Everton coach explains Walton Hall Park plan as Frank…

Everton coach explains Walton Hall Park plan as Frank Lampard first-team claim made

Everton are looking to move some of their under-21 fixtures to Walton Hall Park in the second half of the season.

Walton Hall Park is currently the home of Everton Women. They have been playing at the ground for just over two years after moving to their new surroundings shortly before the first lockdown in 2020.

Everton’s under-21 side primarily play their home fixtures at Southport’s Haig Avenue. They have been using the ground for a number of years, while the Women’s team have also played there in the past.

However, earlier on this season, Everton opted to move their Premier League International Cup game against Paris Saint-Germain to Walton Hall Park. The U21s would also play Southampton at the same venue in the Premier League Cup four days later.

And Paul Tait, whose side claimed a 2-1 victory over PSG thanks to Tom Cannon’s double, has revealed plans are currently being made to return to Walton Hall Park for some games next year.

“It was an amazing game and it is a fantastic facility, like you say,” he told the Everton Live Show ahead of the defeat to Wolves.

“I think there were three thousand there to watch us play. It was great for the boys to play in front of a big crowd and against a top team like PSG.

“To come out on top and we played really well. We are looking to try and get more games at Walton Hall Park in the future because it is a really good facility.”

The U21s have enjoyed an impressive first half to their campaign, with their run in the Papa Johns Trophy being the highlight. After making their way out of a group that included Morecambe, Harrogate Town and Hartlepool United, the young Blues faced a last-32 tie against Mansfield Town.

Despite heading into stoppage time 1-0 down at Goodison Park, goals from Liam Higgins and Cannon secured a memorable victory. And although the U21s were beaten in the last-16 by Lincoln City, Tait admits the competition has been great for their development.

He said: “The Papa Johns has been a really good experience for the players to play against seasoned professionals.

“These games mean a lot to the players. So to pit their wits against these teams has been really good and that game at Goodison was extra special because obviously we scored the two goals in the last minute.

“It is always nice to score late on and get the winner. It has been a really good experience for the players in terms of finding out what playing against men is. The different challenges it brings and I think they have coped really well with it.”

Stanley Mills, Isaac Price, Reece Welch, Joe Anderson, Seb Quirk and Cannon have all been in and around Frank Lampard’s squad so far this season, with Mills, Price and Cannon all making their first-team debuts.

“Since I have been here, Everton have always given chances to young players. I think it is part of our DNA,” Tait said when asked about a number of his side being with the first team.

“The fans love to see a homegrown player come through and have a good impact and Anthony [Gordon] has done that. So hopefully there will be many more.”

While in a separate interview with evertonfc.com, Tait praised Lampard and his coaching staff for the interest they have shown in the club’s youngsters.

“It’s been really good seeing so many lads get called up this season,” he said. "The communication between the U21s staff and the first-team staff has been excellent, and that’s down to Frank and his staff.

“They’ve been really good with us, they’re interested, and they watch our games whenever they can. When they’re away in hotels they’ll still watch the games back there.

“They want to give young players an opportunity, but then it’s up to the boys to be good enough and to do well enough."

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