He was speaking last night to an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) at Goodison Park, called by shareholders to demand a withdrawal from the plan.

Everton’s plans to move to Kirkby with Tesco in a £400m development were cast into doubt when the government decided to call a public inquiry because of the large retail element.

The club’s property advisors DTZ had estimated that the year’s delay would cost £6m.

The new 50,000 seater ground, costing £130m, of which Everton would contribute £78m, would generate around £11m additional revenue a year for the club.