Everton’s move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium has been successful so far for the Toffees, with four wins from seven in all competitions on home turf – but Alan Stubbs has one tiny gripe.
Alan Stubbs, an Everton icon and boyhood fan who had two spells at the club, is still fondly loved by supporters today.
Making 169 Premier League outings for the Toffees, Stubbs only played for the club at Goodison Park and has seen the Hill Dickinson Stadium in its early days.
But despite the increased capacity from 39,414 to 52,501, Stubbs believes that developers should have increased the capacity upon its grand unveiling.
Everton v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Alan Stubbs thinks Everton should have been made the Hill Dickinson Stadium bigger
Speaking on the ‘A View From The Bullens’ podcast, Stubbs admitted that he has been blown away by the new Merseyside relic.
But whilst stating that the move has been nothing short of incredible, the former Everton defender wished the ground could have been built to accommodate as many as 62,000 fans from the off.
Stubbs said:“I can’t pick a bad thing about it. Walking up to it blows me away, I have to pinch myself to think it’s ours.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
“Inside, and the noise, is incredible.
“Fan experience, it’s getting better, over the piece I’d say teething problems are getting rectified. But I personally don’t have any, if I’m being honest.
“I wish it was even bigger. It’s amazing as it is, but 60 thousand or 62 thousand would be nice. Maybe one day.”
Everton now have the seventh-biggest stadium in the Premier League, though an expansion from there would have taken them to fourth – only a few hundred seats behind Tottenham and West Ham.
Everton v Fulham - Premier League
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Everton do have plans to expand Hill Dickinson Stadium ahead of Euro 2028
One key facet of the Hill Dickinson being brand new is that it has now been confirmed as a host stadium for Euro 2028.
Alongside Villa Park, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Etihad Stadium and St. James’ Park, the riverfront behemoth will host four group stage matches as well as a round-of-16 tie in the major continental competition in just over two years’ time.
As is the case with various stadia in the build-up to a major tournament, expansions could well be sanctioned and the Hill Dickinson Stadium is on the shortlist.
Andy Burnham believes the stadium is better than Tottenham’s, and although they can’t compete capacity-wise, there is a chance that the stadium will be increased to 57,679 before Euro 2028 starts.
It’s a ground befitting of one of the most loyal fanbases in the country and only then will rival clubs realise how Everton fans are one of, if not the best in the nation.