Everton still exploring stadium options

Robert Elstone, English Everton chief executive, is still exploring the possibilities for a new stadium and considering a renovation of Goodison Park in Liverpool says the BBC. Everton's GBP 400 million plans for a Kirkby stadium were rejected by the government in November 2009 as there were concerns that this venture would impact local communities negatively. Tesco superstore and other shops were intended to be part of this complex and a pubic inquiry led to the feeling that this would violate shopping policy of not allowing supermarket chains to divert away the clientele of local stores.

Everton is now pursuing other options and is in discussion with community leaders. Elstone said, "We've met with developers and land owners and we've commissioned a fresh look at Goodison Park with a highly recommended architect. I hope we are able to report progress in the near future. There are many examples of council-led or partnered stadium developments in football over the course of the past decade. We hope, between us, we can create a scheme which, in the first instances, passes our basic test of 'affordability' and, ultimately, becomes a reality. Several sites have been identified. All are familiar to us and all had been assessed previously but this doesn't mean we'll come to the same conclusions as circumstances change. The economy, in all respects, changes from day to day and we have to refresh our conclusions and look for new opportunities."