Groundshare gets Royle approval

Everton legend Joe Royle is convinced building a new stadium to share with Liverpool is the best way forward for both Merseyside clubs.

Royle: Feels groundshare makes common sense
Royle: Feels groundshare makes common sense

The possibility of a groundshare between the two rivals - for so long regarded as a non-starter - has been raised again following the Government's rejection of Everton's proposals for a new stadium at Kirkby.

It is the latest in a long line of setbacks for Everton in their quest to move from Goodison, while Liverpool's own plans for a new ground have also stalled.

Neither club have previously shown much appetite for pooling resources to build a stadium project but Royle, who played for and managed Everton, feels it is an obvious solution and deep-seated rivalries can be overcome.

Royle said: "I've always said it makes common sense. I have always been a fan and I think it is a great opportunity.

"The fans are split on it and both clubs are very wary of fan opinion.

"Neither would want to be the first to say we are desperate to do it.

"But now we are in a situation where both clubs are probably needing each other to make it work financially, so that might help it.

"Anfield and Goodison both hold special memories but both clubs, to have a chance of challenging Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, would need greater income.

"Certainly Everton would gain as it halves the costs and it could make a fantastic stadium for both sets of fans.

"It's tried and tested in Milan (where Inter and AC Milan share the San Siro) and a number of other big cities and it works.

"I think for Everton, Kirkby is probably the final straw and this makes great sense - to me anyway."

Senior figures at both clubs might get the ideal chance to discuss the matter this weekend as the teams meet in opposition at Goodison.

Matters on the field will be the most pressing for managers David Moyes and Rafael Benitez, however, as they look to arrest poor runs of form.

Moyes' Everton have won just once in 10 games in all competitions and are just four points above the Premier League relegation zone.

Liverpool have won only two of their last 11 and, with their title hopes already in tatters, are reeling from Champions League elimination this week.

Royle, who oversaw Everton's FA Cup win in 1995, said: "Neither side are in their best form and need their big players to play.

"It is going to be quite a fraught derby and a big game for both managers.

"They will be desperate and both will be feeling it a bit, although I don't think either (manager) is under pressure for their jobs and rightly so.

"They have both had good times but will be desperate to win. They are winners who are used to winning."

Your Comments

redrum (Liverpool fan)

"now whenever the groundshare question is brought up, there's always one tw*t who wants to say that liverpool are already ground sharing, yes we're in evertons old ground, why? because even in 1892 everton were cheapskates and wouldn't/couldn't pay the rent, so why don't you (saynotokirby) learn your clubs history, and stop tryin to jump on liverpools future? go and rot in goodison (quote from a stoke fan i know after a goodison visit "your right what a shithouse")"

underwood (Liverpool fan)

"IT BE GOOD AND THERE IS NOTHING TO BE SCARED OF.GET THE FUNDS FROM WC 2018 AND BUILD ONE BIG ONE INSTEAD OF TWO LITTLE ONE, AS LONG IT HOLD 80.000 OR MORE. IF IT LESS, I GO AGAINST IT, ANOTHER THING IS THE YANKS WILL NOT LIKE IT IF WE BACK THE 80.000 SEATER WITH A KOP END, WE HAVE TO MOVE ON NOW ,,IF YOU DONT LIKE RED AND BLUE WHY NOT ALL SEAT PURPLE "

sbrych (Liverpool fan)

"How would this work for season ticket holders on derby days?"

LFCTILIDIE (Liverpool fan)

"I have to admit i was opposed to the groundshare, but times have changed and looking at the situation with both clubs and Liverpool as a city this is the best way forward. Both clubs are rich in history and traditions this can be retained in some way in any shared stadium (which is the main gripe people have)..................Liverpool Football Club has always been at the forefront of things, we set the bar so high that it has taken one man with a vendetta against us 24 years to equal ONE of our proud records (18 league titles). The longer we wait for a new stadia, the further behind we will fall......................Let us think now, do we want to be consigned into history bin or move forward and continue to make history!!"

Armchaircritic

"As an Everton fan, I would want to see us play in our own stadium and make it our fortress. As a pragmatist, I look at what football has become and can't see past the huge influence exercised over all clubs by the men with the money. If sharing a ground with Liverpool helps to keep Everton finacially independent, then I would be content to see that situation become a reality.

If both clubs are better able to do battle with the likes of Man U', Man City, Cheski, Spurs & etc, let's make it happen.

COYB."

superspurs83 (Tottenham Hotspur fan)

"On ground shares is generally isnt the actual teams that own the stadiums. Like Milan and Inter, Milan city own the ground and both teams rent it from then as do Lazio and Roma on the olympic stadium (i think its called). So the question would be, would Liverpool city council stump up £400m for it???? Doubt it"

mitsukake (Liverpool fan)

"i cannot imagine the seats being red and blue...

liverpool is red and its only red!!!

NO WAY!!! "

stevenek (Chelsea fan)

"(scousewwefgir) how can u say u wont support pool if this happens? u cant be a proper fan then m8, yes it has its advantages and disadvantages but to urn round and sa y u wont follow ur team bcoz of it u must be scouse!!!!"

liverpool_1986

"Redder84 - you dont see the problem of Everton playing on our pitch when we play away??

Other than the fact that this would mean the pitch is used at least once every single week. Sometimes 2 or 3 times a week. The quality would soon suffer and we would be left with an awful state.

Liverpool have been very clear. We want our own stadium and we dont want to share.

So all these everton boys should just shut it.

Just because they cant get planning permission and we can. This does not give them the right to try and encroach on our plans. "

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