🎙Podcast Special: Paul McMonnies of the FAB

Good wishes to you all.

More power to you, Pabs, NSNO

I too was born at the old Sefton General Hospital on Smithdown Road, which as you say, is now the site of an Asda!

Great to get an insight into the FAB. Although most of us were probably cynical at the start, in hindsight, there has to be a realisation that it is still embryonic. A start-up almost. Keep evolving and developing it. I don't believe that anyone thinks it will make decisions, it's more about having a voice and influencing the decision-makers.

I've done enough of that throughout my military and civilian career! Influence over shouting. Your idea becomes theirs, but providing it achieves the outcome, it doesn't matter. There's no point trying to tell a General what to do. You just use your knowledge and experience to convince them.

Repeat warning on your talk about Everton games.

First game. Pre-season friendly in Germany and battered 6-0. What a baptism as a then 5-year-old.

Worst game. It's a tie between the Rush derby mauling and the 1986 FA Cup Final, which really upset me. Both of them did. Inconsolable.

Favourite game. I'll have to go random and pick two out. Aside from the Wembley trips, a probably long-forgotten one. The 6-1 home win against Arsenal in 1985. Clinching the title at Norwich in 1987 – even though after Van den Hauwe got that early goal, I barely saw rest of the match. I remember the long coach trip back to Speke more.

For the younger generation, that 5-1 away to Brighton last season was up there for sheer atmosphere. I'd even go for the Wolves away match for the sheer elation as Yerri Mina slid in the equaliser in the 99th minute!

We are once again a united fan base. You can feel it at Goodison and in the stadiums around the country. On the pitch, the players are together, playing with smiles on their faces and look like they're enjoying their football.

We have to look forward now after the turbulence of the past several seasons. But as you say, we won't always all agree with each other. I'm a documented optimistic fool with all things Everton. My brother and son, both massive Evertonians, often shake their head at me in disbelief. And I'm the senior of the family by some 20 years!

I don't think anyone is in denial of wrongdoing by the club. It's the punishment that is disproportionate. Now the example has been set, will they punish others in proportion? I don't know, but I am certain there are many out there. Where would they stop? I'm by no means an expert, but my view would be to wipe a clean slate and get truly independent regulators in, just as happens in other business verticals.

Win something? We are in great form. We have a quarter-final coming up as well as the FA Cup. As I always say, anything is possible. Keep believing. It's my son's Birthday today. He'll probably give me a reality check when he gets home later.

We were a hurting fan base, practically abandoned by the board, but we refused to give in.

Never thankless, Pablo. Keep developing and evolving it. Communication to the supporters is but I think most will understand the confidentiality requirements as to what you can communicate.

If I was to make a suggestion, make documentation and records of discussions, as much as possible would be good, which is in line with your role as the de-facto communications officer. Be visible.

Here's a suggestion, how about onsite webinars? Like a QBR of sorts. Obviously it would need an agenda and be controlled. You'd need red cards to hand!! I'll drop into St Luke's next time around as I always stand outside the Holy Trinity Statue after my customary trip to the Goodison Supper Bar.

And I'll make my stake next time around to get on board.

Keep up the good work, Pablo, Dave Kelly, and the FAB.

It's too easy to be sceptical and cynical about such groups – good on the members for investing their spare time and for the efforts they make.

I'm currently constantly doing a couple of searches on the internet on a daily basis. Using some fixed search parameters. Anyway, I came across a Sky Article (23.12.23) referring to a list of 14 Questions that the EFAB have raised for 777 Partners to answer regarding the take over.

I've cut and paste from another article the actual list of the questions here (and the preamble from the article);

The Everton Fan Advisory Board (FAB) has released a list of questions raised by supporters that they want answering by 777 Partners over their prospective takeover.

The Miami-based firm have agreed a deal to purchase Farhad Moshiri’s majority shareholding of 94.1%. In an open letter to fans before Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Bournemouth, co-founder Josh Wander insisted that 777 were confident of the deal going through and being given approval ‘without issues’.

777’s potential arrival has been met with scepticism by sections of Evertonians. Supporters of Standard Liege, Hertha Berlin and Vasco de Gama, also owned by 777, have protested against their ownership.
Meanwhile, Vasco were recently hit by a FIFA transfer ban for late payments.

Following a fan engagement meeting last month (September '23 inserted), the FAB sent a total of 14 questions and key issues to 777 last week. Chair Dave Kelly is hoping that 777 will ‘review and respond at the earliest opportunity’. The full list is below;

• Please describe your overall value proposition in your pursuit of Everton Football Club (EFC). What are your strategic objectives over the next five years?

• Can you provide assurances that all the necessary funding is in place for both the acquisition, and ongoing operating support?

• Who are 777’s other investment partners in your pursuit of EFC and in what form does that capital infusion take (Equity, Debt)?

• Unlike previous transactions have you cleared a path with other EFC creditors (e.g. Rights and Media Funding)?

• Please provide an overview of any legal investigation, litigation, and sanctions, current or forecasted, impacting 777’s ability to function as a bona fide owner of EFC.

• 777 have spent around €800-900m acquiring stakes in seven clubs, currently, all those clubs are making a loss. What is your strategy to ensure EFC and its Stadium become a healthy, growing business and do not follow the same path?

• How will EFC operate within the 777 multi-club model? Are there concerns with potential regulatory interference with the practice from governing bodies? Furthermore, can 777 explain how it plans not to prioritise one Club over another?

• How confident are 777 of passing through the various regulatory approval requirements? This includes the Premier League’s “Owners and Directors’ Test” and those of the Football Association and the Financial Conduct Authority?

• In August, Josh Wander spoke to the Financial Times and said, “We have a strong view that there’s a new wave of commercialisation coming to football.” Can you expand on this?

• Can 777 commit to reorganising the EFC Board with highly qualified Football and commercially astute members, who can regain the trust of Evertonians, instil confidence in the fanbase and Club employees, and begin to repair the reputational damage of EFC?

• What will be 777’s commitment to the Goodison Legacy Project? Do 777 recognise the new stadium completion is a catalyst for the North Liverpool Regeneration Project?

• Do you commit to honouring all existing governance and engagement models with Fan groups as well as the reinstatement of AGMs? In addition, can 777 commit to the appointment of two elected Fan members to the EFC Board?

• Will 777 commit to ensuring Bramley-Moore Dock will remain an asset of EFC and will not be sold off, to be leased back by EFC?

• Can you confirm that the EFC Women’s playing structure from Academy to first team will be fully funded and returned to its former top-flight position?

I was wondering if you could use your channels with Pablo, to see if any answers to the above questions have been answered Lyndon?

Else, would it be appropriate to directly contact Pablo via the EFAB website?