What The Papers Say - 16 September

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

The Guardian once again hails Everton Women's move to Goodison Park following the Blues' first WSL home game of the campaign over the weekend.

Tom Garry writes: “They were backed by 6,473 at Goodison, an attendance which is nearly three times the maximum capacity of their former home at Walton Hall Park.

“The venue looked smart. The rebrand around the exterior has been impressive; a timeline of the history of the women’s team is now found proudly along Goodison Road, while along Walton Road, a series of new banners display the “Everton Women” name and say: “A history we own; a future we are making.” Another reads: “Goodison Park, the home of Everton Women.

“Despite heavy pre-match rain, the atmosphere was encouraging and the home fans, backed by a drummer, sang old classics such as Spirit of the Blues.”

Head coach Brian Sorensen expressed his pride at his side’s new home, saying post-match: “The Club has done a magnificent job.

“It looks like our home and it looks good, so I’m happy for women’s football in this part of England, that we have a platform like this. Of course, we want to do better.”

The Liverpool ECHO reports on another of Everton’s stadia, with David Bartlett leaving a positive review of Hill Dickinson Stadium.

“The Hill Dickinson Stadium is a truly astonishing place,” writes Barlett. “Being there for the first time for the Aston Villa match with my two children seemed like a dream at times.

“Walking along Old Hall street, across the Strand and down the dock road with thousands of other Evertonians felt natural. I’ve driven across the junction hundreds of times, and it felt as normal as catching the train to Kirkdale and walking to Goodison.

“The docks area is coming to life with pubs and bars popping up along the route - this could be part of the catalyst for the regeneration of this part of the city that has been talked about for so long.

“We then made our way round to our seats in the North East corner. And we marvelled at how fabulous our new home is. And by the time the crowd roared when Z-cars started to play we were already smitten with the place.

“Much has already been said about the thought Dan Meis went to in order to get the acoustics right. Hearing It’s A Grand Old Team be sung around the ground is as spine tingling as it was at Goodison.”