Everton legend Joe Royle convinced a shared stadium with Liverpool FC is best way forward

Joe Royle EVERTON legend Joe Royle is convinced building a new stadium to share with Liverpool is the best way forward for both clubs.The possibility of a groundshare between the Merseyside rivals - for so long regarded as a non-starter - has been raised again following the Government's rejection of Everton's proposals for a new stadium at Kirkby.It is the latest in a long line of setbacks for Everton in their quest to move from Goodison Park, while Liverpool's own plans for a new ground have also stalled.Neither club have previously shown much appetite for pooling resources to build a stadium project but Royle, who played for and managed Everton, feels it is an obvious solution and deep-seated rivalries can be overcome.Royle said: "I've always said it makes common sense. I have always been a fan and I think it is a great opportunity."The fans are split on it and both clubs are very wary of fan opinion."Neither would want to be the first to say we are desperate to do it."But now we are in a situation where both clubs are probably needing each other to make it work financially, so that might help it."Anfield and Goodison both hold special memories but both clubs, to have a chance of challenging Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, would need greater income."Certainly Everton would gain as it halves the costs and it could make a fantastic stadium for both sets of fans."It's tried and tested in Milan (where Inter and AC Milan share the San Siro) and a number of other big cities and it works."I think for Everton, Kirkby is probably the final straw and this makes great sense - to me anyway."

Source: Liverpool_Echo