New Everton stadium continues to come into focus

The summer transfer window has predictably taken center stage recently, but that doesn’t mean Everton fans are any less interested in news regarding their new stadium.

Everton chief executive Robert Elstone has opened up about that very subject today, speaking to the Everton Fan Forum on their podcast.

Among other things, Elstone discussed the importance of the fan experience to any plans for the Bramley Moore ground.

A lot of stadia which have been built post-Taylor report have focused very heavily on premium seats and the corporate customer and I’m not sure that’s right - even for those clubs - but I know it’s not right for Everton.

For me, building a stadium that will work for fans is a great opportunity to show the world there is a different way to do this.

Evertonians also need not worry about supporters’ distance from the pitch, something that West Ham United fans are suffering from at their new London Stadium.

I am constantly baffled by the distances between touchlines and first seats and it seems some stadiums have been built with a very conservative approach to creating that space.

“There will be safety issues, but once you’ve gone past the safety limit then you put your touchline in.

Elstone and Everton are clearly approaching the new ground in the right way, and willing to learn from the mistakes of teams before them, like West Ham and Arsenal. The Blues want the Bramley Moore location to be iconic, but they also desire the atmosphere to be just as intimidating as Goodison Park. More Elstone:

What we want to do is to create a fortress. What I’ve said to the design team is ‘if you were to give me one single design brief, it would be to create a stadium where we start every game with a goal advantage.

I know that’s a bit cliched, but if you create a stadium where the opponents don’t want to play and where our players feel they grow another 12 inches we are creating an environment where we are more likely to win games.

Royal Blue Mersey

All told, the interview with Elstone was excellent, and well worth a listen for Blues fans. The “new Everton” era is not just making waves in the transfer market, but moving the club forward on all fronts - including Bramley Moore.