BLUE WATCH: Kirkby is now sounding less like the real deal

Apr 24 2008 By Mark O'Brien

Artist's impression of Everton's new stadium & shops in Kirkby _400

THIS report from DTZ, detailing the actual cost of a new Everton stadium in Kirkby, would certainly appear to suggest that Tesco are not in fact in the habit of giving money away, whether their chairman is an Evertonian or not.

Any new ground is certainly not going to be free, with the club expected to stump up a £78million share of the costs.

The question raised then, is whether that still represents ‘the deal of the century’. Actually, perhaps even the rhetoric isn’t really that important, although given the recent experience with the Kings Dock, the powers that might have considered reining in their hyperbole from the start.

What matters, ultimately, is whether, given these figures, moving to Kirkby still represents the best way forward for the club. We all know that the decision to go was purely based on looking at the numbers, because everyone would rather stay at Goodison, etc. So do they still indicate that a partnership with Tesco and Knowsley Council is the best option for the football club?

The figure of £78m is certainly a lot of money, especially for Everton who have already got a fair chunk of debt hanging over them.

Presumably the powers-that-be at Goodison would argue that any other move would cost even more than that, while we seem to have established that staying put isn’t an option that allows us much potential for growth.

They would be reasonable points too, however, the fact does remain that there was very little talk of £78m, or anything like that amount, before the fans’ vote on the move. That ballot took place with the understanding that this was a far better deal for Everton – the proverbial no-brainer. Now, no-one expects to see the ballot taken again, and there are those who wonder whether it should have ever taken place in the first instance. We all know at the end of the day, Bill Kenwright owns the club and if he chooses to move it to Kirkby, Carlisle or Karachi he can if he so pleases.

However, during the ongoing debates and discussions about this move, the powers-that-be at Everton might be advised to think long and hard about talking about their mandate, because there is definitely some validity in the argument that they obtained it under false pretences.

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