Everton are at a crossroads – and in danger of being left behind

, 2 January, 4comments | Jump to most recent

Sam Wallace in The Independent writes that one of English football's traditional superpowers still have much to commend them under Bill Kenwright but desperately need fresh investment.

In the end, as the Americans surely already know, it comes down to the stadium. Goodison Park might be as germane to English football as thatched cottages are to the notion of England in the minds of American tourists, but it is a ramshackle stately home that has become a burden on the family.

» Read the full article at The Telegraph

Reader Comments (4)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

Helen Mallon
1 Posted 02/01/2016 at 22:46:42

We turned down more money for sponsorship. From who and how much. Could it have meant we could have had more money to not borrow from loan sharks. It sounds very fishy if it was substantially more and needs questioning. Our board need investigating.

Eric Myles
2 Posted 03/01/2016 at 07:36:48

"Kenwright has been adept at outmanoeuvring bigger, wealthier rivals on transfer deals."

What?????

Thomas Lennon
3 Posted 03/01/2016 at 14:24:19

The view from outside is often illuminating, often naïve too. Nothing we don't know but also what many of us choose to ignore when it suits. We are slowly slipping without investment.

The fact we are still where we are is a tribute to a remarkable job done by the management team but we will have highs and lows and one of these days a low might well see us in the Championship.

The fact we are where we are is also increasingly exposing the lack of progress and investment needed at the top. Are we really going to have a half-empty stadium if we start hiking up ticket prices? Yes, probably... and solving that conundrum is likely to be high in the thoughts of the Americans currently perusing our books. Can Merseyside really support two top class (ie challenging to be Champions) Premier League clubs when it is currently struggling to support one?

Norman Jones
4 Posted 04/01/2016 at 15:27:26

I have to take odds with you, Thomas, on the matter of support for two senior clubs on Merseyside. Both are doing quite nicely if compared to some of the other once 'big' clubs like those in Yorkshire and the Midlands. What more can you hope for than playing in front of full houses every game – even if on Sunday my full price ticket had me sat directly behind a bloody pillar?

Whilst like most TWers, I've welcomed the news of a possible takeover, I do so wish that Everton's Merseyside owners past and present could have made a better fist of running the club. Long before the sale to Johnson, the Moores' interest/investment had dried up and whilst Kenwright has had far better luck with managers than did the Red Agent, little progress has been made on or off the pitch.

True, unlike in so many cases where Premier League founder clubs have faded from the scene (many with new owners incidentally) Everton have at least maintained their status. And, if only for that achievement, BK deserves a big vote of thanks if and when the sale goes through.

So, yes, new investment is vital and new owners are to be welcomed but what a pity the future of our club can no longer be in the hands of 'one of our own'. Everton will never be quite the same.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.

About these ads