- Bellefield
Bellefield, in
West Derby ,Liverpool , is Everton FC's former training ground.Bellefield had been Everton FC's training ground since 1946. It was purchased in 1965 from landowner Mr Tyson and Everton developed it so it was ready by summer of 1966. On July 12, 1966 it was officially opened by Mr J Richards, the president of the
Football League .At the time it was so advanced that the Brazil national football team used it as a training base in the
1966 World Cup . The Brazilian Football Association were said to be so impressed with the facilities on offer that they took photographs to inspire clubs in Brazil.On Tuesday, October 9 2007 Everton's Bellefield training ground played host to its last ever senior first team training session. Everton FC relocated to
Finch Farm inHalewood a day later.Speaking of the closure of Bellefield, Everton captain
Alan Stubbs said: "It is a really sad day. This place has graced some unbelievable players. I am not in that category.""There have been some fantastic players that have played here. There have been players here that come here and it’s been a privilege to have played in the surroundings that they have played in."
"It is a sad sad day to see the back of Bellefield." [cite web |url=http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/stubbs-last-splash.html |title=Stubbs' last splash| work= evertonfc.com]
Bellefield's future
Having vacated Bellefield to the new training ground, Everton's plans are to have the Bellefield estate redeveloped for housing, which would in turn contribute financially to a proposed new club stadium. As reported in the Liverpool Daily Post [ [http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2008/06/11/blow-for-everton-fc-as-bellefield-housing-plans-rejected-64375-21054750/ Setback for Everton plans] ] on 11th June 2008 Liverpool councillors have rejected Everton's plans.
References
Links
* [http://www.evertonfc.com Official Everton FC Website]
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