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The Mail Bag

Why so dismissive of fans' fears?

evertonfc.com: 'Spurious media speculation of financial instability was dismissed with the chief executive taking time to discuss last week's accounts.'

evertonfc.com: 'The club's search for fresh investment has always been, and remains, a top priority.'

Robert Elstone: 'Criticism should be positive, it should be fair, and, above all, it should be for the long-term good of Everton Football Club.'

Robert Elstone: 'The past fortnight has seen much speculation on the financial state of our club. I hate to say it, [it] suits the agenda of a small minority of fans who seem intent on painting only the bleakest picture.'

So who are the bad guys in this?

Those Evertonians deeply concerned about the inability of Bill Kenwright and his fellow directors to provide any necessary funding that would move the club forward, both on and off the pitch ? and who were also left to speculate because of the deafening silence that came out of Goodison Park until 8 February (and throughout another incredibly negative transfer window).

Or the same chairman and directors who owe any credibility they may still have to the achievements of David Moyes?

Personally, I think the tone of the chief executive's blog ? which in effect was a response to the rising criticism and ill-feeling from fans towards the Kenwright regime ? was far too dismissive of well-founded concerns and, you could even say, quite arrogant.

Actions speak louder than words, and the only activity seen from the Everton board has been to sell or loan out players in order to save money. That and the failure to stop a crisis of confidence that has been clear to see on the pitch at times this season, as well as in the manager's body language.

However, it is a no-can-do culture that prevails at Goodison sadly, and that obviously goes as far as fans asking legitimate questions of the evidently powerless powers-that-be.
Patrick Hart, Liverpool Posted 16/02/2011 at 18:29:46

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Gavin Ramejkis
1 Posted 16/02/2011 at 23:43:23

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Legitimate questions have not been answered by anyone at the club, Elstone's reply to the Evertonians for Change group claimed routes for dialogue which have no validity; the official website and facebook groups have messages deleted when they ask tricky questions.

The incredibly simplistic filing of the club's annual return having lightened the wage bill significantly showed another loss despite record turnover for the previous year and the figures shown are virtually a year out of date.

The removal of AGMs and EGMs has blatantly removed the correct forum for any questions shareholders on the club have.

Comical Elstone's blog stinks like a rotting carcass and we are back to square one in the game of retaining ownership and control of the football club yet again with the single most damning admittance; a convenient story and appearance by Keith Harris implying Everton are for sale and three potential buyers are in the running just in time to detract from the filing of the accounts and soon to be posted season ticket renewals, yet within a day or two Elstone is interviewed on the local radio station and the old BK favourite is rolled out that Everton are still seeking an investor.

The whole problem with BK is that dreaded word "Investor", the offer on the table for investment must be fucking atrocious if after 11 years he hasn't had a single bite. Elstone did not and hasn't ever to my knowledge used the word that is needed in these dark hours for the club and that is "buyer" and that Everton is finally to be sold.

I don't believe that Everton have ever been for sale, shittier clubs than ours with worse grounds, smaller support and lower finishes in the league have been bought and sold in those 11 years and I'd bet my season ticket renewal money there will probably be others sold before Everton is.

My belief is that the current chairman and his board should be hounded out of the club, cut out like the cancer they are and this can only be achieved with very public protests, let the media whore taste the media against him.

Richard Harris
2 Posted 17/02/2011 at 01:27:56

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I've given up trying to reason with many people as, when any constructive criticism of the running of our club is put forward for discussion, loyalty is called into question and, like the sheep from Animal Farm, it's IMWT and COYB chanting instead of Four Legs Good, Two Legs Bad.....

Ste Traverse
3 Posted 17/02/2011 at 01:38:31

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I refuse to read anything this excuse for CEO comes out with these days, all he's interested in doing is promoting the hapless Kenwright and his cronies on the board.

I can't stand Elstone, he talks down to fans even more than Wyness did. Patronising prick.

Eric Myles
4 Posted 17/02/2011 at 01:53:16

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It looks like Elstone et al have been reading Toffeeweb!

So here's a message to them:

KENWRIGHT OUT!

Christine Foster
5 Posted 17/02/2011 at 02:50:32

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I think the probability is that someone at EFC actually does read the posts. I have seen direct references to postings in the past and it's a fair assumption that it's not done on a regular diligent basis unless it's information that may cause embarrassment.

That being the case then, if your reading Mr Elstone, can you please put a couple of things to bed.

1. Is the club actually for sale, meaning the majority of shareholders investment?
2. Is the club looking for investment without selling a majority shareholding?
3. If the latter will this most likely be achieved through share dilution or a straight sale of shareholders holdings?

Simple questions, simple answers please.

Eugene Ruane
6 Posted 17/02/2011 at 02:34:40

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Robert Elstone: 'Criticism should be positive'.

Erm...ok I'll give it a go.

Wooo!!!

Awriiiite!!

WOOOOOOO!!!!!

Hey, everyone havin' a GOOOOOOOD time?

No?

AWRIIIIIITE!!!

Coooooooooool duuuudes!!

WooooOOOOOOOOO!!!

Robert Elstone is a slippery, self-serving, grinning cunt and Bill Kenwright wouldn't recognise the truth if it bit him on the arse...AWRIIIITE YEAAAH!!!

Two bullshitting cunts...YEAHHH!!!!

And I'm......POSITIVE!!

Yeaaaaaah!!!

Wooooooo AWRIIIIITE!!!

Hi five!!!

Lee Smith
7 Posted 17/02/2011 at 09:49:31

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Eugene, that was even brilliant compared to your always high standards! Made my day mate!!! :)

Adam Bennett
8 Posted 17/02/2011 at 10:15:47

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Well Robert, when this ?small minority of fans who seem intent on painting only the bleakest picture? were voicing their opinions, why didn?t Mr Kenwright come out to the press and paint a positive picture? In other words, not disappear off the face of the Earth every time things are not going well?

And following on from Christine?s simple questions requiring simple answers, can I add a few to the list please?

The August and December loans ? How much where they for, and what where they for?

Where has the Pienaar money gone?

What is Robert Earl?s role at the club? Does he even spend any time in the UK and Liverpool?

How much has Philip Green loaned to the club/Mr Kenwright? Where did this money go? How much has been paid back? Does he have any input into the running of the club?

But we will never get these answers will we Robert?

Maybe if the club answered the questionings of supporters, these ?small minority of fans? would be quickly silenced?

Over to you.

David Hallwood
9 Posted 17/02/2011 at 10:13:33

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'The past fortnight has seen much speculation on the financial state of our club. I hate to say it, [it] suits the agenda of a small minority of fans who seem intent on painting only the bleakest picture.'

Only a free agent in the sumer, 3 players out in January and not replaced even though we've got a ptitfully thin squad, 3 pts above the relegation zone, annual accounts suggesting that it will be more of the same next season ? and WE are painting a bleak picture.

Anthony Hughes
10 Posted 17/02/2011 at 10:38:14

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Elstone is insulting our intelligence. Cheeky bastard.

James Stewart
11 Posted 17/02/2011 at 12:18:57

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Gavin, nail on the head. Kenwright is the cancer of the club and is grossly incompetent at not only sourcing investment but even at implementing a basic business model.

Anthony Hawkins
12 Posted 17/02/2011 at 13:20:55

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Kenwright will have to be the luckiest bastard in the world to secure investment on the terms he is looking for.... ie, Someone to give him tens of millions of quids for zero stake in the business.

The club is not for sale and never has been under Kenwright. All he is after is someone to give him a ton of money for some advertising space.

Do not be fooled, Kenwright is not looking to divest his holding in Everton FC.

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