Everton told Goodison Park revamp was ‘never viable’ as finance expert drops Hill Dickinson verdict

Everton supporters may always cherish Goodison Park, but former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson believes redeveloping the historic ground was never financially realistic.

He has also highlighted how Hill Dickinson Stadium could become a major selling point for the Friedkin Group as speculation over Everton's ownership continues.

Why Everton staying at Goodison Park was never possible

Borson explained that modernising Goodison Park would have required enormous investment, particularly to introduce the hospitality facilities needed to compete financially with other Premier League clubs.

He suggested Everton could have followed Liverpool's approach at Anfield by renovating the stadium stand by stand, preserving its historic character while gradually increasing capacity and improving facilities.

However, he questioned whether that approach would have made financial sense, given the expense of maintaining an ageing ground and the scale of the improvements required.

Borson singled out Goodison's Main Stand as an example of the challenge, arguing that it could not compete with the facilities offered by a modern stadium without substantial reconstruction.

“You'd do what Liverpool have done at Anfield, in terms of developing stand-by-stand as you go. And many fans would very, very much be up for that,” he said. “And it keeps this super historic stadium. But I don't think from a business perspective it was viable. It becomes extremely expensive to maintain an old stadium.

Everton have instead moved to Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, providing a new home with greater opportunities to develop hospitality and commercial revenue.

The move has not ended debate among supporters, with some continuing to miss Goodison's atmosphere and question whether the new ground can replicate its character.

Nevertheless, Borson believes the new stadium could prove valuable to TFG, describing it as a key selling point if the owners pursue a sale at a reported valuation of around £1bn.

FGG says: Hill Dickinson Stadium gives Everton a different financial future

Goodison Park's history and atmosphere will always matter to Everton supporters, but Borson's assessment highlights the financial challenge of bringing an ageing stadium up to modern standards.

Hill Dickinson offers the club greater scope to grow commercial income and improve its long-term financial position, even if recreating Goodison's unique identity takes time.

The move may have been – and still may be – emotionally difficult for some, but the new stadium gives the club a different platform for its future.