Man United won 1-0 on their first visit to the newly-built Hill Dickinson Stadium in Merseyside on Monday night.
United visited the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time on Monday.
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When I visited Goodison Park for Manchester United's final game there in February 2025, I found myself walking alongside David Moyes and the head of Everton's football communications. Moyes had just left the Everton dressing room, walking down the narrow corridor on his way to his post-match press conference.
United drew 2-2 with Everton that afternoon, and the atmosphere was raucous. I asked Moyes how he felt about leaving Goodison Park, and he admitted it would be difficult, but that he was looking forward to managing in the Hill Dickinson Stadium on the Bramley-Moore Dock.
It was always going to be difficult for Everton to leave Goodison Park, their home for 133 years, but they've done a magnificent job with the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
United made their first visit to the ground on Monday night and sealed three points thanks to a second-half goal from Benjamin Sesko, who scored in front of the two-tier away section.
Sesko's goal ensured a memorable first visit for United supporters, and it was an enjoyable experience to work in the venue for the first time. The Hill Dickinson is a stunning venue, and I could not help but gaze at the stadium as I drove closer.
The Hill Dickinson has been described as an “innovative combination of brick, glass and steel that complements the architecture of the dock buildings which surround the site”, and is a venue that “has already won plaudits and accolades with its eye-catching design, which brilliantly blends the modern with the traditional”.
The outside view of the Hill Dickinson.(Image: Steven Railston)
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American architect Dan Meis oversaw the project and deserves huge praise. There are some soulless arenas in the United States, but every part of the Hill Dickinson has been given careful consideration.
The location of the Hill Dickinson has split opinion among Evertonians due to its distance from the city centre, but its beauty is enhanced by its stylish setting next to the River Mersey. It looks outstanding.
There is a sense of occasion when you approach the stadium. There are ample stewards outside the ground to help fans upon arrival, and staff members provided a warm welcome for journalists.
Everton have entered the future with their new stadium and the press facilities were best-in-class. There was brilliant communication before arrival, plenty of working space and a good food offering.
The doughnuts on offer in the press canteen.(Image: Steven Railston)
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The media room at Goodison Park was cramped, and the seats for journalists at press conferences looked like something out of a high school. The media auditorium at the Hill Dickinson is sleek.
There is a makeshift mixed zone at Old Trafford, but Premier League clubs are supposed to offer a mixed zone that ensures players walk past journalists as they leave the stadium. The mixed zone at Hill Dickinson was spacious, and there was a funny moment when Michael Carrick's son was almost turfed out.
The Everton security guard approached Carrick’s son and asked him whether he had the correct accreditation to stand in the area. He looked confused and responded: “I’m with Michael Carrick.”
The design of the area meant Carrick could relax after his press conference and chat to his son and friends. Luke Littler walked through to leave the stadium with his hood up following another bullseye from Sesko.
The press conference room.(Image: Steven Railston)
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Each of the four stands at the Hill Dickinson is steep and mightily impressive. You could feel the roar, not just hear it, from the Everton fans as their team emerged for kick-off as Z-Cars played.
Everton were desperate to retain as much 'feeling' from Goodison Park as they could when they moved to the Hill Dickinson, and the design of the stands had to be right. It felt like fans were on top of the pitch at Goodison Park, and the steepness of the stands at the Hill Dickinson helps to retain that feeling.
Everton confirmed the return of the Toffee Lady in November. The Toffee Lady handed out mints at Goodison Park, and her return is a nod to the club's history.
When Everton announced the Toffee Lady would return to the Hill Dickinson, they said it would allow the club "to honour and protect one of football’s most timeless and iconic matchday traditions, ensuring a treasured symbol of Everton’s identity continues into a new era".
The small details matter when a club moves to a new home. United chiefs must keep that in mind when they move to a new 100,000-seater Old Trafford.
The impressive South Stand before kick-off.(Image: Steven Railston)
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The Hill Dickinson has lift attendants. An older gentleman appeared surprised when he got in the lift, asking the employee: "Are you just standing in this lift throughout the whole night?"
The concourses are spacious and there was a good selection of food and drink on offer to supporters, although Everton fans have encountered some negatives since the relocation.
Most of the teething issues have been down to the poor transport links. The Hill Dickinson is around a 25-minute walk from Liverpool's centre, which may be fine for some fans, but not for others.
The roads around the ground are closed two hours before kick-off, which means travelling by car is not really an option. And Evertonians have found the public transport options to not be good enough.
The poor transport link planning has led to congestion, and often a bad experience for Everton fans getting to and from the venue. United are not set to move too far from Old Trafford, but they must ensure strong public transport links are available when they move home.
That is the only area in which the Hill Dickinson Stadium falls short. It's an incredibly impressive venue.
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