ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

My Name's Earl

It would appear that Bill Kenwright has always courted the friendship and attention of seriously wealthy associates and contacts including Philip Green. However, what has intrugued me most is the investment made by Robert Earl following his acquisition of the Gregg family shares, his subsequent sleeping-partner status for the past six months, recent election to the Everton Board of Directors, and the apparent injection of revenue that appears to have happened in recent weeks.

It would appear that Robert Earl is both a private and non-publicising type of figure, his purchase of Paul Gregg's significant stake in Everton coming with stealth and the approach of a man with business acumen. The official line from Earl has been that he has something to offer Everton with his experience in the leisure and entertainment industry; others have commented on his involvement in the Kirkby project and its endless potential spin-offs. Investing in Premier League football clubs these days seems to be the de rigeur of tycoons, russian ogilarch's and corrupt dissident statesmen. The impending global financial crisis, however, would suggest that the wholesale investment in football is both precarious and unsustainable; my question would be "What's in it for Earl?"

Without expecting any answers from Kenwright, Earl or Everton, my curiousity is based purely on the impact of such a major stakeholder and the impact of his stake on the future direction of the Club. If it means we are likely to see more cash available to David Moyes then this will be welcomed I'm sure by the majority of fans. The thing though for me is: what's in it for Robert Earl?
Peter Laing, Liverpool Posted 20/08/2007 at 11:49:16

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Colm

Who knows! What intrigues me is that this man, Robert Earl, a 'figurehead' of sorts for the company that now owns almost one quarter of OUR Club ? BCR Sports, an apparent self-confessed Tottenham Hotspur fan, becomes the second biggest shareholder in the Club but professes to not wanting a place on the Board (he has since been co-opted, as the Kirkby Project was seemingly running into multiple problems!). Come on! Who on Earth believes a person would purchase almost one quarter of a football club and not want a direct say in its matters? He's here for the ground move and little else. I suspect we'll see Earl's greater input once they secure a Yes vote. Surely it's in the interest of Evertonians as a whole body ? whether No voters, Yes voters, or Blues without a say ? that we're told who exactly is in this BCR Sports company that owns a pretty hefty chunk of OUR Club.

Ray Robinson
1 Posted 20/08/2007 at 12:56:15

Perhaps he has a list and needs to right a wrong against EFC - karma and all that!

Sean Rothwell
2 Posted 20/08/2007 at 13:28:29

I think you could ask the ’what’s in for him?’ question about any major shareholder in any major Club.

Zac Stanley
3 Posted 20/08/2007 at 13:27:25

Personally I couln’t give a fuck what his motives are as long as he keeps anteing up!I suspect most Evertonians feel the same way.New star payers,new ground-let’s just enjoy it.

John Charles
4 Posted 20/08/2007 at 13:28:49

Looks like a good guy to have onboard to me. Who cares he’s a Spurs fan, he’s english and understands the social aspects of fans supporting clubs.

So he wants a return of his investment, lets hope we give him one. Lets hope we are worth about 10 times more in 10 years time!

Gavin Ramejkis
5 Posted 20/08/2007 at 13:37:20

Ask how many Man City fans are worried where Thaksin’s money comes from or just how a thirty something gets to be a multi billionaire in Russia? Money is money.

Jason Broome
6 Posted 20/08/2007 at 14:39:49

Thank you Zac, you took the words right off my keyboard!!!

Seamus Murphy
7 Posted 20/08/2007 at 15:24:38

Very good Ray!

ajj
8 Posted 20/08/2007 at 16:22:59

Pure conjecture , of course but if he’s planning to expand his business empire into Europe in a big way then top rated English premiership teams have a massive worldwide profile , we have the history , our best team for years and with a bit of investment on the playing side potentially a great team with DM as boss , obviously the thinking being if we get a new stadium on the cheap then the more cash to invest on players . He’s not that much of a philanthropist that he thought buying greggs shares was a ’ nice ’ thing to do , he must have had an ulterior motive , and as previously mentioned , who cares , just as long as the team benefits , as a footnote , I was told that if DM could have bought manny and Lucho , he would have had them both , along with a top striker , so don’t be surprised if the spending hasn’t finished yet