Opponents of Everton’s move showcase their plans

Aug 3 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

CAMPAIGNERS trying to keep Everton’s stadium within the city are holding a public consultation today.

Keep Everton in Our City (KEIOC) are against plans to move the club’s stadium to Kirkby.

The event at St George’s Hall, from 10am to 5pm today, will showcase the group’s own plans for the future of Everton FC’s home.

KEIOC’s preferred option is a refurbishment of Goodison Park but other sites have been mooted.

Land surrounding the Wallasey tunnel approach road has been cited as an option. Proposals are in conjunction with cash and carry company Bestway, who own the land and will be on show today.

City council leader Cllr Warren Bradley has put together a team to work with the firm to devise a stadium scheme.

Everton have repeatedly said the only deliverable stadium project on the table is the £150m proposal for a 50,000-seater ground in Kirkby town centre but are leaving the decision up to the fans with a ballot this month.

Spokesman Dave Kelly said: “We are not Luddites – we are not saying it is Goodison or bust.

“We know it would be the economics of the madhouse to think Everton could go it alone without a retail partner or a major investor.

“We have had a number of meetings with Cllr Bradley and identified other sites that we believe would tick all the boxes for Everton and give them scope to involve a retail partner. A new investor is another option.

“We want people to see there are other viable choices and Bestway have shown their commitment to us and the project.”

The consultation will hope to persuade Everton fans to vote no in the crucial ballot.

At Monday’s friendly against Werder Bremen the group was distributing leaflets to fans, advertising the consultation and saying: “Vote no to Kirkby, there is a plan A, B, C and D”.