Everton legend Graeme Sharp has officially opened the new Dockland's Trail Museum at Collingwood Dock, with a brilliant view of the club's development at Bramley-Moore.
The Dockland's Trail was set up by retired friends from Bootle Grammar School and initially launched just before the pandemic, but now has a new exhibit featuring the Blues' connection to the docks.
Housed in customised shipping containers just a stone's throw away from Bramley-Moore, it gives visitors the chance to learn more about the key landmarks around the site - and the people who worked in and around the area.
Chair of Trustees of the Dockland's Trail, Les Ellis, explained how they obtained the site and what their main purpose behind their changes was.
He told the ECHO: "We came into Peel's offices four years ago and asked for a bit of land. This is perfect, right in the heart of the heritage area. It's a fabulous place to be.
""The idea was to have one of these in six docks, up to and including Seaforth. Basically, for the history and heritage of the docks to be available to kids, so they knew.
"Everybody living north of here has had someone allied to the docks. The idea was that it would help their education and help people learn the significance of the port and feel proud of where they lived.
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"We wanted places for community groups to visit on a day out, even. It's all for community and education purposes, but also with a view to the tourist trade improving.
"I was delighted [when Everton got involved at Bramley-Moore]! As soon as it was mooted that they were interested, we started the process of haranguing the club to get something here.
"I desperately wanted this, so we said they could have this container for nothing. Put something in it for us to promote the site. It's finally happened and we're delighted with it.
"I think it's great...and they're very fortunate to have us as neighbours as well!"
The new display includes information on the history of the site, how some of the players were former dockers, the club’s commitment to enhancing and making public the dock’s heritage features.
Entry to the Docklands Trail Museum, based on Regent Road opposite the Titanic Hotel, is free and open on Tuesdays and Sundays between 11am and 1pm.
Sharp told the ECHO: "I think this is a great little project, for the kids especially to know the history of where Everton's new stadium is going to be and how busy the docks of Liverpool were.
"We can't forget the history, it was a massively important part of Liverpool - as it was in Glasgow as well. They're very similar cities.
"I think it's important to keep teaching our kids what life was like.
"It's all positive, I went to Bramley-Moore last week and the way they've moved forward in a short space of time is really exciting.
"People go past it now and nobody ever knew what was behind these walls, especially the younger generation. Once the stadium starts to take shape, interest will grow again.
"For an Evertonian it really is exciting times."
Sharp was one of a number of Everton legends recently given an opportunity to see the work at Bramley-Moore Dock first-hand.
And he explained that he can't wait to see it finished.
He added: "The first time I came down and looked at it, I'm hopeless because I can't imagine things, so I couldn't see where it was going!
"The second time I came down, we were fortunate enough that the site manager described everything to us and you can understand where everything will be.
"It's a big, big plot. Obviously I can't wait to see it finished.
"As the process goes on we'll see parts of the stadium going up and there'll be much more interest in what's going on behind the wall.
"Everybody always wanted to see the first spade in the ground, that's now happening and it's something we all look forward to."
Heritage has been a prominent conversation surrounding the site ever since Everton announced their involvement.
UNESCO recently stripped Liverpool of its World Heritage Status, in a decision which was not down to the Blues' new stadium, but Bramley-Moore Dock was involved in the discussion.
And Ellis explained why he wasn't concerned about that at all.
"It didn't bother me at all losing the heritage status. Not one jot," he added.
"Nobody can take away the heritage we've got here, it's written in the history books. What's a title? The proof is in the pudding and it's here.
"We get people staying in the Titanic Hotel coming over here who have come to Liverpool once a month or every six weeks, it's fantastic. The history and everything about Liverpool is brilliant."
