We are nearly two weeks on from the Bournemouth game. A game in which, as we all know, we faced potential relegation which may have brought to reality the existential threat talked of by Farhad Moshiri.
In reality, the threats facing the club prior to that momentous day were numerous. Relegation would have triggered many of the individual threats which combined, may have provided a greater threat and carried far more serious consequences than having to play Ipswich Town or Plymouth Argyle (with great respect to both historic clubs) away on a wet Friday evening.
Yet in the lead-up, and subsequent to, not a word from the owner or the hierarchy. Journalistic endeavour and notices at Companies House have told the fans more about what is or may be happening than any individual at the club. What state is this club in when fans have to decipher complex legal documents at Companies House rather than be informed by a club official of the status of the club?
So, a review of where we are, and what is likely to happen in the near future.
Premier League Status
Our Premier League status is secure for another year. The on-going investigation, examination and determination of alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations by an independent commission will, whatever the outcome, not affect our status as one of twenty clubs starting the new Premier League season on the weekend of 12 August 2023 – the glorious 12th, although whether we will be the hunter or hunted subsequent to the commission’s findings remains to be seen.
The Board
Everton’s articles of association require a minimum of three board members at all times. Everton’s current board membership is nominally four. Four individuals who have under the 2006 Companies Act a number of legal duties as follows:
A duty to promote the success of the company. A director of a company must act in the way he or she considers, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole, and in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to:
- the likely consequences of any decision in the long term,
- the interests of the company’s employees,
- the need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others,
- the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment,
- the desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct, and
- the need to act fairly as between members of the company.
The evidence that directors of Everton have performed the above has been scant for some time, indeed for some directors, Evertonians would question if this was ever thus.
Undeniably, from my perspective at least, Everton’s directors since mid-January have failed in their duties as per the above. No doubt critical functions such as finance have continued to be performed, but the absence of communication since the end of the season to address the club’s future, its ownership, financing of the stadium and its ability to compete in next year’s Premier League are a dereliction of duty from which there is no recovery.
The change of ownership (below) and the introduction of new investors or finance providers must immediately, if not sooner, lead to the removal and replacement of the Chairman, CEO and current non-executive director. For stability purposes in the short term, the continuation of the finance director is probably sensible.
The current board made their position untenable in January, and frankly have more than doubled down on that with their dereliction of duties since the season ended. Whatever the change of ownership outcome is, this is an issue that needs addressing immediately. New investors reading this should be under no illusions as to the complete unacceptability of their continued tenure.
Finances
Transfer spending: At the time of writing, the new transfer window opens in 5 days. Given the weaknesses and lack of balance in the current squad, in normal circumstances, Evertonians should be anticipating an exciting summer of new arrivals, permanently signed or on loan.
Unfortunately, that is not going to happen. The impact of years of accumulated losses, potential non-compliance with profitability and sustainability rules, and perhaps most critically of all – a lack of cash – means that incoming players will depend upon who is sold and what is available in the loan market. Another summer when most likely an early sale (before 30 June 2023) and late purchases and loan transactions. An unenviable set of circumstances under which Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche will have to operate – driven by the poor decision-making of many years and the chronic financial situation of the club.
The prospect of significant spending to alleviate our squad weaknesses and thereby improve the prospects of not having another fight against relegation remain negligible at best.
Stadium Funding: It has become very apparent in recent months, Moshiri’s need to find urgent, alternative sources of capital to meet his obligations to Laing O’Rourke. His once broad boast of money never being a problem whilst he was here, no longer carries any credence. It’s also become apparent his unwillingness to dispose of the club or sell equity to provide a solution.
His preferred method has been to seek further debt. This in a business that has £450 million of outstanding shareholder loans (not anticipated to be repaid) and likely in excess of £220 million of debt to Rights and Media Funding and Metro Bank.
Based on information provided to Matt Slater of the Athletic, the future funding shortfall is as high as £360 million.
Working Capital: Such is the lack of information, the lack of engagement and accountability from the board to minority shareholders, it’s impossible to put a figure on what Everton’s working capital requirements are. However, it’s not difficult to calculate in the absence of further player disposals the club is in dire need of further capital injections – even if the actual figure cannot be readily predicted.
Partial solutions and what is likely to happen in the future
On 23 May, an entry appeared on the company records relating to Everton Stadium Development Holding Company, the wholly owned subsidiary of Everton Football Club. It contained details of a charge (security) against the leasehold of the land upon which the stadium sits in favour of Blythe Capital.
Blythe Capital is a company owned by Andrew Bell and his family. Andrew is a successful local businessman who also happens to be a life-long Blue. Founder and former CEO of AJ Bell, he maintains an approximate 22% interest in the FTSE 250 company worth at current market price £280 million. Andrew Bell has additional business interests in his portfolio.
The charge confirms that Andrew Bell has provided funding to the stadium development company. It is thought that the funding amounts to £40 million. This is money already received by Everton.
Since the now infamous game against Southampton in mid-January, US investment company MSP Sports Capital have entered the public domain as potential investors in Everton Football Club. As is well documented, they have interests in several European clubs plus other sporting enterprises. Despite interest from other US-based investors including 777 partners, MSP were granted a period of exclusivity to examine the books and conclude a funding deal centred on the immediate funding requirements for the stadium.
This funding is thought to be in the order of £100 million. It will achieve two objectives – repay the AJ Bell short-term loan (and any other possible short-term loans including potentially George Downing) and provide funding to meet near-term obligations to Laing O’Rourke. The deal will be structured as a debt deal with warrants attached. At £100 million, it would suggest a future equity stake of 25%, rising if Everton’s funding requirements increase. Again, from Matt Slater, this may increase beyond £150 million.
Moshiri believes this funding arrangement will allow him to conclude a construction loan through JP Morgan and the Japanese MUFG bank which would complete the stadium financing and allow him to retain a majority position in Everton. I have to say that appears at best, optimistic thinking and falls in line with other optimistic but ultimately unsuccessful prospective funding announcements made by his people. JP Morgan and MUFG have been unsuccessful in raising finance since 2019 – given Everton’s circumstances and no immediate prospect of improvement, why should a relatively small capital injection by MSP change their view?
I have stated on Twitter that Moshiri will cede his majority position, and I maintain that. It is inconceivable that so much debt funding could be placed on Everton whilst still maintaining the economic advantages of a new stadium.
Control of Everton
Significant minority investors will always seek additional powers beyond the power of their shareholding. They will seek board positions to ensure oversight, scrutiny and a degree of control. More importantly, they will seek control over reserved matters, specifically relating to finance but also possibly over board composition, particularly in the key Chair and CFO roles. No investor coming into a company in Everton’s circumstances would permit the existing management team to continue, nor would they forgo their demand for board positions.
It is thought Andrew Bell and perhaps George Downing (a successful property investor originally from Liverpool) will form part of a new Everton board, after repayment of any short-term loans, thereby negating any governance issues of having minority shareholder and creditors as directors of the company.
Although it is impossible to get anyone to confirm on the record, the current Chair and CEO must be removed to allow for cultural change, new strategic planning, but most critically corporate and senior personnel restructuring.
Not out of the woods
We are not out of the woods by a long way. The immediate funding requirement for Bramley-Moore Dock ought to be met. Board changes should improve governance and corporate performance as well as materially altering the corporate culture (one hopes).
None of the above provides a funding solution for Kevin Thelwell and Sean Dyche. It won’t immediately solve the structural issues regarding the imbalance not only within the squad but that of income and expenditure across the business (although that is improving).
It will, though, provide evidence of change, it should weaken the chaotic influence of Farhad Moshiri and his footballing advisors. It will lead to the removal of the key decision makers of recent and many years. It will most likely lead to a loss of Moshiri’s majority shareholding. It should lead to better decision-making, better governance, and please God, a return to more normal relationships between the ever-loyal fans and errant, wholly unsuitable directors and our majority owner.
Anything less than the above is just a further kick of a heavily dented can down an extremely rocky road. This is the challenge facing incoming investors and business leaders.
Reader Comments (75)
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 ()
2 Posted 11/06/2023 at 09:11:19
3 Posted 11/06/2023 at 09:20:48
The stadium when completed is too late alone as we have lost so much ground. The old Everton image that the club clings on to has to be dumped.
Since the Premier League was born and football became global, nothing about Everton has changed, mainly because of one man alone (and some of the fanbase) who are happy to live in the past.
Grand Old Team, what fucking bollocks!
Apologies for the language but seeing football fans of other clubs celebrating reminds me we have not done that for decades.
4 Posted 11/06/2023 at 09:22:33
5 Posted 11/06/2023 at 09:25:44
Wet Friday evenings in Plymouth? Us fools would be there no matter what. On the back of last night, ask City supporters after the journey they've been through!
You capture everything. A total lack of ownership, responsibility and accountability. We were left on our own. Manager, players, supporters.
This board has failed. Failed in performance, failed in communicating. Failed in having a vision and failed in having a strategy. They don't necessarily have to be there, but just communicate.
Most importantly, they failed and destroyed any relationship they had with the most important aspect of my club… Our club. It's not their club, just a phrase.
The supporters. Those who put in the hours, miles, time, exhaustive effort and money to follow our team all over the country. Those who wake up in the long hours to watch on TV and streams.
They chose to criticise us, accuse us without evidence and disengage. There is no surprise at football supporters of any club being taken for granted, especially in the modern game. But to have your supposed own turn on you is akin to shitting on your own doorstep. Shithouses. Excuse the French.
There is no going back for them. Whatever relationship there was is irreparable. You only have to see the outcome of a recent survey.
Go. Just go. We've done it without you. We will succeed and compete without you.
On investment and stadium funding, it remains optimistic, but it will become obvious that anyone prepared to invest will want a controlling stake.
I too think that Moshiri will take a lesser percentage.
I watched the news today and apparently last night was only the second game that Manchester City's owner had attended since procuring them.
You can be a distant owner. As long as you put competent people in control of your business and investment.
6 Posted 11/06/2023 at 09:30:36
7 Posted 11/06/2023 at 09:32:44
I'm a as guilty as the next man for living in the past. For believing we have a god given right to sit at the top table – we don't. For carrying decades old grievances. For continuing the “what if†mantra. For being sentimental and hopelessly deluded.
We need to cut the crap, root out the disease of mediocrity and start anew. Only new owners with deep pockets can do this. We don't need a 𧴜M loan and some relatively well off local businessman to help us keep our noses above the water. We need some trillionaire motherfucker to come in and kick the shit out of all and sundry.
No more half-measures. No more wishful thinking. No more corrupt incompetence. Let's create history rather than constantly going on about it.
8 Posted 11/06/2023 at 09:47:00
9 Posted 11/06/2023 at 09:47:16
I can take a few years of mid table mediocrity, as long as a viable plan is in place.
We do have some, and I stress some, talented players. The imbalance is there to see, but I believe Dyche can get a tune out of this squad, if, and again, a big if, he is given at least some leeway to get in a few players.
Time will tell.
10 Posted 11/06/2023 at 10:02:26
I agree bits and pieces loans and investment aren't going to hack what we really need to put this club back on a sound footballing footing.
Problem is where are these trillionaires coming from, given the massive uncertainty, Treasury and financial investigations going on at the moment?
I know I'm probably old-fashioned and probably a bit naive but I can't say I would be over the moon about Everton becoming the state-owned club of some oil rich state with a dodgy human rights record. It would leave a nasty taste in my mouth.
11 Posted 11/06/2023 at 10:07:03
MSP's period of exclusivity ( enerally 30-60 days) may end in a week or two… Everton need things to move fast. It's looking possible that we will have new investors and the hapless, amateur, chairman and CEO will soon be out.
I agree we will have to sell to buy in the main, Onana will go to the highest bidder and Pickford too if Man Utd decide they want him.
How we spend that approx 𧴜M on improving the squad is going be crucial. I've got more confidence this time round that Sean Dyche and Thelwell will produce a better balanced squad. This will plant us in the safe mid-table zone, and hopefully a cup run, which although sounds unambitious, is definitely the first step for the club.
Next season with, essentially, new professional people in the boardroom and new investors, has to be about one thing – stability. All the time building the foundations for a better future, on and off the pitch.
12 Posted 11/06/2023 at 10:19:35
Not necessarily a disaster but I think many Everton fans have failed to appreciate just how good Pickford is. It's very likely Dyche will find an effective goalkeeper (like he did at low cost with Heaton and Pope) but we will almost certainly be weaker in the goalkeeper position next season if Pickford does leave.
13 Posted 11/06/2023 at 10:24:46
Never underestimate Kenwright and his Machiavellian ways.
14 Posted 11/06/2023 at 10:41:36
Though a bit sickening, it's not necessarily a bad model for us.
Really, only a small handful of clubs can really afford to play in the ridiculously overheated transfer market (fees and wages). So those outside of that elite will somehow need to get hold of quality players a different way. The RB Leipzig (etc) model works along those lines already – and there are quite a few organisations in the process of building up these club portfolios.
It is presumably a way to build up a stable of players, develop them in weaker leagues and move them up the structure when they are ready. It shouldn't all be about foreign imports – it may also involve moving our youth and academy prospects to Serie B or Denmark etc for a better developmental experience than, say, 6 months at Fleetwood.
I've previously joked that we should have bought Dundee Utd instead of Bolasie etc – installed Big Dunc as manager and sent our academy etc prospects to Scotland, in the way that RB Salzburg use Liefering in Austria. It may come to something like this.
15 Posted 11/06/2023 at 10:48:25
With you on that.
16 Posted 11/06/2023 at 10:58:20
That needs to buy us a decent goalie and a functioning centre-forward, and AN Other. Thank god with money so tight we put that deal with Alli together. He gets a lot of criticism, Moshiri, but pulling a deal like that out of the ether when we were really up against it financially, he's really shown his quality there.
Just bad luck that it seems it was that brilliant deal which brought the Premier League down on us.
17 Posted 11/06/2023 at 10:59:16
The commercial side of Everton has also suffered horribly under Kenwright & Co, and that needs fixing. So if you can increase your top line and lower the wage bill, that critical multiple falls and gives you more wriggle room.
Everton have to start doing what others have been doing and need to reset expectations, rather than thinking they can keep up with the Joneses. Multi-million transfers and ludicrous wages are done. And the reality is, we might not be in the Premier League while it's going on.
Crucially, we escaped the trap-door this season which in my view was key to getting the stadium financing finished and removing that obstacle. If we'd have gone down, we would very likely have gone into a death spiral.
So once the club starts being run like a proper business, by qualified people and maximising its returns (and potential), and is not some play thing for a bloated egotist surrounded by yes-men, the better off we'll all be. Just get on with it, for fuck's sake.
18 Posted 11/06/2023 at 11:08:32
And that stadium!
19 Posted 11/06/2023 at 11:33:20
In terms of recruitment, they have (like quite a few others) looked at the insanity of the transfer market and decided to go a different way. I suspect the fan ownership model in German football helps this – and guards against the unsustainable practices we and others have adopted in the Premier League.
They have the clout and resources to attract genuine world class potential – but maybe the real difference is their determination to give that potential minutes on the pitch (rather than just stockpile as Chelsea do). It's the reason a player like Bellingham went there in the first place; Sancho and Haaland before him.
Personally, I saw the PSG acquisition of Neymar as a big strategic move to overheat the market and price competitors out of fees and wages. Too many clubs were catching up due to the TV deals etc. PSG raised the bar with the Neymar deal - not on quality (Neymar was already fading), but on the economics of the deal. That was humbling even for the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Can we "do a Dortmund"? Possibly, but I think all of the investors linked to us have been part of these big global sports conglomerates, so we're unlikely to remain an autonomous club. More like part of a supply chain of clubs – and hopefully at the top of that chain.
20 Posted 11/06/2023 at 12:20:32
If pursuing the existing model isn't working, you have to look for a different approach, and it's patently obvious to anyone with more than a single brain cell to rub together that the current model can only lead to relegation and oblivion.
21 Posted 11/06/2023 at 12:28:32
As for transfers out to raise funds, we sell Pickford at our peril. Leicester got rid of Schmiechel and replaced him with inferior keepers – that went well. They had players who could put the ball in the net but it wasn't enough. Beware dodgy keepers.
I note rumours coming out of Leeds that we are supposedly considering Robles.
22 Posted 11/06/2023 at 12:33:35
They've sustained it better than most. The question is, will they ever be able to keep their best players long enough to consistently challenge Bayern?
23 Posted 11/06/2023 at 12:33:37
Therefore I think we will need to sell Onana, but I can't see Pickford going in the same window.
24 Posted 11/06/2023 at 12:39:56
The big losses will drop off on the P&S calculation, the big earner contracts finish next season and income will increase in the new stadium.
Pragmatism in the short term of wheeling and dealing transfers, being gritty and hard to beat with a vocal fan base. Optimism in the longer term, and a club that a new owner can take forward.
Dyche I think over a season can keep us safe.
25 Posted 11/06/2023 at 12:43:56
Well in, Moshiri.
26 Posted 11/06/2023 at 13:15:28
IMHO, the hold-up on ownership stakes and changes at board level is that Moshiri is trying to get through the coming season without being relegated, so that he can use the brand new and completed stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock to not only get back his investments but profits on top.
If indeed we are forced to sell, I hope Onana can fetch us 㿨M and Pickford 㿼M, as long as Moshiri's entourage are not interfering with Thelwell's work (Gordon's sale was a good example that Moshiri didn't handcuff Thelwell).
With our dire financial shape, I would imagine not more than 20% of any sales proceeds would be given to Thelwell & Dyche to replenish the squad. (Even if Thelwell can get 㿅 to 㿊 Million from Fulham for Gray in addition to the sale of Onana & Pickford, Thelwell & Dyche would still have to work with pennies).
But like a lot of you, I am confident that Thelwell & Dyche can still use the given pennies to shape us into a lower mid-table team that is not threatened by relegation.
Fingers crossed and UTFT!
27 Posted 11/06/2023 at 13:30:51
Introduce progressive measures throughout the business and start targeting and baselining realistic goals and you soon start working your way towards a winning mentality rather than having ingrained a loser's one for over 25 years.
28 Posted 11/06/2023 at 13:54:13
Once these charges (or single charge, if we are to believe what has been written) do crystallise, then Moshiri's lawyers will take at least 6-12 months to respond. There will then be months of legal back and forth before any decision is reached.
Man City have been fighting numerous charges for the past 6 years without any points deduction or major impact on their progress. I suspect the next season will be played with this bubbling away in the background but with nothing “real†happening.
We are clearly cash-strapped and any transfer monies (Onana, Pickford, Gray, Maupay and possibly Calvert-Lewin) will go predominantly towards completion of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
We can only hope that Dyche and Thelwall can find enough overseas loans to go with the two domestic ones we are allowed, plus a few freebies, that he can cobble together a team capable of keeping us in the Premier League.
I think it will be a long hard summer followed by another bottom-half battle. Let's hope and pray that we can improve incrementally over the next few seasons.
Irrespective of what happens, we will still be Everton. UTFT
29 Posted 11/06/2023 at 13:58:16
I think Onana and Pickford will be sold and we will spend the proceeds on getting bodies in.
Joe @3, aren't the Saudis out of the running for Man Utd now? I am not saying I want that kind of money behind us but I agree, it might be the only thing that can save us.
For someone with silly money, we would still be of interest surely? If only for the stadium and potential fanbase.
30 Posted 11/06/2023 at 14:22:28
31 Posted 11/06/2023 at 14:32:37
So if we have to sell Pickford and Onana to raise another 𧴜M this season, who do we sell the season after that?
32 Posted 11/06/2023 at 14:45:33
33 Posted 11/06/2023 at 15:04:13
Let's just hope the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock does not turn into a gingerbread house.
Be a slow process, get rid of the board and bring professionals in, to run the club, might have to pick up a few freebies or loans, but in time, with the right people in place, we can start the slow progress upwards.
Anyone who thinks this will be resolved within a year, wake up and smell the coffee, it is going to take time.
34 Posted 11/06/2023 at 15:19:13
That financial mismanagement by the board and Financial officers of the club is the reason why we are not seeing any money to invest in the playing squad.
35 Posted 11/06/2023 at 16:10:28
36 Posted 11/06/2023 at 16:12:19
Relegation to the Championship would have been a disaster for who? The fans? We'd still go the games, we'd still watch a team we loved, week in week out.
Obviously the money would be a problem, we'd see all the saleable players sold. The far stricter EFL would possibly (likely IMO) apply a points deduction for not being able to adhere to the debt limits placed upon the club. The team may struggle to stay in the Championship, we'd be a laughing stock and it would hurt. But we'd still turn up to the matches. There would still be an Everton.
The club and it's owners would lose money and the club as a business could potentially go bust. Kenwright and Moshiri and all the institutions owed money would lose out. But there would still be a club. We'd still go the games.
I don't care who loses the money, it's not our debt, it's their debt, their names are on the documents at Companies House.
My point is, whatever happens to the club as a business, it would still continue. Everton would always exist because ultimately it belongs to us, the fans. Moshiri et al own the business associated with the club. If that goes bust then Everton would continue, whatever anyone says or does. Look at Chester and Wimbledon. Even Bury appears that it will survive, because the local council and the fans will ultimately make it happen because they are the true Bury FC.
Premier League survival just means more of this. Continuing as Debt FC until one day the house of cards falls, or we are sold to the next billionaire.
I'm sick of worrying about my club being a badly run business. I want to go back to football and supporting the team and not caring, just for one example, that we are only in the Top 30 instead of the Top 20 of Deloitte list.
I don't know how the club gets out of the hole it dug for itself, but I don't want to care either. I'm not a business administrator, an amateur accountant or a multi-millionaire.
I am an Evertonian.
37 Posted 11/06/2023 at 16:22:33
Inquiries about Pickford are bound to come, if he wants to leave, I think you have to let him, he's worth at least 㿞M propably more. We are a feeder club, like it or not, we have been for 30 years.
He'll be a very big loss though, he's been the difference that's kept us up for the last 2 seasons.
Unless things change on the money front, Dyche is going to have his work cut out again but I feel he's just the man to do it.
38 Posted 11/06/2023 at 16:27:04
We have a conundrum with an untrustworthy board, who are not being transparent, and therefore the fans do not have a clue about any transfer policy. If there is one?
Do we buy three or four good players at cost, or go to the bargain basement, and loan markets?
It would not surprise me if Everton stooped to the low level of loaning Mason Greenwood, repeating the errors of the past with erroneous signings and loans that don't work out.
Please prove me wrong.
39 Posted 11/06/2023 at 16:38:33
Like any business though, I still think the club change fortunes and get on the right path quickly. Having Dyche for example will ensure no expensive silly signings are coming through the door.
If Pickford goes, I can't see a club offering more than 㿏-㿔 million @ 29 years old with no Champions League experience. Thankfully he's got lots of England caps.
Every season 2 or 3 players rise to the occasion, so even if Onana goes, Branthwaite might be steady and play 45-50 games, Patterson the same, also Garner. And then end of next season clubs come sniffing around for these players. Nothing wrong with it if Dyche and Thelwell do their homework and bring in good players and take charge of recruitment.
If Brighton is the model then it's time to get comfortable with selling players that are very good, and taking a punt on players with high ceilings and can affect the goal difference directly but with minimal Premier League experience.
Onana, Garner, Patterson, Coleman, DCL and more says it can be done.
I seriously think Dyche is the right man and knows how to bring in the right players. Then the money men will be all over Everton again when they see the playing side looks a lot better.
Maybe I'm mad but I see a much better future under Dyche currently since moving on from the Lampard and Benitez days.
40 Posted 11/06/2023 at 17:20:32
Is there an agreement between Moshiri and Kenwright that requires that Kenwright must maintain his position as Chairman at his discretion? Is it legally binding? Can it be a legal requirement of any future sale or investment? And can a Board be formulated by any investors so that the Chairman is in a minority?
If the Chairman and Board refuse to call any future AGM, can the majority shareholder call an extraordinary AGM specifically to replace the Board? And how might this be affected by the majority shareholder's other business relationships?
We can all say without proof that there must be but what are the ramifications if it can be shown or proven and must it be disclosed as part of any due diligence or is that only in the case of a complete (majority) sell out?
41 Posted 11/06/2023 at 17:22:47
Run the club better.
If we are to be a "feeder" club in our current situation, then do it right. Our objective should be not to duplicate Newcastle but to try to learn from the success of Brentford or Brighton or Ajax or PSV.
The intelligent management model is right there to copy. The key is to put the right people in position to execute the model. Dyche and Thelwell may well be two of those, but the urgency is to install a Board above them that will share the same vision and level of competence.
That's how we get out of this situation IMO... not sit around hoping for the Sultan of Brunei to pop up at the Liver Building with his checkbook in hand.
42 Posted 11/06/2023 at 17:23:23
43 Posted 11/06/2023 at 18:05:53
44 Posted 11/06/2023 at 18:14:11
In the short term, as Paul indicates, we have run out of (Usmanov's) money. We've just re-signed Davies so I guess that means Onana is off – hopefully for more than we paid for him.
I'd sell Calvert-Lewin ahead of Pickford given the former's lamentable injury record but I doubt there will be any takers, so I fear Jordan will also be sold.
As others have said, we'll just have to trust Dyche and Thelwell to spend the pennies wisely. I don't think we will get the money people suggest for the above two. 㿨m for Onana? I doubt it. People can smell our desperation.
On the upside, things will begin to turn around a little a year hence if we don't get relegated. The appalling deadweight of the invisible 3 midfielders will disappear and our cumulative 4-year losses should be low enough to give us some headroom.
We can only hope Dyche can husband the meagre resources on offer to achieve this. He is probably as well qualified as anybody to do that.
As for us being like Dortmund, the main reason it works for them is they are nearly always in the Champions League, so have a story to tell good up-and-coming starlets. Hence my own proposed strategy; a reverse takeover of Kilmarnock and win the Scottish Premiership
45 Posted 11/06/2023 at 19:15:21
1) Billions + Moshiri's interference + Kenwright + Denise as CEO = Failure, relegation, existential threat.
2) Millions + Professionals + Competence = Success by incremental improvement.
Although Option 2 with billions is preferable!
46 Posted 11/06/2023 at 20:18:28
47 Posted 11/06/2023 at 20:30:30
48 Posted 11/06/2023 at 21:13:41
Fortunately the "Moshiri/Kenwright Everlasting Chairman Agreement" is merely a figment of overactive ToffeeWebber imaginations.
Meanwhile back in the real world it appears we may get some indication of the actual direction of travel towards the beginning of next week.
49 Posted 11/06/2023 at 21:14:49
50 Posted 11/06/2023 at 22:40:28
In a way I admire the hope expressed by some that Dyche/Thelwell can transform the club into even mid-table mediocrity next season without any budget at all until, maybe, even more of our now very few good players can be sold.
And I'm sorry, but someone above contends with hope that, "Every season 2 or 3 players rise to the occasion."
No offence, but I'd like a pint or two of whatever he drinks pre-match!
51 Posted 11/06/2023 at 23:03:46
It's been intuitively obvious to me for several years now that Barrett- Baxendale is totally out of her depth running an enterprise the size of Everton. Why she was ever considered as remotely suitable for the position, given her previous experience and competence levels, is a very much mystery to me. Her gobbledegook about 120 point action plans just sums up her lack of realism and ability.
For me, the main architect of our present predicament is Moshiri, long reputed to be the lackey and bag man of Usmanov. Before his arrival on the scene there had been a fair degee of managerial stability under David Moyes. Since then we have witnessed, with the arguable exception of Ancelotti, a catalogue of errors in terms of managerial appointments which, combined with the lack of positive contributions from previous Directors of Football, has brought us to the edge of the relegation precipice for two successive seasons. No properly run club would have sanctioned the level of spending we have experienced upto three years ago on a predominantly over the hill and ludicrously over priced set of players of questionable talent.
Fortunately we have now recruited in Sean Dyche a manager who has not only saved us from relegation in almost impossible circumstances but has the experience and knowledge to find sensibly priced and talented players to rebuild the club. He will, however, need the support of a completely restructured and fully competent internal management and recruitment system to lay firm foundations on which to achieve success.
52 Posted 12/06/2023 at 01:19:53
Phil (35) - I worry about the Moise Kean deal. The recent problems Juventus have encountered in terms of "plusvalenza" makes me wonder what was really going on when Kean signed for us. It came out of nowhere at the time, with some form of buy-back option written into the deal (which later became obligatory) and the whole thing just doesn't pass the sniff test. I wouldn't be surprised if effectively no money changed hands between the two clubs at all, with Juventus getting to the write the sale into their accounts, and Everton basically getting a player on loan for free and then the benefit of an amortised "sale" for their accounts a few years down the line.
53 Posted 12/06/2023 at 08:00:17
They need to get a move in, though.
54 Posted 12/06/2023 at 14:17:33
That leaves Dyche and Thelwell in limbo.No budget.no way of planning for the clubs obvious shortcomings just plenty of uncertainty.This is an ideal recipe for attracting players and investors to the club,I don't think!
Other clubs are already moving in the market,planning and strengthening for next season. Everton? Plenty of names- no substance. Nor can there be without the top management giving the manager and Director of Football something to work with.
Communication and transparency have never been great at this club but now it seems to have reached an all-time low.
Fans can protest at games and outside the ground during the season, but it's not so easy in the close season.
I must say I am at a loss how to get these clowns to respond, letters? emails? copied to local and national media?
Anybody any ideas how to put effective pressure on them?Otherwise, we are going to be in the same old mess come the end of the transfer window
55 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:23:50
56 Posted 12/06/2023 at 16:43:43
I am not worrying about how the present board are removed. In effect they have already exited. The question is who's next? Local businessmen with some, but not a lot of money may bring competence. They will not bring quick, easy solutions. They will need time. Increased commercial revenues follow, rather than lead, success on the field. Offloading overpaid players happens only when contracts expire.
Meanwhile we can only hope Dyche and Thelwell find ways to be creative in the transfer market so that we have at least two additional goal scoring attackers by the end of August. That will almost certainly entail at least one major sale.
57 Posted 12/06/2023 at 17:07:01
58 Posted 12/06/2023 at 17:28:58
59 Posted 13/06/2023 at 11:01:32
Fair point but the fact he has been offered a new contract suggests selling Onana is probable.
Without wishing to be cruel, the fact no-one else from the Premier League appears to be chasing him now or in the January window also suggests we might be his only viable option.
Personally I find it disappointing that a player of his limitations is still deemed good enough but, as I said, the next 12 months will require us to work with very meagre resources and hopefully survive until things improve from 2024-25.
60 Posted 13/06/2023 at 14:53:43
Kenwright still owns a substantial shareholding in Everton FC. Does this give him rights for board representation? Could Kenwright still be Chairman as Moshiri's proxy?
There is no mention of the sale of Kenwright's shares.I t has been speculated that Moshiri has asked Kenwright to stay on as Chairman in the meantime. Kenwright's statement on the loss of the directors is more observing an execution, as opposed to being executed.
Everton must be the most fan-observed club in the close season and the topics are piling up.
61 Posted 14/06/2023 at 20:36:32
Can't this useless club get anything done properly? The pile of garbage which calls itself the management would still be plotting a course to New York if it were the captain of the Titanic 5 hours after hitting the iceberg.
62 Posted 14/06/2023 at 21:48:17
Kenwright only cares about his own status and his share of the club's valuation. He does not care about Everton FC going forward.
63 Posted 16/06/2023 at 21:24:34
That we have a squad that has only just stayed in the Premier League makes it shameful. If we can see this, why can't Blue Bill? He lives in a fantasy world.
We need realists and pragmatists running the club – leaving the hopeful and wishful to the fans!
64 Posted 16/06/2023 at 21:57:32
Blue Bill holds less than 2% of Everton shares...
Substantial? Seriously?
65 Posted 16/06/2023 at 22:03:07
Rather than wring hands over the lack of a Shite Knight, think of how this makes clear the basic moves necessary and how well Dyche is suited. Thelwell exceeded expectations and no one got screwed. In fact Gomes and others worked out and we almost landed Kudus while we were adrift. Thelwell also will have a much more reliable partner identifying talent in Dyche.
It may be that working through the next transfer windows on limited funds is exactly the price range and talent spectrum where Dyche and Thelwell can excel. Having to decide on whether to deal only one or both Onana and Pickford in a single window is perhaps the test. I think they will come through, stabilize player performances, and create more opportunities in following windows as Thelwell builds his reputation and relationships with other clubs.
Disclaimer: I've been drinking… but damnit, I think I've got the right perspective.
66 Posted 16/06/2023 at 22:32:24
67 Posted 17/06/2023 at 15:38:01
Nothing about interim Board members. Nothing about Chairman (or not) Bill. Nothing about MSP investment — are they still coming? More significantly, nothing from our absent owner. Has he found new money from somewhere or is he going to dip into his own pocket again?
It is all very worrying. I have to ask if this, and other off-field matters (our huge debt situation, the P&S proceedings, Carlo taking us to court, and other problems too numerous to mention) mean that we are on the way to being truly broke which in turn is going to end up with fewer supporters going to turn up when the new season starts leading to a further drop in revenue, deepening our perilous situation?
Big question: Are we wasting our time supporting Everton as it is a lost cause? The supporters are not in the least valued by Kenwright anyway as they are more trouble than they are worth (according to him anyway).
Straightforward questions I am seriously asking myself.
68 Posted 17/06/2023 at 17:10:58
I was remiss previously in not thanking Paul the Esk for his excellent diagnosis of our current situation written on 11 June. As things have moved on a bit since then my post included the exits from the Board.
Unfortunately nothing else has changed - for the better anyway.
69 Posted 17/06/2023 at 23:41:33
I will support Everton regardless of what league we are in, even God forbid non-league. It's our club remember — not Moshiri's or Kenwright's or MSP's.
70 Posted 18/06/2023 at 00:07:08
I can't imagine what not supporting Everton would be like. Not an option as far as I am concerned. As Paul says, it's our club – end of.
UTFT!
71 Posted 14/07/2023 at 12:03:47
In the accounts dated year ending 30/6/22 we state Assets Under Construction are 168m. Assets under construction are the stadium. Moshiri has recently stated the stadium will cost 760m so there is a further 592m to still be booked. 130m of this is rumoured to be coming from MSP, although this has still not been confirmed. No one has a clue where the remaining 462m will be found. Where is the funding?
Once the stadium is completed, we will have to start depreciating the 760m cost. In the accounting statements we say Properties are depreciated over 10 to 40 years but Plant and Equipment over 5 years. If we take 20 years as a rough average depreciation period then we will be booking approx. 40m a year to depreciation and reducing our profit. As our gate receipts at Goodison last year were under 16m, we will be struggling to cover this additional 40m cost from increased attendance, corporate hospitality and naming rights
On top of this we will have to service the massive debts we will have incurred and are going to incur. Currently we have the following debts
In Other Loans we show a debt to Rights & Media of 150m
We also show that we took out a loan from the Government CIBILS for Covid impact of 26m
We also have loans out from Moshiri's foreign company ‘Blue Sky Capital' of 380m
A total of 556m that all have to be repaid at some point. They are incurring interest charges that also need paying.
On top of that there will be the 592m we have remaining on the new stadium – that's well over 1.1 billion in debt and nothing to repay it back with when we are losing money every year
To make matters even worse. Once we move into our new stadium we are committed to demolishing Goodison and renovating the area around Goodison. Plans have been made but I've seen nothing on just how much all of this will cost nor the funding
With another 592m still to be paid on the stadium, servicing the debt, and the additional costs of running two sites is it any wonder that we really have nothing for new players, as any sales we do are going to pay the builders, and that the board and the auditors started mentioning concerns on whether we would remain a Going Concern if relegated
We are deep in the shit and it won't be fixed in one years time – maybe not even 10 years time
72 Posted 14/07/2023 at 12:15:39
From another Board
from an impeccable source
somebody 'ahem'. negotiate the stadium deal to be undertaken at a fixed cost and managed to buy materials etc in advance at a then market cost. so it won't be going up at all. the price agreed was a gamble but it looks like paying off now as the costs are capped.
don't know how its happened or how murky it is- but that is what it is.
source is not a big football fan but a businessman here and in Dubai who was 'amazed' by the deal - that it a) got put through and that it b) had looked like a masterstroke with hindsight.
it is believed that Moshiri will make 350-400m when its done and that's why he is hanging on.
73 Posted 14/07/2023 at 12:27:43
We can blame many things like Covid and the Ukraine war but deep down it's people wanting too much too quickly and biting off more that they can chew.
Human nature maybe, but Everton have been plunged into financial chaos by bad management.
It seems getting a new stadium of such magnitude was a pipe dream not thought out properly at the expense of the team which is what we are all interested in.
Yes the situation regarding the shape of Goodison needed to be addressed but if the RS didn't need to replace Anfield and Manure didn't need to replace Old Trafford then why do Everton need to move.
All water under the bridge now but I agree the lasting effect will be catastrophic for many seasons to come as the squad is kept full of underachievers due to the funding issues etc.
74 Posted 14/07/2023 at 12:35:05
If it's anything to do with Moshiri I'd take it with a pinch of salt
Personally I think Moshiri's still involved because he's on a hiding to nothing following the waste of money in the transfer market
At 760m I can't see the stadium making much, or any, profit quite honestly
75 Posted 14/07/2023 at 13:30:37
Anyone else heard the rumour a body building arab prince is seriously interested? Apparently in Liverpool now taking over an entire floor of the Holiday Inn under the name Protein Sheikh.
Is that the police outside?
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
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.
How to get rid of these ads and support TW
1 Posted 11/06/2023 at 09:03:28
I think we are in for more pain and disappointment before things improve. And that improvement will only come if, and when, Moshiri sells up and buggers off. Knowing our luck he'll probably sell us to the Venkys.