So whats wrong with our club?
Boy Band takes a critical look.

3 May 2002

As its a quiet day on here today, and I'm bored at work, I thought I'd just write a bit about what i think is wrong with the club at the moment. Feel free to criticise, disagree, abuse its content. But like I said, its just some opinions I have.

The Board

Is there a lack of ambition from the current board?

I don’t know if this criticism should be levelled at the current Board of Directors. Mr Kenwright certainly does seem to have a ‘Blue vision’ for the way the future should be for Everton Football club, but to me it sometimes seems as if he’s the only one actively seeking ways of moving this club in the right direction. Admittedly I don’t have the insight of what goes on behind closed doors, but the others seem happy for Kenwright to be at the front of it all, and they will no doubt be happy for him to take the flack if/when it all goes wrong. It would just be good to see all Board members taking joint responsibility for what the club do, and to show us, the fans, that everyone is pulling in the same direction for the club.

Are they totally dependant on the Kings Dock project being a success?

I’d like to think the success of the Kings Dock project isn’t the be all and end all of Everton’s future progress. However, do we know that they have a backup plan if the unthinkable should happen and we fail to set-up our new home at Kings Dock? To me it seems that every possible resource and effort has been put in to make this project a success, which is commendable, so long as they haven’t ignored the possibility of it all falling down around their ears, metaphorically speaking of course!!

Paying ‘Crocked’ and Aged players over the top wages.

Are the board guilty of the above? Forgive my ignorance but I’m not entirely sure of the process of agreeing players’ contracts, but no doubt the Board have a large input as well as the ‘final say’. Some may say it’s the players’ greed that is to blame, but you mustn’t forget, someone has to agree to the final figure. I know for a fact that in my job, if I was offered a salary that was way above what I deserved, I wouldn’t turn it down, and I’m sure none of you would either!

Players

Are the current squad too injury prone?

The injury crisis that dogged the club for many years seems to have relented in recent months, surprisingly enough, co-inciding with the dismissal of Messrs Smith & Knox. Now there were many rumours doing the rounds during their spell in charge that their training regime was just not up to date enough to get the best out of the squad. Now I am sure it’s not just luck that meant Moyes has had a relatively fit squad for his brief spell in charge. An alteration in training methods and a general lift of the mood within the team came along with the new manager. It is also more than likely the combination of players’ realising that they now have to prove they are worthy of picking up their oversized pay check each week, but also wanting to play for the ‘gaffer’ once more. Moyes has installed some self belief and pride within the squad, which seems to have been sorely missed over the past few years and long may it continue.

Players just not good enough?

This comment is often directed at the current batch of Everton players, and in some areas it may well be justified criticism. However, looking over the whole squad, we have a number of well established international players, some ex U21 internationals, the England U20 captain, and one of the brightest prospects currently in the country. To me, this doesn’t indicate a side lacking individual quality, just a team that needs to learn to play to each other’s strengths. Everyone identifies the need for another ‘keeper and probably one more player for each position through the spine of the team. If they can be moulded into a team that can perform to their potential, which so many fail to do regularly, then we may once again have a squad that it worthy of wearing the Royal Blue Jersey.

Administration – General running of the club

Merchandising

Why close the club shop early on Christmas Eve when there is a definite chance of a good turnover from the inevitable ‘leave it to the last minute’ people. This decision still baffles me, and although may seem a small and even petty criticism, but seems to sum the club up. I understand plans were to open a club shop in the town centre were discussed, how far has this progressed? (Apologies, but I’m not local so I don’t know!) This alone would help increase sales of club merchandise and inturn, generate more revenue for the club, which is what we are in desperate need of at the moment.

Sponsorship

We are still unaware of a Sponsorship deal for next season. Now this is a dividing point for many fans, do we do without a sponsor and the much needed revenue in order to fully advertise the achievement of 100 years top flight football, or do we take a new sponsor and mark the achievement in a different manner? Personally, I don’t think we are in the financial position to go without a sponsor, although I agree it would have been great to have a new kit with ‘EFC celebrate 100 years top flight status’ or something similar emblazoned across the front for all to see, but it is not financially viable with our position. We are not in the same League as the likes of Real Madrid who have been able to remove theirs for an entire season.

Marketing the ‘100 Years top flight status’ to its full potential

This achievement needs to be a focal point for the club in the coming season. It is a tremendous achievement, and the fact that we are the first English club to do it makes it all the more sweeter. The question is, will the media give it as much exposure as it deserves? I fear that it won’t, as we are not as ‘fashionable’ as the Man U and Arsenal’s of this world. That’s why I feel it is imperative that there is something on the new kit to mark the occasion, it should be all around Goodison so everyone that comes is left in no doubt that we are the first club to have the honour of 100 years top flight football. I know a number of good suggestions have been emailed to the club, I just hope they take heed of these ideas and put some of the into practice. We want to go into the new season with a bang, not an apologetic whimper.

Pre season tours

Wouldn’t it be an idea to broaden the awareness of Everton Football Club? I’m afraid Pre season tours of the West Country and Scotland don’t really help achieve this. Why not visit Japan/South Korea (Obviously not this pre season as its too late and they will still be recovering from their World Cup hangover) but what’s to stop us going there next season, or any other South American/Asian country. There are so many ‘untapped’ areas in the world where a mere Pre Season tour would raise the profile of our club enormously, and again, generate more much needed revenue.

Boy Band

©2002 ToffeeWeb