New Everton Stadium - Hill Dickinson Stadium

Tbf, they're two slightly separate arguments. LFC's ticket prices are simply down to basic supply and demand. They could probably fill Anfield twice over with relatively well-healed out-of-towners alone. They have massive waiting lists of members prepared to pay what we pay for a season, just for one or two annual visits. The demand is that large, they can use it to squeeze their entire fanbase, regardless of the age of the stands.... however, their stadium investment and tight ROI policy means that their new stands have simply enabled that to be pushed even further. The fact remains that generally if a club is spending hundreds of millions on new stadia/stands, then ticket prices generally rise. Of course in some cases that would hopefully be somewhat offset by lucrative new corporate capacities helping to cross-subsidise the build and GA ticket prices..... or, as in Man City and West Ham's case, whole freeby stadiums.

The article provides a few links to other international articles and academic studies to back-up his basic (cynical) argument, to show that new stadia have often failed to live up to the rejuvenating economic hype that usually preceeds, or even prompts them. The reasons are multiple and quite obvious. The agglomerative effects of stadia are not a given, and usually quite limited. Otherwise the districts of Walton and Anfield would already have felt them. Of course you could argue that those districts have felt the benefits of Goodison and Anfield, in that they still have their local high streets pretty much intact, unlike many of their neighbouring districts, where those old high streets have nearly all long-since faded away.

What acts in BMD's favour is the proximity to the city centre and importantly the other major developments earmarked to fill that gap...... notionally bringing the city-centre, and hopefully its infrastructure, right up to BMD's doorstep.

I disagree with his musings over whether new stadiums are built to change the demographics of visitors. The greed of football itself is changing the demographic of its fans at grounds, as shown by the ticket prices at some other clubs.

As for football stadiums altering the area within which they stand, Im not sure why hes throwing out an accusation at Everton forgetting about the immediate area around our new build, it may be worth seeing what TFG have planned for what looks to be a purchase, or long term lease of Nelson Dock.

Cynical is the right term to use as it is a wholly negative piece. In my opinion, if he wanted to use BMD as an anchor to his opinion, then it may have been worth doing a little more research on it.
 

I disagree with his musings over whether new stadiums are built to change the demographics of visitors. The greed of football itself is changing the demographic of its fans at grounds, as shown by the ticket prices at some other clubs.

As for football stadiums altering the area within which they stand, Im not sure why hes throwing out an accusation at Everton forgetting about the immediate area around our new build, it may be worth seeing what TFG have planned for what looks to be a purchase, or long term lease of Nelson Dock.

Cynical is the right term to use as it is a wholly negative piece. In my opinion, if he wanted to use BMD as an anchor to his opinion, then it may have been worth doing a little more research on it.
Completely correct.

It was a hit piece masquerading as a critique on the questionable urban regenerative powers of new stadia...as mundane a point as anyone could make.

The Guardian are in the pocket of LFC friendly 'journalists'. Conn proved what an obsequious mouthpiece he is for them over the Paris riot; even the nominal 'Everton' reporter Hunter is a hateful rat who finds any chance he can get to trash talk Everton and takes it.

It suits me fine: a neo-liberal, war mongering rag not in our corner.
 
I'm a little surprised, but obviously delighted, that there isn't - or at least hasn't yet been announced - any kind of memorial or link to William 'Bill' Kenwright at the new ground. I figured he'd have had it in his contract of sale to Moshiri that any new stadium must contain a statue built or stand named in his honour.
Moshiri has far more right to having something named after him than that toad.
 
Will the Statues of the Holy Trinity and Dixie Dean be able to be moved to the new Stadium or will they be staying there?

I think it would be good to leave one or both of them there, even if the ground gets demolished as a reminder of where the Ground stood.

I'd like to see some new Statues at the new ground - Joe Royle would be my first pick.
 
Will the Statues of the Holy Trinity and Dixie Dean be able to be moved to the new Stadium or will they be staying there?

I think it would be good to leave one or both of them there, even if the ground gets demolished as a reminder of where the Ground stood.

I'd like to see some new Statues at the new ground - Joe Royle would be my first pick.
This is a question that seems to pop up regularly on this thread. I found this article on the web site below


What will happen to Goodison Park?​

Everton's plans for their iconic old stadium​

Goodison Park has been a cornerstone of Everton Football Club for over 130 years, hosting countless matches, memories, and moments that have defined the Toffees’ legacy. But with the club moving to a state-of-the-art new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, what does the future hold for this historic site? While fans bid farewell to the iconic stadium, the future of Goodison Park promises to celebrate Everton’s legacy while revitalizing the local community.​

  • Affordable and Social Housing: Ten new development blocks will provide 173 residential units, including affordable options.


  • Community Services: A health and medical centre, residential care facilities, and an education centre will serve the needs of local residents.
  • Business and Retail Opportunities: An enterprise building, offices, and community-focused retail spaces will create new job opportunities.
  • Green Spaces: A park will provide much-needed recreational areas for families and residents.

Preserving Everton’s Legacy

Everton FC remains committed to maintaining its connection with the L4 community. Several iconic elements of Goodison Park will be preserved, including:

  • Historic Gates: The southwest entrance gates will remain as a symbol of the stadium’s storied past.
  • Dixie Dean Statue: The statue of the club legend will stay on-site, anchoring the location’s history.
  • Memorial Plaques: Fans’ memorials will be retained, ensuring their contributions are honored.

A Farewell Celebration
Before demolition begins, Everton FC plans to celebrate the rich history of Goodison Park with a special farewell festival. The event will include live music, appearances by current and former players, and family-friendly activities. Running from May 30 to June 1, this festival offers fans a unique opportunity to say goodbye to the iconic ground.


A Bright Future Ahead
While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to Goodison Park as a football ground, its future looks incredibly promising. The Goodison Legacy Project ensures that the site will continue to play an important role in the lives of Evertonians and the wider community.
 

I disagree with his musings over whether new stadiums are built to change the demographics of visitors. The greed of football itself is changing the demographic of its fans at grounds, as shown by the ticket prices at some other clubs.

As for football stadiums altering the area within which they stand, Im not sure why hes throwing out an accusation at Everton forgetting about the immediate area around our new build, it may be worth seeing what TFG have planned for what looks to be a purchase, or long term lease of Nelson Dock.

Cynical is the right term to use as it is a wholly negative piece. In my opinion, if he wanted to use BMD as an anchor to his opinion, then it may have been worth doing a little more research on it.

Tbh, I think much of the cynicism stems from several US studies regarding the often overstated (he calls mythical) economic benefits of new stadia etc which he references in the article, with links provided. He's US based and these articles have come out of a few booms in new stadia, over several decades. In some cases, whole new stadia barely lasting 30yrs before being replaced. I think BMD is highlighted simply because it can be seen as the latest addition to the mini stadium-building boom process in this country.... but other UK stadia are mentioned too. We're the latest to (almost) complete, so I don't think it's a big surprise that we're strongly featured.

Yes, TFG may well be able to exploit the fact that they purchased a whole premier league football club for far less than the price of just its brand new stadium...... hopefully leaving healthy funds to develop adjacent sites into complimentary year-round high footfall developments. However, the question that the article seemingly espouses would probably be, why haven't those types of developments already been attracted if the agglomerative effect of new stadia is universally accepted? Not to mention the massive loss that Moshiri had to endure to make it viable in the first place.
 
Tbh, I think much of the cynicism stems from several US studies regarding the often overstated (he calls mythical) economic benefits of new stadia etc which he references in the article, with links provided. He's US based and these articles have come out of a few booms in new stadia, over several decades. In some cases, whole new stadia barely lasting 30yrs before being replaced. I think BMD is highlighted simply because it can be seen as the latest addition to the mini stadium-building boom process in this country.... but other UK stadia are mentioned too. We're the latest to (almost) complete, so I don't think it's a big surprise that we're strongly featured.

Yes, TFG may well be able to exploit the fact that they purchased a whole premier league football club for far less than the price of just its brand new stadium...... hopefully leaving healthy funds to develop adjacent sites into complimentary year-round high footfall developments. However, the question that the article seemingly espouses would probably be, why haven't those types of developments already been attracted if the agglomerative effect of new stadia is universally accepted? Not to mention the massive loss that Moshiri had to endure to make it viable in the first place.

There is a difference though in America, as they build stadiums to attract franchises. Its public funding that pays for the majority of the stadium, so the reasoning has to be more about the social impact on its neighbouring communities, which leads to over exaggerated claims of benefits. In America, the stadium is the attraction. The stadiums are designed to attract the ultra wealthy, build an investment zone dunno the desire to be associated with the stadium. It is very different over there to here. Stadiums here are built in the city from where the club originate. There is no need to build a fanbase around a franchise. I think the only example otherwise (and happy to be corrected) is MK dons and the Wimbledon saga.

There is such a difference in the use cases and expectations of US and UK stadia, that he should just espouse his opinions on the US stadiums the study and research was completed on.

I have to be honest, he really got my back up from the first few sentences. The clubs standards may have dropped below what the motto states over the last 30 years, but not for the fans it hasn't. We haven't been satisfied for 30 years, because we haven't been the best. It may have been a glib remark to open his opinion piece, but it was one that felt like he was trying to poke fun at a fanbase who have suffered, using the one thing that gives us some hope, as the stick. He was on a hiding to nothing from that point, as I was anti anything else he said.
 
I found the parts about Everton quite funny, but one thing the article was lacking was that it didn't really mention the day to day experience of the fans attending games. We pay a lot of money to go, and improving the facilities makes it so much better. Its all looked at through the lens of profit and money. For me the huge improvement in match-going experience is the main attraction of the stadium, but its an afterthought in both the article and the comments under it.
 

I found it very condescending tbh.

Apparently the hack's target "wasn't Everton" though, and we shouldn't take offence.

It was written to point out a well worn decades old argument concerning the short run existence of public cash being wasted on north American sports stadiums built in or near city centres that failed to regenerate urban areas or act as a spur to civic growth.

I know, I find it hard it to believe too.

:coffee:
 
Apparently the hack's target "wasn't Everton" though, and we shouldn't take offence.

It was written to point out a well worn decades old argument concerning the short run existence of public cash being wasted on north American sports stadiums built in or near city centres that failed to regenerate urban areas or act as a spur to civic growth.

I know, I find it hard it to believe too.

:coffee:
Life threatening foods served & queueing for the toilets ?
That fella never been to a propper footie ground ....FFS.
 
Apparently the hack's target "wasn't Everton" though, and we shouldn't take offence.

It was written to point out a well worn decades old argument concerning the short run existence of public cash being wasted on north American sports stadiums built in or near city centres that failed to regenerate urban areas or act as a spur to civic growth.

I know, I find it hard it to believe too.

:coffee:
Exactly. I was wondering why we were in the discussion at all as the stadium was built purely with private investment. It's not like the local council decided to splurge 800m of public money to revitalise the city.

In that sense, while I agree with his charges of homogenisation, in general, we were only in the article because our new stadium is the latest high-profile build. Clearly, he needed an editor.
 

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