Kings Dock
Kings Dock |
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Now That It's Over
What do you think will happen now?
e-mail Blue Kipper & your view will be published.
| Totally agree with
Dadio (17/4/03) about year round funding. We've already got the youngsters
coming through the ranks, but if we could afford to buy a few more established
quality players then the combination of youth and experience could bring
consistently good football (i.e. even better than this season). Colin Atkin(18/04/03) Just read the latest
views am a long time admirer of Blue Kipper and can't believe someone
(dadio) has mentioned going to Aintree and calling
the ground by the same name.What happened to GfE (goodison for Everton)
which seemed a good option, remember we only gave a vote to move away
to the Kings Dock!!!! As a newcomer to bluekipper, I have been enthralled by the seriousness and the humour of all topics EFC. I, like many thousands of Evertonians, was dismayed to discover that the plug had been pulled on the project. Having attended many hundreds, nay thousands of games at Goodison going back to bunking in at threequarter time in 1963, I was looking forward to a plush new presitigeous home to compliment the rapidly emerging team young David Moyes is building. Can anyone shed any light on just exactly who are this "Liverpool Vision" outfit and just who pays their wages? I may seem a bit sceptical, but I dare say that if a poll was taken amongst the corporate boxes at Shamfield on any given matchday, along with all the City Councillors, Liverpool Vision would no doubt spring to the top of the employers list. If Everton wanted to take enough space off Stanley Park to build a small car park for one car, then the application would be thrown out without a second glance. The RS on the other hand, have virtually been given permission to rip up almost half of a grand old Victorian PUBLIC park that was donated to the City on the premise that it remained the property of the PUBLIC. Stanley Park is not the property of the City Council to sell off the favoured football team. The whole issue stinks, and no doubt, in years to come, a lot will be uncovered about people with fat bank accounts. DerekRothwell(17/04/03) Hi! Just back from France today and can't believe that kd is down the pan.we must have a new stadium that will attract year round income ie like chelsea. how do people think that chelsea is now a top five club (in place of efc) - it's year round money that buys players and pays the wages. hotels, conferences, exhibitions, estaurants etc. goodison is ok for about 20 games a season but you wont get people not interested in footie to visit the area - it's rough, no class. efc need to attract the money in to compete at the top. Aintree (the old motor racetrack) already has the infrastructure (motorways, railway station and bus depot) plus a world renown name is my suggestion for a new stadium. dadio(17/04/03) It
was very interesting reading the account of the of the Kings Dock shambles
and the ensuing comment from Mr. Carter that the supporters should concentrate
on a very exciting run-in to the end of the season, which to me shows
a very ambivalent attitude to the fans who along with the team have
brought him success this season. WE should now move Frank MAC Canada(17/04/03) Now that its all
fell through, there is only one option. Goodison Park. Its not just
the stadium I love but I think that EFC are based in Walton. These nobs
spouting Knowsley and Speke are talkin out of their Welsh arses. After
the RS move into their new shed, we can even play at our old ground
for a couple of years, while they build a tunnel under Walton Lane and
then throw a new Goodison stadium on top, thereby freeing up a bit of
room. If it was adjoined to the lake in stanogs and Bill squints his
eyes a bit, he might even think his kings dock dream has come true!
Why does no one ever take me seriously? “Kings Dock.. another perspective”. By Andy Mac First of all, I remember my Nan's words of wisdom whenever life kicked any of our family in the face / b*****ks (as it often did).. being a devout Catholic (and our family, typically of our Liverpool roots, had a C of E / Welsh / Scottish Presb branch as well, so don't let's factionalise!) she would say "well, obviously.. it's just NOT MEANT TO BE". However, with that solace upon which to fall back, it does not detract from my admiration for your correspondent's (Mickey Blue Eyes) erudite article tracing the history of the project that eventually resulted in what may at very least be described as a "disappointment", even if drawing back from the word "failure". I have read the various reactions to the article, which include, not unsurprisingly, quite a number of condemnations of the Everton Board of Directors, as a whole, and even Bill Kenwright, in particular. To "cut to the chase", I will pin my colours to the mast on the basis that I truly believe that the majority of the "post Johnson" Board are, and have always been, committed to our Club emotionally, and, to the best of their available resources, financially, unequivocably, and with no reservation or "hidden agenda". Bill Kenwright, particularly, I believe to be committed (and this possibly goes to the root of the failure of the Kings Dock project) to the point of naivety. What I would question, firstly, however, (and Mickey Blue Eyes "politically" skirted round this issue) is what motivated Paul Gregg to join BK in buying into the EFC share acquisition? Second question:- how come it was so late in the day that Mr Gregg announced that his financial backing of the Kings Dock project by way of "guarantee" would come with MAJOR strings attached (his "back of the envelope presentation") : i.e. that he would insist on receiving the lion's share of the profits of the venture for what could only be interpreted as "the foreseeable future"? THAT, I believe, drove a "coach and horses" through the entire financial model upon which the original proposals, as published by the Everton Board, was based. Once that "coach and horses" was in play, I interpret events as being that the entire B of D of Everton (except Mr Gregg) said "over our dead bodies are you, Mr Gregg, going to highjack our Club's venture / income generating future". That's when Bill K had to set off to raise the £30K "gap" by other (hitherto unexpected) means, and he eventually ended up striking a deal in principle with Royal Bank of Scotland, and the private venture investors who eventually confirmed their willing participation on 31 March 2003. Two observations (and here I confess to having a background in the legal profession). In answer to obvious question no 1: - why didn't the Everton Board go public and say "Paul Gregg has tried to shaft us all, and we're not standing for it"? Answer? Under Company Law, they're not allowed to! There's a quaint old "doctrine" called "Corporate Responsibility" under which, amongst other things, Directors are FORBIDDEN from slagging each other off in public, even if there is a split in the Board. In answer to obvious question no 2: - why did everything go (again) quiet between December 2002 (when our "preferred bidding status" was lost), and 31 March? Answer? Again. the Board COULD'NT say anything. They used the phrase "Due Diligence Process". This might have seemed a total load of flannel, to avoid saying anything, but, in fact, it's something they could not get round. You know when, as an individual, you sign a loan or credit agreement, and, as a private Consumer, you have a 14 day "cooling off period" during which you can get out of the agreement, if you want, and the agreement is not enforceable during that time? Well, in big commercial deals, Company Law imposes a 3 months "cooling off period"..."Due Diligence". It enables / forces the parties to a big commercial deal to appoint totally independent auditors / accountants to look at al the figurework etc, and report, on an independent basis, whether everything stacks up. If they say "yes", the deal can go ahead. If they say "there may be a problem" either party can back out. During this period of "Due Diligence" the parties to the Contract ARE FORBIDDEN TO MAKE ANY PUBLIC STATEMENT ABOUT THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT, IN CASE IT MIGHT BE SEEN TO INFLUENCE THE INDEPENDANT INVESTIGATION. So, nomatter what other criticisms may be made of EFC Board members as a whole, or as individuals, I have every sympathy with them as they must have seen the pathetic snyping comments being made against them by the questionable agenda motivated local “politicos” and press hacks hiding behind either ignorance, or sheer blind bias, babbling on about “lack of information” etc. So, that’s my “polemic”. It’s not as analytical as Mickey Blue Eyes’. I do not claim it to be. It’s just another opinion. Hopefully it gives another “slant” on events, to enable my True Blue fraternity to form their own opinions on what has gone on. The most important thing, however, I would submit, is not our apportionment of blame for what has gone on / wrong, but how we view where we go from here. Emotionally, maybe irrationally, I have faith in Bill Kenwright (amongst others) learning the lessons of what went wrong. Learning who to trust, and how to “play the game” to achieve what we all want to achieve. We might have to temper our ambitions for a 21st Century State of the Art Stadium against the reality of not “doing a Sunderland / Leeds Utd ” and negating the enormous strides that have been made in sorting out our finances by saddling ourselves with unsupportable debt. I await, with interest developments as to what our “Plan B” / “Plan C” etc might be. The Blue Blood coursing through my veins causes me to view the prospect with optimism, despite all logic cautioning me against it! As Mickey Blue Eyes concluded: “Ben Bradlee’s advice will still surely apply. Next. Let’s get on with it”……………….. I just read Debbie Ryans letter re Kings Dock. "Does Michael Know what she thought of his report? I can imagine his reaction. My request is, is it possible to find out her email address, as it would be good to get in touch with some Evertonians in Sydney. I am ex Walton and have suffered for years, away from EFC. whoever knows me, ends up KNOWING Everton. MyToffeeshop (Megastore?) outlay competes with my mortgage payments. I rarely go out without something showing who I support. I am friends with MD (MBEs) and am planning to come over again in the next 12 months. But in the meantime, it would be good to meet up with some other Bluebellies. Thanks John Kelly (AusPom) NSW Australia(16/04/03) Debbie's e-mail is billy.ryan@bigpond.com Maybe I'm just old
fashioned, but I don't care about the King's Dock. I haven't got round
to reading the essay as I'm just a simple Everton loving football fan.
From the beginning it has been plagued with problems including money,
and who would own what, so maybe it's time to let go and say, hey at
least they tried! Who gives a toss about the Kings Dock? Personally I'm glad that the whole fiasco has been ended and I can forget it. The most important things are in place. A good Manager and a couple of up and coming youngsters. We are in the top 6 again!!!!!!! Get a grip and get on with it you moaning twats. Criticising Kenwright for having done nothing with the club!!!!???? I'll say it again we are in the top 6! He supports Everton
and is wise not to spunk thousands in the direction of transfers. Long
live Everton, personally I can't wait till next
EVERTON still negotiate with their previously unseen bidding team for the Kings Dock venture. all the best dave barlow.(15/04/03) I am the Secretary
of the EFC Supporters club in Sydney, Australia having migrated here
10 months ago. Everton has been my passion since the age of five and
not being able to see my beloved team each week is, at times, unbearable.
Like a lot of Evertonians
I was looking forward to a new stadium and like a lot of Evertonians
I would believe it when I see it after so many earlier letdowns. Now
that the waterfront stadium has gone I think the next best thing would
be to build a stadium on the site of the old bus yard on edge lane.
The board must be seen to be doing something now, or stand a side for
a board that want to take the club forward. I myself think the new ground
was only a ploy by the board to appease the fans in case the team under
WS was relegated while they juggled the books. Also the councillors
who seem to be blocking our club should be Identified and snubbed by
Evertonians at future elections. One thing is for sure Wayne should
be provided with a proper arena to display his talents. The club should
not hold fans to ransom with their priority vouchers in the season tickets,
they have our details every year so they should already know who regularly
buy season tickets. When we get into Europe we need a modern stadium
to host our champions league matches as I don't see Newcastle being
streets ahead of us and I am sure the future will be bright for us Where
ever we play. Everton had to raise at least £30m pounds themselves, so surely that must mean a large portion of that could go into the transfer kitty. If they can find it under all the dust, of course. Worry about having a team that can fill a 55K capacity stadium first, I don't see 55,000 people paying to see Gemmill, Carsley & Pembridge play football. But what about paying to see Rooney, Cole, Hibbert & Kleberson??????from Nathan(14/04/03) Well you can't say
you did'nt see it coming, HEY HO. You just though could envision it
though could'nt you, just a dream is what it was n always will be but
what i want know is WHY? Answers from these shareholders gregg carter
anyone who had money but werent getting us this stadium. cast your minds
back FROM GODFREY GUINESS (13/04/03) This is a sad result
for the city of Liverpool. I think we'll stay at Goodison and watch it decay around us. Bill (13/04/03) What a bloody brilliant essay! However, I feel incredibly depressed now I have read it. I really, really hope it wasn't a once in a lifetime opportunity. I don't think it's too early to show the Everton board how much we don't want out-of-town, pre-fabricated shite. I would image it would be better to eliminate any idea of such plans now because even the Knowsley and South Liverpool idea simply isn't good enough. And although Goodison Park is becoming rapidly dated, I don't think it is wise to rapidly jump onto other ideas of stadiums, just yet at least. As mentioned in the essay, fans who'd rather use £30m now for players maybe living in a dream world, however, I can't think of a time more promising and bright future than the current - the Leeds United situation is quite different to ours, we don't have a corrupt chairman (anymore), a dodgy manager, and gullible fans. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum. Alex Kociuba (13/04/03) Once again the marketing
machine at Goodison have left us 'high and dry'. I've listened to most
of the clubs interviews and followed MBE's reports with interest. This
is the second time this board has let us down on a new stadium build.It's
easy to be cynical but I dont hold out much hope for the future with
this board in place. What effect this will have on the future of our
young players such as the 'duke', will remain to be seen. Regards to all at BK, a saddened Jem Fitzsimons (13/04/03) Thank you, Mickey
BE's. At last someone in the know, has taken the opportunity to present
the fans with a comprehensive explanation. Although I appreciate that
the Blue kipper has always tried to keep fans informed, the presentation
of Mickey's report is excellent. Maybe the club could reproduce it in
the next match day programme! The whole Kings Dock saga (vision, or
fiasco, call it what you will), has We, the fans have had the golden carrot held to our bluenoses for too long to take a bite. It is sad, it is unfortunate, but most of all it looks as though it has been a waste of time and money. All Evertonians
are proud of their history, but most of us are aware that we can't live
in the past. We don't know what will happen next. maybe the talk of
stadia at Knowsley or South Liverpool are just (red) herrings. Rumours
to fob us off for a while longer. I personally had not expected to feel
so disappointed about the failure of Kings Dock project. But I do. However,
in the words of 'somebody famous', I Meanwhile, Cheers Mickey, brilliant piece of writing. Lynsey.
(12/04/03) The Vote on The Kings Dock More fans views Images of Kings Dock Kings Dock Index |
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