Would a Ground-Share Between Liverpool & Everton be Such a Bad Idea?
After news that a leader of Liverpool City council has attempted to revive the idea of a shared stadium between the Merseyside giants Liverpool and Everton it begs the question that in this day and age, surely it’s both an economical and practical solution to both clubs need for a new improved ground.
Despite the fierce rivalry between the 2 clubs an impressive new stadium could serve to unite the European capital of culture and give the local residents something to be jointly proud of. After all, Liverpool’s current new stadium project is largely based on Tom Hicks’ ability to raise a reported further £300million whilst Everton’s proposed relocation to Kirkby looked doomed to collapse due to Liverpool City Council’s opposition to the huge retail development as would neighbouring authorities.
Therefore, a groundshare is surely the most feasible project and has proven a success in other countries. If club rivalry on Merseyside is seen as a major obstacle surely the competitiveness cannot be more fierce than in Rome where both Roma and Lazio share the Stadio Olimpico? Or how about the rivalry between AC and Internazionale in Milan whilst sharing the magnificent San Siro? Ground-sharing is common in Italy and there’s little reason why it couldn’t be implemented in this case. Munich giants Bayern and 1860 also share the impressive relatively new Allianz Arena which allows the panels on the exterior of the ground to change colour according to which club is at home. This practice is common place in American sports as teams have been sharing stadiums for years although their mentality is unlike the fanaticism and local pride of English football fans.
For some Liverpool and Everton fans the idea of sharing a ground with their local rivals is outright blasphemy but if you look at the idea rationally then it would serve to improve both club’s futures and strengthen the city of Liverpool’s united pride in their football teams through one fantastic state of the art stadium.
How would you feel about this ground-sharing idea? Would you even consider the prospect of sharing a ground with your local rivals or do you agree with the practicality of such a scheme?
Let’s hear your opinions.
May 28th, 2008 at 12:17
why would we share with a club that is smaller than us and will never fill the stadium.
LFC
May 28th, 2008 at 12:18
Warren Bradley is an everton fan and wants a groundshare, he won’t shut up about it. Stop listening to him, he is derranged and if you read the comments has not talked to anyone from Liverpool football club itself, which i think would have to be a little bit important, wouldn’t you think?
May 28th, 2008 at 12:26
I can see the practicalities but as the people’s club i want our own gound rather than share it with the scandinavians who are reds
May 28th, 2008 at 12:38
It makes no sense to share a Stadium for 60′000 or 70′000, if one club can not fill it. The situation in Munich for example is, that only Bayern can fill it and 1860 were relegated, so that they do not even own the stadium anymore… They have to rent it now and pay for every home game!
May 28th, 2008 at 12:39
RedsRule,
completely agree with the rising fuel costs it will be miracle for RS fans to fill 30 000 seater never mind 60 000
May 28th, 2008 at 12:39
Never will we share with the Blues, there are not on our level i prefer to build our own stadium then let them build theres, ours will be bigger leaving them as always forever in our shadow!
May 28th, 2008 at 12:55
Insults aside, ground sharing does not work, it exists! The only reason why those Italian clubs are rich is because they are all bankrolled by billionaires. The reason I don’t want to share is that when peole know that they are coming to Anfield, I want them to be worried, coming to an all RED fortress. The LAST team in the universe that I want to feel at home in my team’s stadium is our local rivals. The very idea is sickening.
These politicians always mention the shared cost of building, but never the sharing of revenue. What’s the point having a big stadium if you can only get half of the profits of running it? Both clubs are well supported and deserve their own grounds, that is a great part of this rivalry.
May 28th, 2008 at 13:15
A ground share would not be good for the Blues. In the city and surrounding area the support is pretty even; and we could fill a 50,000 brand new stadium (without obstructed views) for most of the games (midweek against Hull would probably see a dip in attendance). However Liverpool have a massive amount of support outside of Merseyside compared to us, which would allow them to fill the extra 20,000 seats they are talking about.
I don’t want to sit in a stadium with 20,000 available seats for most games, it will destroy our atmosphere. Games like Fiorentina and Chelsea were incredible this season, a better atmosphere than any ground in the Premiership without exception. If we share with Liverpool in a stadium too big for us then then the atmosphere will suffer and so probably would results on the pitch.
I wish we could re-develop Goodison but it is out of the question, besides anything else we need good corporate facilities and the rest that comes with a new stadium. I don’t want to go to Kirby and the club say there is no plan B. Thank god for Moyes and the team he has assembled!
May 28th, 2008 at 13:30
despite all the protets i believe it would be a great idea,the two teams in milan share one stadium and are far more bitter in their rivalery than us the people from merseyside, many other clubs in england will follow suit so why not lead instead of following the band
May 28th, 2008 at 13:35
when liverpool leave anfield for their new ground why can’t everton rent anfield for a couple of seasons and demolish goodison park and rebuild their new stadium from the ground up, after all the blues did play at anfield first
May 28th, 2008 at 13:45
Why do the reds want give everton the opportunity to become financially stronger by having more ticket sales? Everton have a smaller budget, by sharing a huge 70000 seater with them, we give then more money!! No ways, the reds are the face of the city of liverpool!!
May 29th, 2008 at 15:11
surely the home team would keep the revenue generated on match days. If liverpool filled it to 70k capacity then great, if Everton got 50k that is also fine. Each team would be responsible for their own gate receipts. If Everton need a new ground which they do, and Liverpool can’t raise the cash for their plans then i don’t see the problem. Derby games are always close and i don’t think the atmosphere plays a huge part in the result of the game - totally different for both clubs on European nights though. I’d say go for it…