A permanent memorial has been unveiled at Everton Stadium in honour of construction worker Michael Jones who died while helping to build the new ground.
The ceremony yesterday marked the first anniversary of the passing of the lifelong Evertonian who died in August 2023 while working on the construction of the Club’s future home.
Both Everton and main contractor Laing O’Rourke had vowed to honour the life of the 26-year-old with a lasting tribute at the stadium.
Jones family and friends visited the site on Wednesday to mark the unveiling on The Plaza of a mooring post painted in royal blue with a bronze ring attached bearing Michael’s name.
Everton’s CEO Colin Chong and Laing O’Rourke Project Director Gareth Jacques were also in attendance.
Chong said: “Michael’s tragic death was felt by everyone connected with the Club and we still carry him and his family with us in our thoughts.
“His memory will live on in our new home, and we felt it was appropriate to have a lasting memorial to Michael here at the stadium he helped to build.
“Gareth and his team at Laing O’Rourke worked with the family to agree what that might look like and the Royal Blue mooring post bearing Michael’s name will, I am sure, provide some small solace, as well as providing the thousands of Evertonians visiting the stadium to pay their own personal tributes.”
Gemma Leary, Michael’s sister, added: “It is an emotional day for all the family to be here to unveil the memorial to Michael.
“His love for Everton was known to all and Michael was so proud to work on the development of the new stadium, so it feels right that his memory will live on here.
“I’d like to thank everyone that came out this afternoon as well as Everton and Laing O’Rourke for keeping Michael in everyone’s thoughts.
“I’d also like to thank all of the Evertonians around the world for their support and messages of condolence over the past year.”
