Everton, fans and Hill Dickinson stadium celebrated by Spanish newspaper
Everton, fans and Hill Dickinson Stadium celebrated by Spanish newspaper
Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium might not be quite what Goodison Park was yet, but it’s getting there. The 3-0 win over Chelsea last weekend proved that.
After months of uncertainty about their new stadium, Everton fans finally appear to have made it their home. A raucous, bouncing and almost hostile win over Chelsea was evidence.
A quick look at social media will confirm it too. X was awash with Everton fans admitting after the game that it finally felt like Hill Dickinson was home. And that’s not gone unnoticed elsewhere.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo are the latest international publication to spotlight Everton’s rebirth today, singling out Hill Dickinson’s now-famous “Blue Wall” as the beating heart of a potential new era for the Toffees.
Sunshine, smoke and a statement win
With a capacity approaching 53,000, the Hill Dickinson has transformed match-days on the Mersey. But it’s the 13,000 strong single tier south stand, steep, deafening and defiantly blue, that is the stand out.
Mundo are certainly impressed, and say it is Everton’s answer to the Kop at Anfield or Borussia Dortmund’s Yellow Wall.
According to the newspaper it channels the spirit of Goodison’s Gwladys Street while creating something uniquely modern. For visiting teams, it’s an intimidating sight, as Chelsea found out. For Everton fans, it’s a symbol of resilience.
That, say Mundo, is exemplified by Everton Way, a walkway of 36,000 engraved stones telling the Evertonian story.
One inscription reads: “We don’t know how strong we are until being strong is the only choice we have.”
According to Mundo, that captures the mood of a club reborn perfectly.
Settling in, stepping up
Everton Hill Dickinson Stadium
Everton Hill Dickinson Stadium
It’s been a tough few years for Everton fans, including leaving Goodison Park, their famous and beloved old home.
But March 20th felt symbolic, starting with the scenes before the game against Chelsea. The rare Liverpool sunshine that morning was taken as a sign.
Hours before kick-off fans lined the streets to welcome the Everton coach, Everton Way buzzed with life and the blue smoke filled the air as supporters roared Everton into their new home.
The payoff was tangible as Chelsea succumbed and Everton secured their first back-to-back win at their new home. Mundo called it an ‘acoustic weapon’ and ‘electrifying’. A tired fanbase, it seems, has woken up.
Focus on Europe
Everton Hill Dickinson stadium
Everton Hill Dickinson Stadium
Now the focus is on a late push for Europe, with Everton just three points behind Liverpool in fifth. The Champions League may be a stretch, but the Europa League or Conference League is there to be taken.
According to Mundo, ‘the sun has also finally come out’ for them. Backed by the Friedkin Group, the belief, at least for the Spanish newspaper, is that they are now in a ‘period of renewal in every sense’.
In fact, they argue Everton, should never have ‘relinquished the prestige’ in the first place. Now they have it back, in a glorious new stadium on Liverpool’s waterfront.
With the fans now settling too, that’s created an ‘incredible atmosphere’ backed by the ‘fiery’ South Stand that ‘immediately struck’ them on their visit. They’re impressed to say the least, by Everton, their fans and a stadium that finally feels like home.