Open message to Daily Mail reporter, Ian Herbert, about Graeme Sharp

Thank you.

Look, the board were getting pelters and, in my opinion, "something" uncomfortable happened with Barret-Baxendale. The fact the police weren't involved is probably a case of "keep your heads down and don't antagonise them any more they're kicking off".

We have as many wrong 'uns in the fanbase as any and I don't doubt board members got it big time from some. Recent reports suggest Sharp was visibly emotional when fans asked him to come back at a local event – hardly the reaction of someone flouncing off as inferred.

We need to take it on the chin and stop pretending we are whiter than white – see Gordon and Mina.

How would reporting something as nasty as a burly bloke putting a woman in a headlock have antagonised anyone? It's much more likely that it wasn't reported because the contact wasn't threatening in any way, unwelcome though it must have been.

"If security team advise against attendance, club will advise against it. Must advise against it. The guy joined the board to help the club he's served. Give him a break."

That was literally it – no pleasantries either side of the message. Probably because he gets so many messages from readers – you'd think the email would have a auto-signature or something though.

Anyway, at least he sent a response. It was good of him to do that.

The Journo failed to adress the key points, which are no complaint was filed and no police interaction/ intervention.

The key for me was the board went silent.

If they had had issued a statement about their absence it would have been fine. Fans would have reconsidered 'alleged' planned actions. Nothing was said and they hid behind security statements.

Very disappointed, but not surprised, that you did not recieve a proper response

I think cries of "why make this public?" would be where it would start.

After that the floodgates open:

"they're just trying to make us look bad"

"I bet it's not half as bad as they make out"

"It was probably just a joke"

"bet she started it"

etc

Look, the board were getting pelters – Opinion stated as fact – and, in my opinion, "something" uncomfortable happened with Barrett-Baxendale. – Opinion

The fact the police weren't involved – an actual fact – is probably a case of "keep your heads down and don't antagonise them any more, they're kicking off". – Opinion

We have as many wrong 'uns in the fanbase as any and I don't doubt board members got it big time from some. — Opinion stated as fact.

Recent reports suggest Sharp was visibly emotional when fans asked him to come back at a local event – hardly the reaction of someone flouncing off as inferred. — Opinion stated as fact.

Not much of substance here.

It wasn't an act of violence but it was wrong and I've no doubt it made Denise very uncomfortable, as it would anyone who was touched like this by a total stranger.

The "headlock" term came to light when you know who dramatically referred to Barrett-Baxendale being "put in a bloody headlock" and it stuck.

"an actual fact" was referring to Barry's previous point about no police involvement.

That's why I've edited it out.

I had a go at sorting out your text, using italics for quoted lines you were commenting on. Let me know if anything does not look right.

Yeh, it's opinion like almost every post on this site. But you seem to be stating that my post came with the words "this is fact'.

Maybe you need to check your facts.

Get in.

The whole ground is covered by CCTV plus a load of supporters with phone cameras picked up nothing.

Do you not think the police would've viewed CCTV coverage? They would've "had to" under law as a "hate crime", for want of a better analogy ,had been committed.

They found... fuck all, nada, Jack shit... because if they had they would've had to act upon it and refer it to the CPS.

Stop making things up and look at the facts.

Barry, you twice made points which were stated as fact, not opinion, as in both cases there were no 'methinks' or 'probably', etc.

It seems strange to me to counter facts stated by other posters with opinion.

Most posters make their points without qualifying every statement with words to the effect that they are merely posting their personal opinion.

Barry's post is, however, littered with such caveats..."methinks", "in my opinion", "is probably a case of", "recent reports suggest"

In my opinion you may be perhaps a tad unfair on Barry in this instance.

Many posters struggle with the difference between their opinion and fact, believing them to be the same thing. I think that we just have to accept that, on an opinion-based and diverse forum, some of the posts will be opinion as fact... but never mind.

We don't have to accept the post or respond to it but can challenge it if we wish. I accept that "Prove it" is a bit provocative. I used to challenge posts that patently weren't fact or no basis whatsoever but straight from the myth factory... but why bother, we live on myth? I once believed that it was very important that's all.

Some would say that opinion is sacrosanct and equal in status to fact even when it isn't. I like the enlightenment version and hope that I would never state an opinion that I hadn't fact-checked.

It didn't make any sense when it was first referenced, and then it didn't hold up to even the slightest bit of scrutiny afterwards... then to be never mentioned again.

But I think this is one to let lie now. Sharp seems to have made his decision. He excuses it as being due to hurt, though in all probability it's somewhere between hurt and shame.

I can separate Sharp the Striker from Sharp the Director. And I can move on from the despicable actions of that Board. If Sharp came back I'm sure he'd get a generally respectful reception (save for an angry minority). Not the adulation he might have been used to, but generally respectful.

Basically what I'm saying is that the situation now is just his loss. He can deal with that, not us.

If he feels he has been hard done by, then let him defend himself and tell it as he saw it. If not, do not throw in the "You don't know the half of it" as it's a cop-out of the first order.

He has had plenty of time and opportunity to "tell it as it was" but hasn't. Hurt? Not as much as we have been by the actions of that board.

As for Sharp, I've met him twice since the alleged scenario. Once whilst walking my dog in North Wales and the other at an Everton fan event when he was still technically a director.

From our chats, it's clear that he still absolutely loves the club but thinks the current owners are inept and created a scenario that badly tarnished his reputation. He was happy to talk openly about it for some time and all that came over to me was that I was talking to an Evertonian who had had enough of the current regime, albeit for slightly more personal reasons than most of us.

I wouldn't go so far as to say that he was traumatised by the whole thing but it was clearly a dark period in his life. One thing he was emphatic about was what a force for good Barrett-Baxendale was. He said that letting her go was a huge mistake.

I'm not sure many of us think fondly of the Moshiri era bu, from what I could glean, being a Blue on the inside was actually worse than being a normal fan. Hard to imagine, I know!

Can't help but think something of a "coup de grâce" on these pages for a one-time Everton legend.

Not the era per se but the man himself, Moshiri, without whom we would not be moving into that wonderful, brand spanking new, state-of-the-art, Kopite-sickening stadium next season.

For that, I'll always be grateful to him.

"Sharpy reckoned that, without her [Barrett-Baxendale], the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock would never have happened."

Brian #28

"Moshiri, without whom we would not be moving into that wonderful, brand spanking new, state-of-the-art, Kopite-sickening stadium next season."

Obviously these statements aren't mutually exclusive but, if one or both are true, who do we thank for bringing either or both of these individuals and the new stadium to our club?

One of those two put plenty of money into the club and the other took plenty out – that might help you, Brendan.

Doesn't really invalidate either Scott's or Brian's posts though.

(Hope you & June are keeping well.)

What is more concerning to me is that Barrett-Baxendale and Ingles never appeared at the Premier League tribunal for whatever reason and that has never been explained properly.

Is there any investigative journalist interested in that?

Are you suggesting that, without a confidentiality agreement, Graeme would have elaborated to Scott #27 exactly how much of a blinder Barrett-Baxendale played in respect of the new stadium?

In respect of Barrett-Baxendale and Ingles... I would be surprised if the Premier League didn't have the right to call whatever witnesses they wanted to the tribunal. That neither appeared is probably most likely explained by the fact that they had nothing significant to add on the day.

Yes, being honest. Although I have aired my opposition to Sharp over this incident, I honestly believe he would be welcomed back by the majority of Everton fans if he came to one of the games at Goodison. I would even ignore him personally as a token of goodwill!

Me and June are doing fine and I hope the same for yourself and Breige, with both of you getting closer to welcoming your new grandchild. Best wishes.

ps: Don't show this to Breige if I've spelt her name wrong mixing the i and e up!!

I think Graeme may be unwilling to speak about anything owing to any confidentiality agreement. That could also explain why he's not keen to return to Goodison and engage freely with supporters, many of whom are possibly understanding of his position?

In respect of Barrett-Baxendale and Ingles, they as CEO and Finance Director were surely central to the events considered by the Premier League's independent commission? Not sure if either side had the power to compel an unwilling witness to attend but I found it all a bit odd at the time that there was no press interest or comment in their non-attendance?

"Breige"...spot on, Dave. The "i before e" thing doesn't apply to Irish names.

Breige says "God Bless" & she's forgiven you for making her miss Mass that day. The spelling of her name doesn't really register... she is so much looking forward to her grand daughter... she wouldn't mind however you spelt it.

Fucking Breige I can even get away with

I gave a possible answer as to why it wasn't pursued in my original post and it has nothing to do with what was or wasn't on cctv.

Tae a deep breath and have a read.

So Sharpe has signed a confidentiality agreement and then speaks pretty openly with a random...sorry Scott...supporter.

On the tribunal thing. In law there's a a concept called "disclosure" whereby both sides declare their evidence and only the "disputed" evidence is argued over and relevant witnesses called.

Simply think they had nothing significant to add...hence no attendance nor press interest.

Breige missing mass was all down to June, a Protestant leading a lovely Catholic lady astray, it was worth it because of the lovely afternoon we spent together.

I hope your grand daughter brings you both as much pleasure as our great grandson brings to all the family with Sonny already being taught to sing “ Everton, Everton Ev. er. ton “ by his daft dad and grandad, I'm concentrating with his 1 2 3's and his a b c's, the poor baby doesn't know if he's coming or going but his big smile is worth the effort!

If I'm honest... I think he'll be chanting "Ev.. er..ton" before he counts to four.

Enjoy.

The initial feeling of abandonment by the board, if we could call it that.

The disappointment in Sharp not speaking out but, as mentioned, he was probably tied into an NDA. I understand that. It will be time-barred and, one day, he will be able to speak his mind.

Although disappointed with him at the time, I hope he is able to walk on the pitch at Goodison for the final day and the supporters remember the player who gave us memorable moments.