The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow

Bet your bottom dollar, or last silver piece, unless it's Sunday, in which case the News of the World will be published, containing no doubt more speculation on Wayne Rooney and the parlous state of Everton Football Club. Indeed it's not just the red top tabloids but the supposedly more reflective and objective broadsheets which are filling column inches with a combination of wishful thinking, fabricated gossip and somewhere in the middle a serious analysis of the true problems facing this great club. And it is a great club, as if we should have to explain to Sky fans, not, as one Evertonian recently snapped, some no-mark outfit like Fulham, Birmingham or Boro. Bluenose, fresh from internasal duties, thus breaks a silence not quite of Gregian proportions but slightly longer than Master Rooney's, perhaps to shed more heat than light but essentially to express a primal cry of frustration, whether or not it upsets anyone in charge. Shed being the operative word, my head's a shed as they say in these parts, a place of conflict, clutter and disconnected but troubling junk, with dirt dished in spades and muckrakes to smack you in the face when you least expect it. Not, on the other hand , a place of shelter, of summer solace or refuge from the worries of everyday life.

Too much thinking can be bad for you and there's been enough to drive everyone potty over the last few weeks, once the initial euphoria of Euro 2004
died down. It was bad enough at the last match of the season, fourth defeat on the run, two million pounds lost in place money and Evertonians reeling from defeat by five and so nearly six in the City of Manchester Stadium. The pits, the Styx indeed for those leaving the Colin Bell End, saved from the Mersey ferryman and the trip to Tranmere by two divisions and the failure of Leeds to recover from multiple financial and footballing whammies. How low could we get? If games in Portugal gave us pride in our Boy, the antics of Paul Stretford, ably assisted by the likes of Schmeichel and the rest of Pro-Actives spivs and sharks ( today Matthew I am hating the letter S) as well as a compliant Press evidently keen to see the Premiership consolidated as a three club oligarchy, gave us cause for great concern and fear for the People's Club and indeed the People's game.

What can I add to this debate? I'm not sure, but I've added my name to the Shareholder's petition for an EGM. As the banner at Crewe said, What the Heck is going on? Sorry if it offends Mr Kenwright, but Evertonians are entitled to some answers. I went to Crewe along with a couple of thousand others, craving the company of Evertonians, anxious for titbits of information, messages of hope, sparkle on the pitch. With the exception of a half-decent late second half performance, particularly from Campbell and Bent, there was little to applaud in a 2-1 defeat. Blues sat in generally subdued silence, nobody daring to venture a positive opinion. There was no riot, but simply a small demonstration of frustration, well expressed on the banners and backed up by some chanting and as much good humour but certainly no abuse as could be mustered. It was the same at Turf Moor, where loyal support was rewarded with a Yobo goal and 1-1 draw but an overall abysmal performance, shortcomings on the pitch reflecting our inability to compete in the transfer market.

More stygian gloom and more questions. Why did Birch leave? Is he a quitter, like Dalglish and Keegan if he doesn't get his way? Is he right to highlight the painful truth as he sees it? Is there hope without him or even will he return if there's change on the Board? Is Paul Gregg for real? Did he really write and mean that message to the fans? Does he have a plan of survival and regeneration? Is he Peter Johnson writ large? Has he truly taken on Board what fans and Shareholders have been saying for a while? And is there a future for Bill or will Maggie's child be turfed out or slink out of the corner shop?
Styx and stones and names to hurt him? I hope not. This is the man who bleeds Blue and who put his hand in his pocket and paid personally for 3000 Blues to support the team at Fulham. My personal wish is for Kenwright to play some, but a much reduced part in future productions but that may not be possible. Looks like we'll find out sooner rather than later and, if you can take anything at face value, there could be some investors waiting in the shadows, attracted by the promise of influence with their finance. What,too, of the women of substance? Jenny Seagrove aside, what influence will Anita Gregg have on her husband's expenditure and Old Mother Grantchester on Lord "Nice But"s possible future involvement. I know not but like all simplistic Evertonians I can see what's needed and maybe too can Paul Gregg though this supporter's trust in him is provisional.

Mr Gregg, aka Evertonians for Chang did secure the Thai Brewery sponsorship. He, like many of us, sees great potential in the eastern market but some say he's in cloud cuckoo land. Can this though be any worse than adopting the Philip Carter stance of "You'll never sell shirts in China" and sitting back while the aforementioned Manchester City set up academies and six megastores in that land of one billion people. If Gregg does increase his hold, or take overall control, there'll be pressure to invest with some of his own money. Which might then beg the question in a week when another Liverpool vision building project bit the dust "Where was your money and your public pronouncements when we needed a couple of million for the Kings Dock?" It'll be difficult to forget that, even if bitter Blues turn to Thai lager.

And so to he whose custody struggle put Everton under the microscope and sparked off recent troubles. Much as I want to indulge the Boy in his confused silence, I simply want him to speak to us instead of tomorrow's toilet paper, to break free of his agent for a minute or two and say whether he stays or goes. I hope he stays and so does David Moyes, whose behaviour has been impeccable throughout . Money can't be the issue for a Croxteth lad with fifty grand plus in his back pocket and if it's David Moyes and Everton discipline he dislikes, he should ask himself how gentle Sir Alex will be with him. Wayne could go on to do great things for us and he could be the lynchpin of an Everton revival on and off the pitch but I suspect he won't ultimately have too many statues to his name or, like Matt Le Tissier and Steve Bull , find a pint left for him in the pump of every local bar. This has been a humiliating few weeks, capped by Birmingham City, Birmingham City for pity's sake, laughing in our faces over Robbie Savage.

Wayne Rooney has a lot of growing up to do , Evertonians a lot of calming down and the Board such as it is a lot of sorting out. As has been shown there are hundreds of Evertonians out there who can contribute positively to this debate rather than shout from the sidelines, and a few with a few bob, if they can be persuaded of the competence of those in charge. Wayne, watch the Golden Vision and Jimmy McGovern's Hillsborough and reflect. Think very carefully about the stability you may leave behind and on how quickly the scurrilous press can turn against you and Colleen, your very own Woman of Substance. David Moyes, hang on in there - you'll have seen the polls and know the fans are with you above anyone else. Bill - talk to your colleagues and do whatever the right thing is. At the end of the day, I'd like you to walk into local pubs and games and find a refreshing drink waiting for you. Paul Gregg, this could be your moment. Daddy Warbucks or Larry Nobucks? Franklin my dear, we do give a damn and for the sake of this truly great club, we want you to back up your words with action and then talk to us some more. To the players, earn your money, even and perhaps especially if it is your last season. If like Radzinski you can no longer be bothered then clear off and soon. And for the fans what? Keep the faith. Tomorrow is another day but we'll still be here. So will Everton Football Club but in what state? Nothing but the best will be good enough. Bluenose. (27/07/04)

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