FAN ARTICLES
Time to move forward
By
Andy Hannigan : 30/05/2007 :
Comments (9) :
Alan Hounsgard's
recent article was no doubt heartfelt, but unfortunately endorses the views of a misty eyed, rose tinted section of the blues support. In this day and age and with the obscene amounts of money coming into the sport, football is no longer what it was.
No more do players "hop on the bus with their boots laced around their shoulders" whilst engaging in banter with the fans. No, more likely, if having to negotiate their way past the average supporter, will partake in an imaginary mobile phone conversation in an effort to avoid eye contact with the very people that pay their wages.
This is 2007, big business rules and the ultimate tycoon accessory is a Premier League football club. What's the difference with Everton? you may ask. Well, Everton ? although wishing to retain the status of "The Peoples Club" ? will still have one eye on the prize, namely a rich sugar daddy, who has of course "the best intentions for our club" whatever that particular soundbite means.
The moving of Everton from perennial under-achievers to regular(?) top 6 contenders, allied to the partnership with Tesco, are all small stepping stones to making the club attractive to outside investment. Whatever the whys and wherefores of a move outside the city boundry, Everton have to increase revenue streams if they are ever going to break the stranglehold of the so-called Big Four. Goodison Park, whichever way you look at it, just does not do the job. Whoever was responsible for the Kings Dock fiasco does not matter, what does matter was a fantastic opportunity was lost and now we are left with Hobson's Choice: stay where we are and stagnate or, move and move on.
As for "I would rather see us playing in the Championship than abandon Goodison" that's just rubbish. Stay at Goodison and the championship would be the first stop on a road well travelled by Leeds, Man City, Sheffield Wednesday, etc. All big city clubs who have suffered mismanagement on a grand scale. Ask their fans where they want to be now?
As for a salary cap. Well do you really think that our friends in the European Commission would for one minute consider passing what amounts to a restraint of trade?
I've been a supporter and season ticket holder for near on 36 years and I rember the good and bad times equally. I know which I'd rather have, even if it comes with foreign ownership.
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Posted
30/05/2007 at
22:20:49
Here here I second that motion ! We need some glory days and days out at Wembley and great European nights ! Our hopes rest on Jageilka......great !
Posted
31/05/2007 at
14:02:02
Some good points raised Andy, but the sentiment behind Alan’s in parts unrealistic article is what drives us all to the game whatever our views are. Its the feeling that Evertonians are a bit different and a bit special hand in hand with great memories of the club and the few glory days that we have experienced, that binds us.
However, surely Goodison and the fact that we are from Liverpool underpins this? We can perhaps leave Goodison to regenerate and rejuvinate, but to leave Liverpool?
If chasing the silverware means leaving Liverpool then Id rather not have the silverware. If people want to support a team outside Liverpool then there are plenty, but Everton is Everton. Lets not give the City to our rivals. Even if this means fighting away as we are, surely we are not that desparate for the validation that silverware (apparently) brings that we will give up the city! Lets upturn evey stone, lets whisper in every ear we think may be able to help, lets empty out our pockets and lets do what we have to do, but lets do it in Liverpool.
Posted
31/05/2007 at
18:10:48
Alternatively, you could just tell Everton FC, who don’t care what the fans think, are immune to the jibes and only want the money to FUCK OFF - I have, I don’t care anymore, I have better things to do.
Posted
31/05/2007 at
18:55:50
So Peete. You don’t care anymore..? Then why the fuck are you posting comments on Toffeeweb..? Its because you do care my friend and the fact is you probably always will.
Posted
01/06/2007 at
11:50:45
I honestly doubt that EFC will fill a 55,000 stadium. At top Goodison holds 40,000 and its a very very long time since I saw supporters shut outside because the ground was full. So that leaves 15,000 more supporters to find, plus all those who have strongly stated that they will not go to games at Kirby or anywhere else outside of the Pool. Over the years, if we move out of Liverpool, we will have less and less support from scouse youngsters growing up in the City. I feel so strongly against moving out of Liverpool that, after over 60 years of devotion, first game attended was at 6 years old, I have decided that I will no longer put money in the coffers of E.F.C. and will sever all contact. They will always be in my heart and I am blue through and through but move out of Liverpool.....enough is enough. I know it sounds petty but we were here first and we should remain and not give in.
Posted
01/06/2007 at
13:17:55
Just two thoughts if you’re pro-staying in Liverpool: we keep hearing how many Blues won’t be attending matches in Kirkby (let’s face it, we’re moving there). But I wonder how many people are prepared to stick their neck on the line - right now - and communicate this in writing to Kenwright and Wyness on the basis that it may give them some very late, policy shifting, food-for-thought? Just a simple letter/email stating why you would not be going and send a copy to the likes of Toffeeweb and KEIOC and others so that a running tally can be kept? I’m certainly going to do so, within the next fortnight. That way, the club will know exactly where it stands with this one fan and if more decide to do so, then a clear picture, beyond all the talk, may start to emerge as to how big/small the haemorrhage is going to be. Also, regarding the vote, which I have no doubt will result in a resounding "pro-Kirkby" result, surely the most significant aspect will be how many vote against it and what precisely they mean by their "no" vote. For example, there may be some who vote "no" but equally have no intention of qutting watching the Blues and just accept that they’ll have to go to Kirkby. Likewise there will be others, like me, whose "no" will mean "no" on both counts. So, even if the result is 90/10pc in favour of moving that could still mean the club loses circa 4,000 fans at a stroke. Can it afford that? If the vote is 80/20 then that figure really starts to impact on a rising scale. That’s why I think there’s a fundamental flaw in the club’s thinking that the majority view should simply prevail, which, of course, in normal democratic circumstances would be the only decent thing to do. For the fact of the matter is that the defeated 10,20,30 or 40pc could still hold much more sway on the club’s future direction than those who vote "yes". The club, therefore, should stop thinking in terms of a simple electoral "yes" or "no" process and start to really consider the wider implications of the ballot.
Posted
01/06/2007 at
14:20:17
The big thing for me is leaving Goodison, if that’s inevitable then I don’t really care where we go. Kirby’s not exactly the dark side of the moon, when I was 20 I worked in Kirby it was a bus ride, nothing more, in fact I always thought of it as a part of Liverpool anyway. I guess if you want to define boundaries then ok it’s outside.
For the hundred’s of thousands of us fans around the world it hardly matters inside/outside.
To get to a home game I have to drive to Gatwick, fly to Manchester, hire a car and drive to Liverpool. Well Kirby or the docks it makes no difference, only thing I’d be interested in is a development of Goodison but that’s out of the question if we want to have any chance of being competitive and attracting investment etc......so come on you die hards, it’s an extra 25 mins on the bus!
Posted
01/06/2007 at
14:31:02
Appreciate exactly where you’re coming from John Pac and genuinely admire your committment. It’s just that, for me, the move to Kirkby would not only be the straw that breaks the camel’s back (for me) but it will also be hugely symbolic. Insofar as I will view it as a total betrayal of EFC’s heritage, style, dignity, pride and standards. I will also view it as a betrayal of all those who have long gone before us, who (like us present) have done so much to keep the proud Blue flame alive in this city despite the presence of that monster across the park. When I think how lamentable the likes of City and Brum have been in standing up to their own particular challenges in the shape of Man Utd and Villa it gives me huge pride that EFC are still vibrant in the face of so much trial. Then, when I consider how the likes of Sheffield, Nottingham, Bristol have so patently failed to keep even one club in the top flight it gives me even more pride. Then when I consider how fortunate the likes of Leeds, Sunderland, Newcastle (until the 90s) have been in having one city all to themselves, it gives me even more pride that Everton have survived and achieved where so, so many have withered and almost died. So for us to capitulate (and dance to the tune of a supermarket chain - sheesh!! - and let’s face it, there no guarantee that Sir Tez will stick around at Tesco forever)and hand the whole territory over to the reds (just as the city finally seems to be on the up), and witness their kopite glee as we do so, I can’t but feel that the Everton "ethos" I know and love and have pride in will be so diluted that it will be almost unrecognisable from the club I love. That said, I have no axe against those who are really optimistic about Kirkby. Go for it, I say. But you’ll have to accept that this will be a parting of the ways for many Blues. And doubtless we’ll meet many who’ll say "you couldn’t have been that big a fan anyway". To which I’ll say "It’s precisely that I was (sigh at the past tense) such a big fan that I can’t accept Kirkby." Truly I’m dreading the next few seasons because I fear my oddysey which began on April Fool’s Day 1972 may be coming to an end. Good luck John Pac (and watch your carbon footprint Blue!!).
Posted
01/06/2007 at
15:33:43
Know what Taxiblue I have much sympathy for your point of view. I’m sixty and left Liverpool 36 years ago but still love the place, still a scouser, and have so many memories that are full of everton. My dad and I would sit in the same place, or stand in the Gladwys street end.........hate to think that’s all going to go.
I defer to your position because I have no doubt that if I still lived in Liverpool I would feel the same way you do, and your right of course the reds will revell in the statement ’there’s only two teams in Liverpool’.
I guess living outseide the city for so long has sedated my senses somewhat to the sensitivities that Evertonians who live in Liverpool have, and the passion that goes hand in hand with a football city.
I only get to go to six or so games a season, one it’s just too expensive with all the travelling etc, and two I’m often out of the country.
But Mate is there really an alternative, your comment about Tescos is also valid, and I guess that at some point Everton will become a target for an affluent business or rich tycoon but when and who?.
If we stayed in the city where would we go and who can afford to build us a magnificent stadium, or is the answer to simply stay put, pray,hope and wait that we’re taken on by someone with riches to spare.
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1 Posted 30/05/2007 at 22:20:49