Supporters groups from both Liverpool and Everton have unveiled plans for a revolutionary football quarter in north Liverpool.
Keep Everton In Our City (KEIOC) and Spirit of Shankly (SOS) staged a press conference at the Sandon pub, 118 years to the day since their two clubs were created in 1892, to announce their plans to regenerate the Anfield and Walton area under the banner 'All Together Now'.
An open letter signed by both groups has been tabled to the chief executives of their respective clubs, local politicians, chancellors of John Moores and Liverpool University, and the North West Development Agency to request funding for a feasibility study.
If agreed by all relevant parties, the ground-breaking plans would see Goodison Park and Anfield redeveloped in addition to regenerating the surrounding areas and strengthening the city’s target of creating 14,000 jobs and attracting £2 billion in tourism per year by 2020.
Paul Rice, vice president of Spirit of Shankly, said: “We are urging city leaders to explore the huge potential of this initiative.
“The lack of progress and failed schemes affecting both clubs over the last decade means critical action should be taken now if we are to secure a positive future for fans and the local community.”
The focal point of the project would be a series of educational, leisure and community facilities based in and around Stanley Park. However one potential stumbling block is Liverpool's commitment to building a proposed 73,000 capacity stadium on the park.
Plans to construct a new home for the club, a few hundred yards from their current home, have been delayed due to debts of £237 million incurred through loans agreed by owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks with the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Anfield chief Christian Purslow is currently searching for a minimum of £100 million investment to reduce the deficit and has dismissed plans by insisting refurbishment "will not happen" due to a temporary loss of revenue.
Everton have held talks with KEIOC and chairman Dave Kelly has challenged Liverpool to follow suit in order to help aid the concept.
He said: "I actually challenge Liverpool Football Club to be as brave and as committed as Everton are and talk to SOS to see what all this fuss is about.
"Hopefully over the coming weeks and months the momentum will gather. We will continue to crank up the pressure on both clubs on this issue.
"There has got to be an understanding that is the beginning, not the end, and I believe that it is something big."
Local author Peter Lupson, whose book 'Across the Park' details the history of the two clubs, also called on the Reds’ managing director to at least consider all options
He said: "I think all people who hold responsible positions such as Christian Purslow have the duty to at least listen to other options because they may have missed something that could be of great benefit to them.
"I don't think it does any harm to listen and, having listened, ruled it out then at least you've considered all the options.
"The people spearheading this have made it clear that there are no losers in this, only winners. It will have a huge impact on improving the quality of life for the people of this area."
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Edward Lee, England around 1 year, 7 months ago