Everton’s new stadium

GOODBYE GOODISON ... HELLO BRAMLEY MOORE DOCK

Picture credits: Liverpool CIty Council

By LIAM KENNEDY

In a week that saw Everton beat local rivals Liverpool at Anfield for the first time since 1999 and plans for their new 52,888 capacity Bramley-Moore Dock stadium being approved by the council, it’s safe to say Everton fans are loving life at the moment.

Everton are hoping to start work on the new £500m stadium this spring with a 150-week construction programme that would mean the Toffees first game in their new home would be at the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The club have claimed the venue will be “the most sustainable arena in the Premier League”.

However, there are concerns from Heritage England and the Victorian Society who aren’t happy that the Victorian Bramley Moore Dock would be filled in. Leader of the Green Party Group on Liverpool City Council, Tom Crone, said: “I spoke to the planning committee to highlight some areas where more could be done to reduce environmental impacts.

“I was quite reassured by the responses I received from the club, and, on balance, I agree with the committee that the benefits of this development comfortably outweighs the harms.”

Mr Crone also stated that he attended the meeting to urge the committee to be even more ambitious in terms of promoting sustainable transport as well as considering ways the development can contribute positively to biodiversity in the city.

Cameron Hay, part of Everton fan channel The Mighty Blues, believes the stadium will benefit the city as a whole.

He said: “I think the move is fantastic, not only for our football club but also for the city.

“The move will create thousands of jobs thus creating millions of pounds in revenue, it will not only allow football games but also other events that will bring tourists to Liverpool to help show off our fantastic city.”

Mr Hay added: “As much as it kills me to have to think of Goodison Road without our Grand Home at the bottom of it, it will be fantastic for the community of L4 to have more housing as well as a health centre which will also help local residents in the area massively.”

Everton can start to get excited as they begin to see progression on and off the pitch spearheaded by two new projects that will reportedly pump £750m into North West infrastructure and benefit the whole region.

Tributes to Anfield ace The Saint

Moving tributes have been paid to Liverpool FC legend Ian St John, who has died at the age of 82 after a long-term illness.

“The Saint” as he was fondly known as, played 336 times for Liverpool, notching 95 goals after being signed for a-then club record fee of £37,500 by Bill Shankly.

Punditry partner Jimmy Greaves, who worked with Ian for many years, said yesterday: “We are very sad to hear the Saint has passed away Ian St John and I had great fun working on the Saint and Greavsie.

“He was a lovely man and will be sadly missed by many, many people.”

Former Liverpool captain and current Rangers manager Steven Gerrard said: “It’s a shock and a surprise to me. I am really disappointed to hear that news. I’d like to send my condolences to his family and everyone involved with the Saint.”

Ian won the English Second Division in his first season on Merseyside in 1962, and went on to win the First Division twice in three years after that, as well as an FA Cup in 1964-65.

The Scotsman started his career at Motherwell, playing over 100 games, while also having short stints at Hellenic, Coventry City and Cape Town City before retiring at Tranmere Rovers. He also played 21 times for his country, scoring 9 goals.

Liverpool FC said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of a true Anfield legend, Ian St John.

“The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Ian’s family and friends at this sad and difficult time.” By CHARLIE BAKERMULLINGS The Saint © Eric Koch