Everton are open to talks over whether they should move into their new stadium mid-season or not after explaining how it might not be ready for the start of the 2024/25 campaign.
Everton Fans’ Forum tweeted that a presentation given to the Everton Fan Advisory Board on Everton Stadium has been shared with them, and stated: “Progress on the build remains good but the club stressed completion is during 2024, not in time for (the start) of the 2024/25 season.”
While there are no concerns about the project – which owner Farhad Moshiri claimed in January is costing £760million – being completed, the club have expressed caution about the potential of an August 2024 moving in date for at least 15 months now.
Everton are delighted with the progress on their 52,888 capacity future home with the Bramley-Moore Dock site having been transformed since the club moved on site in August 2021. The primary concrete structure in all four stands was completed before the end of March this year while the distinctive ‘barrel’ shape of what will become the iconic roof is already visible.
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So far the project has not been unduly hampered by adverse weather conditions but with another winter yet to negotiate, Blues staff remain wary not to over-promise and under-deliver in terms of making firm predictions over timescales given the issues that inevitably arise with such major developments.
The ECHO understands that contractors Laing O’Rourke are working to a timetable that ends in December 2024 and as things stand, Everton are looking to be in a position to be able to depart Goodison Park by the turn of the calendar year going into 2025.
Everton Fans’ Forum added: “Discussions around a mid-season move versus an end of season move will be made if necessary once a completion date is known. Test events will be a requirement but it provides opportunities to engage fans.”
After demolishing White Hart Lane on the same site and temporarily decamping to Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur had originally hoped to move into their new stadium by the start of the 2018/19 season but problems with critical safety systems due to faulty electrical wiring delayed completion. Ultimately, Spurs did not have their first competitive fixture at their new home until they defeated Crystal Palace on April 3, 2019, playing just their final five Premier League games of the campaign there.
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