The journalist said he had spoken to several fans and there was one being organised about the lack of investment from the Board. Well I said it was unusual for us to wash our dirty washing in public and we're not really a 'banner' club. He asked me my views on the topic. So I gave my thoughts on the lack of investment from the present Board and their inability in this climate to attract any potential investors, adding that not one penny has been put into the club only the buying of shares and there lies our problem. The Spurs game showed how small our squad is due to lack of funds. Remember Lescott and Johnson were bought on next season's Sky monies.
In a nutshell, we're frustrated about not moving on quicker after five years of Moyes and six years of the present Board and their track record of promises. But to be fair we don't have relegation battles or cup runs now and mid-table is like treading water to the older fans amongst us. We're realistic in our aims but frustrated with the lack of investment.
Anyway, next morning it's only me quoted on the back page of The Mirror, I never even bought it — just mates rang up and told me. On Radio Merseyside they were getting a few callers about the lack of investment and they rang me. I told Roger Philips the story and that as far as I was concerned there was no protest planned. Then the police got in touch and I told them the same. The Echo ran the story without getting it quantified and even Moyes goes on the defensive saying it will upset the players. Radio City did the same and then Dominic King goes on the defensive in his Saturday article, I believe.
Mike Parry gets his knickers in a twist and announces his undying love of Bill Kenwright and free seats in the director's box. I wonder about Parry is he really in touch with Evertonians? I mean he is the only 'Blue' who at the time said Rooney was best leaving for Man Utd to fulfill his ambitions as we were holding him back.
Early on Saturday morning I wrote a letter to the Sports Editor of the Echo reiterating there was no planned protest after making my own enquiries. Still waiting for a reply on that one. Maybe he's still in Barcelona?
At Watford most got the just already that we were not running on the pitch naked with banners etc but the local police were still worried.
So all in all a hurricane was formed with no substance at all, but boy did some bite? I only hope that it may have nudged or panicked Bill and co in looking for real investment. Whilst on this subject I think to stop all the mistrust, Bill just puts up the balloon we are for sale. If there's no response then we have to accept were stuck with Bill for better or worse.
So sorry fellow Blues about any embarrassment caused, I just thought you warranted an explanation.
When I give quotes I always say it's my opinion or our groups I never profess to speak on behalf of all Evertonians. I would not dare there are too many of us, some armed with slingshots or are cyber warriors.
Ian Macdonald
Everton Independent Blues
PS The only time I will be involved in a protest again will be against the proposed move, I hope we have the same result as we did with PJ.
Maybe it's just me, but...
I just see all that as a Machiavellian move by someone at the club to discredit the people who criticise the team, the way Moyes has settled for "not losing" and the whole circus that is keeping "Blue Bill" popular with the majority of fans who know nothing more than what the Echo decides to tell them.
Maybe it is just a coincidence that we were playing the worst team in the league with pretty much a full first team squad? A game that even Everton should hope to pick up at least a point? A team that's just sold it's big threat Young to Villa and was written off at Christmas as straight back down to to Championship?
Maybe it's a bit like when they fight forest fires — they burn down trees and sacrifice ground to prevent the main fire from overcoming them.
I'd hazard a guess that by planting false stories of a protest that was not seemingly organized or had any time to promote itself properly, the club has discredited in the eyes of many an attempt to take them to task for the wide range of problems that are obvious to so many of us.
By leaking a story about a protest that doesn't exist, at a game we should do well in, someone at the club could have seen off a real protest for a few more weeks/months - anyone who'd read that piece and then seen nothing of note at the match would have just thought (ironically) that Everton fans couldn't organize themselves and would be less inclined to voice public dissent in future.
Maybe I'm giving them too much respect, maybe something like that is beyond the stupid ba5tards in control, but I bet you one thing Ian — there won't be talk in the national press of a protest when we come to play Arsenal, United or Chelsea... a game they'd expect us to lose.
Anyway folks, that about wraps it up from the Grassy Knoll this week...
Dave Lennon