Hill Dickinson Stadium, (known as Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium during construction) is the new home of Everton FC in the former commercial dock in Vauxhall, north of Liverpool city centre.
In March 2017, it was announced that a deal had been agreed between Liverpool City Council and Peel Holdings to acquire the dock for a new football stadium. The City Council then voted in favour of creating a Special Purpose Vehicle company, to secure the funds for the stadium. The lenders would acquire a 200-year head-lease of the land from Peel, the landowners, and lease the stadium to the SPV, which would in turn sub-lease to Everton for 40 years.
Following the funding the stadium costs escalated to an estimated £500m, which meant Everton still needed to find the remaining £220m. As of June 2018 the council funding was still not in place, and doubts were raised by Mayor Anderson if an agreement would be met.
By July 2019, it was reported that the club had options to fund the development from both the private and public sectors, which could include selling naming rights to a sponsor, then at the start of 2020, it was announced they have agreed a naming right deal worth £30 million with USM, who already sponsored Everton's training ground.
The club secured further finance enlist the help of major international banks JP Morgan and MUFG to help secure finance and finally in March 2022, Everton announced they would no longer receive a loan from Liverpool City Council and had acquired alternative funding.
Everton's stadium is a bowl design with a capacity of 52,769 and constructed of steel and glass, with the existing dock being filled with reclaimed sand from the River Mersey. The Stadium features modern technology to elevate the fan experience including Self-Service 'EBars' and 'ThroughPass' which uses Amazon 'Just Walk Out' technology and a partnership with ticketing firm Seat Unique, where fans will be able to purchase match-by-match access to 'loge seating', which includes cinema-style chairs and private TV monitors to see replays.
Initially delayed by Covid lockdowns, construction by main contractor Laing O'Rourke finally began in July 2021 and was structurally complete after the final concrete terracing panel was installed in February 2024.The completed stadium was officially handed over by the contractor in December.
The first of three test events scheduled in order to gain the necessary safety certificates and licences was on the 17th February, Everton U18s beating Wigan U18 squad 2–1 in front of 10,000 spectators, with Wigan's Harrison Rimmer becoming the first ever player to score a goal at the stadium.
The second event took place on the 23rd March, a friendly featuring Everton U21s. The game sold out at 25,000 a 1–0 victory over Bolton Wanderers B, with the match only lasting 65 minutes, due to a mandatory evacuation practice.
The final test fixture was a pre-season friendly against AS Roma on the 9th August, with Roma's Matías Soulé scoring the only goal in front of a sold-out crowd of 50,837.
Due to its riverside location access is from the east side of the stadium. Once inside I was very impressed with the set up. There’s a 13,000 capacity Dortmund style wall behind the goal with safe standing, plus the stands are pretty close to the pitch like it was at Goodison.
Everton 1 Newcastle United 4
Premier League matchday 13
(11th v 14th)
1730ko
Att.52,224
Admission £30
0-1 Malick Thiaw ‘1 0-2 Lewis Miley 25’ Nick Woltemade 45’ 0-4 Thiaw 58’ 1-4 Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall 69’
We ended our away day blues in style after a flying start, with Elanga having a shot saved and Malick Thiaw heading home a Miley corner all in the space of 55 seconds.
After taking an early lead and still losing the last three away matches, I didn’t get too carried away with this brilliant start, however I was more relaxed by half time after further goals from Miley and big Nick had us three goals up at the break.
Man of the match Malick Thiaw headed home his second and a consolation goal from Dewsbury=Hall made it 1-4, which puts the Mags in the record books as the biggest away win seen at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
#Heedhopper
Due to rail engineering works, it was a road trip to Merseyside, so I travelled with the Newcastle United Supporters Club, departing the Toon at 1030am.
THe NUSC arranged with Marine FC the use of their clubhouse in Crosby on route to the match, so after a long slog on the M62 in bad weather and heavy traffic, we finally arrived at the 1894 Bar & Bistro just before 2.30.
The hospitality from Marine was fantastic - they laid on hot food, played some Geordie tunes on their PA and overall the bar staff were very friendly and made us most welcome. A member of the club committee was on hand throughout our visit and I made a point of seeking him out as we left to shake his hand and thank him.
After the match we got away from the ground in good time, with our driver declaring we won’t be stopping on the way home, which I was pleased with, so I could catch the half eleven bus home.
So overall a great day, especially maintaining my perfect record of seeing Newcastle win away when I see us play at a new ground.
