Time to Stand Down Bill

by   |   06/12/2021  51 Comments  [Jump to last]

It is a time of change at our club. Performance on the pitch is dire. The Director of Football has walked away after a hint that, behind the scenes at the club, all is not well. Indeed, to the average fan in the street, it has the appearance of a complete shambles.

All things considered, it leads me to the conclusion that the exit of the DoF is simply not enough. There have been clear signs that Brands has not been allowed to do his job, with the two most recent managers not the types to work under him.

The problem is clearly coming from the top and there must be further changes. We have been plunged into FFP problems due to the biggest loss in the club’s history of close to £130 million. Why are we the only club with FFP problems this season?

I read recently about the CEO of the club across the park, Billy Hogan. An American with a history in business who got them out of their existing kit deal and negotiated a much-improved deal with Nike. This prompted me to delve into the background of our CEO.

After university, she was a teacher for a number of years, then ran a small charity in Liverpool named the Fiveways Trust. Then she came to EFC to run EitC. Having apparently done a decent job, she was appointed Everton CEO in 2018. I presume that Bill Kenwright was the driving force behind this appointment.

She has no business history whatsoever. Football has replaced the rag trade as the most cutthroat of industries. It is a similar story with the coaching staff. Your face has to fit.

You cannot run a football club in the manner Kenwright tries to, that being lovey-dovey, touchy-feely, pats on the back for all the “Everton Family”. He has tried it for over 20 years now and it has simply not worked, hence the appalling mess we are in.

Make no mistake: this mess could signal the end of Everton FC as a major player in football. Relegation would be an absolute disaster. Building of the new stadium could stop…

If Bill Kenwright really loves the club as he says he does, he should stand down as chairman

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Reader Comments (51)

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Jerome Shields
1 Posted 07/12/2021 at 11:24:25
This is obvious. But at the Arsenal game, Bill sat alone as bold as brass, even bare-faced, and joined in with the singing of 'The Grand Olde Team' at the end of the game. Moshiri chickened out, as did Barret-Baxendale, which gives credence to rumours of her impending departure more validity.

I don't think he is going anywhere, but hopefully his influence will decrease. I do think that he is absolutely determined to be Chairman at the new stadium openly and belongs to the 'never resign' brigade and has an agreement to stay in situ.

So what is Bill's secret? I suggest ear plugs. Angry people look as if they are making funny faces if you wear ear plugs.

Barry Hesketh
2 Posted 07/12/2021 at 11:29:41
Jerome,

Denise Barrett-Baxendale was sat next to Bill,to the right of him if I recall correctly.

Moshiri couldn't attend because of the new covid isolation rules for travellers arriving in the UK, apparently.

Jerome Shields
3 Posted 07/12/2021 at 11:48:28
Barry#2

That is worse. She may have been told to tuf it out by Bill. Was watching on Hesgoal, just got shots of Bill at various times during the game. Had known about the Covid rules and Moshiri in States , but didn't make the connection. Just seen Bill producing.

Thank you for the correction.

Bill is all our brother, while we like it or not.

Brendan McLaughlin
4 Posted 07/12/2021 at 23:04:26
Going to bed shortly but couldn't resist... sorry Jerome.
"Moshiri chickened out, as did Barret-Baxendale, which gives credence to rumours of her impending departure more validity."
Ahem..."Denise Barrett-Baxendale was sat next to Bill,to the right of him"
Paul Hewitt
5 Posted 07/12/2021 at 23:08:34
All this Kenwright bashing is boring. Give it a fucking rest.
Ciarán McGlone
6 Posted 07/12/2021 at 23:29:47
Not half as boring as your half baked trashing of the blue Union.
Ian Horan
7 Posted 07/12/2021 at 23:29:50
Kenwright should be bashed and held to account for the 20 plus year of incompetence, mismanagement and lies and deceit
David Pearl
8 Posted 07/12/2021 at 23:34:12
Yawwwn. Tickle each others balls.
Dave Brierley
9 Posted 07/12/2021 at 23:45:03
Paul @5

Couldn't agree more pal. So fucking tedious.

Colin Glassar
10 Posted 07/12/2021 at 23:52:03
Bill will only leave feet first.
John Raftery
11 Posted 08/12/2021 at 09:58:52
We have not been a major player in the game for over 30 years.
Clive Rogers
12 Posted 08/12/2021 at 10:11:44
It is not really Bill bashing. It is a statement of how the club is run. Surely 23 years is long enough to come to the conclusion that something is wrong?
Brian Murray
13 Posted 08/12/2021 at 11:03:26
Jerome post 3. Bill's idea of being an Everton fan is completely opposite to most of us who have seen us live up to that motto. He shies away from that so he's not my brother in any shape or way.

All he wants is to be Mr Popular with the backroom staff he gave a job to plus a clueless CEO that the job is too complex and big for. All of this suits an away-day owner who even now doesn't question what's going on under his watch.

A 'perfect storm' scenario to just carry on bumbling along until he will have the cheek to hover about until the grand opening of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. I can't stand the fraudulent bastard, to be honest.

Barry Rathbone
14 Posted 08/12/2021 at 11:09:25
But is there really such a thing as a "popular owner/chairman" beyond Roman and Mansoor?

Until the Klopp revolution, FSG were despised and are still regarded with suspicion in some quarters..

Bill lost me over Kirkby... but it's pretty obvious his "exist in the top flight" plan was a result of relative penury. His appointed money man, Moshiri, is another in the long list of saps diving into the game unprepared. Why oh why can they not figure out creating success from the doldrums requires one thing and one thing only - limitless cash.

I've lost the thread now. probably trying to say there is no easy solution which matchgoers realise so don't turn on him. Dunno really... I've gone 😂😂😂

Tony Abrahams
15 Posted 08/12/2021 at 11:39:04
No easy solution for the man who just won't relinquish his prestigious position as the chairman of Everton FC.

This 27 years protest will hopefully be the final straw for our saviour, but it's honestly no good just getting rid of the actor, unless Moshiri has finally got bigger plans in store for the future of our great club.

Brian Murray
16 Posted 08/12/2021 at 12:22:59
Tony. If we manage to get rid of him, you will be amazed at the transformation. I really believe that because, one by one, his employees will have to go with no more protection from him, culminating in a new Everton with people who are qualified and specialist at their jobs.

Or the worst scenario: they will be a grade up from him and all his cushy fan club.

Clive Rogers
17 Posted 08/12/2021 at 12:32:21
The way things stand at present, we are in for another 27 years of the same.
Tony Everan
18 Posted 08/12/2021 at 12:55:19
I want him out and I think he should resign, but there's little chance of that.

The problem is that he has now become a totemic figurehead for all that is wrong with the club. He has overseen years of mediocrity our club, his tenure has delivered 22 years of football wilderness and no progress at all. To me, that simple fact is enough to justify his belated departure.

The club needs a new era with a new professional-minded and forward-thinking chairman. Everton is going through a period of necessary and overdue change and this has got to be the next step.

Pete Clarke
19 Posted 08/12/2021 at 13:27:08
All this Kenwright bashing is very tiring. I wish he'd just fuck off so I don't have to do it anymore.

That would be success for me!

John Pickles
20 Posted 08/12/2021 at 13:27:42
If Kenwright goes, who appoints his successor, Moshiri? Hardly inspires confidence does it!

What this man knows about successfully running a Premier League club you could write on the back of a postage stamp.

Pete Clarke
21 Posted 08/12/2021 at 13:31:15
I forgot to bash Kenwright in my last post.
Brian Wilkinson
22 Posted 09/12/2021 at 19:27:44
You have a fair point there, John @20, so hopefully I can give you a little heads up from one of our posters, Steve V, who has worked at Man City and given many of us a very good insight.

Some of the following is my conclusion, and some from Steve on our pre-match meet up.

We have already been told that, before the owners went to Man City, they wanted Everton and possibly Newcastle. They walked away when Kenwright still wanted a big say in the club and possible board member.

Bill did not want to give up his train set, and quite possibly others walked away as well, until finally Bill found Moshiri who was happy to keep Bill on board, to even handing him Chairman.

So now we come to part of Steve, the owners at City knew as much about football as Moshiri did. So what did City do different? Well, for starters, they ripped right through the club, and brought people who did know about football and buisness, and running a football club, not just the first team, but academy as well.

This next part is just an example and well aware some may be living or dead, or from different eras, but just using this as an example.

Like I said above, City brought in people at the top of their profession; they did not keep Peter Swales as Chairman, Peter's friends as fellow board members; they did not have Francis Lee as first-team cheerleader or coach; they did not have Asa Hartford or Peter Barnes running the youth set up; and certainly did not have Eddie Large in charge of in the Community and a board member.

So yes, as some posters have asked, What does Moshiri know about football? I would say about as much as the City owners.

To get our club back up again, we first have to strip it bare, and remove the very people who have left our football club stagnating, since the last century.

Would you say that was a fair assessment, Steve V?

Dave Abrahams
23 Posted 09/12/2021 at 19:34:13
Pete (19), stop queue jumping, there's thousands ahead of you wishing the same thing!!
Kieran Kinsella
24 Posted 09/12/2021 at 20:02:53
I've been against Bill since the day I read in The Independent that Peter Johnson was negotiating to buy us and would invest £20 million but Bill Kenwright was trying to muster together a consortium of every Tom Dick and Harry who between them might muster up £8 million.
Don Alexander
26 Posted 09/12/2021 at 21:14:03
Believe it or not there's been times since the late 90's when even I have had to ponder whether we've been cursed by having as owner/chairman the most inept, devious, self-serving charlatan in Premier League history.

Somehow by 01/01/2000 I decided there weren't any contenders and, apart from an effort by Peter Ridsdale at Leeds, there's still no-one close to being in the running.

It's the total lack of realistic hope that kills you, and your club.

Colin Glassar
27 Posted 09/12/2021 at 21:54:05
Nothing like a bit of Kenwright bashing is there?
Don Alexander
28 Posted 09/12/2021 at 22:58:34
But Colin, that's all it is unfortunately, "a bit", if some are right in believing he still has the support of the majority of fans.

This guy has in effect done way more than "a bit" of bashing to our club during the eternity of his tenure though. He rendered us impotent, crippled and hopeless in his successful pursuit of his now vast bank account, achieved (and supported) by monies from fans and supporters of the club for many mediocre years.

NSNO to us meant No Spend No Optimism under his ownership, and under his chairmanship, after hundreds of £millions have been squandered, the same "No Optimism" still grips the club and its savvy fan-base.

Stephen Vincent
29 Posted 09/12/2021 at 23:27:30
Brian, pretty fair assessment except I was employed by Thaksin Shinawatra who had bought Man City from the previous owners 18 months before the Sheik bought him out following their arrest in Thailand.

The Sheik's first choice was Newcastle; when Mike Ashley refused point blank to consider a sale, the Sheik moved to his second choice which was Everton.

The reason he favoured us and Newcastle was two-fold. We both owned our grounds and both had under-developed airports close by.

The Sheik went through City like a dose of salts, starting with the gate men and what we wore to work. The board went in its entirety, Shinawatra was offered and accepted a honorary life vice presidency, similar to that which had been offered to and declined by Kenwright. The vice presidency was withdrawn on Shinawatra's conviction.

I have posted this on a couple of occasions on other threads without comment.

The consequences of Everton turning down this investment was huge – not only for the club but also for the city.

Don Alexander
30 Posted 09/12/2021 at 23:36:47
Mr Vincent, thank you, but when you say "Everton" spurned the fabulous financial opportunity that subsequently catapulted Man City towards the top of the European tree (for years to come as well) I just wonder who was in the human element of this spurning? Personally, I don't think Goodison Park or Finch Farm bear any responsibility.

Thanks again.

Stephen Vincent
31 Posted 09/12/2021 at 23:42:50
Don, to clarify the sticking point was Mr Kenwright being unwilling to sell without him retaining a semblance of control and retaining a minority shareholding.

It was, as far as, Sheik Mansour was concerned, a point which was non negotiable.

Brendan McLaughlin
32 Posted 09/12/2021 at 23:43:02
Interesting, Stephen #29.

In what role were you employed by Thaksin Shinawatra?

Stephen Vincent
33 Posted 09/12/2021 at 23:50:08
Brendan, I was a senior accountant.

Ironically, prior to joining Man City, I worked for Mike Ashley for 10 years. I never had anything to do with Newcastle, just Sports Soccer as Sports Direct was then.

I was eventually moved sideways by the new board at City to the newly established 'protocol department' and, after 2 years, was granted a severance package.

Dale Self
34 Posted 09/12/2021 at 23:51:45
Thanks Stephen, I do remember the discussion of Kenwright's demands and very much appreciate you bringing a first-person perspective to that.
Brian Wilkinson
35 Posted 09/12/2021 at 00:04:02
Cheers, Steve, for clarifying everything, always nice to hear from someone who actually knows first hand and not just hearsay.
Don Alexander
36 Posted 10/12/2021 at 00:06:51
Stephen, full respect for your insight into the reality of Kenwright's self-serving, crucifying-to-Everton conduct.
Brendan McLaughlin
37 Posted 10/12/2021 at 00:55:43
Sven Goran-Erickson on Thaksin Shinawatra:

"He didn't understand football – he hadn't a clue."

Stephen Vincent
38 Posted 10/12/2021 at 01:05:27
Brendan, I don't remember that specific remark but it wasn't far short of the truth. Everything during Mr Shinawatra's reign was 'hail fellow well met' but the fans loved him.
Don Alexander
39 Posted 10/12/2021 at 01:13:50
Exactly like nearly all of us felt re Moshiri nearly six hapless years ago, Steve.

Since then, we've had to accept he's from the same gene pool as Shinawatra when it comes to owning a football club.

Devastatingly disappointing – to say the least.

Stephen Vincent
40 Posted 10/12/2021 at 02:23:09
The thing I remember most from the former Thai Prime Minister's reign at Man City was him buying 3 Thai internationals, he'd been told that there would be issues with work permits due to Thailand's lowly FIFA ranking but he went ahead anyway.

The 3 guys never kicked a ball for City, couldn't get work permits, and spent the whole of their vastly inflated contracts on loan in the Middle East.

Laurie Hartley
41 Posted 10/12/2021 at 02:38:47
Brian # 22 - “To get our club back up again, we first have to strip it bare, and remove the very people who have left our football club stagnating, since the last century.”

That will require two first-class outsiders – a football man and a business man.

John # 20 - “What this man knows about successfully running a Premier League club you could write on the back of a postage stamp.”

Very true – but he knows Arsene Wenger and so does his mate.

Christine Foster
42 Posted 10/12/2021 at 02:48:01
Stephen, invaluable insight and confirmation of what so many of us believed at the time and subsequently, that the whole 24/7 charade of seeking a buyer for the club in the best interests of the club, was indeed a pack of lies. Irrefutably, it was an investment ensured to keep Kenwright in charge and a figurehead still at the club that was being sought on his terms and not with the best interests of the club but himself.

Not only does he profit enormously from selling his shares but does a deal that any con-man would be proud of. He keeps control and, if and when it turns to custard, the owner gets it in the neck and Bill just throws his hands up.

Why can't people see where this was all going at the time? Frankly Moshiri needs to get out from under the bus Kenwright has thrown him under, get control and put professionals into the club. He has left the running of the club in the hands of Kenwright, the man who many would say got us into this mess. The solution lies with Moshiri, the problem lies with Kenwright.

Moshiri misplaced his trust, Kenwright misplaced decency.

David Currie
43 Posted 10/12/2021 at 03:25:06
Thanks for the insight Stephen.
Steve Brown
44 Posted 10/12/2021 at 04:14:38
Stephen @ 29, thanks for that very clear insight.

And to think certain fans wonder why Kenwright comes in for relentless criticism. He has put his own interests before those of the club every step of the way.

Now that Moshiri has bought the bulk of the shares in the club, he can end Kenwright’s role in the club. It is now everyone’s interest for him to do so, including Kenwright, as we cannot go forward as a club until this is resolved.

Mike Gaynes
45 Posted 10/12/2021 at 04:29:55
Christine #42...

"Moshiri needs to get out from under the bus Kenwright has thrown him under, get control and put professionals into the club. He has left the running of the club in the hands of Kenwright..."

Sorry, I just don't buy that.

No, I do not have Stephen's firsthand knowledge, or Paul The Esk's insight into corporate governance, or the vast experience of many here watching close up the machinations of Everton management under various owners down through the decades.

But I know a little something about big bosses.

Farhad Moshiri is a billionaire businessman who has run international steel conglomerates and is currently chairman of a massive cartel crossing multiple industries. He has learned at the feet of one of Putin's best buddy criminal oligarchs. There is no way in hell he has been "thrown under the bus", or been fooled or otherwise suckered, by an elderly theater producer. Moshiri's problems at Everton are his own responsibility, nobody else's.

As to Kenwright running the club, I might have bought that... right up until the day Benitez was hired. Does anybody really, truly believe that it was Kenwright who made the call to put a former RS manager in charge?

And as for Kenwright stepping down, I think if he intended to do so, he already would have. I believe that, too, will be Moshiri's call.

Yeah, I know, these are just unsupported opinions from a dimwitted Yank 7000 miles away who has seen exactly two games at Goodison. But if Farhad Moshiri is the clueless puppet of Bill Kenwright, I'm the bald dancing king of Siam.

Christine Foster
46 Posted 10/12/2021 at 07:42:13
Hope you have your dancing shoes, Mike… I believe that Moshiri basically left the running of the club to Kenwright until he intervened and brought in Big Sam to protect his investment and stay in the Premier League. After that, he undoubtably got more personally involved.

Thrown under a bus? You bet.. He is not an experienced football owner, great businessman perhaps but I believe he saw Everton and the new stadium as a good investment longer term. He never wanted to run the club (5% man). But he was damaged by the first 4 years when it was left to Kenwright to make the majority of calls.

I think this is the closest thing to the reality we find the club in. Kenwright may now be playing second fiddle and Moshiri making the calls but Bill’s days are numbered, they have to be. I don't think he will step down.. but that depends on whatever deal was struck… as I said, misplaced trust has cost him.

Oh and Mike, I too have first hand executive experience of working with big bosses and millionaires – both their arrogance and their poor decision-making as well.

Steve Brown
47 Posted 10/12/2021 at 08:27:10
Mike @ 45, I agree.

Billionaire business leaders tend to be super-smart, highly commercial and hate spending their own money poorly. They also have a board to advise them, but in Everton's case there is a lot of evidence that Moshiri is not guided by their recommendations (certainly not on managers!).

I would love to know who is advising him outside of the club on the commercial and footballing strategy, as I am sure someone is.

Eddie Dunn
48 Posted 10/12/2021 at 08:52:42
Very interesting, Steven. Kenwright has undoubtedly feathered his own nest and enjoyed his time as the father figure at Goodison. However, regardless of how many ill-conceived appointments the tearful one has made, the new owner has shown that he either hasn't got time to really sort out the mess at our club, or he is even more of a prat than Bill.

Kenwright might be culpable for 20-odd years of mediocrity but Moshiri is capable of screwing-up his investment. It's a worrying time.

Martin Mason
49 Posted 10/12/2021 at 09:20:16
It is critical for the club that this boil is lanced. Kenwright needs to take his final bow and close the curtains. I have a feeling though that getting him out will be very difficult, he has the survival skills of a cockroach.
Brian Wilkinson
50 Posted 10/12/2021 at 13:17:06
I like that Martin, extremely funny, but at the same time true.
Don Alexander
51 Posted 10/12/2021 at 21:18:38
Mike (#45), are you perchance related to Yul Brynner? :)
Dale Self
52 Posted 10/12/2021 at 21:26:02
Mike 45, did you shave off that sidelock? That was stylish as fuck mate, grow that back!

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