Cheshire Cat
The most curious thing..
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/live...rton-fans-vote-yes-to-kirkby-100252-19681222/
EVERTONIANS have voted to move their club to Kirkby.
A clear majority of the supporters who voted in the Blues poll agreed with the proposal, which could see a new 50,000-seater stad-ium built in the town in time for the 2010 season.
Announcing the results of the landmark poll today, Everton said 59% (15,230 people) voted in favour, with 41% (10,468) against.
The question they were asked was: “Are you in favour of relocating Everton football club to Kirkby?”
Around 11,000 votes were not returned during the three-week ballot, making the response 70%.
Everton thanked the season ticket holders, shareholders and fan club members who took part, saying they were “pleased” a positive result was achieved.
The club will now continue neg-otiations with Tesco and Knowsley council to try to make the £400m plan for a new stadium and shopping district south of Kirkby town centre a reality.
But fans and residents were today warned there was still a long way to go before the proposal achieved the final go-ahead.
A club statement said: “Everton are pleased that a majority of those Evertonians who were eligible to vote in the ballot do support the club in its desire to relocate to a new home in Kirkby.
“We are the only major club in Europe to have handed over a decision of such importance and magnitude to its fan base, something which simply serves to underscore the enormously high regard in which we hold our supporters.
“We now have a mandate to carry on negotiations with Knowsley council and Tesco.
“The club’s board of directors, the management staff and the players would like to thank all those who participated in the ballot.
“We would also like to thank Electoral Reform Services, who ran the ballot on our behalf in a diligent and wholly professional manner.”
Everton managed to win over the majority of eligible fans despite a hard-fought battle by opponents of the Kirkby move, who still hope to persuade the Blues to stay within the city boundaries.
The club had said it would end all negotiations with Tesco and Knowsley council if it lost the poll.
Over the past few weeks, two rival proposals emerged.
The club statement said: “While the proposed move has undoubtedly provoked a heated debate, it is reassuring to know the majority of Evertonians support the club as it pursues its long-held desire to provide a world-class stad-ium for its world-class support.
“The result comes at the end of a transparent, democratic process and we believe that now is the time for all supporters of Everton to set aside any differences of opinion.
“We all want the same thing, a thriving, ambitious and prosperous club away from the field, and an attractive, competitive team on it.”
The Kirkby proposal, described as “the deal of the century” by chief executive Keith Wyness, is still some way from certainty.
Although the club and Tesco have unveiled images of how they want the development off Valley Road and Cherryfield Drive to look, Knowsley council must first draw up a new “vision” for Kirkby and consult residents for a second time.
If that passes smoothly, a planning application will be submitted.
If it gets the go-ahead, government officials will cast their eye over the proposal, which could be “called in” for further scrutiny.
A council spokesman said: “The ballot result is clearly a step forward for Everton. The views of fans are important and so are those of the Kirkby community.
“Although we welcome the fact that Everton fans think Kirkby would be a good place for the club, it is important to stress there is still a lot to be done.”
Kirkby’s new centre
PLANS unveiled this summer showed how Kirkby town centre would be completely transformed by the £400m arrival of Everton and Tesco.
A 50,000-seater stadium would be built on open land off Valley Road, with the potential to increase capacity to 55,000 or 60,000 at a later date.
It would have four distinct stands, rather than being bowl-shaped like the new Wembley or Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium.
Designers believe this would help retain Goodison Park’s unique atmosphere.
A multi-storey car park for 1,000 vehicles would be built north of the ground, with a 200-space coach park to the south.
Tesco plans to double the size of the town centre by creating a shopping district on land currently occupied by playing fields, a small housing estate and All Saints Catholic high school.
They include:
A Tesco Extra store on the All Saints site, on stilts with a car park underneath.
About 50 high street shops around a 3,500-space car park, with 1,000 spaces set aside for supporters on matchdays.
A new public square on Cherryfield Drive, lined with a modernised bus station, new council offices, shops, restaurants and cafes.
A central pedestrianised boulevard from the existing town centre into the new shopping development, three times wider than current walkways.
Development Securities, which owns much of the current town centre, is now in talks with Tesco and Everton about how it can be improved.
The Blue road to a future outside city
Jun 15, 2006 - A multi-million pound plan to build a new stadium in Kirkby is revealed. Everton, Tesco and Knowsley council are talking about a 55,000-seater ground and shopping development near the town centre.
Aug 23, 2006 - Liverpool council suggests two other sites in Speke and north Liverpool.
Nov 3, 2006 - Everton have begun talks with leading stadium developer Barr about the Kirkby proposal.
Dec 11, 2006 - Everton sign exclusivity deal with Tesco and Knowsley, meaning they cannot discuss any other site. Club agrees to hold a ballot.
Mar 28, 2007 - Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley calls on Everton to re-enter talks with the city.
Apr 26, 2007 - The Keep Everton In Our City (KEIOC) voices reasons why the club should not move to Kirkby.
May 31, 2007 -Knowsley residents will be shown two options for Kirkby - with and without Everton.
Jun 26, 2007 - The stadium location is unveiled - open land off Valley Road and Bewley Drive.
Jul 16, 2007 - Everton announce that 33,000 season ticket holders, shareholders and fan club members will decide if the club should move.
Jul 17, 2007 - Blues chief executive Keith Wyness says the move to Kirkby would leave the club virtually debt-free.
Jul 21, 2007 - Cllr Bradley reveals three locations he can offer in Liverpool - Long Lane, Scotland Road and Speke Road.
Aug 3, 2007 - KEIOC unveil two alternative proposal, a rebuilt Goodison Park or a new stadium off Scotland Road.
Aug 11, 2007 - Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy urges Evertonians to “let our heads guide our hearts” when voting on the move.
Aug 21, 2007 - Knowsley’s consultation shows most residents want regeneration, some without Everton.
ECHO comment
EVERTON Football Club stands on the brink of a bold new future.
It could also be on the edge of civil war.
Which is why the ECHO today calls for unity from its fans.
A majority of supporters have voted yes to the club’s Kirkby proposals.
A significant minority, however, either said no or abstained.
Further protest, continued campaigning and prolonged dissent will only be damaging to the club.
The simple fact remains that more Evertonians want to move to Kirkby than don’t.
Whether they voted yes or no, the fans must now embrace another, usually alien, word . . . and stand united.
Everton needs its supporters to do just that right now . . . and support their football club.
EVERTONIANS have voted to move their club to Kirkby.
A clear majority of the supporters who voted in the Blues poll agreed with the proposal, which could see a new 50,000-seater stad-ium built in the town in time for the 2010 season.
Announcing the results of the landmark poll today, Everton said 59% (15,230 people) voted in favour, with 41% (10,468) against.
The question they were asked was: “Are you in favour of relocating Everton football club to Kirkby?”
Around 11,000 votes were not returned during the three-week ballot, making the response 70%.
Everton thanked the season ticket holders, shareholders and fan club members who took part, saying they were “pleased” a positive result was achieved.
The club will now continue neg-otiations with Tesco and Knowsley council to try to make the £400m plan for a new stadium and shopping district south of Kirkby town centre a reality.
But fans and residents were today warned there was still a long way to go before the proposal achieved the final go-ahead.
A club statement said: “Everton are pleased that a majority of those Evertonians who were eligible to vote in the ballot do support the club in its desire to relocate to a new home in Kirkby.
“We are the only major club in Europe to have handed over a decision of such importance and magnitude to its fan base, something which simply serves to underscore the enormously high regard in which we hold our supporters.
“We now have a mandate to carry on negotiations with Knowsley council and Tesco.
“The club’s board of directors, the management staff and the players would like to thank all those who participated in the ballot.
“We would also like to thank Electoral Reform Services, who ran the ballot on our behalf in a diligent and wholly professional manner.”
Everton managed to win over the majority of eligible fans despite a hard-fought battle by opponents of the Kirkby move, who still hope to persuade the Blues to stay within the city boundaries.
The club had said it would end all negotiations with Tesco and Knowsley council if it lost the poll.
Over the past few weeks, two rival proposals emerged.
The club statement said: “While the proposed move has undoubtedly provoked a heated debate, it is reassuring to know the majority of Evertonians support the club as it pursues its long-held desire to provide a world-class stad-ium for its world-class support.
“The result comes at the end of a transparent, democratic process and we believe that now is the time for all supporters of Everton to set aside any differences of opinion.
“We all want the same thing, a thriving, ambitious and prosperous club away from the field, and an attractive, competitive team on it.”
The Kirkby proposal, described as “the deal of the century” by chief executive Keith Wyness, is still some way from certainty.
Although the club and Tesco have unveiled images of how they want the development off Valley Road and Cherryfield Drive to look, Knowsley council must first draw up a new “vision” for Kirkby and consult residents for a second time.
If that passes smoothly, a planning application will be submitted.
If it gets the go-ahead, government officials will cast their eye over the proposal, which could be “called in” for further scrutiny.
A council spokesman said: “The ballot result is clearly a step forward for Everton. The views of fans are important and so are those of the Kirkby community.
“Although we welcome the fact that Everton fans think Kirkby would be a good place for the club, it is important to stress there is still a lot to be done.”
Kirkby’s new centre
PLANS unveiled this summer showed how Kirkby town centre would be completely transformed by the £400m arrival of Everton and Tesco.
A 50,000-seater stadium would be built on open land off Valley Road, with the potential to increase capacity to 55,000 or 60,000 at a later date.
It would have four distinct stands, rather than being bowl-shaped like the new Wembley or Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium.
Designers believe this would help retain Goodison Park’s unique atmosphere.
A multi-storey car park for 1,000 vehicles would be built north of the ground, with a 200-space coach park to the south.
Tesco plans to double the size of the town centre by creating a shopping district on land currently occupied by playing fields, a small housing estate and All Saints Catholic high school.
They include:
A Tesco Extra store on the All Saints site, on stilts with a car park underneath.
About 50 high street shops around a 3,500-space car park, with 1,000 spaces set aside for supporters on matchdays.
A new public square on Cherryfield Drive, lined with a modernised bus station, new council offices, shops, restaurants and cafes.
A central pedestrianised boulevard from the existing town centre into the new shopping development, three times wider than current walkways.
Development Securities, which owns much of the current town centre, is now in talks with Tesco and Everton about how it can be improved.
The Blue road to a future outside city
Jun 15, 2006 - A multi-million pound plan to build a new stadium in Kirkby is revealed. Everton, Tesco and Knowsley council are talking about a 55,000-seater ground and shopping development near the town centre.
Aug 23, 2006 - Liverpool council suggests two other sites in Speke and north Liverpool.
Nov 3, 2006 - Everton have begun talks with leading stadium developer Barr about the Kirkby proposal.
Dec 11, 2006 - Everton sign exclusivity deal with Tesco and Knowsley, meaning they cannot discuss any other site. Club agrees to hold a ballot.
Mar 28, 2007 - Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley calls on Everton to re-enter talks with the city.
Apr 26, 2007 - The Keep Everton In Our City (KEIOC) voices reasons why the club should not move to Kirkby.
May 31, 2007 -Knowsley residents will be shown two options for Kirkby - with and without Everton.
Jun 26, 2007 - The stadium location is unveiled - open land off Valley Road and Bewley Drive.
Jul 16, 2007 - Everton announce that 33,000 season ticket holders, shareholders and fan club members will decide if the club should move.
Jul 17, 2007 - Blues chief executive Keith Wyness says the move to Kirkby would leave the club virtually debt-free.
Jul 21, 2007 - Cllr Bradley reveals three locations he can offer in Liverpool - Long Lane, Scotland Road and Speke Road.
Aug 3, 2007 - KEIOC unveil two alternative proposal, a rebuilt Goodison Park or a new stadium off Scotland Road.
Aug 11, 2007 - Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy urges Evertonians to “let our heads guide our hearts” when voting on the move.
Aug 21, 2007 - Knowsley’s consultation shows most residents want regeneration, some without Everton.
ECHO comment
EVERTON Football Club stands on the brink of a bold new future.
It could also be on the edge of civil war.
Which is why the ECHO today calls for unity from its fans.
A majority of supporters have voted yes to the club’s Kirkby proposals.
A significant minority, however, either said no or abstained.
Further protest, continued campaigning and prolonged dissent will only be damaging to the club.
The simple fact remains that more Evertonians want to move to Kirkby than don’t.
Whether they voted yes or no, the fans must now embrace another, usually alien, word . . . and stand united.
Everton needs its supporters to do just that right now . . . and support their football club.
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