Graeme Sharp says he's been hurt and won't come back to Goodison Park

But it's entirely up to him. The decision not to attend games was all theirs. The police were never involved.

Personally, I think he needs to man up and stop feeling sorry for himself.

Let us forgive and forget and give him the love he deserves for all of the joy he gave us – especially 40 years ago today.

He took the money and joined the board to support Bill Kenwright. When the chairman tried to criminalise the club's supporters, he didn't speak up. He went along with the board's pathetic boycott of the games.

Own your actions and stop whinging.

We owe him nothing and he owes us nothing.

Well said, Bill, the club was a shambles and he aligned himself with that. No one asked him to stay away.

Nothing to forgive or forget from my perspective but it seems that Sharpie doesn't feel the same.

Perhaps he could return the money he took given his role in the non performance of the club during that period...

One of the most shameful events in the club's history.

Wel, Sharpy… now's your chance. Tell us the “truth”.

Perhaps a slightly different perspective than his claim for moral high ground?

It was 8 games at one stage, with no efforts on goal… Never ever forget how bad it was under Frank and Rafa…

But Graeme was treated awfully 😂 never mind the 15,000 or so kids in the ground every week having their young hearts broken by their “heroes”…

We were run by a bunch of crooks and got found out. They all got what they deserve.

Did he sell out or did he take a well-paying job to support him and his family? Both I reckon.

He's not the only one to have been "hoodwinked", who "bought into" or kept quiet about Kenwright's shenanigans.

In my own view, he stood by while the supporters were thrown under a bus over "headlockgate" which just did not happen as it was reported and he also stood by and did nothing when the "clear and credible threat" lies were spread.

He may have done what he did, or not done anything, in order to continue supporting his family, but if you take the money you have to be prepared to accept the consequences when the shit hits the fan.

Do I hate him? No. Did he act in the supporters best interest? Certainly not.

Would any of us have done the same in his shoes? Well as supporters we'd all say "No way," but he wasn't/isn't a supporter.

He's tarnished his legacy and, if he feels that badly about it all then, as an earlier poster has suggested come out and set the record straight.

He won't do that though because he'd fuck himself right up for any job in football no matter how small and he'd also not want the complete truth to come out.

Where money is concerned, "some" good men will do bad things.

It was obvious the mood music was not good. He should have resigned his position on the board. That would have provoked change in the way selling Big Dunc did for Johnson. He also would have locked in hero status for the rest of eternity.

I feel sorry for his wrong decision for whatever reason.

Had some contact with him years later in a work context, found him to be decent enough and pretty humble given his playing career.

I can't get especially vexed on this topic either way, it's his decision what he wants to do; live and let live.

Don't actually think he did too much wrong whilst on the Board.

Good to see Sean Dyche reaching out. Nice touch.

Wow, wouldn't be nice to have some like that now.

The Police received no evidence to say there was a threat. Sharp should have resigned his position and backed the fans, who at that stage adored him, but he chose to follow the line of Blue Bill.

You makes your bed and lie in it, I'm afraid. A sorry state of affairs but absolutely avoidable on Sharp's part.

Oh and Barry 7* what was the "one of the most shameful events in the club's history"?

As a director, non-executive or not, he has a duty of care to all shareholders and stakeholders in the business. Not a duty of care to his employer above all else.

A footballing hero to many being hounded out by people who don't know all the facts is shameful.

Your legalise quotation suggests you know for a fact he was in contravention of the matters mentioned but that's impossible unless you were privy to all meetings and events at board level. Somehow, I can't see that but correct me if I'm wrong.

Blustering hand wavers on social media are not the same thing.

And by speaking out like this, then there obviously isn't anything in his compensation package preventing any public disclosure of events.

God, if that's the most shameful episode in our history!

What a load of rubbish.

And you do know all the facts do you?

We do know that "headlockgate" wasn't as it was made out to be.

We do know that the police made no such "real and credible threat" warning.

We do know Sharp didn't comment on either of those lies, but chose to keep silent, which makes him complicit in them because he was aware of both.

The only time I've been in hospitality at Goodison I was briefly sat next to Graeme and he ignored me as I questioned something about strikers and Moyes's tactics.

A great player, but did he take the money or get played by a better player

Both Tony!

Graeme Sharp's goals will never be forgotten in the history of Everton FC; especially the one he scored on 20 October 1984.

If the truth was so important to him, he could've stated his version on many occasions during and since. Could it be due to a non-disclosure in the terms of his payoff that prevents him?

Great player, Barry, but in my opinion was used shamelessly by Kenwright, but he made his choices, took the money, said nothing, and his reputation has suffered as a result. He was a pawn in a bigger game... no tears.

I think the argument is about the role Sharp made as a well-paid director of Everton and, let's be honest, other roles he took at Everton after he retired as a footballer.

He was always a puppet and a yes-man for his master, as were most people who were directly appointed by him.

Those who are saying that he took the money, sold his soul etc etc, he is a club legend, loved by the fans, he loved us.

Bill asks him to be a part of the board, it would have been an honour for any one of those players from the 80s to have been asked, They all would have taken it. None of them would have spoken out either.

How many of you agree with everything going in your companies? Hell, I work in the NHS part-time and there is a whole heap of shit I disagree with. Should I go and get myself sacked or just try and get on with the job and do my best in the sinking shitshow left by the Tories?

Scapegoated by Bill, scapegoated by us. Could he have thought it out more? Yes i think so but I feel for him and this is one of many episodes in recent years I hope we put behind us. BMD 25/26 clean slate. COYB.

If a sentiment is true, which you concede, it matters not one jot if it's a cliche. The salient point is no one outside of the board knows what went on so fans hounding those involved is simply mob activity based on ignorance.

And the damage is done, whether he has a non-disclosure agreement or not, the vitriol levelled was beyond belief and as you can see from the responses people are still after him. Why would he give an explanation?

Shameful in my opinion but then getting stuck in without the full facts is a bit weird to me.

However, as Christine says, it's about choices and he made some poor ones in the service of Kenwright. The only person stopping him coming back into the fold is himself. Put your hands up and move on from it, Graeme.

Well said

No problem here.

The whole nepotistic regime was corrupt and once the fans decided to protest, they were thrown under the bus by some outrageous lies, and the silence that followed was absolutely disgraceful.

Being disgusted surely doesn't make me a crank, although I suppose this is just the world we live in now unfortunately.

I don't think I've seen an Everton player score more great and also more important goals, than Graeme Sharp, and my memory whilst I'm writing this is of the way he created the first for Andy Grey, and the last for Sheedy, in Rotterdam.

But he let himself down badly and that's the most unfortunate thing, imo.

More arguments to ensue, but I'd sooner get rid of the negativity and move forward, instead of delving back into the past and an era of division, corruption and absolute nepotism, and not a single trophy in 30 fucking years.

But he turned his back on us. He could have made a stand.

I genuinely hope that one day, he comes out and reconciles with the supporters. If he does, he'll be welcome at Bramley-Moore Dock, I'm sure of that.

Some may not be able to forget, but you can forgive.

Jesus Barry, I wrote a long reply to that post before I deleted it because he has his version of the truth which he refuses to give, his choice. But why not if he feels so hurt by untruths?

As Steve Shave says, it's sad because as a player he gave wonderful moments, but has left us all with question marks over his actions.

So fourth then, Danny?

For me he's behind those plus Degsy who never seems to get the recognition all those (14?) goals deserved. And probably my favourite of that period - Andy Gray. He was the catalyst imho.

UTF84/85T

I think you answered your own question by referring to the likelihood of non-disclosure.

If that's not the case, then why should he waste time on people who are still after him come what may.

Just look at some of the responses here. I think most in his position would say it was nice while it lasted but up yours.

But a tin hat required for Goodison, so probably best to keep clear.

But it’s a shame, to be honest I can’t remember what Graeme’s roll was or what he actually did. If he was doing a great job then it seems a bit harsh to be feeling that way.

He was a little bit nervous and somewhat shy. He started by saying he wasn’t really a speaker but proceeded to give a good, workmanlike account of himself and his career.

Success seemed to come as a surprise to him: ‘I had this call about joining Everton and wondered what was going on.’

He talked about Colin Harvey’s role in his development, and how Colin worked with him and constantly gave him confidence and support. Humility ran through him like a red thread.

At a time of huge turmoil and emotion at Goodison Park, I suspect he was put on the Board as window dressing, as a sop to the fans. As a result, he has suffered collateral damage.

His background and experience never suited him to Board membership. When things started to become difficult, he would be a rabbit in the headlights, I believe, completely out of his depth. The Graeme Sharp I saw would find it hard to assert himself at the level of the Board, even had he had sufficient background to be able to comment on, or influence the proceedings.

I think it’s sad the way things have gone, the fact that some fans have turned against him.

I will continue to remember a great player for us, whose reputation, for me, remains unsullied by recent events.

To my knowledge Barry, it never ever happened. No public comments or addressing of concerns before he joined the board and despite all the turmoil, most of which could have been avoided with good (any) board communication, it never happened, any fans' concerned were ignored.

That's the context, Barry, but as I said, he made his choices, he is not the first, but he is not without criticism either.

With respect to his probable non-disclosure, usually referred to as a gagging clause, how much is a reputation worth if you cannot or will not defend it?

I could be wrong but I don't believe I have read or heard any of his former team mates backing Sharp up.

I get he perhaps felt a depth of gratitude to his paymasters but like everything in life – when the shit hits the fan (and this was always going to be the case) Sharp has found out you can count your friends on one hand.

A great player for the club – it is a shame, but given what we know, he can only blame himself in my opinion.

50 - 50 he would be jeered or cheered if he makes a return?

That's good insight and I suspect his appointment was "a sop to the fans" and couldn't agree more with the "rabbit in the headlights" analysis.

On that basis I think some of our support have acted disgracefully and astonishingly chosen continued criticism of one of our own as a hill to die on.

Weird as…

But, like all bargains with bad people, there may come a time when the favour rendered would come due. And unfortunately for him, Bill called in his chip and Sharpie had to line up with all the other bullshitters for Headlockgate.

His call; I'm sure he has no real regrets as he looks at the million quid he gained unexpectedly in his 60s.

14 goals from a centre-back that season.

However, he was that much out of touch with the fans when he was asked about an impending protest, he replied "What, one man and his dog?"

That's how much contempt he had for the fans. Great player, but backroom staff pure crap.

A pitiful consequence of a situation like this is when someone pours petrol on the flames and something is suddenly more inflammatory and incendiary than it might otherwise have been. Rabble-rousing provocateurs incite people to respond in fiery ways for or against them (it doesn’t really matter either way, both are results).

Our own flame-thrower – Mr. Rathbone (7 etc. etc.) – seems to thrive on distorting hyperbole/imagery that strains all claims to credibility (mind you, there will always be someone in the Blue Ridge Mountains or the Texas Panhandle who will agree with him as well as putting a big proud X next to Trump’s name).

So, what are these fresh (stale) examples of twisted verbal arson from our own circus flame-thrower: ‘Treated despicably by loudmouth cranks’, ‘One of the most shameful events in the club's history’, ‘hounded out by people who don't know all the facts’, ‘blustering hand wavers on social media’ (ooooh just taste that irony people), ‘fans hounding those involved is simply mob activity based on ignorance’ (ooooh just taste that irony people), and ‘the vitriol levelled was beyond belief [and] people are still after him’.

A linguist or therapist would have a field day with all of this false attribution, provocative I want a reaction language, and AWOL self-realisation (you know that annoying politician who is doing exactly what they accuse the other side of doing).

This idea that hapless victim Sharp was ‘hounded out’ by erm ‘us’ would be side-splittingly comical if it were not such warped gaslighting and manipulation to whitewash Sharp with the nutty nod to good old-fashioned Blue Ridge and Texan Panhandle conspiracy twaddle. We ‘are still after him’; there is a ‘mob’ at work (that’s classic, by the way, the designation ‘mob’ was first used towards the end of the seventeenth century by conservative establishment reactionaries to label, denigrate, and exaggerate the actions of working people) with, I presume, a ‘mob [herd] mentality’ that is ‘vitriol[ic] beyond belief’.

Rathbone who does not know the difference between legalise and legalese never seeks to engage with or discuss the matter with ‘the other side’. He is instead inflammatory, denigrating, and reactionary. And he will continue to be so in any sort of response which will be denigrating, based on false presumptions and understandings that for him are set in stone like scripture and he will not be moved (the ‘mob’, ‘hounding’ … ).

It is only one-way traffic in Mr. Rathbone’s dystopia. There is only one side to heap hyperbole and blame on. Hapless and helpless Sharpy is the victim, no doubt about it, That does not really help us to understand the situation, does it really? Sharp is not stupid and like most of us he is self-serving and almost certainly likes money. How on earth can Mr. Rathbone (anyone) read his mind as he does not have privileged access and he is not sharper than anyone else on these pages?

Sharp is a grown up. His age suggests that he is of the ‘age of discretion’. He makes choices, decisions, weighs things up, does some material and emotional cost-benefit analysis. He alone put himself inside the collective front of the board. No one else. He has chosen to be an established figure at our club in some capacity in each one of Kenwright’s turdy years. He ignored the fans as the world around collapsed in those last few months inside Kenwright’s invented bunker. There is zero evidence, as Steve Shave suggests, that Everton legend Sharp ‘loved us’ (28). In fact, I’ve heard similar stories and read some on these pages of the Sharp that populates Joe McMahon’s post (22).

I don’t blame or want to shame anyone here, not least Sharp. It’s just a very sad state of affairs. Tragic, in fact, that my hero who did that forty years ago today and made me feel like I owned the moon, is in this position today. But, make no mistake, he is not a man more sinned against than sinning.

Let me end with a by now classic piece of Rathbonianism: ‘getting stuck in without the full facts is a bit weird to me’. I’m sure for most of us, like me, the irony is so sun-bright that I have to turn my eyes away. Mr. Rathbone who got stuck in ‘without the full facts’ is having a dig at members of the ‘mob’ who in his view got stuck in ‘without the full facts’. That’s ‘a bit weird to me’.

Yet he seemed comfortable enough when attending a meeting at Strawberry Fields in Woolton about four weeks ago. My missus who works part time there spoke with him and even got a picture together.

Several comments on supposed disgraceful behaviour by supporters – those would be the ones who saved the club from relegation when he and his board members were running the club to the ground,

I'm with Danny – I separate the player from the administrator.

Life's too short to hold a grudge especially with one of our own.

We are Evertonians, presumably grown up, and some of these comments are in my opinion over the mark. Mr Jerry-can's attempt at describing Mr Rathbone as an arsonist, shows his delight in pouring petrol on the flames.

This matter is best described by Mr T McNulty – the defendant in this case was an excellent attacker who had not the wherewithal to sit in a boardroom.

But now Sharp starts singing to a newspaper but, like his tenure at Goodison, no information is coming out.

But it's his call. I don't think he's owed some grand gesture of remorse by Evertonians. The campaign to smear our support was a disgusting episode and, unfortunately, he went along for that ride.

I'm happy to give him the benefit of the doubt and imagine that a retired footballer who was suddenly offered a director role couldn't believe his good fortune.

His standing (financial and otherwise) was directly tied to those who put him in that position. So he made his choice.

Imagine going home to your missus and telling her to start reconsidering the family's lifestyle because you had sided with the great unwashed instead of your fellow board members and had put your employment at risk?

In hindsight, he might reflect that the decision to attack our support was very clearly the end for that board and he should have stuck with those who had supported him without it being a political play.

I would say it's water under the bridge as long as he himself can get over it.

But he needs to put his violin away first.

So, if he's upset fans don't like him for being a Kenwright croney, then good riddance. From what I can see, he had one good season then cashed in on that for about 5 years before he destroyed the team Royle had built at Oldham.

Absolute legend of the club who should be welcome at any time wherever Everton are playing.

He was on the board as a "legend", nothing more. That board was a failure so he can jog on.

As a player, he covered himself in glory; then, as the years progressed… didn't.

Picked a side, presumably signed the pre & post Headlock-gate NDA. Pocketed the Directors fees, and now wants to whinge about being unloved.

Everybody supposedly deserves a second chance, maybe in a year or 3…

I'm sure most fans would be willing to forgive if he made an effort to explain himself.

He hooked up to Kenwright and his leeches, and sucked up, silently, to enrich himself amid total incompetence and gross negligence – recklessness inflicted for years on every true Toffee.

Maybe he can obtain the status of merely credible at Dumbarton?

Our club was ravaged for decades by Kenwright and his talentless chosen ones.

Christ, I just hope the imminent new regime are cut from a totally, repeat totally, different cloth.

Sharp made his bed. And while I might not call him a 'shit', he seemed to enjoy the top-table establishment position at the club and despite once being a fan-liaison officer made no attempt to engage with the fans (I actually thought that this would be a major responsibility for him on a board with no semblance of creative and consistent engagement with the fan base).

I have no empathy or sympathy with or for him. I find the claim to be 'hurt' quite pathetic to be honest. He chose to go public on this when most of us had happily moved on with a sigh of relief. He is appealing to us - the media, anyone who will listen - not as a Kenwright crone with a couple of decades of loyal service and a bulging bank account but as a player who for many of us was a legend at a legendary time.

But, as I said, it's hard if not impossible to distinguish between the two.

Why the fuck didn't he give his season ticket(s) to someone not able to afford one who would cherish the emotional experience of saying a season-long good-bye to The Old Lady?

But no, Sharp brought up season tickets to try to make us think "wow, after all he has been through, Sharpy is still a top blue".

Did he pay for the season ticket(s)?

"Bill asks him to be a part of the board, it would have been an honour for any one of those players from the 80s to have been asked, They all would have taken it. None of them would have spoken out either."

I don't know if anyone else has pulled you on this but I give you… Neville Southall.

I think the world of Neville Southall. Our greatest ever keeper and a deep and generous individual who acts on his broad social conscience.

Undoubtedly, there are NEDs in place for the departing directors. This partly explains why none of them gave evidence to the PSR independent commissions. They could have been compelled to do so as part of their separation agreement.

Now despite Barry’s usual bluster and hyperbole, I think we can assume that it was viewed as more important that they did not speak about any of their time as a board member at Everton. I am not surprised, as it would be quite the tale to tell.

As Christine has made clear, one of any board member’s responsibility is exercising accountability to shareholders and being responsible to relevant stakeholders. In that respect, Sharpe failed in his responsibilities.

Therefore, he signed an NDA to secure a multi-million pound exit package, he failed to fulfil his board responsibilities to stakeholders, he was part a grossly incompetent leadership team that almost pushed the club in administration - and he had the opportunity to speak up at any time about all of the above before he signed his NED but chose not to do so.

He did not say anything because he lacks values and wanted money. Fair enough, but don’t then give an interview to try to paint yourself as a victim.

Really nice, clear, and succinct summary and, sadly, Sharp does look like a self-pitying twat, doesn't he?

Some good reading on the comments above on what is a very emotive subject.

As loyal as Evertonians are, as unforgiving as we can be, we can forgive.

He made the wrong statement. Had he came out, apologised and spoke out about what went on, he would have earned back some respect.

As much as I don't like what he was part of with that board, he gave me so many happy moments as a player. So if he can make amends, I hope he does make it to Goodison before she goes.

Just don't put him in a headlock!!!

I can't argue with that, absolutely fair point. Jeez can you imagine if Big Nev had been given that role, he might have made it to the end of the first week but only just!

For those saying he should have made a stand, he should have come out and spoken about the experience etc. We really have no idea what went on; he undoubtedly walked into the biggest shit show of a boardroom the Premier League has ever seen.

We don't know if he had to sign a non disclosure form when he took the job? I suspect Moshiri has insisted on these because no ex-manager or board member has spoken out and you know that it's not because they don't have things to say. I bet Brands has a lot he could have said to take some heat off his abject failure within the role.

Yes, a clean slate for BMD. We need to change so much: culture, expectations, bury bad blood and galvanise as a united front. Team, board and fans.

I'd like to see the supporters association openly invite him to the first game as a gesture. Hate doesn't win, it manifests more negativity. We aren't going to change by living in and holding onto the past.

Kenwright was a poisonous curse, and I don't believe many of our great squad of the eighties would have wanted much to do with him. They all helped do great things for Everton whilst Kenwright did nothing good for Everton Football Club. EITC, aside maybe?

Really good post, Steve Shave, 74.

Martin is still in touch with me, I'm hoping to get him to the Southampton game. Sleep well.

As an outsider, I have little knowledge of his financial situation, but it is possible that the money he received as a Director could have secured his financial future.

I once had a lift with two of Wood's daughters- two out-of-touch, arrogant women, who had no idea of what a normal matchday experience was like.

Former players from that bygone era were not showered with loot like the lads today and a job doing a bit of corporate chit-chat for the diners in the lounges would be handy dosh.

Imagine swanning through the adoring old farts, everyone telling you their memories from those golden years, then Bill, offering you proper money for sitting on the board.

Sharp had no idea what real fans were thinking because he was out of touch, just like everyone else in that clique. His bubble has burst and it was a risk he was willing to take.

He was still a great player, and Kieran, I saw him over several years, and he was brilliant. However, he made his choice and he took the gold, so thanks for the memories Graeme, bye.

As soon as we have decent respectable owners and all issues on and off the pitch subside, the club can crack on and restore itself as a trophy-challenging club and team.

I'd love to see him back involved with Everton, as he says it how it is. Straight truths, that some would be uncomfortable with.

Paul, unsung players of that era: Harper, Richardson, Paul Power. A bit later, Wayne Clarke.

The cabal of keyboard warriors and mentalists are of no significance in fact I imagine they would get a good hiding indulging this sort of abuse among Everton fans on the street.

Be in no doubt Graeme you will always be welcome by fair-minded Blues everywhere and any balloon writing in ignorance and ranting with faux rage you just need this reply "I have a quality street tin from xmas full of zero fucks if you want, see ya!!"

To think we could do the same without Sharp would be for me unthinkable. He was part of a team that was our last to lift the league trophy. No doubt there will be many ex-players who will attend who won nothing.

What Sharp did or didn't do while a board member I don't know, but I doubt he had any great influence on any major decisions.

So I hope that Sharp is there with all the other members and gets the applause he deserves as part of the last league winning side. We sing "If you know your history" … well, he and the rest of that team were part of a successful Everton team that we crave for now.

No one apart from stretch Armstrong is getting their arms around Big Nevs neck.

He seemed quite reserved and withdrawn as if he really didn't want to be there… which I found a little bit strange for a fans liaison officer.

Could be he was a little bit overwhelmed by the extroverts present, eg, Jagielka and Alan Whittle etc; there were other quiet men there in Dave Hickson and Alex Young as I recall, but the vibes were very different from them.

Not really criticising him as people are all different, but I didn't get a sense of involvement or interest from him.

I was sceptical about his appointment to the board at the time, but his silence when such scurrilous accusations were being made against the fans speaks volumes about his opinion of us.

Never mind his retort that we don't know the facts of what went on. His non-action speaks for itself “Res Ipsa Loquiter”
as they say in Widnes…. Let the facts speak for themselves!

Having said that, I'm with Danny @73. Big man post that, Danny.

UTFT

Nobody told him to stay away, he made that decision himself. He doesn't want to come back, he's been hurt. Jesus, he's been hurt!

I think he would spoil the last day at Goodison just by being there — especially without an apology.

Mind you, some people would want the ex-chairman back if he was still alive!

Somebody suggested a framed Everton shirt as leaving prezzie for him to take to his house in Spain where he was retiring to.

I was duly despatched to get said frame, it was around the time the King's Dock model was on display in the club shop.

Whilst I was at the counter, Sharpy came in and took an interest in what I was doing. When the assistant asked what single autograph I wanted on shirt, I was stumped.

But then Sharpy suggested he'd get it signed by all the players and told the assistant to give me his discount, which saved us a good few bob.

He wasn't a shit or twat with me.

Eventually found out, the board en masse is torched. It happens all the time, indeed I can hold a hand up and admit to a similar fate that was none on my doing.

But, guilt by association is the name of the game and Sharp may or may not have deserved it, but that's academic. When lies are the only communication, when blame is apportioned to the total fanbase, then nice guy or not, it became them or us.

There was a lot said about how "toxic" the supporters were, but there was also the reports of how "toxic" that board was and how they ran the club. Their 2 pm press release before a 3 pm kick-off. They didn't give a monkeys about an important game or the fans.

They almost put the club into administration. He took the shilling, but there is always a cost.

He doesn't need vilification but he doesn't deserve vindication either. I would rather remember his feats on the pitch, they're deserving of praise.

If it wasn't for KEIOC and others, the truth would not have come out, we would be in a Tesco car park in Kirkby… and probably in League One.

I'm too young (45) to properly remember him on top form for our club but obviously seen his unbelievable goals on video. Clearly, a top top-drawer player and will always be remembered as such.

Sharp was appointed on 22 January 2022 and resigned on 12 June 2023. For that 18 months as a board member, he received an exit package in the millions. Not forgetting his 2 season tickets which he probably keeps for resale.

Sharp took the money, so he has to own his actions and quit the whinging. While he was on the board, he is accountable for every decision made because he stayed instead of resigning.

Having met him myself, I can also confirm that he is not a nice guy. Unlike Peter Reid and Trevor Steven who are top blokes.

Sharp as a bloke: mercenary.

Stay away, son — you're not wanted.

I feel emotion drives you more than facts on occasion but can you really not see how irrational this is?

"Sharp may or may not have deserved it, but that's academic."

Guilt by association can happen (not always by the way) but tarring and feathering doesn't necessarily follow.

The slack-jawed are still at it calling him a "shit" and a "twat" running him down right this minute – this is Graeme Sharp we're talking about for goodness sake.

Those who have met him have painted a picture of a man doing a job he wasn't a natural fit for, indeed, not a man who would make difficult decisions easily.

But fortunately most of us aren't party to kangaroo courts we are happy to give him the benefit of the doubt when not being privy to all the facts. His overall contribution to the club deserves that.

You obviously feel differently so go ahead and hang him – no one really cares.

Eddie @80, that's how I see it mate. When privileged people choose to ignore you, they are never looked at in the same way. That's life!

You know my feelings on Kenwright, Dave, so don't be surprised if there are calls for the last-ever League game to be played at Goodison to be celebrated with people coming to the party in fancy dress.

We don't know the full facts behind the scenes, so as far as I'm concerned, it's history — there's no going back for him or us supporters.

As far as I'm concerned he took his ‘30 pieces of silver'. He got his massive payoff, and never once tried to explain all the lies and propaganda which tried to put all the blame on the fans, shameful.

Ian Wright even apologised on Match of the Day, after finding out the truth.

I admired Sharp the player, but even meeting him at Goodison, his personality is totally the opposite of Reid, Sheedy and Southall. He has to take responsibility for being a yes-man.

Grow a pair and go to Goodison, no one made you stay away.

Thanks, Ray.

You're right, I really couldn't give a monkey's how much going against the grain upsets the snarky kids and one of the reasons is TW doesn't represent Evertonia.

I just read an Everton Facebook post about the topic and out of 300+ comments the vast majority were in favor of Sharp, understood his position and desperately wanted him back in the fold.

Very different to here and every now and again they need telling.

He's one who has reopened the can of worms, to be fair probably because he's still upset that his cash cow has been taken away from him. Nobody else gives a monkey's now.

Everyone else has moved on apart from Graeme Sharp, he's making a fool of himself.

I really can't see why he's making a fool of himself.

Duncan Ferguson picks up petrol bill for crestfallen Inverness stars as Everton icon shows the world who he is

I guess that's one way of looking at it.

A real Royal Blue Legend in every sense of the word.

Duncan Ferguson's role at Everton after his playing days was often held up on ToffeeWeb as a prime example of Blue Bill's nepotism and all that was fundamentally wrong with the club.

There are a couple of known facts though and they're the most relevant:

1) Barrett-Baxendale was no put in a headlock.
2) Merseyside police did not advise the club that "credible threats" had been made against members of the board.

The club stated both of these things had happened and both were untrue.

Nothing is preventing Sharp from returning to Goodison and using his season tickets to watch the games. What may be telling is that the club haven't asked him back. He pointed that out himself in a way that says that's something he feels aggrieved about. Sharp was part of a board that blatantly lied so some supporters are bound to be upset and angry about that.

I haven't seen posts on here calling him a twat or a shit (maybe I've missed them) and the ones who argue against Sharp have, in the main, been quite reasonable.

What isn't reasonable though is bringing up and/or questioning another poster's mental health issues. That, in my mind, is despicable.

I don't remember much fan liaising going on.

You say, "he received an exit package in the millions" and you also say in reference to his season tickets "which he probably keeps for resale".

Do you have a shred of evidence to back up those comments? ‘Millions'? I'm interested to hear where you got that information. I have seen a figure in the press of several million but not how much Sharp got and the season ticket comment is just plain silly.

For what it's worth, I think it's sad that our finest post-war centre-forward is no longer welcome at Goodison. The whole episode stinks of Kenwright and his skullduggery. A dark day indeed when he turned up at Goodison.

Who says he's not welcome?

The consequences of their resignations contributed to what are described as “exceptional costs” of £3.2M. The accounts suggest Barrett-Baxendale received compensation to the tune of £2.5M.

If the above is true, then Sharp didn't receive millions!

But I can't understand why anyone who resigns gets compensation?

The board of directors that presided over Everton at the time, including Sharp, was called the most dysfunctional he had ever worked with, as quoted by Keith Harris.

If Sharp was not comfortable in his position, there was nothing at all stopping him from resigning, which would have given him much more appreciation by the Goodison faithful.

There is a very good reason why the Sack The Board movement was put in place and that's because collectively they oversaw the most disgraceful period in the club's history from virtual bankruptcy to consistently flirting with relegation.

As a director, you have a duty of care. Can we honestly say that any of those directors acted with a duty of care.

Why has he come out now and criticized the very fans that used to adore him?

Does he even realize what the man in the street went through while those in charge continued to rumble on?

I have got no sympathy whatsoever for Sharp the man as opposed to Sharp the player.

And for the record Barry I am not a keyboard warrior, nor would anyone who knows me call me a loudmouth crank.

We only know what the board has chosen to tell us and observe the consequences of their actions and decision-making.

There is one thing you cannot deny, Barry, and that is him being part of the worst board of directors in the history of the football club — and that is the truth of it.

The only thing I would say is I think Brands is the only director to have resigned on a matter of principle and he was regarded as the top guy in his field so further employment wouldn't be a concern.

Don't think Sharp had that luxury so maybe that influenced his thinking – it would influence most.

On the other stuff, I don't think anyone will ever say "Barry, I am a keyboard warrior and a crank; nonetheless, do you like fig rolls or orange club biscuits?" It doesn't seem to work that way.

Sharp also said that he has 2 season tickets from the club in the Scotsman article. Do you think he just leaves the seats vacant?

Please present facts of your own. For example, what were his main contributions as a board member given he was hired to provide footballing insights and shape strategy?

As Jay says, he did not fulfill his duty of care as a board member. He did not speak up about the gross incompetence that took the club to the brink of administration. He gave tacit support to the criminalisation of your fellow fans through the headlock allegations. And of course, he didn't resign.

I have zero sympathy or respect for his conduct and I find his whinging nauseating.

The board's pay-outs were included in the 2022-23 accounts - the ones where we reported a loss of £89.1 million under the departing board.

Directors' Costs increased from £3.1 million to £5.7 million. Included within this figure is a £2.5 million compensation cost for loss of office.

The club paid out £3.15 million in total to Barrett-Baxendale, Ingles and Sharp during the accounting period – wages and compensation for loss of office.

I've never seen any proof of it happening or comment by Barrett-Baxendale that such a tale was a complete fabrication, I may have missed these facts though.

Steve#116.

As posted at 111.

Correct me, I'm quite happy to be proved wrong.

He never told anyone who it was because he was out of the club very quickly, and I'm certain he will have been another person who was paid to say nothing.

Principles go out of the window for most people once money comes into the equation, and Brands was just another puppet by the end of his tenure at Everton.

If he wasn't a puppet, why did he keep his mouth firmly shut until he was screamed at by an irate Evertonian at Goodison Park?

I didn't get the relevance of your quote.

I thought you were going to say he was sacked, but you didn't, so presumably he took the decision to leave. As there seems no row over his wages, it does seem he left for another reason – principle?

My point remains he was the only board member to resign and with prospects better than Graeme Sharp; maybe that explains why Graeme kept his head down.

I do agree it's likely he was paid to keep quiet, meaning once again fans are making judgements without knowledge of the full facts.

Hand over your season tickets if you're not comfortable coming back to Everton, plenty on the waiting list will make use of them.

My post @91 reflected real world outcomes to members of failing boards. Yet you selectively ignore that to call my view irrational.

Over the many years of TW, there have been a few individuals whose constant fall back on the "We don't know all the facts" (you're not Doddy or Martin Mason are you?) Yet you fail to understand the board failed as a unit, irrespective of the individuals concerned.

In Sharp's case, his claim that we don't know his version of the truth is laughable because it's his perspective, not the full truth, because outside of the man who put that board together, we will never know every detail.

Barrett-Baxendale may well have worked hard in her role, but that does not mean she was up to the task of managing this club. Hard work is a poor relation to expertise.

Barry, on another thread regarding ToffeeWeb, you cite how little or poorly thought of, ToffeeWeb is by the mainstream supporter (whoever they are supposed to be). So why are you here if you don't think we have any relevance?

There have been many, many excellent contributors to this site over the years; conversely, we see just as many at the other end.

This site and its creators do well to give many of us insights and opinions into the club we are passionate about. Its contributors do come from all walks of life with significant levels of expertise, not your average "keyboard warriors".

Opinions range, everyone has not "tarred and feathered" Sharp nor vilified him in a "kangaroo court." He may be unhappy that his tenure in the club ended the way it did, but whose fault was that?

The leadership of this club have lied to us, ignored our pleas, vilified its own supporters... the board of directors, every single one of them (Moshiri excluded, of course) were handsomely rewarded for doing a poor job. A job that has almost ended in the demise of the club.

That's why the members of that board are not so easily forgiven, irrespective of an individual's performance. They operated as a unit, failed as a unit. Replaced as a unit. No kangaroo court, Barry.

Educated guesses, Barry? I hadn't read all your post and responded after reading the first bit mate.

We all have different opinions. On players. On managers. On the club.

I don't think there's any need to fall out over the one thing we all agree on. Everton.

There will be lively conversation in the Saddle and outside the Harlech on County Road this weekend. Agree, disagree, but we'll all walk to the match together and want the same outcome.

Read Brian Williams @111; succinctly put.

Also Steve, I don't need to ‘present facts of your (my) own'. You made comments presented as facts, I merely asked you for proof. I don't need to provide proof, you do.

You also say that Sharp's ‘main contributions as a board member given he was hired to provide footballing insights and shape strategy?' Really? I thought he was a fans liaison officer (whatever that does).

And if you think that he trousered as much as Barrett-Baxendale, then you've been snorting stuff! 😁 She will have minced off with considerably more than Sharpy, in my opinion.

Little Miss Dynamite, my arse.

Those against him seem to have an underlying resentment of the money he was paid as a director.

I think there are people who would like one of the stands at BMD to be called "Kenwright was a shit".

Can you return the season tickets please; there are plenty of fans waiting for a seat and willing to pay for them.

Graeme Sharp and Keith Harris were never on the Board together.

The Everton Board were abused online and I am guessing that's because certain Everton fan YouTube channels had not said so... YouTube says we should disrespect Sharpy or YouTube fans said Noooo. Get a grip!

Barrett-Baxendale stated to the BBC's Julia Felton that she was abused in her car: "mysogynist language," and by the way, no fan should embrace Barrett-Baxendale – she is not a bloody teddy bear.

It's a shame our detective YouTube Everton fans do not know other views are available (remember Halloween 3?) and could have thought about why it was necessary to inappropriately embrace Barrett-Baxendale instead of looking for evidence Everton or Barrett-Baxendale didn't report to police.

Barrett-Baxendale comment about the "headlock" was probably circumstantial and Everon fan channels and media sensationalized.

When the fan police detectives proved it wasn't headlock, the fallout was the YouTube fans caused the Everton Board to be removed, including our legend, Sharpy.

It is regrettable that the same YouTube fan channels were not articulating it is inappropriate to embrace the CEO of Everton.

Re Sharp – the man is a legend and shame, shame, shame for not valuing him the way Roma fans hold Daniele De Rossi in such high regard.

More a modern Wi-Fi machine, with modern fans who know nothing about Sharpy but seem to think they have the Everton fan YouTube channels to make views for them, as an independent view is seemingly a rare phenomenon.

He shouldn't have taken the money. Cue vomit, and smell of hypocrisy. He didn't employ himself and would any of you give your money back to your employer if you let go when you have done nothing wrong? He supported his colleague, Barrett-Baxendale.

I remember Sharpy scoring for Everton, before I was even a teen, listening to him on the radio in school. He scored 159 goals, closest anybody has come to Dixie Dean's record, and helped put this club Everton back on the map after 15 years, winning titles in '85, '87, and FA Cup in '84, and the European Cup Winners Cup.

When you heard Friedkin wanted Everton because it's a sleeping giant, Graeme Sharp probably is credited for that.

Fabulous post

I wished our fans had just some of the passion they gave for their legends. It seems they value Everton fan channels more than Sharpy, many who weren't even born to know of him, except what the YouTubers educate with.

Same channels charge them money for "content" but same subscribers probably don't ask for their money back when certain Everton YouTubers are not shy on airing their opinions and political opinions on Everton channels, such as charge money or run it as a business on Patreon.

They call it just fans having an opinion… yeah right, I call it propaganda to influence Everton fans.

Sharp took the Kenwright coin, backed the “regime” and shat on the fans.

Hasn't got a leg to stand on. Feel free to apologise though, big man.

He didn’t employ himself, but it’s only now Sharp, has said publicly, nah - I don’t need this.

One thing that is obvious when reading this thread, is that Bill Kenwright very sadly split the whole club, and now is the time for us to try and unite and rebuild.

Can you do that in English, John?

They just want him to stop whining.

I know I'm having a couple of glasses of red watching the Forest/Palace game but I couldn't understand a word of that.

Did he really say that Friedkin's interest is all down to Sharp or is that bad translation on my part?

The Scotsman can then put whatever slant on it that it wants to. It can omit stuff if it wants or make Sharp out to be a hero or a villain.

A pinch of salt maybe? Maybe give the hero a break?

Which leg, Ray?

Could be the oversized G+T I’ve seen off…!

This is the first time I've heard Sharp talking about how things panned out for him at Everton. To listen to some on here, you would think he was constantly giving interviews about the issue.

He was interviewed because it was the 40th anniversary of that famous goal. The interview not unexpectedly also covered the circumstances of his departure from the Board and Sharp gave his view.

Not really sure what he's done wrong.

I totally respect his playing contribution but he himself needs to own his part in our decline to near oblivion.

Then why is he saying he won't go back to Goodison Park?

It's hardly painting a good picture of EFC, is it?

I think it might be time to agree to disagree. I don't agree with your basic premise "Sharp may or may not have deserved it, but it's academic" which you have essentially rehashed.

Imagine if Graeme Sharp has emails from himself to Bill repeatedly advising Bill of fan disquiet and advising a quiet word in Moshiri's ear, would that not demonstrate he was trying to look after the shareholders, club and fans?

I would say yes, but we just don't know. They may or may not exist; there may be other examples and such things would be facts, not perspective. I think your take on it is very narrow-minded.

Not that it matters but I visit TW because I enjoy it and understand it is not a complete representation of Evertonia.

No one can dispute Sharp the footballer, a superb member of the best team in England, and Europe in the mid '80s, and the best Everton team I ever had the privilege of watching.

Sharp the board member, totally the opposite. I lost all respect for him over his stance as a board member. He backed his mentor, the fans were the scapegoats.

Everyone would have respected him if he had turned up at Goodison Park to support the team. He has to man up and take responsibility for his actions, not cry wolf.

I assume he's saying that because he's fallen out of love with the club given the circumstances of his departure and is unsure of the welcome he would receive if he did come back.

He's telling us how he feels as he should when asked the question. Not sure he should be concerned with painting pretty pictures.

Then surely a somewhat toned-down neutral response was the order of the day. He didn't have to do that but, if he did, then we wouldn't be talking about it now.

He can't expect to put something like that in the public domain and not expect a response. I think it's disrespectful frankly.

That aside, no one has said he is not welcome, that's all in his head.

Let's not forget Sharp was a member of a team who gave me and you some fantastic memories but at the same time Everton has provided a career for Graeme Sharp and a huge part of every football club are the fans, like you and I Brendan. It works both ways.

He didn't need to say that over a subject that most would have been completely able to forgive and forget. Talk about reopening old wounds…

He was asked a question and answered it honestly as he saw it. I'd much rather that than a politician's response.

I don't really get a disrespectful, hostile, or point-scoring tone from the interview.

The hostility is saying that he won't be going back to Goodison Park.

That's his view and his right but he can't then expect his legacy not to be tarnished in the eyes of some supporters. As has been seen on TW today by the majority of posters.

Well, Graeme, tell us and we can make a fair judgement.

I guess one person's hostility is another's honesty.

As for the majority comment... it illustrates nothing.

I think a mere 150-odd posts on the matter is a better gauge of how ToffeeWebbers really feel about the topic.

BTW... pleasure debating with you.

Sharpy may have taken Kenwright and Moshiri to task privately but it seems unlikely given how various other players have been blackballed by the club for daring to criticize or ask questions.

Contrast that with Moyes the guest of honour when Goodison hosted that boxing match and Kenwright wheeled him out like the Second Coming of Jesus Christ after he ran down his contract and fled the club without winning anything.

That's the environment Sharp was part of — as opposed to Nev, Stubbs etc who are outcasts.

But the team worked well, made progress, and we hoped we were turning the corner when a US company came in, bought the company, and a week later, all five directors, me included, were on the street.

Needless to say, we were pretty bitter after everything we had done. We defended each other until several months later, after meeting a head hunter, he bought me a coffee and told me to get over it, because bitterness eats the soul.

I didn't realise I was bitter, but then he said, he had appointed a couple of new directors on behalf of the US company that were, in his opinion, not a match for those they let go. Puzzled I asked the question, Why were we let go?

His answer stuck with me and indeed helped me explain to others that, when you take on senior roles, you are for rent. A means to an end for an owner, to fix a short-term solution.

US owners in particular take no prisoners when it comes to clean sweeps; good and bad go to make a point. That was then this is now. That's why I also think TFG will do exactly the same.

Sharp may have had a good career with Everton, great footballer, great memories, but stepping into a role that was way above his previous experience meant he also left the comfort zone of being an employee at the door.

The rules are different and frankly I don't think he understood that – still doesn't; otherwise, he would not be bitter… disappointed perhaps – but apportioning blame to others for his naivety or failures shows he hasn't moved on from his employee status.

It's sad but, unless someone explains to him why the reality of roles are so different, he will remain bitter. And that's a shame.

I guess we just don't see it the same way. I didn't rehash it, Barry, I tried to explain that Sharp could have done all those things you say and it wouldn't matter a jot. Because the board as a whole was let go.

That's the other thing; in such circumstances, it's common practise to be told you can either tender your resignation and be paid off as a golden handshake, or sacked and get your stats. But either way, your contract will certainly have a gagging clause. That way your CV shows you "resigned" but with no fault… Sure.

He didn't resign on a point of principle, but he was paid off – they all were. That's the cost of hiring and firing a board.

Funny that Barry, never once in my life have I been called narrow-minded… been called lots of things, lol! Ah well… I must be getting old then.

I come on ToffeeWeb to debate and hopefully learn, and sometimes to have a little laugh, but sadly some people start ridiculous arguments because they haven't got anything interesting to say.

I'm starting at Lime Street on Saturday with Mark, then heading to County Road to meet up with a few, including my nephew. The poor lad is of that generation that has never seen us win a thing, and has grown up in a family of Kopites, so gets fascinated by the conversations.

We're popping into St Luke's to see the Heritage Society display. After the match, we're popping to the Bramley Moore pub. My sister wants me to stay at hers so she can henpeck me, but I might stay in town, as it gets me close to Lime Street and the first train back to London.

Take care and keep posting. Not that you need me to tell you that!!

See you Saturday??

I know you are intelligent enough to let that narrow-minded jibe go into one ear at 30 miles an hour and out the other at 60 miles an hour.

Save headlock gate, or not being sensationalised, it is unlikely The Board removes Sharpy and or Barrett-Baxendale, and so, in my opinion, Sharpy did nothing wrong but support his female colleague where an Everton fan inappropriately embraced her inter alia abuse the Board received online from hostile fans.

And notwithstanding being accosted by Everton fan in her car, who used "mysogynist language", which am guessing is something like attacking her credibility to do her job in such a high profile role to run Everton as the CEO.

The Board would not have been removed in my opinion had not the headlock situation been amplified and sensationalised by certain Everton fan channels, which have business speakers on and very influential as 'expert' at that, to persuade minds of the average Everton fan.

Then amplified and sensationalised by mainstream media, inter alia the Echo, whose view is likely just reporting and drafting a relevant story.

My view is that Everton fan channels on YouTube and influential others on X have all used propaganda to persuade the average Everton fan mind of certain things. Such propaganda was "headlock" where DBB was explaining to the BBC that the evidence of abuse was inter alia "mysogynist language," and in my opinion, taking whole context into account circumstantial opinion, "headlock moment.

The aforementioned Everton fans, some articulate and educated, employed their platforms on YouTube to articulate propaganda, such as presented a narrative that Barrett-Baxendale was not a credible witness and went on to do that to the extent that it sought evidence for confirmation bias, such as proof that Barrett-Baxendale was not accosted and put in a headlock, which in any event is accosting and with inappropriate embrace.

It for instance sought evidence from the police that no crime has been committed and or not any police charge being its consequence.

Perhaps I ought to here also say, excuse my English, as particular commentary on here is verbatim such expression and I am writing in real time on my phone.

Being dyslexic, my particular weakness is I do not have enough short-term memory to recall things in real time communication which means I have seemingly not completed sentences, or timing issues with using comments etc.

I do not have innate timing in my brain owing to similar parts of my brain that are nor aligned for spatial awareness. But I still have the ability to run rings around legal and other professionals in my day job.

An issue I had with Virgin Media, where there was evidence of racketeering in terms of contract, was sorted out immediately on making a draft to its solicitor.

But the point isn't really about the board being chased and Sharp being an unwitting victim. Although how not establishing facts before judgement is not a kangaroo court escapes me, maybe "Lynch mob" might be a better descriptor?

The real point is a legendary player who gave everything for the club and brought unparalleled success feels so impugned by his treatment from some Everton fans that he feels there is no way back.

In your own example of dismissal, were you called a "shit" and a "twat" or blamed for your own dismissal?

It is unequivocally one of the most shameful episodes in the club's history.

Nazi Germany, what happened there – and of course caveat is it is not remotely that here – propaganda was used owing to prejudice and we all know what that led to.

The point, dominants in society have power to create an us and them, by the way is first stage to tyranny, according BBC's seminal documentary on which is the dark side of psychology (social psychology).

In my opinion, an us and them was created when aforementioned Everton fans banded together to oust The Board by using propaganda of confirmation bias per making headlock into an issue.

Educated and persuasive, articulate fans who have an agenda are capable of becoming the dominants. Vacc v anti-vacc was the other us and them.

How does one establish facts? By hearing what took place in the first place, I would presume?

Why when you say that people don't know the half of it remain silent?

First thing any clever person does if they get arrested is use their right to stay silent, unless they have got nothing to hide.

"You don't know the half of it" is the last thing that a person who doesn't want to speak, normally says.

Ian Wright was part of that lynch-mob, John, until he found out the real truth.

BTW, did you know that, as the board representative on the Fans Advisory Board, Sharp attended only two quarterly meetings, one the inaugural start and the next a couple of months later? I checked, subsequently missing the following two before the board was eventually dispatched. The club failed in its commitment to meet with their own incarnation.

It would appear that any responsibility for fan liaison that he may have had, was curtailed or deemed unnecessary. He was not in attendance again. It would have been a great platform to share his thoughts on though wouldn't it?

Footnote: as ever, versions of truth end up as speculation or conjecture. The ball is in Sharp's corner should he be invited. But that day is done.. bad water under the bridge.

So I have said my peace, I hope he reconciles his feelings, because he gave us some great moments, but the chapter is closing. I have no more to add, so will move on.

If you re-read Brian's post @ 111 and my own, you will notice that the numbers I used are not quite the same as Brian's.

You also say "You made comments presented as facts." Erm no, I made comments based on facts.

To help you along a bit, the numbers I presented were sourced from here:

Everton FC Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23 — Part I

Everton report losses of £89.1m for 2022-23 season

Everton's financial plight laid bare as club reports £89.1m loss in latest accounts

Here is your next comment: "You also say that Sharp's ‘main contributions as a board member given he was hired to provide footballing insights and shape strategy?' Really? I thought he was a fans liaison officer (whatever that does)."

Unfortunately, that prize gem did not come from me but from Bill Kenwright on the day the appointment was announced. I suppose he had to give some reason for appointing Sharp.

But, let's keep it going Ray because this is fun.

If headlock, which save Barrett-Baxendale's perception did not happen, though inappropriate and intimidating embrace to her had, and not sensationalism used for Everton fans' confirmation bias, would the Board have been removed in any other circumstance?

If Moshiri wanted that Board to remain in place, he wouldn't have paid them off. Maybe he finally realised the Board wasn't doing a very good job with his investment.

I think the problem on forums such as this is the tacit acceptance we've been shit for more than a generation has irked but not killed us.

The Moshiri era was a double whammy bringing expectation only for it to collapse and absolutely eviscerate us. Quite understandably loads went to pieces lashing out in frustration as the abyss slipped ever closer. The buck stops at the top so all involved at board level got it big time.

Hearsay and supposition were the weapons of choice no one knew what was going on it was just necessary to get heads on spikes and boy did they get them.

The problem arises when the idea Graeme Sharp might have been mistreated because of factual ignorance is extrapolated. Where other board members equally misjudged was Kenwright not as evil as the TW gospel dictates (Oops, I said it)

There are between 6 and 10 regulars on here who create the dogma and a subset who follow slavishly. Doesn't mean they're right though.

Like most giving an opinion, I guess Sharpie stayed quiet because of a gagging order but I really don't know.

The level of vitriol he received might make him fear for his safety and maybe his family. You only have to look at some of the nutters on here giving out big time at his honest comments in an interview to realize how fucked up some are. Remember the police advised board members not to attend because of concerns for their safety.

The grimness of what has really happened here could be off the scale.

The advice came from the club's own hired security advisors.

A statement from a security and safety advisor released by the club said: "Following a thorough risk assessment, and in response to tangible threats received by the club and intelligence we have gathered, the club's Board members have been told they must not attend today's fixture."

If such policy was totally unacceptable to any individual, then the only alternative was resignation – even if this did result in the forfeiture of any remuneration as the price that had to be paid 'for a stand on principle'!

I am sure many of my trades union brothers who are ToffeeWebbers will have faced this situation and thus have little sympathy for this great footballer who got led astray!

Same Everton fan channels demanded Sharpy resign without so much as any fact to make any material judgment. The mentality is naive as, in the real world, it is not so easy to disclose what happens.

I still maintain that influenced Everton fans caused the Board's removal by relying on the cheapness of sensationalism of headlock, which is preferred as inappropriate embrace and or accosting and "mysogynist language" by the fan accosting her, well it doesn't quite have the same powerful narrative. Credibility is thus inferred and damage done to Barrett-Baxendale's witness testimony.

Moshiri, with public opinion swayed, albeit manipulated, has to let go of Sharp and Barrett-Baxendale. Remuneration: contract is contract. Influenced fans are like parrots who reverberate soundbites from dominant fans with a removal of the Board agenda.

But what I do know is that all of us love Everton and Sharp was an integral part of our past success. So maybe it's time to forgive if not forget any presumed wrongdoing.

I am sure the players who played with Sharp would feel a little uncomfortable if Sharp wasn't at the farewell game at Goodison. Also, I wouldn't want our final day at Goodison to be tainted by the press as they do, trying to cause division.

I think our new owners will be keen to ensure that events surrounding the leaving of Goodison and opening of the new stadium attract nothing but positive news coverage. I imagine therefore they would be very keen to avoid questions being raised as to why one of our last league trophy winners and scorer of that goal was absent.

I can't help but feel there's a little bit of choreography going on here with the end result being Graeme Sharp playing his part in whatever events are planned to mark the occasions.

He will have been tied up in an NDA, so wouldn't have been able to say too much, but maybe could have given a signal to the supporters.

I hope he returns to the city and Goodison. We aren't going to hurt him. Sadly, he got sucked into the board he was a member of and stayed loyal to the then Chairman.

He's not the only ex-player to do so. I remember Duncan Ferguson heaping praise on him on the pitch at Goodison.

I see where Nazi Germany is now mentioned, people getting carried away. Greame Sharp is big enough to look after himself, he never once came out and explained his decision, he got his payday and said he won't come to Goodison again, that's his choice.

Peter Reid's eulogy at Blue Bill's service... now that's a tribute.

The directors went awol, and the fans helped keep the team up once again.

Without the fans, Everton Football Club would be nothing. And without the fans finally protesting about the ineptitude at the top of our club, about 20 years too late, imo, John.

What are your reasons for saying this was the wrong type of narrative, and the people on the board were actually the victims?

I remember being in one of my earlier psychology lectures and saying to the lecturer that IQ using numbers does not reflect short-term memory. I rationalised that as numbers are visualised ie 1, 2, 3, 4, it's easy to remember than language which is not represented in memory recall. She, Dr, PhD type, said that I was wrong, and for confirmation bias she asked if those sitting in the auditorium agreed with PhD her. Predictably, they did.

The point is people are unlikely to change their mind when previously convinced. I am the opposite.

This whole topic is emotive. Despite what has been written on here about Facebook, it's not a clear majority on there supporting Sharp, it is pretty evenly split.

Personally, I really don't care if he comes back or not. It has no bearing at all on my matchday experience. If he comes back and is paraded on the pitch as part of a 40-year celebration, I would cheer and applaud the player. If he doesn't, I'm not going to lose any sleep either.

Being of a vintage lucky enough to see him play, I just think it's really sad how things have turned out.

My tuppence for what it's worth is this. Sharp for many years has been a Kenwright puppet. Even before his ill-fated appointment. Back in the KEIOC days when we marched against Deination Kirkby, Sharp was on Radio City belittling the fans for protests and essentially brushing it off as a handful, when it most definitely was not.

It was clear to me even then he did not have Everton's best interests at heart. You only need to compare him to Big Nev – a player frozen out for speaking up.

Now to the board role. If you remember what he was "hired" to do, he definitely did not achieve this. He really was just a paid puppet used to keep the natives in their place. His role really was to turn fans against fans. How can you criticise a club legend, derby goal etc... you can see the same posts on this thread.

When the club spread those lies about threats, they tarnished the reputation of every single Everton fan.

I went the game straight after it and fans were treated terribly. Even in the family enclosure where my season ticket is.

The stewards at the end of the game came out. Instead of lying down like usual so we can watch the game, they stood at the side of the pitch deliberately blocking the view of fans.
When fans rightly complained, it was like that is what they wanted it to happen. Almost like they had a remit to wind fans up to justify these threats. There was no need at all as these were families with kids trying to watch a game.

They have never done this since either it was only that game directly after the alleged threats. lt all was very intimidating for kids. That was just one part of the ground, they were excessive in every stand.

I was even asked before I took my lad if it was safe for him to go, they had heard about it being high risk etc, because of these lies.

So you see there were consequences to the lies, you won't see this reported but it happened. The reputation of every single fan was damaged by those lies.

Sharp was a part of that.

Moving on to today. Wounds are healed, most people were arguing on forums about Dyche, Calvert-Lewin, Young, Keane – you know, actual football matters.

Sharp has decided he wants to stay away. That's fine; if he had come back, nobody would have cared either. Instead, what he's done is unacceptable.

He's done an interview where he essentially doubles down on the lies, he's dragged it all up again, and the way it's been spun, he's dragged the fans' name through the mud again. It's almost like he wants fans to have a go so he can justify his self-imposed exile.

He's the only person stopping him going and he needs to either come back, or stay away and shut up.

I'm not even bothered if he apologises to fans, he can do what he wants, just stop playing the victim as you're damaging the reputation of the fans of the club you claim to love.

If that Channel, whatever it is, is not to your liking, then avoid it, or if you feel so outraged by people airing their own personal views, get in touch with the owners of said channel and complain to them.

Everybody has their own view on any given subject; some will side with what they feel is the majority view; some will stick to their own view, regardless of how many people share that view.

If we all thought the same thing about everything, life would be boring and slightly terrifying.

So you're saying the board are completely blameless and did nothing wrong?

Why did Merseyside police say come out and say, there was no assault or threats reported to them? That's what any citizen would do if it happened.

If the fans did what the board did, tell lies and walk away, we'd be playing in the Championship now.

Sharp didn't have a “gagging order”. He signed an NDA as part of his exit package. He agreed not to talk in exchange for money.

I would love to hear details of this ‘malicious campaign' that he was victim of, or the less confident “vitriol he received might make him fear for his safety and maybe his family” or the coin toss “the grimness of what has really happened here could be off the scale”.

I think these contributions can be nominated for the Booker Prize for fiction. Although there is stiff competition from the sporting thriller “Headlockgate” – that real life mystery even had the police baffled.

“To be fair, Sean Dyche, the manager, has been great. He has asked me on numerous occasions to go up to the training ground, all credit to him for that."

Ref TW above citing Sharp on Dyche article extracts.

You're not alone John, I'm sure most reasonable people would change their minds when previously convinced, but how is this possible if it's true that Graeme Sharp has signed an NDA?

It's not about apologizing, it's about giving his version of events – especially when he has allegedly been saying that people don't even know the half of it. Surely?

For a self-proclaimed laser sharp legal mind, albeit with dyslexic tendencies, you don't half come up with some twaddle.

"Inappropriate embrace"

Everyone, but everyone referred to it as a headlock. Here's the most neutral, least tainted or 'influenced' (another one of your favoured mis-directives) reportage I could find:

The PA news agency understands Kenwright this week received death threats via email while Barrett-Baxendale was grabbed by a fan and placed in a headlock as she left the directors' box after a recent game.

Now why exactly do you seek in your self-important legalistic role to deny or somehow change (influence?) the way this was reported a the time?

I for one certainly never went anywhere near YouTube for my information on this, or indeed on anything else.

For you to try and make out that this incident was somehow generated or exacerbated by online influencers is disingenuous of many Evertonians who were effectively criminalized by the unsubstantiated claims made against them.

If it doesn't chime with people's entrenched views... it'll be dismissed out of hand.

Instead though he left snippets that then cast Everton fans in a bad light.

His call, just as it is to stay away.

A very accurate assessment, but don't suppose Barry or John can agree with facts.

I'm only surmising of course because I genuinely don't know the half of it, but the less said should be better considering how many alleged NDAs have been given out over the Kenwright years.

You seem to have a very poor opinion of your fellow fans. What you are saying is you are right and anyone who disagrees has been brainwashed by a rebellious band of YouTube rebels with an agenda. Is that the general gist?

I notice Michael has since replied, and he was making the point I wanted to make. I will take it a step further though.

You seem to be choosing to believe the club narrative, that is your prerogative. I do not for one second believe it, this is not because I have been brainwashed by fans on YouTube as you seem to think we all are. I look at the simple facts.

The timing of these leaks to the press about this, it was timed to curb a planned protest.

The nature of how this was communicated.

How Everton refused to answer any subsequent questions on it.

The fact there was no record of these threats to the police. This alone is the most damning part. If there was a genuine credible threat to all board members and a headlock of a board member, do you honestly think this would not be reported to the police?

The damage to the reputation of the fans through this orchestrated smear campaign by the board is unforgivable. They are lucky we do not live in America as they could and maybe should have been sued in a class action for defamation of character. Every single fan, especially match-going fans, were defamed by this.

As regards your point @172 where you tried to equate this to Nazi Germany, that was rather tasteless and adding a caveat does not really negate this. As you however seem to think this is a suitable analogy, might I suggest you have this completely wrong. It could be argued the board acted more like the aforementioned party. Especially when you look at the 12 early warning signs of fascism. I could actually give you a history lesson from this period, you see I too studied in university, one area was German history – in particular, the rise of fascism.

I will not, however, as this a football forum, and not the place. The only thing I will say is this, maybe the fans protesting could be seen as the resistance and you can be seen more like Martin Niemöller; maybe look up his famous "First they came" quote.

"I think these contributions can be nominated for the Booker Prize for fiction."

Yes, I would support that as they're not facts but possibilities so go for it and have some fun. Life is too short not to.

I'm sure I read somewhere back when this came to light that some bloke claimed he was the headlocker but that all he had done was, perhaps inappropriately, ruffled Barrett-Baxendale's hair in a “friendly Northern fashion” and that she over-reacted.

I've lived in Germany, as many know. I've visited the fields of Flanders in Belgium and a few of the WW2 concentration camps. I'm a history buff. Both are very humbling experiences.

We have reconciled and I have many German friends.

I would avoid liking it to football other than that moment of the unofficial Christmas Truce in 1914 when both sides climbed out of the trenches, shook hands and then apparently kicked a ball around. I've been to the memorial plaque on the site where this is supposed to have taken place.

I've also been to the birthplace of Adolf Hitler in Branau am Inn on the Austrian side of the border with Bayern.

I don't like the situation that Sharpy by default was caused to be in. What I am saying, there have been certain agendas to oust The Board and in consequence The Board retaliated.

A set of narratives were thus then created which started when Everton fans abused The Board online, and a counter by The Board and by Everton fans respectively.

The Board's counter was to use the narrative headlock, quite circumstantially, as part of a hate campaign against it. Headlock became sensationalised, when there was obviously no smoking gun.

There was however an inappropriate embrace by an Everton fan – as no Everton fan should be embracing a woman, whether jokingly or not. Same person would normally not do it to a man, ergo the inference is it is chauvinist behaviour, regardless if a headlock or not.

Everton fans from The Board's perspective were trying to force them out so they likewise adopted Machiavellian tactics. The legitimate process ought to have been that Moshiri removes his staff where based on a breach of contract for in his view what he observes as failure to perform.

There is no difference than invading Iraq to later steal its oil, as that too was an illegitimate process, inventing an excuse for an energy war. I digress.

The Board used Machiavellian tactics when it had constructive knowledge that fans were conspiring to assemble to demonstrate. It's thus a tad too simplistic to say the fans were hung out to dry.

I am fully entitled to make inferences of headlock based on the facts. There was an inappropriate embrace of Barrett-Baxendale. Sharp, our legend, regrettably got caught up in this mess. Maybe Sharp held a prejudice against fans owing to '80s thuggery, and racism in the '90s (ref Toffee TV Ped), who knows.

I don't quite see save it is elucidate for me as to how ad hominem has any relevance or law for that matter, Mr Kenrick. People who use non sequitur or ad hominem, well my view of that is and typically in practise, often means they have not too much to contribute so in fact divert attention off the point, or being evasive. I come across from solicitors and barristers who use evasion than say anything else.

I lived in Germany for a year back in 1994-95 and spent a week in a hostel with with German pensioners who had got together to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of end of the war.

I got a real insight as to what it was like in Germany for them and the horrors of that regime.

I'm all for getting back to football. Try to remember Sharpy for 'that' 30 yarder at Mordor.

Barry, I admire your independence and persistence but there are some allies you really don't need.

Ref: Nazi Germany. Most people live in a bubble, not understanding it doesn't take much to get there or even worse.

Watch where this climate change agenda goes to. A one-world government dictatorship, with everyone being slaves.

He really does have a strange way of expressing himself.

Can we not just knock this on the head now anyway? It's going round and round in circles.

On the contrary, every subject in law was 3-hour exam except Commercial law. Is that your view of an online degree?

You seem certain of this John, as if you've thought it out. What activities should we be looking out for?

To my mind, he began checking out around the time we signed Tony Cottee, and has done little positive for the Club since (with the notable exception of 2 of the equalisers in that famous 4-4 draw in the F.A. Cup replay).

As to his feelings of being unjustly treated... what else would anyone expect? A public admission of having screwed up or failed? Very few people have the kind of self-honesty or courage required to do that.

But the emotional overstatements on both sides of the question are less than admirable in my opinion. Nobody died or was injured here. The commentary about deliberate defamation of "the reputation of the fans" en masse strikes me as ridiculous. That bumbling board couldn't have orchestrated a lunch order, let alone a conspiracy to smear an entire supporter base.

A retired footballer who was obviously unqualified to be a director now doesn't want to associate with the club anymore, and it appears most fans don't want him around. In the wider picture of the train wreck of Moshiri's organization, this seems to one admittedly distant observer to be nothing more than a small side note.

I met Tony Cottee at a presentation award for the boys when we took them on stage to pick up their medals.

I couldn't help myself and introduced myself. Obviously he was a West Ham boy, but he spoke fondly about Everton.

We got married at Goodison Park in 2008 and coincidentally Graeme Sharp was attending another function there.

My dad had always loved Sharpy the player, and one of my family asked if he would come and meet him. Not only did he come up and meet my dad, he stayed and had his photograph taken with so many of my Everton mad family.

My dad, who sadly is no longer with us, said it was one of the best days of his life. My wedding day photograph that adorns centre stage in my house is of my husband, myself, my dad and Graeme Sharp. My mum always said it was the only thing my dad had ever dusted!

I don't know who is right or wrong in this debate but I just wanted to share this with fellow Evertonians.

Lynn that's a lovely story and you shouldn't let any of the madness (and some of it IS madness) take away from your cherished experience. 💙

I was in awe of him, and he could see that, and he totally relaxed me and I told him a funny story which we both laughed our heads off at.

One of the highlights of my life, so I know just how you feel. 💙

The majority of fans probably would give him a fair hearing.

Couple of years ago, I met him at the Empire in the intermission of a show. I practically squealed, “It's Kevin Sheedy!” (I was 50). He came straight over and started talking. I was with my cousin Mark, who has Downs Syndrome.

The conversation with him and Kevin went a bit like this 'Hi Kevin, I'm Mark', 'Hi Mark, I'm Kevin' 'I don't like football Kevin, I like WWE wrestling, Irish music and Last of the Summer Wine', 'That's great Mark, I love Irish music too and football is not what it was', 'Are you married Kevin?', 'Yes Mark I am, what about you?' 'I've got 2 wives and a husband at the centre I go to', 'that's nice Mark, doing well for yourself then!', 'Do you want a pint Kevin? Liam is getting the round in!'

So that's how I ended up buying a pint for Sheeds and having a good chat with him. Great fella and he loves Everton.

I said footballers don't bother me, although I must say when I met Seamus Coleman, last Christmas Day, the pleasure was all mine because he his a class act and a very genuine and humble man. Give us the FA Cup, Seamus🤞

We will be led better by a more professional outfit who will spend if and when required. No more brushes with Masters or PSR. Short term on the pitch I believe it's quite possible we will secure a Champions league place within 3 seasons.

So in answer to your question, Yes they are likely to be a significant step up from were we have been in the last few years.

Human nature however, may see their involvement as less than warmth towards the club, as a business, an investment. But this is the Premier league, where nation states have bought clubs as a plaything, to compete requires not just being very good on the pitch but even better off it.

It's unlikely to be a perfect marriage, Everton fans are some of the best in the world, passionate and knowledgeable, we don't suffer fools gladly. Life in a northern town is very different from landing your Spitfire on a beach for Dunkirk or donating millions in support of the reelection of Trump. His politics therefore may well be an indicator of his view on life, one that is vastly different from a Texas republican.

Right now, everything looks like a better option than a 777 or after the way we have been run for over 20 years. The game has changed, people too, but exactly how this relationship will pan out in the next decade or so is very much an unknown. For now it's a mixture of relief and hope. Both are in short supply in this world today, money apparently isn't.

He obviously has an attitude to fans.

That got me thinking and actually made me look up Hotel California by The Eagles, I got this by the Illegal Eagles and it's a fabulous cover (in case you want some quality):
https://www.facebook.com/reel/908285350121517

Things were written and said that he and other board members were told to stay away for fear of their safety. I don't personally believe any threats were put out by any minority groups.

I do remember Graeme Sharp saying about the protests: "One man and his dog" – pretty snide remark on his behalf.

I personally don't care if he never steps a foot inside Goodison Park again, or Bramley-Moore Dock.

I do remember a few years ago I bumped into him coming out of a toilet on a now closed pub called the Players Lounge. I apologised to him because I walked right into him. To my disgust, he just looked at me as if he had just wiped something off the sole of his shoe.

He was a great player for Everton but since that day I've always had utter contempt for the man. Sad really but that's how I feel.

I have supported Everton for 60 years and just want the club to be okay, and when I see blatant injustice, I get angry.

Why can't Sharpy understand Evertonians are fed up of all the nonsense? If you have signed a non-disclosure agreement, let us all know so we know where you stand. If you haven't, tell us what really happened.

40,000 Evertonians go the game and no one has booed you. So get angry with the way Everton and Evertonians have been treated by the Premier League and speak up for us instead of feeling sorry for yourself.

Everton have been at the receiving end of endless injustice for the last 4 years and it is time everyone stood up for the club. What goes on in plain sight is outrageous.