Anfield US owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett in Liverpool-Everton shared stadium talks
EXCLUSIVE by DAVID BARTLETT
THE chief executive of the North West Development Agency has called for a "fundamental economic appraisal" of a shared stadium between Everton and Liverpool football clubs.
Steve Broomhead told the Liverpool Daily Post the idea needed to be looked at, given the current economic climate.
He is due to meet with Kop Holdings, Tom Hicks's and George Gillett's company, which owns Liverpool FC, next week. "More and more, it looks like if we are to upgrade the sporting stadiums for Merseyside, the ground sharing option has to go back on the table," Mr Broomhead said
"A fundamental economic appraisal of a ground share is needed."
Mr Broomhead said he had seen little progress at Anfield in raising money for the new stadium.
His call follows that of Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley, who last week said the idea of a shared ground should be explored.
Last night, Everton FC chief executive Keith Wyness said he had discussed the issue with Liverpool FC chief executive Rick Parry at a Football Association meeting in Leicestershire and a shared stadium "was not on the agenda of either club".
But last night a spokesman for Liverpool FC declined to comment.
Mr Broomhead's intervention follows Liverpool, Sefton, West Lancashire, and St Helens councils opposing Everton FC's plan to relocate to Kirkby.
The £400m scheme, which includes a Tesco superstore and 50 shops, will go before Knowsley council's planning committee on Monday.
The huge amount of opposition to the scheme and the fact it runs contrary to town centre and retail policies, increases the likelihood of the Government calling a public inquiry.
Last night, Mr Broomhead would not be drawn on whether the plans should be "called in" for a public inquiry.
Meanwhile, Liverpool FC received planning permission for a new £350m, 60,000-seater stadium on Stanley Park last month.
The club is understood to have £60m to get started on the new ground, but work is yet to start.
Mr Broomhead said: "We continue to watch this with interest. We are not seeing any real progress at Anfield in raising the money for the new stadium.
"I have been invited to discussions at the end of next week with Kop Holdings."
He said he was looking forward to hearing about the ownership of the club and financing for a new stadium on Stanley Park.
"We also continue to talk with Everton FC and Tesco."
He said the agency continued to support both Liverpool FC and Everton FC in their endeavours to build new stadia.
"But you have to wonder about the vast amounts of money being spent, given the current market conditions for investment."
Last night, Mr Wyness said: "Having discussed the matter with my Liverpool counterpart Rick Parry, I can categorically state that a shared stadium is not on the agenda of either club.
"We have a series of criteria which any prospective stadium must meet, and a shared stadium does not meet that criteria.
"When Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett took over Liverpool FC, they made it perfectly clear they were not interested."
He said he still believed that moving to Kirkby was the only viable option for Everton Football Club.
Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley said: "The idea seems to be gathering momentum, and a lot of people are looking at it.
"I think the feasibility should at least be looked at."
Liverpool Labour opposition leader Joe Anderson said the idea would have been "inconceivable" 18 months ago.
"The fact is we have got to work in the real world and both clubs are struggling financially.
"Maybe that's uncomfortable for both clubs and fans, but it is something that should be considered."
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No, no and no again. Groundsharing with Everton? Give up now. And Hicks and Gillett? Please leave.
Gillet and Hicks claim to be the custodians of LFC only holding the keys if you like on behalf of the fans. Well do what the fans want (not just of us but Everton too) and NEVER NEVER entertain this stupid idea again!!
NO NO NO thrice NO
Why does this guy Steve Broomhead keep whipping this dead donkey. Would he suggest that United and city share a ground? Would he want Warrington and Widnes share a rugby ground? I doubt it. He wants to stick to being Vice Chairman of Warrington Wolves Rugby League Football Club and keep his nose out of a sport he knows nothing about. and by the way Hicks may be a lying crook but he is not stupid enough to pull this kind of a stunt.
Oh dear oh dear oh dear.
Are the Daily Post going to come out now and apologise for this?
I'd expect this from one of the gutter tabloids. Is that what the Post has become? Are there no staff members around who can at least post an apology on the website?
First of all, whoever wrote the headline wants to be taken to task by his or her superiors, because the headline is probably enough that had it been said about Everton, who threatened to sue their own fans, the Post would now be facing a lawsuit.
The Echo have now shown that this story was nonsense.
The quotes don't even say he's involved in groundshare talks.
He's meeting them next week. He fancies the idea of a groundshare. He might add the idea to the agenda, but Hicks and Gillett hadn't even though of it.
Oh - and they aren't actually going to the meetings.
This story is part of the bile that is ruining our club, and instead of fans standing up to the paper that invented it, or helped the invented story get some column inches, our fans are just falling for it. When it's proved to be wrong, they walk away quietly whistling to themselves hoping nobody noticed.
A few people need to start having the guts to apologise really.
How many more stories that Liverpool fans have taken as gospel were really just complete nonsense?
Either this reporter isn't to be trusted, or Mr Broomhead should find a new job.
Interesting that my previous submission was not published - could it be that it ws censored for not being the response you wanted to get?
Comment wasn't rude or libelous.
no way i hope thay will go/
to pot Everton and Liverpool in the same arena? no a big no!!