Title: “I’m hugely disappointed”: Why the Palace Chairman Isn’t Thrilled with Everton’s New Home
When Everton moved into their new 52,000-seat stadium, the ball was certainly rolling on a modern future. But one unexpected voice of critique has emerged from the boardroom of Crystal Palace: club investor and would-be buyer John Textor. In a candid interview he revealed what he “hated” about what the new stadium experience has become — and why he says it is “way too nice for football.”
An unabashed statement
Textor, known for his stake in Crystal Palace and his interest in acquiring Everton, didn’t mince his words when discussing the venue he visited — the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He described it as “a banquet hall” and lamented the overly-luxurious feel, saying:
“I go into that stadium … and I think it’s too nice.” (Spurs Web)
He went further:
“I remembered the first couple of games … people I was with were in this banquet hall and I thought ‘this isn’t football’.” (tribuna.com)
And in contrast to that, he praised Goodison Park — Everton’s former ground — as:
“What a weird stadium, what a weird layout — but what a beautiful stadium.” (tribuna.com)
In short, the glitz and perfection of a new stadium left him cold. The intimate, quirky older ground had more soul.
What he really means
This isn’t just about one stadium looking too posh. Textor’s comments highlight a deeper tension in modern football-stadium design and fan experience. Here are the key issues:
- Atmosphere vs. Amenity: Textor seemed to feel that when a stadium becomes too comfortable, too corporate, something vital is lost — namely, the raw, visceral feel of being in stadium where the stands, the crowd and the noise matter more than luxury boxes.
- Identity over brand: He appears to believe that football clubs shouldn’t become event-spaces; the stadium shouldn’t feel like a multi-purpose bowl, but a fortress for supporters, tradition and character.
- Fan-first mentality: By referencing Goodison Park’s “weird layout … beautiful” nature, he is valuing authenticity over spectacle. He holds the belief that the imperfections of older stadiums contribute to their charm, to the connection between club and community.
- Commercial caution: Implicit in his critique is a warning about new stadiums built primarily with revenue generation in mind (suites, hospitality, non-match events) rather than the pure football experience.
Why this matters to Everton and Crystal Palace
For Everton, they are presently in transition: as they move away from Goodison Park into the new stadium (at the Bramley‑Moore Dock site) they face the challenge of replicating the identity and atmosphere that the old ground offered. (Wikipedia)
Textor’s comments serve as a reminder that a shiny new stadium alone won’t guarantee the intangible factors that make a club feel special.
For Crystal Palace, the remark from one of their key investors reveals how stadium design and fan culture matter across the Premier League, not just at the biggest clubs. Even if the comment wasn’t aimed directly at Palace, it underscores the value of character and supporters’ experience.
In essence
John Textor’s remark — “I’m hugely disappointed” — though not a direct quote in every source, reflects his broader disappointment in the sanitised, corporate feel he associates with the modern big stadium. He is essentially saying: football thrives on atmosphere, history and the lived-in feel, not on pristine perfection.
Whether clubs like Everton succeed in transferring that intangible magic into their new homes will be crucial. And whether stadium designers listen to voices like Textor’s — who argue that “too nice” is simply not enough — could shape how future arenas are built.
If you like, I can dig up more detailed fan reactions from Everton supporters on how they feel about the new stadium so far, and contrast them with Palace fans’ views on theirs.
