New Everton Stadium - Hill Dickinson Stadium

[Aries]

So long a people pay and don`t do what that Barstool did last night at the food counter.

Felt so sorry for that poor lad who went to get the coffee

 

[Jacko93]

I quite enjoyed the first test event on several levels.

Getting there was quite smooth. Shuttle bus from Liverpool One only took a few mins.... despite the fact that it shared the whole route with normal traffic as far as I could see (which was good for a rush hr period). Access to the stadium was very efficient. No hold ups at the Dock Wall nor at the turnstiles. Went through Gate 11 which thankfully had escalators. By some comments on here, not sure if that's the same for the corner turnstiles though, which might lead to larger Queues at the central turnstiles if thats the case, and when more people get wise to it.

Before the match the concourse was very busy with only small localised congestion in some areas as far as I could make out and getting served was very quick. Not sure what that will be like with a capacity crowd and when all the concourse space on that level.is available. I think the upper North Stand concourse is quite tight, so I would imagine that quite a few would migrate to the East Stand concourse, which looked quite spacious. Some may also be tempted into the South concourse for the views while it's all new.

On the stand itself.... as everyone already knew it is very steep. Not quite Top Balcony steep, but getting there. I was pretty much central in row 38.... 9 or 10 rows above the lower tier and the view when you emerge is quite breath taking. Without actually measuring it, I would say it was marginally more leg room than my seat in the Park End. With slightly more seat width too. The tread depth is supposed to be 750mm, but I think that the seats take up slightly more depth than those at GP, so possibly not getting the full benefit of that extra space. The vomitories also appear to be slightly narrower than those at the Park End, so it seemed to be slower egress at half and fulltime. I didn't go down at half-time myself but my kids did.... said it was slightly more congested than prematch but they had no problems getting to toilets and served in that area. I believe that the tread depth is the same for the lower tier, and if so, I can't see any prospect of increased ratio standing there. (Or certainly not with the existing type of seats, as they take up too much space).

After the match we went to sample our season ticket seats in the corner section (on the same row as we were for the match). Obviously, the view of the near goal was far clearer from there, plus the nearest vomitory was much wider.... so I'm actually happier with my choice than I would've been directly behind the goal where the view of the near goal was good but not quite as clear as from the corner. It would be interesting to see the views from the rear rows. It looked a little bit reminiscent of the away section at Newcastle.... where the sightline c-value starts to get squeezed towards the back.

Of course it was only a friendly, so it was difficult to gauge the home-end acoustics as there was no real atmosphere. At almost 2/3rds of the way up the stand, the roof still felt quite far away and didn't really feel that enclosed acoustically, however, combined with the continuous barrelled effect of the side rooves, it does feel like it will promote good whole-stadium acoustics when the place is in full voice.

We were amongst the last to leave.... so had no problems getting out, nor getting through the Dock Wall. Had intended to try Sandhills for our return journey to South Liverpool.... but on the way was phoned by a friend at Sandhills who said not to bother as it was mayhem (and he'd left early). We then saw that a shuttlebus was waiting on Great Howard St.... so jumped that instead. Again, only a few mins to Liverpool One, followed by a 5 min wait for an onward bus. So all pretty seamless for me transport wise. No idea what the Shuttles to Queen Sqr/Lime Street were like. Of course at just 10k, the transport system has nowhere near been tested. The evening train schedule doesn't seem to have done Sandhills any favours, but it is obvious that it will probably struggle to work for a capacity crowd, even with a full schedule of 8 carriage trains.

I was sat Block 213, row 36, seat 355. Great view up there.

I managed to get look at my new seat early doors as well, ensuring that I was the first to actually sit in it (well, my Son was, but hey ho). My ST seat is much more central. Feels similar in distance as my current PE seat, but the added height really opens the pitch up.

As you say, that moment you first step out is a real treat. When I was at my seat, I was watching cir about 10 minutes as people first stepped out. The faces ranged from shock, to joy and absolute disbelief. I lost count of how many were just simply left open-mouthed at what was presented in front of them.

And boy is it steep. Tarkowski in the 98th against Liverpool would have left me with several broken bones and requiring a passport to get back to my seat.

Similarly, I had no problems with transport, but I did leave early due to having my youngest with me and he was really cold. Travelling in through Liverpool on the Northern was really busy, but likely exacerbated by it being at 5pm, so peak commuter time. In future, I'll likely get the train in to Sandhills, then walk back into town grabbing a few drinks on the way. Maybe jump the bus if the weather is really bad.

 

[JohnS_EFC_1878]

An elite stadium for our great great club. First time I have seen is close up and it's incredible. Counting down the days till the new season when it's packed and very noisy. The siren and Z Cars never sounded so good from the awesome speakers too!

Can't believe people are moaning - always someone, even though they warned it was a 'TEST Event' and don't expect everything to be sorted. Few grumbles about legroom but what do you want - roomy seats and fans miles away from the pitch! Close, together and intimidating was the brief and they have delivered. The South Stand with 13,000 fans (more than both of Goodison ends put together) will be some sight. Grumbles about food pricing - same as every other stadium - but it was tasty which makes a difference!

We have a stadium to be proud of and importantly will bring in a HUGE amount more revenue which means better players as we will have lots more headroom with financial fair play. We will be able to compete financially again...

Bring on the new season... COYB.

 

[Toffe3m4n]

Seen a number of people complain about the pricing of the food..

Honest question - what were you expecting?

 

[wandyr79]

In Amsterdam they have the equivalent of the Echo arena, i was watching Peter Gabriel 20k, right next to the football stadium Harry Styles playing 77k, both finished at same time, and no problem getting away, waiting trains at station 5 minutes walk

You got lucky, went to Metallica gig(s) there, when they were doing the '2 nights, no repeats' tour. Was a very long, but well organised, wait to get on the platform and then another wait until we got to the front to be able to get on a train.. Saturday was worse than Thursday, for obvious reasons, as more people were going into town and maybe more locals drinking so not driving there?

I think there are always going to be times when large events cause congestion, regardless of how good the transport links are.

People have mentioned the Aviva, went there last year for a Leinster European game. There was a very long line for the DART, we were walking anyway so no idea if it moved fast or not, but wasn't moving at all for the 5 minutes we were walking alongside it.

Hopefully, the test events show exactly what is needed and the club/council deliver.

 

[Timbucktoo]

I’m not sure what else people expected with the prices, it’s the best part of a billion pound stadium which if you ignore cup games and events will be open 19 times a season. They’re not going to be doing many offers on bevvys and scran.

The pricing is pretty much what you’d expect at any event like a concert or Aintree. I know people love a moan but surely you didn’t expect any different.

That £6.20 price for a pie is a bit over the top, and if the rest of the stuff is priced in line with that I could see folks getting fed and watered elsewhere and not spending in the ground, so the club would miss out on cash. The way to go about really maxing the revenue would be in having plenty of events on top of our fixtures and maybe for these non Everton events up the regular prices. As well as concerts I`d like to see us go and line up some rugby matches, between autumn internationals and the later stages of the European cup, there`s a great shout to get full houses with folks drinking ale, no matter the price, before during and after the game. Put a premium on the price at these events and bring it down for the Everton games.

 

[trueblue84]

You got lucky, went to Metallica gig(s) there, when they were doing the '2 nights, no repeats' tour. Was a very long, but well organised, wait to get on the platform and then another wait until we got to the front to be able to get on a train.. Saturday was worse than Thursday, for obvious reasons, as more people were going into town and maybe more locals drinking so not driving there?

I think there are always going to be times when large events cause congestion, regardless of how good the transport links are.

People have mentioned the Aviva, went there last year for a Leinster European game. There was a very long line for the DART, we were walking anyway so no idea if it moved fast or not, but wasn't moving at all for the 5 minutes we were walking alongside it.

Hopefully, the test events show exactly what is needed and the club/council deliver.

 

[Pabbers]

Very very special seeing all the vids and piccs all over SM, they all all looked so good, not 1 picture made it look anything but incredible.

Hope any issues are sorted, obviously goes without saying......thats THE point of these events.

 

[Timbucktoo]

The about turn from blanket positivity about the stadium to just relentless complaining now that it's here has been a sight to behold.

Is it just complaining or highlighting areas where folks think could be improved on? Isn`t that part of the point of having a few test events before they unleash 53k on the stadium.

 

[MaghullBlue1878]

It was honestly surreal walking round the stadium and taking it all in. I sat in block 208 and found it freezing I'm going to have to wrap up warm for a cold winter night. Ventured up to my season ticket seat in block 211 and very happy.
Great choice of food and drinks the donut was like something you would get out of Krispy Kreme.
There Was a lot of congestion at halftime in the exits to the concourse and going the toilets. As others have said I'm surprised they put paper towels for drying hands as the bin filled up fast. We parked up by the McDonald's and kfc by Kings Dock and the baltic and walked up...
Seeing other posts as expected the Sandhills situation is a disaster very poor planning by the Council they had 4 years.

 

[Charlie Sweet]

Very very special seeing all the vids and piccs all over SM, they all all looked so good, not 1 picture made it look anything but incredible.

Hope any issues are sorted, obviously goes without saying......thats THE point of these events.

Exactly this. Iconic world class stadium.

Is it just complaining or highlighting areas where folks think could be improved on? Isn`t that part of the point of having a few test events before they unleash 53k on the stadium.

Yes absolutely. Comments on a test event.

 

[Lanolin]

Is it just complaining or highlighting areas where folks think could be improved on? Isn`t that part of the point of having a few test events before they unleash 53k on the stadium.

A lot of it is complaining. The test events are to ensure all the safety compliance is met and everything works, not so that they can go and change the size of the concourses, or make the rows wider, or flip the standing and seating areas around, or rethink their entire catering strategy.

 

[pejic]

Wouldn't be too hard to narrow down who it was surely

Yeah, let's hope so. What a pathetic excuse for a human being. Absolute stain on our club

 

[bitter-no-better]

It was honestly surreal walking round the stadium and taking it all in. I sat in block 208 and found it freezing I'm going to have to wrap up warm for a cold winter night. Ventured up to my season ticket seat in block 211 and very happy.
Great choice of food and drinks the donut was like something you would get out of Krispy Kreme.
There Was a lot of congestion at halftime in the exits to the concourse and going the toilets. As others have said I'm surprised they put paper towels for drying hands as the bin filled up fast. We parked up by the McDonald's and kfc by Kings Dock and the baltic and walked up...
Seeing other posts as expected the Sandhills situation is a disaster very poor planning by the Council they had 4 years.

Yes there was a lot of congestion at half time considering how big the concourses are. Hopefully when they open the other parts of the ground people will spread out more and after a few games people will find their usual half time spot.

 

[TheNinja]

Is it the going rate though?

Which club serves the most expensive pies in the Premier League?

Eating a pie is part of many football fans' essential matchday routine. Let's take a look at the prices of pies at all 20 Premier League grounds, to see which club serves the most expensive pie.

footballgroundguide.com

I think the going rate is largely dependant on where in the country the ground is i.e. southern prices, and whether circa £850m needs recouping from the spend on building it