Everton have released images of how Goodison Park could look on a matchday moving forward from next season...
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ECHO readers have been debating the future of Goodison Park, Everton Football Club's historic home, in our comments section. The proposed changes to accommodate both men's and women's matches have drawn various opinions on how the stadium should look after new images were revealed.
This Sunday will mark the end of senior men's football at this iconic venue when Everton face Southampton in the Premier League. The Blues are set to relocate to a new facility at Bramley Moore Dock next season, severing their 133-year connection with Goodison.
However, the women's team is set to begin a new era at the Old Lady in the 2025-26 season. Currently playing their home matches at Walton Hall Park, the move to Goodison signifies a significant commitment from the new owners, The Friedkin Group.
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Everton unveiled designs on Thursday that depict how Goodison Park could appear on matchdays from next season onwards.
The images show the lower tiers of the stadium filled on all four sides, with the upper tiers adorned with branding. In a statement, the Blues expressed that the decision aims to "create an intimate, atmospheric arena".
The Everton designs attempt to highlight the significance of Goodison Park's new role: "With Goodison Park now firmly secured as a permanent home for Everton Women, the stadium now stands not as a monument to the past - but a stage for the future," and affirmed its status as England's largest dedicated women's football stadium.
One of our readers, Stoicprinciples says: "Common sense use the lower tiers wherever it suits plus food/drink etc. TFG clearly have done their homework, women's football will only get bigger 100 per cent guaranteed!"
Kopitelcubo adds: "So in the mean time, will all four sides be open for the fans, or will the empty seats be filled with dummies? So the ground is going to be left intact, I wonder why?"
Donovan1 says: "So the Everton men and women will both have the best stadiums in their respective leagues. Pretty obvious."
Mpd67 believes: "Good idea to use certain parts of the stadium, but surely the lower Bullens with it's tiny wooden seats and beams/posts everywhere needs retiring."
Hun123 feels: "Be lucky to fill the Bullens watching the woman, won't look like that at all."
Jonesy61 says: "Why don't we pull a Chelsea FC trick (selling hotel to themselves) and sell Goodison to the Women's team for £100m. It would do our PSR a power of good."
Soundthought writes: "Yes, a revamp is required, but necessity must include every other seat row removed to provide more space for families and children, the internal bathing and medical improvements and simply replace the seating progressively to a better standard which will create more importantly needed sideline space."
Richard Thorbinson says: "As if our 39,000 home is staying as it is beyond next season for the women's team! Half of it's made from wood and we've ridden our luck with the safety certificate for years. More likely Everton are using a loophole to write off FFP which clubs are allowed to do if it helps towards training facilities or women's football etc. Goodison may very well be the new home of Everton Ladies, but it won't be a four-sided 39,000 all-seater as it is now, or they wouldn't have offered 33,000 season ticket holders the chance to buy their own seats in a frame."
Do you like the look of how the new Goodison Park could look like? Join in the conversation HERE or in the comments below.