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Ground Move

Is it just me or am I the only one becoming tired now of this stadium move talk? When we had the proposed Kings Dock move turned down as I expected, it was then revealed that council members had to make the final decision but, and this is where it becomes interesting, the council members could not vote if:
1) They supported Everton Football Club.
2) They could not support Liverpoo FC, and
3) They had no connection with the City directly/and or Football.

Well that was our hopes of a stadium on the waterfront up the kiber for a kick off. It know amazes me that there is all this guff being spoken about keeping Everton in the City. For christ sakes, we still have not built are new training in Halewood, in the borough of Knowsley after years of planning. Our academy is in Netherton, a borough of Sefton. Lets all face it, we will not make any ground move in the next five to ten years. The city of Liverpool means exactly that, "LIVERPOOL". Funny how the red side of the city was granted permission fairly rapidly to build on Stanley Park despite many protests. Remember the Kemlyn Road side of their ground and the two elderly ladies who refused to budge from their home for years whilst they knocked all houses down around them. Well they got them out in the end to build the centenary stand. We can't even build a training ground and an academy in the city without being refused. Now it's keep club our club in the city campaign going on. Lets accept that we are not allowed to progress but the red shi@e are. Stephen Woodside, Huyton. (01/07/07)

Everton - Kilfoyle - Walton

Walton isn’t the most idyllic place in Liverpool; if Everton didn’t play there, would any of us consciously christen the place? That aside; the love
I harbour for Goodison Park is considerable, it holds some wonderful memories – but that’s all they are memories! In recent years I’ve become very critical of Goodison, but more than ever, its owners and their inability to make it a more pleasant experience.
With……..

• 20% obstructed views (nearer 50% in my eyes);
• Unsecured car-parking – with over-zealous traffic wardens aplenty
patrolling only on match days! (I mean what’s that all that about?);
• Hazardous roads;
• Very expensive and dangerous food and drink (I mean a warm pint and a cold
pie – what’s going on there?);
• The habitual ‘dodging of the dog-sh##e’ on match days - City Road and
Church Road West are particular favourites;
• and let’s not forget the atrocious toilet facilities (particularly for our
lovely lady supporters’ – don’t ask me how I know, I just know - ALRIGHT!) –
fuckin’ hell I frightened me-self then!

We’ve been short-changed for years now; but are we now being diddled in huge quantities? Is this level of service acceptable; would we tolerate it anywhere else? Is it indications to the level of respect Kenwright and Co has for the supporters’?

On a more sober note, the Government has reported a consistent rise in GDP for the last ten years’. (GDP = GROWTH DOMESTIC PRODUCT – IT MEANS THE RICH GOT RICHER) Nevertheless North Liverpool (in particular the constituency of Walton) has seen little or no development whatsoever. No Government aid, coupled with little Private Investment or Regeneration Money has contributed to areas unrelenting decline. So why has this Labour controlled constituency suffered so badly under a Labour Government? The current MP since 1991 may have a few answers.

Peter Kilfoyle MP currently enjoys a majority in the House of Commons of 15,957; to his credit, he played a significant part in ridding the city of
the Militant fanatics of the 1980’s; he also campaigned to elect Tony Blair as Labour Leader and subsequent Premiership. But in 1999 he unexpectedly resigned as the Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence, claiming the Blair Government was failing to pay enough attention to Labour's heartlands. Since then he has remained a very vocal critic of the Government and returned to the comfort of the backbenches were he said - "Having reflected long and hard on how I can best use my political energies in the interests of my constituents and the Labour Party, I have concluded that I should return to the backbenchers.” Yeh the marked improvements are blinding Peter. Just for record can anyone note any significant development to the Parliamentary Constituency of Walton under Mr Kilfoyle’s control?

For evidence of Walton’s stagnation just look at the roads: South Liverpool and Knowsley now show clear signs of change in transportation – Speke Boulevard; the Knowsley Expressway and the resurfacing of the East Lancashire Road have been welcome improvements and a great success. Unfortunately, Walton’s constituents’ have had no such delights - County Road; Rice Lane; Longmoor Lane; Walton Hall Avenue; Long
Lane; Breck Road; and Lower Lane have taken months off people’s lives; there desperation dates back to the 1970’s.

In my opinion Everton FC and the area of Walton have suffered at the hands of Mr Kilfoyle. Public attacks on Tony Blair, the man whom until yesterday writes the cheques and exercises formidable influence on every new and prospective business project, is an interesting way of representing the interests of your constituents. Mr Kilfoyle has sacrificed the people of Walton and its business community for his own small-minded personal principles. Someone once said “It’s easier to be a critic than to get off your arse and do it yourself.” Mikel. (01/07/07)

No To Kirkby

So, despite the flood of protests from the grass roots supporters, it seems that our council (Liverpool city), Kirkby council, the perfidious Bradley, the greedy Leahy and Everton board etc are all desperately trying to find a small unrepresentative group of people who are willing to say 'YES' to the move. If this preposterous move goes ahead then Everton FC should NOT claim to call itself the peoples club .... they're not listening to fans opinions. The majority of fans have expressed that they do not want a move.

Just where would we celebrate any future trophies? (in the city of Liverpool I don't think so). I mean how would Evertonians feel standing in front of a town hall in a city that has actively rejected us:- to emphasise this point, Liverpool city council is trying its best to brand the city with the shi'ite club across the park. Has anyone noticed the bus that is running around town which has been done up in shi'ite colours. Funny, I thought that there were two clubs in this city & I didn't see an Everton bus.

Leahy has claimed that relocating would create 2000 jobs? I disagree. It will kill off more jobs in my community (County rd) if Everton do move. All the little independent businesses, the pubs, cafes, pie shops, newsagents will be hit very hard. The Walton/Kirkdale area has been identified by the European parliament as one of the poorest areas in Europe. Is it really Liverpool councils policy that a major employer (with its associated satellite businesses) should be pulled out from an area of deprivation like ours. Mr Kilfoyle is my MP and he better start earning his effin money. The trouble is that the working man has no alternative party to vote for. It's also worth pointing out that Schools in the area also generate valuable revenue by using their playgrounds and charging for car parking on matchdays/nights. This money goes straight back into the schools coffers.

Evertonians, are we willing to sell our souls to accommodate a corporate chancer like Leahy? He's not a supporter, he's a business man and face it, he's no more an Evertonian than B£n!t£z. If you want proof, Tesco have just signed a deal with St Helens RLFC to do similar stadia/shopping mall relocation in St Helens, (Leahy will no doubt have told everyone that he's also a dedicated St Helens fan). All this is proof positive that Leahy isn't a blue as he's claimed and in their arrogance, our board aren't even considering the fans. The bottom line is that Liverpool city council want us out for nothing more than a land grabbing exercise for city centre yuppies. BLUES, IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE. SAY NO TO THIS MOVE. THIS IS FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS. Kev. (01/07/07)

AFC Everton

I am sure we all won't to stay in Liverpool but Everton seem as thou there going ahead with this stupid move. So why not make a new Everton in Liverpool. Do what AFC Wimbledon did. In other words boycott Everton fc if the fans refuse to leave Liverpool. Maybe the club will listen to are plea's. Kyle. (01/07/07)

No To A New Stadium

Why can't we do what Manure did. Rebuild their ground, bit by bit. It takes time, vision and money. Yeah, let's do it. Dave, Crosby. (01/07/07)

Keep Everton In The City

Ok let me ask all those in favour of moving out of the city - would the shite ever consider a proposal to move out of the city? NO !! so why the hell are we? Yes I believe we need a new stadium but not out of the city. Keep OUR Club in OUR home - I now live away from Liverpool - but no matter where I am in the World - I will always consider Liverpool and Everton FC my home, my club. Remember. OUR CLUB OUR HOME !!KEEP OUR TEAM IN OUR CITY. Tony18stonemeathead. (01/07/07)

Liverpool City Council Are Too Late

Right I'm a Doncaster Born Everton Fan, so I don't really know any of this tradition, but I've seen Everton games at Goodison, yet I agree with the move. NOT because I want to move from Liverpool and Goodison. It's a great place and stadium. However because the COUNCIL rejected 3 moves 3 seasons ago, if liverpool had accepted in the first place our move plans we would've been gone along time ago, instead were not thinking about Kirkby. For me I think we should go because Liverpool Council care more about the money than about EFC. As soon as the plans of Kirkby came about the Council Screamed: 'Oh no! Don't leave Everton', and they quickly said that we could stay there. It's pathetic. And now our chances of somewhere who will want us for being a football club is going to be ruined thanks to the protests going on. Steven. (01/07/07)

Cynical Bill’s Cunning Voting System

Bill wants only season ticket holders to have a vote and thereby cut the potential voter base down to nearly one third of its potential size of 60,000 members to just 20,000 elite members (nice if you're one of them!). All true supporters of the club should get a vote whether season ticket holder or not. I think EFC has many fans such as myself who are not season ticket holders and are maybe (I’m not saying everyone) slightly less well off than those with and it is these fans who may find the journey to Knowsley more troublesome (we have a lot of fans who walk to Goodison). These fans are immediately taken out of the equation by cunning Bill’s voting system and it is probably these fans who would put up most resistance to the move (and not only for financial reasons – there’s a love of the club also). If I remember correctly each and every time a ticket is bought for EFC home games the buyers name and address is taken by the club, why can’t ticket buyers who have a history be offered a vote? Rob. (01/07/07)

Football & Politics

I have just read the latest installment of KEIOC's regular briefings on the campaign. The six contestants for the deputy leadership of the labour party are going to support the campaign? Really and exactly how are they going to
do this? Those people are up for election so will say anything to anybody if they think there's a vote in it. They are not evertonians they don't have season tickets and they don't live in Kirkby. So whats it got to do with them.

Remember Warren Bradley the man who doesn't notice anything. He is supposed to be finding sites within the city boundary so EFC can build a stadium. Walton Hall Park has been mentioned. Does the council wish to concrete over
every bit of green space Within walton and surrounding area's? EFC couldn't raise £30 million for the Kings Dock so how are they going to raise money to finance a stadium of their own. Its Kirkby or we don't move that's the reality.

The politicians are interested in the redshite at least the liverpool city councilors (and I suspect they are the only ones who matter) are. I suspect they would like EFC to move from Goodison and the lame, half hearted crocodile tears being shed by them now are just a device to deflect the torrent of abuse that's coming in their direction if EFC moves.

By the way, KEIOC say that Killfoyle is "plotting an exit strategy" for our club? If anyone from KEIOC could produce evidence of this I would like to see it. I don't have any feelings for the aforementioned MP one way or the other but I suspect he is at least being honest with his opinions unlike the 6 wankers who have " offered their full support" to KEIOC. I don't think that there is enough information being provided by the club or Knowsley council on this issue and this gives oxygen to the conspiracy theorists. We need to move the debate on and quick. Cheers and keep on Kippering. Kevin Byrne. (01/07/07)

Goodison Park Walton

Re: Walton's a dump. Bit personal aren't you love? I come from Bootle, you got a problem with that? As for Walton, I don't see it winning the best village award, or Rolls Royce opening a showroom, despite the druggies, do you? I think you need to travel more. And by the way I drink in County Road, have done for the last 30 years, my Dad was from there! Personally, I'd love the council to spend money on improving the area, apart from the new paving by the Glebe. The fact is Walton is run down and for the last 50 years the council haven't give a damn that County Road is a main artery into Liverpool from the north. Do you honestly think the council will spend money on Walton if Everton stay? Their priority is to tart up Anfield first... I'm surprised they haven't planted a Lleyandi hedge along the parks edge so the southern tourists can't see our place! One good thing though James, if Everton do move to Kirkby they'll leave a nice patch of land that could be used for a park; should be a nice place for you to go and play until your old bough to get the bus to the new ground. See you in August. You can mind my car. Alan Wynne. (01/07/07)

Yes To Kirkby

After having read and heard on numerous radio phone ins about our proposed ground move to the far outback of Australia (no sorry Kirkby ) i now feel the need to air my views. Look lets face facts Goodison for all it memory's has had it day and no amount of spit and polish will change that. The club has money but not the kind of money to build a new stadium on its own. Now as I was born and bread in Kirkby and had to face the long trek of 5 miles to the ground each match day. Let me tell all the people it's not far so get over that one, it's not in the city we will be giving the city over to the redshite. My response is bollocks the shite happen to be in finals of FA Cups, Euro cups that's all that matters. That is why the kids have the kits and that will not change if Everton move to Kirkby. However if the do move and just maybe Tesco (who by the way are one of
the biggest company's in the world) start to invest in the blues well who knows what could happen, so what if we have Tesco plastered all over the place if it gives us a chance of winning something then I am all for it. One thing I will not miss about Goodison is Parking 25 mins walk away then me and my son playing our least favorite game of dodge the dog turds as we walk up Goodison Road. All in all I think we would be fools not to take this chance and the people who want us to stay in the city then if they could come up with anything as good then go for it but I doubt that very much. Blueboy. (01/07/07)

Put Sentimentality To One Side

Having read so much about the proposed move to Kirkby and all the hyperbole it's entailed I thought I'd drop you a line. No one seems to be able to step into the big shoes and look at it from their point of view. Now I'm probably in a tiny minority here, but I couldn't give a monkeys were we go so long as we are successful. That's a bit of a flippant remark because I've some very fond memories at the old girl, 5-0 against the mancs, Bayern Munich, that disallowed free kick by Sheedy which, when retaken he stuck it in the other top corner, Ferguson swinging his shirt round his head. Problem is most of the good memories are from the 80's and although I applaud Moyes on what he's achieved given his resources if it goes on much longer then we'll never make up any ground on the top 4. Put sentimentality to one side and you realise that we are a (financially) poor team playing in the richest league in the world! No wonder we need to explore other avenues for growth. So let's do what's best for Everton football club and not just hang on to times gone by. People live and die and we still remember them, fondly or otherwise. Everton will never die but they may end up floating eternally in mid table mediocrity or worse. Bob. (01/07/07)

The Ballot

Having read the KEIOC statement re the ballot, if the content is true it is truly staggering. According to statements put out by EFC in the past, the "Fans" would be consulted on any proposed move which I take it to mean all those fans who go the game whether season ticket holders or not. Not so, we now learn that only season ticket holders and shareholders will be balloted! Who gave this group the right to speak and negotiate on my and other fans behalf and more importantly why are EFC negotiating with this group?

As previously put in this debate, there are many reasons why fans don't/can't buy season tickets (I wont go into detail we all know the reasons) but to exclude a fan a vote in what will probably be the biggest decision in the clubs history simply because they are not season ticket holders is an absolute scandal. On the shareholder issue what proof do we have that they actually go the game i.e. share bought by great granddad in 1920's for £1 left to whoever, who doesn't go the game but has a vote!

EFC should think again before they get themselves into another mess, can I make a suggestion to EFC, as well as season ticket holders and shareholders, fans who can prove admission to say 75%? of the home games in the season of the ballot are entitled a vote too, this also would apply to shareholders who are not season ticket holders.

Finally if as stated above EFC have indeed come to some cosy little deal with this group, then I suggest those fans who feel as annoyed as me do exactly what I'm about to do which is demand from Wyness et al an explanation. Thanks. Bill Thomas. Season Ticket Holder. (01/07/07)

Infrastructure

After reading Alan Wynn’s comment I am compelled to add to his comments about the infrastructure suffering. In the 70’s and 80’s when not that many had cars everyone arrived via county road used the shops, pubs, chippie’s etc, just doesn’t happen anymore, we all drive, or most anyway. There is no longer anywhere to park anywhere near the ground, understandably for residents. Everybody seems to come from the utting avenue area now, so the petrol station profits and that’s it. County road is a dump left in the sixties, dirty dingy shops and we have yet to see the shopkeepers saying how much it will affect them some times you have to be cold and calculating about the future I left the area and don’t miss a thing about it. Much rather be living in the 21st century than the 19th. In my experience the areas were grounds use to be improve after they have left, not visa versa. Martin. (01/06/07)