Hill Dickinson Stadium Media Reception Tour (11 September 2025)
Mike Royden
On 11 September 2025, the committee of the EFCHS was privileged to have been invited to the media reception at Hill Dickinson Stadium in advance of the official launch of the public tours of the new stadium for fans.
Parking was on the official riverside carpark facing the stadium, followed by the short walk across the dock link bridge to the South Stand entrance. As we passed the fan wall, we were fortunate to see the installation taking place of the latest section.
Inside the West Stand entrance, we were greeted by club officials and former players, many of whom we were well acquainted with, and we also met up with friends and colleagues from many of the other fan groups.
With the added attraction of complimentary drinks and a delicious spread of food, we took to our seats (and as someone online commented, the equivalent of her month’s mortgage worth of Toffee Doughnuts could be seen stacked up waiting to be wolfed down). Taking in my surrounding for the first time, I realised I was in the Tunnel Lounge, which until then I had only seen in that virtual fly-through pod, before the stadium was built, where we could see the players walking past on their way down the tunnel. I wondered if I would ever be able to experience that for real on a future match day.
Our hosts, Darren Griffiths and Elle Barnes Reen, took up the microphones to welcome one and all, before running through what to expect during the evening, and, more importantly, what the club has planned regarding the stadium tours. One intriguing thought was the possibility of combined tours taking in both Goodison Park and Hill Dickinson. Ken Rogers, our chairman, and keen historian of the Everton Village, also suggested a stop-off at the Everton lock-up and visit to the site of the village and two toffee shops, as well as the site of the Queen’s Head, where the decision was taken by the club to change the name from St Domingo to Everton F.C. In fact, these names are given to some of the hospitality areas in the new stadium in honour of their importance in the history of the club.
Finally, the moment came for our tour, as the guides (some of whom we had met before as guides at Goodison) took everyone around in groups. This was a new experience for them as well as us, as this for many of them was the first tour they were to give after their practice runs. The highlight of course was the thrill of emerging from the tunnel to be confronted by the breathtaking site of the stadium from pitch level, under what looked like the floodlights on full power. It was a stunning site, and still quite surreal.
The tour is well worth the experience for any fan, not just Blues, although that other crew might baulk at the thought. Darren informed us advance bookings were sold out already for the next two months, so don’t leave it too long!
We extend our sincere thanks to the Club for their kind invitation, with special thanks to Elle Barnes-Reen, Darren Griffiths, Ron Parfitt, and staff and former players who made the evening so enjoyable.
All photographs by Mike Royden unless otherwise indicated.
