The Mail Bag
The Emperors New Clothes
Comments (19)
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:
- Messed up every genuine opportunity that comes our way (NTL, Kings Dock)
- Lied to the fans (Rooney transfer, Fortress Sports Fund, Sky 'loan')
- 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!
I expect 3 things from any chairman:
- To manage the club effectively as a business i.e. ticketing, budgets, transfer kitty
- To provide a strategic direction for the club in terms of merchandising and branding
- Not to embarrass the club or diminish its reputation
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
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Roy Coyne
2 Posted 14/07/2007 at 16:48:39
2 Posted 14/07/2007 at 16:48:39
Richard we have either the most loyal or most stupid fans in the prem ,Like yourself I cringe every time Bill opens his mouth hes told more lies than I can list yet gets the backing of a lot of fans why? It might be gratitude for taking over from Johnson but in truth are we any better off I don’t for one minute expect him to match the top fours spending as those days for us are long gone but to fall behind the Wigan and Fulhams is scandalous and we are supposed to move ground on his leadership what a scary prospect that is
Shaun Wyder
3 Posted 14/07/2007 at 17:04:06
3 Posted 14/07/2007 at 17:04:06
I love Everton but i hate Kenwrigh with a passion, its slowy killing me and turning an extra strand of hair grey by the day in the transfer window. The worst part about it, is that there is nothing we can do about it until Kenwright finally understands he’s destroyed the club enough!
The only thing i can thing of is turning are backs on him, creating banners saying Kenwright out, chanting Kenwright out, until he finally cracks up and leaves.
The only thing i can thing of is turning are backs on him, creating banners saying Kenwright out, chanting Kenwright out, until he finally cracks up and leaves.
Richard Jones
4 Posted 14/07/2007 at 17:31:55
4 Posted 14/07/2007 at 17:31:55
Thanks for the comments chaps, although I’d just like to point a few things out to David Barks:
The club has a similar level of debt as under the previous administration, except now we have less assets meaning restricted potential for borrowing and investment. How are we better off? We have a smaller wage bill than most, higher revenue than most, yet struggle to compete for players and have to have advances of Sky money to pay transfers.
You say if the club goes bankrupt it will be him out of pocket, well yes because it will be his fault! Don’t forget that Bill stands to make a lot of money when he finally does decide to sell Everton. He’s sitting on his investment and waiting for the right time to sell. Don’t be under any illusions that Bill is doing this out of the kindness of his own heart. He’s a businessman.
And whilst you slate the stewardship under Johnson’s administration, please don’t foget that Bill was on the board of directors of Everton since the early 1990’s so surely he has to take some responsibility for that era too.
You say the club is Bill’s, not ours...this club was here for 120 years before Bill Kenwright, and will be here long after he’s gone. Without the fans, the club wouldn’t last a season.
’The Peoples Club’ - it does actually mean something you know.
The club has a similar level of debt as under the previous administration, except now we have less assets meaning restricted potential for borrowing and investment. How are we better off? We have a smaller wage bill than most, higher revenue than most, yet struggle to compete for players and have to have advances of Sky money to pay transfers.
You say if the club goes bankrupt it will be him out of pocket, well yes because it will be his fault! Don’t forget that Bill stands to make a lot of money when he finally does decide to sell Everton. He’s sitting on his investment and waiting for the right time to sell. Don’t be under any illusions that Bill is doing this out of the kindness of his own heart. He’s a businessman.
And whilst you slate the stewardship under Johnson’s administration, please don’t foget that Bill was on the board of directors of Everton since the early 1990’s so surely he has to take some responsibility for that era too.
You say the club is Bill’s, not ours...this club was here for 120 years before Bill Kenwright, and will be here long after he’s gone. Without the fans, the club wouldn’t last a season.
’The Peoples Club’ - it does actually mean something you know.
David Barks
5 Posted 14/07/2007 at 17:53:50
5 Posted 14/07/2007 at 17:53:50
I know what you’re saying Richard about the fans being the heart and soul of the Club and agree with you. I’m just pointing out that when it comes to the actual business and finances we have absolutely no part in this. When was the last time any of us had to stay up late working on the annual budget for the Club. Like it or not he owns Everton FC and the responsibilities of running the club fall solely on his shoulders not ours. We get to go to the game and have our spirits raised in victory and beaten in a loss. Then we get to come on here and say how we would do it better. But we don’t ever have to worry about actually making these adjustments and find financing.
And yes Bill was on the board under Johnson, so maybe he saw how poorly Johnson managed our finances and learned from that. For God’s sake the club does well on the pitch now, that is what matters. We have a good team, and we have not had to sell our top players now, instead we are extending their contracts. I have not heard one player claim the club is falling behind on paychecks.
And yes Bill was on the board under Johnson, so maybe he saw how poorly Johnson managed our finances and learned from that. For God’s sake the club does well on the pitch now, that is what matters. We have a good team, and we have not had to sell our top players now, instead we are extending their contracts. I have not heard one player claim the club is falling behind on paychecks.
Steve Wilkinson
6 Posted 14/07/2007 at 17:57:46
6 Posted 14/07/2007 at 17:57:46
I totally agree with the comments of Richard Jones, go on my son tell it like it is. Kenwright out!
Gavin Ramejkis
7 Posted 14/07/2007 at 18:55:49
7 Posted 14/07/2007 at 18:55:49
Richard well said, David i think what Richard as a clearly passionate supporter is trying to say that BK is past his sell by date and has become more of an embarrassment and hinderance to the club than it’s saviour, in purchasing the club the lion’s share of the cash came from the Greggs with a loan to BK as he didn’t have the cash; sadly an ongoing situation, a great deal of the fans angst is at his ongoing mismanagement and poor stewardship even his infamous seasonal lip service lies have dried up.
We are all passionate about this once great club and many can see pretty obvious steps that could take it to the next level and not daydreams like billionaires even though they do exist in the form of the Dubai consortium it’s just a case of our esteemed finance seekers in BK and KW getting off their arses and showing intent, to quote Sting "if you love somebody set them free"
We are all passionate about this once great club and many can see pretty obvious steps that could take it to the next level and not daydreams like billionaires even though they do exist in the form of the Dubai consortium it’s just a case of our esteemed finance seekers in BK and KW getting off their arses and showing intent, to quote Sting "if you love somebody set them free"
Steve Williams
8 Posted 14/07/2007 at 19:17:57
8 Posted 14/07/2007 at 19:17:57
Gavin I agree as per my replies to other emails that we need BK to pass the reigns over. It would be interesting to see though, whether it is BK refusing the investors or the debt that is putting them off. The only way we can deduce this is by looking at the balance sheet of the other clubs proposed or taken over recently excluding Man UTD and Liverpool to see whether those clubs were in significant debt too. This info is publically available via the clubs annual reports which are usually published on their websites. That would give us a true picture of the situation. If its simply Bill putting them off-thats bad news and we need to get actively protesting, if its the debt issue I don’t know what the solution is as this would require 60 million or so before investment in players and purchase of the club was added.
Shaun Wyder
9 Posted 14/07/2007 at 19:35:31
9 Posted 14/07/2007 at 19:35:31
http://www.petitiononline.com/BillWout/petition.html
Sign my petition
Sign my petition
Steve Sweeney
10 Posted 14/07/2007 at 19:35:42
10 Posted 14/07/2007 at 19:35:42
I have been a critic of Billy Liar for over 2 seasons now, I went to 2 games at Goddison last year and he is breaking the heart and soul of my club -my team- Everton.
The man is waiting to push through the Kirkby bowl and then the spin will start that we have potential new investment that will be in the best interests of the peoples club.
Bollocks BK you are not doing anything but feathering you own nest.
We should start a Kill Bill camopaign to get rid of him, the man has no honour. The opposition to the Kirkby move should make him cancel the project but he won’t not because it is not in EFc’S interst to do so but it is not in his interest to do so.
I just wonder is the ground move someway backing his London shows ?
I and I bet many others would join a get rid of Bill campaign.
So much for that rant.
The man is waiting to push through the Kirkby bowl and then the spin will start that we have potential new investment that will be in the best interests of the peoples club.
Bollocks BK you are not doing anything but feathering you own nest.
We should start a Kill Bill camopaign to get rid of him, the man has no honour. The opposition to the Kirkby move should make him cancel the project but he won’t not because it is not in EFc’S interst to do so but it is not in his interest to do so.
I just wonder is the ground move someway backing his London shows ?
I and I bet many others would join a get rid of Bill campaign.
So much for that rant.
Richard Dodd
11 Posted 14/07/2007 at 19:41:30
11 Posted 14/07/2007 at 19:41:30
Yet another tranche of shameful postings which denigarate a man who has done more for Everton out of his own pocket than any of us could do in three lifetimes.Everton is now the most sensibly managed club since Doug Ellis gave up the reins at Villa and the next three years will surely bear out the truth of that statement.
Last year’s placing surely gives some indication that we are by no means desperate for new players and davey’s belief that we need only add the odd squad player will be shown to be 100% accurate.Believe me...please.
Last year’s placing surely gives some indication that we are by no means desperate for new players and davey’s belief that we need only add the odd squad player will be shown to be 100% accurate.Believe me...please.
Gavin Ramejkis
12 Posted 14/07/2007 at 20:16:02
12 Posted 14/07/2007 at 20:16:02
Richard you’ve got the stones to stand by your convictions but a tad melodrmatic to call non pro BK viewpoints shameful and to "denigrate a man who has done more for Everton out of his own pocket" well most of that money came from existing club assets; players in the form of Rooney and others plus premises, Bellfield and a tranche of in-house activities such as catering and merchandising together with sky money thus not from his own pockets, which in terms of fellow "millionaires" make him more of a church mouse than Duke of Westminster.
Last years placing has been and gone, the club need to invest to keep that level of performance up and improve it, players get older and contracts expire, the game doesn’t stop when you have a decent season.
Last years placing has been and gone, the club need to invest to keep that level of performance up and improve it, players get older and contracts expire, the game doesn’t stop when you have a decent season.
David Barks
13 Posted 14/07/2007 at 20:30:01
13 Posted 14/07/2007 at 20:30:01
We’re wasting our time Richard. These people just will not see positive even if we won the freaking league. Apparently Steve went to 2 games last year and has his heart broken. I guess he wan’t at the Derby when we beat the shyte 3-0, or when we beat Arsenal 1-0, or the fact that the end result of last season was once again European qualification and the contract extensions of two of our best players in Arteta and Cahill. And the opposition to the Kirkby move is why he is holding a vote on the matter. If the vote against it is big enough then it will be cancelled. They all want a billionaire to buy the club, but they don’t think of the implication. You’ll all be watching every game on Sky because you won’t be able to afford a ticket. Take a look at Chelsea and Uniteds ticket price, and I can’t wait to see what the Shyte price their tickets at in the coming years. These investors aren’t buying clubs for the good of the fan, they are trying to make more and more millions for themselves, that the way a business works.
David Barks
14 Posted 14/07/2007 at 20:39:08
14 Posted 14/07/2007 at 20:39:08
Gavin, who the hell’s contract is expiring?!! We just signed AJ, Howard, Lescott last season and signed Arteta, Cahill to 5 years extensions along with bringing in Jagielka on a 4 year contract and extended our two young strikers Vaughan and Anichebe’s contract to 2011, and have Yobo until 2010. The club actually hasn’t been that quiet, they have been locking up their current main players for the years to come.
Gavin Ramejkis
15 Posted 14/07/2007 at 20:50:39
15 Posted 14/07/2007 at 20:50:39
Sorry everybody that doesn’t think the sun shines out of BK’s ring but to reiterate the obvious for others, how long do Carsley and Stubbs have left in them or Valente then again Beattie 18 months and counting for a goal from open play and Van der Meyde who has never completed 90 minutes for the club in any year he has been with the club? So just how long would a football team last with approximately fourteen outfield players worth playing and the rest supernumery to be ultra conservative in description?
Would either of you like to care a guess at real term percentile season ticket price increases over the last few seasons, a little dig too at the lie of the genuine percentage saving for early purchase for this coming season. If for one minute you think the new stadia wont be charged out at a greatly increased price from the current prices you need psychiatric help not a message board, everyone that runs a business does it to make money and this fallacy of "he’s a blue" is bollocks he is a businessman first and foremost so don’t be under any illusion, if the quality increases you pay a premium, I don’t expect a quality increase or Moyes miracles for ever with BK’s limited business talent or wealth. We simply have differing views and I will never trust a habitual liar and charlatan.
Would either of you like to care a guess at real term percentile season ticket price increases over the last few seasons, a little dig too at the lie of the genuine percentage saving for early purchase for this coming season. If for one minute you think the new stadia wont be charged out at a greatly increased price from the current prices you need psychiatric help not a message board, everyone that runs a business does it to make money and this fallacy of "he’s a blue" is bollocks he is a businessman first and foremost so don’t be under any illusion, if the quality increases you pay a premium, I don’t expect a quality increase or Moyes miracles for ever with BK’s limited business talent or wealth. We simply have differing views and I will never trust a habitual liar and charlatan.
Steve Sweeney
16 Posted 15/07/2007 at 00:03:08
16 Posted 15/07/2007 at 00:03:08
No I wasn’t at the Derby Game or the defeat of Arsenal- That does not mean I don’t want Everton to be successful.However as a fan who stood in the Boys Pen and having been a season ticket holder since 1980 (which by the way was the 1st year I could afford to buy one) untilthe 2006/7 season when I decided that Kenwright was not getting any more of my money.
The man is totally engrossed in promoting himself to the detriment of the club.Other posters have indicated where the finances have come from wake up this man is raping our club. By the time he moves us to Kirkby we will have nothing but our history and that will be so soon forgotten when we are the laughing stock of this city.
This is the man who was part of Johnsons board and never once did I hear him speak out at the way the club was mismanaged during that era. And if you believe that a no vote from the fans will stop the move to the Tesco arena you are deluding yourself.
The only way this club will move forward is by having money invested into the club.
BK does not have the money to make Everton great again That is a Fact, however he will not release his ownership full stop.
But while he has got the support of a few he will hang on god help us.
Anyway I am off to sign the pettition.
The man is totally engrossed in promoting himself to the detriment of the club.Other posters have indicated where the finances have come from wake up this man is raping our club. By the time he moves us to Kirkby we will have nothing but our history and that will be so soon forgotten when we are the laughing stock of this city.
This is the man who was part of Johnsons board and never once did I hear him speak out at the way the club was mismanaged during that era. And if you believe that a no vote from the fans will stop the move to the Tesco arena you are deluding yourself.
The only way this club will move forward is by having money invested into the club.
BK does not have the money to make Everton great again That is a Fact, however he will not release his ownership full stop.
But while he has got the support of a few he will hang on god help us.
Anyway I am off to sign the pettition.
Dick Fearon
17 Posted 14/07/2007 at 23:57:11
17 Posted 14/07/2007 at 23:57:11
If Everton is in such a parlous state can someone please explain how we managed 6th place?
Martin Roberts
18 Posted 15/07/2007 at 07:37:24
18 Posted 15/07/2007 at 07:37:24
"We" the fans own Everton Football Club PLC?
Really?
Wow, where’s my dividend’s payout?
Don’t think for one moment "fans" own Everton FC. You ARE a customer, the "ownership" of EFC PLC belongs to BK and the board of shareholders. He has majority share therefore control.
Really?
Wow, where’s my dividend’s payout?
Don’t think for one moment "fans" own Everton FC. You ARE a customer, the "ownership" of EFC PLC belongs to BK and the board of shareholders. He has majority share therefore control.
David Barks
19 Posted 15/07/2007 at 15:36:36
19 Posted 15/07/2007 at 15:36:36
Martin, reality doesn’t sit very well with this lot. They prefer a fantasy world where BK makes all his decisions based on their ideas. Does any CEO consult with his employees before making every single business move? No. And we are not even employees. We are, as you, the customer. We have some say, but not all.
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1 Posted 14/07/2007 at 16:32:08