While nobody involved was glad that such circumstances came about, Everton’s 3-2 comeback victory over Crystal Palace in their final home game of the season was one of Goodison Park’s great nights - but as the dust settles on the fitful events of 2021/22 at the Blues, thoughts turn to just how many such occasions ‘The Grand Old Lady’ now has left. Less than a year after Everton moved in at Bramley-Moore Dock, the construction of their new waterfront stadium is already changing the iconic city skyline by the Mersey.
The four concrete cores, representing the four corners of the physical embodiment of Dan Meis’ stunning designs, were completed over two months ago and as work continues to gather pace, the first of four tower cranes has been fully installed. When releasing their annual accounts back in late March, club officials confirmed that Everton remain on schedule to move into their new home in 2024 which could ensure that if everything remains on track with the £500million project – and there are no more serious relegation frights of the next couple of years – there may now be just 38 Premier League fixtures to come at Goodison Park.
While understandably no one at this stage could provide cast iron guarantees that the team would be taking to the field by the banks of the Mersey for Everton’s opening home match of the 2024/25 season – Tottenham wanted to be in their new stadium for the start of 2018/19 but didn’t make it until April 3 – progress of the three-year build is on course and unlike Daniel Levy who faced a spiralling price tag from an original £400million estimate to an eye-watering £1billion final bill, the Blues are protected by the deal that chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale has struck with Laing O’Rourke to lock-in construction costs.
