Talk Sport “Revelations”

Firstly, on behalf of the majority of Evertonians, I want to mention the superb work that a certain Mr Stan Collymore done last night for the Evertonians last night and say a huge thank you. He had more than likely sorted what he was going to talk about that night but instead, went out of his way to get the answers blues fans have been trying to get out of the club for years. In light of this the Liverpool Echo should be ashamed of themselves for not digging deeper and trying their upmost to get answers from the club over the past couple of years. It has been left to bubble and boil and finally we have a “ball park figure” un-realistic it may be, about how much Mr Kenwright and his merry men want for the club.

So the questions that were tweeted to Stan were answered with, and I quote “No BS” the general consensus is that Mr Collymore has put these questions to Paul Tyrell who is the Director of Communications. Bill Kenwright and David Moyes have given consent for these questions to be asked and to be answered. Is this a tactic to try and get a quicker sale? is this a tactic from David Moyes to say look we have no money what do you want me to do and laying the blame solely at the feet of the board of directors? Who knows…Its question after question at Everton football club these days?

So what do we know? Is the club for sale? Yes. Let’s be honest this doesn’t come as a complete shock. Apparently there are interested parties from the Middle East, but again let’s be honest this is going to be met with some scepticism, due to the renewal of season tickets on the horizon. The club confirmed that one of the major factors holding the club back is Goodison Park. Once again this won’t come as a surprise to fans. What will come as a surprise is the un-realistic valuation that Mr Kenwright and the board have placed on the club. A “ball park figure” has been given to us by the club of £125m. I will make a point for both sides here so you may agree or you may disagree.

1)      The valuation is too high for a club with no assets but those on the field

2)      Kenwright has re-mortgaged his house and business to keep the club afloat so why not put a high figure on a club that is in my mind a sleeping giant?

I for one think the value of the club is to un-realistic and will eventually drag the club further and further into the red if it is not sold on in the next year or two. Given that Kenwright has always claimed that he has “everton’s best interests at heart” doesn’t fill me with confidence and the prospect of a takeover bid coming anytime soon couldn’t be any further away than it has been over the last couple of years. The prospect of any future investment will determine where Everton play their football in the coming years. Goodison Park has stood proud in the city of Liverpool for many many years, but nostalgia and sentiment have no place in today’s current climate. We need to move on, and quick. Everton have told us that fans should expect to be sat in a new ground in the next 5-10 years. for me this will be 15 years to late as teams in and around us at this moment in time all have state of the art facilities which in turn provides investment into the squad. Everton also tell us that they have identified sites across the city and are being looked into. Question, where are these sites and why are the club so sketchy on releasing details to the fans? We are the “People’s Club” after all aren’t we? The talk of a ground share does have its pros and cons. In today’s financial climate it would be good for the club, but me personally wouldn’t want it. i want Everton football Club to stand on their own two feet and take responsibility for miss giving’s and show people that we can do it on our own and not with the help of Liverpool FC. If a club of the stature of Everton FC are touting for a possible ground share with Liverpool FC it really is as bad as it gets. I do not want OUR club to whore themselves out to anybody let alone Liverpool. The only good thing to come out of the talk of ground share is that Liverpool doesn’t want this to happen, so for now it’s a none starter but you never know what will happen in the near future as Liverpool’s finances aren’t that great either.

In regards to the AGM, we know that BK doesn’t like the fans groups to have a voice because they talk with passion and guts something our board need to find. The voice of the people has been gagged and muffled by the powers that be, which for “The People’s Club” contradicts everything that David Moyes spoke about when he first joined the club.

The club have told us about the situation they find themselves in with David Moyes and have said there have been “No productive developments” with him. This tells me that Bill has been trying to persuade Moyes to stay but his mind is made up. In my opinion he is leaving. Kenwright has told us to “Leave David alone, he will make a decision in his own time” I do not agree with this. As a chairman, Mr Kenwright should dictate to Moyes not Moyes dictate to Kenwright. This shows a total lack of respect for the fans and for the club from Moyes. If he doesn’t want to sign a contract, leave now and put the fans out of thier misery, we deserve more respect from him. Bill kenwright is said to be “despondent” at this moment in time, both with the Moyes situation and the club making a swift and embarrassing exit from the FA Cup against Wigan.

To sum this blog up, I am very sceptical of the clubs financial position and their pursuit of new owners/investors. I am also sceptical of the 5-10 year statement of intent to build a new ground, and I am very unhappy and uneasy with David Moyes holding the club in the palm of his hand acting like he is bigger and better than the club. A certain Mr Lescott done this before his transfer to Manchester City and Moyes slated him…Seems like the shoe is on the other foot.

Thanks for reading and I certainly hope there is a pot of gold at the end of this gloomy rainbow.

@seddo1984