‘Tomorrow’s technology’ will help make Everton’s new stadium a fortress that visiting clubs shudder to visit.
Toffees deputy chairman Dr Keith Harris also told the club’s general meeting that the stadium will be “flexible” to capitalise on any future changes in safe standing regulations.
“I can promise state-of-the-art, tomorrow’s technology, today’s passion and yesterday’s history will be melded into this stadium and it will be a fortress other clubs will shudder to visit,” he said. “With your support we can deliver that.
“It is a superb site, absolutely outstanding. I have been involved in building and financing a number of stadia and nothing comes close to this site.
“It will be a stadium which reflects the atmosphere and passion we have [at Goodison Park] but includes the benefit of what we have today.
“We will build a modern-day experience which is enjoyable for the home fans and formidable for those who are visiting.”
The proposed Bramley-Moore Dock stadium project means Everton are set to leave their home of 126 years Goodison Park, perhaps as early as 2022.
Club CEO Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale has outlined a long-term vision to get the club “challenging at the top of the Premier League and competing at the highest level in European competitions” while ensuring there is a lasting legacy around Goodison.
Everton’s official charity, Everton in the Community [EitC], officially opened The Blue Base – a function centre for vulnerable and disabled fans – in September last year, expanding a footprint which already included Everton Free School, The People’s Hub and five houses on Goodison Road, which house EitC’s discreet programmes.
In August last year the Club announced plans to raise funds for The People’s Place, a permanent mental health facility located in the shadow of Goodison Park.
Chairman Bill Kenwright, who was joined on stage by majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, stressed the importance of the club leaving a lasting mark on the area around Goodison.
“Goodison Park is important to all of us. One of the first things we decided was that we would not sell Goodison Park to any trader who came along – and Denise has come up with this legacy,” he said.
“Liverpool 4 has been an extraordinary address to me. I lived there at my gran’s. Goodison Park is my favourite place in the world and it is very important we support Denise and her plans for – not the resurrection of Goodison Park – but the fact we are not going to leave it.
“We are going to create something that is lasting and say, ‘Thanks ever so much Liverpool 4′. And it will be, I promise you, a great, great legacy.
“We are probably the first football club ever to do it [establish a legacy after leaving their home] – and quite right, too.”