FAB submit 25-page document setting out fan impacts

We need to argue the same case that we are being punished through no fault of our own.

Their failure to consult with Everton fans is yet another example of a flawed and poorly defined process by a major sports governing body!

On that topic, online comments only make any sense for me if they are in chronological order, yet half the time, that option (the 'Latest' button) isn't even there. And there is just so much ancillary crap to wade through…

I hope I'm wrong as it's a testament to what this club means to so many, and a lot of hard work has gone into it.

The parts about the wider impact of the deduction affecting the community, regeneration and jobs is so important.

The fact that the stadium could be the very thing that makes us profitable and sustainable and yet we are being being punished on a technicality over a £19.5M allowable expense or not should be taken into account.

As the document says, the league should be encouraging developments to help sustain clubs. Not punishing clubs for their aspirations.

Yes, we know a punishment is deserved under the rules, a proportionate punishment that fits the meagre (in Premier League term) £19.5M breach.

1. the nature of the FAB;
2. the history of EFC;
3. the club's values;
4. the club's fan base;
5. the new stadium project;
6. the government review of football governance (and its reference to sanctions avoiding unfairly impacting fans);
7. the sanction (the West Ham sanction and again avoidance of unfairly impacting fans; jeopardising a club's viability through severe sanctions; the ECJ principle of sanctions being transparent, objective, precise, and non-discriminatory; the apparent anomaly of a lesser nine-point sanction for insolvency; the delay in investigations into more serious cases [Man City].

So Section 7 gets to the nub of the issue, covering issues which have, I think, all been covered on ToffeeWeb. That's not to diminish the value of this document (but to note the standard of contributions on ToffeeWeb) or the work that has gone into it (there is also an impressive series of detailed appendices).

The more there are well-written and well-reasoned contributions such as this, the better.

"Surely he's not going to be another one going under the Kenwright umbrella?" – That was definitely a thought that crossed my mind (if you're reading this, sorry, Dave).

But it did leave me concerned because, deep down, I genuinely 100% believe that it was KEIOC who helped preserve the long-term future of Everton Football Club when they beat Everton's millionaire lawyers and Tesco's billionaire lawyers in the courtroom.

I was surprised that someone who was part of what I consider to have been a great movement was prepared to be part of what I considered tokenism.

The Everton FAB could hopefully end up growing into something special once we get in new owners who will hopefully appreciate rather than play the fans.

And especially if Dave's new mob can help Everton in a similar way to his old gang who definitely helped preserve our long-term future (again, imo) because they possessed both a real vision and a genuine love for Everton Football Club that didn't resolve around themselves, or power or money. 👏💙

It seems to have a little more militancy than that. The woman sitting behind Masters at the hearing this week was magnificent with her understated body language, and this document is a well-crafted appeal for a degree of clemency.

I have seen Dave Kelly in action at the Casa in Hope Street a few years ago, he is a strong leader for the group - more power to them.

The Everton Fan Advisory Board, led by Dave Kelly, have really shown how capable and knowledgeable, and also defiant and unyielding, the Evertonians are when they are protecting their club and their fans and their local community.