Simone Magill believes Everton’s move to a purpose-built stadium at Walton Hall Park can help the Blues build a strong fanbase and propel the Club to new heights.

The Blues hosted Manchester United in the first game at the new ground on 23 February, with a sold-out crowd witnessing Willie Kirk’s side fall marginally short of completing a thrilling comeback as the away team held on for a 3-2 victory.

The contest proved to be Everton’s final Women’s Super League game of the 2019/20 season after the campaign was ended early due to the coronavirus lockdown.

After a points-per-game system was used to determine the final standings in the WSL, the Blues finished sixth in the table – four places higher than the previous season.

Everton Women’s new home – which will boast a capacity of 2,200 when fully complete – is less than a mile away from Goodison Park.

Skilful forward Magill underlined the significance of the move to the Club’s heartlands as Everton strive to compete for honours.

“It’s massive for us,” she told evertonfc.com.

“It’s something we have always been craving. Over the past couple of years we’ve played at Southport, Marine FC and, going back a little while longer, in Widnes.

“It’s vital for us to have our own place we can call home and try to build up a fanbase.

“We are right around the corner from Goodison and, in terms of getting those hardcore Evertonians coming to watch us, it’s fantastic.

“I know we’ve only had one game there, but the attendance we had, the buzz we had around the place, it really felt like home.

“We’re itching to get back out there next season.”

During her seven years with Everton, Magill has combined her exemplary efforts on the pitch with impressive academic achievements.

In her early days at the Club, she completed her A-levels before earning a first-class honours degree in sports coaching at Edge Hill University.

Magill has since attained a master’s degree and is currently undertaking a part-time PhD.

The 25-year-old revealed how lockdown has given her valuable time to focus on her studies.

“I’m looking into coaching, and coaches’ behaviour, especially when they are delivering video analysis,” she explained.

“It’s really interesting. I’m in the second year now and I’ve been interviewing coaches.

“It’s part-time and it takes three to four years.

“I’m trying to juggle it the best I can [with the demands of professional football] but it’s definitely not easy.

“The lockdown has given me quite a lot of time to try to get my head stuck into it and just write.

“It’s more difficult, though, when the weather has been nice - you just want to be outside in the garden, when really I should be inside on my laptop!”