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New Stadium
I think its a disgrace that the NWDA are purposely holding up the project whilst trying to get the shared stadium nonsense back up and running. I'm getting very worried about all of this and have this nasty feeling that we'll end up in a stadium with the bigots.
Here's the story:
Ground share row as £11m held back Mar 8 2005
By Ian Hernon, Liverpool Echo
ANFIELD'S regeneration is being held back as government representatives try to resurrect a shared football stadium, an MP claimed today.
The Northwest Development Agency has earmarked £11m for north Liverpool, but has told Walton Labour MP Peter Kilfoyle it will not be released until the shared ground for Liverpool and Everton is back on the agenda.
The NWDA is keen to invest money in a ground development if it is a home to both clubs and told sports minister Richard Caborn last October it wanted discussions on a joint stadium before releasing the cash.
The plan has widespread opposition in the city, and after a summit between the clubs and sports minister last November, it was revealed that any move towards a shared stadium was off.
Yet an NWDA spokesman today confirmed discussions were ongoing, even though the minister has said the plan was "dead in the water".
If the ground share scheme were dropped it would allow Liverpool to press ahead with its £120m Stanley Park redevelopment, and leave Everton free to explore redeveloping Goodison or find a new home.
Mr Kilfoyle said: "They can support want they want. But I object to them using it to hold back regeneration where it is most needed."
Some of the disputed cash has also been earmarked for other projects in Anfield, including landscaping.
NWDA chairman Bryan Gray wrote to Liverpool FC chief executive Rick Parry last month. A copy was leaked to Mr Kilfoyle.
It reads: "There is strong support for the concept of a shared stadium and a real desire for Liverpool FC and Everton FC to work together with the city council and the (NWDA) to find a solution.
"It is always easy to find reasons not to do something, but I remain convinced that if there is a real desire to find a solution, then a solution will be found."
Mr Kilfoyle said: "Such behaviour on behalf of a government agency is indefensible.
"I intend to do all in my power to remedy the illadvised strategy for holding up progress in north Liverpool."
Mr Gray told the MP his desire to see a shared stadium revolved around the regeneration, tourism and economy of north Liverpool.
A spokesman for the NWDA said: "We are currently in discussions with the Liverpool FC board and until those discussions are completed we cannot say anything more."
Liverpool FC refused to comment on the letters.
A spokesman for Everton FC said: "Both clubs recently vetoed the plans in their current form, but from Everton's perspective, we have said we will keep all our options open.
"Bearing in mind the last shared stadium proposal was unacceptable to us, there would have to be fundamental changes and everyone involved in the process under-stands that.
"If the plan was reassessed, there is no reason why we would not be happy to talk about it again."
* LIVERPOOL chief executive Rick Parry insisted the club would secure the investment to make their new Stanley Park stadium a reality.
Parry dismissed doubts over the scheme, which is now believed to be costing more than £130m.
He said: "We can't start talking about a start date. The rest of the funding is to be put in place. It is more than we first thought, costs are increasing and the nature of the project has changed but we are confident we can fund it."
Parry was with Chancellor Gordon Brown and Richard Caborn at the announcement of a £600,000 funding package for Anfield youth club yesterday.
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