Season 2011-12 Fan Articles
An Open Letter to Bill Kenwright
By Steven Flavin :: 13/01/2012
27 Comments (»Last)
Dear Mr Kenwright,
I am a shareholder and season ticket holder at Everton FC.
I was born in Everton and I have been attending matches, home and away since I was first taken by my uncles in that freezing winter of early 1963 when I was 5 years old.
I didn?t need to listen to radio adverts or read newspaper articles, emails, blogs and tweets by players old and new to persuade me to pay my money to watch Everton.
I went, and still go to watch them because I am an Evertonian born and bred.
It has never been discussed whether I should go or not.
It has never been an issue.
I have spent more money than I could possibly count.
I have lost jobs because of my absolute determination to not miss a game.
I have had many rows with my unbelievably patient wife.
I have had some of the best times of my life.
I have had some of the worst days of my life.
But, I still kept going, because I am an Evertonian.
I state the above not because it might make me look like some kind of a ?better? Evertonian, but because I hope it shows that for all of those years I didn?t need ?persuading? to pay to watch Everton.
Right now, in January 2012 I am not sure if I am going to renew my season ticket for next season. I no longer see the point in it.
I can?t see why I should be prepared to spend all that money to watch my club disintegrate before my eyes because of what you and your board of directors are doing, or not doing, in relation to Everton.
It appears to me that there is no money to replace the ageing and tired looking members of the playing squad.
It appears to me that there is no forward plan for resolving this problem.
It appears to me that you and the board of directors couldn?t care less about me, or for that matter any other Evertonian, and are only looking after yourselves and are not doing what is best for the long term future of Everton.
I can?t see many 5-year-olds becoming Evertonians and staying for 50+ years.
I might be wrong about all of this.
So, Mr Kenwright, I have a proposal for you.
Sell me Everton.
Make me buy into Everton.
Persuade me to continue my 50-year association with Everton.
Prove to me that I?m wrong and you, and the other board members have a plan.
You have told anyone who will listen to you, on numerous occasions that you are the best person in the world to sell Everton.
Sell Everton to me.
Reader Comments (27)
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Mick Gallagher
2 Posted 13/01/2012 at 20:49:53
2 Posted 13/01/2012 at 20:49:53
Hope you get a reply Steven and see what he has to say. Love to hear is answer about being the best man to sell Everton
Dennis Stevens
3 Posted 13/01/2012 at 20:52:36
3 Posted 13/01/2012 at 20:52:36
Cash or cheque?
John Salmon
4 Posted 13/01/2012 at 21:37:40
4 Posted 13/01/2012 at 21:37:40
Do not expect a reply I wrote several times recorded delivery, some get must have shot the pigeon, I finished with them in relation to my cup final ticket, computer said no, staff at the kiosk totally uninterested all I can say is that it must come from the top, BK do the right thing and reply, oh and by the way put some time in to write to me you have my address email, as you keep on pestering me to renew my season ticket, fat chance.
Stephen Kenny
5 Posted 13/01/2012 at 21:52:58
5 Posted 13/01/2012 at 21:52:58
If you live in a bedsit in manchester he might try!!!
If that doesn't send shivers running through our board then they are completely deluded as to how far the relationship between fans and the club has deteriorated.
Proper fans who do not take the decision to leave lightly are being forced away from a way of life.
If that doesn't send shivers running through our board then they are completely deluded as to how far the relationship between fans and the club has deteriorated.
Proper fans who do not take the decision to leave lightly are being forced away from a way of life.
John Salmon
6 Posted 13/01/2012 at 21:59:49
6 Posted 13/01/2012 at 21:59:49
Stephen 617 they are deluded though I wasn't there it reminds me of Nero fiddling while Rome burned who said history doesn't repeat it,s self.
Ray Robinson
7 Posted 13/01/2012 at 22:07:57
7 Posted 13/01/2012 at 22:07:57
Steven, apart from the fact that you are a shareholder, this could be me that you are describing. I got a text message from Everton today encouraging me to buy a ticket for the Fulham FA Cup tie. Do you know what, I might just not go? I am not part of a conspiracy, I am just sick to death of the current regime. If people like me who have followed Everton since 1961 are becoming disillusioned, what chance is there for our great club?
Laurie Hartley
8 Posted 13/01/2012 at 22:17:02
8 Posted 13/01/2012 at 22:17:02
Steven,
I don't know who you are but it is possible that you are in a position to make an offer to buy the club.
If you are, I hope you have approached him directly.
I don't know who you are but it is possible that you are in a position to make an offer to buy the club.
If you are, I hope you have approached him directly.
Steven Flavin
9 Posted 13/01/2012 at 22:57:16
9 Posted 13/01/2012 at 22:57:16
Laurie Hartley.
I didn't mean literally sell it to me.
I meant Tell me why I should continue.
I didn't mean literally sell it to me.
I meant Tell me why I should continue.
Chris Stephenson
10 Posted 13/01/2012 at 23:04:50
10 Posted 13/01/2012 at 23:04:50
Good letter Steven.
Good luck getting a reply!
In my opinion, the longer he and the current board stay in charge the less recognisable our club becomes...
Ive posted this before elsewhere but your post also reminded me of this from Bill in an interview in the Mail...
'You know, I've sat with people who wanted to invest in the club and there was one guy, a very nice man, a businessman in Liverpool, and he listened for an hour and a half and finally, he said, "Bill, I don't want to be you. I want to be able to take my kids to school in the morning".'
This still astounds me! 'Best person' to sell the club and all tha!t? What on earth is that all about? Hasn't he basically admitted putting people off here...?
Good luck getting a reply!
In my opinion, the longer he and the current board stay in charge the less recognisable our club becomes...
Ive posted this before elsewhere but your post also reminded me of this from Bill in an interview in the Mail...
'You know, I've sat with people who wanted to invest in the club and there was one guy, a very nice man, a businessman in Liverpool, and he listened for an hour and a half and finally, he said, "Bill, I don't want to be you. I want to be able to take my kids to school in the morning".'
This still astounds me! 'Best person' to sell the club and all tha!t? What on earth is that all about? Hasn't he basically admitted putting people off here...?
Gavin Ramejkis
11 Posted 13/01/2012 at 23:03:03
11 Posted 13/01/2012 at 23:03:03
I completely agree with the letter and Everton have sold me the idea of jacking it in watching that blue rinsed ponce flush Everton down the toilet before my eyes. I got a text message in work today thanking me for going to the FA Cup Match against Tamworth and I should buy my Fulham cup ticket - thing is I told them to get fucked on the autocup on my season ticket this year and have deliberately not been to a single cup game the first time in years, not because of some conspiracy group or whatever bollocks is rumoured but because thats my stance on protest. I'm not going to the Fulham game, no longer spend a penny in the ground or shops and next years season ticket is looking less likely by the day.
Nick Armitage
12 Posted 13/01/2012 at 23:30:51
12 Posted 13/01/2012 at 23:30:51
Steven
In fairness to Kenwright, he probably will respond to you. I have always had a reply from him down the years and he did answer my questions that I put to him (albeit not with the answers I necessarily wanted to hear).
Your letter is fantastic.
In fairness to Kenwright, he probably will respond to you. I have always had a reply from him down the years and he did answer my questions that I put to him (albeit not with the answers I necessarily wanted to hear).
Your letter is fantastic.
Peter Laing
13 Posted 13/01/2012 at 23:27:07
13 Posted 13/01/2012 at 23:27:07
Steven you are correct in that there are not many five year old's that want to become Evertonians, nor seven or nine year old's like my two Everton supporting son's who get laughed at in school for what Everton have become - a laughing stock. We need to keep the faith though Steven, there is life beyond Bill Kenwright. Look at the way Chelsea were and Man City, we just need a fresh start and somebody with vision as opposed to stagnation.
Tony J Williams
14 Posted 14/01/2012 at 00:30:15
14 Posted 14/01/2012 at 00:30:15
Watch this space Steven.......doh!
Robby Daniels
15 Posted 14/01/2012 at 00:50:02
15 Posted 14/01/2012 at 00:50:02
Great letter, Steven, makes me want to cry.
By the way, Flymo Bob thinks the team is young.... I despair, like you and now, thousands of others.
Keep the faith mate, He's on his way out and he knows it...
By the way, Flymo Bob thinks the team is young.... I despair, like you and now, thousands of others.
Keep the faith mate, He's on his way out and he knows it...
Jim Lloyd
16 Posted 14/01/2012 at 00:48:26
16 Posted 14/01/2012 at 00:48:26
Steven,
You were lucky to see the most magical period of football that I've ever seen at our club. I sympathise with you and am in total agreement with you. Our club is dying now, An absolute tragedy which need not have happened, I hear people saying "Keep the faith" as though some kind of miracle will take place and bring us back to where we belong; at the Top and playing the style of football we were renowned for the "School of Science" football which is our birthright. Well, we're dying and the chances of us getting remotely approaching the majestic style of football that you were lucky enough ton catch a glimpse of, are remote indeed. The chances of us playing any kind of football that will see us anywhere near the top six, are dead and gone. I have been going to Goodison since 1960 and have never seen our club sink so low as it is now, though sometimes we were near. This time though, I cannot see us going anywhere but down uless we get rid of this useless and lying board.
My season ticket won't be renewed while we are being driven to the wall by the present incumbents pathetic performance.
I sincerely hope I'm wrong and it would be wonderful if we had a sniff of any kind of hope for the future, or for someone to come in and give us one thing...HOPE. I don't see any of that commodity anywhere near the rotten core of Everton football Club
You were lucky to see the most magical period of football that I've ever seen at our club. I sympathise with you and am in total agreement with you. Our club is dying now, An absolute tragedy which need not have happened, I hear people saying "Keep the faith" as though some kind of miracle will take place and bring us back to where we belong; at the Top and playing the style of football we were renowned for the "School of Science" football which is our birthright. Well, we're dying and the chances of us getting remotely approaching the majestic style of football that you were lucky enough ton catch a glimpse of, are remote indeed. The chances of us playing any kind of football that will see us anywhere near the top six, are dead and gone. I have been going to Goodison since 1960 and have never seen our club sink so low as it is now, though sometimes we were near. This time though, I cannot see us going anywhere but down uless we get rid of this useless and lying board.
My season ticket won't be renewed while we are being driven to the wall by the present incumbents pathetic performance.
I sincerely hope I'm wrong and it would be wonderful if we had a sniff of any kind of hope for the future, or for someone to come in and give us one thing...HOPE. I don't see any of that commodity anywhere near the rotten core of Everton football Club
Derek Thomas
17 Posted 14/01/2012 at 01:18:57
17 Posted 14/01/2012 at 01:18:57
The season ticket money for years to come funds a big loan.I believe it was 'sold' to Bear Sterns on the strength of...We have 25,000 regular season ticket holders, year in year out, no worries.
We are rapidly heading to TOTAL attendances in the 25-30K mark. How many season ticket holders will we have next year. How soon will it take Bear Sterns to see that the repayment pot is shrinking.
And whose fault will it be? the ones who didn't renew? or the ones that supplied a product no one wanted to buy. Who wants Blue Bill Cassette tapes in a Blu-ray world.
We are rapidly heading to TOTAL attendances in the 25-30K mark. How many season ticket holders will we have next year. How soon will it take Bear Sterns to see that the repayment pot is shrinking.
And whose fault will it be? the ones who didn't renew? or the ones that supplied a product no one wanted to buy. Who wants Blue Bill Cassette tapes in a Blu-ray world.
Dick Fearon
18 Posted 14/01/2012 at 01:44:48
18 Posted 14/01/2012 at 01:44:48
A brilliant letter Steven. The geriatric old fool would be hard pressed to make you an offer.
Would a mission statement from Moyes that he will aim for value-for-money entertainment help persuade you.
Would a mission statement from Moyes that he will aim for value-for-money entertainment help persuade you.
John Roberts
19 Posted 14/01/2012 at 04:39:53
19 Posted 14/01/2012 at 04:39:53
Steven. I wish you had the finances for him to literally sell the club to you as from your short article it is apparent to me that you have a shitload more sense than Billy Bullshitter!
Robbie Shields
20 Posted 14/01/2012 at 05:36:14
20 Posted 14/01/2012 at 05:36:14
Chris #638, that piece in the mail got my blood boiling too! It shows just how delusional, ilogical and incompetent the man is.
On the one hand he is the best salesman for Everton in the world, but on the other hand he hasn't sold it after years worth of trying, by his own admission he was looking to sell up to a guy in a bedsit and when he got a potential investor, within half an hour he had got the guy to be adamant that he wouldn't want to own the club!!!!! WTF
On the one hand he is the best salesman for Everton in the world, but on the other hand he hasn't sold it after years worth of trying, by his own admission he was looking to sell up to a guy in a bedsit and when he got a potential investor, within half an hour he had got the guy to be adamant that he wouldn't want to own the club!!!!! WTF
Chad Schofield
21 Posted 14/01/2012 at 12:14:27
21 Posted 14/01/2012 at 12:14:27
Great letter Steven.
Can I ask why the numbering is so erratic? Is there some kind of virtual dyslexic algorithm, did Michael not like the first 595 replies (and many along the way) or is it some kind of Evertonia code telling Kenwright to go?
Can I ask why the numbering is so erratic? Is there some kind of virtual dyslexic algorithm, did Michael not like the first 595 replies (and many along the way) or is it some kind of Evertonia code telling Kenwright to go?
Brian Denton
22 Posted 14/01/2012 at 12:34:25
22 Posted 14/01/2012 at 12:34:25
Chad, I have been puzzled by the numbering system recently, but I believe it is a numerical sequence by post, not by post within topic. So post 545 will be on topic/article (a) 546 in article (b) and 547 back in article (a). Seems a silly way of doing things, but there you go.
Great article Steven. I was born in 1958 and attended my first match in that winter of '63. So I guess you and I are pretty much contemporaries. We were the lucky ones.
Great article Steven. I was born in 1958 and attended my first match in that winter of '63. So I guess you and I are pretty much contemporaries. We were the lucky ones.
Chris Perry
23 Posted 19/01/2012 at 13:17:35
23 Posted 19/01/2012 at 13:17:35
I sent a letter to Kenwight, Moyes and Robert Elstone.
This was the reply from Paul Tyrell (the man employed to enhance Everton's reputation!!)
Dear Mr Perry,
Please regard this note as acknowledgement from Everton that we have received your recent emails to the Chairman, Manager and CEO, commenting on a wide range of subjects.
We also acknowledge that you are entitled to your opinion.
We will continue to engage with our supporters ? frequently, honestly, in good faith and at a level which is unheralded in the Barclays Premier League.
Yours,
Paul Tyrrell.
This was the reply from Paul Tyrell (the man employed to enhance Everton's reputation!!)
Dear Mr Perry,
Please regard this note as acknowledgement from Everton that we have received your recent emails to the Chairman, Manager and CEO, commenting on a wide range of subjects.
We also acknowledge that you are entitled to your opinion.
We will continue to engage with our supporters ? frequently, honestly, in good faith and at a level which is unheralded in the Barclays Premier League.
Yours,
Paul Tyrrell.
Steve Cotton
25 Posted 20/01/2012 at 15:57:11
25 Posted 20/01/2012 at 15:57:11
Chris you would have got more sense from Paul Burrell !!!!
Steve Cotton
26 Posted 20/01/2012 at 16:08:05
26 Posted 20/01/2012 at 16:08:05
Cant somebody start an E petition which we can forward to the board, which can also be accessed by the media so they can see the way every blue (except Doddy) feels towrds BK and the board.
it would need to be moderated to keep idiots off, but in the same way that the Clattenberg petition was run would be good.
lets see if we an get 10,000 disgruntled blues to comment and then the board wont think it is just the odd few.
Lets see who cheers when his fat smug face appears on the big screen then
it would need to be moderated to keep idiots off, but in the same way that the Clattenberg petition was run would be good.
lets see if we an get 10,000 disgruntled blues to comment and then the board wont think it is just the odd few.
Lets see who cheers when his fat smug face appears on the big screen then
Karl Parsons
27 Posted 20/01/2012 at 18:25:24
27 Posted 20/01/2012 at 18:25:24
Steven,
Let me also add my congratulations to you on the structure and concise manor in which you have pinned BK to a post (with his own rhetoric). Your open letter echoes my sentiment and frustration precisely!
I too am a season ticket holder losing sleep over the patent neglect and obvious mismanagement of a board of directors who appear too preoccupied in self-indignation every time we, their clients, voice our concerns.
I too have spent 50 years carrying the Club message to four corners of the World to anyone mad enough to listen to me. I too have had enough.
The storm clouds that are gathering over Goodison Park will burst into life the minute we get our final reminders to buy next years season tickets. Reminders that land on our doormat BEFORE the season has passed!
When the aforementioned are posted directly into the bin that?s when certain members in our corridors of power will run for cover.
Of the 8 people in my circle of friends who are season ticket holders this is the reply I had to one simple question, ?Are you going to renew you ticket??
1. Mark (my Son 20) ?Definitely not, unless we get a new Board?
2. Tommy (work colleague 51) ?No season ticket, I will pick and choose the best games only next season?
3. Terry (drinking partner 50) ?I will wait until the end of January and review the investment made in the playing staff?
4. Michael (work colleague 30?s) ?Yes, no matter what?
5. Dave (work associate 40?s) Not sure yet, it?s 50 50
6. Tommy (friend & fellow parkender 40?s) ?I don?t think so mate but this place is a massive pull?
7. Pete (life friend and the lad I went to my first match with 52) ?No!?
8. Alison (work colleague 30?s) ?Only if Kenwright does one!?
And me, Karl 52, as much as it pains me to say it, No. On the principle that you need to be cruel, sometimes to me kind.
Let me also add my congratulations to you on the structure and concise manor in which you have pinned BK to a post (with his own rhetoric). Your open letter echoes my sentiment and frustration precisely!
I too am a season ticket holder losing sleep over the patent neglect and obvious mismanagement of a board of directors who appear too preoccupied in self-indignation every time we, their clients, voice our concerns.
I too have spent 50 years carrying the Club message to four corners of the World to anyone mad enough to listen to me. I too have had enough.
The storm clouds that are gathering over Goodison Park will burst into life the minute we get our final reminders to buy next years season tickets. Reminders that land on our doormat BEFORE the season has passed!
When the aforementioned are posted directly into the bin that?s when certain members in our corridors of power will run for cover.
Of the 8 people in my circle of friends who are season ticket holders this is the reply I had to one simple question, ?Are you going to renew you ticket??
1. Mark (my Son 20) ?Definitely not, unless we get a new Board?
2. Tommy (work colleague 51) ?No season ticket, I will pick and choose the best games only next season?
3. Terry (drinking partner 50) ?I will wait until the end of January and review the investment made in the playing staff?
4. Michael (work colleague 30?s) ?Yes, no matter what?
5. Dave (work associate 40?s) Not sure yet, it?s 50 50
6. Tommy (friend & fellow parkender 40?s) ?I don?t think so mate but this place is a massive pull?
7. Pete (life friend and the lad I went to my first match with 52) ?No!?
8. Alison (work colleague 30?s) ?Only if Kenwright does one!?
And me, Karl 52, as much as it pains me to say it, No. On the principle that you need to be cruel, sometimes to me kind.
Steve Pugh
28 Posted 20/01/2012 at 19:41:53
28 Posted 20/01/2012 at 19:41:53
Steve Cotton, anyone can start a petition. Simply go to https://www.petitionbuzz.com/create and fill in the forms.
Try and get it mentioned on all the fan sites and you'll soon get results.
Try and get it mentioned on all the fan sites and you'll soon get results.
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1 Posted 13/01/2012 at 20:35:31