FAN ARTICLES

Is it all negative?

With all the apparent ?negativity? surrounding Everton FC, I decided that a piece of rational thinking was required in order to fully dissect and understand what was going on. The result, I hope will allow some Evertonians the chance to view things in a positive light and see how things can improve, even under the existing tenure of Messrs Kenwright and Earl.

It's been a summer of discontent or at least it has seemed that way. The proposed stadium project has, perhaps, bitten the dust; there have been no new signings (as I write this); the manager has not signed his new contract; the CEO has resigned; we?ve sold a prime asset; and our very saviour has waved a white flag on progress.

Putting the last couple of months' events like this can only lead to dismay amongst the fans and a negativity that rivals that of the Park Hampers and Walter Smith era. But is it really all that bad? It's very easy to apply an irrational view point to the current situation(s). We can all rant on about the misguidance of a Board with hidden agendas, an advisor with his own interests at heart, and a co-owner who had never heard of us before and probably calls the game ?soccer?. We can all complain about the lack of funds and the lack of urgency to obtain new funding to improve the current squad and potential league performance? it's so easy to do ? but what are the real reasons behind the ramblings?

I?m waffling. Terry Leahy has been heavily involved as an advisor to the club due to his interest in the stadium development in Kirkby. It's both a selfish position and a passionate one due to his interest as a supporter and investor. However, for him to gain reward for his efforts, the club has to move forward and produce results. Whether that be to the likings of fans, authorities and other investors or not. Surely moving forward is positive.

To say that moving out of the ?city? is terrible for the club is somewhat baffling to me, apart from sentiment (which I am not patronising), what is the reason for staying? Mr Leahy has a strong business acumen ? he just knows how to get results and how to market a brand and, quite frankly, we are in need of someone who can give that sort of direction? every little helps!

Keith Wyness resigns his position in a cloud of speculation. Not really; he came with a plan and has almost implemented it to his word. He secured investment and borrowings (which allowed the team to improve), raised the fan base (call the box office if you don?t believe me, they can give accurate figures), and also raised our profile in the Far East (and was true to his word regarding sponsorships, corporate targeting, new shirt each season etc).

The brand has undoubtedly improved during his term. Now he has gone, it gives the club the chance to fill his position with another business-minded guru that may, in light of the ?white flag? on progress, be able to engineer the future of the club. Trevor Birch quite simply came at the wrong time. Kenwright couldn?t sell, he would not have returned his original investment without dipping into, in my opinion, the Rooney transfer money...

Wyness was brought in to keep us afloat and above board ? and in many respects he has done that. There is no way Mr Earl would have joined a sinking ship when his past record only ever suggests that he gets involved with brands that he can speculate and sell on at a nice profit. Even passion doesn?t stop business sense? or (to the doom and gloomers) greed. (Again, in a positive light, you can?t be greedy if the cupboard is bare!). At the end of the day, business is business and they are ALL there to make money.

The stadium project ?Destination Kirkby? is called in. Not the end of the world. If anything, it has put REAL pressure on groups (KEIOC) that want the club to stay in the city boundaries. They now have to act and to claim a ?victory? is just outrageous because, if anything, they have only actually gained a stay of execution. It is for them to now come up with the plausible alternative? and not just ?artistic? impressions of pieces of land large enough to hold a stadium.

The ball is also batted back to Liverpool City Council to come up with a site and investment plan that can actually work and isn?t just a missive to fulfil somebody?s task list. Positively, from a fans point of view? this is great. We have a position where things can go back to a drawing-board stage and other offers and investments can be brought forward for consideration. If all of the concerned act quickly, we could see some real, acceptable alternatives to destination Kirkby ? and hopefully alternatives that bring prosperity to the club that I so dearly love.

Selling Andy Johnson has further depleted a ?threadbare? squad. I can?t argue against that point other than to say that it really was a good piece of business that will ultimately provide money for further improvement. The club now has several million pounds in the bank, with more to come (provided that AJ, who only scored 22 goals in 74 appearances can stay fit).

So we have a high earner off the wage bill coupled with a injury prone striker that hasn?t really performed to a 5th place team standard and certainly wouldn?t perform either enough or well enough to get us into that lucrative 4th spot. Simply, a good piece of business. What?s more, it will also allow the team to bring in fresh faces and talent to fill the gaps that are perhaps not up to the required standard.

The white flag. There was a destructive piece in the Mirror on Saturday that hurled some intellectual abuse in Bill Kenwright?s general direction for his comments about not being able to take the club any further than he already has. At first, I was off the same opinion. How dare he come out, 9 years after taking charge, and confess that he ?has given up?? but then a moments reflection later, I realised that he wasn?t giving up at all. In fact, its quite the opposite.

Whilst Bill Kenwright admits he has only a limited resource as a millionaire in a billionaires environment, he does imply that the future for him and his Board is to find the correct investment. Enter Mr Earl? the man who has made a living out of spotting potential investment, improving it and selling it at handsome profits. Perhaps, in Kenwright?s misunderstood comments, we actually have a positive situation where those that manage the club are looking for the necessary buyers to help move it forward. We all assume he has a hidden agenda but so what? He still has to achieve that agenda and if it is to make profit (which it probably is) then he can?t do that in a business that doesn?t make profit?

So the rational argument is that things are being done that are positioning the club for the future ? something that we really have to think about. The past, I?m sorry to say, doesn?t matter. We are in a today business, a today world and we need to ensure that the club moves/progresses along its current curve. That can?t happen if we look at things in a negative light.

Bill Kenwright?s days are coming to a close but at least he understands that and knows he has done his best with what little resource he could sensibly offer. We are, by right, the 5th best club in the world?s strongest league and we?ve got there on small funds, spirit and a determination from the top to the grass roots to prove our worth and I happen to think that we have done it gracefully. When Mr Kenwright does sell the club and stand down, I will be thanking him for his efforts, even if I do it alone (because many can?t see past what is perceived to be a defective hidden agenda).

So please, when Saturday comes (sorry for the film pun), let's raise the roof and forget the doom and gloomers, the ramblings behind closed doors and instead get behind the lads that deserve our support. Moans, groans and doom merchants are not welcome at Everton Football Club.

Reader Comments

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer