The Mail Bag
Bill's Track Record
Comments (28)
I've always been pretty adamant that Bill Kenwright has been a rotten chairman. Our stability and (relative) success in recent years (I know, I know, we haven't won anything... but at least now we aren't looking forward to an annual relegation battle) I have attributed to Moyes and his being able to gradually improve the club.
However, this article from the Guardian is a pretty sober reminder that a rich investor ain't always the answer (and what nicer a club could it happen to than Liverpool?)... and that, when they get it wrong, they get it very wrong.
We haven't achieved the off-field business success that I feel we're capable of and could drive us on, but neither have we been mortgaged to the hilt by cash hungry capitalists.
Are we going to be like the proverbial turtle who wins the race? I have no idea... but I'm sure nobody on these pages will shed a tear for the plight of our lovely neighbors.
Rory Bresnan, Posted 08/05/2010 at 17:02:04
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
Personally, I think Bill has done a good job in keeping the ship steady despite the lies and failed moves. He wants to see us competing with greater revenues and thinks we have to move to achieve this.
We have a youngish squad with good saleable assets and high quality training facilities overseen by Bill and Moyes. He could have gambled in 2005 but we could now be in Pompey's shoes if he had.
We'd all like more money to spend and a trophy or two — if we buy just one quality right wing this summer, we might realise this. If we do, then Bill would be looked on in a different light.
Gillet and Hicks made their money seperately, but both as speculators. They could care less if the RS do well or not as long as they make a profit.
I hear so many going on about what a shit Kenright is. Is he? We're on the cusp of great things since he's been the boss. No pleasing some (ready-made Boston Red Sox fans), I guess. Great to see the RS in flux. Definitely affects what goes onto the pitch for matches.
On the other hand, not the same thing with ManU unfortunately. The Glazers are an old family and rock-solid. They know what they're doing and are there to stay. Amazing the obvious indicator of Glazer commitment, SAF happily staying, is whipping over the spoiled heads of the simpletons known as ManU fans. Not good for the rest for the rest of the PL though.
Anyway, screw the lot of them. Less injuries (God please. It's someone else's turn.), DM has got us built-up to compete for the Trophy. We win it next season, the money fountain spurts cash.
ManU fans will get over it as the years go by.
Can`t help thinking Blue Bill has turned out to be a hero and a far better Evertonian than David Moores proved a Liverpudlian!
The Moores family have been what most people on this site decry – relatively short-term investors who got out of both clubs when the social kudos they craved didn't balance the finances.
I'm guessing, I have no real idea of how it works though. We would be cheaper to buy, smaller debt, still need a new stadium and some investment in the team but maybe all that could be done for the price of Liverpool's debt alone. I know they still have a global brand and fanbase but Chelsea now have that by virtue of success and being regularly in the CL. Chelsea and Man City, while big names, were not the biggest clubs and others in their areas have been "bigger" yet they have had the to two megabucks takeovers. A rich billionaire would buy Tranmere if they were at the top of the Prem.
I'm still not holding my breath that the 24/7 search will end anytime soon though.
City got taken over as they already had the infrastructure available (large fanbase & stadium). Make no mistake about it, City are title contenders of the future, that is not going to fizzle out. Fortunately this has coincided with Liverpool's demise, meaning that we are not really any further behind, but certainly not any closer either.
I now see that Villa, Liverpool, Spurs and us are pretty much on par regarding playing staff. Our squad is getting better, so the coaching element is certainly working.
What does the future hold? I don't see us challenging for the title for a few years yet, I think next season can only be judged once the transfer activity is concluded. That said though, if we can maintain this squad and get a right sided midfielder in, I think we will be fighting for 4th. The lack of European football may benefit our small squad.
After watching Blackpool yesterday, I think with the right coaching Coleman could be your right midfielder. If so we would need a good strong full back, with Hibbert as his understudy. I shouldn't think there will be any great expectations from Pip next season.
Personally, I am quite happy with Hibbert at right back. Put a decent midfielder in front of him, and it won't expose his attacking issues half as much. As far as defending is concerned, for me, he is still one of the best at the club.
I agree a rich billionaire investor is not necessary nor wanted IMO but a boardroom of savvy businessmen with an interest in EFC's future is.
Bill might be said to be interested in EFC's future as he so often professes but what about KD, Fortress (invisible) Sports Fund, DK (that certainly wasnt in EFC's future interests) and his unhealthy association with Green and Earl.
Until the boardroom is sorted out, we will never have a long-term business nor marketing plan and will continue to stutter from season to season, relying on Moyes to pull more rabbits from the hat.
Our only hope is that there is some sort of financial control put in place to stop the current madness of players wages almost equalling and in some cases surpassing a club's income and equally crazy transfer fees.
--------------
I fear you couldn't be more wrong. We not only are mortgaged to our extremes, but we've also sold all our assets... and are probably just about surviving on the basis of player sales.
Wishng Liverpool to go bust is not only ungracious bitterness — it's also pie in the sky. There's more chance of us going to the wall than the incredible business machne that is Liverpool FC.
Our team has regularly performed well but not won anything with the nasty label of Best of the Rest, regular European adventures and some noteable games such as Wembley v Man U and a few Sky Four killings this season... yet no exploitation of any of this.
I'd be happier with an owner who can take us to the next stage and match what DM is doing on the field off it. I suggest the author finds and reads the recently posted Swiss Rambler blog to clarify the financial situation at the club and I wouldn't call it stable at all.
I'm also curious as to what is "unhealthy" about Bill Kenwright's "association" with two very wealthy businessmen. Has this friendship (as others might call it) done material damage to EFC? or has it indeed been beneficial?
Could not agree more about the point on players' wages. This is THE issue of the decade. It has become an utterly irrational nonsense and sooner this elephant in the room is shot the better (for every club).
And still it seems some people think it's only relevant to argue that things can only get, and must get, better. The idea that thing could be much worse is a profound thought. There are too many examples to bother listing where clubs have been taken over by "benefactors", only to find themselves raped & riddled with debt. People are quite entitled to jam their heads up their arses if they so wish, but to argue that not to do so is somehow stupid is, self evidently, stupid. For the avoidance of doubt & regardless of sensibilities, things could be much worse (and much better).
Green and Earl's association cost us over £4 million and 3 wasted years on DK and IMO is also hindering the sale of the club.
As you well know, it is also illegal to act as a shadow director — although that right now is only speculative.
If that's not unhealthy, I don't know what is.
I find the idea utterly preposterous by the way. But I'd also hate the idea of repercussions elsewhere for those that see conspiracies in such things.
As you have no proof whatsoever that this association has done material damage to us, nor contra-proof that it hasn't helped us, the notion of it being unhealthy is meaningless.
Don't suppose there's any chance we could move on?
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/insmanual/ins44133.htm
Unless you're alleging that he's an undischarged bankrupt or has been disqualified?
Your mate being BK, a material fact that you failed to declare when defending him, until it was forced out of you.
Something for Bob Turner to research.
http://www.keioc.net/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=278&cntnt01returnid=85
Too much to ask ?
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment to the MailBag, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and MailBag submissions across the site.
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 08/05/2010 at 21:02:10
Report abuse
I personally wouldn't like to see Liverpool go bust; much as they are rivals, it wouldn't be funny. I'd feel for the fans, much as I feel for the poor souls who will be at tomorrow's game following our opponents Portsmouth — the poor sods follow their team through thick and thin and then, because of crackpot schemes and financial madness, they have to suffer.