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Naming Rights or Naming Wrongs? Everton’s Hill Dickinson Decision Sparks Debate

By Fakorede King Abdulmajeed | Fuxma Media | May 19, 2025

For over 130 years, Goodison Park was more than just a football stadium. It was a sanctuary, a heartbeat, a place where generations of Everton fans poured out passion, frustration, and unbreakable loyalty. But as Everton move into a new era with a new home on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront, the story of the club takes a symbolic turn. A new chapter needs a new name. And that name is the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

It’s not a flashy brand or an overseas company that wants to paste its logo on a football cathedral. It’s a name with roots, legacy, and quiet power. Hill Dickinson is a law firm born and bred in Liverpool, established back in 1810. That’s older than most football clubs. For over two centuries, they’ve been at the centre of Liverpool’s maritime and commercial life, long before football became the game we know today. They’ve now grown into a global legal presence, with offices in cities like London, Singapore, and Monaco, but their soul has always remained in the north west of England.

For Everton, the choice was strategic but also sentimental. Naming a stadium is not just a financial transaction; it’s a public declaration of what a club stands for. In a footballing world where stadiums bear names of oil firms and betting companies, Everton chose to do things differently. They aligned with a partner that reflects the fabric of the city. A name that won’t just sit on the outside of a stadium, but will resonate with fans who value authenticity as much as ambition.

The Hill Dickinson deal is reported to be worth around £10 million a year, a major financial boost for a club building a £750 million stadium. But it’s not just about the money. Everton’s community work is legendary in English football, and Hill Dickinson is expected to play a key role in helping fund and expand those efforts. There’s already talk of joint projects focusing on education, youth development, and public health across Merseyside.

Of course, there was resistance. Football fans don’t always take kindly to change. Some wanted to keep the name “Bramley-Moore Dock” to honour the heritage of the site. Others hoped for something that screamed football, not law. But in the end, it came down to vision. Everton needed to make a bold move, one that secured the future while respecting the past. Hill Dickinson offered just that.

Everton’s Chief Commercial and Communications Officer, Richard Kenyon, tried to address the mixed emotions: "This partnership is built on shared values. Hill Dickinson understands what Everton means to this city. This isn't just about signage, it’s about legacy, responsibility, and a commitment to Merseyside’s future."

What stands out about this decision is the intentionality behind it. Everton didn’t rush into a deal with the highest bidder. They waited. They considered. And they chose a name that fits like a tailored suit, local yet global, quiet yet influential. A name that may not trend on Twitter today, but will age well as the club settles into its future.

When fans stream into the new 52,888-capacity stadium for the 2025–26 season, they won’t just see new seats, new turf, and new screens. They’ll see a symbol of a club trying to grow without selling its soul. In that sense, the Hill Dickinson Stadium is not just about naming rights, it’s about naming values.

Final Thought

This move says something bigger than just football. Everton have taken a path that combines tradition with transformation. At a time when clubs are becoming commercial machines, this is a reminder that the badge, the city, and the people still matter. The Hill Dickinson Stadium might not make headlines every week, but it tells a story that fans and the city of Liverpool will be proud to carry forward. Everton didn’t just find a sponsor. They found a partner. And now, together, they step into history.

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