Moshiri becomes majority shareholder at Everton with new share purchase

I'm curious to know from whom he has bought the additional shares — you would have to guess it was Bill Kenwright and/or Woods — and what it means for their positions if so.

Paul Joyce tweeted it was from Woods & Abercromby. Kenwright to retain 5%.

Not sure what that all means though.

Like you, I don't know what it means for the major shareholders but I'm sure the TWers savvy in financial matters can offer an interpretation.

Could it be something related to the Stadium perhaps?

Is the council part of the deal?

Is "someone else" stumping up all or part of the required amount (whatever that is — it was £450M last time I looked.)

One thing for sure, Moshiri hasn't lost his nerve — he is in it for the long term.

Therefore, Moshiris company can buy Everton completely and he just sells a controlling interest in the company to Usmanov.

1) They dissolved True Blue Holdings back in 2004.

2) I don't think Moshiri's holding company (Blue Heaven Holdings) can or will buy Everton completely because of the minor shareholders, amounting to around 18%.

No mention of the price paid. Moshiri's original purchase priced the Everton shares at £5,000 each, and the club at £175M. That was 2½ years ago and things have gone even more crazy in terms of Premier League value, if you go by the price paid for players as any indication. But this was a prior agreement, so £5,000 may indeed be the price.

I'm trying to add up the sums... and to get to 77.2%, it seems to me that Farhad would be buying some of Lord Grantchester's shares. My numbers have him owning 2,773 shares (7.9%) but I think that comes from way way back in time.

Sidenote: in previous years, the Annual Report issued for the AGM would list major share ownership at Board level. But not last year. I estimate that Kenwright may have sold around 3,000 shares (~8.8%) for a price of at least £15 MILLION, and he may still have around 4% . but my numbers may be out of date.

That would take Kenwright's return in terms of shares sold so far to over £38 MILLION!!!! Not bad for a second-rate actor on Corrie!

I think our club is going to be envied in a few years as one of the best
— if not the best run club in the country.

Here is the ESA statement when Usmanov sold his 30% stake in Arsenal to Stan Kroenke, that Chris (#15) mentioned:

Everton FC Shareholders’ Association Statement Regarding the Ownership of Arsenal Football Club

Ending with the conviction: "We are reassured that our major shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, has repeatedly said that he has no plans to dilute or undermine our position."

Everton are not publicly listed. We’re a good old fashioned LLC. This means as long as Mosh gets to 75% then he’s got close to absolute power. He’d need 90% for absolute power. There’s no need for absolute power in a football club as they’re always subjected to government scrutiny when we fans complain.

Joe, I don't know if Usmanov will or won't. I'm just saying this doesn't end that speculation. I've suspected he would get on board, but this is just a feeling rather than being in the know or anything.

Wouldn't this reduce the % holdings of the small shareholders even further?

Man Utd fans and no doubt hierarchy are taking note our Marcel Brands so it's imperative we tie him down long term. So, with him and Moshiri, we just need a manager who can step up and mix it with Europe's best. Whether that is Silva, we will find out quickly.

So far, his enthusiasm and attacking intent is very refreshing. His in-game management and late or wrong subs are not so good (eg, no Dowell when he took off Sigurdsson). Having said that, he hopefully is a fast learner and will admit to himself when he gets it wrong. Unlike the last three idiots we had... Even Jose doesn't have that trait!

Like applying for planning permission on a new stadium perhaps?

If so, does that then mean we have secured funding for the stadium?

Wheels are in motion!

The majority shareholding means that he can now make those important decisions a lot quicker without the need for drawn-out consultation and approval at board level (although he has always said that he would seek approval from other shareholders, regardless of his holding).

Certainly I think that other stakeholders, in terms of the stadium development in particular, will be much more comfortable dealing with one ultimate decision-maker rather than a bit of a rag-tag set-up with no-one in overall control but plenty who could put a spanner in the works.

I believe it's another great day for the club and I think we can now look forward to some exciting announcements over the coming months.

That could give us a big hint if he was to come on board.

Of course I welcome the investment by Moshiri. Let's say I am very grateful for the much-needed injection of finance. But, in many ways, it was the perfect balance to have the man with the money and the man with the heart and soul of Everton.

I do get why he has caused frustration and I do get that he comes with a lot of bluster but there are not many clubs left that have a person with a love of the club at the helm and I am proud to be one of the last, if not the last.

The club's entered a new era and let's hope where it counts on the park, it improves and Bramley-Moore Dock, is no longer a mirage on the waterfront.

What will be will be, and I'm sure Farhad Moshiri and the board have a plan and will be a success and slowly improve the brand of Everton.

It's a lifetime for many, overdue.

As Mr Usmanov apparently has a spare £500m to spend, my guess is that he will be looking for a long term investment which will return him more money on his investment and which will increase in value as the years go by.

The new stadium fits those criteria perfectly. He could "lend" the money to his business partner Moshiri and receive interest and capital repayments on the loan. As the saying goes - "money makes money".

Another thought has occurred to me as a result of the Esk Twitter announcement mentioned by Steve Ferns @ 31 above. He could just buy Everton Stadium Development Ltd, build the stadium, and lease it to EFC on a long term locked in contract.

It is interesting to me that the new company is "LTD". I would be interested to hear if their is any significance there.

Speculation aside it seems Moshiri is bedding things down for the long term future of the club.

Exciting times ahead.

As I have said, we have our dream. Two out of three leaders now at the club so it's up to Marco to show us now he is the missing link. Starting with this call over Hornby, plus making his subs at the right time, or Moshiri's search will continue until he finds the winner he and we are desperate for.

I like Farhad. A lot. There's been criticism levied at him, which I always thought was a bit of impatience.

He's got a clear vision of how he wants Everton to progress. He's even made mistakes and stumbled, but has immediately regrouped, analyzed, and made adjustments. He's put his money into the Club and it's future.

I'm not sure what else we could ask for?

Ownership is the key to success. We've got a good one.

I'm thrilled with this.

He likes control. There is no way he would accept being a partner with no control.

You mean just like USM and the holding company they shared when they both had their Arsenal shares... that kind of control?

In life it is no easy matter to find men or women who you can trust and have as friends. I would imagine for a person as wealthy as Mr Usmanov that task becomes even more difficult.

Perhaps in Farhad Moshiri, Alisher Usmanov has found a friend who he trusts which resulted in the Red & White Holdings arrangement.

I hope so because that would auger well for EFC in the money mad world of the Premier League.

I just don't see him wanting to partner with someone again. If he just wants to be a partner then he could have stayed with Arsenal and continue to grow his wealth there.

Well said!!!!!

I couldnt have put it better myself.

COYB

It has often been reported that Usmanov's gripe with Arsenal was that he couldn't get a seat on the board and wanted a say in the day-to-day running of the club – that again he couldn't have – despite being a 30% shareholder.

Since he and Moshri are longstanding business partners, I am sure that his ambitions can be easily achieved if he was to partner with Moshri at Everton.

Bear in mind too that he has already made an "investment" in Everton by allowing USM to sponsor Finch Farm. It would be naive to think that that was achieved by Moshri without Usmanov's approval or involvement.

This, in my opinion, paves the way for Usmanov to come in and announce, with his partner Moshiri, the building of our new state-of-the-art stadium.

Gentlemen, the Everton we all knew and loved is no more. We are heading into unknown territory and I'm starting to get really excited. Soon the scrappy little Everton, punching above their weight, will be no more. The 'knife to a gunfight' will be replaced by a mofo Abrams Tank. A new kid is on the block, so – for all you nostalgic scaredy-cats – either jump on board or stay behind because the rest of us are going to enjoy the ride!

An exciting time to be an Evertonian. The owner has rock solid plans in place and and is slowly but surely executing them. The football side deficiencies are being ruthlessly and efficiently addressed. Brands is an inspired appointment. Silva has got the tools to do his job.

As you say, the ‘scrappy little Everton' is no more. We are emerging and will become a real threat to the status quo of the Sky 6.

It won't be plain sailing to get to the top 4, but we are certainly on the right road now. I'm excited to be able to say it, mean it and believe it.

I have dreamed of us being able to challenge in the near future on a semblance of an equal footing. It's happening.

A question. (I am not being deliberately morbid here, just genuinely inquisitive).

As I understand it, Mr Moshiri is divorced with two kids, whom I know zilch about. Sex? Age? Part of his company? What happens club wise if (God forbid) he passed away today?

Do the unknown kids take control? His company? Or?

Presumably we could then be put up for immediate sale?

He's only 63, I believe, and looks very fit (unlike Mr Usmanov – who looks a burger bite away from a coronary), but I'm just wondering if this leaves us in an unknown position succession wise?

ps: I do not run a funeral parlour, a stone masons, or tarot card business – I am just wondering!

Apart from Victor being a miserable twat everyone else seems to be brimming with positivity.

Coiln mate, I've told you before... don't beat about the bush – just say what you mean, lol.

I am glad Kenwright's influence is waining at Goodison, it lasted far too long. Nothing is certain in life but we stagnated at best under his leadership and got left behind by teams that could only dream of having our illustrious record — up untill Murdock stole football from the people and made all about the money.

Moshiri has been good also and has acted decisively when he has been proved wrong but, if we really want to have a chance of challenging Man City etc, we would need Usmanov to come on board; I feel Moshiri will want this project as his own but I hope to be proved wrong.

These are exciting times — I for one am very optimistic by both Moshiri's behaviour up untill this point and the fact that Kenwright is gone. The new stadium will cement this feel-good factor.

COYB

Football clubs are just an investment to these level of people. They will expect a return

You make an interesting point regarding the health of Usmanov. I think he's 65 now? ... and hugely overweight, to put it mildly (I can't see him using the gym much on that yacht). He's already got a prosperous life but will he have a long one? Not in that condition he won't.

I don't mean to sound morbid but I suppose my point is, if Usmanov wants to invest in a football club and receive the enjoyment and responsibilities of ownership, he needs to do it pretty sharpish.

Excuse me for being completely clueless on how takeovers work etc, but I still don't think this is the end of the possible interest from Alisher. Maybe someone can help me on this:

If say Farhad bought his shares at £5000 each (figure mentioned above) and had a prior agreement/option to buy more shares at the same price within a timeframe, it makes sense for Farhad to activate this clause for one of 2 reasons in my opinion:

1. With the TV money boosting revenue, shares may now be worth £10k instead of the £5k option available to Farhad. Shares available for 50% of their true value? Yes, please.

2. If Farhad takes up the option, then Usmanov can still buy shares from Farhad for the same value or maybe offer him say £7.5k so one saves £2.5k and one earns £2.5k?

Is that a too simplistic way of looking at things? If I was Alisher and wanted interest in Everton, then I would be telling my best mate to buy the shares and sell them to me for cheaper than the current market dictates.

Any help on dumbing this down for me would be great. I am happy to see Moshiri keeping the faith with our club.

Imagine a Blackburn, Blackpool, Orient, Charlton, Newcastle, Sunderland situation …

Reality is we are top 7 with him in charge rather than a second division or at best a Yo-Yo club like West Ham.

As for the City Shiekhs, it's very simple: Man City had a new stadium built which saved about £350-500m. Money to speed up the on-field aspect. If they bought Everton, then my guess is a further 5 years since 2008 to fully plan, finance and build 'Goodison Mk 2'.

Anyway, Kenwright's greatest move was keeping Moyes even when we had tough times, whilst allowing him to run the team on the pitch. Most chairmen these days interfere far too much in managerial affairs.

Hopefully Moshiri will give Silva time and we can progress to the next step, whatever that may be.

Bill Kenwright found the best buyer for Bill Kenwright.

Moshiri and Usmanov continue to do business together. They own USM for a start. I'm led to believe that is one of many companies that they own.

I believe, and this is guesswork, that Moshiri was sent ahead to Everton. That he is getting things set up to a plan devised by the two men. Usmanov then comes on board as previously discussed. Moshiri is not Chairman, he doesn't want to be. Usmanov can assume this role and chair the club. Remember, he lives in London and so is able to run the club from there, and to pop up to Liverpool when necessary. This would be nothing new as Kenwright has done this for years.

Sure, the flaw in my thinking, is that why is Usmanov now delaying coming on board? What's the thinking here? I don't know and the longer he leaves it, the less likely it will be. Maybe there is something in the terms of a buyout agreement with Arsenal? Maybe knowing the inner secrets of Arsenal, Usmanov is restricted by a time bar from joining a rival? There could be any number of reasons.

I don't understand the speculation on the steel for the stadium though? Can someone explain why it is such a lucrative deal for Usmanov? Surely he can make more off building a couple of skyscrapers (or even just one) down in the Big Smoke?

Maybe Usmanov will be the money man at Everton. He puts up the £500M needed to build the ground, and Everton pay him for the loan. He doesn't get involved with the club, but he makes a killing from the loan? Loaning money to a football club in this way would be relatively risk-free as he'd be able to get the club and the stadium if they default.

There's so many permutations and it really is exciting times.

One last question: I wonder what the likes of Tony Marsh think now? Do they still doubt the stadium will happen or has so much happened on this that they now believe the club is genuinely trying to make this happen?

As the poster above says, the Man City owners were swayed by the free new stadium saving them years and multi millions – our chance has now come. I sense something in the air... Farhad exercises his option early and only a few weeks after Usmanov announces his sale of Arsenal shares.

The common denominator is the new stadium. When it is built, the value of the club should increase. Anyone lending to the club will not benefit as the value rests with the shares. Therefore, if Farhad or Usmanov are to invest in the stadium, they will want to be the beneficiaries of any increase in value – hence the need to have as many shares as possible.

To those saying Usmanov would want control, remember, he was only 50:50 with Farhad with the Arsenal shares until Farhad moved to us. I can't piece it all together but it just seems a hell of a coincidence to me.

Sit tight and watch... I think!

Sorry mate – that's bullshit!

Well, me personally, I have never called him a Charlatan. I'm sure in his own unique way he means well... He's just not very good at his job. Never will be.

No need for apologies, mate. Can you explain why you think it's bullshit?

He didn't sell until enough money was offered. He repeatedly told us he didn't have the money to invest.

Interest was made clear, that would have taken the club forward. Not enough in it for Kenwright though.

What makes you ask?

Using the same premise as you mate, ie, simply making a statement with no explanation Bill Kenwright found the best buyer for Bill Kenwright. I'll pass thanks.

I could get drawn deeply into this, and already regret my post to be honest, but not for reasons you might think.

I can't really, after consideration, be arsed to explain, or try to, to those who've already made their minds up about Kenwright and would find a reason to slag him if he gave all the profits from his share sales to charity and volunteered in a charity shop in Birkenhead three days a week and carried an old lady home on his shoulders. People'd still accuse him of doing it to rob her house when he got there.

Didn't he put it out that he mortgaged his house to buy the shares?
Only to refute it later on down the line

People seem to forget that, for all his faults, Kenwright released us from the grip of Red Johnson, a man who has faded into the mists of most Evertonians' memories, but who should not have.

The thought of a plush stadium on the docks, offices in the Liver Building and the other lot sat in their pieced-together Meccano home, mulling over yet another defeat by the blues, gives me a very warm glow.

Any chance we can spray Farhad's Liver Birds royal blue?

If you do the climbing, I'll buy the paint!

Dave (#91), you said well done to David in (#89) and continued, "Let's stop slagging people off and look to the future" You do realise, I hope, that David praised Kenwright and slagged Peter Johnson off.

They all do their best and my feeling is just to look forward with optimism rather than rehash yet again the ill feeling towards Kenwright which is unpleasant and gets us nowhere.

That said, I acknowledge the right to free speech, different opinions etc even though I may not like some of them! Yours, however, are always well articulated and not abusive!!

And I wasn't 'slagging off' Peter Johnson. Perhaps I shouldn't have called him 'Red' (although I doubt he'd be offended), but I still remember how Duncan Ferguson was sold and why Joe Royle quit. Furthermore, if Johnson had been a success, guess whose reign would not have happened.

And Dave #95 (this is looking like the thread of the Davids), yes, time to bury all hatchets and look forward to a hopeful future.

Mr Usmanov's assumed interest may not be anything more than having worked with Mr Moshiri (or had him work for him), allowing his company name to be used to raise investment by sponsoring Finch Farm and having previously purchased from Mr Moshiri those Arsenal shares it was said were initially gifted from one to the other.

Do I think there is smoke? It does seem there is but I doubt it is the last embers of friendship.

What you both should realise is that Kenwright leaves a great deal of distaste with his efforts as an Everton owner and Chairman and that distaste will always show itself to any fans who disagree with the way he has run the club.

However you deserve the right to show your support of him so as David says let's move on, fair enough. I'll try but can't promise when it comes to Mr Kenwright — that's a start, isn't it, I just called him Mister.

The squeak you hear in the Main Stand is not a faulty seat, it's Bill's buttocks clenched, he's tighter than a duck's backside, or a camel's in a sandstorm.

Be lucky if we get the Arteta money let alone money donated to the football club or EitC.

Only way that will happen is Tatu saying "It's the plain, boss."

I never claim to be ITK as people are always claiming to know the running of EFC, but I was present with my granddad and his accountant who has ties to Everton through his wife, he said that Everton had received a takeover offer from an unnamed group but Kenwright had chased them after he or the club asked for proof of funds – apparently Kenwright was given a very attractive package, something which he should've just taken given the abuse he gets either way. This was months before any news of an Everton takeover was mentioned anywhere.

That group in question – the Venkeys.

Given Blackburn's position, it is okay to bash Kenwright over the Sheikhs at Man City, but shouldn't he be applauded for chasing the chancers at Venky's too? Like I said, I don't usually claim to be ITK, I didn't at that time either, until it was common knowledge via the papers that Venky's had indeed tried to purchase another Premier League club unsuccessfully.

Even if he did want to stay as Chairman to oversee the change of ownership, I think it's a good thing. Clearly Moshiri is the right man and will eventually ease out Kenwright completely.

Me neither.

When you say "I was present with my grandad and his accountant who has ties to Everton through his wife" — Where were you present?

Venkys bought Blackburn lock stock and barrel for £43 million. Bill Kenwright will get £45.5 million for his shares.

Very prudent of Uncle Bill to wait for an offer that suited him.

If that is indeed correct, then Moshiri works for Usmanov. So, if Usmanov comes on board at Everton, he will be in control and Moshiri will revert to subordinate. Or, you could speculate that Usmanov has always been pulling the strings and this seems to be what the allegations against Usmanov were suggesting.

Last time I wrote something on this, I was taken to task because my profession apparently holds me to a higher standard, so here's David Conn analysing this very murky situation a year ago. The allegations all arise out of the Paradise Papers leak and was something touched on, but skimmed over, in a BBC Panaorama piece.

If this is all stuff that cannot be proven, and I suggest that is indeed the case, then it does not mean questions cannot still be asked of Moshiri and his money. The reason it cannot be proven is that we can only see parts of the picture and not the full picture and those parts we can see come from a leak of privileged documents (ie, those we the public are not allowed to see). The important thing is that the company concerned (Appleby's) had discussed the matter internally (as evidenced by the leak) and they could not see where Usmanov's investment ended and Moshiri's started.

The important thing is this: there was no evidence of Moshiri putting any of his own money in to the company that was used to buy Arsenal. The funding used by both men (Usmanov and Moshiri) to buy their Arsenal shares came from a company called Epion, and all of the money came from Usmanov. Therefore, business analysers all conclude that Moshiri got his Arsenal money from Usmanov. Upon selling his Arsenal shares to Usmanov, Moshiri received money that he then used to purchase Everton.

Whatever way you look at their relationship, it is very, very murky. I know who I think is in charge in their relationship, and who I think would take control of Everton should Usmanov invest his own money, or as one could put it, step out of the shadows.

Maybe, just maybe, Usmanov is happy to remain in the shadows, and pull the strings from there, and let Moshiri run things and make a go of Everton, and would only come on board if the value of the club started to soar as a result of increased TV money, increased results on the pitch (Champions League), and the big revenue source I foresee – pay per view video streaming (note Amazon has a round of fixtures either this season or next season and this is a glimpse of the future as they stream every game from that round).

Also back then the power was with the clubs, now the players have all the power. Whether that's a good thing or not, I am not so sure, now that players can sign lucrative 3- or 4-year contracts, but if the team does well, he wants to renegotiate his contract or wants to join another team.

Back when I started watching, players would want to play for a successful club but because the maximum £20 per week was in play, other than win bonuses, it didn't matter which club they played – for they only got £20 per week. So there wasn't a financial interest for the player to move.

The way the game has gone, we now have a player who's had a great start and scored a few goals, gets called up to ply for his country, does very well for them and scores a couple. Now they're asking him about joining Real Madrid and Barcelona.

So yes, people are very interested in how much money the chairman has, because otherwise it doesn't matter how well we play, are coached, or even the quality of the players they have, because we just got picked apart and win nothing.

As for where the money comes from, I'm very interested in who really is running Everton and what their game is.

I would be more surprised if it wasn't the case that Usmanov was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Maybe he bought into Everton as a final ultimatum to Kroenke to give him his seat on the board. When Kroenke didn't move an inch, Usmanov is now (hopefully) advancing the project with us. Once the finance is sorted with the council, I think things will move fast.

COYB

I hate to disagree with you but everyone knew who Sir John Moores was, everyone knew who Bob Lord was, everyone knew who deadly Doug was and that goes back over 50 years.

Unfortunately, we now have in Kenwright one of the most self-centred, self-serving control freaks that has held the club back for over 20 years while having all sorts of cronies involved so he could survive and make a fortune out of putting not one penny into the club while still bullshitting it out as chairman of the club, You couldn't make it up.

When I say 'present', I mean literally just there involved in the conversation. I took it all with a pinch of salt as I had only seen the fella once or twice before.

Only when it was reported Venkey's wanted to buy a club, I realised that everything he said was true. Kenwright chased them after proof of funds turned out to be nothing more than bank loans secured against the club.

Let's all be honest with ourselves here: if someone offered you money for shares to make a huge profit, you would take every single penny. Most owners do that anyway.

Years ago, I was only interested in Alan Ball et al. But I knew that Everton were financed by John Moores, and that the press speculated on good players joining us (because we were one of the richest clubs) — like they do with Man City, Barcelona etc these days.

That's a little different approach to the one in your original post.

It was reported Venkys tried to buy a Premier League club? What makes you so sure it was Everton?

I see Steve Ferns is also saying earlier that there is every chance that Usmanov is lurking in the background. Usmanov's sponsorship of our training ground does look a little strange, does it not!