Goodison chiefs give their full backing to Kirkby move

Jul 31 2007 by Jessica Shaughnessy, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON FC chairman Bill Kenwright and manager David Moyes last night gave their full support for the club’s controversial plan to move to Kirkby.

Goodison Park stars, including Andy Johnson, Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill, also gave their back-ing as the club prepares to sell its plans to around 38,000 fans quali-fied to vote in the coming ballot.

Today, the Daily Post can exclusively reveal information in the leaflet which will be circulated to shareholders and season ticket holders to help them make their decision. It tells interested parties:

The new stadium’s design allows for the planned 50,000 to 55,000-seat capacity to be increased to 60,000 in the future;

It will boast the ability to hold concerts and house state-of-the- art facilities for corporate events;

The Kirkby ground will have 38 corporate boxes, 326 metres of counter space, catering facilities and vast car parking.

Speaking for the first time about the move in a message to the fans, who will decide the club’s future, Mr Kenwright said: “If, via the ballot, you do not want us to continue to pursue the Kirkby option, we won’t. If you do, we will continue our negotiations. It’s as simple as that.”

Mr Kenwright said the decision to look at moving from Goodison was the result of much “soul searching”, adding: “I only want only one thing, what is best for Everton Football Club and its fans.

“No-one loves Goodison Park more than I do, but we have reached a critical moment in our club’s history.

“I have always made it clear that remaining in our current home is my preferred option, but that has simply not proved possible.

“So, we must look to a future in a new home – one that will provide both the benefits of modern design and the heart of Goodison.”

The proposed move is down to a joint deal thrashed out by Everton with Knowsley Council and Tesco.

It would involve a new £75m stadium built at a cost of £50m, thanks to the involvement of Tesco’s contractors. With land values thrown in – it is being pro-vided free by Knowsley – and internal fit-out costs, the value of the deal rises to somewhere around £150m, but at a cost of only £10m-£15m to the club, thanks to the sale of Goodison for around £15m and a naming rights deal.

Endorsing the plan for the first time in public David Moyes threw his weight behind the plans, which the club says would result in considerably more funding to spend on a squad. “Whether we like it or not, English football is now big business and over the past few years it has become patently clear that only those clubs which can boast an impressive financial clout can truly compete for the major prizes,” reads his message to fans.

“What we don’t want is to be left behind; we don’t ever want to accept second best. I want what is best for Everton Football Club in both the short and long terms.

“I trust the Club’s Board of Directors – and I ask you to do the same.”

Recipients of the leaflet will also learn that the new ground offers 3,500 lounge spaces to vastly increase revenue.

More than 4m households will be provided with direct connections with a journey of only 45 minutes to the Kirkby ground.

It will also boast first-rate access for people with disabilities.

But, most importantly, every seat in the new stadium will have a perfect sightline to the pitch, a vast improvement to Goodison Park, which has 10,000 seats classified as obstructed.

Striker Andy Johnson said: “The plans for the new ground are very exciting and I am sure it will mean a bright future for this club.”

Due to the risk of postal strikes, fans are being advised they should have the information flyer for the ballot by August 10.

Ballot papers are being sent to all 2007/8 season ticket-holders, plus anyone who has held a season ticket for the last three seasons.

Non-season ticket holding club shareholders will also be given a say, as will adult Evertonian members.

The outcome of the ballot, being run by the Electoral Reform Society, is expected to be known before the end of August.

Key details about the new stadium > > >

Click here to download the brochure which will be sent to fans