Roma kick off the new era

EVERTON will play Roma in the inaugural first team game at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday August 9.

- By CHRIS BEESLEY

The historic fixture will provide the curtain-raiser to Everton's first season at their 52,888 capacity home on the Mersey waterfront at Bramley-Moore Dock while also serving as a third test event in terms of obtaining a safety certificate after 10,000 spectators were allowed in for a game between the Blues' Under-18s and their Wigan Athletic counterparts on February 17 before the Under-21s played Bolton Wanderers B on March 23 when there was a planned evacuation in the second half before the match ended early.