Wave Goodbye West Derby Hello Halewood

Bellefield, Everton's training ground for over 60 years closed its doors for the last time on Tuesday 9th October 2007. Everton have now settled into the new state-of-the-art training complex at Finch Farm in Halewood.

Baz says: "This is the last day's training here. Five years I have been here, virtually everyday. I am going to do my last run around the place now and it will be emotional. The facility at Finch Farm is second to none. There was a fear that the players would think it was a bit open and lacking the intimacy of Bellefield but that is not the case. We have deliberately designed it so the rooms are still quite intimate and small like Bellefield.

We have been there three or four times now and the players and myself absolutely love it. It will be much better for Everton because having that sort of facility will help you attract the best players. With this facility we are up there with the best, there is no doubt about it.

We have talked about it at length because there was that concern we would lose something - but I have been surprised by how much everybody adores the new place and they see it as a massive step forward. Everyone is buzzing, there is no doubt about it." (12/10/07)