Steve Broomhead,directeur executif de la NWDA veut que le débat reparte.lfc ne veut pas.les fans d'everton sont à 50/50.
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By Larry Neild, Daily Post
THE region's leading regeneration executive last night called on Liverpool and Everton football clubs to build a joint stadium.
Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), believes the debate should be re-kindled following a decision that public funds could not be used on a new ground for Liverpool FC.
Following his comments, Everton FC's chief executive last night said he would be prepared to take part in fresh talks to explore the idea.
Liverpool have participated in previous talks, but the club has always maintained a view that a joint ground would not be supported.
However, the spiralling cost of a new home at Stanley Park could force Liverpool to look again at its strategy.
One source close to the debate said: "While the discussions about public funding have continued, the costs of a Liverpool ground have spiralled and possibly put a single-use ground out of reach. A lot of people were wondering how soon the shared-ground debate would reopen."
Making his comments about a shared ground, Mr Broomhead said: "The principle of a shared ground is worthy of consideration. We have promoted such an idea for some time and the ball is firmly with the two clubs. We at the NWDA have made very clear our view on this issue.
"I have also made it clear that the NWDA will not put any public funding into what would be a commercial scheme for Liverpool FC.
"Our view has been that we will be considering grants for the regeneration of the Anfield and Breckfield area of Liverpool, but we are not going to pay towards what will be a private car park for the club."
Mr Broomhead's new call comes after an influential property conference in Liverpool discussed the ambitious idea of a joint stadium on the waterfront at Central Docks.
Mr Broomhead added: "The business case for a joint stadium is as clear as before and there is a lot of sense in the clubs sharing a ground.
"The Anfield and Breckfield area needs to be regenerated and we are reaching make your mind up time."
Liverpool's victory in the European Cup Final is likely to put the prospect of a joint ground even further off the radar map, with the club eager to reap the financial benefits of its winning streak in Europe.
Everton fans are said to be split 50-50 on the question of a shared stadium.
The biggest question will be the ownership arrangements should a joint stadium ever get off the starting block.
Everton FC chief executive Keith Wyness said: "We will be happy to engage in a debate but a lot will depend on what level of funding is made available."
Everton's view is that, to make a shared ground an attractive proposition, the public funding bodies, NWDA, the UK Government and European funding, would need to offer far more than the amounts suggested so far.
Sums of between £60m and £100m would need to be put on the table.
Mr Wyness added: "It seemed there was a drive by the Government to drive forward shared facilities, using Everton and Liverpool as an opening gambit on the debate. There seems to be little appetite around the country for a shared ground. You never hear of talk about, say Arsenal and Tottenham wanting to share a new ground. We would be the first of not many to go down this road."
The big advantage of a new debate is that fans will have the prospect of a new ground shared by the clubs, or face the prospect of make-do and mend improvements to the existing grounds.
Mr Broomhead added: "This does need to be seriously debated. I was speaking at a business event in Liverpool this week and, when I mentioned the need to look at the principle of a shared ground, there were many nods of approval. The business case is strong, but it is up to both clubs to decide. I would say, though, that we will not put public money into a wholly commercial operation such as a football club."
Several weeks ago, the NWDA announced that public funding of around £22m for the club would not be forthcoming. Within days Merseyside Objective 1 Committee is expected to decide on whether it will pay £9m in European funding to Liverpool FC.
Liverpool FC already has planning permission for a new stadium at Stanley Park. A revised plan would have to be submitted for a joint stadium.
A spokesman for Liverpool FC said: "Our position remains unchanged."
larryneild@dailypost.co.uk
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