FA To Wait

The FA will wait until the Police investigation has finished into the coin throwing incident inside Goodison, before contemplating any charges. Everton have assisted both the FA, and the Police, and are still appealing for witnesses, or indeed if anyone knows the bell 'end, who threw the coin to get in touch with the club on 0151 330 2200, or Merseyside Police on 709 6010.

Just a footnote; it will be hard for the FA to charge the Blues with any wrong doing, as only weeks earlier the Kop threw an object at another United player, and no action has been taken. The precedent has been set. With Everton also offering every assistance in the matter, it would be a shame if 39,000+ marvelous fans, and the club be punished for a small minority of tits.

An FA Spokesman says: "We have been in talks with Everton and Merseyside Police and we are monitoring the situation. But we will not be rushed into any action and we are aware that it is an ongoing police investigation. But it would certainly help the situation is a culprit was discovered.

A Rozzer Spokesman says: It may be next week before we have finished looking through the many hours of CCTV footage, and only then will we consider releasing pictures of suspects. (03/03/05)

Getting Laid

Its the talk of the town at the moment, but come the next home game against Blackburn on Sunday week, Goodison should be looking like Wembley. No what am I saying that is still a shit 'ole, the Millenium Stadium, no their turf keeps ripping up, but you get the picture though.

Twelve of the best grass men around are now busy laying the new pitch. Rumours were dispelled that Charlie Dimmock, Tommy Walsh, and that Irish fella' who mumbles for a living were seen adding some decking, and a water feature to the Goodison Park ground. (22/02/05)

Regrets I had a Few

Everton Director Paul Gregg has reared the emotive issue of the groundshare again. He still believes that in the long run it is the best way forward for Everton, and dare I say it, the shite as well. Unfortunately for Greggo the idea has almost the same chance as Accrington Stanley winning the Premiership.

Everton's financial situation has been well documented, and to put it mildly the shite are up shit creek without a paddle as well in the money world. Long gone are the days when both clubs could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Man ure's, and Chelski's of this football world.

Greggo says: "The City has an historic opportunity to resolve this issue and seriously examine the benefits of a shared stadium. It is a chance for the City to deliver a world- class facility fit for two clubs with world class ambitions. Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs are the City’s greatest international ambassadors appearing in front of global TV audiences every week. Both clubs recognise the energetic efforts that Mike Storey and Sir David Henshaw have made to accommodate us within the City, and it is my belief that Liverpool and Everton should remain here. My vision would be for a shared stadium within the City of Liverpool that would be one of the world’s great sporting arenas." (18/02/05)

Rich in Spirit

On the day that the top twenty richest clubs in the world were announced, Everton unfortunately don't find themselves among them. With a history other clubs would die for, and the tag of the Mersey Millionaires a distant memory, CEO Keith Wyness's mission is to put us up again with the financial elite.

The list boasts eight Premiership clubs, and Everton are fighting hard on and off the pitch to be among them next year. Big Keith warns the only way to compete on their level is to move away from Goodison Park. This issue still remains priority in returning Everton to the top of the football tree, with the increased revenue is would naturally generate.

Big Keith says: "This is a league which Everton should be playing in and climbing. Our short-term aspirations by season 2005/06 must be to be in the top 20 but then to really make progress as to being in the top ten as quickly as we can do. That really is where the club deserves to be and where we must be. All our plans have got to be based around that.

The plans that were presented at the AGM for the three-year-plan would clearly put us into the top 20 by season 2007/08 but I would like to be in the top 20 by 2005/06. I think that’s achievable if we work hard over this next off-season to do that. With the plans in place it is looking like we will be able to achieve and exceed our hopes for the business plan at present, although it’s still very early.

As everyone knows, the whole idea is to support David Moyes to the fullest extent to make sure that the results keep coming on the pitch, which we know is a key driver in terms of revenues.

The stadium is still one of the biggest issues that confronts us and how we maximise that revenue. It’s well documented that we are looking at the options available to us and we’re working as hard as we can on those options at present but there is still no clear direction that I can tell the fans we’ve decided on at this stage. It is the single biggest factor that will take us forward into the top ten." (17/02/05)

Place in The Sun

Moyesy has took the players off on a well earned mid season break to recharge their batteries ahead of this weekend Cup clash, and the end of season run in. The players jetted off to Portugal at the weekend for a three day sabbatical, to put their feet up, and take in a bit of sun.

It is not all relaxation though, as Moyesy has some work planned. He has put them through a rigueurous regime of learning to deal with Passport Control clerks, and dealing with the boredom of waiting in Airport lounges, ahead of our assault on Europe next season.

Moyesy says: It is a good time to get away and recharge the batteries. We have got a hard game on Saturday which is important to us and hopefully we will be back to 100% next week" (15/02/05)

Have A Nice Day

Everton have put their plans into motion with the aid of Merseyside Police for Everton's tea time kick off with Man Ure in the FA Cup. Added to the potential return of Wayne Rooney to Goodison, Everton are putting procedures in place that the game passes off without incident.

Remember it will be Everton that suffer if anyone encroaches onto the playing surface from the crowd, and lets not forget, we are there to support the Blues bid to win the FA Cup. Come On You Blue Boys.

Everton's Safety Officer Norman Whibley says: "Obviously I’m conscious that should Wayne Rooney play he will be the centre of attention for both sets of fans but again I’m sure that with the sporting nature of the Everton fans they will treat him both with respect and also as an opposing player. The sportsmanship of Everton fans was evident when the Manchester United team were presented with the Premier League trophy here at Goodison in 2003, when our fans stood and warmly applauded that achievement.

I believe that the stewarding operation will provide everyone with confidence and importantly, following the recent reminders by both the Manager and myself no-one will encroach onto the pitch. It’s common these days for players to leave a team and move on. It would be naive not to say that we are aware of the feelings of Everton fans but nevertheless, we’ll have a stewarding and police operation on the day which will ensure that the people enjoy the game in safety." (08/02/05)

The Soap Opera Continues

The plot over our proposed cash injection thickens. Chris Samuelson is convinced that everything is in place and ready to go. In fairness though, we have been hearing that since Wayne and Grav were still playing in the Royal Blue.

Big Keith it seems is getting a tadge pissed off with the lack of movement and other options are being researched for separate funding. Once arch villain Paul Gregg is apparently off to the States with the full backing off the Board, to try and secure alternative funding.

Tune in next week, for a one hour special after Eastenders, about the lives, loves and intrigue in the Boardroom that is Goodison.

Big Keith says: "We are in preliminary negotiations with another potential investor and I also know that Paul Gregg is also speaking to a possible American investor."

Chris Samuelson says: The fund is approved and ready to go. I have not received the actual certificate of incorporation of the fund, but that is a technicality. We have been told verbally it has been approved and so the documents will follow.

As far as I am concerned, it is a fait accompli, subject to approval of an EGM of shareholders." (04/02/05)