Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

5 years from relegation

By Phil   Martin  ::  28/06/2011   74 Comments (»Last) Despite what the title might suggest I'm not just about to start doom-mongering. However, after reading an excellent article here yesterday detailing the collapse of River Plat, illustrating how bad management at an executive level can be catastrophic for a club, I felt the urge to put down my thoughts...

The cruel facts:

? Everton FC is burdened with record debt, asset-less, in a run-down stadium. All this despite our best run of league performances for a generation.
? Everton are tied into a 10-year merchandising deal which is currently on par with the likes of Fulham and doesn?t take into account inflation (what will £3M buy you in 2021?).
? There is a history of mis-communication (between board and fans), lies, untruths or whatever you call them surrounding Fortress Sports Fund, Kings Dock, Destination Kirkby, club ownership, etc.

The worry for all us Evertonians is ? How do we stop the rot? How does the club move forward and progress?

Those who believe the fans who criticise the board are deluded or living in the past are I believe clearly missing the point. But I genuinely feel we as a fanbase, are developing a 'small club' mentatlity.

Another Fact: Our current board either can?t or won?t invest any more money into the club. That?s their prerogative, but the real concern is that they appear to want a substantial return on their ?investment?. Kenwright clearly has little financial control over the club. He is indebted to Earl, Green (allegedly I have to add) and many banks. They call the shots ? not him. And for getting the club in that situation, he should be ashamed.

In my opinion, those in power either want an investor to come in, splash some cash on new players, and maybe pay for the expansion of the Park End. Believing this may lead to a mini-revival, a minor trophy win, but importantly (to them) increase the club?s reputation. The end result: a higher price (and higher demand) for shares in the club.

Alternatively, they simply want someone to offer them over the odds for the club in a full takeover.

Both scenarios are unlikely and so we stand still... Yes, we all know and accept we are no longer part of the English elite. We are now a second-rank club and yet, with just a little investment, things could be a whole lot different. Dare I dream of a time when EFC buys to strengthen and just not plug holes after a season starts? Yes, times are tough and other big clubs are struggling too. Yet some clubs have funded huge sprees before hitting hard times. We appear to be indefinitely impoverished.

We can?t just sell players to pay debts that grow. Yet this is the board?s only strategy and it?s a situation they have brought upon themselves. When we reached the Champions League Qualifying Round in 2004-05, the board should?ve been scouring the world for good investors. Capitalising on our surprise season and offering an opportunity to be a part of a club on the verge of joining the gravy train.

But what really gets me is why we can?t employ someone highly qualified and connected (and highly compensated)? Just like Liverpool did with Broughton to sell the club. You can protect the club against pirates by adding clauses so that a buyer would have to purchase the club with equity, and not a Glazer style reverse loan. You can add a clause that they commit to spending funds on new players. It?s exactly what Liverpool did, and next year they will leave us behind again.

It?s very simple: the current board has to move on, or alternatively we have 5 years to somehow get lucky. The long-term consequence of a lack of investment is relegation. That is a fact we should all agree on.

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