Fans who shall not be moved

Aug 4 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON FC fans turned up in their thousands to St George’s Hall in Liverpool yesterday to view plans to keep their club within the city boundaries.

The Keep Everton in Our City event appeared to show at least a sizeable proportion of the club’s support remain either opposed or undecided about the proposed ground move to Kirkby.

Organisers were swamped by around 4,000 supporters who not only packed into St George’s Hall to see the campaign’s own plans for the redevelopment of Goodison Park, but also many who wanted to share their anger that the club is considering the move to the Kirkby site.

The sheer volume of supporters forced the hall’s staff to close the entrance to the event, turning away at least 300 fans.

Demand was so high that last night members of KEIOC decided to open the doors again today to give fans who could not get in another chance to see their proposals.

Campaigners claimed club chief executive Keith Wyness and chairman Bill Kenwright will face a dramatic defeat in the crucial ballot later this month on the move to Kirkby.

All of the supporters who attended the event were handed ballot forms asking the question: Should Everton move to Kirkby? Almost all, said KEIOC, had replied No.

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 this month’s ballot.

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

Land surrounding the Wallasey tunnel approach road off Scotland Road, known as the Tunnel Trumpet site, has been put forward as an option. Proposals in conjunction with cash and carry company Bestway, who own the land, were on show.

Alfie Hincks, secretary of KEIOC, who also lives in Kirkby, said: “Keith Wyness told fans that there was no Plan B. Today we have shown everyone that there is not only a Plan B but a Plan C too and both options have the majority of fans’ support.

“We asked Mr Wyness and Mr Kenwright to come down and see our plans but both declined to attend as they know the move to Kirkby is not what the fans want.

“Feelings are running high and they really do have a fight on their hands.

“We have been overwhelmed by how many people have made the effort to come here today and they are all so passionate that Everton’s ground must remain in Liverpool.

“We do want a ground that we can be proud of, but it has to be in Liverpool.

“We do not want to rush through a hastily made decision that we will have to regret for the next 100 years.”

Tom Hughes, the design engineer responsible for the plans for the redevelopment of Goodison Park, presented his latest plans to supporters.

He said: “Nothing but the best must be good enough for Everton and we are trying to show the club that Goodison Park is ripe for development. We can take capacity up to 50,000 in one go, just in one closed season

“I am here today to disprove the assertion made by those high up in the club that this number of seats cannot be put on the site. They can.

“There is so much that can be done and fans want to look at all possibilities before Everton loses its Liverpool home for good.”

No-one from Everton FC could be contacted to speak about the event last night.

carolineinnes