Reds open ground-share talks

Last updated : 24 September 2003 By Chris Maxwell
Anfield supremo Parry, who has continued to insist that the Reds are still planning to move into their new Stanley Park stadium by 2006, met Dunford, council members and representatives of the North West Development Agency (NWDA) for three hours of high-level talks yesterday.

It has been rumoured that Parry was warned at the meeting that £30m of public funding due to be given to Liverpool's Stanley Park plans would be withdrawn if Everton were not incorporated into the project.

NWDA chairman Brian Gray has revealed his hopes for a shared Merseyside stadium in the near future.

He said: "The NWDA, together with Liverpool City Council has asked Liverpool Football Club and Everton Football Club to discuss the economic development and regeneration benefits of building a new world class stadium in Liverpool

"The agency is supportive of Liverpool Football Club's plans to build a new stadium and is keen to ensure that development brings the greatest possible benefit for the city and the wider North West

"It is also aware of Everton's ambitions for a new home and hence discussions are taking place between NWDA, Liverpool City Council and the two clubs."

A spokesman for Liverpool City Council, who were also represented at the meeting, insisted that co-operation between the two rivals would be in the best interests of the city.

He added: "It now looks likely that this will grow into a mature and sensible discussion about whether ground sharing would be in the best interests of the two clubs and the city."

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