Everton may ground-share

Toffees consider options after Kirkby rejection

Last updated: 26th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Everton may ground-share
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Everton chief executive Robert Elstone has revealed the club would consider sharing a ground with city rivals Liverpool after plans for a new stadium at Kirkby were rejected.

The club and Tesco had hoped to build a new stadium and a shopping complex, in a move which would have seen Everton leave Goodison Park.

However, the idea was turned down by Communities and Local Government Secretary John Denham.

The news has raised the possibility of Everton and Liverpool coming to an agreement to share a ground, with Liverpool's plans to build a new stadium at Stanley Park being hit by financial problems.

The fierce rivals have previously expressed a reluctance about sharing a ground, but in the wake of the failed Kirkby project, Elstone has revealed Everton are not against the idea if it makes financial sense for both clubs.

Option

Asked about the idea of ground-sharing, Elstone told Sky Sports News. "It's certainly one of the options that we will need to cover.

"A shared stadium is perhaps an option if it's affordable.

"We have to look at where we can raise money, because potentially Liverpool will have to obviously contribute to that, and Liverpool City Council perhaps might need to find some money.

"Our history is one of creativity and innovation and if we are the first major English club to look at sharing then we're not scared of making those decisions."

Unlikely

But Liverpool's deputy executive director Peter Shaw played down the possibility of the city's two clubs sharing a stadium.

"It's not on our agenda at the moment," said Shaw.

"Liverpool are progressing forward with our own stadium. That is the position we are still in.

"The LFC stadium is quite far progressed and once the financial markets reopen for business the LFC stadium will progress further."

When asked whether the idea of a groundshare with Everton could be a possibility, he said: "That's not for me to answer."

Comments (8)

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Craig Steward (Liverpool fan) says...

Ground share with Everton....you serious?? Are you listening to yourself Robert Elstone?....so would we have half blue seats, half red? No thanks, I'd rather us have our own ground and be totally unique. As the famous sign says already 'THIS IS ANFIELD'!!

Posted 15:45 26th November 2009

Johnny Gogo (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

"The fierce rivals have previously expressed a reluctance about sharing a ground" Fierce?! Dont Reds and Blues live in the same households often? (9-1)

Posted 15:45 26th November 2009

Steve Fletcher says...

From a financial perspective, both clubs & the local comminity,ground sharing would be the sensible option. Fans will complain with the old predjudices, but it will all settle down eventually. Merseyside football has a strong tradition with new inovations, this will also prove to be a significant first in English football. ps I`m a Red

Posted 15:40 26th November 2009

Mike Carr (Everton fan) says...

Everton were at Anfield before Liverpool were even formed, Everton have played more top-flight league games than any other English team so I believe Everton have the 'bigger history'. As for ground sharing, I think it's a ridiculous idea. I know that there are teams such as Milan who do share but can't see this happening on Merseyside. Who really wants to share their home ground with their closet rivals..?

Posted 15:35 26th November 2009

Brian Kelly (Everton fan) says...

Dont worry about it Darren, the feeling is mutual trust me! The refusal of destination Kirkby is an absolute joke. Liverpool city council have just basically said, Kirkby will be left to rot as a town for the sake of revenue into Liverpool City Centre and Everton Football Club dont matter. EFC went for the Stanley Park move well before Liverpool, but were instantly refused? the only way the ground share would happen anyway if it was benificial to LFC.

Posted 15:11 26th November 2009

Der Retter (Liverpool fan) says...

I think the first British groundshare isn't too far away. Most clubs do not have the money or the sites to ensure suitable 'local' new stadia. Also, what with naming rights becoming an ever more increasing feature of the English game, does it matter if Liverpool, for example, has to share the new "Standard Charter Stadium" with Everton or vice-versa? What I find most regretable is that the old classic, distinct grounds like Anfield, Goodison Park, Highbury are no longer enough. The "Emirates Stadium" is no doubt an impressive, modern stadium, but it doesn't come close to generating the same atmosphere as Highbury.

Posted 15:05 26th November 2009

Sammy Junior (Manchester United fan) says...

Given Liverpool's current financial position, reking in a few extra million pounds from Everton would be good for them, dependent on how long this ground share would be, I reckon it could help to save Liverpool from administration (that seems to be staring them straight in the face) within the next 5-10 years). And with Liverpool working their way downwards in the league and playing the Europa League, one would suggest that possibly, Everton and Liverpool (minus Gerrard and Torres) are on the same level! As a united fan, the banter would be brilliant, but we will never be in a position to share a ground with City Darren... Never!

Posted 14:37 26th November 2009

Darren Horsman (Liverpool fan) says...

Share with Everton? I have nothing against everton, but they are the ones that would benefit the most from such a deal. Even with our current american owners looking to bankrupt the club and make it harder for rafa to achieve anything, we are still the bigger club and the better positioned. However having said that i don't feel there is naything terribly wrong with ground sharing.....maybe we could ask the man u boys if they would like to share with city? somehow I doubt it. Anfield has the bigger history and strongest position....what name would there be? Anison? Goodfield? sorry Toffees, nothing personal, but would rather not share a ground with you

Posted 11:39 26th November 2009
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