Everton, despite all the hardships suffered across the last few years, have been able to carry on safe in the knowledge that they had one overwhelming positive hanging over them.
Whether it be deductions, financial turmoil, poor league position or fan unrest, the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium remained that light at the end of the tunnel for supporters to cling to.
There are many responsible for the creation and construction of this site, which is not far at all from completion now, but the architect who first drew up such an iconic arena likely stands out above most.
Dan Meis reveals Farhad Moshiri stadium conversations
Speaking on Everton’s official YouTube channel just yesterday, Dan Meis had been invited back to see the fruit of his labours after so long.
Having put pen to paper on a first draft for this phenomenal stadium many, many years ago, it was no surprise that he described seeing it in the flesh as a ‘magical’, proud experience.
However, it was what he said about a conversation with Farhad Moshiri, the man who has really pushed through this construction, which was particularly interesting.
He revealed: ‘Yeah I mean, that wasn’t lost on us from the very beginning. I remember early conversations with Farhad about: “You could have picked a much less expensive site to build on”. Just the challenge of filling a dock and making it buildable. That was hard.
‘In the totality of it all, to put this asset on the riverfront here, so close to the city centre… It’s a dream site from that perspective and I think in the end, people will fall in love with that.’
Farhad Moshiri got one thing right with the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium
Whilst he likely got plenty of other decisions right, if there was to be one, shining, outstanding moment from his reign, the choice to build this magnificent new stadium would certainly be that.
He has regressed the club financially and turned the Toffees into regular relegation fodder, until more recently, and yet in 20 years’ time people will likely look back on the Iranian as someone who tried his best without the right guidance.
Grossly underprepared for the Premier League, his scattergun transfer approach might not have been so catastrophic had PSR not been so vociferous in its punishment.
Hopefully, the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock can ensure that such restrictions are a thing of the past with the revenue, both commercial and match-day, that it stands to generate.
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