EVERTON FC chairman Bill Kenwright told shareholders of his deep-rooted love for Goodison Park at their annual dinner.

Ex-Everton players Ray Wilson and Gordon West joined civic dignitaries from Liverpool city council for the shareholders’ get-together held in the Alex Young Suite on Saturday evening.

In his speech, Mr Kenwright said that he understood the views of those Evertonians who did not want to leave Goodison.

A shareholder who was present said: “He said that, in his view, he would never want to leave Goodison Park and that in a perfect world he would want the club to stay there.

“But he realised the move to Kirkby would be the best decision for the club.

“He didn’t spend much time on it and it wasn’t the major part of his speech.”

Mr Kenwright’s remarks came as it was revealed this weekend that Everton’s move to a new stadium in Kirkby will be delayed by a year – even if inspectors give it the green light.

The club had planned to be in their new 50,000 seater ground by 2011.

But the results of a nine-week public inquiry are now not expected to be known until late this year.

It means Everton will stay at Goodison Park for a season longer than planned, even if it wins planning approval.

Secretary of State Hazel Blears will now rule on Destination Kirkby on, or before, November 27.

Whitehall has indicated the final decision is highly unlikely to be reached before Parliament recesses at the end of July, not returning until mid-October.

A Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “This is a complex proposal in which strong views have been expressed and ministers need to give it careful consideration.

“We recognise that there is a lot of interest in this case and we will look to issue the decision as quickly as possible.”