The two Liver Bird cormorants have stood sentry over the Mersey for 110 years so why the Water Unesco splash in Liverpool now?
Unesco are threatening Liverpool with the removal of the World Heritage status it has held since 2004.
The UN cultural body do not like the Liverpool Waters Project and the Everton FC new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock one bit.
Liverpool history
They say those developments have resulted in “serious deterioration and irreversible loss of attributes.”
All of which sounds like a Kop-out to use a Liverpool football reference point which relates to Everton’s great rivals Liverpool FC.
I have history with the city of Liverpool having spent time down there working and the Son and Heir being born there.
The Three Graces
And whether Unesco pull their recommendations or not I will always flag up Scouse City.
Liverpool’s waterfront will, of course, be altered by the erection of Everton’s new ground.
But whether it will be enhanced or diminished by its construction depends on which side of the Mersey you’re perched on.
Although judging by the blueprint (and of course it’s blue) I’d say the new ground will be eye-catching rather than eyesore.
The Liver Building is but one pillar in the city’s Three Graces, the other iconic buildings, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building.
Liverpool boasts too Albert to Dock, Walker Gallery, Chinatown and her favourite Sons, the Fab Four, The Beatles.
Liverpool’s boys
It shouldn’t, of course, be forgotten that Liverpool has given us so much more great music too… and sport.
And as much as we’ll miss the neighbourly proximity that the Liverpool Reds and Blues share across Stanley Park a waterside stadium is special.
Try telling the fans of London club Fulham FC that their ground is unappealing.
Well-healed fans turn up at Craven Cottage by Thames-side boat while their signature tune is London Calling ‘we live by the river.’
San Fran Water Giants
Or the San Francisco Giants faithful who also take to boats and wait in McCovey Cove, just a home run over the AT&T Park.
For the ball to come over so San Franciscans can snatch it for a collector’s piece.
The Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, Saint Vincent is home to the Windward Islands Cricket side.
And a towering six will have you swimming in the Caribbean to retrieve the ball.
It won’t come to that at Everton’s new ground and it leaves us asking Water Unesco splash in Liverpool.