[lfc-news] Ground share row as£11m held back - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 8 Mar 2005
Ground share row as £11m held back
By Ian Hernon, Liverpool Echo

ANFIELD'S regeneration is being held back as government representatives
try to resurrect a shared football stadium, an MP claimed today.

The Northwest Development Agency has earmarked £11m for north Liverpool,
but has told Walton Labour MP Peter Kilfoyle it will not be released
until the shared ground for Liverpool and Everton is back on the agenda.

The NWDA is keen to invest money in a ground development if it is a home
to both clubs and told sports minister Richard Caborn last October it
wanted discussions on a joint stadium before releasing the cash.

The plan has widespread opposition in the city, and after a summit
between the clubs and sports minister last November, it was revealed
that any move towards a shared stadium was off.

Yet an NWDA spokesman today confirmed discussions were ongoing, even
though the minister has said the plan was "dead in the water".

If the ground share scheme were dropped it would allow Liverpool to
press ahead with its £120m Stanley Park redevelopment, and leave Everton
free to explore redeveloping Goodison or find a new home.

Mr Kilfoyle said: "They can support want they want. But I object to them
using it to hold back regeneration where it is most needed."

Some of the disputed cash has also been earmarked for other projects in
Anfield, including landscaping.

NWDA chairman Bryan Gray wrote to Liverpool FC chief executive Rick
Parry last month. A copy was leaked to Mr Kilfoyle.

It reads: "There is strong support for the concept of a shared stadium
and a real desire for Liverpool FC and Everton FC to work together with
the city council and the (NWDA) to find a solution.

"It is always easy to find reasons not to do something, but I remain
convinced that if there is a real desire to find a solution, then a
solution will be found."

Mr Kilfoyle said: "Such behaviour on behalf of a government agency is
indefensible.

"I intend to do all in my power to remedy the illadvised strategy for
holding up progress in north Liverpool."

Mr Gray told the MP his desire to see a shared stadium revolved around
the regeneration, tourism and economy of north Liverpool.

A spokesman for the NWDA said: "We are currently in discussions with the
Liverpool FC board and until those discussions are completed we cannot
say anything more."

Liverpool FC refused to comment on the letters.

A spokesman for Everton FC said: "Both clubs recently vetoed the plans
in their current form, but from Everton's perspective, we have said we
will keep all our options open.

"Bearing in mind the last shared stadium proposal was unacceptable to
us, there would have to be fundamental changes and everyone involved in
the process under-stands that.

"If the plan was reassessed, there is no reason why we would not be
happy to talk about it again."

* LIVERPOOL chief executive Rick Parry insisted the club would secure
the investment to make their new Stanley Park stadium a reality.

Parry dismissed doubts over the scheme, which is now believed to be
costing more than £130m.

He said: "We can't start talking about a start date. The rest of the
funding is to be put in place. It is more than we first thought, costs
are increasing and the nature of the project has changed but we are
confident we can fund it."

Parry was with Chancellor Gordon Brown and Richard Caborn at the
announcement of a £600,000 funding package for Anfield youth club yesterday.

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