Everton CEO, Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale, says breaking ground on the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium development marks a “proud and momentous day in the history of our football club”.

The Club took possession of Bramley-Moore Dock on Monday 26 July and have since been working to prepare the site for the construction of a state-of-the-art 52,888-capacity stadium.

Denise Barrett-Baxendale joined Chairman Bill Kenwright and key figures from the Club’s dedicated stadium team at a project commencement ceremony to mark the first incision into the eastern quayside of the site.

“It is a proud and momentous day in the history of our football club and one that will be celebrated by Evertonians all over the world,” Professor Barrett-Baxendale told evertontv.

“A new stadium has been an ambition for the best part of three decades and I know how important it is to our supporters.

“It is one of the first questions I am asked by fans, ‘When are we going to put a spade in the ground and start building our new home?’

“So to actually see the project hit that milestone was a real honour.

“I have received messages from all over the world, from fans, colleagues in football and interested parties, congratulating the Club on the commencement of such a significant project.

“There are a lot of reasons for Evertonians to be proud of this project, as well as excited for the future.”

Everton’s pioneering new home comprises one half of a project that will transform North Liverpool and deliver a £1.3bn boost to the city region’s economy.

Known as The People’s Project throughout the public consultation phase, Everton’s plans include a community-led legacy project at Goodison Park, that will see a range of community asset developed to replace the Club’s current home and ensure Everton and Everton in the Community remains in the heart of L4 for generations to come.

A new stadium combined with a legacy project will generate up to 15,000 jobs – 12,000 of those in the stadium’s construction phase – and attract around 1.4m visitors to the city, with more than £255m spent through local supply chains.

“Although we have lived and breathed this for a number of years, we can’t underestimate how vital this project is for our city region and the north of England,” said Professor Barrett-Baxendale.

“This is the biggest single-site development in the country, delivering a package of benefits that will see Everton play a leading role in helping the country recover from the effects of the pandemic.

Everton begin the 2021/22 Premier League campaign this month, starting the countdown on the Club’s final seasons at Goodison.

Tickets to watch the team are hot property with Everton boasting record Season Ticket retention rates and an extended Season Ticket Waiting List, as anticipated interest intensifies in advance of the stadium move.

“Quite rightly, there is already a lot of interest from supporters in seeing how the stadium will develop,” said Professor Barrett-Baxendale.

“I am pleased, because it tells me our supporters feels a sense of ownership about this project.

“The role they have played is crucial and moving forward this will be their home.

“It is where they will purchase their season tickets, pick out their seats, cheer on their team, bring their sons, daughters, family and friends and pass down traditions, like their mothers, fathers and grandparents did with them at Goodison Park.”

Professor Barrett-Baxendale added: “We will continue working with supporters’ groups to make sure all aspects of our plans are built around our fans’ hopes and expectations.

“We will be contacting all our supporters with details about ticketing timelines and processes in the next few months.

“Later this month, our new website, offering news and information about our progress, will be launched.

“We will be sending regular e-letters and publishing podcasts on the development.”