Kenwright delivers poignant Anfield speech

Peter Mills
1 Posted 15/04/2013 at 19:33:51

Well done to Bill Kenwright for speaking so eloquently on behalf of Evertonians at Anfield today. May the 96 rest in peace.

Mark Frere
2 Posted 15/04/2013 at 19:42:32

He did Everton a great service with that speech. As Peter says. May the 96 rest in peace.

Lee Browne
3 Posted 15/04/2013 at 20:14:48

Well done, Bill lad.
JF96 RIP

Pat Waine
4 Posted 15/04/2013 at 20:16:28

Hit the right tone. Well done, Blue Bill.

Mike Green
6 Posted 15/04/2013 at 20:36:22

Everything else to one side he should be given a lot of credit for that speech, and credit to LFC for inviting him to make it too. Well done to both.

Danny Broderick
8 Posted 15/04/2013 at 20:47:01

I'm not a fan of Kenwright in terms of his stewardship of our club, but that was a fantastic speech. Well done Bill.

Al Reddish
9 Posted 15/04/2013 at 21:02:09

Credit where it's due. I too was at Villa park and echo his sentiments fully.

Stuart Critchley
10 Posted 15/04/2013 at 21:06:04

Spot on, Bill, truly moving.

Peter Norris
11 Posted 15/04/2013 at 21:07:10

Well said, John.

Ross Edwards
12 Posted 15/04/2013 at 21:01:41

I think Bill's brilliant speech has underlined the execellence of our brilliant fans and our great football club. In 24 years we have never taunted Liverpool fans over the tragic events of Hillsborough unlike so called "fans" of Chelsea, United and other clubs.

We have shown respect and have shown support to Liverpool for over 24 years, which is something Man City have never done and never will do with Munich, and I was sickened to see Stoke scum mimicking planes in sick chanting against Munich, and it is a credit to our fans and the club that we have never reached such depths regarding Hillsborough.

It is sad to see that many scum in society have the temerity to mock, joke and sing sick and horrendous chants about tragic events such as Munich and Hillsborough, which is something we have never done and never will do.

We share our lives with Liverpool fans, we were all affected by Hillsborough, and as Bill rightly said, it might have been 96 Blues tragically losing their lives on that fateful day 24 years ago.

I am so glad that the truth about the events of that day has been revealed and that justice has been done.

Greg Lambden
13 Posted 15/04/2013 at 21:14:01

Well done Bill. Not a fan but credit where credit is due.

Ste Traverse
14 Posted 15/04/2013 at 21:21:58

I was at Villa Park myself that day as a 12 year old hearing reports coming through from the events in Sheffield. It was like a morgue on the coach coming home.

I'm not a fan of Bill Kenwright, but a brilliant speech today.

JFT96.

Barry Rathbone
15 Posted 15/04/2013 at 20:54:55

Well done Bill.

Now pull your finger out and get us sold.

David Booth
16 Posted 15/04/2013 at 21:26:30

Proud of you Bill.

Proud to be an Evertonian.

No other club or chairman in the country could have addressed such an event with such relevance, eloquence and sincerity.

The great Bill Shankly was wrong: football is not more important than life or death...

Ian Smitham
17 Posted 15/04/2013 at 21:58:27

Just watched it, compelling and moving, pitched just right.

Terry Maher
18 Posted 15/04/2013 at 22:09:42

Well done, Bill. Brilliant.

David Hallwood
19 Posted 15/04/2013 at 22:14:48

Good one BK and as already been said credit where credits due. I was at Villa Park that day and the weird thing is that I can't remember a single thing about the game, I only know the result because it's on the record.

When we heard about it after the game we abandoned the idea of going on the ale to celebrate and just drove home in silence, on that horrible, horrible day.

Jack Okell
20 Posted 15/04/2013 at 22:37:44

It takes balls to go and deliver a moving and eloquent speech like that, in front of a few hundred reds.

You can say what you want about Blue Bill, but that man is a patron of Everton. I for one am proud to be a toffee.

Cheers Bill.

Peter Laing
21 Posted 15/04/2013 at 22:45:23

Credit to Bill Kenwright, David Moyes and the smattering of Evertonians who represented Everton Football Club today at the memorial service. Justice for the 96.

James Flynn
22 Posted 15/04/2013 at 23:05:06

No wonder Everton Football Club is the most respected in England. The moment makes the man and Bill was up for it. Class.

96 fans went to watch just another game and came home in a box. And the police blamed the fans. Jesus.

Can I ask those who go to the games, will there be something for a 25th anniversary tribute?

Derek Williams
23 Posted 15/04/2013 at 23:09:40

Outstanding Bill. Very proud of you today!!

Ernie Baywood
24 Posted 16/04/2013 at 01:32:55

I'm sure there will, James.

A very good speech from Bill, though I must admit (and maybe it is just me) that I get a little bit uncomfortable when people talk about 'them' and 'us' in this context. For me, it's always been a disaster that happened to people from Liverpool, and football supporters from Liverpool. Of course both clubs should stand together.

I had as many family and friends at Hillsborough as I had at Villa Park.

Jamie Sweet
25 Posted 16/04/2013 at 01:35:38

I echo all the sentiments above. A quite humbling and emotional speech delivered in the toughest of circumstances.

Nothing Hollywood about it. Spot on. Well done Bill.

Jackie Barry
26 Posted 16/04/2013 at 01:53:51

Don't like the way he runs the club, shrouded in secrecy, but I will give him credit for this, thank you Bill. If he loves this club and fans the way he makes out then it's time to move on, actions speak louder than words.

Paul Ferry
27 Posted 16/04/2013 at 04:33:44

Yes, well done, Boys Pen Bill. not, quite frankly, a hard speech to make, any Evertonian worth her/his salt would have said the same and maybe more. You get the plaudits and pundits for saying this but I would rather have had a down-to-earth getting from month-to-month season ticket holder away fan doing this, not you. You got to do this as chairman and in the same way that you and yours have stopped us from speaking up at AGMs you did not ask us if you should deliver this on our behalf. Just because you wangled your way to chairman and have been to say the least a double-dealing lying twat ever since gives you no right to represent us.

You now live in Luvvy-Dickie-Darhling-Land now not Liverpool. How low will you now stoop these days to grab any attention, as when you get your fat wrinkly face on the screen at the GOL whenever we are two goals ahead.

Tom Dodds
29 Posted 16/04/2013 at 06:15:18

My first thoughts Paul {990} are the start of his speech where.... well, quite rightly he has to point out that EFC where behind Liverpool after the travesty of injustice that was Hillsborough.

Then as his dialogue rolled on....and the old `blue/red? Bill`s adventures in the Kop started to weave their way into the audiences minds, I just couldn't quite suss exactly where he was going with this... `nostalgia`. I even (I know I obviously could be reading into it wrong here of course, but) sensed that the past Liverpool players seemed slightly bemused by this newly- old-found stories of old from him.
In fact all the time I had been listening and watching, at the furthest point in my mind, there was the penny slowly rolling down towards the thought processing conclusion!

Gottit!.... GROUNDSHARE!

Brian Harrison
32 Posted 16/04/2013 at 08:25:52

Brilliant speech did our club proud, pity none of this was shown on national television especially with the fighting in Newcastle and Wembley. Would have shown that you can have rivalry without resorting to violence.

Bit disappointed in Paul Ferry, definitely have your opinions on BK but a bit churlish to make such comments on a day when he served our club well.

Danny Kewley
33 Posted 16/04/2013 at 08:47:26

As an Evertonian it is fair to say my personal thoughts of Bill Kenwright are split right down the middle. That speech though, was Top Drawer and he did Everton proud.

I very much doubt there was an ulterior motive. He just spoke from the heart.

Nick West
34 Posted 16/04/2013 at 09:25:38

I've always said I'm proud our chairman is one of us. I'm sure the Liverpool fans long for the day when they had the same. Their chairman couldn't say the words that Bill spoke yesterday. Football clubs are about the community they come from – not winning trophies or foreign owners who have no empathy with the fans.

Blue Bill did good yesterday and we should all be proud of him and those who are more cynical and spout bile on these forums should have a good look at themselves because they not only poison this website, they poison the atmosphere at a great club.

Andy Meighan
36 Posted 16/04/2013 at 10:53:02

Paul 990, that was a bit strong, wasn't it? While I wouldn't give the man the time of day, I thought he came across magnificently. Now we all know the old cabbage doll loves a bit of theatre but I genuinely thought that was from the heart, and it was lovely to see him get a big hug off Margaret Aspinall.

On a bit of a sour note, though, I noticed a few of the enemy wouldn't clap when all around them did, after Kenwright delivered his speech. But, then again, they're not in the same league as us.

Christine Foster
37 Posted 16/04/2013 at 11:42:24

As an Evertonian his words were from the heart and could not be faulted, it's not the day for criticism, it was a day for the two clubs of this city to be as one, united in our hearts and minds over injustice and prejudice of others.

All too ready are those who paint this city black, taint its people at every opportunity, and blame anyone other than themselves. Shame on them, for today I have pride in our club, our city and those who refused to live with the lies. What they will never understand is that pride has always been with us, everyday, but some days it shines brighter than others.

Today Bill Kenwright got it right. Well done, sir.

Ray Jacques
38 Posted 16/04/2013 at 12:03:20

I would like to include my admiration of another Evertonian, Andy Burnham MP, for his campaigning over the past 18 months.

Kev Johnson
39 Posted 16/04/2013 at 11:56:29

Well, I must be the only one who disliked his speech. I seldom say anything about Kenwright on these pages, so I've no particular axe to grind. I sometimes make myself unpopular on TW for telling Red-haters to grow up – I come from a mixed blue/red family so it's nonsense to me. Furthermore, I must have watched the "He ain't heavy" at Goodison video on YouTube a hundred times, and found it incredibly moving. Fair play to BK for that, because I believe he chose the song.

Having said that, I found his speech sickeningly sentimental. It was not, in my opinion, heartfelt at all. The man is an actor down to his boots, and doesn't seem capable of speaking from the heart. His speech was full of theatrical gestures and little emotional tricks to endear himself to his audience. I found it utterly manipulative and fake.

Chad Schofield
40 Posted 16/04/2013 at 12:28:46

Well done Bill - very well said.

Ajay Gopal
41 Posted 16/04/2013 at 12:23:51

The only thing I found objectionable in his speech was the use of the word "soccer" - I am sure it was aimed at the American owners of the RS. Otherwise, well done and heartening to see appreciative responses from the regular TW posters.

Paul Andrews
42 Posted 16/04/2013 at 13:03:27

Kevin 077,

Let me assure you, you are not the only one. Where did these stories of being carried over the heads of kopites come from? From the same story book that he tells the one about being with Eddie Kavanagh when he run on the pitch at Wembley in 66. "I held Eddie's coat when he run on the pitch". Funny that I seem to remember the policeman rugby tackling Eddie and his coat came off.

Awkward time to be criticising Kenwright at a sad time for the city, but it has to be said.

100% respect to the families of the 96.

Chris Leyland
43 Posted 16/04/2013 at 13:10:43

Paul Andrew 091 - why does it have to be said? Can't we just accept that, for once, Kenwright actually did something good and represented the Club well without having to find something to have a go at him for?

Ross Edwards
44 Posted 16/04/2013 at 13:23:34

Bill can't win can he with Kev and Paul slagging him off. He made a poignant speech, a brilliant speech, and you say it's fake? If he wouldn't have bothered what would you have said then?

He represented our club honourably and deserves a bit of praise.

Alex Bonnar
45 Posted 16/04/2013 at 13:20:07

A good, dignified speech on behalf of all decent Evertonians from BK.

Paul Andrews
46 Posted 16/04/2013 at 13:31:12

Chris Leyland.
Because I want to say it.

Paul Andrews
47 Posted 16/04/2013 at 13:32:11

Ross.

If he hadn't've bothered, I would've said "Fair enough, he hasn't bothered in the previous 23 years".

Kev Johnson
48 Posted 16/04/2013 at 13:39:18

Ross - you think he deserves praise, I don't. I found his speech neither brilliant nor poignant - quite the contrary. Making the speech he made, in the way he made it, or simply "not bothering" are not the only two options, are they?

He doesn't speak for me, that's for sure.

Chris Hockenhull
49 Posted 16/04/2013 at 13:45:33

Paul 091 ... Eddie lost his jacket when he slipped it off mid flight whilst the bobby was after him, certainly not a coat. He may well have left his coat behind the goal. Watch the clip if you can find it.

Derek Wadeson
50 Posted 16/04/2013 at 13:46:15

Thank you Bill Kenwright, a top man representing a great club.

Paul Andrews
52 Posted 16/04/2013 at 14:55:42

Chris Hockenhull

Coat ...Jacket? Suits you sir,and Bill.

Nick Waters
53 Posted 16/04/2013 at 16:48:04

It shows that he would make a great ambassador for the club.

As for being a chairman, seeking investment, improving resources and revenues, embodying 'Nil Satis......', we are still where we were 48 hours ago with this man.

Colin Wainwright
54 Posted 16/04/2013 at 17:14:26

Well said Nick (155).

Sam Morrison
55 Posted 16/04/2013 at 17:41:27

Whether he meant it or acted it chaps, it kind of pales into significance in the broader picture, doesn't it?

Harold Matthews
56 Posted 16/04/2013 at 17:25:34

Great stuff Bill. Watched the video with tears in my eyes. Yes, we did indeed go to both grounds after the war and your words brought the memories flooding back. God bless the 96. They are part of us all.

Mark Jensen
57 Posted 16/04/2013 at 17:50:13

Two things:
1. Thought the speech was great and showed Everton for what we are, class.
2. My dislike of Bill as EFC Chairman has not changed and never will. Far too many misadventures to let one rousing speech cloud my judgement.

Paul Andrews
58 Posted 16/04/2013 at 18:09:14

Mr Chairman,
"I was brought up in a soccer mad family in the late 40's and early 50's who went here one week and the other place next week"I used to get passed over the heads by the people on the kop"

Bill would have been 4 years of age in the "late 40's" he talks about.

Steve Brown
59 Posted 16/04/2013 at 18:30:06

Don't think he was being literal Paul. Though perhaps to satisfy you he should have used the remembrance service to identify the year/month/day/hour/minute he started attending the games.

Rightly he focussed on other things.

Jamie Barlow
60 Posted 16/04/2013 at 18:42:42

Don't get your point Paul.

He wouldn't get passed over the heads of people on the kop when he was 22 would he?

Paul Andrews
61 Posted 16/04/2013 at 18:53:41

"Those were the days when a kid could go out on their own"

Why did he choose to go to his first memorial after 24 years.
As I say full respect to the 96 and their families.BIll on the other hand should pay his respects as an Everton chairman.Every year.
He turned it into the Bill Kenwright show at times in my opinion.

Vinny Garstrokes
62 Posted 16/04/2013 at 18:59:14

I thought BK was outstanding today and he certainly spoke for and echoed all of my sentiments to the families. I saw nothing fake in the emotional and intelligent empathy that he displayed, and so what if it uses a little poetic licence to gladden the heart. I know from the look on Margaret Aspinalls face that she certainly took some comfort from it.

Jon Beck
63 Posted 16/04/2013 at 21:49:16

Sad to see that some can't stop pushing their agenda even on a thread about Evertoncontributing to remember 96 innocent victims and praising those who have suffered and fought for justice since their deaths. Sad but in no way surprising.

A moving tribute and well delivered by our Chairman who remains an Evertonian whatever else he may be.

Paul Ferry
64 Posted 17/04/2013 at 03:03:27

Sorry, I agree that my last para was way over the top and insulting to BK – I'm sorry. But I do, however, stand by the 1st paragraph. Sorry, BK does my head in but he is, like you and me, when all is said and done, a blue. Sorry if I offended anyone.

Chris James
65 Posted 17/04/2013 at 09:06:12

Considering the sort of thing that people get 'banned' for on this site, I am frankly staggered that the owners are prepared to tolerate idiots like Paul Andrews and the remarks above.

There is a time and a place for slagging off our chairman and picking holes in everything he says (i.e. pretty much constantly anywhere else on this site), but this thread, this speech and this topic are pretty self-evidently not the appropriate platform.

Ultimately all you're doing Paul is showing yourself to be lacking class and respect and being totally inflexible, one-sided and effectively bigoted in your views on BK regardless of what he does. Hopefully it will lead to your views being treated with even less credence elsewhere on these pages.

Paul Andrews
66 Posted 17/04/2013 at 09:39:50

Chris James,
This is a site for people to post their opinions,the above is my honest opinion.
You appear to hold the same opinion of the chairman as myself,why do you think it inappropriate to voice them on this thread?
Do you pick and choose when you decide to voice a contrary opinion?
I would far rather discuss with someone with the courage to give his opinion wherever,than someone lacking in fibre such as yourself.
I reiterated my respect for the families and the 96 on several occasions and remain steadfast in my support for them.
Hopefully you can garner yourself to get some inner fortitude rather than tell tales trying to get people giving their honest opinion banned.

Kev Johnson
67 Posted 17/04/2013 at 12:50:51

Chris - if you look at my two posts (077 & 108), you will see that I remained absolutely "on topic". This thread is about BK's speech, and that is what I commented on. There is nothing in what I have said that can be construed as disrespectful to the 96 or their families.

Prior to watching that video, I didn't have particularly strong opinions on BK, so I wasn't looking for evidence to confirm a existing opinion. Frankly, I find the financial and 'political' aspects of modern football pretty boring, so I tend to tune out of the discussions about our club's CEO.

However, after having watched BK's Anfield performance - because that's what it was, a performance - I have now have the strong conviction that he is, quite simply, a dishonest man. I do not trust him an inch.

I did hesitate before originally posting, as I felt uncomfortable being so out of step with the majority on what is plainly a sensitive subject. But then I thought: hold on a minute, this is reminding me of that old folk tale, The Emperor's New Clothes, so I felt I had to say something, namely "Er, the Emperor is naked". And he is, he really is.

Paul Ellam
68 Posted 17/04/2013 at 13:02:49

Poor old Bill just can't win can he??
I am not his biggest fan, far from it, but when it comes to something like that I believe he did a good job and it was appreciated by the majority of the Liverpool and Everton fans and families - which was kind of the point of the speech really.
Well done Mr Kenwright

Paul Ferry
69 Posted 17/04/2013 at 21:42:39

While reaffirming my apology - 344 - I am in Kev Johnson's camp. Some say it was a 'hard' speech to make. Sorry, I can't agree. BK got a stage on which he could not have failed because the script has been written a thousand times. I'm not being disrespectful to the sentiments, they have been in my heart since the second I heard about Hillsborough watching us.

Forgive me, but I just wish that it had been Kev Johnson, Chris James, Harold Matthews, Andy Meighan, or any other down-to-earth, hard-working, and diehard blue who pumps heart and money into the club week-in and week-out by simply being there. Would have made it all more authentic and a real 'people' event for me at any rate.

Matthew Williams
70 Posted 18/04/2013 at 00:33:34

So proud to be a Blue Boy, my beloved club has proven its true class yet again. Thanks Bill for showing the footballing world that this city truly values its supporters and most of all, people. RIP'96.

Ross Edwards
71 Posted 18/04/2013 at 12:58:16

Can I just say RIP to Hillsborough justice campaigner Anne Williams who has passed away aged 60 from cancer. She fought the law for 24 years and won, but sadly won't get to see the inquest she desperately fought for.

JFT96.

Paul Andrews
72 Posted 18/04/2013 at 13:11:01

Hear, Hear.

Anne refused to accept the lies and fought relentlessly.
A credit to the 96 and to all the Hillsborough campaigners.Let us hope they get the result she,and they, so richly deserve.

Peter Laing
73 Posted 19/04/2013 at 02:22:29

A crucial week for Everton started with representation at the Hillsborough memorial service at Anfield by Bill Kenwright and David Moyes. Kenwright touched upon the indomitable spirit of Liverpool Mother's and with such poignancy I would like to mark the sad passing of Anne Williams.

In the week that the Iron Lady was afforded her state funeral, Anne bore witness to the struggle and determination of ordinary people against the injustice and cover up perpetrated by those in power. Although this is a blue site, it goes without saying that such matters transcend football rivalry, RIP Anne a true Merseyside champion.