25 Apr 2012

Liverpool-Everton ground-share: Time to put it back on the agenda...?

GUEST POST: Just over ten years ago I watched in awe as the Milan clubs played each other in the Champions league semi final over two legs. For the first time, I fully understood the idea that a stadium could belong to two separate clubs, each a rival with separate and very distinct histories. In each of those games, there was no doubt who was ‘at home’ and ‘away’. As you’ve guessed already, I’m revisiting the idea of Liverpool and Everton sharing stadium.

I visited Anfield for the first time ever this season for the Brighton FA Cup game. I knew I was visiting a Mecca of football, but I was not prepared for the wreck I encountered. Let’s be honest, both stadiums either side of Stanley Park have had their day.

Addressing the Liverpool FC fans who are most likely to read this piece in the first instance: you wouldn’t be sharing in the sense that you’d be sitting next to Everton fans every match; you would see them exactly the same amount of times per season.

On the day you play Everton away, you’d be in that same section, in a smaller and probably more vociferous posse and in seats you never sit in at any other time - probably even approaching the stadium differently.

Look at the economics: half the business rates; half the ground maintenance; modern turf management and pitch laying techniques to ensure a better playing surface; half the construction costs. The list goes on.

Put together the sums raised from two big pieces of well-placed real estate (which could be used for housing and/or job creation for the whole city) and all the other savings I’ve just mentioned, and it would be realistic to be able to expect a 70,000 seater stadium unparalleled in England.

It must be possible to design a stadium that is bigger, has more atmosphere, and better views than the Emirates, as well as incorporating a unique design outline (think ‘Birds nest’ Beijing) that would enhance Liverpool and Everton throughout the world.

The benefits of a shared stadium to the city of Liverpool would be much greater. For a start, if my submission is correct, Liverpool would have the best stadium in the land by a country mile. The spin offs in prestige, jobs, and investment would have to be seen to believed, and the naming rights alone would probably be worth £100m.

The benefits to the clubs would be enormous on the playing side too. Increased match day revenue is essential to a team’s development nowadays, but anyone who’s been to the Emirates knows that it has also become a tourist destination in it’s own right..

Additionally, the stadium would be such a draw to Architects that it would be possible to entice the best of the world’s stadia designers to submit plans at a decent price.

What about the new owners of LFC? Well, they are a pretty clued-up operation, who value ‘brand’ more than anything else. It’s possible that there may be some unspoken plans to leverage LFC in future by putting the title deeds of the club’s stadium in the vaults of J.P.Morgan or Goldman Sachs (to raise a bit of dough to play Monopoly somewhere else), but if a new stadium is what supporters want, they would probably swallow it to retain value in their ‘Brand’.

I’m a Glaswegian by upbringing, and people sometimes draw parallels regarding that derby match and its intensity, but the people of Liverpool are much more connected with each other. I attended a funeral last year of a Toffees man here in Brighton. His son, a Red, fondly told me the story of pops taking his guitar out in the street and striking up ‘You’ll never walk alone’ the night Liverpool won their first European Cup, which started a chorus of singing that he swears enveloped the whole district over the rooftops.

I’m now an adopted Brightonian (35 years now), and the Seagulls have just built a new ground up Stadium. The crowds are back, optimism in the club and City is palpable; it really is hard to put into words.

Ultimately, the benefits of a shared stadium greatly outweigh the negatives: Best Stadium in the UK; pride in being the only major city where real rivals play at the same ground; a wonderful world class riverside stadium and structure that could only be made to happen in Liverpool, and another piece of the jigsaw in rebuilding the city’s vista and image

Everton moved out of Anfield 120 years ago; time the Reds did too.

Russell Hughes


58 comments:

  1. I've been searching for news pieces on our proposed new stadium today - nice coincidence to see new article on this topic here on the only LFC website I visit.
    Regarding the ground-sharing: despite the fact that I - like most of the LFC fans - disliked the idea at the beginning, if you look at it from the economy point of view, it would be a very wise choice.

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  2. it's fantastic commercial good sense to have a stadium in use week in week out. stadium sharing is done in Italy and Germany, why not do it in Stanley park. Shared costs of building a stadium in the current financial climate may well be the only way.

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  3. Do you not understand Everton cannot afford it and never could under present ownership so until and unless a new owner arrives it is all talk no substance like Kenwright.

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  4. Haha! Put it back on who's agenda??? Evertons? Why? Liverpool FC have said no so that's it. Thanks everybody for contributing what's next on Liverpool's agenda? FA Cup? Summer transfer's?

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  5. Not sure it works out quite so profitable in reality. Yes you halve the outgoings but you also lose some of the money making potential. If it does make sense then I would expect nesv to explain it to the fans if it meant more transfer money but they never have.

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  6. Are people not aware that the teams involved in Italy and Germany would revert to single occupier status at the drop of a hat. Everton can not afford to share the cost of a new stadium with there current owner. LFC should either develop Anfield or press ahead with a 70 thousand seater stadium for the sole use of the mighty reds.  

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  7. still deluded kopshites.hows the massive debt. still playing in our old ground. bet the yanks love owning you lot l.o.l....

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  8. dreamer nothing but a dreamer..... ha ha ha ...

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  9. no,no,no. Imagine if your season ticket is in a blue seat!!!!

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  10. cause your skint after the king spent all that dosh on dross....

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  11. Skint???? Think you'll find FSG have money to burn if they need to. We have hardly spent a penny when you take into account the wage bill that was reduced then the considerable dead wood was culled, the money gained in those sales and the 50 mil sale of a certain Torres. Everyone bangs on about the 100mil plus we've spent on dross but that is simply not the case. Would you call Suarez dross? I think not! 

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  12. I think it is a great idea.As a Liverpool fan who does not get to go to Liverpool as much as I would like, the thing I love the most is the city itself and how both sets of fans love their city (you know what I mean). The issue I see is who is going to pay for it (as Everton have no money) and the design. How do you keep both clubs happy if one is giving more money then the other? I do think this topic should not leave the table of discussion between both clubs.  To be honest I dont see it happening, Pity.

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  13. if everton had spent the amount you lot have i would expect more thah 1 tinpot cup.....

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  14. Your club ain't got a tinpot to piss in!!! Again, I reiterate, we ain't spent an awful lot all things considered. What will the blue shite be winnin this season?? Please don't be too bitter.

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  15. in this day and age, with economic uncertainty , war and starvation, a ground share is the least we can do. 

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  16. Surely if you're reasons for ground share are unfounded. The economic uncertainty will not last for ever ( every recession comes to an end ) and I hardly think a dual occupancy stadium will bring an end to third world poverty or bring about world peace. LFC should walk alone.

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  17. Makes sense, but how would the pitch hold up? How does the San Siro pitch look? Does the winter break in Italy help them out?

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  18. Those who tout the concept simply don't understand the demographics of a city which is vastly different to Milan

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  19. yes put it back on the agenda............................then laugh at it and say on yer bike, not a chance pal!!!!!!!!!

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  20. I used to say never but ........

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  21. nothing mate not expected to still love my club though. where you lot expect to win things only to be dissapointed. your the team everyone laughs at and dislikes like the big bully in the playground who dont get there own way ..

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  22. loool funny how we have a tin pot that you would give your right testicle to have when was the last time you expereinced any silverware

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  23. Well if peanuts are accepted as a payment then everton might be able to pay for it afterall

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  24. Yeah cos Everton are always winning trophies!

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  25. IWouldnt you like to know11:55 pm, April 25, 2012

    Still can't people think that this can happen. Personal thoughts aside the economic reality is that Everton could not afford Kirkby for £150m without Tesco paying for it. How could they afford that now? They can't fill Goodison Park so at a 70,000 seat stadium how would they generate more money. Plus, the price for the naming rights would drop. Potential naming rights customers want to be associated with Liverpool, not Everton. Mixing up would dilute the value.

    By the way this is more or less the outcome of the initial bid by Everton to groundshare. They lost interest as soon as the price spiralled.

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  26. All good and well.... but do Everton FC have the money for the ground sharing? 

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  27. Anything that shortens the gap between Liverpool teams and Manchester teams gets the thumbs up for me. It makes great business sense and for those who don't 'like' new stadiums, take a trip to the Emirates........great stadium. 

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  28. If Everton want to use our stadium, they can lease it. They don't need a stadium with 65,000 seats. THey can't afford a new stadium. Makes sense for them to convert Goodison into a tesco and car park, and then lease new anfield for their match days.

    They have to realise that they are no longer a big club, and its pointless sharing a stadium with them.

    On the other hand, Spurs should look to share the Emirates, and of course the milan clubs are both giants. But liverpool and everton?

    If everton want to groundshare, they should consider someone like tranmere.

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  29. yeah they should but pick up the pace.... Jog on.

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  30. @Lillia Ruden Absolutely right - only the top club in the area deserves their own grounds. The oldest club, greatest history, highest in the league...oh...

    Idiots like you are why a groundshare won't happen and both clubs will fall further behind. You won't be bankrolled by your Yank sugardaddy forever if you give him nothing in return. 

    Applaud Russell's thoughts. To any sensible, right thinking person, he clearly has a point. The money would be a factor for EFC, but I imagine the sale of GP would help with that - also feel it's about time the council put its balls on the block and did something to help two of the cities most famous institutions and biggest draws.

    Knowing your history is great - but we shouldn't let it cost us our futures.

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  31. your not a big club anymore get used to it deludes...if it want for your fans from norway youd only get about 20.000...

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  32. It sounds like Liverpool can't afford to build a new ground either,or they would of started by now.

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  33. The Americans bought Liverpool to make money,full stop. They've already wasted a bag full of cash on some dud players. A new ground obviously doesn't seem worth the risk,or they would of started by now. The perfect solution would be for the city to build a ground,and the two clubs to rent it. LFC will have no CL money for the foreseeable future,because they're crap,and I reckon your owners were relying on that to push the club forward.

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  34. The only time Liverpool would fill a 70,000 seat stadium,is when they play Everton or a team from the top 4. There was a cup game not so long ago where 20 odd thousand turned up,what happened to all them fans couldn't get a ticket to see Liverpool.

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  35. Small club who are still above you. Liverpool are in decline, and dolts like you won't admit it.

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  36. Commercially and economically it makes sense of course. Lets say the groundshare was given the go ahead...can you imagine the amount of billionaires/consortiums business groups suddenly interested in taking over Eveton.....that would be Liverpools worst nightmare...their poor skint neighbours about to gazump their commericalility domestically and internationally.....i mean David Moyes net spend of about 3 million in the last year compared to daaglish's 150m or whatever it is...imagine Everton with money...they would be dangerous....i mean liverpool normally only finsih 3/6 points ahead of Everton anyway and thats with a blank cheque book. Liverpools worse nightmare...Everton getting back what they deserve but right in their faces on on shared turf.

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  37. Wouldn't call him a goal scorer either

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  38. Many of the comments appear to sadly confirm the rather bigoted narrow minded views that have crept in in recent years between the supporters "Everton can't afford it' 'Liverpool are not a big club anymore' etc. The sale of Goodison would fund Evertons share & Liverpool have been more successful over the last 20 years than Everton. What some of you do not seem to realise is that we evolve OR DIE. Every season both clubs lose ground on the top 4, then the top 5, top 6 and so on and so on. The colour of my seat is immaterial. What would you prefer your own ground and mid table obscurity - or worse, or a successful club at the cost of a friend, family member, neighbour or fellow scouser is sitting in your seat?

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  39. Liverpool have had an awful league campaign, the worst I can remember in my lifetime, but we've won a cup and qualified for Europe. Everton can only dream of such a thing. We had three trophies to play for this season, we have won one and are in the final of another which proves we are still a cup winning team. It makes me laugh when evertonians come on here trying to dismiss us, you would love to be where we are now. If you asked a football fan from another country who are the biggest teams in England they would say Man utd and Liverpool. Fact.

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  40. Good post, everyone is getting caught up in petty stuff and macho nonsense when it certainly does make sense. My only concern would be how an English pitch would hold up in a premier league season without a winter break. But, financially, of course it makes sense. And finance is more important than sentiment in most things in this world. Empty fighting talk, from people who will not be putting their hand in their pocket to fund the next step, won't get us anywhere.

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  41. it's a great idea one i would like to see but the only problem i can see is playing on the pitch that could be used 3 or 4 times a week, it could be solved by having two grass playing fields like the nfl arizona cardinals have in the usa, while one grass surface is being played on the second is outside being maintained and nourished to look like new, when the first surface is damaged and not fit to play on it is rolled outside, the second surface is then rolled into the stadium and used until it also needs repairing then it's switched again, the pitch could be changed every 3 or 4 months that way we could have a stadium good enough to play on for the whole year, look at the arizona cardinals web site and see for yourself just what a fantastic idea it is

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  42. That's the problem, it seems that some people would rather die.

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  43. As a Everton fan i voted to move from goodison however the ground share is never happening
    All your points are all good ones but 1 massive difference us Liverpool want an 80,000 seater Everton want 50,000 and if we settled for 65-70 000 then it would leave so many seats empty and a dreadful atmosphere - ground share will never happen!!

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  44. Never really been interested int he ground share (efc fan), one thing i will say is Liverpool is the only place in England where it could happen. we are always going on about how unique we are etc this could work....i'd just rather not

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  45. although the people who are flinging insults back and forth on here need to pack it in, you give us all a bad name - worse than mancs

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  46. You have just admitted to Winnie! Evertonians are no dreamers, but you are! You can win cups, have millions to spend on players whom will go into oblivion when they only score a goal (or none) throughout the whole season, have millions of fans around the world who put on the liverpool jerseys only when they win but hide it away when they lose, boast about being the better team in Liverpool. You lot really do not walk alone, but dream a lot together! Before you put words into any everton fan's mouth ("Everton can only dream......love to be where we are now....") or any other football fan's mouth ("biggest team in England,....Man U and Liverpool"), read what you have written first! TO have spend more than 100 million pounds with only the league cup to show (let's not talk about league positions)....how many teams have done just that with a lot less money? It's no wonder Kenny mentioned that the liverpool fans of today are a very demanding lot. Yes, Everton may have lost three matches to Liverpool this season alone, and you can have your bragging rights about who is 'bigger'; but I can assure you that Everton fans and the players that play for everton have a bigger heart....one big heart that pumps and makes Everton tick and doing their best (nil satis nisi optimum). No money in the world can buy that (as Rooney et al found out last week). 

    As for ground sharing, as long as it benefits the clubs (finiancially) and the people at Merseyside (increased tourism, etc), then why not?

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  47. I live, work and drink with Kopites and I have even been to matches at Anfield with red relatives and mates. It's not the churlish little remarks on here that will stop any ground-share, it's the lack of will in the Everton boardroom. The new semi synthetic grass pitch is the answer to playing 50 odd matches a season, and what about years ago when both sides played their reserve games at their own grounds? In the eighties our city was top dog but now we are gradually falling behind Manchester and London so if nothing changes, like a new ground for either club with all the corporate facilities that generate income, then stagnation may lead to a 1950's scenario, when both our great sides spent time in the second tier, or worse

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  48. Have a bigger heart, are you serious? You have your people's club and all the other rubbish you come out with, I'll take us winning trophies, playing in finals and competing in Europe. We are still one of the biggest teams in England. We have the fan base, the financial clout and the history to prove it. Even the manager of our biggest rivals said the Liverpool vs Man utd is still the biggest game in the league calendar. Evertonians are obsessed with Liverpool, Moyes can't give an interview without mentioning us. The fact your on a Liverpool forum putting in comments just backs that up.

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  49. This is a good post, but lets be honest it wont happen. In principle and economically it all makes sense as Everton are never going to be in a position to build there own ground even with new owners, (how would they ever get there money back?) But I agree with the posts on here that suggest  Liverpool dont  have the money either. It is one thing to bankroll your manager to the tune of 70 million but if CL qualification doesnt arrive next season then Kenny will be out and attendances will drop. Liverpool and especially the owners cannot continue to budget on  the likelihood of not playing in  Europes top  competition, and how many years has it been now, three? Yes they have won the League cup and have a chance of winning the FA cup but it doesnt alter the fact that despite huge outlay Liverpool are Englands 8th best side, sorry but that is not progress. By the way Russell who will fund this stadium? Presuming it costs around 250 - 300 million pounds, even with the sale of both Goodison and Anfield (which may raise an extra 10 - 15 million if both clubs are lucky) how can either club find an additional 100 million each? ( Again presuming mega companies would be interested in parting with tens of millions of pounds to have the ground named after them)  

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  50. You can only expect to win things if you are used to winning things. Probably why your expectations are so low!! 

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  51. Liverpool need Champions Legue football thats the bottom line and with Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of them, not to mention one or two others who could give them a run for their money Tottenham for one what are the prospects of that happening next season or the season after? You need a reality check, big investors want a return especially American ones. You wont fill a 70000 seater stadium on a Thursday night will you?

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  52. Liverpool NEED champions league football? Presumably the other teams in the premier league either don't need it or deserve it!

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  53. shared stadium would be a solution to both clubs but liverpool cant seem to make there minds up and everton have had two failed attempts at moving and failed. If they did share think of the money that merseyside councils would inject plus goverment grants,it would be a no brainer for me. I personally would go for a riverside location and make it like the millenium stadium in cardiff but stanley park would be good to and spruce up the area with some much needed cash. i just hope somthing happens sharpish so the manchester clubs can stop taking the micheal and be jealous of liverpools football clubs once again.craig

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  54. Real Estate Liverpool7:35 am, July 16, 2012

    How
    was your experience in Anfield? You must be feeling very conscious.

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  55. Real Estate Liverpool7:36 am, July 16, 2012

    How
    was your experience in Anfield? You must be feeling very conscious.



    Real Estate Liverpool


     

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