The Mail Bag
Reade it and Weep
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I'm generally an optimist even after supporting EFC all my life and have felt that a lot of the BK criticicism has been less than justified in the past. However, reading Brian Reade's article in the Mirror today has more than stretched that optimism and in truth brings the stark reality of our close season decline into sharp focus.
It's been asked before on this site how the successes of last season could have been negated in just a few short weeks and sadly, Reade's piece puts that clearly into context.
"Do you refuse to believe a great club can ever settle for second best? Or do you embrace pauper status simply on the grounds that your current custodians are relatively skint?"
This is one of the questions Reade poses and maybe a few other Blue optimists like me will draw their own conclusions.
Dave Brierley, Posted 09/08/2008 at 09:32:21
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Again, not that I 'm a blue/black (am I allowed to put that word without being attacked as a racist?) Bill hater, but it is good to see the nationals writing about the ongoings at our club.
The pinkies spot on. The lack of prescence in Liverpool One, is indicative of ’blue blills’ maladministration of our precariosuly placed club.
I feel sorry for the dads with young kids who have to explain to them whilst walking round town why they should support Everton like daddy, when there’s wall to wall Liverpool propaganda and bugger all evidence of the mythical ’Everton’.
I hope for the love of god, next saturday that the fans turns their frustrations the way of the directors box. I know we need to to pull together for the players we HAVE got on the pitch. But i think a little short term distraction is for the greater long term good.
We are on a knife edge, the decisions made (or not) in the next twelve months really could shape our future. Bill your out your depth, living in cloud fucking cuckoo land, get us a buyer and get out whilst you still enjoy the general good will of the fans and your increasingly exasperated manager.
Three points next Saturday. COYB!
I feel sorry for the dads with young kids who have to explain to them whilst walking round town why they should support Everton like daddy, when there’s wall to wall Liverpool propaganda and bugger all evidence of the mythical ’Everton’.
I hope for the love of god, next saturday that the fans turns their frustrations the way of the directors box. I know we need to to pull together for the players we HAVE got on the pitch. But i think a little short term distraction is for the greater long term good.
We are on a knife edge, the decisions made (or not) in the next twelve months really could shape our future. Bill your out your depth, living in cloud fucking cuckoo land, get us a buyer and get out whilst you still enjoy the general good will of the fans and your increasingly exasperated manager.
Three points next Saturday. COYB!
Chad you racist SOAB! I’m reporting you!
It was a good article by reade but that’s what he’s paid for, impressive for a gobshite though.
It was a good article by reade but that’s what he’s paid for, impressive for a gobshite though.
Brutally honest article asking some very pertinent questions. If only all articles in the papers were as good as this...
Reade’s article is just another piece of mindless dreaming which adds nothing to the debate. It berates BK for living in the real world of our actual financial situation and what we can afford - rather than in his fantasy land in which an Everton shop in the centre of town would achieve a return on its considerable investment (it wouldn’t), and we can afford a world class stadium in the city (we can’t). Dream on!
Niel even Chester have a club shop in there own city, you really are Kenwrights gimp arnt you!!
The article makes very valid points about Everton’s marketing, but was it down to a lack of ambition or funds. Could this aspect also have something to do with Wyness moving on or being moved on as he is now going to keep silent we will not know.
As regard our Chairman, I think it has been bemoaned many times about his statements of looking for investors but apparently only on his terms such that he does not lose overall control. I think it has often been said that he wants to keep his train set!! The truth of the matter is that the club is not an attractive proposition for a wealthy billionaire,
1) Overshadowed in every way by our neighbours.
2) The way the shareholding is structured discourages investment.
3) A dilapidated stadium which requires oodles of money to fix or a new stadium which would also require said oodles of money which we do not have.
4) Very much in debt whether you take it as short term or long term.
5) The only assets are an old stadium and the players.
The club I am afraid is just not an attractive investment.
As regard our Chairman, I think it has been bemoaned many times about his statements of looking for investors but apparently only on his terms such that he does not lose overall control. I think it has often been said that he wants to keep his train set!! The truth of the matter is that the club is not an attractive proposition for a wealthy billionaire,
1) Overshadowed in every way by our neighbours.
2) The way the shareholding is structured discourages investment.
3) A dilapidated stadium which requires oodles of money to fix or a new stadium which would also require said oodles of money which we do not have.
4) Very much in debt whether you take it as short term or long term.
5) The only assets are an old stadium and the players.
The club I am afraid is just not an attractive investment.
To Neil Pearse,
And I thought I was negative!
It is fans like you who give Kenwright the backing he undoubtedly undeserves.
BK has admitted defeat in our attempts to get a CL place this season - before a ball has even been kicked. Disgraceful.
Fuck off Bill, you are pathetic.
And I thought I was negative!
It is fans like you who give Kenwright the backing he undoubtedly undeserves.
BK has admitted defeat in our attempts to get a CL place this season - before a ball has even been kicked. Disgraceful.
Fuck off Bill, you are pathetic.
Rich, I think property in Chester may be a little cheaper than property in the centre of Liverpool! Seriously, mate, do you think we would make money on our own dedicated shop in the city centre?
By the way, I am so far off being BK’s "gimp" that I think it is absolutely essential that we get a new owner into the club. That is the main reason I was in favour of Kirkby.
By the way, I am so far off being BK’s "gimp" that I think it is absolutely essential that we get a new owner into the club. That is the main reason I was in favour of Kirkby.
Robbie, the likes of Kevin Keegan and Harry Redknapp have also "admitted defeat" in terms of breaking into the top four given the complete financial imbalance between clubs. That is because it is so obviously true. And because they are quite sensibly trying to put pressure on various authorities to level the playing field a bit.
I think BK is not so much raising the white flag as refusing to indulge in the charge of the light brigade. Leeds were the last club to give that a go.
I think BK is not so much raising the white flag as refusing to indulge in the charge of the light brigade. Leeds were the last club to give that a go.
Hmm... let me see, Neil: Everton also get 36,000 every home game, Chester get 1,500 that's 24 times more fans just at home games. I don't think the rent if it is more expensive would be 24 times that of Chester, which by the way is also very pricey.
Is that the same Leeds, that Kenwright took advice of there then chairman Ridsdale on mortgageing our season ticket sales, Neil?
Neil
Do you have nothing to else to add to the debate?
Reade has accurately summarised Kenwrights reign and MO when he faces serious criticism.
The club is a laughing stock, locally and nationally because of this man, we should be looking to challenge the top four, but don?t have the means to do it despite some strong league finishes. This summer has been a wasted opportunity.
When David Moyes leaves at the the end of the season, what will be the next line of defence offered by BK supporters?
Do you have nothing to else to add to the debate?
Reade has accurately summarised Kenwrights reign and MO when he faces serious criticism.
The club is a laughing stock, locally and nationally because of this man, we should be looking to challenge the top four, but don?t have the means to do it despite some strong league finishes. This summer has been a wasted opportunity.
When David Moyes leaves at the the end of the season, what will be the next line of defence offered by BK supporters?
I’m amazed at the blinkered views of the Everton fans. We are overshadowed because we have no investment and why do we have no investment? Because we are not attractive enough. Goodison is a shed and the only way we could afford a new ground was too get the inexpensive offer from Tesco. But, Everton fans have urinated all over the only chance we had of challengng the big four. We are in Liverpols shadow and will be for a long time due to ........Everton fans. Killing Everton’s investment opportunity completely.
David, I think Kenwright needs to go! Pretty urgently. I agree with him (and I assume you) that he does not have enough money to back a top Premiership football club. I first wrote on this site a couple of years ago that the main issue for the club was getting a major new owner. I assume we agree about all this?
I assume I disagree with you about Kirkby. I think Kirkby was BK’s way of finding a way out the club’s current financial trap, and of securing new ownership and investment. You and Brian Reade seem to believe something else - that Kenwright should have been able to take Everton to the next level without first securing an affordable new ground. I think that is just lazy dreaming.
I assume I disagree with you about Kirkby. I think Kirkby was BK’s way of finding a way out the club’s current financial trap, and of securing new ownership and investment. You and Brian Reade seem to believe something else - that Kenwright should have been able to take Everton to the next level without first securing an affordable new ground. I think that is just lazy dreaming.
Neil, I agree. The only chance we had of doing anything as a club was by going to Kirkby. Hopefully it will still happen and will be worth the wait.
Neil
I could label you a lazy dreamer re:Kirkby.
A new owner is required as a matter of urgency, within the next year.
I could label you a lazy dreamer re:Kirkby.
A new owner is required as a matter of urgency, within the next year.
David - we agree! But Kirkby was the route to new ownership. Not having no options stuck in GP.
So Neil
are you saying that we should accept a championship standard stadium in the middle of nowhere just to get rid of Kenwright?
are you saying that we should accept a championship standard stadium in the middle of nowhere just to get rid of Kenwright?
I see you have chose to ignor my factual figures regarding potential trade to city centre football store. Fair enough .
That was a message for Neil btw sorry.
Neil
are you also saying that a store in Liverpool 1 is incapable of making money,enhancing the brand,making our presence felt?
You sometimes remind me of an accountant that once recommended to Lee Lacocca (when he took over as chairman of Chrysler) that he should close a division down because it was losing money.
His response was "Shall I close the whole company down then and we wont be losing any money anywhere"
Moral of the story GOOD Management vs BAD Management.
If we can do it on the pitch with limited resources surely we can do it in a retail store in one of the best locations in the Northwest?
are you also saying that a store in Liverpool 1 is incapable of making money,enhancing the brand,making our presence felt?
You sometimes remind me of an accountant that once recommended to Lee Lacocca (when he took over as chairman of Chrysler) that he should close a division down because it was losing money.
His response was "Shall I close the whole company down then and we wont be losing any money anywhere"
Moral of the story GOOD Management vs BAD Management.
If we can do it on the pitch with limited resources surely we can do it in a retail store in one of the best locations in the Northwest?
Good post John
It does us good to reflect how close we are to the so called "Rich 4" but since last season we have lost some key players and not replaced them yet.
If we do get the replacements we need I can see another successful season but we need to start managing the financial operations better.
It does us good to reflect how close we are to the so called "Rich 4" but since last season we have lost some key players and not replaced them yet.
If we do get the replacements we need I can see another successful season but we need to start managing the financial operations better.
Jon Gee...you legend!!!
Come on blues ...when we get the first 3 points on the board next week i bet all this doom and gloom will be put aside !!
Come on blues ...when we get the first 3 points on the board next week i bet all this doom and gloom will be put aside !!
Brian Reade is a populist.
He writes about all kinds of things but he only ever writes what he thinks the reader will want to hear and sell newspapers.
Accepted that his ability to coin a phrase or write succinctly makes him a journalist and my inability makes me not a journalist but has he really said anything most people on here didn’t already know?
For Brian, his extent of investigative journalism probably extends to coming on sites like this and regurgitating what we say.
Where is the real journalism, where is the analysis? WHY haven’t Everton got a shop in the City centre? Wyness opened three shops, did they profit? WHY are our shirt sales so low? What is the culture amongst Everton fans? Those are the questions he should be investigating to merit his national status in my opinion.
For a man in his position what he REALLY should be doing is trying to find the answers we all want;
HAS there been approaches of investment, WHY can we afford £78M to go to Kirkby but can’t redevelop GP.
HOW come the fact that the school behind Bullens Road want to move and the council want to move them to a new building free of charge, WILL the man who owns the van sales depot on the end of Priory Road sell up to give us a huge footprint? CAN the Park End really be extended? WHAT is the REAL cost of the Kirkby deal? etc etc etc
See where I’m coming from?
If I were in his position I’d really be asking those questions, instead what we have is a "journalist" sitting in his ivory tower, using plagiarism as his standard tool for mass circulation popularity.
There are serious burning questions that all Evertonians would like answered and he has wasted column inches repeating what this small minority already know.
He writes about all kinds of things but he only ever writes what he thinks the reader will want to hear and sell newspapers.
Accepted that his ability to coin a phrase or write succinctly makes him a journalist and my inability makes me not a journalist but has he really said anything most people on here didn’t already know?
For Brian, his extent of investigative journalism probably extends to coming on sites like this and regurgitating what we say.
Where is the real journalism, where is the analysis? WHY haven’t Everton got a shop in the City centre? Wyness opened three shops, did they profit? WHY are our shirt sales so low? What is the culture amongst Everton fans? Those are the questions he should be investigating to merit his national status in my opinion.
For a man in his position what he REALLY should be doing is trying to find the answers we all want;
HAS there been approaches of investment, WHY can we afford £78M to go to Kirkby but can’t redevelop GP.
HOW come the fact that the school behind Bullens Road want to move and the council want to move them to a new building free of charge, WILL the man who owns the van sales depot on the end of Priory Road sell up to give us a huge footprint? CAN the Park End really be extended? WHAT is the REAL cost of the Kirkby deal? etc etc etc
See where I’m coming from?
If I were in his position I’d really be asking those questions, instead what we have is a "journalist" sitting in his ivory tower, using plagiarism as his standard tool for mass circulation popularity.
There are serious burning questions that all Evertonians would like answered and he has wasted column inches repeating what this small minority already know.
John Gee.........
You’ve only just stopped buying the Sun and Mail, that is a disgrace.
The Scum should never be read in this city, and it annoys me everytime I see someone reading it, I mean come-one, they weren’t only calling liverpool fans scum but scousers, us, scum. Its also a terrible, terrible paper focused solely on making money with headlines and non-sensical ramblings against immigrants, the eu, tax etc without offering any actual evidence and generally lies, it does that with the news of course it does it with the sport. Again its owned by Sky, so of course its going to adopt a sky4 monopoly on focus only on that, the rest is generalisation and lies, everything in that paper is shite and is designed only to make people more right-wing.
The Mail is middle-class, racist shite. Just dont buy it.
You’ve only just stopped buying the Sun and Mail, that is a disgrace.
The Scum should never be read in this city, and it annoys me everytime I see someone reading it, I mean come-one, they weren’t only calling liverpool fans scum but scousers, us, scum. Its also a terrible, terrible paper focused solely on making money with headlines and non-sensical ramblings against immigrants, the eu, tax etc without offering any actual evidence and generally lies, it does that with the news of course it does it with the sport. Again its owned by Sky, so of course its going to adopt a sky4 monopoly on focus only on that, the rest is generalisation and lies, everything in that paper is shite and is designed only to make people more right-wing.
The Mail is middle-class, racist shite. Just dont buy it.
Rich - fair point, and sorry not to respond. Maybe you are right and we would make money with a dedicated city centre store. I don’t know how Chester do it. I imagine that the upfront investment was too large. But I have agreed that our merchandising performance has been poor over recent years.
Jay - well Kirkby obviously can’t be "in the middle of nowhere" because LCC has just violently objected to a retail development there because it would threaten their Liverpool city centre shops. I guess it must instead be clearly part of the greater Liverpool economic area. Which given its adjacent geographic proximity and common social makeup would make sense, wouldn’t it?
Jay, all I am saying is that BK is not the major problem. I actually believe he has done a pretty decent job in difficult circumstances. But we need a major new owner with much greater resources. We all agree that. But for that we need an affordable new ground etc.. You seem to disagree with that, and think that BK has also been the obstacle on his own to new ownership and investment. Well, we will see if you are right (I will be delighted if you are).
BK actually was trying to get us an affordable new ground, and had secured a very good deal indeed with Tesco and Knowsley. I believe we will regret that it was called in, leaving us few if any other good options. You believe that these options exist. I don’t see them, but, again, I hope you are right and I am wrong.
Jay - well Kirkby obviously can’t be "in the middle of nowhere" because LCC has just violently objected to a retail development there because it would threaten their Liverpool city centre shops. I guess it must instead be clearly part of the greater Liverpool economic area. Which given its adjacent geographic proximity and common social makeup would make sense, wouldn’t it?
Jay, all I am saying is that BK is not the major problem. I actually believe he has done a pretty decent job in difficult circumstances. But we need a major new owner with much greater resources. We all agree that. But for that we need an affordable new ground etc.. You seem to disagree with that, and think that BK has also been the obstacle on his own to new ownership and investment. Well, we will see if you are right (I will be delighted if you are).
BK actually was trying to get us an affordable new ground, and had secured a very good deal indeed with Tesco and Knowsley. I believe we will regret that it was called in, leaving us few if any other good options. You believe that these options exist. I don’t see them, but, again, I hope you are right and I am wrong.
Neil, You held Leeds up as an example of where we wouldnt want to go, yet we used part of there catostrophic business model on own club after Kenwright took advice from Ridsdale with mortgageing of season ticket sales. You used Leeds can you explain this.
John Gee, you are the most deluded person on here; well done, that?s some record.
Marvin,
Quite correct, he hasn?t said anything that all on this site don?t already know.
Thing is he?s just gone and told the whole country.
Red Poison !
Quite correct, he hasn?t said anything that all on this site don?t already know.
Thing is he?s just gone and told the whole country.
Red Poison !
The Leeds behaviour I was thinking of Rich was becoming wildly unrealistic and spending way beyond their means on the bet that they would keep qualifying for Europe. Those of you (perhaps not you) who follow the idiot Reade in thinking Kenwright should be "more ambitious" can only mean that he should be spending a lot more money ("Kirkby is not good enough for us" etc.).
Securitising season ticket sales is regrettable in the sense that it would be better that we had enough ready cash flow without it. But, given that we don’t, it is perfectly sensible. If we hadn’t done it we would have had less money to buy new players. I assume you would not be in favour of that?
Securitising season ticket sales is regrettable in the sense that it would be better that we had enough ready cash flow without it. But, given that we don’t, it is perfectly sensible. If we hadn’t done it we would have had less money to buy new players. I assume you would not be in favour of that?
As a diehard Evertonian, I have never had such a stressful few weeks watching the club being hung, drawn and quartered in the media... but for what?
Yes the Kirkby project looks like its doomed to failure... and yes it has been quiet on the transfer front but why can't fans show a little patience and restraint when critisising the the manager and chairman?
I would rather have a chairman who gives his all to a club rather than a chairman who just goes on holiday and dosen't give two hoots what goes on. Both David Moyes and BK have steered the club away from the choppy waters that we found ourselves in when under PJ. We as fans need to pull together behind our manager and chairman and end this crazy and counter productive banter about the lack of transfer and who tells what about who and who's said what!!
We should be proud we have a chairman and manager who care so passionately about a club who's on the threshhold of breaking into the elite of English football.
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1 Posted 09/08/2008 at 09:47:45
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