Everton Relocation Hit By Fan Protest

Premier League club Everton’s proposed move to a new ground has hit trouble
after fans staged an organised protest against the relocation.

The club is considering plans to move to a purpose-built 55,000-seater ground
in Kirkby town centre, outside of the city centre.

However the ‘Keep Everton in Our City’ campaigners and the Kirkby Residents
Action Group (KRAG) are both planning to demonstrate outside Knowsley council
offices where a two-day public consultation on the town’s regeneration is taking
place.

Campaigners who want Everton to remain in Liverpool will be telling local
residents about the congestion and disorder a new stadium might bring to Kirkby
town centre.

They also plan to show them CCTV video footage from Merseyside Police of
Everton and Manchester United fans fighting.

Alfie Hinks, secretary of the Keep Everton in our City campaign, said: ‘We
met with Everton Football Club last week. They say that Goodison Park can’t be
redeveloped into an up-to-date stadium.

‘We feel it’s important to keep the history and traditions of Everton in
Liverpool – the club is 129 years old and is probably one of the oldest clubs in
the league to still be within its original boundary.

‘We have suggested a couple of sites in the north of the city which we think
would be ideal – both in terms of infrastructure, access and location.’

The suggested move to Kirkby is part of a larger regeneration plan for the
city which includes shops, a hotel and a Tesco superstore.