that may have been because of the Benny Hill football we have watched over the years – except it has largely been in slow motion as opposed to Benny Hill's preference for speeded-up chases!

Dick Emery also appeared in my head, but that probably says more about me than anything else really.

I have a feeling most people will just refer to it as the Bramley-Moore stadium.

''Does nobody ever read previous posts? :-( ''

I never do.

Oh, hang on!

Mong Kok is actually a very busy area of Hong Kong on the Kowloon side which I used to frequent quite a bit when I lived there!

Fine if in your own mind you want to call it something else; fact is the name 'Hill Dickinson Stadium' will be emblazoned all around the ground and on top of the roofs, all paths leading to the ground will say it too. All media – home and foreign, broadcasters, journalists, columnists, rival fans will call it that, it will be on our tickets and programmes.

I don't care if the company is from outer Mongolia or the heart of Liverpool, it is a terrible name to be associated with our great club. Money is not everything. It is not about the banter with the usual suspects either, it seems supporters of all clubs think it is highly mockable material.

The Friedkin Group's first bad call – no more please.

As I mentioned earlier, UEFA won't allow the ground's sponsor to be named as part of their rules so when we play in Europe and when the ground is used for one of the Euros finals matches, it will be called something else, currently either Bramley-Moore Dock or The Everton Stadium...

I think the easiest way would be to have a vote/ballot with various names and for the supporters to vote for the preferred choice for when we are in Europe. Personally, Hill Dickinson is fine with me at all other times.

Love to see what Goodison Park will be called when those naming rights are sorted.

Paul Quinn loves the deal; he's celebrating a local company being associated with the club and thinks it's part of a bigger strategy by TFG to regenerate the local area.

I once filled up with a jerry can on my way to catch the ferry. I was a bit careless and splashed some "benzin" onto my face and caught some in my eyes.

I spent the last 50 miles or so with streaming stinging eyes until I got on the boat and could flush them out!!

I do think Bramley-Moore or Bramley Dock will stick – three words is too much, fans will shorten it.

I think I’ll plump for ‘the Hill Dixie’. It’s not rejecting the current reality but it bends it back to pride in our heritage.

That's something that will forever be between me on Hong Kong!

Afterall didn't City win the court case about the Etihad sponsoring them?

To be honest the naming doesn't look too bad on the stadium, but it just sounds so awful when you say it out loud.

It's a slightly boring name, but it's (sort of) an authentic local company.

It was always going to be named after a company and this one is much better than some soulless, totally unconnected global corporation. If you're worried that it's got ‘Dick' in it then look in the mirror and realise you're not 6 years old.

It's actually ‘Bramley-Moore Dock' anyway.

This is a poignant, emotional day for all Blues so give the insults a rest.

Again, grow up. I'm sick of the negativity around my club, from many of its own people. We deserve better, there's every chance we're moving forward to better. Don't stand for the pointless negativity.

I'll let Peter articulate it, but any doubt about having the right partners (and also the way TFG has gone about this) has certainly gone in my mind. Classy message.

Umm.

Describes this debate?

Fret not.

Anfield?

Bottom line (sic), is if we win something, or play well or just create fantastic atmosphere in best placed stadium in the country, then we could be playing at Everton 2 stadium in that shopping centre down in the town.

Oh what's it called?

Something One?

Now let's grow some non gender specific bits and confidence rather than a childish fear.

"But mummy, they may say "

Be grateful.

Young Boys of Bern, Switzerland, play at the Wankdorf Stadion! Dorf is German for village but wank in German translates to hesitate, or to waver, etc.

I went when we played there a few years ago and, from memory, I think we won 1-4.

We've not had a pot to piss in for years and the new owners are making excellent decisions to try and get the club back to where it belongs. Imagine having Farhad Moshiri still pulling the strings!

If you don't like the name ,that's fine, just call it "Everton Stadium". "Bramley-Moore" or even "The Dixie".

Time will figure it out. I'm not convinced any kind of sponsor name would have stuck. Unless maybe Vauxhall had been interested.

No doubt 133 years ago someone said "Goodison is a terrible name. I'll still call it Mere Green".

Anyway, I've no issue with the name – it's always ‘the ground' or ‘the match' for me anyway, only outsiders will note the name and I hope it does great things for a firm who've put their money where their mouth is.

The Full HD it is!

Hill Dickinson is too wordy and doesn't flow easily. Best name are ones you can still say easily after a few shandies

What's not to like? If you're put off by “Dick” appearing in their name, then frankly, you're being a bit daft. I'd much rather this than an irrelevant (to our club) and unconnected brand.

Before we started to build our stadium who'd heard of Bramley-Moore Dock? And who's chosen to ignore the unwanted connections to the slave trade associated with that name? I wouldn't want to hear our stadium called the Bramley-Moore Stadium but, even without the unsavoury history, it's just a couple of names (albeit without “Dick” appearing in the name).

Of other suggestions, calling it the new Goodison or similar is nonsensical, and of no commercial value. Without a sponsor, it's the Everton Stadium; with this sponsor, it's the Hill Dickinson Stadium, giving it a name linking it to the heritage of the city, that's better than most alternatives.

As I keep saying, a sponsorship name, for however long, is just that.

Emirates = Ashburton Grove, its original name and one, which a lot of Arsenal supporters still refer to it as.

Etihad = The City of Manchester Stadium.

The Cherry Reds Record Stadium (yes!!), is still Plough Lane to Wimbledon.

The Allianz = Twickenham in the world of Rugby.

It's sponsorship, it generates revenue, however much, that didn't exist at Goodison, so what's in a name? Apparently one of the biggest stadium naming right deals in Europe.

Sponsors come and go anyway. So we can just call it Bramley-Moore.

Emirates Old Trafford, is just Old Trafford.

It's going to be Bramley-Moore.

Hill Dickinson are spent big money on these naming rights. The least we can do is call it it's proper name: Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Hey, go easy on our Daikin Park, formerly known as Minute Maid Park.

After all, before Minute Maid, it used to be called Enron Field.

Good times.

Hill Dickinson represented the White Star Line during Lord Mersey's enquiry into the Titanic sinking.

Yes, we just named it "Hill Dickinson", but it will forever be in Bramley-Moore Dock whatever happens. That's why I wrote this homage to both our time at Goodison and to the our "New Lady" on the Liverpool skyline....

[Editor's Note: Err, sorry, Martin, this was all we got. No Ode… No Hommage. If you read this and still want to see it published, please post it on this thread. Thanks!]