[Football] Everton New Stadium

[METALMICKY]

I wasn't particularly sold on some of the earlier images of the stadium - looked a bit generic and "meh" from the inside. But now its completed, the steepness of the stands is what makes it. A proper high RAKE (which sadly we do not have at the Amex). That will generate a fantastic atmosphere.

Took me back to my goosebumps moment when I first emerged from those concourse steps up to my seat in the WSU for the Doncaster game. I didn't bother with the Spurs friendly or whatever the other game was. I wanted my first sight of the Amex to be a packed house for the first ever proper game, and it certainly did not disappoint. One of the greatest moments of my BHA career.

Same here and same buzz. Pretty glorious weekend I recall. Maiden at the O2 on the Friday night and Donny win next day!

 

[Change at Barnham]

From The i Paper:

Transport options at new Everton stadium 'not fit for purpose', say fans

A select band of Evertonians saw a glimpse of a bright, new future as the £800million stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock opened its doors for the first time.
However, some fans also raised concerns about transport, with the nearby Sandhills train station described as a “disaster waiting to happen” by one supporter.
On a night the new stadium was less than a fifth full, supporters complained about overcrowding at Sandhills and a long and difficult walk to the stadium with no shuttle options.
Another supporter wrote on X: “If we didn’t know already, we do now. Sandhills absolutely not fit for purpose. Needs a big and quick rethink”.

 

[Diablo]

53,000 wow, will they fill it ?

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Its right next to a river, so not ideal as you can only arrive / exit to the south. Can't see that being better placed tbh.

Maybe the old guy with the coracle at Shrewsbury will get his job back.

 

[Notters]

Looks like a proper arena, not like the ****hole that is Goodison.

One of the best ground I've ever been to

 

[Titanic]

I think it looks magnificent. Steep rake and close to the pitch, with decent ends, a proper football stadium.

 

[Easy 10]

From The i Paper:

Transport options at new Everton stadium 'not fit for purpose', say fans

A select band of Evertonians saw a glimpse of a bright, new future as the £800million stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock opened its doors for the first time.
However, some fans also raised concerns about transport, with the nearby Sandhills train station described as a “disaster waiting to happen” by one supporter.
On a night the new stadium was less than a fifth full, supporters complained about overcrowding at Sandhills and a long and difficult walk to the stadium with no shuttle options.
Another supporter wrote on X: “If we didn’t know already, we do now. Sandhills absolutely not fit for purpose. Needs a big and quick rethink”.

Sandhills station

Those who went tonight, what's your thoughts? Used it myself, the train was overcrowded. The council, Merseyrail and the club needs to seriously look at it addressing the issues. I know a test event's purpose it to highlights issues like this, but something needs to be done. The train I got on...

www.grandoldteam.com

Interesting thread here on the transport issues.

"Carnage" seeming to be the operative word from last night, and that was only for a 10k event.
I guess these test events are to iron out these difficulties, but as we know only too well, there's only so much you can do. Sounds like they have one (inadequate) train station in the area, no bus service, and little to no parking...

 

[Jeremiah]

53,000 wow, will they fill it ?

No. Not unless they give about 10k to the opposition fans or get a decent team.

 

[Mackenzie]

Sandhills station

Those who went tonight, what's your thoughts? Used it myself, the train was overcrowded. The council, Merseyrail and the club needs to seriously look at it addressing the issues. I know a test event's purpose it to highlights issues like this, but something needs to be done. The train I got on...

www.grandoldteam.com

Interesting thread here on the transport issues.

"Carnage" seeming to be the operative word from last night, and that was only for a 10k event.
I guess these test events are to iron out these difficulties, but as we know only too well, there's only so much you can do. Sounds like they have one (inadequate) train station in the area, no bus service, and little to no parking...

mmmm....sounds very familiar.....

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

From The i Paper:

Transport options at new Everton stadium 'not fit for purpose', say fans

A select band of Evertonians saw a glimpse of a bright, new future as the £800million stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock opened its doors for the first time.
However, some fans also raised concerns about transport, with the nearby Sandhills train station described as a “disaster waiting to happen” by one supporter.
On a night the new stadium was less than a fifth full, supporters complained about overcrowding at Sandhills and a long and difficult walk to the stadium with no shuttle options.
Another supporter wrote on X: “If we didn’t know already, we do now. Sandhills absolutely not fit for purpose. Needs a big and quick rethink”.

The “fiver for the guarding the car” lobby out in force

 

[bluenitsuj]

Not as good as the Amex though

 

[Easy 10]

mmmm....sounds very familiar.....

Indeed it does.
They've built a "holding pen" outside Sandills train station, festooned with queuing barriers to control people before they can get to the (single) platform there. The station is totally inadequate. It struggled to cope with 10k last night, imagine when they've got crowds of 53k.

Many of them are hoping for fleets of soccer special buses to take them back to the city centre. This doesn't take into account whether the extra buses - or drivers - even exist just for matchdays.

When you consider the hoops we had to jump through to have an integrated transport system in place alongside the plans for the Amex, this aspect of the Everton project seems to have been done on the back of a fag packet.

 

[Gwylan]

Looks like a proper arena, not like the ****hole that is Goodison.

I liked Goodison, proper old fashioned stadium.

Having said that, I think it will warrant a visit next season. Not sure why the fuss about transport, it's easily walkable from Lime St, it looks closer than Goodison

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Sandhills is a small train station and will be rammed when they open properly.

And you thought Falmer was crowded.

It is walkable from Lime Street though - a couple of miles but mostly downhill or along the riverside.

 

[Change at Barnham]

Blimey! Have a look at how limited the access to Sandhills Station is. And this is for a stadium that holds 52000+.
The small holding area with the impatience of hundreds of fans wanting to force their way on to the station platform doesn't bode well.
The narrow walkway tunnel leading to the stairs that go up to the platforms looks far too small for the numbers expected.
This is a major news story waiting to happen.

Sandhills makes Falmer look like St.Pancras.
And we thought we had problems!

 

[Gazwag]

They have a fleet of buses for both Goodison and Anfield so I assume they will still be in use when the season starts so that will help, if they can park anywhere near of course

 

[Eeyore]

No. Not unless they give about 10k to the opposition fans or get a decent team.

Not sure about that. If you think that Withdean wasn't always sold out and the AMEX added a large number of fans. I suspect the Everton crowds will go up. It's often happened with other teams.

 

[jackalbion]

Sandhills station

Those who went tonight, what's your thoughts? Used it myself, the train was overcrowded. The council, Merseyrail and the club needs to seriously look at it addressing the issues. I know a test event's purpose it to highlights issues like this, but something needs to be done. The train I got on...

www.grandoldteam.com

Interesting thread here on the transport issues.

"Carnage" seeming to be the operative word from last night, and that was only for a 10k event.
I guess these test events are to iron out these difficulties, but as we know only too well, there's only so much you can do. Sounds like they have one (inadequate) train station in the area, no bus service, and little to no parking...

They didn't have any additional trains the other night, I believe they will with a bigger event they will I was told, I think they've got turnback facilities somewhere, so once they've ironed it out should be fine. Nobody was hanging around after the game either really.

 

[Eeyore]

Blimey! Have a look at how limited the access to Sandhills Station is. And this is for a stadium that holds 52000+.
The small holding area with the impatience of hundreds of fans wanting to force their way on to the station platform doesn't bode well.
The narrow walkway tunnel leading to the stairs that go up to the platforms looks far too small for the numbers expected.
This is a major news story waiting to happen.

Sandhills makes Falmer look like St.Pancras.
And we thought we had problems!

Quickest thing to do, for those able, would be to take the 40 minute walk to Lime Street. I suspect fans will work it out. It's a bit like Twickenham after England matches. The station can't cope, but a 20 minute walk and there are other options. Fans always find a way. If I went to the new ground I would definitely walk back to Lime Street. You could get a train an hour after the match ends.

EDIT: Sandhills is almost a 20 minute walk from the ground. May as well just avoid.

 

[Eeyore]

I liked Goodison, proper old fashioned stadium.

Having said that, I think it will warrant a visit next season. Not sure why the fuss about transport, it's easily walkable from Lime St, it looks closer than Goodison

Shame I never got to see Goodison. One of the few never ticked off. Famous old ground.