are we broke

[Allezfan]

We have zero investment exactly because we have a more global neighbour. Sadly but with the bluest glasses on it is still the fact.

If football in England is operated in a franchise system I can see us quickly banished from the major leagues and settle into a minor league status "for the board of the Liverpool Reds don't like Liverpool Toffees dividing up the market, and everyone know that Liverpool Reds is more marketable".

God now that's a nightmare scenario, I can think of little worse.

 

[D410]

They have a "Plan" it,s called STAGNATION....as far as I can see "they" would rather break even every season than to sell the club to a new owner who can inject money intot he club.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

I don't want to spoil this conversation with optimism and numbers, but reading The Guardian on turnover* and wage bills, I've found this interesting nugget**.

2011/2012 values, this is the debt as percentage of turnover for each EPL club

Chelsea 336%
Fulham 244%
Bolton Wanderers 211%
Aston Villa 153%
Queens Park Rangers 139%
Newcastle United 139%
Manchester United 114%
Sunderland 108%
Everton 57%
Liverpool 51%
Tottenham Hotspur 49%
Blackburn Rovers 46%
Arsenal 40%
Manchester City 25%
Wigan Athletic 23%
Stoke City 20%
West Bromwich Albion 1%
Norwich City 0%
Swansea City 0%
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0%

I find these to be very respectable numbers for Everton. Obviously, this doesn't make me feel any better about our lack of a top striker or CM being pursued on the transfer market, and I'm not certain that FFP will be enforced in a way that effectively reels in Chelsea, etc, but as to whether the club is "broke," it seems to be operated at a reasonable level of debt.

*I had to look up what turnover is; you brits seem to be confusing a pastry with revenue, but I'll accept that turnover means receivables
**Debt/Turnover % is computed from values published by The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2013/apr/18/premier-league-club-accounts-debt

A debt / turnover ratio is a fairly meaningless measure in this context, as the 2 at the top of that league table aren't incurring any cost as a result of their debt, as the debt is in the form of interest free loan notes from their benefactor owners.

The lack of debt at Norwich & Swansea explains why they're able to be very active in the current window, armed with their first TV pay cheque though.

 

[andybaker]

cant believe this actually has a thread...

whats next...do bears **** in the woods?

 

[Timak]

We are one bad season, or a couple of bad signings, away from a negative death spiral.

 

[Reemul]

We are one bad season, or a couple of bad signings, away from a negative death spiral.

2 bad signings, more whooo and whee ballony there m8, any more whoppers for us to enjoy, it's hot out there and I need a laugh.

Now a a couple of really poor relegation threatened seasons that knock 7 or 8 mill a year off our income is a different thing when you add losing your best payers who dont want to play in a bottom 6 team and things could look different.

But don't let anything get in the way of internet hyperbole.

 

[Vellios27]

We need bill to go back to return to corrie really

 

[Michael Tsui]

That didn't scare the arab billionaires away from Man City with possibly the biggest club in world football round the corner

1. Its ****ing Manchester.
2. City is at least more marketable than Everton which sadly no one outside England or Football has any knowledge of.
3. City need to sell themselves; Kenwright is in good health and sadly it seems the only situation they really need to sell quick is his death.

 

[Hellerad]

Substantial, though not crippling debt, and low revenue generation. There isn't an easy fix.

We can use TV money to clear debts and put ourselves in a better position for a new stadium development, but risk our league position.
We can use TV money to push for Champions League (and a stronger global brand), but if we finish 6th, we are still deep in debt and in no better position to build a modern ground.

Most likely, we will try to do both, and accomplish neither.