Danny O’Neill fails to make the Fan Advisory Board election

You didn't mention ToffeeWeb in your application, did you, Danny?

If you did you had no chance, mate — Michael Kenricks' name is poison at Everton FC!

You make it seem like Michael's name is poison at EFC, as though it's exclusive to that one organisation. I'm sure Michael's got quite a long list where that would apply!

Yes, I knew that, but I didn't want to blacken his character too much and didn't want the world to hear about it!

Didn't Paul Disley drive Gail and her kids into the canal, and Austin Smith get off with Diedrie Barlow?

Don't know enough about our FAB to say whether or not he might have swerved a poisoned chalice there? They are all Evertonians with the very best of intentions, I imagine, but probably swimming against a strong tide of this-that-and-the-other.

Yes, I got the email from the club this morning.

Here's what they said.

Dear Danny

Thank you for taking the time to apply for a position on Everton Football Club’s Fan Advisory Board.

We are incredibly grateful for the passion, insight and dedication reflected in your application. This year, we received a record number of submissions, including a high volume of impressive contributions from supporters across the globe. The standard was exceptionally high and selecting just a small number of representatives was an extremely difficult task for the panel.

While your application was unsuccessful on this occasion, we want to sincerely thank you for your interest and commitment to playing an active role in shaping the future of engagement with our Club.

We would strongly encourage you to consider applying again when future Fan Advisory Board opportunities arise. The FAB recruits every year, usually soon after the last home game, so please look out for notices on the FAB and Club's website and social media.

In the meantime, we’d also like to highlight that the Fans’ Forum will be opening its election and application process later this month. This is another valuable platform through which supporters can help represent the voice of our fanbase and support the Club in key operational areas.

Once again, thank you for your support and for being part of such a passionate and engaged Everton community.

Thank you.

Probably a standard response. It doesn't change what I do for the club in my own simple way, which is support them the best way I can. I sit stand and listen to all of you. I have done all my life. We are all the same.

Hopefully those lucky enough can do their best to represent us, because we are the most important part of our club.

Unlucky anyway mate! 💙💙

And I'm with Rob, let's see if your mentioning ToffeeWeb was the bio-killer!

Who selects these people, as representing all of us, and more, that we have never even heard of on any of the usual Everton platforms?

Three letters I heard.

GTF!

So he got my vote, with the other one going to someone I've known for over 20 years – going back to Singapore days.

He also was involved in producing a range of bottled beers a few years ago called "The Holy Trinity" – I bought a load for my late father, who wasn't into real ale at all, so that was me sorted at his place over Christmas and New Year!

Other opportunities will arise. I'm sure you'll nail the next one.

Try again next year and we'll be voting you in — and if you are not selected to be a nominee, we'll start a petition.

Time to start raising campaign funds for your next try. A few thousand-a-plate dinners should do it. Call me if you need a speechwriter -- I'll work up a stemwinder for you.

Your passion, dedication and desire to get the Blues back to the top has no bounds but it says a lot that we don't know any of the names put forward.

In fact, from memory the only previous FAB member I can recall knowing is Dave Kelly.

Keep going, mate, it's the club's loss.

Thank you very much, Michael, for your comments about myself as far as my devotion for the club is concerned.

Christos the Greek Evertonian, friend of Howard Kendall (while he was in Athens).

I think it was Kieran Kinsella who joined a FAB discussion group and I was surprised by the feedback. I also was impressed by Jaz the past chairman who seemed to be able to get his views across and get access to Moshiri, which proved to be quite effective on his part.

I think you would have been an ideal FAB candidate, Danny, but I do suspect you are too much of a fan for their liking. But please do keep trying. They will get used to your way and find you less threatening. Not that you are threatening anyway, but the information that all fans get seems to point to that view from Everton.

Next year, I'll coach Big Bob into scoring 30 goals, beat the rs at Goodison, Shilts won't let many in, and I'll bring home the League for you.

They said I was a fantasist.

As others have said, give us the word and we'll take to the streets or wear blue hats over here in The States that say Make FAB Great Again, with you as our cult leader.

I read ToffeeWeb a lot and sometimes post. It amazes me the dedication you all have for this club. Keep it going. I don't need a Fan Advisory Board when I have you lot.

Keep up the great support. You don't need some no-mark in the hierarchy patting you on the head and patronising you.

You're the heart and soul of this site and a brilliant ambassador for the club and the supporters.

I looked at the opposition and I would have thought you would have been a shoo-in. The selectors obviously don't follow ToffeeWeb.

I hope your non-selection doesn't set the scene for more poor selections by the club this summer!!

On the matter of ToffeeWeb, in the Kirkby days of Elstone, Ross and Kenwright, TW was often read by those at the club with a pretty jaundiced view of its contributors. Hopefully we are not viewed in the same light because there are some brilliant examples of top-class Evertonians in here, of which I would count you as one.

I know nothing of those selected for consideration nor the criteria of selection, but they must be bloody good if you're not in there! I wish them well but would encourage you to reapply and show them the dedication we see every game from you. Better luck next time, Danny!

I don't consider myself to be a better representative or Evertonian than any of you, there are far more that I know who are more worthy of those pedestals.

I would have liked the opportunity to influence on behalf of the life and blue blood of Everton Football Club — the supporters. For this season, it wasn't to be. For now… but I'll be keeping my eye on it.

Tony, no, it wasn't verbal. It was just the email notification.

Rob, I can't find the bio submission. I did it on the form provided by the club.

Let's hope those fortunate enough to be selected can help in some way to influence the club on behalf of our very loyal supporters, whether they are on this forum, other websites, or those who are lucky enough to be in the stands. Or at least get them to take into consideration.

Whoever it ends up being, get amongst the supporters — you are their voice. If you are not doing so already. And keep your ears to the ground.

Now to book travel for the friendlies in Blackburn and Accrington next month. All that matters is Everton.

His reports are very welcome on ToffeeWeb, particularly among those overseas who can't get there. He likes to wax lyrical about the special camaraderie, particularly among traveling Blues, which the exiled Blues miss so much.

But we have to be careful here. I don't know how many Evertonians actually log on to ToffeeWeb. In my experience, the overwhelming majority of them don't.

There is definitely a world inside Evertonia and outside ToffeeWeb.

There are thousands of Evertonians who never miss a match. They probably don't remember their journey to the game and won't remember the details of getting home, but they will be able to tell you in minute detail everything that happened on the pitch... They simply go the match. Many of these people are close to the club and understand the inner machinations.

I don't know anything about the selection process; I do know that it's rarely the best candidates who get the gig, but we need to be careful about not respecting those who were selected.

Danny has only been overlooked this time; that doesn't mean the door has been shut forever if he wants to try again. He is a popular poster on here. He already provides a service, but there will be some very worthy candidates out there.

Whilst this site provides a first class meeting place for those who want to be part of it, it is also worth remembering that there is so very much more to this club than ToffeeWeb.

Unlucky mate – see you with the rest of us plebs in the cheap seats!

That Moshiri lied to in that cringeworthy interview and, as far as I am aware, have had little to no impact?

One thing?

I have no idea why anyone would subscribe to this and think they might change anything. No idea at all. How about having general open questions at shareholders' meetings? That would matter. Not this lapdog FAB.

I suppose at least Danny would have made sure that their meetings overran by an hour or so…

Hopefully they will come to their senses but keep believing and it will happen.

There was a huge wave of skeptical 'analysis' from a lot on here that met the first establishment of the FAB a couple of years back. Actually more like 'denial'.

Maybe a good 'Debate' article would be something like "Can you enumerate the relative merits, functions and accomplishments of the Fan Advisory Board and the Fans Forum?"

Not very punchy... I need to work on that one before pushing it up the ladder for approval!

Perhaps: "In a fight between the Fan Advisory Board and the Fans Forum, who would win and why?"

Oh, and "How about having general open questions at shareholders' meetings?" Kenwright and his money mule Moshiri put those to bed a long time ago… before Dan the Man eviscerated the Shareholders' investment.

The last AGM was when? Utterly shameful treatment of the once-valued shareholders by this club.

I thought about mentioning the AGM, Michael. Maybe the last one was in 2017? It would bring the shareholders back into the fold face-to-face. We have some fine settings to choose from. St George's Hall, lit up in Royal Blue or our offices in the Royal (Blue) Liver Building. The obvious would be the corporate facilities in the Everton Stadium.

The more nostalgic option could be the Winslow, where the club used to hold them for a while. I'm not sure our Texan owners would be overly impressed, but we could get them on the mike for one of the sing-songs that happen after matches, and then down to the Brick for one.

Paul Ferry - why are you so negative all the time? You're clearly not a fool so why all the hostility?

Mind, maybe the FAB group have been spared the endless times you would introduce Sheedy's name into the meetings, no doubt suggesting a statue for the man be erected at BMD.

I too had my initial scepticism, but then I thought if I didn't try, I'd never know.

As you mention it, and on a serious note, I've said for a while now that we should add to the statues with one recognising the 80s teams, so I might suggest it.

Just as with the current ones, the dilemma would be Goodison or the Everton Stadium.

Outside St Luke's facing the Holy Trinity, or on the Plaza at the dock?

Let's just hope this platform can convey the messages that comes from supporters.

Maybe it won't change decisions, but at least it gives us a voice, even though we'll have 50,000 of them in the stadium next season. The key word is the middle one in the name "advisory".

It can evolve and develop and be influential.

I don’t know how the spirit of shankly, started and then evolved across the park, and I don’t know if they are an independent group, but one thing that does look apparent is that it looks like their club listens and takes them seriously, whereas it has in the past, looked like the fab group, have been used by the club?

“Dear Murph
Thanks for your interest.
Fcuk off and support Man United”

Oooff!!!
UTFT
🤪

Dave Kelly is being "retired" from FAB after a 3 year term.

From reading his socials, I think he wanted to stay on (ie, stand for re-election) but didn't make the shortlist.

🫣

I honestly don’t like things like FAB, and remembering the past, I have just googled SPIRIT OF SHANKLY, and read that they are the official union for fans of LFC, and is leader of the supporters board. Named after their former manager, the union was formed in early 2008 by disgruntled fans opposed to the club ownership of HICKS & GILLETTE.

I write this because when former member Jaz, was fronted by a former member of ToffeeWeb, (Brian Murray) who was allegedly out of order, I also believe that this altercation wouldn’t have arisen, if Jaz, hadn’t chosen to back the board, live on National Television, at the exact same time that genuine Evertonians, were protesting against the board.

The genuine Evertonians, were proven to be right having no trust in the board, even though a prominent member of FAB, was prepared to back these charlatans for whatever reason, which meant he was effectively going against a lot of the people he was supposed to represent🤷‍♂️

I wish to thank former & current members of the FAB for playing a big part & wish the 8 candidates who made the shortlist all the luck in the world

For those on Facebook, Dave Kelly in the last hour.

Tony, it is difficult to admit, but you are right. The Spirit of Shankly seem to wield influence regardless as to whether they are officially associated with the club or not.

I'm all for the FAB concept, but want it to grow in influence. I don't know the influence Dave and the others have had behind the scenes, but I would place a bet they've tried their best.

I know the club will ultimately make business decisions. I understand that, but like any sometimes listen to your most precious asset. The supporters.

It's like the 1878s. They acted independently in coordinating those tremendous banner displays. It was nice to see the club give them recognition, and have donated £10K to them for next season.

Some of these people helped organise the coach welcomes that I honestly believe helped to keep Everton, in the premier league, and the time, effort and dedication shown by these people, is absolutely incredible and has definitely helped bring the fans closer together on match day, before the game begins.

I remember how many Evertonians, used to pour scorn on both the Blue Union and KEIOC, but if it wasn’t for those people, we might have found ourselves dying a slow painful death in Kirkby.

We shake our heads at our neighbours and definitely wouldn’t want to be like them, but it doesn’t mean we can’t learn from them sometimes, just like the spirit of shankly, probably learned from the people who were behind KEIOC, all those years ago?

Maybe we need to restructure the FAB to incorporate other supporters' groups?

I would agree with learning both ways. I don't like them and sometimes wish it could be like it used to be, but I think those days seem long gone.

I still have decent discussions with red family and friends from Liverpool, but we are too different now.