It is indeed true. The result of the vote came out today and they could well be off to Kirkby. Bye Bye
LinkEVERTONIANS have voted to move their club to Kirkby.
A clear majority of the supporters who voted in the Blues poll agreed with the proposal, which could see a new 50,000-seater stad-ium built in the town in time for the 2010 season.
Announcing the results of the landmark poll today, Everton said 59% (15,230 people) voted in favour, with 41% (10,468) against.
The question they were asked was: âAre you in favour of relocating Everton football club to Kirkby?â
Around 11,000 votes were not returned during the three-week ballot, making the response 70%.
Everton thanked the season ticket holders, shareholders and fan club members who took part, saying they were âpleasedâ a positive result was achieved.
The club will now continue neg-otiations with Tesco and Knowsley council to try to make the ÂŁ400m plan for a new stadium and shopping district south of Kirkby town centre a reality.
But fans and residents were today warned there was still a long way to go before the proposal achieved the final go-ahead.
A club statement said: âEverton are pleased that a majority of those Evertonians who were eligible to vote in the ballot do support the club in its desire to relocate to a new home in Kirkby.
âWe are the only major club in Europe to have handed over a decision of such importance and magnitude to its fan base, something which simply serves to underscore the enormously high regard in which we hold our supporters.
âWe now have a mandate to carry on negotiations with Knowsley council and Tesco.
âThe clubâs board of directors, the management staff and the players would like to thank all those who participated in the ballot.
âWe would also like to thank Electoral Reform Services, who ran the ballot on our behalf in a diligent and wholly professional manner.â
Everton managed to win over the majority of eligible fans despite a hard-fought battle by opponents of the Kirkby move, who still hope to persuade the Blues to stay within the city boundaries.
The club had said it would end all negotiations with Tesco and Knowsley council if it lost the poll.
Over the past few weeks, two rival proposals emerged.
The club statement said: âWhile the proposed move has undoubtedly provoked a heated debate, it is reassuring to know the majority of Evertonians support the club as it pursues its long-held desire to provide a world-class stad-ium for its world-class support.
âThe result comes at the end of a transparent, democratic process and we believe that now is the time for all supporters of Everton to set aside any differences of opinion.
âWe all want the same thing, a thriving, ambitious and prosperous club away from the field, and an attractive, competitive team on it.â
The Kirkby proposal, described as âthe deal of the centuryâ by chief executive Keith Wyness, is still some way from certainty.
Although the club and Tesco have unveiled images of how they want the development off Valley Road and Cherryfield Drive to look, Knowsley council must first draw up a new âvisionâ for Kirkby and consult residents for a second time.
If that passes smoothly, a planning application will be submitted.
If it gets the go-ahead, government officials will cast their eye over the proposal, which could be âcalled inâ for further scrutiny.
A council spokesman said: âThe ballot result is clearly a step forward for Everton. The views of fans are important and so are those of the Kirkby community.
âAlthough we welcome the fact that Everton fans think Kirkby would be a good place for the club, it is important to stress there is still a lot to be done."
