The Toffees' proposed new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock has been given a vote of confidence, but some fans think there are more pressing matters at hand.
Everton say they have received "overwhelming" public support for their plans to develop a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
On Tuesday, the Toffees published the results of the first stage of their formal public consultation into plans to develop the new ground and a community-led legacy project at Goodison Park, with 20,168 questionnaires completed.
According to Everton's official website, 94 per cent of respondents agreed that Bramley-Moore Dock was an appropriate location for the club’s proposed stadium, while 95 per cent agreed that Goodison Park should be developed to benefit the community.
In addition, 97 per cent - "near universal support" - was shown for Everton remaining in the city of Liverpool, while 95 per cent agreed that the developed Bramley-Moore Dock is a suitable location for other sporting, music or cultural events.
Furthermore, around 2,000 of those involved in the survey said they were not supporters of Everton, which means the Premier League outfit could argue that broad backing from the scheme is not solely based on club affiliation.
Reaction amongst the Toffees faithful on Twitter was mixed, with some pleased about the outcome:
All positive. Now let’s start playing positive football!
— Ste...Toffees!!! (@Everton1878Ste) February 12, 2019
Good now show us the designs
— JK43 (@JonjoeKennyFC) February 12, 2019
Build it please
— Joe (@JoeTighe97) February 12, 2019
Some fans, meanwhile, urged the club to focus on matters pertaining to the team's current form:
how obvious was something like this going to be released this week. Bore off and just start delivering
— JP (@Jpr128) February 12, 2019
Be good if we aren’t playing in the championship in it tho lads x
— LYKA (@lykadj) February 12, 2019
Any chance we'll have some players who want to put a shift in by then?
— Paul (@paulcunno) February 12, 2019
Does it show where you expect to find another 15000 people who want to watch the dross currently served up by the team?
— Kev McDempster (@KevMcDempster) February 12, 2019
Don’t really think many care at the moment....perhaps if you sort out the dross that is served up week in week out we can actually look forward to this.
— Gareth B (@efc3340) February 12, 2019
The second phase of Everton's consultation will be held this summer and is set to include designs of how the new 52,000 capacity home could look, plus high-level plans for Goodison Park, and is expected to lead to the submission of both planning applications in the second half of 2019, according to the official club website.
COMMENTS