27 Minutes for 27 Years

I didn't agree with walking out on a struggling team, (not after 27 minutes of a vital game, anyway) but I'd strip off and run across Goodison, stark naked, if it meant that Moshiri woke-up, and made the necessary changes required, to move Everton forwards, so I'm glad this is going to be on-going, because Everton do need change.

Brendan #3 "Now that really would provoke a walkout..."

Probably because of what's on show. Or not on show if it's freezing.

Another great article. I wholeheartedly support the strategic objectives you set out; the challenge is to take action that the silent majority can support directly or indirectly in a way that still supports the team.

Goodison showed last night why it is vital to this campaign to haul the team forward and frighten opposing teams. We must maintain that ferocity.

I am up for anything that does not directly affect the team; I may stop short of Tony's tactics, mind...

If that's what you kids are calling it now...

I fully support any actions that achieve a better more inclusive club. Obviously different people will support different types of action and not support others; it doesn't really matter. As you mentioned, anything that increases awareness and brings attention.

We know Moshiri reacts to the media and fan action; hopefully it continues – especially when it comes to The World's Greatest Evertonian.

Expect a fair bit of negativity from the “real supporters” as apparently anything you might do is Kopite left-wing militant stuff. And whatever you do – don't work in a food bank! Seems all not real supporters do.

If it grows any more, I'll be walking with a limp!

Now that, Tony, is a sure-fire way to empty the stadium in seconds!

Edit: Oops! Just seen Brendan beat me to it!

Can we amend the motion and allow speedos? Not that I'd be concerned personally of course, but allowances for others less fortunate have to be made for embarrassment due to cold weather shrinkage. VAR can measure things in mm, you know.

I support the need for change but wonder about the aims as stated.

"A call for Farhad Moshiri as major shareholder, to make the management changes necessary to see an improvement in performance on and off the pitch."

It's vague. What does it mean? I know you've advocated for having a proper board, but I suspect others reading that might just interpret it as "Sack Rafa" or "Sack Kenwright".

I think it would be useful to have some fan meetings or surveys beforehand to establish what the majority want. Otherwise, Moshiri could say "I've already made a change with Brands." Plus fans will be disgruntled if their interpretation is "Sack Rafa", for example, as opposed to "Add to the board".

The pending director appointments are going to be interesting. It would be good to have proven, strong-minded and unsentimental people.

It would be good to have football people with connections.

That humour I like... who told you it was true?

I cannot tell a lie – that guy was me! I wish I had my legs back.

I have had much angst on an almost weekly basis regarding Everton over these past 27 years and probably can go back further without missing an intervening step.

The fact is that Brands was a scapegoat, rather than the usual current manager being sacked. Brands, as Lyndon said, was an 'enigma'. He had no clear role and appeared to be a pawn for both Moshiri and Kenwright. Barrett-Baxendale is another pawn whose contribution is to put the gloss on an unproductive regime. She is never a performance-orientated Football Club Chief Executive. The Commercial side of Everton is a hoot.

Everton have come' full circle' (borrowed from Lyndon) back to the manager controlling the football side, but the structure and personnel still remains and is well established, bolstered by efforts fronted by Barrett-Baxendale, with a meek Brands in support. Brands leaving only gives Benitez more control, but he will need help from higher up, support to implement the actions arising from his all departments review.

The other danger is Benitez could carve out for himself a Moyes's-like niche, within walking distance of home, if there is not an ambitious and progressive professional Board that insists on progress and performance targets with accountability.

I am a firm believer that each individual fan has a role and their opinion can have influence. There have been on ToffeeWeb those who over years have protested to their credit, exposing and trying to analyse the reasons on ToffeeWeb, even pushing the boat out, with limited internal knowledge, using what experience one has, in this analysis.

Generating discussion of agreement and disagreement allows more people to form legitimate opinions, which will even initially get through in a small way to those that have influence on decisions at Everton. Later gaining momentum, even resulting in 27 minutes for 27 years. . . The appointment of Ancelotti and Benitez, as was the removal of previous Managers. where the result of this. Brands rather than Benitez being a recent result. Their concerns now being taken up by main stream media opinion.

I am glad that Paul the Esk has taken this forum to inform us of the objectives of 27 minutes for 27 years and what is intended going forward. Of course this is still in its infancy and still a developing structure, but it is necessary, since the problems and the perpetrators still exist at Everton. They are toughing it out through the protest, using Brands to save their comfortable positions and hoping to put time between a protest that has really shaken them.

I have no trouble supporting 27 minutes for 27 years, which is a very necessary and legitimate protest pre-empting the recommendation of the Fan Led Review for a Fan Forum, which clubs like Everton will attempt to highjack. It needs a fan structure behind it to be effective.

I would even join and support Tony on his legitimate protest, not intending any pressure on him to do so. If you want a winning team, you need winning people both on and off the pitch, from top to bottom.

Asking fans to leave their seats in the middle of a vital game is a high-risk strategy, I understand that. It is the antithesis of what is expected from a loyal fan. I am grateful for everyone in the ground for participating or their reaction (the vast majority anyway).

However, it did achieve one major objective and that was media attention on the issues at Everton. A level of attention not seen for many years.

With regards to the vagueness of the objectives – yes they are deliberately vague – although the underlying intent is very obvious: bring the majority shareholder to the table to discuss and engage with fans.

This is a loose alliance, deliberately so – it will evolve over time. It will not disappear though until Moshiri engages and demonstrates he is making the necessary changes to improve our chances of future success.

I am very happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thanks again.

The reality is that the school needs closing down. And to be totally rebuilt.

That's a couple of times you've posted the OFSTED crap... are you a school inspector perchance?

Explains a lot.

I didn't agree with the idea to walk out, and said so, but I do agree that the owner needs to know how the fans feel about how the club has been run.

Correct me if I am wrong but it sounds like there has been a meeting of some kind to drive this campaign? If that is the case, I think you need to be very well prepared and organised.

At the risk of getting clobbered, can I suggest you give yourselves a name and have a mission statement and an agenda. That tells him who you are, what your intention is, and what you want to talk about.

Your three major objectives seem to be your agenda. My suggestions for the other two:-

Everton 27 – Make Everton Great Again

[Ducks as spots incomings from across the Atlantic]

How to start the conversation?

Banners on three sides of the stadium raised on 27 minutes:-

“We are Everton 27 – We want to talk.”

I think your acknowledgement of Farhad Moshiri's financial commitment to the club is very important and you should make it known you appreciate it. You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

“However it did achieve one major objective and that was media attention on the issues at Everton. A level of attention not seen for many years.”

You're a valued, regular contributor to this site and clearly a knowledgable, passionate fan with good intentions who I admire for getting up off your arse to try to initiate change.

I therefore don't want this to sound disrespectful but, if you truly think the handful of fans walking out on 27 minutes brought the recent media attention on the club, you're way overestimating the impact of this campaign. There were two reasons for the media attention and they were Brands leaving and the fact we've been a bit shit these last 8 or so games.

Sadly, I cannot see Moshiri either engaging or feeling the need to do so, but fair doos to you and I support your objectives.

Everyone "in" Everton considers "accountability" an anathema. It's how they all got rich off our backs after all.

That's a good analogy, and what happens quite often, and no doubt they are hoping the same amongst certain quarters at Everton.

But Paul the Esk's suggestions are feasible for sustained pressure for change that these parties would find difficult to counter, given their actual management abilities.

I suspect they are aware of the extent of the campaign for accountability against them and find themselves having to do what they otherwise would not do.

I wouldn't necessarily agree that it got "huge" media attention, perhaps because in my view the walkout idea was an empty gesture and pretty much a failure, but I can think of no more worthy endeavour than fans communicating with the owner.

With regards to point 1, I believe that Moshiri does recognize that the club's failures are down to management performance and governance issues. I just don't think he knows what to do about it. Moshiri has never run an organization that remotely resembles a football club, and I think the interpersonal complexities and club traditions have taken him into an unknown country.

Your points 2 and 3 I endorse wholeheartedly, but it's important to note that the club's deficiencies in communications strategy and fan interaction pre-date Moshiri by about 30 years. This club has never known how to talk to the world effectively. Moshiri's next hire needs to have extensive expertise and the will to start a PR structure from ground zero, because again this is something he has zero experience with. Private steel and mining companies have no need to interact with the public, and Moshiri has no conception of its importance in a football club, let alone how to execute it.

Finally, it's the fans' responsibility to make sure the communication from our side is engaged and effective. Walking out is bailing out. It's silly and counter to the spirit we are trying to express. We need to engage, and engage constructively, not disengage.

In Jonathan's string, Jamie Sweet posted the following:

"Perhaps a better "protest" would actually be to sing our fucking hearts out on 27 minutes?"

Now there's a guy who gets it. Moshiri needs to get a full load of Everton spirit in the finest way. I'll fly over for the express privilege of turning towards the owner's box on 27 minutes, 40k strong, and serenading him with one of the old songs. That'll get the point across far better than angry chants, bedsheet signs and waggling your ass on the way out the gate. And it'll lift the guys on the pitch sky high.

"Sadly I cannot see Moshiri either engaging or feeling the need to do so..."

You are certainly right... at least up to now. As I mentioned above, I believe it's just that he doesn't have the slightest idea how to do it. Moshiri has never worked in -- let alone been in charge of -- any business operation where there was any need or value in engaging with the public. Industrial oligarchs (and their accountants) don't require people skills.

If... and it's a big 'if'... he belatedly recognizes the need here and brings in an expert to help him do it, he has a chance of success. And he certainly wants to succeed. So maybe that'll be the incentive to recognize the problem and address it. Maybe.

But I am grateful that a section of our supporters are committed to proactive action for change. Unfortunately, posted dissent on ToffeeWeb will have zero impact.

There is also impetus for this as the government is looking right now at potential regulation of the Premier League. So perhaps a more constructive way to engage with the aims of the group is to propose proactive actions for change.

And as for singing our hearts as a medium for change, well we have been trying that for 27 years.

Just one example, although there were many.

Link

The reluctance to take action as a fanbase is the primary reason why the structural changes needed in how Everton are run is the primary reason why change has not taken place.

Fan-Led Review

The call for the walk-out was made at the end of last week and was all over Sky Sports and other media almost immediately. Brands was dismissed on Sunday.

To suggest media attention for the Monday match was about Brands is not exactly correct.

It has been very disappointing to read negative comments online (and some on TW) regarding those who left on 27 minutes. They are passionate Evertonians who care deeply about the state of our club.

We moan constantly, many about Kenwright, but he is probably the happiest man after Monday as he will take it as a vote of confidence in what he is doing.

We are happy with the odd great night and not be relevant which Kenwright adores that attitude (no pressure to be professional or employ professionals) strange lot, these Blues.

I won't rest until he's gone and nowhere near the unveiling of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Tomorrow is not soon enough.

-Edmund Burke

If it's trophies, then we are unlikely to win any in the next 27 years even if things go as well as they possibly could. All clubs have rich owners now, our turnover is low compared to the best, and FFP stops us throwing money around to buy success.

For me, winning silverware isn't so important as it is unlikely to happen and expecting it will lead to disappointment and more bitterness. For me, success will be in buying well and developing our teams to play in a way that is pleasing to watch and competing well in all competitions.

My holy grail would be Top 4 and to play in the Champions League. We have no right to win trophies and to expect it from the club is illogical. It'd be marvellous for me though to see the club run in a professional and modern way and that means communicating openly with the fans.

If I can see us competing with the best rather than going into games with just a very small chance of getting a result. As we're seeing, though, there are no easy games in the Premier League.

On point one, Mike, I remember talking to my accountant about a local taxi firm in Liverpool which was absolutely smashing it.

“The owner is a very clever man”, he told me, “I didn't know you knew him" was my reply. “I fuckin don't” he said, “but one thing he does do is pay for the best (lawyers, publicity etc) and that's why he's been so successful” is what he replied, and how could anyone argue with this?

And is why I think post #34, is very accurate and something Moshiri really needs to do!

I know someone said it was because of the Covid restrictions in Monaco, where he lives. He seems to think that the best way to communicate with fans is to send a text message to a radio TalkSport host.

During his ownership, he has employed Koeman, Silva and Allardyce as full-time managers and none have ever won anything in the Premier League, in fact, Allardyce is more famous for stopping teams getting relegated.

Also seems clear that he was the main reason we signed Iwobi, obviously seeing Moshiri knows nothing about football, you have to wonder why he signed him?

He also is attributed to making some unsavoury comments about Lukaku and voodoo dolls. Since he took over, were we used to regularly finish in the top 7, we now struggle to make it into the top 10.

When he took over the ownership, he publicly stated that he only expected Everton to take up 5% of his time. Other than his employer suggesting it may be a good commercial interest and hopefully a money-making venture, I really struggle to see why someone who has absolutely no interest or understanding of football would get involved.

I know many posters on here, and also including some who instigated the walkout, want Kenwright and Barrett-Baxendale removed from the board, and I have no issue with that, but we shouldn't take our eye off the real problem and that's our owner.

I, like everybody, was delighted when he joined and promised to spend and put Everton back amongst the elite; to be fair, he has put his money where his mouth is. It's just sad that he didn't have a better oversight of running a football club.

He is by profession an accountant, so the one thing you would expect having a top accountant who is used to dealing with many million pound companies would at least make sure we didn't fall foul of FFP and he hasn't even managed to do that.

He has now employed the most divisive manager he could have, who will never get the full backing of all the fans. As Carragher said, he likes to create divisions within the club, and he reckons that Benitez seems to like working under these conditions. He has only been here a short while yet has overseen the removal of the DoF and the Head of Sports Science.

He has brought into the club the guy who was his assistant at Newcastle, the fitness coach he had at Newcastle and now the sports scientist who he had at Newcastle – is this the same people who helped him get Newcastle relegated?

Yes, he got them promoted the following season but only to merely survive in the Premier League. If rumours are correct, he has already fallen out with players who have asked for a change in tactics.

Moshiri has not got a clue. He had thrown his money around carelessly in the hope that the people who are hired in the important roles do a good job. Unfortunately for him, they didn't and Bill Kenwright, being the most senior of all these people, failed him – just like he has failed the club for near on 3 decades.

I do not know if it's even possible that one or two Everton supporters – maybe yourself, Paul – could somehow through the media arrange a meeting with Moshiri to get some important questions out of the way? I don't see how else we are going to make him understand exactly what we demand as supporters.

Unlike Martin's thoughts, mine are that we should be competing for trophies every year – especially given the money spent. Call me a dreamer if you wish but, if your hope is just to see us float around mid-table forever, then we may as well pack it in altogether.

The win we had the other night was great, especially the winning goal and seeing Goodison bouncing. Truth is, though, that it was just relief from the fact that a defeat (which it nearly was) would have put us in further turmoil and caused a lot of deep anger at the owner and his fraternal brother, Bill.

Let's keep the pressure on Moshiri because, if he lets Bill stay, then we will make zero progress. His ugly mug put a bit of a dampener on the other night as he probably thinks we are all hunky-dory again. Well, we are not, of course, because – as seen the way Arsenal had that ball in our area so quickly for that last effort – we will concede goals.

Hats off to the Goodison faithful the other night and also for those who walked out.

Just shows how we all screen out opinions and perspectives that make us uncomfortable or clash with our views and biases.

As regards criticism of fans who walked out in the 27th minute, I wouldn't have walked out myself but I have total respect for those who did. They raised awareness in the media of the many areas of unhappiness among the fans which have been very well articulated by ToffeeWebbers for years.

I honestly think Benitez is trying to get Everton into a more professional way on and off the field. Two people have left, one because Benitez didn't believe in his fitness methods, and Mr Brands has left, maybe ousted by others. Others may go because they have proved over a long period they have mis-managed Everton FC.

Benitez, like many managers do, has started bringing his own players in, like Kenwright did with previous CEOs. Two of them left – one after 6 weeks because Kenwright wouldn't sell the club like he was advised to; one was bought off because he threatened to talk to the media and expose a few realities over the way the club was run.

He eventually brought his friend in, Mrs Barrett-Baxendale, who brought her friend in, Mark Ingles. They are both on the board now, just the three of them Billy, Denise and Mark, that's who are looking after and running our club, God help us!!

The protest for me was to get rid of these people, who have not put a penny into Everton FC – not Mr Moshiri, who saved the club from possible bankruptcy and trusted his friend (?) to look after the club for him; he didn't... but made sure he looked after himself. I hope these protests carry on until the club is run professionally by professional people.

Evertonians embrace what we have and don't want or couldn't handle anything big time. Moyes and the chairman have seen to that to this day – a generation of fans have never seen any different.

He is absolutely useless and hasn't got a clue about running a club but is an expert at ruining one!

If the only way to get him out is for Moshiri to sell up, then so be it. I'm sick to death of him being there lying through his smug fake face. The quicker he goes, the better.

Dave @50, if Benitez is trying to get Everton on a more professional footing on and off the pitch, he should start with his own performance. He has been poor in the areas of planning, selection, tactical set-up, game management and substitutions for the last 12 games. I suggest he gets his own act together before he starts interfering elsewhere.

Just an attempt to get back control and protect the status quo. There was a report of Bill allegedly attempting to call an emergency Board meeting on Sunday night. This strategic review could be even an attempt to counter or preempt Benitez's actions on his review of all departments. The one thing that will not be taken into account in this review will be fan opinions.

There has been a lot of talk of strategic planning and changes in structure by the Chief Executive with board backing in the last 2 years prior to Brands departure.

The long-term permanent strategic plan is not permanent, it seems.

I'm wondering about Duncan Ferguson's input nowadays. After serving under Ancelotti, which obviously meant learning about how to defend set-pieces properly, maybe Benitez should have taken this on board, even if we haven't conceded from a set-piece for at least four games now? Other than a penalty kick.

The objective is very much to get Moshiri to make the changes in the board room and executive teams to improve governance and performance across the club; to get him to communicate through the club – not TalkSport; and to communicate, meet and engage with fans.

The media constantly ask his PR company for access. I ask Moshiri's people for access. He's not changed his stance in nearly 6 years. I hope this changes soon.

Yes of course Benitez has made mistakes, especially with not using three players in centre-midfield and using a player who wasn't fit.

Twelve games though, Steve? Don't you make allowances for the injuries of four players in vital positions, suspensions, and Rondon was used from the start because there was nobody else fit enough to start, and I think Rondon was bought to play mostly as a substitute to take the weight off Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison; did you see an improvement in Rondon v Liverpool?

Steve, I think Benitez has inherited a mess from previous managers, had to use spare change in the transfer market in the summer. Two of those players have helped to garner some of the much-needed points we have gained.

Would you agree that Benitez, like most managers, needs a lot more than 5 or 6 months, to try and salvage something from the previous years of mis- management?

What's that saying about showbusiness?

"The existing Board are set to lead a “strategic review” of the club's football structure following Brands's departure as Director of Football after 3½ years."

The existing Board are part of the overall structure and its past failings. Why would we be asking the Board to, in effect, review themselves? Will this lead to an honest, value-added appraisal of the football structure?

If someone asks me to evaluate my own performance at work, would I be able to identify my own failings and would I be honest with publicising them to anyone even if I could? No.

The review should be of more than just the 'football' structure and it should be completed by external, independent consultants who can bring knowledge of how best practice clubs are run.

How is the existing Board going to bring any external expertise obtained from other clubs to this review? They are also unlikely to call out their own short-comings in order to protect their positions (it's human nature).

The review is meaningless and missing an opportunity to drive real value-adding change to the club. I really am starting to believe we have no hope under Moshri as he has no idea. And I cannot believe the Club is not further scrutinised in the media for this approach to a review alone.

A win here and there is not going to change anything long-term and we will be banging on about the same things year after year. On our current trajectory, we will end up being relegated at some point unless the real issues holding us back are identified and addressed.

He is never an Evertonian – just an ego blubbering inept fool... but hey, he's one of us, apparently. My arse.

I think the majority of the fans are supportive of the objectives that Paul the Esk and the others who are responsible for the 27 minutes campaign have outlined. I just don't think that the fans are supportive of the methods employed last Monday.

If the methods that are used in the future are communicated with more warning and are more practical, I'm fairly certain that the support will be there to relay the message to the board and owner.

We all as Evertonians want what is best for Everton FC and I just don't think that a walk-out last Monday was the right time, due to the horrendous run the team has been on, which we hope has come to an end.

Bill will only leave Everton when it suits him. That's one of the issues that the club and owner have: everything has been about Bill for too long; it's about time it was about Everton Football Club – and only Everton Football Club.

Moshiri is not without criticism for buying Iwobi, and Kenwright for the teary-eyed return of the prodigal son, Rooney.

Moshiri should ask Dein and Richard Masters to come in and undertake the review – or maybe the guy leaving RS seeing he has made a success of their operating model.

Like yourself, I believe that the protest shouldn't be aimed at Moshiri or Benitez. The former relies on advice concerning football issues, and the latter has inherited an average squad.

Regarding the protest itself, I believe that it was well intentioned but badly organised. For it to be successful, I think that a meeting of fans is required, with a body of fans to be elected to represent the views of supporters. I'm sure that there are plenty of articulate Evertonians who could express the feelings of the many lesser blessed fans.

By the way, I include myself in the lesser contingent. I'm as disappointed as anyone at the decline of our club, but I'm afraid that a walk-out is not in my DNA.

I didn't know that. Would you please share the name of Moshiri's media company? I work with a PR firm in London on occasion and I'd like very much to get their feedback on the company.

Dave #57, great post, agreed.

Steve #53,

I too think you may be assigning too much blame to Benitez for problems that aren't of his making. We all disagree with his lineups and subs on occasion, but to me, his game management has actually been pretty good, and the way he has handled himself amid all this chaos has genuinely impressed me.

Tony #44,

That's great. I didn't hear it on the TV myself but it's good to know some fans took that approach.

Hopefully, he will shunt Kenwright off the Board to some non-executive Club President position, where he can express his views to the Board but have no authority to actually do anything at all.

The Board then desperately needs to be reconstituted with professionals, and maybe one or two Evertonians(!), tasked with running the club in a proper businesslike manner.

Benitez may not be the manager of choice for many, including me, but we need no more managerial uncertainty for a good while yet. I suspect he is extremely keen to make the club successful, especially because of his history across the park, rather than despite it.

The reason he appears to be arm's length is that he wants it that way, because it suits. It also suits him to have Kenwright as Chairman and effectively running Everton. The strategic review would be with Moshiri's blessing also.

Paul the Esk is right: Moshiri has to be tackled if the necessary change is to happen. Trying to hold him accountable is a start.

Sensible words, gents, as usual.

I'd love to see "An Evening at Goodison" where Moshiri hosts anyone and everyone and basically answers questions from the audience for a few hours regarding the "aligned objectives" that Paul mentions as well as updating everyone on the club finances and how we'll meet future objectives. Could it be uncomfortable at times? Sure but I'd love to see it.

Something like that could go a long way towards engendering trust with the supporters that has been lacking for a while now.

Many very good posts in response as well and I think that, after banging a drum for so long, it's encouraging to see so many unified voices on this forum and attention to our plight in the national media.

The request to Moshiri is simple, sensible and reasonable – that our club should be run by experienced professionals with clear responsibilities for effective communication with fans, media and shareholders. A map for governance that can reflect a well-run high-profile and hopefully, successful football club.

Why this is so different from what we have is because Moshiri had ceded responsibility for running the club to a handful of people under the control of a man who is totally opposed to good governance and always have been. He doesn't believe he is answerable to anyone after bringing in an investor rather than a change of the guard.

All the money wasted has been on the watch of the current Chairman and he and his crew should be shown the door and his structures and culture should be dismantled. This will only ever happen with the introduction of a professional team with a clear communication and inclusion (as opposed to exclusion) policy.

As a fanbase, we are extraordinary in the quality of people we have, many of whom would give their time and energy for a club they not just support, but love. Mind you, the sight of many of them stripping naked as a protest makes my eyes water (with laughter, I might add).

There are so many Blues that not only devote extraordinary time and money following the team on matchdays but also hold the club to account through research and drawing on experience from elsewhere.

I don't know when this fan-led accountability will produce results. I do know there's a body of Blues that will never give up the pursuit of excellence for our beloved club.

Maybe this campaign is the one that breaks the dam. I hope so, for all our sakes!

The accompanying statement of their objectives again seemed honourable and well-intended.

Personally, I don't think the idea of matchgoers vacating their seat on 27 minutes was a particular good one, but again, I don't condemn anyone who joined in.

If nothing else, it has provoked a discussion amongst Blues as to what, if any, action the fan base could and should take to express their dissatisfaction with the club owner and management.

Now it's done and dusted, I'm not clear if it was intended as a one-off for the Arsenal game alone, or whether it is intended to be repeated at every game, home and away, until the objectives are met.

Paul writes that having more 'visuals' (eg, banners) is one option, or alternative 'more widely accepted and engaged-in actions'.

Perhaps Paul could clarify that. What further actions and alternative actions is the 27-27 alliance proposing or intending?

Similarly, I for one would like to know who and what makes up the 'informal alliance of supporter groups, fan organisations and individuals'.

If one of the alliance's objectives is to ask for greater trasparency and communication with Farhad Moshiri, they themselves should also be transparent.

I'm also curious as to the structure of the 'loose alliance', how its obectives are arrived at and who is leading the alliance, if anyone at all.

Paul has gone to great lengths over many months to highlight the perceived failings in the management structure at EFC, so he knows the importance of good organizational structure and governance.

If, as appears the case from Paul's posting here, he himself is very much at the forefront of the alliance, then by his own admission he knows he is possibly facing a forlorn task.

By that I mean Paul has shared with us that his many TW articles on the finances and governance at Everton have been shared with the club, but basically ignored.

As for greater engagement by the management with the fanbase, the club could legitimately argue that they did just that on an unprecedented and impressive scale in their multiple-canvassing of Blues (and others) in relation to the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and the Goodison Heritage proposals.

Ultimately, for the alliance to succeed in its stated objectives, it needs to broaden its support to tens of thousands, rather than the tens and scores who took action in the 27th minute vs Arsenal.

No easy task.

I am sick of Moshiri only communicating to the fans via Jim White. This is unacceptable.

Bill Kenwright needs to leave the club.

A new board needs to be formed. It needs to know what excellence looks like, it needs proper football people involved. Moshiri is clueless, so he best find someone who does know what it takes. It is clear Denise Barrett-Baxendale isn't a suitable football leader.

The new broom then needs to sort out the academy and scouting system. Cosyclub, jobs for mates needs to end now.

I know I said it earlier but Monday's response to the 27th-minute walkout will have boosted his ego, reaffirming that he is supported by Evertonians and that he is doing the right thing. Therefore, how seriously do you think he and the board will take the review? The are doing everything right and are well supported; why change?

It's critical that the campaign continues and finds something that the match-going fans are happy to support. However, sometimes change is only achieved by people doing things that they may normally be uncomfortable doing.

Equally, I do not want him fired as we desperately need some stability. That is especially the case with no DoF in place, and the decision to fire Brands may help him keep his job to the end of the season. But, he needs to perform a lot better and focus his energy and efforts on the manager role before he starts delving into other departments.

If he had lost the Arsenal game (and in the 79th minute, that was the case), he would have gone into the next 2 games with 2 wins, 2 draws and 8 defeats in the last 12 games. That form gets you fired, whatever the context of the circumstances in which you took the job.

Frankly, defeats in the next 2 games will put the pressure right back on, so I hope he is spending all his time with the players on the training pitch.

That's tongue-in-cheek; I get your point and we need to see what the next few games deliver. But it stopped the rot and gave us a much-needed lift. Ifs, buts and maybes... but the game is never over until the final whistle.

To the article, engagement and communication is key here. Something Moshiri is not good at considering, as we seem to all agree, his commitment is not really in question. He always seems to want to be in the shadows and rely on messengers, be that through the media or the likes of Kenwright.

Okay, I get that. There is nothing wrong with delegation of authority and I am used to that model. But only when those empowered are aligned with the message that the leader wants to convey. And are competent. His board; those he empowers are not.

Military operations are executed with the commander's intent at all levels. Those empowered with delegated powers make their own judgement and plans, but it is always delivered with the strategic objective in mind. Not "What I want to do".

The engagement and governance relates back to previous articles. Unfortunately, English football doesn't have that model. We rely on a good-willed owner or success to have that. When it goes bad, the boardroom goes silent and distant. Perhaps this relates back to adopting the German model, where the board are held more to account to the supporters because of ownership percentage restrictions? Which I appreciate can still be manipulated.

The structure and organisation of the club needs clearing out and re-modelling. Top to bottom. Finch Farm to the Board Room. We failed to implement a DoF model. That isn't because the concept isn't sound. It's because the concept was poorly executed.

Final word. I don't pass judgement on those who wish to protest. But I don't agree with walking out during a match or turning my back on the team I've supported since my earliest memories. I personally could never do that. I never will, regardless. There are other ways to achieve the aims of the 27 for 27 in my opinion.

Moshiri needs to listen because, although I agree with Ian H when he says Kenwright has got a lot of support, I also think he's lost a lot of people over the last couple of years. When I talked about savvy Evertonians singing to drown out the boos and thus helping to avoid confrontation, this won't always be the case in the future, once this protest grows.

Thanks for your reply. I understand you wanting Benitez to concentrate mostly on the playing side of the club but, for me, getting the club run in a professional way is equally important. I think Benitez trying to shake this department up and sort it out will be to the benefit of Everton FC.

Anyway, I bet you were delighted with the win versus Arsenal and hopefully will lead to us getting some more valuable points in the bag before January, when we will strengthen the squad with at least three players in positions where we are weak.

I too agree with Ian's view but even eternal foolish Evertonians like me have turned, like sour milk.

In the earlier years, I was not one of those massively offended by Kenwright. I thought his time should have been done many years ago and in particular when Moshiri came in. Despite having clung on for longer than most wanted, that was definitely the time to go and the owner should have imposed his own will and people on the club right then.

To my point. If there is going to be a strategic review, it needs Moshiri to get an external auditor in and not have it done in an internal self-licking ice cream way by those in positions they wish to preserve. They will just give themselves 9 out of 10, room for improvement and carry on as if nothing has happened.

My son has just rang me to say Iwobi has badly injured Richarilson in training, but I'm hoping it's one of his red mates taking the piss, in fact I'm fucking terrified, just in case his mate is being serious, the little red nose fucker (his mate).

What you say is right regarding external than internal review. But, in my experience, external auditors and external regulators never actually sort out anything till it is too late. You are of course 100% correct that the current proposed internal review will be a whitewash.

This is an attempt by parties on the board to regroup, since an easily controlled board member has departed. I would describe Brands as being meek. The meek in reality do not inherit the earth, they get trampled into it. That's what actually happened to Brands. So an external auditor, with a paymaster on the board, would soon comply with such capability against them. Management consultants are in the same boat.

It was on a thread of one of Paul the Esk's articles with various inputs, including Paul the Esk, that I realised that Moshiri was happy with the parties that run Everton, because it suited him to be arm's length, with direct control through the manager and being paymaster for in and out transfers. Even texting Jimmy White with the yellow tie suits, because it allows him direct contact, without going through any structure.

Moshiri effectively runs Everton like an offshore company. Nominal directors mostly without qualification, and direct control of his money in what appears as an indirect way. Benitez, in his all departments review, is taking over the football side within the remit that Moshiri is directly allowing him. Moshiri did not consult anyone over the decision of Brands's removal, they just fell in behind the decision.

So Paul the Esk is right that the only way to change Everton is to influence Moshiri. The structure that has to be changed is the Moshiri structure, which is no way to run a football club. Moshiri has no problem with the internal review proposed, because it will do bugger-all to affect the way he runs Everton.

Paul the Esk has advocated firstly making Moshiri operate through the existing structure, even down to the PR department, who are probably aghast at having to listen to Jimmy White with his yellow tie to find out what is going on. Though big pay and a big title helps. The second area is working through the existing structures and actually having accountability in place, even to the fans, as recommended by the recent Fan Led Review.

Danny, this is all complicated stuff, but Paul the Esk and his associates are trying to get a grip on a clear mission and method that fans can fall in behind. The merit of the intial attempt of 27 minutes for 27 years was that it was plausible and does have the correct objectives. It just needs more tuning so that more fans can fall in behind it.

Influencing Moshiri is the only way to change Everton, Benitez may bring in some changes, but there are changes outside his remit that are needed if Everton are to take their rightful role in football, that only Moshiri (or whoever comes after him) can implement.

Your observation that he runs the company "like an offshore company" is very astute – thank you for that.

Better to leave Bill alone and bypass by going direct. Ask Don (#31) – he has the right idea.

This has to be targeted at Moshiri and no-one else. Second order of effects can happen (eg, removal of Kenwright), but focus efforts on the main objective (the owner) for that to happen. Not the secondary or tertiary ones born of decades of frustration or they won't materialise and we'll still be talking about Kenwright in 5 years time after Moshiri has sold up and gone.

I agree and accept that external audits are not without flaw. In my experience, even they are likely to not be so critical because they want the gig next year. Without wanting to go down a political rabbit hole, it's a bit like the reaction to Covid. Bold statements and be seen to do and say something for the sake of being seen to do and say something. But without actual substance, implementation or governance of the called for actions. I use the London Mayor's "rule" on continued mask wearing on Transport For London in comparison to the reality of daily travel in the capital as an example.

But surely they are better than Bill and Baxendale self-critiquing their performance and reporting back?

Sorry, that should read self-praising and telling the owner everything is okay and the natives are just a bit restless, but they'll be alright in a few weeks.

Tony, I am just back from the US, so my Stateside self is calling on all the Native American Spirits alongside my Liverpool Catholic self holding the Rosary Beads. Please God no. Let your lad's mate be taking the piss & winding us up.

The definition of a shadow director is someone who:

* Has the power to authorise expenditure (big tick for Moshiri)

* Borrows or lends on behalf of the club (another big tick)

* Is actively involved in board meetings (a bit more opaque this one, but it is hard to deny that he influences the board's decisions)

* Manages the club's business activities (again, opaque, but the hiring and firing certainly falls almost exclusively to Moshiri, as have the big decisions such as the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and Goodison Heritage projects, as well as transferring the club's operational hub to the Liver Building).

Any misstep by Moshiri in these duties could make him liable to a breach of Corporate Law, which could have dire consequences not only for him, but more importantly, for the club.

And I'll repeat a couple of questions I put to you earlier, Paul.

* Who and what makes up the 'informal alliance of supporter groups, fan organisations and individuals'?

* What is the structure of the 'loose alliance', how its obectives are arrived at and who is leading the alliance, if anyone at all?

Notwithstanding, the staff and management in many organisations serve their customers extremely well, despite a dysfunctional board, in whom they have little interest, and rare direct contact.

And one thing is true: no-one from the Board is ever on the team sheet, and none of them will be playing at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

The "offshore company" comment is spot on. Moshiri doesn't want to engage... he's an accountant, not a theatre impresario.

The Everton investment is an investment in Liverpool property and the city's excellent re-development opportunities all the way from the Liver Building to Bramley-Moore Dock and probably beyond.

But the point remains, the asset he has bought, to get a foot in the door, needs to be run properly and, at board level, it hasn't been for years. So, rightly, he has to be the target... with perhaps the persuasive argument being that well-run football clubs can be cost-neutral or even make money, but the goodwill they generate can open previously-closed development and profit-potential doors on Merseyside.

You have to find out what someone wants, then demonstrate how you can help them achieve it.

Throwing a tangent out here now. Beckenbauers (Kaisers), World Cups, Copa Mundial or Puma Kings?

Discuss.

Who and what makes up the 'informal alliance of supporter groups, fan organisations and individuals'?

* What is the structure of the 'loose alliance', how its objectives are arrived at and who is leading the alliance, if anyone at all?

The campaign is precisely that, a loose alliance. What does that mean? A group of fans drawn from social media who (in social media parlance) are considered to be influencers; some like me have their own channels from which they promote their views. The vast majority are ordinary home and away going Blues who are respectfully asking reasonable questions of our majority shareholder. Anyone who wants to join the discussion can do so by contacting me on Twitter.

There is no structure other than a group chat; the objectives were discussed in the group chat and agreed. There's no structure, no leadership as such.

It's important to state that the campaign is not speaking on behalf of anyone other than those within the campaign. We are and will continue to ask for support from fellow Blues but there is no compulsion nor any judgement of those that prefer not to engage or get involved.

But I'll join the group. I'm more of a romantist than a foaming-at-the-mouth Kill Bill type of supporter, but even I am now at the end of my tether.

Hopefully I can bring a bit of balance, but ultimately, we all want the same things for Everton.

I will get active and join the group.

None of them. Adidas Penarol by a country mile.

Makes a change normally tie myself in Knots. The fact that I didn't was due to the clarity of you both putting forward your cases and me trying to fine tune it according to my own unfortunate experience which I fortunately managed to come through the other end off still standing.

Thank you.

Team sheet goes up on Sunday. Iwobi is on the bench. Rafa speaks to him.

Rafa: “It has to be admitted, you've not been playing well.”

Iwobi: “I've been having sleepless nights, boss, worrying about our corporate structure.”

Rafa: “But you need to close down more, and make better use of the ball when you get it.”

Iwobi: “I know, but I just go to pieces when I start thinking about our lack of external auditors.”

Rafa: “And you defend too deep. It gives the opposition a chance to get closer to goal.”

Iwobi: “I wasn't thinking about offside boss, but if you're interested, I've got views on offshore.”

If you want to strengthen the 27-27 campaign I suggest you - and others - post a single link with an enrolment process where sympathizers who may wish to support the movement can go to register their interest. It's also a good way to gauge the level of interest across the broader Everton family and whether the campaign has a chance of flying.

KEIOC, for example, established a website and a forum sympathizers could follow and be regularly updated on. Currently, as far as I'm aware, 27-27 has no such rallying point.

Vaguely saying anyone who wants to join the discussion can do so by contacting you on Twitter is not, I respectfully suggest, going to grow the numbers to a significant degree, Paul.

In the age of Social Media you also need to have an idea of the typical profile you are appealing to and where they gather. 'Contact me on Twitter' doesn't cut it, Paul. What about those who are not on Twitter? How are you going to recruit them? You need to appeal across multiple platforms, to different age groups.

Typically, research shows the median age range and popularity of different social media platforms is as follows:

Twitter 34-49
Facebook and Pinterest 40
YouTube 26-35
Instagram and LinkedIn 25-34
TikTok 16-24

That's without getting into gender differences, or the type of content that most appeals to each age group on which platform.

Your description of the movement I have to say also lacks credibility. If one of your stated aims is to get Moshiri to change the management structure and be more professionally run, why on earth would he listen to a (still) minority group without leadership or any structure itself, that only chats in a social media group?

I've no doubt that you and others are well-intentioned, but to say as you do:

'It's important to state that the campaign is not speaking on behalf of anyone other than those within the campaign. We are and will continue to ask for support from fellow Blues but there is no compulsion nor any judgement of those that prefer not to engage or get involved.'

Well, sorry. But that's all a bit whimsical and wishy-washy to my ears.

For me, if you genuinely wish to make a difference and engage with Farhad Moshiri as per the stated aims of the movement, the campaign is going to require leadership, structure and activists, rather than followers in a chat group, before it can be taken seriously by fellow Blues, never mind the club owner.

ToffeeWeb 55-99. 😉

'Unfortunately I am not a shareholder, but if memory serves didn't the 2006 companies act enshrine certain safeguards and rights for all shareholders no matter how small.
Those rights include:
The right to inspect all minutes and resolutions.
The right to inspect all directors' service contracts.
The ability to make a claim on behalf of the company against a director for breach of trust or negligence.
I am sure there are more.

There are still many small shareholders on the shareholders register. Perhaps we should crowd fund someone'.

You've highlighted an entire and considerable Everton demographic that may have limited or no interface with social media at all.

How are they to be addressed, recruited and included in the online group chat group that apparently shapes the 27-27 campaign?

Danny #92, Beckenbauers all day, all year and for a lifetime. Never a blowout or a blister. Even had a pair featured in the San Francisco Chronicle. I've had my most recent pair for eight years. Scored my final goal in them two years ago at 63, and will wear 'em again next week when I resume refereeing.

I don't think we will ever get to a position were Moshiri will engage with the fans, not that he is alone in that most owners of Premier League clubs have very little interaction with fans. Whether that be the Glaziers or Abramovich of Kronke or the FSG group. We are just eye candy that makes the Premier league even more popular abroad. I think we could learn lessons from the German fans who decided they werent having Friday night games that Sky Germany wanted. All the fans of the clubs decided they would boycott games until they got the changes they wanted. I don't see the same coming together here for a similar protest, hence we have Sat night games which most fans hate as well as all the other unusual times we are expected as fans to turn up and watch.

I understand Jays point about widening the appeal to the different outlets, but its the match going fans whose protest will make owners and Sky change their minds irrespective of how many people on the various outlets support the protest. from my seat in the Upper Bullens and looking round there werent many left their seats and it seemed to produce a rallying cry from those that didnt leave their seats. Which either says the protest carried very little weight with the majority, or many might have agreed with the protest but disagreed in the manner it was conducted.

I know it's early days Paul, but I don't use Twitter, and don't think I ever will, but I'm definitely behind this movement, and would be prepared to donate a bit of money towards the necessary banners etc, that definitely seem to get noticed, and are therefore very important tools imo.

Good points Brian, I've said it before but the rallying call might have been because a lot of people became aware that the original booing might have caused unnecessary confrontation, and gave the media another stick to beat the angry Evertonians and toxic Goodison with, and this is why the singing began in the first place?

It drowned out the boos and was music to our ears, but I bet you loads of media were gutted and had to rip-up the shite they had possibly already written down?

Genuinely throw whatever ideas you have, whatever criticisms you have at me. I won't be offended and it will add to the decision making process going forwards

Appreciate you all spending the time to read and then consider what has been said.

The one thing that surely must not be allowed to happen with this new campaign, is that it cannot be allowed to become divided, which is never easy, but has hopefully got to become the first objective, towards a more ruthlessly professional football club, that needs to go back to its roots, and start competing to really try and win things once again!

I digress, so back on track. I think the difference now in comparison to previous campaigns is that I feel the fan base is mostly more unified.

I regularly call myself a fool and when it comes to Everton, and I am. Eternal optimist, romanticist, our day will come, keep the faith etc. That's me. The idiot that keeps giving and taking.

When relatively passive idiots like me turn, there is something in the air. And I've turned.

My loyalty is not in question. It never will be. But my tolerance levels, although higher than some, can only go so far. The blue line of departure has been crossed. Once you cross the line of departure, you're in the fight.

And that's not a criticism of previous movements by the way. I just think that we all see an opportunity here. Moshiri has the opportunity to do something with his club. Our club. It needs strategic thinking, which I believe is there with the stadium plans. Just as City did in the dark days of Tier 3 and likewise Chelsea in the 80s / early 90s, think strategically, but start now.

Just as we've been calling for the deadwood on the playing staff to be cleared out over the past few seasons, we now need to be doing likewise at board level. In hindsight and with those who said it before, it should have happened several years ago.

I've said before this; own it Mr Moshiri. It's yours and ours, but take control and get rid of the incompetent puppets that have taken advantage of your good intent.

Leadership. If you want to delegate, fine. But delegate to proper leaders and managers.

But there's always Blue Bill to represent our views -cough, cough.

Your right John Moores didn't say much publicly but generally under his stewardship he didn't have to say much as the team usually performed well.
But he always had his driver stop well short of the players and directors entrance so he could walk amongst the fans and talk to them and listen to their views. Now the directors are parked in an area were it is nigh on impossible for the fans to talk to them.

In terms of future walkouts, I have suggested previously that, rather than a walk-out, how about fans don't take their seats till the 27th minute? Just an idea.

As someone who I assume has some shares in the club and knows a little about the intimate workings of it, where would you pinpoint the decline has started?

I didn't start attending matches properly till 1984 –- a chap called Rob Wakenshaw scored for us v Man Utd. Two weeks later, we beat Watford in the FA Cup Final. I was just a young lad then, and in school, there was very much “Everton were nowhere in the '70s” feeling.

As I looked into our history, the seventies weren't as bad, in some respects, as the last 27 years have been. (Though in fairness, the Moyes era had us playing with pride and we were competitive, but that's another conversation.) That's my query to you, Paul: Just where exactly did the rot set in? Do you think that we are in slight abeyance to Moshiri due to the stadium build...?

“For me, if you genuinely wish to make a difference and engage with Farhad Moshiri as per the stated aims of the movement, the campaign is going to require leadership, structure and activists, rather than followers in a chat group, before it can be taken seriously by fellow Blues, never mind the club owner.”

I am a great believer in planning and structure. As Tony A commented there are plenty of savvy and experienced contributors on this forum – perhaps you could form a leadership group from among their numbers – and of course we have Michael and Lyndon.

In my view, any such leadership group should be made of individuals with proven expertise in a variety of disciplines. That would give them credibility with Farhad Moshiri.

As well as yourself, just off the top of my head I suspect we have experts with formal credentials in law, finance, accounting, sales and marketing, strategic planning, and – last but not least – football.

If you could get such a group together, I am sure they would help you achieve what Jay suggests the campaign needs.

#112 Finn, very good question, there are better historians than me regarding the club but I think you can go back to the 69/70 season and from that point the club has been in gradual decline, accelerating somewhat in recent years. I think the period in the 80's when successful was down to the genius that was Howard Kendall - I don't attribute much of it to strategy or brilliance by the owners/directors. Similarly the period of relative stability and knocking on the glass ceiling just over a decade ago was down to the skills and work ethic of David Moyes.

#114 Barry, no the ESSG is entirely separate. I believe it is made up of groups like the Shareholders Association, Fans Forum, EDSA etc. I have not been party to what they do, who they represent, what mandate they have and from who, unfortunately.

I shouldn't answer for Paul but a number of posters and writers on here have had ago at the first questIon over the years: "Just where exactly did the rot set in?" – The 27 for 27 realization is hardly something new in that respect. But most trace it back to the decline of Sir John Moores, and a sequence of things that stemmed from his long illness, the inability to reassign the shares he held through that period.

The main problems at Goodison started in the limbo years after the mid-80s, largely because of the incapacity of Sir John Moores. He was alive but his business dealings were largely done by people acting on his behalf like his eventual successor, Sir Philip Carter, and then Dr David Marsh, neither of whom had any real financial clout.

No-one could be brought in to provide any major financial backing because Sir John's shares were not to be sold until his death and this – together with the Heysel ban and the rapid break-up of Howard Kendall's successful side – was what caused the club to stagnate in the years that followed.

I was more intrigued by trying to fathom your second question: "Do you think that we are in slight abeyance to Moshiri due to the stadium build...?" – I don't think you've got quite the right word there in 'abeyance'; if something is in abeyance, it is not operating or not being used at present.

From the context, I'm thinking of obedience or allegiance... 'obeyance' is an American word. To answer that, there's no doubt we are certainly indebted to him massively for what he has done financially for the club, not least the new stadium commitment. Does that earn him the right to dictate things like managerial appointments? Absolutely. I think that's a given because he is the majority shareholder. But his choices have not been great.

Whether he should be having us sign players on a whim, like Iwobi... well that should really be down to the manager or Director of Football he has appointed, as is discussed ad nauseam on here.

But it is very much his club at this point, so that makes him the ultimate boss, and reduces the board to a less-than-glorified management committee.

Maintain dignity and do it with class. We're Everton, not them right?!! Howard Kendall called us the most knowledgeable fan base in football. We need to use that and target the owner. No one else; he holds the purse strings and ultimately makes the decisions.

Michael; totally agree and I have commented numerous times. The rot set in during our last period of success in the mid 80s ironically. We totally failed to capitalise on what Howard Kendall achieved. We rested on the name and our laurels. It's why we pretty much still have the same stadium that we paraded the League title around in 1987.

@Paul the Esk; email inbound!

Everton to meet ESSG

Absolutely accurate summation.

27 for 27 has to be social-media based, with affiliated help from other media outlets. It does not need a structure for this. All it needs is the cooperation of the outlets involved.

If you like, it is a campaign of like-minded individuals, with a membership of well over 5, 000. The objective is not to engage the 'well past its sell-by date' structure of Everton, but to force Moshiri to engage. The actual hard work is getting the negotiating ability to deal with him when he is at the table and preparing the material for them.

Moshiri is running Everton informally, so the method of dealings with him has to be informal also. We live in the age of informality.

Of course, most of us were brought up in an age of structure, planning, meetings, clear objectives, and "too big to fail", but it is totally different now. The best analogy unfortunately was supplied by the Rev Ian Paisley: "Attack them from all sides and they will think they are surrounded. "

You're posting this gem of wisdom more than 6 weeks after the event. Things have already moved on a little... Did you know Benitez has been sacked?

Even so, the club's not "imploding" – whatever that would even mean or look like. But yes, they are "blundering on" in very much their own way.

The absentee owner has written to us all personally, extolling the virtues of those running the club. I look forward to your response to his nice missive getting posted soon…