Michael would be telling everyone 'I built this'

Family tell ECHO of their pride that Everton's new home has a permanent tribute to the lifelong Blue who tragically died during its construction

- By JOE THOMAS Everton writer

"HE was so excited. He was sending us pictures of what it was going to look like and of him inside. "We were getting sent messages, photos of what just looked like rooms full of dust - but he thought it was great.

Gemma Leary smiles as she reflects on the joy her brother felt as he worked on Everton's new stadium. It was still a building site, but the hope and expectation it sparked around the club was growing and, for Michael Jones, the pride of being part of it was immense.

This afternoon, history will be made in one of those dust-filled rooms Michael was so pleased to work in as the first Everton team to play in a competitive game at the club's new stadium prepares for the match in the home dressing room.

Club captain Seamus Coleman, England number one Jordan Pickford and superstar new signing Jack Grealish will be among the heroes who will step out in Royal Blue for what will be a fresh dawn for the club and a landmark day for the city of Liverpool.

Just over 50,000 supporters will walk through the grand old dock walls and into a new era as Everton face Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League. On the 26th minute they will burst into applause in memory of Michael, who tragically died while working on the project just over two years ago.

"He just wanted to work down there," Gemma recalled. "That was his thing - nothing was going to change his mind. He had only been there five weeks before the accident, but they were a happy five weeks."

A lifelong Blue, ventilation engineer Michael made it his mission to work on the project those in and around the club hope will change its fortunes after years of struggle. He may not be able to take up the season ticket seat he no doubt would have had in the state-of-the-art Hill Dickinson Stadium, but there will be no denying his presence on the day.