Latest news with #EvertonFC
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The five modern bars inside Hill Dickinson Stadium as Everton announcement made
Everton fans have voted for the 'fan-named pub' inside the Hill Dickinson Stadium to be named 'The Prince Rupert' following an online poll. Six thousand supporters cast their vote to name the pub, with the winner beating The Southall Arms 28% to 24%. Advertisement The Prince Rupert will now join four other bars in the West Stand of Everton's state-of-the-art new stadium, The Queen's Head, inspired by the pub where Everton Football Club was founded, Dixie's Sports Bar, a venue showcasing live sport from around the world and Kendall's Social, a space designed for music, entertainment and socialising before and after matches. The four bars will be in a special area named 'Village Street' where, in November 1879, St Domingo's became Everton FC. READ MORE: Everton to install another game-changing service at Hill Dickinson Stadium READ MORE: I played 500 games but never experienced an atmosphere like Goodison Park under the lights Advertisement It is another exciting addition to Everton's modern Hill Dickinson Stadium, designed at giving fans a more comprehensive matchday experience. The Prince Rupert will be open to supporters with a membership or matchday access to Village Street and has been described by the club as a "social and atmospheric space steeped in the heritage of the club". The winning entry pays tribute to the lock-up or tower that features on Everton's crest, named after a historic figure from the 17th Century. Other names in the vote included Toffee Tavern, Eddie Cavanagh's, The Royle Oak and The Giants Taproom. Those supporters in the Village Street area of the stadium will have halfway-line seating, as well as the cost of food and drink covered in their membership. Advertisement Over on the East Stand, supporters can visit Trinity Place Bar, also with halfway-line seating, with the club describing it as follows: "A place where the past inspires the future, a truly Everton place, a home within our home. Trinity Place Bar is the location for you to provide the 'Spirit'. "A contemporary, football-focused bar where Everton's history and identity is evident from the moment you arrive. "Celebrate the club's history through immersive media and treasured memorabilia. Socialise at the striking island bar with food and drink included featuring fan favourites and regional classics, from pizza and fish and chips to burgers and burritos." Seasonal Memberships for Village Street may now be sold out, but supporters can still register their interest for match-by-match opportunities.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Speedo Mick: From rock bottom to seeing life story on stage in Liverpool theatre musical
Michael Cullen went from sleeping rough in Liverpool to raising £1m by doing charity walks in all weathers in just his swimming trunks. His story is now being celebrated in a stage as Clark Kent turns into Superman when he changes into his famous red underpants, Michael Cullen transforms into Speedo Mick when he pulls on his tight blue trunks."I got a little inkling of what Superman feels like when he puts his knickers on," Cullen laughs."I do feel different when I'm in my Speedos. Something happens. There's a change. I get a little bit more fearless."Speedo Mick doesn't have Suerpman's tights and cape - just a pair of walking boots and, if it's cold, an Everton FC scarf and woolly has criss-crossed the British Isles bare-chested for charity come rain, shine or snow. His most extreme challenge was walking between, and up, the tallest mountains in England, Scotland in Wales in mid-winter."Minus 18 at the top of Ben Nevis. I walked to the top of it and survived it. I never got hypothermia," he marvels. "So something happens when I put my Speedos on. I get a completely different frame of mind. I'm just so determined to get through the day without putting my clothes on." In photos, Speedo Mick often pulls a tough-guy bodybuilder pose for the cameras. But that bravado is part of the in a rehearsal room where actors are preparing for a musical that will tell his story, Cullen, 60, is fully clothed, softly spoken and first pulled on the Speedos to swim the English Channel in 2014, despite never having had a formal swimming lesson until he booked the support boat."It was miraculous that I got across because I was training with men who were born in a pair of Speedos," he jokes. "They were faster swimmers than me, better swimmers than me, their technique was much better than mine."But I had something that they never had, and that was a determination..." He trails off. "I'm just getting a bit emotional... a determination and a will to complete something of that magnitude." That determination comes from "the same place that my negativity comes from", Cullen suffered "a lot of turmoil" during his childhood in Liverpool, using and abusing drink and drugs from his teens, and becoming homeless."I just got lost in it all, to be honest," he says. "It was a sad life. It was terrible and it was torturous, and I was doing it to myself. But I just couldn't stop."He finally got clean in 2001, and resolved to turn the negativity in his life into something positive."It used to hold me down for a long, long time, but now it propels me forward. That's my engine. I suffered for a very long time, and now I just don't want to do that any more."After defying expectations and a shoulder injury to swim across the Channel, Cullen "wanted the world to know that this had happened".So he ordered a pair of blue trunks with the name of his beloved football team on the back, and "went to all the matches after that with 'Everton' emblazoned on my bum". "The fans were so generous," he says. "I could have got ripped to shreds at any point. But they were all applauding and passing money, and putting it in my bucket, and putting it in my knickers. There were not very many other places that you could put it!"His scantily clad presence started raising smiles and funds at away matches, too."I had a front row seat as far as seeing all the generosity, all the kindness, and all the love that people could give," Cullen says."There's a lot of negativity going on in the world, and I was just seeing all this positivity. It was making a massive difference to me, as well as everyone else."Seeking new challenges, more money and bigger reactions, Cullen embarked on a series of increasingly ambitious charity walks - to Everton matches in Wembley and Lyon, then 1,000 miles from John O'Groats to Land's 2021, he traipsed for five months and 2,000 miles between London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin and Belfast; before climbing Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell didn't always welcome the sight of a middle-aged man in skimpy swimming trunks, however."There was some really negative stuff as well," he adds."I got spat at, pushed to the floor, had a pint thrown over me, got thrown out of a few pubs after trying to go in to get a bit of food."Which was funny because I hadn't had a drink for 16 years and I was still getting thrown out of pubs." Highs and lows Speedo Mick's 2023 walk took the amount raised for charities supporting mental health, disadvantaged young people and homelessness past £ that was his final major outing. "I knew I only had a certain timeframe for me to carry on doing it in my Speedos. You can't be doing it when you're 80."And despite their similar taste in underwear, Speedo Mick is not gruelling challenges took their toll, having "a massive detrimental effect on my mental health and my personal relationships", Cullen mission has been followed by "a big comedown", he says. "After the last one, I hit the ground at 1,000mph and I ended up in a clinic because I had a big breakdown."Looking back now, I wasn't managing myself. It feels like I paid a massive price by doing all that stuff. It was too much for me. It was all too much." The stage show, which opens at Liverpool's Royal Court theatre on Tuesday, has given Cullen a new the surface, it is about a "total hero" who "took on lots of big life-affirming tasks and completed them and raised lots and lots of money", says Boff Whalley, formerly of rock group Chumbawamba, who has written the music."But the real story is why he wanted to do that, and at what cost was he doing that."It's saying, 'He's like you, he's got problems and he's struggled with addictions and mental health problems, and this was his way of finding a way through those'."The show's writer John Fay agrees. "He's a very inspirational and charismatic man. He can walk into a room and just make people smile. And the stamina of the guy, and the things that he's achieved, can seem superhuman."But the most important part about him is that he's extremely human. He's got his own fragility. He's like everyone else in the world."Liverpool actor Paul Duckworth is playing the title role, and says Speedo Mick is "a local legend"."We all have our complexities and our vulnerabilities. He's a very thoughtful, very sensitive guy." 'Nowhere to hide' As well as attempting to capture Cullen's character, Duckworth must pull off the Speedo Mick look."There's only a few moments [in the show] when he gets to throw on a T-shirt, because most of his achievements were all done in his Speedos," the actor says with a hint of trepidation. "There's nowhere to hide."It was quite a shock when I put them on the other day. Michael was the only person who saw me in them. In Mick's words, 'You've got to own the knickers. You've got to own the Speedos, mate.' I'm trying to get that mentality."The show is the story of an eccentric, big-hearted but fallible character, although Cullen had reservations about putting it on stage."I was a little bit anxious over the fact that I'm making myself vulnerable again, because I'm telling everybody about my personal life," he says. "They're going to see a completely different side here."However, he hopes the show will start conversations about addiction, mental health, overcoming challenges, and recovery."But the biggest message I hope people take out of it is that it's OK to be you, all of you, whatever's gone on in your life - it's OK to be you, and to take hope."Take hope from this story because you never know what's going to happen. I've got a play about my life on at the Royal Court theatre, and that's a win right there. It's amazing."Speedo Mick The Musical is at the Royal Court in Liverpool from 3 June to 5 July.
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Liverpool FC parade: What happened?
There have been messages of support after some people were hurt in Liverpool city centre during Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade on Monday 26 people in the city have been offering help to those who need it, including spare beds or use of their Wi-Fi so people are able to contact their loved FC said it was in contact with the police and its "thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected".Their football rivals Everton FC also came out in support, saying, "Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city." What happened? Hundreds of thousands of Liverpool fans took to the streets of the city to celebrate their team winning the Premier League in an open-top bus parade on were cheers and fireworks as the team drove along the 10-mile (16km) route, with fans waving flags. Near the end of the route, a car drove into some fans, and the ambulance service said 27 people had been taken to hospital for Police said a "53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area" had been said: "We believe this is to be an isolated incident and we are not currently looking for anyone else in relation to it."The police also said they are not treating the incident as terror-related. What have people said? Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said, "the whole country stands with Liverpool," after what happened on Monday evening. He posted on social media: "I want to thank the police and emergency services for their swift and ongoing response."Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also gave her support. "My thoughts are with all those affected," she to the BBC, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said a day of "absolute celebration" had been "overshadowed" by the Liverpool and Everton FC have showed their support in online statements, and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said via Instagram: "My family and I are shocked and devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are injured and affected. You'll never walk alone." What should you do if you're upset? The most important thing to remember is that it's perfectly normal to feel upset when something like this is in the news. Talk to someone you trust, like a parent or a more help if you are upset by the news, please follow the advice on this page.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Everton out to break 33-year record amid plans for a cross-city move for Liverpool talent Ben Doak
Everton are eyeing a shocking move for Liverpool teenager Ben Doak, The Guardian reports. David Moyes is reportedly a huge fan of the dazzling 19-year-old who had a decent loan spell at Middlesbrough, and the Scotsman sees him as an ideal addition to his Everton side. The Toffees have reportedly discussed a potential bid for Doak, who featured 24 times in the Championship and notched three goals and seven assists for Middlesbrough. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury prematurely ended his loan spell in January. Doak has struggled to break into Liverpool's star-studded senior team. He has made just ten appearances since joining the club from Celtic in 2022 but is still highly rated at Anfield. Liverpool aren't actively looking to sell but wouldn't be against a summer exit. However, they're holding out for a fee between £25-30 million for the Scottish youth international. That price could throw a wrench in Everton's plans. Keen to stay on the right side of the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), the Toffees are taking a more cautious approach to spending under their new leaders. Liverpool have already turned down £15m and £16m bids in January from Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town, respectively. Everton are the latest Premier League side to sound out an interest in Doak. It's rare to see a transfer that crosses the fierce city divide. If the Toffees manage to pull it off, Doak will become the first Liverpool player to join Everton since Gary Ablett in 1992. Moyes wants to make Doak his first summer addition as Everton prepare for a huge summer rebuild. The Scotsman's return to Merseyside has been a huge success, with Everton set to finish 13th in the Premier League table after flirting with relegation earlier in the season. Everton are gearing up for a massive shake-up with Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia among those who will leave when their contracts expire. Five players who spent the campaign on loan will also leave the club, while decisions need to be made on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Michael Keane and Idrissa Gueye, whose contracts are up at the end of June.
Scotsman
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh man's music helps The Toffeemen celebrate end of an era
Everton FC played their last game at their home stadium, Goodison Park, last Sunday against Southampton FC to a full house of 38,000 fans. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Both teams emerged from the tunnel to the strains of the theme tune from the TV programme Z Cars, which ran for 801 episodes from 1962 until 1978. This was a popular series about mobile uniformed police and detectives in the fictional town of Newton, based on Kirkby, near Liverpool. Johnny Keating's version rang out across Goodison Park for the final time as Everton and Southampton players walked out for kick off on Sunday (Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire) The version of this tune, adopted by Everton FC, was arranged by musician and songwriter, Johnny Keating, who took it to number five in the music charts. Johnny was born here, in Bakehouse Close, off The Royal Mile, in 1927 and the 28th of this month will be the tenth anniversary of his death at the age of 87. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Johnny played piano and trombone and taught himself how to arrange and compose when he was in his early teens. In the early 1960s he, and songwriter Johnny Worth, moulded the career of the British pop star, Eden Kane, writing and producing a string of top ten hits for him. They also wrote and produced several hits for Adam Faith, Petula Clark, Anthony Newly and Sammy Davis Jr, among others and Tony Bennet said that Keating's arrangement for his version of The Very Thought of You was the best arrangement he ever sung to. Music heavyweights such as songwriter Burt Bacharach and the Beatles producer, George Martin, were fulsome in their praise, calling him one of the greatest all-round musicians of the 20th century. He wrote a classical piece called Overture 100 Pipers and another called Hebridean Impressions which was first performed at the Royal Albert Hall as he conducted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. One of his futuristic works, the 1972 album Space Experience with its innovative sound techniques led him to get the musicians to swear to secrecy as to how the effects had been realised. Closer to home, he was a lifelong Hibs fan and, according to his family, he wanted to be cremated wearing his Hibs club tie. In 1973 he produced two songs for the club Give us a Goal, Glory to the Hibees on the A-side and Turnbull's Tornadoes on the B-Side, both of which were recorded by the team of the time. I well remember being invited to a small commemoration event in the Stella Maris Club in Leith after his ashes were placed beside his mother and father's ashes at Mount Vernon. The reception was arranged by Willie McEwan, now a Labour Councillor in Midlothian and John Gibson, formerly of this paper, was also there, waxing lyrical about Keating and the Hibs – while filling his plate with mince pies! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is no doubt that Johnny Keating had an international reputation of some renown and was recognised by his peers in the music industry as one of the greats. And it was while watching the Everton game on the telly last Sunday and hearing the Theme from Z Cars tune blasting out the sound system in the stadium that I resolved to devote my column today to the works and achievements of Johnny Keating. I have no doubt that when Everton move into their new stadium next season, the teams will still run out on to the pitch with Keating's music ringing in their ears!
