A Message to Everton Shareholders

Some have claimed, however, that he is a 'silent director' in all but name, and Bill calls him 'a good friend of the club'. I don't believe that the exact nature of any financial assistance he may have provided has ever been made public, has it?

Can't imagine a fellow like him not being aggressive in business. Since any land development including a new stadium over there appears dead, maybe he's thinking of going the old-fashioned route. Build a winning club and they'll come.

Fingers crossed.

People go on about 'dodgy foreign owners'.. for me Green's as odious as it gets.

Will Kenwright make a loss or break even whenever he sells? or Earl?

Of course people make money from football clubs.

As for the phrase 'hard earned'....pppfftttttt!!!!

He's only sold 25% not the whole thing but that represents c£500m.

My heart says.. with FFP coming in, and Everton on the brink of potentially their most important transfer window of all time, it's now or never for potential investors. But my head says we'll announce the return of Victor Anichebe from injury on deadline day to be like a new signi.......

It's like watching Only Fools And Horses, Del Boy and Rodders...

What a pair of plonkers..

So you think breaking even, that Kenwright and the others will sell for about £30 million?

I think you're ridiculously out of range... In my opinion, Kenwright, at the very least, will have tripled his initial stake.

And Dave Lynch, the EPL is awash in cash. It's TV contracts dwarf the other European top leagues put together. You think our owners don't take their cut off the top?

What he paid for the club is cetainly not 'irrelevant'... in a calculation of his likely profit.

Q:     Which brings me to the Shareholders Association and their call for an extraordinary general meeting. What is the club's position on that?   

A:  Let's be clear with why we stopped. The meetings had become negative and had been hijacked. There was very little positive about them.

Company law changed and we had the option to avoid that scenario.

On a personal level, I don't think I have ever turned down meetings with shareholders. I have suggested quarterly briefings with the shareholders' association.  I am more than happy to meet shareholders to discuss the Annual Report and Accounts when published. I even offered to re-instate the shareholder forum.

As for the reasons for the EGM, I don't think any Club has explained its finances and strategies more comprehensively than Everton.  And as I said we have a continuous dialogue with as much of our fan base as we can. We clearly want to have good, effective liaison with our shareholders and we value goodwill and constructive suggestions. Meanwhile, my door is open to any sensible dialogue and proposals.

Hijacked, negative? Why is that Mr Elstone?? Could it be that the shareholders didn't like the lies or lack of transparency? Or the fact that the major shareholders where embarrassed being exposed for what they were really up to?

The fact remains it was the club who chose to lie to fans and shareholders and the fans demanded answers, the arrogance persists to the detriment of every shareholder and fan. I wonder just how many other premier league clubs have changed their constitution to ban AGMs?

If he is so adamant that his door is always open, then prove it, reinstate the AGMs requested by the Shareholders Association, revert the company constitution back to where it was, be as open as any other club.

Disgraceful.

If he was second in command and instructed to attract rich investors I have no doubt he'd have them lining up. Undoubtedly he has ability to charm with his gladhanding bonhomie just the sort to woo egomaniac billionaires.

But once he's got them in the office he needs to step away, there's something wrong with his terms and without pressure or accountability he has no need to compromise. It's exactly the Hicks and Gilette scenario pre-Anfield meltdown eventually resolved via a 3rd party.

I can see us going the same way.

Yes, we weren't on the telly as much and attendances were down, but we did have a decent cup run and all of the above. It seems we are miles away from running at break-even, with no reasonable bid is ever going to be turned down. Gutted.

It seems he wants to play the part but is more Del Trotter than Sir Peter Hall — even in his own specialism.