FAN ARTICLES
Two sides to every argument?
Say no to Kirkby was the cry as I approached Goodison Park on July 31st. Werder Bremen were the visitors as part of the pre-season preparation and KEIOC saw an opportunity to rally support for their admirable campaign. It would seem, however, that those chosen to gain such support were not aware that some people would like to say yes to Kirkby - that some fans see Kirkby as a fresh start with a class stadium that could play a part in attracting a better standard of player
Along with two friends, one a blue the other a red, we made our way down City Road to the ?pay on the night? gate and there before us were a number of campaigners with stickers, banners and the like all urging us to ?Say no to Kirkby?.
As we drew closer one campaigner lunges towards me, sticker at the ready to slap on my suit (straight from work job) and splutters ?Saaay no to Keeerbie?. Once I realised he wasn?t in favour of banishing the game I loved playing as a child, and indeed was very good at, I politely refused the sticker by saying ?No thanks I say Yes? (I had picked up the phrase from some chap who made orange juice). ?Yeeer wot? was the intelligent response and so I reaffirmed my view which brought the reply ?Well you can fuck off then cant ya!!? Not wanting to cause a scene I laughed it off which drew the same response from Mr No ? I then heard his colleague say ?Wot wuz all dat abart den?. On hearing the interchange that had taken place I heard ?Just a fuckin knobhead den eh? Verbatim that?s what happened
I shouldn?t have been surprised but I was and on what had started as night I was looking forward to had become unnecessarily spoilt by these self righteous campaigners. In a throw back to Harry Enfield I could imagine these guys ?geeing? themselves up in the pub beforehand ? ?I should say Oi, Kenwright, Wyness, Nooooooo!? ?And you would be well within your right Ian?
Not for one minute am I going to put forward why I am so in favour of the move. The arguments for and against are there for all to see, take in, digest and make your mind up. These KEIOC people just need to realise that this game is all about opinion ? the beauty of opinion is that no-one is ever right or wrong. I haven?t seen any alternative that is either as attractive or, more to the point, as viable as the Kirkby project. The proposal to relocate to the Wallasey tunnel entrance smacked of desperation and the revamp of Goodison Park looked distinctly amateurish as well as completely unworkable.
I hope the Kirkby move happens ? yes technically we will be outside the city boundary but it never did Man Utd any harm did it?
Editorial note: Personal comments made in relation to Ian Macdonald of the Independent Blues (incidentally, not the "one campaigner" mentioned above) have been belatedly removed from this article. The author's assertion that Ian is the leader of KEIOC is incorrect ? he is merely a supporting member ? and the character assassination of a particular individual that this article contained was deemed as gratuitous and unnecessary in putting forward a viewpoint contrary to the KEIOC position.
Lyndon Lloyd
Reader Comments (67)
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2 Posted 06/08/2007 at 14:28:54
They have always played there and OT is about a 5 minute walk to Manchester City Centre,unlike Kirkby which is about 10 miles away from Liverpool City Centre.If Man U decided to uproot and move a further 10 miles away from there city centre,then they would cause absolute murder.
I,am voting No because i believe there are now other options available to us,and also the fact that i don,t have much faith in the current board to take us to another stadium.
Anyone who went to SGH on Friday would know that Bestway are willing to offer us the same financial deal that Tesco,s have but only this time the ground would be in the city of liverpool.
I understand they are going to release statements about this this week.
3 Posted 06/08/2007 at 14:30:59
4 Posted 06/08/2007 at 14:35:17
5 Posted 06/08/2007 at 14:43:15
I dont want second best, a town out in middle of no where in liverpool where no one will see us, just because Tesco have clapped there hands and Billy boy has seen an opportunity to not have to put his hand in his pocket, gets a new stadium out of it, in turn attracting business man with millions, and selling up at more than its worth now hence making millions!
6 Posted 06/08/2007 at 14:46:57
The amateurish approach is laughable unless you direct it towards wyness, at every opportunity he has managed to take a PR campaign and shoot himself in the foot. Just for once he should come out and say exactly what this move entails, instead of obfuscating, changing the capacity and costs, tugging at heartstrings (yes they do that too) and scaremongering. We know we’re not able to compete financially with the big guns, but in the same vein , we haven’t competed with them in the transfer market either, quid pro quo.
There is something rotten at the core, and though I don’t expect anyone to just take someone else’s word for it, I do ask that a moratorium be put on the kirby move and an open and transparent and objective look be given to alternatives found by , yes, amateurs, but whose heart, soul and efforts are in the interest of you, me and above all the club and name of EVERTON FC.
7 Posted 06/08/2007 at 14:49:03
8 Posted 06/08/2007 at 14:54:58
I’ll be voting ’no’ because I can see no compelling reason to go to Kirkby.
I have to add that it takes genius to split fans so deeply and bitterly. Shame on Kenwright!
9 Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:01:13
I just hope what took place on Friday is enough to sway the "undeciders"! time will tell! keep up the good work!
Roll on saturday!
10 Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:11:35
I think many of us who are still voting Yes admired your work and idea’s. The problem is - through no fault of your own - its all about definitions of ’Plan B’s.
If your definition of Plan B is "You can build a stadium here look here it is" then sure, you have given us a plan B.,
But, if you are like me and want to know how it is funded, how much it costs, then your great looking and I am sure buildable stadium is not applicable. I am sure it could be built and I am sure it would be fabulous... but for what? 150-200m? or 20m per year interest payment with 30m pounds down to the bank?
..thats not a Plan B as the business can’t afford it. I do not see from a buisness perspective how the hotel on your plans funds the package. Again, not your fault. I am assuming your remit was to show a buildable stadium on goodison and I believe you have done that well... but if you havent got the money you cant build it.
Do you see the point of what many of us are saying?
11 Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:12:19
My vote (which was unanswered and thefore spoiled)must be part of the 10%
Didnt over 4000 attend why only 1300 votes?
12 Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:10:13
To address some of the points raised
FACT Man Utd are outside the city boundaries like it or not - this has neither hindered or contrbuted to their success - it meant when they needed to expand they could.
LFC - its not a case of leaving the city to them, I am sick to death of over concern with what is going with our neighbours. My concern, focus, passion is for EFC and EFC alone. They are at a different level than us like it or not. The only time they concern me is derby day. Yes it makes victory sweeter when you hear they have lost but it doesnt take away from our victory if I hear they have won. Thats because I dont care about them - I care for and about EFC
I have no love for Wyness or Kenwright but so far this is the most economical, viable option for a new stadium - have we forgotton the Kings Dock fiasco. If you cant trust Tweedles Dee and Dum I certainly wouldnt question the business acumen of Sir Terry Leahy nor where his loyalty lies
Its right that we question why we fall behind in the investment stakes - I had it on good authority that in Apr 07 we were at advanced stages of due dilligence yet nothing has surfaced so we do require answers here.
I didnt mean offence with the word "amateurish" its just thats how it looked.
As for Ian Macs original piece "tugging on the heartstrings" smacks of double standards when you turn all Whitney Houston on us appealing on behalf of the kids.
13 Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:34:25
14 Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:21:34
What we are denied are the true facts to what interest in Everton from investors has been available and to the lamently stupid deal of exclusivity given to Tesco. A huge successful company with a landbank to die for but with the morals of the gutter.
Without the KEIOC campaign this would have been steamrollered through and a decision many feel will lead to the demise of our beloved club.
It is only in the last three weeks the NO campaign has really picked up and some people feel they have backed an Aintree horse which has fell at the first fence of asking.
Whilst not knowing any of the people involved nor ever speaking to any of them I feel they are getting the message across and people are now backing the horses in running if you get the jest.
Vote NO, for the future of Everton in the City Of Liverpool.
15 Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:47:42
16 Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:48:51
17 Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:49:31
18 Posted 06/08/2007 at 14:53:54
The impression you give is of a Professor Higgins type (who wears a suit to work would you believe?) being accosted in his leisurely stroll by street urchins with no arse in their trousers and the vocabulary of losers and ne’er do wells. How dare you try to paint all Kirkby doubters or refuseniks as some lower order of mankind because a few you met at the Werder Bremen game despoiled your sophisticated night out?
You couldn’t wait to punctuate your piece with a self-acknowledgement of your own footballing talent as if this might make your vote somehow superior to those of the less-gifted. Are you the same Andy Lea that I have never heard of as a footballer? I thought so!
The most objectionable part of your article is your unwillingness to attempt to explain sensibly why, on the strength of the evidence presented by the Board, you are determined to vote yes. Don’t get me wrong I respect your right to vote whichever way you choose. However, I am curious that someone who was so willing to let us know that he wears a suit to work and was a footballer of some note should fail to take the opportunity to blind us with the brilliance of his exposition in favour of Kirkby. Arrogant beyond redemption!
You claim that you have not seen any alternative to Kirkby. Perhaps that is because people in authority do not want you to know that there might be alternatives. That’s fine....vote yes. Allow those of us who believe that there might be an alternative a little time and opportunity (far less than Kenwright and co. have had to produce their less than convincing brochure)to explore possibilities. That is all that most of us are asking.
In the meantime, try to develop a greater tolerance of your fellow Evertonians. Not all of us will match your dress code or footballing ability but we do care just as passionately as you about Everton Football Club. Attempts to characterize those of us who are concerned about the nature of the Zimbabwe-type election that is being offered to us as some group of neanderthals and luddites is wide of the mark.
19 Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:54:55
Just so I understand - if we move to Kirkby then we will never attract another fan because we are outside the city boundary hence any future scouser will support LFC. That future parents will not encourage/bring up their offspring to support EFC. Thats the point you are making yes?
Are our neighbours not living proof that fanbases are based on what happens on the pitch? So we get that right and the future fans will look after themselves. Part of getting this right is a world class new stadium at minimum cost to EFC.
20 Posted 06/08/2007 at 15:55:45
YES to Kirkby!
21 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:04:23
22 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:01:11
You have never played Kerbie have you sir?
As for all you Kikby refuseniks - these were the guys chosen for the job on the night.
Obnoxious and arrogant you may think - I simply dont care.
People who know me will scoff at you response - you have misjudged what the article set out to do and for that you need look no further than yourself.
Good day to you sir.
23 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:15:31
24 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:11:56
25 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:03:08
It seems to me a perception is growing that you are a better Evertonian if you vote ’No’ to Kirkby.
As Blues we are very fortunate that the current custodians of EFC have allowed us all the opportunity to vote on such a momentous decision. How may other clubs have allowed the approved fanbase duch a democratic opportunity? Not many.
Based on Andy’s article I am now concerned that an ’us and them’ ballot will be shortly upon us.
26 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:13:12
27 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:30:58
You strike me as a "say it first think about it later" type. I do not want to descend into a slanging match despite your provocations. I am not here to judge anyone and am prone to swearing as the next person.
I did not claim to be a gifted footballer. No you have never heard of me as a footballer nor should you have. Kerbie, the way we played it as kids had nothing to do with footballing ability
These days its quite normal to wear a suit for work (hence I didnt want a sticker on it). Gone are the days when suits define standing (maybe you need to realise that).
"I simply dont care" was designed to wind you up (job done).
I said people who know me so not necessarily friends - we cant all be as popular as you.
I was born and raised 1 and half miles from Goodison and whilst it is apparent I am from Liverpool I dont have the "professional" scouse accent nor do I have the over the top accent (ala Carragher) of which there is no call for.
My point again was the lack of understanding that not everyone wishes to vote no, by campaigners assuming they speak for me. Upon hearing a different opinion I am verbally abused - is it wrong to object to that.
I havent tarred everyone with the same brush but feel free to feel at home with some of these mindless idiots.
I dont ridicule people because of their vocabulary or accents however if your objection to an opinion is to offer "fuck off" and label me a "knobhead" then there is a good chance I would take offence even if I were Dodgy Dave from Da Dingle.
Oh and I revise my earlier statement - I really do not care what you think of me as I dont know you nor would I like to.
Kind regards
28 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:39:15
29 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:26:37
30 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:50:15
This is not to denegrate the hard work many have put in to opposing the move or to ignore the sarky tone that both sides have been guilty of on the various message boards -that is the nature partly of message boards-. However I think Andy is right to raise this issue and shouldn’t get more stick for doing so.
31 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:48:18
32 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:59:03
"If you know your history!"
33 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:54:21
34 Posted 06/08/2007 at 17:05:24
The difference being, there was never any doubt then that the rapidly growing city (100,000 increase in population per decade pre 1890) would soon blanket Goodison Park and stretch many miles beyond it. This will never happen at Kirkby, we will be forever on the edge, even if it one day is taken up by the city, which doesn’t look too promising. Our Forefathers were faced with trying to find a big enough site in the most densely populated city in Western Europe, there was hardly any greenery in 19th century inner city Liverpool. The present custodians are faced with the complete opposite. A city inner core full of unintended parks and brownfield sites, ..... that are currently joining to form the biggest city-centre redevelopment in Europe. We are being sold a site that suits Tesco far more than it would ever suit a football club.
35 Posted 06/08/2007 at 17:25:06
What did intend to be if not a park?
Oh where is Brian Finnegan when you need him?
36 Posted 06/08/2007 at 16:45:55
Ah, another classic exchange though im not sure its suits versus cloth caps or just two more blues who are clearly part of a debate where there are so few facts and a shedload of emotion. Ian Mac does more for what we may term "ordinary" Evertonians than most of the internet posters put together. But he is far from perfect and I think he is wrong to defend the debate on a stance that seems to suggest that emotion is actually what its all about.
Of course Andy is going to be cheesed off Brian if what he encountered at the W Bremmen game is true. Ive been there. Its crazy. Some of the campaigners are passionate but seem to think that if you even mutter "yes" you must be a moron who cant possibly weigh up an argument and reach your own conclusion. There are few clear facts about Kirkby but a lot fewer about the strange looking plan B’s.
The basics about Kirkby will never in my view see us get a stadium for £20m or £30m. Im expecting a £40m bill for no better reason than I dont believe £20m is deliverable and the club have to spin this to some degree. But that will still be a bargain.
Tom Hughes and colleagues have given us a late spanner in the CEO’s works and thanks to KEOIC there really IS a debate. But I and others desperately need to know how that Loop site or even a "new" Goodison can be funded in a way that keeps the EFC contribution at the £30m to £40m mark and allows a slight chance we can survive the debt ?
Just to be clear. I trust Mr Bradley a lot less than EFC. I do not fancy living in the shadow of a LFC mega stadium that has benefited from the council’s despicable favouritism in handing over parkland they would refuse to EFC. I dont want to spend 4 years in a building site. But I would prefer to stay in the city, though genuinely Kirkby really is not an issue for me.
Maybe a focus on the Loop site might be just be what we need......so how much, and what will it look like and who are the partners to make it happen ?
37 Posted 06/08/2007 at 17:31:43
A combination of shit stadium, undesirable location, and being on Tesco’s dog lead is why I would VOTE NO.
38 Posted 06/08/2007 at 17:45:40
39 Posted 06/08/2007 at 17:43:00
40 Posted 06/08/2007 at 17:37:59
thanks for your reply. I am someone who deeply cares about the club, currently in the yes camp, but if I genuinely believed a business plan for goodison or the loop was achieveable id change to a No.
Can you give me some kind of rough outline with some rough estimates to how the funding package would work?
I’m not trying to catch you out or anything... i genuinely would vote no if someone could show me how another plan would work financially... i desperately want to be convinced in this manner.
41 Posted 06/08/2007 at 17:37:09
The Kirkby stadium is a very divisive issue but surely everyone would support a similar deal in the Loop?
42 Posted 06/08/2007 at 18:00:32
43 Posted 06/08/2007 at 18:04:20
There are several green spaces in our city that were not originally intended in any urban planning strategy..... most notably Everton Park. Once a massive population lived on this site.... various post-war planning mishaps and depopulation turned it into an open space which it was never intended to be. This is a prime location.
JC: Unfortunately, I’m on my way back to work..... for 11 days. If I get a chance whilst there I will explain more. The business plan wasn’t really in my remit, I’m a nuts and bolts man, but I sat in on a few meetings and got the gist of some of it. My scheme, or at least the one that was shown sprung out of a few other possibilities. There are hotel chains prepared to go for the site at the back of the Park end stand, and there are also property developers. there is almost unlimited planning permission for this landmark site, and as suggested by Trevor Skempton even a large Tower could be built at this end. He should know because he is currently the consultant Architect for all the developments downtown, and that is precisely what he has been doing there. This would have all been highlighted if the Bestway project hadn’t taken over. The Bestway project will cover these options if given the time. They will beusing similar land release/finance generating schmes that Tescos/knowsley are doing at Kirkby. But the difference being that they as a private company will be able to help fund this directly as opposed to Tesco who are beholden to their shareholders. Sorry I can’t be more specific, I’m about to get on a Helicopter! Plus it’s not really my bag anyway.
44 Posted 06/08/2007 at 18:29:02
45 Posted 06/08/2007 at 18:47:56
46 Posted 06/08/2007 at 19:01:10
He is best left well alone mate, I wonder how he will cope with the locals that might accost him in Kirkby ?
Vote no, its the only sensible vote
all things considered.
47 Posted 06/08/2007 at 19:31:20
If you only support Everton because Goodison is local to you and you wouldn’t travel 4 miles to see them play you are not a fan/supporter of our club.
48 Posted 06/08/2007 at 19:01:27
49 Posted 06/08/2007 at 19:54:58
"What we most certainly would be able to offer at a new stadium is a far greater range of facilities ? better catering outlets, better corporate and dining facilities, more comfortable seats with perfect sightlines, easier access to the stadium, better parking."
Possible exception is perfect sightlines but at times that white obstacle is somewhat a luxury when we are having an off day!
I’d like to vote no but I moved away for university 3 years ago and thus just miss out. Oh which reminds me its apparently easier to access but really it isn’t because it is further away from liverpool city centre which is where i would have to go first to then get out to kirkby. Oops Bill an Keith not your brightest moment. For an away fan yes it will be great because they can get to it nice & easy on a coach but i won’t have that shared luxury. But surely we’re not moving so the away fan benefits, are we?
50 Posted 06/08/2007 at 20:16:09
when are we makin some signings i wanna see players like manny fernandes in our royal blue AGAIN scorin more like the 1 against manure we must have millions in the bank !
what we REALLY need is BK to sell up and fuck off to the eastend
51 Posted 06/08/2007 at 20:10:55
52 Posted 06/08/2007 at 20:34:43
I’m with the Icelandic fella "Saaay no to Keeerbie"!
53 Posted 06/08/2007 at 20:45:10
54 Posted 06/08/2007 at 21:12:23
1. Moving out of Liverpool
2. Turning down the offer of Kirby.
Contracdictory? We’re in a really Shit place.
Of course there is:
3. Stay in Liverpool and turn down Kirby.
But that’s insane as well.
Best one I’ve seen is:
1. Demolish Goodison
2. Move back into Anfield
3. Rebuild Goodison
and this is fast becoming my personal choice. So with the vote I have I’ll be voting ’No’.
Finally, today, I’ve been getting pity, yes PITY off the RS members of my family. This is all too much to take.
I’ve had enough.
55 Posted 06/08/2007 at 21:06:13
56 Posted 06/08/2007 at 21:13:17
I have no problem with genuine scouse accents its manufactured ones I hate.
ALAN CLARKE I had stated yes to kirkby before being sworn at, and not by a youth but by a guy 35-40 and who should know better.
Whatever your viewpoint you have to respect other peoples opinions if they differ from your own otherwise its dictatorship - both YES & NO parties need to appreciate that.
Having been raised and still living in Walton I find Goodison extremely accessible more so than Kirkby but for the sake of progress on and off the field that particualr venture appeals to me hence my standpoint.
To have my opinion so aggressively objected to just wound me up on the night.
No offence intended to those who have taken it but its ironic those who have taken offence all vote NO - kinda adds weight to my original point if anyone can remember what that was.
57 Posted 06/08/2007 at 21:58:20
trying to backtrack on your arrogance earlier makes you even more confusing.
Instead of going head to head with individuals stick to the debate.
Alas one you are losing.
58 Posted 06/08/2007 at 22:17:13
Define arrogance
Then point out where I was arrogant.
Then re read my piece to see the point I was trying to make.
Then realise lack of arrogance, lack of backtracking.
If someone calls my character into question then I will go head to head - the apology wasnt meant for Brian.
Let me guess - you are a NO per chance.
Someone show me a viable, affordable, attractive stadium and I reconsider (not change my mind but reconsider).
Until such a time I am a yes
I cant lose something I never set out to win. Merely wanted to spotlight an occurrence and I have never offered my argument in this debate just where my vote lies.
Do hate it when people parrot fashion others opinions. At least make it your own Robert.
59 Posted 06/08/2007 at 22:10:27
This excuse for an argument is without doubt the most bigoted self-hating pile of crap I’ve had the misfortune to read on this site in quite a while
Andy - you must feel very proud of yourself.
I was a ’No’ swinging towards a ’perhaps’ but you’ve provided a timely reminder to me that it is ’suits’ that have fucked up the game as a whole ... and it will be ’suits’ who fuck up our club with their short term knee-jerk solutions to our long term painful demise.
A I believe that the Kirkby move will eventually kill Everton FC as a top flight Premiership Club.
I believe we need to be at the centre of economic and cultural activity and not on the outskirts of commerce and regional identity.
I believe that given the evidence of the last 5 years our leaders are lacking in leadership and credibility and do you know what - I don’t trust them anymore; there have been too many untruths, too much sophistry and too much spin.
Thats why I’m against a Kirkby move
60 Posted 06/08/2007 at 22:43:15
Success on the pitch is how you attract more fans and as the investment in the team does not appear to be a top priority for the board, we will not attract the levels of additional income projected by KW. The move will in my view not be in the best interest of EFC. Get the team in the top 4 year on year and you will see the investors come out of the woodwork...and then move/redevelop. People want to see a winning team not a new stadium.
61 Posted 06/08/2007 at 22:58:12
You are as wide of the mark on my opinion as a Stuart Barlow shot on goal.
"Kill Everton FC as a top flight premiership club" touch of the BK’s there in your dramatism.
John Michaels
As per one of my many retorts success on the pitch is key to fanbase I totally agree.
I knew there were people on this site with brain cells.
62 Posted 06/08/2007 at 23:25:56
To Tom Hughes, thank you for spending so much time and effort in providing us with a fine example of a viable alternative to moving away from Liverpool.Your efforts deserve much merit.To John Charles,you seem to be willing to consider an alternative, should one become available. would it be too much to ask the club to wait until a reasonable debate, encompassing all alternatives, has taken place.Iwill happily listen to positive arguments, as to why we would be better going to kirkby, although up to now none are convincing, but please, those who feel that Kirkby is he answer, don’t label us who don’t, as Nanderthal, or Luddite or crass scousers who who can’t string a reasoned argument together. This does not reflect well on our justified assertion that we are the PEOPLE’s CLUB.
63 Posted 07/08/2007 at 01:57:54
64 Posted 07/08/2007 at 05:37:57
We do not choose we are chosen!
65 Posted 07/08/2007 at 05:45:40
Kevin said "anyone who doesn?t agree with him is an ignorant scouse oik..."
66 Posted 07/08/2007 at 15:03:02
Listen to me please. Whether you are voting No in a hope that something better will appear, or voting Yes because it never will, or you just don’t know. STOP!!!!
I have been in touch with BESTWAY and they will answer all questions about funding in the next few days. If I hear more before the official press release I will let you all know. Don’t vote on the future of the greatest thing in our lives without knowing the full facts. And for gods sake, stop turning this into a slanging match between the yes and the no factions.
Everton is the Peoples Club and we are ALL the People
67 Posted 09/08/2007 at 10:50:18
Just what are you failing to comprehend that I vote yes based on what I know or that I dont like aggressive objection?
As for well done Anna - desperate!
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1 Posted 06/08/2007 at 14:32:43