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Everton have revealed their designs for their planned 50,000 all-seater stadium in Kirkby, four miles from Goodison Park. A ballot is to be conducted among some 33,000 Everton fans to decide on whether to move to the stadium. One opponent is Everton fan and city council leader Warren Bradley. The city council have proposed a number of alternative sites, including Aintree and Scotland Road and a refurbishment of Goodison. However, the club insists that there is no Plan B. The club fears their ageing Goodison Park stadium may struggle to get a safety certificate in coming years. The new stadium will cost £150m and could open by 2010. Everton have decided not to go for a bowl shaped stadium, but has four stands as a nod to tradition, although the immediate inspiration is the stadium at Cologne which was used for the World Cup. The club likes the proximity of the seats to the pitch and the acoustics and it also gives them the opportunity to expand by filling the corners and going up to 60,000 seats. Tesco, who will build a store on the site, are providing £50m for the scheme. After selling Goodison Park, the club will only have to find £15-£20m towards the cost. The club calculates that an extra £10m could be available to buy players and are hoping to achieve Champions League status.
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