TOMORROW could mark a significant step towards Everton beating Liverpool into a new stadium.
It’s Destination Kirkby as the major inquiry into the project to move from Goodison to Knowsley gets under way.
The saga of the two clubs trying to acquire new stadia has already been going on too long, but there are more twists and turns to come.
Overhanging both clubs is the credit crunch. There is no doubt Everton and Liverpool feel the need to move on from their old homes, but every day brings more news of turmoil in the financial markets, unemployment, and signs of recession.
Building the new Anfield, and Everton in Kirkby Town Centre, in the teeth of the slump would be tricky even if all other considerations were favourable. They are not.
Take Liverpool first. The latest spat over trademarking the Liver Bird illustrates the uneasy relationship between the council and the club. That’s caused by continuing doubts that the debt-burdened owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks can deliver a new ground.
Turning to Everton, the outcome of the inquiry starting tomorrow is far from certain. The preliminary skirmishes portend a closely argued case before the inspector, Wendy Burden.
Sefton Council is angry that Everton and Tesco won’t reveal the full financial details of the project and say it could hold up the inquiry.
Then there is Liverpool Council. Despite the fact that early Christmas shoppers are pouring into Liverpool One, they are objecting to the Kirkby scheme which includes a large Tesco store and other retail developments.
Throw in Keep Everton In Our City and the Kirkby Action Group, and the inspector is faced with quite a challenge to the strong case that Knowsley Council will put for this key regeneration project.
As I have often mentioned before, the Northwest Development Agency remains convinced that a single stadium is the best solution for both clubs. The agency’s chairman, Bryan Gray, has just been given a year’s extension to his term of office.
That’s great news for the man who has played an important role in the success of Capital of Culture year as Chair of the Board.
It’s not such good news for the leading contenders to succeed him, ex-BBC presenter Felicity Goodey, and Robert Hough, of Peel Holdings.
The spin being put on the extended term for Mr Gray is that the new Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, wants stability at a time of economic recession.
But, behind the scenes, I understand that ministers are finding it genuinely difficult to choose between the urbane Hough and the more volatile, but often inspiring, Goodey who has in recent years been behind the Lowry and MediaCity projects in Salford.
I’m told Ms Goodey is not amused by Mandy’s dithering.
But everything comes to he/she who waits; perhaps even new stadia for our clubs.
