GOODISON PANNED
I'M ALL for reasoned debate, rare as it is, over our proposed move to Kirkby.
For someone who is essentially for remaining in the city of Liverpool, sometimes I'm as mistrusting of the 'Kirkby is Hell' naysayers as I am of the club's constant spin.
But I was disappointed to see that the club's PR machine has shifted onto unedifying and unoriginal critical tours of Goodison Park with acting CEO Robert Elstone.
Now, I'm inclined to like Elstone. He comes across as a nice, forward-thinking bloke who has tried to encourage more openness between the club and all of its fans.
But he has done himself no favours with his recent comments.
During one pithy whistle-stop tour of the Old Lady, Elstone labours the accepted moot point that obstructed views are a pain in the neck.
He follows that up with the old corporate hospitality chestnut, which once again, nobody has ever disagreed with. We all know our current corporate set-up isn't good enough.
It's the next two points which really rankled with me though.
First Elstone bemoans our lack of financial muscle and a billionaire Sugar Daddy. This is an issue which the club should be as consumed with remedying as the stadium.
It is their responsibility to scour the planet for investment and bring in the best people to do it. Whether that's Keith Harris, a man who publicly undermined our potential last week, is now in doubt.
The next bit really irked me though.
'Then he takes me into the away team changing rooms. Cramped and poorly lit, they are as basic as a Conference side's facilities.
'He simply spreads his arms: "Can you imagine Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo all crammed in here when Manchester United come to play? This is just not the standard you would expect of a club in the Premier League."'
Who cares what our away team changing rooms are like? It's not as if opposition clubs can opt not to play us because we don't give them warmed towels and a manicurist room next to the tanning salon with Gucci wallpaper.
I don't give a flying..ahem..what Tevez, Rooney (ha!) and Ronaldo think of where they've got to get changed before a Goodison clash. How is that even relevant?
Many clubs deliberately proffer a Spartan space for away sides as part of the psychological set-up of Home Rule.
Following that a random kitchen from one of the suites is compared to a primary school canteen, along with the verdict that "There's nothing like this in any other club in the league.".
Really? Has Mr Elstone inspected every food prep area at every other ground in the Premier League?
Are we to believe that Craven Cottage, Villa Park, and White Hart Lane don't have any slightly dated elements?
The club was always going to crank up the anti-Goodison agenda as the inquiry into Kirkby begins, but they've made a pitiful start with this.
There is a sadness about the ham-fisted way which Mr Elstone has chosen to labour his points.
Especially at a time when there remains so many legitimate questions over just how perfect a move to Kirkby would be.
We can only hope the club have invested as much time into resolving issues over transport, brand-weakening and the cheapo generic appearance of Destination Kirkby as they have to putting the boot into our cherished home.
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Greg O'Keeffe
Am I the only one who is utterly embarrassed by the whole panning of Goodison?
There is probably a 50/50 chance that the inquiry will find that the Kirkby move is inappropiate and that the plans will be scrapped (until Tesco go to the High Courts of course) and Everton will be priced out of the move. What do these people who slag off Goodison do then? When Goodison is our only option?
Will Elstone and company all walk out in disgust at being forced to work in such empoverished conditions? We can only hope eh?
Oh, and a point about the visitors changies - some clubs make them rubbish on purpose to gain a psychological edge on their opponents, even in new-build stadia. I would hope Everton would do the same, no matter where we end up - I don't particularly want Ronaldo and his mates to feel at home and comfortable when they get ready to play us, the same as I don't want them to feel at home and comfortable on the pitch.
Elstone may seem like he's more "fan friendly" than Mr Wyness was, but even Keith offered a "fans council" when he was first in post as CEO and held open meetings with fan groups....
a bad move by elstone i think, he is stating the obvious here. goodison is not the best stadium in the world, yesterdays game against boro was the worst atmosphere i have been to in a long time(im a semi frequent visitor to goodison, but when it is packed and bouncing like at the fiorentina game last year it is an immense place.
my, admitedly only slightly thought out, idea for the solution to the lack of corporate facilities would be to build a tower in the corner by the park end bullens road with maybe 12-15 boxes in it.
i dont think any evertonian actually thinks kirkby is a good idea, some believe its the best or only option, on the same side everyone knows a new ground is needed, but some think there are other options.
and as for investment, if clubs like portsmouth, qpr, villa, newcastle and man city can get massive investment why the hell cant we. my guess is that kenwright will not sell if the new owners wont leave him in charge. and thats as foolish an idea as using harry ramsden to promote anti obesity programmes.
I agree with Greg here. It's quite embarrassing to see Robert Elstone in the local newspaper talking the ground down.
It will come back to haunt him because from what I have read there is no chance that the development will go through. Something that has gone largely unreported is that it includes the first fan based campaign group to actively oppose their supported team's stadium proposals. It speaks volumes about the quality of the development when the club's own supporters are willing to put the boot in.
Elstone should have kept a dignified silence and let his evidence at the inquiry do the talking.
Strong stuff Mr O'Keeffe, but well said.
I hope you don't get into trouble.
On a separate point, what do you think about the pre-match and half-time "entertainment" at Goodison?
Personally,I feel the powers-that-be couldn't go wrong by capitalising on the recent re-emergence of that magical mmusical instrument - the mellotron!
I reckon the club ought to hire someone to play the hits of the day (and yesteryear) on the mellotron.
What do you think - have you got any sway with the top man at Goodison? I believe his name is Ian Ross (not sure if he's any relation to the mighty Harry Ross) and that he's a fair man of even temper.
Greg,
Good assessment of Robert Elstone’s capitulation into Desperation Kirkby. Whilst I appreciate he’s doing the job that he is given it would be better if he didn’t treat the supporters like idiots. What did he say “no other site is feasible, deliverable and affordable, the reality is though if you aren’t allowed to look you’re never going to find it, what did Liverpool say about Stanley Park?….It was right there under our noses all the time!!!!
doesnt robert elstone look like robbie keane's dad!?
or even robbie keane himself. ;-)
I had a read through Elstone's blog earlier.
And I'm interested to see you highlight the different angles the DP and Echo are looking at things (good cop bad cop? depending on perspective?).
Like many Evertonians, am not going to comment right now. Listen to the arguements and facts speak in the next fortnight (KO is next Tuesday).
However, given the 31000 attendance on Sunday, the 36000 at the Man U game, I am now concerned at how devisive this is (it has to be having a small effect due to a certain amount of apathy) and how these external economic factors are exacerbating the situation.
One thing that concerns me also is how given the downturn in the UK economy, that this could be an excuse to compromise with stadium quality at either Kirkby or a renovated Goodison (or other site).
So both EFC (& partners) and KEIOC (& partners), can expect the scope of the public inquiry and content to be scrutinised in minute detail. A level of scrutiney they've not experienced before.
Interesting initial posting O'Keefe - especially given your own newspaper's tendency to get over-excited every time there's some verbosity or white noise from KRAG-KEIOC-KTA-thePeoplesFrontofJudea.
Good article Greg, But I think you would be better writing about DK in your Echo column.
Greg great piece,but I would take it more seriously if you could use it in your Echo column
The comments made here are some what symptomatic of this debate so far, the active anti's immeadiately decry anyone who states the obvious which is all Elstone has done. I hope you guys still want to go to GP if the planned move fails. We will be in the Championship using a decrepit ground sited in the shadow of the reds new palace but for you lot it will be home. I've been going to Goodison for 50 years and the old lady is finished as a top sports venue, that has been the case for years, accept it.
Think you're over-reacitng a bit here Greg.
As much as we like to get away from the fact, our home ground should be a showpiece stadium, a home to be proud of, that goes for the stands, the pitch, the catering facilites, and yes, even the away changing room.
What do you want? Some freezing cold, room with drips from the ceiling and a glory hole to the Gwlad end where the teenage girls perv on Ronaldo as he adjusts his white Calvins?
As much as me not like to admit it, crap away changies are as embarassing as the crumbling steelwork.
The only reason you don't talk about it is that we never get to seem them.
A fair point by Elstone. But he still looks liek Robbie Keane. No escaping that fact.
MontyBlue? Why will we be in the championship???
Streetender: if you cannot see the financial consequences of us remaining at GP then don't ask silly questions. It is already been said by many independent observers that we will never attract foreign investment without a new ground, Kenwright doesn't have the cash and Moyes will leave for pastures new as we won't be able to satisfy his ambition. What happens to the team while this implosion takes place, players leave and only has beens will come to GP, the championship beckons alright.................look at the attendances at home this season, its called meltdown but then the truth hurts doesn't it