Bellefield
Encyclopedia
Bellefield, in West Derby
, Liverpool
, is Everton FC
's former training ground.
Bellefield had been Everton FC's training ground since 1946. It was purchased in 1965 from landowner Mr Tyson and Everton developed it so it was ready by summer of 1966. On July 12, 1966 it was officially opened by Mr J Richards, the president of the Football League.
At the time it was so advanced that the Brazilian national football team used it as a training base in the 1966 World Cup. The Brazilian Football Association was said to be so impressed with the facilities on offer that they took photographs to inspire clubs in Brazil.
On Tuesday, 9 October 2007, Bellefield training ground played host to its last ever senior first team training session. Everton FC moved to Finch Farm
in Halewood
a day later.
Speaking of the closure of Bellefield, Everton captain Alan Stubbs
said:
West Derby
West Derby is a suburb in the north of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is also a Liverpool City Council ward. At the 2001 Census, the population of the ward was 14,801 .-History:...
, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, is Everton FC
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
's former training ground.
Bellefield had been Everton FC's training ground since 1946. It was purchased in 1965 from landowner Mr Tyson and Everton developed it so it was ready by summer of 1966. On July 12, 1966 it was officially opened by Mr J Richards, the president of the Football League.
At the time it was so advanced that the Brazilian national football team used it as a training base in the 1966 World Cup. The Brazilian Football Association was said to be so impressed with the facilities on offer that they took photographs to inspire clubs in Brazil.
On Tuesday, 9 October 2007, Bellefield training ground played host to its last ever senior first team training session. Everton FC moved to Finch Farm
Finch Farm
Finch Farm is the training ground for Everton F.C., in the Liverpool suburb of Halewood.The School of Science is the nickname given to the complex by some supporters, referring to a long-standing nickname for the club. The training ground houses both the Everton first team and the youth academy...
in Halewood
Halewood
Halewood is in Merseyside, England and is located in the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley. The district lies near Liverpool's southeastern boundary, bordered by the suburbs of Hunts Cross and Woolton....
a day later.
Speaking of the closure of Bellefield, Everton captain Alan Stubbs
Alan Stubbs
Alan Stubbs is a retired English footballer who played as a centre back. He was forced to retire from professional football due to a troublesome knee injury on the 20 August 2008. The final match of his career was against Doncaster Rovers on 9 August 2008...
said:
"It is a really sad day. This place has graced some unbelievable players. I am not in that category. There have been some fantastic players that have played here. There have been players here that come here and it’s been a privilege to have played in the surroundings that they have played in. It is a sad sad day to see the back of Bellefield.