Everton FC - Fan' s Views - Stadium Debate - KEIOC Statements

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As a result of today's meeting with Keith Wyness at Everton Football Club, the Keep Everton in Our City campaign group are pleased to announce that the club have agreed to our request that any vote on the proposed move to Kirkby be on a basis of "one fan, one vote."

The club have decided that any fan who has held a season ticket at any point in the last three years, or hold at least one share in the club, will get one vote in the forthcoming ballot.

Sadly, match-going blues who have not held a season ticket during this time, or do not hold a share in the club will not be included in this vote by the club. (21/06/07)

Kirby based members of KEIOC and Kirkby resident’s action group took part in a signature gathering exercise in Kirkby town centre. The petition was a resounding success with the public showing a great deal of concern to a 55,000 all seater stadium being built in their town centre. The petition is calling for KNOWSLEY COUNCIL TO AFFORD KIRKBY RESIDENTS WITH THE SAME FACILITY THAT EVERTON FOOBALL CLUB HAS PROMISED TO IT'S FAN BASE. A BALLOT.

Doesn’t seem much to ask for both Everton Football club and Knowsley’s borough council seem to have differing views on HOW, WHO & WHEN. Everton football club propose to ballot the fans but have no plans to enter a period of consultation with its fan base. Interesting! The plot begins to thicken, Knowsley council propose to have a consultation period for the residents but no plans for a ballot. This would be the biggest single issue to effect the residents of Kirkby since Knowsley was formed in the 70s .We advocate a level playing field with consultation exercises & Ballots for both fans & residents alike. The ball is formally in your court as far as Evertonians are concerned Bill. How do you want to be remembered by future generations of Evertonians as a John Houlding or as a George Mahon “it really is your shout”.Don’t let us down. (09/06/07)

On Thursday 7th June 2007 a number of KEIOC members decided to take our campaign to Hope university campus in Everton. The six candidates in the running for the deputy Leadership contest of the Labour party where in town. our placards and banners where warmly received by the candidates and Labour party members alike. A number of our group had the opportunity to speak to the candidates who expressed their surprise at the disinterest from the Honourable member for the Walton Constituency and in his role in brokering an exit strategy for our great club from our great City. Alan Johnson MP & Hazel Blears MP took time out from "the Hustings" and both listened intently to KEIOC points of view and both conveyed support for our campaign and Alan Johnson went to great lengths to inform us of members of his family who are long standing Evertonians. (07/06/07)

Alfie Hincks Secretary of KEIOC took part in a meeting on Friday evening with Kirkby residents action group also in attendance was George Howarth MP for Knowsley North & Sefton east .George went to great lengths to explain his role to date and also his impartially .He had a very uncomfortable evening and managed to evade answering most of the questions. Alfie on our behalf asked him would he be willing to follow the line taken by the other local Labour MPs & the candidates for the deputy Leadership contest and to pledge his support to the Keep Everton in Our city group .You may well be surprised to learn that we did indeed receive a negative response .As a group we would urge all Evertonians who live within his constituency to attend his surgeries and articulate the argument. (08/05/07)

Our City, Our Club, Our Future. A significant number of Evertonians met at the weekend to discuss their concerns at the proposed move of Everton FC to Kirkby, which lies outside the boundaries of Liverpool. The Club claim that they currently have an exclusivity agreement with Knowsley Council and Tesco plc, which prevents them from exploring alternative locations for a new stadium. A number of fans are growing increasingly frustrated by what they consider is a “done deal” with Tesco and Knowsley. They feel that they are being bullied into believing that the only way that the Club can progress is to sell its heritage to a supermarket in return for a stadium outside the City boundaries. Supporters have therefore launched the “Keep Everton In Our City” campaign and have vowed to pool ideas and put forward alternatives which would show the Chairman of Everton FC that there is indeed another way.

The meeting was attended by Council Leader and season ticket holder Warren Bradley. He spoke passionately about his desire to keep the club in the city. He stated that from a professional point of view, allowing a business the size of Everton to leave the City would be tantamount to financial suicide. Indeed, he has already identified two sites within the city which the Club could use for redevelopment, as well as finding at least one commercial partner to help fund a development in the North end of the City. He is also exploring the possibility of extending the footprint at Goodison to enable the Club to redevelop on its current site. The Club are aware of these possible options but prefer to see out the “exclusivity” period with Tesco and Knowsley.

Warren Bradley has also agreed to enquire into the possibility of re-building the stadium in Walton Hall Park which lies just yards from Goodison Park. Supporters at the meeting pledged to continue to identify as many alternatives within the City boundaries as possible. We owe it to both past and future generations to do everything in our power to ensure that the City’s first Club stays within the City. Contacts:Chair: Ann Adlington: 07931304175. Alfie Hincks Secretary: 07821128601. Dave Kelly Media officer: 07814301946 Brian Gould: 07939141925. (12/03/07)

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	Stadium Special - KEIOC Statements