'I'd love a look' - Keith Wyness shares instant reaction to new Everton commercial plan
Everton want to ensure they maximise the benefits of Hill Dickinson Stadium to increase revenue at the club.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, following an update from Everton's new President of Business Operations Andrew Middleton.
Middleton released a statement saying that he wants to keep football affordable for fans, and any commercial revenue gained from using Hill Dickinson Stadium will be reinvested into the club.
Everton moved into Hill Dickinson Stadium at the beginning of the season, and international football and rugby matches have started being hosted at the 52,000-capacity arena.
Keith Wyness agrees with Everton chief's objective
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 - believes Middleton "said all the right things" in his statement.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness wants certain plans for the stadium to be announced in the future.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “He was basically saying that they want to try and maximise new revenue streams around the stadium, make the stadium work as hard as possible. And that's really what he has to do.
"And it isn't just about match day, it's also the Monday to Friday sort of situation. Every single aspect around the stadium he's got to use. And he mentioned a few of the sort of the land around the stadium and some of the facilities we have around the stadium, and we've got to maximise those.
"Now that's absolutely right, and it should be very clear and people should be working 24-7 to maximise this revenue right now. That's what's going to be needed for Everton going forward. And I think that he said all the right things.
"I'd like to have seen a little bit more, you know, statements in terms of actions that he was going to make and some new thinking. Obviously, I'd love a look behind the curtains to see what sort of plans he's got in real terms, rather than just talking about generalisations. But hopefully that will come.”
Leading contender for John Stones revealed
Whilst Everton are looking at re-signing John Stones on a free transfer in the summer, David Moyes' side are not the favourites to acquire the 31-year-old.
Bayern Munich, led by former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, are currently the frontrunners to sign Stones when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Stones has only started four Premier League matches for Man City this season, with injuries hampering his campaign at the Etihad.