ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

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, Liverpool Posted 24/07/2007 at 11:37:29

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Rupert Sullivan
1 Posted 24/07/2007 at 14:50:07

Peter, there is little in the way of a deliverable alternative because EFC have not looked at one! That should not mean that Kirkby is OK by default! When you buy a car, do you only look at one or do you see if there is anything else on the market beforehand? Likewise, do you ask the price beforehand? Kirkby may well be the best option for EFC but shouldn;t we lookaround first?

Barry Bragg
2 Posted 24/07/2007 at 14:58:52

I think the point is that the club has looked around Rupert. If you read Wyness’ interviews you will hear that all of the sites mentioned by the council have been looked at but without either a commercial partner and/or free land Everton cannot afford to build a stadium.

Going back to your car analogy if a car would normally cost £15,000 and you only have £1,500 you can do all the looking around that you want but untill someone offers to make up the difference for you you will never be able to afford one.

Tesco and Knowsley are offering to pay for a car for us. Offers like this are very very rare and the chances of another similar offer materialising in the immediate future are virtually zero. The move to Kirkby is the only viable option for this club to obtain a new stadium. Vote yes.

Tony Marsh
3 Posted 24/07/2007 at 15:11:47

Peter you just dont get it mate do you?Why support s deal that is so flawed and riddled with inconcistencies.Why Kirkby for fucks sake?Dont fall for the There is no where else crap either.Its all a scam mate BK and Wyness change the detail of this plan every other day WHY?

Heres one for you.Do you really think buisness men looking for a day out with clients will go all the way to Kirkby to fill those boxes up because I dont. New ground loads of corporate facilities no one to use them.Theres nothing to do or any where to go once you get to Kir so whats the point.We need to be near the city center to utilise a new ground properly.Out in the sticks wont work.

Richard Parker
4 Posted 24/07/2007 at 15:33:56

Pienaar is in according to the OS.

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?

Colin Potter
5 Posted 24/07/2007 at 17:41:27

Pete,we haven’t a snowballs in hell chance moving to Kirkby and filling a 55000 stadium,but we have if we stay in the city.Another thing,iv’e said it before,but i will say again,if Mr Tesco,as they call him is such a big Evertonian,why have Tescos never sponsered us.No Pete,this deal is for Billy Liar,Slim Wyness,and Terry leahy!

Roy Coyne
6 Posted 24/07/2007 at 20:49:30

Tony and Colin I agree with all you say and must admit to being suprised at the amount of fans prepared to accept what Kenwright &co say as being true with his past history of lie after lie his integrity is questionable but yet the still trust him.