Shareholders' Association members visit the new Everton training and Acadamy complex at Finch Farm
During August this year three visits to the new training and academy complex at Finch Farm, Halewood, were arranged for Shareholders' Association members. Ray Foy, head of security at Everton, proved himself a very competent "tour guide" of the impressive facilities which were being readied for the arrival of both the senior and junior players together with the coaching and Academy staff.
Despite being held during the holiday period and at relatively short notice, the chance to have a behind-the-scenes look at the development unsurprisingly proved very popular and all those who were able to join the tours were delighted at the opportunity to see the complex for themselves.
The buildings, visible from the main Speke-Runcorn road, are set against immaculate training pitches - one of which is an exact replica of that at Goodison Park - with a large section of wall above and to the side of the entrance tiled in dazzling royal blue. Inside, the Academy facilities are to one side of the building with the senior squad areas to the other side.
We were escorted past the classrooms, offices, dining room and changing facilities being prepared for the Academy youngsters before being taken out onto a viewing deck overlooking several pitches, from which proud parents and others will be able to watch the youngsters play.
From there we toured the physio area, senior changing rooms, gymnasium, indoor pitch and swimming pool as well as taking in the dining/sitting areas (complete with worktops sporting circular cut-outs for ball-signing!), kit and other storage areas and the office suites ready for David Moyes and his staff to occupy.
Throughout the tour Ray proved himself a most knowledgeable guide, with fascinating insight and a fund of anecdotes. As is inevitable when a group of Evertonians are together, no-one was in a hurry to leave at the end of the visits but Ray and his staff were extremely patient, courteous and good-humoured despite having to wait for us to depart!
Feedback from members who took part in the visits has been most favourable, and the Shareholders' Association appreciates being given the opportunity to see the long-awaited Finch Farm in all its glory. The complex is a credit to our Club and from what we saw, truly lives up to our famous motto!
Some photographs of Finch Farm:
