As Everton's hierarchy solidify plans for the continued "Evertonisation" of the club's new Hill Dickinson Stadium, the possibility exists that a series of statues could be commissioned in the coming years to immortalise past Everton greats.
Goodison Park features two such tributes, one to goal-scoring legend, Dixie Dean, and another to the famed "Holy Trinity" of Howard Kendall., Colin Harvey and Alan Ball and with an enormous fan plaza at Bramley-Moore Dock as well as the attractive western terrace overlooking the River Mersey, there is ample space to install similar statues at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Nothing has yet been confirmed but, in an interview with the Liverpool Echo, renowned Evertonian, Dr David France, described how he would like the club to proceed with such a project that would, in his words, "add value to the fan experience at the new stadium, making it a top Merseyside tourist attraction [while commemorating] individuals [from] all eras of the club’s nearly 150-year heritage."
Dr France, who not only amassed the world's largest of collection of club memorabiliia in the form of the Everton Collection but also initiated the Everton Former Players' Foundation and the Gwladys Street Hall of Fame, suggests that "a systematic approach" be adopted to selecting figures who have made "major contributions" to the club (including chairmen and managers as well as players) from 25-year blocks of the Blues' history (for example: 1878-1903, 1904-1928, 1929-1953, 1954-1978 and 1979-2003).
“Also, rather than the ad hoc approach now adopted for the Everton Giants, which results in bias towards recent players, research should be conducted on say 10 statues to be introduced over time," Dr France explained. For example, one per year over the next decade with unveiling celebrations attended by fans, club and football officials plus local dignitaries.”
Read the full article in the Liverpool Echo
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