Everton are set to move away from Goodison Park this summer but the club’s owners The Friedkin Group are exploring a sensational new lease of life for the famous stadium.
As per the BBC (3 April), TFG have launched a feasibility study as they explore using the site for the women’s team.
Everton, who will move into their 52,888-seat stadium at Bramley Moore Dock for next season, had promised that Goodison Park would be preserved for community use as part of the Goodison Legacy Project.
The stadium has been used by the Toffees since 1892 but was no longer considered fit for purpose in terms of capacity or facilities.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has put forward an “incredible” idea as Toffees chiefs explore a future for the ‘Grand Old Lady’.
Everton could open museum and play youth games at Goodison, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness suggested Everton could also play youth games and house a museum at the site to boost its attractiveness.
David Moyes‘ side will play their last competitive game at Goodison against relegated Southampton on 18 May.
Wyness suggested maintenance costs and running costs will prove a problem for Everton with much smaller crowds taking in women’s and youth fixtures.
| Ranking | Stadium | Capacity |
| 1 | Old Trafford (Man United) | 74,197 |
| 2 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Tottenham) | 62,850 |
| 3 | London Stadium (West Ham) | 62,500 |
| 4 | Anfield (Liverpool) | 61,276 |
| 5 | Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) | 60,704 |
| 6 | Etihad Stadium (Man City) | 52,900 |
| 7 | Everton Stadium – when open (Everton) | 52,888 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “The problem with Goodison, even back in my day, was that we had to spend a lot of money every year to try and keep the safety certificate.
“The maintenance work was costing £1-2million every year, which was a big issue.
“It may be that some part of the stadium is closed down and removed, and the stadium is remodelled.
“If it were to become the home of the women’s team and youth teams, that would be incredible.
“Combining it with some museum or artefacts could be the way to go. We acquired the Everton Collection under my direction, which is recognised by Sotheby’s as the most important collection of football memorabilia in the world.
“That’s something really unique that Everton have. To house it in Goodison, it’s a very attractive proposition.
“It would be an incredible place to keep alive, but it’s about the feasibility of the economics of this stadium.
“You’re looking at much smaller crowds, so you’ve got to look at the maintenance costs and running costs and decide if it makes sense.
“The idea is romantic and beautiful, but does it make sense? We’ll see what this study has to say.”
Everton told to pay £30m to sign Ben Doak
Football Insider revealed on 4 April Liverpool will demand a £30million fee from Everton if they are to sell Ben Doak to their arch-rivals this summer.
David Moyes is an admirer of Doak and has sent scouts to watch the 19-year-old winger during his loan spell at Middlesbrough this season.
Sources say Bournemouth are also keen on the Scotland international heading into the summer window, while Crystal Palace saw a £15million bid rejected for him in January.
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