Bellefield

Bellefield, in West Derby, Liverpool, is Everton FC's former training ground.

Bellefield
LocationWest Derby, Liverpool
Coordinates53.427503°N 2.907274°W / 53.427503; -2.907274
Construction
Built1945
DemolishedMarch 2011

Bellefield had been Everton FC's training ground since 1946.[1] It was purchased in 1965 from landowner Mr Tyson and Everton developed it so it was ready by summer of 1966. On 12 July 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 was said to be so impressed with the facilities on offer that they took photographs to inspire clubs in Brazil.

On Tuesday, 9 October 2007, Bellefield training ground played host to its last senior first team training session. Everton FC moved to Finch Farm in Halewood a day later.[2]

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.[3]

Bellefield's future

Having vacated Bellefield to the new training ground, Everton's plans were 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[4] on 11 June 2008 Liverpool councillors rejected Everton's plans.

References
  1. Prentice, David (22 March 2011). "The Ghosts of Bellefield part one: Football history in the making for Everton FC". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  2. Prentice, David (23 March 2011). "The Ghosts of Bellefield: Part two of a journey into Everton FC history". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  3. "Stubbs' last splash". evertonfc.com.
  4. Ben Schofield, "Blow for Everton FC as Bellefield housing plans rejected", Liverpool Daily Post, 11 June 2008
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