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A VISION for a Football Quarter celebrating both Liverpool FC and Everton FC was being unveiled today.

Fans from the Red and Blue halves of the city were joining forces this morning to outline their dream to develop 40 acres of land around Anfield and Goodison stadiums.

Today, supporters of the scheme, intended to revitalise a large area of L4, called on the city's key businesses and stakeholders to support the blueprints which could deliver a huge regeneration boost to a part of deprived north Liverpool.

If the Football Quarter was to become a reality key Stanley Park developments would include:

A large-scale open air venue suitable for use as a Fan Zone on matchdays – and exhibitions and other sporting events on none-match days.

A Park and Ride system to and from Walton and the city centre.

A football museum celebrating “the most successful football city in England”.

Improved rail links using the Bootle to Edge Hill line.

New hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants within the Football Quarter.

The proposals also include a pedestrian link between the stadiums and Football Quarter hub and an education base or centre of excellence to link up with the city’s three universities.

The two MPs for Walton and Bootle, Steve Rotheram and Joe Benton, said in a statement ahead of the launch: "The areas around Anfield and Goodison Park are recognised as among the most deprived in the UK whilst, at the same time, the communities there are characterised by their unique spirit, tenacity, warmth and entrepreneurial potential. We have a collective duty to ensure the areas in the vicinity of both Anfield and Goodison Park capitalise on the regeneration potential and reflect the world-renowned status of both clubs.”

A 28-page prospectus was due to be unveiled today. It has already been sent to both Liverpool and Everton, the city council and other agencies such as Liverpool Vision.

Supporters now need businesses and stakeholders to throw their financial weight behind the scheme and potentially put forward capital which could turn the Football Quarter vision into a reality.

The idea of a football zone has been outlined before. But this is the first time supporters’ groups from both clubs have publicly come together to present an official prospectus.

In 2010 fans group Keep Everton In Our City (KEIOC) presented the idea to Blues management who expressed tentative support of the proposals and stated their desire to see more of supporters' ideas.

There was no response from LFC – then run by ousted owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Today's launch will be chaired by ex-radio presenter Liam Fogarty with invited guests including Peter Lupson, author of Across the Park, and Peter Hooton, lead singer of The Farm, who will deliver a short presentation.

KEIOC has teamed up with Reds’ supporter union Spirit of Shankly to launch the prospectus in a bid to encourage the redevelopment of this part of Walton.

KEIOC’s Colin Fitzpatrick said: “Both sets of fans have suffered with the lack of activity on the stadium front for some decades now.

“In 2010 we launched the idea on the anniversary of the famous Everton/Liverpool split in The Sandon.

“In the past fans from both sides of the city have come together at times of adversity. This is the first time the two groups have united and used the talent within their fanbase to pursue a joint venture like this. The clubs and the council are listening to us."

KEIOC and Spirit of Shankly said the were acutely aware the council was unable to find the necessary finance for their brainchild due to severe budget cuts and the reduction of central government grants.

Mr Fitzpatrick added: "It must be remembered, with the new UEFA financial regulations, clubs need to find new ways of generating income and this Football Quarter would benefit them hugely. Hopefully this will be a productive cycle for all parties."

With Reds owner John W Henry currently mulling over the option of either redeveloping Anfield or building a new stadium in Stanley Park Football Quarter supporters said both sets of fans wished to remain in their “spiritual homes”. But the prospectus is keen to stress their ideas do not try to solve the stadium dilemmas facing both clubs.

Dr Paul Gardner, spokesman for Spirit of Shankly, said: “This is a great example of everyone working together and we're not tying ourselves down to demand the clubs should do this. It is up to them.

“This is an area characterised by beautiful and historical Victorian parkland, anchored by two great clubs with magnificent 21st century football stadia. The Football Quarter will reflect their unique histories and presence in world football and transform the lives of thousands of fans living in some of the most deprived parts of the UK. It is vital that this programme is supported.”

VOICE OF THE ECHO: P10