Keeping Everton in Our City (KEIOC) and Spirit Of Shankly (SOS) have been working together on supporting and enabling North Liverpool Regeneration by using the anchors of Everton FC and Liverpool FC to utilise the historical, tourism, leisure and monetary assets that both football clubs offer to help all members of the supporting communities.

The focus of this, the use of individual stadia to aid potential regeneration, was raised upon the launch of this concept in March 2010.

During the past twelve months we have held many constructive discussions with Liverpool City Council, The University of Liverpool, John Moores University, Everton FC, Community groups and others to develop the concept further towards the initial push for a feasibility study into ‘The Football Quarter.’ As part of these consultations Dr. Alan Southern from The University of Liverpool independently produced a report that attempts to identify the impact that ‘The Football Quarter’ could provide, how this can be assessed and examples of good use of football clubs to aid wider regeneration and community involvement.

The report gives examples of best practice at Leyton Orient, Juventus and Shimizu S-Pulse showing how a Football Club can aid regeneration and community involvement on a variety of levels and scales.

This report has been sent to Steve Rotheram (MP for Walton), Joe Anderson (Leader of Liverpool City Council), Everton FC, Liverpool FC, local councillors and other associated groups. It will form the basis of further work on the development of ‘The Football Quarter’ which will include input from all stakeholders and parties with relevant experience to define the concept further. Dr. Alan Southern added:

“The report looks at how impact from a Football Quarter can occur and how such impact can be measured and evaluated. It is an independent piece based on my work with students at the University of Liverpool. If realised, the Football Quarter would have a social and cultural affect on north Liverpool. I also believe that an argument can be made that it would deliver economic benefits to the local community and to the wider Liverpool city-region. However, to make this a reality requires a strong desire for change, a certain type of leadership and a commitment from the two clubs and city council to the local communities involved.”

The report can be downloaded here.

The next stage, our own prospectus, which, centred on expert advice, will provide creative solutions and an overview, including a masterplan and illustrations, of the total concept. We are happy to report that this next step is already firmly underway and both KEIOC and SOS will be holding a city centre event later this year on the past, present and future of football in our great city.

SOS is keen to hear views from members and the local community that they may wish to offer to be able to the development of ‘The Football Quarter’ concept or to provide extra background or support. If you wish to do so, then please contact us at community@spiritofshankly.com.