Everton are facing legal action from a Liverpool artist who claims the club reproduced one of his artworks at Goodison Park without permission. Frank Green has lodged a copyright infringement claim at the High Court over the use of a drawing depicting St Domingo Methodist Church — the church tied to Everton’s origins as St Domingo FC in 1878.
The image formed part of a large wraparound timeline installation on the outside of Goodison Park and remained on display for several years before Everton’s move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The artwork could still reportedly be seen on Google Maps imagery updated in July 2024.
Court documents state Green created the original drawing in 1974, shortly before the church was demolished. The claim says he became aware of the alleged unauthorised use in August 2022 and notified Everton through lawyers two months later.
The filing alleges Everton continued displaying the image despite being informed of the claimed infringement. Green is seeking damages, arguing the market value for licensing the artwork would have been around £10,000 per year, rising to £15,000 for 2024 and 2025, alongside additional compensation.
Green, 83, is described in the claim as a “renowned and celebrated” artist whose work has captured Liverpool and Merseyside landscapes for more than five decades. His artwork has reportedly been associated with figures including the Queen Mother, Baroness Thatcher, the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as several former Liverpool footballers.
One of his best-known paintings, The Last Game at the Kop, sold at auction for £22,500 in 2013.
Neither Everton nor Green commented further on the legal proceedings.