ToffeeWeb Viewpoint
Thoughts from the Editor

Annual General Meeting
xx July 2004

The meeting started poorly, with Bill Kenwright an amateurish, embarrassing, master of ceremonies — unprepared and disorganized; simply not good enough for a "Big Club" striving to be among the best.  Not many liked Sir Philip Carter but you have to give him credit that, in this role,  Carter knew exactly what to do; he behaved always with presidential authority, knowing all the protocols, and doing an excellent job at leading such meetings.

One of the first topics on the agenda was Bill himself: his re-election.   His little speech about the financial situation showed that he doesn't understand a lot of the concepts, typified by his pathetic attempt to explain amortization.  Oh dear...  So much was simply glossed over, while on other issues, such as the mysterious £10.4M, that was characterizaed as Sky money we simply asked for early — not a loan. Yeah right, Billy; totally unconvincing.  Again, the perennial failure to give any credence to the intelligence of his audience, instead demonstrating the desire to always appear in the right and in control, to never admit your mistakes... Is that what people really want from corporate governance?

When the hand vote finally came, there were about 200 in favour, 15 or 20 dissenters, and  80 abstentions... And Bill's sarky reception of this ambivalent snub was pathetic in the extreme. 

The point was hammered home in the next agenda item — the re-election of Keith Wyness back to the Board — passed unanimously. And his presentation in contrast was brilliant, very professional and competent; good thought-processes behind it; he'd clearly done his homework, and it made first-class sense.  We have really hit pay dirt with another Scot, despite some earlier rumblings about his mixed record north of the Border. 

This guy could well be just what the Club needs to herald in a new era of professionalism and business competence.  He is realistic, direct, honest and straightforward, thoughtful and enthusiastic, with a good marketing sense, perhaps a perfect match for Moyes off the field — a total contrast to Dunford, making you wonder all the more how he could have been sustained for so long in that position.

Regarding the Michael Ball situation at Rangers, he re-emphasized that Everton's position has not changed: Ball has played 59 games; one more and we are due a £½ million.  Exactly as it should be.  His reputation for not being cowed by the Old Firm might bode well here...  Keith Wyness also importantly gave the go-ahead for preservation of the David France Collection, describing the new trust arrangement as a "done deal", with the Club contributing £250k, another investor a similar amount, and a collection of fans providing the rest.  Full details are sill to be hammered out, but it should all be in place by Easter of 2005.  This would be the world's best collection of club memorabilia, with scope for future growth, run independently, not initially as a charitable entity — although that could follow.  Excellent news for David France, who was at the meeting and given an appreciative mention.

Michael Kenrick

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