Keep Everton In Our City

I like the idea of asking councillors their opinion.

When you have posted enough of these comments, we will have a good insight into the mentality of these so called representatives of our city, and we will be able to do something about the ones who make it quite plain that they are only thinking of themselves, and not the history of the City of Liverpool, its residents who voted for them, and its economic wellbeing.

It isn't surprising that EFC have had problems with the council in the past if the two examples shown is a true reflection.

In relation to the ground issue, I believe we should stay within the city boundaries, and preferably at Goodison Park.

Good luck with the campaign. I believe it is vital for Everton to stay at Goodison Park albeit a Goodison that is re-developed over time. Being an Evertonian for over 40 years has taught me to be patient and I see no evidence that a quick fix move to a new, plastic stadium in Kirkby is likely to be beneficial. I see no evidence that a new stadium will attract more fans but maybe Bill and Terry could publish their plans so we can have an open debate.

Everton would mean little without its rich history and Goodison is an intrinsic part of that. It also has the potential to be re-developed to ensure a successful future. Start with a top tier for the Park End, then reintroduce standing to the Street End, then start on Bullens Road. If it takes 10 years or more, fine, I'll still turn up.

I'm glad something like this has been set up to at least try to generate some ALTERNATIVES to this plan - that is all I think most Evertonians want, and it's certainly all that I want.

The wheels ARE in motion on this (to what extent we're not sure - but they are) and a large portion of fans are clinging onto this "Oh, well they said they'd ask us, so let's wait and see what happens" idea under the impression that all this work will just stop if the fans say No. Meanwhile, the wheels keep turning and turning and both Everton and Tesco put more and more resource/effort/whatever into it, such that it gets to the point that it really doesn't matter WHAT the fans think - EFC & Tesco would both think "Well, we're committed past a point of no return now, so we'll just have to to get the fans to go for it" - and then comes the spin (such as the Cannon/Leahy articles highlighted on this site)the flowery brochures (like last time) and the promises and hey ho, there we go !

MY point is that they aren't looking at anything ELSE, which - despite the lack of a "fan vote" makes this "point of no return" seem a lot more likely for every day's work that Tesco/Everton put into researching it and makes it all a "fait accompli" - and THAT is what I am worried about. Given their track record for short-term thinking, I worry that Everton's board are just pursuing this as being the easiest option for them - despite the fact that it might not be the best option for the club long-term.

It's NOT necessarily about Kirkby for me - as a fervent fan of Edward DeBono and Lateral Thinking, it's about considering ALL the alternatives before we reach that point of no return where they really HAVE to go for it (and even scarier - what if we've already passed that point ?)

Good luck with the campaign chaps - I'm glad to see that our famous motto is still alive and well SOMEWHERE, if not in the Everton boardroom.

Just to congratulate all the Committee on getting this site up and running, it has taken its time, but is well worth the wait.

Keep up the good work.

initially i was all for the move to kirby, the chance of a new state of the art stadium, in a decent out of town location. As the weeks went on and i read the opinions and concerns of fellow evertonians, including the lies and spin that the club have put into the media lately, my support for the move to kirby has waned, i do however still believe that financially that is the only viable option, apart from staying put and waiting for investment to come along. it is clear that the club is not doing a job of selling the club, a club with one of the best local fanbases and a history that makes most other football clubs in the world pale into insignificance. so maybe it should come down to athe formation of a group of able supporters to sell the club to potential investors.

goodison park is a superb and iconic football stadium. which has bcome rundown over the years, maybe with some subtle changes and improvements. some of the plans i have seen for the redevelopment have been comprehnsive and would massively effect the local community.

im no engineer, i think the idea for the main stand from tom hughes would work. could the roofs of the bullens simply and economically be replaced with cantilever structures, so as not to disfigure the character and charm of leitch's designs.

i would love to see the club stay at goodison park, but i dont feel that wholesale changes to and massive increases in capacity are needed. surely it would be possible to lose the majority of the obstructed views without adversely effecting the atmosphere, individuality and general intensity of goodison park.

phillt (nsno forums)

ps i hope that for the good of the club and the fans and the city of liverpool your campaign is in the very least succesful at getting the club to listen and properly consider the options, if this happens and it genuinely turns out that kirby is the best option(which i doubt, and hope isnt the case) i also hope the decision is accepted with good grace.

good luck in your campaign and you have my full support.

I have to admit I'm more on the side of GFE than any other proposal.

If we can't stay at Goodison we HAVE to stay in the North of the City, its where our historical roots are, and with all due respect to any South End blues, Speke has very little to do with Everton.

!Hasta La Victoria Siempre!

I want whats best for Everton and I think a new stadium is definitely needed but from listening to both sides of the argument I am left wondering what is the right move for our magnificent club, a move to Kirkby or staying in Liverpool. There is one thing I will say and that is that I dont think any true Everton supporter will stop supporting us if we move to Kirkby just becuase we are not actually in Liverpool anymore. Afterall there is nothing that says an Everton fan has to come from Liverpool right, I cetainly dont hold it against anyone? So would a move to the outskirts really affect us that badly? My question is how do the fans who come from outside Liverpool see a move to Kirkby is there difference in opinion?

Reading some of the replies from some of those councillors. Are they really voted on ?. Are we to trust them ?. Of the councillors who are season ticket holders, or partners of season ticket holders. Can I ask 'what difference does it make ?', did it make a difference over the Stanley Park fiasco ?. In saying that, I mean how many Liverpool season ticket holders voted on Stanley Park.

On the ground issue. I would like to see the ground demolished. The church and school too and the streets off Bullens road and if they don't mind moving, the van garage. A nice new state of the art ground would be ideal on the old site.

Like many, if the above is not achievable then Walton Hall Park is the next best option. If Stanley Park can be given up then any city park is available.

All these of course are only viable if the funding is there. Then only Kirkby is left.

Congratulations on getting the site up and running. I fear that we are probably wasting our time , but as with all things we live in hope. So many councilors so many Evertonians , and perversely unable to comment , act , deliberate. Funny I was led to believe that the council was red leaning. I live outside of the city but I was born in Liverpool and to me Kirkby is a knee-jerk , bite off their hands , cheap option. If the board had done things differently the opposition may not have been so vocal. They haven't and therefore our generation of fans must try to ensure all avenues have been fully explored.

All the best with the campaign,great to see someone trying to do something about what I would describe a disastrous move for Everton.I have worked for the club,been an agent for over 30 years,and I've watched them since 1947,but I doubt very much I could go to Kirkby, not after all the lies and deceit we have had from the boardroom.So please God lets hope you are successful

Everton FC must stay within the boundarys of the city,I find the proposal to move to Kirkby to be another knee-jerk reaction by Kenwright,he has professed his love for OUR club but is prepared to break away from our proud history and sever connections with the very city wich spawned our Great Club.His only defence is that we are broke and cannot afford to turn down this opportunity to sell our soul to tesco. But as part of the planning proposal tesco needs the participation of a leisure facility[E.F.C]for the application to go ahead, which will also release government funding for the development.We should not allow Everton to be used as a pawn by tesco,they are a faceless international corporation,who know little and care nothing for the history of Everton Football Club.All alternatives to Kirkby must be examined wether that is the redevelopment of Goodison or an alternative site within the city boundary no stone must remain unturned.We must prepare to unite and stand against Kenwright and Leahy as their propaganda machine is already in motion,be ready for the misinformation and distractions aimed at dividing us the real supporters.Everton can and will stay in the city after all what is a tree without roots.ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL

To be honest, initally i was all for the move. The more i read into it and really think about it, the more i believe we should stay in the city. But in my opinion, we should stay as local to Goodison as possible, the likes of Speke and Halewood would not be an option for me. Can we win? lets hope so. Good luck

I would love to see Everton remain within the city (though I am not - yet - about to close my mind to the possibility of relocating to Kirkby, Speke or wherever). I am right behind the formation of groups such as yours to explore the possibilities of remaining at our current site, or at least within the vicinity, but I do feel that KEIOC do themselves a disservice in a couple of matters.

First - you maintain that Mr Tom Hughes is a qualified architect, but nowhere in his letter to the CEO does he back this up (a Structural Design Engineer is quite different), and indeed his name does not appear on the register of qualified architects at arb.org.uk - can I respectfully suggest that your page be changed to reflect this factual error?

Second - any architect (or design engineer or whoever) who is serious about approaching the club with their own ideas should, I suggest, do so with professional-looking plans to hand rather than hand-drawn sketches (however impressive), and should double-check their letter for spelling and punctuation errors (of which Tom's letter contains several). I imagine Mr Wyness has received many such letters during his tenure, and I would wager that making one look as professional as possible raises the possibility that it might be taken seriously.

Best of luck with your campaign (especially with calling a meeting of councillors, which I feel would achieve far more than any website campaign ever will)

I am seriously interested in the balance of views of Evertonains at this stage in the proceedings. Can I suggest that you poll each visitor to your site about whether they are pro or anti-the Kirkby proposition, and make the results visible to all?

Whatever way the vote goes, I think you will find the stats as useful as I will find them interesting...

Good luck with the campaign - you never know, it might force the hand of the council to not only make available a decent site, but to ensure a decent amount of funding comes our way too. Not like the RS need it now.

I wouldn't hold your breath though. They've had years to do something, and nowt has materialised thus far.

Mr Leahy (if your reading, which I very much doubt) where do you get this insightful opinion that 'most Everton fans would not be happy walking past the 'shites' (get it right Tel if yer meant to be a blue) new ground' many thousands of good blues have to walk past it every other week now. And it makes 'em sick. What makes the fact it's brand spanking new any different, WE are different WE are interested in OUR club, nothing else. I really don't 'think' that a new stadium built on green belt (land that the city council, when elected, promised the residents of Liverpool would never be taken from us) would make a blind bit of difference. So what, THEY have a new stadium, since when do we follow suit with THEM? I'm not even gonna mention the other clubs that have built superb new stadia (shit i just have!)it is not a guaranteed money spinner as you and other major shareholders would have us believe. I have held off commenting on this emotive issue for a good few weeks now, but you seem to be speaking for an absolutely huge amount of people before doing any actual research into the feelings of the people who make EFC live and breath...to me it seems the only reason Kirkby is the only viable option for TESCO not EFC is that YOU want a TESCO built there, why Kirkby? why are we not pushing for walton park? the RS can build a stadium on Stanley why not us on Walton...anything to do with the SAINSBURYS round the corner?

Next week is 'Heritage' week, and here YOU are trying to rip Everton from the city it belongs to...ironic that innit? See sense fellow blues, moving will not guarantee success, it doesn't even guarantee more money, corporate boxes and lounges are one thing, filling them is an entirely different matter. We have two choices as I see it, re-develop (if Councillor Bradley is not telling porkys) or, find a site within the city, if that is without TESCO then so be it, it may take time, but what is the immediate rush?...I'm not having it that Goodison will fall down around our ears, what type of spin is that? WE CANNOT GIVE OUR CITY OVER TO THEM that is the top and bottom of it, i am yet to see any forecasted finacial reports of exactly how moving to Kirkby is going to increase the fortunes of Everton F.C 1878. For what it's worth I would grudgingly go to Kirkby to watch Everton as would the majority of Blues, i'll even pay more for my season ticket, 'cos i love the club as did my father, my grandfather and his father before him and so on right back to our emergence as a church team...ask yourselves this Mr Kenwright, Leahy and other nameless shareholders and non-shareholders pushing and hoping for this move to come to fruition, how much do you love OUR club? and to what lengths would you go to ensure we reside in one of the most famous ports in the world? the place of our birth? 'cos for me you havn't done enough...

First in the City

Football League Founders

EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB 1878

NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM

COYB

I am against a move away from Goodison in general and until something that is so special is put in front of me I have no reason to change my mind.
I think that we all understand the Kings dock was a chance in a million that Everton (The board) cocked up.
But hopefully its a stable ship now and funds could be generated for the right project. But do we really need to spend £120M plus to generate another 10,000 seats that will only be full for the Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea games???

I would much rather we regenerate Goodison and stay.

I suppose my biggest problem in all of this is the way the council have given the red sh!t* a public park, but we cant even extend our footprint that grates me.

Good Luck with the website and with the council meetings.

As far as I see it the club has never come out with robust arguments why we cannot stay at a redeveloped Goodison. Same under Johnson, same under Kenwright. Number one preference is to transform Goodison. If that is PROVEN transparently once and for all to be a non starter we MUST remain in the city and not be bounced into Kirkby as a fait accompli with once again no adequate, open and honest debate. The biggest consistent failing of the EFC board year in year out is the inability and/or refusal (delete as appropriate) to communicate effectively with us the fans.
All the best with the campaign
Nil satis nisi optimum

Strange how the majority of people allowed to post on this message board are all in support of you, yet they obviously 'fail to read and digest' the fact that this is not intended for debate, and you choose not to erase their messages like you do with people who disagree with you. You're an absolute disgrace.

I hope you fail miserably with your pathetic campaign.

Evidently, you guys have been deleting posts which question your stance of the future of Everton. If you wish to encourage a debate (as you claim), it might be a good idea to stop deleting posts that do not match your point of view. Having said that…

I don't give a damn where Everton play - the proviso is that the team has a modern stadium that is 'fan friendly' and will generate a decent income. However, somebody has to pay for this stadium and at the moment the only 'real' money on offer seems to be from Tesco's. If you're unhappy about Everton moving outside of the Liverpool area, then lobby you local councillor to get the city to help the club find a solution that you want. However, as we've seen recently Liverpool City Council do not really seem to care too much about the blue side of the city.

I found the comments of the City Councillors very interesting. I think someone should remind Jan Clein and Tom Marshall that they are elected representatives of the people of this city and, as such, have a duty to listen to the concerns of those people. Quotes like "I think you should ask someone who takes an interest in this matter" and "Sorry I have no interest in 22 grown men kicking a bag of wind" show a great deal of arrogance. We don't care whether these people are interested in football or not. That is not the point. The apathy of these morons is frightening.
Good luck with the campaign. You have my full support.
Keep the faith.

Although in an ideal world I'd obviously like to see us stay in the city, I really don't see the problem in moving to Kirkby. It's not as if we're 'doing a Wimbledon' and moving half way across the country. It's just a couple of miles down the road for heaven's sake! It's not as if we've never moved outside the city boundries before. If Kirkby offers the only real alternative to staying at Goodison then I'd be more than happy to take the option up.

Having said that, good luck with your campaign, and I hope you find an appropriate site in Liverpool.

So once again the old plans are dusted off as a demonstarion of exactly how to redevelop. And yes they show how it can be done. What isn't included though is the cost. At no stage over the history of these plans has anyone attributed a cost for them. Why not? or would that end the debate once and for all?
One other question, you may want the city of Liverpool, but does the city of Liverpool want Everton and you?.
One last point why must everyone on the redevopment side of the debate doubt the credibility of those in charge, no matter who they are.

Personally I am pro a new stadium. I think a redevelopement of Goodison would be a compromise as the developement would be hindered by the neccesity to keep the ground operational while it was in progress and restricted by any number of factors including finance, footprint, property aquisition, existing structure etc etc. The Liverpool cenario is the ideal where you build a new state of the art stadium across the road from the origional (although I know more than a few reds who dont want to move even across the road).
Given the clubs finances I am absolutely amazed that we are being offered the opportunity of moving to a new stadium. I think the chances of stumbling across a deal like this are truly outrageous. A virtually bankrupt club that is so unatractive to investors that even the likes of Villa and Portsmouth are more desirable is given the chance to obtain a new stadium while still maintaining its independence and ownership.
I hate the way objectors to the move use these absolutes to describe various aspects of th proposition so that the new stadium is a souless bowl or tesco value; Tesco is a voracious busimness that is only concerned with profit and is going to gobble us up and spit us out for profit, that Kenqwrifght is keping us in the dark and feeding us bull sh*t etc etc. This is a business deal. Yes Tesco will make money out of it but so will Everton and so will knowsley council. It is posible to have a mutually beneficial situation where we all benefit; where we are all winners and there are no losers.
We are Everton not the stadium. The stadium is somewhere we go once a fortnight for 90 minutes. Everton exists in our hearts for the rest of the time even if the stadium is far away that wont change.....ever! When we move to Kirby, and it will happen,
we will still be the best supported team in Liverpool, we will still be Everton and we will still be great.
Support the move, support the club and look to the future together.

Take a deep breath.............

For as long as Kenwright remains in charge

EFC have no money to redevelope Goodison.....
EFC have no money to contribute to a new site within LCC boundaries...

Option A/ is to move 4 miles down the road to a staduim that will be run by one of the finest business brains in the UK

Option B/ is to remain at a ground that is simply light years behind what is 'par' in this day and age....

It aint Rocket science......

I am all for keeping Everton in the city of Liverpool and strongly against a move to Kirkby and any links with an organisation such as Tesco. But do I think that staying at Goodison is viable - no I do not.

I have yet to see any plans for staying at Goodison that are feasable. You could maybe do it as a massive regeneration of the whole area but not on its own. Take a long hard look at why clubs move, they move to generate extra income. This income comes from money generated away from football with major events and the ability to attract conferences and such like.

What company is going to want to come to Goodison or the Walton area. The area is awful and I am not being a snob, its just woeful. The area needs more than just a shining beacon sitting in the sea of crud. These two things go hand in hand and if you can't see that then you need to pack up and go home now. If you redevelop Goodison then Walton needs it too and the council knows this and the cost would rise - again.

Nobody has been able to bring the area surrounding Everton into something socially acceptable and I doubt they ever will.

You are also looking past the point that for years us blues have been whining about them reds bullying the neighbours and forcing people from their homes - to redevelop Goodison we would have to do the same. Not everyone who lives around Goodison is going to want to give up their home.

Then you need to look at the fact that the WHOLE of Goodsion is unacceptabe by modern standards so do we do a side at a time and how do we survive whilst doing this?

Staying at Goodison is good if you think with your heart but a terrible idea if you use your head. Too many Evertonians don't seem willing to use their head. yes we have a fantastic history at Goodison but you don't win anything with your history and with each year we all pull in different directions those glory years get further behind us and further from our grasp for futire years.

Stay at Goodison and have a great history and a mediocre future or move, take our history with us and have a better futire. i'm sorry but I choose the latter - even if it means teaming up with Tesco.

Face facts, Liverpool city council have never supported us and they wont be happy until we are out of the city. they want one club here and they want the club with the city name - not us. This is a battle that can not be won. It wouldn't be won even if it was a good idea and viable.

Sorry, but that is the truth.

i hold two season tickets in the gwladys st end. i love goodison park and i would go to the ends of the earth to see us stay there. however we can't live in the shadow of a new anfield and they will build a fantastic ground on stanley park. i fear this will eclipse anything we could reproduce on the goodison park site. i can't be a second class citizen to them. i want and we all want to see us compete on the field with man u and chelsea, to generate the revenue to do that we need a state of the art ground with good access, that can be used for concerts/ events etc. I would therefore love to see another but yet realistic Kings Dock type proposal. The image of my football club sitting proudly on the skyline of liverpool on the banks of the royal blue mersey is fantastic. Kirby being out of Liverpool bothers me in that it isn't a venue that inspires us as evertonians. sadly and very sadly goodison will be very difficult to redevelop and i think will cost a lot of cash. I say revitalise the Kings Dock idea or something similar and reinstate this football club as the finest in the land.

good luck with the campaign

First well done on creating this site,I am dismayed that we have not once had Mr Kenwright deny the fact that he has lied to us all. infact hes told so many I find it incomprehensible that apparently there are still a significant number of fans that believe in him with out him showing anything to prove what a good deal this is as far as i am concerned no move out of the city could benefit anyone except Liverpool fc,how can tesco have any interest in whats good for us they answer to their shareholders and now Pro.Cannon who it is widely known to be desperate to get on the board has his two pence worth no word from Bill though each person and company mentioned have there own agenda and none appear to have us the fans in mind. Let Bill start by telling why edge lane for example is a non starter please explain are Tesco giving us the ground for free well I stopped believing in santa Claus years ago also lets hear from our local councillors we vote them in surely we are entitled to know if their for this move so we will know how to vote at next elections same goes for MPs lets fight this abomination

Grow up will ya............. Goodison is a dump, the surrounding area is a dump roamed by teenage hoody's waiting to rob your car as soon as your back turned. The quicker Everton move to a purpose built football stadium the better for all concerned. I'm sick of having to deal with dodging the dog sh*te walking to the ground, hoping my car hasn’t been broken into when I return after the match (only once this season). I'm sick of the awful roads in to Liverpool and the nearest train station being a 15 min walk away. I won't be renewing my season ticket this year, not because of the team but because of the ground. I'm a shamed to say I have to go there 19 times a season; I want a new stadium in a nice area, with shops, cinema, and restaurants. I want a 21st century football ground away from Goodison and Anfield ……………………"Everton Move" damn right, I'd move tomorrow!

We won’t go to Kirkby

Where’er the Toffeemen have played,
We’ve followed in their trail –
Exulted when they’ve triumphed,
And wept tears when they’ve failed.

We’ve shadowed them the length and breadth
Of this green, pleasant Land.
But we won’t go to Kirkby,
We say “No” to a man.

We want to stay at Goodison,
Our Mersey hearth and home.
For how could we leave Goodison –
This great Club’s heart and soul?

Tradition, Legend, History,
Should count a little more
Than schemes cooked up by Tesco,
Or some such Chain of Stores.

Chairmen, Players and Managers,
They come and then they go.
While we the loyal fans remain,
Who love the Blueshirts so.

It’s we the fans who should decide
Where Everton will play.
We fans should have the casting vote,
And this is what we say:

We’ve been to Prague and Bucharest,
We’ve been to Rotterdam.
But we won’t go to Kirkby…
So shelve this harebrained plan!

21/3/07
Denys E. W. Jones
www.footballpoets.org

Well in for setting this up. Like a lot of people i agree there are a good few reasons for not moving to Kirkby. Not least, simply because the council seem to want shut of us. The silence is deafening.
However my main concern is our future fanbase. While we might not notice a difference at first (infact our support would probably increase initially,with lots of rubbing of hands and shouts of "job well done" in the boardroom) but after a while i'm sure it would affect us.

Most of us are blues because our arl fella, our Grandad or an uncle showed us the right path. But what happens in 30, 40, or 50 years from now? A person born in our city will then quite rightly regard Everton as "wools" and say "i was born in Liverpool, so i'll support my local club".That person will then have a son or daughter an so on until in 70 or 80 years from now, the stories that Everton were once part of Liverpool will be told by very few.

It's short sighted, we wouldn't survive as a big club and even though i won't be here, it frightens the living daylights out of me.

i must admit i dont wish to move and have seen come of the sites being proposed but as anyone enquired about the farmland next to the m62 at bowring park 2 train stations within walking distance easy access to the motorway an within liverpool

Everton Must remain at what has been its home for 129 years
Lies Lies Lies is all we have had from the Board
And Im very concerned over this Exclusivity aggreement

good luck with it all, im sure the goodison faithfull will be their all the way

I think you'll get a lot of support from www.toffeetalk.com

We've put a thread with a link here, if you add a link above and keep us in the loop, ive registered my email address, so any email updates you send Ill be sure to post them on the site

Good luck, were all with you

Imaging a film based on a farmer Bill K that wants to build a football ground on a cornfield.

Narrator "Bill K, people will come Bill K. They'll come to Kirby for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only £50 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the seated terraces; wear overpriced royal blue jerseys on hail darkened afternoons. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the touchlines or behind the goal, sinilar to where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come, Bill K. The one constant through all the years, Bill K, has been Everton. Merseyside has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But Everton has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Bill K. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Bill K. People will most definitely come.
(Adapted from the Field of Dreams)
Sadly Bill K the reality is that if we do go to Kirby, I probably won't come.

I still don't understand why people can be so short sighted as to think a couple of miles the wrong side of a line that only people from Liverpool know about is going to be such a major disaster for Everton Football Club.
To non Liverpool residents re-locating to Kirkby will have no detrimental effect whatsoever. So why do people have to be so short sighted and stubborn to no realise what is best for Everton.

I am quite content and happy with a move to Kirkby as I accept tha a new stadium is the best solution for the club. We have a lcoation, we have financial backing so why does evreyone have such a big problem with it. Would you rather see your club grow and flourish in a new stadium nearby or choke and die because a few stubborn supporters were too busy being concerned about a line on a map.

I can understand the feeling amongst some Everton Fans about staying at Goodison/in the city but I think that if we are to progress then the Kirkby move is our best bet at this time. With the council falling over themselves to build the RS their ground for them and the availability of both land and finance (In the form of Tesco) in Kirkby I don't think we can turn our nose up at such an opportunity.

As for not communicating with the fans it's a fair comment when it comes to some areas but with something as complex as moving ground, 99% of fans wouldn't understand the financial aspects alone, let alone anything else. This isn't a slight on the fans, but the board know that trying to make every Everton fan aware of the ins and outs of all the possible deals is impractical at best. The board are there to make decisions that will (hopefully) benefit the club in the long-run. I fully believe that moving Kirkby will benefit us in the long term.

Before any consideration of a move of stadium is made we the fans need to be openly and honestly informed of the viability to redevelop Goodison Park. I think for most Evertonians in their heart of hearts they would love to stay at a brand new stadium on the current site. We need to know beyond doubt that this is not possible if we are to accept it and move on.
If it is necessary to move on then the club must explore every conceivable option within the city boundary and I dont for one moment believe that there is not a least one viable option. If the City Council can give the nod to a large public space to the shite then they can do something for EFC.
Whilst I am not over the moon at the thought of Tesco running the shop so to speak I am not totally against it and if they belive that it is a viable proposition to create stadium in Kirkby then why cant they do it within the city boundary? Are the same government grants not available within Liverpool City boundary sites?
I am in full support of the aims of this site to keep the club within the city and I believe that we need to petition the club so that the board is under no illusion on the strength of feeling on this issue and trhe need for all the options to be aired and discussed. Tell all Blue noses who may not have yet seen this site to register their support and air thier views.
Best of luck to all.

Kirkby is part of Liverpool. Liverpool City Council municipal boundaries mean nothing. Our new academy and training complex is outside the city boundary. No complaints raised there?

The fact that you are attaching links to the article by kevin Reade speaks volumes. He doesnt have the interests of Everton at heart.

The comments about leaving the city to Liverpool are just ridiculous.

I thought we always sang " we dont care what the redside say"

well Tom has his own agenda as we all know,ever since he called for an EGM and then backed out at the 12th min, he shown his true colours.I wouldn't like to be in the trenches with that calibre of person.
its funny how the club say its not a done deal,but true to form all the old same tactics are now being used ,the club is going into PR over spin why ?

Have they signed more than an agreement to talk ?
or are they getting worried that the opposition to kirkby is stronger and growing more than they like and when it comes down to the promised vote they might be left with egg on there faces.

But god i thought you needed two or more options to have a vote ?

never mind its not over till its over !

This is copied From BlueKipper Site, a good post.

Long time lurker and use my little brother's log in details but feel I need to post

I can't believe that anyone would follow Bill Kenwright's ridiculous plan to move Everton Football Club, the CITY OF LIVERPOOL'S oldest club, to Kirkby. I read things on here like Speke is double the distance than Kirkby etc but why stop in Kirkby then? There's lots of land by St Helens Cemetery and that's closer than Speke, what about the new Tesco development in Haydock, lets get onto that, it's as close as Speke and because it's free who cares?

Well I care. Everton means all kinds to all people, some will blindly follow everything they are told by the club and it goes all the way through to the ones who talk about "spin" and "Billy Bullshit" and seem to hate EFC but like an addict will still be there every Saturday. Most of us are in the middle, we want the best for our club and don't think surely the people at the top could really be as cynical as painted. That's all changed for me now. Bill Kenwright, he who tells us that he is as big a blue as anyone, wants to take Everton away from their own hometown to play on a retail park and no doubt let every badged up Cornwall fatty park their cars on the land where Dixie Dean scored his 60th goal, where Trevor Steven clipped a clinching goal past Pfaff and christ, even where Claus Thomsen once scored a goal. No doubt a few meet and greets with his pals at Arsenal and a few glasses of bubbly and free tuna butties have convinced him that we need their middle class haven. It's not Everton, Goodison is and always was since I've been going, an absolute bearpit and when full is probably as intimidating a venue as you'll see. Lets see how we get on when away teams come out and can read EVERTON on the top tier's seats.

I can't, and won't sit back and watch it happen. I wouldn't be able to sleep if I was taking my kids to some Reebok/Ricoh/COM soulless, unoriginal bowl in the middle of nowhere when I was taken to a real, football ground by my dearly departed Dad. I have no qualms with moving from Goodison, my loyalties lie with South Liverpool but would prefer a North End base but I want the best deal for Everton Football Club long term and if anyone thinks Kirkby is the right option, I really wonder how anyone could ever feel that way. Would there ever be another Evertonian in South Liverpool? You ever tried getting to Kirkby from Park Road, Aigburth Road, Garston, Speke, Allerton ? It's bad enough by car. Areas with lots of Blues now but I am convinced this wouldn't remain the case. Who's going to support a team from another town when there's a club in your City that is more successful and has a better stadium anyway?

Bill Kenwright is on the verge of killing Everton through a combination of his rampant ego and his desire to take as cheap an option as possible.

Not saying you're a better or worse blue than anyone for your opinion but there's mine and I won't be changed by some glossy brochure or a video on the website, don't forget, he's got previous for that as well.

Question: CAN EVERTON REALLY AFFORD TO LOSE AN EMOTIONAL, ILLOGICAL IDIOT LIKE ME?

Well, first of all, who AM I?

Ok, I am a (Street End) season ticket holder and fly from Dublin to ALL home games (and a few aways - you know when I can produce 20 away stubs from the 77-78 season).

I've been watching the Blues for 41 years.

Success (OBVIOUSLY!) has not kept me going, so....it MUST be something else.

But what?

Well, all I can think of, is really emotional, illogical stuff.

The same walk up Priory Rd, same chippy routine, same pub, same faces around you in the ground, same bet (1-0 Everton, Yobo first scorer - 7000/1) etc etc.

And of course, Goodison.

An old ground certainly, but the place that is steeped in Everton history AND my own family history.

My grandad watched Dixie there, my dad watched Davie Hickson and took my mam when they were courting (as an Irish girl she loved Peter Farrell and Tommy Eglington).

My best mates go there....actually I'll stop there.

This is all rather emotional stuff, which brings me to my point(s)

Though I now work away in Dublin, I am from Liverpool and am completely and totally against a move to Kirkby.

How much am I against a move?

Well, put it this way - if Everton move to Kirkby, I will simply not consider them to be Everton anymore and...that will be it for me.

I'll see it as Everton deserting Everton - NOT me.

Actually, just out of interest - to those who are ok with a move to Kirkby, how far would the team have to go before you WOULD question it?

Rainhill?

Crewe?

Stafford? - I'm NOT being funny, I'm genuinely curious.

Before responding, it's probably worth noting that Wimbledon are not Wimbledon anymore and the Brooklyn Dodgers aren't the Brooklyn Dodgers anymore

(know why? COZ - THEY - MOVED!!).

One of the things that annoys me most about those prepared to move to Kirkby, is how 'logical' they are when it suits them, but how logic vapourises the moment I apply logic.

For example, I keep hearing logic like "Goodison has no car parking and Kirkby would provide that"

Fair enough.

But when I respond, "It's not logical to build a 55,000 seater stadium when you can't fill a 40,000 seater stadium" there's little or no response.

(It's that, or you get some blarney about hundreds of mythical, loaded businessmen who are going get an executive box)

Of course the problem with logic, is that football is emotional, NOT logical.

Does anyone think Halifax or Torquay's loyal supporters are applying logic when they go to watch their teams?

If football supporters start applying logic, clubs will very soon find themselves in real difficulties.

For example - here are three VERY logical questions.

1) Why watch a team play in a league it can't win?

2) Is it fair to play teams who can spend unlimited funds on players, while your team has to watch every penny?

3) Why support a team that calls itself 'The People's Club' but tells it's people ABSOLUTELY nothing?

All logical questions.....which is why Everton should be much keener to embrace emotional mugs like me.

Once you have a brand new, half-empty stadium full of logical 'supporters' watching a losing team, it won't be long before the logical question "What am I doing here" begins to occur to them.

I've no doubt, many reading this will say, "You're not a real Evertonian la" and that's absolutely fine with me.

I happen to think exactly the same about anybody (ANYBODY!) prepared to go along with a move to Kirkby.

I have been asked "So don't you think the people of Kirkby are Scousers?"

My answer "Absolutely, definitely, of course they are, 100%"

But as I say, this is not about logic.

Anyway that's my opinion and I agree opinions are like arseholes (ie: everyboby's got one).

I'll finish then, NOT with an opinion, but instead with a few facts.

ABSOLUTELY, 100%, INDISPUTABLE facts and ask those 'undecided' to simply consider them.

Terry Leahy is an incredibly successful businessmen.

Terry Leahy does NOT have to answer to Evertonians.

Terry Leahy DOES have to answer to Tesco shareholders.

Tesco shareholders, as a group are not Evertonians.

Tesco shareholders don't and never will (nor should they!) see themselves as owing Everton FC ANYTHING.

Incredibly successful businessmen don't become incredibly successful by being sentimentalists who put sports teams before business (unless a sports team IS their business)

Wayne Rooney called/calls himself 'An Evertonian'

Same ol' story, the Kopites get what they want and we have to take third best. They must NOT hijack football in the city. We are the senior club, that must stand for something. Say no to Kirby!!

Keep sticking two fingers up at 'em!!

Is any kind of organised (peacful) protest, being arranged for the comming matches. Not many games left and also decision likely to be made before new season. i'm not so sure?

your thoughts.

shaun

Glad to see the campaign gathering some much needed momentum,we cant expect any help from the media localy or nationally though as Mr.Kenwright has many connections with journalists from both the T.V. and the newspapers.I noticed Sky sports did their best to avoid televising any of the banners at last nights game at Villa.The piece by Brian Reade in the mirror was excellent though and he must be kept informed of developments and viewed as a potential ally in this fight to save OUR CLUB from losing its very soul to a faceless international corporation.I think it would be a good idea to put posters in the windows of as many business,shops pubs etc, in the Walton area firstly and any where else of course that is willing to give its support.I`m sure there are many former players who would give their support also but are maybe afraid of losing some privileges from Everton,it is still worth asking them though and getting a feel for their opinion.Dont give up the fight.ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL

As i see it we were the first club in liverpool why should we be the first club to move out of our home you look at our scouse fans and they dominate the city, were as liverpool are building a bigger capacity stadium which will only bring more foreigners and southerns to the city to watch liverpool travelling down here on coaches showing true support for their club but if they want to bring fans into the city who arent from it they should be the first club to move out of the city. Everton the people club remeber that Moyes and we should have the final say. If theirs a choice between moving out the city and staying at Goodison theres only one choice by the fans Moyes and Mr kenwright and Wyness should take every litle details of the fans mind into account.
Good luc
k to the blues a lets get in Europe.

What's with all these pathetic abbreviations...GFE...KEIOC...ffs!

It's not about the club at all, it's simply self importance from "fans" who simply aint got anything better to do.

i find it an absolute disgrace that the club who created the football phenomenan in this city may well have decided to move by the time "our" city is celebrating its capital of culture year. this club of ours is an integral part of that culture and has been established for almost 130 years. it will be a betrayal of this clubs supporters,and the history and heritage of the club.

this club and its fans have never brought shame on this city on a mass scale like some, and i cant accept that Everton cannot stay in this city and continue to be the standard bearers of a "local" football club supported by local people. i urge everyone who has emotional links to Everton and this city to get involved and support this campaign. i do recognise we may have to move grounds, but to move to some tesco funded stadium in knowsley would break many blues hearts.

these money men from tesco and knowsley council have no emotional attatchment to our club and do not understand the desire and the absolute need for "our club" to remain in "our city".

talk is cheap from mr bradley at the city council, local elections in may what a surprise. direct action is needed to show how strong feelings are and how deep passion runs amongst the blue majority in this city.

NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM, IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING

call urself an evertonian? ur only interest is to satisfy urself financialy! we are supposed to be the 'peoples club', so prove it and listen to what us REAL die hard fans want for OUR CLUB!

I just want to say thanks for your continued efforts to keep Everton in the city. You are the man with the voice and without you the fans, like myself, desperate to keep Everton Scouse, would'nt stand a chance of being listened to. The very thought of moving out of the city makes me feel empty. We cant lose this one or I know that will be it for me, I love this city so much along with Everton with the history and memories it gives me. If Everton move from the city the History will end there in my eyes, we will no longer be Liverpool's greatest and oldest team because we will not be part of Liverpool. I cant express in words just how much this whole thing is upsetting me and I am sure that when it is over, whereever we end up I will be a very ill man. You are the ray of sun burning through a sky of black Mr Bradley and I just wanted to thank you for your efforts.

Best wiches

In 5 years time, when we have this new ground, will Mr Wyness and Mr Kenwright still be here? I don't think so! Kenwright had the club on the cheap, the only reason he wants to move to Kirby is for a nice new ground and a good team then he'll probably sell the club for 30 million, good investment on a club he only paid 9 million for!!! And he's one of us..... An Evertonian???? My Arse.

P.S Dont agree? why are the likes of Portsmouth, Man City, Aston Villa and possibly Bolthon being bought - not one investor has come to Everton, you trying to tell me they're bigger clubs than us- i dont think so!

Think hard before you go to Kirkby! Keep Everton in this city!!!

I find it incredible that Tom Cannon can state:
"Everton normally spend around £20m a year on players".
when did this happen on a regular basis?

and this: "Everton are relatively debt-free in Premiership terms"
That's not what the accounts show.

and this: "If Manchester United can be outside Manchester, I don't see why Everton can't be outside Liverpool".
Man Utd have always been in the same place, and are staying there.
So should we.

Could he be trying to get back in the "good books" and get his coveted seat on the board, or am I just being a cynic?

Why does Everton, always have to CRY about Money (BILL KENWRIght) Bill leave Everton..You have made us in to the BUMS club..
EVERTON is THE HEART of LVERPPOL.. and thats were it will Stay..
From The Everton Badge..
RUPPERTS HILL..Runs a Lay Line.running through to Bidston Hill..So running through to The Best Way Site on Scotland rd...

This would be a Excellent move...A very Energising Upliftment..
I hope you know what A Lay line is..
All Churchs get Built on them.. Liverppol have a Mary line and a Michael line...This would be Very Lucky for the Blues.. at The Heart..
And Everton is desperate for A lift.. Great Homer street, an Scotland rd...Please help the Area of Everton,by giving us OUr Ground.. And to Help our Area, improve and to bring Scotland rd and Great Homer street BACK TO LIFE...
And it is near the tunnels for the Fans from over the water..
Have you ever tryed getting along County Rd.. in the Day time? It is A Night Mare........
Kenwright.. I feel is only thinking of CASH.. Sad for Him.. He will learn one day about GREED.......
Keioc......
Come on the Everton Supports..Keep Strong...And the Blue Heart in your Heart.......
WE ARE THE HEART OF LIVERPOOL.... LOOK AT YOUR MAP...
ITS TRUE ISNT IT....
You have taken away our Dixi Dean field..
Now Keep us Blues we we Belong..
If you have the Sence...
Everton CRY about MONEY now.. IF we Move to Kirby.. They will be Crying for Ever move...........
THINK KENRIGHT...
TRY Meditation.. IT may Help you See The Bigger Picture

WE are still waitig and Praying...We stay in the city..
Everton is the Heart of Liverpool..
EFC is what keep Everton area alive and a means to somthing as you know the Everton area has notgot a good reputation..But is a great place with the highest steeple in Liverpool(St Georges church,
Ae great veiw looking over the royal blue mersey..Our Everton Badge that sits on top of a lay line, that runs under Best way through to Bidston hill..(magical line)
This is just the Lift Everton area needs..To lift up Grat Homer street and Scotland Rd.. Which is a dead place.
Why Kirby should have our Club.. We are born in Everton and this is our Club.. You took away our Dixe Dean field its like we wont excist anymore..our heart our broke are fans are dividng already..
Please dont allow them to throw us away..Kenwrite seems to have sold his soul to the devil..
The thought of kirby is so heart breaking..
WHY change our History...
The 1st club in the city..It is our right to have 1st choice..We put Lfc on the soccer map..
Please help us....Please do all you can to help us.....
God Bless you x
www.alisandra.co.uk

Compare and contrast the views of Haringey council and the local Spurs MP with regard to Spurs proposed new ground with those of Peter Kilfoyle the local MP for Everton.

Source the BBC Sport website regarding Spurs proposed move to build a new stadium very close to White Hart Lane:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7699135.stm

George Meehan, leader of Haringey Council, added: "We have always regarded Spurs as one of Haringey's prime assets. They bring major economic benefits to our borough and carry out some excellent community work through the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.

Tottenham MP David Lammy supports the club's plan to remain in the borough.

"The club is a fundamental part of the life blood of the community, and its continued presence and vision will inspire new generations of young people well into this century," he said.

i am a arab billionaire who wants to buy everton, could you please ask kenwright how much does he want for the club,

p.s. i'm not really an arab or a billionaire but if someone did want to buy everton how much is bill wanting????