IT'S FRUSTRATING trying to figure out the inner machinations of something you care about, especially when it's something as complex and dense as Everton F.C.
There is clearly an awful lot happening behind the scenes currently, but those of us on the outside; fans, journalists, people in both camps, are left guessing in the dark.
Keith Wyness' departure is another example of the predicament.
Yesterday, the club denied he had left, despite the decision apparently being made late on Sunday.
They finally put a brief statement on the official website late last night.
Meanwhile, swirling about in a fog of intrigue is the Andrew Johnson transfer. Wyness was clearly not involved in the deal - yet was allowed to make himself look stupid by pouring cold water over newspaper reports.
How did that happen? What state are internal communications at the club? Did nobody who WAS involved in the negotiations with Fulham (Bill?) think to have a word in Wyness' ear before the official website carried a denial?
Or is it a case of two vital members of Everton's board working in far from splendid isolation, with communication sparse.
Meanwhile, despite assurances it will be any day now, Moyes' contract remains unsigned. Again on the official website the Scot's carefully phrased words from a press conference across the Atlantic... "Hopefully in the next week or so I will get it (the new contract) tied down and get it done.
"I want the best for Everton and I do not want to let the players down.
"I have told them that there will be more players coming to help them along the way. I want to make sure that is done before anything else.
"That is more important to me just now. But it is very close."
Heartening words certainly. But what Moyes is really saying, not for the first time, is show me the money. He will commit his future when he has proof that the club can back his ambition with signings.
Hopefully this will be academic when a big move for Moutinho is wrapped up, along with Topal to play in the hole and a striker to replace AJ.
Underpinning all this uncertainty is the imminent (although it's been imminent for a fortnight) decision from the Government on Kirkby.
Obvious questions stand out. Why would Wyness, the man credited with being Project Kirkby's driving force, quit at such a crucial stage?
Is it, as some believe, tied in with David Moyes' demand for transfer fees? Many believe Moyes' wants transfer funds to build ambitiously regardless of saving a bit (£78m) for Kirkby.
But Wyness is cast as the one who tried to tie the purse-strings...balancing cash for the stadium with cash for the first team.
Did that clash build to a head and result in Kenwright making a choice? Back his ambitious, proven-winner manager or back his chief executive's vision for a new home?
Do today's developments prove that Bill made his choice? If so I applaud him.
But then I could be clapping beside the docks as the Titanic sails off on its maiden voyage, because further rumours suggest Wyness' deputy Robert Elstone could jump ship next.
Surely the club's main financial man quitting would have echoes of Trevor Birch's exit stage left after hastily scrutinising our, ahem, complex books....
The fog could disappear if we got a bit of transparency from Everton F.C. but I'm not holding my breath.
The club may well have its reasons, public bickering at boardroom level is surely for our American-owned friends across the park, but it would be nice to have a few questions answered.
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »
Clare D wrote...
Surely there's no coincidence that Moyesy has come out and said he will be signing his new contract within the week on the same day Bully has exited stage right?!!
I think you've hit it on the head GO'K and it’s been Kirkby vs Transfers. Apparently Bully has some kind of mental thing about moving as he tried to move Aberdeen to some green belt land (called in by the planners) and is now (allegedly) off to Real Mallorca to push through a ground move to the mainland. Let's hope he knows the Spanish for Tescos...
Anyway, hopefully this means we have now have a cool £78m (Billy's 12 loans) in our transfer pot, plus the 12 for AJ and the 6 for Faddy we still haven’t spent yet!
And hopefully Moyesy won’t be distracted by all this and just ploughs on with his transfers. I actually think we should be the first prem club to go without a CEO – it’s not like he actually did anything is it?! – Everton The People’s Republic Club
xxx
Posted by: Clare D | July 30, 2008 2:12 PM