Frank Lampard has admitted he will miss Goodison Park - but added that the move to the new Bramley-Moore Dock site will signal a new era for the club.
The Toffees are set to move into their new 52,888-capacity state-of-the-art ground for the 2024/2025 season, ending a 132-year stay at the Grand Old Lady. The shift across to the new £500million site looks set to fire Frank Lampard's side into the modern era and simultaneously rejuvenate one of the city's most historic yet neglected areas.
But, as with Tottenham and West Ham previously - who left White Hart Lane and Upton Park respectively - the start of a new chapter also signals a sad end to the current one. And Blues boss Lampard admits he will miss the old fashioned charm of Goodison, but added that the heart of the 'people's club' will remain at Bramley-Moore.
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“I will miss it,” Lampard told Michael Calvin’s Football People podcast. “I always appreciated playing there as a player. I didn't like it in terms of it was hostile, a difficult environment to go to, but it's what you wanted as a player. It's what the Premier League's about isn't it?
“And then having now managed here, I feel what it means to the fans. But I also feel since I've got here, when I got here is maybe because when we were in a rut. There's no doubt you know, there was a disconnect slightly, and a direction issue, which meant we were where we were and we fought to stay in the league.
“I also think that there's a real positive thing that could be happening here. And the change of the stadium is happening. I think there's a progressive side of the club, I think it's a good thing. And the most important thing, then, is that the club involves the fans in that process. And I believe that's what's happening.
“I know it's what's happening from the hard work that's done by the incredible people here at the club, above me and around me that are trying to show the fans that the people's club remains, that the heart of the club remains.
“We're moving to a stadium that will help us progress. And can we bring the feeling of Goodison to the new stadium, and if we work together, we can do that.”
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