ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

Everton in Limbo

In common with a number of Premier clubs, Everton are in limbo at present. Whilst we wait for news of a new owner, this situation of uncertainty suits Bill Kenwright very well. It gives him a good excuse for doing the only thing he does well - NOTHING!

Of course, we are uncertain about other things as well: whether we have any prospect of a new stadium; whether we want it if it has to be in Kirkby; whether to appoint a new CEO; whether Moyes will ever sign that bloody contract; and, most important of all, whether the team we have is fit for the purpose.

Now I may be a simple soul who can only handle one problem at a time but that little lot looks a bit prohibitive to me and if you add the undoubted fact that every possible line of credit has been used up, Everton looks like a club in crisis to me. The solutions to some of these problems may only exacerbate the calamity.

If Kirby gets the go-ahead, how can "our share" possibly be funded AND allow money for team building? If Moyes signs the ridiculously expensive contract, will he be able to turn our season round? If he can't, will we be stuck with him for another five years?

So, as Bill looks for "the right and proper owner" to succeed him, he really has got the perfect excuse to let things just roll on. Can't talk to anybody about an alternative ground, not worth appointing a new Chief Exec, no good spending money on the team etc etc etc...

Everton in limbo? Deep in the shit more like. Or am I exagerating our woe?
Brian Noble, Ince Blundell Posted 14/10/2008 at 16:25:36

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Harry Meek
1 Posted 14/10/2008 at 23:41:49

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Nobby, tonight?s news just bears out your point. Moyes signing the contract might have made him and his family rich beyond their wildest dreams but it does little to improve Everton FC except adding a needless £17M to the purchase price.

OK we could, and have had, worse managers but I see his time here as spent and would have welcomed a change. As it is, I think Kenwright just fucked up yet again ? and will probably live to rue the day.

Steve Carter
2 Posted 14/10/2008 at 23:42:52

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Agree we have our woes, Brian. However, as Lord Triesman pointed out recently, the total debt of EPL clubs is in the region of £3bn, of which the so-called ’big 4’ account for about a third of that. Looking at their individual circumstances, it seems to me that Man U and the Shite are in a particularly precarious position. In the present climate, I’d be happier being us than either of them.

Paul Gladwell
3 Posted 15/10/2008 at 06:41:03

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Steve are you having a laugh there mate?

Real Madrid have been in similar situations as the Mancs and the fact is they are that big they would never been in any threat that could threaten the club's future. We own nothing, have a chairman who sees moving to a small town from a big city as business sense, and gives a manager of a team performing dreadfully ? and possibly in the bottom 2 or 3 come November ? a whopping wage rise... and you would rather be us!

David Johnson
4 Posted 15/10/2008 at 08:44:41

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We have been in limbo since the day Kenwright tiook control. I agree with everything you say Brian with only one exception: Moyes has done a wonderful job on limited resources. The only reason I'm uneasy about his new contract is his possible involvement in Everton not being able to field 11 recognised first teamers for the start of the season ("we are not in a position to win Premier League games..."). That was a disgrace and whoever was responsible should walk. But this is Everton so I don't suppose we will ever get to the bottom of it.

For years, successive boards have let our club rot and stagnate and I have lost count of the number of times we have failed to grasp the nettle and kick on. Our ground is falling down because Kenwright and those before him failed to maintain it. It's ironic they let our stadium fall to pieces then tell us we have no option other than to risk everything for Kirkby. The board at LFC had the foresight to buy up Kemlyn Rd whilst still realatively cheap. They maintained their ground and only plan to move because they have outgrown Anfield.

Sorry if this has turned into a anti-Kirkby rant, it's just that I feel so strongly. So, yes, I agree we will remain in limbo until this clown moves on... and despite the Harris crap I can't see this happening at any time in the near future. Like you say, he will sit doing nothing and get away with it by using the "looking for buyers" smokescreen.

David Johnson
5 Posted 15/10/2008 at 09:34:51

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Just one other thought: Using Moyes's wages, how long would it take to buy up all the property around Goodison? I reckon we could buy Gwladys St in about a year...