Source: Team_Talk
Werner: Sharing a 'dead issue'
iverpool chairman Tom Werner insists the possibility of a ground-share with city neighbours Everton is a "dead issue".[LNB] The Reds have long been considering stadium plans and the club's unpopular former owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, had pledged to build a replacement for Anfield in Stanley Park.[LNB]Planning permissions were approved, but redesigns and the global recession delayed the building process and the much-criticised Hicks and Gillett were bought out by John W Henry's Fenway Sports Group last autumn.[LNB]Henry and business partner Werner have taken their time over the important decision of whether to go ahead with a new stadium or to redevelop and expand Anfield in order to increase matchday revenue.[LNB]A ground-share with Everton has also been considered but, ahead of Saturday lunchtime's Merseyside derby, Werner said in the Daily Telegraph: "We knew it would be complicated when we took over the club but we are still optimistic of finding the right solution." [LNB]"Everyone knows the two options we are examining - staying at Anfield or a new build on the park - and although we have been pressured for a timetable we have not responded to that pressure because we do not want our fans to be disappointed. [LNB]"We have been told countless times by our supporters that they have no desire for us to share a stadium and we have listened to that. Our supporters are not for it, therefore it is a dead issue. [LNB]"I have said before you can never say it will never be raised again but although there are obstacles on Anfield redevelopment and on the issue of naming rights, I believe they are surmountable. [LNB]"People can say whatever they want about how long a decision takes, but as far as we are concerned the situation is exactly as we knew it would be when we purchased the club. [LNB]"It is our intention to not only enhance the playing environment around Liverpool Football Club but also the neighbourhood. [LNB]"We appreciate the surrounding area is not Mayfair. We want to be the catalyst for employment and to look after those in the vicinity, assisting the local economy."
