The Mail Bag

Beattie Testimonial

Thought that might grab the attention...

In all fairness he did have a bit of get up and go, maybe even some passion when he first arrived but James himself has lowered his standards to be worthy of a lower division and should rightly so, go down there to benefit a club who have put more than enough faith into him. If thinking straight, he should see the benefits of being able to excel with less competition, therefore boosting confidence and game play for his own future... which, let's face it, is the priority of most Premiership players these days. Stop kissing badges unless it's yours!
Wayne McNee     Posted 31/07/2007 at 23:25:01   Comments (1)

Premier League Pikeys

We are, I'm afraid the poor relations of all other Premier League clubs... however we do have a team that 60% of the other clubs 'covet'. That being said it is a bit embarassing to be waiting on swapping 4 Beattie Panini Stickers before trading for a Smith. And is it just me or is the 'official' site just a load of bollocks with even less useful information than it had before the whoreful advertisement transition it took the other month? Hey ho... let us talk on the pitch!
Wayne McNee     Posted 31/07/2007 at 23:07:39   Comments (1)

Board are confident

The Everton Board are very confident that the magical 50.1% 'Yes' vote will be reached giving them the mandate to press ahead with the Kirkby move. Perhaps this is because they are sending more than 50% of ballot papers outside of the Liverpool post-codes? Believe it or not, we probably have as many season ticket holders living outside of the Liverpool boundary as we do inside ? despite the 'People's Club' label.

In other words, this is what makes them confident that they will get their mandate. Whilst you could never say that these 'outsiders' will vote for the move, perhaps the emotional tie with the City will not be as strong as their 'insider' counterparts. I fear we are all being led up the garden path and that the result is a formality based on the voting fan base

The train is leaving.... no choice I fear but to hop on and look to the future where we are in a stronger position to attract investment. Of the RS jibe "only one club in Liverpool" ? well a couple of resounding Derby victories will soon silence those gobshites. COYB.
Steve Callaghan     Posted 31/07/2007 at 22:51:48   Comments (9)

The Bremen game

The official site claims Everton dominated most of the game and actually played pretty well. Can anybody who saw the game confirm this?

And at least equally important, is it true that Baines was sitting next to Vaughan signing autographs and all? Even if it's true it doesn't have to mean a thing since they know each other from England U21 so it might be a friendly visit. It's not like it's a far drive for Baines. But anyway, it's just given me that spark of hope...
Erik Dols     Posted 31/07/2007 at 21:56:25   Comments (18)

Text Pest

According to a BBC report and comments made by Man United CEO David Gill, United have received firm enquiries regarding the availability of Alan Smith and also a text message. The text is probably from Bill Kenwright offering a dozen Everton mints and concessions to the next performance of Whistle Down The Wind.

In all seriousness, going as far back as April, both Kenwright and Wyness went on record stating that money would be made available to David Moyes for squad strengthening. The same line was probably trotted out to Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill influencing their decisions to agree to contract extensions. A lot of what is being written is both conjecture and rumour; however, it would appear that we are again leaving any transfer business extremely late. The overwhelming feeling that I am getting is like doing your shopping on a Christmas Eve, all the good stuff has already been bought, what's left nobody wants and you might as well not bother come the January sales !
Peter Laing     Posted 31/07/2007 at 17:06:18   Comments (4)

Team Selection

I think Everton FC are getting a little bit carried away with the 'People's Choice' apart from the upcoming ballot, the official Website has a poll for choosing where our only real signing of the summer should play.

Mr Moyes, watch out: you could be the next victim of the cuts being made. Perhaps we will now have team selection decided by a vote among season ticket holders, that would be a first and would no doubt give some of us many more sleepless nights.
John Partick McFarlane (Junior)     Posted 31/07/2007 at 17:05:54   Comments (1)

Redshite slur

Could I ask all Evertonians to refrain from throwing the,'you must be a redshite' slur at each other? Just because someone doesn't agree with your arguement, doesn't make them a redshite.
Brian Waring     Posted 31/07/2007 at 15:51:25   Comments (0)

Blue Propaganda

What a slick publication from Everton! And quotes from not just Moyes, but the big first team players all treading the company line! I ask Everton to tell us who wrote the players' articulations. And Pip 'The Red' Neville? Conspicuous by his absence... Maybe Everton's biggest signing of the close season has been Alistaire Campbell!
Nick Entwistle     Posted 31/07/2007 at 15:42:02   Comments (0)

What About You, Blue?

Jeez, my head is in a spin! What with the most important decision the club has faced in over one hundred years, and on top of that all the additional worry about the forthcoming season and whether we can kick on with such a small, but decent squad. I'm spending an almost unhealthy amount of time thinking about it all.

So what about a bit of light relief? Reading through the comments on one of the stadium articles I came across this gem from Alex May - God bless you sir, you made me laugh and realise I wasn't alone in my "behaviour".

Alex says of himself "...in fact someone so biased a blue that he won?t even drive past their ground, never mind go in it." No prizes for guessing who Alex is referring to. And my behaviour, well maybe not that unusual but I won't wear or buy anything that is red, and on a trip to Thailand would only drink Chang in preference to all other brews.

So come on. What about you, blue?
Steve Parry     Posted 31/07/2007 at 12:59:05   Comments (11)

KEIOC Leaflet

How can people take this organisation seriously when they cannot even spell correctly:

Extract from Leaflet: "HOW MUCH DEBT WILL THE CLUB BE LEFT WITH IF THE KIRKBY MOVE GOES AHEAD? IS THERE IS A BUSINESS PLAN? WHERE WILL THE EXTRA MONEY FOR PLAYERS COME FROM?

On another note: KEIOC — What does it stand for? Keep Everton In Our City!

To be quite honest most of their propaganda isn't about the stadium and the debated move! KEIOC are on a personal mission to publicly shame the board of directors at EFC in any way, shape or form possible... most of them dirty underhand tactics! Stick to the Stadium debate and not some vendetta against the board!
Andy Birch     Posted 31/07/2007 at 14:48:51   Comments (1)

Arrgghhh!

Will someone please tell me who is going to score the goals for us next season? It won't be AJ. Will we ever see a striker at Goodison score 25 goals again (over 15 would be nice). I mean it's as if Kenwright and Moyes are going out of their way to repeat the European antics of two seasons ago. The Red Shite must be laughing till they piss their pants.
Joe  McMahon     Posted 31/07/2007 at 14:49:10   Comments (16)

The KEIOC presentation

This week's presentation should be interesting. I note that Tom Hughes will be amongst the presenters.

As way of preparation of what to expect and the arguments and counter-arguments to anticipate, this link to an article by Tom here on TW and the discussion that followed — all conducted BEFORE Lyndon's loop piece — might be informative.
Art Greeth     Posted 31/07/2007 at 13:50:19   Comments (0)

The first real test

Like many of you I have been constantly on the internet hoping and praying for some decent transfer activity. So far not much to sing about (although I am happy with Jagielka).

As you are all aware we have had many rumours linking us with the likes of Nugent and Richardson but have seen them go off to other clubs. Suddenly though everything has changed, because we never actually made any reported/confirmed bids for these players you have to conclude that Moyes actually did not want them and it was just paper talk.

Baines however is a different matter, by having a bid rejected it is clear that Moyes wants him so this for me is the real test. Are we going to sit around and hope he rejects other (rumoured) clubs so we get him on the cheap at our valuation? Is KW going to prove that the stadium money and transfer money are indeed two cmopletely different budgets? Are we really that skint that we cannot find an additional £1.5m?

I am hoping that we take care of business while all other (rumoured) clubs are distracted -Man Utd with Tevez and Heinze, Liverpool with Heinze and City busy buying Bulgarians. I am afraid that we are about to witness another 'Sissoko' and our pissing about will see Baines join another club. Surely if we want him and we offered £6m the deal could be done by teatime?

I've just about had enough of this preseason, I just want the season to start and deadline to close so I can get back to work and stop obsesively checkin the damn internet for a new signing.
Andy Baker     Posted 31/07/2007 at 12:07:22   Comments (23)

Alan Smith

Do we have any concrete evidence that the club either has, or intend to, field a bid for the services of Alan Smith? We've read in most of the papers that his 'preferred' move is to Everton (as is Leighton Baines allegedly). If you can believe the papers then there's the Barcodes and the Smoggies (Boro)in for him as well.

It will be interesting to see how it all pans out, if we ever DO get proof of a bid from Everton. I say this because of the three clubs we're 'probably' the one expected to do best next season. Recent history alone leans towards this being the case.

Couple that 'fact' with the assumption that he doesn't want to uproot too much from the area he now lives in and it may show just how far, if at all, we've fallen behind our so-called peers. Whether you're pro- or anti-Smith, I feel that the outcome of his expected move from Manure may (and I stress may) just be a pointer for the future...one way or the other. Constructive comments or reasoned insults gratefully accepted *L*.
Brian Williams     Posted 31/07/2007 at 11:53:05   Comments (38)

A problem shared...

I think I'm missing something here. After his early summer 'coup' of securing Arteta and Cahill on extended contracts we were all quick to hear how matters had been progressed quietly and without fuss in 'the Everton way'. So why is it that everything else this summer (especially transfers) has been handled in a manner that i'd personally describe as crass, unprofessional, ill considered and frankly embarrassing for a club of our (historic) stature?

Or are we all living in the past and the present is the grim reality for EFC? And if its the latter then just how bad is that reality please? I mean, is this why our lads battled for European qualification last year - and no doubt the 'fresh faces' they were also promised?

I don't blame Moyes as he is only able to deal with the funds he has made available. But for vital player additions to be missed out on for the sake of a few million is a bloody disgrace and someone needs to stand up and be counted here.

There is a boat sailing next season and our amateurish behaviour is in danger of leaving us waving them all off. Nobody is expecting us to compete with some of the obscene sums of new money being introduced into the game but compete on the pitch we must. And that means paying the going rate every now and again. Did we learn nothing from the summer of 2005?

Hopefully the stadium debate will shatter some illusions regarding our financial health and put the spotlight firmly on how the club is being run - regardless of where we end up moving. I've got everything crossed for the season ahead but should that really still be necessary?

Come on Bill, open up a bit and see what happens. You never know, it could become the new 'Everton way'...
Neil  Scott     Posted 31/07/2007 at 09:49:27   Comments (2)

The Brochure

The bumf is published and it reads to me that unless another investor/partner in the form of another Tesco, then the option is indeed Plan A. Wanting to stop in the city is something we all want, including the board, but it is just not possible, end of...

No other funding-No other option.

They hierarchy don't need to tell me Goodison has had it and it is as plain as day that we are potless. So, unless we all start chasing rainbows, with a shovel in tow, then Kirkby it is.
Mark Joseph     Posted 31/07/2007 at 09:24:40   Comments (11)

Media circus

I see The media circus, on the ground move, is under way. I have never seen, heard or read so many one-sided views from the local media.

Liverpool Echo, with the headline Kirkby welcomes Everton. Which is basicly untrue.

Radio city, Tom Cannon, Everton shareholder stating we will get relegated if we dont go to Kirkby. Not true.

On Saturday afternoon on Radio City sport programe, we heard views from Ratters and Reidy, that was it. No major phone in for supporters with alternative views.

Same with Radio Merseyside's sport show on Monday night all we got was cricket and rugby, not a mention on the biggest decision in Evertons history.

Today [Tues] The Daily Post, front page from manager, chairman and players, why we have to move to Kirkby.

So yes there's two sides to every storey. Well there's supposed to be. These decision makers won't be here in ten, fifteen years time, We will. KEEP EVERTON IN OUR CITY.
Colin Malone     Posted 31/07/2007 at 08:18:24   Comments (7)

Vote wrangling?

Has the news that Kirkby residents have voted in favour of a new ground really received more Thumbs Up than any other news story on the official site, or have we already witnessed the practise run for the vote rigging later in the season?

Incidentally, I work for a major travel operator in London. Perhaps EFC's lack of money has something to do with them chartering luxury private jets at breathtaking fees everytime one of their Board or senior management take a trip abroad!!! Just a thought worth considering.....
Alan Greenspan     Posted 31/07/2007 at 01:57:05   Comments (11)

Baines Bid Rejected

So according to the BBC we have had a £4million + player [Carsley I imagine] bid for Baines rejected. It's quite depressing that we are now probably going to miss out on him because we are so poor we can't stump up the extra £2m needed to secure his services.

He is a class player with age on his side. I'm pretty sure some other clubs will go in for him and we will end up losing out on yet another potential signing. According to several news reports he is a lifelong Everton fan ? and NOT a Liverpool fan, as some people on this site were originally claiming.
Carl Williamson     Posted 30/07/2007 at 23:41:24   Comments (38)

Oh, woe is me...

...give me a fuckin rope!

By Christ, what a whingeing load of doomongers follow our club. Day after day, drivel after even more drivel... the club's a disgrace, Kirkby is a woolyland shithole, Kenwright is in it for himself, Wyness is a liar, don't sell Beattie, Nugent was the new Dixie, we can't sign anyone... And the moans go on and on and on.

Can't people see whats happening? It really isn't rocket science. EFC have no money, they borrow money against future earnings which they did last season and bought Johnson and Lescott. They gambled and got European football, it means they don't have much money for this season. However, the team is still the same but one year more experienced, therefore stronger.

Most of the players we've 'lost' out on were overpriced, other teams are spending out of their skin just to catch us up and not one of them has made a significant buy which would make them a better team than us.

Beattie ain't cutting the mustard and £4M would be a good deal if he goes. Nugent has potential but is not worth £6M. As for BK & Bully, they're striving to give EFC a chance to compete at the very top, not just for 5th/6th place. So what if they make a killing and sell us once the stadium deal is done, isn't that what you've wanted all along?!

Because, if they sell and make a tidy profit, it will mean the club gets the big investor we all crave! I hope it's Gadaffi just to piss off the self-righteous Tesco haters. Anyway, I've found the rope, but I'll start skipping instead of 'anging meself, coz I've just remembered theres a footie season about to descend on us. Bet all you doomongers forgot that, didn't ya!
Tommy  Gibbons     Posted 30/07/2007 at 22:53:49   Comments (16)

Disgrace

I would just like to say that it is an absolute disgrace that a club like ourselves has to sell players to raise funds to buy. If figures are right, we have only spent £3M this summer because Naysmith went for a million. Where is the money? It's an absolute joke! I would like to add that I am pleased with the two signings we have made but was just expecting more.
Robbie Kirkham     Posted 30/07/2007 at 22:35:10   Comments (7)

Why Do We Do It?

It has already happend this summer and I am afraid that it is going to happen again; Everton missing out on quality players that are desperate to play for the club. First of all Nugent, now it looks as though we may miss out on Baines and Smith. If rumours are correct, then either Man Utd or Liverpool are in for Baines depending on the Heinze situation and Newcastle have been allowed to speak to Smith. Why do we continue to dither over signing players? Why are Liverpool going to extreme lengths to sign Heinze? Because he is desperate to play for them.
John Murphy     Posted 30/07/2007 at 22:24:50   Comments (1)

Investment on the Pitch - No Plan B?

Our old mate Dominic King in the red Echo tells us that it's becoming 'increasingly likely' that selling Beattie 'holds the key' to signing Alan Smith.

If that's the case then we're in even worse financial merde than I thought. So far our net tranfer outlay is about £3 million (Jagielka minus Naysmith) but we need to offload another player before we can sign anybody for a fee.

We've been promised more New Faces than Tony Hatch (ask yer dad) but where are they? If the players we fancy cost more than a KFC bargain bucket (without the Coke) then we seem to be priced out of the market. And if we're keeping the money for Kirkby then how will we fill the new stadium if the side we put out is made up of mostly journeymen players? Bottom line, it's what goes on on the pitch that counts.

Where has our great club's ambition gone? How do we intend to compete if we can't build our side up when European football is within sniffing distance? I don't blame Moyes for this because, if the money isn't there, then it isn't there ? but what a stroke of luck that Rooney wanted to leave and Man Utd ponied up £20 odd million. (Sarcasm alert there, by the way). Where would we have been financially had he stayed, I wonder...

I don't know about you but I despair when I see where we are in financial terms, especially at a time when football finances (at least for other sides) are booming thanks to TV contracts (which we'll be part of) as well as foreign owners (which we apparently won't). Regardless of the issues surrounding Kirkby, it's investment on the pitch that matters and we just don't do that sort of investment. Investment on the pitch ? there is no Plan B, lads.

When you put forward a view like this then you often get stick as a whinger (or far worse, trust me), but is there something wrong in wanting Everton to be a power again? Nil Satis, and the like. Football royalty, as we once were. The sense of frustration is overwhelming when you see that we're considered an irrelevance to many people in football and the media, but the only people who can push the club forward in investment terms don't seem to have the savvy or clout to do it. Robert Earl is now on the Board... and?

And to think we were the 'Mersey Millionaires'. Ah, Sir John... where has your philosophy gone?
Kevin Latham     Posted 30/07/2007 at 21:28:16   Comments (3)

Beattie leaving

Is anyone else a bit concerned that we have accepted a bid for Beattie? Yes he has been awful for the majority of his blues career, (with the beginning of 2006 the exception) but our squad is already paper thin. If he goes we will start the season with Anichebe, Johnson and Mcfadden up front as our only fit strikers who have any sort of premiership experience.

If we are going to sell him surely we should get a striker to replace him first rather than take a chance that we 'might' get Smith. Maybe 'Ben the red' is right and the signing of Smith is nearly done and will be revealed just before the ballot. I can picture KW now - 'We know your not keen on the stadium move so we've signed Alan Smith to cheer you up, there is no plan B, but dont worry... ALAN SMITH!!!!' What am I worrying myself about?
Steve Smith     Posted 30/07/2007 at 21:33:58   Comments (5)

Always look on the brightside?

Not much of a brightside, but anyway here goes: England are bidding for the 2018 World Cup. Now cities are limited to one stadium per city under hosting rules?

Now if worst comes to worst and we end up in Kirkby... Which isn't part of Liverpool, does that mean that we can host World Cup games?? (Because to be fair, if there was a choice for them to make, it wouldn't be us would it?)

I did warn it wasn't much of a brightside but hey, season is almost back... And I for one cannot wait.
Dave Turner     Posted 30/07/2007 at 16:43:43   Comments (5)

Please Stop

Can the people who post things like "my friends uncle's next door neighbours dog walker saw (insert random footballers name) and it turns out he's going to join Everton" please stop. It's getting a bit tiresome and its infantile (unless of course it actually is true ? in which case have at it).
Declan Critchley     Posted 30/07/2007 at 16:28:57   Comments (9)

Finch Farm

Thought this might make a few of you laugh at our incompetance. This morning the entire first team squad turned up at 'our' new training facilty Finch Farm. At 11 o'clock they were all back at Bellefield and had virually missed an enitre training session. The reason? They were falling over the builders who have not finished and so the players were forced to return to Bellefield... obviously the communication once again is first class! It's obviously not only us fans that the club keep in the dark!
Andy  Baker     Posted 30/07/2007 at 15:04:21   Comments (9)

Rumours at BBC

You've probably all read it but apparently:

1) Beattie to Sheff Utd is in trouble due to Beat's salary (£40K). That's £4M less in the kitty.
2) Newcastle are interested in Alan Smith for £6M.
3) Man City might offer £7M for Smith!

All rumours these but.... makes you think about Nugent going to Portsmouth, Vaughan getting injured. Me thinks the Preston lad panicked and decided two weeks too early to settle his future. And we will end up being priced out and with no-one.

Anyone heard where Riquelme is starting the new season... ooer, did I mention an unmentionable?
David Smith     Posted 30/07/2007 at 14:08:28   Comments (7)

Our new shoe box

Just thought I'd share some points from an excellent letter published in yesterday's Observer regarding our new stadium. The writer claims not to be a blue or a red, he made it clear he doesn't like their new stadium at all but felt ours was even worse and that if he was an Evertonian he'd be up in arms.

The key point was around the actual design, not location and it struck me that this is a point that has been lost as we are more consumed with where the ground is located rather than how it functions and looks (natural at this early stage). He clearly hated the design and referred to the game being run by people obsessed with making money, he likened the new stadia designs to the planning catastrophes of the 1960's. Our forefathers left us a legacy of beautiful grounds (like Goodison and Highbury), what sort of mark will oure generation of supporters make?

As an aside, he was pretty scathing about the 'Peoples Club' slogan, called it cringeworthy and I've got to say that I agree, to stick it up in lights on the front of a stadium is plain embarrassing. I will confess that I want to see Goodison renovated, but if we have to move let's build something worthy of our past and our future.
Marcus Dawson     Posted 30/07/2007 at 13:56:46   Comments (7)

'We control every aspect of your lives'

Seems like Evertonians aren't the only people with beef with T*sco: YouTube link
Andrew Conroy     Posted 30/07/2007 at 13:21:18   Comments (0)

Who will own the carparks?

Does anybody know who will own the carparks surrounding a Kirkby stadium? Potentially this will be a rather large source of revenue. There does not seem to be any information on this. Will this land be owned by the council/Tesco or Everton? £10 a car might well be easier to swallow depending on who it goes to. Also in the loop option is the any provision made for parking?
Dave Fitz     Posted 30/07/2007 at 13:07:02   Comments (10)

Vote of No Confidence

Having read through the realms posted on this site regarding the Kirkby project and digested the for and against arguments that have been so elequently presented, the one question that is nagging away at me is, if the fans democratically say 'no', then is this not a direct message to Kenwright to get out? For a Chairman and Chief Executive to put all their eggs in one basket, have no Plan B and remain steadfast in their resilience to consider any other alternatives then surely a no vote is also a vote of no confidence.

I doubt that Kenwright will do the honourable thing and fall on his sword should his mandate fail, however this will be a clear sign of little faith in his ability to lead the Club and without any alternatives other than another elaborate plot on the grand scale of the FSF fiasco then Kenwright must go.
Peter Laing     Posted 30/07/2007 at 12:53:21   Comments (4)

Friendlies

With an important season not far away, both domestically and in Europe, am I the only one dismayed by our pre-season fixtures.

Whilst I can understand team bonding and getting players fit (although how unfit can you get as a professional footballer in a month ?) I'm at a loss as to who we've arranged to play. The first team jet off to America and lose their one and only official game although they did manage to beat a girls college under 11 team behind closed doors - was that just so Beattie could score ?!?!

Newcastle have played Celtic and Juventus in the last few days, whilst we play Werder Bremen on Tuesday followed by Crystal Palace. Hardly the chance to get some much needed European experience.

With all this talk of moving I would have thought the best thing the board could do is to have the lads playing some top quality opposition, just to give us fans something other to talk about.
Alan  Humphreys     Posted 30/07/2007 at 10:12:35   Comments (3)

Alan Smith to sign today!!!

I have been informed that Alan Smith is staying in the Marriot in Town for the week while he completes his swith to us.

My friend is a DJ and was DJ'ing at Jermaine Pennants party on Sunday night and Alan Smith was there. My friend asked him was he was down these ways and he told him that after 3pm today, he will be an Everton player.

I have made my friend swear on everyone's life under the sun, that he's not winding me up. He assured me 100% that he is telling the truth and he has heard it from the horses mouth. Check the website after 3pm!!!

He also told me that Beattie will be leaving and it's agreed!!! COYB!!!!
Ben  Chambers     Posted 30/07/2007 at 10:08:50   Comments (43)

Being Sold?

In an article in the latest Observer Sports Monthly concerning the sale of Premier League Clubs to foreign investors there was a comment that Everton were exepected to be sold within the next year. This is news to me. Does anyone have any information or was it merely a journalists throw away line?
Simon Woolfenden     Posted 30/07/2007 at 08:57:47   Comments (3)

Kenwright

Am I the only one who is suspicious about the lack of comment from "Our leader" on the proposed move to Kirkby? Surely if the issue is the "biggest decision" that we Blues have to make then we should be entitled to Bills inner thoughts. I have to say it smacks of Wyness being hung out to dry and I not a fan of his either!!

ps: If we can get Bill to talk ask him about investment that everyone else seems to obtain but surprisingly not us. Quite odd don't you think.
David Currie     Posted 30/07/2007 at 08:44:08   Comments (0)

If you really knew your history

I've been reading with disbelief all of the posts screaming that Everton should remain within the boundaries of the city of Liverpool as otherwise we would be turning our back on history. To all those who spout this nonsense can I refer you to a page on this very site. And a further page on another site, where you should scroll down to the last sentence in the section on the nineteenth century. Do you see?

When Everton moved to Goodison Park it was not in Liverpool. If you know your history you will realise that in order to progress we moved out of the footprint of the city once before. Please stop using 'history' as a reason not to move to Kirby because if you truly knew your history you would realise it IS a reason to move there.
Barry  Earley     Posted 30/07/2007 at 08:08:34   Comments (3)

Cup runs and League

I don't know how popular this suggestion might be but here it is anyway...

Seen as how the domestic cups are are mostly won by the big 4 why don't we field all the youngsters for these games. Right from the start, give the younger members of the squad a chance to prove their potential or at the very least expose them to real compitition. It worked well for Man Utd when they were on the rise. Ok, you had Becks, the Nevilles, Scholes and Butt. They also had other players who showed promise and moved for a decent fee.

It would be good to win the FA cup but in since us in '95 it's been dominated by 4 clubs. With a small squad and the Uefa this season it's going to be tough on the 'regulars' so why not see if any of our academy boys are ready to make a step up. We won't really know until we give them a chance.
John Gee     Posted 30/07/2007 at 00:29:53   Comments (4)

Is there something behind the earl

Just a quickie. Does anyone suspect that there is more to meet the eye with this Earl fella? Suddenly he wants on the Board just as it looks like a 'yes' vote for the stadium. Is there something big following the building of the stadium? Are there buyers on the background, waiting for the stadium to be built? Saves them a few bob etc...
Michael McLoughlin     Posted 29/07/2007 at 20:46:18   Comments (0)

Conspiracy?

I read a fans opinion on some website about the proposed move. At the time I thought it was pretty wild but I am beginning to agree with a modicum of the theory. Mr Tesco has merely engineered the 'proposed' site etc so that LC will almost panic into providing another option. The CEO has spun the story and made various claims but no other club to my knowledge consults or has consulted the fans over a proposed ground move. EFC know the answer will be a No, but even if it is LC have already been stirred into action judging by the press. If the vote is a yes it puts more urgency into LC finding an equal offer to that of Sir 'Two for one'. It may be an unlikely scenario but if not it could be a stroke of genius to keep us in Liverpool! Trust though that the acumen came from Sir Terry not Bill or Keith.
David O'Brien     Posted 29/07/2007 at 20:20:38   Comments (3)

Future Takeover?

Just found this when searching google for all things Everton, scroll down to the 7th paragraph for the interesting bit!
Dave Buck     Posted 29/07/2007 at 20:01:21   Comments (0)

Kings Dock

What was the show stopper in the Kings Dock project ? Is there any chance that we can start all over again with that project ? Could be a nice one if the fans says "no" to Kirkby.
Stale Haverstadlokken     Posted 29/07/2007 at 18:59:33   Comments (0)

Shut Up

I've never read such a load of diertribe in all my life. Move or not, move when and were? No transfers, no money etc... Thank goodness we've got a game of football at Goodison on Tues (thats if it's still standing). Let's get on with the football. We had a great season last season. We're in for another great seaon this year, yes with ups and downs. Have you lot forgotten "We're The Finnest Team In All The Land And We're Known As EVERTON". Come on you Blues, and the rest of you please "shut up"
Michael Sullivan     Posted 29/07/2007 at 14:09:18   Comments (22)

Much Ado About Nothing

Why all the hand-wringing over our 'lack of transfer activity'?

It has been abundantly clear over the past few years that we are short of money, so why the surprise? Did you really believe that we were one of the top 20 richest clubs in Europe? Are you completely unaware of the concepts of spin and creative accountancy?

So it is clear to some of us that we do not have pots of money to spend on the expensive mediocrity on offer this summer. None of the players we have 'missed out' on have lost me any sleep. Getting £4M for Beattie would be a fabulous piece of business. As for Carsley, I'd rather he stayed another year or two, but if we part-ex him for a decent, younger player, I'd be happy. If, of course we actually replace these players...

I'm not a big fan of Moyes. To me he has proven himself to be at best, a good manager of ordinary players. In his defence, I think he has been let down by Kenwright and that we may never know how good he actually is. He has realised that if you are 'well-organised' you can get a top six finish. Many Evertonians seem to think that exciting football, cup runs and winning trophies are irrelevant, so what's the point in spending lots of money, especially if we don't have any? I think our transfer policy reflects our off-pitch management's style and the state of football today.

Of course, I'd prefer us to have forward-thinking, purposeful management with genuine ambition and business nous, but for the forseeable future, that's not going to happen.

In two weeks time, the season will have started. Last season, our squad went from 'the best in recent years', to one which was 'short on numbers'. In terms of senior professionals ready to play, the current squad is even shorter on numbers. The stadium debate has taken the focus away from this. The next two weeks will seriously judge the genuine ambition of our current management.
Paul Tran     Posted 29/07/2007 at 13:36:28   Comments (29)

On a more serious note

I?ve more than dipped my toe into this subject, as Tony Marsh?ll attest to... and the biggest point I?ve tried to make is that people should vote with their head and not their heart. After reading Joe Beardwood?s article on the financial review 2006/7 I?d say unless we get outside investment we?re fucked if we do, and fucked if we don?t move).

Costs are rising (pretty obvious) and it would appear that TV money isn?t enough to do more than put off the inevitable rise in debt. I can see the reasoning behind the Board wanting the move; simply put it?s to increase the club?s income and they obviously feel that can?t be done at Goodison (without going further and further into debt).

I don?t believe that either BK or KW are in this to run the club down, that just doesn?t make sense. I can also see at times that either, or both, of the two gents mentioned have been somewhat economical with the truth... maybe for what they percieve as the right reasons. You only have to read some of the posts on here to realise how emotive an issue the move/non-move is and they?ll feel that they make decisions while keeping emotions in check. I believe that BK and KW want to take the club as far as they possibly can, especially BK, who ? like him or loathe him ? loves Everton FC.

In my own heart I think that BK?s accepted that we?ll never compete financially with the Big Four (as they?re referred to) although he?d probably never come out and publicly admit that, and that HE is able in his capacity to lead us as far as we can realistically expect to go (not geographically speaking) hence his unwillingness to let go (if you believe that investor after investor has been turned away).

Maybe, just maybe, he?s keeping quiet through all this because KW is using just his head, and BK is finding that somehwat hard. Try it yourself as an Evertonian. Try not to get those butterflies when you hear the first beats of Z Cars. Try not to feel proud when you?re hundreds of miles away and spot that Everton shirt somebody?s wearing.

The question we have to ask ourselves ? because we all know and agree, surely, that TRUE success in football today costs millions ? is: Is moving to Kirby the best option to secure our long-term financial future?

Ask yourself nothing but that and you?ll come to the right answer for yourself. Don?t think of kopite comments. Don?t think about where you?re gonna have a bevvy or which bus you?ll get just this: IS MOVING TO KIRBY THE BEST OPTION TO SECURE OUR LONG-TERM FINANCIAL FUTURE.

God bless each and every Evertonian.
Brian Williams     Posted 29/07/2007 at 12:53:12   Comments (5)

From where will they come?

When the club is moved to Kirkby, the management will be looking for an extra 18,000 supporters. Now if the vote is a 51%-49% result, have the club taken into consideration, what % of the 49% will not go and watch at Kirkby? We will need even more support and just where will they all come from? I don't knnow how many people live in Kirkby, but will it be enough to fill the ground? I personally doubt the club have thought this out properly. Just a thought of mine, which I think needs a bit of thought and consideration.
Colin Potter     Posted 29/07/2007 at 10:42:01   Comments (8)

Staying Up

I have just read in the always reliable News of the World that Knowsley residents have the highest usage of Viagra per head (oo er!) in the UK.

I've just made two dubious double entendres in the title and that last paragraph. So, given Knowsley is our likely destination for the new stadium, I feel the challenge is on to get the best Viagra-related joke for our new home.

Starter for ten: here's hoping we will be scoring regularly in Kirkby! Come on someone must be able to do better than that...
Steve Guy     Posted 29/07/2007 at 10:34:42   Comments (18)

So which is it then??

Not spending our money on the new stadium will see us in the Championship....

OR

Not investing in the team will see us in the Championship....

AND

Just how much will we have to pay out in the short term here and now???

THEN

Just how much, in the long term, per quarter or annually, will we be contracted to pay to cover Tesco's up-front expenses???

COZ

I don't think there is anything for free... especially in big business.

IF

They were to tell the voters (and the non-voters) just what they were actually voting for instead of playing 'period of exclusivity' / spin etc. silly buggers, we could go into it with our eyes wide open and make an honest mistake, if indeed, that is how it turns out and have nobody to blame but ourselves.

TO

Put a Simpsons twist on this we could be looking at the football equivalent of the Shelbyville monorail.

OR

A Royal's twist on it, build it and they'll come... My arse!!
Derek Thomas     Posted 29/07/2007 at 06:38:31   Comments (0)

Skill compilation

Here are some skills from some Everton Players:

• Anderson De silva
• Mikel Arteta
• Manuel Fernandes
• Manuel Fernandes
• http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FF61q6DyQWI&mode=related&search= Andy Van Der Meyde
• http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=smjo-XfFTYA&mode=related&search= Andy Van Der Meyde

To keep everyone happy.
Connor Rohrer     Posted 28/07/2007 at 20:08:43   Comments (2)

AJ

Is the squad back from the US yet? I had a chance to say hello to Andy Johnson today - saw him at Broadheath Retail Park, Altrincham. Looking very smooth in his Black Lamborghini Gallardo!!
Steven Astley     Posted 28/07/2007 at 18:53:24   Comments (2)

Do we have ZERO funds?

Considering the latest rumour of James Beattie going for £4M, do we have ZERO transfer funds at all?

The only activity so far that has actually cost us any fee has been Jagielka for circa £4 million ? the value of which could be attributed to the proceeds of the sale of Davies and Naysmith.

Could it be that the Beattie proceeds are needed to fund the Alan Smith bid - thus indicating we actually have a transfer budget that would make even Plymouth Argyle embarassed? When it's said that players are "over-valued", I'm starting to think this is spin for "out of our reach".
Jeremy Benson     Posted 28/07/2007 at 17:58:13   Comments (21)

Alternative to Kirby

Would anybody have any objections to the Blues coming to Birkenhead? I know the council leader's a Blue (true) as I know him personally. For me, it would be a dream come true... and for all those visiting from what would then be "over the water", I could ease your passport applications through no bother at all.
Brian Williams     Posted 28/07/2007 at 17:57:32   Comments (7)

Bye Bye Biffa

So it seems it's finally time to say sayanara to Biffa. I think this is good for Everton and the Blades, who have bid £4M. Biffa was a whole-hearted 100%-effort player who alas lacked the finer skills and turn of speed needed at the top level despite some impressive goals at Soton. Getting £4M for a player who has a problem scoring is a real deal at this stage depite paying more for him. Good luck to Biffa and hopefully the £4M will get the Blues some further back-up.
Tom Bowers     Posted 28/07/2007 at 17:20:41   Comments (8)

Alan Smith

What is this stuff about Alan Smith? A lot of people seem to want to sign him. What are his strengths? Speed, Strength, Skill, Aerial ability, hold-up play or finishing? Whatever it is I have not seen it.

Is Moyes going to play him as a centre-forward or as a midfielder? Is he going to give us the bite and agression we have lacked since Peter Reid? I doubt it. He failed to do this at the best club in England so I doubt it is goin to happen at Everton. Or is he going to be the 20-goals-a-season man we have lacked for years? If my sources are correct he has scored 45 goals in 233 games. Compare that to Andy Johnson who has about 110 goals in 207 games there is no competition.

I see passion, agression and a will to win but I also see a horrible person and a traitor. Is he not the man who said he would never leave Leeds for Man Utd?
Connor  Rohrer     Posted 28/07/2007 at 16:21:20   Comments (19)

Spurs Finally Ready?

It makes me laugh because Martin Jol says Spurs are finally ready to make a challenge for a Top 4 place. It's only taken him three seasons and a whopping £77 million in transfers to get them ready to attempt a challenge for that mystical Top 4 spot. Maybe someone should mention to him that it only took David Moyes three seasons and just £20 million in transfers to not only make a challenge but to actually crack that Top 4 spot. Moyes cracked the Top 4 with Marcus Bent as his main striker!! You can spend millions in the transfer market but what you really need to get that Top 4 finish is a genius for a manager.
Dutch Schaffaer     Posted 27/07/2007 at 22:52:11   Comments (12)

Whos Trying to get votes by Lying?

On The web site 'icLiverpool' they State 'Support for the Tesco retail development associated with the new stadium is now running at 75%'.

On ToffeeWeb you state 'after a poll of residents leaving Knowsley council?s recent consultations into the scheme revealed that many were dissatisfied with the public consultation and that 75% opposed the new stadium. Who's Lying?
David Hooper     Posted 27/07/2007 at 21:58:01   Comments (3)

Shall we take a break?

I realise there is next to no chance of this happening but could we not have a little break ( even just for a while) from the now surely exhausted indeed rapidly becoming boring comments about "the move"? None of them are going to have the slightest influence, we all have our own individual thoughts so each of us can only hope it goes our way.

We may not like it but the same thing applies to the "he's signing", "he's going" crap. No one knows, rumours are rumours, "just that", rumours. Have a little breather, chill out, recuperate and save your energy for just two weeks to encourage those players we actually have on the books, for the "Mad Scot" to choose from on 11th August. The truth is that's the ONLY choice we have.
Jimmy James     Posted 27/07/2007 at 21:05:16   Comments (3)

Bestway Boss

I seem to recall seeing somewhere, on either this site or kipper, that the owner/boss of Bestway is the 12th richest chap in the country. Can anyone confirm that please? If it is the case, does anyone think he may have the finances to have a go at acquiring us?

On another point, you can't actually get a fairer ballot question than the one posed can you? It may come with all the bumf in the world to try and persuade us but the question still stands... do you want EFC to relocate to Kirkby?
Mark  Joseph     Posted 27/07/2007 at 21:18:30   Comments (4)

New Anfield

The picture Rick Parry didn't want them to see...

Callum Brown     Posted 27/07/2007 at 21:16:04   Comments (8)

Player Power?

Has anyone noticed the recent article of the EFC website titled "Stadium was Factor for Mikel"? Given that this is the close season, and that there is not a lot of public activity going on in the transfer market I can understand that Everton do not have a lot to say to the fans - but for them to resort to using Mikel Arteta as a support to their proposed stadium move is utterly disgraceful. Is this the level to which the club has sunk?

The article predominantly concerns the ambitions of the club for trophies and players as opposed to the stadium but who would guess that from the title?

This is pathetic and shameful, EFC.
Rupert Sullivan     Posted 27/07/2007 at 20:59:25   Comments (8)

What if?

If the vote goes against the EFC board and we decide not to move to a new stadium in Kirkby, where do supporters see this club in ten years?

Behind the likes of Portsmouth? Southampton? etc, Because that's what will happen. Having to sell players like Beattie in order to scrape together transfer funding every year, for players that won't really improve us a lot anyway.

Still waiting at an increasingly delapidated Goodison for another chance, wandering what if?

Or waiting for the council to finally get their finger out, stop arguing amongst themselves and offer us an alternative that might just work out?...Thats not going to happen. When Liverpool get their new stadium built, Everton aren't going to matter in this city anyway.

I want EFC to be able to sign the likes of Fernandes, to compete for cups and Champions league places, and for supporters to feel proud not embarrassed when the transfer window comes around. Our future is more important than our history.

I accept that no matter what, a vast majority of Blues just can't come to terms with moving across an imaginary political line but there is no alternative the way football is going, if we want to get the club back where we feel it belongs.
Karl  Jones     Posted 27/07/2007 at 19:54:58   Comments (5)

Bargaining Power

I see Warren Bradley is now going hell for leather in trying to promote the Loop site and to spoil the vote. Some will see this as all the reason they need to vote No, but it has made up my mind to vote Yes for the simple reason of bargaining power.

Don't get me wrong: I desperately want to stay in Liverpool if it is possible, but I want to go to Kirkby if there are no other options as otherwise we will suffer a slow death. If you doubt this read between the lines in tonight's Arteta Echo interview ? the warnings are all there. No-one knows if, finally, LCC are being serious and I for one have enormous concern about their motives for surfacing so late in the day.

No-one knows if Bestway are simply talking a good game in the hope of making a financial killing ? can anyone seriously see how they can put together a package to rival Tesco? Bestway are looking for quick cash from a property/land sale whereas Tesco are making a long-term investment.

No-one knows if any final package will be affordable anyway ? we are skint and will be even less attractive to the tune of £100M (the cost of a new ground) to that mythical White Knight who still shows absolutely no sign of showing up. Don't give me that bollocks about BK turning back a tide of investors ? for God's sake grow up.

If we vote Yes we give BK at least the chance to screw LCC and Bestway to the floor and get the best deal ? if a deal exists at all. If we vote No we will be going cap in hand to both of these parties and they will screw us to the floor. What is the betting that if we vote No then suddenly the loop proposal gets kicked into the long planning grass never to emerge as Bradley considers it job done.

I can hear Tony Marsh saying now "dont be so fuckin stupid ? 5 minutes after a Yes vote BK will sign on the dotted line for Kirkby". However, I happen to think that if there is a chance BK wants to keep us in Liverpool and a No vote will leave him helpless and the club with nowhere to go in every sense.

Come on, guys ignore the bullshit which is going to get heavier in the days ahead ? vote smart, vote tactically and vote Yes. We are in a very rare position of strength for god's sake dont blow it now ? keep our options open.
John Bellis     Posted 27/07/2007 at 19:08:18   Comments (35)

One of the Fastest Growing Areas

Keith Wyness is on record as saying that Knowsley is "one of the fastest-growing areas in Liverpool." I thought that I would check out this claim as it didn't ring true to me as I have family and friends who live in Knowsley and have told me the opposite.

What I found was that between 1981 and 2005 the population of Knowsley fell by 13.9% a total of 24,200 people (Figures from Registrar General?s Mid-Year Population Estimates 1981-2005, NOMIS). The report goes onto say that "The main reduction in the resident population occurred up until 1988 and thereafter has fallen gradually."

If Mr Wyness is wrong about something as clear cut as this can anything he currently says be taken as correct?
John  Crawley     Posted 27/07/2007 at 19:30:42   Comments (8)

An Awkward Time for B Kenwright

Everybody knows it, the fans, the manager and all the players ? a few dodgy tackles that bring about injuries, a bout of illness, and next season Everton will not be able to put out a team. The potential is there for Everton to be in the news for all the wrong reasons again next season ? unable to fulfil a fixture. If this becomes the case, how the hell is Mr Kenwright going to show his face around Goodison?

Cometh the hour when the manager, the players and the fans expect him to deliver, he goes awol. Moyes, the players, and the 35,000 diehard fans did their bit last season and took us to sixth. June and July is the time for Bill to do his part and financially support the efforts of everyone else by strengthening the team. What's the problem Bill?

Alan Smith and Leighton Baines, by all written accounts, could be bought within 24 hours. They want to come and both are available for around £6M. I presume that's not even £6M up front but probably spread over 3 or 4 years like the majority of transfer agreements? Moyes wants them as he has tracked them for years so Bill please can you tell us why Everton have not signed them?

If it is because you cannot afford them, hold your hand up and be honest and be a man about it. I'm sure the majority of Evertonians would have a lot more respect for you for this stance than disappearing until the transfer window is over and then get Moyes to tell us the hard luck stories about the clubs not wanting to sell.
Mike  Whittaker     Posted 27/07/2007 at 17:37:21   Comments (12)

Kirkby welcomes Everton???

I lived in Kirkby for most of my life and the last time I went there, last week, there was more than 500 people. Can somebody educate me, how to get the true feeling of 40 plus thousand residents by asking 500 people? Were half of them kopites? Did they ask at Kirkby railway station as the Wigan train pulled in? The propaganda war has started.

Let's not lose our identity. KEEP EVERTON IN OUR CITY
Colin Malone     Posted 27/07/2007 at 15:55:51   Comments (8)

Beware the naked man...

Like most fans, I have followed the stadium debate more avidly than any General Election I can remember and with good reason. The stakes are higher. I?ve come to the conclusion that what separates the pro- and anti-Kirkby groups is that one side sees the destruction of Goodison Park and the departure from Liverpool as an ending; the other side sees it as a new beginning. When you think about it, how can Goodison Park mean the same to supporters who have witnessed only the frustrations of the last 10 ? 20 years there as it does to fans who also recall the prior glory?

There are all kinds of good arguments to marshal for and against the Kirkby move and most have been eloquently expressed by fans on this site, but there?s another one that?s difficult to put into words. I have a sense that it is a bad move that I can?t put my finger on, a feeling in my bones that this is wrong. There?s an expression, ?beware the naked man who offers you his shirt.? For me, that means that if something looks off, it usually is, and if something is right, it doesn?t have to be supported by lies and deceit.

You can best persuade people of a just position with the truth. Why, then, are we being fed so much crap about this project? Leaving aside all the unanswered questions about the stadium, the other day, Keith Wyness described Knowsley as ?one of the fastest-growing areas IN LIVERPOOL,? then claimed in the same breath that the Kirkby area would soon be ?swallowed up? by the ?Liverpool City Region.? The Liverpool City Region is a concept that incorporates everything from Southport to Flint. It is a nonsensical argument. Heswall, Ainsdale, Wigan,all part of the LCR, are demonstrably not Liverpool.

Why is he trying to persuade us with bullcrap? And why is Bill Kenwright silent? Why is he not out front and center supporting this move if he believes in it? Something is wrong here. Very wrong.
Peter Fearon     Posted 27/07/2007 at 15:15:54   Comments (7)

EFC move to Kirkby

I would like to know if you can confirm that every shareholder in Everton Football Club gets a vote for each individual share they hold, in the ballot to decide if Everton leave the City of Liverpool and move to Kirkby. If correct, if 40,000 fans voted NO to the move, it wouldn't make any difference, as the major shareholder can outvote them.

Mr Kenwright & Woods being major shareholders and EFC Board members are now going to receive more support to the number of shares that they will have to vote Yes to, as I understand that Robert Earl (who bought out Mr Gregg), has of today, joined the Board of EFC.
Eileen Webb     Posted 27/07/2007 at 12:37:24   Comments (1)

Don't Panic Mr Manwairing!

Like any other Evertonian I am watching the transfer market with interest and have arrived at the following conclusions:

1. We don't have enough players for the season yet 2. BK,once again,let the romantic in him talk up Everton in the transfer market during the season without any real substance to back him up. Heart ruling head again. (How's that for diplomacy? Not once did I say he lied...)

When I look at the players who have gone and for the prices they've gone for I'm not overly worried that we're missing the boat as some people suggest.

Nobody stands out and makes me think, damn we should've had him in the bag (except possibly Earnshaw; his goalscoring record is remarkable and at £3.5M could be a very shrewd signing). Maybe if they had been lower priced it would've been worth it. Recently Ljungberg and Petrov are two names mentioned but Petrov is an unknown quantity so far and who's to say that Pienaar (also very highly rated not that long ago) won't rediscover his form and be bargain of the season when we get him for £2.5M? Ljungberg is a 30-year-old midfielder whose goalscoring feats have all but dried up over the past two years.

There is absolutely no point in bringing players in for the sake of it because what happens if we bomb out of europe early and are left with a big wage bill? Then we go back to asset stripping in order to ease the debt and Arteta / Cahill / AJ / Lescott are arguably our most saleable assets...

So who's left? Hopefully Baines will come and I'm a big Smith fan. I don't think theres any real need to panic just yet and so what if we are being overly prudent? All these big clubs with big foreign owners WILL come a cropper one day. Simply because you don't get rich by giving money away and at some point they will be looking for a return. All these overpriced players this summer could well become bargains next year. Just look at the way Duffs valuation fell when he went from Chelski to Newcastle.

Anyway thats me off on a tangent so basically guys, its not all bad and no need to panic just yet!
Ben Houghton     Posted 27/07/2007 at 07:28:03   Comments (13)

Flogging Beattie to Blades?

With the transfer market being the way it is at the moment, I doubt very much that selling Beattie for £4M is good business. We?d struggle to find a decent replacement back-up striker at that price. Plus I?m sure whoever we did bring in would now command the same level of wages in the current market.

Of course, if his 200607 form were to continue, he wouldn?t be much use anyway ? but there?s no doubt that even if he?s fit, Johnson wont be able to start every game with all the extra Uefa Cup commitments (touch wood) so we?ll need adequate reserves, hopefully JB can rediscover that half-forgotten scoring touch against some European also-rans.
Adam Fenlon     Posted 27/07/2007 at 03:50:41   Comments (24)

The Bestway?

The article on NSNO re: meeting between Bestway and KEIOC seems nothing but a red herring. If Bestway/LCC are serious, where are the figures/plans to back them up? Are they going to build EFC a stadium for £10m? Because if they aren't they're on a loser already. What part of 'Everton are skint' don't people understand?
Tommy  Gibbons     Posted 26/07/2007 at 23:52:02   Comments (67)

I Don't Go To Goodison

Let me explain: I am 31 years old; I was at Goodison when we won the league in 85 (my first ever game). I was born and bred a Toffee and will be to the day I die.

I am a professional person on a very good wage and in many ways, I'm just the type of person Everton want to attract. I went to University in Leeds and I made a number of friends who supported Everton. Apart from me, none were from Liverpool, instead they were often from London (Think of the age and it makes sense).

In 2020, there will be scoucers at universities who will be wearing Chelsea shirts. We went to many games when at University but nearly all were away games as they were easier to get to. Indeed many of these London Evertonians only ever went to away games.

I now live in Hull with a young family. I don't go to Goodison but I would like to. Why? Try and get to Goodison for a 12 o'clock Sky kick-off and then get home again. Indeed, try and get out of Goodison and back to Hull from a 3pm kick off. What time do you reckon you get back? 10-11pm at night generally.

It is these people like myself who Everton need to attract and I can guarantee are more likely to go to a new ground in Kirkby and there are many more of them than you might think looking at my University experience.

Look at the situation again: Kirkby 3pm kick off out of ground and on the motorway bu 5:30; home by 8 at the latest for tea. This is why Kirkby is appealing ? it WILL attract the missing masses. Especially people like myself who find going to Goodison now virtually impossible. Without trying to sound snobbish, most of these people will also bring one additional thing: MONEY!

Attract the professionals and you get their money. Unfortunately the traditional football supporter loses out but take one look at the Premier League and that is already the reality to survive. Turn down Kirkby and I really can see the end of Everton in the top flight plus for many of the same reasons I think Liverpool are making a big mistake building in Stanley Park.
Dave Fitzsy     Posted 26/07/2007 at 20:18:11   Comments (30)

Other Options

I read the banter about grinding around the stadium situation and would like to add my 2-cents (pennies). Being a native Texan who has adopted EFC as my soccer club of choice, I can?t be expected to understand the passion and politics involved in such a move away from Goodison. Thanks to Greg Murphy for the synopsis of the recent stadium foibles (Too Late to Cry). That was very helpful in gaining some of the relevant background.

One thought that has smacked me in the face about the seemingly hell-bent focus on the Kirkby location is centered on the availability of corporate partners. I think it was either Kenwright or Wyness that recently made a claim that ?we will never get another deal like this? (paraphrase). That I disagree with.

From the basics of economics, there has be other corporate suitors out there willing to ante up just as much as Tesco. I don?t know what Tesco?s portion of the project is but for illustration let?s say that Tesco is in for £50M. I assume that they expect a long-term benefit that will exceed that figure. Why would they put in £50M if the expected return would be less? Let?s assume £70M.

But here?s the bigger point, why do they help fund it at all? If there truly are no other corporate options, Tesco would be bidding against themselves. Why not pony-up something significantly less just for good faith. Why not £10M? EFC?s only leverage has to be that we can take the project elsewhere. That would imply the threat of other options. Tesco isn?t being benevolent here. It?s an investment. If there is no competition, Tesco would be much happier to return 70 on 10 instead of 70 on 50.

So to me, there is no doubt that there are other corporate options out there that we don?t know about. The question becomes, have these options been thoroughly explored? I don?t know but I can say that no one on TW seems comfortable with that prospect. Perhaps we are just being left in the dark but the lack of light and the exclusivity thing surely drives the conspiracy theory doesn?t it? There are other options.
Toffee Texan     Posted 26/07/2007 at 19:37:45   Comments (7)

Booze Brother

So Van de Meyde has decided to link up with the Reserves. Does this idiot realise what he is doing? Does he read this website, I hope he does, get him out, get him out NOW! I would bet my mortgage he is either gone soon, or does not play more than 6 games this season!
Will Bruce     Posted 26/07/2007 at 17:47:53   Comments (12)

Thinking about the future

I have decided to throw my twopence worth into the stadium debate because one point that I feel hasn't been made is that of the political future of the 'Kirkby' region. The Lyons Review of local government will inevitably lead to the biggest shake-up of local government in many years and local authorities will ulitmately take a more leading role, as opposed to the traditional one of following central government. What this could mean is unclear at this stage yet with the expansion of the Liverpool-Manchester 'corridor' set to continue over the forseeable future, nobody would bet against possible economic regeneration deals and even boundary changes. Until the white paper is published, we are all in the dark.

How can we know for sure that when the next generation of blues turn up, the 'Liverpool' and 'Kirkby' we know will be gone and new local government structures/partnerships will be put in place? One thing is certain, as much history as it has, a new Goodison Park, on it's own, won't regenerate L4. The council left it for dead years ago. A sad truth but a truth nonetheless.

To be the centre of a regional development, as we would with the Kirkby project, is an opportunity I think is too good to turn down. Not for us, but for the kids in 25 years time. I hope nobody minds me justifying my 'yes' vote; it hurts me to think of leaving Goodison. I just think that, this time, we will be fools to think short term about a decision that should be about the next 50 years plus.
Jon Welsh     Posted 26/07/2007 at 15:57:20   Comments (1)

McFadden out?

I read an article today about the possiblity of Derby offering £4 million for James McFadden. Surely this is good business as the player although being tipped as a great prospect has failed to establish himself at Goodison Park. [Link]
Jake Stevens     Posted 26/07/2007 at 15:38:54   Comments (11)

(not such) Great Expectations

With just a couple of weeks to go before the season gets underway, I have given myself a rest from agonising over the ground move to ponder on how we can expect to fare `on the field of play`.

I assume that the `official` aspiration will to be to hang onto a `top half` spot at all costs and the club`s lack of enthusiasm in the transfer market tends to bear out the absence of ambition to `kick on` from last season`s sixth position. We now know (because no less a luminary than Richard Scudamore admits it!) only the top four matter. It therefore figures that, apart from a `second hand` European entry via the Uefa Cup, the rest of us are playing to avoid relegation. What a prospect that offers! Sixteen managers all obsessed with `keeping a tight ship`, `working hard` and `hoping to nick one`! When we complain about the quality ? or lack of it ? that Everton dish up, we can take succour from the fact that the same suffering is routinely being inflicted on supporters of the game throughout the length and breadth of the country.

I guess it is an indication of the progess under David Moyes that Everton are no longer at short odds to go down. On the other hand, there can be little or no prospect of an improvement on last season`s 6th place slot. Indeed, without Fernandes or an adequate replacement, we will do very well to repeat it.

You will have gathered, I`m sure, that I`m not a little disenchanted by the apparent failure to build on the relative success of 2006-07 but if,as the CEO of the Premier League believes, `the rest` don`t really matter, perhaps I should be taking a much more discerning view. Clearly,`Tenth is good` is the mantra our esteamed Board accepts ? why should I be any more ambitious?
Neil Whiting     Posted 26/07/2007 at 14:24:10   Comments (2)

Conspiracy

A lot has been written on this site with regard the ground move, for or against. Most with some valid points I might add. But one thing is bothering me and that is what lies ahead in the future. I personally think there is a lot more to this move than meets the eye. So here goes the conspiracy theory.

I can't help feeling that this is ther first step to Everton being taken over, lock stock and two smoking ones by Tesco. It has been well documented that TL has had an eye on investing in EFC for quite some time. But I think the location of the ground among other things has been the stumbling block. This to my mind is why the whole ground move is being pushed through with the help of our friends (Not!!) Tesco.

I have a feeling that, before we move in, there will be a takeover bid by the company and BK will hand it to them on a plate. Who knows what will happen then? They will have free reign to do whatever they please with the club and that includes ground name and yes team name among other things.

Remember what happened to Wimbledon, please don't say that will never happen to us we are bigger than that etc. Tesco could swallow us up in a heartbeat and it would not make a dent in their profits. I honestly believe there is a lot more to this move than meets the eye and I am certain that a takeover bid is part of the package. There is no such a thing as a free lunch and companies like Tesco do not get as big as they are by handing them out.
Dave  Lynch     Posted 26/07/07 at 13:07:00   Comments (8)

Wingers

Why, when we are crying out for some width in our team, are two recognised wingers in Martin Petrov (who is joining City for £4.7M) and Wilhelmsson (who looks like he will join Bolton on loan for a season) not on our radar?

Moyes must have scouts and agents talking to him about these players and they are within our tight financial criteria. Why have we need been involved, we are a bigger team than both City and Bolton and we have Europe to offer them. I really believe we have no money to sign anyone. It is making our once proud club a total and utter embarrassment.
Mike Kenendy     Posted 26/07/2007 at 13:04:57   Comments (22)

Trouble with the neighbours

For some unexplainable reason, why is it that whenever there is a debate, argument or decison concerning Everton that our bastard offspring across the park are somehow brought into the equation? I despise the neighbours as much as any blue, I take glee in our infrequent victories and cherish every season that they are Premier League also rans. However, what really grates on me is the continuing comparrison that some make between the Clubs, it borders almost on an inferiority complex and I believe adds to the perpetual struggle that we face with our own identity and progress.

If people have reason's for saying no to Kirkby that's fine, its democratic and every fan deserves a voice. However this constant one eye on Liverpool approach is futile, financially we are not even in the same stratosphere and if we are ever to close the gap we must think laterally and forget the darkside.

Growing up in Liverpool during the 80s and 90s I was lucky that in my academic years Everton had its most successful period in its history. Did it make much of a difference to those on the playground in terms of blue numbers, the answer is no, but those that did follow you could count as being as passionate in few as those in many from the red side. Urban myth it may be but Labone we know coined a saying that one blue is worth twenty of them, and I honestly and with conviction believe it to be true.

Wherever we may end up, be it in Kirkby, somewhere else or Goodison we need to base our decisons on what's best for Everton. Being parochial, luddite and introspective will only serve to widen the gulf. Facts are facts, LFC have a juggernaught on Stanley Park fast approaching, once its realised our anthem 'if you know your history' will become a self-prophetic parody of a Club trapped in a time warp and stadium that no longer befits its status as fore-runners in the game of English football.
Peter Laing     Posted 26/07/2007 at 11:37:18   Comments (4)

16 and I don?t count!

I?m 16. Just left school. Here?s two stories about how my ?beloved club? has treated me in the last 12 months alone. First, I?m actually registered disabled. Every now and again it?s dead difficult to reach my Season Ticket seat in the Top Balcony (before anyone says ?oh, you?re registered disabled but you?re in the Top Balcony hmmm?, well that?s where the best junior specs have been over the last few seasons and if it?s a toss-up between the views from the family enclosure or the lower Gwladys then it?s the Top Balc every time).

Anyway, as I say, it?s only every now and again that it's hard for me and most times I?m okay to get up there. But last season my condition meant that I was temporarily on crutches and there was no way I could cope with the extra steps to the top. So I asked the club what they could do. They were quite good and they sorted me with a ticket for the Park End. But the sting was that they then asked me to pay the extra £4 difference between a Top Balc ticket and a Park End ticket. Well, fair enough, but c?mon, how mingebag is that? Anyway, I just got on with it and I never complained.

Second, after having had a season ticket for four years ? it ain?t easy scraping together the cash, say from birthday or Christmas money, plus help from my folks ? I?m hearing that I can?t vote in the Kirkby ballot, despite the fact that I?ve got firm views and know my own mind.

So let me get this straight. I can leave school. I can get married. I can join the armed forces. I?m old enough to chuff up an adult price for a season ticket now (and full bus fares!!). I can pay NI. And if my name was Joe Royle, Franny Jeffers, Michael Branch or Wayne Rooney, I?d be old enough at 16 to play for Everton. But I can?t vote in this poxy election!!

And this is how Everton thinks it?s gonna retain the next generation? To my mind, this ballot is already flawed. It stinks. As does Everton.
Chris Anakin     Posted 26/07/2007 at 11:14:19   Comments (10)

Second Best

Stadium wise, comparing what Liverpool have unveiled to what Everton have proposed leaves the distinct feeling that we are getting something very ordinary and even worse in a location that will make us poor relations and kill us off ultimately.

As a fan originally born in Liverpool that's what would hurt the most. We are not the fucking poor relation, we are Everton FC and we were here first! We are part of the fabric of Liverpool as much as they are!! Without any soul and without maintaining our core fan base in Liverpool we are nothing. We are not flaming MK Dons for Christ's sake!!!

I think these two comments made by our friend Parry get to the nub of why moving the club out of the city would be disasterous in the long term:

"People from far and wide will be able to come to the stadium and get a glimpse both of the outside and inside. The area will become a tourist destination. It will be a world-class development for a city that deserves world-class developments."

Ask yourself this question: are people far and wide on arriving in the city really going to make their way from the centre of Liverpool to Kirkby? I appreciate that there is a nucleus of fans (me included) who who would travel irrespective of location but to pack a 50k-seater stadium we are reliant on those 'floating' fans and visitors to the city.

Finally and once more I'll make the point that providing supply and expecting demand to follow is a ludricous assumption. Success is a precursor to filling any stadium and even more so if you expect those additional fans to go out of their way, especially with a less convenient location outside of the city.

The city of Liverpool deserves a world class Everton, I'll settle for nothing less. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.
Anthony Newell     Posted 26/07/2007 at 11:01:25   Comments (0)

Come in Zed-Victor 1

Listening to Radio 4 this morning driving to work, there was a programme about the evolution of UK policing through the 50s and 60s, dealing with violence from Mods, Rockers and Train Robbers. Suddenly, very unexpectedly, the bars of Z-Cars come on. Immediate attention paid. How did my CD player come on and override the radio? No it hadn?t...

The discussion had moved to experimental policing in the 60s and the impact of police cars as shown on the now famous BBC show. The then Home Secretary Roy Jenkins revolutionised policing by placing patrol cars on the road to address the soaring crime rate. Before the national roll-out of the system there was, the programme states, an experimental run at ?a Lancashire new town called Kirkby?. There followed interviews with all concerned at the time from the ?Lancashire Constabulary?. Revolutionary and effective it was they all agreed, but was it in Liverpool? Oh no, Lancashire.

A nice, shiny, free, new stadium in Kirkby suddenly seemed very unappealing. Head, heart. Heart, head. I guess I will continually be changing my mind right up to D-day but this illustrates how Kirkby is viewed to the outsider. Irrelevant side question ? did Brian Blessed play Fancy Smith in the TV prog? The haze of my then young mind says he might have...
Steve  Green     Posted 26/07/2007 at 10:50:21   Comments (2)

Second Rate for the next 100 years.

Our proposed stadium is obviously a step up as far as facilities and capacity goes but when you look at Arsenal, Man U and Liverpool their new or proposed stadiums are a step up again. I guess it means we will not and can not be on the same level financially as these teams for the life expectancy of our new stadium which I guess is 100 years or so. We are accepting that we will be second rate from now on which is a shame.
Paul Momber     Posted 26/07/2007 at 10:41:55   Comments (2)

White Knight

There would now appear to be a White Knight entering the fray: The Bestway site. This must be an option and a more grandiose one than Kirkby. One that Everton deserves and is befitting a club with our heritage. Everton are not MK Dons. This is a prime city location, visible from all over the city centre, with the right forethought it could be a legacy for future Evertonians to look at with pride and remember, that even in the bad old days, we were always the People's Club and always the first club in the city. Now Mr Kenwright that could be your legacy to the club. (If only you had the courage to see it through).

The Asian businessman who runs Bestway is no fool and if he thinks this can be achieved then I would hope EFC would act quickly and meet with him to evaluate the scheme and make it happen. Everton?s image would massively improve worldwide. The city centre location would have even greater appeal to would be investors. Now this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity and having read the posts regarding LCC /KINGS DOCK and been around witnessing the other fiascos involving Everton over the last 20 years, can the Club prove that it has the Balls, Vision and Ambition to match the fans??

This site with its location would attract both people and companies wishing to invest be it in retail, housing or leisure/hotels, also I would bet that there would be massive regeneration grants available. A win-win situation where LCC have another massive regeneration of an inner city area and Everton get the stadium it needs and deserves. Not a supermarket with a large auditorium.

I also believe that Everton fans around the world could raise in excess of £50M by way of a share issue. Also in this day and age what would the naming rights of such a stadium generate? This could be deliverable to use a paraphrase. If the club had the vision and the leadership it deserves EFC would make this happen ? the fact that many seem to think that no plan, other than the tie in with Tesco, will happen, is why there exists the mountain of mistrust against Mr W and Mr K. Let us just hope the vote on Kirkby is massively an overwhelming NO...
Steve  Sweeney     Posted 26/07/2007 at 09:23:43   Comments (0)

It's horrible

It's two weeks on Saturday to the start of the new season. With this in mind, I scrolled down through the mailbag from this period last year. Most of the debate was about the start of the season just gone. How would the new players fit in, what should be our starting eleven, what would happen to Moyes. Alot of the usual type of stuff you might say, so what?

The thing is, you could feel the excitement of a new season starting to build if you casually read more than just a couple of the posts. That "I'm a child and Christmas is nearly here" feeling was really there to be seen. The problem is that there is absolutely no sign of it on the website right now.

I know the stadium move is a very serious issue and it is rightly dominating a lot of our thinking and most of our posts on here. But it also has at times a very negative feel and seems to be taking alot of the joy out of being a football fan. Right now we should be enjoying the run up to a new season. Instead we're worrying ourselves sick over what is turning out to be a horrible and very divisive issue.
Kieran Fitzgerald     Posted 26/07/2007 at 08:15:24   Comments (3)

Look To The Future

Yes I am an out-of-towner; No I don't want to move to Kirkby, unless I really have to.

My reason for wanting a NO vote in the poll is simply to give us more time. The powers that be tell us that their is no possibility of outside investment unless we move to Kirkby. I don't believe that. My belief is that if we went to investors with a variety of options then somebody would be interested. Imagine being associated with an iconic stadium in the loop, with underground carparking, bars and restaurants. Enviromentally friendly, pleasing to the eye, and still maintaining the atmosphere. Something a certain red stadium probably won't.

So vote NO to a move to Kirkby for now. Stop arguing amongst ourselves and start using the massive Blue fanbase to turn these late alternatives into deliverable alternatives.
Steve Pugh     Posted 26/07/2007 at 07:28:13   Comments (0)

No or Nil Vote

I've been an advocate of leaving Goodison. My main reasons being the seating and facilities. I been looking at the old girl since 1960 and she's looking at bit like Rooney's ex ? haggered! I was a Kirkby voter but now I'm wavering, and looking for a realistic City option with Long Lane my No 1 and the tunnel loop a close second.

It did cross my mind, however, that if we all refused to return our ballot papers, what would be the outcome? It's probably pie in the sky but what would happen, exactly?
Mark Joseph     Posted 26/07/2007 at 01:09:43   Comments (7)

Trust (can you really)

There has been a lot said about fans walking away from the club if they move to Kirby, this is just scaremongering rubbish. As a life-long Evertonian (albeit exiled these days) I would find it impossible to walk away from a club I have supported all my life.

However, the real issue here is not of fans walking away but of the new generation of fans growing up in our city who will be told of the one true city club, unfortunately this will be the rabble who have stolen our park. I have put this to my misguided friends who support the the dark side and they believe this fear to be a reality.

Everton in moving are taking a large gamble. To make this work we have to trust that Moyes will bring in a trophy a least once every two or three seasons. On top of this, the new ground has to have an atmosphere that football supporters will love going to, more so than an iconic Frank Gheryish 75,000 seater that will be built on Stanley Park. The stadium will need to be special and incorporate part of the old Goodison (possible replicate the iconic structural lattice work of the Bullens Road)

This question to move eventually comes down to a question of trust. Do we trust the people who are holding the future off our club?

Do we trust Moyes to bring in a trophy every couple or maybe three years? The answer is he is the best manager in the poorly financed end of the Premiership and given the time and financial support maybe he will.

Do we trust Kenwright? The answer here, it is a definite possibility that no Evertonian trusts him.

Do we trust Wyness? See above...

So one maybe out of three; hardly a reason to back the move. I strongly urge all Evertonians to vote NO.
Peter Pridgeon     Posted 26/07/2007 at 00:49:57   Comments (14)

Majority

When it comes to a decision of this nature which will have a big impact on the future of the club you have to look at pleasing the vast majority of fans. Every day on ToffeeWeb I read posts from people with a lot of very interesting and valid points raised both for and against the move and by the looks of things the vote really could go either way, but for me it all boils down to one thing...

...whatever the Board are planning should not cause such a mass divide in opinions, it has to be right for (nearly) everybody. The plans for Kirkby are controversial and if the majority of fans are that split that a vote is required to determine which is more favourable, then the Board really should have scrapped the idea months ago and concentrated on getting an alternative that will please at least 90% of the fans because it's us that keep the club going!
John Burquest     Posted 26/07/2007 at 00:43:19   Comments (4)

Ballot Question

Perhaps I am being too cynical but we could all (those eligible to vote in the forthcoming ballot, that is), end up voting for a move to Kirkby by default. I haven't yet heard what the actual wording will be, but it only takes something along the lines of, "Would you be in favour of Everton moving from Goodison in order to be able to build a stadium with the increased capacity required for future growth...etc" You get the picture, I'm sure.

I don't think anyone would disagree that such a move to enable development would be wrong and would probably vote "yes" in this case.

Given Buster's penchant for backtracking, bullshitting and in my opinion, lying, it would be a refreshingly simple matter for him to announce that the vast majority of votes were in favour of a move, ergo, Kirkby here we come!

Maybe I am being a little simplistic here and perhaps a bit too naive. I am sure the good readers of this mailbag will let me know.
Tom Edwards     Posted 25/07/2007 at 23:22:34   Comments (5)

Thrown for a Loop

Am I missing something? The available land at the Loop next to Bestway appears to me to be slightly smaller than the current footprint of Goodison Park. As much as I would love this concept to work, how does a stadium fit in there? I make the Loop too small by about 2,000 sq. metres. Does anyone have the measurements?
Peter Fearon     Posted 25/07/2007 at 22:37:19   Comments (5)

Am I missing something?

Did West Ham not get away with it on the grounds that Tevez no longer had a relationship with his agent? Do the current legal writs, etc, prove this not to be the case? Will West Ham eventually be docked points, Sheff Utd stay up, Jags release clause be revoked, and we end up having to give our only real signing back - and then get Naysmith back!?

Come to think of it, there's no smoke without fire, so the RS deal for Maschareno must be tarnished as well, so perhaps they'll be docked the odd ten points, then the likes of Torres will be queueing up to play in our new stadium. Excuse me now, the nurse is coming...
Robin Gomme     Posted 25/07/2007 at 21:54:50   Comments (3)

Time to get real

The debate on the ground move highlights the depth of feeling about the club.

I share almost all of the well-founded reservataions about moving to Kirkby and it could indeed be the death of the club in the long term. I should be a definite No vote but the problem is that I may still vote YES.

The reason for this contradiction is that I, and I would suggest every other blue, need to get real about the alternative. If we vote No and stay, our long-term prospects are entirely reliant on a major investor. Of course this may happen and if so fantastic, but if it doesn't then we are in very serious trouble.

Nearly 40 years of poor or incompetent management have brought us to this terrible dilemma. In the end Kirkby may (or may not) be the lesser of two evils.

Anyone who pretends the choice is easy and clear cut either way is deluding themselves.
John  Bellis     Posted 25/07/2007 at 21:14:02   Comments (6)

Car Park Confusion

OK, I'll admit it, I don't live in Liverpool, I don't meander down County Road for a few bevvies before the match with my mates, I don't pop over to Goodison and then watch the game/go to pub/dissect match over a few more pints. I drive about 80-100 miles all in on match days to watch my beloved Blues. So, I ask, being naive, WHY have Everton not told me where I can park my car on match days next season?

I used to have a pass for the area behind the Park End but when EFC decided that the best way to offer hospitality was to build a bigger B&Q tent, I was moved up to Stanley Park. No problem, I thought.

Ahah, but that is where LFC are building their own new ground. So I foolishly asked BK, "Please Sir, Where can I park my car now?"

The answer was vague to be honest:

1. You can still go to Stanley Park but only on a match-to-match basis.
2. You can wait to see what sites EFC have been looking at, eg near to Stanley Park, or to quote "the other side of the park" or "it's quite near to Goodison".

So to reiterate my point, I DO drive to Goodison and I'd rather give my hard earned to the club than to some young-uns 'minding my car' (I also have no problem with this) WHY THE HELL HAVEN'T EFC FOUND ANOTHER SITE(S)?

They knew Liverpool would get the car park eventually, but again screw the fans who pay, they'll still come whatever, Am I being paranoid or is that typical?

PS My dad (who I take) is not 'young' so I've gotta take it all into consideration. I know I'll be classed as another YES vote to Kirkby as it'll be easier for me to get there by the certain posters on here but I'm not arsed where we play. I just want to be given a fair deal.

PPS I got moved because of hospitality, the Park End car park is dead now. Need I say more? I'll keep you posted of any developements...

Keep the Faith everyone, In Moyes we trust!
Matt Kay     Posted 25/07/2007 at 19:11:15   Comments (10)

'Quo Vadis' Everton?

This is the first time I have posted to the Mailbag, though I have avidly read ToffeeWeb daily for the last 18 months or so. It is with some concern that I read the arguments for/against the Kirkby proposal. Many negative comments have been trivial in the extreme ? "the red supporters are sneering" etc. I've no doubt that comment will be made that I live in NZ and therefore am not really a true supporter. I therefore wouldlike to say that I was born in Walton, my boyhood was spent in Keith Avenue, just five streets from Goodison and my youth and early adulthood, in Ormskirk.

I have supported the Club since the end of WW2, I have suffered the "Lows" (relegation) and celebrated the "Highs" (Champions, Cup-Winners). I've travelled the country by coach and train to watch my beloved 'Blues' and I have always thought that Goodison Park compared very favourably with other grounds ? until recent years. She still gives that "magic" feeling to an Evertonian, but sadly is now a very old lady who needs to retire. I am not allowed to vote in this Stadium debate, but I would urge those who can vote ? to do so for all the right reasons, and not for selfish ones.

Goodison has given over a century as a second home to supporters and in thewords of the song "Memories are made of this" but it is time to move on. We should be asking ourselves what is best for the Club ? what are the 'pros and cons' of a possible move? Consideration should be given to access to the ground, wherever it may be; parking facilities; comfort in the ground; visibility; catering ; and so on. I am at a loss really to comprehend the bad vibes directed against Kirkby, Tescos, the Club's Board of Directors etc.

Would we really lose support if we did make the move? My family and friends (Toffee Supporters) still in England live in New Brighton, Southport, Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, Rainford, as well as Walton and Anfield and tell me they would watch Everton no matter where the ground is.

Okay, we may lose a few faint-hearts if we move - after all we did in the 1890s by moving from Anfield ? but I venture to suggest that it is more than likely that by moving into a state of the art new ground such as Kirkby we will attract many new supporters to the Club.

From what I've said, it is clear that I favour the move but I do ask all who have the vote to use it, but to think very carefully of the options and the consequences of the final results. And as Forrest Gump used to say "And that's all I have to say about that!"
Bernie Quinn     Posted 25/07/2007 at 18:14:36   Comments (9)

The over-inflated market

Before I start I want to get one thing straight, I do not think that my opinion is the only one, I'm happy to take other people's opinions into consideration as long as they are sane. I just cannot understand some people's stance with regards to transfers into this club during the summer. People are desperate for players to come in, and I for one would like to see some fresh faces as well.

But at what cost? We've all seen that the transfer market is over-inflated and people, namely West Ham, are spending stupid money on players that would've been worth half that price last season. Even Sunderland have been getting in on the act. Can people honestly say that the prices being spent will actually benefit the clubs that are spending them?

Is it not better that we have a manager who would rather seek out players who can add value to club rather than panic buy at the first opportunity? We would never have had an Arteta if he hadn't have taken him on a try before you buy stance.

Even if we don't get anyone in other than what we've already got is that such a bad thing? People are saying we are going to fail if we don't buy players, are they sure that is what's going to happen? I'm not, I'd rather be positive and get behind the team and so should all the nay-sayers, because I guarantee they'll all have something to cheer about come August 11th.

But that's just my opinion and I welcome everyone else's.
Steve  Claringbold     Posted 25/07/2007 at 18:56:09   Comments (13)

More comparisons

Having seen the first artist's impressions of the Kirby Project, I am overwhelmed by how poor it is. But, fellow Everton fans, have a look at what other similar sized and smaller clubs are planning around Europe (including in places like Gdansk, Donetsk and Bilbao) and make you're own decisions:

http://www.stadiumguide.com/balticarena.htm
http://www.stadiumguide.com/sanmamesnew.htm
http://www.stadiumguide.com/shakhtarnew.htm
http://www.stadiumguide.com/zaragozanew.htm
http://www.stadiumguide.com/espanolnew.htm

If you really care about what we're being offered have a good look round the site: http://www.stadiumguide.com/future.htm

The only one I could find that looks like ours was this one from Poland: http://www.stadiumguide.com/wisla.htm

I was against the plan to move to Kirkby anyway, but thought I'd wait and see what the actual stadium plans were to make a final decision. The result is so conservative, boring, outdated and parochial that I'm actually embarrassed by it.
Ben Connor     Posted 25/07/2007 at 18:13:51   Comments (19)

Not gone...but already forgotten?

Just trawling through the Liverpoolcharter800 videos on YouTube. Yes I know, "get a life" etc. I found at least three pertaining to our wonderful neighbours, but none of us. You know, founder members of the Football League, first team in the city etc, etc. Like my title says, we may not yet be gone, but it looks like we are certainly forgotten. Sad.
Tom Edwards     Posted 25/07/2007 at 18:00:32   Comments (1)

Red or Blue?

I just read a piece about the Wigan player Baines, it says he is a lifelong Blue. But someone commenting on the piece states he is a Red. However, if Baines does join the Blues for £4.5m that will be £8.5m spent on players who we have previously released as juniors. To our John, truce accepted despite never having been at war.
John Partick McFarlane     Posted 25/07/2007 at 17:44:34   Comments (9)

The way to do it?

Now I know Evertonians don't care what the red side are doing... however, in the context of a new stadium and its impact in Liverpool as a city, I actually think we should. So take a look at this (if you can! ? Warning: it's from the Liverpool FC website!!!)

Note Rick Parry's comment "Liverpool as a city is on the move and deserves world class developments like this." Quite.

I filled in the Toffeeweb survey on the new stadium, and in the comments section I stated that due to the emotive aspect of potentially leaving the city, any development in Kirkby had to be truly iconic. Admittedly I don't think the designs are they have been currently put forward are. The fact that it's based on another stadium shows it isn't unique to the club in the same way that Goodison and (depressingly) Liverpool's new stadium designs are. A stadium should reflect the identity of a club - its passion, history, the fact that it is different. Unfortunately LFC understand this - maybe it's the external investment that's allowed them to do so. We currently can't afford to do so.

The designs published by EFC last week show a perfectly good functional stadium that in many respects are an improvement on Goodison. I just don't think it's enough, especially as I believe it needs a "wow" factor to overcome the hurdle of its location. I have no problems in moving to Kirkby, and in light of our current finances and situation, getting a stadium for such little cost is astonishing. Yet we will be committing to moving to something that on current design is second rate, and as such, I think it is a missed opportunity - one that will be felt for 50+ years.
David Flynn     Posted 25/07/2007 at 15:03:29   Comments (25)

African Nations Cup

It just occured to me, are we likely to lose our new South African acquisition for the African Nations cup this season. We need to consider this when building our squad as with Joey Yobo also away a few injuries could see us in bit of trouble.
Daniel O'Brien     Posted 25/07/2007 at 12:50:17   Comments (3)

Ever Get The Feeling ?

Ever get the feeling that the great stadium debate is the best to have happened to David Moyes this Summer? I do; it's taken away the focus from his pathetic ditherings in the transfer market. Let's face it, this is a man who dithers in Mcdonalds when he orders a Big Mac!

I've said it before and I'll say it again even when the Bell's whisky was affecting Howard(god) Kendall he could do a transfer deal in half the time! As for Joe Royle or Walter Smith they just called up Sky, Radio City & all to announce the new boy,when nobody had even got a sniff we were in for anybody.

Who to bring in as this mentor or Director of Football to be politically correct.Let's take a look at who could help out here hmm..hiow about Big Joe or Fabio Cappello they don't need to be full time either as there are only 2 transfer windows, which would leave our very own Dithering Dave to concentrate on team matters such as defending free kicks,passing the ball on the floor to any forward under 6 foot!!

Joking aside is it only me that notices when these transfer windows come around that the normally very vocal Moyes tries to stay out of view? He was(in)famous for it at Preston that's were the dithering Dave nickname came from. Also he does seem to have problems with agents,money and anything else that goes along with transfers.

As for the Stadium debate vote yes,vote no but don't let it get in the way of the real issue the team.

Ever get the feeling we've been here before ? ...2005 anybody...
Martin Handley     Posted 25/07/2007 at 10:34:38   Comments (14)

Riquelme?s ?Special Character?

Don't really know if this is still an on going topic or whether it?s fizzled out a bit, but this appeared in ?AS? today (in Spanish).

No mention of us or anyone else here, but it's interesting that Atletico say Riquelme isn?t a priority and want to sure up the wings and see how the team goes before signing any deal they might have. It also says that the manager Aguirre isn't very keen on having him as it would mean having too many non EU players on the books and both he and the rest of the players are worried about Riquelme?s ?Special Character? and the ?Riquelme Effect? disrupting things.
Paul Lowrie     Posted 25/07/2007 at 10:44:52   Comments (14)

CAUTION - Wear Your Colours In Europe

Just a note of caution - the sizings on the T-shirts are on the small side. I am normally a 38" chest so ordered a medium slim fit tee-shirt. I run 30-50 miles a week and weigh just over 10 stone but I looked ridiculous in the T-shirt that arrived. Have re-ordered a larger size but it's becoming an expensive T-shirt!
Mike Hughes     Posted 25/07/2007 at 10:46:18   Comments (1)

Wrong road

Having read the MBE/Bully interview, can I make one obvious observation:

'Attendances have only recovered over the last 11 years after we won the FA Cup in 1995.' We won something and this had a positive effect on attendances.

'Compare all this to the period 1960-1970 when we had only one season with an average less than 40,000 ? 1966, the year we won the FA Cup.' An era when we regularly had successful and entertaining teams.

'After the last great years of 1984 through 1987 (2 league championships, 1 FA Cup, 1 FA Cup Final, 1 European Cup Winners Cup) we had seven straight years with average gates below 30,000. These were our worst average attendances since the 1930s.' We had unsuccessful teams who did not entertain by playing great football.

When we have successful teams and play good football more people want to watch us.

Even when we are successful and have entertaining football to watch, we don't achieve averages much higher than 40,000.

For me this means two obvious things:

1. We need to spend money on better players to help us push on and win things and subequently push up our average crowds above 40,000.

2. Why do we need to move at all when we don't have averages above the current Goodison maximum crowds. Why not just redevelop Goodison?

Or is there an ulterior motive for moving?
Russ Kavanagh     Posted 25/07/2007 at 09:55:49   Comments (3)

Just because he`s an Evertonian.......

Just heard an item on Sky Sports News regarding Leighton Baines. Apparently, underland have agreed a deal with Wigan which will see the well-thought of full-back move north for a £6M fee. But wait... Everton have come in with an offer of £4.5M `on staged payments` and are confident of completing the signing because... wait for it... `Baines is said to be an Evertonian!` Probably the same kind of Evertonian as Barton and Nugent. What world do these people live in?
Brian  Noble     Posted 25/07/2007 at 09:25:12   Comments (13)

He said it, not me

As a now 'out of towner' (and it doesn't get any further out of town than where I am), I don't have a vote, although as an expatI can still vote in Gordy's up coming snap election if it happens, which I think on reflection is stupid, but is, as of now, legal, so maybe the vote criteria is not so stupid.

We don't yet know the Question, but a lot of us anti's think we already know the answer, or do we? Is this Bestbuy Plan B too little to late or the push we need to get some action, anyway the point of this Ronnie Corbettesque ramble is this....

The other morning getting up to go to work at 0550 I had the TV on as background, as you do, waiting for my daily dose of English Sky News at the top of the hour, and had on the BBC WORLD The prog was a touchy-feely "arn't we clever feel good" piece featuring 4 big wheels in the business sector. The guy who caught my ear was the chief architect of the new Wembley, blatting on about how people shouldn't focus on the cost of the place but remember that the cost of the people playing in the Cup final was nearly as much as the cost of the concrete and steel, (I said it was touchy-feely feel good) and that people are the real big deal etc etc.

He then went on to say... 'every time I go to a town the local council ask me, where should we put a stadium, so I said stick a pin in the centre of town and try to get the stadium as near to it as you can'. My first thought was that's one in the eye for you BK, Kings Dock would have been OK. My 2nd thought was, wait on, they are putting it as close to the town centre as they can... It's just the WRONG town centre! My 3rd thought (yes I know 3 in a lifetime) is that I hope this Bestbuy things gets enough legs to give Tesco a run for it's money!!
Derek Thomas     Posted 25/07/2007 at 06:42:17   Comments (1)

Vogel

What's the latest news with this cat? I'm under the impression he's going to do a Bosman & not leave Real Betis until he's paid what he believes he's owed. Is this correct?
Jarrod Prosser     Posted 25/07/2007 at 01:23:17   Comments (33)

Investment from Chang?

In the BBC football gossip column on Monday 23rd under 'And Finally', it was reported that American businessman Willy/ Chang was looking to invest in an English Premiership club. This guy apparently part owns a big American Football team, and a Baseball team I think it was.

Surely BK and Bully can see the investment potential here, and they should get Sly and Mr Hard Rock Cafe on to this right away, especially as the boys are in the States at the moment.

We even have the guys' name printed on our shirts already which is sure to impress someone with a US sized ego.

If the Kirkby development goes ahead, and is going to cost us little overall, BK part selling his shares might just provide the necessary funds for us to go for the Manny's, Appiahs et al which would pretty much guarantee us challenging up there, and playing to full Blue houses.

This would be an ideal opportunity for Bill to sell off only part of his train set, but keep control of the signal boxes and points.

I appreciate that some people think the foreign investment wheels will come off at some stage, but if we only sell aprtial shares, whilst remaining in control, our destiny will still be by and large within our own hands.

Anyone else up for a Chang Bud ????
Keith Harrison     Posted 24/07/2007 at 22:45:43   Comments (0)

Ask a Kopite

A letter drops through the door, the same letter lands in another 33,000 hallways. The contents are crucial to future generations of football fans who haven?t even been born yet. A simple question is asked and it requires a simple YES or NO answer,

"Hmmm... I?m not really sure..." ponders the troubled Evertonian who is torn between the vision of moving to Kirkby in ?The Deal of the Ventury? or staying at an outdated Goodison in danger of being closed for safety reasons within 10 years. Not much choice really; the pen hovers over the Yes vote, a quick tick or cross that?s all it needs... EASY.

But wait! For some reason, the Evertonian stops and remembers. He remembers being in school and picking a team to play footie. "We?ll be Everton!" shouts his mate. Another kids shouts "And we?ll be Liverpool!" His pen moves slowly but surely and hovers over the No vote; a quick tick or cross, that?s all it needs... EASY.

But this time it is easy, as he thinks about a time in 15 to 20 years when he pictures a group of kids picking a footie team but they are only picking one team and they play in RED.

He places his NO vote and smiles "Thank God that will never happen..." or will it?
Eddy Bernard     Posted 24/07/2007 at 22:31:32   Comments (16)

Does it matter where we play?

To those panicking over the location of a future ground not being in Liverpool, just remember Man Utd play in Salford, not Manchester. It doesn't bother them does it?

I'm more concerned about a repeat of 2 years ago with the lack of squad size and more jokes about in and out of Europe in 90 mins. Who is going to score the goals? It won't be AJ!
Joe McMahon     Posted 24/07/2007 at 21:35:16   Comments (17)

Goodison

Going to away games always makes me proud to be an Evertonian. The huge number of fans, the noise, and the banter. Win or lose. Great days.

Going to Goodison is a day at home, go with your mate, take your kids, take you wife. Shout, sing and basically wait for your heart to resume its normal tick of life. Going to Goodison is beyond my attempt of literature and my inability to convey words that would only begin to tell you what I feel.

A scouser I am not but Goodison is my home. So, regarding Kirkby and our CEO talking about no plan B, I feel cold. My identity, my footprint, my home is not for him to play a hand of cards with Tesco, with LCC or with Knowlsey. He must understand that to lose Goodison maybe a ground upgrade for him but for me...

If he needs money to repair Goodison, why does he not ask? Every single Everton fan I have spoken to would put cash towards this project. If we stay at the 40,000 limit, who cares? Not the fans that?s for sure ? and my view, teams hate coming to Goodison.

Finally, I cannot believe that Everton FC cannot find financial assistance by staying at Goodison. Companies and investors love loyalty, they absolutely love it. Goodison Park, the home of Everton Football Club.

Please, be real, understand what you say when you talk about Everton Football Club leaving Goodison park. Understand your identity.
Mike Gwyer     Posted 24/07/2007 at 20:50:19   Comments (9)

Interfering agents

Alex Ferguson bleating about agents pushing players into wanting a move, and players being tapped up. If you're going to piss in the swimming pool, don't complain when you swallow some water!
Jim Whiffen     Posted 24/07/2007 at 19:42:16   Comments (2)

Bally in Yellow Socks?

Can any Blues out there help me to identify the ground Alan Ball is pictured leading the Blues out circa 1970-71. Bally is in Blue Shirt , White shorts and amber socks. The picture is from Everton's Greatest Goalscorers celebrating Dixie's 100th Birthday published by Trinity Mirror for the Liverpool Echo. Everton played Leeds away early in the 1970-71 season.

The thing that is confusing me and my mates is the Red/White paintwork surrounding the tunnel area. Can anyone remember if Elland Road did have this colour scheme at that time. The only time we played Leeds on a neutral ground during this period was in a Semi-Final at Old Trafford , but Bally didn't play in that game. Can anyone out there shed some light on this? Many thanks.
John Partick McFarlane     Posted 24/07/2007 at 18:52:02   Comments (13)

Ask Buster

You too can post a question to the main man. Apparently questions and answers will be posted in the Werder Bremen programme. [Link]

For your information, I wrote:

'We are told that the club is in good financial order, and any perceived debt from the Kirkby project is to be covered by naming rights and the sale of Goodison Park. Despite all the money being received from both the TV deal with Sky and our Premier League finish last year, we appear to have a very tight budget for transfers. The club often cites the inflated market as a reason for the lack of influx into one of the smallest first team squads in the Premiership, this with a UEFA cup campaign on the horizon. Where has all the money gone?'

Somehow I doubt he'll answer mine, preferring a 'What colour are the seats going to be?' kind of question.
Mark Wynne     Posted 24/07/2007 at 18:21:54   Comments (15)

Adu No, Braaten Yes?

This Adu thing may not get off the ground at all; apparently Celtic were after him (along with ourselves and Spurs) and he's going to choose Benfica purely because it seems unilkely he'll get a work permit to play in the UK. Braaten is all set to leave Rosenborg apparently, saw clips of him on You Tube and he seems to be the kind of player that has to be fouled before he gives up the ball - that could give Arteta a lot of ammunition from free kicks! Anyone heard how much he might cost?
Ger Johnson     Posted 24/07/2007 at 16:51:21   Comments (15)

Ambition

I?ve been biting my tongue for as long as I can but I?ve had it with this club?s current ?administration?. Once again, we head into a European campaign and the club is showing the kind of ambition you would associate with someone who?s just downright not interested.

Now personally, we can stay in Goodison or move to Kirkby ? I couldn?t care less ? but it appears that we are reducing our transfer budget in order to finance this seemingly unwanted relocation. That is unacceptable. A shiny new stadium would be nice but what?s the point of having a state-of-the-art 50,000 seater stadium if the club are not performing at a higher level? If we?re not going to strengthen the squad sufficiently to consistently qualify for Europe, we won?t need all those extra seats and corporate boxes Wyness thinks we do.

So far we?ve signed Phil Jagielka (a good, solid versatile player) and Steven Pienaar (a potentially very exciting signing). Now I am happy we?ve signed these two lads and fingers crossed I think they?re exactly what we?re looking for but having said that we?ve lost Naysmith (a defender) and Fernandes (a midfielder) and we?ve brought in one of each. Throw in the fact that we also released Wright and Pistone and that leaves us with a squad of 23 players including goalkeepers. How are we going to compete domestically and put in a respectable European display with that few players? Not to mention that Uefa Cup matches are played on a Thursday night.

I understand that signing Fernandes, Nugent or Koumas (as some people wish) would have required an overly extravagant outlay on one player ? what we need this season is a blend of quality and quantity. But the clock is ticking and we have lost three players and brought in two. I wouldn?t mind if technicalities (eg, the Vogel deal) were holding up a number of signings but there?s not even a whiff of that going on. I?d be delighted to be proven wrong and see three or four new faces before the season starts but I doubt it?s going to happen and it appears that the club wants to succeed at a cost of approximately £4million.

Out of Europe at the first or second hurdle looks likely and even if I?m wrong on that, which I?d love to be, our league placing will definitely suffer as our tiny squad is quickly stretched to its limits?
Declan Critchley     Posted 24/07/2007 at 15:53:39   Comments (10)

Pienaar

Pienaar is in according to the Official Site. All I?ve ever seen of him is one of those YouTube collage things. But from that he looks like a reasonably skillful attacking midfielder. At least reasonable cover for Timmy C? Anyone know any more about him?
Richard Parker     Posted 24/07/2007 at 15:39:44   Comments (33)

Identity parade

Could someone please tell me who two of the four players at the front are? I recognise Vic and Joe, but the fella on the left wearing what I can make out as No.12, and the fella between Vic & Joe (is he Pienaar?) Who are they?
Phil Jones     Posted 24/07/2007 at 12:46:08   Comments (16)

What a Frustrating Summer

First we had the Carlos Tevez never-ending saga, (I know that's got nothing to do with us but is it driving everyone else bonker's?). Then we have the ongoing debates regarding our ground move, added to our total lack of imagination/activity in the transfer market, plus the lack of sunshine to make us forget about the football season. Please, Please, old dithering one, give us a signing or two that will make us all proud and look forward to our season in Europe. What's happened to Fernandes? he would do for a start.

Just one other point that concerns me, why have we had 3 trips (Scotland, Italy and now USA) without any real competetive tests? — Lee Carsley for one say's he would prefer to do his pre-season training at home base — not surprised considering the amount of travelling! Not an issue I would like to delve too deep in to, but WHAT ABOUT OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT?!?
Kevin Bennett     Posted 24/07/2007 at 12:08:45   Comments (7)

Every little helps

I have read from countless contributors the motives for Tesco being involved in the Kirkby project, the most obvious being what they stand to gain from their investment and what they actually bring to the table in terms of revenue.

It's been argued that Tesco dont 'give' money away and they have also apparently waivered the opportunity to exclusive naming rights on the stadium. So the million-dollar and pertinent question remains "What's in it for Tesco?"

Although the figures mentioned by Keith Wyness have been a little unclear and lacking transparency, it would appear that £50 million of Tesco's money will be granted to Everton through a third party in the form of Knowsley Borough Council with the aim of constructing the stadium and a Tesco Extra store, thus reinvigorating the local economy of Kirkby.

It does seem hard to believe that a tripartate partnership can all seem to gain from such a deal; however, for Tesco, this is an opportunity not to be missed. In recent years many will have seen the growth of Kirkby in terms of new-build housing, the town itself is in need of redevelopment, and Knowsley Council are only too aware of what Tesco and Everton will bring in terms of brand status. Kirkby is very under-resourced when it comes to superstore provision, there is literally an untapped market for Tesco of shoppers who currently migrate to other areas and other retail competitors. There is also huge competition in a saturated retail market and a lack of brownfield development opportunities to sustain the growth and development of Britain's biggest grocer.

I am personally supportive of the Kirkby project as there appears little in the way of a deliverable alternative. Every little certainly does help and the support of Tesco and Knowsley Council is too hard to reject.
Peter Laing     Posted 24/07/2007 at 11:37:29   Comments (6)

A thought for Moyes

With all the talk being of Stadia & the merits (or otherwise) of moving to Kirkby, it is easy to forget that the season begins in less than two weeks. During this close season, all the talk has been around the stadium issue and the lack of transfer activity at Goodison Park. I would like to comment on David Moyes.

I think Evertonians should be proud to have such a hard-working manager at the helm. It is rare in the modern game that managers do not grumble when given such a limited transfer kitty. Moyes is working at a club where there is little or no money to spend on players while clubs around him are spending at will, yet he doesn't throw his toys out of the pram and just gets on with the job.

Yes, he passed comment on the "ridiculous spending" of other clubs, but looking at the transfers made this season, can anyone say that he wasn't right? We all know that Moyes is not the finished article as a manager and that he has made mistakes, but who could do a better job with the resources given? If we were to get rid of Moyes in favour of a new manager, my bet would be that the any manager coming to Everton would demand a sizable transfer kitty. Something which Everton Football Club can't/won't give them.

So it is with great excitment that I look forward to the new season, and as a passionate Evertonian I feel happy that our club is in the hands of a man who refuses to pay over the odds for players and a man who obviously cares greatly for our beloved club. Let's get behind our manager & our team and roar them into Europe again next season.
Graham Nolan     Posted 24/07/2007 at 11:11:50   Comments (10)

We don't have the money

There is one phrase that gets on my fucking tits: it's 'We don't have the money'. Well, can anybody tell me why we are fucking skint? It's not as if we spend millions each season on transfers is it?(I wish!)

We are one of the top teams when it comes to gate averages. The lad in the club shop said the club do a roaring trade on merchandise. There is money coming in left, right and center from tv deals, Sky etc. So can anyone genuinely explain why we are always crying poverty?
Brian Waring     Posted 24/07/2007 at 10:41:22   Comments (4)

City Council

A year or eighteen months ago, the city council seemed to have no interest in the club's issue of a new ground. Now, faced with the prospect of the club moving out of city to the suburbs, it would appear to have panicked. All of a sudden there are offers of sites coming at us from all over the place.

Football is a very cynical thing now and many, myself included, would say "Fine, let's see what they have to offer, let's see what's in it for us," and then take them for all they're worth. But then part of me is saying "No, stuff them. Let's run with Tesco's," — a deal the club has sourced itself and may manage to complete without the aid of the city council.

The reason for this is that in my mind the council is now seemingly only interested because of the fear of a very public embarressment. A major Premier League club, embedded in the psyche of generations of Liverpudlians, forced to go it alone as a lesser partner to a chain store for a new ground. All the way out to Kirkby too — and the city council stood by and let it happen.

I could well be wrong on this. With the way our club has been run over the years, the city council could well have rightly washed their hands of us, only for the football fan in it to change it's mind and try again at a late stage.

But it's just that the way that there has been no word from them in a while now, only for all this interest to be suddenly shown, does seem to be a little suspect...
Kieran Fitzgerald     Posted 24/07/2007 at 08:57:41   Comments (4)

'Loop' site

First thought on the loop site was 'How do we fit a 50k-seater plus amenities such as shops, carparking etc in that space?'

Within seconds, thoughts turned to the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne. Holds 52,000 (around a much larger, Australian Rules field), has plenty of shops etc nearby, and has 2 levels of carparking underneath the stadium.

Obviously, I don't know the exact specifications of what type & size of stadium would need to be there, and there would be no need for roof, IMO. But it just happened to be the first answer to the first question I had about the site.

As for the other questions (funding, timeframes, land purchase etc), I think that's been covered pretty well by the rest of you.

Attached some links to pics of the stadium in Melbourne to - day & night to keep you all happy:

Link 1

Link 2

I haven't been to Liverpool since I was a young chap, so can somebody fill me in on what building is currently inside the loop?
Jarrod Prosser     Posted 24/07/2007 at 03:18:30   Comments (21)

What has the city of Liverpool done for us?

One thing I don't get about the parochial thinking of 'scousers', of which I am one (born in Mill Rd Hospital in Everton, brought up in Kirkdale)... but what has Everton being in Liverpool actually brought us? All major institutions/media in this country only focus on Liverpool FC when mentioning the city; the local rag (Echo) ignores us (and Tranmere) in favour of LFC.

The most infamous piece of ignorance from the Echo was its 'apology' on behalf of the city of Liverpool to Juventus, thus linking us forever in their minds to the tragedy, the lack of support from our own council (well, the planning committee has been red-biased for years). Look at most pubs/clubs in the city to see whose football team is on TV, it sticks in the throat but it's red! Our support in the city is at its nadir, we cannot attract more as the reds are now too far ahead of us in kids' minds.

We are tainted by being in the city with all the harm done to English football by the kopite twats. We aren't wanted in our own city and quite frankly most of you would leave the city if you had the chance! It really is time to up sticks and start afresh away from the stench of Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Echo & Liverpool Football Club, it's 1892 again and time to move!
Tommy Gibbons     Posted 24/07/2007 at 00:25:46   Comments (7)

Keith Wyness Interview

Over on the Blue Kipper site there is another interview with Wyness. Some of it is a little sycophantic but there are some interesting facts which are worth noting.

Two things that stood out are the figures for new stadium attendance figures as opposed to the old stadium figures. The average first season increase was over 55% (taking into account Boro, City, Sunderland, Bolton, Southhampton, Coventry and Leicester) while non of these attendance figures have fallen below the old figures even at Sunderland and Southhampton who endured relegation.

The second point of particular interest is that our Kirkby location has a population of 4 million within a 45 minute drive as opposed to our current population of 1.5m people within a 45 minute drive.

These are two very strong indicators that the potential to increase average attendances will improve if we move to a new stadium in Kirkby. The whole interview is worth a read.
Barry Bragg     Posted 23/07/2007 at 21:24:54   Comments (24)

Information we should have before a vote

I may be getting confused but we already own the land and Goodison can be redeveloped into a 55,000 seater stadium. We even have a published feasibility study showing it can be done. What we don't have are up-to-date financial projections. Why don't the club at least update the financial projections from the Ward McHugh Associates study and then we can at least compare the two options, ie, Kirkby or a redeveloped Goodison Park.

Given how serious the ramifications are about moving this is the least that they can do if we are to have a meaningful vote.
John Crawley     Posted 23/07/2007 at 20:43:05   Comments (8)

Biased website?

Just a quick thought: hands up all those who have posted something on here that hasn't appeared? Doesn't matter what the content, or whether or not you were agreeing or disagreeing with something, how often have you genuinely had a post refused?

I have been for the new stadium for certain reasons in a post. A day later I have waxed on about how I would love to stay at Goodison for other reasons. In some posts I have given the Board credit for things they've done, in others I've slagged them off in a big way for some of the crap they've pulled.

At times I've loved Moyes, other times I have wanted him sacked. My point is, I have had a lot of opinions that have agreed with each side of each debate that there has been on this website. As long as each post was literate ,made sense, and wasn't just me cursing like a docker, it got posted. IT GOT POSTED!!!!

And in all honesty I would imagine most people posting on here have been the same with most of their posts, both on content and in seeing it get onto the screen.

Yet, all I have seen in some days' posts over the last eleven months I've logged on, today included, is how this website is anti-club, anti-Board, anti-Moyes and just too negative to deserve any credit. It's fans posting the articles, it's us driving the website forward, it's us doing the whinging or applauding. Can you really see Michael, Lyndon and Colm sitting in a room making all this up?

It's a good website with intelligent fans making use of it, why not just leave it at that.
Kieran Fitzgerald     Posted 23/07/2007 at 19:51:44   Comments (6)

Religious affiliation

I'm trying to figure out the "most Catholic team in the Premiership". I know I'm just a Yank, and have honestly no clue on what I'm talking about. And I thought this Everton-Liverpool thing was a Catholic vs Protestant thing also. I need my facts to be straight and I was hoping you would help me.
Mike Normoyle     Posted 23/07/2007 at 18:27:51   Comments (9)

Wakey Wakey Time

Sorry to harp upon about my concerns but lets get back to this season realities ? forget the bloody ground issue . Now what am I talking about? See these facts :

Spurs 30
Villa 25
West Ham 28
Bolton 25
Blackburn 23
Man City 21
Everton 19

The numbers refer to their numbers of players they have in their current 1st team squad ? and only taking into account players who have regularly played in Premier League or equivalent overseas.

Now whilst we can say quality vs quantity we got to face the fact that unless we sign at least another 4-6 players hopefully (but no chance) by Aug 11th than we could be in deep shit by I'd say 1st round UEFA cup. Other than Blackburn the rest are still buying or are showing that they want to continue to buy, but all we have is done is to say dont worry we'll find the faces before the deadline, and in the meantime Moyes is over in USA with his fit 15 players.

Kirkby or Liverpool ? couldn't give a damn because at this rate we'll only be in Coca Cola or whatever they call it now. I'm not normally this down, and as I said yesterday I rate Moyes and Co, but for Christ's sake lets see some half-decent buys in next few weeks.
Mike Oates     Posted 23/07/2007 at 17:18:08   Comments (11)

Any connection?

A certain American, William Chang — not short of a few dollars — is looking to invest in a Premier League football club. Could this be the same guy whose product we sponsor?
Hugh Binns     Posted 23/07/2007 at 17:07:08   Comments (1)

Just Say No

I was born in Everton and have been a Blue since I can remember. I now live in Knowsley and believe me, if Everton move to Kirkby it will be the end of the club as a main player in the Premiership. It might not happen overnight but happen it will.

Almost every Evertonian that I speak to is against the move for various reasons but mainly because they feel that a move out of the city — our home almost since inception will be wrong.

Mr Kenwright, you allude to having been a lifelong Evertonian. If this IS true then how can you even contemplate moving away from the area where all our history and heart evolves?

The other reason why, is that fans are wary and indeed, totally MISTRUST you, Mr Kenwright and you Mr Wyness; in fact, I believe from my observations that you both are held with great contempt by the majority of Evertonians.

Tony Marsh is very vitriolic in his piece regarding the move and as always says it as it is but some questions need to be asked.

• How is it that EFC cannot get anyone to even talk about investing in the club?
• With the city booming and the Premiership attracting billions of pounds of revenue and investment, why can EFC not get anyone to talk about investment?
• Why can EFC not get the grants and support that other projects within the city get?

I believe the reason lies within the club, the Chairman and CEO do not want investment YET, they see the move to Kirkby as their lottery win and as with every lottery win there are many many losers. Don?t be fooled by Billy Liar and Greedy Wyness

VOTE NO!
Steve  Sweeney     Posted 23/07/2007 at 16:49:16   Comments (18)

Fool-Proof Plan

When we move to Kirkby, instead of selling Goodison, we keep it and remortgage it to fund the new stadium. That way if the new stadium is gash, we'll move back to Walton in time for the next home game, sell the new stadium, pay off the mortgage and buy a new left back with the spare cash.
Ryan Crest     Posted 23/07/2007 at 15:56:36   Comments (3)

Finch Farm

Any news on our new state of the art Training Facility at Finch Farm? Seems forgotten with all the talk about Kirkby!!
Patrick Coyle     Posted 23/07/2007 at 13:41:18   Comments (9)

Dont believe what they show you

So the pictures of the stadium are out. Well let's be honest, they could be drawings of anything that have come from somebody's imagination. It doesn't mean the ground will look anything like that.

Have a look at this:



The artist impression of the Ricoh Arena Coventry (Built in conjunction with Tesco, albeit not bay Barr).

And then look at what they actually got:



Shit, isn't it? Dont let the Kirkby pictures sway your vote, our board have never delivered what they say.
Ste Boileau     Posted 23/07/2007 at 13:13:36   Comments (34)

Panic Attack

It would appear from your most recent poll and the placating words regarding transfer activity from Wyness that I am not alone in becoming increasingly concerned by this summer's lack of new faces being drafted in to bolster our threadbare squad.

Whilst the team's around us have been busy strengthening it would appear that the extended US tour and issues regarding the Kirkby project have taken sight off Everton's lack of activity in the market.

Even the fictitious Riquelme link in the cold light of day following the completion of the Copa America seems a distant memory in a forgettable pre-season. The news that Leighton Baines and Christian Wilhmeson who have been considered as possible targets are in negotiations with other suitors would further suggest that either Moyes has his un-named targets, is completely cash strapped and can only bring in loans and free transfers or he is leaving business very, very late.

I will be glad when the squad returns from the US and hopefully Moyes will provide reassurances that potential signings are in the pipeline and we can look forward to the new season with anticipation as opposed to the trepidation that I am currently feeling.
Peter Laing     Posted 23/07/2007 at 12:20:39   Comments (6)

Ker...Chang!

Just read this on the BBC...

William Chang, part-owner of the San Francisco Giants baseball team and MLS side DC United, is looking to invest in a Premier League club. (The Times)

If Billy & Bully can't convert this one they want shooting ? we've even got the blokes name on our shirts already FFS!
Richard Jones     Posted 23/07/2007 at 12:14:35   Comments (7)

The magic 51%

So much criticism of the Everton Board has been in evidence over the past few days that it is difficult to believe that it`s all over their decision to give the club`s true fans a say in the proposed move to Kirkby.

As the very able Chief Executive has told us, Everton are the first major club to give their fans a say in a ground move although the announcement of a poll, which as I suggested weeks ago, will be restricted to `core` supporters and conducted under the auspices of the Electoral Reform Society has largely been greeted with derision.

Personally, I believe that it is the Board`s job to direct the affairs of the Club but because of the great bond our Chairman has with his fellow Evertonians he has determined that we should have a say in the decision.

Clearly, as in most democratic processes, a majority of 51% in favour is required to see the vote to move carried. This will be affirmation that the majority of those who follow the Club with their cash as well as their hearts are up for the move.

Not much to ask,is it?

So just make sure that when the voting paper lands on your mat you attend to it the right away. Of course, you will vote as your conscience dictates but just as we know that the playing affairs are in good hands, we can be supremely confident that we would not be recommended to support this move were it not absolutely right for EFC.

Achieving that magic 51% is probably the most important milepost in the hisory of this great institution. Vote well, vote wisely.
Richard Dodd     Posted 23/07/2007 at 08:41:59   Comments (30)

Beattie - 9

I managed to watch this in YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cphFv-xX08M). Please excuse the "bluriness" of the shot as I believe its taken from a handphone.

After watching this, how on earth did Beattie missed that golden opportunity? FFS. Its a simple tap in and its definitely a sure goal if you put somebody else there, even Tim Howard! What makes it more painful is that after all the great work from da Silva and Anichebe (hope to see it more often), it all goes to vain!

People have been saying that Beattie hasn't been scoring because he is not getting the services that he "required" to score. But how bout this "service"?!

You really blow it, Beats!
Azlan Deniel     Posted 23/07/2007 at 04:23:06   Comments (11)

Dixie Poll

I'm sure most online Blues check out more than one site (although this one is by far and away the best!). However, if you don't, then click here www.talksport.net and vote for the best centre forward this country has ever seen. (even though most of us have never seen him!)!
Mark Joseph     Posted 23/07/2007 at 01:16:57   Comments (3)

Kirkby or Not

The proposed move to Kirkby and the up and coming vote: Ask yourself one simple question

Do you trust, beyond a shadow of a doubt, Kenwright, Wyness and the board to deliver what is right for Everton FC ? the fans and future fans?

If your answer is yes then consider these points:-
Fortress Sports Fund
Kings Dock fiasco
Lack of transfer funding
Constant lies
etc

How many contradicting statements have we heard just this week? Let's face it ? they can?t even make their minds up as to the cost of this venture, let alone who will have the deciding vote ? the fans or the board.

Use your vote wisely. Don?t be fooled by fancy pictures and expect what you see, it rarely happens. Ask yourselves if we are incapable of filling Goodison on a regular basis with the style of football on show, how the hell are we going to fill a 55,000 stadium? If we can?t fill it then the 10 million transfer kitty per season doesn?t look very likely does it (bearing in mind the way things are going this will equate to only one mediocre signing per season any way).

This is not the last chance saloon they would have us believe, if the vote doesn?t go their way, they just might have to seriously start looking 24-7 to find an investor who can deliver the goods and who has the financial backing to take Everton to the next level because one thing is certain Kenwright & Co sure as hell can?t.

By the look of things we won?t be getting any American investors real soon judging by the display against Real Salt Lake, how many more embarrassing displays of hoof it football can we take, I thought we had seen the last of that god help us this up and coming season if we still haven?t grasped the concept of passing instead of hoofing.

Those of you who think the Kirkby move is the answer to all our prayers think again we need quality on the pitch - to fill the stadium ? sell the corporate facilities ? to generate the money. My advice would be - strengthen the team and in time the rest will follow, let?s walk before we can run.
Dwayne Perkins     Posted 22/07/2007 at 23:32:55   Comments (3)

US Trip: Squad

Can anyone remotely explain why Moyes only took 17 players to the US? Whilst we all know that were desperately short of players, and that Cahill and Vaughan were not available (and Shandy?), what happened to Boyle, Vidarsson, and Lukas? A week ago, they were all playing and playing well against N Ireland or Bury; now they're not even part of the squad ? team-building week and all.

It was an utter embarrassment to see Arteta subbed last night then 15 mins later having to re-enter the game ? what must the players think of Moyes's and Kenwright's attempt to bolster the squad.

Last season, Chelsea started with a squad of only 24(!) players ? Mourhino's ideal size, but they ultimately struggled mid-season due to a lack of quality back-up and lost their chance on the Premiership. Now we ain't Chelsea but we are in Europe and at best we'll have about 20-22 players ? we will need the youngsters to play a part and they should have been made to be part of the first team squad. Penny pinching again?
Mike Oates     Posted 22/07/2007 at 20:33:24   Comments (13)

Barr, what are they getting out of it?

One thing has been niggling me all day. Tesco are getting Barr to build a stadium that would normally cost £75M, and getting them to do it for £50M. So are Barr willing to lose £25m on this project? If so, what are they getting out of this deal? Surely to lose that sort of money, there must be something in it for them?
Brian Waring     Posted 22/07/2007 at 17:50:49   Comments (7)

Can't Wait

"But maybe we needed that, maybe it is a wake-up call to make us realise we are all about hard work and commitment and there wasn't enough of that tonight."

Doesn't that statement sum up the standard of football we play and ambition of our club. You would have thought a supposedly 'top' manager, having been in charge for 5 years, would have realised through personal experience that just having hard work and commitment in your armoury means embarassment in Europe, the likely possibility of early cup exits and, when a small squad gets fed up or too knackered to 'work hard'.. dismal league performances.

Is it too much to hope that Moyes and his coaching staff will ever train and set us up to play attractive football? At the end of the day the possibility of being entertained is all we can hope for, because thanks to our Board there's no point in dreaming of success as they dont have the finances, business acumen or drive to make it happen.
Mike Whittaker     Posted 22/07/2007 at 16:48:19   Comments (7)

Alan Smith

Just heard Man Utd's Assistant telling Sky Sports News they want Tevez because they are short of strikers. If Smith has agreed to go then they would be short so this could be a good indication.

Having read on this site that Alan Smith has already signed, which I didn't believe was true, I am beginning to believe it.

And what a signing he would be. A proven goal scorer, good passer of the ball, great tackler and skill. He can play in midfield, behind the strikers and up front and is grafter too. Just hope we get him in asap.
Gavin Harris     Posted 22/07/2007 at 16:33:53   Comments (15)

Survey

Just did the survey and thought a few of the questions led you towards not supporting the Kirkby project. Take the question below, it basically gives you 3 anti-kirkby options and 1 pro-kirkby option. The first three don't apply nor does the last one. The increased benefit is buying a seat knowing there's no obstructed views, better facilities and greater capacity to scare the shit out of opposition even more! ---------------------------------- Your answers to the two three previous questions were based:

• On principal ? I won't support the move to Kirkby
• On Financial considerations ? I can't afford to attend regularly in Kirkby
• On convienience ? Kirkby is harder for me to access
• On Increased benefit ? Kirkby is easier for me to access/afford

Dan Parker     Posted 22/07/2007 at 15:51:44   Comments (9)

Being Heard

'No' voters have been given additional hope with the news that sites are available within the city and that Warren is "confident" that a deal can be done.

To those who take issue with the idea of neglecting the many opportunities to spend money within the ground or at the shop, do suggest an alternative way to make moneymen listen. Reasoned argument over a small sweet sherry? Or an avuncular hand on Wyness' shoulder, "Now look here, old boy ..."

And if anyone sincerely believes that such an embargo would affect the strength of the playing squad, may I wonder if short term pain is preferable to long term Kirkby? The time is critical. Strong answers are required.
Mike  McLean     Posted 22/07/2007 at 14:06:31   Comments (9)

Stadium move

Knowsley Municipal Borough are supportive, encouraging and would love to have us. Liverpool City Council are biased against us, don't listen and aren't that bothered about us. Our stadium is old and small. Tesco is willing to pay most of the costs of a new and bigger stadium.

This is a golden opportunity to make a big leap forward after lagging behind for so long. Every club at the top is either redeveloping or building new stadiums because they see it's vital for their futures.

We don't have the luxury of being able to redevelop Goodison into an Emirates or an Old Trafford so we have to move. We could move to another part of liverpool and build a new stadium with all the expense and debt that Arsenal are experiencing (a team on the way down maybe?) or we could have one built for us 4 miles away, in a town thats a hotbed of support, for as much money as buying a wannabe England striker.

So there it is: a new stadium, minimal debt, extra revenue, higher standing in the game, bigger crowds... Or maybe some of you are right and the important thing is our bloody postcode.
John Gee     Posted 22/07/2007 at 13:15:59   Comments (4)

What's in a name?

I'm sure there are much more important issues at the moment, but I'd be very concerned about the club's stance regarding stadium naming rights.

Football grounds being named after corporate sponsors is one of the many things that makes me feel increasingly alienated from English professional football these days. The game has always been dependent on Dirty Money, of course, no matter what nostalgists may say. But, for me, the conspicuous corporate presence in the Premier League reduces everything to a commodified, rationalised, sanitised and stinkingly bland 'package', where every stage of the modern football 'experience' is cynically geared around the extraction of cash from fans' wallets.

I know it's always been like this, but since the arrival of the Premier League, the business side of football has got sickeningly ruthless, in-yer-face and concerned with image and spin. The thought of some corporation with dubious ethical policies imprinting their name on the very fabric of Everton FC does not float my boat. But I can see Wyness now, shaking hands with the CEO of Nestlé outside the Everton Kit-Kat Stadium, all shit-eating smiles, telling True Blues everywhere that the deal will gurantee us £5M a season on new players, and all the Yorkie bars that James Beattie can eat.
Andrew Conroy     Posted 22/07/2007 at 12:58:21   Comments (9)

Kirkby and Toffeeweb

It seems, having read many posts over the last few weeks and months about the ground move, that a large majority of Toffeeweb readers do NOT want to move to KIrkby. Its hard to quantify a figure but 70% against is a fairly conservative estimate.

So, if there is a majority of fans who decide to vote for a move to Kirkby, perhaps it will raise some uncomfortable questions for this website that many of us enjoy trawling through. The likes of Dave Prentice and Dominic King always say that cyber commentators like ourselves are NOT representative of true fans, that we are the vocal minority. This is something that I have never subscribed to, but what if they're right? What if the silent majority of Blues want to move, do buy into Bill and Keith's dream?

Could it be that this website is just a platform for the extremist minority. That for every Tony Marsh there are ten Doddys or Dutchs? If the Ground Move vote produces a healthy majority in favour of relocation, then I fear that the credibility of this website, plus those of us who mistrust Kenwright and Wyness with a passion, will be wiped out. After all, who wants to be part of some lunatic fringe?
Gareth  Hughes     Posted 22/07/2007 at 12:27:20   Comments (10)

For those with no Vision!

I cannot believe the negativity of some Everton Fans and "Groups" who claim to represent the majority of the fans. The move to Kirkby is not one I particularly have as my No 1 desire but it stands out as the only option to consider. Counciller Bradley has finally come up with 2 sites for a stadium in the city and they are total non-starters and quite frankly a joke. Has anyone seen Long Lane and Speke traffic at peak times and weekends! Why hasn't the old Bus Depot on the Lancs next to M57 been put forward? Are the council making it look like they want Everton to stay by this last-minute offering??

Ok... "Let's stay at Goodison and stagnate" group ? How do we get the funding to redevelop Goodison or build a Stadium in the City??? Are Aldi or Lidl gonna come up with the money and expertise to build the Stadium?

Personally I think some people are fearful they wont be able to have drinks up to 1455 on County Road and then get up to Goodison for kickoff. If they don't want to come out of their comfort zone to go 3 miles to the new one then stay in the pub and watch it on the telly. Meanwhile, myself and other will go and support our team wherever they play.

Do these same people not go to away games cos its not Everton playing at Goodison? Next they will be saying they will only go to watch Everton if they play in blue! Please open your minds and think of Everton's long term future and not where you want to drink before the game.
Peter Parker     Posted 22/07/2007 at 12:04:05   Comments (15)

Salt Lake 2 Everton 0

What an embarrassment. Brings into focus once more than what happens on the pitch is always a precursor to any success and an ability to fill out any stadium ? you can't run before you can walk. I would suggest we get matters right on the playing field and all funding for the next 3 years should be devoted squarely towards the team.

That gives us time to find a stadium site in the city which maintains our traditions, ensures our core fan base is maintained in the long term, and does not surrender our association with the City of Liverpool. Yes, some of these are emotional reasons but I would not be a supporter if wasn't for such.

Here's hoping for some quality acquisitions in the next 7 days. Alan Smith, yes please... and Freddie Ljungberg too if he is available.
Anthony Newell     Posted 22/07/2007 at 11:51:03   Comments (8)

BK's remarkable achievment

Looking at the mailbag, fan artciles and a variety of forums I have to make tribute to BK and Buster.

They've managed to divide Everton's fans as never before. We've been absolutely torn apart by this fecking Kirkby business in a way I've never seen before.

Whatever way it turns out in the end, I wonder if it can ever be the same again? (Though not for me if we go to Kirkby.)
Steve Lee     Posted 22/07/2007 at 11:12:15   Comments (1)

Has Bill Lost his voice?

I've listened to "I'm only interested in what's in it for me" Wyness on Radio City. He doesn't give a toss about Everton [remember the Villarreal ticket allocation?]. His only interest is the next rung of the ladder for himself, believe me, it's true. What I want to know is, where is Bill? I would rather hear from Bill than that greedy "I'm all right, Jack" Wyness. So, speak up, Bill. Every Everton fan knows you are a True Blue. You ask us to give up our home and pride and leave our city. We were born here, in our city and that's where we want to stay. Speak to us, Bill.
Colin  Malone     Posted 21/07/2007 at 22:05:32   Comments (14)

Wyness Wanderers

There was a very interesting turn of phrase in the latest dictat from Keith Wyness: "There have been calls from Liverpool City Council for the Blues to remain in their council-controlled area." Notice, he could have said "remain in the city" or "remain in Liverpool" but instead he referred to Liverpool as the "council-controlled area." Why? Because he would have had to admit that he is taking the club away from the city and no-one wants to cop to that. We aren't really leaving Liverpool. Wyness Wanderers are leaving the Liverpool City Council controlled area. That's a relief.
Peter Fearon     Posted 22/07/2007 at 00:05:32   Comments (7)

Optimistic Blue!

Firstly, I would like to say as an out-of-town Blue that I think the "Kirkby Project" is a fantastic opportunity ? one that's too good to pass on. I know that many of my fellow blues who live in the city may feel differently but I would travel to the moon if it meant I could watch my heroes in blue play.
Michael Cummins     Posted 21/07/2007 at 19:09:02   Comments (10)

Steven Pienaar

I would just like to ask a few questions about Steven Pinaar. What position does he play? I have been told centarlly by some and other sources such as the Echo claim he is a winger. He looks very central to me but I think Moyes might stick him out on the wing like Arteta. His situation looks very similar to Arteta's. Both seen as very talented youngsters who failed to fulfill their potential. Both very skillful creative players who where seen as too lightweight to succeed in Scotland/England. Hopefully Pienaar can follow in Arteta's footsteps and become our next creative force.
Connor Rohrer     Posted 21/07/2007 at 19:03:29   Comments (11)

Brick vs plastic

I feel, wherever we build our stadium we need a traditional design. I like the idea of four stands but the big disappointment for me is the use of cheap-looking materials. We have faced the whole stadium in cheap white plastic stuff like at St Mary?s (who used the same designers). As this view shows, it will look horrific in daylight. See

In the US, the trend has been for retro style stadia. They tend to use brick facades, exposed steel, are full of historical decorative features and they look fantastic. My favourite is this one in Baltimore. It gives a real sense of the history and importance of the club ? something that will be vital to keep if we leave Goodison.

My question for any architects (Tom Hughes maybe?): Would a brick façade instead of the white plastic really be that expensive? Can anyone suggest some historical decorative features?

Please, please, please let?s not settle for a square St Mary?s. I fear that in 10 years we will view it as we do the Riverside, and we all deserve so much more.
Ed MacDonald     Posted 21/07/2007 at 15:06:00   Comments (9)

Stadium debate, the right reasons please

Recently I overheard a fellow blue revealing the way he would cast his forthcoming stadium vote.

He said, "I will be voting NO." I listened on, expecting him to go through the various reasons often aired on this forum for staying at Goodison, or to go down the other route of "I would rather not move than move to Kirkby..." Instead he said, "It will add 20 minutes onto my journey time and I do not want to have this inconvenience."

Am I alone in seeing this as a selfish perspective? All of us who have a vote have earned the right through owning a season ticket or part of the club through shares. But with that right comes some responsibility for casting your vote. Please think of what is best for Everton not just yourself when you cast your vote.

As for my vote it is still undecided though I am leaning towards the YES vote as I simply cannot see a viable alternative, sadly.
Pamela Maltby     Posted 21/07/2007 at 10:47:57   Comments (25)

Does it feel right?

Like most fans, I have been agonisng over the ground move, although always leaning towards a No vote.

My mind however is now firmly made up: it is going to be NO, NO, NO! If we are honest, most major decisions in life are taken on instinct - is it right to buy that house, is it the right time to have kids ? who knows? ... but you go with how you feel at the time.

No-one, and I mean no-one, would choose Kirkby as the first option and the whole project feels wrong. With the news that sites as close as Scotty Rd could be available it surely becomes a no-brainer. The Board will simply have to work harder and find investment or commercial partners for those sites in Liverpool.

I would desparately implore everyone to vote No - if it feels wrong, it is because it probably is wrong ? go with your gut instinct.

Finally, the scare tactics of the club are beneath contempt and deserve a resounding rejection on their own. The vote is likely to be on a knife edge and every vote will count. I believe those warning against Kirkby are now gaining ground very fast ? please vote NO and encourage others to do likewise.
John Doolan     Posted 21/07/2007 at 09:15:20   Comments (11)

Bored of Directors

As a club, I believe we have a rich history of poor decision-making on the part of directors / coaches.

It's well documented that Dean was nearly lost to Newcastle because of shilly-shallying about the price, and that he was nearly lost again when a club official publicly accused him of drunkenness. Mercer, sold to Arsenal; Lawton sold; Bally sold to help fund the main stand... We all have a favourite example at which we shudder.

And now we have the showman and his monkey leading us to the glittering prospect of Kirkby and a transfer policy based on buy one / get one free.

Like many others before them, the current Board and CEO can be accused of a shattering lack of ambition and a failure to invest properly for the future. The new tin can will hold another ten thousand fans. Splendid. Have I missed the sound of 20,000 hands beating on Goodison's gates for admission? Another £10M for players? In three years time, that kind of money wouldn't buy Never Heard of Him's cruciate ligament!

There is an answer for those who care, and an answer which won't affect the team's morale or involve DM in politics. Very simply, don't put any more money than strictly necessary into the Board's pockets. Don't buy programmes, merchandise, food and drink, or take part part in any of the other money-making schemes the club is thoughtful enough to provide.

Any anger that is felt should be aimed (it goes without saying) at the Directors' Box and the monkey's cash tin. A few weeks of such action might persuade monkey to arrive at a plan B!

Mike McLean     Posted 21/07/2007 at 08:53:59   Comments (7)

Chants

It's the small things that do your head in. No matter how gratifying it will be, when we have had a good result, to chant, tongue planted firmly in cheek: "small club from Kirkby, we're just a small club from Kirkby"... It will be 10 times worse when we lose, as will happen on the odd occaision, a big game (or heaven forbid a derby game!!) to hear the reverse chant: "Small club from Kirkby, you're just a small club from Kirkby",

That for me is enough to sour the whole deal. Silly? Maybe... but the small things often rankle the most, straws and camels backs etc. Maybe the whole money-fuelled extravaganza will go tits-up and us, with our prudent wage-cap policy, will come up smelling of roses.

By the way, the Big Four is about to become, if Platini has his way, the Big Three, if his plan to take the 4th place away from the countries that have them, with the 4th place going to the (FA) Cup winners.
Derek Thomas     Posted 21/07/2007 at 07:40:56   Comments (4)

Letters to all

Dear Warren,
Why did you keep this information about the other sites to yourself? I don't go with the "exclusivity" bollocks as every good leader has a leak (to the press). Oh, one more thing: who are the commercial partners who are interested? And why?

Dear Bill,
Did you know about Warren's proposals?

Dear Terry,
Would you cough up for a stadium on these sites?

Dear Davey & the lads,
Just sort the footy out and leave the rest to sort the other stuff out.

Dear Keith,
Why don't you just piss off back over the border?

Dear Evertonians,
Goodison is a non-starter. I've been going since 1960. Not only is she knackered but the surrounding areas just can't cope with it anymore, no matter what the locals say.

Scottie Road sounds decent but Long Lane (Taskers area) does it for me. A NEW GROUND is a MUST so wherever it is, let's just do it ? and that includes the Kirkby option.
Mark Joseph     Posted 20/07/2007 at 23:37:58   Comments (14)

LCC and Everton

The BBC website reports that Liverpool City Council leader, Warren Bradley, has come up with four sites within the Liverpool boundary that our great club can move to. Two of the proposed sites are in the Liver Industrial Estate in Walton. Another is on land near Scotland Road. A fourth is on the Axis site in Speke and a fifth option is a redevelopment of the Goodison Park site. Why have you not highlighted this? This is great news.

The "choice", Kirkby or nothing, is an insult to all intelligent fans. With state-of-the-art graphics, the new ground in Kirkby will appeal to most ? especially when we are being told that in a few years time Goodison will not even get a safety certificate. Conscious and subliminal messages or what?

This all adds up to us, the true blues, being asked to vote for a move or no future. Look beyond the headlines and the diatribe. The new stadium will cost £150M, Tesco will give £50M, £10M will be from us... that leaves a £90M gap. Hmmmm. I ask this website, as a democratic, fair and independent entity, to let Warren Bradley have a say. Use this forum to give us more than a modern day "Hobson's Choice".
Keith Piper     Posted 20/07/2007 at 22:33:52   Comments (26)

The Move ?Debate?

It really seems to me to be a "No Brainer". It would have been fantastic if Liverpool City Council had agreed to CPO all of the land three streets back from Gladwys Street, Gladwys Street School and all land up to Walton Hall Drive, all land from Goodison Road up to County Road, and donated that to EFC on which they could develop a new stadium over a number of years, or donate a whole area of Stanley Park incorporating the Lake up to Anfield Road to enable us to build, while not impacting on Goodison Park while the new Stadium is built.

However, they were only prepared to bend over backwards in that manner for Liverpool FC, not for us. All Bradley has said "at the 11th hour", when he realises the consequences of LCC's incompetence, is that "we might be able to find some land on which EFC might be able to find someone who might be prepared to throw some money into the pot to contribute to a stadium the design of which nobody can at this stage predict".

"Liverpool" (in it's current, transient, boundary format), have let us down, and deserve nothing from us.

"Merseyside", for whom we are, and will forever be "The People's Club", deserve and are historically entitled to the continuing presence of, two of the greatest representatives of English Football in the world, including ourselves, the "Senior member", and our "Red Neighbours"

The intellectual and political shortcomings of the present incumbants of Liverpool City Council will be well forgoten when our two "Merseyside" Clubs battle it out over the next Century during the ebb and flow of fortunes in "The Premier League" or whatever succeeds it that will inevitably evolve.

Andy MacFarlane     Posted 20/07/2007 at 22:30:16   Comments (8)

Stadium Naming Rights

When Keith Wyness said in his interview on the Official Site that we would save even more money with "stadium naming rights", does that mean the name of Tesco would be involved? "The Reebock, The JJB." Now, I think about it, Goodison Park doesn't have quite the same ring. Please tell me it isn't so.
Alex Mavery     Posted 20/07/2007 at 22:05:00   Comments (0)

Injury Prone Vaughan

Vaughan is loved by all despite only scoring 4 goals in two seasons while Beattie is hated even though he has scored 13 goals in the same time. I wonder are we excusing Vaughan because of his age? If Vaughan was 10 years older would we be so understanding?

Let's be brutally honest, AVDM has played a bigger part for Everton over the last couple of seasons. I think Vaughan has potential, he could be great but the fact is over the last two seasons his injury record would put Pistone to shame.

Vaughan is paid every week just like the other players but for some reason nobody complains that he's been unavailable for so many games or that he's scored less goals than Beattie and McFadden.

Personally I don't care about a players age, I believe in giving the player the respect he deserves for his performances on the field. Regardless of age every player in the squad is expected to pull their weight, its a small squad and there's no room for passengers.
Paul Atress     Posted 20/07/2007 at 21:42:44   Comments (26)

It's Up To Us?

Listening to the Radio and local TV news, Mr Wyness specified that our vote will be binding. But then again yesterday the stadium was costing £75M, but today it has doubled. If the vote on the move is indeed binding, it is up to everyone who has a vote to weigh up very carefully the information provided to us before deciding for or against. I personally feel the move out of the city is foolish, but if the club can convince me 100% otherwise then I will support them. Unfortunately I don't think we will have as much access to the financial implications, as we would like, and this is why I am so apprehensive about the move being for the long-term good of the club.
John Partick McFarlane     Posted 20/07/2007 at 20:43:17   Comments (8)

Plan B

I wonder if Plan B is to announce a major signing on the day the ballot papers are issued to ensure Evertonians are feeling good about BK&KW? Mind you, the signing will not be above the ceiling set by the Board so perhaps we mustn't dream too much.

One good thing about the Tesco Dome we should get Clubcard points on our season tickets!
George Carroll     Posted 20/07/2007 at 20:06:16   Comments (2)

Carpe Diem, Blues

Even though I like many other Evertonians love Goodison Park, the facts are that we must seize this opportunity to move to the new stadium. Dave Prentice in his column today made a point regarding the lack of investment in Everton being down to the fact that Investors are scared off through,

i) The massive shadow of Liverpool FC, which will get even bigger (a reason that I have long suspected) and

ii) The amount of continued investment needed to sustain the viability of an antiquated stadium.

If we move, we will then become a far more attractive proposition on both counts for investors. If we stay in the shadow of the new Anfield, the club will really start going backwards. Looking at the option of development, then the costs and planning delays will really hit the club finances.

If after the period of exclusivity ends, Liverpool council can get their act together (which given their shortsightedness on other projects is highly dubious), and offer Everton an alternative site, then where is the funding going to come from even if they give us the land for free?... More time and escalating costs... Bearing this in mind, the stadium in Kirkby, after having seen today's pictures really does look an opportunity too good to miss. As much as I hate to say it, Goodison has had its day. I'm sick of spending ten minutes queuing for the toilets/snack bars, or just to get out the ground.

I've never known Everton to get a lucky break before. Maybe we as supporters dont all recognise it when it comes along.
Karl Jones     Posted 20/07/2007 at 19:33:53   Comments (5)

Pronoun confusion

There is an unfortunate tendency amongst posters to this website to confuse 'I' with 'We', especially concerning the Stadium issue. Statements like,'...the club know how WE feel', or 'the club know WE don't want to move'. Well, speak for yourselves by all means but please don't presume to speak for me!

'I' think the stadium looks pretty good; good enough (dare I suggest?) for it to have caused raptures of pleasure if it was going to be built somewhere which better pleased KEIOC or others who think as they do. Far better than one of those parabolic bowls that take supporters geometrically and rapidly away from the game with every row back from the front. There is provision for future expansion should we ever need it and overall (while I know we have only seen artists impressions so far) it looks impressive enough to me... a worthy successor to the once-great Goodison Park.

As for all those Evertonians who won't be Evertonians anymore if we do move to Kirkby, well... how shallow can you get? Do it my way or I won't come anymore! Go on, take your balls home. Good riddance, I regrettably feel induced to say. If you don't need Everton, then I'm sure Everton can do without you. As Brian Labone once famously said, 'one Evertonian is worth 20 Liverpudlians', so perhaps we don't need that many after all!

If 'we' move to Kirkby, 'I' will be there supporting the Blues, 4½ miles from Goodison and ¼ mile outside of the City boundary for God's sake! The City which, by the way, did sweet FA to keep us there. The Club was outside of the City when it was born and now it is leaving it's temporary home to move out of the City again. Big deal... what's the problem?
Eileen Roberts     Posted 20/07/2007 at 18:28:23   Comments (27)

Fernandes...

Can you confirm the status on Fernandes? Has he returned to his club?
Jennifer Torricelli     Posted 20/07/2007 at 17:53:22   Comments (2)

Alternative sites?

I think I am right in thinking that the exclusivity period between EFC and Tesco is coming to an end, or indeed may have just ended. What I don't like is the fact that there appears to be no alternative, certainly if you listen to the club. It is either get behind the Kirkby move, or be left behind at Goodison.

I think we need Liverpool City Council to come out with some clear sites which could potentially be used as new sites for a future EFC ground. This will force the club's hand, they would then have to give valid reasons as to why those sites are not being considered. While there are only rumours about Walton Hall Park, Speke etc, the club doesn't have to come out and respond.

Presumably the construction costs will be pretty much the same wherever the ground is built. This means, if I am right, that there are 2 main questions to be answered:

1. Will Tesco come with us and carry out the same plan on a different site, provided it met their own criteria? Because sadly we couldn't afford to do this on our own.
2. Can we afford somehow to purchase the land in Liverpool? I feel this would be the preferred option for most people. This might cost say £50 million, but long term that is not a horrendous amount, especially if Tesco are going to stump up a fair bit of the construction costs, although I don't know where we would find this money from.

   I cannot believe the club are carrying out this vote with no Plan B. Most people I know want to move, love the look of the new stadium, BUT want to remain in the city. I fear the question in the ballot will simply be stay or go, which will divide most people, who want to go, just not outside the city. I feel that a feasible alternative in the city would be the clear winner in a 3 horse race (staying at Goodison, Kirkby or another site in the city), but whether we get that choice remains to be seen...
   Danny Broderick     Posted 20/07/2007 at 16:36:34   Comments (7)

Pienaar agrees Toffees switch

Sky Sports is now reporting that the player has agreed to terms with us and passed the medical, so it now looks as though we have got a potentially exciting and skillful attacking midfielder able to play on the left. It is true that he didn't have a great season last year in Germany, but the guy had done very well in all seasons prior to that and surely could be very valuable to us linking up with Arteta in the midfield.

A midfield consisting of Arteta, Cahill, Pienaar looks very good to me. Now I just hope we can finish this Vogel deal to get him in there as our holding midfielder. This midfield would have to be seen as an improvement from last season, maybe now just get Smith on a loan to cover for Vaughan while he is out?
David  Barks     Posted 20/07/2007 at 16:15:10   Comments (10)

Transfers

£6m for Mido?! SIX for a completely out of favour, fifth choice forward? I give up now, the transfer market is almost as crazy as the current housing one. Madness
James Newcombe     Posted 20/07/2007 at 15:56:39   Comments (0)

I'd like to know...

...what Kenwright's intentions are once we have moved to Kirkby.

As the deal stands it is a very attractive proposition. We get a brand new stadium worth £150m for approx £25m. We own it and it is going to be achieved without leaving us in huge debt. Now the most attractive part of this package is the debt-free part because unlike Liverpool when their stadium is completed they will be in debt to the tune of £500m and paying £25m a year in interest payments alone.

What I am concerned about is whether Kenwright intends to stay or to sell because if he decides to sell for, let's say, £150m then that instantly puts the club in debt to its new owner to that amount which would totally negate the benefits of the move.

Now I am no accountant but I find it a little worrying that Kenwright stands to benefit so much from the decision to move us to Kirkby. I know this has been mooted before and generally poo-poohed by the club but would this not be a good time for the club to start a fan's trust fund where we could contribute to the stadium construction costs and ultimately share in the new wealth that is being created through this deal?

If the club's contribution to the scheme is £20m and there are 40,000 eligible voters then £250 from each of them would provide £10m toward the costs and a 50% share of the stadium. Now I am not suggesting that we can then go and sell the thing for profit but as it is the sale our heritage to some extent which is securing this windfall for Kenwright surely we should share in it and by so doing protect it for the club and stop it from just lining Kenwrights pockets and leaving us in debt.
Barry Bragg     Posted 20/07/2007 at 15:34:03   Comments (4)

The tell-tale footprint

If you go to Google Earth and look at the footprint of the RheinEnergie Stadion on which the Tescodome is based and, from the same virtual altitude look at Goodison Park, you can see there is not much difference in the footprint. The RES is bigger, certainly, but could easily be built in a space composed of Goodison, Diana Street and the Gwladys Street school. That's a lot less property than the Kirkby complex proposes to demolish. So can we put a stop to this rubbish that Goodison can't be redeveloped?

The truth is the city doesn't want to offer the land and the club doesn't want it. The city wants the club to leave and club wants to leave the city. The dishonesty surrounding this move is almost as galling as the move itself. Most dishonest of all is the use of "The People's Club". The club couldn't care less about the People.
Peter Fearon     Posted 20/07/2007 at 14:57:30   Comments (4)

Just how much will this cost?

We have been told the stadium will cost £75M by Wyness. Tesco are building a £75M stadium for £50M. We have to contribute £10M for the interior. Now, what I don't understand, we are now being told the stadium is actually going to cost £150M. So who is now paying the extra cost? This is the problem, we are being told one thing one day, and the next something else. I'm baffled! Does anyone out there know what the fuck is going on?
Brian Waring     Posted 20/07/2007 at 13:55:52   Comments (10)

Racism at friendly matches

There really isn't any point in discussing a ground move whilst Everton attracts the ignorant supporters who chanted racial abuse during the Preston game. Likewise, their behaviour outside the ground was disgusting. Are these peole so lacking in self-awareness that they feel that their conduct is invisible?

Can I remind them that last season at Everton there was a clear anti-racist stance taken by Yobo, Lescott and Howard concerning the alleged racism of Emre. Can I suggest that the racists in the crowd follow Newcastle as it is hypocritical to support the values of the aforementioned Everton players. It is clearly obvious that the players have no respect for these mindless individuals with their outdated views. Maybe they should watch 'Life on Mars' rather than attend matches.

The fan-sites have to make a stand-the club cannot work in isolation.
Martin Campion     Posted 20/07/2007 at 10:52:40   Comments (33)

The Kirkby Project

In all the talk about moving to Kirkby, the thing that totally puzzles me is the lack of understanding, by the Everton Board, regarding the depth of feeling of fans about leaving the city. I am not a Goodison for Ever fan, although I will be sad when we leave the old girl. I voted for the move to Kings Dock because it was exciting, innovative, and it would have been in a prime position in the CITY and our profile would have been raised enormously. This would not be the case with Kirkby.

I do believe we need to have a new stadium, but we must not leave the city.

I was born in Liverpool, but now live in Chester and I love driving through the Tunnel, up Everton Valley, then walking alongside Stanley Park and seeing Goodison (don?t always get the same feeling coming away from a game ? but that?s another issue!) and a large part of this feeling is about coming back to the City.

The Everton Board must somehow be made to see the error they are making, but they seem blind to the fact that Everton was born out of the City of Liverpool, has been raised in the City of Liverpool, has had success in the City of Liverpool, is loved in the City of Liverpool, and must not leave the City of Liverpool.

So how do we get through to the Everton Board? Well frankly I don?t know because I believe they have a mindset that, no matter what the result of the ballot is, Kirkby is where we are going ? hence no Plan B.

As for the role of Liverpool City Council, don?t get me started on them. The way they have given in to the other team in Liverpool has totally sickened me. Again why hasn?t our Board been hammering on their door demanding equality in the way we have been treated?

I wish I had an answer but I, like a number of supporters, feel we are being stitched up and we do not really count.
Les Hay     Posted 20/07/2007 at 09:47:24   Comments (45)

Shandy won't fly, WTF

Only days ago I posted that I was optimistic about Shandy having a good season; now, I read that he is not going on the tour of USA because he doesn't like flying. Ok, Andy ? you take it easy; we will go and play some games and get sharp and improve the team morale and togetherness. Should have sedated him A-Team style and thrown him in the cargo hold. Soft twat.
Paul Momber     Posted 20/07/2007 at 05:58:56   Comments (27)

No plan B, I quit

Cracking article by Kevin Latham. But at the end of the day, actions speak louder than words. The club know how we feel but still think we are going to be like sheep following black sheep Bill to Tescoland. I live and breath Everton, but I aint going to get dictated to by P W Botha and "I love everyone" Bill.

Well, if they are going to go down the road of YOU DONT MATTER and put their rubber stamp on Plan A and it may be soon. I'm finished with Everton. I for one will ask for a refund on my season ticket in the next week or so. And I'll bet any money if we all do the same, Plan B will appear. The half-faced cheeky bastards treating the best supporters in the land with no respect whatsoever.
Colin Malone     Posted 19/07/2007 at 22:03:31   Comments (23)

Pienaar

It's interesting to see that Pienaar has the number 10 shirt at Dortmund, and our number 10 was left vacant. Moyes must have been planning for him for a while. Should be a good coup once a deal can be finalised. One worry is that he played with Shandy at Ajax, so hopefully he won't be given a tour by our tipsy Dutchman around the city's watering holes.
Kristian  Boyce     Posted 19/07/2007 at 22:13:14   Comments (7)

Kenwright & Moores

Interesting to look at both of these fans who are (were) chairman of the club they supported. On the one hand we had one who knew he couldn't find the funds to develop the team and build a new stadium so he finds investors who can take the club on and bows out gracefully.

I know he made a tidy profit but he clearly put the club first. On the other hand we have the other one who refuses to consider any other investor taking the club forward, despite the end result of relying on a supermarket to help us build a second-rate stadium out of the city.
John Crawley     Posted 19/07/2007 at 19:36:52   Comments (12)

Vogel

Ha ha! You've got to laugh... Can anyone remember the last time we didn't have a protracted transfer saga when we tried to sign someone? Fingers crossed...
Dan Kemp     Posted 19/07/2007 at 19:29:49   Comments (5)

Sod off!

The one thing I've been praying for more than any other this summer, was to see the back of Beattie. When he leaves we will be a lot better off even if we don't replace him, because he is a total waste of space and we're better playing with 10 men than with him lumbering around the pitch.

My hopes keep getting raised and the thought of actually getting money for him gets me positively excited. That's when the reports start to sound like fiction though, as he isn't worth a thing. We would be better off playing Tony Hibbert up front, and I'm not joking either.

It's my one hope for the summer... let's hope there's some desperate, naive, optimistic muppet out there that will take him out of our sight. I just dont think I could stand another 2 years of being right about him whilst half of you want to give him one more last chance, in the very vain hope that he may, eventually, one day, somewhere, just for a moment, come good.
Mike Price     Posted 19/07/2007 at 18:16:55   Comments (10)

Pienaar a Toffee already?

As you can see, I live in Holland, the country where Pienaar plied his trade before moving to Dortmund. Now reports in the media here suggest he signed a contract around midnight last night. Could be the club is waiting for the medical to bring the news, or something like that?
Erik Dols     Posted 19/07/2007 at 18:13:09   Comments (6)

Doom and Gloom

We are officialy the unluckiest football club in the Premier League. We didn't choose to support Everton when we were kids ? it was in our blood. It just felt right, it was a way of life. Liverpool fans were arrogant big-mouthed and full of shite. However, God tickled us with football´s equivalent of the ugly stick and we fell from a very big height hitting every branch on the way down. Hard.

We have NO money to buy players. A bullshitting chairman. A possible future in Kirkby (can't hear many fans rejoicing) 1 measly trophy in 20 years, a threadbare squad, the Vogel and Peinar deals are falling through as we speak, Shandy's done another runner and (this one grieves me the most), Vaughny is out injured again before a ball has been kicked in the Prem. I feel tremendously for him first and foremost but as a fan it's incredibly frustrating. The Man U-Tevez deal looks off so Smith won't be coming our way in all likelihood either. Need some good news about EFC to cheer myself up. Just bloody lost me job as well...
Ron Martin     Posted 19/07/2007 at 17:49:54   Comments (8)

A positive article... is it allowed?!

Re: RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne

There has been a lot of doom and gloom recently about the potential move and the loss of atmosphere if we move from good old Goodison.

I have just seen the link on TW to the potential design (votes permitting) of EFC's new home. I was at the World Cup last summer for all the England games and the Cologne stadium had the best amosphere and was a really great place to watch footy. It sure beats the souless Boltons and Wigan (and possibly Arsenal) bowl designs!
Amanda Huddleston     Posted 19/07/2007 at 16:47:28   Comments (16)

Krøldrup fuck-up

See this info from the Times, Krøldrup comes top of the list of worst transfers, nice one Davey!

1. Per Krøldrup, Udinese to Everton, £5m, June 2005

Everton paid a fortune for the Denmark central defender but then showed no interest in actually playing him amid suggestions they had suddenly discovered he couldn?t head the ball. Made one league appearance before returning to Italy.
James Gardener     Posted 19/07/2007 at 16:17:55   Comments (14)

Reason to be cheerful

I know this will sound a very basic and obvious post but I think that it is something we need to think about.

For once in recent times we actually have a number of very positive issues to be debating and arguing about. I think in all the commotion we have lost sight of this. I know the stadium issue is divisive but it's a new modern stadium we're discussing. All the talk before has been about 4,000 obstructed views, a ramshackle ground.

I can remember being sickened at the sight of Ball, Jeffers and Dunne going out the door. Our best talent being flogged off just to exist. This summer we have signed Arteta and Cahill to new long-term contracts. We have held on to the best squad we have had in some time without any fuss or hoo-haa. We are even looking forward to European football. We can all remember only too well the bottom-half finishes and relegation scares.

I know only too well that things aren't perfect, and that even the positive points above could and should be handled a lot better. But, in all the argueing and giving out that we as Evertonians are doing (myself included), we should remember where we have been in recent years and what sources of debate and argument we have had.
Kieran Fitzgerald     Posted 19/07/2007 at 15:33:26   Comments (2)

Kit Buying

I went to buy my new shirt today. Norfolk is not known for its shops full of Everton gear but with JJB being a proper Toffee retailer I was confident a succesful trip. I entered the shop, there was the big LFC display, the Arsenal display, Manure, Chelski, Celtic and Rangers - but where was the Everton display. After much hunting I finally found five (yes five) Everton shirts buried in the middle of the Chelski tat. Nothing for the kids, no other merchandise just 5 shirts.

What sort of deal do we have with JJB? Cos if it is costing the club any money it ain't worth it.
Steve Pugh     Posted 19/07/2007 at 14:30:42   Comments (22)

The Best of Both Worlds...

Having read David Roscoe's article this morning I have now believe that the best approach to the stadium debate would be for all voters to abstain.

As I have previously said, I do not feel that anyone of the voters has sufficient information on which to base a decision of this magnitude and that therefore the vote will be pointless. This being the case, if everyone abstained, the decision would rest firmly in the hands of the board - no-one else could be blamed in the future for what happens, BK and the rest could not shirk their responsibilities and maybe, just maybe, they can be convinved to approach this properly; rather than hide behind exclusivity deals and mis-information.

Michael, Lydon - how about a vote on this on the site? To Abstain or Not Abstain?
Rupert Sullivan     Posted 19/07/2007 at 13:29:01   Comments (4)

Anderson De Silva

What does everyone think of De silva? After seeing him yesterday I see some positives and some negatives. He is very tall, covers lots of ground and has a good passing range. The only negative is will he adapt to the pace of the premiership? I hope so but he gave the ball away a few times because he wanted too much time on the ball. Another negative is he does not speak English. A few times I seen Howard, Lescott and Valente telling him where to stand and who to mark in the penalty box.

If he does eventually adapt, learn some english then we will have a decent player on our hands. He does remind me of Marco Materazzi when he runs.
Connor  Rohrer     Posted 19/07/2007 at 13:08:29   Comments (0)

A pain in the neck

I shan`t be getting a vote in the forthcoming ballot. I saw my first game at Goodison when Ted Sagar was in goal but gave up my season ticket and sold the family shares after the King`s Dock and Fortress affairs exposed the Chairman as a lying, self-serving manipulator.

I still go to the matches, buying the cheapest seat I can get which often means I miss a lot of the action from behind my pillar and frequently go home with a stiff neck!

I don`t buy pies, pints, programmes or subscribe to any TV channels which might put pounds into the Ken/Wy pockets. All in all, I detest what the CLUB has become but I still love my TEAM. Now I do know that most of them are mercenaries who don`t give a shit for the Everton traditions but as long as they put in a good shift and keep us among the pacemakers, they`ll do for me.

So where does that leave me in the great ground debate? Strange as it might seem, very much in favour of the move. None of my kids have the slightest interest but I want there to be an Everton for all those whose lives, like mine have been blessed by love for `the boys in blue`. There can be no long term future at Goodison but what`s the point of the Club bankrupting itself to build New Goodison in Liverpool when it can get a virtual free ticket to Kirkby and continue to invest in the team.

I don`t know how much longer I shall be able to get to the games but I would sure like to have at least a couple of seasons without a stiff neck. And who knows,I might even be able to see who scores for Everton without having to get a report from someone four rows behind!
Bert Telfer     Posted 19/07/2007 at 12:03:03   Comments (13)

Shandy AWOL again ??

On the EFC official website they listed the squad who have travelled to USA from Manchester this morning and Shandy was not in it..anyone know wot's going on there then? Also no Vogel or Piennar for that matter either..
Pete Sullivan     Posted 19/07/2007 at 12:13:04   Comments (17)

Beattie

Well the fickle finger of fate now looks like James Beattie will not be moving on, I'm gutted for Vaughney but he will pull through. I am a complete optimist and still hold a slight glimmer of hope for James Beattie to come good, his heart if not his feet are certainly in the right place.

But I am interested to know if we are going to take a punt of Alan Smith, I do think he would be an assett to the team and they way we play, in his last few games for United he started to look like a player back in form and I'm a little suprised they would sell him on.

The papers are currently reporting that we are looking at Taylor from Portsmouth, now THAT would be a signing... Whoever we opt for I'm sure the season will be as hellish as all the others but it is all well worth it

Come on the Blues!
Danny Latham     Posted 19/07/2007 at 11:04:04   Comments (5)

Cynical?

Maybe this is an overly cynical view, but I find it coincidental that on the day that we got more details from KW about the ground move to encourage voters to say YES, information appeared on the official site that we were in talks with a player, followed later in the day on other sites that we were also looking at Pienaar on loan. (Funny thing today is that the "free" Vogel deal looks to have hit a bump in the road as Real Betis are allegedly looking for a fee).

Anyway, Moyes has said he has money for one big signing and a couple of loan deals, and I can't help wondering if the "big signing" is being kept under wraps until the day the ballot papers are issued.
Robin Byrne     Posted 19/07/2007 at 10:54:06   Comments (0)

Money

Just one question lads

Where's our money? SKY, finishing 6th in the league and any that were budgeted for this year, where is it???

If you count selling Davies and Naysmith we haven't spent a penny?

WHATS GOING ON ????
Terry Downes     Posted 19/07/2007 at 10:23:28   Comments (5)

Yobo's philanthropy

I felt that in the current climate of arguements over stadium relocation, our lack of new signings et al, the story of how Joey Yobo is putting his hard earned back into his community at home is a refreshingly bright story and deserves a deal of credit.

Too much these days we hear of dodgy dealings of players/ agents and the more unsavoury aspects of football, Yobo's dedication to his project seems to put a few things in perspective regarding our obsession with trivialities. Well done Joey lad.
Chris Lawlor     Posted 19/07/2007 at 10:16:32   Comments (4)

Vaughan etc

Vaughan's injury illustrates how paper thin the Everton squad is right now and it'll probably put the skids on any transfer of Beattie out of the club. Alan Irvine's suggestion that he could just be out for a couple of months is actually on the optimistic side and it wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility that he could be out until November.

Now I know Dutch, Doddy and Co will put a positive spin on this regarding the potential blooding of youth players, but we all know that isn't Moyes's style. Expect a return to 4-5-1 with a midfield packed with utility men who work hard and tackle well. Lescott will spend the season at left back and there will be an over-reliance on Stubbs. I really fear for us in a season that could potentially add another 15 or so games if we make any progress in the Uefa Cup.

The squad simply needs more bodies. I know the official organ wheeled out Alan Stubbs to comment on the unrest of fans expecting more transfers, but the idea that the club would rather have one really good signing than four average ones simply isn't good enough. Most posters to this site see the addition of at least one player in each department as a priority. Okay, I'll admit Vogel would provide cover for Carsley, but if Pienaar style deals are our future we'll have the same disappointment as most felt after the Fernandes fiasco. We just can't survive long term at this level with these perennial problems financial constraints.

Since the Kirkby stadium is supposedly being put on a plate for us, you really have to wonder what has happened to all that Sky money that the likes of Sunderland have been dishing out like penny chews. Two years ago according to Wyness we were the best run football club this side of the Orion Nebula, so surely it can't be debt, unless the deal for Kirkby has been signed already. I for one don't feel the money issues has been adequately explained.
Mark Wynne     Posted 19/07/2007 at 07:31:13   Comments (0)

Piennar to Wigan?

I have just read on the BBC website that we are hoping to sign Piennar and Vogel in the next 48 hours.

Seeing as we first heard about Vogel on Monday and Peinnar yesterday morning why is going to take another 48 hours?

I can't help but be pessimistic, would anyone else be suprised to see these end up elsewhere?
Franny Porter     Posted 19/07/2007 at 07:44:23   Comments (0)

Are we being (well) served

So we are, as Joe Wightman suggests, being 'given' 50 mill. How naive! Tesco are not, not now, not ever, in the business of giving money away and not to the tune of 50mill.You can bet that even a simple halfprice giveaway / loss leader on a tin of beans will be offset by a penny or two on lots of other things...It just isn't done that way.

What will probably happen is that we will pay, out of the Sky money, or where ever, ala West Ham (and I think the redsox)'x' per month/quarter/ season until the sum plus any interest...and there will be interest, coz again, NOBODY lends long term mega millions for nothing. So believe in the magic fund fairy if you will, as mooted by those other alliterative effers the fortress fund, but I think anybody who does so is deluding themselves in the quest for a new ground and will snatch at anything to get what they think they want, but that's their perogative.

Also the claim that Davie will get an extra 10mill (on top of the five eights of fuck all for this season and others??) seems to smack of jam tomorrow (but never jam today) 'never mind the quality feel the width' ( it will ride up, or down, with wear) just coz they say it's a bargin and is 'on sale' AND reduced doesn't make it so (joe, or who ever you maybe dear reader)

For the situation to descend completly in to farce, as if it isn't well on the way under it's own steam, all required is the obligatory mention of Mrs Slocum's wet pussy drying in front of the oven...You can see it now...which ever way the vote goes the disappointed will claim fiddle and it will be carry on up the East Lancs to cries of we're all doomed, doomed I say, or they don't like it up em Capt. Kenwright...'Are you free Mr. Kenwright?'...looks over both shoulders (at the same time, thats how bent all this is, hey Mr Humphreys)... Yes I'm free Mr Leahy, well so long as I can sell my shares for a good sized trouser full...Oooh your are awful Mr Kenwright (damn right about that sunshine!!) yes, it's called an exit strategy...exits stage rich!!
Derek Thomas     Posted 19/07/2007 at 06:35:06   Comments (4)

?Old? new stadium?

In all the discussions about a new home, has there been any talk of building an ?old? new stadium? I go to games in New York City where we are in the process of building two brand-new baseball stadia, both with reduced capacities, but in a style that emulates an old style ballpark. Can this be done? Is that the plan?

My concern is that you end up with a place like Man City or the Reebok, soulless buildings with too big capacities. Why not have a place with a maximum of 45 thousand seats that rocks? That looks exactly like Goodison but doesn't have the obstructed views or the narrow seats or the horrible facilities. The new ballpark in NY will mimic Ebbets Field that was torn down 50 years ago, and the new Yankee Stadium will evoke strong memories of the current Yankee Stadium. Why can't we do that? If we need to move away, why can't we take the heart of Goodison with us, and leave the Reds to have a modern building that has no life?
Al  Dugan     Posted 19/07/2007 at 02:51:20   Comments (7)

Full squad

I know I am jumping the gun a bit but assuming Vogel and Pienaar join up I see this season's squad looking pretty full. The only spot I see needed to be filled is maybe another attacking central midfielder.

Here's what I've got:

• Howard (Turner)(Ruddy)
• Neville (Jagielka)(Hib)
  Yobo (Stubbs)(Jagielka)
  Lescott (Stubbs)(Jagielka)
  Valente(Lescott)(Boyle)
• Carsley (Vogel)(Jagielka)
  Arteta (Pienaar)(Vidarsson)
  Cahill (Osman)(Anderson)
  Pienaar (Van der Meyde)(McFadden)
• Johnson (McFadden)(Anichebe)
  Vaughan (Beattie)(Jutkiewicz)

With the overlap sure but each position is covered pretty well.

Of course now with Vaughany's injury things could change but altogether I think we've got a full squad if these two guys sign.
Joey Brown     Posted 19/07/2007 at 00:31:20   Comments (7)

Jimmy Vaughan Injury?

To be honest, I couldn't care less about the Preston result (although it is nice to see Victor score), it's the Vaughan injury which worries me. Injuries were always going to be the fear with such a small squad; it's too early to start picking up major injury problems.

As good as Vaughan is, he does seem to be prone to injury. He was off a long time with that serious knee injury, came back towards the end of last season but got injured again with that severed vein in his foot. This latest injury suggests a worrying trend in the young lads career.
Dutch Schaffaer     Posted 18/07/2007 at 21:58:41   Comments (11)

Preston: Decent Game

Not a match for the ages but Beattie, frustratingly still out of touch, could not be faulted for effort.

Da Siva will continue to be a squad player next year but he can be pleased with his 90 minutes.

Jagielka strolled through the game and looks like a decent catch.

Big Victor will play many wonderful 30 minute matches this season and we can be prepared to give him the full 90 if required. Excellent goal!

Poor James Vaughan... so unlucky... but let's hope the news is better than it looks for James should be a major player for the Blues this year. 20 goal season ? ...wouldn't surprise me!

Vaughan apart - not a bad work out for a few players who will probably go no further than a regular bench seat next season.
Glen Strachan     Posted 18/07/2007 at 21:24:26   Comments (9)

Lukas Bags a Brace

The reserves beat Munich Under 23s today. The scoreline was 3-1 with new signing Lukas Jutkiewicz scoring twice and Bjarni Vidarsson getting the other. It amazes me that some people refuse to accept Jutkiewicz as a new signing. The lad cost a transfer fee and has been given a squad number. He is the second new player Everton will have next season.
Dutch Schaffaer     Posted 18/07/2007 at 19:29:14   Comments (8)

Why are we complaining?

I don't understand why people are complaining so much. Yes, 20 years ago, we were the dogs, but poor management has led to a steady decline over the years.

Now I'll admit that Bill is not the best person to run the club but since he has brought in Moyes and Bully Wyness the club has been turned around. We've built arguably the best training facility in the country, just like Bellefield was when it was built; we've got a decent young team, the best set of players we've had for at least 15 years; we've broken our record transfer fee in the past two seasons; we've qualified for Europe twice in the last three seasons and are no longer considered relegation fodder.

And now we've been given a great chance to build a new stadium, which no-one can argue isn't needed and everyone is fucking moaning saying the Board are crap. Football has changed from when we were top dogs and we have to change too, otherwise our biggest game of the season in the future will be the derby game against Tranmere in League One. Get behind the club and let's take it forward, these are exciting times for us!
Anthony  Fielding     Posted 18/07/2007 at 19:17:18   Comments (3)

EvertonTV

This posting is aside from the usual regarding the team, staff, stadium debate - it's to do with one of the 'service' that Everton offers it's fans.

Like a few people I know, I tried out EvertonTV last year during the preseason games but found that the internet connection at home wasn't sufficent for watching highlights let alone for streaming live games so I didn't renew after the first month.

Anyway, one year and one house move on I received an e.mail from Everton stating that, if I subscribed to BT Broadband, I'd get EvertonTV for a year. After a little research showed that my broadband speed would be twice what it was I subscribed to BT. However, I received no guidance on how I would receive my EvertonTV subscription. Since then I have emailed Everton directly twice and the EvertonTV contact at Servecast twice but have received no reply (even though I've had read receipts from Servecast!).

To me this seems indicative of the marketing push that was introduced when Wyness became Cheif Exec - all style and no substance. All of a sudden you could buy any old tat with an EFC crest on it, but still there's no permanent city centre venue to purchase these from ? only a stand in JJB right next to the much larger LFC promotions.

Has anyone else suffered these problems with EvertonTV ? if so any suggestions how I sort them out?
Gareth Davies     Posted 18/07/2007 at 17:23:18   Comments (6)

Yobo's charity

I just came across this story on the BBC website. I don't know if anybody had already mentioned it but it is a good piece about one of our players doing some very good humanitarian work. A good thing for a player from our club to be doing and a good thing to see in a world where players seem to only worry about getting a bigger contract on a weekly basis. I have pasted the link, but maybe the ToffeeWeb team can set up an automatic link or a summary on it.
David  Barks     Posted 18/07/2007 at 17:05:54   Comments (4)

We DO have a choice!

Why do Evertonians keep coming on this saying that we have no choice but to vote for Kirby, we do. Why should we, the team who was here first be forced out of our city when Liverpool City Council are working as hard as they can now to sort out the final details of the stadium for them yanks? I am urging ALL Evertonians who will be participating in the ballot to say no to Kirkby.

Everton should now be doing all that they can to find a suitable place in the boundaries for our new stadium. Why not try were Walton Hall Sports Centre is? I'm sure that Tesco wouldnt mind if their store is in Walton rather than Kirby. I would love to spend half an hour with KW, 20 mins to tell him my views and the other 10 to punch his face in. I feel that no matter what the result is in the forthcoming ballot, the club will not take any notice and just do it anyway.
Tony Glover     Posted 18/07/2007 at 16:47:04   Comments (2)

Well done, Keith!

I don`t expect to be very popular for saying it but a big `well done` to Keith Wyness for bringing us to the brink of aquiring a new stadium for next to nothing. Whatever you say about his record to date, he`s worked wonders to pull off a deal like this. I was mightily impressed by what he had to say on the video-link and I do hope that all those entitled to vote will listen carefully to what him before opting to stay put at Goodison.

I`m aware that Kenwright and Wyness `have form` as far as many Evertonians are concerned but I do feel they are playing a blinder on this occasion. Let`s give them all our support and thus secure the future of our great club.
George  Tranter     Posted 18/07/2007 at 16:34:15   Comments (6)

Moyes in collusion?

When Benitez accused us of being a small club, Moyes came out blazing to defend us. Now, however, he's conspicous by his silence over our lack of funds. Are we to believe that he has asked for no more players?

He has said that Kenwright has always backed him so if we haven't made any signings it must mean that Moyes doesn't think there are any players in world football good enough for Everton. Either that or he's too tight with Kenwright to criticise him to the detriment of the club and team and if this is the case then he has got to go in the firestorm that will surely erupt if, as I fully expect, Everton have another disastrous season, going out of Europe and all cups early, purely through lack of investment in the playing squad when in a strong position to do so.
Paul Burns     Posted 18/07/2007 at 15:57:06   Comments (4)

Club Constitution

I had a letter here last year suggesting that Everton FC adopt a club constitution regarding rules on the structure of the club at boardroom level, the decision making processes, transparency etc.

This was largely ignored at best or ridiculed in some quarters yet it would have prevented the present situation of a couple of power-mad dreamers running out of control and carrying out unilateral action that threatens the very existence.
Paul  Burns     Posted 18/07/2007 at 15:41:19   Comments (0)

Stadium Ownership

Before you are flooded with irate supporters, this is a standard leasehold purchase. The majority of properties in the UK/Ireland are of this type. Everton of course have the option of purchasing the leasehold to make the property freehold (usually 2% of the valuation), but it's an unnecessary expense as it makes little economic sense. We own the property either way.

Leasehold is usually 999 years though on a new purchase, so not sure about the 199 years, but the club will still own the stadium, no lease payments are due. This is merely a technical term used in purchase contracts and nothing to get worried about. The leasehold is merely extended as it comes to an end, usually for the same time length.
John Middleton     Posted 18/07/2007 at 15:16:56   Comments (20)

Ashburton Grove comparison

I found this interesting article regarding the £390M Emirates Stadium. Apparently, of the £390M budget, £125M was allocated towards the building of the actual stadium, with the rest "going towards relocation costs which have increased due to the delay of the project". This would reflect the very high costs of developing a stadium within London, and if true would put the reported £75M total cost of the Kirkby development into a slightly different light.

What is also apparent from this other article is the incredibly lengthy process that Arsenal had to go through to raise the capital for the project, which included a £260M loan, £15M catering contract, £100M sponsorship deal from Emirates, and multiple new housing developments. With all that in mind, I can understand the attraction of a relatively simple deal with Tesco and Knowsley Council.

Hope this is of interest.
Dave Flood     Posted 18/07/2007 at 13:46:40   Comments (8)

Steven Pienaar

I see we're being linked with a loan move for Pienaar, now there's a signing I'd certianly be happy with. He's a great attacking player, he's got a good eye for a defence splitting pass and can chip in with a goal. Makes you wonder though, how do you fit all these attack-minded midfielders in a team?

If we sign Vogel that leaves us with another defensive midfielder as well. Wonder if Moyes plans to play Neville at left-back this season.

With these signings, I think it shows we have absolutely feck all money and we're scraping by on loan signings and free transfers. So be it, if it works then who's complaining. We can only wait and see...
Ross Trotter     Posted 18/07/2007 at 13:08:25   Comments (21)

Bullyshit

Straight away from the title of my "piece" you can possibly tell I'm not convinced about this vote one little bit. The point of my moan is, doesn't Mr Wyness's contract state that he can negotiate contracts for his own gain?

I don't believe that Mr Wyness is able to look after the commercial side of Everton football Club when there is such a blatant conflict of interest with him handling the negotiations. How can we ever be sure that any deal done by Kieth Wyness is in Everton's best interest? Simple answer is we can't. His contract with the club allows him to "broker" deals on the club's behalf. This means he can take a cut, (commission) of any deal he signs for Everton Football Club.

Maybe we should all be carefull about what Mr Wyness is telling us. Is this really the deal of the Century for Everton? Or is it the Deal of the Century for Mr Wyness?

I realise this is off the mark of other posts but it is something that the club or Mr Wyness haven't denied in the past. It is a grave conflict of interest to allow a man who potentially stands to earn an awful lot of money through any deal to be allowed to negotiate such a deal. He cannot have 100% of Everton's best interest in mind while he's got such a personal gain to make.

The fact that there is no Plan B scares me shitless. This is a £60M turnover company. It can't make decisions based on only one option. It's commercial suicide. We all care. Mr Wyness say's he care's (lip service). Would you, as a CEO of a company, take such a risk of offering one option on the biggest decision that your company will ever make and offer that to your shareholders and in Evertons case, supporters?

It's a 'take it or leave it' scenario. It's a scare tactic. It's bullyshit if you ask me.
John  Hughes     Posted 18/07/2007 at 11:19:41   Comments (6)

To own or not to own?

Bully says that the new stadium will be 'leased' ? albeit for 199 years ? but is this really Everton's stadium? What are the conditions of this lease regarding profit sharing etc ? I would like to see these details on my ballot paper.

Clearly Everton are skint so there is probably no other viable alternative ? other than for Kenwright to step down and sell the club to a Sugar Daddy. I am not seeing press reports of people queuing up to buy Everton ? even if they were getting rebuffed surely details would leak out of approaches? So, perhaps potential suitors are watching and waiting for someone else to finance the new Stadium and then move in... they would be mad to rush in now and have to finance a new stadium. Whilst I have major concerns about the relocation, I fear that this is Everton's only chance to generate additional revenue without a major investor purchasing the club outright.
Steve Callaghan     Posted 18/07/2007 at 11:26:15   Comments (5)

Clever spin, or just clever?

Here is my take on this?

KW has played a blinder and no-one has seen it coming, after all, stating the ground was going to cost £75MM will obviously get Evertonians' backs up when we already know Liverpool?s is going to cost in excess of £250M. I believe this is a ?get-out? clause for the Everton Board now they realise the magnitude of opposition. KW has given the vote when no other club who has moved ground ever has...why? Because of the KEIOC campaign, maybe but I don?t think so? The fans will vote an over-whelming ?NO? and the Board will walk away with a clear conscience and a mandate to do fuck all ? after all ?We tried our best?.

It seems very clear that we will have no money to invest in either new players or a new ground for the foreseeable future; all the Board have to do is sit back and blame the ?unimaginative fans? for the demise which will patently follow.

KEIOC, the Walton chippies and pubs may well have their day yet; however, in my opinion, it will be a shallow victory once the fall-out has settled. We will all be asking the question ?What now?? and there will be simply no answers. KW and the Board know that KEIOC and Liverpool City Council have not come up with any REALISTIC alternatives and can only show some ?back of the fag packet? drawings dusted off from 10-15 years ago for the regeneration of GP.

As for a Plan B, will the Everton Board then chance another scheme within the boundaries of Liverpool, knowing that the investment and Council and fan support is simply NOT there? I know there are lots of clubs being taken over with huge investment plans; however, I would prefer to see how that all pans out before we sell our own soul to another American wannabe.

If a ground is going to cost £250-£300M (yes, not much when you say it quickly) then we have to ask ourselves how this is ever going to be achieved. Some Everton fans think all we have to do is find a site in Liverpool, wait three years and move into our new ?council home? fully paid up by mmmm? well, by someone. This is simply not going to happen.

I would urge all Evertonians who have the opportunity to vote (for all the Everton fans that can?t) to think and use their votes wisely, this is even more important than any general election you may vote for in the future.
James Gardener     Posted 18/07/2007 at 10:00:43   Comments (0)

Still optimistic about Shandy Andy

Is anyone else still excited about the possibility of Shandy coming good? For sure, it's his last chance to show his desire and to back up his claims that he does in fact give a shit about his career. I reckon if he can just get fit and get into the starting XI it will be like a "new signing". He has the talent and is a great crosser of the ball with good pace (when fit).
Paul Momber     Posted 18/07/2007 at 09:18:29   Comments (2)

Kenwright should vote against Kirkby

I don`t live in Liverpool and haven`t done so for 30 years. Truth is, I found a nice little pad just over the border in Sefton where the grass was greener and the air a little more bracing and left the city of my forefathers forever. I mention all that because I need to rationalise why I am so vehemently opposed to my Club`s proposed move to Kirkby.

Richard Dodd called me a hypocrite the other day, but I don`t see it that way at all, because Brian Noble is not, unlike Everton FC, part of the fabric of one of the world`s best-known cities. Call it sentimental, call it pig-headedness, but I know in my bones that Kirkby is not right for Everton FC.

I believe it will be a move that future generations will come to regret ? just as our`s does over the failure to secure King`s Dock. That decision was made not because there was no way to fund it; it was about Kenwright losing the clout to control the Club. This time, he`s found a mate who sees a way to use Everton to achieve his own ends. They deserve each other.

Paradoxically, Blue Bill may just be about to shoot himself in the foot. My gut feeling tells me that if he forgets all about a ground move at this time and concentrates on funding the team`s development for the next five years, it is inevitable that continued success will attract just the type of investor he has always looked for... one who will make him rich beyond his wildest dreams!

Kirby is a quick fix to a not-too-pressing problem. I shall vote against because it`s not right for Everton. Kenwright should do the same because it`s not right for him either.
Brian  Noble     Posted 18/07/2007 at 08:42:02   Comments (2)

Immacualte Conceptions?

With the stadium debate back into full swing, I would like to go over one or two things. I do have a couple of issues but my most confusing one from a fan's perspective is the constant comments about the next generation of fans from the city who will support Liverpool because Everton have left? WHY? Do these children have no fathers who support Everton? Is there going to be 30,000 immaculate conceptions and they're all going to be gobshites because weve left?

No. If you are an Evertonian, your son will be one and his son will be one; we are born not manufactured ? that is the way it is. I have a son who is 5 weeks old and he has been (without even knowing) an Evertonian for every second of it. I will take him to the match no matter where we play. Ideally at a new stadium in our current location but that's not very likely.

So please do not be fooled into beleiving that Evertonians from Liverpool will be outbred like some sort of ethnic cleansing ? it can just never happen. You never know... we might have a five-year spell of success and then there will be a generation of Everton fans from all over the country who don't even know were Liverpool is, never mind Kirkby!

Additional fans will be gained through success and I cannot imagine a day were an Evertonian's son becomes a 'poolie because we play in Kirkby.

ps: Another slightly baffling issue is why Wyness and the Board believe attendances will drop at Goodison unless we leave. Clearly that is just bollocks. Attendances will drop if we lack investment on the pitch and the football turns ugly. Not because the toilets look a bit shabby. Who does he thinks he trying to convince?
Andy Baker     Posted 18/07/2007 at 08:54:57   Comments (7)

Why.....

...do people keep saying it will be so detrimental to the club living in its old stadium next to Liverpool's shiny new edifice? In the 60's Anfield was little better than prenton park, and it faced the finest stadium in the country across the park... and by some margin too!! Yet it didn't stop them going on to dominate footy did it?

Liverpool have recently been changing their stadium's design to make it reflect the existing one to give a traditional theme. We're literally living in one of the most traditional footy stadiums in the world. In fact the world's first truly purpose built footy stadium... and yet some are trying to justify dragging us off to the edge of our catchment via a handfull of bottlenecks 'cos they think we're getting something new for nowt. LFC couldn't afford theirs before this investment which is essentially a massive loan... who's to say that option isn't available to us, especially the way new investors are appearing left right and centre.

We CAN have our cake and eat it here, be it at our traditional home or at a new site nearer town... Let's not be railroaded into something that could have truly catastrophic effects on our future prospects... Would the Philharmonic/Empire move to Kirkby? Try getting to Kirkby during rush hour I did it for 6 years and at times it was a nightmare!
Tom Hughes     Posted 18/07/2007 at 00:35:15   Comments (11)

Wyness

We all knew where you were coming from when the tickets for the Villarreal game were announced. You don't give a toss about the fantastic fans of our great club. You are not an Evertonian and never will be. It's purely business to you.

Deal of the century? £75 million for a stadium — who's the silent partner? MFI?. We can vote against the move but you say that won't matter. Why give us a vote? Piss off back to Aberdeen and stop embarassing our great club with your silly statements. KEEP EVERTON IN OUR CITY.
Colin Malone     Posted 17/07/2007 at 21:51:33   Comments (19)

Swiss Invasion

Does anybody else think that the potential signing of Johan Vogel could be a deciding factor for fellow countrymen Bastien Geiger and Bruce Lalombongo as to whether they would like to play for the club?
Louis Platt     Posted 17/07/2007 at 22:10:33   Comments (8)

Cut-price stadium?

Sorry if I've missed something but as I read all those confusing figures from Buster again, I'm left with the impression that the Tescodrome is coming in at a total cost of £75M. Now tell me if I'm wrong but what sort of stadium do you get these days for £75M? That's about a third of the cost of New Anfield and even Coventry's Ricoh Stadium cost more than that! As I await my ballot paper's arrival, I'm left with the distinct impression that we are being invited to exchange one shithole for another. Please somebody tell me I've got it wrong!
Dave Skelton     Posted 17/07/2007 at 20:43:44   Comments (11)

Thanks ever so much, Mr Wyness

There is no plan B, developing Goodison is not an option although it may have been last month, but then again it wasn't last year!

"We want all Evertonians to vote!" But if you're under sixteen and a member of Evertonia then tough shit, you cannot. And as for you cheeky bastards who are too tight to buy a season ticket, you can do one too.

How can we trust this tit who has been here five minutes to mess with 129 years of history that (in my opinion ) only Arsenal can match? Ever since the day he arrived he has treated us all like a gang of slow schoolkids.

We all want stadium progress but what are you expecting at £75mill? All those dreaming of something similar in class to the Emirates(£390 mill) can dream on. The shite (£250 mill) ? sorry it will be your run-of-the-mill stadium with a different design and in the same type of location miles from the prospering thriving skyline of the city the club was born in.

I read an article by a Bolton fan in the Observer a few weeks back talking about a growing band of supporters whose clubs had moved to one of these shells and how they were begging others clubs not to before there is nothing left of the great English stadia.

But if we move we should all go together. This tosser has become the first man to split this fanbase since Mr Houlding. It would be nice to finally see a club's support stand up against men like him who have taken the game away from us, but sadly the so-called People's Club won't listen to the people and we already know it. That's the trust we have for them, so how can we trust them with our history?
Paul Gladwell     Posted 17/07/2007 at 20:09:51   Comments (2)

Fernandes

Does anyone think that if we do attempt to buy Fernandes that Benfica are going to take advantage of the 'Special Premier League Prices', and increase the price? At the end of the season, the rumours of the figure that range from £/€8-12 Million depending which currency was published. As crazy season is here with players reported values doubling (Richardson £2.5M to £5.5M) with the slight interest from other Premier League clubs. What is Fernandes going to be worth now?

If we are going to spend the big bucks on one player, I'd rather it be him than Riquelme. Obviously I think that the whole Riquelme rumour is just pure fantasy, but if there is a geniune interest from the club, I think it could be a huge gamble.

Fernandes would be a much better buy as he has proved that he can cut it in the Premier League and has brought a touch of class to the team. He adapted pretty much immediately to the league from the get go at the club, which is normally rare for a foreign player coming straight into the English game. Some might argue that he was already at Portsmouth, but he only played sporadically due to the reported clause in his contract.

The signing of Riquelme would be a risk as how many South American players really cut it in England? Look at Tevez, he didn't really start showing his real potential until the last 8-9 games of the season. Also look at Baptista, banging them in during the Copa America, but couldn't hardly make it into the first team for Aresnal.

But both of these deals look dead in the water due to the apparent lack of funds for players this summer. But if we were to splash the cash, Fernandes would be the better signing.

Just a side note, its interesting that no other clubs have been mentioned about interest in Fernandes. Benfica have quoted the reported figure(s) that he'd be available for. I'm surprised that all these money bags teams that aren't fazed about spending stupid amounts (West Ham & City) haven't put a bid in for him.
Kristian  Boyce     Posted 17/07/2007 at 19:38:31   Comments (14)

Johann Vogel ? Coup of the summer!

OK in my last post I was quite negative so I?m being more upbeat now and with good cause. Bully has pulled one right out of the hat! We might be signing someone!

Although we have NOT yet signed him, Keith Wyness has announced that we are in talks to bring in a new player on on a free transfer. He is 30 year old Johann Vogel a good player, a little dour and one definitely in the Moyes mold (not always a bad thing) in that he is versatile. He can play at right-back, centre-back and in his prefered role of a holding midfielder. He is Phil Jagielka but a good few years older!

It IS good news that we are looking to add to our threadbare squad we will be playing a lot of football next year (with a bit of luck). I just wonder has Bully not learnt from the mistakes of a couple of seasons ago when we were announcing who we were talking to before they were signed and them they went to Newcastle or Liverpool. Now I doubt that this will happen with a 30-year-old squad player but...

Oh yeah, I?m being more upbeat. This guy, if we do tie him up, IS a worthwhile addition to the squad (especially as he is in our price range: £0.00). COYB
Mike Newhouse     Posted 17/07/2007 at 14:27:58   Comments (59)

Confused of Walton

A vote on something where there is no 'Plan B', hmmm.

Liverpool's stadium £250M, ours £75M (before Leahy's staff discount. Didn't realise profit margins for construction were that big, but hey), hmmm, World class facilities, hmmm. Tesco pay £50M for the land, got that. KMB reinvest the £50M into the Kirkby Town Centre Project, which will double the size of the Town Centre, pay for relocation of residents/facilities, improve access and pay for the stadium, which costs, £50M, hmmm. lost me again.

KMB giving us all that money for nothing more than the prospect of giving all the unemployed in Kirkby fast food or licensed trade careers, how nice are they? Salt of the bloody earth in my opinion.

'More or less debt free' oh, 'compared to clubs like Arsenal' hmmm, does that mean more or less free of ADDITIONAL debt? (having nothing,spending 'nothing' equals, same amount of debt?)

Current debt equals little or no money for quality players, current debt plus new stadium, (in 3-4 years?) equals EXTRA £10m for players, hmmm.

Knew I should have paid more attention in Maths lessons 'cos I'm sure it all makes sense, after all 'we will be getting a very nice(?!, not the words I was hoping for, state of the art, world class?) stadium for a small amount of money', NSNO?.
Steve McBride     Posted 17/07/2007 at 13:05:58   Comments (14)

Stadium Solution?

As the stadium debate and vote rolls on, I have a suggestion, no sorry I have a question that none of you will like. A question to every Evertonian out there who says that its not about location its about history and heritage. So, with history and heritage the main objections, my question is this:

Why then, when Liverpool FC vacate their stadium, don't we change the seats to blue, tear down their badges and put our crest in their place? We will then be returning to our 1st home, the place were it all began all those years ago and then the history will be complete? It already holds over 45000 and has corporate facilites.

I myself would never set foot in the godforsaken place. I just wanted put a bit of perspective on our history because we were the first team in the City and Anfield was our home! But no Evertonian alive today would even consider going back there.
Andy  Baker     Posted 17/07/2007 at 10:45:06   Comments (10)

We can't compete

With Richardson going to Sunderland it looks as though we are not going to be able to compete with anyone who wants a player that would be useful to us. 3 or 4 players have sold in the past 10 days who would have been good additions to our squad for a European season. I say forget it, I'm not going to be optimistic about any exciting signings now because it ain't going to happen. I really think we should have got Richardson, £5.5m is a risk but if you don't take any risks you end up being shite.
Paul Momber     Posted 17/07/2007 at 05:58:48   Comments (12)

No Investment Potential?

Remember the old Inter City Fairs Cup where only one team was allowed to compete from any one city? Well, is it just possible that, due to fact that Liverpool have had the more recent success and have the city name in their title, would-be investors are convinced that there's no point in investing in Everton?

In other words, might BK and Bully just be telling the truth when they state that there are no investors knocking at the door? What a frightening thought! I put this forward for debate - I'm no great fan of the impresario.
Ray  Robinson     Posted 16/07/2007 at 23:14:42   Comments (7)

Kenwright, please just go

I'm sorry, but after listening to Keith Wyness tonight on the radio blaming the electoral reform society for Everton fans who haven't got a season ticket not having a vote is just about the last straw, and the way we are been railroaded into this move is a disgrace. Bill please just go before you end up like Peter Swales of Man City, who in the end the stress just proved to much for him (and that would be a sad day for everyone).
Anthony Washington     Posted 16/07/2007 at 22:58:43   Comments (4)

Yobo to Stuttgart?!

It may only be a rumour at the moment, but I think allowing Joseph Yobo to leave would be a huge mistake. He's made some howlers in his time, sure, but he and Lescott were instrumental in keeping our GA column comparitively low last term. Moyes being linked with Sol Campbell and not issuing a hands off warning to Stuttgart only strengthens the possibility that Everton are resigned to losing him. Probably for a knock-down fee!
Chris  Neubauer     Posted 16/07/2007 at 21:25:08   Comments (6)

Everton fans deserve better

I went to Bury on Saturday, and I have to say what great fans we are, and it's time BK moved over and let someone with money take over. As much as I think BK has done a good job, he can't take us any further. If he stays, we are going to have to realise we won't compete with the big 4, we won't even be able to compete with the likes of the Barcodes, Pompey, Sunderland, Wigan (Wigan for God's sake) and that's a fact.

I've seen Everton fans saying we don't want Americans or other foreigners here, but to be fair it's the only way forward so bring them in before this great club goes back to the 90s and we have a relegation battle every year. Nobody wants that. I do think David Moyes could take us far with money to spend, he's better than the twat from across the park, so come on, BK, for these great supporters move over and let the good times come back. We deserve better. I know all Everton fans won't agree with me but deep down you know it's the way forward.
Craig Stanley     Posted 16/07/2007 at 21:16:10   Comments (7)

Two signings

Listen, to start off I am not mentioning my name in case this really does get messed up Everton style, which is more than likely. I spoke to David Moyes at the weekend. I dont know him, but I got chatting with him. I said to him, "What's going on, Dave. What's happening is embarrassing, you saying you're going to sign players and one turns up."

I said, "Here you go, here's £200 for your transfer kitty." (Yes I know £200 is going to get us nowhere, I was taking the piss). He replied, "Keep your money, you are going to be surpised this week with two shock signings, mark my words."

I asked who, but he wasn't coughing up. I'm sharing this information with you to give you a bit of hope in this gloomy time. He may be full of shit, he may be trying to shut me up, or he may be genuine (but then again he's lied a lot in the past). It could be Riqueleme, you never know, I truly hope so. It could be Campbell, it could be Fernandes or Smith (not such a shock).

You never know, though. I recall looking at the Everton website when Nuno Valente signed and it said, "International full back signs in." I was expecting Wayne Bridge or something but if Valente was such a huge coup then our two new signings look like Championship players. Watch this space...
Anon ymous     Posted 16/07/2007 at 19:37:45   Comments (14)

Vote Yes to Kirkby!

What an exciting day for "eligible" Evertonians. At last the opportunity to vote for the most important development in the Club's history. Over the past months we have been inundated with anti-propaganda but in our hearts, I am sure most of us accept that Kirby (sic) is the right move to make. In reality it is the ONLY move we can make as the finance for any alternative simply doesn't exist. So, if you have a vote, VOTE YES to KIRKBY. I know you won't regret it!
Richard Dodd     Posted 16/07/2007 at 18:00:25   Comments (17)

We must influence design

Like most Evertonians, I think the forthcoming ballot will be largely irrelevant as the Tesco deal is already done. I have to say that I shall vote in favour of the move as to go against it condemns us to an outdated Goodison for the conceivable future. However, I do think it is imperative that we, as the lifeblood of the Club, have a very positive say in the stadium's design and facilities.

Accordingly, I have written to the CEO to ask him to invite all Evertonians to put forward their suggestions or at least provide a tick list of features so that we can prioritise our needs.
Terry Pardoe     Posted 16/07/2007 at 17:47:53   Comments (2)

Ground move

I am contacting you following today's announcement that there will be a vote held regarding the proposed ground move to Kirkby. After approximately 10 years of debates and options the time is nigh when we as Evertonians have to vote either in favour or against the move

I beg you as a "fanzine" to work relentleslly to convince your supporters to vote against moving to Kirkby. This move would be the death of our great club. I cannot believe that there aren't better options available [if not now then in the near future]. Moving out of the city will rip the soul out of our great club.

Mr Wyness has no passion for our club other than the balance sheet and whilst he has done a great job in "steadying the ship" his motives for this move are not in our long-term best interests. My biggest concern is that a lot of Evertonians are now so disillusioned with what is going on at Anfield ? i.e. new ground, massive investment, etc.? that we will be kidded into believing that we must accept the inevitable and move. I am hoping we have more resolve and vote no!

Wev'e put up with the poor state of Goodison for the past 10 years, let's not panic now. Vote no and we can do much better. There are investors out there, there are alternative sites. Let's stay the Peoples club of Liverpool.
Andy  Hall     Posted 16/07/2007 at 17:34:15   Comments (2)

Tim Cahill

Who says Tiny Tim can't pass? He set up 3 of Australia's 4 goals against Thailand, including one pin-point cross for Viduka's easy header for the 3rd goal and the cross to Viduka for the vital second goal.
Nigel Gregson     Posted 16/07/2007 at 15:42:51   Comments (2)

The Fix Is In

A few weeks ago I suggested that Everton would hold a ballot on the stadium issue without first telling the fans anything about the detailed stadium proposals. I almost lost count of the people who wrote saying this was pessimistic, jaundiced rubbish. Now it has been announced there will be a ballot in August. None of those voting will be told anything of substance about the stadium proposals first.

I hate to say I told you so but I told you so (as did others). Now I'll make another prediction. Contrary to the divisions obvious just from debates on this site and elswhere, the vote will be overwhelmingly in favor of leaving Liverpool, showing that there is virtually no question in the minds of Evertonians about the wisdom of the Wyness scheme to move from the city. You didn't really expect anything else did you?
Peter Fearon     Posted 16/07/2007 at 15:06:37   Comments (5)

Specky four eyes

So now Birmingham have some rich git from some far flung corner of the planet buying them out. We are turning out to be the slightly rotund, specky four eyes that's always last to get picked. The one piece of slightly good news is that they occasionally turn out to be useful and they never go down without a bloody good fight.
Steve Edler     Posted 16/07/2007 at 14:42:48   Comments (2)

Wool Over Our Eyes?

This is just typical of Everton and it is making me seethe with rage. I have just logged onto the Official web site and WOW ?Breaking News? ?Major Announcement?. What?s this I wonder have we pulled off a coup a Major signing that we will make the rest of the Premier League sit up and take notice, placate the fans who were getting nervous the wonderful news that Davie has not been dithering and he has been biding his time to unveil this wonderful new addition to our ranks.

No it old news wrapped up and re-packaged in yellow! Every fan knew that Everton were ?holding a ballot amongst its fan-base? to gague the opionion of moving to Kirby. I just don?t belive how I have been duped (all be it momentarily) by my beloved club AGAIN this I should come to expect but I am becoming exasperated now.

I like Moyes, I think he is doing a steady job of building a good squad and taking Everton forward and yes he does have his faults he can be overly negative and too defensively minded but over the past five years we have improved a great deal. I do remember the mid-80s and I know where we should be, we ain't there but we are slowly climbing back there.

My gripe is Billy and Bully: they seem to think that we don?t care or are too stupid to see what they are doing, which is nothing other than blowing hot air up each others asses. I'm sorry this is just a rant but it is beginning to make me mad!
Mike  Newhouse     Posted 16/07/2007 at 12:41:46   Comments (5)

Walker & Smith

Could I ask some fans to do me a favour? When someone has a go at Moyes, could you please stop rolling out the "I suppose you would like Smith back in charge"? Smith done that, Walker done this, comparing them to Moyes. As you keep pointing out to fans who mention our history, like how great we were in the eighties etc, that they need to stop living in the past, because it's gone. Well reality check lads, so are Walker and Smith in the past.
Brian Waring     Posted 16/07/2007 at 10:54:05   Comments (3)

Aren't we supposed to be improving??

I thought the purpose of the transfer window was to improve your squad? Now, with Fernandes gone never to return (terrible mistake on our part, should have pulled out all the stops to sign him as I was generally excited when him and Arteta played together last season) and only the Jag brought into the ?first? team, surely this cannot really be classed as improving our team.

Jutkiewicz (18 years of age & only 13 starts for Swindon) will not START a single Premiership game for us next season, I guarantee you. He was bought for the future. And the resigning of Da Silva... well, he will probably get a few cup games if he's lucky to add to the whole 6 minutes already under his belt, this cannot be classed as a move forward now can it!?!

This is no disrespect to Jagielka but I'd rather have Fernandes in the middle of the park than him any day. So, unless Moyes pulls out some classic buys in the remaining weeks of the transfer window, we have not improved our first team no matter which way you try dressing it up, this will be a mistake and will cost us dearly!!

I personally think we did very well in the league last season (no cup run yet again tho!!) and need to kick on. The one signing so far signals we have not even got the balls out of the bag yet. Bottom line is, we have a decent squad but we NEED to improve, say otherwise and you are running on false hope and blind faith. I am not either a Moyes lover or hater, I just want Everton to succeed. For this to happen we need more investment than the measly £4 million already spent this summer; it's not all about the money as Moyes has demonstrated in the past but it sure helps.

I know some people are saying "Wait and see what happens" but it's my right as a blue to question ALL things regarding MY club and not just sit round and hope, pray that it all turns out fine and dandy in the end... haven't we already done that one??

Prove me wrong, Davey, and tell Kenwright to blow the cobwebs off his wallet and get his arse in gear, Panto! I mean pronto!!!
Chris Mckenny     Posted 16/07/2007 at 10:40:03   Comments (10)

Ballot on proposed move

Does anybody actually think that BK an Wyness will listen to the outcome of the vote??? I am eligible to vote and know exactly what I'm gonna put but is it worth it? I think the club has already decided to move an this is just more crap to come out from the club.
Danny Lizars     Posted 16/07/2007 at 10:33:49   Comments (14)

Beattie

If proof were needed that the newspapers made up their stories, then check this out. They say that:

1. Everton are asking £4M for Beattie - given Nugent is worth £6M then Beattie must be worth oooooooh at least the price of a half-eaten jelly baby infected with hepatitis, and
2. Everton have rejected an enquiry of £2.5m for Beattie from Blackburn... half-eaten jelly baby, hello?!?

Surely there can be no truth in this because Moyes and co would have bit their hands off, wouldn't they? Mind you after the glaring own goals of FSF, King's Dock, Tescos etc etc, who knows.
Mark Wynne     Posted 16/07/2007 at 10:10:25   Comments (10)

Wyness the magician

Having just had another pointless look at the gossip columns, I was thinking about our currrent money issues. This close season we haven't spent a penny. By selling Simon Davies to Fulham for £3M last season and Naysmith to Sheff Utd for £1M, we got Jagieljka without dipping into any of our 'transfer fund'.

So Wyness must have said abracadabra and 'poof' all of our TV money, our 'extra' TV deal money, league position money and season ticket revenue has magically vanished into thin air. And I got slaughtered on here about 3 weeks ago for telling you all that we were holding back £30M+ for the stadium that we don't want but that will get the go-ahead.

Signed that kenwright out petition online but its no good getting rid of him if we dont get rid of Wyness who in my opinion is the worst culprit at our beloved football club.
Andy  Baker     Posted 16/07/2007 at 09:19:36   Comments (7)

Seeding Update

Well, the second round of the InterToto Cup has finished and we are now well on the way to getting a better idea as to whether we will be seeded or not. Now is the time to start looking around all three of Uefa's competitions, as the Champions League and the Uefa Cup Qualifying rounds start this week. But let's get back to the InterToto Cup for the moment and see which teams we want to root for in the final round (which starts next weekend).

Out of the 22 teams in the Third Round, 5 of them would be seeded higher than us if they get through to the Uefa Cup. So, this weekend, who do we need to support? Well, firstly, our Romanian friends Gloria 1922 Bistrita did us proud and actually knocked out Maccabi Haifa on penalties, and we can only hope they can repeat this against Athletico Madrid. The other 4 teams who may get our support are Cherno More Varna (who play Sampdoria), Dacia Chisinau (playing Hamburg), Chjornomorets Odesa (playing RC Lens) and FK Vetra who are playing Blackburn.

The first qualifying rounds of both the Champions League and the UEFA Cup don't give us much at the moment (but the second and third rounds will!). And, as regards seeding, there is still no change as we can currently be ranked anywhere between 18th and 45th place.
Steve Flanagan     Posted 16/07/2007 at 08:53:00   Comments (0)

Moyes Out?

Call me cynical if you wish, but... Moyes is kicking-up about his motor all of a sudden! What do you bet the next step will be something along the lines of "I tried to buy decent players and they won't give me the money, then I ask for a better car and they won't give me the money. This is the last straw, I'm off".

Mind you, I can't say I would blame him.
Tom Edwards     Posted 16/07/2007 at 08:12:01   Comments (6)

It's all about opinions

I'm finding it very interesting how some posters believe that players whose best position is on the flank, regardless of whether you think the price is right, would not be an improvement on players like Osman and McFadden, both average players in their 'preferred' positions IMO, and very much below average playing as 'wingers'. Each to his own I suppose.
Steve McBride     Posted 15/07/2007 at 21:55:45   Comments (0)

What about my motor?

Sunday People, 15 July 2007 ANDY'S FERRARI ANNOYS MOYES Edited By Tom Hopkinson DAVID MOYES isn't best pleased that Andy van der Meyde is driving around in a smarter motor than his.

The Everton boss has taken a fancy to the new Mercedes CL and approached club bigwigs about getting one.

But the class of car that particular model comes under would exceed his monthly motor allowance and Everton top brass vetoed the bid.

Confidentially, we understands Moyes, quite rightly, fought back with the fact that Goodison misfit Van der Meyde was driving round in a flash Ferrari ... without even being a first-team regular. But to no avail.

Mark  Joseph     Posted 15/07/2007 at 20:35:51   Comments (13)

All Together Now ? Ambtion and Optimism!

Last week, I suggested that we stood a better chance of a higher placing in the Premier League by proritising. Since we have never been a 'Cup team' under Smith or Moyes, I thought it might make sense to let the cups go and concentrate on a high league finish. That seemed to strike some as a lack of ambition but not so! It was lack of optimism (quite different from ambition) on my part.

Mr Lloyd asked me what was the point in even entering the Cup competitions if we have no ambition to win them. OK, fair enough if he feels we should win all three cups ? then he is much more optimistic about the coming season than I am. I believe we can finish 5th in the Premier League ? given the lack of resources at Eeverton today, that is ambitious and perhaps optimistic too!

On paper (where the games are never played) the 'easiest' trophy to win in 2008 is the UEFA Cup for the simple reason that we do not face Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal and if we are currently the 6th best team in the best league in Europe, then very few of the also-rans from across Europe who will face Everton in the Uefa Cup will be able to live with us.

Maybe it will pan out that way - maybe not but a Manchester Final in 2008 makes the Uefa Cup win easier for Everton than ever!

So much for optimism but what about ambition? OK, here's what we do :

1. Buy 30 new players - all of whom are better than the best of our current squad.
2. Build a new state of the art stadium.
3. Appoint a new manager and coaching staff.
4. Control our own merchandising and television rights.
5. Create a talent spotting network - at home and abroad.
6. Build a youth scheme that will include 50/100 of the best young prospects from around the world .

On and off the field gut the present 'failed system'. No present Everton director, employee or player will survive that cull! The club will then be geared to one simple objective ? Everton will work towards becoming the greatest world-wide sporting brand name.

Mission Statement: The past has no relevance. The present and the future are everything! Keeping the status quo is abject failure and will no longer be tolerated at our beloved club. OK stop shaking your heads and think about two things! Twenty years ago, we were runaway Champions of England in a season where Man U and Arsenal did not make the top ten in the top division. Twelve years ago we won the FA Cup in a season where Chelsea did not make the league's top ten and indeed it had not done that in five years before that either. The difference today? In a word... MONEY !

Find us a barmy zillionaire who can carry out steps 1 to 6 and Everton can play me in goal and still win the Champions League. In that respect I should add that I was following the club last time we were promoted.

Money is the answer ? not blind ambition. mbition without a good plan will only break your heart! The answer is investment and loads of money to fund our ambitions! Finding that might just take a shade longer so don't go being too optimistic, my fellow Blues!
Glen Strachan     Posted 15/07/2007 at 19:08:55   Comments (8)

Vaughan is Destined for Great Things

Despite all the negativity regarding Bill Kenwright's tenure and the lack of transfers into the club this close season, I am really excited about the future prospects of James Vaughan. Maybe still not the complete striker, but the kid positively oozes class all over the pitch when he plays. It may have been a dour friendly yesterday but he never stopped running, chasing and pretty much making a damn nuisance of himself all afternoon.

Regardless of any additional personnel joining the club in this transfer window, I can see a potentially very potent partnership striking up between Vaughan and AJ come the new season. The doubters among you will immediately come up with, "Well, what if one gets injured? Where's the cover going to come from?" etc. That is not my point here at all; it is purely the merits of one very talented individual and the prospect of a potent strikeforce full of pace and ready to attack opposing defenders at will.

True, some of the potency may depend on the supply from midfield, but this could be a very strong weapon the team may exploit which was not possible for large parts of last season. Whether this merits comment or not at this time, I for one will be looking to see how this partnership develops as well as a cameo role for Mr Anichebe as he continues his own development towards being a very useful Premier League striker.

Too postive a post for some at this time I don't really care! My own view is that, come the start of the season I'll be concentrating on the players on the pitch and giving the lads my full support, as I'm sure many of you will too.
Steve Williams     Posted 15/07/2007 at 19:24:48   Comments (6)

Campbell in Defence

Firstly, it was good to see the boys back in action yesterday and both teams come away with a win and clean sheets. I see we've been linked with Sol Campbell today for £1m. Even though he's 33 and nearing the end of his career, I think he would be an immense signing. He has bags of experience in the Prem, the Champions League and International level. I would like to see him snapped up on a 2-year contract. Our defence would be:

• Left-Backs: Valente, Lescott, Boyle
• Centre-Backs: Yobo, Campbell, Lescott, Stubbs, Jagielka
• Right-Backs: Neville, Hibbert, Jagielka

We would have plenty of cover in all areas of defence.
Andy Unsworth     Posted 15/07/2007 at 17:58:43   Comments (13)

Judgement deferred

Robert Maxwell was fond of saying, `Being rich is not so much about having money as the ability to borrow it.` Bill Kenwright either lacks this ability ? because he has sold off all the Club`s collateral ? or chooses to follow the Doug Ellis mode of management which puts team development on hold whilst you bring the infrastucture of the club up to scratch. Personally, I suspect he has opted for the latter course, backing his manager`s stated aim to become the first to break into the `Top Four` without substantial investment. After all, he has done it once and Kenwright knows enough about the vanities of high profilers to challenge him to do it again.

In our hearts, we all know that Moyes is right about the current transfer market and I suspect that the Koumases, Richardsons and Nugents would not have had much impact at top level anyway. On the other hand, he plays a dangerous game waiting for the market to fall as what is left to buy on 31 August may not be very exciting in any case. In the past, I have been critical of both Chairman and Manager, but I have to admit to being not a little intrigued by their present tactics and am prepared to withold my judgement until the season gets properly underway in September.

Let`s face it, it will take more than a petition to get rid of either. Deadly Doug once told me they started one a week at Villa Park, and he hung on for 30 years! So let`s just cool it a little ? who knows, we might just be quite surprised!
David  Hall     Posted 15/07/2007 at 17:25:44   Comments (9)

Simic

Sky Sports are reporting we've missed out on Simic again. I'm guessing it's true because we've been linked with him quite a bit under Moyes. It seems odd that Moyes should be looking at his defence so much. I would have thought that we were covered quite well in all positions except left back. Jags, Stubbs, and Neville could all cover if we lost Yobo or Lescott for a game or two. Neville, Hibbert, and Jags are competing for the right-back spot. Even at left-back we have Boyle, who I'm guessing will be in the senior side this year, Lescott, and Valente. Perhaps Simic can play on the left, I always thought of him as a centre-back, myself.

This strengthening of the defence has made me wonder whether we'll be taking the Liverpool approach in the Uefa Cup this season and putting 10 men behind the ball at all times. I must admit, I was working during the first leg of the Bucharest game the other year and I couldn't watch the highlights so I'm not sure how our defence faired that night but does anyone think this is the right approach? I'm sure we'd all love the bulk of our cash being spent on a creative, attacking player but what we want and what we get are two different things. I prefer to not focus on it and let the manager get on with it. Whatever Moyes may be, he strikes me as a meticulous planner so I hope he'll be ready for the challenge next season.
Nick Harrison     Posted 15/07/2007 at 17:40:06   Comments (3)

Kenwright out Part II

To All who perhaps want to give BK some credence, look at what is happening. The man who has stated so often that he is a true blue and will always answer to the fans has dissappeared, some would hope forever. It is not meant to be a personal attack against a man who is a loyal Everton Supporter ? BUT ? the man has got to realise that time is running out.

Moyes I believe will not be the target if things go wrong but will be the hero if the team achieves anywhere near the results of last season. However, the football is crap. We grind out 1-0 wins; there is little skill or imagination in the team. Most fans know that we need players but BK cannot deliver. It is time he fell on his sword or came clean.

Bill ? tell it like it really is. Where has all the money gone?? I recall and I may be wrong here that the Rooney money cleared our debts... if not then where has the Sky money for the last two years gone as we only spent £12m last season? Wyness tells us we are one of the best run football clubs in the world and yet we have no money to invest in what he proclaims is a thriving business. Something is not right and I just wish the chairman would have the balls to face the fans and for once tell the truth. Bill, you might be surprised if you did as to the reaction of the Fans.
Steve Sweeney     Posted 15/07/2007 at 17:22:07   Comments (4)

Pre-season Double-Header

After watching the highlights of both the Bury and Northern Ireland games, probably the two best players in both games where Anichebe and Vaughan. Anichebe may not be the best or cleverest footballer in the world but he is a handful. His body strength, pace and power where obvious. Compared to Jutkiewicz he looked a man mountain. Anyone who watched the game will know that Jutkewicz is not ready. He looks far to lightweight to me and his goal was very scrappy. Vaughan also was in my opinion the best player against Ireland. He has looked a more complete player than AJ in every game I have seen him so far.

All in all both games where poor and very booring to watch. Anderson De Silva showed a good passing range yet looked very static. Van der Meyde showed a few skills, flicks and runs but needs to get involved more. Out of the youngsters I would have to say Agard has impressed me. I have seen him and a few reserve games and he looks to have really come along. He is pacy, hardworking and showed he can finish yesterday.
Connor Rohrer     Posted 15/07/2007 at 14:13:16   Comments (7)

Wise Words?

Re-reading the programme from the first home game versus Tottenham for the 2001-02 season at Goodison, (a game incidentally where I lost my 'lucky scarf' ? a scarf which had travelled to most of our triumphs in the golden era of the mid-eighties). In the said programme, Bill Kenwright was in his first full season in charge and some of his observations make interesting reading some seven years later.

His closing paragragph states 'The club was formed by fans for fans. EFC is many things to many people but above all else it is YOUR club'. He also acknowledges that 'those with blunt blades will invariably fall by the wayside. Our blade has to sharpen. It's as simple and as difficult as that.'

Perhaps the most telling thing that Bill stated at the time was 'I have always subscribed to the traditional theory that a man who does not heed warnings, who will not learn lessons, is not only a fool unto himself but a positive danger to those around him.' It's not for me to draw any conclusions but it would be nice to know if Bill had anything different to say at this moment in time....
John Partick McFarlane     Posted 15/07/2007 at 12:51:37   Comments (3)

Frustration

I have been very disapointed and suprised to read on the internet today that, Everton have made a surprise enquiry about Portsmouth's veteran defender Sol Campbell. (People) and that FC Stuttgart are trying to buy Joesph Yobo. What is happening? As many others have stated we need to know what is going on within our great club. I am now starting to get worried at the size of our ever-depleting squad and what the season has in store for us.
Gary  Fenton     Posted 15/07/2007 at 11:58:01   Comments (5)

N Ireland game synopsis

I attended the Northern Ireland game on Saturday to get a look at some of the younger players we were promised to see on view. Yeah sure enough there were plenty on show and in particular an impressive performance from Jack Rodwell at the back, in years to come he will definitely develop into a Premer League player but it was other squad players who impressed me more.

A certain Andy van der Meyde looked head and sholders above the rest as the game developed and played out. His tackling wasn't up to much but when he did receive the ball his distribution and willingness to attack impressed me. He seemed fairly trimmed down and was always looking to get the ball, I hope this could be the Van der Meyde we have heard about but never seen since his return. I think that if he shows the same willingness and determination then come the start of the new season osman will find he warms the bench a lot more.

Silva was another on view I thought he done fairly decent and his passing and timing were pretty good but doing nothng spectacular. All in all I was fairly impressed and think that if these two continue to develop it will be like having two new additions to the squad, given our short numbers this will definitely be a positive.
Paul McMullan     Posted 15/07/2007 at 11:49:39   Comments (1)

Feel their collars!

I think the situation at Everton requires more than petitions. With a smallish Senior squad on relatively low wages, Sky money and ticket money and merchandise money pouring in at a rate that must exceeed the outgoings, and continued talk of overwhelming debt, it is time for someone to call in the Fraud Squad. I'm serious.... something stinks at Goodison.
Brian Finnigan     Posted 15/07/2007 at 11:53:56   Comments (1)

Uefa Cup

Does anyone else think that, if we do reasonably well in the Uefa Cup this season, say the quarter finals or so, then better players will want to come to us, compared to moneybags clubs like Newcastle, West Ham and Villa? I realise that the league must take presidence over the cups, but if we are doing well by January, then surely a better class of player will be tempted to join.
Simon  Gemine     Posted 15/07/2007 at 10:07:41   Comments (2)

Fernandes

My heart skipped a beat as I read the headline titled "Fernandes becomes Sven's second signing". Thankfully it became clear that this is a certain Gelson Fernandes, not to be confused by Manny.

People seem to forget what our most glaring deficiencies are. To me, a class defensive midfielder is the most important signing that needs to be made. Barton always had a better chance of being signed than Nugent did. Once Barton went elsewhere, I knew Nugent was never going to arrive first.

Now that we have defensive versatile cover in form of Jags, surely Manuel Fernandes is the next one to pursue ? Be it a one year loan or a permanent signing, this is where the next transfer activity should be aimed at ?

I am happy to improve at the rate of 2 players a season, provided these players have the caliber of the Artetas, Cahills, Lescotts, Johnsons and Yobos of the team.
Nigel Gregson     Posted 15/07/2007 at 07:04:27   Comments (3)

The tide's turning

Surely now, people are seeing Kenwright for what he actually is? An absolute lying and cheating moron who does not have the best interests of our great club at heart. We all want more transparency from Kenwright but what he is doing is clear for all to see ? move the club to a new stadium as cheaply as possible then sell the club for as much profit as possible. To sell the club now would not yield anywhere near the same profit for Kenwright hence he has no interest in selling or giving up any control he has over the club.

And for those that praise Kenwright for the stability he has brought, he is now having the most destabilising influence on the club because players like Arteta, Cahill, Johnson and Lescott won't hang around whilst "Blue Bill" invests nothing in the team and pursues his own selfish money making scheme.

We, the fans, need to do more to get rid of this cancer at the core of Everton FC.
Alan  Clarke     Posted 14/07/2007 at 23:13:26   Comments (19)

What Kenwright has done

I for one am sick and tired of Kenwright giving us no answers. It's about time that he stepped aside and gave us a wealthy investor, which such a successful club deserves.

We truly are a dying giant, we have the potential there to be one of the greatest teams in the world, but Kenwright seems to insist on staying in charge.

Now I know at this point that people will be thinking, what if we haven't had any proposals? We should all know for a fact that we have had proposals because what wouldn't a potential invester see in:

• A club with a great history.
• The current group of players are quite good so not many signings will be needed at first.
• A city which is European Capital of culture next year, improving the chances of people coming to the city buying Everton merchandise and increasing ticket demand.
• A City which is football mad.

I'm sure that there are many more good points, but what I want to know is why Kenwright hasn't told us why he has knocked it back, and I would love to know his plan for the club and how much money he actually has. Backing my point up that we definitley have had offers, please tell me what investors see in Porstmouth, West Ham, Aston Villa and potentially Birmingham and Blackburn.

Bill Kenwright has well and truly drawn the line now this summer ? an extra wedge of cash from Sky coming our way and teams who usually have less money are spending much more than us.

I have decided to create a petition, which I plan to send to Everton and hopefully reach the chairman himself. This is the only way we can truly get to him, unless we have 30,000 banners saying Kenwright out at our next home game.

The petition reads:

To: Everton Football Club
Its about time Everton fans got answers, we need to know whats happening to our beloved club. For too many years now the club have told lied or not said anything, with major examples being:

• Why the lack of transfer money? considering we finish in a good position and the fact that we have a very small wage bill compared to other teams.
• What really happened to the Kings Dock stadium which we would be playing in this season, if it had not failed, and what is happening to our current stadium plans?
• Not telling us the full truth about the Rooney Deal.
• Why do we seem to be Man United's feeder team lately?
• Most importantly, WHY NO INVESTMENT? when other teams similar to us, have continous propasals.

Its about time the Bill Kenwright stepped aside, for the good of the club and for the fans, leave now or regret the consequences of staying by seeing the club slowly rot away. I and many other Everton fans have become sick of the lack of communication. So unless you have valid answers to all of the above, please leave, if you really are an Evertonian.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

If you wish to sign this petition, please go to:
http://www.petitiononline.com/BillWout/petition.html

Thank you.

Shaun Wyder     Posted 14/07/2007 at 21:50:18   Comments (8)

It's simple: We're skint!

A couple of weeks ago, The Observer was looking ahead to the coming season and to the current round of transfer activity and it simply dismissed Everton as being perpetually struggling with debts and money problems. In laymen's terms, we're skint, fullstop.

For Moyes to claim that Everton are somehow attempting to redress the madness that is this summer's transfer market is simply ingenious. Everton have two choices: they pay the wages and the fees that the market dictates, or they miss out. They have clearly chosen the latter alternative. This may be because Moyes and Kenwright are fine moral gentlemen who are refusing to compete in this market, because it is yet another "unacceptable face of capitalism". Or it may be that they are posturing in the hope that you can fool some Evertonians most of the time.

Everton's debts are not in the same league as the debts of the big four, or of many other teams such as Newcastle, Man City, West Ham. So the reason Everton are not interested in bidding for £10,000,000 players is because the Board is unwilling to increase the debt because, unlike the other Premiership clubs, they believe that the spectre of Leeds United is closer to Everton than to any other club. This line of thinking is not
immediately obvious to me. It suggests that Everton are far more in debt than we realize or, more likely, that we are afraid to speculate in the hope of making progress.

But this moral posturing beggars belief. There is only one choice if Everton which to compete for a place in Europe or a domestic cup competition and that is to recruit suitable players and to do so you have to pay the wages and the inflated transfer fees.Any other decision is simply acknowledging thatyou aren't competing with West Hams, Portsmouths, Sunderlands of this world. Never mind the four clubs who are setting the pace and the standard in the Premiership.

So David Moyes, stop posturing and pretending: it isn't our moral superiority that's stopping us signing players, it's the simple fact that we're skint.

Rick Tarleton     Posted 14/07/2007 at 20:44:00   Comments (2)

A joke!

If this has already been said then I'm sorry. What our manager, David Moyes, said in the local and national press over the last two days is a totally embarrassing to this great club and a joke! Why admit we don't have a great deal of money in the press?!
Si Mar     Posted 14/07/2007 at 20:49:41   Comments (0)

Today's Friendlies

So Everton beat Bury 1-0 and N Ireland 2-0. Ok the games were friendlies and don't count for much but what's encouraging is that the goals were scored by James Vaughan, Kieran Agard and Lukas Jutkiewicz. All of them youngsters who will hopefully be able to play some part next season.

Add to that Rodwell, Anichebe, Kissock, Boyle, Morrison, Spencer and Irving and you start to get a little bit excited about the future.
Dutch Schaffaer     Posted 14/07/2007 at 20:23:26   Comments (4)

In Summary

The people who say we should get rid of Beattie and Van der Meyde are constant but no writer ever names any likely replacements for the money we'd get in, also the clear talent of the twois more than enough for me to keep them. Meyde will be like a new player this year, he looks as fit as he's ever been and totally slimmed down.

The money situation is a joke and were basically about 5 players down, and the truth is once Arteta gets injured we've fucked basically.

Saw that Man City had signed Fernandes before... for a brief moment I thought it was Manuel but wasn't.

A member close to Everton today confirmed we have no money and we should expect nothing else more than Jagielka. It's a shame as i can us struggling this year as if we progress in Europe our squad if you can call it that won't be up to it.
Alan Smith     Posted 14/07/2007 at 19:59:41   Comments (1)

Are the youth ready to step up?

Having returned from the friendly at Bury this afternoon, the paper-thin nature of the squad has been emphasised to me even more. Asmittedly no Arteta, Beattie, Osman, Jagielka, Yobo and Cahill in either game today, but who looks capable of making a step up if needs be?

Answer: a resounding nobody, I'm afraid. Sorry to destroy the illusion of those who think that the inadequate numbers can be supplemented from the junior ranks. It's not going to happen just yet, in my opinion.
Ray Robinson     Posted 14/07/2007 at 19:39:49   Comments (0)

Petition

After my recent post, I realised even more how much I despise our chairman. I have decided to create a Petition against Bill Kenwright. The Petition is to get Kenwright to stand down as Everton chairman, and allow potential investors or anybody with a care for the club to takeover. I don't know your opinions on Kenwright, but I for one hate him with a passion and I know there are plently of other fans who dislike him as well. The URL is: http://www.petitiononline.com/BillWout/petition.html Please feel free to sign the petition, sign it as many times as you want, the more the better. I really hope this will be the start of the end of the Kenwright era. If any one disagrees with this petition, then quite simply dont sign it, just go on supporting your club without knowing whats going on. Finally... I do not appreciate sarcastic comments about what I am doing. I am doing this for my love for the club, if anyone disagrees then keep comments to yourself. I persuade you to sign this petition, the more people against Kenwright, the more chances he has of realising he needs to move aside. Thankyou, KENWRIGHT OUT!
Shaun Wyder     Posted 14/07/2007 at 19:25:51   Comments (10)

Our Club Is A Joke!

Just when you think Everton could not get more inept at business they go and do it.

My friend from Manchester has just come down to visit after I had my first son about 4 weeks ago. He told me he had to go to the Trafford Centre to buy him an Everton kit because ? wait for it ? the club megastore was shut!!! He is a Man Utd fan and could not believe what was going on.

For FUCKS SAKE! no wonder weve got no fuckin money! 2 days after we launch a new away kit, our own shop is shut of a weekend! Yes, ladies and gents, our megastore is only open Monday to Friday. It seriously beggars belief. How many other Premier League club stores do you think are shut today? None but ours i think you will find.

And this is just the latest example of how much of a muppet of chief exec is. The other clanger was the football memorabelia. For the paultry sum of £1m we could of bought the collection ourselves. Stadium tours are the biggest money spinner clubs have when not actuallt playing football. This was also a fantastic, no ONLY opportunity they had of trying to smooth over a stadium move. Fans are up in arms about a move from GP because of history/heritage etc and we could have bought the biggest collection of football memorabelia in the world, put it in our new shed/stadium and at least, at very least brought some of that Goodison history with us. But what do we do???? We go begging and scrounging to the National Lottery asking for a grant so we can dissplay it in town FREE of CHARGE! It should have been the quickest million we've ever spent but we've gone and fucked that one as well.

There are more examples... the fact you can't buy a pint at the match cos they have 4 poeple working behind the couter to save on overheads etc

BK and KW are absolute fuckin muppets and are not capable of running a football club as a money making business. In fact I wouldn't trust one of the bastards to get a round in cos they'd probably fuck that up an all.

If we are ever gonna make money and compete in europe every year they need to fuck off, quickly. theyre turning our club into an absolute joke!

I'm that pissed off that I'm actaully considering allowing my 4-week-old son to be a kopite ? it kills me to say it but at least they seem to know how to run a football club.

This is not negative, this is reality. They have got a clue.
Andy Baker     Posted 14/07/2007 at 15:38:21   Comments (12)

Everton has Lost something.......

I think Everton has lost something before the season has even begun. After Moyes statement on transfer fees we will now find it even tougher to attract quality players. Players with any ambition will not come to a club where the manager has already stated he cannot compete in the transfer market.

What must the players think we already have at the club?? I think Arteta and Cahill will be looking closely at this season before putting transfer requests in in Jun 2008 if we have another "glorious" season finishing in the top 10 and out of all cup competitions in the early rounds. The squad is painfully thin and thus cup competions will expose the lack of depth in the squad but the "Moysettes" will be happy with a top ten finish.

What will be the use of a new stadium we cannot fill?? Why didn't Moyes make his statement before we renewed outr season tickets ? We could of bought a Wigan season ticket for half the price but with double the ambition. We wouldn't buy one of course....and thats what BK and DM banks on... Please both of you leave the club and lets have a Management team with ambition and Positivity...I only sense negativity at the moment.
Peter Parker     Posted 14/07/2007 at 15:26:56   Comments (13)

Ring-fencing

I can't believe, well I can from Doddy, that some posters are happy with the suggestion/accusation that BK is keeping money to pay for Kirkby on the basis that once we've got the stadium we will be able to compete for better players. Liverpool have announced that they hope to complete their stadium by 2010 and as they have already sorted the inquiries, planning permission, traffic management etc that probably puts us about 2 years behind them.

I can't even be arsed pointing out the flaws in this supposed 'plan' but if you think we will have held on to our best players or even the manager after five more years of waiting to 'push on' then send me your address because I've got some double glazing to sell and you seem perfect target customers.

Oh and just a little food for thought: this is the first year that clubs have had extra cash to spend creating inflated prices, there are at least 2 more to come.
Steve McBride     Posted 14/07/2007 at 14:41:56   Comments (2)

The Emperors New Clothes

Can somebody please explain to me why Bill Kenwright garners so much support from Everton fans? What has this man done for Everton Football club? As far as I can see, he has:

1. Messed up every genuine opportunity that comes our way (NTL, Kings Dock)
2. Lied to the fans (Rooney transfer, Fortress Sports Fund, Sky 'loan')
3. Sold off most of our assets, and we're now renting our training grounds and soon a stadium. The man has managed to convert solid bankable assets into outgoing expenditure!

Incredible! The club has been so badly managed that we're financially in a worse position than ever. All we own are the players' registrations. No wonder Moyes is so cautious with regard to signing players - a few false moves could kill this club.

I expect 3 things from any chairman:

1. To manage the club effectively as a business i.e. ticketing, budgets, transfer kitty
2. To provide a strategic direction for the club in terms of merchandising and branding
3. Not to embarrass the club or diminish its reputation

To my mind, Bill fails on all counts. The ticketing is a joke, our tranfer 'war chests' are measly, nobody outside of England knows who we are, and worst of all, the man is a gushing embarrasment.

There can be no excuses if Everton fail to sign more players ? remember we had a paper thin squad at the start of last year, and since then we've lost Davies, Kilbane, Weir, Hughes, Wright, Naysmith and Pistone. All we have inwards are Jagielka and some youth striker who won't play a game. What is going on? We need another 5 players minimum and all the time, Everton fans are making excuses for Kenwright! How is this happening?! Aren't we one of the richest clubs in the world now?

And the worst thing is, didn't you just know this was going to happen? Maybe fans will be a bit more vocal on the last day of the transfer window when we're left wondering AGAIN how we'll cope with our tiny squad. Or are we all so familiar with that feeling now that we'll just roll over again and applaud Bill for his shrewdness?

Everton is not his club, it is OURS and as a custodian he is making a mess of something I love dearly.
Richard Jones     Posted 14/07/2007 at 12:35:21   Comments (19)

The difference between spenders

The current spending spree in the transfer market by both the top four clubs and the lesser clubs has been amazing this summer. Both types of clubs have spent huge sums of money on players and have agreed to pay huge wage bills into the bargain as well.

In my mind though there are two major differences between these types of clubs that support David Moyes' present stance in relation to the transfer market.

Firstly,the likes of Utd and Liverpool are paying huge money for players that are likely to help them win premierships and champion's leagues. The likes of Man City and West Ham are paying huge money for players that may help them with league cups and gain Uefa cup qualification.

Secondly, your Utds and Liverpools can support this spending with revenue streams outside of having an investor to pay for it all. Huge merchandising streams, large capacity crowds and lucrative sponsorship deals. With consistant Champions' League and top three league finishes money added, the cash is always going to be there. Your Man Citys and West Hams don't have these same revenue streams to support the huge spending. Without their new investors' money they were unable to compete before on such a scale and would be in big trouble without it in the future. But yet they are only thinking of the now and are spending on a lavish scale.

Right now, Everton are not in a position to be either type of club. Any money we actually have has come from our non investor type revenue streams alone. League finish, t.v money, Chang money, gate receipts and so on. While not anywhere near the scale of Utd's or Liverpool's, Moyes would still love to have this money in his transfer kitty right now. The most of it though seems to have been put aside for the new stadium.

As there is no investor or any sign of one at present there is no other ready cash to access. We cannot do a West Ham or a Man City either. Moyes just has to make do with the reported 15m. And 3m of this, discounting the 1m we got for Naysmith, has already been spent on Jagielka.

As an aside, we are only servicing our debts at present by selling off the likes of our training ground and then leasing it back. The banks are certainly not going to extend our credit so the idea of spending money we haven't got isn't a viable option either.

And this is what Moyes is currently faced with. Apart from talking a good fight, his Board seems incapable of sourcing and securing the revenue and investment that wil give him the transfer budget he knows we need to step up. The man just has to make do with what he has. His approach mirrors this. A couple of the right type of purchases each transfer window is the slow sensible way to go. True,it's the only option available to him that would work but he has grasped it with both hands.

I honestly feel that the man is as frustrated as we are right now. He is being priced out of the market at every turn by clubs that are spending money in the most stupid of fashions. Richardson is a prime example. He would be a sensible progressive purchase for us, coming in at the right time. 3m is a reasonable valuation. Next thing you know,other clubs are offering 5-6 million for him. Moyes must be pulling his hair out at this.

I think in part it was his frustration that prompted him to release the statement he did. I think unfortunately he may have also felt the need to justify his current approach to this transfer window. Whatever his motivation for the statement, in the context of the state of the club's finances compared to others, it is one that I would agree with.
kieran Fitzgerald     Posted 14/07/2007 at 10:40:36   Comments (5)

A ringing endorsement

I`m proud to say I am a great admirer of Bill Kenwright and in awe of how far David Moyes has brought us since taking over the reins from Walter Smith.

In spite of the frustration about lack of summer signings, all Evertonians now focus on challenging for honours rather that the perennial battle against relegation of previous eras. That alone is a sign of the great progress the club is making.

I may be out of step with fellow supporters, but I think that starting the season with last year`s line-up will be a huge advantage over those clubs who have blown their budget on new signings-most of them of very dubious pedigree.

As someone pointed out, we already have a squad of 24 players and with only a couple of additions, we should again be a force to be reckoned with. If we can replicate last season`s position, the decision not to waste the `Kirkby money` on the little talent on the market will be more than vindicated.
Sebastian  St Clare     Posted 14/07/2007 at 11:22:52   Comments (12)

Arteta & Cahill

A few weeks back when comments from the manager that there's going to be a number of new players players coming in this year, backing up comments from BK about money being available, Everton made two important 'signings', Cahil and Arteta.

Re-signing the players to long term contracts was a huge bonus, keeping our two most bankable players happy and keeping them at the club. Fast forward a couple of weeks, the mass of players haven't arrived which we we hoping for, just a solitary Mr Jagielka.

The tone has also changed coming from the club's direction. Comments about the inability to compete finacially and maybe affording only to bring in one more player, contradicts early expectations.

If their contracts wern't signed yet, would Mikky and Tim sign a new one now if they heard comments like the ones from the manager in the last couple days? An admittance of the inability to compete with the big boys. It's kinda funny how all this noise about moving forward and improving the squad quitened down soon after they re-signed.

How long can we keep hold of our top stars, with the manager saying its hard to compete with the other teams in the league. Also if they are being told that there's going to be an influx of new players this season and there's money to spend on them, how happy are they that these actions aren't going to happen?
Kyle Boyce     Posted 14/07/2007 at 09:56:20   Comments (4)

Moyes/Kenwright

How many more idiots are going to write on here that Everton are being sensible by not paying inflated prices? By that standard we may never buy another Premier League player again. It's not rocket science that everyone has to pay the going price.

Also some say what's the point in wasting money just swapping like for like as West Ham /Newcastle, and so on, are doing - well the point is this, if Moyes is such a good manager as we are led to believe then surely whoever he signs he will improve as a player [jury out at the moment on that one].

Finally we come to Kenwright? Certain people insist the club is in safe hands and not risking everything as Leeds did and failed? Jesus give me strength, that's just one team. I don't see the likes of Portsmouth/Villa etc struggling? When you look at what we've actually spent this year I think we're 3rd from bottom in the league - even Derby have spent more and still people say it's the right thing to do. Bullshit.

Conclusion -

We may or may not have a brilliant manager in Moyes. Truth is we'll never find out because the root of all this is Kenwright. He hasn't got a pot to piss in but still won't realise we're being held back by him.

We need investment now before it's too late and we've missed the boat. Someone needs to sit him down and tell him, and quickly, if you can't do the job you're there for then move over and let someone have a go because at the moment the Red Shite are making us look like a really small club. Rant over

Is it true the Arabs that were after Liverpool are now moving in on Southhampton?? WHY NOT US???
Terry Downes     Posted 14/07/2007 at 09:40:43   Comments (17)

If we sign only one more player

If Everton FC only sign one more player during this transfer window, who would you want the club to go for. Smith? Fernandes? Richardson? Baines? Riquelme? Personally, I think BK and DM should go all out to bring back Fernandes. He showed enough last season to suggest he can become a great player, and he is young enough to learn from the more experienced players at the club like Arteta and Neville.
Simon Gemine     Posted 14/07/2007 at 09:42:09   Comments (5)

Black Friday

Note the date well. Friday, 13th July, 2007. The day Everton officially became a small club. The day the manager finally admitted he was not in a position to compete with other Premier League clubs in the transfer market. A sad day indeed. But then I guess we knew it all along.
Brian Noble     Posted 14/07/2007 at 09:18:36   Comments (1)

Irresponsible spending?

I'm sure I've read Micheal on here before write that a player is only worth what someone is willing to pay for them ? that is how any market place works. Therefore if someone is willing to pay £6 million for Nugent, he is worth £6 million, same for Koumas' move to Wigan and any other "target" we've missed out on because we've not been willing to pay the market value.

Moyes should not be criticising the market for being the way it is because that's just how it is, and every other Premier League team seems to be still going about their business. Moyes should dare to put pressure on that idiot Kenwright and his mate to provide the funding to buy the transfer targets he has identified. The lack of investment in our club is unbelievable. I have realised now that this club is going nowhere under Kenwright, except to Kirkby.
Alan  Clarke     Posted 13/07/2007 at 23:28:05   Comments (11)

Mid-Summer Madness

As ever with the Blues, you never know when to celebrate or commisserate. Lineker WC86, Rooney in Portugal, Champions League position only to see Liverpool win the Comp and get in by the back door and now this summer of stagnation. Most of us have seen it all before, yet we somehow convince ourselves that everything will be OK and carry on regardless.

This time, though, I sense we are at a very important crossroads of all things Blue. Bill Kenwright wants the Tesco deal, of that I have little doubt, and if he feels that we the supporters are going to veto that particular dream of his, there is no way he is going to push the boat out on the transfer front.

David Moyes is a loyal and trusted Manager and he also knows that if it goes pear-shaped for his team, this coming season, his days will be numbered and he will seek pastures new. Fans of all persuasions ? i.e. for and against Moyes/Kenwright ? are rightly concerned about where Everton will be in five years time, financially , positionally and geograghically.

Nobody knows the answers to any of these questions least of all me, however, those that run the club had better come up with answers pretty soon or we may well end up like Leeds United. At least Leeds fans have the memories of a long European run and a few seasons in the higher echelons of the PL, what have us Blues had in return for our hard-earned?

Our policy baffles me because it lacks foresight and vision, we don't have to buy every Tom Dick and Harry but we do have to compete for the players that the Manager wants. They say a weeks a long time in politics, well this summer seems like an eternity to me and the sooner the boys start playing competitive football again the better. It won't make the problems dissapear but at least we will have something tangible to focus on.
John Partick McFarlane     Posted 13/07/2007 at 23:10:00   Comments (4)

Jagielka Debut Con?

You all know me and you all know I rarely have anything bad to say about the club but this time I am forced to reluctantly aim critism at Everton.

We are told that Phil Jagielka is not named in the squad for the friendly against N Ireland but he will be playing against Preston which coincedently will be screened live and exclusive on Everton TV.

In other words, if we want a look at Everton's only summer signing making his debut we have to pay for it. Has David Moyes really agreed to keep Jagielka out of the friendly in the hope that a few of us will pay to see his debut on Everton TV? I know we have money trouble at the moment but that's a little tacky, Everton, for shame.
Dutch Schaffer     Posted 13/07/2007 at 22:31:53   Comments (6)

Why Worry?

So the Echo reports that Alan Stubbs says he can understand the fans' unhappiness about the lack of transfer activity at the club. The article didn't really give us hope about an influx of players in the next few weeks. Stubbs's comments are also backed up by Moyesy's little rant about other clubs spending and how he can't afford to compete. In all honesty, some of the comments coming out of the club in the last couple of days, gives us every right to have a concern about the upcoming season.

The departure of 3 players and presently the acquisition of only one player, gives us a squad of 24 players. This is the smallest squad in the top flight (bar Man City, but Sven says he's buying 10 players). 24 players is a small squad for a team competing in just the Premier League, but the added Uefa Cup competition, we are way out of our depth. Look around the league at the other squads, each team has around 32+ players, not including academy and youth players. Then take a look at our squad, 24 players, 4 of them are youth players who have no real first team experience.

DM's comments about hoping to add one decent signing (does this mean 1 decent player, and 3-4 crap ones to make up numbers?) and the facility to add a couple of loan players. That doesn't really spark confidence for us fans for the future. I don't want to be like the other doom-mongers that have expressed their concerns on this and other websites, but the noises coming out of the club doesn't give us a positive look for the future.

In a comment regarding another article the mail bag, a really good point was brought up regarding other clubs spending. Moyes whined that he cannot compete with irresponsible spending by others, but that is the nature of the game today. This is the biggest league in the World, and if we want to play with the big boys then we should be spending like the big boys. Obviously this isn't Moyes's fault as he doesn't provide the money for the transfers from his own bank account. This problem goes back to the clubs leadership and our lack of funds. This subject is debated time and time again, but this is our real problem and we aren't going to move forward unless there are major changes.

We are told that one of Wyness's jobs is to uncover investment for this great club, and he's working 24/7 doing it. Its been over 3 years now since he has had the CEO position. The results... an undisclosed investment by Rocky's buddy Robert Earl. During those 3 years, how many other clubs have had huge investments, dwarfing anything put into our club? Have we missed the boat or something?

Think about this in terms to an average job. Your given a task which is told to be your main responsibility of your position, that the future of the company rests on your results. Over time your competitors in your industry all make improvements to there products leaving your company in their wake. What would happen to you? You'd be collecting your P45 pretty quickly.

Saying all this, maybe all our negative outlooks might change as Moyesy brings in a couple of exciting signings and a few international stars on loan in the next week or so. And we forgot about all of our worries... well I can dream can't I!
Kyle Boyce     Posted 13/07/2007 at 18:35:57   Comments (5)

Lack of new faces at EFC

As the days tick by toward the new season I, as probably most of you, wonder when our next signing is going to be made and who (within our budget) it is possibly going to be. I was disappointed we didn't look like serious contenders when Barton became available (OK, the guy is a major loose cannon so if this is why we steered clear I can understand that).

At the end of last season I felt really confident about where the club is headed and anticipated 5 or 6 new arrivals coming in but lets not forget 2 years ago when we finished fourth we all thought that could be the catalyst to signing top players, it never happened, so why would it when we finished sixth. The press are constantly mentioning the increased revenue from TV and the money we will have received for finishing in the top 6 must be swilling about somewhere I just hope it is available for Moyes to use immediately.

I do feel that one of Moyes's strong points is that he never seems to budge on his valuation of a player, if he's over-priced by his club we aren't interested and no doubt that has cost us a number of signings in the last 5 years. Then again, if any of us start to feel too disheartened just look at what is happening around us and if DM was willing to up the ante and match other clubs for spending we could be sitting here having spent £11m (probably more than we have available after Jags)and have Nugent and Koumas on our books, no thanks!
Mick Pedley     Posted 13/07/2007 at 20:17:45   Comments (1)

Setanta

After hearing that LFC had agreed a deal with Setanta over a football channel, I decided to ring my provider to ask a few questions: namely, was it PPV? The answer was no. It is free to all who subscribe.

I then asked where Setanta paying them for the privilege, the answer was, yes. Petty as it may seem, I cancelled my subscription as I don't want one halfpenny of my money going to the bastards. So that's it. No golf, hurling and the loss of a load of Premier League games. Coupled with no signings, life is a bag of laughs being a blue at the moment.
Dave Lynch     Posted 13/07/2007 at 19:50:02   Comments (3)

Reality Check

We have to be realistic, to date DM has taken us to second of our particular pile, i.e. 6th. We may never again challenge for the top trophies in English football. Some say we missed the boat 10 to 15 years ago others argue that the events of Heysel 20 years ago robbed us of the opportunities that now present themselves to the redshite.

BK and the rest of us have to decide whether we want to compete in what is effectively the bottom half of the Premier League or ply our trade in the lower divisions. The latter seems to be the choice because once Wigan, Fulham and West Ham out-spend you, you join the ranks of the never-rans ? not just the also-rans.
Terry Craven     Posted 13/07/2007 at 18:52:11   Comments (2)

Stats don't lie

Well I logged on today and what I saw did not surprise me. Passions are clearly inflamed. Understandably so, we all want the club to do well. If I may,I will address the two totems of the day.

Tony (Marsh), one cannot deny Moyes's achievements; to do so, in a personal manner, does really undermine a lot of the credible things you say.

Paul (Attress), to stand still and not build on achievement (in any walk of life) is a recipe for disaster; to deny this really undermines your credible argument too.

Take the emotion out. Be impartial for a second. Look at the stats underpinning the team, they have been on Sky Text all summer (so good, could have been drawn up by our own Mr Flanagan!).

Throw-ins, free kicks, corners, shots on target inside the box, outside the box, dribbles, passes, tackles, free kicks won... just look at who is the top (in % success terms)... of every one! No surprises: Arteta.

However, more importantly, just look at the differential bewteen him and the second place... just look at the gap. Then think Arteta ligament damage in August/September. Where are we going then?

Paul, your passion and belief in Everton is commendable, on its own, it is however patently flawed. To not effectively plan for this contingency is suicidal. By his actions Moyes believes that no ill luck will fall on us. That's not strategy, Paul, that is, as the term implies, luck.

I think we're better than that. Don't you? It's a sorry summer. The only glimmer I have is that it will be the final nail in Kenwright's coffin. He's the real culprit, Tony (Marsh).
James McPherson     Posted 13/07/2007 at 18:55:28   Comments (2)

Progress?

Well, we are shaping up for another early exit from cup competitions again! Moyes's inability to handle the transfer market means we will not strengthen a very weak squad sufficiently. We have signed one player and with the addition of another and a few loan signings thats it for this season.

Cup competitions will again see us play a weakened team which will exit all competitions early on. The "Moysette Brigade" will again point to a mid-table finish and early exits in cup competitions as another season well done by " the one we must not criticise".

I feel sorry for those people who are prepared to accept such mediocrity. I, for one, am not and something must be done to progress this once great club.
Peter Parker     Posted 13/07/2007 at 18:17:15   Comments (1)

Congratulations

After gaining European qualification, I was expecting a least 4 new players in this summer preferably at left back, right back and two new wingers or maybe a striker. I can now sarcasticaly congratulate Moyes on once again for fucking up our chances of taking a step forward, just like two years ago, but the worrying thing is we had a few players in by this stage two years ago. The later he leaves it, the less time the new players will have to settle in and get used to the way we play by playing in friendlies.

If we don't improve this summer than I can never see us qualifying for Europe for years to come unless we get investment, which is very unlikely. We've already got Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham who have much better starting 11 and a better squad then us, now we have the problem of an ever improving West Ham, Newcastle and Portsmouth. Huge investment in Man City and investment in other teams around us. Not only this but are team isn't much better than Blackburn (possible investment soon), Aston Villa's (has investment) and Bolton. After finishing 6th and with the possiblity of taking the team even further and maybe breaking into the top 4 again, you certainly wouldn't expect us to finish in the bottom half which is now definatley a possibility.

To make things worse, who have we got left to sign? All players who Moyes said 'players who just can't break into the top 4 sides' have signed for the teams similar to us, and the only targets that I can think of, Richardson and Smith, both have fierce competition for their signatures.

As much as I hate reading the sport in the Echo and the post, I am addicted to it, and once again no news in the Echo ? just Moyes chatting shit again about pre-season friendlies (like I give one). One signing would do me, anyone will do just to actually say that he's tried.

We are now well and truely fucked, there's no-one actually left to sign that will improve us, so goodbye Europe.
Shaun Wyder     Posted 12/07/2007 at 13:10:34   Comments (34)

More Riquelme stuff

Back to the Riquelme rumours, sorry folks but according to this link (in Spanish), Atletico Madrid are favourites to sign him for ?10 million, but that might change if Real Madrid can?t tempt Fabregas from Arsenal. No mention of any interest from us or any other British clubs.
Paul Lowrie     Posted 12/07/2007 at 13:20:20   Comments (7)

Value does not equal quality

I've just been reaing the Daily Mirror, and to be honest does a player like Kieron Richardson look like a £5.5M quality addition to our squad? (not to mention the add-on in wages???)

I'm sick of too many people on here bemoaning the fact that DM 'dithers' in the transfer market and therefore losees out on signings to other Premier League clubs. Yeah, we lost out on Koumas to the pie eaters, and now we'll lose out on Richardson (just like we lost out on Nugent) but only time will tell if these players really do cut the mustard at EFC.

Too many of my MUFC mates tell me Richardson is poor, but put any player in a team such as them and I'm sure that they won't look too bad, as they'll be carried by the other world class players around them.

Let the Board decide what to do, anyway what the hell can we do to convince them that 'Jonny Foreigner' or 'The next Wayne Rooney' will do what we need to survive and excel next season? I hope I'm right but if I'm not I'll stand in the centre circle with a large chunk of egg hanging off my face. We'll have to wait and see everybody...
Matt Kay     Posted 12/07/2007 at 12:24:21   Comments (11)

No Comment

I'm not making any comments about what seems to be another missed opportunity by our very own comedy duo until the start of the new season, when the the picture should be totally clear. The only thing I will say is that the thought of having to suffer Beattie for another season while a potential Everton hero is ploughing his trade at Portsmouth doesn't bear thinking about.

£5m for Koumas too much to pay? What are we now saying? Can't compete even with Wigan. Koumas is a good player with a bit of flair. Anyone heard of a good player blossoming at a club they have a good feeling for (Reid, Bracewell, Van den Hawe etc).

Why don't we form our own breakaway league with wage caps and limits to transfer fees. There will be plenty of teams interested. Southport, Oxford, Chester, MK Dons to name a few. We needed to sign three or four good players and well before the start of the season. Even now is a bit late. Trying to slot them in as the season starts will be another disaster just like two years ago. I have absolutely no confidence in our manager's ability to push us on. History is telling us what will happen.

Anyway like I said no comment until the start of the season and if you don't publish this letter I'm chucking my season ticket in the Mersey. Come on Luq get a grip. It looks like there will be plenty of moaning to do this season so we'll need you! I hope I'm wrong but we still need to get rid of Beattie and Shandy Andy, bring in a good winger and another midfielder before I'll even contemplate top eight.
Ged Dwyer     Posted 12/07/2007 at 10:15:44   Comments (23)

The Long Hard Summer!

I?m still not sure what is happening behind the scenes at GP. As a Moyes and Kenwright supporter (not apologist!), I have to trust that everything is in hand but the longer the silence and the longer nothing happens, the more the negative thoughts start to spin round your head!

I am disappointed we didn?t get Nugent but only from the view that he is a Blue and really wanted to play for us and would have been a good addition to the already fairly strong forward line; £6m far too much though! The way I see it, if we make two more £4m+ signings and a couple of frees, everyone would feel a lot better about the whole situation and I think a lot more positive about the season ahead.

As it stands, I believe that we currently have the TEAM to compete in all the competitions we are entering. I even believe that 3rd and 4th spot in the league are wide open and that has to be a realistic target and would sacrifice cup runs for a spot in next seasons CL and all the financial benefits that come with it. The problem I have is the depth of the SQUAD. It is quite possible that at Christmas, we will be progressing well in the Uefa Cup and also nicely placed in the top 6 in the league but with a bad run of injuries/suspensions; all that good work would be undone.

Now without getting FM on you, I think someone like Michael Ball would be a good idea, free, would be more than happy to come home and a good squad player which is what we need as well as a couple of more quality signings similar to the names currently being banded about (Baines/Richardson/Smith).

A good season for me would be top 6 and European qualification minimum from the league with a good Uefa Cup run and within shouting distance (Quarter Finals at least ? this gives you the chance to kick on to the final) of the domestic cups.

So with only a few weeks left please give us something to cheer about so we can all stop thinking negatively! COYB!!!
Paul Smith     Posted 12/07/2007 at 08:38:12   Comments (1)

It's not that hard

Why does Bill Kenwright pursue the whole Kirkby option when there's so much blatant opposition to it? We can stay at Goodison for a few more years, I think, until a better, more unanimous option is found.

Use the Sky money to build up the squad some more and not screw up this good position we're in. So far we've signed Phil Jagielka. Pretty good signing. Only problem is, look around us:

Portsmouth: David Nugent, John Utaka, Muntari, Distin
Newcastle: Viduka, Barton, Geremi
Villa: Nigel Reo-coker
Liverpool: Fernando Torres
Tottenham: Gareth Bale, Darren Bent
West Ham: Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy

You cannot sit there and honestly tell me that this stadium mess is a higher priority than this upcoming season. I love Moyes, but he and Kenwright need to stop their dithering and get some more quality faces into the squad before the season starts, or else we're going to end up on the wrong end of the table underneath the guys who used the Sky money to their advantage.
Jimmy Crack     Posted 11/07/2007 at 21:32:09   Comments (4)

Official Website

Continuing my earlier theme of no Everton news announcements, I realised I hadnt been on the official website for a few weeks. After logging on, to find an interview with none other than, wait for it... Lorenzo Amoruso! I realised why I hadn't been on the site for so long. I wont be going back.
Franny Porter     Posted 11/07/2007 at 21:28:59   Comments (2)

End of the road...

What a PC place Toffeeweb has become! I have noticed in my enforced absence that the political mind set of the editors (or editor), has changed and now people like me are no longer 'good for the site image'! But why is that? When what I represent is an older fan base who isn't fooled or impressed with the three seasons of relative success!

I won't bore people with the success of the past, but that success felt more honest and true compared to the double dealing board today and a good but not great Moyes. I want a team to be the best it can be, and we aren't too far of that in this current climate. But there is a lot of room for improvement, yet people don't like hearing it.

They also don't like to hear fans concerns over the lack of transfer activity and Everton plan for the future. What people want to hear is a rosy chat about the small good things about Everton and thats it. Its funny, but this mind set is what the club loves and will continue to love us it does things that may harm us like the Kirby move among other things.

So it is for those reasons why I will not write to this site again, as I feel it no longer represents the fans I know and share/have shared my footballing passions with. No doubt this will make some people happy as this fits into their agenda, but enough is enough and to those who respected me for my views and the debates we had, I wish you well! If this gets published of course...

Nil Satis erm yeah some old Latin saying!
Luq Yussef     Posted 11/07/2007 at 21:04:02   Comments (10)

Fixture confusion!!

I have a problem with the following: On the Newcastle United website they have their HOME fixture against Everton on Sunday October 7th and their AWAY fixture at Goodison on May 11th. On the official EFC website Everton are at HOME to Newcastle on October 7th and AWAY on May 11th. Which is correct?

If the EFC website is correct then Everton will have 3 consecutive home games (Middlesboro', Newcastle and Liverpool) and if we are drawn to play the 2nd leg of the Uuefa Cup qualifying match at Goodison then this will equate to 4 consecutive home games. In addition we will be playing our final 2 Premier league matches away from home with our last home game in April!!!! How has this been allowed to happen? It seems to me that we have been 'mugged' again....
Frank Carse     Posted 11/07/2007 at 19:17:13   Comments (4)

When Do We Panic?

Ive just seen David Nugent being paraded at Fratton Park by Deputy Dawg features Redknapp, this, a day after seeing Jason Koumas signing on the dotted line at Wigan.

Now, if I'm completely honest, I dont think we really needed Nugent, although I wouldnt have minded us signing him, and as for Koumas, well he's not worth over five million quid is he?

So having said that, why am I starting to get twitchy? According to todays rumours we are considering a bid for Richardson. Why are we only considering a bid, today is the 11th of July. If Moyes really wanted/wants this lad why has it taken us this long to 'consider' a bid? Is it because he is second choice after Zinedine Koumas? Thats a good sign isnt it?

I usually defend Moyes, and I still think hes the man for the job, but seriously, he needs a rocket up his arse if all this dithering is because of him. Some people are pointing the finger at BK, saying all our money is tied up in the ground move. Fact is, I don't even want to think this!

Another point people make is that most of the recent transfer activity is clubs changing like for like, ie at Newcastle, Parker out and Barton in. Although I see the point here, I just want to see of these players coming to my club! Sitting in the main stand with an Everton scarf on saying how they always supported us.

I'm fed up of watching bleeding Sky Sports News for six hours straight and never seeing the blues involved in anything! This lack of news is really getting to me now and Im getting a bit depressed. I usually try to hold it together, but now I think its getting near the time to officially panic.

I say if nothing has happened by Friday at 17:00 we should all officially panic. If there is no activity by this deadline I will contacting BK directly and demanding to know why we havnt bought Jeffers/Fowler/Ashley Ward/etc!

Stop!!!!! Panic Time!
Franny Porter     Posted 11/07/2007 at 17:44:10   Comments (15)

Smoking......!

I know it's bad for my health, but just like my addiction to Everton FC, I continue to smoke. Having just read in the Liverpool Echo that our red friends have signed a deal with Setanta Sports, I am glad smokers have been forced outside to indulge in our habit. Why? Because it's bad enough sitting in the pub watching numerous interviews of LFC staff and players on Sky Sports News, but to have all their games endlessly shown for hours and hours for free on the big screens in the local is too much for a true blue to bear. Is there anywhere to escape the onslaught of the RS, ah yes Kirkby... especially if it becomes a TV free zone.
John Partick McFarlane     Posted 11/07/2007 at 17:47:59   Comments (0)

Feeding on fodder

It would appear that whilst Man United call on the support of their cronies in the Premier league and Fifa to shaft West Ham over the transfer of Tevez, we will wait for the conclusion of this seedy affair before Alan Smith becomes available. In the event of Kieran Richardson's arrival and the possible acquisition of Smith it will add more to the suggestion that Everton have become a feeder Club to United and we will be given first shout on their cast offs. It would also be interesting to know if payments are made on a drip feed basis as with the Rooney scenario, Kenwright and Wyness are so cunning that this would be probably be the prefared method as they continue to hoodwink fans on their shambolic investment and administration.

It has also been suggested that the acquisition of Johnson, Lescott and Howard last season was supported by the anticipated cash flow that has been made available through this season's new TV deal. The cuckoo land of Riquelme's test-page will continue to provide a smoke screen to gullible fans as to the real dealings that go on down the corridors of power on Goodison Road.
Peter Laing     Posted 11/07/2007 at 17:22:46   Comments (5)

He Must Have Been Joking

On the 16 May 2007 these words were spoken by our illustrious team manager... "We are going to try and be as active as we possibly can (in the summer transfer market...). I think we are an attractive proposition to players who maybe just can't quite get ito the current top four sides. I think they will see plenty to like about Everton. We are an up and coming team, we are enthusiastic and we are knocking on the door and trying to win things if we possibly can in the future."

Not My words. The words of one David Moyes! Just one question, Davie: Who are they? And, more importantly... WHERE are they!? Can anyone else see the funny side?
Neil Vaughan     Posted 11/07/2007 at 15:56:34   Comments (14)

Can't win anything with kids?

So Koumas has gone elsewhere (mighty Wigan!) while Nugent could do no better than Portsmouth... disaster for Everton eh? Nonsense!

Neither player would have made Everton's first team and Koumas would have struggled to get a place on the bench ahead of Osman.

So we are thought to be in for Richardson and all the usual reject talk comes out again. OK - on one hand he is a reject just like two of our best players from last season - Howard was well off even a bench place when United sent him away and Arteta couldn't get a game for a mediocre la Liga side in his home town before we bought him 'for a song'.

Going back a bit, we signed Martin Dobson from Blackburn and in these glorious days gone by we made him the most expensive mid field player England had ever seen. The great Martin Dobson was a reject - Bolton had freed him as a young man.

Jagielka and Barton were rejected by Everton - Baines too? Now we want them or did at some stage want them back. Maybe instead of our preoccupation with who to buy, we should actually be looking at the younger players we have at the club right now. Three years down the line will we be offering somebody £6 million to get Mark Hughes back ? Who can tell?

Do we have at the club today a left back who could be a stalwart for Everton for most of the next decade? If young Boyle keeps fit and learning at the rate he was doing before his 'Season from Hell' let's give him a chance and see if he is as good as he sometimes looked ahead of last season. Will we ever know how good Vidarsson can be if we do not give him a game for the first team? Get an experienced back up goalie and we will be set for another good season.
Glen Strachan     Posted 11/07/2007 at 15:40:47   Comments (21)

Youth Players

Let's try and focus on something positive instead of the usual lack of new signings boredom. With Osman, Hibbert and Rooney all coming through the youth team set-up to become established Prem players with Vaughan & Anichebe not far behind the question is which youngster will be next to make the step-up?

Jack Rodwell
Arguably Everton's most highly rated youngster since Wayne Rooney. Only 16 but is the star of all the England youth sides so far.

Bjarni Vidarsson
'The Enigma'. Did well during a loan at Bournemouth last season. Surely this is a make of break season for the once highly rated youngster.

Lukas Jutkiewicz
Young striker drafted in from Swindon. Has experience of first team football in lower league and has been given a squad number by Moyes.

Scott Spencer
Young striker drafted in from Oldham, although he never played for their first team. Moyes talked him up last season so maybe this season we'll get a look at him?

Patrick Boyle
Had a good pre-season last year then endured a torrid loan spell at Norwich. Came back injured for rest of season but is reportedly fit again.

John Ruddy
Dickie's gone so Ruddy is now officially 3rd choice goalkeeper unless you count that young foreign keeper we signed recently.

John Paul Kissock
Another highly rated youngster but last time I saw him play he made Osman look like the Terminator.

Which of these (or any others you know) do you think will be Everton stars of the future?
Dutch Schaffaer     Posted 11/07/2007 at 15:28:09   Comments (6)

Believe it or not...

The Copa America is reaching the end and it has been a great tournament with some fantastic games. A lot of the players in the tournament have either signed on for new clubs or are targets for a move.

Everton was yesterday linked with Argentinian midfielder Juan Roma Riquelme. The 29-year-old midfielder spent last part of the season on loan at River Plate. There are also other clubs mentioned as possible new destinations for Riquelme, but yesterday Everton was the club rumoured to be first in line for his signature.
Rob Chanman     Posted 11/07/2007 at 11:41:51   Comments (9)

Richardson & Nolan?

Apparently Kieran Richardson arrived at Bellefield this morning for his medical and Kevin Nolan has also reportedly been spotted arriving for a meeting.

Richardson is one of Man Utd's most average players but he is young and at £2.5 million should give Moyes squad options. I think Richardson has too often been used as a spare part at Old Trafford and hopefully he will relish being more involved at Everton. If Moyes gets the best out of him he could prove useful.

Nolan has gone off the boil recently but the prospect of a fresh challenge should relaunch his form and England aspirations. If Nolan can recapture his form of a couple of season ago then his signature will prove a major coup for Moyes.

I'm a big Moyes fan as you know but I have to admit the prospect of Richardson and Nolan signing is a feeling a little bit underwhelming. Still, in David Moyes I Continue To Trust.
Paul Atress     Posted 11/07/2007 at 09:58:38   Comments (31)

Is it the Board or Moyes???

As usual we have the "Moysette" comment that Moyes can do no wrong and its all the Board's fault for the lack of new signings! Do we honestly believe funds are being withheld from Moyes or there is none available even after the new Sky/Setanta deal? I feel its more a case of Moyes reluctance to spend the money available to him! Although I agree it is best to be prudent we need fresh faces for the extra demands of European Football.

I just hope we do get more players in before the start of the season and we don't suffer the pain of two years ago! If we do go out of competitions early this season I wonder who the "Moysettes" will blame then? You got your Suit of Armour on Bill???
Peter Parker     Posted 11/07/2007 at 07:54:58   Comments (7)

Spending

Koumas? He is 27 and has done sod all so far. Not just us who have not gone for him. Wigan beat us to him? No. They can only attract the likes of Koumas. He wanted us, not the other way round.

Nugent? We don't need strikers. He wanted us, not the other way round.

I would expect another utility player or two before the end of the summer but not much more. My view of this is that this makes sense ad we won't have been like other clubs this summer who have had Sky money burning a hole in their pockets and bought mediocre players in an inflated period of the market caused by that Sky money.

Better to keep the money for possible bargain at end of summer as manaers offload to cover some ludicrous spending, or look at Xmas market when several clubs will not be buying or squads have fallen out and unsettled players want to move.

If we bought just to keep us happy for a minute during the summer and give us something to read, we would be indeed mismanaged and in a month or two the moaners would be calling for heads.

We have a big enough squad with anther two additions to take us to Xmas. Must go... off to check teletext again!
Ged Simpson     Posted 11/07/2007 at 07:46:01   Comments (10)

Everton the afterthought?

I had a friend come up from Essex to visit a couple of weeks ago and took her round the usual Liverpool tourist areas. One thing I noticed was that, in the souvenir shops filled with the usual Beatles mugs etc, whilst a large section of said shops was devoted to LFC merchandise, there was embarrassingly little of the shop for EFC merchandise. Even the souvenir Liverpool City mugs could quite easily be mistaken for LFC merchandise as they more than often were coulored red! There seemed to be a big push to promoting LFC in these places.

Walking back into town afterwards, I passed the official shops in the square there, LFC's emblazoned with large club badges and pictures of players on the shop front; EFC's badge on the other habd seemed just an afterthought at either end of a JJB sign and small in comparison to LFC's.

Thing is I know this city has always had it's bias towards LFC, but I dont think it really hit me until then exactly what we're up against.
Neil Todfd     Posted 10/07/2007 at 11:51:46   Comments (17)

Trumped again

Once again, we have lost out to a supposed smaller club over one of our transfer targets. I'm assuming Moyes did want Koumas as all I ever seemed to read or hear on local radio stations or papers was that the midfielder was top priority on Moyes list. Now we have lost out again because all we seem capable of doing is monitoring situations rather than making some actual moves for players. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that what clubs do all throughout the season when the transfer window is closed? Monitor situations... Is that not what scouts are for?

Yet for some reason we have thinned the squad in terms of numbers and as a result we have one less creative midfielder on our books than we finished the season with what with Fernandes leaving. Now I guess should Arteta have one bad game in 38 we will get the same half-wits on the phone-ins saying he is stinking the place out. But that's down to the defensive-minded mode that is typed into David Moyes's tactical brain.

Lets not kid ourselves: how many people think we have moved forward this summer? Jagielka will prove to be a good signing just as Phil Neville was. As he will do more or less exactly the same as Phil Neville has done... because he is the SAME type of player! What we needed was to take the burden off AJ and Arteta and sign some attacking options. Just as Fernandes took the pressure off Arteta last term when Cahill got crocked, we need that now but tell Moyes and his staff this.

What happens if Johnson gets injured again? We are putting the pressures of a long season on the shoulders of two young youth players who should really be getting slowly blended in, Vaughan already was forced to start more games than he should have. Don't burn the lad out! Here is a question: Moyes has been here for just over five years now, how many strikers has he bought in this time? I think as everyone may guess it can be counted on the one hand...

All in all, after finising 6th and having the carrot of Europe dangling to attract a lot of players here, we can say up to now that it has been an overwhelming dissapointment so far. I want to be proved so wrong in the next few weeks but I wouldn't be holding my breath on this one.
Paul Peterson     Posted 10/07/2007 at 08:43:43   Comments (21)

Rumour?!?

I normally ignore all rumour and journalistic speculation and get on with supporting whatever squad we have assembled come August 11. However, my well-placed mole has indicated that I should prepare myself for a big happening down Goodison way; those in the corridors of power are expecting a big big season. What can it be? No idea really but I thought I would share it with you anyway. UP THE BLUES!
Ken Buckley     Posted 09/07/2007 at 21:18:36   Comments (21)

Transfers

It is obvious everyone is getting aggravated by the lack of transfers and to be honest so am I. I continue to see papers saying we are being priced out by other clubs on certain players. Is this true or are the media making it up? I have seen it in most papers and it gets me mad. The transfer targets include the likes of Jagielka, Fernandes, Koumas, Richardson and Smith who are all players with qualities.

What makes me more angry is the way the club keep thinning the squad. We have seen the likes of Naysmith, Davies, Weir, Pistone, Wright, Hughes and Kilbane leave. Yes, they are not the best players in the world but they are squad players. But you just have to look at Spurs to see how damaging a Uefa Cup season can be. Then you hear Moyes saying he hopes we get one or two more in before the start of the season...

Yes, if you look at the squad, we do have 24 players but can you expect the likes of Boyle, Vidarsson, Ruddy and Jutkiewicz to compete at Premier League level? To me, they are players who need to be playing in the reserves or out on loan to develop there game.

I don't blame Moyes for this; I blame the people who are supposed to be supporting him. Where is the money? Where is the takeover? Sure, you can call me a moaner but we were told there would be changes by players and the manager. Since that day, we have brought in one player at £4 million. You just have to look at Phil Neville's comments. He was even worried about the signings...
Connor Rohrer     Posted 09/07/2007 at 20:41:50   Comments (18)

Overtaken again

... or should that be taken over again!

Just been into Chester and about 12 months ago a prime site was the Everton Shop. Then it was closed as JJB took over all our retailing. Now what is that same prime site shop? The Liverpool Club Shop!!!

So another we have given up. First it was the ownership of the city; now the neighbouring towns... Why don't we just have done with it and move to Llandrindod Wells ? at least there is no other club to compete against and we can get 40,000 sheep there every week. :-(
Phil Roberts     Posted 09/07/2007 at 20:53:24   Comments (4)

Everton vs Spurs 'Race for becoming 'the big 5'

When comparing Everton and our own development with another team, Spurs seem to be the one everyone relates too. Rightly so too, Everton have finished 4th and 6th out of 3 seasons while Spurs have finished 5th on 2 successive seasons. The general consensus on this site seems to be that Everton are falling behind Spurs this summer. Much of this is a result of their £30mil spends and our £4mil. However, how much progress have they made?

• £10M: Bale ? at 18, he is a huge risk, maybe a very good player in future but in all honesty I have seen him play two times and didn't realise, but he is a left back.
• £16: Bent ? a good striker with pace and good finishing, he scared the hell out of our defence late last season. BUT, Defoe, Berbatov and Keane. In the latter, they have two of the most talented forwards in the league. Will another really inprove them or cause problems?

Spurs' problems lie in midfield with Zikora not sitting back and therefore conceding; Huddlestone needs to improve; and Dawson is over-rated. This hasn't improved, our defence is far superior. with Jags in stock we have Howard, Lescott, Yobo, Jags, Carsley. we needs a left back but our defence is far better than Spurs, and defence is harder to fix than attack. Arteta is better than Lennon and Cahill far better than Jenas.

We do need to improve, and Spurs at times do play wonderful football, but when they don't they don't have that team togetherness to work through it. Malbranque, Lennon, Jenas, and Zikora are not players who will sweat blood, this is where they will fail.

Moyes is also a better manager than Tony Soprano sorry, Jol. Spurs have spent this season, but they spent last season, the season before and the season before and are in the top 4-5 spenders in league and are not far above us.

I feel Everton will over-take Spurs this season and, with the turmoil at Arsenal, with two signings - Baines and a left winger plus some luck (Vaughan and AJ escaping injury; VdM playing more than 10 minutes a season), the top 4 is ours to be taken.
Oliver McAdam     Posted 09/07/2007 at 18:30:31   Comments (11)

Koumas

£5.3 million is the supposed offer wigan have put in for him. Now I really beleive we need creative midfeilders but over £5 million on someone who I would say is on a par with Osman is crazy. At these prices its no wonder we are stuggling to bring in quality.

That said, if he is truely on Moyes's wishlist then once again we should have no problem competing with Wigan for his signature. Problem being it looks increasingly likely that Moyes will get priced out of his top targets unless there is only us interested.
Ian Barker     Posted 09/07/2007 at 17:17:54   Comments (38)

Riquelme

Just watching Riquelme picking apart Peru for fun. Too bad it was just a hoax. He is a truly brilliant player and would settle any creative problems we lack. Anyone heard anything at all that would make it seem something more than a hoax?
Joey Brown     Posted 09/07/2007 at 01:37:16   Comments (14)

Andy van der Meyde

Why oh why haven´t Everton shown Andy Pandy the door yet? It beggars belief in my opinion. Every time I pick up a paper I read about yet another outburst against Moyes on Dutch TV or another pissed-up night out at Albert Dock, followed by the promises of "just let me show you what I can do" and "you haven´t seen the best of me yet" ? not to mention constant injuries, burglaries etc..(admittedly not his fault).

Now the AvdM situation must be one of the most farcical and comical since Slaven Bilic took us to the cleaners. Just what is going on? Does Moyes know something we all don´t? Is the ginger one going to unleash Van der Meyde the "monster" onto the Prem next season to terrorize umwitting defences and bucaneer his way down the wings at Goodison like nobody has done since Kanchelskis?? Or are FC Twente hanging in there to see if we´ll give him away on a free?

Don´t get me wrong, I´d be over the moon if Andy finally came even half-good for us after two bizarre years...
Robert Prince     Posted 08/07/2007 at 22:51:14   Comments (16)

Money Talks?

Jason Heng's piece was interesting as it proves in many ways how DM is indeed getting the best out of his players. However, to be outgunned by Sam Allardyce tells another story. But what stood out for me was Arsene Wenger's performance; he doesn't have a dour team and they play some of the most attractive football in the League, they also know how to get through in knockout competitions.

So all those who think that 'The Everton Way' has to be physical and Route One should look at Jason's article and maybe think again. Everton's wage bill is probably one of the lowest in the Premier League and therefore, as the saying goes, if you pays peanuts you get.....
John Partick McFarlane     Posted 08/07/2007 at 17:12:38   Comments (7)

Investment?

I often see from scouring these pages that a lot of people are not happpy with BK because of his 'alleged' holding back of the club. With money being poured into Premier League football from all over the world, people are wondering why a seemingly attractive purchase like Everton have not been snapped up.

I personally have always been a bit dubious of all these foreign takeovers, as I think it can all get a bit silly. Man City offering £30 million for Torres? Scott Parker on £90k a week! Ninety grand!! Unbelievable!!!

If BK decided to jump ship and sold us to the Sultan of Brunei or the PM of Thailand, I would be very worried about the money being spent at the club. What will happen at West Ham if Egghead decides he's had enough? For a start, he's not a West Ham fan is he? Not really. If he decides to do one in the next 5 years or so who would want to pay mega bucks for the Hammers? West Ham are not a massive club whatever they think and certainly not a worldwide brand. They are going to have all kinds on their books like Bellend, sorry Bellamy, Upson and Parker all raking in upwards of £60-70k a week. Can you really see anyone prepared to take the club off his hands? If Egghead does decide to leave what will happen to all these players and more importantly, the club? I can seriously see a Leeds Utd situation happening again sometime in the near future. Are Leeds United still paying Robbie Fowler wages whilst they are in the First Division and he watches Homes Under the Hammer?

Also, this may sound a bit xenophobic, but all these foreign investors seem a bit dodgy to me. Russian billionaires and that Thai PM who seems to be in more shit every time I pick up a paper. I may be being a bit naive, who knows, but I for one am not too worried about BK being in charge at Goodison and the lack of investment. Ask yourself this: Do you really want Everton to be owned by an Arab Investment Group or by a man who supports and loves the club. I know who I'd plumb for.
Franny Porter     Posted 08/07/2007 at 14:12:00   Comments (6)

Holding out for Everton??

It seems David Nugent doesn't want to go to Portsmouth either

I agree with a lot of people here who feel £6M is too much for him, particularly since strikers are not in short supply at Everton at the moment, but I do think he is worth the £4M we're supposedly prepared to pay for him.

I hope he's digging his heels in for a move to Everton, maybe not in the summer, but in January his value will begin to fall, and Preston must know this. It seems a game of brinkmanship between Everton, Preston and Nugent is going on, and the first to blink will lose.

Another protracted transfer saga goes on (nothing new there then!) but hopefully another quality player signed, and at a price we can afford.
Bob Turner     Posted 07/07/2007 at 16:49:42   Comments (23)

Worried

Like the rest of you, I'm continually scanning all the appropriate websites to see who we're signing or at least trying to sign. I'm glad to see the back of Wright and Naysmith but am getting a bit stressed over the fact that Beattie is still hanging around like a bad smell. It shows how bad he is when even the new Premiership teams and the lower echelon newly rich teams, just don't appear to be interested.

He represents Moyes's worst mistake and the sooner he can get rid the better. He epitomises the lack of technical ability that Moyes seems to take or leave in players, and unless we introduce that ability in our next few signings we'll be crucified in Europe again.

Apart from Arteta, even our good first team players like AJ, Vaughan,Neville and Lescott aren't what most would regard, as gifted technical players. Of the rumoured signings Koumas seems the most skillful, but Smith and Richardson are decent and hard working, which fits the Moyes prototype, but just won't cut it in Europe.
Mike Price     Posted 07/07/2007 at 00:18:59   Comments (13)

Italian Job?

Now here's an interesting point to debate. Is BK holding the club back or is he stopping us from going over the edge à la Michael Caine in (real version) 'The Italian Job'? Picture the finale... The bus (club) balanced on the edge of the cliff, while Those inside (us) are at the wrong end (of Stanley Park) from all the money (potential investment). The nearer we get to the money the more likely we (they) slide towards the abyss (Leeds). We never saw an outcome one way or the other, (where was the sequel when you needed it? )... So wither BK? Hero? Villain? Or just plain fuckwit? I don't know, but I don't think hero is the answer.
Derek Thomas     Posted 06/07/2007 at 22:44:18   Comments (5)

Realistic Targets?

Just heard I'm to have a new neighbour here on the Wirral. None other than Mr J Koumas. May mean nothing, he may commute from here to the Midlands anyway... But it may mean something more significant, if you know what I mean. Does anybody else think if he is about to sign that we're setting our sights too low? No offence to the lad but should we not at least be trying to get a higher standard of player if it does turn out that that's what's going on?
Brian  Williams     Posted 06/07/2007 at 17:44:55   Comments (23)

Yobo for Defensive Midfield

Hey, been reading TW for years now and decided to throw my hat into the ring. Am I the only Toffee supporter in India? Seems like that... everybody seems to support Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool (ugh!) and Arsenal.

Anyway, my turn to play Football Manager... Why not play Yobo in defensive midfield? He is strong, tackles well, can run all day, and his distribution can improve. I could see him develop into our own Vieira.
Ajay Gopal     Posted 06/07/2007 at 17:40:27   Comments (8)

Well Go Then...

As all of you who read this are, I am an Evertonian, born & bred. Since I knew football, I have been Everton. I love the various websites (especially this one) where I hear other Evertonians' opinions, gripes, stories, etc, but something has got my goat. There is a growing number of people who write in or comment on these sites with a gripe, which could be about anything, then seem to end thier statement with, "you may lose this fan," or, "I've been a supporter since x but no more," or the worst one, "You have succeeded in driving away this particular supporter..."

This has to stop! If you're serious then fuck off, we don't want you anyway you lightweight gobshite, go and support that shower or the Mancs. If you're saying it for effect then stop it, because it makes you look like a tit and whatever argument your making loses merit because of such a statement.

Anyway, rant over, I love it when the Blues are on here making their feelings opinions know, getting into debates etc. but PLEASE refrain from them daft statements or I'm getting Andy Van der Meyde to come to your work's night out, get pissed, get off with your boss and drink your free ale!! Come on you Blues!
John Lloyd     Posted 06/07/2007 at 16:59:50   Comments (10)

History Repeating

Some people are complaining that history is repeating, that Moyes isn't increasing the squad size which is the same mistake he made on our last Euro adventure (if you can call something so short that).

But it wasn't the size of the squad which caused Everton to crash out of the Champions League, UEFA Cup and sink to the bottom of the league early on that season.

The size of the squad could have been a problem had Everton gone on to later rounds but that didn't happen and there wasn't really any extra demands on the small squad.

The main problem that season was the quality of squad, Moyes attempted to bring in some quality for the Euro Campaign, Phil Neville, Nuno Valente, Andy van der Meyde, Per Krøldrup and Matteo Ferrari were all drafted in for that purpose, unfortunately those transfer didn't work out (Neville aside).

Then Everton had the extreme bad luck of drawing a very good Villareal side. Once we dropped out of the Champions League (thanks to a mistake from the 'worlds best ref', Big Dunc's goal should have stood) the morale dropped and that led to the UEFA exit and the awful Prem start.

I'm a huge Moyes fan but admit he came unstuck trying to bring in Foreign players like Kroldrup, Ferrari and AVDM. Moyes is far better with British players like Lescott, AJ and Cahill (an Aussie I know but signed from Millwall).

Moyes seems to have learned from his mistakes that season, Jagielka and other transfer targets like Koumas and Smith suggest Moyes will attempt to undertake a Euro campaign with a solid dependable and largely British squad.

I don't know if thats the way to do it but I can undertand his reasons after being burned. I'm not worried. Moyes is well aware who he has in the squad and if he thinks he can progress with the current squad then I say let him get on with it. If Everton crash early on again then we can all blame Moyes, but not until then.
Paul Atress     Posted 06/07/2007 at 16:56:40   Comments (9)

Reality Bites

Now I know everyone would love us to be signing the best players in the world and I would love that as well, but reality has to step in a some stage right?

Everton are not a top European club and never have been. Domestically we're historically successful but not for many years, and as a result top European players know nothing about us and don't have any much inclination to want to join us as a result.

Any player coming to this country would prefer to live in London or play for Utd or Liverpool due to their more illustrious history.

I'm increasingly finding that an awful lot of Evertonians are quite short-sighted when it comes to transfer targets and the reality that Everton are not the big club that we like to think we are, at least not in European terms.

On that basis, players like Cahill, Arteta, Neville & Jagielka are the best we can hope for at this stage. Some European exposure next season will help to raise our profile on the continent and hopefully attract more attentnio/players for the following season.

It's time we all took a step back, stopped thinking with the heart and realised that without seeing the bigger picture we'll never reallt attain the level that we'd like.

Everton are an ex-Big Club moving in the right direction, we just have to be patient. We have a fine young manager who I believe does everything with the right intentions; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't ? either way, he and the team should be roundly supported on all fronts.
Allan Hobbs     Posted 06/07/2007 at 12:22:33   Comments (25)

Tough second season

There is a lot of posts suggesting that we don't need to buy someone of the likes of Smith or Nugent because of the quality of the young forwards we already have at our disposal.

Whilst I agree that the two youngsters, in particular Vaughan, are exciting prospects I would remind my fellow blue noses that both lads are entering their 'tough second season' and perhaps an experienced player like Smith would be good to have around while they continue to develop and play more of a bit part - I say experienced knowing that he's not played for Man Utd too regularly but he was star player for Leeds week in week out for a good few years, performing well in Europe and gaining international experience along the way.

Going back to the youngsters ... there's a lot of people calling for a left winger / midfielder which I agree is a bit of a problem position for us at the minute, particularly if terms of cover. I'm surprised, though, that more people haven't mentioned the lad John Paul Kissock on here, I saw him play for the reserves and he looked class. Maybe a few afternoons warming the bench/ carling cup sub appearances for him this season or next?
Mark Stone     Posted 06/07/2007 at 11:16:42   Comments (2)

Where are Brett & Claus?

Just read through the list of The Times' 50 Worst Footballers and am really disappointed in the Everton nominations. Li-Wie Feng, never played, Materazzi, before his time and Glenn Keeley. OK, we all agree with the latter, but only 38th in the 50 worst players and no mention of
a. Brett Angell
b. Claus Thomson
c. Gareth Farrelly (except for one day in 1998).
Where was our support for these players?
phil Roberts     Posted 06/07/2007 at 11:44:13   Comments (0)

Capital of Culture.

Does anyone know/have any idea of what is being planned to promote Everton during Capital of Culture 2008? I've just read on the echo website a event is being planned for Shankly. I've not noticed anything planned for Everton.
Shaun  Brennan     Posted 06/07/2007 at 11:40:04   Comments (3)

Andy van der Meyde

I wonder how this lad will do this season. We've all heard stuff in the press recently about his drinking habits and outbursts at D Moyes. However, providing he is fit and injury free I have high hopes for him this season to reproduce the form he showed in Italy and Holland.

This prob is your last chance lad... Good luck1
Andy Birch     Posted 06/07/2007 at 10:25:33   Comments (15)

Moyes

Can anyone tell me what IMWT stands for ??

From the lack of signings [big names or even squad players]and lack of investment from the board [again with europe on the horizon] I'm beginning to think it should stand for IN MARSH WE TRUST???
Terry Downes     Posted 06/07/2007 at 09:06:06   Comments (18)

Pace at the Back

How times have changed. Was it two seasons ago when Stubbs and Weir were the centre back combination. Combined age of 70 + and the pace to match.

It would seem that we could have a line up of Big Jo and Jag next season (with Lescott at LB), in what could be the fastest centre back pairing in the Premiership.

And, again, Moyes has brought down the average age of the squad by signing an England hopeful who is only 24.

I know it has been five years since he took over (and the rest) but bearing in mind the state of Smith's squad - Ginola, Gough, Gazza, Blomquist - he has been true to his word in reducing the age and increasing the potential of his team. What is more, the team now has re-sale value, whereas Smith could barely have given away some of his signings. A point in hand being the best price we got for Naysmith, a player we have just taken a 750,000 loss on despite the current inflation, for domestic footballers in particular.

Now...all we need is (at least) two midfielders and we can have a run at the UEFA cup.....hopefully....
John Williams     Posted 06/07/2007 at 08:50:47   Comments (3)

To the left, to the left

£6-8m on Smith or Nugent? I wouldn't be upset. But if that's all the money we have left I'd much rather see it spent on left sided players.

There's no point filling the middle of the pitch with quality players if you're going to leave the one side exposed. Look at England! Top players right throughout the midfield but every game they look completely out of place with no one really wanting to cover that dreaded left side position.

Solutions? I'd be happy to see a young promising player like Baines joining us. Yes we already have Valente, Boyle and Lescott but Valente's injury prone, Boyle's untried and spent all last season injured and Lescott's surely going to spend more time in his favoured position this season? (otherwise why was he given the number 5 shirt instead of number 3?)

Left side of midfield is a tricky one. We have Arteta, Osman and AVM who 'can' play there but one is better in other positions, one has no pace whatsoever and the other is a fat waste of space. As Lyndon's mentioned a few times Moyes's European scouting network looks non-existent, but I'm sure if we looked hard enough there's someone out there with a bit of pace and flair for a decent price?
Paul O'Hanlon     Posted 06/07/2007 at 08:37:20   Comments (2)

Cleaning House!

Jags in; Gary Naysmith out? Fine by me; Gary is a decent guy and a good second-tier player but that does not even make him of squad quality at Goodison. Spare mid-fielder... you're having a laugh! Another wage freed up and a million quid more to the kitty... I'm calling that pretty good business.

Still the talk about Smith goes on... Serious question: Would you swop James Vaughan for the yellow-haired wonder? I agree that there are players in Holland, Sweden, France etc who would cost less than Richardson or Nugent and who would be a better bet than these expensive domestic players but Moyes likes 'locals'!

If we can keep Andy VDM's head out of the old pint pot, he could yet make a contribution. If Moyes has really learned his lesson after the Spurs debacle last season, we just might have a season worth watching...

Villa, West Ham and Newcastle have all replaced their top midfielders .... would anybody swap any of these serial failures for Arteta? Don't be silly! And on a final note on swaps... would you swap Big Victor for Nugent right now? I thought not. The vacant number One slot is encouraging. We do need an experienced keeper to back our excellent 'Man U reject' and it would be grand to see Turner going off to Sheffield or anywhere else... on season loan if not permanently. Nice lad but, like Naysmith, just not good enough to be better than the new Richard Wright and we need one of these like a hole in the head.
Glen Strachan     Posted 06/07/2007 at 00:56:55   Comments (16)

Why we shouldn't go Dutch or any other Nationality

I've read with great interest some of the posts regarding signing bargains from overseas. To my mind, Arteta apart, we have had our fingers badly burned with foreign imports not already playing in the Premiership. Not mentioning any names of course! Not adapting to our league, getting homesick (the grass can look greener when wads of money flash before their eyes), just not as good in terms of quality or desire to play as the scouts reports suggested. All valid reasons not to sign an overseas bargain maybe?

Now consider Arteta, our only successful import in recent years. Given current transfer values, he may have cost £10 million plus in my guesstimations this year, if we were looking to bring him in from overseas now. My point is we shouldn't even be looking below someone in the Arteta mould and as such I don't think we could afford to purchase similar quality from overseas in the current climate. Arteta had also played in Scotland previously and whilst not as strong as the Premiership, at least it was a different league to his homeland.

I'll stick my neck out and say we shouldn't and we won't be signing any overseas-based players anytime soon. All hypothesis I know and feel free to disagree as I would certainly welcome people's opinions on this topic both positive or negative.
Steve  Williams     Posted 06/07/2007 at 00:03:24   Comments (6)

Man U players

I can't understand why a lot of you people out there in ToffeeWeb cyber space really hate the idea of signing more Man U players. These are players that have international caps and have won silverware in their pretty short careers. Yes, I realise that we could end up like a Man U rejects team but, let's face it, if they can play for their country and win the team they're currently with a league title and whatnot then send them in! They know what its all about!

And if these rumoured signings go through as part of a deal struck with selling Wayne, then we're just gonna have to grin and bear it. Like the Tim Howard thing, it looked bad but it all worked out ok in the end. IMWT
Mike Bates     Posted 05/07/2007 at 23:13:21   Comments (11)

Whatever happened to us?

Some fans reaction to recent events have really made me question the future of the club — not in terms of what the manager or chairman are doing, but what the fans demand and expect from them.

In the 70s the fan base was united, we expected and demanded the best and even when we came close on a couple of occasions it was universally judged not good enough and two decent mangagers in Bingham and Lee paid the price. Both were clearly as good if not better then Mogadon Moyes.

Even if you allow for lower expectations because of the big four (ignore the fact that Arsenal and the shite are just ordinary teams as otherwise the truth will really hurt), some fans reaction to this summers transfer fiasco is pathetic.

We now have our 'big' signing in the bag (Christ, give me strength) and can expect 'one or two' more utility players, including by all accounts the possibility of signing the current laughing stock of Old Trafford.

Moyes and Kenwright must survey this situation and think you actually can fool most of the people most of the time. Where is the squad strengthening we were promised (3 players down and counting), where is the player who will improve the overall quality of the squad - Koumas anyone? God forbid but where is the player who will get us on the edge of our seats.

The end of last season was great but it can't disguise the fact that for long periods the quality of football was amongst the worst ever seen at Goodison

I despair at fellow blues who embrace the slow and steady philosophy of Moyes as in reality it means managed decline. As the likely lads used to say, whatever happened to us? Don't even get me started on voting in favour of Kirkby — now that really would have led to violence in the 70s but never mind, close your eyes and hope for the best, eh?!
John Doolan     Posted 05/07/2007 at 21:33:44   Comments (13)

Crazy Summer.

I've kept a low profile so far this summer because (a) I needed a break from football and (b) I simply cannot stand the so-called silly season transfer speculation. Everton fans voicing their opinions on who we should sign, the tabloids linking us with every player going and then the disappointment when it turns out that Moyes wasn't even considering that player.

Everyone complaining that Everton haven't signed anyone and then when Phil Jagielka joins some people are already slagging him off before he's even kicked a ball in a blue shirt.

All season, Naysmith has been labelled deadwood (which he undoubtedly was) but, as soon as Moyes shows him the door, the fans get on his back because the squad is not big enough. To be honest it all does my head in and thats why I have largely avoided this messageboard.

My opinion is just let David Moyes get on with it, let him sign who he wants and then judge him on how well Everton do next season. Same thing happened last season with the fans on Moyes back before the season even started and we ended up in Europe (again). Have the Moyes critics not yet learned never write off David Moyes?
Paul Atress     Posted 05/07/2007 at 21:35:12   Comments (3)

The Jaguar

A very flattering write up by a blades fan, no bitterness (a little long winded) and coming from one of the better judges of players ? the fans!
David O'Brien     Posted 05/07/2007 at 20:23:35   Comments (1)

Numbers Game

Jagielka in, Naysmith gone. How is this strengthening the squad in terms of numbers?

Some people are obviously glad to see the back of Naysmith but to me he was a useful squad player, the very sort that we are going to have to get in to challenge on all fronts this season.

I'm puzzled. There obviously IS a hidden financial agenda because, squad-size-wise, 1 + 1 - 1 is still 1!
Ray Robinson     Posted 05/07/2007 at 20:16:56   Comments (5)

Left Back

I noticed that gary naysmith still had a squad number on the Everton website. If, as seems, he`s been sold, we must have a replacement lined up to wear the number 3. Anyone know who? Quedrue or Baines?
Simon Templeman     Posted 05/07/2007 at 20:04:20   Comments (4)

Number 1?

Is there a reason why Tim has not been given the Number 1 shirt? Is it because of Southall and what about the number 10 shirt? Could someone please clarify this.
Lee Rogers     Posted 05/07/2007 at 16:14:32   Comments (21)

Phil Neville Interview re: Phil Jag

On EvertonFC.tv today Pip gives an interview about the new signing of Phil Jag. He talks about how great it is to have Jags in the team and what he brings. The interview is quite clearly staged at the Bellefield Training Complex. Is Pip not in St. Andrews with the squad training... Or was it filmed pre the signing of Phil Jag?
Andy Birch     Posted 05/07/2007 at 15:37:28   Comments (5)

Number Nine Dream...?

So James Beattie retains the 'famous' No.9 Jersey for another season, unless there is a sudden change in DM's opinion we appear to be stuck with James for at least another six months. I like many other Blues hope that he lives up to the shirts history, but I must admit that after over 2 years it is unlikely that James will suddenly find his form. Sometimes players for whatever reason are not able to play for certain clubs and it does seem that way with James at Everton. If JB does manage to have a prolific season then nobody will celebrate as much as me. Good luck JB, I think you'll need it.
John Partick McFarlane     Posted 05/07/2007 at 15:22:44   Comments (4)

Taking Advantage

Does anyone else feel we aren't taking advantage of our situation in the transfer market?

This is one of the strongest positions Everton have been in for years with European football guarenteed and players like Cahill and Arteta signing long term deals so why aren't we taking advantage of it in the transfer market and signing quality. Yes Jagielka is a good signing but when you look at Spurs buyin Bent and Villa gettin Reo-Cocker and you also have the like of Blackburn and Boro signing younger quality players and Newcastle making good signings aswell as Bolton I feel like we should be.

We finished above all of them teams apart from Spurs and we have got European Football so why aren't we taking advantage of that. We are bigger and better than these clubs so why can't we go an sign some big named quality players. I know Moysey has done well getting players in like Lescott, Arteta and Cahill on the cheap and they have become great but it would be nice to see us sign a big named player like Riquelme or Saviola. If we want to move on to the next level this is what we have to be doing. Anyone else agree?

Even though I say all that I do believe Moysey will come good. So forget the stadium talk beacuse we need to spend money on building a squad that is guarenteed European Football every season then we can get a new stadium and will fill it week in week out. COYB!
Danny Bostock     Posted 05/07/2007 at 11:49:58   Comments (7)

Squad numbers... any indication?

Now this is a rather speculative idea, but is there anything that can be read into the new squad numbers for this season? As it is early days, I'm not sure if they are set in stone, but some things are quite striking! (NB: My point is regarding the players section on the official website, which is also running the story about Lescott as No5 this morning)

1. We seem to have no number 1!! Our first choice keeper is undoubtably Tim Howard, but why then has he not been given the No1 shirt? I would have thought with Dicky moving on, the No1 was definitely being left open for the USA No1.

2. Beattie still holds the No9! Has he really deserved this honour?

3. Andy van der Meyde is still No7. Now I have heard rumour after rumour about him leaving Goodison. However, he looks in better shape than in recent seasons and has definite skills/flair/crossing ability that we need, if his other antics can be tamed! Has Moyes given him another 'last chance' to 'pay back the Everton fans faith in him'?

4. Joleon Lescott has the coverted (for all aspiring evertonian defenders) No5 shirt. This for me is great news! I hope this indicates he is to fill the traditional No5's position of centre back this season, alonside Yobo. (although I do think he covered well enough at left back last year)

This could all be bollocks, and I am well aware that with the state of football these days a number means very little. From a traditionalist's viewpoint though, the first 11 squad numbers must be important players in the managers plans. Shouldn't they?!
Gareth Cooper     Posted 05/07/2007 at 11:14:41   Comments (0)

Progress, what progress?

Are Everton really making progress? With two months of transfer inactivity brought to an end with the signing of a relegated utility player and the hackneyed spin that new deals for existing players are akin to new signings, we are expected to believe they are.

Unfortunately, the truth is that the club is now further than ever left trailing in the wake of `The Big Four`. Indeed, with the emergence of Spurs as serious players in the transfer market, I suspect that we should now be saying`Big Five`.

Leaving aside the paucity of real quality in the team , (Fernandes has disappeared without trace, remember) the total uncertainty about the ground move and the craven prevarication by Kenwright & Co over this and virtually any other major issue leads me to believe we are drifting back towards mediocrity.

As happened two years ago, a very decent season has led to complacency not only on the playing side but also in how the club deals with its fan base. Recent exchanges I have had with `the management` over season ticket issues smack of a return to the `like it or lump it` policy we all know so well.

OK, we`re in Europe but as we are aware, that is a journey that can end in nightmare and unless Moyes moves quickly to `up the quality` in the side,we shall once again return humiliated. Given past experience,most of us will be lucky to get much further than John Lennon anyway!

Sorry to sound like Tony Marsh in depression, but I`m genuinely worried about the direction in which the club is going—it sure ain`t upwards....is it?
Brian Noble     Posted 05/07/2007 at 10:55:05   Comments (8)

Squad Numbers.

Annoyed to see Beattie keeping the No 9. Can we have an opinion poll on who is the worst Everton player ever to wear the great No 9? Beattie gets my vote. AVDM keeps the no 7, but I'm not so down about this, I still dream that we will see his potential.
Tommy Coleman     Posted 05/07/2007 at 10:32:26   Comments (2)

Goalies

Just been on that great official website!!! I see new signing Phil Jalielka is our number 16 Goalkeeper, I knew he was versatile, but this seems odd! Also, why is Tim Howard number 24 and not number 1?
Will Bruce     Posted 05/07/2007 at 10:23:49   Comments (0)

Squad Numbers

According to the official site the squad numbers are now thus:

2 Hibbert, 3 Naysmith,
4 Yobo, 5 Weir,
6 Arteta, 7 van der Meyde,
8 Johnson, 9 Beattie,
11 McFadden, 12 Turner,
14 Vaughan, 15 Stubbs,
16 Jagielka, 17 Cahill,
18 Neville, 19 Valente,
21 Osman, 24 Howard,
25 de Silva, 26 Carsley,
27 Jutkiewicz, 28 Anichebe,
29 Boyle, 30 Ruddy,
31 Vidarsson.

Firstly, the article is all about Lescott getting the Number 5, and then they list Weir at number 5! [Since updated &mash; Ed]

Secondly, why has Howard not moved up to number 1? Are we about to see yet another new goalkeeper arrival?

Thirdly (seeing as it's the season for mindless speculation), given that the number 10 has been left vacant, who do we think is going to slip into that? Smith or Nugent?

Finally, do squad numbers mean anything these days? Beattie with the big number 9, and Cahill at 17? I liked it when numbers used to give at least some indication of the first 11.
David Mills     Posted 05/07/2007 at 09:51:32   Comments (2)

Playmaker

A couple of weeks ago a contributor sparked a lively discussion about Everton needing a 'son of a bitch' player who is able to command the game and dictate to others on the pitch around him. Names such as Joey Barton where subsequently offered, and to be honest I laughed a lot with this suggestion. With the signing of Phil Jagielka does his arrival answer some of those questions, he has undoubted leadership qualities, is young and pacy, versatile, obviously eager to develop on his England B career to date.

Jagielka fits the bill for David Moyes in posessing many of the attributes that the Manager aspires to and almost a clone of the model professional that Moyes always seems to hanker after. From what I have seen and heard of Jagielka I'm sure that he will show steadfast commitment, wont go missing in action and become a fans favourite if his productivity matches his desire and hunger.

However, what brings me to the gist of my contribution is does Jagielka have that mouth watering effect when it comes to the creativity that Everton's midfield so desperately needs ? The mere mention of Kieran Richardson and Jason Koumas sends shudders through my spine if they are seen as offering the necessary attacking punch to feed Johnson, Vaughan and possibly David Nugent. With Manuel Fernandes seemingly a cold prospect it would be an abheration if Moyes opts for Koumas / Richardson who in my eyes are no better than Leon Osman.

The news regarding Riquelme if not being embarrassing alone was a difficult pill to swallow in the week that the RS splash out £20m on Torres. Mikel Arteta the gem in our midfield cannot be expected to carry the burden alone of being the creative spark that ignites our attacking threat and options. Too many times last season when Arteta wasnt in the game our threat going forward was nulified.

We can go on all day about fitness, versatility, work ethic but as far as I'm concerned a playmaker is an absolute must as we run the risk this season coming as in others gone by of having a severe deficiency in an area of the team that becomes are archilles heel. If Riquelme is for the fantasist's then a player who can be the cataylst to broaden our attacking options is imperative, anyone have a suggestion?
Peter Laing     Posted 05/07/2007 at 09:27:36   Comments (2)

Getting rid of Deadwood or just Skint?

In his 5 years in charge Moyes can be credited with shipping out 'deadwood' and lowering the average age of the squad. However, since the loss of Kilbane, Weir, Davies, Pistone, Wright, loanee Fernandes, and now possibly Naysmith, Moyes has only added Jagielka to an already small squad since start of last season.

Yes, fair enough a few of those players would be seen as 'deadwood', but most could come in and do a job for a game or so. It's okay getting rid of squad players, but surely they have to be replaced? How much of moving these players on is brought on by Financial necessity, rather than strategic thinking by Moyes?

The most frustrating thing for me about Moyes is that here is an Everton Manager who has never been in such a strong position to put pressure on the Board to back him with finances, to make signings that actually show a bit of ambition and help this club to move forward. It's great keeping transfer targets quiet, but it is incredibly worrying that Moyes is hopeful of bringing in 1 or 2 more. Just how many versatile players who can fill in at several positions can Moyes sign?

Getting rid of deadwood is great, but squad numbers need replacing.
Lee Wilson     Posted 05/07/2007 at 09:03:21   Comments (0)

Big Name Signings? No thanks...

I?ve been reading some of the letters in the mailbag of late and couldn?t help smiling knowingly as the fact that some Evertonians are just negatively inclined, borderline cynics! FFS people get a grip! All this wailing about a lack of signings. We?ve got Jagielka, on our terms no less (despite the murmurs of ?dithering? rearing it?s ugly head amongst the most knowlegable supporters in the world ho-hum) and what?s more, he wants to play for the club. Now granted, he?s no Torres, but that lot from across the park have a habit of turning expensive big name strikers into bags of shite of late (Cisse, Bellamy anyone?). Okay, so Bellamy prolly was a bag of shite to begin with, but you get my point.

Instead of lamenting the fact that we are not paying over the odds for Spanish imports, how about dwelling on a few home truths?

1. We have signed up the best Spanish player in the Prem on a 5 year deal.
2. We have some players who did well and made a name for themselves last year and who should have a better season this time round what with being more settled.
3. In James Vaughan we have one hell of a young player who I think is going to get even better next year.
4. The spine of the team is young yet experienced (Howard, Yobo, Lescott, Arteta, Neville, Johnson etc) and have their best years ahead of them.
5. The return of a fit AJ and Tim Cahill, both of whom we played (pretty damn well) without for the last few months of the campaign.

I have seen enough from Moyes in the transfer market in times past to assure me that he knows what he is doing. Watch Jagielka be this seasons Joleon Lescott, Tim Cahill or Mikel Arteta ? t?wouldn?t surprise me in the least. Granted, the ginger one has signed his share of duds, but upon scrutiny all the managers who finished above us last year have made their fair share of gaffes as well, as have most great managers throughout history.

A few years back I too clamoured for big-name signings every close season, and what did it get me? Per Kroldrup, that?s who ☺ So I have learnt to trust in Moyes? judgement and to have faith that today?s unknown meager-monied transfer could well be the next sensation.

Things are looking decidedly up in my view and I cannot wait for the new season to get cracking. We are going to upset the big four next year, mark my words ;)
David Gallant     Posted 05/07/2007 at 08:38:59   Comments (2)

Richard Wright Transfer

I read from the site that Tricky Dicky has joined West Ham. Pity we were not able to have a "Tim Howard Type Clause" in the deal. In the way we would not play Tim against United, it would have been nice to have forced West Ham TO have to play Richard against us.

I remember 10 years ago the debate with my boss (who was an Ipswich fan) over who was the best young goalkeeper in Britain. He said their goalie Wright and I said our new one, Simonsen. How wrong we both were.
Phil Roberts     Posted 05/07/2007 at 06:50:20   Comments (39)

Good job, all those PR people!

On a day the red shite signed Torres, our PR people arranged to tell the world that we finally signed Jagilka! Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to have Jag in our team. But such an arrangement showed how inadequate, complacent and a lack of ambitions the club bureaucrats are! Don't you think all of us Evertonians can really stand tall against the Red Shites today and say, "Yeah, right. You got Torres, but we got Jag..."
Dupont Koo     Posted 05/07/2007 at 01:13:01   Comments (12)

Jagielka

What the fuck is going on? Firstly I am glad we have signed Jagielka but am bemused at David Moyes's comments. He said we are hoping to add one or two more. I hope he meant four or five more. I am also suprised by Gary Naysmith moving the other way. Although he is not a fan favourite he is a squad player who can cover left back and left mid. Moyes needs to prepare well and to be honest with you it does not look good.
Connor Rohrer     Posted 04/07/2007 at 22:59:34   Comments (19)

Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth

Well, it's amusing to read all the endless debate raging over the move to Kirkby. I can tell you categorically... it ain't ever going to happen.

And all the fretting over LCC shafting us... As far as the Kings Dock farce is concerned, LCC would have kept most of the gate receipts and held the keys to the new Everton Kingdom so we would have been merely tenants. That is the reason why it collapsed and why no-one would give Paul Gregg and his reverse mortgage the time of day.

So to the proposed Kikby move... don't worry: it is doomed to fail. The size of the whole project, with retail park, stadium etc just isn't going to happen.

But forget about the eight sites pout forward by Warren Bradley... What will happen instead is that, when the exclusivity period finishes, Peel Holdings are waiting and have a will put forward a scheme based on their Switch Island site in the north of Liverpool...

Watch this Space!
John Burns     Posted 04/07/2007 at 20:16:24   Comments (3)

Moyes buys a new Jag

Mock the club if you will for not buying a big-name signing but how many gems has Moyes unearthed to-date? Let's not forget Tiny Tim, Lescott, Arteta (for £2.5M!!!), Yobo, Howard etc.

In fact the only big cock-ups seem to be the 'big name' signings of Beattie and Krøldrup.
Dan Parker     Posted 04/07/2007 at 19:07:40   Comments (8)

The best we can do?

So far, the hardest links we have to players are Jagielka, Smith and Richardson. Now I can appreciate that everyone's expectations are different but does anyone here really think that these guys are top class? Jagielka, who is capable of playing in many positions may well add something to a stretched squad but what could the other two bring?

Alan Smith has scored 1 goal in 18 outings for Man U ? and they have a much better midfield than us supplying better balls to the forwards. What could he achieve then with Everton's midfield behind him ? 1 goal in a season ? hang on, don't we have Beattie filling that role? Works hard, does nothing, cost £6m. Well, we probably need cover for that spot in case Biffa get's injured...

Richardson has a better record than Smith 3 goals in 24 games but still looks to me to be in the same vein as Ossie, and as far as I am concerned has 'squad player' written all over him.

From my perspective, I would rather see us bringing in someone who will actually have the ability to change a match (even at £12M); failing that, bring on the youngsters such as Bjarni and let's see what they can do.
Rupert Sullivan     Posted 04/07/2007 at 13:35:18   Comments (19)

Phil Jagielka becomes a blue

I have just heard that Everton have agreed personal terms and Jags will be joining Everton for a fee of around £4 million. He may join up with squad as early as tomorrow for their training in St Andrews. Things are starting to look up. Who should we sign next?
Brian Baker     Posted 04/07/2007 at 13:41:01   Comments (29)

Squad Games...

If as suggested we need numbers rather than the odd exceptional talent, then the 2nd XI becomes ever so important. Let's presume Jagielka will sign and (ARGH!!!) no-one else, and that Hibbert will play right back with Neville in midfield and Cahill up front in the 1st XI, the 2nd XI will be...

Turner
Jagielka(???) Stubbs Naysmith
Van der Meyde Anderson Vidarsson(??) McFadden
Beattie/Anichebe Vaughan

Well I don't know what I've just proved but I'm sure we can all agree on it... I'm off to sign Riquelme on Football Manager!
Nick  Entwistle     Posted 04/07/2007 at 11:29:08   Comments (1)

No-one is too Good for Everton!

As I was scanning the internet, hoping to see an Everton headline, I noticed that Thomas Gravesen might be on his way to Sheffield United. It made me think about other players who thought they were too good to play for Everton only to watch their carears turn to shit.

Gravesen was a hero when he left and could well still be, but he thought he would rather warm the Madrid bench, then the Celtic one and now might be on his way to the Championship. Franny Jeffers is probably the biggest victim of leaving Everton but there are a few others like Richard Dunne, Micheal Ball (although I'm not sure of the circumstances surrounding them leaving). Stubbs is quoted as saying 'it was the biggest mistake of his career' when he left and was soon welcomed back, Carsley understood this and signed on as well.

The only player I can think of who has asked to leave and actually done something is Rooney. Players do not realise how big a club we are until they leave... then it is normally too late. I'm glad Tim an Mikel seem to undertsand that already.
Andy Baker     Posted 04/07/2007 at 10:04:07   Comments (11)

No signings for 3 days?

So, after a week's holiday, we were all hoping that Moyes would get down to some serious transfer business. Ha! So instead he packs his bags again and takes the squad to St Andrews for three days! So no signings this week either then? It won't be long before they're all off to America again, then were will we be? I was in the 'dont panic' camp... but now I'm beginning to worry.
Andy  Baker     Posted 04/07/2007 at 07:23:57   Comments (31)

My Twopenneth

For what it's worth, here is my twopenneth. With the emergence of Anchebe and Vaughan and with Johnson and McFadden able to play in the Main Striker role, I don't think Moyes will go for Nugent. I'll also stick my neck out and say that the first 4-4-2 we see will have Beattie and Johnson in the leading roles. Jagielka looks like a certainty, but Smith holds a lot of appeal, for midfield not least as he can "fill-in" if any of the five strikers named above (yes, five) are out. If those two arrive, that would give some much-needed competition in midfield where Ossie would be the loser.

At the back, Joey and Joleon are racing certainties for starting. The right-back berth will belong to Phil Neville with cover from our long-term future right back Tony Hibbert. The left-back berth leaves me a bit concerned. Valente, is the current pick of the bunch but carries injuries and is also getting on a bit. I'd like to see Leighton Baines of Wigan being brought in, as No 1 left-back and, once in place, there would then be sufficient cover throughout the team, with perhaps the centre-half position having the least cover with just Stubbsy to fit in:

Howard;
Neville, Yobo, Lescott, Baines; Arteta, Cahill, Smith, Jagielka; Johnson, Beattie

Subs: Turner, Stubbs, Valente, McFadden, Vaughan

I'm usually way off the mark, so I'm prepared for the flack. Remember, it was me who done a report on James Vaughan playing for the rezzies against manure a couple of years back and said he was crap... Nurse!!!! Five weeks and counting.
Mark Joseph     Posted 03/07/2007 at 20:32:16   Comments (5)

Errata!

There's one thing I don't understand about this Riquelme 'error' and the Club's official explanation. If I was pissing about with a website to see how it looked I wouldn't be writing an article about a player who had already been linked with Everton and which, when read, was believable! I would REALLY piss about and write some nonsense about how Everton had gazumped Barcelona for the signature of Thierry Henry and signed him for 40p because he made it known his lifelong ambition had always been to play for Everton! Just for a laugh!

Now I know computer buffs are usually boring gits (sorry Lyndon — no offence meant) but they do have a semblance of a sense of humour and it just doesn't ring true to me.

I don't know much about computers but I do know a lot about human nature and I seriously think that this may have been a piece hanging around in cyberspace waiting to be published... and then something went wrong and Riquelme wasn't signed and it was mistakenly resurrected and published during the 'experts' undertakings.

But then, in fairness, I'm still convinced that that shadow in the trees behind the Grassy Knoll was Nikita Kruschev!
Eileen Roberts     Posted 03/07/2007 at 19:57:04   Comments (11)

How about this one?

As I write this I'm putting me tin hat on ready for the bombardment, but here goes...

Read today that Fowler hasn't recieved one offer yet. What a signing for us; he would be brilliant in Europe and great to bring off the bench in a tight game, all for free. It could be the best signing weve never made.

Personally, I don't care who he played for or what he's said and done he'd be a terrific signing for us. What d'yer think Marshy and all you T/Web addicts?
Terry Downes     Posted 03/07/2007 at 19:52:51   Comments (12)

Barry Bethell

Anybody else think Beattie looks dangerously under-nourished on those training pictures on the official website? Apparently he locked himself in his bog for the last month with a self help manual and a job lot of laxatives and quietly went about the business of losing approximately six stone. Quiet (most of the time, efficient and away from the public glare — which would be embarassing). The Everton Way.
Franny Porter     Posted 03/07/2007 at 18:01:30   Comments (6)

Boody Amazing

I think DM has been very wise to extend the unknown Brazilian's stay with us, we need more numbers. Also it seems weird that players now 'want' to come to Everton - we are not known as the most well-heeled club, but despite that Smith, Nugent and Koumas have all been found guilty of expressing an interest to come to the home of Football.

Despite this Everton have been cautious with Nugent and rightly so, perhaps things are looking up for us. I feel real optimism for the forthcoming season, not like before though, a more calm and balanced feeling. Dare I mention the Man Fernandes? No! Who cares, if he wants to come along for the ride then fine, if not then to blazes with him and his superb if unpolished skills.
David O'Brien     Posted 03/07/2007 at 17:05:38   Comments (2)

Dates?

Can anybody tell me what dates have been set aside for the UEFA Cup games next season? It would be interesting to know when we are going to have to follow these Thursday games with Sunday Premier matches.
Glen Strachan     Posted 03/07/2007 at 17:07:09   Comments (0)

Perception of us

Typical, I?m at work and a conversation erupts about Football and everyone is very excited about the transfer windows coming and goings. A Chelsea fan enjoying discussions about Torres going to Liverpool, a Liverpool fan getting interested about another expensive bloke I?ve never heard of going to Chelsea. Newcastle, Arsenal, Tottenham all seem popular, all attracting players these people want to talk about, ever one loves a big name, ?oh yeah he?s good?, ?yeah I?d like to see him in the Premier League?, ?He was brilliant in the Champions League for so and so? etc etc.

But the comment that ended the conversation was the word "Everton." Everyone just lost interest and got on with their work and the Chelsea fan crops up and said, ?Never mind, you got James Beattie and didn?t you do quite well last season? You got 7th or 8th, didn?t you?

MOYES, sign someone and make it a good ?un so I can wipe the smile of their faces! Give me something to work with down here! Somebody please do something!

Always out numbered but never out gunned. A very devoted Essex-based Toffee fan
Paul Fuller     Posted 03/07/2007 at 16:05:34   Comments (6)

Website: 30 and counting...

The new Official Everton FC website. I counted 30+ links, logos, promotions, news items, ads, etc, all of which as their purpose would have you part with cash. Other than that, about 5 or 6 news stories or stats pages avaialble that wouldn't.

What was already a poor site is now an advertising hoarding. It is now removed from my Favourites list.
Nick  Entwistle     Posted 03/07/2007 at 15:02:55   Comments (12)

Get up them polls

From the various comments etc on this site, it appears that EFC have taken notice of the poll that TW held regarding the move to Kirkby.

Bearing this in mind, and the fact that we know precious little about the EFC fan poll in August, its limitations, how the question(s) will be put, may I suggest to TW that you put up a new detailed poll on the subject to dig out the REAL opinion of supporters everywhere ?

You can even add "current location" as a parameter to really break down the fans' opinions. And even various socio-economic factors for a really professional questionnaire.

Methinks if the poll questions are well thought-out and detailed and the replies come in sufficient numbers, EFC will take notice even if they don't admit it.

TW would provide the real picture and opinion of the fans - as it already does to a certain point.

I open the board to suggestions for questions and hope this idea might appeal to you at TW (you have the power, use it !).

Let me start them off (in no particular order) :

1) did you vote for the move to King's Dock
2) would you ever want to leave Goodison
3) would you leave GP for the "right" place
4) do you think leaving GP is urgent (less than 5 yrs)
5) would you like to wait for the best possible solution
6) do you think Kirkby is the "right" place
7) do you agree with the 1:1 choice GP:Kirkby
... there are thousands of questions possible...
David Smith     Posted 03/07/2007 at 13:28:48   Comments (4)

Take the odds!

Paddy Power is offering 250-1 against Everton winning the Premier League next season and a generous 7-1 without the BIG Four. Just had a monkey on both ? you`ve got to show faith!
Jack Mallom     Posted 03/07/2007 at 12:32:31   Comments (13)

Reserve Releases

I note that Scott Phelan and Alan Kearney have been released by Everton (although I haven't seen any news from the official website on that).

This seems to happen every off-season; promising youngsters are released, seemingly for no fee, despite having played regularly for the reserves and in the case of Phelan, being voted one of the reserve players of the season.

Andy Holden spoke of these two lads in glowing terms but they are still quietly dispatched. It reminds me of the Mark Hughes scearnio.... he seemed destined to be a future Everton captain and centre-back for years only to be flogged to a grateful Northampton Town.

The usual argument of "let's see what they do next" will invariably crop up now, but I wonder what the story is with young footballers like this and on what criteria they are released? Our reserves always seem to be made up of 10 academy players plus Andy van der Meyde. Is it the same at other clubs?
John  Williams     Posted 03/07/2007 at 10:34:41   Comments (10)

Old Boys' Reunion?

Anyone urging DM to get out there and add to the squad ? you have to use the word 'strengthen' more carefully ? should look at the 56 players avaiable from Premier League clubs on frees this month. That list includes:-

Tom Myhre; Michael Ball; David Unsworth; Mark Pembridge; Tom Radzinski; plus Craig Short if you still count Sheff Utd as Premier League.

A swoop into the market and what a boost this would be to the 5-a-side sessions, with the advantage that they could already find their way to the training ground.

Come to think of it, one, or possibly two of those names could make some sense if you are looking for reliable squad players who can still play, but what does DM have in mind? We won't find out until it happens, will we.
Keith Glazzard     Posted 03/07/2007 at 09:54:07   Comments (9)

Man U Reserves

Has anyone seen Sky Sports Transfer news this morning? According to that, David Moyes is spending £17 million on Koumas, and Keiran Richardson and Alan Smith. What is it with EFC that they are always buying Man U cast offs? Have we a special contract with them or something or does Davey's admiration for Sir Alex go that deep?
Patty  Blue     Posted 03/07/2007 at 09:33:37   Comments (20)

More Seeding Info

Whilst not having much to do last night, I've delved further into this seeding malarkey.

As it stands, if every team qualifies as the Uefa rankings would suggest, then we will be seeded in 36th place (out of 40) and, due to the way Uefa do their drawings for the Uefa Cup, it would suggest that we would be playing one of Litx Lovech (Bulgaria), Odense (Denmark), Artmedia Petrzalka (Slovakia), Aberdeen (Scotland) or Fredrikstad (Norway).

The best-case scenario would see us seeded 18th and most likely playing Trans Narva (Estonia), Banants (Armenia), Rhyl, Torshavn (Faroe Islands) or Rudar Pljevlja (Montenegro).

Worst-case would see us ranked 45th and playing one of Bayern Munich, Panathinaikos, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) or Partizan Belgrade (Serbia).
Steve Flanagan     Posted 03/07/2007 at 08:16:36   Comments (4)

Who that at the front!

Could someone please tell me who that is at the front / far left of this picture? Looks familiar that's all.
Philip Jones     Posted 02/07/2007 at 21:38:24   Comments (14)

Nugent Deal

I believe that Preston are asking £6M for David Nugent because, when they signed him from Bury (for £100k!!), there was a sell-on clause amounting to 20% of the transfer fee. This would equate to Bury receiving £1.2M with Preston receiving the remaining £4.8M. This lad has talent and, if Everton offer £5M NOW, they would get him. Both Preston and Bury along with the majority of EFC supporters would be very happy if this happened.
Frank  Carse     Posted 02/07/2007 at 19:33:36   Comments (5)

Biffa

Is it just me or does Biffa look like he's lost about 2 stone?

Let's hope he gets some more pies down him before the season starts or we won't have anything to moan about.... apart from moving house, only pretending to sign Argentinians, and Blue Bill's new "Tragedy in 38 Parts" that is. Rah to all things Blue
Stu Gore     Posted 02/07/2007 at 19:13:05   Comments (6)

Evertonfc.com

There's way too much going on in the new Everton website.

Do these guys not know anything about good site design and user navigation or are they just trying to ram as much marketing down our throats as possible.

Please TW, don't follow these guys as the example.
Dan Parker     Posted 02/07/2007 at 17:53:01   Comments (4)

No Brainer

The Echo is carrying the story that Alan Smith is holding out for a £6M move to Everton (as opposed to going elsewhere). A choice between Smith and Nugent (for £6M + if PNE have their way) would see Smith arriving at Goodison if it was up to me. Seasoned Premier League player versus "potential". No brainer.
Steve Guy     Posted 02/07/2007 at 15:43:00   Comments (10)

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Obalereko  Ayoku     Posted 02/07/2007 at 15:26:50   Comments (9)

Riquelme Signs! on Official EFC site

As many of you may have seen, the official EFC website has had a bit of a makeover. The website was down for sometime and when it was back online a story appeared saying the EFC had signed Riquelme. They have now moved to swiftly delete the story!

Not sure what happened.. wind up or story waiting to be released. They are all talking about it on the forum. Here is a link with the text actually on it, saying that EFC had signed him.
Andy Birch     Posted 02/07/2007 at 12:11:08   Comments (18)

Two New Signings

For me, the fact that Tim and Mikel have signed new contracts is in effect like new signings, no doubting that massive amounts of time was spent on negotiating those players contracts, because they're the future.

I admit yes i'm anxious about the lack of signings, but they'll start to happen now. Moyes is back from Holiday and the transfer window is now offically open.

I have no doubt we have more than £10M to spend, it's just a case of waiting and doing it the Everton way, quiet and effective.
Richard Mansell     Posted 02/07/2007 at 10:17:20   Comments (7)

Seeding update

Well, the first round of the Intertoto Cup has finished and from the 14 teams that have got through to the next round (including Cork City from Ireland), none of them are ranked higher than us, so no change on the seeding front so far.

However, what we do know is that we have a team that we can follow! Yes, stand up AFC Gloria 1922 Bistrita from Romania!!

These guys are now playing against Maccabi Haifa in the next round, and if they can pull off a surprise then they should find Athletico Madrid a walkover in the third round, and knock out two of the teams who can finish above us.

Yep, I agree, I'm one of those Evertonian optomists, but at least it gives us a little bit of interest over the next two weekends!
Steve Flanagan     Posted 02/07/2007 at 09:27:08   Comments (1)

Clubs are buying

For them people saying no-one is buying players yet. Where do you get that from?

• Portsmouth 3 signings
• Newcastle 3 signings with Geremi almost signed,
• Boro 2 new strikers,
• West Ham 2 signings.

Us, a big zilch! I chose these teams because you would expect them to be up there with us this season, and they have already got a head start on us.
Brian Waring     Posted 01/07/2007 at 20:45:33   Comments (22)

Pre-season training

It's six weeks to the start of the new season. I think our pre-season training schedule is due to start at the end of the week coming. I would presume most clubs will be starting theirs in and around the same time. I would think that most clubs will want to use this week in between to get a lot of their transfers sorted, at least by general agreement, if not set in stone. This would tie in with the fact that most managers players and agents are back off their holidays by now.

Moyes's idea of bedding new players in early last summer seemed to work a treat and if he is keen to build on last season's success then I would presume he would want a disruption-free pre-season again. I would expect him over the next six or seven days to be working flat out to sign the players he wants.

If by the end of the week and the start of pre-season, a lot of transfers have gone through, and we have not signed anyone I would then start to worry. Most of the decent players could well then be unobtainable. Until then I will be monitoring things very closely.
Kieran  Fitzgerald     Posted 01/07/2007 at 16:55:48   Comments (16)

New Training Ground

I was just wondering if anyone knew if the new training ground is built yet? And if it's ready for the new season? Hopefully, European football and top-quality training facilities will attract good players instead of the likes of Koumas!
Shaun Wyder     Posted 01/07/2007 at 15:06:28   Comments (3)

Nugent.

I'm made up Mikel is signing a new contract. For all of what BK says, that we like to get things done out of the media spotlight. One thing Bill, he ain't signed yet. He's worth 80 grand a week.

Anyway, been thinking about the value of Nugent compared to Alan Smith. Nugent: England under 21 international. Great goalscoring record... Evertonian with blue blood: PRICELESS.
Colin Malone     Posted 01/07/2007 at 11:57:28   Comments (8)

Insiders

There must be hundreds of people using this site on a regular basis so we should be having regular transfer updates from people who are close to the club...

I mean surely someone who lives close to Bellefield or Goodison would see players come in and out or friends of scouts or coaches hearing the inside goings on.

We seem to be dead silent in the transfer market. I am even looking at rumour sites which I have never visited in previous seasons to hear about possible deals.

Anyone know of a certain deal or seen anything going on?
Gavin Harris     Posted 01/07/2007 at 11:19:10   Comments (2)

Proposed Strategy

A commonly accepted fact is that we need a bigger squad... Actually, I completely disagree.

As pointed out every minute, we haven't got mega bucks and there is no way to magic up the money if no international billionaires want to make us their toy. So... accepting that we have restricted funds, what is the best strategy for doing best?

For the sake of argument, let's say we have £90M for first team players. This means you can have 15 £6M players or 20 £4.5M players. If you have 20 £4.5M players, you will always have cover for injuries but your best team will always be mediocre. Low-mid table every season guaranteed.

If you have 15 £6M players you will have some disaster season due to injuries/whatever and hopefully survive relegation by the skin of your youth players' teeth. But... With 15 £6M players and a bit of luck on injuries and form, you actually have a chance of winning something or getting a good cup run or finishing in a good league position. You can then earn money and interest from this success and can use this to build the team further.

I know which squad I'd rather watch. And... I believe that the small-squad strategy is the one that gives us the best chance of building to something better in the future.

Don't get hung up on the numbers in this post, just think about whether big squad or small squad is the best use of our money. The argument obviously applies to wages as well as transfer fees.

So... Here's hoping Moyes sticks with the small squad, holds the money tightly and only signs players that he believes can improve the first choice 11.
Tom Brown     Posted 01/07/2007 at 10:44:37   Comments (4)

David Nugent - a brave young man

Let me say this at the outset before anyone jumps up and down with "we don't need him, we've got Vaughan" etc... This isn't about Nugent and his value in monetary terms.

Whatever we all think of David's skill, if we need another striker and whether he is worth the asking price etc, he has worn his heart on his sleeve by stating repeatedly that he wants to play for Everton. I can't remember the last time I heard anyone saying something like that until the "I have always supported Everton" ? after they've been signed. Hmmm, can't actually remember many of those deals either but never mind. All players must have a team that they support/supported but very few will stand up and say it to the media.

I read some comment somewhere where it was said that, just because someone supports Everton does not mean that they should play here. Of course not; if that were the case, there'd be 40 thousand of us trying to squeeze through the tunnel at kick-off time.

Nugent is just like any one of us, he loves Everton but unlike most of us, could actually go out there and do what every one of us wants to - wear that Blue shirt and be a hero for his team. Come on, admit it, how many of us would sell their grannies for a chance to be in that position?

Wherever he goes, be it Sunderland or Portsmouth, imagine the stick he'll get when he runs out when playing the Dark Side? I just hope he sticks a few in on that day!

In many ways, he's set himself up for a fall but for me, he's been brave and proud to call himself an Evertonian, just like we are. Call me sentimental and old fashioned but I really admire him for that. Brave or foolish or just naive, I don't know but I believe that players who's hearts are with the Blues will always give that extra 10% and run that extra yard. Being a Blue does not make anyone Superman but I think it does make a difference to their attitude on the pitch.

Wherever his future lies, I hope that when he does get to run out at Goodison, he gets a good reception whether he's wearing Royal Blue or not. I think he deserves that at least.
Lue Glover     Posted 01/07/2007 at 10:07:32   Comments (3)

Yet again

Yet again the post-season optimism has died a death. Nugent, Riquelme, Toure, Barton to name a few... A pre-season of speculation, Moyes after players we could never entice... what are we left with? A stagnent Board praying Sheff Utd get relegated! So we can sign a utility player at a knock-down fee!!!

We never pushed on two seasons ago when we reached the promised land. Another fruitless summer equates to one thing: the perpetual laughing-stock that is Everton FC being bounced out of Europe at the first hurdle again!

This will see a cold, lonely winter for Kenwright and his Board as they will be booed out of the club, and Moyes will be left wishing he had taken the Newcastle job.
Jimmy Digney     Posted 01/07/2007 at 08:24:48   Comments (2)