Sir Philip Carter said that there were seven proposals accepted for the King's Dock, and that their second round submissions have to be in by 17 January 2001, including a model of how the development will look. Sir Philip urged all Evertonians to go and look at all the submissions when they are put on display in St Georges Hall, then write to your Councillors, local press, etc showing support for the Blues' bid. (29/12/00)

Everton owner & Deputy Chairman, Bill Kenwight announced today, that EVERTON have submitted an application for consideration to relocate to the Kings Dock site in Liverpool City Centre.

Kenwright has said that the fans will be fully consulted in any move away from Goodison Park and the club has made two clear pledges to it's supporters. 1) That the Club would own and run the Stadium, and 2) that no move from Goodison Park would be rubber stamped without a clear mandate from the fans.

Everton want to build a 55,000 state of the art super stadium on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey with a retractable roof, enabling it to be used as a multipurpose stadium.

Kenwright said: "It has been a whirlwind couple of weeks to get our proposal together. Behind it is one fundamental desire. For Everton Football to be on a par with anything the world's top clubs can offer. Our fans matter to us and they deserve the very best. The whole question of where we play has been one of the uppermost thoughts in the new regime's mind which includes Walter Smith. This plan would genuinely give us the impetus to power forward with a major revival in the 21st Century.
"However, I must reiterate that first and foremost, what we are talking about a home for Everton Football Club to play the kind of football that Evertonians deserve. Goodison Park will never be replaced in the eyes of our fans, but I am determined, if we move to a new stadium, it's magnificence will stand proudly alongside the wonderful memories we have of our present home."

Everton Chairman, Sir Phillip Carter, said: "The importance of the site is paramount to the city. To have this proposal for a new multipurpose stadium is tremendously important. "It will bring further regeneration to a vitally important area. We won't go to the next stage without speaking to our fans, However, the sheer quality of the development will be so visually significant that it should excite everybody connected with the club, and indeed, the whole city

Everton will be supported in their ambitious proposal by Europe SFX, one of the world s leading entertainment organisations. SFX produced and promoted music events, theatrical shows and specialised sports and motor shows last year that attracted in the region of 75 million people.

New Everton director, Paul Gregg is also chairman of SFX Europe. Gregg said: "Everton Football club wants to be the heart of the city. The heart of the city will be on that site. This whole development can be the most exciting thing that has happened to Liverpool for years. We want to build a fantastic soccer stadium. At the same time we can bring a raft of entertainment opportunities to Merseyside under the Everton banner. "We could stage great football matches, top class concerts, Liverpool Philharmonic events and many other things, persuading those people who have been drawn to Manchester to come to Liverpool. "With the stadium/arena facility we are planning, everything would be possible. All of this will enable Everton to compete at a different level, taking the Everton brand into as many countries as possible. This is crucially important to us."

Kenwright said "With the ultimate backing of our supporters, we now have the opportunity to undertake this high profile development and ensure that Everton Football Club has facilities second to none in this country. The supporters have already indicated to me that the King's Dock is a venue they would be excited about and that goes hand in hand with this proposal. However, a major proviso in the proposal is that, should we be successful in our first round bid, we will share the whole vision properly with our supporters who will then make their minds up. We will then act accordingly."We are well aware that it is a sensitive site and that many issues are still to be resolved, but we see Everton moving forward powerfully and positively at a magnificent waterfront stadium in the heart of the city." (06/10/00)            What do you think?       e-mail Blue Kipper

What the fans think

The article below was written by Ian Macdonald of Everton Independent Supporters Association. It is 6 months old.

D.F.E

(DOCKS FOR EVERTON)

A new campaign for our future.

Recent events at Everton regarding the ground would suggest that we have no option but to move from our Goodison home. It will be a sad wrench but one born out of necessity if we are to aspire to greater things and not be left behind in the ever moving football world. Those who stand still and do nothing or tread water will flounder. Harsh words but true. Now that the shackles of P.J. have gone great strides I believe have been going on behind the scenes with our vibrant new board. You must remember that it is still only five moths since they got our club back from the brink of disaster (and the baggage of all the past few years decline and inertia) and I will always be indebted to these people who are 'true blues'. Our credo is still I hope nothing but the best so we have to think what is the best for the future of Everton. There is a team in place now off the field that I hope can deliver the future of Everton the way we would want it. There are no safer hands than that of an Evertonian on this most important chapter in our illustrious history. Yes it is that important. This decision will dictate were we will be in football and at what level for the rest of our lives Excuse me if I am wrong but as a simple layman when it comes to politics, it would appear that when the reds ask the council for anything, the council seem to reply "how quickly do you want it? " but when Everton want anything, it's "simply impossible- it cannot be done". To an Evertonian it appears that with the present council they lay more minefields down than at Vietnam were Everton are concerned. So all in all it appears we cannot stay at Goodison if we want to increase our capacity to at least 55,000 the re-development plans will not be accepted. So what is the best for Everton if we can't stay at our present home, lets identify the sites that could be our new home for our family as Bill would put it.

GILMOSS This was wildly perceived as the new 'Johnson World' when the move from Goodison was first muted direct links to the M57 and land to work on without too much disruption. The only people it might upset is the local golfing club. Residential areas are not too close to create other objections. Objections to any new site must be dealt with sympathetically never forget the fact that our support predominately comes from such site's surrounds.

SEWAGE FARM The title say's it all ,a definite non-starter in my mind and any self respecting Evertonian. We seen enough shite over the last few years without sitting on it in a new stand .To get rid of the stigma alone would cost millions that could be spent elsewhere.

BOOTLE (SWITCH ISLAND) Have the same qualities as Gilmoss with the M58 also running to it and the main route to Southport and Ormskirk. Also the main link to the docks and not too far from Old Roan train station.

THE ROCKET AREA Again situated at the end of the main motorway running into Liverpool (I hate using this word) A lot more residential sites surrounding it. Objections could prove costly in time. Main railway routes also adjacent. Transport on any match day or night could prove a nightmare. I imagine the land to be more expensive than any of the above.

EDGE LANE Very much as the above. The Littlewoods site will come under scrutiny I imagine. The area does need a lot of re-generation maybe a football stadium would not look quite right in this location.

CRONTON, GARSTON AND SPEKE AREAS All no no's we may as well ground share with Bolton or Man Utd as expect our fans to be alienated that far out .You would have to ask yourself what type of fan do you want to attract. The main fan base from the city would see these site's as a "we don't want you" proclamation. Learn from other new stadia drawbacks. Bolton have nearly halved their fans attendance since the new ground was situated in Horwich. Not just because they are no longer a premier league outfit but because of the site having no rail link or surrounding watering holes .As one Bolton fan said it has become a chore to watch 'the trotter's'. You would appear to be a non- drinker and have the patience of 'Jobe' waiting in traffic jams all the time. From my own experience of the 'Reebok' stadium it is a nightmare to get out of the car parks, nice leg room though inside the stadium. So if non of the above takes your fancy where else could we go with the blessing of the local council? It's not a good idea to put all your egg's in one basket there has to be a plan 'B'. But I would like to put a whole egg farm in the King's dock area. Why? , You may ask, well let's take a closer look.

THE AREA We don't have pots of money, but we could make pots of money with the Right location. McDonalds when giving out franchises, ask three things (apart from the money!) LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. There has never been a McDonald's gone bust (except in Germany where an autobahn was re-routed. This has got to be the prime location in the whole of Merseyside. A site that will undoubtedly be sought by many. Any interested parties will come tumbling off the fence and want the site once we take a firm interest, hopefully. It's situated on the waterfront of a city with international fame a brand name not fully developed yet but taking giant strides to do so in the last five years. The King's Dock is next to the Albert dock which houses such attractions as the Tate gallery and the Beatle museum to name but two .The whole area is being developed from home developer's to Government buildings. Plans for new hotels and a new casino to accommodate the increasing tourism industry are submitted. We could create a shiloette on the waterfront skyline to be the envy of all our competitors. Imagine what a postcard would look like sent from Liverpool with our new stadium looking as proud as a peacock against all our other famous building's. It truly could be awesome in appearance. Liverpool docks was the biggest dockland area in the ninetieth century. With geographical changes in shipping routes and commerce came decline. Not any more, our heritage is being re-born with tourism the main benefactor. So lets have the tourist's spend some time and money at our new home. Spend the weekend with Everton and city of Liverpool with all it has to offer. The footprint of the land we could acquire is bigger than Wembley with ample parking space in surrounding areas.

WHAT WILL IT TAKE? Drive ambition, a dream and co-operation of the council (and lot's of money). We have to grasp the nettle and move quickly on the most important decision in the club's history. It's that clear. We have to gamble to a degree on certain thing's such as the council willingness to approve our plans and create a interest amongst our fans and the local economy.If the council will not help us at Goodison then there had better be a damm good reason on the King's dock project for Everton, the cities team, for them putting any minefields before us. We have to secure a option on the site first and fore most .The area is as far as I know owned by the English partnership and no confirmed interest has been seen according to the land registry.

FUNDING The area is ripe for funding not just from the local council coffer's which I bet as far as Everton are concerned will be near empty (prove me wrong please!) but form European funding Objective one. This city is perceived as a third world habitation, a English version of Kosovo, I want some of that money before the well runs dry. Lottery, Art and Sport 's council funding all need to be explored. And of course our loyal fans, look to them for owning something tangible .At Sunderland fans could buy a brick with their name on .I know some fans would buy a wall to get Everton back to where they belong. The new stadium should be designed to be used seven days a week. Not just for match days but every conceivable thing that will earn the club money, endorse the brand name and become a integral part of the city's economy. We don't want tackiness but a stadium that we can all be proud of. Liverpool by many is perceived as the home of modern music. It is where the Beatles were born. I imagine most major artists would want to play in Liverpool given a venue suitable. The logistics and financing prove impossible for International acts to come and perform to numbers. Merseyside has a lot of fight fans but can't see world title fights .Our own Shay Neary, a good blue, can't stage a fight in his hometown. Merseyside people are fed up of travelling to Manchester, Birmingham and London to see top acts. The weekend with Everton experience could include watching a act one-day and the game the following day or vice-versa.

DESIGN As this is such a important venture not just for Everton but Merseyside I would bring about a competition from all the world's leading architects. With such a location and the prestige that would come from it I don't think we would be short of any takers .It would be quite a feather in your cap if you designed our stadium. Great on your resemee. The Guttenheim Museum at Bilbao in Spain came about from such competition. The American architect Paul Gehy won the design for this world-renowned now museum also built on the waterfront. It is spectacular, as it is important to the surrounding concourse. 1.3 million visitor's in the first year of it's opening putting Bilboa on the map. Cardiff's Millennium stadium looks great, as does the Ajax stadium. A stadium worthy of our traditions, so tarnished these last few years, is what we should aspire to. A negative aspect muted was that we would only have three working sides. Well I don't agree, given that Everton draw a lot of support from the Wirral and North Wales it would be great for our fans to park their transport at Tranmere or Birkenhead and take a ten minute ferry to the best landing stage in the world the river side entrance to the new stadium. What a view they would have on the boats to our new home. Stands could be named after our great servant's, Dixie, Young, Catterick, Kendal or Sir John. The Moores family could be forever sanctified (gives some money please) imagine 'the Sir John Moores boulevard'. It does irk me some regarding the Moores involvement with our club presently. The family does a lot for the educational institutes but in my mind there is no bigger institute on Merseyside than Everton F.C.

TRANSPORT As previously mentioned we could utilise the ferry system one side. The main concourse could be fed in varying methods. There is the council should explore a railway station close by .A new direct line from Speke from the airport anyway. The airport has such a huge new demand that more than a million plus customers each year pass through its gates; new extensions are underway to cope. It is also common knowledge that a link way from the M62 to the city centre is desired. Tramway links also to be explored and even a overhead railway network. All the main bus routes converge not far away. Most games will take place more and more on Sunday's, decreasing congestion. A overhaul of the transport network is long overdue given the growth of tourism and the city centre re-vamping. The new Everton board strikes me, as wanting what we want and that is ultimately a successful team on and off the field. They both go hand in hand. Having met the new board I feel more confident than ever before of them getting it right. They appear both visionary and motivated. There is a team in place at the board that I hope can deliver our dreams and aspirations. We all will help given the chance to realise our dreams. The common factor of new stadiums (except Bolton) is an increase in attendance. If we take on board all the good things from the new stadia and put them in a melting pot we must get a recipe for success. Our fans deserve it and want it. With some decisions you can't please everyone. At Sunderland in the beginning the fans were fiercely against moving from Roker Park, but look at them now; pleased as punch with their new ground. An extension already has been added giving them a new capacity of 48,000. At Man City there has been no dialogue on the ground move to the new Commonwealth stadium, they are just going.

FOOTNOTE If and when we go from Goodison , a lot of thought has to be put into what we leave behind, the ashes of our fellow fans in particular. And what will come of Goodison itself over a hundred years of history cannot be allowed to go unnoticed. It MUST not be allowed to become a car park for the reds. I know Bill still wants a mandate from the fans .It will be difficult to Organise and still seem flawed to some. Remember the last vote to move at the Chelsea match, right at the death of the season. 'Rigged' came the cry, but to be fair there was always a undercurrent of mistrust with that one because of who organised it. There can be no repeat this time of 'hidden agenda's' with the current owner's. The time is coming soon to get a grip of this emotional debate once and for all. Whatever path we chose to go it would take a minimum of three years to bear fruition. Let's make a decision very soon get off the fence each and every Evertonian and put this matter to bed. It is a matter of urgency if we want to be at the races. The recent unrest at anfield with the local residents against the r/s even being there might be the catalyst for them to look further afield for a new ground. Can you imagine what you would feel like if they stole a march on us for the King's dock? I fear we would become the Espanol of Barcelona pushed aside from the hub of the city to the outskirts. It is that fear factor that will drive me on one last time to crusade what I firmly believe we could acquire this prime location. Sure there will be problem whereever we go, but I think this location is worth all the hurdles that will be set before us. If you don't have a dream then you can't make a dream become reality. Help me then to make this dream reality. I firmly believe this is the best chance to put the r/s in our shadow. IT'S MOSES' TIME BILL, LEAD US INTO THE PROMISED LAND!

Yours thankfully Ian Macdonald E.I.S.A. Any constructive ideas out there?

This article was written six months ago and published in various fanzines. I am not a visionary just a fan who cares and thinks about their club. It was a dream of many others and mine. Fridays announcement of intent from Bill and his vibrant board shows it can be reality if we want it badly enough. KEEP THE FAITH!             Kings Dock Photos