The Question that Must be Asked By Richard Tolman :: 24/06/2013
Let me nail my colours firmly to the mast. I am not a Salford bedsit-dweller, an employee of Everton Football Club, a keyboard warrior, a bull****er, or worse still a kopite – as some people on here seem to have me down as.
I am simply a lifelong supporter, who has been attending the match for four decades and who happens to be in a position of information regarding a deal to buy Everton Football Club. The fact that the deal has not been completed leads me to the conclusion that it will not happen.
For what its worth, I will provide you with what I know on the takeover situation. When I posted six months ago, the situation was that the prospective buyers were going through due diligence, meeting the asking price, and providing proof of funds, All of this was carried out and all boxes were ticked.
From the information I have, not only was the full asking price agreed, all debts were to be paid off and a large war chest of funds provided, amounting to tens of millions of pounds (they are rich but not billionaires). The reason the deal has yet to be concluded is THE question that needs to be asked.
I am totally frustrated that details of this deal have not come out into the mainstream media, forcing the board into some sort of transparency over the sale. When pressed to answer questions on whether there was a deal on the table, it amused me to hear Bill Kenwright come out a few months ago and say "Yes, someone has come forward today..."
I totally understand the scepticism about someone coming on here with information of this nature but if someone at the EGM could pose the question: Is there as deal on the table? ... and, if so, Why has it not been accepted? I would love someone to dare the Chairman to deny there is a deal on the table. I look forward to someone bringing this up at the upcoming EGM on Wednesday evening.
How long do we have to accept this incompetent, inadequate, incapable Board of Directors who are not fit for the purpose of raising funds, growing revenue, and building foundations for now and the future of Everton Football Club? In the richest era in English football history, we seem to be in our worst ever financial position. The new media rights deal that comes into effect this season will save their bacon once again, as did the sale of Arteta, Rooney, Lescott, Rodwell...
We have operated at the right end of the Premier League in spite of this Board of Directors — not because of them. If ever one man was the salvation of a football club, it has to be David Moyes. We may have had issues with some team selections but overall, could anyone have done more with resources available?
The fact that two of the three main shareholders are lifelong Everton supporters should not be reason enough to accept the cannibalism of assets, the lack of commercial value in deals struck, the lack of vision for the future, and the devaluing or Everton Football Club's image. If a foreign owner(s) had taken over Everton 14 years ago and sold off the training ground, leased the new training ground under crippling terms, sold off the rights to future season ticket sales, lumped a £45 million overdraft on to the club, and strangled any borrowing ability... How would we feel?
In an era of billion-pound sports rights deals, we have a Board of Directors and executives with a Sunday League football mentality and ability. Premier League football, like it or hate it, is now a global monster and it requires the personnel with the commercial savvy to obtain the best possible deals. Does the last 14 years of operating Everton as a business give you the confidence that this current regime are the people to drive us forward??? Er.... you have probably worked out my opinion.
I do believe that Bill Kenwright has worked to his maximum ability for Everton, but so did Brett Angel and Glenn Keely. Sometimes your best is just not good enough for Everton Football Club, as many have found out over the last 130-odd years...
Please stand aside, Bill — you are not fullfilling the remit of an Everton Chairman — and please do not tell us that there is no-one out there. Even if it is not a billionaire, I will take my chances elsewhere.
