Ownership Grand Old Team is a privately owned, independent entity operated entirely by a dedicated group of Everton fans and volunteers. Founded in 2007, the platform was built on the core principle of remaining 100% unofficial. We are not affiliated with, owned by, or tied to Everton Football Club, nor are we part of any corporate sports media network. The site is managed by fans, for fans.
Our Independence Because we are completely independent, our editorial voice and forum discussions are never dictated by the club’s board, external investors, or PR departments. We do not receive any financial backing or subsidies from Everton Football Club. This autonomy allows us to provide an unfiltered, honest, and truly fan-centric perspective on everything happening with the Blues, capturing the true voice of the fanbase as we follow the team at the new stadium and on the road. We answer only to our community.
How We Are Funded Running a community of this scale-serving millions of page views to a massive global audience-requires robust server infrastructure, technical maintenance, and ongoing development. To cover these operational costs and keep the core forum entirely free to use, GrandOldTeam relies on a few transparent revenue streams:
- Display Advertising: We utilise standard programmatic display advertisements across our articles and forum pages.
- The Grand Old Team Shop: We curate and sell exclusive, fan-designed merchandise, including our popular Everton Mishmash prints, apparel, and memorabilia. Every penny of profit from the shop is directly reinvested into the site’s upkeep.
- Community Upgrades: We offer optional premium account upgrades for members who wish to voluntarily contribute to our hosting costs. In return, these supporters receive an ad-free browsing experience and minor forum perks.
All revenue generated goes strictly toward sustaining and improving the website, ensuring Grand Old Team remains the premier online destination for Evertonians worldwide.
