Liverpool, Everton in ground-share talks

Liverpool and Everton are to have talks with the British government next week about sharing a new stadium.

Liverpool’s chief executive Rick Parry and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright and chief executive Keith Wyness will meet sports minister Richard Caborn on Wednesday to discuss the options.

The move follows a U-turn by Liverpool, who had previously ruled out such a possibility, and the talks will centre on the financial incentives which would be made available to the clubs.

Liverpool already have planning permission for a new 60,000-capacity stadium in nearby Stanley Park. The discussions with the minister will also cover the sort of arrangement under which a ground could be shared.

It is understood that Liverpool would still want to own the stadium but would be happy for Everton to rent it – but Everton would only agree if it was jointly owned.

Caborn told the Press Association: “I have been asked to bring the parties together to see if there is any possibility of ground-sharing and I’m very happy to do that.

“This is one of those rare opportunities where both clubs are looking to relocate and it would be stupid not to explore the options.

“I believe that ground-sharing is the way to go for professional sport in this country. It is not just about ground-sharing but how they can develop stadiums as sports centres for their communities and bring in other services as well.

“That is why the regional development agency and the city council in Liverpool are very keen on this. It can deliver not just sport but a much wider agenda.

“I have positively welcomed the development that will see Leicester City and Leicester Tigers playing at the same stadium.”

The Stanley Park proposals have already been given planning permission and construction could begin next spring.

But the cost of the new stadium has risen from an original £80million to an estimated £110million leaving Liverpool with a £30million funding shortfall. As recently as September, Parry ruled out sharing with Everton and said Liverpool would pull out of building the ground if it threatened to over-extend the club.

Parry said then: “We will not bankrupt ourselves or over-extend the club. It is not just a case of whether we can find the money, it is about whether we can pay it back.”

Everton’s financial position meant they had to drop their plans to move to a new ground at King’s Dock.

Both clubs are trying to play down the latest development but the idea is clearly back on the agenda and both the North West Development Agency and Liverpool City Council are keen to promote sharing.

Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton said: “The position of Liverpool FC remains unchanged. We have asked the North West Development Agency to consider our grant application on the basis of our single club use of a new stadium. This is a point we have made repeatedly to the NWDA.

“This application isn’t just about a new stadium. It is about a project which will act as a major catalyst for the regeneration of the whole of north Liverpool.

“It will bring proven benefits to the whole of the local community and it is time there were signs of real progress on delivering these.”

Everton claim discussions have been taking place since an initial meeting a year ago.

Wyness said: “It is another one of a series of meetings related to that subject. We will be attending with an open mind to listen to any ideas that are put forward.”