Everton FC: You're Banned

Sources at the Liverpool Daily Post & Echo (LDP&E)  have confirmed that a press blackout, enforced more than three weeks ago, remains firmly in place.

The banning of the regional newspapers, with hard-copy readership in the region of 100,000 and a combined online daily unique user figure of over 62,000, was imposed by Everton Football Club in the aftermath of a week-long series published by the LDP&E entitled: Everton FC in focus: Just what does the future hold for the Blues?  

The series of articles, which the club declined to participate in, focussed on the clubs finances, comment on the ongoing stadium issue, the 'search' for new owners and the fans view through a supporters poll.

Since then, the local journalists who have been denied access to players and staff as well as press-conferences, have had to make do with reporting second-hand news and mend by writing filler comment-pieces.

The current chairman and board of directors seem to have caught the banning bug; AGMs, EGMs, local journalists, all fair game for the current regime.  

The message from The Bunker is clear then; do not dare to criticize, analyze, question nor examine, refrain from inquiry, scrutiny and inspection or we will ban your arse brother.

[caption id="attachment_297" align="aligncenter" width="250" caption="Your Arse"][/caption]

In related news, the clubs official site has proudly announced they will be holding an exclusive Fans’ Conference in April.

Apparently, if you have already purchased your 2011/12 Season Ticket you could be one of the lucky 200 hand picked supporters who will be given the chance to pose questions to Chief Executive Officer Robert Elstone and a specially selected panel and 'talk about Club matters close to your heart' (local journalists and curious Evertonians need not apply). 

I'm preparing my question as we speak:

"Hi Robert, firstly can I say thank you for allowing us plebs to take up some of your precious time, we are not worthy.....and erm, could you tell us all whether Mikel uses gel, wax or mousse on his gorgeous Spanish barnet?"

Marvellous!

Nah! He's Probably Just Making It Up

The Liverpool Daily Post & Echo is up in arms, the Government you see have not only ordered condemned quango the North West Development Agency (NWDA to you and me) to sell off £50m plus of its assets, they have the brass neck to "slap" a "secrecy order" on the upcoming fire sale.

According to the distraught Daily Post correspondent, everything from Wavertree Technology Park, the famous Littlewoods building, on Edge Lane, and the Estuary Commerce Park, in Speke, including the National Bio-manufacturing Centre and the former aerodrome site could be sold as early as next month, crucially it seems, without the knowledge of local people.

The article goes on to claim that proceeds from these "secret sales" will no doubt go to "fill treasury coffers." 

Despite their best efforts, our reporter hits a brick wall of Governmental silence when rebuffed by business minister Mark Prisk, who repelled the enquiry with that old chestnut: “We have to be very careful around a whole series of commercial confidentialities. We have taken the view that, rather than get into part of the story, it’s far better to maintain confidentiality.”

Down but not out, our intrepid crusader dusted him/herself off and turned to posh, shocked and disgusted Wavertree MP Luciana Berger who "condemned" the "secrecy" so much, she has promised to table a Parliamentary question on the subject this very day.

The ConDems will be quaking in their brogues.

Despite this they should be applauded on their attempt to lift the lid on this particular story: Good work The Daily Post, huzzah!!

Meanwhile closer to home and in the wake of an abysmal FA cup exit, a sports reporter with a name made for journalism, Richard Askam, revealed exclusively on BBC's NW Tonight that Everton Football Club has been the subject of recent and numerous takeover attempts. In an interview with David Bick, the 'takeover advisor' disclosed he has been approached on multiple occasions by various people looking to buy Everton FC, he went on to claim that one particular bid was made by a "very serious investor" with "deep pockets." A bid David Bick says "went a long way down the track and then stopped." 



Obviously it is all a bit cloak 'n dagger this reporting on a possible takeover and no doubt there would have been, as with the NWDA report, assurances made based on 'commercial confidentialities.' To add fuel to the fire, when invited to respond by the BBC, Everton Football Club 'declined' the offer.

So, all very hush-hush then and so 'secret' as to be right up the (Old Hall) street of the Liverpool Daily Post & Echo's fearless investigators. After all, with a captive Evertonian audience desperate for this sort of news and the chance to move more copy, you'd imagine the journos and their editors in question would be clambering over one another to have a go at this particular scoop.

Well, nah. It seems that possible and multiple takeover bids for a world-renowned multi-million pound local business is not deemed newsworthy by the powers that be at the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo. Apparently David Bick, a man involved in the takeovers of many a football club, including Man City, could be simply 'making it all up.' 

Maybe Mr Bick has too much time on his hands, or could it perhaps be that the LDP&E's recent rap across the knuckles from Everton Football Club, has put the publication back into its well-worn place, as the loyal dog who once in a while steps out of line and gets a clip on the nose.....or something like that?

Daily Post & Echo
A quick mail from a friend of this blog to Richard Askam has confirmed that Everton Football Club had nothing to do with the information highlighted on the NW tonight report.