Colin Chong has overseen the development of the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the club
Everton executive chairman, and key Friedkin Group figure, Marc Watts (R) looks on next to interim chief executive officer Colin Chong during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park. Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Everton executive chairman, and key Friedkin Group figure, Marc Watts (R) looks on next to Colin Chong during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park. Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
The man overseeing the development of Everton’s new stadium has revealed the instructions the government gave him as its planning permission was confirmed. Next month, four years after securing the right to build a brand new home, the Blues will welcome Brighton & Hove Albion in their first competitive fixture at their new 52,769-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Before then, a third and final preparation fixture will take place on August 9 as the Toffees host Roma - also owned by The Friedkin Group. It will be the first time David Moyes’ first team squad will turn out at their new home.
The men’s side has left Goodison Park after 133 years, signing off with a 2-0 win in their final game in May. Colin Chong, former interim chief executive and stadium development director, has now revealed what ministers told him as the club’s journey towards Bramley-Moore Dock began back in 2021.
Speaking at a Local Government Association (LGA) conference panel on the development of north Liverpool, Mr Chong said he actually feared the decision would be called in by the then-Conservative government. Liverpool Council gave planning permission for the scheme in February 2021 before it got the sign off from then Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick six weeks later.
Mr Chong said: “I thought it could have been called in. It sat on the Secretary of State’s desk for three weeks.
An aerial view of Everton's new home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium, taken in May. Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
An aerial view of Everton's new home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium, taken in May. Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
“He came back and told us to get on with it, literally.”
In the four years that have followed, Mr Chong - who took over the running of the club following the departure of former chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale until Angus Kinnear’s appointment this Spring - said 15,000 jobs had been created in the city through the construction of the new ground.
Colin Chong and architect Dan Meis at Everton Stadium on September 5, 2024
Colin Chong and architect Dan Meis at Everton Stadium on September 5, 2024(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
Describing it as the “fourth grace for Liverpool” the club director added how he hoped it could help bolster efforts to regenerate the northern area of the city. He said: “We’re really hoping that with the assistance of the new stadium, north Liverpool can capitalise.
“All areas local to the stadium should be able to.”
Mr Chong said the new ground, which has staged two test events in February and March up to half capacity, would “set the scene” for regeneration of the northern shore and was a “good bookend” for its transformation.
He added how stadiums are the “catalysts for new towns” as he spoke alongside the leaders of Liverpool and Sefton Councils, outlining their plans to deliver 10,000 new homes in a new town connecting north Liverpool and south Sefton.