Fans Comment
Stephen Callaghan

Renewal? Not this time
25 April 2006

Letter to Mr Keith Wyness
Chief Executive Officer
Everton Football Club
Goodison Park

Re: Client Ref: 109327, Block GS1, Row Q Seat 15

Dear Sir,

I am writing having just received my season ticket renewal application form. Sadly, I will not be renewing this year and my reasons are stated below but, in essence, I no longer feel we receive value for money at Goodison Park in terms of season ticket pricing. Forget about comparing prices like for like around the country, I think it is best to compare performances and ultimately the thrill of my team scoring which, regrettably, is not a common event.

My reasons for not renewing follow and perhaps you will take on board these reasons and accept that there may be many, many others who share the same view — there will, of course, always be those who disagree:-

1. I have no idea whether you will use any of the money to bring in quality players of which there are presently few at the club. I would have liked to have known which payers are staying or going and therefore would like to have seen the ‘product’ I am buying before I commit to watching every game at home;
   
   
2. It is my opinion that you have been wasteful with funding in terms of giving players lucrative payments when for some time their appearances and performances have not warranted such a reward (Ferguson, Naysmith and Pistone);
   
   
3. I don’t believe as a club you are giving youth a chance and I see very little in terms of youth players coming through the ranks to be tested at the highest level — if never given a chance then we will never know if they are ready;
   
   
4. I am bewildered by the Manager’s policy of signing players who are carrying injuries and have a chequered past in terms of injuries and performances. There is little or no pace in the squad and little invention. Also buying a player and then getting rid of a player (Krøldrup) before giving him a run of games does not make me want to give the club my money for it to be inappropriately used and for it to be thrown away when making losses on our purchases;
   
   
5. You seem to be making little or no progress on bringing in new investment into Everton Football Club yet other Clubs (perhaps with the exception of Villa) seem to be able to attract investment. Sponsorship deals tend not to be long term and not very fruitful in terms of improving the football team;
   
   
6. We are on the brink of setting an unwanted club record for the lowest total of league goals scored in a season and I see little or no improvement in performances since the Joe Royal stewardship. 31 goals in the Premiership this term (worst since 1971-72) and never ever finishing a season with a positive goal difference under the present manager supports this view. Granted, we are not going to be relegated but are we to settle for mediocrity?;
   
   
7. I am not a fan of the Manager. Even despite 4th place last year — there were no medals handed out for 4th. His inability to realise and fix the goal drought and secure the services of a half decent striker before our European debacle contributed towards the biggest lost financial opportunity in Everton’s history. He has presided over a collection of some of the most embarrassing defeats in our history. I won’t list them as it pains me to this day to recall them going as far back as the Shrewsbury defeat;
   
   
8. The Villarreal ticketing fiasco proved that you still do not have a good enough grasp of the needs of your Supporters.
   
   
9. Your letter enclosed with the renewal form was hugely disappointing. You see, promises of state of the art LCD/Plasmas don’t really do it for me. Neither does your statement about requiring the funds before “talk of the summer transfer market and potential signings in the media”. You see, in my view you have missed the trick here and you have promised nothing. What the fans would have really appreciated is an assurance that there will be several new faces on the playing staff next season aimed at improving results and performances on the pitch and informing us about the long hours you have worked in tracing down suitable players having already signed one or two on a pre-contract… that is what the real fans want and you would have had us all scrambling for our debit cards.

So there are some of my reasons. It is with deep regret that I am informing you of my intention not to renew as I know that the club desperately needs my investment — God knows what we would do if many others intended to do the same because, it seems, that without the fans the Board seem incapable of raising additional revenue to take the Club and Team forward.

There seems an unhealthy relationship between the Board and the Manager and in the Board’s eyes he can do no wrong. Mr Moyes, you and the Board face a very tough season next season and I fear the honeymoon period for all is over with more and more discontentment about to be aired if the club is not seen to be heading in the right direction.

Thankfully, I will still be able to pick and choose my games at Goodison and beyond next year and I will never stop supporting my club as once born an Evertonian always an Evertonian. However, my decision not to renew is partly protest (as this is the only option I have to make a stance) and partly in exasperation as the players wages are going up, prices are going up and given our present status and all other aspects taken into consideration a full price season ticket is no longer the value for money it once was. Picking and choosing next year and listening to the remainder on the radio seems a much more attractive prospect.

Yours sincerely
Stephen Callaghan


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