The Scotsman carries a lengthy feature on Graeme Sharp, scorer of perhaps the greatest ever derby goal for Everton 40 years ago today. The Everton legend, who turned 64 last week, reveals he won’t return to Goodison Park after getting tarnished during the unprecedented abrogation of Everton’s Board and suspicion of the fans they were there to serve.
A short period as a non-executive board member during Farhad Moshiri’s dysfunctional ownership, when some felt Sharp aligned himself too readily with the status quo, including the increasingly divisive figure of chairman Bill Kenwright, saw the atmosphere become fraught to the point of hostile. Kenwright died a year ago, by which time Sharp had already stepped down alongside CEO Denise Barret-Baxendale and strategy officer Grant Ingles.
He has not been to watch a game at Goodison Park since two Januarys ago, following a claim that a “real and credible threat” to the safety of directors had been received before a match against Southampton.
“I just think the way things happened … it’s a difficult one. To be treated the way we were, was awful,” he says. “People don’t know what went on but they were quick to make a judgement and could not be further from the truth. I just think the stick that I got was totally undeserved, and I thought – nah, I don’t need it.
“I have not been back, not that the football club has invited me back. Numerous people and my friends have invited me to go with them, and I still have season tickets, but I don’t see myself going back.
“To be fair, Sean Dyche, the manager, has been great. He has asked me on numerous occasions to go up to the training ground, all credit to him for that. You know what? I lost interest a bit. Whether that comes back, it remains to be seen. I doubt it.”