'I Heard...' - Stefan Borson blasts Liverpool politicians amid Everton stadium controversy

03/27/2025 03:00 AM

Everton have hosted fans at their new stadium as they prepare to move into the facility on Bramley-Moore Dock ahead of next season. 

A test event saw 10,000 supporters pack into the stadium's South Stand for an Everton Under-18s game last month, while 25,000 fans gathered for an Under-21s fixture on 23 March. 

A key part of the event saw the game end on 65 minutes to test evacuation procedures at the 52,888-seater stadium. 

However, the BBC reported on 24 March concerns have emerged around the pressure on public transport following the event.

Fans have complained about some Merseyrail services to Sandhills and Moorfields stations in the city centre being “awful”, with reports of staff having to tell some passengers to get off before the trains could leave.

There were also large crowds on the relatively small platform at Sandhills station, creating a potentially dangerous situation for Everton supporters.

Finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider it's down to politicians in Liverpool to lobby central government for financial support to improve the transport links around the stadium.

Manchester United are set to receive government support to improve the area around their new stadium as part of the Old Trafford regeneration project, with Manchester mayor and Everton fan Andy Burnham a key figure behind the plans. 

Liverpool politicians take ‘ridiculous’ position on transport for Everton stadium

Borson insisted it's "ridiculous" Liverpool politicians wouldn't ask the government to help improve the transport links to Everton's stadium.

He told Football Insider: "I understand the area around the new Everton stadium has had some central government money.

"But really, it’s for the Liverpool politicians to make their case.

"I heard something last week, there was some sort of discussion on the Today Programme on Radio 4, expressing that it was just natural that Liverpool politicians wouldn’t lobby central government in that way because that’s not the vibe of Liverpool councillors and politicians.

"They wouldn’t want to go cap in hand to government for support, which I think would be a completely ridiculous approach and would ignore that is what the rest of the country is going to do in terms of lobbying for their own position.

"Ultimately, if Liverpool don’t get what they deserve as part of that regeneration process around the docks and around the new stadium, that’s their fault and their problem. I don’t think anyone should criticise United for trying.

"I think it’s for government not to subsidise a football club, but where there’s regeneration money, then I think it’s for those local councils to lobby as hard as they can to get hold of it and get support.

"The irony is that Andy Burnham is an Everton fan and is lobbying hard for the United redevelopment, so I think that’s Liverpool’s loss.

"As I say, I think it’s for those cities to get the capital, both privately and publicly, that they can." 

Everton could land £10m payout after confirmed news

Football Insider revealed on 20 March Everton could earn up to £10million from their US pre-season tour this summer. 

They will take part in the second edition of the Premier League Summer Series alongside Man United, West Ham and Bournemouth.

Everton's owners want to take a US approach towards matchdays at their new stadium to boost the club's revenues, but David Moyes's side will head to America before the stadium officially opens ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. 

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