New interim CEO at Everton FC Colin Chong insists stadium project is ‘on track’ and releases new images but says team may not play in the stadium until start of 2025/26 season. Tony McDonough reports
Everton may not play in their new stadium until the start of the 2025/26 football season, interim chief executive Colin Chong said on Wednesday.
Mr Chong, who has been overseeing the £700m-plus stadium project at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool Waters, was appointed interim CEO following the sudden departure of Denise Barrett-Baxendale along with two other directors.
Despite investment and takeover talk still swirling around the club, Farad Moshiri remains in full control as majority shareholder. Chairman and former owner Bill Kenwright remains in his post for the moment despite speculation over his future at the club.
Everton started work on its 52,888-capacity waterfront arena in summer 2021 and Mr Chong said: “Contrary to some ill-informed media reports, there is no delay, and the project remains firmly on track and on-schedule.”
From an early stage Everton’s ambition was always to leave Goodison Park and be playing in the new stadium by the 2024/25 football season. However, given the complexity of stadium projects the club never set a definite deadline.
Even when construction is completed the arena will still have to undergo a number of tests before it can open to the public. Tottenham Hotspur saw delays to the opening of their stadium and so Everton aims to keep its target flexible.
Releasing new images showing the project’s progress, Mr Chong explained: “A precise moving-in date for our new stadium has never been publicly set by the club.
“We have repeatedly stated that the schedule of the development will see the keys for our new home handed to us from Laing O’Rourke during the 2024/25 season.
“When a new stadium is completed from a build perspective, it must be put through its paces and the building tested.
“We will be working on the planning for those test events with the aim of them taking place in the final months of 2024. What they will look like and how supporters can take part is yet to be determined.
“In parallel with the planning for those test events, the question of when our senior men’s first team will play their first competitive game at our new ground will be determined.
“I can confirm, after overcoming a full winter where we lifted the heaviest materials in the most challenging climate, we are confident the stadium will be completed in the final months of 2024.
“If the project remains on schedule, it raises the question as to whether the club moves in mid-season or alternatively, do we wait and give the Grand Old Lady (Goodison Park) a fitting send-off before commencing competitive league games for the senior men’s team at the start of the 2025/26 season?
“Whatever decision is reached, it won’t be based on sentiment. It will be reached in consultation with fans, while also considering the impacts it will have across our football club.
“Moving mid-season may offer some commercial benefits, but also presents a series of challenges and hurdles that could negatively impact other aspects of the club – and other commercial considerations.
“What I can say categorically is that, today, the project is several weeks ahead of schedule, with another winter to come.”