If we beat Chelsea on Saturday then get Torquay away in the 5th Round, a lot of discussion will turn to travelling to Devon and what date is the semi-final.
An interesting aspect of Evertonian discussion over the last few years is how a lot more supporters give some more consideration to the finances of the club. Even so, very, very few of us are really clued up on the precise facts and figures.
We believe that supporters should take more interest in this side of things. It is our club. It is what many of us spend a big chunk of our disposable income on.
But we are so interested in what goes on the pitch that, collectively, we fail to pay prolonged attention to what goes on off the pitch, even though the latter has a major impact on the former.
Now, however, a spotlight is increasingly shining on off-the-pitch issues. But exactly what do we want?
And, to pose a question asked many times before, just how much influence can supporters have in these days of big business? Quite a lot of people think that fans can have little effect.
Quite a few at the moment seem to think that fans should push for the removal of the current board. Does that not cause more instability at a crucial part of the season? And who would come in? Ask Portsmouth supporters what they think of that question.
So, do we do nothing? Accept our fate? No. But what then?
How about an Everton supporters group that is here for the long-term? One that does not fade away after a crisis has subsided. One that is open to all supporters, not just shareholders. One that is open to Evertonians in Merseyside, the rest of Britain and overseas. A supporters trust. There are already more than 100 in this country.
What would it do? That would depend on its members. But there are a few of us who have been kicking this idea round for a few months. We were hoping to be able to launch it in a period of relative calm. This may still happen. A win over Chelsea, please.
What would it do though? We have been thinking about this and our suggestion is:
We want to know if enough people are interested. We accept that a lot of Blues will be sceptical, some will deride us. But we are prepared to give it a go if we think we can make some progress.
Importantly, it is not intended as an anti-Kenwright grouping. Nor is it anti-Moyes. Nor Auntie Maureen, as it's not anti-anyone.
We want to work with the people in charge of the club, ask questions, discuss with them, and move forward with the club.
There are many possibilities. If the trust took off, it could become a significant stakeholder in the club, possibly even instrumental in stadium development. That's what we mean about one role being a think-tank.
Some of you will point out how Evertonians have fallen out among themselves in previous initiatives. We are very mindful of that. We believe that the structure of a supporters trust will help, especially as we would expect to have the backing of Supporters Direct, the London-based organisation that advises supporters trusts.
We would also need members to act in a constructive manner. No 'f*** off k******d'. And no expecting instant success, please. This would be a long-term venture. We would also need members to take on tasks in the running of the trust. And we would hope that members with specialist skills would offer their expertise.
Everton's worldwide support base is brimming not just with passion, but cram-packed with people from all walks of life with so much to offer.
If you would be interested in joining, please say so in the responses on this website. We will read them all, say nothing initially, but reflect on them, then respond to the issues raised.
In the meantime, if you are going to the game on Saturday, please ? even if Chelsea go in front ? get behind the team for 90 minutes. A great FA Cup run is a distinct possibility. In the 5th round, there will be no more than 10 Premier League clubs. Come on you Blues!
Tony I'Anson and Mike Owen
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There must be some communication guys out there who can get the TV coverage that the reds got for their campaign?
I am reborn, what are we waiting for?
Totally frustrated and saddened by recent events and claims we are totally broke when we play in the richest league in the world, have a comparitively low wages-to-income ratio compared to the rest of the Premier League, made massive profits in the transfer market on Rooney, Jeffers, Ball, Lescott, Johnson among others... and to top it all an average crowd of 35,000 at every game which must generate a million pounds plus including money spent on matchday.
I find it difficult to believe Kenwright and his claims of the cupboard being bare. Also, every interview I have ever read from players who have played for us always mention the high regard they have for the toffees and our supporters... Contact them and get them on board ? it's the very least they could do in return for the support we gave them in their time in Royal Blue, as I'm sure every player has left Everton financially far better off than when they joined ? and this, as always, is down to the fans. COYB.
What we need is thousands of Evertonians to join, not hundreds. We need, at least, nationwide exposure, and we need some "professional" Everton supporters to get onboard. I'm sure there must be solicitors etc who support Everton.
I personally would suggest a much higher figure than £2 a month. You could quadruple that and people still wouldn't miss it... think about it. £2.50 a week!!!!!
I'll be honest I'm a sceptic... but I'm still prepared to get onboard because the possibilities versus "not a lot" per month are worth it. I'm sick of our great club going nowhere, treading water.
I read this article a couple of days ago, and relayed the info to my mates in the pub, and we all agreed that £2 p/month is nothing to us (I know that's not the case for everyone) and that there should be no limit to how much people can give per month. The only thing we'd all have to take on board is that person A who gives £2 a month is just as important as person B who gives £20 a month."If you know you're history" ? it's pretty sad now that kids sing this and a lot of them don't know our club's history. Let's sort it out.
If there is to be a Supporters Trust, and I hope there is, we cannot say we will work with the board no matter what. The Liverpool supporters didn't blindly support Hicks and Gillette, nor should we blindly support the current board. We must hold the good name of our club above everything. That includes the current board!"
The success of this venture lies in the "Articles of Association". We cannot tie ourselves to just a blind supportive role.
In my opinion, Kenwright is killing our club. I do not think that is solely my opinion. We must be in a position to call for a Board to go if, in extremis, that is the majority view of the trust.
Having said that, there is a chance we could become an influence which our club is in dire need of. I would be happy to muck in for whatever the agreed contribution turns out to be.
One thing I am certain of: if we as a supporters don't do something drastic, I'm worried that our club is heading to oblivion and back to our roots in Stanley Park with coats down for goals again.
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