If news that the planned '£9m' retail and hospitality development 'Everton Place' will now not open until the summer of 2012 came as no real surprise to long-suffering supporters, the cross-wired explanation emanating from within the club as to the reasons behind the 12 month delay, only served to re-enforce the general consensus concerning the powers-that-be at Goodison Park.
Addressing the concerns of shareholders, the club announced work on the development would begin in December 2010. Broadcast as being a 'cash-positive' project and at 'no cost to the club,' the four-storey building, incorporating a club shop, museum, café, corporate hospitality and administrative offices would be completed prior to the 2011-12 season.
In November 2010 the 'Club Everton' hospitality tent was removed, followed quickly by the re-housing of the much-loved Dixie Dean statue in preparation for the commencement of on-site work. Alongside this, planning permission was applied for and obtained for land close to Goodison Park to replace the lost parking spaces at the Park End.
All systems go then, at least that's how it seemed at the time.......
In February of this year, with no visible progress having been made, shareholders were informed by Robert Elstone, that the delay was due to "minor legal issues," with the CEO giving reassurances that work would be starting "soon." Later that same month and somewhat ominously, Mr Elstone in his official blog expanded on this explaining that "We expect to start work soon as we wade through some complex legal matters."
[caption id="attachment_321" align="aligncenter" width="304" caption="Pie In The Sky?"]
[/caption]On Wednesday March 23 and coinciding with the unexpected lifting of a local press ban, the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo reported that the development had now been delayed until the summer of 2012, 'the club say the complexities surrounding IT moves and office relocation make it sensible to avoid a mid-season move.'
According to the preposterously titled 'Head of External Affairs,' Ian Ross:
“This has been the acknowledged target date for some time as operationally it would have been difficult to open it mid-season. All of our partners are happy with the current timetable.
“This is a complex project involving several partners which when completed will deliver a prestigious multi-use building, one which will unquestionably benefit both club and supporters.”
In a later edition of the publication, Mr Ross felt the need to clarify the clubs position by claiming his CEO's previous reasons for the delay, surrounding "complex legal issues" were in fact incorrect:
'Today Mr Ross denied legal issues were the cause of the schedule change.'
Interestingly and 5 days in advance of Ian Ross' 'IT relocation' excuses published in the local press, the Everton supporters pressure group, KEIOC, reported a very different take on their website:
'Further examples of this contemptuous relationship are numerous; shareholders were told construction of the boards latest solution to our inept commercial ability, the development at the park end, was due to commence in December, following the West Bromwich home game, yet nothing has happened.
The little known official explanation, that some minor "legal difficulties" are being experienced, is being offered, yet for some time now KEIOC's information, from their club source, has indicated that "funding difficulties" are the greater problem as, yet again, Everton discover that there's no such thing as a free lunch, that mysterious and unexplainable deals aren't as cash positive as one would like to think and that nothing is, dare we say, effectively free.
The fans and shareholders are, as ever, being kept completely in the dark as to the degree of concessions to our "partners," concessions that may benefit them greatly yet see us firmly at the bottom of the premiership club commercial revenue generation league; a result that highlights Everton's commercial performance equating to just 11% of our total income whilst our peers deliver double and treble this amount.'
[caption id="attachment_323" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Hole In The Wall"]
[/caption]Who to believe then? What excuse should we supporters plump for? Is there a 'delay' or a 'schedule change?' Are we backing CEO Robert Elstone and his "legal Issues" or getting behind Head of External Affairs Ian Ross and his 'can't find a decent removal company' story? Or, with rumours circulating of a construction firm 'pulling-out' of the planned development, are the "funding difficulties" suggested by KEIOC closer to the mark?
It would seem in any case and once more all to sadly and predictably, concerned Evertonians, due to the glaring mixed-messages coming out of the club, are left to come to their own conclusions.........
Gareth Fieldstead says:
ReplyDeleteMarch 26, 2011 at 7:00 am
Great piece and one that just continues to leave the Evertonian reader ever more depressed. Last year when Liverpool were having difficulties with there owners and Evertonians were delighted at our neighbours numerous problems I did express the need for caution as we have the worst board in the Premiership and it was only a question of time before they delivered more misery.
A few months later the debacle that was the January transfer window when we couldn’t even afford a loan signing despite several players leaving and now this, as stated above another lesson that nothing comes for free. I dread the close season, presuming we get the necessary points to remain in the Premiership. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Moyes grew a pair instead of passive remarks to the press about his concerns with the clubs lack of funds and the inability to compete and acctually just threatening to resign?
http://www.sos1878.co.uk/everton-fans/everton-fc-failure-rate-gathers-pace/
mick says:
ReplyDeleteMarch 26, 2011 at 2:15 pm
yet another example of the board’s failings. Kenwright, why don’t you just quit?
http://www.sos1878.co.uk/everton-fans/everton-fc-failure-rate-gathers-pace/
as an addendum to my previous comment - the only way to produce change at Goodison is to stop going, to stop putting your hard earned money into the club. The current patrons and management have little interests in the fans views unless thay are in accord with their own. That makes it very difficult to protest and I'm not convinced there is a big enough groundswell to make change happen by protest. Many seem to be happy in their mediocrity.
ReplyDeleteI can't be bothered anymore. There are more important things to do. For all you fans out there - if you want change just stay away from Goodison and see what happens.....
You know what?
ReplyDeleteGiven the recent run of 6 games without a loss and the magnificence of Osman and Hibbert as Blues talismen in a thoroughly depleted squad, it could be that we are wrong, and that Everton will now make their 'usual' late surge and steal the Premiership title from United!!
I say this, not in jest, but as an obvious response to the magic of David Moyes, who shows again his unique talent for starting with a reasonably strong squad, watching it diminish through injury, incredulous loan deals and the odd transfer out, to beecome the crappest team in the league with a talent for backs against the wall winnability!!
Moyes would be great as the Championship manager of some small club who never win anything but show the occasional glimpse of promise.
OOOOPPSS, he already is!!
Am I the only one who writes here?
ReplyDeleteWhere are all the religiously fanatical 'In Moyes We Trust' headcases?
Surely this spirited, late and highly amusing surge up the Prem table to snatch a Europa League place is living proof that Moyes and Kenwright are always going to be the number one's at Goodison - because they're worth it!!