LIVERPOOL BOARD: THERE WILL BE NO GROUND SHARE

Liverpool have poured cold water on claims they could share a new stadium with Everton - and insisted their plans to re-locate will continue.

Chief executive Rick Parry said: ``The planning permission for our new stadium at Stanley Park will be submitted in a fortnight and we hope to be up and running there by 2006, so there is not a moment to lose.''

Local councillors and development groups have urged the clubs to consider sharing a new stadium, with another docklands site suggested.

But Parry is adamant Liverpool will move from Anfield to a new 60,000-seater ground.

He said: ``This is more than just a new stadium in Stanley Park, it's about the regeneration of north Liverpool itself.

``The club have been working closely with the Anfield Breckfield Steering Group and City Council for the past three years to put together a comprehensive regeneration package which addresses the needs of the wider community.

``These proposals were put to the public in an extensive consultative exercise involving 19,500 households, which resulted in a strong vote in favour of the plans.''

He added: ``This is no false dawn. We are working round the clock to put the funding packages in place. We've spent millions so far in putting together a robust and deliverable project, but the timescales are now absolutely critical.

``It's vital for the City of Culture programme that the stadium is open for the start of the 2006-07 season so work can be completed on the Anfield Plaza and associated projects. We need to start building in 2004.''

He went on: ``That is why the planning application for the new stadium will be going to the City Council within the next two weeks, because any delays are going to make the project untenable.

``Working alongside the community, we have invested a huge amount of money and effort in putting this together and are determined to press ahead with our plans.''

Everton's own plans for a new stadium at the Kings Dock collapsed over funding, and they have no immediate plans to move from Goodison Park.

PA