ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

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, Wirral Posted 21/07/2007 at 10:47:57

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Gavin Ramejkis
1 Posted 21/07/2007 at 13:36:14

It is sad that a viable alternative can’t yet be seen and the custodians are using the no plan B to railroad this vote, given alternative choices I believe many of the yes votes would swing away from Kirkby.

paul gladwell
2 Posted 21/07/2007 at 13:36:31

so your prepared to gamle 129 years and show faith in a man who constantly lies to us " I have been in constant discussions with LCC for months" so what happened to the period he was not allowed to? We have been here to long for us to dissapear over not having corporate boxes and dont tell me £20 -30million (the ammount massive clubs like birmingham are spending on players) could not be the start of a gradual refurb and if not yes move but when everyone is all together not at each others throats. The city is thriving, look at the skyline , and we are jumping ship giving the city to them whilst we move to the outbacks bordering lancashire Farmland its fucking outrageous.

Mark Pendleton
3 Posted 21/07/2007 at 13:47:24

I agree it is sad that there’s no Plan B as such, however the reality is that the club cannot afford to redevelop Goodison (my heart says it’s possible but my head suggests otherwise. I think doing so would possibly bankrupt the club). As such, it seems any location within the city boundaries would have to be financed almost solely by EFC. If this were to happen i don’t believe we would have a stadium to be proud of. Politics and personal issues to one side, surely no-one could say that the images of the new stadium don’t look fantastic. This way we get a stadium to be proud of, a decent capacity and hopefully one not landlocked for future development (although it will already have the capability of adding an extra 10,000 seats).

If we don’t go for this move the best we can hope of is something like the Reebok. That’s not Everton. The Red side down the East Lancs are no more in the city than we’d be. Let’s pull together, accept the financial reality and the benefit we’re being given here. 2010 and in a fantastic new stadium, with training facilities amongst the best in the world and perhaps a team reaching it’s peak and with increased finances.

That is Everton,

paul gladwell
4 Posted 21/07/2007 at 13:55:31

Ask yourselves this ,why have no big rich men come to buy us ? they have but been told to do one , these liars have an agenda and dont tell me we could not develop a new bullens road built in similar to the main stand after a new tier was put on the park end which would in turn help the loss of seats during the first phase of the bullens they are just after a cheap fix then they will sell and run with atidy profit

anthony fielding
5 Posted 21/07/2007 at 14:06:23

Theres always going to be some people who oppose a move no matter where it would be, i seem to remember some people being against the kings dock move, seems the only way to pease everyone is to develop Goodison, but there is no realistic way to improve on the size and facilities in the current footprint, not to mention the cost of this option. The only realistic option is a new build in a different location. The proposed stadium in Kirkby is only 4 miles from Goodison, ok it might be a whole half a mile outside the liverpool city council constitiuency, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t in liverpool, it still carries a liverpool postcode. I wasn’t over impressed with the 1st pics of the proposed new stadium, but having seen the new pictures today, then just looking at pictures of Goodison i am now quite excited. I’ll be voting Yes to the move, not because i hate Goodison, or because my seat has an obstructed view, or because i have to park 2 miles away from the stadium and pay £5 to do so, or because im sick of being knee deep is urine when i have to go to the toilets in the ground, or que for ages to get a warm beer n cold pie before the game or at half time. No i’ll be voting Yes because i understand the implications of staying at Goodison. The club dont have the money to do this on their own on a prefered site in the city boundaries, this is a great opportunity for us, we should be snatching Tescos hands off for this deal and thanking them!

Roy Coyne
6 Posted 21/07/2007 at 14:18:58

Paul while I agree with you for some it appears as if the dock,the fortress fund,NTL,the missing transfer cash ect never happened no one would by a used car off him but seem happy for him to decide our future may be we get what we deserve

Andy Baker
7 Posted 21/07/2007 at 14:28:35

Paul, Lancashire farmland?....behave yourself lad. its a stones throw from the 57 and although LCC have desperatly tried to show 3 alternatives they certainly wont be free and more importantly none of them will be a major advantage to tesco like Kirkby is were they will take over the town. So, staying in the ’city’ aint going to happen.

Nick Thomas
8 Posted 21/07/2007 at 15:45:23

i think in my heart i was going to vote YES, up until yesterday when a dirty red sent a text message about us bieng out of the city but not out of their shadow. And then i thought this is the deciding factor in my vote. we were here first, we are the peoples club, and the majority of our fans are from the city, not from bloody Norway, sweden, hong kong and milton keynes. i feel bitter that we are having to uproot all OUR HISTORY, and then become disenfranchised from our cultural roots (and have them lot rub it in !!!) - sod that i’m voting NO(and they can stick their rafa-lution up thier jumped up backsides

J.harris
9 Posted 21/07/2007 at 16:10:54

When will all you pro Bullshit Billy and Bully fans wake up!!
Nothing is ever free.Do you still believe in Father Xmas.
Staying in the City of Culture with its infrastructure and investment in the future is where its at.
What other developments do you see going on in KIrby??
Major transport links??
An Airport??
Apartment blocks??
Retail Malls (Tesco excepted)??
WAke up and so NO to this irreversible disaster!!

Brian Waring
10 Posted 21/07/2007 at 17:20:05

Just seen the pictures of the interior of the stadium,the club would have been better not showing them.Basic,thats it.It’s a dour run of the mill stadium,that has been designed to be threw up quickly and for the lowest investment possible.Also,why are the club releasing the photos in dribs and drabs?It’s as if Kenwright is reading this site,and telling Wyness,the fans are having a go because they want pictures of the interior.Tell you what,Bully nip down to the Pier head and see if that pavement artist is still there.You know,the one who drawn up the first lot of pictures for us.State of the art, my arse!It looks more like Blackburn,s ground.

Abbie Sanger
11 Posted 21/07/2007 at 15:06:11

Goodison was an awesome ground in its day but it is knackered now, the surrounding area isn't very attractive and since the No Parking signs have been put on the streets it's a pain in the arse on a match day.

People really need to start looking at the move properly from a business point and realise that the proposition, if it is everything it says on the tin, is an extremely good deal. Kirkby isn't exactly a million miles away and the facilities and surrounding area will make us such a more attractive proposition in terms of players and future fans.

I am personally in favour of the move for various reasons, the first being LCC always seem to shit on us (declining planning permission for us to use Stanley Park for one, then giving LFC the okay), Goodison is now a shithole and if I am paying £35 for a ticket I expect the facilities to be top-notch; and finally, it's just off the motorway.

In reference to other clubs singing "you're a small club from Kirkby" who would sing that? only the kopites and them fuckers are mainly Irish and Scandinavian!

The thing about this sort of debate is that there are memories affected, sentimentality gets in the way of a sound judgement, but they are not good enough reasons to obstruct the venture. Yes, some people will have to travel further and then again some will travel less; yes, we will be slightly out of the city boundaries but that really isn't that important ? Man Utd are out of their city boundaries and it doesnt seem to effect them, if anything their location helps them significantly!

David Lewis
12 Posted 21/07/2007 at 17:34:36

To the people who are suggesting, no stating, that BK and KW have been telling potential investors to fuck off...

Do you really believe this is happening and none of the potential investors are actually bothering to say anything about it when it happens? If you do then you’re the most deluded of us all.

Brian Hughes
13 Posted 21/07/2007 at 17:43:08

Nick Thomas. - Its nice to know that some Evertonians are going to base their entire decision, on what is one of the most important issues to have graced our generation, on what some Shite supporter sent them in a text message. Grow up and add some real meat to the debate. I cant stand all these "Im not moving and thats that" brigade. They are not helping to shape the debate at all. If you dont want to move, give us both the reasons and the viable alternatives, to counter Evertons proposals, or your just blowing "hot air"

Steve Mc
14 Posted 21/07/2007 at 18:44:37

David Lewis - These people use agents who will enquire about potential investment and gauge the reaction, if it’s a no go they move on somewhere else, after all they aren’t Evertonians they are looking for business opportunities, they don’t spit out their dummy if one isn’t there. If a Blue consortium tried I’m sure you would hear about it.

Keith Glazzard
15 Posted 21/07/2007 at 18:38:51

From this end of the East Lancs Road, can I point out that the great fear expressed by some in this ’discussion’ doesn’t work like that around here. So-called M. United have nothing to do with the City of Manchester. Man City fans will coreectly point out that neither have their supporters. But what counts every day of the week are results, goals, great players, derby games, pride. I was here when MU were relegated. The MC boys said very little - they didn’t have to.

So forget what some arsehole shitehawk might have to say - and you can tell if he’s Swedish as he will have a better command of the English language than some cradle kopite - and look at what is best for us. Still complicated of course, but just leave them out.

Do you think they’re trying to help?

Martin Handley
16 Posted 21/07/2007 at 19:06:12

Martin Handley
Posted 21/07/2007 at 18:54:03
Report abuse
To all you "I?m not going to Kirkby" so vote no people.Go and supprt the redshite at the new analfield!!
Are you all to fat anmd lazy to get up off your arses or maybe too drunk to get a bus,tram,trainetc from Kirkby back to town or Walton or wherever for a bevvy.
Goodison,god bless her,and I love the place is finished.It?s too old to redevelop and too landlocked £500k a summer just to maintain think about it!
Also LCC DON?T WANT US!!That?s why they?ve put obstacles in our way everytime we?ve come up with the likes of the Kings Dock and Stanley Park(they laugheed in our faces qwhen we asked to build there)and now at the 11th hour they?ve found alteratives to Kirkby have you seen them in the Echo,all total bollocks!!
We either move to Kirkby or we become just another club who?s fans talk about the old days over a pint.
Forget our history think of our future!!
Oh and by the way I think that BK,KW and DM are all full of shite before anybody says different.

Neil Pearse
17 Posted 21/07/2007 at 19:11:37

Those planning to vote ’no’ should realise this: the only realistic Plan B is that Kenwright gives up control of the club and a new very rich investor comes in who can afford to buy (yes BUY) land in the city of Liverpool off Warren Bradley, and then can afford to build on it. He will need at least £100m in ready cash. That, and that alone, is Plan B.

I for one would be very happy if that happened, but wishing doesn’t make it so. In the meantime we are choosing between a ’they play we pay’ stadium half a mile outside the city boundaries; a handful of Bradley’s late and worthless promises; and a prayer that our knight in shining armour may yet turn up before Goodison collapses.

Given the odds, I will be voting for Kirkby. We will still be Everton; we will still be on Merseyside; and we will still attract all our traditional fans if we stay in the Premiership.

Neil Pearse
18 Posted 21/07/2007 at 19:18:11

Er... in the heat of this debate, I think I meant: "they pay we play". Must go and have a cold shower...

paul gladwell
19 Posted 21/07/2007 at 19:21:57

martin handlley lcc offered us the kings dock and the money for it was land locked !!! forget our history think our future !!!! to think the future we have to remember our history ,and you have just shouted the most pathetic shout I Have actually heard in this debate, And if you think KW BK and DM are full of shit why are you trusting them with the biggest decision in our 129 years history?

martin handley
20 Posted 21/07/2007 at 20:18:47

Paul, who said I trusted them ?
Not me and for people like you who don’t remember it was LCC who put stumbling blocks in our path at every step.
I actually went to the public meeting that was held at the Kings Dock and at no time did Henshaw actually mention any funding only the "possibility" that there "might" be some funding if certain criteria was met.
Are you one of these people who think that goodison is the be all and end all.Everton FC is NOT bricks and mortar it’s US the fans AND the players ergo THE PEOPLE.
I will support Everton WHEREVER we play because I am an EVERTONIAN not a GOODISONIAN !!!

paul gladwell
21 Posted 21/07/2007 at 21:10:32

martin fair shout but in your first post you basically said those against the move should support the shite ! is that how our support should be on such a decision shouting shit to each other? I love everton but I wont question how much others do because they have different views you have

Martin Cashmore
22 Posted 21/07/2007 at 19:29:46

Some people are saying a move to Kirkby would add 20 minutes into their journey. Presumably they'd vote against a move to Speke too. Kirkby would add time onto my journey but I think it would be a great move for the club. The Reebok stadium is located on the outside of Bolton with good road links and it's been really successful for them. It would be sad to leave Walton but half of north Liverpool moved to places like Kirkby 40 years ago (at least no one's mentioned Ske'm!).

Mike Dolan
23 Posted 22/07/2007 at 03:03:44

I think the first impressions of the new Goodison are generally very exceptable. There are no iconic design features such as the wonderful blue cross braces now mostley covered with advertising at Goodison but I?m sure as the details of the plan unfold. As for the Liverpool v Kirkby issue this is the stupidest non-issue of all time. It?s not Liverpool it is Merseyside. We are not Liverpool we are Everton and we live wherever the fuck we like.

johhno
24 Posted 22/07/2007 at 08:30:33

I live in Kirkby, Happy days, now it is my turn to walk to the match, just like the Walton boys have done for years. Well done Keith, fantastic job, great stadium and great deal.

Steve Lee
25 Posted 22/07/2007 at 10:58:55

The Reebok? Good transport links? Have you actually been there?

I take it you like leaving 15 minutes before then end, as frankly that’s the only chance you have of getting away from there without queuing for an hour after the game.

As for supporting the reds, why don’t the likes of of you who think a shiny stadium is worth more than the soul of the club go and watch Man City (whose fans would go back to Maine Road tomorrow by the way)?