Everton Stadium issue emerges after test event – ‘not fit for purpose’
Everton hosted fans for the first time at their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium on Monday (17 February).
10,000 supporters packed into the stadium’s South Stand for the first of three test events in the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign, and watched on as Everton’s Under-18 side lost 2-1 against Wigan U18s.
The state-of-the-art new stadium is set to open fully in time for the start of the 2025-26 campaign and cost £750million to build.
But Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – identified “one area of concern” ahead of the move.
Everton Stadium transport link ‘not fit for purpose’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed the train links near the stadium are “not fit for purpose”.
Sandhills Station is the closest train link to Bramley-Moore Dock, just 15 minutes away on foot.
Wyness insisted the test event was an “incredible success” for Everton, but urged a reaction to transport issues.
| Ranking | Stadium | Capacity |
| 1 | Old Trafford (Man United) | 74,197 |
| 2 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Tottenham) | 62,850 |
| 3 | London Stadium (West Ham) | 62,500 |
| 4 | Anfield (Liverpool) | 61,276 |
| 5 | Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) | 60,704 |
| 6 | Etihad Stadium (Man City) | 52,900 |
| 7 | Everton Stadium – when open (Everton) | 52,888 |
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I was watching very closely on the live stream, I didn’t actually go.
“All I’ve heard about the stadium are superlatives, everybody was really, really happy.
“The one area of concern is transportation. That seems to be an issue.
“There is a station close to the ground but it doesn’t seem to be fit for purpose. That is outside Everton’s control – it’s the local city council.
“I know there has been a lot of words said to the council already today – and that’s what test events are for.
“They raise these issues.
“I think it was an incredible success. Only 10,000 fans went, but everyone was amazed with the atmosphere.
“The best phrase I heard is that if you think of Goodison as the Grand Old Lady, then she’s now got a granddaughter who is a supermodel.
“Let’s now move on to the next event, which will be for 25,000 fans – and the third one will be at full capacity.
“All good so far and everything is on track. As far as I know – apart from with the transport – the stadium performed well and the catering was well received.”
Dan Friedkin backed to bankroll £200m of Everton signings
Meanwhile, Everton will also be putting plans in place for the upcoming summer transfer window as they prepare to move into a new home.
Wyness has previously told Football Insider that Everton could spend £50million on four players this summer- £200million in total – thanks to increased revenue from the stadium.
David Moyes’ side made just one January addition, bringing Carlos Alcaraz to the club on loan from Brazilian giants Flamengo – and he made an instant impact with a goal and an assist in the win over Crystal Palace last week.
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