Lifelong Evertonian Sam Carroll thinks the new stadium will provide a lift. Not only for Everton FC, but for Liverpool as a city as well.
Photo by: Enrique Gutierrez
Yesterday, Everton FC announced that all the pre-cast concrete components that will form the structure of their new stadium at the Bramley-Moore Dock have been produced.
The new stadium is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024/25-season. Sam Carroll has been an Everton fan all his life. He sees great potential in the club now moving from Goodison Park.
‘I think as an Evertonian, you must be positive. At the same time we have seen other clubs such as West Ham and Manchester City moving to new stadiums and not getting an immediate effect from it. But I think Everton FC and the architect Dan Meis deserve credit for the way they have treated this so far. They have made sure to draw influence from Goodison Park, a place that we have so many great memories from’, Carroll says.
He played for Everton’s youth team himself as a goalkeeper. He has also been a sports reporter for Liverpool Echo.
‘Everyone loves Goodison Park and would love to stay there forever. But I think there is a consensus that we can’t do that. There have been talks of moving for the past ten years, and now it’s finally happening. Also, the area where Goodison is now will be taken well care of. Mental health center and green park spaces are some of the things planned, and it’s good to see it’s being treated with respect.
Sam Carroll played for Everton himself from
the age of seven to sixteen.
Photo by: Jason Roberts Photography
In need of stability
On the pitch, Everton have struggled in recent years. Last season they just avoided relegation when beating Crystal Palace at home.
‘It was a strange thing. Growing up I can’t remember Everton being in that sort of trouble. At one point everyone had just accepted we were going down. But now there is hope that Frank Lampard can bring stability to the team’
One of the stands for the new stadium at the Bramley-Moore Dock. Photo by: Enrique Gutierrez
The Bramley-Moore Dock is an area that has seen slow development over the years. Carroll thinks the new stadium will raise the potential for this part of Liverpool.
‘Along the docks in Liverpool you have many famous buildings and cites. The Liver Building and the Beatles statue are just two examples. The new stadium could be a new focal point for the city. I am one hundred percent sure it will have an impact on the area around it. There are a lot of open spaces for new businesses, restaurants and shops. It’s also just five minutes away from the Titanic hotel’.
Someone decorated the area outside where the stadium is under construction. Photo by: Enrique Gutierrez
Excitement for the fans
The stadium is starting to look like it should. With stands coming up, towering high above the dock.
‘It does make you excited to see it now and how quickly it’s going. I would imagine the public transport in the area will get better as well, so there is a lot more to come’, says Carroll.
He admits it will be different to have the stadium located at the dock. Usually he would have a short five minute walk to get to Goodison Park.
‘I’ve grown up around Goodison. I went to school right next to the stadium. And when we’ve been playing games on a cold Monday night, I could just walk home and get a nice warm cup of tea. Everyone will miss Goodison. But we also see this as necessary’.
With steadfast progress to the Everton Stadium, it has been named a potential host venue for the 2028 UEFA Champions League final. Do you think Everton will play in European competition in a few years?
Written by Isak Bronseth and Enrique Gutierrez.
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