Everton FC News: David Moyes backs calls for Everton and Liverpool to share a stadium

Dec 8 2009 by David Randles, Liverpool Daily Post

Everton FC News: DAVID MOYES has backed calls for a shared stadium in the city.

Following last month’s rejection of ‘Destination Kirkby’ by Communities Secretary, John Denham, Everton’s plans for a new stadium lie in ruins.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday pledged to personally intervene in reviving proposals for a 50,000 capacity stadium and a Tesco store in Kirkby.

Brown is said to be concerned about the effect the rejection could have on the region but also on England’s faltering 2018 World Cup bid.

With nothing definite, however, Moyes believes the best way forward could be to link up with city rivals Liverpool and build a mega-stadium that would house both clubs.

“I would be interested but I know there would be concerns,” said the Everton manager.

“In this country we don’t do it. For whatever reason we don’t do it in this country. But it may well work here in Liverpool. It could do.

“I think we would probably be interested because we don’t have a stadium.

“We would like to move to a new ground where we can bring in more revenue.

“Perhaps Liverpool don’t need us as much as we maybe need them but I’m not against it.

“As long as it was done correctly, and giving us the same rights as Liverpool, I would be more than up for it.”

While Moyes’ views are likely to cause controversy among fans, Everton have been more receptive to the idea of a shared stadium than Liverpool, who appear determined to press ahead with their own delayed plans to build a new ground on Stanley Park.

Club Chairman Bill Kenwright admitted recently that ‘the book is closed’on the £400million Kirkby project, and with Goodison Park seemingly beyond redemption, the club will have to return to the drawing board if nothing comes of Gordon Brown’s rescue plan.

Chief Executive Robert Elstone is also open to the idea of shared stadium with Liverpool.

He said: “It’s certainly one of the options that we will need to cover. A shared stadium is perhaps an option if it’s affordable.”

Meanwhile, Moyes has admitted Everton will miss Tim Cahill at Chelsea this weekend after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season during the 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.

Cahill was booked for a 72nd minute foul on Aaron Lennon before heading a late equaliser to earn Everton a valuable point against Spurs.

John Heitinga will be available after also serving a one-game ban last weekend but Moyes says Cahill will be difficult to replace.

“We’ll miss Cahill at Chelsea.

“People get suspended throughout the season and he’ll be a big loss.

“Especially when you look at the situation we’re in at the moment with injuries it’s really tough on us.

“I don’t know where we’ll get any more players from at this moment in time.”

Everton’s postponed reserve game against Burnley has been re-arranged for the New Year.

The game will now be played on Tuesday, January 12 at Accrington Stanley’s Crown Ground, 7pm kick-off.