COLUMNIST JOE JENNINGS

Letter of Disgust

By Joe  Jennings :  14/07/2007 :  Comments (11) :

I would really appreciate if you could publish my letter sent to Mr Wyness. I felt that the views of a 16-year-old supporter may interest your readers. Cheers.

Keith,

I am writing to you to display my absolute disgust at current events at Everton Football Club.

I'm a 16 year old supporter, who has had a season ticket for the past seven seasons. I have consistently supported the board and manager alike and boosted the club's revenue with regards to purchasing merchandise such as replica kits, food and refreshments on Matchday and I'm a subscriber to the Evertonian magazine. I follow the team away around six or seven times a season on average. I feel now is the time to question the board and its antics, for my generation and for future generations.

Initially, I would like to express my complete displeasure at the prospect of the club moving to Kirkby. I feel the club has limited its options with the 'Exclusivity' agreement signed. I refuse to accept the proposed move and collectively as fans we can prevent it. Quite simply, moving to Kirkby would result in the downfall of Everton Football Club. Everton Football Club is the city's first club so why should we have to relocate and lose our tradition and honour. The media will perceive us almost as a Wimbledon, now known as MK Dons. A team that lost their pride due to an inept board stealing the soul of the club away.

Let me make this clear, I completely understand remaining at Goodison Park is not a feasible option and realise we need to move on to ensure progress financially and on the pitch. However moving to outside the city boundaries is clearly inexcusable and I genuinely feel attendances would decrease significantly. I consider myself a 'diehard' supporter and I probably would renew my season ticket if the club were to relocate. This is due to my sheer love for Everton Football Club, not my acceptance of the move. The club surely cannot adopt an arrogant approach and expect all the 'hardcore' Everton fans (and there are 30,000 plus of them) to follow a similar path. I live by the Everton motto and the club should do too. When the eventual decision reaches supporters, I am in no doubt that the majority will vote against a move to Kirkby, adding to my view that other options within the city should be explored.

Secondly, the lack of transfer activity this summer is not just a mere concern, it is a crisis situation. Following a promising sixth place finish in the Premier League, I expected signings to be made to add to the threadbare squad. Excluding the recent capture of Phil Jagielka, David Moyes has been completely hamstrung this summer by the absolutely inexcusable ineptitude and lack of support from Bill Kenwright and his board. With the sales of Kilbane and Davies and a sixth place finish in the Premier League where is the transfer funds? It is quite simply disgraceful, embarrassing and totally unacceptable for a club of Everton's stature. Nobody could blame David Moyes if he walked away, he would be well within his rights.

I feel enough is enough. It is time to demand answers from the inept board. We want the truth, not mere excuses. In my view, sheer common sense defies anyone who suggests that there has been no serious investment interest in Everton in the past 18 months. Considering the wide climate of investment into the English Premier League, do you genuinely believe that the fans will accept that no serious investment interest has occurred? Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Newcastle, Birmingham have all had investment or investment interest. Surely a club the size of Everton who has attendances averaging around 35 thousand every home game would have some sort of investment interest. To be honest, the 24/7 search for investment line is wearing thin, I no longer believe in such twaddle. It is vital for the future of the club for the current major shareholders to step aside or find a way to compete with the huge sums of money being pumped into the Premiership.

Finally I would like to express that I will simply not accept the current events occurring at Everton Football Club and I will use my power as a fan to ensure such displeasure will not continue. Examples such as boycotting club merchandise, matchday food outlets have been muted to hit the club where it really hurts. I no longer trust the people in charge of the club. I refuse to believe they have the club's best interests at heart. It has become evident that all Bill Kenwright is interested in doing is managing to retain control, regardless of whether feasible investment options are available. Is that really what is the best for Everton? Our current transfer budget would suggest otherwise.

I feel you owe me, and the fans of our glorious football club answers. I hope you have taken on board the comments and issues I have raised and I would appreciate a reasoned response. It would certainly suppress the frustration that the club I love is causing me. Whether you feel my points are valid or not, I genuinely believe as a season ticket holder who contributes to the club beyond belief, you owe me a response. I am an Evertonian who is passionate about my club, as are many thousands of others, we deserve respect.

Regards,

Joe Jennings

Reader Comments

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer