Marine moving on after Toffees switch

Marine Chairman Paul Leary is looking forward to seeing new partners on board at the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Arriva Stadium next season after Everton Ladies announced they were moving to the Halton Stadium in Runcorn.

The FA Women's Super League club are following champions Liverpool to play at the home of Rugby Super League Premiership outfit Widnes Vikings, ending a 15 year stay at the Arriva.

Everton cited the WSL's increasing media and broadcasting needs for the decision. Leary says that while the Premier Division’s Mariners have benefited significantly from hosting them during a long and successful relationship, their departure offers the club new opportunities to strengthen their position as Liverpool's leading Non-League club following significant upgrades to the Arriva in recent years.

Leary said: "We were saddened that we could not meet the stringent broadcasting and media criteria set by the Football Association for the staging of WSL games at the Arriva Stadium. The facility and technical requirements, especially for the regular filming of live fixtures were impossible to meet given the logistical layout of our stadium. This is a significant loss in revenue and exposure for our football club and I am personally saddened at the ending of such a long standing and successful partnership."

"But the reduction in fixtures at our football ground from the decision by Everton Ladies, in addition to the ending of our reserve team last season, does provide fresh opportunities for the future utilisation of our stadium with new partners for next season and beyond. Our stadium has undergone significant improvements in the last 15 years, is the best Non-League venue in Merseyside and I would welcome enquiries from interested organisations."