The People's Club?

Much has been made over the past few years of the fact that Everton FC has proclaimed itself as the People's Club in Liverpool. Indeed, when the vote for Kirby was much publicised in the press and in many forums, it echoed that the people had spoken and made their choice. It gave the green light for the club to discuss its future with Kirkby as its new home.

The mandate the club received was not from all the people but a select few, to assess the viability of the offer to partner Tesco in a new retail park. Ok, we have assessed it, Guess what? We don?t particularly like what we see. But aside from that we should ask the club to put the proposal back to the people. Do we like what we see? Are we happy with the proposal now that we can see what it looks like and all the implications? Or should we blindly trust that the Board of Directors have got it right and should press on regardless of any objection or, god forbid, alternative proposal?

Should not the Echo be asked to run its real People Poll and ask all to answer the following five questions and place that as a petition back to the club? Let us see then how they can justify such a travesty on the tradition and supporters of Everton FC should a poll come back with a resounding negative result.

The Questions? Ok, they may be stilted slightly but then if we are faced with a poor solution should we not be asking pointed questions that make the decision makers justify their actions?

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  1. Do you believe Kirkby is the best site for Everton FC? Answer: Yes / No / Don?t Care/ Doesn?t matter
  2. Do you believe the proposed stadium alliance with Tesco will benefit the standing of the club? Answer: Yes / No / Doesn?t Matter
  3. Do you think Everton FC should
    • A: Accept the current Kirkby proposal
    • B: Redevelop Goodison Park as the clubs future home
    • C: Build a stand alone stadium within the city limits
    • D: Keep looking for better alternatives
  4. Liverpool is the City of Culture for 2008; how should Everton FC be marketed in light of this and any Tesco alliance?
  5. Do you believe the Everton FC Board of Directors will listen to any other proposals? Answer: Yes / No

Before the Yes votes come out of the woodwork and say, "Here we go again..." Listen up. It?s called debate. Just because the club had a vote to see if there was sufficient support to continue negotiations does NOT mean they have the mandate to make poor decisions without putting it to all the stakeholders of the club. For your information, every citizen of Liverpool has a view, Red or Blue. Every supporter of Everton has a view ? not just selected season ticket holders. We are all Stakeholders.

If we are truly the Peoples Club then be prepared to listen to ALL of the people. We may NOT be the best people to assess the viability of options but that is not our job. That?s the Board?s job. We may make it more difficult but at least we will know the honesty of any proposal. As supporters or even as citizens of Liverpool, our job is to remind the club who supports them, where they get their money from (well some of it) and what it means to be proud of your club. That is our birthright and our legacy to future generations of Evertonians.

If the Board of Directors believe we truly are the People's Club then let them have the balls to stand by our decisions. At least it will allow an honest appraisal of what we believe the club should be doing.

Put the idea to the Echo and ask them to run it and let the people vote. All of them. It will be the most effective way to get a message to the club, the peoples voice.

That?s a People's Club!

Reader Comments

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Steve Lyth
1   Posted 20/11/2007 at 15:00:57

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Methinks such a poll would be usurped by Liverpool fans Chris.
Better to do it on a tear off slip in one of the match day programmes, however, the result , like the previous one, would probably be a nap
Whacker Robbo
2   Posted 20/11/2007 at 15:22:59

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zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Bob Fletcher
3   Posted 20/11/2007 at 15:18:59

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We may NOT be the best people to assess the viability of options but that is not our job. That?s the Board?s job.

You have answered your own question. The Board have decided to move to Kirkby. End of!
Ken Charlesworth
4   Posted 20/11/2007 at 15:50:46

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ARRWERRRGUUURGH!!
End of ALERT End of ALERT

Michael, another one?s got through the net

Bob Fletcher...
For F?s sake Bob....grow up and stop behaving with such supercilious contempt for fellow Evertonians who are genuinely concerned by the split in our ranks and its cause
Trevor Bandsworth
5   Posted 20/11/2007 at 16:12:38

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The club already have ?the people?s voice? -a 59% majority of the people who are in favour of moving to Kirkby and all that brings.
Michael Newton
6   Posted 20/11/2007 at 16:13:29

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I really am tired of all this Peoples Polls and Tesco and traffic Jams in Kirkby, people moaning about everything under the sun. All I am is a simple football fan.
Roll on Saturday 3pm Sunderland at Goodison Park, full house, obstructed view, some scally minding my car, walking through dogshit to get to the ground, warm Chang, cold pie, pint at Orries on the way in, bloke next to me eating a bag of greasy chips, daughter's coke stuck down me trousers as the top is still on the bottle, season ticket doesnt work at the gate. LUV IT, bring on Saturday
Richard North
7   Posted 20/11/2007 at 16:20:12

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As much as I’d like to see a larger proportion of Everton fans voting on Kirkby this is not the correct way to go about it.

Firstly, as Steve says, the vote would probably be influenced by reds as they also happen to read the echo.

Secondly, question 2 of the poll would be a disaster as not everyone who reads the Echo has anywhere near enough information available to them on new sites and alternative proposals etc. to make an informed decision.


Hearts in the right place, heads elsewhere I’m afraid.
Jay Campbell
8   Posted 20/11/2007 at 16:28:44

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People?s Club - No Fuckin chance!!!!
Bill Kenwright
9   Posted 20/11/2007 at 16:45:59

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Tell you what guys and dolls (gedditt??!) you can have as many poll as you like but if i decide we?re moving then thats all there is to it. Them fellas from Tesco have got a few quid and i need a new car so you can shove yer peoples club where the sun don?t shine its mine all mine!!!
Carl Cole
10   Posted 20/11/2007 at 16:44:59

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Why do the Board always have to be the bad guys! Get a grip there doing what they think is best.

We could redevelop or build another ground in the city (i.e. the loop) but this would only lead us LEEDS 2 situation! (You can?t make the scene if you haven?t got the green.) Why is that so hard for people to understand!
Robert Nodwell
11   Posted 20/11/2007 at 17:01:37

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Why don?t we go home to Anfield when the Reds Vacate, still in the City and a big trophy cabinet
Carl Cole
12   Posted 20/11/2007 at 17:03:37

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Here is a poll for you,

A - Move to Kirby

B - Move to the Loop (Plus give the club 150million so they can do this)

Anyone picked B? If so get in touch with Bill
Taffy John.
13   Posted 20/11/2007 at 17:01:44

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We’re the Welsh "peoples club", boyo.
Paul Harrington
14   Posted 20/11/2007 at 17:08:47

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I’m afraid Christine, that there is little room for debate on the issue. Both sides are entrenched in their positions and are content to hurl insults at one another. Bit like the first world war really except there won’t be a reconciling footy match at christmas. Unfortunately the unhelpful nature of a significant number of comments stifles any sensible argument. If I was BK and KW I would be quietly happy as the fragmented nature of the opposition means that there is unlikely to be any pressure brought for change as they are so busy fighting each other. Someone said the other day that united matchday protest was the only real option and I would agree. The issue needs the glare of open opposition so that the Board have to justify their position. At the moment they sit comfortably under no pressure to compromise or change.
Bob Nod
15   Posted 20/11/2007 at 17:23:27

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Anfield 45 tousand seater stadium better than goodison in all respect and Bill can lead us home like moses leading the Israelites out of the wildernss
Ken Charlesworth
16   Posted 20/11/2007 at 17:39:07

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Just remember Carl...in ten years time, when you?ve grown up you can sit in a half empty IKEA stand and tell your kids (if you?ve got the balls to have them) that it was all down to numpties like you.
That is, if you can make yourself heard over the tannoy from next door, ?Fruit and Veg Supervisor to checkout 103, please!?
God forgive you, because history won?t.
Stuart Mitchell
17   Posted 20/11/2007 at 17:58:51

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Charlesworth you really need to calm down, you are going to give yourself hypertension!

We are moving, nothing is going to change that now.

I am totally in favour of the move, I am totally fine with us going to Kirby.

I think the only concern for me is what the stadium looks like, It needs to be unique and not a replica of so many cheap stadia that go up these days.

But at the the end of the day, its all about Everton winning games and us supporting them through thick and thin, not all bickering amongst ourself on a mute subject.

Ken Charleswortrth
18   Posted 20/11/2007 at 18:21:00

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Thank you for your concern, Mr Mitchell, but I?m a Liverpool 8 man, couldn?t be more placid. I do share your concern over the standard and Everton-ness of any new stadium, though. The one glimmer of hope I have is that we are being led to the Promised Land by Billy and Bully so it could take 40 years to get there
paul byrne
19   Posted 20/11/2007 at 18:25:36

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I FEEL THAT THE KOPITES WOULD SKIT US FOREVER IF WE GO TO KIRKBY AND THEN MUSCLE IN ON THE 08 CELEBRATIONS . KENWRIGHT HAS GIVEN THEM THE CITY WE WILL BE CLASSED LIKE MAN U AS HAVING THE CITY NAME EVERTON L6 AND BEING FROM KNOWSLEYLIKE THEY ARE MAN U FROM SALFORD
Dewey Westford
20   Posted 20/11/2007 at 18:26:22

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Where would the poll end would we then tell the board "the people have spoken" We now want to vote on what players we sign, which sponsorship deal we all agree on????? We are moving to Kirkby providing the board don?t make the same mistakes as they did with kings dock (which still could happen.) It would be great if we could all have this say..... but it would end in disaster. Look at the comments when a team got bought so 30k blokes can play champ manager!!!!!!!
Bob Nod
21   Posted 20/11/2007 at 18:44:46

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Anfield is the answer lets go home with some cash in the bank to buy what we realy need world class players
Kevin Warren
22   Posted 20/11/2007 at 18:56:41

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Michael Newton, Michael Newton, Michael Newton, Michael Newton, Michael Newton, Michael Newton, Michael Newton, Michael Newton, Michael Newton!!!!

This man has got it SPOT ON....

Stop moaning and enjoy the whole football thing. Evertonians are born and not Manufactured. I ll go where ever they play and that included Nurnberg.

Support the team and Manager!
Kevin Mcloud
23   Posted 20/11/2007 at 20:08:47

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At the risk of sounding highly condescending, do any of the yes voters or the board actually understand the innovative place in history that Goodison Park holds? If they do and they still don?t think that this is relevant then I think they need to get their Latin phrase book out and go and sit in a corner to have a read. The new ground looks very very average and that I?m afraid is not good enough for the future of Everton.
Josh Todd
24   Posted 20/11/2007 at 20:34:05

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Don?t let the door hit you on the way out. YNWA
Ray Robinson
25   Posted 20/11/2007 at 20:53:16

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I didn’t like decimilisation back in the early seventies. If it was up to some people we’d still be having polls while we still continue to operate with pounds, shillings and pence.

The poll was as fair as it possibly could be. The ground move was not unanimously well received but it’s done and dusted. I have reservations about the move but unless a viable alternative is on the cards NOW, what’s the point of another poll?

One thing that would be far worse than a move to Kirkby is paraylsis - constantly checking the temperature of the fans’ feelings but achieving absolutely nothing.
Stephen Davies
26   Posted 20/11/2007 at 16:52:17

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If the vote was cast again this month is there anyone out there who would change their vote? Surely there were more than a few people who were influenced by the guilt trip leaflets in the envelope? What would have happened if KEIOC had been able to put leaflets in the Envelope as well?

I voted no but some of my yes voting friends are starting to think twice about their choice and you can understand why. It seems to me the board released a series of images and statement's to convince the fans this was the right thing to do and once they had secured the votes did no more to impress the fan's and started to put more of an emphasis on the fact they were giving the residents of Kirkby a nice new supermarket and retail park.

Yes voter's must be feeling they only got one chance to let the board know how they feel about the move. Surely something as big as this people should be allowed to change their minds?

Mark Perry
27   Posted 20/11/2007 at 22:12:54

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Dear God not another Kirkby Diatribe. The Fans, yes the Fans voted YES. The board contrary to popular belief want the best for Everton. There is no conspiricy to make us into a branch of Tesco. It is Business - pure and simple. Unless you have £500,000,000 lying around and want to give it to Everton for a new stadium then there is no alternative to Kirkby - FACT.

The true supporters of this club, YES or NO voters need to get behined the TEAM, DM and support this club.

Kevin Mitchell
28   Posted 20/11/2007 at 22:05:29

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Lets not pull any punches here. I know the toffeeweb boys like to have balanced debate and to respect other peoples opinions, but lets get it straight if it wasn’t for the gulible yes voters who couldn’t see this catastrophy coming we wouldn’t be spending most of our time arguing here. My guess is if the vote was no, Kenwright and Wyness would now be having meetings with the council, Bestway and anyone else to solve the ground issue, whilst we would be talking about things on the pitch.
And please don’t tell me to get over it, because I never will.
kevin sheedy
29   Posted 20/11/2007 at 22:23:39

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I agree Anfield seems the perfect answer, just update the stadium. Blue?s never been the best colour for football shirts
Alan Smeeth
30   Posted 20/11/2007 at 22:27:57

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Does anybody actually know what financial benefits the move can actually give us?More capacity? what an extra 10k seats? what about our avarage attendance last year? 35,000. what, just because we got a new stadium and we?ll be charged an extra fiver a match will mean it will be full. whatever. An extra 10,000 seats could be added to the ground anyway. I can see it now, ?and here we are for tonights pulsating match at the TESCO stadium!? One of the only stadiums left with character, atmosphere and history to be nailed, just like the rest of them. Nailed by out of town, get in your car style, kill the community, mass produced plastic, throwaway, watered down, low quality retail park trash. At least we might get another Odeon, or McDonalds next door. Anyway, getting back to it, does anyone know where this extra cash we cant seem to make from one of the biggest fan bases in the country going to come from after the move?
Tony Marks
31   Posted 20/11/2007 at 22:44:07

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Why are you all still going on about the move?
We have had 2 votes, the first asked us if we wanted to move, the second asked us if we wanted to go to Kirkby. On both occasions the answer was a resounding YES.
Get over it!

We are moving, put up or shut up!

Do you want to support a team in the city or do you want to support Everton Football Club, because like it or lump it they are the options?

Redshite pick option one

Blues option two

MOVE ON
Rob Hollis
32   Posted 20/11/2007 at 23:03:54

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Interesting reading the recent Sunday Times Magazine (Scouse Pride Edition) which talks about all the wonderful music to come out of Liverpool. If you actually know any of the bands you realise that they come from Merseyside and some contain imports from other areas. Of course this does not matter when Liverpool wants to claim success. We are essentially a Merseyside club who are delighted to have supporters all over the world. It really is not important we will move a few miles away.

As for the ECHO conducting a poll. If they can put a few pictures of tearful young Evertonians on the page then possibly, with some suitably weeping headline. Why do you think hardly anybody with a brain cell buys that rag nowadays? We used to have a laugh about the number of references to the Beatles that filled up the pages as an alternative to journalism.

Nobody is perfect, but Kenwright has moved an almost relegated and bankrupt club to one that is moving upwards, in the league, transfer market, training facilities and now possibly the ground. All this has happened without you, me or any of the supporters in general taking any risks with our own cash. I am not saying you should just accept everything but we could have a far worse Chairman.
Karl Masters
33   Posted 20/11/2007 at 23:44:54

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Even if we have to end up in Kirkby, PLEASE answer me this:

Why is the design so lacking in imagination? Why? Why?

The Stadium design for the Loop, the Kings Dock, even Johnson’s bowl with the man wearing the sombrero are all light years ahead of this Tesco designed rubbish.

Nil satis nisi optimum? It’s not even half way, never mind the best. And Kenwright had the audacity to say he had ’ driven them mad’ adding bits on durng the design phase? What, searchlights that face up in the sky and silly screens facing the outside along with countless cringeworthy People’s Club signs?
Eric Holland
34   Posted 20/11/2007 at 23:58:35

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Tony Marks
Spot on Mate.
No voters give it a rest you lost end of story.
History is the past Look to the future.
Let it be were moving on,
And all that.
COYB.
Rich Jones
35   Posted 20/11/2007 at 23:59:43

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I couldnt give a shit if the stadium was made of gold, its not in Liverpool itll kill us and give Liverpool the biggest chance of catching United they could ever wish for. Absolute madness!! All you yes voter wake up you mugs Kenwright and his patsy (wyness) are doing you like a bunch of kippers.
Strewth
36   Posted 21/11/2007 at 00:07:08

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The shite couldn?t make the loop and other sites "offered" to them work. God knows how they were given free reign to build on a public park and we weren?t given a sniff of Walton Hall Park - the only real option that would have worked with funding partners inside the City. As for moving back to Analfield, its redevelopment is all part of deal for the shite moving onto Stanley Park. Never mind all this show me the money for Kirkby crap - I?d rather trust Leahy than some Johnny come latelies (including the standing joke we call the City Council). But hey if you think the money associated with the Kirkby deal is illusive then where ffs is the money for something like the loop?? Seems to me there are many on here who are simply GFE throwing all these loopy ideas around just so we end up staying put.
Gary Sedgwick
37   Posted 21/11/2007 at 01:18:06

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Miami Dolphins moved from the city boundaries. They are now located in Hialeah, for UK residents, a suburb of the Greater Miami (ala Merseyside) area. They still attract almost capacity crowds despite a 100% loss record this year. JRB stadium is no stand out - now. It was constructed mid 1980?s. Compare this stadium to newer facilties within the NFL and it is a no-brainer. JRB/PPS compares with our current GP - except for the history - but according to the website, Staduims of the NFL, ranks as one of the best. It is only 20 +/- years young.

Some may say the Dolphins are the only NFL team in the area, they do not have a neighbouring NFL team. I totally agree. What they do have are other sports to compete with; NBA, NHL and MLB. Everton do not. We only (realistically) compete with one team not three others. If a team with such competition from other sports can move away from its origins and continue to be supported then why can?t we? If a stadium can continue to attract support from the Greater Miami area, including downtown Miami, why can?t we? Downtown where the Orange Bowl, Miami?s original home, is situated is way more than four miles away for those that ask. I lived there, it is a good ten miles away. Liken this to Liverpool and Merseyside.

Am I for or against the move you may ask? Living in the US since 1993 I cannot answer. I have too many memories of GP. Most are unforgettable. 5-0 v. MUFC; 1-1 v. MUFC, Wakenshaw scored (my first game); UCD what a nerve wracker; Fortuna Sittard ECWC - still remember Reidy?s "starsplash" by the corner flag; Ipswich Town, 2-1 down with minutes to play in the FA cup quarters and many, many more.

If the club do relocate our history will not be forgotten by those of us who were there to witness those tremendous occassions and those sorrowful ones as well, however long those memories are. The Dolphins moved home as we are likely to do. Get behind EVERTON. Who knows in twenty plus years the new stadium will be lauded as much as JRB/PPS and now the newly named "Dolphin?s Stadium"
Brian Wolf
38   Posted 21/11/2007 at 03:49:58

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Here’s a poll for you.

1. Would you like people to stop talking about the move to Kirkby? Yes/No/Don’t Care.

2. Do you think these saddo’s who continue to complain about Kirkby should get a life? Yes/No/Don’t Care

I think you’ll find the results will be a resounding yes on both counts.
Gerry Morrison
39   Posted 21/11/2007 at 04:14:42

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Stuart,
Was the point mute? Unfortunately, it is moot. Hence the continued debate.
Lee Spargo
40   Posted 21/11/2007 at 05:18:22

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iIs it really any suprise that a no voter wants anoher ballot?

It?s like the tories asking for another general election when they lose.
Christine Foster
41   Posted 21/11/2007 at 05:21:10

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Given that the issue over Kirkby will go on and on unless a line is drawn underneath the obvious void that separates the camps, IS anyone seriously telling me that we should just accept and shut up? You may not be bothered about Kirkby as a home for EFC but there are just as many passionate people who are. I am surprised that even "a rag such as the Echo" could not take the debate to the People of Liverpool. aka The Peoples club’s current home. Why not? It would appear from the comments to my post that many Yes voters are happy with their choice. Many No voters are even angrier than they were when the poll asked the question.

Forget Kirkby for a minute.

Is it right for Everton FC to be part of a shopping Mall alongside Boots, Tesco’s and a bloody great car park where on a Sat and Sun afternoon angry shoppers will find no where to park, be subjected to abuse from opposing fans and do you think the stores will be happy?

Its a bad move for all concerned. It would be a bad move irrespective of where the shopping mall is. Kirkby, Netherton, Fazakerly.. Walton.

Read the words not the rhetoric, Kirkby may be right or wrong, but a shopping precinct is not the place for an ambitious club.

And if we are not to be ambitious? Fine. At least you would get a parking space every Sat or Sunday at Tesco because there won’t be a full house watching the game.
Tom Hughes
42   Posted 21/11/2007 at 08:27:02

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Can anyone tell me if any of the Evertonian forums who all conducted a poll before/during the ballot actually recorded a vote of YES for Kirkby. I can’t remember any being even close to a yes, but there are a few I don’t go on much. Even the Echo’s and Post’s phone in poll’s were against it weren’t they, a mystery!!! Who issued the list of those allowed to vote again? ;)
Alan Williams
43   Posted 21/11/2007 at 08:05:33

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EFC was the first club to poll the fans! result Yes!!! Do we want to turn in to Ebbs Fleet United????? No. The club and board have done more than most and the debate is OVER! you cant change the vote to suit your result (unless your in Pakistan). Why should the people of the City have a vote? never heard so much dog shit ever!! maybe you should ask the people of Walton and Anfield if they want RS in Stanley Park!!! The board is a LTD company they are paid to make decisions that?s what company?s do, our future as a team is in their hands like every other club in the land. BK takes no money in wages and took out loans against his house and business to buy the club how many of us would do that? If you want to change from Kirkby then lobby LCC to put the whole Tesco project in the middle of Walton Park then we will all be happy. The loop is a poor plan B and will never interest EFC Ltd so offer them a plan C. I?m certain LCC will not agree so that shows you just how serious they are, not very! I had to take many days of thought before I voted yes but what made my mind up was the NO campaigners attitude to the club and owners. Regardless of what the result was going to be I would have respected it and moved on you guys dont seem to accept democracy and that always weakens any cause. Support the team please EFC Rule!!
Tom hughes
44   Posted 21/11/2007 at 08:50:23

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Willo, I love this use of the word democracy. Democracy usually means having at least 2 options to vote for..... what was it: Kirkby or doom? A stadium for "practically nothing"? Absolutely no references to options in the ballot papers..... Even Hitler was elected you know..... where the German people right, did democracy give a great result there? You said you thought long and hard..... what info did you have? I asked continually during the vote: how much this would cost the club, and how much it would cost to redevelop, and how did they compare? Not one pro-kirkby poster on all of these forums could tell me....... I asked about the ridiculously low public transport capacity for Kirkby and how this would be addressed..... How could you possibly make a decison without these fundamental questions being fully answered. This is the biggest decision in the club’s history. Would you buy anything without knowing the price, or did you believe we were on a freeby? There are a multitude of other issues regarding history/tradition and identity that I asume you tried to rationalise, but you simply canot say you could make anything like a sound judgement based on what we were given. It’s not possible!!! Now mysteriously we are getting info about "practically nothing" costing £50-80m. You could completely transform GP for that amount. We are also getting some of the transport study data, which the club has had for months, and they look distinctly ropey..... no wonder the club went enquiring about the possibility of resurecting the trams, and haven’t released this report to date. I respect your opinion as an Evertonian, but increasingly it has little to back it up. BTW I too went into debt to buy my share in the club..... the "widow’s mite" and all that.
Tom Edwards
45   Posted 21/11/2007 at 10:07:47

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Oh God!

Listen folks, I don?t want the club to move to Kirkby. I didn?t get a vote, so I couldn?t make a dent in the "yes" majority. However, the club gave it?s mandate and the (very small) majority voted for it. Sometimes there are downsides to living in a democracy. Perhaps if the idle bastards who didn?t bother to vote had actually got off their arse.......

We are going to Kirkby because that is the cheapest option and cheapest options tend to suit our board. Oh, and don?t forget, the majority voted for it!
Karl Masters
46   Posted 21/11/2007 at 11:17:56

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Gary Sedgwick and your Miami comparison:

I’ve been to Miami and there is one major difference here that you have overlooked.

In Miami the stadium you talk of is miles ot and there is ample room all around for parking that caters for 70,000 crowds. The car park there is bloody enormous and linked to 4 and 5 lane Highways with ample junctions. Also, due to the climate, people arrive early, eat outside, after the game they disperse more slowly etc.

In Kirkby there will be only 1000 parking spaces and people will be having great difficulty parking. The motorways are not even close to US standard or size and apparently they are upgrading public transport links even though the train line is old and can’t take more than 4000 people an hour. Buses will help, but only to a degree and the number of people arriving on foot will have to drop from now as the stadium will not be central.

I can see Kirkby being the mother of all nightmares with us having to go into Liverpool to get transport out there and then come all the way back again afterwards as cars will not be feasible to park safely nearby. If the team is performing badly on the pitch, who will want the hassle? Some fans will come less often or hardly at all.

Finally, Miami and Liverpool. One has a population of 7 million, the other has a population of half a million. Not really a sensible comparison is it? 70,000 in Miami is 1% of the population, 50,000 in Liverpool is 10% of the population.
Alistair Ford
47   Posted 21/11/2007 at 13:29:05

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Surely the very fact that we?re all still having this debate shows that this cannot go ahead? There is too much of a divide and it breaks my heart seeing Evertonians tearing strips out of each other like this.

If we want action, simply email Bill and Bill all these debates so they can see just how didvided we all are.
Alan Williams
48   Posted 21/11/2007 at 13:20:54

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Tom, take off your blinkers! you say we never had two options then if you add up No and Yes to me that adds up to two?? What has the transport got to do with you and every other fan who voted? That job is down to the local planning auth and to get approval they must meet the required criteria. Your counter argument is futile like all the others because all plan B/C options have a worse transport link than the proposed site. example the loop site is 50% locked in by duel carriage way. Nobody seems to understand the simple fact that to get EFC Ltd on board you have to offer a valid counter offer to the Tesco subsidized scheme. Naming and selling of GP is quoted at £30 million plus so EFC outlay could be as little as £20 million on top if prices dont increase. GP has been shelved mainly due to LCC but again subject to palnning and appeals from local residents could take years and not guaranteed to go through. Its a simple fact that Walton Park with Tesco is a workable project but LCC have no balls to do it. LCC say two wrongs dont make a right(LFC Stanley Park) which says to me LFc mean more to LCC than EFC simple! Dont be fooled by Bradley he has no conviction in what he does and sits on the fence thats why is a Liberal. I emailed KEIOC asking them to push WP with Tesco but guess what no answer!!! The answer to unite us all again is WP if no then I?m sorry Kirkby we are going. EFC
Tony Williams
49   Posted 21/11/2007 at 13:30:21

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Rich Jones, what have the Redshite got to do with our possible move to Kirkby. I couldn’t give two fooks what our move means to them, they mean nothing to me, neither do United.

It is mentioned that we shouldn’t have a Tesco’s, Boots etc near our ground. Forgive me if I am wrong but aren’t there a number of Kwiky’s just a street lengths away from the Old Lady?

The Peoples Club thing was funny for a season when Moyes said it, but it is disgusting that the club have continued with it and it is a bit embarrasing that it is even emblazened on our ground.

In regards to the vote, should we keep on voting until we get a No outcome? What happens then, do the Yes voters cry out for another vote to try and get the yes vote again?

I have always said that it is was a digusting publicity stunt that the club had entered into, to put the vote to the fans. We, as clearly shown on web forums, are far too sentimental and inconsistent to have such a decision forced onto us.

We don’t have the business accumen and it is clear that we were not in possession of all the facts when the poll came around.

However the vote is over and I understand why the No voters are continually posting threads about it but it will not do any good. The the Board the "People" have spoken and the road to Kirkby is ever nearer and no amount of debating and name calling will affect that fact.
Tom Hughes
50   Posted 21/11/2007 at 14:09:14

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Willo,
The emirates is bound by 2 railway lines with bridge getting people onto its island at one end the actual stadium would comfortably fit within the loop site. The Millenium stadium is bound by tight city blocks on 3 sides, and a river close up to the other...... HOK have assessed the site and see no problems. In the city centre at present there are several schemes that have been generated via or with the aid of enabling developments and dwarfs anything proposed for Kirkby. The city planning office is now one of the biggest and busiest in the country as a result, and this proposal has been embraced by them. Presumably your naming rites and sale of goodison could relate to the Loop also, except there of course the naming rights would be much greater being a more high profile location..... not to mention the potential for additional stadia use in the city centre. Unfortunately, I believe Goodison Park is currently remortgaged to its full value, and I’m not sure the naming rights you’re proposing are realistic or speculative for the location. Also if the final cost is nearer the £80m figure we’re getting even further away from nothing! There has been no planning permission granted to Kirkby yet, Goodison exists, and there is enough room at the Parkend alone to build an enabler and a stand to get the stadium upto 50k seats in one go, with that enabling development reducing the net cost to the club. There are a multitude of variations that can be developed to meet the clubs needs via redevelopment, and the planning dept are open to requests, which is basically what has been said to the club at their meetings. The figures are leaking out now, they are coming from the club and their consultants, yet you ask me to take my blinkers off.
strewth
51   Posted 21/11/2007 at 14:34:30

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Those expressing disbelief about our funding of Kirkby and all its associated issues should consider how this all applies and more so to sites now being "offered" that LFC wouldn?t touch. The only realistic site in the city able to attract a funding partner without which nothing happens is Walton Hall Park. But beloved LCC including KEIOC?s "friend" Bradley won?t hear of it. Where do we find the money to refurbish GP even if we could get the planning clearance this side of 2012? How does the loop meet evacuation standards now demanded of major stadia not to mention the massive transport/access headache? Who is the committed funding partner in that one? Against all this the choice was and still is sweet FA or Kirkby. This is effectively what was on the ballot. The majority were either voting positively for Kirkby or against SFA.
Steve Rewth
52   Posted 21/11/2007 at 15:32:43

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Those expressing disbelief about our funding of Kirkby and all its associated issues should consider how this all applies and more so to sites now being "offered" that LFC wouldn?t touch. The only realistic site in the city able to attract a funding partner without which nothing happens is Walton Hall Park. But beloved LCC including KEIOC?s "friend" Bradley won?t hear of it. Where do we find the money to refurbish GP even if we could get the planning clearance this side of 2012? How does the loop meet evacuation standards now demanded of major stadia not to mention the massive transport/access headache? Who is the committed funding partner in that one? Against all this the choice was and still is sweet FA or Kirkby. This is effectively what was on the ballot. The majority were either voting positively for Kirkby or against SFA.
Ajamu Mutumwa
53   Posted 21/11/2007 at 16:04:37

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Who the fuck do you think we are Ebbfleet United?

The Board exist to make decsions - right or wrong. While the Board hold their position "in trust" Everton is not a co-operative.

The No voters are a significant MINORITY - not the majority of Everton fans. I wonder when that unpalatable fact will sink in.

To answer Tom’s question about websites voting yes before the ballot. The echo (I read it online) consistently recorded about 50/50 before the vote.

Toffeeweb, if I recall, with a very large voter base (around 3,000 responses I believe), narrowly voted yes, but with reservations over the design of the stadium.
Tommy Jones
54   Posted 21/11/2007 at 16:35:48

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This is all utter rubbish. Everton as stated previously ARE a Ltd company. As such the board make decisions, if they make the wrong one who’s money goes down the pan? theres. I have been ( & still go) an evertonian for many more years than most of your scribes, I have seen Goodison grow into the best club ground in the country then deteriate into one of the worst. So I have lived 63 years of its history , I love Everton FC but I could never be able to pump in hundreds of thousands in fact millions of pounds needed for a new stadium. Nor I believe would anyone writing to this site. Like it or not that is your ultimate question & answer. There is NO choice other than the board s its there cash. We move to Kirkby or find a very very big sugar daddy. ??? It aint going to happen. So chill out accept what is there and support Everton FC. NO ALTERNATIVE.
John Doe
55   Posted 21/11/2007 at 16:30:30

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Pay attention as i will say this only once.

Despite being a supporter for 37 years and a former long term resident of both wavertree and new brighton I was denied a vote on one of the most monumental decisions of the clubs history because i no longer live there but in another vicinity.

Absolute bollocks.

But nearly as much as the decision to hamper and berate other supporters of this same vicinity which may I add has a population of some 1.4 million people.

Thats right, nearly one and a half million individuals.

Of course they are not all supporters of this club, but i am willing to bet that there must be a significant number amongst myself somewhere is that number who are experiencing similar problems.

i wish i could be more forthcoming but surely men of your education should know what I am suggesting.

Apathy is not a solution. i would not be surprised if this is not the first time someone has come forward to complain.

Screwing over one individual who got out of line for whatever reason is acceptable to a degree but why should other supporters of this great club have to suffer the consequences.
Neil McKinney
56   Posted 21/11/2007 at 16:37:02

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Firstly I’d like to commend Christine’s effort on this one. I disagree with much of her article, but I feel that it is an honest attempt to suggest a way forward for disgruntled Evertonians. Maybe the idea is crap, but at least she did something constructive instead of the "End of" posts and "history will not forgive you" shit.

So many fucking experts come out of the woodwork on these threads, spouting bollox and making sweeping generalisations and assumptions.

The main issue I have with yet another poll was touched on in an earlier response above. How many polls do we have before it is decided that the decision is that "the people". I understand the view that we are all stakeholders and I am sure that many fans out there have shares, but this is a business not a fucking democracy! We elect a government in this country to make decisions, we don’t have a referendum every time there is a major decision to make (though some may prefer this). The reason for this is that not everybody has the understanding, knowledge or information to make such decisions.

"Liverpool is the City of Culture for 2008; how should Everton FC be marketed in light of this and any Tesco alliance?" What? Is this a fucking exam question? 3000 words is it? Yes/No questions are one thing but opebn ended questions like that, which require information and projections (which can always be debated), are a waste of time. Maybe you know what your answer would be Christine, but many wouldn’t.

Let’s have another vote. When that doesn’t go the way everyone wants then we’ll have another.. and another... and another.

Many people who post in response to articles on the stadium debate are convinced that BK and KW are incapable of making these important decisions, yet they will trust any fan to do it (as long as they vote the way they want).

However, at least Christine’s trying to suggest ways of voicing concerns that many Evertonians have that this move is looking increasingly cut price and rushed through. We won’t accept cheap rubbish, unfortunately, it’s all we can afford.

The Tesco jokes are funny and all that, but it’s easy to come on here and make sarcastic remarks about price checks and the like. If you don’t like it then at least try and do something constructive about it rather than just insulting people who disagree.
Dave Wilson
57   Posted 21/11/2007 at 19:09:11

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I really am getting fed up with people who voted yes coming on here berating the people who are campagning for a better deal.You bought in and settled for the proposal, Fair enough, but the people who feel the club is far too important to them and dont wont to settle for a second rate cowshed must surely be entitled to fight for something better
If as you claim you voted for what you think was right, fine, you’ve had your say, the rest of us have our sights a little higher
Tony Williams
58   Posted 21/11/2007 at 22:08:55

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So Dave Wilson, you are fed up with the Yes voters and consider that they have had their say and should now be quiet, is that about the jist of it then?

What makes your views or the views of the No voters so pertinent then, why should we all just listen to them and shun the Yes voters?
Tony Gee
59   Posted 21/11/2007 at 22:14:55

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As a Welsh blue nose, i am currently pissing my pants watching the aftermath of the England game...

Slaven Bilic in, David Moyes out....

Rob Hollis
60   Posted 21/11/2007 at 23:17:39

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As an English Everton supporter can I congratulate the FA once again upon a brilliant managerial appointment.

The team have a much balls as the organisation. I was delighted they lost and am just sorry that Scotland (who did not consider they had a divine right to qualify) did not.

May we wish another boring yes man a long retirement.
Rich Jones
61   Posted 22/11/2007 at 00:04:09

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Mr Williams, to me they will always be the enemy and are part of the reason we’re in this mess, and if you yes voters want to give the city to them then I dont want part of it. If this move goes forward you have all condemned Everton to a long lingering death, so hang your head in shame Mr Williams.
Christine Foster
62   Posted 22/11/2007 at 01:54:00

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To Neil McKinney. You may not agree with the detail but I thank you for your comments. It is a real attempt to stop the divisions in the supporter base by asking in the end simple questions. But I feel in doing so we will put an end to the rubbish spoken on both sides and clearly give the club a REAL mandate.
Supported by the Majority of People. I for one would acknowledge democracy if we had it. We had a limited proposal on the table which I understand given all the circumstances the board believed was the best road to go along to assess the opportunity. EFC is a Ltd company but we are its customers. A company that doesn’t listen to its customers has a short life and so do the board. If a yes vote comes in that will be the end of it, no more debate no more polls, just make it happen. Get on with it.

But as it stands, we have a huge club in Everton FC. I think ALL of us would agree that if possible we keep it in Liverpool, but just as important is the quality of the stadium, its location and its presence. Its my personal view that at least one of those two criteria for acceptance should be acheived. The board do have a responsibility for honouring a proud clubs history, but more than that, they have a duty to make the club profitable and pass on the legacy to future generations.

If the board only wants to hear from a selective set of people, perhaps we should call it a Private Peoples Club..

We just need to clear the desks of the issues and go forward with a little transparency.
Dave Wilson
63   Posted 22/11/2007 at 06:31:03

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Tony Williams

Yes that is the gist of it, no voters are striving for something better, you have shamefully excepted second best, so what exactly is your point ? what do you want to change ? could it be your afraid that a better option is found exposing the yes vote as an vote taken by people who coudnt be arsed to fight for something better.
Trust me when Kirkby is blown out of the water - as it will be - and you are watching EFC in Liverpool, you’ll never find anyone willing to admit they were weak willed enough to have voted for it
until then get used to it, we fight on
John Sreet
64   Posted 22/11/2007 at 09:34:44

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Well I went to Wembley last night to see our boys fail miserably against Croatia, but that?s not the reason for this mail.
If getting out of the new stadium at Kirkby is anything like getting out of Wembley then just forget it.
Both are in reasonably remote locations, both served by one station, both have inadequate parking facilities...................what a nightmare 40,000 fans at least trying to get to the tube, the police acting like gestapo in their attempt to keep order.............no-one knew where else to go, buses we?re packed no taxis cos they don?t like football fans..........took me two hours plus to get back to victoria, it?s about the same journey as Kirkby is from Liverpool.
My response............never again, never, never.........not because we lost, but it? just takes the joy out of the occasion.............Wembley not bad, facilities ok..............but the journey.......forget Kikby just on this issue alone, never mind the stadiun, nightmare total total nightmare.
Tony Kelly
65   Posted 22/11/2007 at 09:44:50

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If this move to Kirkby goes ahead it will mean the slow lingering death of our beloved EFC. I was at the Kirkby suite last week for about an hour and not one person i spoke to was in favour of this plan. There was a number of Tesco suits there to answer any quieries; I Can assure you that these people never had a clue about anything. Talk about southern softies! I came away from there with a heavy heart thinking we are prostituting our beloved club to enable a multinational to get a foothold in Kirkby. Think again, Barry Morre's pal Kenwright.
Tom Hughes
66   Posted 22/11/2007 at 10:16:37

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John,
Sort of kills the myth: "What does it matter, it’s only a few miles?" doesn’t it? Convenience and efficient people movement are essential features, yet they have often been discarded with that throw away statement by so many blues on these forums for the past few months. The basic transport outline given in another fan article illustrates precisely what you experienced last night!!
Tony Williams
67   Posted 22/11/2007 at 12:28:58

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Dave Wilson, I thought that my point was quite simple as was the question.

What makes the views of one set of fans so much more right than the other sets of fans.

It’s not rocket science mate.

Whilse we are at it, what are tomorrow nights numbers, as you seem to be able to predict the future.

Stephen Stott
68   Posted 22/11/2007 at 16:52:22

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Sorry Christine I don’t understand your logic:-
"
Supported by the Majority of People. I for one would acknowledge democracy if we had it. We had a limited proposal on the table which I understand given all the circumstances the board believed was the best road to go along to assess the opportunity. EFC is a Ltd company but we are its customers."

We did have democracy and the vote was YES to move to Kirkby - the NO vote even came in 3rd. You might not like the result but that’s democracy. iAccept it & move on PLEASE. Why are we still having this debate.
Dave Wilson
69   Posted 22/11/2007 at 18:35:19

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Tony Williams

Smell the coffee lad, look around you as your fellow yes men begin to disappear, seeing the true images, and hearing how undeliverable the parking claims will be were bad enough, Listening to the shite KW now spouting must be painfully embarressing to you, you sold out by giving this clown a mandate - like I said you’ve had your say - its up to us to overturn it
When I said we wont be going to Kirkby I was hardly predicting the future, I was stating what even you must realise is the blindingly obvious
David Kenton
70   Posted 22/11/2007 at 20:23:19

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The support base effectively breaks down into two camps: those of us who have the ability to question the motives of those desperately (ever more so it appears from each day?s news events) looking to get the Kirkby retail park move nailed down; and others who are, in all likelihood, Yes men in other areas of their existence also...people who conform rather than dissent, even when something doesn?t feel quite right.

In my experience, there?s none so bloody-minded as a Yes man who?s had the mirror of truth held up to their face. They?ll dig in now, regardless of how much this Kirkby retail park looks like they?ve been sold a pup.



Steve Pugh
71   Posted 22/11/2007 at 20:20:02

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okay, as far as i recall nobody voted yes to a definite move to Kirkby, they voted yes to continuing talks. This means that anyone has a right to comment, complain, discuss and even change their minds over any alterations to the original plans.

Bestway are still putting money into the Loop proposal, does this not suggest that there is at least some mileage in investigating it. Bestway tell us it is vialble to build a 60,000 seater stadium on that site, not an ikea stadium either but a proper iconic stadium, and the board dismiss it without even listening.

At the moment, if we are honest, nobody knows how much Kirkby will cost, nobody knows how much the Loop will cost and nobody knows how much the redevelopment of Goodison will cost.
What always gets me about this is the hotel. If Kirkby gets the go ahead how much much money will the ground generate on non match days, unless they open the bars and cafes up to the shoppers my guess is not much. If the Loop was built we would get not only a football stadium but a hotel as well. Honeymoon overlooking the pitch, business trip watching the boys train, conference facilities high above the stands, yes please. That would give the club a decent income on top of whatever else is generated by the ground.

We voted to talk about kirkby, well i have listened to the proposal, at times I thought it looked good, but most of the time I cringed. When I saw the pictures of the stadium with Tesco in the foreground I coulodn’t believe it. I remember being told on here once that the board had promised that the ground would not be part of the shopping centre, it would be set back and separate - guess that was a lie. Now I don’t expect a vote, but I do expect the board to do what is best for Everton Football Club and all of its stakeholders.

For those of you who don’t know what a stakeholder is, it is anyone who is affected by the actions of a company. But I digress, the board needs to listen to the loop proposal and look at the figures and then tell us why the Kirkby project is financially better for the club in the long term. No fantasies about the Kirkby having the potential to go 75,000 even though Knowsley council say no, I want true facts, true costs, proper P&L forecasts etc. etc. Prove once and for all that they are doing this for the club and not for themselves.

All those in favour say Aye.
Lee Smith
72   Posted 22/11/2007 at 23:13:28

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Aye
Christine Foster
73   Posted 23/11/2007 at 01:20:01

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Steve Pugh
I guess you put into clear words what I tried too. Thank you for that. I agree ... We agreed to talk thats not a mandate for poor decisions.
For all those who moan and whinge about the fact that so many won’t accept Kirkby as the best or only solution available to us, let me ask teh question, Finally. What happens if Kirkby is thrown out as an option for what ever reason and there are many to chose from other than emotion, Where then for Everton Football club? Because as it stands we are stuffed according to the board. Does that mean we will never move,? or die? No it doesn;t. The board has options but it is choosing to ignore them over other. Will the Loop suddenly be the new flavour of the week? Will they then say that its the best option? even better than Kirkby?
Of course they will. Its not just about a board doing the right thing, its about being seen to do it the right way.
Nuff said.


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