Fans hailed Everton’s new home in a historic day for the Toffees
19:45, 09 Aug 2025Updated 19:52, 09 Aug 2025
Everton fans John Jones and Cameron at Sandhills station(Image: Liverpool Echo)
It was a momentous occasion for Everton supporters today as the Hill Dickinson Stadium welcomed a full capacity crowd for the first time. The final test event for the ground, located at Bramley-Moore Dock on the banks of the River Mersey, saw the Blues take on Roma in what was their first game at their new home in front of a full crowd.
It was Everton’s final pre-season game before the Premier League kicks off next weekend. The Toffees lost 1-0 to Roma after a goal in the 69th minute from Matias Soule. This was followed by a legends match between former Everton and Roma players. The Everton team were 2-0 victors thanks to goals from Phil Jagielka and Steven Naismith.
Today, August 9, was a day that many Evertonians had waited decades before. Their search for a new home over the last 25 years has seen proposals to move to King’s Dock, Kirkby, Walton Hall Park and even a groundshare with Liverpool come and go.
But nine years after then majority owner Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright started drawing up plans for a new site at Bramley-Moore, those dreams were finally realised this afternoon.
Everton fans making their way to the Hill Dickinson Stadium this afternoon(Image: Liverpool Echo)
There had been some anxiety before kick-off about how Everton fans would get to the match. Merseytravel had drawn criticism this week after asking Evertonians to “get their steps in” by walking from Moorfields station instead of Sandhills, the closest to the stadium, to manage capacity.
But foot traffic appeared to move well through Sandhills, where a new footbridge has been built to manage the traffic.
On the way to the ground, any anxieties before kick-off were overtaken by excitement. Tom Davis, 39 and Leah Davis, 38, from Kirkdale, have season tickets and go to every game they can.
Speaking about Goodison Park, he said: “We have lots of memories there, some good and some bad. We’re going to miss Goodson but it had a good send off and it’s a new start here.
“We think it’s going to be electric in there today because it’s the first time at full capacity. We’ve been to the last test game and it’s an incredible ground but it’s going to take a little bit of getting used to for everyone.
“We only live a 15 minute walk away so it’s fine for us but most people look like they’ve walked. It’s people having to find their new surroundings too, finding new places to have a pint beforehand. We just had one in the pub.”
Everton fans make their way home via Sandhills Station (Image: Liverpool Echo)
After the first game, the ECHO headed to Sandhills to get fans’ views of the stadium and the situation with transport. Merseyrail staff sorted fans into lines depending on their destination. While the station was busy, the queues seemed to move smoothly, although not everyone left the stadium at the same time due to the legends match.
Alex Debenney, 38, from St Helens and his son Teddy 5, were among those in the crowd. He said: “To have a full stadium and see the first team go out there was really quite special given how long we’ve waited for it. You can tell it’s going to be loud but it will take a few moments before you can replicate what it was like in Goodison. That will come with time. Having the unobstructed views, being able to see the pitch from anywhere, is a big bonus.”
Barbara Wearing, 78, from Kirkby, told the ECHO “there was a little tear for Goodison” at today’s game.
Everton fan David Phealan(Image: Liverpool Echo)
David Phealan, 61, from Kirkdale, hopes the stadium can translate into results on the pitch. He said: “It still remains a walk and I can just about make it there and back.
“It’s impressive. I think they’re going to have some teething troubles but I think that they’ll figure their way out as we go forward.
“Now, I want to start getting points, trophies and accomplishments. I’m very impressed, I don’t want to downplay it. We want the best team in the best ground in the league or making steps towards it. It’s a stepping stone. We’ve got to start making statements to agents and players and this is the first step towards it.”
John Jones, 34, had travelled over from Helsby with son Cameron, 2, and was also impressed. He said: “The stadium is magnificent. The facilities are second-to-none. It’s got to be the best stadium in the country, if not Europe. It felt special to walk in, especially with my little lad. It doesn’t feel like home yet but the future looks bright for Everton.”
Everton fan Robin Emerson with his matchday programme(Image: Liverpool Echo)
John’s wife Rebecca is heavily pregnant with their second child but he didn’t want to miss the occasion. He added: “It was touch and go whether we were going to go. My wife is due with our second, so it was a bit of a risk but we had a special day.”
It was another special day for 66 year-old Robin Emerson. After years of travelling up to the game from Gloucestershire, this is his first campaign with a season ticket. He also loved the unobstructed views. While sad about leaving Goodison, he felt it was needed for the club to move forward.