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Gosling: First Own Goal of the Season?

By Rupert Sullivan :  22/07/2010 :  Comments (75) :
A couple of months ago, I wrote an article on ToffeeWeb bemoaning the PR of Everton Football Club, supported by emails which had been sent to me by Ian Ross. My contention was that Everton FC has a PR machine which is not only unprofessional but also ineffective in ?managing? the profile of Everton Football Club.

Following the now ?official? transfer of Dan Gosling to Newcastle, I popped onto the OS to see whether or not EFC has decided to make an ?Official Statement? concerning this or not. Dan Gosling has indeed been removed (finally) from the official squad list, however there is no statement I could find on the OS stating why this is, what happened and what the Club?s perspective on all this is. The BBC already has an article up with quotes from Dan himself concerning his move, but not a peep from EFC.

Now I appreciate that the Club has very little chance of presenting itself gloriously in this matter, but by releasing its own statement, it would have a chance of presenting the image that it wants to; and being a Premier League club, there is a strong chance that the story would be picked up by the usual outlets: BBC, Sky et al.

EFC must surely appreciate that there are more poeple who read the BBC and Sky websites than read their own? surely they understand that the football websites recycle stories from each other? This would mean media coverage for the club, and mean that EFC could influence the things which are being said about it, rather than sit back and let it all happen.

The only mention I could find was in the site?s ?What the Papers Say? section which quotes an article from the Mirror. This in itself raises the question of the editorial roles of the different sections of the site ? does the editor of the ?What the Papers Say? section check their stories with the ?News? editor or the Site Editor? I know from my own experience that people at the club read the ToffeeWeb website, I wonder if they read their own?..

Reader Comments (75)

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Liu Weixian
1 Posted 22/07/2010 at 12:40:51
Kenwright and the board are simply incompetent. We could have made something from selling Gosling, but NOOOOOO.... We are so freaking rich we 'gave' him away for free!

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=809728&sec=transfers&cc=4716
Jay Dawson
2 Posted 22/07/2010 at 14:08:45
Well, Dan Gosling has signed for Newcastle for nothing. Leaving Everton a little embarrassed to say the least.

I'm not Gosling's greatest fan, which is the view held by a lot of us blues, but he would of been a good back-up to the first team and we lost out on £4m because the player and his agent realised that the lack of an actual contract allowed him to move for nothing.

On Newcastles official webpage he says "I?ve played at St James? Park before and know all about the amazing atmosphere. Playing there in a black and white shirt is something I?ve thought about already and it will be a great day when I finally get to walk out in front of 50,000 people."

Amazing atmosphere? I wish these players would just be honest and say "I went for more money". Not a big loss, but let's hope he's the only player to leave Everton this summer.

Trevor Lynes
3 Posted 22/07/2010 at 14:19:53
I cannot remember any other Premier League club who have allowed an 'asset' to leave without a fee unless he was released or retired through injury or age. Whatever Gosling's merits as a player, he was a regular first team squad member and must have cost us a lot of money in treating his injury and paying his wages during the past year or so.

DM cannot get any money out of our present board because of lack of funds... now we allow a player who would have commanded a fee go because of a contract error. We as fans deserve better and we are constantly ignored when questions are asked; we must be a fucking laughing stock.

Peter Davies
4 Posted 22/07/2010 at 14:38:58
I'm interested to know what the reports meant about EFC believing the had a "gentleman's agreement" with Gosling. If Gosling had initially verbally agreed to a contract extention then, regardless of Premier League or FA rules, under English law a verbal contract is an enforceable contract and Gosling could be sued through the courts for breach of contract.
Glen Anderson
5 Posted 22/07/2010 at 14:53:57
A real shame, and an embarrassing one at that, that we lost out on the £2m we paid for him, plus wages and additional costs.

But when I read Hughton's statement today "We see him as a high-energy player and a player that can play from box to box..." oh how I chuckled.

Newcastle clearly see him as something that he is not yet. I suppose he will play some games for them after Christmas then he'll be benched.

For me I am glad that someone with that attitude is no longer at our club but I do agree that we could have at least put some form of announcement out. The club's silence makes them appear to be even more incompetent fools than everybody already suspects them to be.
Chris James
6 Posted 22/07/2010 at 14:17:56
Two things:

1) I thought there was going to be an appeal/tribunal on this. I take it that hasn't happened?

2) Where the hell does everyone get this £4M valuation from? Dan Gosling was a fringe player who scored a couple of goals in big matches, but he'd hardly proved he was capable of cutting it as a regular starter. Outside of Man City and the Fantasy Football games I can't see anyone offering £4M, even at £1-2M I couldn't see too many clubs knocking down the door for a player who's yet to prove to be anything more than utility cover ? and that's before the bad injury.

Don't get me wrong, it is annoying that we've lost him and he was still a prospect, but I'm personally not that bothered at the end of the day.

James Mullarkey
7 Posted 22/07/2010 at 15:08:15
Peter Davies makes a good point here. Gosling was looking for a way out & so he used a loophole to get away. I think he is the one who has made a fool of himself.

The majority players and agents look out for themselves and gentleman's agreements stand for nothing. Could you imagine Tim Cahill pulling such a stunt? Gosling is no loss and typically once again Nowcastle have paid over the odds for an average player. £25k a week, Danny Boy must be laughing his cock off!

Roger Domal
8 Posted 22/07/2010 at 15:23:36
He won't figure until December. And there haven't been a lot of players who have left Everton and flourished of late. Can anyone name one?
Jeremy Buckley
9 Posted 22/07/2010 at 15:33:24
I still don't understand how a player who was allegedly under contract until 2011 is allowed to leave free! Maybe I've missed something...
Ciarán McGlone
10 Posted 22/07/2010 at 15:40:12
If Houghton sees him as a 'box to box' player... then he's seen in Gosling what I've seen in Gosling.

For me, if he plays the central role; he'll be a decent player.
Tony McNulty
11 Posted 22/07/2010 at 16:01:59
He was never going to cut it at Goodison, and he probably knows it.

What will keep this story running is the failure of Everton to comment officially. Surely there can't be a legal reason not to do so at this stage? And surely they have had time enough by now to find the form of words to put their official spin on it.
Aiden Doyle
12 Posted 22/07/2010 at 16:04:03
You?re being a little histrionic there, Trevor. Pretty much every Premier League club will have let highly saleable ?assets? go for free without releasing or retiring them.

Joe Cole is the obvious recent example. The likes of Beckham, Campbell, Ballack, Flamini and McManaman have also left their clubs for nothing. Despite that, I?m pretty sure that Chelsea, Real Madrid, Spurs, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Liverpool aren?t regarded as ?fucking laughing stocks?... (Okay, maybe that last one!)
Mike McLean
13 Posted 22/07/2010 at 16:36:50
Or (get ready, conspiracy theorists), a very angry Gosling, pissed off at Rathbone's lunatic incompetence at Wolves, finds out from the specialist that he had run the risk of losing his career. Agent steps in and tells Kenwright that a suit for this, that and the other will be served should Dan's career go down the pan. Perhaps a little assuaging of feelings by saying goodbye to Rathbone and telling young Gosling he can go for nothing if he wishes.

Kenwright avoids possible damaging case against the Club and all live happily evermore.

Just a thought.
Charlie Percival
14 Posted 22/07/2010 at 16:51:38
Rathbone does not choose who stays on the pitch, Moyes does. Wether his injury was serious or not, he is on £0-15k a week, insured, gets the best medical treatment, gets treated like a prince. He wouldn't have a leg to stand on (no pun intended) trying to sue the club.

I think that the tribunal happened, we made some money from it (compensation of wages, injury costs) but lost out on a fee. Keith Wyness went without a word, so did Gosling. Whoever works in the department that caused this error best not cross Moyes.

Even though Gosling was crap, he didn't really ever play his best position, I thought he was right back, then he played on the wings, did he ever play in the middle?

I think what it is (his dad is a cock), but Rodwell scored some important goals and got a great contract, Gosling dumped out Liverpool and scored against Utd so probably thought he deserved parity. I completely agree with the club though that Rodwell will soon be in the top 5 players in the world, Gosling will not.

Gosling cost £2M, the goal v Liverpool was worth that.

Gosling is a greedy employee who wants more money as there are about 6 other 'employees' that do a better job than him.

Anyone who leaves the spirit and togetherness of Everton is only going for money (unless to a Champions League club).

Graham Plewes
15 Posted 22/07/2010 at 16:59:47
Nice theory, Mike, but I have a better one. Gosling's injury is a bad one and we had an agreement in his previous contract that we had to offer him at least £16k a week for three years.

We would have given a seriously injured, unproven squad member a contract worth £2.5M. Or we can do him a favour, keep quiet, and let him get his pension from Newcastle.
Andy Codling
16 Posted 22/07/2010 at 17:28:02
The biggest loss here is the money... I don't actually think Gosling is anywhere near good enough yet, and suspect he will be at somewhere like Doncaster in two years thinking what a mistake he made.

Other than that, whoever is responsible for this fuck-up should be named and then sacked... but, typical Everton: no comment when the shit hits the fan.

Jimmy Hacking
17 Posted 22/07/2010 at 17:39:58
Although this whole debacle is a shame for us a team, as I thought he was a good young player, all we can really do now is move on. I hope somebody at the club learns something from this cock-up. I doubt we would have got anything like £4 million as well, it's pretty clear that that figure was simply invented by some journalist then bandied around by every sod else. If my memory serves, tribunals always end up awarding a far far smaller sum than the selling club "expected"; I reckon we'd have got maybe £1.25 mill.
Mike Guy
18 Posted 22/07/2010 at 18:41:04
How much of any fee received have been owed to Plymouth.

Even after a tribunal, I don't think we would get anything close to £4 million; we'd be lucky to have over £1 million after paying Plymouth.
Albert Perkins
19 Posted 22/07/2010 at 18:26:28
OK, so the boy thought he was a bit above himself after scoring a couple of high profile goals. He was not played in his best position, maybe, but was lucky enough to get PL games because of injuries and us having a small squad. He was in a quite good position to enter the big stage, supporters were with him and he showed promise.

Until this season, when the Blues suddenly have a top class squad able to compete with anyone, Gosling didn't think he was going to make it, or only play the same bit part role again. Gosling would not get anywhere near a place in a top class club (like Everton at this time) and I think he felt trapped in the reserve position for some years.

His agent goes for a long shot way out by delaying the contract talks and sweet talking until the last minute when he would be free. They got lucky and EFC missed the trick.

We all want players to love the club like we do, but that's not possible. I read the story of Dixie Dean being offered a blank cheque to join Arsenal and he turned it down without a thought. We don't just love Dixie because he scored a bunch of goals, but because he loved EFC the same way we do, and even more.

I can sympathize with Gosling feeling stuck, but it hurts nonetheless. Playing for the Barcodes is probably the best he is going to get now he has left a real good club. A club ready to win the League.

Marc Williams
20 Posted 22/07/2010 at 18:37:25
I've had my Goodison Park under-cover agent "Deep Throat" (she's a lovely girl!) working on this for some weeks & can now exclusively reveal to ToffeeWeb readers the TRUTH of this unfortunate incident.

Apparently, "Chairman Bill" has a secret "Special Pen" that writes with disappearing ink ? it originally shows up BUT then disappears...

Now he usually only uses this pen for "Ring-Fencing" money (came in useful over King's Dock!) or writing statements like "The money will be in the bank in the morning"!

Well... according to my source, Gwladys the cleaning lady mistakenly put it in Moyes's pen pot & it was inadvertently used for Dan's contract offer.

By all accounts, Bill is gutted as "Tesco Tel" told him "Every little helps" & £4 Million goes a long way when you're potless! I guess we'll just have to sell some of our best players instead, to keep the Goodison lights on!

Simon Birkett
21 Posted 22/07/2010 at 19:10:53
Jimmy Hacking:

Didn't Gareth Bale arrive at Spurs with a price of £5M from a tribunal?

And Luke Garbutt was apparently something like £1M, so Gosling at £4M is about right.
Joe McMahon
22 Posted 22/07/2010 at 20:24:28
Not having Dan Gosling is like having a new signing!

Every year, it's the same:
Watch this space
24/7
No transfer funds
No stadium plans... it's just embarrassing.
Tommy Gibbons
23 Posted 22/07/2010 at 20:33:56
Good ridance to Gosling, we got what he's currently worth... Nowt! Not lost a penny but saved a wage...
Gaute Lie
24 Posted 22/07/2010 at 20:31:06
Gosling went to Newcastle because

a) He's in love with money, not the game

or

b) He's heart has secretly been with Newcastle for a long time.

If a) He would have left pretty soon anyway. A blessing to get rid of him now, before he's turned ot to be one of our important players. Really. He's not important to us.

If b) Same as a), except I would not think he was so much just a greedy pig.

Won't miss him. Really.
Mike Hayes
25 Posted 22/07/2010 at 21:20:30
Dan who?
Chris Leyland
26 Posted 22/07/2010 at 21:30:35
Have we been goosed by a gosling?
Andy Morden
27 Posted 22/07/2010 at 21:32:44
Personally I think there's a lot in the theory that the club wouldn't offer Gosling money because he is crocked. In the past, we've been stung on some, ahem, 'nails'. Danny Williamson anyone? I also remember the slightly unwholesome affair of Alan Stubbs being offered a contract with terms pertaining to his unfortunate cancer woes.

I'm not saying that Gosling's injury will end his career, but put yourself in the club's position ? offer a fat pay rise for someone who may never play again, or potentially lose him for nothing?

Newcastle are taking a bit of a gamble by signing a player who is in rehabilitation from a serious knee injury. How likely was it that a club would come in for a crocked player? Perhaps Everton thought they were on fairly safe ground playing out the time until they could see if Gosling would regain full fitness? Of course, this may well have been taken as a slight by Gosling. Frankly, I don't think the issue is black and white.

Sean Patton
28 Posted 22/07/2010 at 21:44:44
By the time Gosling has recovered from his injury, Ross Barkley will have taken his place in the squad so it will turn out for the best.

We can't have average players blocking the path of the latest Everton wonderkid.
Jay Harris
29 Posted 22/07/2010 at 22:26:39
The contract renewal probably landed on Kenwright's desk and he assured everyone he would work 24/7 to get it signed and told them to watch that famous space.
Kevin Gillen
30 Posted 23/07/2010 at 00:03:16
Good post, Rupert! The Gosling debacle exacerbated by woeful public relations. Why are our off seasons so woeful? Last year Lescott and a 6-1 opening-day home defeat. The year before, having to start the season with two 16-year-olds because we didn't have enough full-time professionals fit and no signings right up until the last minute Fellaini capture. I remember a kid with promise who nobody rated going to Newcastle a few seasons ago, i.e. Milner. It's a shame we lost this promising kid in such ridiculous circumstances.
Chris Jones
31 Posted 23/07/2010 at 00:22:44
Apologies if I've missed it, but I'm surprised no one has called Newcastle United to account for their shitty actions here. I know all's fair in love and war, etc, but haven't they just shown themselves to be a bunch of opportunist toe rags?! As Davey might say, "They've failed to show any class".

Not only have NUFC been complicit in stiffing EFC in this affair, they've denied Plymouth a share of money they'd have been entitled to from a transfer fee. You have to feel sorry for this third party club who, through no fault of their own, have effectively been 'robbed'. Very shabby NUFC, very fucking shabby.

The old adage is 'what goes around comes around'. Let's hope it applies in this case. Certainly the players and employees of NUFC have had it ably demonstrated to them that their employer is prepared to stoop to taking advantage of people...
Christine Foster
32 Posted 23/07/2010 at 00:42:37
I think there have been many valid points raised but ultimately it comes down to a very badly handled situation that has lost the company a valuable asset that no one wants to own up to.

I guess that's par for the course at our club so I am not surprised, no one takes responsibility and, if someone has had the shit kicked out of them, it will be behind closed doors.

As for PR, even a comment like: "Due to an unfortunate contractual mix up, the club has announced the departure of DG to Newcastle United. We wish him well." ? That would have been all that was needed... but no; under no obligation to tell anyone anything.

It's the mindless and crass dismissal by the club of any view / concerns of its supporters that undoes all the good work that so many put in and tarnish what has been acheived. Is it any wonder that why we are considered as a second-rate club by so many when we communicate so badly?
Fuck-ups happen. Always will and there will be those who will turn it to their advantage, but why do we continue to shoot ourselves in the foot by ignoring situations?

It hardly inspires confidence in the management when they can't even say "We fucked that up". Or even "We are disappointed..."

Fundamental problems with communication continue at our club.
Ste Traverse
33 Posted 23/07/2010 at 01:04:33
This cock-up has cost our cash strapped club a potential £4M, that's a lot of money for our club particularly with Moyes's net spend every year roughley £3.5M so someone should be made accountable for this.

And, as usual, when the shit hits the fan, Kenwright goes into hiding.
Brendan O'Doherty
34 Posted 23/07/2010 at 01:29:36
Yes, the continued silence from the club is fast becoming the most annoying thing about this whole sorry episode. As far as l'm concerned, the PR people at the club are treating the supporters with contempt.

Like Christine above, I think they could at least have put out short interim statement. Something along the lines of:

1) Gosling is leaving/has left the club.
2) The club will be/won't be appealing the decision regarding the non-award of compensation.
3) There will be no further comment from the club until this matter has been finalised.

Instead, supporters are left in the dark and to feed on information from other media outlets, and then to draw their own conclusions.

Very poor indeed.
Matt Traynor
35 Posted 23/07/2010 at 03:38:24
Christine (31): 'Or even "We are disappointed.." '

When did Walter Smith return to the club, and in what capacity?
Michael Brien
36 Posted 23/07/2010 at 07:15:19
For those who feel that the Club is to blame/PR mess up/conspiracy theory ? how about a certain arrogant young man from Devon? How is it that Dan "I've scored the winner in a Cup Tie v Liverpool so now I am immortal" Gosling comes out of it smelling of roses??

Let's get things straight here ? the young man has treated Everton and Evertonians with contempt. He has shown no loyalty to the Club or the Manager that gave him his chance in the Premier League.

He was unhappy it would seem that Rodwell was on more money ? even with a new contract, he would still be on much less than Rodwell. Well, when it was known that Jack Rodwell was in contract negotiations with Everton, it was widely reported that Chelsea and Man United were monitoring the situation. Who has been watching the situation re Gosling? Man United or Chelsea or Arsenal? Nope ? Newcastle United, Sunderland and West Ham ? doesn't that tell you something?

I think that he has an over-inflated opinion of his ability. Let's just see who has the more successful football career, Jack Rodwell or Dan Gosling? Let's see who wins more International caps. I think Dan Gosling would do well to look at the career of a certain Imre Varadi. I remember him scoring in the 2-1 win v LIverpool in the FA Cup in 1981. It didn't give him legendary status scoring against Liverpool did it?

I am just waiting for the stories to come from the Dan Gosling camp ? you know, something along the lines of Alan Shearer being a childhood hero, also Kevin Keegan, and being a boyhood Newcastle fan.

So to all of you who have been blaming Everton here, there are two sides to every story and as far as I am concerned the young man from Devon should take some of the blame ? indeed, most of it. He could have accepted the offer from Everton. Presumably he wanted the contract offer in writing, served on a silver salver and personally hand delivered by David Moyes, Bill Kenwright and Phil Neville. Two words to say to young Danny boy ? the second of which is OFF.

Rupert Sullivan
37 Posted 23/07/2010 at 08:20:04
I concur that Dan Gosling has come out of this not looking good ? at least to Everton fans; however, this is entirely beside the point. The Club by saying nothing have come out of this looking like OTHER PEOPLE want them to. Instead of trying to push their own perception of events into the limelight, the club sit back and 'take' what pundits and commentators dish out ? this is for me a lack of a PR strategy... and not a PR strategy.
Gavin Ramejkis
38 Posted 23/07/2010 at 09:26:25
A few comments on this. My suspicion is that, like most footballers, Gosling is thick as mince; anyone hear Beckham the other day say if he wasn't a footballer he'd like to make Lego ? so does my two year old. His agent will have filled his head with shite about parity with other young players at Everton, ie, Rodwell, but they are completely different players, Rodwell being a better prospect for the future.

The skunks did nothing wrong other than offer his agent what he was looking for and I am pretty sure given the chance on a player available on a free (the new Everton price), the club would do the same.

The silence out of the club is what grates the most though and what I personally have come to expect out of BK and his useless lapdogs, I don't think £4M was achievable but a smaller fee would have which would also have cascaded to Plymouth who could have done with it more than Everton. BK had plenty of time to appear on Radio 2 last week talking shite but hasn't got time for his "I'm only the chairman" weekend "interested in glory only" hobby.
Mike Green
39 Posted 23/07/2010 at 10:08:33
I'm with Michael Brien 100% - top man. Dan Gosling? Fuck him.
Eugene Ruane
40 Posted 23/07/2010 at 11:12:28
Michael Brien says Gosling treated Everton and Evetonians with contempt.

Maybe, but we should be used to it because our own board treats us with contempt EVERY FUCKING DAY.

For me Gosling is not the story.

I suspect he is the same as 99% of footballers out there.

Naive and represented by an agent who is anything but.

"Yer a fucckkun little Judas twat lad!!"

Really?

Why?

One young, not great player, leaves a team he never supported for another team, but for more money.

Sounds logical to me.

But of COURSE I have a concern.

Well two actually.

WHAT exactly happened and HOW did it happen?

The immediate smoke-screen delivered by The Echo was, for me, a dead give-away.

"THE SELFISH LITTLE TWAT" By A Hack

"HE SHAT ON DIXIE'S MEMORY!" Lunchtime O'Booze.

Etc etc (nb: many a Pavlov's blue responding accordingly)

Make no mistake ? Everton FC fucked up then having done so tried to throw ALL the blame on Gosling.

Pathetic.

More incredibly, it seems some bought it!

(After DK, if Luvvie told me my name was Eugene and I was a fat 51 year old Bensons smoker, I'd leg it to Ladbrokes and stick everything I had against.)

Having witnessed the pitiful performance over recent years from the PROVEN useless and PROVEN bullshitters who 'run' our club I expect NO answers that make any sense.

Their MO is murky the waters, cloud the issue, sleight-of-hand.

Basically huff, puff, bluster, blarney, bullshit.

Still, not to worry, coz Bill's a blue and Elstone has a nice smile and is 'personable'.
Michael Brien
41 Posted 23/07/2010 at 12:17:56
Gavin & Eugene ? Firstly, I don't think all footballers are stupid/thick. Many will have come from working class backgrounds and just because you have all the trappings of the well off but still talk common doesn't mean you are thick.

I can understand that the player's agent wants to get a good deal for his client. However, the most money is not always the best deal. I would guess that Scott Parker and Steve Sidwell thought that Christmas had come early when they signed for Chelsea. But they were soon on their way when they realised that being a bit-part player ? albeit a highly paid one ? wasn't doing their careers any good.

As regards whether we made a mistake or not ? Gosling still had the freedom of choice to accept Everton's offer. Man City released Reserve Team goalkeeper Stuart Taylor, then a week or so later offered him a new contract. He could of course have reacted in the Dan Gosling way ? "You didn't offer me a contract before" ? 'dummy flies out of pram' attitude... so I won't sign. However, he did sign and there appears to have been very little mention of this "U-turn" by Man City.

This whole eposode has given another excuse to have a go at The Board/Kenwright/Elstone etc. Had we offered him a new contract on anything close to Rodwell's deal, no doubt there would have been criticism of the Board etc for offering such a deal to a player with a serious injury. I think the real blame in this situation is with Dan Gosling.

Christine Foster
42 Posted 23/07/2010 at 13:25:09
Michael, I think your missing the point. Yes, Gosling took advantage of a loop-hole for money; yes, there may be issues regarding his injury, but he's gone. Period.

Life is all about perception and how things look. Frankly, if anyone looked at this situation, no matter how engineered it was by Gosling, he took advantage of a situation that arose because someone fucked up. Fact.

So, we have potentially lost precious money, it happens. Someone should be accountable / responsible.

But the article asks the question of the club's PR. That's Public Relations ? if anyone in the club is reading this... Because there isn't any. You don't have any. Not with the fans anyway.

Like all relationships, you need to give and take. work together, generate good will. But there is no relations in our PR.

The club SHOULD have a public face when issues like this arise; they need to defend their position, if needed; they need to put the facts on record because we are supposed to be a professional club.

Your watch, Mr Elstone. Either be honest and scrap the Public Relations department... or use it to the advantage of the club to inform its fans, defend where needed, and inform not just with respect to the good news but also the not-so-good.

Closed mouth. Closed minds once more, remember Mr Elstone? It isn't good enough
Jay Harris
43 Posted 23/07/2010 at 13:38:58
I feel both parties are to blame.

Gosling for his verbal assurance that he would sign the contract renewal while accepting his wages and medical treatment while injured.

And the senior management for not having systems in place to prevent this from happening.
Rupert Sullivan
44 Posted 23/07/2010 at 13:56:47
Christine, thanks for that last comment ? you echo the point that I was trying to make with the article.
Michael Kenrick
45 Posted 23/07/2010 at 14:45:26
Scapegoating Gosling is missing the point.

This situation arose because Everton failed to produce their offer in writing by the required date. This was despite reminders form Gosling, who talked publically over a year ago about looking to get his 2-year extension sorted out. The fact that it was not put in front of him and his agent in writing was down to Everton FC ? not the player.

What happens after that is sad and depressing regarding the loyalty issue and the poor light it puts the club in, and their deafening silence. Which all seems still so odd to me.

Contrast this with Pienaar and Arteta: one and two years out respectively. I don't know if their offers are in writing ? hardly matters yet! But the difference is these are players the club wants. Either it was a complete and embarrassing cock-up by the club... or some other hidden agenda is in operation ? hence the incredible silence.

But Eugene is right to remind us of the astounding Echo snow-job, an expected knee-jerk reaction no doubt fed by the Club to its spin outlet. That response reflects the total embarrassment... I just can't get my head around the idea that something as fundamental as this was allowed to happen as an oversight.
Eugene Ruane
46 Posted 23/07/2010 at 16:02:31
Michael Brien.

Are you familiar with those fellers who operate three card Monty on Oxford Street (London)?

Or Mediums? (ie: people who can contact 'the other side')

Or Uri Geller?

Or the 'amazing' Kreskin?

What these people have in common and understand is they don't need EVERYONE to believe.

Just...enough people.

For me, Bill Kenwright is the same.

He knows there are non-believers, he knows many have him sussed..

He knows many have him pegged for exactly what he is, BUT he knows he doesn't need everyone.

Just enough Michael Briens.

This is not a rant - these days I stay calm and have conditioned myself not to let the Bill apologists get to me....too much.

Well, look at Van Gogh!

"..How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will" - Don McLean


Brian Waring
47 Posted 23/07/2010 at 16:39:52
It's funny how many of our fans stated that Gosling was a great buy by Moyes, and was one for the future, now after he dare leave this great club of ours, he is labelled shit.
Colin Potter
48 Posted 23/07/2010 at 17:44:23
Well said Eugene. It's unbelievable that there are still people stupid enough still believing in that snide bastard Kenwright!
Gavin Ramejkis
49 Posted 23/07/2010 at 18:31:26
Michael #40 so given your stance, care to explain why there isn't a single comment from the club about the situation? The whole point of the article was to reiterate (as if it needed to be) that Everton's PR machine is a disgrace and generally dismissive even if you do get a response.

The club can't be defended over the Gosling fiasco as they haven't bothered their arse to make a stance or even comment on the matter. Chairman Bill even went as far as to break from his 24/7 last week to talk shite live on air with Dale Winton on Radio 2 so not like he doesn't have time on his hands surely?

Michael Brien
50 Posted 23/07/2010 at 19:09:10
Christine, Gavin & Eugene ? I think it is you who are missing the point.

Yes, the club made a mistake but to hear some of the "Slag off the Club" brigade, one would think that Dan Gosling is without fault in all this and that he is whiter than white. I was trying merely to redress the balance; on the other hand you seem to think that Dan Gosling is totally without blame in all of this.

By the way, Eugene, I don't believe everything that Kenwright says/does or has said/done on behalf of Everton has been correct/good. But I also don't think that everything he does or the club does is wrong either. I think it's called having a balanced view.

I used the example of Stuart Taylor at Man City, a player that they released but then offered a new contract in the space of approx 10 days, to show that it's not just Everton that get it wrong. Perhaps you might like to consider that fact. I also seem to recall a certain Brian Clough parading his new signing Ian Moore at the Baseball Ground back in 1972 to much media attention, only for him to change his mind and sign for Man United. Needless to say, that wasn't in either the feature film or the recent documentary.

Sorry if that seems like a history lesson but to hear some of the remarks, you would think that Everton always get it wrong whilst every other club always gets it right.

Mike Green
51 Posted 23/07/2010 at 19:42:48
I don't have a balanced view.

Its very black and white really.

Gosling's a cock of the highest order and respect to the club for not even giving him the satisfaction of a mention on the OS, never mind an improved contract.

Well done EFC, looks like we smoked out a rat just in the nick of time.

COYB.
Gavin Ramejkis
54 Posted 23/07/2010 at 22:24:38
Michael, I've not missed the point and that was the deadly silence from the 'watch this space' or should that be 'vacuum' brigade.

I said in an earlier response I believe Gosling was led by his agent so blame certainly in the Gosling and his scumbag identified there. You appear to standfast at ignoring the lack of commentary besides Trinity Newspapers (a well known mouthpiece for the club) or other sites yet nothing from the player's former employer and source of payment during his incapacity and his medical bills.

Oh and the Damn United film focuses on Brian Clough's dislike of Don Revie and the publicised dirty Leeds side of the time based upon David Peace's book. The subsequent documentary highlighted Clough's personality and clashes rather than the minutiae of failed signings.

James Flynn
55 Posted 23/07/2010 at 22:33:39
Michael (45) - "I just can't get my head around the idea that something as fundamental as this was allowed to happen as an oversight".

Of course you can't get your head around it as an oversight. Because it wasn't. DM had a second-stringer with a bum knee and all-concerned (Gosling included) decided to stop negotiations and let him go on a "clerical error".

As if Moyes showed up to work on 1 July and said, "What!!! Gosling can go on a free? How come no one told me about this"? Really? That's what happened? Moyes just let him go. A guy he had no plans for with a broken wheel. So what?
Brendan O'Doherty
56 Posted 24/07/2010 at 02:37:24
James ? although that theory holds some credence it is unlikely to be true, because the club would have put out some kind of statement to cover their tracks.

I can't believe they are deliberately letting themselves be the laughing stock of the media, and the culprits in all of this in the football public's eyes.

And then there is the misunderstanding over the length of his contract which has still to be explained...
Christine Foster
57 Posted 24/07/2010 at 04:12:31
The reality of whether or not Gosling was knackered or that he was an opportunist and money grabber, frankly is irrelevant.

If we could have made money from him by selling him on, we should have had that opportunity. We didn't... and, even if he was "allowed" to go, as some of you suggest (I find that suggestion absolutely ridiculous if a Premier League club comes in straight away), then we are still left with the way the club have handled his departure, the lack of information or even acknowledgement.

So Michael Brien, Slagging off Dan Gosling is not the issue, he may not be without fault, but like I said, that's not the issue: the article is about how the club have handled his departure and the communication (or lack of it) regarding its standpoint ? Public Relations. Or in our case, it's a contradiction in terms.

Over the years, Public Relations have seeminly changed from information and perspective communication to just spinning positive and ignoring the negative. It's easy to manage good news but much harder to communicate bad news. Good PR can handle both.
Michael Brien
58 Posted 24/07/2010 at 08:54:27
Christine & Gavin ? Gosling's part in this affair is the issue. It's not a case of 'slagging off Gosling' as you call it, Christine. Seems to me you think it's okay to slag off the Everton management. Or would you call that "constructive critiicism"?

1) I believe that YES Everton were at fault in this, but then so was Gosling ? that's a point that you both seem to think is a minor consideration.

2)The film "The Damned United" does indeed focus on Brian Clough's time at Leeds United. However, there is more than enough time spent showing Cloughies success at Derby County, so it is not as you suggest Gavin 100% devoted to the 44 days he was in charge at Elland Road.

I used that to show that even the best make mistakes ? and believe you me, the gaff with Ian Moore got national TV coverage and a great deal of coverage at that.

I have always thought that the issue is that there is always more than one side to most arguments. The criticism I have made of Dan Gosling is quite strong, I will readily admit that. I think he has potential but at best he has a long way to go before he is at the same level as Jack Rodwell.

Also as a public sector worker who has just been informed by Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg that, for the next 2 years, I can look forward to a pay freeze, I am less than pleased to see Dan Gosling be so dismissive of the offer that Everton were prepared to make him. Fair enough if he had just had an outstanding season... but I don't think he did ? or did I miss something?

Christine Foster
59 Posted 24/07/2010 at 10:44:06
Michael, I am not sure how many times or how many ways I can say it.

Gosling bears some responsibility for the manner in which he left the club.

The club have some responsibility for not ensuring his contract was correctly on place.

But the article was and is about how the club has managed and communicated his leaving. If you believe that the club has acted professionally and responsibly in saying nothing, then that's your view, not mine.

It's not anyone jumping on any excuse to bash the management or the club, it's about leaving the fans wondering what the fuck is going on and who do we believe.

If you believe that our PR department handles the good bad and ugly well then you're easily pleased. In a real world, public companies with poor communication suffer through their price of stock falling. That's not an option at EFC, they don't have to say a dicky bird, so what's the point of PR when you only have to comment on the positives?
Richard Harris
60 Posted 24/07/2010 at 11:57:31
While it is galling that we didn't get a fee for Gosling, we aren't the only club who have fucked up a transfer and received no fee (a player running down their contract), a lower fee than anticipated or overpaid for a player coming in. Gosling was an adequate player ? no more, no less. If he hadn't scored against Liverpool would he even be remembered in a few seasons? Dan Gosling has gond I look forward to seeing him back in a blue (or pink !!) shirt.ne but Shane Duffy deserves our support in his long journey to recovery.
Mike Green
61 Posted 24/07/2010 at 12:21:49
Great point, Richard Harris ? take that goal away and to a much lesser extent the one against Man Utd and we probably wouldn't have even batted an eyelid.

Christine ? is it possible that the club aren't commenting because the truth is that the player acted dishonourably and if they say this they look like they're being churlish and if they don't they are lying to protect his reputation ? for what? In which case the only option is to rise above it, take the moral high ground and let the silence speak for itself.
Michael Brien
62 Posted 24/07/2010 at 12:26:58
"Michael I am not sure how many times or how many ways I can say it"

Christine ? your opinion is that the club are to blame; mine is that the blame is equally Everton's and Gosling's. As to the PR, as the above comment from Richard states, what is special about Dan Gosling? Is he one of our more prominent players? Has the website given loads of info as to Lukas J or John Ruddy? Probably about the same which is what you would expect for squad players/players not yet "key" first team players.

Agree to disagree, Christine, but try and be a bit less patronising please.

Christine Foster
63 Posted 24/07/2010 at 12:51:51
Michael. Please read my last post again. I stated that BOTH the club and the player are responsible.

And even if Richard is correct and the club are taking the high ground, frankly we don't know.

As regards PR as usual whenever there is a negative, all we get is silence.

Patronising? No, just frustrated that the point of the article was about the clubs communication, or lack of it.
Brendan O'Doherty
64 Posted 24/07/2010 at 13:08:47
"In which case the only option is to rise above it, take the moral high ground and let the silence speak for itself."

Interesting theory, MIke.

But if they have taken the moral high ground in order that they are perceived as the party which has been wronged, it hasn't worked. It also leaves the door open to the conspiracy theories, such as James's above (#54).

Until they make a statement, they will continue to be seen as a bunch of incompetent fools by the rest of the footballing world, which affects all of us. The continued silence is a PR disaster as Christine has been saying, and is a slight on all supporters, whether or not you blame Gosling for this whole sorry episode.
Ray Griffin
65 Posted 24/07/2010 at 13:23:23
The situation as I see it:

Gosling & his agent knew the rules about being offered as contract and said nothing because they realised:

a) He had no chance of a regular 1st team place ever.

b) Going on a free guarantees a nice salary and the agent gets his big bung.

c) Everton's legal dept. messed it up, no question.

d) Newcastle are seen by many average players as a handy touch, good money, great fans, stadium etc. They are a team populated by mercenaries and always have been.
Brian Waring
66 Posted 24/07/2010 at 19:15:33
James, just wondering, do you speak to Moyes and Landon Donovan on a regular basis? It's just that you seem to know what Moyes was up to during the Gosling debacle. Also, when Man City were linked with Donovan, you were on here telling us what he would be doing.
Ian McDowell
67 Posted 25/07/2010 at 01:49:06
Driving home from Fareham on Friday, I was listening to TalkSport and the subject of Dan Gosling came up again... as it did the previous night.

Dan got quite a bit of stick from the presenters Mickey Quinn and Jason Cundy on Thursday for apparent greed being the main factor in leaving Everton.

Then, on Friday, it was suggested that this weekend a story would come out that Everton had in fact made Gosling available as a free transfer to the PFA. The show were trying to get in touch with Dan to clarify these reports.

It was also suggested that Dan's injury was not as bad as first thought by Everton's medical team and he could be back 7-8 games into the season. Jason Cundy also argued that no club would make the mistake of falling to put a contract offer in writing.

So... could Everton's medical team have made a cock-up and thought Dan could be finished and decided not to offer a new contract, only for them to realise their error when it was too late and Newcastle had stepped in?

Michael Kenrick
68 Posted 25/07/2010 at 01:59:12
Ian, not sure what you mean by this: "available as a free transfer to the PFA."

The pathway was open for him to apparently become a free agent by default when Everton failed to put their contract offer in writing by mid-May. Why would he be transfered to the PFA? Isn't he already a member of the PFA?
Kevin Wynn
69 Posted 25/07/2010 at 12:04:06
It strikes me that, as I am a shareholder, I have been subject to negligent management by the Board over the Gosling situation in that an amount (pick what number you want between £2M and £4M) has been lost to the club due to negligence.

I believe under the companies act there is a potential shareholder lawsuit. Any proceeds could be given back to the academy but it would be a huge wake-up call for Kenwright.

Anyone have any comment on this idea?

Aiden Doyle
70 Posted 25/07/2010 at 13:27:54
Can?t see that going anywhere, Kevin. No matter how distasteful the situation has been and no matter which side you feel is to blame, I can?t see that it can reasonably be argued that the club had a duty to make a written contract offer. Obviously, if there is no duty, then the club can?t be in breach of that duty etc...
Gavin Ramejkis
71 Posted 25/07/2010 at 14:12:44
Michael (#56), try finding a decent bookshop with David Peace's book, spend some time and read it, that's what the film is based upon whether you like it or ignore it, basic fact.

Similarly, in #41 you reworded my "most footballers are thick as mince" to all footballers are, a tiny but poignant mistake again. I didn't deny Gosling had no blame but apportioned it to his agent being the more likely culprit and instigator as is the recognised modus operandi of such vermin. Again, I'd point you to missing again the blatant lack of PR from the club or can't you see the wood for the trees?

Michael Brien
73 Posted 25/07/2010 at 16:14:52
Gavin - I have the film on DVD and I watched it last week when it was on TV. The successful years at Derby County e.g Division 2 Champions 1968-69 and 1st Division Chamions were referred to in some detail. As I stated before, I used the example of Brian Clough's gaff re Ian Moore to show that we are not alone (as Mulder & Scully would say) in making such gaffs.

Indeed today according to teletext Man City are going to have to trim their 1st Team squad down from it's current 37 to 25. Included in the players that may be leaving was a certain Joleon Lescott and also Sean Wright-Phillips. I seem to recall the latter was re-signed from Chelsea about 18 months ago. The "great homecoming" was how City gave out the news of his return. I wonder how their PR "machine" is going to handle his and other departures if it is the case that they leave.

As you have stated the silence from Everton is deafening. Could it be that the issue is not over and their may be legal matters raised? If so, any comments officially made would have to be guarded. That by the way is just an observation. But I seem to recall that there were certain legal issues with Peter Johnson that didn't reach the "public domain" and possibly had to remain outside of wider public knowledge.

Kevin Wynn
74 Posted 26/07/2010 at 09:14:51
Aiden (68);
I would argue the club does have a duty to shareholders to preserve value when possible and making the written confirmation meant they were doing that, it could have been changed the next day but, they have a duty to ensure the worst case is looked after. I did speak to a lawyer who said it was a classic shareholders case and that the club would be in trouble. As I say this could be a big stick to beat the board with!
Aiden Doyle
75 Posted 26/07/2010 at 14:53:21
Suit yourself; it?s your money to waste.

Also, don?t forget that even if I?m wrong, any damages awarded to you will be proportional to the harm that has demonstrably been caused to you by the club?s (alleged) negligence. So, how much harm have you actually been subjected to? I suspect it would be negligible, if it exists at all.
Kevin Wynn
76 Posted 26/07/2010 at 15:47:13
Aiden,
I agree the damages would be minimal but that isn't the point. If the Board were to lose a case like that, it would be very hard for them to carry on. I just wondered if people have the same appetite to force the change or do we just sit back and let the club lose £4m and we don't care.

This was an elementary piece of business. I understand every year the club secretary does this diligently but I understand Kenwright got involved this year and it went wrong. £4m is a huge amount for us... I just think a point should be made.

Aiden Doyle
77 Posted 26/07/2010 at 16:34:44
In that case, I believe that "vexatious litigation" is the term used to describe your proposal ? which isn?t helped by the way you?ve publicly stated your intent to use the court proceedings as ?a big stick to beat the board with?.
Kevin Wynn
78 Posted 27/07/2010 at 09:24:23
Aiden,
Far from being vexatious, the Companies Act is there to provide shareholders with a degree of protection from mismanagement. Yes, the Board should be held accountable. As in any other business. If this was another type of business and £4m was lost due to lapses, heads would role.As long as we sit back and let it wash over us it will continue.

Glad you are happy to see the Board just carry on stumbling from one mistake to another. I also have it on very good authority that there have only been 3 board meetings in the last 2 years, hardly an advert for great corporate governance??


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