Everton are at the start of a process to move to a new stadium, something West Ham United fans know all about.
West Ham are the most recent Premier League side to have moved to a new ground and Everton plan to be in theirs by 2022.
The Toffees have set their sights on developing their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and in recent weeks have made two important announcements, namely an agreement in principle to buy the land and for a funding structure from Liverpool City Council to help with the build.
The Hammers are an example of how a move to a new ground can do more harm than good.
Indeed Everton chairman Bill Kenwright used West Ham’s London Stadium as an example of everything the Toffees want to avoid recently when promising supporters they will not repeat the mistakes made at the former Olympic Stadium.
The 72-year-old, speaking at a supporters’ meeting in Liverpool last month – as reported by West Ham fan’s site Knees Up Mother Brown – criticised the stadium when asked by a fan during a Q&A section whether the proposed Bramley Moore Dock development would ‘be like West Ham’s’.
“No – being sat at West Ham was the worst experience ever,” Kenwright said, as reported by KUMB.
While Hammers vice-chairman Karren Brady was trumpeting West Ham’s stadium move as “the most successful stadium migration ever” before a ball had even been kicked in the ground back in 2016, the reality was anything but.
Infighting among supporters marred early matches at the ground as did violent scenes with away fans, problems with segregation and insufficient policing and stewarding.
A perceived lack of the famous intimidating Hammers atmosphere from Upton Park has seen the stadium switch panned by fans and pundits alike with the huge gaps from the stand to the pitch a major bone of contention.
In fact West Ham fans are so disgruntled with the owners over broken promises with regards the move and transfer activity, they are planning a protest march before the Burnley game next month.
Well it seems Kenwright is learning a lot from West Ham’s move and Everton have released a thorough 51 question fan consultation which was open to all supporters before Friday’s deadline.
The questions are designed to help the club decide how to shape everything from how the ground looks inside and out to the facilities and matchday experience.
Everton are right to be thorough before leaving their spiritual home because as West Ham have found out to their cost, once it is gone you can never get it back.
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