27 Campaign pen another open letter to Everton owner

Unless something dramatic happens (eg, Goodison's attendance dropped by 50% in a series of games), I am not optimistic that the needle can be moved much.

A silent response will say a lot too...

Until we see mass demonstrations (tens of thousands) we won't see change.

Ownership. Take ownership; don't be passive and expect those you have left in charge to run it for you. They have proven they can't and have failed, wasting your generous contributions along the way like kids in a sweet shop who spent the tenner they found on Pear Drops.

Leadership. Take control and put people in place who can run a business and a football club. That can work if you have competent people in place, not emotional fools like me.

Direction. Where are we going? The stadium is the one positive we can take from Mr Moshiri's tenure to date. What is your vision for the club? Or have you had your fingers burned and want out? Make a decision.

Change. We need change and we know where.

27/35. Soon to be 28/36.

Enough is enough. Stand up and take control, Mr Moshiri. Or sell up and go. I suspect that won't happen until the stadium is completed.

If he'd have surrounded himself with competent people from the onset and not allowed a previously failing organisation to be now sat there licking their lips in satisfaction of finding the end of the rainbow, it could have been very different.

I said yesterday that it was only Tuesday. Now it's only Wednesday and Boxing Day seems a long way off but can't come around quickly enough.

To the other posters: if you don't try, you will definitely get nowhere.

Maybe the leaders of this campaign could consider sending what they have written to Mr Moshiri to one of the national newspapers.

It should be noted that Moshiri has fronted various financial packages to help the club but it does seem clear that much of his money has been spent unwisely, and the stadium build is his way of making the club more salable.

He has failed miserably to communicate to the fanbase, from his embarrassing calls to Jim White (on TalkSport), to his "judge us after the summer window has closed" statement.

The Mirror ran the story as an exclusive online last night and it is in their print edition this morning.

We have sent the letter and a full press release to all of the major nationals and media channels.

Thanks for your post and well done to yourself and all the other fans who are behind this campaign, keep it going – it might gather pace.

I always enjoy your posts and they are always interesting and I think your open letter covers some very salient points. Now while I am very critical of Usmanov's and Moshiri's choices of managers, I really don't think you can criticize a man who has pumped in over £500 million on players and has committed to building a new stadium.

I do think Kenwright should have stepped down when Moyes left, but the reason he is still the Chairman is because it suits Moshiri.

But despite your letter, nowhere do I see any solutions – other than sack the Chairman and the CEO. No mention of the players or the ridiculous salaries we hand out and continue to do so.

Prime example: Alex Iwobi has had a very good 6 months, so the club decide to extend his contract and increase his salary to a reported £100,000 per week. I doubt there is any Evertonian who wouldn't have wanted him sold prior to his last 6 months.

You don't mention poor player recruitment which is our biggest problem and even Lampard seems to be infected by this. When you look at Brighton, run by Tony Bloom, they not only recruit way better than us – just look at how much they have made in player sales in the last few years – and they still manage to finish comfortably above us every season.

So yes, get rid of Kenwright and Barrett-Baxendale but, if anybody thinks they are the main problem, then I would suggest they are deluded, and are ignoring the other problems.

EFC is a private company. Open letters from some disgruntled fans (aren't most football fans disgruntled unless their team is winning?) are good for letting off steam.

The owner of this private company is running a business. Admittedly, into the ground. But it's his money. He gave it a go and sacrificed a lot of his own money.

It didn't work out for a variety of reasons. Mainly because he didn't know how to run a football club and didn't put in place people who do. He will exit when it suits him.

We will have a better idea at the end of the January transfer window. If we haven't invested in a new strike force by then, we will know we are in big trouble both on and off the field.

Our club has been stolen by useless chances... yet all we get are pictures of Kenwright's smug mug sitting there like a bloated emperor while Rome burns.

Why the hell are we running a school and a charity – while the football team rots??? What's that got to do with football??? It's beyond belief.

This "just making up the numbers" nonsense has to end for good, these people have dragged the reputation of Everton FC through the gutter for their own good.

The new ground won't make any difference, we have to demand the club is sold to someone who will run it in a professional manner – not as someone's private hobby – and only the fans can force this.

If people continue to be apathetic and swallow the "everything's all right" attitude, then we truly are finished.

Kenwright should have done the decent thing and moved over for some new blood, or been moved upstairs as a Life President or something. But with Kenwright, it's all about Kenwright and that wouldn't be Kenwright to do the right thing for Everton – he'll do what's right for him and he is clinging on. Like there is nothing wrong.

What am I moaning about? We've had some good times.

Maybe Moshiri will reach out and ask Bill what would Everton do in such circumstances?

Moshiri used to be quite a regular at matches but hasn't attended a game at Goodison since sometime in 2021, I believe, and that is quite telling, I fear.

I agree, the immediate on-the-pitch problems are what have plagued us for years. Forget who the manager has been, even serial winner Ancelotti couldn't get tune out of our lot, and quickly realised he needed to play cautious before ordering his own taxi.

We wasted a lot of money on average players and need better players. Okay, we've polished Iwobi, we've bought reasonably sensibly in the last two windows and there are several young players lining up alongside experienced ones. We must fix the forward options and get that midfield functioning. January will be a big month and we will see what the owner's intent is.

Okay, tactical here-and-now stuff out of the way. The strategic vision and intent needs to be made clear and communicated. Come out and say your piece, Mr Moshiri. Are you in this for the long-term? Are you looking for investment? Or are you looking for buyers? We will be grateful for the stadium, but just communicate.

I get avoiding speculation and also non-disclosure agreements, but communication goes a long way to avoiding uncertainty, which is never a good thing for any organisation.

Our cousins' owners have come out and declared their intent. They know where they stand. Likewise at Manchester United. Mind, look how long the campaign against the Glazers has been going on with the visible green and yellow colours representing it.

Maybe we start wearing amber and black scarves?

It could be a long haul, or it could be until we move to the stadium in about 18 months. But what is needed right now is what the letter calls for. Communication; a declaration of intent. Certainty.

Unfortunately selling the club in its current position will be difficult with a real threat of relegation.

I can't agree with you when you say "forget who the manager is, even a serial winner like Ancelotti couldn't get a tune out of this lot".

Ancelotti has the 3rd best win rate of any Everton manager in the last 100 years. I believe, if we could have kept him and supplied him with the money Koeman and Silva spent, we would indeed be challenging for honours.

As for an improvement in the last two transfer windows, I can't see it. Onana cost £33 million and struggles to make an impact. McNeil cost £18 million and struggles to get first-team action. Maupay says it all really…

You say our neighbours' owners have come out and made their position clear; well, I have read reports in the last 2 weeks where they say they only want to sell part of the club, and other reports saying they are prepared to listen to offers to sell completely, so hardly clear what they want.

I think we disagree on the second part of your post. I think Coady and Tarkowski have improved us (despite having witnessed the Bournemouth debacles in the flesh). Patterson and Mykolenko are young defenders with potential. Onana will come good. I hope it's with us, because if not, it will be someone else. Let's see on McNeil. 21 years old and good delivery. He just needs confidence and someone to aim for.

Maupay. I'll give you that. But I hope he scores on Boxing Day!

A few still hang on to his stories of his Uncle Cyril putting him on the crossbar… I wish Cyril was a Liverpool supporter – at least one millstone would have been released from our necks.

Kenwright should be a politician – he can speak for hours without saying anything.

Everton fans demand removal of chairman Bill Kenwright in open letter to Farhad Moshiri

If not, Moshiri has clearly run out of road. He was never that rich in the first place and is in no position to throw any more money at the club. He surely just wants out with his dignity intact but can't, for whatever reason, manage to admit as much.

It was probably the only way they could get their hands on Everton and of course things won’t change just because we get rid of him, especially when you look at a lot of the damage that has been done over his many nepotistic years.

I’m hoping the club is in the process of being sold; I personally think it’s the only way we can move forward, although this will still take time because of what we have become over these last 25 years.

I am not confident regarding the recent attempts to sell the club, believing them to be half-baked, which is a hallmark of the management of the club and their self-interest which motivates most club business decisions.

I agree about the signings of Mykolenko and Patterson, but who did sign them? They were bought when Benitez was manager but he didn't play either. Maybe they were Brands's signings?

I can't quite make my mind up about the pairing of Tarkowski and Coady, they are decent defenders but, with both lacking pace, as did Keane and Mina, it limits us going forward as both like to stay deep in our own half.

Also, Kane had more touches in the box against us than he has against any other team, and Mitrovic had 10 shots against us for Fulham, so one or both weren't doing the job in that game. And as you mention, their performance against Bournemouth wasn't great.

The likes of Kane and, to a lesser extent, Mitrovic know to drop deep to find space as our centre-backs will not want to venture too far and, with usually only two in midfield, there is often space to inhabit.

Back to the subject and the January window will reveal if we have any money to spend, or whether we are allowed to spend any more.

These are trying times, again. In the circumstances, a good move.

I enjoy listening to Paul the Esk's podcast (Talking the Blues).

Somebody with vision.

There is no way Usmanov’s money can still be in play for Everton, the risks for the club are too great. Moshiri has cut all ties to Usmanov, even giving up his job.

The window dressing that was a Strategic Review also sits in a waste-paper bin in a corner of the room, never seeing the light of day, an empty folder entitled 'Bullshit'.

Of course Moshiri has a plan; of course the board have no idea what it is; the much-acclaimed Fan Advisory Board don't know either. The Chairman probably sat down with the owner and quietly decided to conduct their business directly from the Chairman's previously used playbook. Except this time, the Chairman is publicly saying nothing either.

Without being cynical, the letter asks, and assumes the right to ask, very relevant and fair questions. But answers are unlikely to be supplied in any detail, if at all. These are questions that should be answered at an AGM, but the arrogance of ownership outweighs the need for communication in both the owner's and chairman's eyes.

The one crumb is that Moshiri does send the occasional letter to fans about his commitment to the team and stadium – but not to the club… not the business.

So yes, he will have a plan, to sell or dilute his risk, to maximize his return or minimize his losses. But it's one that only three men have ever agreed on. Public pressure is the only recourse.

I bet his number is still on Moshiri's speed dial. I bet he is in communication still; advice and discussion is free.

The world's richest know money, know business, know people. Money doesn't always change hands. Favours are favours... paid for down the line.

I agree with all you say.

The club has been severely damaged by dodgy dealings for many years. 50+ years ago, a pre-derby game headline in the Echo read 'Mersey Giants' when referring to Everton and Liverpool before the match – now there is only one Mersey giant… and it ain't us.

What a dreadfully disappointing position we find ourselves in. I wish Kenwright, Moshiri and the rest would just go, go now while we can still salvage something out of the wreckage.

Therein lies the fear of every Evertonian. The longer this drags on...

I'm no international manipulator of money but in the opaque world such people operate I suspect that being accountable to honest committed football fans would wipe £millions off the selling price. In their world, it'd be damaging.

After all, what rights do mere spending fans have when it comes to the murky inside business of football?

(Russian Proverb)

Simples!

All and sundry knew his naivety in the football world and we have been well and truly Rogered by every man and his dog. Far more easy to do it with an amateur chairman who has overseen the club being run like Arkwright Stores for decades.

Change can’t come soon enough and for starters, kick Kenwright out and put a professional person in. Because, until that happens, absolutely nothing is going to change.

One of the world's great football stadiums is being built down by the river. A potential game-changer for Everton. That’s down to Mr Moshiri’s investment, guile and determination. If only he could give us some of that on the footballing side. He can make a start by reading Paul’s letter and acting swiftly to bring about change from the top.

He needs to have someone lined up and take the plunge before it becomes physically forced upon him. If his perceived apathy extends to lack of planning in this area, then… well, I can see no silver lining on these clouds.

So who do we think could do the job? Damned if I know.

Sadly, Kim, until he gets to cut the Blue Ribbon at Bramley-Moore Dock, the maggot will continue to feed off Moshiri, and the new stadium hype. He has skin like a Rhino, and absolutely not one ounce of thought of what’s best for Everton – it is a case of What’s right for Bill?

If he had Everton's best interest, he would walk; but he won’t, he will simply wait, to throw Frank under the bus, like he did with Brands, to deflect blame elsewhere, but he will not step aside.

Legend has it that, while Rome burned Nero played his violin, revealing his total lack of concern for his people or his empire… sound familiar?

The Owner mostly for hiring a Chairman who has run a club for years with limited signs of any success except becoming stagnant. The Chairman for being given ample financing and seeing it wasted on poor signings, especially in the hiring of managers by either himself or the Owner.

Although it has taken years, I believe the structure on the playing side is becoming more efficient but that it will take a couple of seasons to show the improvements. That has to be achieved by a first-team squad and new signings, plus whatever financial aid can be given through selling players and responsible signings.

As far as a CEO goes, it is hard to determine what her duties are as in 26 June 2019 she was put in charge to oversee the work of Stadium Director Colin Chong and take responsibility for the new stadium project, including the delivery of a community-led legacy for Goodison Park.

It seems that to me she is just doing PR, and a new position should be given to her to show this and a new CEO brought in.

People on here keep saying that we should bring in a new CEO that has knowledge of the Premier League, but there were 2 successful clubs that had CEOs from other industries: Chelsea with J. Guy Laurenie who came from Rogers Communications, and Liverpool's Peter Moore known for his career in Microsoft and Electronic Arts. So it would be more advantageous but not essential.

We need a CEO that has had more experience at Boardroom Level for a number of years, from a well-run organization – not someone who has just been promoted from different positions over the years.

Change as many boardroom members and write as many letters as you like – it won't matter one jot.

It absolutely has had an effect and you can see it on Bill's face and in Moshiri's absence. Where it gets exhausting is when we feel like we have to hate the club to liberate it from the money men, knowing we'd just have to recruit another money man if we had our way.

Keep the pressure on and always remember this is a good club. Ask around if you don't believe; we will get to a better place.

Bill Kenwright doesn't have any appreciable role in the day-to-day running of the club anymore. There's no need to plan a succession.

We had money 6 years ago but it was wasted. Kenwright was one of the chief architects of that, so yes, a new chairman can't unwind the clock but the current one can be punished for his failure.

I’ve backed away from the 27 Campaign because it looked to me (possibly mistakenly) as a body which was protesting in a Father Ted “Down with this sort of thing” way. And also, to me, in-match demonstrations when we are struggling to garner points, were anathema.

But the questions raised here are pertinent, valid and urgent. They deserve, and require, appropriate answers. The first to provide them should be the majority shareholder. Then the Chairman. Then the CEO. If they do not, they are failing in their duties of governance of the club. And showing disdain for the club and its supporters.

I can think of a worst-case scenario that would push us long-suffering Evertonians, merely again tongue-in-cheek, but the very worst scenario and, trust me, the dreams of nightmares.

Spending our final season in the Championship, Moshiri sells up, those over the park get billionaires in, they buy the rights to the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, and bring their new team to play in the stadium, with a huge liver bird over the South stand. Now that’s hitting rock bottom, mate.

Anyway, like I say, tongue-in-cheek… but at the same time, shows that things could be much worse, as Coventry City will vouch for.

From my view of Everton Football Club, I personally think the club is rotten to the core from a corrupt perspective and has been for at least 2 decades. Let's not kid ourselves that football, and especially the premiership, is squeaky clean. There is a lot of corruption about in the form of bribes, back-handers and god knows what else, especially on transfers.

Any industry that has a combination of a lot of money and little oversight is ripe for corruption and football has been a victim for a long time. Not helped of course when the top governing bodies in FIFA and UEFA are masters on the corruption front.

So how does that tie to Everton? Kenwright is supposedly heavily involved in every transfer we do. It's no coincidence that we've paid vast sums for relatively average players, not just transfer fees but also wages. Especially since Moshiri arrived. (It's not unknown for players to be offered over the top wages on the condition a portion finds its way to 'other parties'. Widely common apparently / unfortunately.)

Moshiri let's be honest is/was always a front for Usmanov. After Usmanov tried repeatedly and failed to get a controlling stake in Arsenal, he gave up and Everton was on offer. He of course could not be seen to be the direct owner as he already had a stake in Arsenal - enter Moshiri on stage. You'd have to think Usmanov plans for Everton were positive somehow, initially anyway, given c£500m has been pumped into the club since 2016, a vast sum of money - for very little product. However, even from afar, it was obvious that vast sums were being wasted, so if it's obvious to us mortals, how was it not to those in the detail? Can only wonder where some of that £500m actually ended up. Now he's sanctioned I presume that's the driver for him to sell - before the club is somehow tied to him and assets frozen like Abramovic.

Personally there is too much dodgy business going on for any of the current management to want to voluntarily step down. Very lucrative and anyone coming in may end the gravy train/discover the skeletons. A lot of the old guard at the club must be on the take as they seem to offer little and just act as 'yes' men.

There is zero transparency as to what happens at the club from a financial and operational perspective. No viable detailed strategy presented. It's a private company that doesn't need to report to anyone and they choose not to so we're a bit scuppered on that front. Even having the cheek to bin AGMs. I've been a shareholder for many years and only get the glossy accounts every year - very late normally, and probably as bollocks as allowable to get the audit sign-off.

For things to improve there needs to be a total clear out of probably everyone involved at the top; owner, CEO, Chairman, etc - whole board. New people need to come in with a professional mindset and do a root and branch, including the playing staff. That will only happen when the club is sold and Kenwright doesn't somehow persuade the new owner that he's 'invaluable' to the club. No doubt some of the players are also involved in all the shenanigans.

Have no proof obviously for any of the above and these are my opinions. However, this is one very very dodgy club imo. Even Blankstone Singleton have stopped broking EFC shares, won't touch them anymore.

Now anyone who has watched the brilliant Wayne Rooney interview on YouTube with Baz will have heard the following, Rooney did not want to leave Everton, he was informed that Everton had agreed a fee to allow him to go to Chelsea, Rooney was livid that he was not even told about it, he did not want to leave, but after how Everton handled it, he told his agent he would decide his next club, he chose utd, even then Everton said ok but first you need to put in a transfer request, if you want to go Utd.

Rooney had no option but to put the request in, then the previous Chelsea agreement was hushed up by the club, making Rooney the scapegoat.

It is one of the best interviews I’ve seen in a long time and recommend anyone to watch it.

We also had the Moyes fiasco, where the chairman knew well before the end of the season, that Moyes was going to utd,then acted all tiery eyed as if it caught him by suprise.

So for the first two of Rooney and Moyes, our Chairman stood by and was happy to take the money for Rooney.

No one can really be blamed for Lukaku, apart from a witch doctor that Lukuku quoted as saying was the reason he left.

Finally Richarlison, again shafted with Kenwright and Levy having a private meeting, to discuss the transfer.

In my opinion Rooney and Richarlison are two of the stand out players we have had, both sold purely for money reasons.

Who will be next Gordon, Pickford, who knows, but I do know that our club has stayed stagmented, with our current chairman, absolutely has to go, before we are not so lucky next time, avoiding the drop.

I think Moshiri was caught in Kenwright's headlights and has been played along while Kenwright has run the club. Moshiri has spent the money alright but his massive failure was keeping Kenwright as Chairman.

It looks now that our battle to avoid relegation, will continue unless we get a top class (or even decent!) goalscorer and a player who can create chances for him. I thought at the beginning of the season, that if we got away from relegation and stayed away, that'd do me for this season and build on that once we get clear of the financial shackles.
Well just now, it looks like we will do well to do just that.

I don't see the point of bringing another manager in, as this is likely to upset the squad, even more than the state they are in now, and in my view, the supporters have a massive part to play in the next half of this season. Not Kenwright, not even Moshiri--- US!

I hope to the gods that we c get taken over and the new owners get shut of the majority, if not all, of this current Board, but certainly bin Sir Teary Eyes and his CEO. That's the one hope I see.

I mean there could be a miracle for Christmas but I can't really see that happening with the current Board running our club.

Rooney was hung out to dry, Moshiri fleeced by incompetent leadership. He trusted Kenwright. He has paid a heavy price.

For so many years people on here were vilified for seeing the man for what he is. The sad thing is, the club and now the team have been reduced to fighting for its very survival with an owner looking to get out of the club without losing more money and attempting to recover financially and his own credibility.

Let's be clear, Moshiri understands explicitly the questions being asked, but he has already moved on from caring what we think. His focus is not what the fans want, but what he needs. Turning around the club will be someone else's problem, until then Kenwright and Co, will put out fires, placate managers and skimp on everything.

Our future stadium will be magnificent, no bragging rights to Bill Kenwright. Unless a new majority investor is found, we will be playing catch up. But one thing is certain, neither Moshiri nor Kenwright will be at the helm when it happens.

Blue Bill received a knighthood? Where are you getting that from?

They say a picture can speak a thousand words, which I think is true in this case. I would have had to sell Everton, only for this young genius, is what I personally think is going through Kenwright’s mind, whilst he’s smiling? (The nightmare has got a CBE, not a knighthood)

In the words of the great Roger Waters, BILL KENWRIGHT HAS AMUSED HIMSELF TO DEATH.

A CBE...not a knighthood and the CBE was for his role in theatre. Nothing to do with his connection to Everton.

My middle brother was messaging me last night. He was talking to 2 of his Gloucester based mates who support Everton but aren't quite on the scale of madness like me.

They were claiming that the demise of the club started with Colin Harvey. Okay, I got my virtual Boxing Gloves on. The greatest Evertonian in my lifetime. How dare you!

As I've said to a few, I gave up blaming managers, within reason and hindsight a while back.

It's how the club has been managed and the lack of investment at a strategic level, a phrase that clearly Everton Football Club hasn't looked up in the dictionary. A majority know that even those who weren't previously to bothered about. We're Everton, we're a big club, we're okay and have traditions was about as far as the discussion must have went.

I won't rant about Goodison still being the Goodsion I have mostly always known yet again and I'm positive about Bramley Moore Dock.

Lack of investment on the pitch, lack of investment off it. For decades. Credit for EitC and the work they do in L4. I like to see that expanded around the City and include a football approach, building on the good work they do.

But, as a football club, we have at best stood still. No, we've gone backwards from being Champions in 1987. But that wasn't Colin Harvey's fault. Or many managers after him.

I'm sure we're not the only club. But I sure don't hope we go through what Newcastle United did. Relegated at least 3 times since I can remember.

Manchester City and Leeds United in the 2nd and 3rd tiers of English football. I'll bet their fans thought there was no way back. Look at City now. Cheslea even. A Yo yo club who had not won a lot. Tottenham still haven't in terms of league titles and only came back up in 1977, getting battered at Anfield on the first day. We've won 4 since their last one. Look at their stadium, stature and regular appearance in the Champions League.

But it took change. Change of ownership, change of those running the clubs. Change of mentality. Change. Real change, not just bringing in someone generous enough to give his money to the existing establishment thinking they'd know what to do with it as they understood football. Naevity on the owner's part at best.

Players get it in the neck on matchday from fans for a poor peformance and are dropped. Managers get it in the neck from fans for a poor run of results and are sacked.

Our board, of various personalities, but largely one consistent one, have sat there looking down, knowing they can shift blame for their lack of vision or ambition. We've hardly given them it in the neck on any scale.

Liverpool's supporter base didn't stand for it. Newcastle's was up in arms for years about Ashley and eventually got their way. City, I think struck lucky. United; okay it took them years but they've finally got what they wanted, even though the Glazers weren't going anywhere until a time of their choosing. Those yellow and green scalves. The 27 has black and amber. Let's make it visible.

I'm no raving revolutionary and on match day, the team and the manager get my unreserved support.

But off it, we've been way too passive and accepting for years. Myself included.

When we go to Bramley Moore, a lot of these people should not be coming with us.

Take ownership Mr Moshiri or sell. And soon. I if there is a next owner don't be hoodwinked and put up with romantic tales of old.

Come in with a future vision and people who can deliver on it.

Apologies for War and Peace. What a start to the weekend from me and we've still got weeks to go until they're back.

As much as some of us can see Kenwright for what he is, I still say the majority of Everton fans prefer not to see that side of him. Or worse, they think he is a genuine man who cares about the club.

It's very hard to convince people he has literally got away with keeping the club the way it has been – so poorly run for such a long time. Hopefully his time at Everton is coming to an end.

Great comeback...

In 1983, I started going to school just outside town, and remember walking behind TJ Hughes, towards Islington, to get the bus home, and there it was in big bold lettering, EVERTON 3 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2. Painted on the wall!

It was 17 years since it had happened, and because it was before I was born, it felt like forever, and although Everton had obviously also won the league in 1970, it was soon going to be 14 years since we won a trophy, and this felt like an eternity to me, even though I’d only been going to Goodison for about 8/9 years. (14 years felt like an eternity, but our twat of a chairman, actually told some supporters we have had some good times, even though we haven’t won a sausage for 27 years and he’s supposed to be a proper blue? - the scouse saying for this is obviously- get to fuck)

I didn’t have to wait long because Everton started getting good. Beating Watford was unbelievable for me, such joy, such jubilation, and finally the bastards had stopped laughing at us. Then came the day we became champions, oh my fuckin god🙏

It got better, I’ve got a few abiding memories of Rotterdam, a couple of which actually still sends shivers down my spine. I remember our coach getting into the car park outside the Du Keip stadium, and the song started - Everton are back - Everton are back, and the pride in my whole body was beautiful. It got better we won the cup, and coming out of the stadium at the end, there was a memory that will bring water to my eyes until my dying day.

Just like the team that’s going to win the fucking lot, we shall not be moved, was being sang by everyone, and the great Everton Football Club were truly back!!

We never had the requisite money of City and Chelsea and now Newcastle. Moshiri is Randy Lerner incarnate and we are Villa in waiting.

Only serious dough will change things so bemoaning Kenwright and others for not being Mansoor and Abramovich is pointless frippery. But people have to vent somehow I suppose

We are definitely following the Villa script to a T

I was born the year after the 1970 League title win Tony, so I too grew up on stories of the 60s whilst Liverpool dominated English and European football. It did feel like an eternity.

I remember that day in 1984 vividly. We stayed in my Aunties, who had moved from Speke to Battersea in the 60s. On the tube on the way to Vauxhall to get picked up by my Uncle after the match, there was an older Evertonian standing and holding onto one of the poles. He had clearly had quite a few and was struggling to keep his eyes open. Every now and then, he would surface and mumble "14 years". He kept repeating the cycle of closing his eyes and remerging to say "14 years". He seemed happy!!

Then it happened. Champions. I was ecstatic. I can't explain it to those poor Evertonians who have never experienced it. Europe, narrowly and painfully missed out on a double, Champions again. It was never going to end.

But then it did, even though I would never have thought it at the time. But it did. And abruptly.

It is not just money that's lacking,although Kenwright had the opportunity to bring vast wealth into the club and chose not to do so. Man City have won how many trophies since Sheik Mansoor took over?

Following the arguments of some, we may as well not criticise the manager for how the team plays, as we have no say on who is picked to play, or how we play, or even how indiduals play. But we're supporters and we want to see our Club flourish and see great games and win trophies.

So we either sit back in our luxurious seats and watch what happens. Or do what most of us do and get involved in each match and let our emotions go, when we're at the match. We can affect the manager and the team, for good or ill, but we are not likely affect the Chairman or the CEO. It doesn't mean, in my view, that those of us who feel the club is in serious danger by the antics of the aforesaid two, should not use whatever avenues that are open to us, to point the blame where we feel it should lie.

First of many being Alan Ball, and Alex Young.

More recently, Mountfield telling Kendall of a fit he suffered, reassured it will go no further, however a short while later, Dave Watson brought in and Mountfield sold.

The Gary Lineker sale, we all know about the Rooney sale and abuse he got, coming back to Everton, while certain personnel knew the truth.

But for me, nothing was lower than the Gary Speed fiasco, and his love of Everton stopping him from telling the real reason he left, and the abuse we gave him when he came back to Goodison, that is one thing I regret more than a lot of things.

But it just goes to show, there are two sides to every story.

And if it is the blue £2,000,000 a year blood-sucking Bill, he will have a sell-on clause should Moshiri sell. He just won't let us be saved. The man just has to go, he has always been our downfall. Either pee, Bill, or get off the pot. You're an Albatross.

Even though Mr Moshiri is (was?) a rich man and backed by Mr Usmanov, they had not run a football club, nor been involved in all the intricacies of transfer deals. It wouldn't take a great leap of imagination to find that Kenwright had a clause or two written into an "agreement!" securing his position of Chairman.

Otherwise, I think Moshiri would have got shut of him long ago. We've seen hundreds of millions of pounds poured in by Mr Moshiri. Without him, we'd have been finished long ago. So, some give Moshiri grief for ruining the club and Kenwright sits there accruing honours and wealth, while our club dies. Maybe 'dying' is too strong an adjective; but we're certainly very ill.

Brian (69) A bit off the point, I know, but it's true. Just me, but I couldn't forgive Catterick for getting rid of Bobby Collins and Alex Young, and not playing him in the 68 Cup Final, and getting shut of Alan Ball; and his distaste of TV cameras in Goodison Park.

But compared to what we're witnessing now, and have been since Kenwright has run the ship, they were glory days.

Hi, you are investing in a club with great traditions, there is so much to know about this great club, I have ran a steady ship here for over 20 years, if I stay on as Chairman, we can continue to move this great club forward, let me deal with the Day to Day stuff, the fans will love an Evertonian running things smoothly, and just like the snake out of the Jungle book, Moshiri was caught in a trance and fell for it big time.

You sign the cheques, and I will fill my boots spending like Viv Nicholson, while you are at it, can you sign this document to keep me on as Chairman so no other club can come in and take me away from Everton, purely for your interest Mr Moshiri., the fans would be gutted if I left, however I am happy to sign such a clause, to keep me at Everton.

Now this stadium Mr Moshiri, let’s crack on with it, I would not want to drag you down to the grand opening, so I will do the honour of cutting the ribbon and will be sure to give you a mention.

Think I will have to stop here Jim, making me physically sick, the very thought of it.

I referred to what I’d wrote on a previous post on this thread, and he just shrugged his shoulders, gave a little grim smile and shook his head. This man loves Everton, and seems very convinced that Kenwright has always had our club’s best interests at heart.

Everton haven’t won a trophy for 27 years, and the chairman who professes to be a Big-Blue, told some fans we have had some good times, in reference to his tenure?

You do it yourself imo John, when you reference all the clubs you mentioned, but also fail to mention the clubs who have shot passed Everton, since Bill Kenwright took the helm.

He had to sell Wayne Rooney, or he would have had to sell Everton, his choice told me everything I already thought I knew about the man

Lots of Bluenoses really and truly don’t know about that part of Kenwrights role of running Everton FC.

Maybe John Gall (82) could answer the same question.

At least I got confirmation that Kenwright, has been an Evertonian for years, because I’ve been very unkind to our chairman, because I’ve always thought he his a closet red.

I just didn't like Catterick's style his man management, and Jimmy Gabriel told us a couple of stories about him, including the 66 Cup Final. I'd hasve much rather had Shankley as a manager and as a man wishful thinking, I know.

John (82) I'm one of the ones who you describe as being out of touch with reality, and fair to you that you argue your point.

However, the reasons I don't think I'm out of touch with reality, (at least as far as Kenwright goes) and as are many other Evertonians, are enough for me to consider him a selfish, aquisitive man of the lowest order.

You know about the Kings Dock episode I assume, and perhaps the little fib he let slip when the partner of his offered to lend the money to us for the £20 million share of a world class stadium.

You probably know as well about the attempt of Gregg to takeovetr the club when another "world's best Evertonian, shot out from under a blanket in Singapore or somewhere to rescue the said Teary Eyes from the dastardly Gregg, with a last minute bid of oodles of money which, along with a man who Gregg though was intereseting in supporting his bid, forced Gregg to withdraw. We are still waiting for those funds to be found in the post office.

Then there was Sheik Mansour's representative being told that EFC wasn't for sale, so they wandered off to Man City, and how many trophies have they won now?

Then there's Wayne Rooney who wouldn't be sold for £30 million, well there's Kenwrights version of events and there's Wayne's. We slaughtered Wayne but I believe his version of events. There's other incidents and someone mentioned we did the same to our Captain and Evertonian, Welsh international, Gary speed

There's other reasons why I detest the man; and just because he(I was going to say supports, but he doesn't support) he says he's an Evertonian, doesn't stop him from being a grasping individual, who will not let go of "his club" even at the club's possible demise.

I feel sorry for Moshiri (maybe I'm daft but) I think Moshiri's put his money where his mouth is, where I think Kenwright's put his money in the bank.

Then there's the Kirkby debacle.

So there's a few reasons why want to see him gone and the quicker the better. Many of us could well be losing our grip of reality John; but it seems to me I'm in good company.

Of course it's okay to criticise Blue Bill... but when people just make shit up, knighthoods and that, it just makes the 27 Campaign that bit more difficult.

So right there. I sometimes wonder when reading TW if many people comprehend the damage that Kenwright has caused over far too many years. Of course, he always comes out smelling of roses.

I appreciate Moshiri is the gullible majority shareholder, but why is the blame always apportioned to him? He hasn't been there for 27 years!

Maybe he interfered too much... who knows. If I was a betting man, I would place my bet on Kenwright assuring him "Stay with me, son, we'll reach the stars!"

The big mistake, again in my view, was not buying the club and getting someone like Spurs' main man in to run it.

Brendan, if you think I made "shit" up, it's your right; but I think he got his gong for just that reason. Do you think he used his own money? I live in the area. The overwhelming need is for decent housing, with little land to build on. Certainly the people of the area weren't consulted.

ps: If he got his gong for services to theatreland, then I would gladly retract my statement re the EitC. But I wouldn't retract my view that he is an egotistical man who would see us go under rather than relinquish control of our club. A bit like that Man City owner yonks ago.

I'm sure I read that the Qatari fella who Moshiri was photographed with the other day is very big in real estate. Maybe this was the main reason him and Usmanov came to Everton?

Although the world has changed dramatically since Putin decided to try and recreate the Russian Empire, there'll still be men with money looking to get themselves more of it. Hopefully, it might include the most ravaged part of Liverpool since the war and the docks and factories going, have taken their toll. where was the photo of Tony and was there any report, or just someone taking a snap.

I’ve heard we have been sold to Americans, and this is what was so ironic about my conversation with Dave’s mate the other day! He said we’re finished if we end up with American owners, with my reply stating that we’ve been finished for years, thanks to the fella who he wouldn’t have a bad word spoken about.

I always thought that Moshiri was here for the money that’s going to be made from the redevelopment of the Northern Docks, so hopefully he can get these very rich Arabs involved. Totally shameless, I know!

I think Mr Moshiri's got his fingers well and truly burnt with the football project. He won't be backward in seeing the value in the stadium and the surroundings.

Now that Mr Usmanov has been sanctioned, it makes sense for him to seek partners. Seeing as he's part owner of the Liver Building, he would likely be very interested in Business Partners.

So, let's hope there's truth in the talk of the Yanks taking over, especially George Soros's nephew's group (though I can't stand the old manipulator).

I wouldn't mind the Qataris getting involved with a takeover either! They're mega-rich and, this is the only way our club can break into the top bracket of the Premier League and Europe.

Thanks, Tony, I might have a bottle of Abbot tonight and dream of a better future for our Everton. Fingers crossed!... and toes!

1 January 1984, a journalist wrote those very words in the Daily Mirror, and almost unbelievably, we were voted World Soccer Team of the Year, just 18 months later.

Drink that bottle of Abbot tonight, Jim, and dream of that better future for our club, mate!!

But without building my hopes up, there is interest now in the Premier League from the United States and hopefully, solid action. I wouldn't be surprised if the Qataris are also looking to invest in the football side.

Either way, Tony, a brighter future might well be beckoning; but we'll have to get through this next part of the season first. Blimey... might have 3 now!

Forget Qatar. Moshiri is Iranian and they're in a proxy war with Saudi Arabia in Yemen. Surely Khomeini would be on board with bringing that rivalry to the EPL backed by oil money.

Now of course sanctions could be an issue as Iran just tried to assassinate Salman Rushdi but of course it was no issue for the Saudi's who actually succeeded in killing Khashoggi.

That apart, women have to wear headscarves in Iran, but full coverage in Saudi. Women can vote in Iran not Saudi. Iran have links with Hezbollah, Saudi's with Al Qaeda.

So, however you slice and dice it, if the EPL find the Saudi's fit and proper, then by comparison Iran are fit and proper with a cherry on top.

The UK is heavily involved in supplying arms and training the Saudi armed forces both through-in country military presence and commercial companies through contracts. Many object to the US involvement, direct or indirect, in conflicts around the globe.

The point? Everyone is at it, whether we like it or not. It's become a Middle East Cold War, notwithstanding the Cold War 2 that is emerging closer to home.

On that basis, and depending on where the moral threshold for everyone starts and stops, that rules out Russian, Iranian, UK and US owners for starters!! Throw the French in the mix too!! Turkey for it's ruthless oppression of the Kurds. We could go on.

I don't mean to make light heart of it, it's just a reality of the world we live in and in many ways, have always lived in.

I believe Moshiri is officially British-Iranian. Dual citizenship and left Iran with his family in 1979 just before the revolution.

Anyway, We can beat Man Utd and pave the way for a run to Wembley. I always think a cup run provides momentum. The feel-good factor can bleed over into the league run and vice versa.

I guess I'm still living in 1984 after the dark winter of 1983 when it looked grim for Howard's blues and arguably as grim as it ever felt to be an Evertonian. Fast forward 5 months and we finished 7th, appeared in 2 cup finals and won a trophy.

Here's to another similar turnaround. I just hope we get the Green Man end. I don't like the other side.

If the unthinkable happens, and in December 1983 it was unthinkable, then two things.

I'd give Bill a run for his money on the tears, but mine would be genuine and uncontrollable.

And back on the theme of the thread, it doesn't get him off the hook or hide the need for change.

I had a similar conversation with a friend of mine who said he wouldn't have traveled to Qatar in principle if we'd qualified due to their views on LGBT and treatment of migrant workers.

If you're going to take such a principled stand, then fair enough, but there's likely to be a whole lot of contradictions around where you will travel.

And the quicker the better!

Well put indeed, Danny and Shane, it'll be interesting to see who the forces of Mordor refuse!

I just hope we can get shut of the world's greatest Evertonian from the Board of EFC; and get him a season ticket in the Lower Gwladys. somewhere near where the old Boys Pen was. while we fight our way out of the position we're in; and begin our march to Wembley.

It was interesting, what Tony said last night about a possible takeover. I think a takeover or partnership is the more likely, the nearer our new stadium gets to completion. By the way, just a thought, but I'd love to see one of our stands called the Dockers stand, in honour of all the men who worked down there for over a century.

Anyway, some people reckon we've been led by a true blue who has put up a heroic fight to keep his beloved club in the top flight. I think he's a self seeking Charlatan, who has stopped this club from flourishing at the expense of his ego.

Kenwright Out! I can't cope with all these good times!

It's part of the city's heritage and very apt given the location of the new stadium, which is starting to take shape if you look at the latest footage.

On a similar theme, I keep going on about a monorail right along the main drag (Strand) from Brunswick Station through to Sandhills. Past the Albert Dock, the Pier Head and Bramley-Moore Dock with stops on the way. A bit like the London Docklands Light Railway.

Complimentary to the transport system for the city, provides alternative options to get to Bramley-Moore Dock and iconic; a modern tribute to the Docker's Umbrella overhead railway.

Sorry to drift away from our favourite pastime, hoofing Kenwright in the chunks, but it does refer to an area not a million miles from Bramley-Moore Dock.

It's called “Paradise Lost: The rise and fall of the Eldonian dream”

It is a great shame the way the whole area where The Eldonian is situated has been allowed to become so run down. The Eldonian and surrounding community was a really vibrant place to be and the whole area was a lively place to visit with characters in every street and pub.

I went back recently to a funeral at Our Lady's, Eldon Street, church. Getting off the bus in Scotland Road and walking down towards the church, I met only one person I knew, and the streets were dead, most pubs gone, few local shops left and I found it depressing that such a vast area was so lifeless.

Sadly this reflects on many areas of Liverpool now and I daresay the same can be said in many cities now.

There was "talk" of such a scheme, and I still think there's an awful lot of work to be undertaken re travel to and from the ground.

Ray, I live next door in Kirkdale and remember the battle the people had with the council to take ownership of that excellent scheme. I'm really sorry to hear it's hit hard times, and I'll listen to the programme on BBC i>Player. When you mention the word 'outrage', it's got me concerned that dark forces are at work.

Danny, I'd like to see that for the stand. It's a fitting tribute to the people who worked on that site and all along the docks, from Garston to Seaforth.

First of all though, our club is in dire straits, as Brian has said. We've got a breathing space and I hope our manager and DoF have been given authority to bring in a couple of players who can score and make goals.

Dave, you're right, a lot of the North End of the City is like a shithole; hopefully this stadium will bring more life and investment to the area.

It sounded like the dream or idea that fuelled the project was sound and could have been wonderful, but Jim mentions ‘dark forces'.

Listen to the programme and you can come to your own conclusions but, from the beginning, there appears to be a sad inevitability about it. Where money rears its head, greed and corruption take an interest.

I saw how much of a difference investment in Speke made. The retail park. The revamping of the airport and turning it from dealing with just over half a million passengers a year to over 5 million pre-covid, which will come back.

We still missed a trick in passing the baton to Manchester back in the day, when it was clear that air travel and air cargo was to become the new normal. Stuck in our ways, we were still a port, even though post-War UK was pointing east towards Europe while the Empire to the west was fading.

Anyway, I hope the club and the city get this right. Speke in someways is a very different place due to the investment. But in someways, still the same. For those familiar, outside of the Retail Park and Airport, the tree-lined and landscaped Speke Boulevard, the estate is still the estate. There is a new school, the monstrosity that was the Parade is gone, the Cresent is no longer a dive where bored intimidating kids hang out kicking balls agains shutters and has been revamped.

There is a Hampton by Hilton hotel, a Premier Inn, a Travel Lodge and the old airport terminal is a Crowne Plaza.

Unthinkable 30 years ago in what was very much an outpost and forgotten part of the city.

Let's hope this investment by Everton and this city will do likewise. I'm confident it will.

I might be wrong but I think where Manchester Council decided to work with the governments of the time, Liverpool City Council fought (too hard) with the various governments and lost the way in too many arguments. Although there many very good councillors at the time, Derek Hatton led them into these arguments, imo, while being very careful looking after his own interests.

He is a millionaire now, I doubt if any other of the “49” are even close to that status.

The people had come from the old Scotland Road/Vauxhall Road, tenement blocks and streets. All handy for the factories and refineries in the area, Tate & Lyle's, Clarence Dock Power Station, British & American Tobacco, Metal Box, there was a big animal feeds refinery (can't remember the name).

Nearly, if not all, of those places went and the vast majority of the people wanted to stay among their neighbours and lifelong friends. Sad, if something has gone rotten and I'll listen with interest, Ray.

It's like Danny has pointed out, the potential investment that could and will come to our area is vast. I think it's another reason we get shut of the charlatan and his cronies and get men and women in, with drive and ability to ensure Everton are fit and able to meet the future.

Like anyone of Liverpool stock, I always listened to my mum and she always maintained that Liverpool could have stolen the march on Manchester if the local authorities had embraced the airport development. Speke and the infrastructure was already in place. But apparently (mother's say so), the council rejected it. Ringway became the UK's 3rd international airport and Speke is a regional offshoot that services packages tours and budget airlines.

As for Hatton, I have little respect for him. I'm not a raving socialist, nor am I a right-wing extremist, but I don't like two-faced people. Preaching militant socialism on one hand, sitting in what I remember as the old 500 club with his season ticket on the other, no doubt enjoying the half-time hospitality as I shared a 30p sausage roll with my brother. At least I got served back then. And as you say, looking after his own interests. On taxpayer money given he was a public servant.

Similar to our Chairman, making millions without putting a drop of money into the venture or campaign himself whilst the masses fund it. I wonder if they both meet at the match and talk about the good times?

I need to stop. I'm starting to sound like a left-wing revolutionary. I'm not, I like to consider myself moderate with politics. I don't treat it like football or Everton where I am a self-confessed one-eyed monster with tunnel vision.

I've met enough politicians to know that most are pretty much cut from the same cloth of self-interest.

I worked for a Government Department, related to your line of business; and we moved into Walker House. As a rep, I got shown round to see how they were doing with refurbishment.

Going through the underground car park, where some of our disabled people got a place, I went past a great big Bentley, Royal Blue of course, and Hatton's personalised number plate emblazoned on it. Reminded me of that serial "When the Boat Comes In". The pair of them make me sick. I think the pair of snides laugh at us people. The pair of them could be described in the common parlance as "Pricks with Ears".

Anyway, within the next 12 months, I think there's going to be massive changes. Hope I'm right.

My niece was a traffic warden in town and was putting a ticket on Hatton's car, when he asked her did she know who he was? She told him she did but he was still getting a ticket, he then verbally abused her, making remarks about her looks etc.

My niece is not soft so he got a load back and more than he asked for. If he had got physical, he would have come unstuck there as well and she wouldn't have asked anyone to help her. She was quite capable of sorting him out herself. Luckily, for him, he took seconds and walked away shouting obscenities at her.

I went to see him on a union matter, when we were trying to save a homeless centre from shutting. I couldn't believe it; he had two minders!

Your niece showed more integrity and bottle than he will ever have.

The transport plan is a significant weakness in the new stadium project. It will be hugely problematic for many wishing to attend Everton's new home. The proposals in the planning application simply do not add up.

Danny's points about the many other clubs in the league is something that irks me from our point of view.

That we might have remained in top flight in the Premier League years there have been half a dozen teams that have "been and gone" and then come back and overtook Everton (look a better prospect as a football club on the pitch and how they are run off it) whilst Everton just dawdle, and twiddle their thumbs.

Despite the Premier League years, the TV money etc – even Moshiri's millions – we're in such an appalling state. There is an inherent lack of urgency and desire to turn the club into a force again, not just on the pitch but off it. To act like it means business. There is an overwhelming sense of apathy from the hierarchy at the club.

We've had Chelsea and Manchester City, and can argue Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City are miles ahead of us. Now add Newcastle Utd. Even clubs like Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Leeds Utd and Bournemouth & Brentford appear to have more about them than Everton in terms of how they are run.

We're relying on the new stadium and some basic bread-and-butter work from Lampard and Thelwell. The club has to be run efficiently and competently for us to succeed. We new people to come in, whoever they may be, and mean business. From the get-go. An aggressive approach instead of this submissive weak organisation that we have and have had for too long.