What now for KEIOC?

What started out as a healthy and passionate debate amongst us blues graduated into a fierce, personalised and at times aggressive experience. Civil war not quite, but an intense exchange none the less. With the final result now in and having time to gauge fellow supporters views it has led me to question the future direction of KEIOC.

I admit I have not been one of KEIOC's biggest fans as I have witnessed first hand the intimidating tactics they have at times adopted. However I acknowledge that they are a group of dedicated blues who have put in a lot of time, effort and money into what they believe is in the best interests of our beloved club. Many of the No voters now, despite their disappointment, appear to be saying they will reluctantly unite behind the Kirkby move, so where does this leave KEIOC. I have come to three simplistic options:

Option 1 - KEIOC say 'the majority have spoken' and disband

Option 2 - KEIOC feel as 41% voted No they continue exploring options within LCC boundaries

Option 3 - KEIOC take a more aggressive stance and try to sabotage the Kirkby project

Option 1
In the past the Goodison for Ever-ton (GFE) campaign met an overwhelming majority in favour for moving away from Goodison Park, in both Peter Johnson's proposals and the ill-fated Kings Dock debacle. As a result, GFE faded very quickly, but will that happen to KEIOC? I think not. Why? two reasons: one being they are better organised than GFE; and two, the ballot result this time was closer. So I feel KEIOC will continue to exist and will continue to have a following, even though probably somewhat reduced since the ballot result.

Option 2
If, as I suspect, KEIOC stay around then their priority is to continue their search of finding both a viable and deliverable (I know, horrible words) option within the LCC boundary. Whatever your views on KEIOC, these guys have given Liverpool City Council a huge kick up the arse, too little too late maybe, but a kicking certainly. Unfortunately the re-development of Goodison and the Bestway Loop looked and still feel like a desperate an unrealistic effort by KEIOC and LCC to prevent a Yes vote, so other options need to be identified and identified quickly.

Option 3
KEIOC decide the failure to convince fans there is a Plan B and decide to actively get involved in protest marches etc, in effect attempt to sabotage Kirkby by joining forces with the Kirkby Residents Action Group. They also plan demonstrations at matches and continue to distance itself from the verbal insults at those who support the move and club officials.

Conclusion
As previously stated, I feel that KEIOC will not adopt Option 1 and in all fairness, due to the lack of a overwhelming Yes majority, I would understand their decision to continue. So that leaves Option 2 or Option 3 ? let?s start with the option that scares me most: Option 3.

Why does Option 3 scare me? ? simply because that?s the option that could lead the club to the brink of civil war. KEIOC started out stating they want to prove there are viable alternatives to Kirkby, I don't mean this as a criticism but the Yes result proves they didn't succeed. Any attempts to purely sabotage Kirkby for me would mean they are putting two fingers up to the majority of supporters who voted Yes, a 'take my ball home' reaction to not getting their own way.

This would then surely provoke a reaction from the Yes voters and the in-fighting on ToffeeWeb and other forums starts all again. The Editor of ToffeeWeb (Michael) has made what must be a difficult decision over the last couple of days in an attempt to stop supporters tearing each other apart and I applaud him for that. I just hope KEIOC don't go down what I feel would be a destructive route. Plus, as a Kirkby resident the debate as now moved on ? it's the turn of the people of Kirkby to express their views without the biased influence of a group that doesn't have Kirkby's best interests at heart. I feel also that if KEIOC was to get involved it could even have the opposite effect.

So that leaves me with Options 2; I hope that this is the route KEIOC take. Not only does it mean they continue with their original objective of looking for a site within Liverpool but it also shows respect to ALL Everton supporters ? Yes and No voters alike. We must remember nothing has been signed and Kirkby is not yet a done deal (despite what some people say) ? we?ve just witnessed over the Fernandes signing Everton have a habit of failing to deliver at the last hurdle. So if there is a genuine site which can deliver a similar financial package then KEIOC probably only have a couple of weeks before a planning application is submitted.

After the result was announced, KEIOC called for all supporters to unite behind the team and I commend them for that; however, I feel KEIOC's next step could have a huge influence on how long that unity lasts.

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