’Pool, Everton urged to attend groundshare talks

LIVERPOOL and Everton have been contacted by the city council and urged to attend groundshare talks – for the good of the city.

The council have also revealed public money could be available for such a project should the two sides end up sharing a stadium.

Liverpool Council chief executive David Henshaw said: "The future success of both clubs both on and off the field is critical to the future success of the whole city.

"We are at a crucial time for the future of Anfield and Goodison Park. It is important that all the options are carefully and thoroughly examined. That must include the ground-sharing option.

"There are many positive advantages for both clubs in sharing a stadium not least the substantial savings to them in building a new ground and in running costs money which could be spent by them on team development."

Liverpool council leader Mike Storey stressed the council is not taking a view on whether a ground share would be a good or bad idea.

He said: "This is a serious issue for the city and one which needs mature debate.

"It is not only of enormous significance to the clubs, but to the future development of the city at one of the most crucial times in its history."

Both clubs are keen to leave their respective homes.

Liverpool are poised to submit a planning application at the beginning of October for a multi-million pound stadium in Stanley Park.

Everton's long-running bid to move from Goodison have so far proved unsuccessful.

The North West Development Agency believe the right way forward would be for the two clubs to share a stadium but any such move would be unlikely to get the approval of fans at both clubs.

Opposition from both clubs scuppered the idea of a joint stadium in the 1960s, while a proposal was raised again in 1989 following the Hillsborough disaster - but no discussions took place.