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It's quite shocking that us fans who actually are the reason EFC exist and everyone associated with the club has a roof over their head and food on their table (to say the least ignoring the Ferraris, Bentleys, Aston Martins etc) are kept in the dark and treated like sh!t. The only way to protest this is to hit the club where it hurts. They keep taking us for granted and we need to make a stand. The only way to do this (which may not be the Everton Way - but it will be effective for that reason) is to not go to the home games until we either get answers or at least some explanation.

I know it's hard to do but we need to be strong and stand together in this. Let's show the club they need us a hell of a lot more than we need them especially when we feel we are get treated like something that doesn't matter. Who do they thin they are? Everything that's gone on this summer could have a simple explanation, but we want to know what it is.

At the end of the day we love this club and there is so much deceit that it hurts. Well, we need to show them this is a two-way street and not a one-way street. In any club, the fans are most important as they are the nucleus, they are everything. Without fans there's no club. If we boycott some home games they will HAVE to do something about it. In any football club protest, this has been proven to be the most effective method to get answers.

Before each season they expect a minimum average attendance i.e gate receipts of say 30/35,000 plus per game. If they start getting below what they've budgeted, alarm bells will be ringing! It's painful but it's the only way, we need to kind of go with our mind on this rather than the heart because our blue hearts are too vulnerable and giving.

Us fans don't deserve to be in this situation. If we don't act now we could notice things getting worse over the years... let's act NOW before it's too late and the club really do take us to the cleaners. And to the fans that will slate me for suggesting this, if you want to keep lining the pockets of liars and in some terms thieves, then be my guest, but you need to stand up for what you believe in, in life. To me this is the only way to get the club to respond in a positive way towards its fans.

I'm so glad now I didn't buy my season ticket and on the other hand have a lot of sympathy for the people that did. As much as I love the club, I'm starting to realise there's a lot more to life than Everton FC. A shame, yes, but from a personal point of view, I think the current attitude/situation has done me a big favour and my naivety has worn off.

No pain, no gain.
Charlie Percival, North West     Posted 01/09/2008 at 07:31:32

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Michael Kenrick
Oh dear... Where to begin? Perhaps best if I say nothing. Yes, it's a definite "No Comment" from me.

I did actually burst into laughter at one point though. I think it was the line "because our blue hearts are too vulnerable and giving"... WTF?

It is at least reassuring to know that your naivety has worn off, because I was beginning to wonder... But seriously ? No Comment!

Charlie Percival
1   Posted 01/09/2008 at 08:08:24

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Yes Michael, it maybe humerous BUT TRUE. I would like to see BK laughing at you as well and see how you feel, because that's what he's doingl!
MIchael Kenrick
2   Posted 01/09/2008 at 08:11:33

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Charlie, Step away from the computer. Go and lie down in a darkened room for 24 hours, and come out when it’s all over.

Trust me on this. You’ll feel a lot better.
Andy Crooks
3   Posted 01/09/2008 at 08:22:34

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Michael,I think you have been a little harsh on Charlie.I am totally opposed to any boycott but I feel that Charlies post certainly reflects the way many Evertonians feel.
If we were cuistomers,of say for example,Tesco,and wre treated with such disregard by their chairman we would quickly move somewhere else.Football clubs with a few exceptions,Man U being one don’t have customers.Everton have supporters who have a huge emotional investment in the club.If supporter vent their frustration by booing they are accused of being negative and disloyal.
I feel that Bill Kenwright is in a privileged position as a passing custodian of the club and I feel that he has a moral duty to provide answers.Unfortunately,though,if he decides not to do so then there is really nothing we can do about it without further damaging the club.
andrew Fearns
4   Posted 01/09/2008 at 08:27:59

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Michael

Great response to dummy spitting drivel.

If people stop going because the footy is shit, I understand. If people stop going because it’s financially not possible I understand.

But to stop going because you feel the club aren’t telling you the ins and outs of a ducks arse, well that is just pathetic and quite frankly good riddance I say.

Make that lie down in a darkened room for 24 months.
Andrew Fearns
5   Posted 01/09/2008 at 08:35:46

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Charlie

I think you’ve missed the point. You’re right about the emotional attachment - it’s like family.

Family make mistakes, do things to piss you off and if it was anybody else you tell them to do one. But you don’t - because the bonds mean more than anything.

It’s the same with Everton. They have been making mistakes with the fans for as long as I can remember. They’ve been pissing the fans off for as long as I can remember, well before Bill took over. But you stick with them because the bonds are stronger than any other relationship apart from family.

Jean Philibossian
6   Posted 01/09/2008 at 08:20:18

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Spot on Charlie.

I’ve mentioned this on previous posts long ago when the Kirkby issue first arose only to be poo-pooed by other aghast posters.

When will people realise that Bill is a money-grubber way before he is a Blue.

It will be a long way back should he ever discover that this was the wrong way to go about running a premier league club.

By the way, as an example, has anyone seen the match report on the last Valencia match, and the contributions of one M.Fernandes. Needless to say that it is yet another monumental balls-up from Blue Bill & co.

I still rile against those with the opinion that it is his train set & he may do what he wishes with it. Shareholders are one thing in business, Stakeholders are another. This is an elementary pillar of business. We collectively are stakeholders, and are entitled to ask & receive certain things.

The day Goodison is near empty for a match or two will be the day Bill will sit up & listen. In the interim, in Charlies’ words, he’s laughing at us.
Brian Williams
7   Posted 01/09/2008 at 08:37:20

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I can understand Charlie’s feelings completely. He’s obviously a very genuine supporter who feels totally and completely let down, feels like his world’s been shattered, and I for one am not going to try and make myself feel better about everything by belittling him. He’s obviously totally frustrated and at the end of his tether.

Previous comments remind me of the time I discovered my first missus was playing away (and not at Tottenham) and mates (as mates do) consoled me by such gems as "Ah well mate you’re better of, she was a tramp".......

I can understand if he feels he needs to "move on" and get on with his life, while Bill? is it..........continues to desecrate his beloved club.

Listen, when you’ve got a right cob on on a Saturday night after another embarassment at the hands of a mid table also ran...do you think Bill will be saying to Jenny Seagrove "cancel the limo Jen I’m just not in the mood after today"...
I can’t understand anbody who’s not angry and disillusioned at our present predicament, and Charlie’s simply voicing that, and he’s had enough....I dont think he deserves being made a fool of for showing how much he cares about the club!
Karl Jones
8   Posted 01/09/2008 at 09:04:46

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I can to some degree understand where Charlie is coming from. We have a pissed off manager telling everyone "We’re not ready to win premier league games"...(Surely a first in the history of the PL) They still expect us to come to the match paying the same admission fee. What it comes down to, is how much you love the club..As an optimistic season ticket holder, I will go as I have been through much worse periods than this. Only once Pienaar and Cahill are back match fit, I think thats when things will dramatically improve.
Antony Matthews
9   Posted 01/09/2008 at 09:21:02

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Why bother. They are still trying to sell tickets for the Portsmouth game on the OS splash. I know its a long time till the next home match but do people still need reminding about a game that has come and gone.
Brian Williams
10   Posted 01/09/2008 at 09:27:25

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Ahhh Antony that’s because everyone is busy 24/7 either looking for new investment or signing players before the deadline...........
Ray Rpbinson
11   Posted 01/09/2008 at 09:36:32

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I do appreciate everyone’s frustration but I fail to see how staying away from a financially strapped club’s home matches is going to help matters.
Jason Lam
12   Posted 01/09/2008 at 09:38:20

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I think we all need to calm down. It’s been an long, exhausting summer and god knows how much bandwidth (and life) we’ve been wasting on all this bullcrap. Plus 3 pathetic performances from an UEFA Cup club to savour.

So everybody (including the TW staff - who are supporters themselves and therefore have every right to be miffed) stay away from the computer, your family and friends, and especially your cats and dogs. They are innocent! Don’t do anything stupid now, you’re not thinking clearly, emotions running off the scale. It will be over by Tuesday midnight. Alternatively, TW can create a free-for-all WWF rumble-mania of a thread to let us get this shit off our chests once and for all. Fucking Evertonian Summer 2008.
steve wolfe
13   Posted 01/09/2008 at 09:46:50

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charlie, michael already is doing what you suggest ,he doesnt go the game therefore he isnt supporting everton financially!
It really annoys me when people like michael etc spout about not having to go to the game, when infact if we all had is philosophy then efc as club would not exist!
Neil Scott
14   Posted 01/09/2008 at 08:43:09

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Ok for those who may be ’hard of learning’...

Everton Football Club is a business that is currently very badly run and short of both money and players.

Businesses that are short of money need to maximise their income and players that are low on morale need support. Lots of it.

Also, because we are badly run there is very little ability to react quickly (or at all) to protest and no Plan B in the case of financial meltdown.

Something that is genuinely possible, and that your ’stay away’ advocation will bring on much quicker.

Over to you.
Dave Simmonds
15   Posted 01/09/2008 at 09:59:05

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Yes Neil Scott, Charlie is saying...... ALSO SOME FANS HAVE NO MONEY BECAUSE THEY ARE PUMPING CASH INTO THE CLUB WHICH REDUCES THEIR OWN MORAL AND BANK BALANCE.

THE REASON YOU HIT A FINANCIALLY STRAPPED CLUB (which is an assumption your making) would be to hit them HARDER, why try affecting things with stuff they dont care about. Jeez OVER TO YOU
Andy Crooks
16   Posted 01/09/2008 at 09:54:20

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Calm down Charlie for God’s sake.This is a forum for robust debate.I have had a couple nice put downs from Michael(it’s what editors do) and plenty of stick from other contributors.By suggesting that Michael hates your guts you are only detracting from some of the valid points you have made.Put your argument,Charlie,and accept whatever response it brings.
Nilesh Tailor
17   Posted 01/09/2008 at 10:26:49

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just turned on Sky sport news and can;t believe Man City have new owners. i cannot understand why Everton cannot attract investors like this. i think if it doesnt happen for us soon, we’re gonna be falling well behind of clubs like Aston Villa, Man City and Spurs. And players will probably not even consider coming to us. I think BK is going to get an absolute grilling at the EGM this week.
Ralph Wetzels
18   Posted 01/09/2008 at 10:49:26

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Nilesh:

I thought just the same.
Bill Green
19   Posted 01/09/2008 at 10:43:11

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Niliesh, yes its a bit depressing, man City achieved yesterday what Evertonians can only dream about, they have just been bought by the Abu Dabi royal family, who make Abramovich look like Albert Steptoe, huge stability, wealth, ambition, promises of success and eradication of dept, and football greatness. hey but who needs all that when you got Kenwright, an ancient ground, dept, and an inferstructure and organisation that a church mouse would be pissed off with. but look on the bright side we could sign Alan Smith any minute.
Marc Williams
20   Posted 01/09/2008 at 10:49:43

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Nilesh - Its already happened mate look at who those 3 have signed this summer, whilst the likes of Gera & Zayette choose Fulham & Hull over us !
I also wouldn’t bet on ’Billy Liar’ showing up at the EGM & even if he does He’ll hide behind Carter & his procedural ’ Bag O Tricks ’.
Simon Skinner
21   Posted 01/09/2008 at 10:59:36

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Hang on, hang on. City haven’t been bought by the Royal Family, they’ve been bought by the *Investment company* of the royal family. They are a capitalist company, and Man City will not be a plaything like Chelsea.

People need to get out of this "all rich owners are a good thing" mentality. It’s bull.
Nilesh Tailor
22   Posted 01/09/2008 at 11:03:09

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this is soooo depressing.anyone else watching sky sports news. some guy who knows this Arab guy said they’ve been looking at investing into a premier league club for a while and he said they looked at Arsenal, Newcastle and Man city, as they have a big fan base. Maybe the new ground is the only way forward, as investors will see this and will attract them in.
Neil Scott
23   Posted 01/09/2008 at 11:09:26

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Dave simmonds

Rearrange these words...

Nose, to, spite, face, your, cutting off.
Rob chan
24   Posted 01/09/2008 at 12:35:20

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Who on earth would want to join a club on the verge of relegation who are too tight to buy one decent player instead buying scap heap rejects clubs want to throw in a waste dump, serves them right! This club is honestly the laughing stock of football, there a complete joke after reading this link below -Moyes, who checked on Everton?s UEFA Cup opponents Standard Liege last night, is now facing a race against the clock to bring in new arrivals before midnight.

A deal for Newcastle?s Alan Smith could yet be resurrected. And dont defend moyes, because he was way over ambitious with what he had to offer to clubs.
Pete Bridson
25   Posted 01/09/2008 at 12:55:58

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"but look on the bright side we could sign Alan Smith any minute. "????? Look on the bright side???? Oh my giddy Aunt!!!!!
John Farrar
26   Posted 01/09/2008 at 13:06:56

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It gets better...Rumours of Michael Owen signing now. Fantastic.
Pete Bridson
27   Posted 01/09/2008 at 13:05:42

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Sorry Bill, got carried away. For a second there I didn’t realise your use of irony as a humour device........
Matthew Fearon
28   Posted 01/09/2008 at 13:06:27

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I don’t mean to be funny Charlie (and relevant others) but Michael K isn’t just another poster to this site. Along with Colm and Lyndon (and others) he has been responsible for the continued existence of toffeeweb for over 10 years; responsible that is for constantly developing and improving a truly independent and professional (and award-winning) forum for fans like you to vent spleen (and occasionally post something worth reading).

Boycott our home games - brilliant. Although it may at least stop the consistent hum of mutterings and boos that constitutes our current home support.
Marc Williams
29   Posted 01/09/2008 at 13:12:03

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Simon Skinner - I don’t think that many on here are foolish enough to believe that "all rich owners are a good thing" and you are right City’s new owners are in theory a company.
That said their PR man was just on Radio 5 Live saying thay’d spent the 24 hours since the takeover finalising a deal for a £30 million player !
We’ve just spent 2 months failing to spend a penny, so I think I’d take a chance on BIG money buyers.
Bill Green
30   Posted 01/09/2008 at 13:06:48

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Pete,
I was being sarcastic! about Alan Smith,
Simon, are you saying you would rather stay with bullshit Billy and his mates, or have our dept ridden club changed overnight with a bright finacial future, promise of new players, and a greater chance of winning honours. I for one would jump at the chance in my lifetime to chalenge the top four on all levels, I am pissed of watching this club for 40 years with an underdog mentality, hoping for our players to over achieve again, from all acounts this capitalist company’s credibility is not at question by anyone other than you. wake up and smell the coffee, we simply can not compete any more!!!!
Jay Harris
31   Posted 01/09/2008 at 13:20:42

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Simon
I dont think the point was that any rich investor will do.

The point is there are investors out there which raises the question if Billy Liar is looking for investment 24/7 for 8 years from a time when we were in far less debt why have we not found it.

And I’m not talking about the old pals act to throw a few bob in I’m talking about a "real" takeover.
Bill Green
32   Posted 01/09/2008 at 13:31:41

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Well said Jay,
and how many skeletons must we have in out lockers for this investment company to not even concider, and how many in the past have walked away, without us knowing.
Pete Bridson
33   Posted 01/09/2008 at 13:27:57

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Bugger me! always getting the irony and sarcasm thing mixed up!!!! But back to the original thread, you’re spot on with your last post. This game has so little to do with the "local fans" now it’s not funny. It’s time to wake up and realise that if we don’t get a MASSIVE investment from somewhere we will end up like Nottingham Forest, Leeds etc sliding into the lower divisions... are they still called divisions??? Even Villa seem to have their shit together!!!!! (Comparatively)
Jay Harris
34   Posted 01/09/2008 at 13:30:58

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Charlie
you have my sympathy although I dont agree with your proposed course af action.

I think right now the supporters can be the saviours of our club by supporting and motivating the players and show other clubs how big we are as opposed to the board who can only think small.

i think Kenwright has now realised albeit too late that his bubble has burst and he cannot survive this current crisis.

He appears to now be Billy "No mates" because his rich pals have fallen out with him (repeat of the Paul Gregg situation) his Chief Exec has abandoned him and David who he used to speak to "24/7" has also fallen out with him. Add to that he has lost the faith of most supporters and throw in the banks for good measure and he will fall on his own sword or have one thrust into him at the EGM.

Things have to get worse before they get better but staying away does the club harm and not the incompetent,deceitful fantasyland owners.
David Whitwell
35   Posted 01/09/2008 at 13:36:19

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My god it’s so hard being an Everton fan, can anyone tell me why we do it? I could never change and will always be a fan even if we ended up in League 2!, just that i’m finding it really hard to justify positive slants on anything about our club. Arrrgghh
Joe Clitherow
36   Posted 01/09/2008 at 13:54:54

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Please God don’t let the Michael Owen rumour have any substance.

This would be a Walter Smith-type signing and I can’t believe that - if true - Moyes would have had much say so in such a deal, which raises all sorts of other worrying aspects to the current sad state of affairs at this club/
Brendan George
37   Posted 01/09/2008 at 14:03:51

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Michael Owen is not coming and neither is Alan Smith. I don’t think such signings will move forward anyway, so I’m not disappointed. We will only complete the signings of Louis Saha and Victor Obinna IF we are lucky. Don’t expect any miracles or surprises at Everton. Like I said if we sign Moutinho or make any signing over £7m, I’ll eat my foot!
Simon Skinner
38   Posted 01/09/2008 at 14:13:14

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"Simon
I dont think the point was that any rich investor will do.

The point is there are investors out there which raises the question if Billy Liar is looking for investment 24/7 for 8 years from a time when we were in far less debt why have we not found it."

Actually, the point ISN’T that there are investors there.

The question is whether there are investors out there whose goals are congruent to ours.

What City are receiving is not a gift. It remains to be seen whether in fact they will be given anything in the short term, or whether they will just raise more debt. If they are given anything, the investors will want everything back, with interest - because they are an investment company.

City have actually gone today from having a potential benefactor (potential only because we aren’t sure how much of his money is frozen) to having an owner who sees it as a vehicle to making money for themselves.

I’ve seen City fans already celebrating that their owner is richer than Chelseas, and so logically City will now spend more money than Chelsea. I really can’t believe how quickly people fall into the PR trap.
Brendan George
39   Posted 01/09/2008 at 14:18:10

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We will end up having more goalkeepers than central midfield players. Apparently, we are poised to sign Carl Nash from Wigan, their 34 year old reserve goalkeeper...
Simon Skinner
40   Posted 01/09/2008 at 14:21:01

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"That said their PR man was just on Radio 5 Live saying thay?d spent the 24 hours since the takeover finalising a deal for a £30 million player !
We?ve just spent 2 months failing to spend a penny, so I think I?d take a chance on BIG money buyers. "

Well that’s great for them. I’m sure that the £30m that they have is a gift from their owners, and is wholly, 100% nothing to do with the £30m that was borrowed by the club several weeks ago (as reported in the press), plus the proceeds from the Corluka sale.

I mean, these things look GREAT in the short term. Like when West Ham were taken over and spent loads of money. They were stealing players that Liverpool wanted! I remember people asking why Everton couldn’t attract owners like that.

For the record, West Ham now have £120m of debts, are selling their most marketable players without the managers permission, giving players £6m to leave so they don’t have to pay their wages.

Something for us all to aspire to.
Nilesh Tailor
41   Posted 01/09/2008 at 14:31:49

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Saha has signed, officially now on the Everton website.
stan sheppard
42   Posted 01/09/2008 at 14:39:31

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obina refused work permit.
Brendan George
43   Posted 01/09/2008 at 14:38:24

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...And Obinna has been denied a work permit so I suppose he’s back to Italy.
Richard Murray
44   Posted 01/09/2008 at 14:39:34

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http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/obinna-deal-falls-through.html

I can’t believe this. He looked like the only decent prospect from the dross we’re bringing in.
Justin Widdop
45   Posted 01/09/2008 at 14:46:45

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If this is all our business plus Nash then I give up!
Craig Manderson
46   Posted 01/09/2008 at 08:44:33

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At the beginning of the summer we were in there with the "big boys", chasing Aaron Ramsey. Compare this to Sunday's news that Hull have signed Zayatte... (no offence intended to Hull but come on!!!) What has happened? Do we deserve answers?

It could be easily argued that as a non-shareholder, I do not DESERVE answer. However as a Stakeholder, I honestly believe that I am entitled to a bit more than "watch this space" and "shall remain private".

Brian Wolf
47   Posted 01/09/2008 at 10:21:20

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For all of those who mocked me after the West Brom game...

When I said I wasn't going back to Goodison until Kenwright sold up and that I wasn't going to pay to watch a shambles like that again a lot of you mocked me.

Who is the mug now? The person who stayed at home and saved his cash or the people who went to see that result on Saturday?

Nick Entwistle
48   Posted 01/09/2008 at 15:12:29

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And what happens Brian when Castillo takes us to CL glory? Ok, its a big maybe, but then so did Darren Bent! Or was it Marcus? Whatever...

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