Kenwright ushers in the winds of change
As with any new chapter in the clubÂ’s history, Farhad Moshiri's investment in Everton is a step into the unknown that requires faith and patience but it could mark a turning point at the club in all the right ways.
It may have taken many more years than Evertonians might have hoped but Bill Kenwright has finally delivered on his promise of attracting investment to Everton Football Club.
It’s a key word because while there has been talk and speculation of billionaire buyers and takeovers by foreign consortia, the Chairman has, in the main, talked of finding an investor to help push the club forward. It’s a vital distinction and it might go part of the way to explain why, as clubs up and down the Premier and Football Leagues have changed hands during Kenwright’s 16-year stewardship at Goodison Park, it has taken this long to achieve.
Of course, there must surely have been more than an element not only of selectivity but also reluctance on Bill’s part, a reflection of his desire to remain at the helm to steer his Blues to the brighter future we all want or to ensure that the club remains in the right hands should he sell up, that served to prolong the search. And as uncertainty has grown around Kenwright's recent health problems and their potential severity, fears have built in tandem among many Blues that he might be forced into a rushed sale — not necessarily to the first bidder to come in with the requisite cash but perhaps to a party less ideal than might have been the case a few years ago.
Quite where the Moores-Noell consortium fell along that spectrum we might never know but the hesitation shown by Swansea City’s supporters trust when it came to their proposed investment in their club last year, coupled with a general unease about the track record of US venture capital vehicles in Premier League football in general, meant that was plenty of apprehension around what it would mean for Everton were their proposed bid to go through.
Ultimately, whether it was due to their insistence that they rather than Kenwright called the shots or some other more finance-related reason, the Americans' negotiations did not end with a successful takeover at Goodison. Instead, Iranian-born billionaire Farhad Moshiri has acquired a 49.9% stake in Everton, one that makes him by far the club’s largest shareholder and the overriding vote in the boardroom but stops short of giving him complete control.
By negotiating those terms, bringing in a new shareholder with the promise of further investment, and keeping himself at the wheel in terms of remaining Chairman, Bill gets to have his cake and eat it too. He also safeguards the club, at least in the extreme case, from the whims of a single shareholder and retains Evertonian influence as the nominal face and head of the club.
There will be plenty of fans who are sceptical over Bill’s continuing chairmanship, his stock with them having fallen precipitously over the course of his rein at Everton – not least because of incidents like the failure of the Kings Dock, the Fortress Sports Fund charade, the Destination Kirkby controversy, the paucity of Robert Earl’s presence in the boardroom, and the opaque nature of Sir Philip Green’s involvement with the club’s affairs. The new structure at the club is a win-win in many ways, however, particularly for those who retained their faith and support in the Chairman throughout. The importance of keeping a Blue with a hand on the tiller should not be underestimated, not least because the owner of that hand was responsible for almost all of the transfer negotiations that helped assemble the promising team we watch week in, week out. It certainly beats the flying leap into the unknown that would be a wholesale takeover by a foreign buyer or buyers with no attachment or affinity to the club at all.
Moshiri’s arrival doesn’t herald an overnight transformation of Everton’s prospects in the way that, say, Sheikh Mansour’s billions did at Manchester City; indeed, there's small chance of him bankrolling a spending spree on players and it’s unlikely there will be any radical change in the short term. Given the relative financial stability afforded by the current broadcast revenues, there isn’t any pressing need in that regard.
What it does offer, however, is what many have been calling for and what the club desperately needed – fresh blood, the promise of fresh investment into the club’s playing staff and (crucially where the stadium issue is concerned) infrastructure, plus the addition of experience in business and investment to a boardoom that had become sparsely populated and stale. All without Everton FC becoming the plaything of a foreign oligarch.
Furthermore, Moshiri brings precious knowledge of the inner workings of the Premier League from an association with one of England’s most stable and well-run football clubs. While he may have only owned 15% of the Gunners personally, with his longtime associate and partner Alisher Usmanov he owned almost a third of that club with an apparent desire to increase that stake to eventually acquire overall control at the Emirates, something that majority owner Stan Kroenke has remained steadfast in resisting.
While frustrated by Kroenke’s desire to remain in control of Arsenal and deny the pair a seat in the boardroom, Usmanov and Moshiri have refused to rock the boat or take any action that might damage the club. As an open letter to the Arsenal board of directors from 2012 published on the BBC website and co-signed by the pair illustrates, however, they had a keen understanding of the issues facing the club and were very much aware of the concerns being voiced by supporters, particularly on social media and Internet forums. Their call for the Gunners’ board to address fundamental issues like “the financial model, the lack of investment and the Club's future strategic direction” and their vision for a debt-free club should strike a deep cord with Evertonians.
That kind of focused ambition tempered by a measured approach are qualities that should sit well with Blues fans apprehensive about Moshiri’s assumption of the mantle of largest shareholder at Goodison. Unable to achieve his goals in football at Arsenal, he has found a new avenue with our club amid a new ownership structure that allows him to get his feet under the table and lay of the land without having total control. Everton could well be the beneficiary of Moshiri's pent-up energy.
There is plenty we don’t know for sure certain yet, of course. For instance, how much did Moshiri pay for his 49.9% holding in Everton? Was it as little as £30m, as was suggested yesterday, in order to give him the “bandwidth” to plough investment straight into the stadium issue or was it closer to £85m which would value the club at around £175m? Whose shares did he buy and how many do the remaining directors hold? Has that long wait for Bill to make good on the pledge he made all those years ago been worth the drawn-out saga?
Those are answers that will be forthcoming in due course but while these winds of change won't sweep the boardroom clean in the manner that some would have been hoping for, the feeling is that there is much to be optimistic about given the sound impression one gets about Moshiri from his past dealings and those who know him personally. As with any new chapter in the club’s history, it’s a step into the unknown that requires faith and patience but it could mark a turning point at Everton in all the right ways.
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Reader Comments (111)
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2 Posted 28/02/2016 at 07:24:57
Yes, the actual facts about what has happened so far are thin on the ground. And there seems to be much speculation as to what has happened and what will now happen, short/ medium term and long term.
3 Posted 28/02/2016 at 07:34:02
I think Bill has really come up with the goods and we should be grateful having a true blue at the helm and Roberto as manager.
No-one or nothing is perfect but this seems close to the ideal given all our wishes
My only worry is where to improve the team! Given a little more luck this team of players could set the place alight
Onwards and upwards, Blues.
4 Posted 28/02/2016 at 07:40:11
We can only sit back and wait for the fireworks or more likely watch the flowers sprout and bloom.
IMWT (That's Moshiri now, you understand!)
5 Posted 28/02/2016 at 07:49:16
Conspiracy theorists may well point to Russian money behind this with a Putin - Usmanov - Abramovic axis building to resist the US funded teams in the Premier League. We can only hope we receive some of that cash flow.
Regardless if we can now clearly move structural plans on independent to squad plans it will ensure our Premier League future for the next generation.
nb: If, as has been suggested, Kenwright & Woods have taken little out during this transfer of control, then we owe them both a huge debt of thanks. How many of us would turn down tens of millions for far less – though still a fortune? We await confirmation.
6 Posted 28/02/2016 at 07:58:07
Could this be his first move in taking overall control at Everton? It's obvious that they like to work together as partners and have a proven long-term relationship as friends.
7 Posted 28/02/2016 at 07:59:14
a. Keeping together; and
b. Strength in depth.
The wage bill needs to expand over the next few years – a few Russian sponsors with deep pockets should sort that out.
8 Posted 28/02/2016 at 08:02:16
Plenty to take in.
So much speculation and discussion. It's difficult to believe the deal was announced less than 24 hours ago.
Going forward; we will at least know who is calling the shots. That has to be a step in the right direction.
9 Posted 28/02/2016 at 08:02:30
By negotiating those terms, bringing in a new shareholder with the promise of further investment, and keeping himself at the wheel in terms of remaining Chairman, Bill gets to have his cake and eat it too. He also safeguards the club, at least in the extreme case, from the whims of a single shareholder and retains Evertonian influence as the nominal face and head of the club."
I disagree there Lyndon, previously with 3 shareholders on the board each owning 27%, 25% and 23% (approximately) respectively then any 2 combined could out-vote the third (admittedly unlikely given the set up of our board).
Now though, there is 1 single board member with a majority of shares who can dictate what he wants and cannot be outvoted by the others combined.
10 Posted 28/02/2016 at 08:23:34
11 Posted 28/02/2016 at 08:46:47
My view is that Messrs Kenwright and Woods have pulled off a masterstroke of enormous proportions, brought in a first class investor with clout, whilst retaining an input into the future. Well done, Bill and Jon!
12 Posted 28/02/2016 at 08:50:53
14 Posted 28/02/2016 at 08:52:14
I think there's good times ahead but ultimately it's down to the boys on the pitch. Let's add quality to the squad, send out the right messages, keep our stars, off-load the tired.
15 Posted 28/02/2016 at 08:58:30
At last the situation is settled and in the type of deal that Kenwright has long advocated. Now let's get on with the playing. A good start would be winning the FA Cup.
16 Posted 28/02/2016 at 09:02:57
All-in-all, I can't help feeling good (at long last) about the future for Everton. I can see a plan of action being begun and it being carried out methodically and steadily. Not splashing cash like there's no tomorrow but in a way that shows just what a great club we have always been.
17 Posted 28/02/2016 at 09:07:24
That's the most telling thing 'energy' – after all we have heard Colin G describe the players as 'lethargic' – that has also been how I would have described the Board – 'lethargic' but now we have new blood, a new broom and 'pent-up ENERGY'
Marvellous.
18 Posted 28/02/2016 at 09:09:12
19 Posted 28/02/2016 at 09:13:27
Firstly, Robert Earl has gone as I saw him as someone who was just waiting for a payday and didn't really offer anything to the club.
Secondly, Moshiri appears to have a grasp on everything financial and obviously has a desire to run a football club. There are a few theories about wondering is it a prelude to a bigger investor coming in if he doesn't progress at Arsenal.
Alternatively, if Usmanov does gain control at Arsenal, where would that leave Moshiri in future dealings between the clubs?
I hope this is the start of a productive era for the club and I will watch developments with eager anticipation. Well done both, Bill and John, it's a breath of fresh air.
20 Posted 28/02/2016 at 09:34:46
I would put money on this being a slow, 18-24 month transition to full ownership for Mr Moshiri. A sensible plan given our tangled financial / commercial approach that will need to be simplified by an injection of capital.
We don't yet know the full breakdown of who has sold what, or what profit has been trousered, but maybe Kenwright & Woods could buy back the training facility they sold? If they want their egos massaged, they can name it after themselves. After all, they did sell Bellefield rather than inject their own money into the club. It's only right & proper they should give something back. It was a club asset they flogged, which has now made them a fortune.
A great day, the club was screaming out for someone who can deliver on the potential this club has to get back to the very top. We have been ran like a corner shop competing with Tesco in this League. I believe the only reason Bill has finally given up total control is due to his health problems, but better late than never. Let's hope someone else can take the strain and BK can concentrate on recuperation and getting back to good health.
21 Posted 28/02/2016 at 09:38:04
22 Posted 28/02/2016 at 09:44:01
I wish the new shareholder nothing but well and hope that he will be able to refresh the fortunes of our great Club as well as those in Bill's pocket.
23 Posted 28/02/2016 at 09:45:18
This will only happen if [a] We win something this season or [b] We get serious investment to appease our better players. This news certainly sounds like [b].
I wonder if long term I might be able to pick up an Everton shirt from any sports shop?
24 Posted 28/02/2016 at 09:53:20
The £200 million banded around always seemed as paper talk. Anyone who has that kind of money does not part with it easily. Maybe we can do away with the British Virgin Islands funding, unless of course there is an early repayment clause hidden away somewhere.
No American buyers means we can do away with Tim Howard once & for all. No pressure on us keeping him for commercial reasons. Let's all start celebrating the new era. I for one will be down the pub having a skinful lunchtime before watching Shiteah stuff the RedShite.
25 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:05:31
26 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:09:41
As for Bill keeping his train set is just nonsense. It's a common sense approach from the new guy. You can't talk about understanding a rich heritage and the sack a true blue .
27 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:10:27
I am excited to see what transpires over the next 12 months. Although I don't expect major changes, I do expect to see progression on and off the field. Hopefully Martinez will feel some pressure now to get results and hopefully we can start to feel optimistic that we will hear some good truthful news on the stadium issue rather than the pack of lies we have been drip fed over the last 10 years.
As I say, not the complete takeover that I hoped for but good news all the same.
28 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:14:16
Strange times indeed; A poster over on RAWK is saying much the same (and more ) but from a slightly worried rs perspective, as in – Ay up, somebody might just be getting their shit together.
29 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:17:18
Loved the bit about the possibility of Moshiri releasing his 'pent up energy' after being somewhat muzzled at the Arse.
30 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:17:53
31 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:21:54
You are right. In out, in out... we don't yet know what it's all about.
Surely though, Dave, he will be an improvement?
32 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:24:03
There are a couple of things that are key for me.
The Youth – we currently have maybe 5-6 players in our youth set up that will be knocking on the door first team in the next season or two, Dowell, and three central midfielders in Ledson, Walsh and Williams plus Connolly and Kenny. Kenwright has said that he loves seeing local lads in the first team as I think most Blues do. What would have happened if we had been bought by someone with no understanding of this?
He has a knowledge of funding and building a state-of-the-art stadium and not putting the club in financial jeopardy, A new ground for Everton is not going to cost anywhere like Arsenal's.
He has a great knowledge of Football and he Financial Brains. It has pissed off the British media, Sky Sports have said nothing really, Merson said it was "worrying"... Even Ray Parlour has called us a Sleeping Giant. A little bit of investment on the playing side and a new Stadium in conjunction with our Great Youth system. We could see a few noses getting pushed out of place.
Overall, having a true blue (for all his faults) in Kenwright and Fresh Footballing Knowledge at Director Level it is truly.....
Exciting Times.
33 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:25:10
Don't hold your breath waiting for them to buy FF.
As you well know mate
34 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:27:18
Perhaps Bill and Co just sold at Friday's price for Everton shares – god bless them – and are HOPING the new man will invest funds into the club itself?
Or, perhaps, he's got a wedding to pay for!
35 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:29:29
Just trust that Bobby Elstone and his boys are all sat at their desks with freshly sharpened pencils and shiny shoes come 9.00 am on Monday.
36 Posted 28/02/2016 at 10:49:12
Just like on the pitch, I think we'll be getting a message of steady off-pitch improvement.
I'm taking this as good news, without expecting massive immediate change. I suspect we're going to need the same level of patience as we're having with the manager.
37 Posted 28/02/2016 at 11:11:05
This is again an excellent read. Our new investor is a businessman of some standing. He has considerable football and financial experience. He is recognised as a success by his peers. He will have looked at Everton and he knows just what our needs are and the problems that we face and it's my belief that nobody puts a substantive amount of their own money into any company that in effect represents 49.9% of that company and in reality gives the individual a huge say in the well being and future planning and direction of that company without having a personal goal or desire to improve that company.
I am confident that this is a man who is a confident, knowledgeable, determined and football-ambitious individual who will prove to be a winner for Everton FC.
38 Posted 28/02/2016 at 11:12:13
39 Posted 28/02/2016 at 11:13:06
My feeling is the new man will bide his time while assessing his options for moving the club forward. This certainly looks to be a better outcome than we might have anticipated a few weeks ago.
Once the honeymoon period is over we can be assured contributors on ToffeeWeb will have someone else to blame for the club's perceived woes. The actors may change but the script will be the same.
Hopefully we will see evidence of an ambition to make progress but it will not be straightforward. Catching up with the mega rich clubs will take many years and require patience.
41 Posted 28/02/2016 at 11:15:18
Secondly, the poor commercial performance of the club under Elstone and Kenwright needs to be analysed and developed quickly.
It may be that the ground issue inhibits spending on the players, but Arsenal managed it; Liverpool are managing it at the moment.
The new ground is key to all future progress.
42 Posted 28/02/2016 at 11:15:36
43 Posted 28/02/2016 at 11:18:25
44 Posted 28/02/2016 at 11:44:28
In my opinion, for him to start investing serious money into the club, he's going to want the other 50.1% of shareholders to put in an equal amount, maybe that's what will happen. He's not going to risk his hard earned money alone to make the other shareholders rich, if they wont also invest in playing staff and the infrastructure of the club.
Maybe BK wants to see how Mr Moshiri shapes up before the majority of the remaining shares are sold to him?
As it is now, we have only seen a change of shareholders.
45 Posted 28/02/2016 at 11:52:42
46 Posted 28/02/2016 at 11:58:06
We have all said this club needs a new owner or new investor so that has partly been addressed. There is no doubt from his open letter to the Arsenal board he certainly wanted Arsenal to be more proactive in certain areas.
Some might ask: Why only 49.9%? Why not buy the club outright? Maybe that is some way down the road and maybe he wants to asses everything before going the whole way. Maybe BK wanted to see if Moshiri's deeds were met by actions; either way, I don't think it's a negative him being the major shareholder for a while.
As I say, pure speculation from me but could the other 50.1% be purchased by Mr Usmanov further down the line? He seems to be as frustrated with Kronke as the Arsenal fans are, and maybe – if he thinks that he will never get control of Arsenal – he might join his friend at Goodison? Maybe that's why Merson wasn't happy when he heard that Moshiri had become our major shareholder. Merson might think that Usmanov might follow...
47 Posted 28/02/2016 at 12:25:33
Why doesn't Bill just fuck off? I just can't seem relax and enjoy this while he's still there and for good reason given his track record.
48 Posted 28/02/2016 at 12:31:36
My fear is that with Martinez in charge having a billionaire investor won't make much of a difference in terms of on the pitch success. His money might be able to buy us better players but we don't have the manager who knows how to use the players properly.
49 Posted 28/02/2016 at 12:56:53
Might even join in the applause when Kenwright's next at Goodison. Yes he's done plenty wrong in the past but he came through in the end.
50 Posted 28/02/2016 at 13:02:12
51 Posted 28/02/2016 at 13:20:25
I agree with Kevin Tully: great to see the back of Earl and Green. I just wish some posters would knock off the "yank" bashing and speculation that they are asset-strippers.
For all the plaudits being given to Bill we should remember he is the one who asset stripped the club, got Earl and Green involved, and clocked up some serious interest payments to BVI besides pushing the move to Desolation Kirby based on some very hefty lies.
You may think of him as one of us but he is one of him first and foremost.
52 Posted 28/02/2016 at 13:49:50
53 Posted 28/02/2016 at 13:54:31
54 Posted 28/02/2016 at 14:06:29
M - "So where are we with the stadium plans"?
E - "Errrm, there aren't any"
M - "Any plans for an improved shirt deal"?
E - "Errrm, nope"
M - "What's going on with kitbag"?
E - "Errrm, nothing. We're happy with it"
M - "Any other commercial prospects to improve revenue streams"?
E - "Errm, we were thinking of charging more for season tickets and pies"
M - "Robert, do you think you've done your best for the club to reach its full potential?"
E - "Absolutely. We've been overachieving for years, knife to a gunfight and all that"
M - "Robert, you're fired!!"
55 Posted 28/02/2016 at 14:15:02
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=images+of+Liverpool+echo+arena&view=detailv2&qpvt=images+of+Liverpool+echo+arena&id=A0F9560C390A7865652B4BFC7C153674E5407E9B&selectedIndex=11&ccid=t4IkhdNH&simid=608048768792003300&thid=OIP.Mb7822485d347b9f4be3779a8e7a110f6o0&ajaxhist=0
56 Posted 28/02/2016 at 14:26:17
Any scousers noticed chunks of dockland property being snapped up over the past year?
57 Posted 28/02/2016 at 14:26:48
58 Posted 28/02/2016 at 14:29:19
If what was said there expressed sincerely held beliefs – and I have not a shred of real evidence to doubt their veracity – then these are precisely the views any football fan would dearly wish the owner(s) of their club to espouse and adhere to.
I was particularly encouraged by this sentence: "We, as the co-owners ... will proudly retain our holding in the Club as a long-term investment for ourselves and our family members to benefit for generations to come."
The foregoing being the antithesis of the asset-stripping mentality we feared US-owners might bring with them, a la Gillette and Hicks et al.
I do now harbour a firm hope that in Mr Moshiri we may have found a major shareholder and potential future outright owner who will do right by the club. By design and patience (or by luck) Mr Kenwright might just have done this club a massive service.
59 Posted 28/02/2016 at 14:37:50
60 Posted 28/02/2016 at 14:53:53
61 Posted 28/02/2016 at 14:59:56
62 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:02:08
Arsenal's loss but our gain. We hope.
63 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:15:05
It's a private company so there can be no compunction to sell... so I guess many of us will want to keep our holdings 'to pass on to future generations'!
64 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:20:52
Yes, Mr Moshiri has sold his shares but don't find fault with him for that. We all sometimes make promises for the long-term but if they eventually become unsustainable due to the antics of the other party, it doesn't make YOU a bad person.
As I said yesterday, I just hope Mr Moshiri can blow the clouds away from our future in the sunshine.
65 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:21:35
If you are suggesting that David Dein would join Everton in some capacity , I hope you are wrong.
Dein, while at Arsenal made a load of money by selling. Basically he did what BK is doing at Everton, but at least Kenwright is an Everton fan. I would say Kenwright has probably learned quite a bit from Dein...
66 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:22:29
There's a certain Editor (not a million miles from here) who will relieve somebody of their hand if the price is right.
I suspect he ain't alone.
67 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:31:22
68 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:36:41
I expect Mr Moshiri will meet with Roberto in the summer and ask him one question: Can you finish in the top 4* and qualify for the Champions League – if not, why not? You have a more valuable team than Leicester, West Ham, Stoke and Southampton? Then Roberto's target will be set; if not met by 2018 then he is gone,
Mr Moshiri will also push for a new stadium to safeguard his investment and seek a contract of ٢ to ٤M* from Chang based on European Qualification. Ditto for the shirt suppliers*.
These simple things* should generate at least an extra 㿊M per season to propel our team forward and to reduce the club debt.
69 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:41:11
Can I ask why you were against any takeover?
70 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:46:42
Yes, he improved the club WITHOUT investing a single penny of his own money and making a fortune when he sold his shares and was chairman of Red & White Holdings.
Arsenal fans were spilt down the middle, just like we are with BK. The general opinion was that making money became Dein's main influence at Arsenal which is the reason he was chased out in the end.
He certainly would be advising BK in how to go about things, let's say!
71 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:48:17
72 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:53:37
Much like our present board I suppose.
73 Posted 28/02/2016 at 15:54:34
74 Posted 28/02/2016 at 16:22:28
75 Posted 28/02/2016 at 18:30:20
Phil, I think Lord Grantchester may well get involved again, as I think he decided to have bugger all to do with the Board once Kenwright brought in Earl. Could be wrong of course but I think this man Farhad Moshiri will be a catalyst that will see our club begin to make serious strides towards becoming a top respected club as Arsenal are, and that we once were.
76 Posted 28/02/2016 at 18:42:55
I'm sure I've read that his Russian mate did not endear himself to the Arsenal Board by agitating for a change of manager some time ago. That was on the grounds that they'd won bugger all for years.
77 Posted 28/02/2016 at 18:49:20
I'm optimistic but not counting my chickens. I certainly hope it works out well for our beloved Everton.
78 Posted 28/02/2016 at 19:31:39
79 Posted 28/02/2016 at 19:41:46
80 Posted 28/02/2016 at 19:42:44
We have been paying well over the odds for the last 20 years and I don't think fans have properly started the protests against the pure greed of the Premier League clubs.
81 Posted 28/02/2016 at 20:09:13
82 Posted 28/02/2016 at 20:12:39
We have a new and wealthy majority shareholder. This is good, I think, and time will tell. Now the press has written a lot of "guess work" on this, especially regarding percentages of shares. Less than 50% means he doesn't have to buy the wee guys out??? I'm sure there are clever people out there that can confirm or exclude this. They have Billy selling all his shares... really?? Lesson Two: the press haven't a clue. (Refer to Lesson One; they also had yank takeover imminent.)
The idea of somebody making an aggressive takeover would appear to be fiction. It would appear that the major shareholders have been "courting" several potential owners over the last year or so. The main parties have worked out a way of getting Farhad his shares – possibly removing at least Earl from the pie – but we don't know until they tell us. Lesson three: we really don't know anything of the details.
And finally, he obviously decided to keep Bill Kenwright on board. It will be his choice, not (as perhaps the press and the anti Bill campaign would insist) because it's Bill's blue train set. He must see a plus in keeping him on board (no idea why... but ours not to reason). Lesson 4: trust the billionaire with running his own empire!! Maybe we have been placed in safe hands?? In which case, I would like to thank the board for finding the right guy and stepping aside.
Even if we don't trust Bill with running the club, we don't doubt he loves her? So he must have faith in Farhad Moshiri? It would be just our luck for the Premier League to step in and block it!
83 Posted 28/02/2016 at 21:47:06
84 Posted 28/02/2016 at 23:21:44
Yes, it's me again, when are you going to reply to my question to you around the interest rates and amount of interest that the club are paying? Check the search stuff above, in case you have missed my asking you to clarify a point you made.
Credibility, shot.
85 Posted 28/02/2016 at 00:01:57
Of course he is perfectly entitled to do that, but in doing so he might consider refraining from gurning his fucking lamps out to Z-Cars.
86 Posted 29/02/2016 at 00:09:02
"Down to (Goodison) Park
Listening to the wind of change
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams (share their dreams)
With you and me
Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night (the glory night)
Where the children of tomorrow dream away (dream away)
In the wind of change (the wind of change)"
Credit: Scorpions (yes, I thought it was crap music too, but lyrics seemed to fit the article title).
Note: As for why Moshiri would keep Blue Bill, well he may prefer not to the figurehead and get the additional press that garners. Would make sense for man with diverse and perhaps somewhat sensitive business interests. Plus Blue Bill can be his introduction to the club and the people and provide a level of continuity and stability.
88 Posted 29/02/2016 at 03:53:24
It is a well known FACT that Kenwright inherited a net asset position and within a couple of years transformed that into a net liability position by selling or mortgaging all the assets including but not limited to GP, Netherton and Bellefield training grounds and future season ticket sales.
As regards the ridiculous levels of interest, you don't need me to tell you – just look at the club's accounts.
89 Posted 29/02/2016 at 04:00:22
Oh! And a new Stadium would be nice...
90 Posted 29/02/2016 at 09:23:06
Bill K has his critics to put it it mildly but this to me looks like the deal he promised and searched for over the God knows how many years. Credit where it's due, well done Bill.
This time next year I'd hope we will have agreed a new stadium (don't think we can do much with the Old Lady sadly and it'd take donkeys years to buy houses,roads etc) and kept all our "stars" (Barks and Rom but Stones can go if the cash is north of 㿏m) and added a few more quality players who can add immediately to performances and not just great prospects.
Time to be positive and stop bitching. Good times ahead.
91 Posted 29/02/2016 at 11:40:07
So he'll asset-strip, cancel AGMs, get high interest loans from BVI based companies, and lie to the fan base? Welcome to Everton, mate.
92 Posted 29/02/2016 at 12:00:49
Following Bill Kenwright over the more recent years, this move might well vindicate delays and errors of judgement (supposed). Maybe we will live to Hail Bill. Some say, The view from the top of the mountain is the same no matter how long it takes to get there.
Ooops Final Call for QF9 so I have to go!
93 Posted 29/02/2016 at 12:04:27
"So he'll asset strip, cancel AGM's, get high interest loans from BVI based companies and lie to the fan base".
Do you actually believe that? If so, then we're really in for a rough ride.
94 Posted 29/02/2016 at 12:18:52
I just hope some pressure and expectation are placed on Martinez.
95 Posted 29/02/2016 at 12:50:39
Pragmatic and optimistic without indulging in the idleness of barren speculation.
Got a spring in my step, that's for sure!
97 Posted 29/02/2016 at 14:08:21
98 Posted 29/02/2016 at 14:19:16
99 Posted 29/02/2016 at 14:24:36
Surely you wouldn't pump that much cash into a business and let a clueless idiot carry on as your manager?
I truly believe, with a half-decent manager, we'd be much higher, and for those who'd rather keep El Bob than have Mourinho (hypothetical of course)... what effing planet are you on?
100 Posted 29/02/2016 at 14:33:48
101 Posted 29/02/2016 at 14:36:00
He tried and failed with two attempts to find alternative Stadiums, one was never going to happen and one was turned down on planning review. Being disappointed as a fan by either or both doesn't indicate any incompetence or malfeasance on behalf of the owners.
He has at all times maximised the amount of money available for investment in the team by borrowing and selling assets; he has done this without taking any money out of the club for his services. What the fuck does this man need to do to avoid this baseless criticism? He didn't win us a trophy? Is that it?
102 Posted 29/02/2016 at 14:39:24
103 Posted 29/02/2016 at 15:28:32
I can only hope Moshiri is far more proactive and ruthless than BK in managing our club's success on the pitch.
104 Posted 29/02/2016 at 17:13:43
Unlike you, most Blues haven't got their head stuck so far up BK's arse that they see what he is and what he has done.
There is no disputing the litany of lies, deceit, failed ground moves, sale of the family silver, huge interest payments and losses most years of his tenure.
He was lucky with Moyes who was recommended by Walter Smith and unlucky with HIS choice of Martinez.
However he has come out smelling of roses if Moshiri leads us to the promised land and he and his cronies have cashed out big style.
105 Posted 29/02/2016 at 17:41:23
106 Posted 29/02/2016 at 19:26:24
Apart from a couple of technically worded paragraphs, most of their letter is written in a style typical of a matchday programme. But what their letter spells out in plain terms looks precisely what all Evertonians would wish for as a manifesto for an incoming owner/major shareholder.
PLEASE, if you haven't already then just read the letter.....
Link
107 Posted 29/02/2016 at 19:54:20
For all his shortcomings, no-one can doubt the commitment Bill has shown to his beloved Everton. I've said it before and repeat it now. This guy mortgaged his family home to raise money to buy the club. How many of the 'nay-sayers' would do that?
I'm sure that after a few visits to Goodison, Mr Moshiri will become well and truly smitten and will realise what a unique and fantastic institution he has become involved with. Good luck and welcome to the Everton family.
108 Posted 29/02/2016 at 20:15:06
What is Red & White's vision for the Club? It is simple. A debt free Club, with a big enough war chest to buy top talent players who can hit the ground running and who can complement the Club's long tradition of developing young players and homegrown talent. Together they can help the Club win the most prestigious trophies – because it is the trophies which are the crowning achievement for everybody at the Club. The trophies are also key to the commercial success of the Club – they increase the value of the players, the value of the brand, attract the best sponsors and maximize the value of our commercial contracts which should in turn mean that the Club does not have to squeeze any more income from hard pressed fans.
109 Posted 29/02/2016 at 20:42:38
No he didn't.
110 Posted 29/02/2016 at 20:56:18
If you would spend your last pound on Everton, then if you was in a position to improve them, how many people would'nt, I ask?
111 Posted 29/02/2016 at 21:11:14
112 Posted 01/03/2016 at 02:21:53
He mortgaged his house 4 years before purchasing Everton.
114 Posted 01/03/2016 at 17:08:56
115 Posted 04/03/2016 at 17:19:37
116 Posted 04/03/2016 at 17:40:29
What the fuck, if anything has all this to do with Everton? The man has supported the club, kept it in the Premier League, bought and sold players that have mostly made us a better club and certainly in a better position than when he bought in.
So, good luck to the lad – all in all he's done a pretty half-decent job and the sooner some on here get off his back, the better.
Good luck to him, his money, his house and his fucking mortgage.
COYB.
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1 Posted 28/02/2016 at 07:18:43