The Everton Board Thread 2014/15

[davek]

I think the main thing that's being called for is instead of this being club driven, it's supporter driven. Once a group has what it generally considers good ideas moving forward, to bring those ideas to the attention of the club, the media, and other supporters.

Engage in a proactive discussion - don't wait for the club to ask what we think, tell the club what we think. And tell the world at the same time so the club cannot easily sweep it under the rug - if that's their inclination.

I know. But that's all a bit vague. What sort of ideas specifically?

I'm not trying to catch anyone out. Just trying to get a handle on the scale of what's being mooted.

 

[RaleighBlue]

I know. But that's all a bit vague. What sort of ideas specifically?

I'm not trying to catch anyone out. Just trying to get a handle on the scale of what's being mooted.

Yeah, it is vague, that I'll grant you. I don't have super great targeted ideas for this beyond what I've discussed at length - namely get the hell out the Kitbag deal any way that's possible, court large technology companies for sponsorship deals (Everton, sponsored by Cisco?), and make a move in the American market. Put Tim Howard out into the American media circuit wearing his kit, get Cahill back when he retires to play up Everton/Australia, see about partnering with American sports teams (like City + Yankees...maybe Everton + the LA Dodgers?), or even partnering with an MLS side.

 

[RaleighBlue]

Yeah, it is vague, that I'll grant you. I don't have super great targeted ideas for this beyond what I've discussed at length - namely get the hell out the Kitbag deal any way that's possible, court large technology companies for sponsorship deals (Everton, sponsored by Cisco?), and make a move in the American market. Put Tim Howard out into the American media circuit wearing his kit, get Cahill back when he retires to play up Everton/Australia, see about partnering with American sports teams (like City + Yankees...maybe Everton + the LA Dodgers?), or even partnering with an MLS side.

My lack of great specific ideas, however, is why I'm pushing for a group here, I think among all Evertonians there must be a few absolute visionaries.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Previous discussion on the topic of ideas: http://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/improving-evertons-profile.67452/

 

[roydo]

Previous discussion on the topic of ideas: http://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/improving-evertons-profile.67452/

In particular, pages 3-6. Some superb stuff in there.

 

[meagher94]

My lack of great specific ideas, however, is why I'm pushing for a group here, I think among all Evertonians there must be a few absolute visionaries.

I think our manager is one mate!

 

[davek]

Previous discussion on the topic of ideas: http://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/improving-evertons-profile.67452/

But the bulk of that boils down to raising Everton's profile in Ireland/America/Africa etc. That's not happening without greater on-field success.

IIRC I think Bruce Wayne off here contacted the club with a raft of ideas on how to maximise revenue through crowd-sourcing etc. Again IIRC, he got nothing back by way of acknowledgement.

My own view is that none of this activity offers the game changer we require. We need a stadium (which this lot in control are completely hopeless in securing) or a takeover.

 

[Steve Wigan]

Protesting isn't what's being called for - yet (and hopefully not at all). What's being called for is a unified base of supporters reaching out to work with the club to improve Everton's financial situation. If that fails, then yes, there may be calls for protest, but those calls would have a much greater leg to stand on than they would before an open and diplomatic attempt to engage the club.


I also believe the club have less to hide behind than they have in the past - they are no longer logically limited by geography or current playing staff. The club is stable on the pitch, they must be expected to improve the club off the pitch. In the past they could hide behind attempting to achieve stability - stability has been achieved, now is the time for growth and expansion.

Your posts are always well thought out and presented, and give cause for thought. Other posters are now posting in the same non acrimonious style and this is a small beginning. In your first paragraph you mention improving the clubs financial situation, and your second paragraph you confirm that the clubs financial situation is stable. It is not so long aga that financial stability was the unattainable Golden Fleece for many UK football clubs..it still is in the lower leagues and it is only the new TV deal which has allowed a lot of Premier League clubs to achieve stability. What we are talking about is using Evertons stability as a base from which to build sufficient spending power to allow us to buy 'Better' players to compete more closely with the 'top four'. In this respect, the stadium is a millstone around our necks. A new stadium or a completely refurbished GP is a must within the next few years...and the new stadium must not be built for 'now' it must be built to accomodate even more fans, from around the world, when they are attracted by our (presumed) success on the field.

 

[RaleighBlue]

But the bulk of that boils down to raising Everton's profile in Ireland/America/Africa etc. That's not happening without greater on-field success.

IIRC I think Bruce Wayne off here contacted the club with a raft of ideas on how to maximise revenue through crowd-sourcing etc. Again IIRC, he got nothing back by way of acknowledgement.

My own view is that none of this activity offers the game changer we require. We need a stadium (which this lot in control are completely hopeless in securing) or a takeover.

I think you're right in regards to Africa if I'm honest. I think raising the profile in Ireland and America is less about on-field success though, I think on-field success helps us, but isn't a requirement.

It's more of - let's maximize our profile in those areas regardless of our on field success, because we certainly are not doing so now. Once we do that, we should see a boost in income, which may precipitate greater on field success, which leads to a higher profile...

 

[SerenityNigh]

But the bulk of that boils down to raising Everton's profile in Ireland/America/Africa etc. That's not happening without greater on-field success.

IIRC I think Bruce Wayne off here contacted the club with a raft of ideas on how to maximise revenue through crowd-sourcing etc. Again IIRC, he got nothing back by way of acknowledgement.

My own view is that none of this activity offers the game changer we require. We need a stadium (which this lot in control are completely hopeless in securing) or a takeover.

Anyone who parades as Bruce Wayne surely has a secret identity and a host of undisclosed talents and assets that I will not challenge.

 

[RaleighBlue]

Your posts are always well thought out and presented, and give cause for thought. Other posters are now posting in the same non acrimonious style and this is a small beginning. In your first paragraph you mention improving the clubs financial situation, and your second paragraph you confirm that the clubs financial situation is stable. It is not so long aga that financial stability was the unattainable Golden Fleece for many UK football clubs..it still is in the lower leagues and it is only the new TV deal which has allowed a lot of Premier League clubs to achieve stability. What we are talking about is using Evertons stability as a base from which to build sufficient spending power to allow us to buy 'Better' players to compete more closely with the 'top four'. In this respect, the stadium is a millstone around our necks. A new stadium or a completely refurbished GP is a must within the next few years...and the new stadium must not be built for 'now' it must be built to accomodate even more fans, from around the world, when they are attracted by our (presumed) success on the field.

Yes, I do admit the board have been successful in achieving stability. My supposition is that stability is not good enough, as it is heavily dependent upon our performance on the pitch. Too much of our revenues are dependent upon television deals and position rewards. As with any business, you cannot stand still and be happy with your position, you must constantly push onward to improve or you will die. My questioning of the board is entirely on their ability to grow the brand. They have proven competent at stabilization, but proven nothing of the sort in advancement.

Success on the pitch is important of course, but my belief is that we can improve on our situation regardless of on-pitch performance, which should then improve on-pitch performance...and we enter a very nice cycle indeed.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

My own view is that none of this activity offers the game changer we require. We need a stadium (which this lot in control are completely hopeless in securing) or a takeover.

I think ultimately you're right Dave, and history would tell us that the former won't be achieved without the latter. However, I don't think we should write off the possibility.

In addition there's plenty we can do around sponsorship, profile, marketing etc, that isn't going to change the club overnight and therefore be a 'game changer' but is essential if we're not going to fall further behind our peers who are out performing us in these areas.

 

[SerenityNigh]

I think you're right in regards to Africa if I'm honest. I think raising the profile in Ireland and America is less about on-field success though, I think on-field success helps us, but isn't a requirement.

It's more of - let's maximize our profile in those areas regardless of our on field success, because we certainly are not doing so now. Once we do that, we should see a boost in income, which may precipitate greater on field success, which leads to a higher profile...

The difficult reality of all of this is that the real growth that matters will take time and effort. I've previously commented on what I think on short-term vs long-term solutions. Martinez is a bright light, but he didn't bring his treasure with him--he found it at Everton. The most damaging, and unfortunately memorable, part of the Moyes legacy may be his pessimism. Not for his disappointments on the pitch, but for the belief he held that the club was not good enough to do better than it was doing.

 

[nsno-chris]

They are elite clubs who's idea of a crisis is not to win a trophy for two seasons. Evertonians (like it or not, and I dont) will settle for much, much less than that. We all know this. The arse would have to fall out of this club for sustained and successful protests. The Johnson affair was an example of that. He was chased out of the club because we nearly fell through the trap door into oblivion.

ok, so they don't count because it doesn't fit your argument, but in truth they've done exactly what you said no team in the top half have done and petitioned against the owners.

The reality is, regardless of whether both teams have been successful or not, they didn't like the way the club was being run so decided to make their voices heard

 

[davek]

ok, so they don't count because it doesn't fit your argument, but in truth they've done exactly what you said no team in the top half have done and petitioned against the owners.

The reality is, regardless of whether both teams have been successful or not, they didn't like the way the club was being run so decided to make their voices heard

In the midst of protesting, United were picking up trophies season after season, and Liverpool even during the G&H period were never far from silverware.

Those clubs and their fans operate at a different speed to us. What tips the balance toward protest with them is vastly different to what tips the balance with clubs like everton.

How you can't appreciate that I don't know.