Paul Quinn's analysis of The Friedkin Group

I despair at the absolute shite they spout. Are they real people, robots, or some kopites taking the piss? Even AI couldn't make up the garbage that they make up.

In any event, I'd not be surprised if absent owners do so in offering a new deal. Just my opinion. They're no show so far has us all wondering why. Yet they pass the UK to watch their favourite Rome team.

Back to Moyes and his bench. Your face has to clearly fit.
The likes of O'Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Gueye are safe.
Have a good game in their absence; expect them to replace you the next game.

Soul-destroying for playing well.

Dan Friedkin came over for the Dunhill Cup, a golf competition played in Scotland, but cant be bothered jumping on his private jet and popping in to see his massive outlay on a new stadium.

I am beginning to think they are more interested in the money they can earn from putting on non-football events at the new stadium, than they are about the footballing side.

Yes, we dodged a bullet not ending up with 777 Partners as owners but the lack of interaction between TFG and the club and the fans is worrying. Obviously being safe in the Premier League for another season means there has been no fan pressure on the owners.

Thanks for buying us, you don't have to speak to us, but surely showing just a little bit of interest might just help stir the emotions and give us a feeling that these people lack a little bit more ambition than adding to their portfolio.

'In any event, I'd not be surprised if absent owners do so in offering a new deal. Just my opinion. They're no show so far has us all wondering why. Yet they pass the UK to watch their favourite Rome team.'.

Saint Daniel the Absent loves his jolly jaunts to Rome and golf in Scotland but he has been nowhere near our ground, or players or fans, and I wonder if he even talks to Moyes.

Similarly, Saint Angus the Silent hardly makes up for the lack of communication. He dashed off his miserable last window missive and nothing at all since then and nothing of substance before it this season.

Brian (41) is spot on. Friedkin does not get us and has made no attempt to do so, it seems -- although, rermember, Mr Gaynes did tell us that he can 'guarantee' that St Daniel the Absent is -- what was the phrase? -- falling for us. Mr Gaynes did not respond to multiple requests for the evidence for his 'guarantee'.

One of the consistent complaints about the last regime was the lack of communication. If anything, it is worse now. This emptiness does make you wonder with Brian about the nature of TFG's commitment to us and what the main motivatiions are.

We keep being reminded that TFG care and they stabilised our finances. Well, of course they did; they cannot make the big bucks until they do so. Am I wrong in thinking that TFG recently took a fair chunk of change from the club?

Then one has to assess the striker position because, of our current two, neither looks first choice and maybe not even back-up. If we count George as ours and if he's good enough, and we don't sign Grealish (certainly not for tens of millions) then we need one more wide player, this time with some pace.

That is 6 or 7 (quality) signings in summer -- just to get a proper squad that could get into Europe -- and assumes everyone else stays and we're okay with ageing players like Tarkowski, Keane and Gana.

Does Friedkin have that kind of money, £200M plus? I can't see it...

In my opinion, the primary question surrounding our spending is not whether Friedkin has the money -- he's considerably wealthier than the RS or Spurs owners, for example -- but what he is allowed to spend under PSR/SCR.

If projections that Everton will increase revenues 50% this year are accurate, then the club will generate somewhere around £300M. Under the new SCR regs a club can net spend 85% of its revenues on players. That would give us a budget cap of roughly £250M.

I have no idea if that's accurate, or whether Friedkin is in fact willing to spend that much, but it may well mean we will be swimming in more bountiful waters this summer.

More shifting goal posts, Darren - 78. MG sounds like Saint Angus the Silent before the last window, suggesting that we might not get what we want.

But hey-ho, let's raise a glass to stage 2 that will surely sort out our major squad issues.

ITFGWT
ISDTAWT
ISATSWT

I don't think anybody is questioning whether TFG has the money to invest, I think the question many are asking is: Why hasn't he visited the ground?

I think our previous owner has been to the Hill Dickinson Stadium more than Dan Friedkin. Paul Quinn has written a very interesting article on X about TFG. The group own 3 clubs and I get the impression that he just treats them like another one of his Toyota franchises.

This to Friedkin is just a business venture that he hopes will give him a good return on his investment, and absolutely nothing wrong in that. But he has visited AS Roma one of his other clubs on numerous occasions.

Now while Everton might be just another investment in his portfolio, you would think, just out of curiosity, he would have visited. As I said in an earlier post, he finds time to fly into Scotland every year for the 4-day Dunhill Cup competition, so why, when being so close, is the Hill Dickinson Stadium not on his agenda to visit?

I have no idea whether TFG will be good owners or not but I do worry about their arm's length approach to Everton.

Everyone has got to make a profit, but I think the Premier League should have stepped in years ago (straight after it became apparent what the Glazers were actually doing) with regard to this type of leveraged buyout.

I might be talking nonsense but something doesn't sit right about this type of buyout, and I don't think Man Utd, ve been the same since this particular takeover.

I think we are going to be finding out a lot more about the silent Friedkins very soon... but up to now, I've been very dubious about their overall intentions regarding Everton Football Club.

Asked to explain leveraged buyouts: "I bought Weetabix a while back, every time someone eats a bowl of Weetabix, they are helping me to pay for it."

I'm not liking what I'm seeing on this; hopefully I am wrong. The transfer window in summer will give us a lot of answers.

The club will able to spend 85% of revenue on squad costs (£212M) -- players wages, transfer fees and agents fees. The current wage bill for 2025-26 is £76.3M and we likely spent £10M on agents' fees.

Therefore, the amount available for net spend on transfers could be around £125M. So similar to last summer.

In the words of our leader, Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Those craving emotive ownership are highly unlikely to see it. Those simply craving financial stability (we came very close to the edge under previous ownership and the 777 Partners deal, if concluded, would have sunk us) have seen a dramatic positive turnaround.

Big spend this summer? We will have to replace, rebuild etc but like all clubs limited by the new SCR at 85% of turnover. That is why turnover is king for us, increasing it by whatever means is vital.

So wheeling and dealing round the lower end (by 'lower', I suggest £35M tops with some additions for a lot less plus loans etc). Given the financial constraints, that is why I found the Dibling acquisition so puzzling.

In my opinion, we are likely to see incremental improvement but we are not about to go on a spending frenzy anytime soon; we can't under the Premier League rules.

The clubs with the highest turnover will continue to dominate; whilst our new commercialism is welcome, it's not a game changer imo.

Clearly Dan Freidkin doesn't care. I would guess it's not his thing, just another filler at the end of an AGM. If that.

Maybe it was his son or other members of the portfolio committee who saw a great opportunity for a grab. Lets face it, Usamov and Moshiri lost a vast amount on the sale. Both club and stadium.

And TFG know a bargain.

I had said previously on other threads, whilst we were still at Goodison, that it wouldn't be before the end of this season where we would clearly see that moving had improved finances within the rules greatly. The larger capacity being vital.

However, there"s little point in cash and greater flexibility if money is wasted on shite, which it mostly was in the summer. Yet a-fuckin'-gain!

I don't like or trust Kinnear. The glued-to-the-screen scouting system (which many on here deem vital and indispensable) with favoured agents in pockets has failed for decades.
So has Moyes's whiteboard.

Its beyond comprehension that we could overlook the glaringly obvious urgent needs all over the pitch. But it's Everton.

TFG have entrusted project #2,467 to the Corporates. These suits know a thing or two about points and numbers. Just not in relation to anything football.

Let's hope that all gets turned on its head come the summer window.

With regard to the 777 Partners deal, I don't believe it would ever have sunk us, simply because I didn't think there was any way that it would have ever been ratified to begin with.

The more you look at the Dibling deal, I think it's obvious that there must have been crossed wires or not enough due-diligence done, although it does look like the club have shown a lot more intent to start signing younger players -- which is probably another crossed wire with a manager who definitely appears to favour experience?

I don't think so; his son Ryan has a couple of times apparently. And other family members regularly attend.

All I care about is what happens on the pitch. Not who's in the stands.

It does not, however, include the sales of Goodison and the women's team to other entities within TFG -- which will count towards gross revenue (a loophole that we and Chelsea took advantage of before it was closed).

So, if that's been reported correctly and I've read it right, that would bring us up near £300M and raise our spending cap accordingly.

Could you provide absolutely unequivocal evidence of these things, Paul, please?

But it's been reported that Ryan and family members attend. Suppose you want proof on that as well?.

Is it a newspaper? Someone on here? Somewhere or someone else?

I've haven't heard anything along these lines and, quite frankly, do not believe that 'other family members regularly attend', although I am obviously open to being corrected. But for this I will need to know your sources.

Or, perhaps, you might reply in the manner that Mr. Gaynes did when I asked him for his sources on another matter that he did not/refused/want not able to give.

'Why? I read these resources, keep notes, post information for those interested. You can't be bothered. If you're curious about the quality of what I post, do your own research. It's all right out there if you're willing to make the effort. Which you are not'.

Never read anything like that in all my time on ToffeeWeb or any other site now I think of it.

Use your imagination and go on Google. It's easy to find.

But this has gone on for years.

Mercifully, an actual game of football usually brought people to their senses as it dawns that they got carried away when bored and were actually just longing for a game.

Either that or this is the new reality were 11 players who actually play for Everton on a match day are just a bloody side issue.

Certainly how the modern broadcast and tabloid journos see it and worries me a group of intelligent people on here are just following the same rich men soap opera.

Or is it me just getting old?

I'm with Victor M: I Don't believe it. I don't believe that they are in your word 'regular' attendees. But I'll google Dan Friedkins wife and daughter HDS regularly and other variants

So, this is what I found Paul. An Echo story that wife and daughter went to one match and that a son went to the Roma match. Jeez, that's 'regular'.

Also: Friedkin senior, who is Everton chairman, was in the UK the day before their home game with Crystal Palace, [but] he has still not attended a game at Hill Dickinson Stadium,

Also, said son was with Pop at the Dunhill golf in Scotland but neither thought it worthy to get down to Hill Dickinson Stadium... WOOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!

I knew that a certain someone would be lurking.

Like I said, I don't care who attends the games. You do. End of.

You see, it's like this. When I read something anywhere that I have significant doubts about (this I do for my job, by the way), I ask the composer of this stuff to eradicate my doubts and educate me by showing me the derivation of the comment.

This is what we ought to be doing in life. Cheshire GS: requesting veracity, checking the source of something, learning, being educated. If you don't believe that this is legitimate and reasonable, then there's no hope for you, squire.

As the Renaissance philosopher Pico della Mirandola wrote: we must question everything. This, as I'm sure you know, was a critical influence on Christian Humanism (most famously Erasmus), the Reformation, and the Scientific 'Revolution' of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Keep us ticking over in the Premier League, job done. Who needs them pesky trophies?

But, I think you're just dressing up spats as some kind intellectual discipline passed down through the centuries.

All self perception in the end for us all I guess.

And WUM. Now I know what it is. Totally guilty as charged!

Also, I do not at all understand PH @27. If he does not care, why raise it in the first place? All is good.

So what? He's only the fucking chairman.

As someone who trained as a newspaper journalist with NCTJ way back, checking the source of something was an important thing I learned.

As was pondering motivation.

Anyway, a game soon, whoever attends!

This disgusts me:

'Friedkin senior, who is Everton chairman, was in the UK the day before their home game with Crystal Palace, [but] he has still not attended a game at Hill Dickinson Stadium'.

Some aren't interested if he's never attended a game, even though he's invested a lot of money into purchasing Everton, whilst others think that football is about more than being an investment and think along the lines that there probably wouldn't be a football club anywhere in the world if people weren't emotionally invested.

Friedkin senior, who is Everton chairman.

Sorry but Dan Friedkin is not the Chairman of Everton FC. He's not even on the Board of Directors.

We all used to know only too well exactly who was the Chairman, but he's been dead for more than 2 years (will someone please tell Don Alexander).

There's a new bloke at the helm, he seems to be even better than Dan Friedkin at maintaining a low profile... I wonder how many can name him without looking it up?

Or have we got another man of the people back in the boardroom?

Some places say that Saint Daniel the Absent is our chair but I don't think that he is. Has he ever been to Liverpool?

A TFG senior management figure.

He is a TFG man.

While there is no public "attendance tracker" for club executives, we can determine a minimum number based on confirmed sightings and official club events since he was appointed Executive Chairman in December 2024.

Based on official reports and photography, he has been confirmed in attendance at several key matches:

Everton vs Chelsea (22 December 2024): This was his first official match in charge following The Friedkin Group's takeover. He was photographed extensively in the Directors Box alongside interim CEO Colin Chong.

Everton vs Aston Villa (15 January 2025): He was again spotted and photographed in the stands at Goodison Park for this Premier League fixture.

Everton vs Liverpool (February 2025): He acted as a personal host for special guests Margaret Aspinall and Andy Burnham during the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

As the Executive Chairman and a key lieutenant for Dan Friedkin, he is based primarily in Houston but maintains a heavy presence in Liverpool to oversee the club's "new era."

His attendance is most consistent at home matches at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, as well as for major commercial milestones. While the exact total is not a matter of public record, he has been a visible figure at nearly all high-profile home fixtures since the takeover was ratified.

By Dan Friedkin

Dear Evertonians,

Following the completion of the takeover of Everton Football Club, I want to express my gratitude for your continued support and introduce the incoming Executive Chairman of Everton, Marc Watts.

I take immense pride in welcoming one of England's most historic football clubs to our global family, The Friedkin Group. Everton represents a proud legacy, and we are honoured to become custodians of this great institution.

Whilst we are new to the Club, we fully understand the vital role Everton plays in local culture, history, and the lives of Evertonians here and around the world. We are deeply committed to honouring this legacy while contributing positively to the community, economy, and people of this remarkable city.

Once again, thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely,

Dan Friedkin

Mind you, It's embarrassing to think that Kenwright went to about 50 times more matches than Don Alexander.

I didn't think Yanks understood how to use the word "whilst"... but that probably just means it was written for him by Bill's old PR department.

ps: Brownie points for Tony @37!

Take a chill pill.

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2024/december/19/dan-friedkin-writes-to-evertonians/

Nothing since then.

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2024/december/19/message-from-everton-s-new-executive-chairman/

I couldn't care less if you turn up to a game. Couldn't give two fucks tbh.

Just make sure you send the ackers on the first day of the summer window.

Pretty sad that he does not want to go to at least one home game and one away game, he would then get a feel for what the fans are about!

Tony @37 explains it perfectly!

I have a client in London for whom I consciously "England-ify" my spellings and word usage. I consider it simple respect. And good business practice.

Don't know the source of the work 'ackers' though.

Usage: It refers to currency, specifically money in the form of notes or coins.

Origin: The term originated in the early 20th century (recorded from around 1939) as British military slang. It was derived from "acker" or "akka," which was a term used by British soldiers for the Egyptian piastre.

The Times are reporting the projected revenues for 2025-26 season as £250M and Deloitte as £240M, so it's likely to be in that range.

It will be interesting to see which financial year the sale of the women's team and Goodison Park is reflected in -- 2024-25 accounts or 2025-26 accounts. The move was done at the end of June, the very end of Everton's 2024-25 financial year, but I think we were expected to be PSR compliant for 2024-25 before the sale.

The club will be able to spend 85% of the £250M revenue (estimated) on squad costs -- players' wages, transfer fees and agents' fees.

So roughly £212M minus £76M for wages and £10M for agents' fees = £125M potentially for transfers.

Mike added that we might be able to add £45-50M to that from the sale of Goodison Park and the Women's team. That depends on which season's accounts this additional revenue is reported in.

I will be interested to see if our FAB group get any answers to the questions they have asked. Will they still have concessions for pensioners and youngsters? I see Spurs have abolished their concessions.

As I said in an earlier post, I think these Yanks see Hill Dickinson Stadium as a possible cash cow, bringing in finance from non-football uses. I have to say the appointment of Kinnear didn't make me feel confident and hearing much of what Kinnear has said he seems to have the same lack of ambition as the owner.

The recruitment team so far have proved how incompetent they are and another set of poor player purchases in Summer might see us in trouble.

It's quite obvious that the board or owner or both have decided to invest in youth; well, the only 2 teams who did that and were successful were the Busby Babes and Alex Ferguson's Class of '92 team. But Ferguson's team were mainly home grown youngsters, not bought in youngsters.

I am sure many on here will blame Moyes for not integrating the youngsters but, so far, apart from our homegrown youngster Harrison Armstrong, who Moyes has selected, the others are not ready.

I hear the cry, "We need a young manager who plays attacking football". I would just say be careful what you wish for... certainly Spurs thought they were appointing managers who liked to play open attacking football and the fans in the end demanded the sacking of Postecoglu and Frank.

Ackers, not to be confused with dosh, wonga, spondoolicks, lolly, nicker, readies.

And of course you have your quid, fiver, tenner, score, pony, bullseye, ton, monkey, bag of sand.

And for the cockneys, a Lady Godiva is a fiver, an Aryton Senna is a tenner.

But of course the worst thing is being a minge-bag.

However, I do give a shit that they don't give a shit because, when you don't give a shit about the shit you need to give a shit about, it all goes to shit.

I shit you not.

So much for the great next stage of the plan we keep being told about, although the main megaphone on this one has already started to play things down now in preparation for [fill in the gap].

ISDTS we trust.

That's a very good post, Brian (65).

I think this is wrong.

The calculation has taken the full transfer fee in the calculation. It actually needs to include the transfer amortisation that the club has.

The last figure I saw was £65M in amortisation. Increasing that to say £125M, is an additional £60M x 5-year contracts, giving a maximum transfer spend of £300M.

They wouldn't spend that level, as players are unlikely all to be on 5-year contracts, the £65M will have grown from last year, and they'll want headroom for future recruitment.

Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) is a financial regulation, replacing PSR in the Premier League (starting 2026-27), that limits spending on player and coach wages, transfer amortisation, and agent fees to 85% of a club's football-related revenue. It ensures clubs spend within their means by linking on-pitch costs directly to income.

I've read any gains or losses also go into the calculation over their book cost. So I'd expect gains on Patterson, McNeil, Beto on their expected sale.

I'd imagine it'll be £150-200M total transfer spend.

Uefa rules have a lower limit at 70%, as I understand it.

Some clubs are kicking uphill into the wind, whilst others are allowed to do the complete opposite.

All it does is make the gap between the haves and the have-nots bigger each year.

Bickering about managers, players, local rivalries has kind of missed the point.

The European Super League and extended Club World Cup has come through the back door, and the average punter hasn't even noticed.

It will be a matter of time before the TV money truly goes to the underlying clubs rather than pool basis. And when that does, you can forget a fair contest.