Fans Comment
David Cornmell

Strength and Weakness
25 September 2004

I've mentioned this before, but the point hadn't entirely registered with me. Until I read your latest mailbag that is.

I am shocked by the number of Blues writing in to gloat about our current position in the league, and to, in essence, say "this proves Kenwright was right to sell the boy".

How fucking stupid can you get???  I mean really.  How fucking stupid can you get???

This truly is the best and worst aspect of supporting Everton.  The fans' loyalty to the badge, the history, the shirt is so deeply entrenched... it's remarkable!  It's a huge strength in that, yes, in times of crisis "we rally together". 

It's also our biggest weakness though.  It's that loyalty that enables the Everton Board of Directors to have carte blanche.  They can do whatever the fuck they want.  Anything!  Because they know those long suffering suckers known as Evertonians will just keep on coming back.  Finish with our lowest points total ever?  Sell our two best frontmen?  Replace those two with... nobody?  Get told endless lies about investment, ground moves and finances?  A shit sandwich for sure.  Yet most Evertonians haven't just choked down the shit sandwich, they're heading back to the buffet for more!!!!

I'm loyal to the Club.  I was born a BLUE, I shall die a BLUE.  I never had to choose a club - I'm from Liverpool, and like my Dad, his Dad and his Dad before him, I was an Evertonian before I could wipe my own arse.  I'm proud of our history, what we stand for, who we are, where we've been.  But I"m NOT proud of where we're going!  Unlike so many of my fellow supporters, MY loyalty doesn't have an infinite supply.  The Club has betrayed my trust, broken my heart and then cynically lied about it to bank a few more squids 'til January.  That's the line for me.  I'm an Evertonian but I refuse to give my cash to an organisation so arrogant in its treatment of its supporters, so backward in it's attempts at modernisation, and so overwhelmingly badly run by it's management.  I can't eat any more shit sandwich.  Not to worry, plenty of Blues to pick up the slack.... More fool them.

Kenwright is taking you all for a fucking ride.  Yet, rather than people hopping off the magical mystery tour, they're piling on!  After what —  two victories against promoted teams (must-wins);  a narrow away win {winning in Manchester is fair enough} and a narrow home win to midtable mediocrity (we should always be looking for three points against boro at home}; a tonking by Arsenal. and a {very} lucky point against a MAnUre team missing it's cream — Ferdinand, Van Nistelcheat and yes the Blimp Rooney.  Oh, — and an undeserved penalty win over a Division Two side.

That's the reason for the braggards' and loudmouths' optimism?  That's supposed to stop me worrying until January?  I for one will stop stressing when we get to forty points.  Something I've been stressing over for well over a year now.

What will it take for the penny to drop?  That Bullshit Billy Kenwright is an elevator operator — and that elevator is going DOWN — Fast! 

He could sell the best talent in the world to our most hated rivals — all on the drip, for comparatively fuck all — but "that's okay, Bill is one of us". 

He could advocate sharing grounds with our historical hated local rivals.  But "that's okay, Bill is one of us"

He can butcher deals with NTL, mystery Russian investors and even his OWN FUCKING PARTNER!!!  But "that's okay, Bill is one of us" 

He could probably desecrate Dixie Deans corpse at halftime next week, but "that's okay, Bill is one of us". 

I despair of my fellow blues, I really do.  Why are you all so sanguine?  Why are you all so apathetic about things?  Was it not Evertonians that forced Johnson out?  Or is it that there are actually morons who think Bullshit Billy Liar is doing a good job?????

When the inevitable shit hits the inevitable fan, all I'll be left with is "I told you so".  Which, funnily enough, doesn't make me a feel one jot better.  Not now.  Not ever.

Loyalty can be a good thing.  But not if that loyalty is being used to mask elementary business mistakes.  Not if that loyalty is the last dam holding back the tide of debt.  Not if that loyalty is keeping the current incompetent management in charge.  Kenwright has shown no loyalty to anyone but himself — not Moyes, not Gregg, not Rooney, not us.  Yet he can still command our undying and everlasting support.  HOW???????  WHY?????????

Not me.  Fuck that.  I support Everton FC.  I do not support Bullshit Billy Liar's Everton FC.  A crucial distinction.  I'm hopping off Bullshit Billy's magic carpet before it even departs.  I'd advise a few of you to join me — after all, the trip only goes one way.  To the First Division.

One fucked off Evertonian,

David Cornmell

PS - ToffeeWeb, it's not you guys I'm so fucked off about.  You appear to be the half of one percent of Evertonians who actually use their eyes and ears.  Most Evertonians only have an enormous heart, unfortunately.  Keep attacking Billy Liar.  There is nothing wrong with that term, believe me; I think of him in a lot worse terms than that...

Reader Responses

Get over it
Graham Hardman

I cannot believe David Cornmell’s comments, or rather his ‘rant’. It is bullshit negativity like that which really is doing the club no favours at all. I don’t think Bill Kenwright is a ‘God’, but he definitely is a fan. Everton’s financial situation is partly down to some mistakes, but most clubs have made similar mistakes in the transfer market and contracts (i.e. overspending on poor players). Really it is down to the lack of revenue the club generates, that is the bottom line and I HATE to say it. Although I’m not a season ticket holder, I go to every home game and am upset to see the ground 3,000 to 5,000 down (about £150,000 lost) when the club is flying so high – false position or otherwise. Why does David Cornmell think people like me are mugs for supporting my club – even when it is struggling and (allegedly) poorly run? I would support EFC whatever. We have had other barren spells in our past history.

I did not moan when ticket prices were increased. It is obvious why the club have to do it – to generate more income to try an compete with clubs like Southampton who have more investment. But people like David Cornmell moan and bitch, and ultimately stay away – thus depriving the club of money and compounding the vicious circle. Merchandising revenue at EFC is far, far lower than other clubs – as is the net income over all. Very sad, and even sadder that that should dictate your league success. As for selling Rooney – well he wanted to go, end of story. He was never a hero of mine – I enjoyed the goals and the skill – but I couldn’t put a scally up on a pedestal – sorry. The way he shat on the club just confirmed to me that he is indeed just a rat. It is also bullshit to suggest that Kenwright got a poor deal – he got the best deal possible under the circumstances – and it is one of the highest fees ever paid for an 18 year old. EFC are bigger than one player – so you fans out there stop moaning and get back to filling the ground. Come on you Blues!
Paul Appleyard