Have to agree with ya Andy, as much as Moyes brings a sense of togetherness for the players... motivation doesn’t seem to be a strong point. However, in a way it seems like he’s telling a little lie, as we have already bid for Defour... had they accepted... he wouldn’t have been a squad player.

Maybe Moyes has learned not to tip his hand..... no use letting potential sellers know what we’ve got to spend.... Oh wait, it’s us, we don’t ave anything to spend.

Carry on then!

Don’t be so cynical... we’ve Jagielka; Yakubu; Anichebe and Arteta to return... almost like ’new signings’

That’s £50 million plus of players and ’Blue Bill’ hasn’t had to spend a penny.

Genius

I’d like to know which player was sold that Moyes didn’t want to sell...

When I see some of the Bosman style players that we’re linked with, it makes me go "Wow!"

I think that would be Rooney, Mark.

And apparently Earl said that Kenwright would not sell to a billionaire as he wouldn’t want the other shareholders to be forced into selling their shares!

Can anyone confirm this?

If it’s true — it’s the ultimate disgrace.

In the official website report from last night’s meeting Billy is quoted as saying there is no one out there who has the money for a significant investment. What utter crap. Portsmouth, Villa, Man City, Sunderland have all found such investment. Even Newcastle continue to attract money.

Kenwright also whines on about how the pressure (on him) is becoming intolerable. He has had upteen chances to do something about it and yet sits on his hands borrowing more and more (again by his own admission last night).

I reckon we have next season to either break the top 4 and win some silverware. That’s how long it will probably take before City, for one, get the consistency that will take them out of our reach too. We will be doomed to mid-table finishes and the only person culpable will be BK.

It's interesting Steve that he didn’t actually answer the question that was asked.

The OS says he ’rejected claims made on fan forums that investment had been turned away’... and then it gives a quote which is not quite a rejection of that suggestion — something like, "no-one has the sort of money we need"...

Sounds like more bollocks to me... Why is it so hard to answer a straightforward question?

No first team players being added to the squad either?

“We will be bringing in people and maybe not people who I would think are first team players; maybe squad players, Bosmans to build up the squad to cope with things like that (Europe)," said Moyes.
---------

Can we assume that the Defour bid was fabricated then?

"We will be doomed to mid-table finishes and the only person culpable will be BK"

Would it not also be the players and managers fault then?

Surely the lads on the pitch unable to beat other teams should shoulder some blame.... then again it is all about Kenwright the AntiChrist.

Mark Wynne, That's a Cracker!!!! Hee hee!!

Tony,

As far as Everton is concerned, He is the AntiChrit, and also a lying bastard!!

£80m turnover! Up again. Wages under control yet debt increasing by £16m over the last 3 years. What is going on?

Well, since you ask, I’m guessing that a net transfer spend of around £35 million during that period might have something to do with it.

I'm optimistic for the season ahead! All this rubbish transfer talk serves to only feed the bottomless media black hole that appears in-between seasons. With a full fully fit squad we should be able to continue on from last season and keep ourselves ahead and be the best of the rest while putting pressure on any slip in the Sky 4 standings. If signings do come in then bonus but there's no point contining the spinning of stories!! Let's play and focus with what we got.

From the OS:
Mr Kenwright strongly denied rumours on internet forums that he had turned away potential investors, and said: "There is no-one out there with the kind of money we need for their football club. If there was the last priority would be me and the first priority would be the football Club."

Hmmmm.

The problem is that BK has also said that we’re constantly increasing our "sustainable" debt. But by doing so are we not less attractive as a proposition. Our track record of buying in players on the cheap, or developing young prospects clearly keeps down our initial outlay. We’ve most star players on long-term contracts, paying them reasonable wages by EPL standards. But the moment that we are seen as not progressing — be it by selling off our key players, sliping down the league, not getting into Europe or that far in cup runs — then the players will either want to leave or demand more in wages. Contracts mean little these days as we know.

I don’t mean to sound all doom and gloom and so far we have managed to defy the odds. BK hands credit to DM for this, and rightly so, but how are we going to manage if we do have to hike up the wage bill, Bill? How have clubs around us secured investment whilst we struggle on without an alleged sniff.

Of course there have been many educated guesses as to what BK’s motivations are — as nobody actually can believe readily believe that we have not had any offers, right? There are those who’ve pointed to The Old Lady being the problem and that if Desperation Kirkby is ever given the nod then we’ll be inundated with offers beyond our wildest dreams. Personally I think that it will cause more problems than it will resolve, but then that’s just my opinion.

The point is though, that even the staunchest Bill Kenwright fan can’t buy that "There is no-one out there with the kind of money we need for their football club"... I mean what do we need!! More money than a sheik? Which begs the question that, if he can delude himself that this is the case, then when will there ever come a time that "the last priority would be me and the first priority would be the football Club."

19.43: Robert Earl: "We would all like Bill to stay as chairman, we all want David to have the biggest fighting fund and that’s why we all asked for your support on Kirkby. Bill is going to do his best to bring money in under the best situation possible. But if someone from the Middle East came in they could surpress minorites legally (meaning a buyer could force a compulsory buyout of shareholders). But Bill has everyone’s interests here at heart."
-------------------------------------

So what is Bill really interest in? The interests of Earl & Co — or the club getting investment?

Make your own mind up.

I still believe Moyes will sign someone for the first team. I see after Ziralex’s comments about Man U not signing anyone else, their chief exec said he expects further transfer activity.

Moyes doesn’t like to declare his hand too soon — look at what that shithouse Redknapp tried to do to us. Moyes is also paying a compliment to his squad by saying we won’t be adding to it. I would be very surprised if we don’t sign a first team player between now and September.

I think it's a bad case of the italics and shitty summer weather as to why we haven't signed anyone yet.

Newcastle United currently have no fewer than 4 interested parties testing out the water for a takeover — and their financial situation make ours look positively glowing...

So, the reason we are not attracting investment is nothing to do with the amount of (sustainable?) debt at Everton Football Club.

It is one or a combination of three factors causing lack of interest in from foreign investors — all separate, but all inter-related:

1) Lack of a modern stadium capable of maximising revenue from football, other sports and non-sporting events;

2) Lack of a distinct and large worldwide fanbase — our fanbase is largely local and though fervent, the marketing guys who get excited by columns of figures and not goals seem not to see any potential for expansion.

3) Lack of will to sell by the current owner... (Apparently)

Now, each of these taken on their own merit can deter potential foreign investment — if there is any combination of two of three... you’ve no chance.

I have no axe to grind with Kenwright — beyond his apparent sagacity... though, based upon the evidence presented, he has no intention of ever relinquishing the reigns at Everton FC. Whether this is a good thing or not - wait and see.

What I do know, is that one of the ’Big Four’ now have a credible challenge to their financial dominance by Manchester City. If Man City do break the Cartel and regularly break into the Champions League (and it is a big if)... one of the Big Four might go bust... and the whole financial model that the English Premier League is built upon may have to be re-imagined.

Under these circumstances Kenwright’s inability or unwillingness to sell up to an oligarch might come to be seen as wisdom.

Yer never know...

I’d rather us buy young English players and finish fifth every season than sell the club's soul to dodgy foreign investment and bring in only mercenaries.

Long term, when the 6 plus 5 rule comes, in we’ll have one of the best and most valuable squads in the country.

Thats an interesting comment, Kev. In that now there are 5 teams spending the money, that only CL football can justify. Something has got to give now. One of them has to fall, or possibly it might even be City who don't get the mixture right. But you sense their backers are in this for the long term, and not just going to pull the plug if they don't get into the CL in 2 or 3 seasons. But in any case, this should not really affect the way we run our football club. What we can do, is very limited.

Moyes's strategy seems to be going for high potential youth players, which offers the only financially safe option available to us that could possibly break the top 4. We have to hope that these youngsters will give us something similar to the United team where they had Butt, Beckham, The Neville’s, Giggs & Scholes all breaking through as top players. Add this to the yearly transfer of one solid player, suggests that our club is in very good hands, with the finances we have at our disposal.

Why are all foreign investors automatically assumed to be ’dodgy’..??

And what has a players nationality got to do with his footballing prowess?? England has its own fair share of ’mercenaries’.

And why are people assuming the ’6+5 rule WILL come into existence — when the EU’s employment commissioner has already clearly stated that it won’t?

A good well reasoned post, Kevin.

The only reason why a group of rich individuals (foreign or domestic) would invest in Everton is that they would want to pursue a commercial advantage. If they were denied this opportunity by a stubborn BK, they would be quick to let the media know about it. I have never read of any group complaining that they want to invest but have been confronted by an obdurate owner.

Although it is difficult for some TW contributors to contain their hatred of BK, others, who are just as concerned about investment, can believe that there are no billionaires knocking on his door only to be sent packing.

Although the suggestion that we don’t have funds to buy costly, quality players isn’t a great surprise, it does however make me wonder just why Moyes signed his new contract.

What assurances did he need and indeed receive, to help him decide we are a club able to match his own ambitions? That he would be able to bring in loans or free transfers this summer??

I don’t think anyone expected a £20m kitty to be readily available, but surely we have to be aiming higher than fringe players? Sure, Kyle Naughton would be a welcome addition and would cost around £5m, but I for one will feel very let down if that is the total sum of our summer spending.

That man is so full of bullshit.

He is now concerned about the small minority shareholders that he stuffed when he changed the Articles of Association a few months ago to make sure his authority couldn't be questioned.

And so there are no investors out there that are suitable for him and his buddies Earl and Green... but just watch them appear magically if and when when Desolation Kirkby goes ahead.

Tom,

Ever hear of a confidentiality clause?

Jay Harris, are you saying that if we move to Kirkby those elusive billionaires will suddenly materialise and the riches we yearn for will, as if by magic, immediately be at the disposal of DM? If so that is a really good reason to support the move.

And yes, Ciaran, I have heard of confidentiality clauses and I have also heard of press leaks.

Rich people denied the opportunity of profit will not be constrained by a scrap of paper. Do you have evidence that confidentiality clauses have prevented us from knowing the identity of thwarted investors?

Oh right Tom, so you’d believe an unsubstantiated press leaked story? Did you believe the one about Lerner in the Guardian? Or would you simply say..’what a load of unsubstantiated bollocks’...

And no, I obviously don’t have evidence that confidentiality clauses have prevented potential investors going to the papers... Was that even a serious question?If so, it was a little daft.

The point of me raising confidentiality clauses was to provide a possible reason that would negate your suggestion that ’knocked back’ investors would be running to the papers.

Ciaran, the purpose of the press leak would be to put pressure on BK to reopen negotaitions not to inform me. It is a standard tactic. So far there has not even been a press leak on this matter that I can disbelieve.

I would claim that the view that there has been no realistic investment inquiry is at least as valid as the claim that there has been and we just are not aware of it.

Hve you any evidence that press leaks are a standard tactic for gaining control of a football club?

Or is that not just a tad ludicrous whenever the buyer can just say ’fuck it, clearly no point in flogging a dead horse here..lets try Villa’?

Would that not be the logical process?

At the risk of being banned... I would love to own EFC. However, if I were a rich man wanting prestige, I may not. Outside of our supporters, few even know our location. I live in London and before the FA Cup Final, found out only those keen on football know where we are! Those that do see us as second place in a city of two!

Know your history... for many that started the year of the Premier League's first year, in all that time we have no history (and for a few years before).

However, I do feel that's slowly changing and (banned again) Moyes is seen by other teams supporters here as a top manager and BK as a good Chairman. (I will leave country quickly.)

Tom Fearon, No I am not saying that at all.

My position is straightforward: Earl and Green and Leahy are set to profit handsomely from DK so will not allow the club to be sold unless and until Kirkby goes ahead — and believe me, they are pulling the strings — not BK.

From what I understand what Moyes said, there will be signings and Bosman signings to boost the squad. So I expect 1 or 2 cash purchases and a couple of Bosman signings to beef out the squad.

As for Kenwright and the lack of investment, I want a rich owner asap but I don't know of anybody who has shown any interest in us for whatever reason. All I know is if I was a rich man and desperately wanted to buy Everton and BK said No for selfish reasons and not for the good of the club, I’d simply go to the press and leak it as our fans would protest and probably force a sale. There hasn't been anything like that...

It’s simple. BK wants someone to come in with the cash to invest in us, but he wants to stay as head of the table.

To respond to the original post first, what’s going on is that of this £80m, nearly £50m was spent on wages, around 62%. Now I don’t know of any business that can sustain such a high percentage of it’s turnover on labour and be successful. When you account for taxes, utility bills, etc., there really isn’t much left. As for no first team players being brought in, therefore top 4 no chance - 1. don’t believe everything you read, and 2. not necessarily.

To take issue with some retorts, Ciaran, the Glazers, the Yanks, Abramovich, Thaksin Sinawatra might just be a few reasons. As for the 6+5 rule, this HAS been discussed in football’s power circles, I personally think it’s a strong possibility and I doubt the EU commissioner could do jack shit about it if the powers that be decided it was for the good of the game. My local police force are only interested in "those of ethnic and sexually diverse backgrounds" at this time, which kind of goes against all employment law going, only they can get away with it because of LOOPHOLES!!

As for a confidentiality clause, these things have to be signed — we have seen investors linked with the Newcastles and Pompeys this summer — the key word is linked, cos there have been no formal discussions, and therefore no confidentiality clause!

To suggest that several investors have been serious about investing in Everton, but NOT ONE SINGLE FUCKING journalist has got wind of this is frankly laughable. As for Lerner, whilst we’re on the topic, I suspect the Villa fans are ecstatic right now about having lost two of their best players and their only incoming player won’t play for at least 3 months? I can just see the articles on this site if we were to ever make such astute decisions!

Frankly, in my most uneducated (football wise) opinion, football is going tits up. These figures demonstrate that. We can only afford the wages we pay cos of the TV money. Do we really expect Sky to match their current deal when it’s time to re-negotiate? Personally, I doubt it.

The fact that City are able to offer to pay ONE player around £14m a season is ridiculous — and I think a salary cap is inevitable at some point. The 4 clubs above us (with the possible exception of Arsenal) and City would object to such a move (for obvious reasons). Solution? A breakaway league. Sound ridiculous? Maybe.

I was only 9 when the Prem was formed, so a question to my older brethren — could you have seen such a thing happening? One thing I know is that to level the playing field, and promote healthy competition and bring football back to reality, a BIG change is needed.

You only need to look at another sport to see where power really lies - Formula 1. In their case, it was actually to oppose a budget cap, but the principle holds true. If 15 teams in the Prem were to vote for such a move, the remaining 5 would have a choice — play their own mini league (which they do anyway), or back down.

As for the on-field PROGRESS ( have we all forgotten that we have been on an upward trend for sometime now?), I believe the addition of Jo and the anticipated arrival of Naughton represents forward movement — many on this site have pointed out the need for reinforcements in these 2 positions as well as RM. And at 21 and 20, yet more additions who will be around for many a year.

As for the injured players returning — taking the piss out of Carter’s comments works if we don’t sign anyone, but when we clearly are, this does actually represent a massive positive.

No offence, Stewart... but for someone who professes to have a law degree - you’ve very little understanding of the EU. The commission can do a hell of a lot about an organisation which is seen to be commiting acts which they have already been told are illegal.

As for your suggestion that there have been no discussions with investors, you simply don’t know that — and neither do I.

As for football going ’tits up’ — strange conclusion. Especially considering it’s defied a global recession.