Fan Comment

From My AGM Seat

At the appointed time, not convenient for most, we arrived in our droves under the bright lights provided by the stars… and I don't mean Sharpie and Stuart who were in close attendance. Parking was a nightmare, "resident only" signs the order of the day.

No sign of the Fat Van nor the Room of Nonsense... just a Cafe Nero and Shisha bar.

We accumulated just before the kick-off which was led by Bill Kenwright who, like a stadium announcer, talked us through the team, introducing a few new names, and a few he struggled with. No sign of dissent as the official announcements took place. The press were in and ready.

The players took their places and the star man took his. No "funny" business tonight, he joked, and we were treated to a montage of what has been done in 2016. The players are worth £69.1M in the books but insured for £272M… wow! I am sure I heard gasps of breath. We now have over 32,000 of us season-ticket holders committed to every game, and not only was it freezing in L1, but it is going to be freezing next year — the ticket prices are not going up. In fact, it will be no more than our away trips. Yippee!

To help out the younger ones, an Under-25s season-ticket will be available at £20 a game. You read it here, £20 a game. And if that cannot be beaten, if you get in early, pay monthly by the old direct debit. In fact, no-one will pay more than £570 per season, just like the travelling fans. Christmas is here.

We talked throughout. Turnover will grow next year on the back of TV growth, from £121M to a whopping £172M and those shirt-sponsory boys are going to have to pay more, including more on the shirt sleeves. In fact, 300% more.

In the old room we were in, mention had to be made of a new place, but uncertainties remain, despite positive progress. We have an off-field admirer, though – Joe Anderson, Mayor, was invited to the centre circle and managed a few-crowd pleasing moves. Everyone is happy in the land; we now work all together and he is one of us. We all know Walton Hall Park was never a great tactic but, with a new road announced and a further one to be announced in April, we know where we are going...

We also know there may be a way to get on track to this new game. This drew a loud applause from those congregated. Everyone listened as the invited blue guest explained that Liverpool FC had benefitted from help from his backroom boys and we will too. This drew large applause. This place seems to relate to tobacco, but not hot air. I do not know the area well.

After the main event, the Manager commented that he knew the target was — or is — Europe though in a bit of banter the new fat controller and the old could not agree whether that is through the league or the cup. The new main man indicated that the gold standard is the latter and noted how the current top six have got there. He seemed knowledgeable. He wants sustainable business and growth. The manager seemed to be on the case but showboating is not his bag. Poker is the game for him.

So, as always, MotM. One obvious player: Moshiri, very calm, seemed keen, seems to have a plan, a vision. To me, he sounded the "biz" , time will tell.

The alternative MotM being a new Board member, very confident and knowledgeable with a almost religious knowledge of the game having being summoned to see the Pope, no less, to discuss how we can use sport to help humanity. A short video followed, which made me and a few others realise and appreciate what I have got and how we can chip in and help others in a really worthwhile cause, Everton in the Community... this was fully appreciated by those in attendance.

No real dissent, even in the questions and answers after, which led the former main man to close things down.

Onwards and upwards, see you for the Cup game against Leicester.

Ken... er, I mean, Ian.

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