TFG add US billionaire Christopher Sarofim as new Everton investor

Christy, there is one already. The plush Titanic Hotel, which is literally across the road from the stadium
.
Titanic Hotel

Probably why Sarofim is joining the board. Some big investors are going to make a hell of a killing in the future.

Although the orange manchild is doing his best to knacker that.

I like TFG's style.

I am going to assume that he will be here to look at business development opportunities in the area around the stadium and hopefully invest some funds into the transfer kitty.

This is all positive news, but there is still a lot to do on the future playing infrastructure (academy, scouting network, management).

We have been a ''poor relations'' club for many years and way behind the Saudi-backed clubs and of course the Americans behind Liverpool.

It's no surprise the product on the field has performed better since Moshiri went and Moyes was appointed.

Obviously we need new blood to get up to Blue heaven but the signs are there that good things are happening.

I, for one, cannot wait till this season ends and the new era begins at the new stadium.

The 62-year-old fund manager is also a minority shareholder of NFL franchise Houston Texans. He was with Goldman Sachs, so he's no Farhad.

That area will dominate the riverside and Mordor will look like a shack. I could yet see, not just a rerun of the '60s but a great, great club again before I leave this mortal coil for that Blue Heaven.

Sounds like we're finally entering the 21st century. What a difference from the Moshiri & Kenwright clown show with their “board” containing The Three Stooges.

Btw, this guy doesn't appear on Google or Wikipedia. Are we sure he's real?

Does give you the impression, doesn't it Martin, that we are at long last starting to have some serious people involved at the top of the tree as opposed to a West End theatre impresario.

Barry @9,

I also like the fact that TFG keep their business to themselves until there is something worth announcing, Barry. Some on here though won't like that – particularly when it comes to the summer transfer window.

I put in what wasn't included by our ToffeeWeb journalists. We are all just passing on others' news.

Sarofim has been an advisor, board member or patron of multiple local medical organizations like MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Heart Institute, UT Health Development Board and Texas Children's Cancer Center.

He just retired from the BOD of Kemper Insurance and is still on the board of a private real estate development company.

So this is a deep-pocketed investor with a long history with Friedkin, previous professional sports investing (he owns a piece of the NFL's Houston Texans) and some serious business chops. Interesting that he'll be a Board observer, at least to start with, rather than a full director.

Nigel #16, yep, I've mentioned that before about the Friedkins. They keep their cards very, very close.

"See you blue noses have sold out to the capitalists. Money could be spent on poor areas in decline. The City only needs one team!!"

Erm...

Thanks for the info, Mike. I couldn’t find him anywhere. So what’s he going to do for us? Show us the money!!

The deluded rs have no sense of irony, Jeff.

Erm indeed. Jeff. They are pathetic. Did he mention their own capitalist owners? I doubt it very much. They are honestly ridiculous.

Money is going to be spent on a poor and neglected area of the city that has been in decline for decades because of us. But it's best not to try and engage in sensible conversations with them as they can't see past their Bill Shankly and Stevie Gee framed pictures.

Collectively a very sad and bitter bunch.

Christopher Sarofim on Wikipedia

“Poor areas in decline” as opposed to what? The affluent suburbia of dockland Vauxhall? The leafy avenues and gentile bowling greens of nearby Tory stronghold, Bootle??

The fuck he's on about?

Loadsamoney!!!

All you need to do is give him a wry smile. They are worried.

I'm only kidding, Colin, lol – don't get upset.😁

The bigger the investors buying into us, the more input there will be, better commercial opportunities and somebody to come in should the majority shareholders suddenly sell up.

As people have remarked above, I like TFG's discretion. They get things done and we hear about it once completed. Kenwright used to blab to his media contacts, from what I can tell.

Really interested to see what unfolds next season.

They have very, very brittle egos. I can only guess it comes from the fact we were always the bigger club until the 1970s (?) and their hiatus from the league title for so long.

I don't pretend to understand sending death threats on social media to their own players, burning their shirts or the criminal damage they cause while 'celebrating'.

I also cannot fathom that sense of entitlement they carry about.

Anyone walking from the Pier Head in the direction of Bramley-Moore Dock and onwards for a bit can see the massive room for development along the shore.

My old Geography teacher used to tell us that the Mersey could be like New York if only the Southern softies in London weren't afraid of investing. Maybe the Americans can see it. With Everton at its heart.

There is no such thing as certainty in this life but the club now has a strong foundation for the future that must be built on. Whilst operating with discretion is almost unheard of these days, it is a welcome sign in how they approach the running of the club.

There is one proviso and that would be the setting of expectations and the plan to achieve success on the field. A manager with a short-term contract, no director of football replacement and an as yet, lack of clarity on available transfer funds for the coming seasons, the club stance on contracts and loans, as yet so many questions lie ahead.

Now I am certain the club does have a plan, would it be too much to ask if they can share it so we are all on the same page? We are safe from relegation, the stadium is world class, now what's the game plan?

Your post stirred up an encounter way back in 1973. Bought my first, and, last! drum kit from a second-hand shop on Scotland Road. The owner kindly offered to take it to where I was living on Priory Road.

Football came into conversation. Once Everton was mentioned, he replied "So you're a Tory snob then"? Went into a load of shite about our history, blah, blah, blah.

Me? Born and raised above 2 Public houses, the first, The Grapes on William Henry Street. The second, The Granton on Robson Street. Proud of my working-class background. Nuff said.

Those who lead Everton across the park to build the new stadium were primarily Liberals leaning towards abstinence, whilst those who remained to form the new club were predominantly Conservatives involved in brewing & licensed public houses.

Champion of the working classes. For fuck's sake!

Worry about what you're "leadership" is turning the UK into and keep your TDS down to a minimum.

Thank you in advance.

Still living in their heads rent free then, I see.

Inconsequential though aren't we according to some moron in work today.

My reply, what pub is your season ticket for then, skulled off and said nothing as they all do when you challenge them. Horrible people, the full set of 'em.

Now seen as a catch-all phrase to describe both radical followers and opponents of the greatest commander in chief and tarrif apostle.

Well, maybe you do?

It intrigued me because it wasn’t really about coaching children, which seems to be the vogue in this modern age, but more about letting the kids play inside cages, which probably creates an environment similar to playing in the street, which has sadly been lost over time.

They highlighted the skills of people like Wilfred Saha, and said that there’s no way on gods earth, that some of his skilful trickery could be coached into a player, so the conclusion was that he had taught himself.

Innovation is everything imo, and I live in hope that somewhere along the line, Everton can find themselves a talented innovator🤞

“We are safe from relegation, the stadium is world class, now what's the game plan?”

Hopefully the ‘game plan' includes a serious solution to getting to and from the new stadium.

I suppose throwing a Blue smoke flair in the Kop is pushing it.

Not much to ask.

Like Paul@13 said, TFG is targeting investors with tons of network who can open doors to more funding channels. I am guessing that TFG has learnt their lessons at Italy: better grab the lands around the stadium first (like in the Monopoly game) and develop them into an Entertainment & Hospitality hot spot (imagine 20 times bigger than Albert Dock) before putting money back into the Playing Squad (with FFP, they can't spend without thinking anyway). Hence, more investors like Sarofim are needed (TFG might still be smarting on the huge amount of money they poured in on players at Roma with nominal returns).

Mike@19, Sarofim himself has a typical CV: upon graduating from university, went to Goldman Sachs to learn the ropes for 2 years before heading back to work for his father's investment management company, before working his way up to secure the Crown Prince status. One point not to overlook: Sarofim's late father-in-law was a mayor of Houston, in other words tons of network within the political circle that might be able to complement TFG.

But this just goes to highlight how badly our club has been run for years... no need to name names.

Seems like we have some real professionals now overseeing Everton's future.

A Seraphim on the Board, Bill would be proud thinking there's now two of them, oh sorry, Sarofim, must be careful what you wish for, there's that and what you get. Does he do Superan linked to the season ticket waiting list?

It will be interesting to see if they have the expertise to overhaul the football operations structure, including recruitment, in similar fashion.

I am reserving judgement on this as the proposed appointment of Nicky Hammond from Leeds (mooted) does not impress me.

"The UK government has established the Shared Prosperity Fund to replace EU funding for projects like docklands development, focusing on three key areas: communities and place, supporting local businesses, and people and skills. This fund aims to level up regions, with local leaders having a greater say in how the money is spent.

Bramley-Moore Dock and Central Docks area in Liverpool qualifies for central government funding through Homes England, specifically for its role in the Liverpool Waters regeneration initiative. This funding, which includes a £56 million investment, is aimed at accelerating the regeneration of the city's northern docks and boosting housing supply.

Treasury approval for Liverpool Waters’ £56m brownfield housing boost

30 Oct 2024

A £56m investment by Homes England to speed up the regeneration of a major brownfield site within Liverpool Waters and bring life back to the city’s historic northern docklands, has been given final approval by HM Treasury.

The funding will support the creation of a new public park and vital infrastructure that will accommodate approximately 2,350 new homes and is all part of the government’s plans to build 1.5 million new homes across the UK in the next five years.

The investment by Homes England relates to Central Docks, the largest of five neighbourhoods within the emerging Liverpool Waters district. Owned and master planned by waterside regeneration specialists Peel Waters, Liverpool Waters extends over 2km along the banks of the River Mersey and has outline planning permission across 60 hectares. The Central Docks neighbourhood alone is projected to attract over £550m in private investment.

There are currently around £1billion of new developments under construction across Liverpool Waters, including the new 52,888-seater Everton Stadium, the Mersey Heat district heating network served by an innovative Water Source Heat Pump energy centre, and over 600 new homes currently being built – adding to the nearly 1,200 homes already completed and occupied across the Princes Dock and Central Docks neighbourhoods. The Isle of Man’s new £70m ferry terminal also located within Liverpool Waters completed in June this year.

In July, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet agreed to enter into an agreement with Homes England to accept Brownfield Infrastructure Land grant funding and act as accountable body on behalf of Peel Waters to deliver site infrastructure and follow-on development.

The Central Docks scheme at Liverpool Waters was also identified by the Liverpool Strategic Futures Panel, chaired by Mayor Steve Rotheram, and forms part of Liverpool’s ambitious 20-year plan for the whole of its iconic waterfront.

Liverpool City Council has also made a similar brownfield site commitment in its draft housing strategy, currently subject to a public consultation, which supports the delivery of 2,000 new homes every year to 2030 and to double the number of affordable homes across the city.

The key infrastructure within the 10.5-hectare scheme, which comprises underground utilities, roads, pavements, public park, green spaces, and public amenities, will lay the groundwork for future investments and the development of a diverse mix of new housing in addition to commercial, community, retail and leisure facilities. 20% of the new homes planned at Central Docks will be affordable.

With full planning approval for the site preparation work, the comprehensive plans for Central Docks include the creation of an interconnected network of public spaces. The proposed new landscape will be enriched with the planting of hundreds of trees, with the centrepiece being ‘Central Park,’ a sprawling 2.1-hectare oasis, set to become one of the city’s largest urban green spaces.

Central Park’s design will celebrate the site’s industrial heritage and coastal location, blending coastal and woodland plantations, wetlands, and open parkland. Embracing inclusivity and sustainability, the park will feature amenities such as shelters, sports and recreational facilities, play spaces and wildlife habitats, to be enjoyed by both residents and visitors.

The development will also significantly enhance connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, with the ultimate aim of creating seamless open access between the city centre, Princes Dock, Central Docks and Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock."

All similar type developments are not car friendly ,being concerned with their Carbon footprint.Parking is normally out of town.

It's going to take time and there is frustration that the local Government authorities sat on their hands for 4 years instead of getting ahead of the game.

From the detail you provide, it seems there is a lot going on in the background and now the club are taking the initiative. Maybe that will kick the council and city region into gear. Bless them, they've probably been too busy planning the Devil's victory parade. Well, those of them not on bribery charges.

But it's happening.

They probably justified it by citing Fiscal Prudence or some such bollocks...I look down the E Lancs Rd at the Blue Boy Burnham doing a decent job for the Mancs and shake my head.

What does this new investor do to the total number of shares and the low price of said shares that the many, as I call them, 'Legacy Shareholders' are now stuck with?

Christ, it must be a tough life being a billionaire…

No doubt they will be looking to maximise the stadium when not being used for football to help increase the value of the club. Already they have secured one of the Rugby League tests against Australia, but I can see many non-football events being organised, but they may have to do something about the parking restrictions if they intend attracting concert goers.

I did worry at first if it was a good idea for a company that own other football clubs being our new owners but so far all the appointments they have made make me feel these guys are here for the long haul.

I know it's unlikely to happen again, but Liverpool had the first overhead electric railway in the world, affectionately known as the dockers' umbrella.

Sadly the damage done in WW2 it was considered an uneconomic repair, especially when the land rail was working okay.

I'd love to see an overhead transport link, but would settle for an electric bus route along the developing area with the weak link bridge replaced or upgraded.

Housing and recreational spaces will only enhance things more, this is such a big deal for the city, the people, and let's not forget football. :)

We took a walk from the Pier Head down to Bramley-Moore Dock on Sunday morning and it is disappointing that so little has been done in the areas surrounding the stadium. However the potential is obvious.

We have confirmed our status in the Premier League, and we have serious businessmen now in charge of the club. I would hope and expect that the investment and development will start to flow.

I think all the uncertainty with points deductions, relegation fears and even going into administration, along with the lack of a clear plan from our previous owner must have acted as a deterrent to potential investors.

The amount of space leading up to the stadium on both sides of the dock road provides great opportunities for new business. I would expect that TFG will be bringing pressure to bear on the council to enable new business development to be accelerated.

The stadium looks a bit isolated at the moment but it should now kick start further development all around it. Lets hope so.

Could ease road and foot traffic congestion..

He's just come on board to offer advice more than anything.

Rich people entry is having skin in the game, and putting chips on the table to be in 'the club'.

This rarely comes free unless you're an employee with specialist skills.

Time will tell, but I guess he's ponying up.

Free advice? Nothing is free.

Would I invest in the club now, a definite yes and its a long time since I thought that.

Glad I could help. Your ideas are always heading in the right direction and it seems there is solid back up and plans.

Andrew #129

As I was researching the above I was wondering where the Light rail project was??? Thanks for the information. As a infra structure project it would be cost effective to install. Overhead would seem to fit the bill, answering alot of questions.

It seems that not only Everton needed Proper Professional input, but is was an essential contribution for the whole Docklands Development.

Fortunately Moshiri & Co are only in the Liver building, which they will have to exit in the future.There front seat Dockland Development plans are in tatters.

Going to Bramble Dock could be a wider experience than just going to the match.Everton will become a integrated part of the Whole Development.

The 52-year-old has joined Roundhouse Capital Holdings, an entity within The Friedkin Group (TFG), which completed its takeover of Everton in December. Everton executive chairman Marc Watts said in a news release that Kidd will be an “incredible resource” for the club.

Elevated monorail, from the Albert Dock to Bramley Moore Dock with stops along the way.

A. modern day tip of the hat to the Docker's Umbrella, serving the city's visitors and Everton.

Respecting the past, but looking to the future, which is what this move is all about.

NBA Hall of Famer and Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has joined the ownership group of Everton, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

Kidd has joined Roundhouse Capital Holdings, which is part of The Friedkin Group -- the U.S. firm that completed its takeover of Everton in December.

"I'm honoured to be joining Everton's ownership at such an important moment," Kidd said. "With a new stadium on the horizon and a bright future ahead, it's a great moment to come on board."

The 52-year-old has been hailed as an "incredible resource for Everton" by executive chairman Marc Watts and joins with extensive experience in the NBA, on and off the court. Kidd was a 10-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medal winner with the U.S. national team, and has since coached the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and the Mavericks.

Watts added: "As one of the NBA's greatest players and now a successful coach, his knowledge and winning mentality will be an incredible resource for Everton.

"He is a respected leader and household name for many sports fans and will bring a deeper understanding of high performance as we collectively strive to build a brighter future."

Actually, I have no idea what he brings. Except a little celebrity power. And maybe he can help Alcaraz with his passing.

Make Everton Great Again!

As pointed out in The Athletic it's a similar approach at Birmingham City with Tom Brady, Burnley with JJ Watt and Bournemouth with Michael B. Jordan.

You mustn't be an NBA fan, former great and current coach of Mavericks.

Good to have different sporting greats on board, and won't it promote our brand and marketing in the US?

Tony, I just hope he becomes a marketing resource. Dallas may be the hottest soccer market in America, and he's a beloved star there.

Pete #170, thanks for looking up those other examples.

Different sport, but sometimes sport is sport and these people might just have some valuable ideas and principles? That’s why I personally take this view, anyway 🤞

Transport to Bramley-Moore Dock will be for 1 day or sometimes 2 and I think this is why the Liverpool Council are dragging their feet.

I should imagine with all the development planned along with Liverpool Waters, there will be a regular bus route along and past Bramley-Moore Dock in the future.

The idea that Dany O'Neill and others have mentioned would be ideal for a regular route with extra carriages on match days.

Jason Kidd, the Head Coach of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, has joined Roundhouse Capital Holdings, part of The Friedkin Group.

Kidd, a 10-time NBA All-Star, is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation. As a player, he won the 2011 NBA Championship with the Dallas Mavericks and was a two-time Olympic gold medal winner with the U.S. national team in 2000 and 2008. As a Head Coach, he had spells at the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks before joining the Mavericks in 2021 and leading them to the Western Conference Championship in 2024.

As one of the NBA’s greatest players and now a successful coach, his knowledge and winning mentality will be an incredible resource for Everton.

“He is a respected leader and household name for many sports fans and will bring a deeper understanding of high performance as we collectively strive to build a brighter future for this storied club.”

Interesting post.The managing of pushing expectations in American Sport always comes across as a step above. It seems TFG are prepared to be innovative.

Alright, I will give you the easy one; Make Everton Great Again. The other is so obvious that I think you just want to see some fireworks. Oh wait, they are already happening.

And didn't Bebe have their playbook? With intelligence assessment that it was a real document to be concerned about?

I know there's been some whispers about AJ Bell doing some level of sponsorship, but it would be beneficial if they both joined this new group of backers.

I say the more billionaires involved with the club the better, as long as it's not Elon Musk or Steve Bannon money.

Jason Kidd, as stated above, has been announced as a minor investor. In general, a mostly unremarkable news story, because while a hall of fame player and decent NBA coach, he’s not on the level of LeBron or Tom Brady as a celebrity American owner. He’s not moving the needle much to garner American support of Everton, though certainly doesn’t hurt I guess.

But every time I think of Kidd, I’m reminded that he once punched his wife. I’m all for second chances and such, but also become wary of celebrating people with that kind of past (among other questionable decisions, as detailed below). Let’s see how spicy this debate can become.

https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/19596/history-of-jason-kidds-past-incidents

I see that you’ve moved well beyond the Glasgow “thing” Roger.

So, “aggressive pro-Palestinian protests are anti-Semitic”. Presumably you accept that “pro-Palestinian protests” are not anti-Semitic? What makes a protest “aggressive” and how balanced is that likely to be if the definition comes from one Jewish-sympathising side? I am surprised that I still need to do this. Do you not realise that the vast majority of pro-Palestinian protestors are protesting against the Israeli Government and the fanatic who is in charge who cannot even set foot in countries who will serve the warrant against him.

Roger, do you even bother to think through the clear differences between Israel as a political entity and the Jewish people or between pro-Palestinian protest and anti-Semitism? It appears to me and others on here that you are unable to do so or do not want to do so. If this is indeed the case, then it makes your position staunchly ideological and unshfiting and dangerous. Anything that does not question itself is dangerous.

Have you spent any significant time in Israel Roger? I have. I spent 9 months at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and that was one of several visits. My Jewish friends would despise your view on the protestors’ anti-Semitism as much as they despise Netanyahu and his government. Are my Jewish friends anti-Semitic Roger? They would call your views one of the root causes for the situation we are now in. Every day that I have spent in Israel has always featured the most disgusting depictions of Palestinians whether simply overheard in a café or on the street. Jerusalem is full of Palestinian hating people encouraged by rabid calls from the most extreme media. What my friends call “settler speak” and calls for destroying Palestinians are every bit as bad as your Essex story. Spend some time in a room with some militant Orthodox Jews Roger and listen to the contempt they have for the Palestinian people and they also refuse to join the army, by the way.

Your first point I don’t know about so could you inform me and post evidence and links that directly show that pro-Palestinian protests began in Britian on October 7?

What on earth is a “civilian-combatant casualty ratio” Roger? You mean the proportion of deaths that are civilian compared with combatants. You claim breathtakingly that the rate in Gaza “is less than the US/UK have ever managed” (what person would use “managed”).

Want some figures and events Roger? The UN agency has verified the details of 8,119 civilians who were killed in Gaza from November 2023 to April 2024. Ready Roger?: 44% of the victims were classified as “minors”; 26% were classified as women. The most represented ages among the murdered were five to nine-year-olds. Around 80% of victims were killed in residential buildings. The UN recorded seven mass casualty events in Gaza in six days: 24/29 October 2024. The UN's Human Rights Office has condemned the high number of civilians killed largely due to “Israel's use of weapons with wide-area effects in densely populated areas”. The same Office said it found "unprecedented" levels of international law violations, raising concerns about "war crimes and other possible atrocity crimes".

The highest estimated civilian death rates in WW2 lie somewhere in the range 61-67%; the same for WW1 is 42-59%. And your point was what Roger? That the Israeli government is what “nicer” and “more caring” than the US and UK government because they killed a smaller proportion of civilians – which they have not? Unbelievable.

How shitty of you to write that “maybe” I am not a “Jew-hater”. How dare you write that. I condemn any act of violence irrespective of who the perpetrators are. Your bias comes out from its porous hiding place a lot Roger. You must be a fully paid-up international member of Lukid. Roger, do you condemn Israeli civilian atrocities in the Gaza Strip?

Your continuing efforts to stigmatise Glasgow fans are not worth any more of my time Roger. I will say one thing more. Think a little more carefully when you next use “fan base” not least when you decide not to qualify what you man by this.

I’ll end by restating a question Roger: do you condemn Israeli civilian atrocities in the Gaza Strip?

Perhaps, ‘amazingly enough’ Phil, because it isn’t? Perhaps Phil because the atrocities in Gaza are the work of one side?

October 7 was also a disgusting atrocity. It began this horrible cycle. But it is still used now to justify Israeli Government atrocities in Gaza. That is not accepted by the UN or anything with human rights in its title.

Hamas needs to be defeated. No one of anything near a right mind would not want them out of Gaza, not least the majority of Palestinian civilians who innocent are killed in sickening numbers by Israel’s government. Justifiably so, that government says, because they believe that there are some Hamas fighters in bunkers below them.

On December 29, 2024 the IDF said it had killed 8,000 Hamas fighters in all. 8,119 civilians were murdered in Gaza from November 2023 to April 2024 alone. On December 30 2023, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor recorded 2,353 Hamas deaths and 27,681 civilian murders.

That, Roger, is a civilian murder rate of 92.16%. Would you be able to show me a higher rate for how the UK and US have ever 'managed' civilian deaths? There's another question that you need to answer.

I have yet to see any hint of moral outrage, or mass demonstrations, against any of these wars.

Neither have I seen any continuous, non-football, threads about the treatment of women and girls in Iran, Afghanistan or many African countries (FMG). Or the use of child labour in third world counties or, for that matter, famine and disease throughout large parts of the world

If you are so disturbed, and sickened (and rightly so) by what is happening in Gaza, maybe ask yourselves, why these other conflicts don’t merit your concern or outrage.

A regional (nuclear) war could be about to break out between Pakistan and India over the recent terrorist (or should we call them militants) attack in Kashmir. Will our resident experts in geopolitics be writhing long essays justifying one side or the other? I somehow doubt it.

We all have our own ideas, beliefs, prejudices, fears etc…but as I said previously (post 218) this is not the ideal venue to spout these on

I've been to Israel and the West Bank, both professionally and as tourist. It is a complex situation.

Name me a conflict over the centuries that hasn't resulted in civilian collateral (a term we used). I'd be impressed if anyone could pull that one out, because I doubt it exists.

During my last operational tour in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, the politicians and generals imposed a policy of "courageous restraint" on us, meaning we had to, within reason, hold off if there was a danger of causing civilian casualties. Even if that was to our own cost, as the people you are fighting often blended in to the civilian population and used them as human shields, whilst still having a go at us. Sadly, it didn't completely eradicate casualties of war. That is from personal experience, not anything I've read.

A terrorist organisation started this very sad latest episode in a volatile region that has been a source of conflict for centuries. I defend Israel's right to respond against Hamas. I just question the techniques and tactics. Carpet bombing is very WW2 or Vietnam (take your pick). They could have been far more surgical in specifically targeting Hamas leaders. The technology is there to back up the firepower to do so. Would it have totally erased civilian casualties? No. But it would have significantly reduced them. Again, that is from experience.

Anyway, Manchester today for a charity event in the build up the VE/VJ Day. Suited and wearing my 8 x medals and then back to London for Chelsea v Everton tomorrow. Can't wait for match day. It can't come quick enough.

Even Ukraine only registered on everyone's outrage radar in 2022. The fact that Russia annexed Crimea (Ukraine) in 2014 and had been fighting a proxy war in the east of the country from around that time, including shooting down a civilian airliner, went largely ignored.

Likewise their invasion of Georgia in 2008, a country where they still occupy a percentage of territory.

Of all the conflict zones I have been to, I would say Bosnia was the worst one. We weren't in a combat role, but witnessing the devastation, destruction and ethnic cleansing that had gone on was pretty traumatic.

I see we have another investor onboard. Things are starting to take shape off the pitch. Hopefully this will trickle down in the summer to get it right on the pitch.

I most certainly am 'concerned' about the wars you rightly list. Sudan and Somalia for me in particular where I have done what I can in the form of giving for years now.

It's not a ToffeeWeb thing Colin. Look at the coverage in the UK/US media - it's all Israel/Gaza and the Ukraine.

I'm very glad that you posted this CG. A timely reminder.

That's not true Danny mate respectfully. The Crimea has always been on the agenda in the media that I follow. That plane often turns up in discussion/debate/reporting.

Paul F @245, it goes deeper and way back from there. Ukraine is considered part of Russia by the Kremlin. It was the birthplace of the what became the Russian Empire and modern state, Kiev / Kyiv was the original capital. It's not too dissimilar to what Kosovo means to the Serbs.

It is ingrained in history and a significant percentage of the Crimean population is ethnic Russian. If they hadn't taken it illegally, they might have had a claim.

But let's not kid ourselves over nostalgic history. There is the small matter of the port of Sevastopol, home of the Soviet and now Russian Black Sea Fleet.

There is always another agenda. A bit like ridding the world of an evil dictator and weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Oil anyone?

Who is he and what will he bring to the table?

I’ve always believed BMD will herald a new dawn for us and it’s starting to look that way.

'It is ingrained in history and a significant percentage of the Crimean population is ethnic Russian. If they hadn't taken it illegally, they might have had a claim'.

That was Adolf Hitler's justification for Lebensraum.

Putin, being ex-KGB has never really got over the break up of the Soviet Union. Belarus in his back pocket, Georgia and now Ukraine in his sights.

WW2 and the build up to it dating back to the late 19th century, is one of my favourite periods of history, so I am very familiar with that. There is a good and popular docu-series on Netflix "Hitler's Circle of Evil". Worth a watch.

I've probably spent about 5 years of my life in Germany. It took them a long time to come to terms with being proud to be German and fly their flags. It was probably as late as the 1990s before they felt comfortable doing so.

Was hoping to see the Chelsea v Everton preview for a Friday morning.

Are we thinking O'Brien moves centrally to partner Branthwaite and Patterson and comes in at right back?

I don’t think Patterson will be with us next season.

Time to get into match day mode.

Come on MK, get us back on track!!

I'm up late with a dry white watching true blue Billy Moore - 'hello my mate' - in Widnes on Utube. Only, like Paul Simon, gone through the station, but he got off the train. What a shithole. Domestic thug Barton's new home.

If Hamas has not killed 1,500 Israeli civilians on 7/10/2023 then there was no reason for the IDF to go into Gaza and the civilians could have continued their deprived existence thanks to their government lack of care for their people.

Mark 214 - a bit like that football only started in 1992, the debate about the conflict in the Middle East only started in 1948.

Around 2000 years ago that land was settled by Jews. In fact 700 years before that part of it was called Israel. They were kicked out by the Romans and displaced around the world. In WW1 it was under Turkish rule and Britain was given responsibility given Turkey picked the wrong side in the conflict. 1922 it was agreed to form a separate state so that the Jews around the world could return to their historical home. Things got in the way, like WW2, so it took until 1948 to happen.

Of course we must also ignore the ethnic cleansing that has happened in Palestine as many were Christians but they have been forced to leave by Muslim Hamas and also ignore the power struggles between Hamas and Palestinian Authority. We must also ignore that Hamas wants to remove all Jews by either deportation or death (I presume that is their favoured option) and so Israel is actually fighting for its own existence. With that in mind it is amazing that the IDF are not treating all Palestinians with care.

I remember the huge outcry when Saddam Hussein placed Westerners in strategic positions as Human Shields. Ever watched "The Train" as the Germans put French civilians on the locomotive so Bert Lancaster would not blow up the tracks, derail the loco and kill his own civilians? But putting command centres in hospitals, putting rocket launchers in housing areas it seems it is perfectly OK to use human shields if they are your own people.

Afterall, Hamas are such nice people. Yeah. Right.

Interesting that you mention Hitler here Paul. I can only go with my own personal experiences of the Ukraine, borne out of our away trip to Metalist Kharkiv in the Europa league.

There were Nazi salutes accompanying just about every Metalist song. The worst case was a 6 year old boy who wanted his photo taken with me and my mates underneath our big Everton banner. It was only when we looked back at the photo did we see this 6 year old boy with his arm raised in a Nazi salute on the photo. We were absolutely flabbergasted by this, a 6 year old boy.

Now this 6 year old hasn’t come to his own conclusions on this, he has been taught by his parents or whoever. No way is this a justification for what Putin has done and neither should we take the views of a selection of football fans, Zelensky is Jewish I believe, but it certainly added a new angle for me especially when I hear of Putin wanting to de Nazify Ukraine and protect abuses against ethnic Russians.

Remember the Ukrainian and Tatar Nazi SS death squads during WW2, largely responsible for administering the holocaust in Ukraine for Hitler. Saying that there were also partisan units operating against Hitler from the Ukraine.

As I said I’m not defending Putin in any way I think he is an imperialist megalomaniac but my experience certainly opened my eyes that there could be more to this than meets the eye.

Your WW2 erm 'observations' are just I'm sorry ignorant and your subjectivity.

This is disgusting - If Hamas has not killed 1,500 Israeli civilians on 7/10/2023 then there was no reason for the IDF to go into Gaza and the civilians could have continued their deprived existence thanks to their government lack of care for their people.

Absolute contempt for civilian life. I did. my best to point this out. You cling to your 7/10/2023 justifications in your frozen warped world Phil. Thank God in my world you are in a tiny minority, and that includes my Jewish friends,

What you have done you xxxxxx is to give Israel's government the green light to murder civilians you xxxxxx Nine out of ten Israeli killings in Gaza are murders of civilians you xxxxxxx

Rub salt into the wound you xxxxxxx You think Gaza people lived 'deprived existences'? You know nothing you condescending. I bet you've never been to Gaza and would never go. Ignorance is bliss right. You disgust anyone who cares about human rights, including Israelies.

I'm familiar with the Kiev past and WW2 accounts and you're right.

The lame in me says the lesser of two evils but we've housed a Ukrainian mother and three kids - husband killed later in the war - and they have suffered like no comparable Russian family in this war. Not one.

It is an occupying power, backed, funded and armed (signed bombs and all) by the greatest military power on earth.

According to international law an occupying power cannot be at war with an occupied people.

All carried out (in Gaza) inside a blockaded area with the most fortified border on earth where food, water and electricity is withheld arbitrarily by the occupiers.

It is the world’s largest concentration camp where civilians and children are not only burnt alive in their tents whilst sleeping but are starved too.

There is no war in Gaza, there's an occupying power committing GENOCIDE.

If he's not getting sent on loan, time to get him back involved with the first team squad.

If 7/10 had not happened - would the IDF have gone into Gaza?

If all the hostages were released - is there any justification for the IDF to continue.

I assume from your response you would say yes. I say No.

And given the international money being poured into Gaza to support the citizens - why does Gaza not look like Israel, a veritable industrial powerhouse compared to the rest of the region? Probably because Hamas used it all to buy munitions to attack Israeli citizens. So next question - How many rockets fired at Israel (and they are all indiscriminate so no chance of them targeting military facilities) in 2023 and how many Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

And you are laying no blame on Hamas for starting it all. If you cannot see that hitting back after the other sides started a conflict then you need to look from a more neutral point of view and not just take one side. Do I think the level of IDF violence is right? No. But at least I think the blame is not 100% on one side which your passionate support of the Palestinians puts if 100% on Israel. I suspect you would like to see, as does Hamas, the destruction of Israel and maybe all Jews killed or deported?

The simple view that one side recently 'started' the conflict in Gaza/Palestine/Israel just doesn't stack up. Things don't happen in a vacuum. Never have and never will. Complexity, nuance and critical analysis become concepts that are swept aside to the all conquering simplicity of 'opinion'.

Try listening to Dylan's 'With God on Our Side' or reading 'Jerusalem' by Simon Sebag Montefiore. Just because something is your opinion, doesn't mean it's the truth.

Thanks for the heads up there Sam, just viewed the Cambridge Union Lecture by Jeffrey Sachs. All is sometimes not what we are spoon fed to believe.

Sam try thousands of years, with atrocities committed by all sides including the colonial powers of more recent centuries.

A war is many things and you know one.

Now if you support our club please move on and discuss how crap Moyes and Doucoure are.

I’m willing to draw a line.

Don't bother to respond to this post as I shall delete this once proud EVERTON site from my contact list as soon as I finish this missive.

The thing to do, not that you'll read this as you'll have flounced off into the distance, is ignore that particular thread. Just don't read it.

Also, not that you'll read this as you'll have flounced off into the distance, if you're going to leave just leave, don't make a song and dance about it.

Peter Taaffe long time force behind Militant has died age 83. Obituary even mentioned he was an Evertonian, as is his mate Derek Hatton.

And someone on here a few days ago was saying a red called him a Tory snob because he supported Everton. Do they have more than two brain cells to rub together?

No mate just the one, they swap it between themselves when one of them feels the need to spout crap.

To flounce off: to walk with large, noticeable movements, especially to attract attention or show that you are angry.

NOT what you were thinking. ;-))

Now everybody. Flounce!

Christine#298.

Completely agree. Thing is though we DO benefit from free speech (within reason) in this country, but like you I'd much prefer politics, war, religion to be discussed elsewhere.

Ah, you learn something new every day on TW Brian 😀

I expect you to practice your flounce for use at your next fallout with your significant other!

My perception on Ukraine is coloured by my Ukranian friends that tell me Russia is safeguarding ethnic Russians (in Ukraine and Crimea) in bordering countries, you know, just like you Brits went to safeguard ethnic British sheep thousands of miles away in The Malvinas.

They're from Donbask and gave me a completely different story than what the media feeds the masses.

Gavin, Michael still has input on here but not sure whether he has does exactly as he did before the site changed hands.

Thanks for the info. I wasn't even aware the site had changed hands. It shows how much I come on TW these days.

Where the fuck are the moderators on this site? Who the fuck are you SAM BARRETT to say who can and cannot go ans watch their team, in this case Everton?

Are you going to stand outside with your fellow Brownshirts with signs saying “Juden eintrit verboten “ or “Juden raus “ stopping any Zionist looking fans from entering? Because let’s be honest, zionists, in the main, are Jews so stop hiding behind euphemisms. Be a man and say what you mean.

I’ve kept quiet so far but enough is enough. You will not make Jewish, or pro-Israeli, Everton fans cower before your pathetic threats. Those days are over.

Feel free to answer with your faux outrage. I will not answer you but! I will be at he Ipswich game with two of my IDF serving cousins. With a bit of luck, we might bump into you and some of your Hamas loving vermin.

Moderators, if you exist, close down this fucking thread!!

Time to shut this down!

I have a lot of Israeli friends and not one of them has a single good think to say about Netanyahu who has had the PM seat for more than 17 years FFS and condemn out of hand each and every of the many atrocities committed against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Flag this commentI set up the Everton osc in Israel - “Israeli Toffees” We have about 40 odd members. I’m really sad that this thread h

Its the likes of Putin. Khomeini and Netanyahu that are the instigators and propagators of hate and discontent.

And the Germans killed the Jews,

And the Jews killed the Arabs

And the Arabs killed the hostages

And that is the news

And is it any wonder that the monkey’s confused.

Can’t “we see”

It all makes perfect sense

Expressed in dollars and cents

Pounds, shillings and pence

Can’t you see

It all makes perfect sense.

By the way, what is unacceptable about the phrase MAKE EVERTON GREAT AGAIN, Snide?

How on earth can you make the scurrilous claim that I am “laying no blame” on Hamas for starting this. I did so quite clearly but for whatever reason you decided to ignore that. Why was that Phil? Is this not clear enough for you: “October 7 was also a disgusting atrocity. It began this horrible cycle”.

“If 7/10 had not happened - would the IDF have gone into Gaza?”. Yes, inevitably they would have done so as they have been doing for many years now.

Roger Helm, I see that you decided not to answer my questions. That’s all I need to know about you. To be fair my #237 and #240 pulled that scrappy threadbare rug of yours from under your feet.

PH (265): the Ukraine have been bombing Russia.

Lots of Jews around the world rabid Zionists “total bollocks” eh? Who controls the American politicians and media? And the British politicians and media?
Oh dear you forgot Hollywood. You need a new dog whistle.

If this is what the world has become, then god help the lot of us🤦‍♂️

We all know how good Beardsley could be but I personally don’t think he ever reached the levels John Barnes did over the next couple of seasons Kieran, and those lucky bastards across the park, were treated to some outstanding, very easy on the eye, attacking football.

And no one used the R word. The complaint is about using this forum for divisive rhetoric and angry old man rants. Let's keep it simple.

Tony, I hope you feel better after that. I won't respond with an insult.

Does anyone remember what happened on 16–18 September 1982? I doubt many will.

Did anyone see the ex-West Ham player Eyal Berkovic calling for the death of all Gazans on Israeli TV recently? He is one the highest paid TV talk show presenters in Israel.

I just had to Google Eyal Berkovic/John Hartson. It helped a little.

Again, what's that got to do with the price of Borscht?

If there is a genuine Evertonian, on this planet (seemingly besides yourself) that doesn’t want to see Everton become great again, then I would be absolutely dumbfounded, and for you to start going on about Trump, is the reason I chose to use an abbreviation, of your ToffeeWeb name.

Donald Trump, has got absolutely nothing to do with Making Everton Great Again, and yet you deem my phrase unacceptable? Get a life Curt.

I also don't buy the excuse that certain phrases are chosen inadvertantly. Nor that words that use colour to define race are done so in humour, banter, or innocence.

It is 2025 — not 1975. If you are struggling to adapt then try harder.

A professionally run Everton is what we've been screaming out for for nearly 40 years.

No more nostalgia. Now is about the future and getting us back to where we all want us to be.

I did misspell 'tutelage' on the Live Forum yesterday, I'll give you that.

Without logic = getting forensically analysed for writing Make Everton Great Again.

Paul's last sentence @392, spot on. Nuff said.

How silly. Mountains and molehills stuff.

Not every team wins, but suggesting you want better for Everton might even get you labelled obnoxious and entitled, even after abstaining from trying to win for most of the last 30 years.

But by who, Tony? By people who actually matter to you? This Curt Snyder fella, if he is new(ish) on here, has made a quite dramatically odd and often indecipherable debut.

Make Ferry Great Again!

It won't stop me wanting Everton back again, not surviving by the skin of our teeth as we have done or being satisfied with 7th.

Why shouldn't we believe?

I would say Make Everton Everton Again, to steal the phrase. Challenging for trophies. Competing in the league. Will it happen overnight? Probably not, but I'm not having this "It will take 5 or 10 years" mindset. We can move quicker than that.

1994 (Wimbledon), 1998 (Coventry) and 2023 (Bournemouth). To a lesser degree, 2022 (Palace), that gave us safety with a game to spare. Dark days, but we were there just as we always have been and will be.

No cause for celebration from me. Pure relief? Yes. But that is it and simply not good enough.