From My AGM Seat

Ian Smitham 05/01/2017 10comments  |  Jump to last

At the appointed time, not convenient for most, we arrived in our droves under the bright lights provided by the stars… and I don’t mean Sharpie and Stuart who were in close attendance. Parking was a nightmare, "resident only" signs the order of the day.

No sign of the Fat Van nor the Room of Nonsense... just a Cafe Nero and Shisha bar.

We accumulated just before the kick-off which was led by Bill Kenwright who, like a stadium announcer, talked us through the team, introducing a few new names, and a few he struggled with. No sign of dissent as the official announcements took place. The press were in and ready.

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The players took their places and the star man took his. No "funny" business tonight, he joked, and we were treated to a montage of what has been done in 2016. The players are worth £69.1M in the books but insured for £272M… wow! I am sure I heard gasps of breath. We now have over 32,000 of us season-ticket holders committed to every game, and not only was it freezing in L1, but it is going to be freezing next year — the ticket prices are not going up. In fact, it will be no more than our away trips. Yippee!

To help out the younger ones, an Under-25s season-ticket will be available at £20 a game. You read it here, £20 a game. And if that cannot be beaten, if you get in early, pay monthly by the old direct debit. In fact, no-one will pay more than £570 per season, just like the travelling fans. Christmas is here.

We talked throughout. Turnover will grow next year on the back of TV growth, from £121M to a whopping £172M and those shirt-sponsory boys are going to have to pay more, including more on the shirt sleeves. In fact, 300% more.

In the old room we were in, mention had to be made of a new place, but uncertainties remain, despite positive progress. We have an off-field admirer, though – Joe Anderson, Mayor, was invited to the centre circle and managed a few-crowd pleasing moves. Everyone is happy in the land; we now work all together and he is one of us. We all know Walton Hall Park was never a great tactic but, with a new road announced and a further one to be announced in April, we know where we are going...

We also know there may be a way to get on track to this new game. This drew a loud applause from those congregated. Everyone listened as the invited blue guest explained that Liverpool FC had benefitted from help from his backroom boys and we will too. This drew large applause. This place seems to relate to tobacco, but not hot air. I do not know the area well.

After the main event, the Manager commented that he knew the target was — or is — Europe though in a bit of banter the new fat controller and the old could not agree whether that is through the league or the cup. The new main man indicated that the gold standard is the latter and noted how the current top six have got there. He seemed knowledgeable. He wants sustainable business and growth. The manager seemed to be on the case but showboating is not his bag. Poker is the game for him.

So, as always, MotM. One obvious player: Moshiri, very calm, seemed keen, seems to have a plan, a vision. To me, he sounded the "biz" , time will tell.

The alternative MotM being a new Board member, very confident and knowledgeable with a almost religious knowledge of the game having being summoned to see the Pope, no less, to discuss how we can use sport to help humanity. A short video followed, which made me and a few others realise and appreciate what I have got and how we can chip in and help others in a really worthwhile cause, Everton in the Community... this was fully appreciated by those in attendance.

No real dissent, even in the questions and answers after, which led the former main man to close things down.

Onwards and upwards, see you for the Cup game against Leicester.

Ken... er, I mean, Ian.

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Reader Comments (10)

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Martin Nicholls
1 Posted 05/01/2017 at 09:45:30
Very readable report, Ian – thanks.
Dick Fearon
2 Posted 05/01/2017 at 10:15:51
Thank you Ian, it seems the AGM was a very happy affair.

Is ToffeeWeb going all mellow and sweetness these days? Did attendees raise their glasses for a rendition of For He's a Jolly Good Fellow?


Colin Glassar
3 Posted 05/01/2017 at 11:36:06
Not all mellow, Dick, just a realisation that this rebuilding project is going to be slow and will take time.
Garry Corgan
4 Posted 05/01/2017 at 13:52:05
Well, thanks for the contribution and everything – but Christ, this was difficult to read.
Dave Abrahams
5 Posted 05/01/2017 at 15:55:54
Dick (2), it was a very happy affair but I wonder how many of the shareholders contribute to ToffeeWeb or even read it.
Paul Johnson
6 Posted 05/01/2017 at 19:06:38
Star of the show was undoubtedly Moshiri. He spoke in a calm, knowledgeable manner and had most of us in attendance enthralled.

What struck me most was the increase in board members and the expertise they bring to the table, from Walsh as DoF to Deinse Barrett-Baxendale as deputy CEO, it can only benefit Everton FC if Kenwright and Sunshine Bob are kept in check.

A few comedy moments made me laugh, firstly Kenwrightembarrassing the Russian fella Sasha by asking him to pronounce his name and then continuing to address Prof DBB as 'Little Miss Dynamite'... cringe!

Best laugh though was the re-election of sunshine Bob and the hands that went up to oppose... queue Kenwright to say 'Ah, cmon fellas' lol

Jim Hardin
7 Posted 06/01/2017 at 01:39:06
What is going on? I came here expecting the usual TW stuff and, instead, am reading about puppy dogs and rainbows. Is this what it feels like to be a Chelsea or Man Utd supporter most of the time?
Dave Abrahams
8 Posted 06/01/2017 at 12:34:33
Paul (#6) – great to hear that there was a few who opposed Elstone; I thought I was the only one.
Paul Johnson
9 Posted 07/01/2017 at 16:22:22
Dave (#8),

You certainly weren't alone in opposing Elstone. From where I was sat there were about half a dozen around me but couldn't see behind and I was towards the front so assume quite a few more.

Kev Johnson
10 Posted 14/01/2017 at 18:24:52
A friend of mine at Arsenal told me his brother-in-law who worked as an architect on the Emirates has been head-hunted by Everton to begin work for them.

I'm pretty excited by this. It looks like it's definitely happening.


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