Premier League side Everton’s major shareholder insisted that he will not allow the club to become a “museum” as plans to "relocate to a state-of-the-art, waterfront stadium moved a step closer," according to Paul Bargery of the LONDON TIMES. Farhad Moshiri vowed to restore Everton to England’s “elite” while officials confirmed that a move from Goodison Park to Bramley-Moore Dock "was the preferred option." Everton is "increasingly optimistic about building a new arena after three previous failed ground moves after support" from Liverpool City Council. The ground "will be the centrepiece of Moshiri’s plans to re-establish Everton as a superpower." Moshiri, who has made an £80M ($99.3M) interest-free loan to the club, said, "It’s not enough to say you are a special club and a great club -- we don’t want to be a museum. We need to be competitive and to win." Bramley-Moore is the "preferred option to Stonebridge Cross, on the city's outskirts" (LONDON TIMES, 1/5). The BBC reported Everton CEO Robert Elstone said that the club was "hoping to reveal more detailed plans within the next three months." Elstone revealed that Everton secured new commercial deals worth £75M ($93M), "including a naming rights deal" for its Finch Farm training ground and shirt sponsorship. Goodison Park has a capacity of just under 40,000 (BBC, 1/5).
