Good article, Darren. I agree with it all.

My lad is 15. We now live in the Midlands. He was born a Blue and is following in his dad's, both uncle's and granddad's footsteps. I feel so sorry for him and his age group. They just see Everton as a mid-table (at best) club, making up the numbers. They see the Sly 6 dominate the news agenda and vacuum up all of the decent players. Even Newcastle and Villa haven't been allowed to break their dominance. You can win a trophy like Villa, Newcastle or Palace and end up having to sell your best players. What is the point? All of his mates are RS or United fans. They like to ridicule him as though they're superior because they happened to pick a team that wins things. There's only so many times you can tell him about 9 times champions, Dixie, the Holy Trinity, the 70s, the 80s, Bayern Munich, the 95 cup win, Big Dunc, etc. Our last cup final was the year before he was born. He's seen us beat the RS twice on TV, one of those occasions was in an empty stadium during COVID. I've taken him to home games and he's never seen us win. He's seen some good players who have moved onto better things, Lukaku, Barkley, Stones, Ndiaye. James Rodriguez shone briefly until we hired the worst manager imaginable. I keep telling him that next year will be different but it never is.

The new stadium was supposed to be a new era, with owners who knew how to manage a club of our stature. As they say, it's the hope that kills you.

The Deadline Day fiasco has turned the whole club into a Joke on the Water.

Mmm, feeling the mood in the room Darren.
Singing the blues is one thing, but we do need to energise.
I think we have been looking looking much better in transition, quicker over much of the pitch.
Get in the right tour manager and a couple of good soloists, music to the ears?
Lets rock then!

As you once said tome Darren, "Get paid mate" excellent piece and I couldn't have said it better. Football is larger than life, it's bigger than that. To succeed you need leaders, visible, passionate, vocal and determined to succeed. It's all the things TFG aren't. Money alone doesn't buy success, blend it with desire, ambition and ruthlessness and you have a winning formula. dan Friedkin is an excellent businessman, smart with money but couldn't lead an orchestra. His focus is making money, ours is making a great club successful.

His smarts got us out of a bad place, but that's it. The next level in his eyes is hawking off chunks of shares to investors and I have no doubt he will make a killing doing so. But he doesn't understand the club, it's fans or the meaning of success to us. He never will, he is the stereotypical Texan billionaire. His investments are a portfolio, they are wealth builders, not icon makers.

This is where FSG have light years over him, they invest in success, in leaders where they need, recognizing their value that's adds value to their portfolio.

They bring passion and leadership blended with desire to win on the pitch first and foremost.

Stability is a gobshite word uttered by those happy to settle for second best, or as you say, "What's the point Everton!"

Existence is futile.

Darren, your article certainly rocks and resonates. Yeah, for me, we could do with a Bruce Springsteen and E(verton) Street Band.

The football world has a clash of mindsets surrounding Everton.

There are the supporters who see us as the greatest, with other clubs merely borrowing our trophies, but getting increasingly impatient.

Then there is the rest of the world, which sees one tired football club, one that has been dull and dismal for decades.

Everton has been withering for 40 years. It would have withered even more than it has, but for the loyalty, intensity and fanaticism of its supporters.

But that intensity can be a double-edged sword. Players can wilt under criticism. Managers, owners and executives can err on the side of caution and try to pick their words ever so carefully.

Although I shall always be grateful to Sean Dyche for being our front-of-house man when the world seemed against us.

I agree, Darren, that young Blues are outnumbered by reds, due to the disparity in success. Which is why we desperately need a trophy. David Moyes lost me with that Wolves League Cup team selection last year.

Supporter morale isn't great at the moment. We can't be going out of the League Cup in September again.

And it would help if our new stadium looked a lot more like the home of Everton. The seats are blue, but that's about it.
It says the name of a firm of solicitors on the outside. That gets the heart pounding, the blood rushing through the veins, doesn't it.
And seeing the names of advertisers lit up around the inside of the ground in red??!!!

Still, I'd give the Friedkins and their executive team more time to get things right. They are apprentice Evertonians.

And Dan Friedkin could win us over yet, by doing a flypast in his Spitfire over Bramley-Moore.

TFG are, as we know, quiet owners.

They are not coming to come out with big talk about ambition etc but will allude to it from time to time. That does not mean they lack ambition by the way.

The only real spokesperson for the club of any note is, for the time being, Moyes.

Moyes is not going to come out with big talk about ambition because (a) that's not his style and (b) he's just been let down by the recruitment team.

However, Moyes' contract is up at the end of the season and I would imagine it's unlikely he'll be retained.

A likely target replacement is Kieran McKenna. He is the man responsible for transforming Ipswich into a financially sustainable Premier League club with quality players and a good footballing ethos. He is the man who oversaw (I think) 3 promotions in 4 years. Unlike, say, Thomas Frank, Graham Potter and Fabian Hurzeler - he was not massively flattered by brilliant club operations around him. He's more like Martinez and Rodgers (not without their flaws by the way but brilliant in many respects too).

He is not short of ambition.

If it's not him, it's likely to be someone of that ilk (young or old) able to work with the recruitment and development team.

To be honest though, I am not that bothered about big talk and PR exercises from the owners, manager or whoever. All I am really bothered about is club operations, club finances coming together to build a Champions League quality squad. That is evidence of ambition.

I actually thought that quote was attributed to Motorhead as they have a live album called Everything Louder than Everything Else and another live album called Everything Louder than Everyone Else - so maybe they nicked it!

Craig Walker - Joke on the Water - very good!

Back to football - it is meant to be entertaining - sport is meant to be entertaining - when was the last time Everton fans (whilst watching Everton) - actually felt entertained on a regular basis?

Good article Darren. I think you’re right in that we need a manger/frontperson who generates a bit of excitement. Watching Everton batter Southampton 8-0 in the snow…..that’s exciting/ entertaining….and it’s not something that feels remotely likely at the moment.

Barry, for me at least - the first Martinez season was an absolute stand out when football became fun again.

A fifth placed finish, enough points to get Champions League with a bit more luck and stylish football. To be honest, that is the stand out season in my entire period as a supporter (since circa 1990 ish).

That was built off the back of a well organised, fit and motivated squad left by Moyes that hadn't finished lower than 8th in the previous 6 seasons (actually 6th, 7th, 7th, 8th, 5th and 5th). It already had a lot of very good players and was supplemented by many more - including a striker who would probably cost more than £100m in today's money.

We're in a very different place now.

I think our small squad will give us moments of fun this season, but a lot of frustration too. Moyes will get a lot of grief for that but really it is not down to him.

The fun can start to emerge again, however, next summer - when financial restrictions ease further, the squad can undergo further rebuilding and a new manager (I remain hopeful of Kieran McKenna) can give us Champions League style football (if not necessarily Champions League style results).

Brilliant Darren.
Absolutely word perfect.
Sums up my feelings towards the club at the moment perfectly.

Great Article Darren.

You referred to a famous Quote, that kicked off «  The Mule ».

How very apt, as in my opinion we have a complete Mule as a manager.

His, capitulation in the last 7 games of last Season, was a sacking offence.

his refusal to start Tyrique George and bringing him on as a substitute, for the useless McNeil, 3 games on the trot, was criminal.

What’s changed between then and now for George?

He’s still the same player.

I suppose now, he will be dropped for the fleet-footed Grealish.

Sentamentality has Stunk the Gaff out for years!

It seems we have seamlessly woven from that disaster to the Debacle of the last few days of the Transfer window and it’s all down to himself.

Our Business should have been buckled up, well before the end.

He hasn’t earned the moniker

« Dithering Dave » for nowt!

I commented on Jason Cunny’s Remarks, by referring to the Fact that Manchester City and Chelsea were absolutely Dire before the Oligarchs arrived,with the Former suffering the indignity, of being relegated to the third tier in the league.

I’m quietly confident, that once we eject this fossil at the helm, everything should slip into place

Great post Darren with shades of George McKane,
Your identification of a need for a champion is spot on.

It used to be characters on and off the pitch Brian Labone, Joe Royle,big Nev, Psycho Pat but regrettably the Premier league pioneered by Everton has left us in the dark ages. It is only by a miracle and our support that we are still in the Premiership and have not become a Shefield Wednesday or United.

Through generations since 1878 my family has always only been blue until my recent grandson announcd he was a red. No matter how much pressure and persuasion was applied to him he would not waver.

That to me has been my worst nightmare in the recent sorry history of a club I have watched since 1959 and been part of since 1 was born in 1951.

I probably haven't got long to go but still have that blind faith that everything goes in cycles and our place at the top will return but as they say its the hope that kills you.

The euphoria of the new stadium on the Mersey and proper money behind us gave me blind faith that has long since eroded with the appointments of a Leeds reject and a failed Man Utd recruitment director. It is notable that both clubs have been on the rise since getting rid of them.

We all have reservations about David Moyes but right now he and our supporters are our only hope.

A superb and very accurate piece Darren. Good reading too.

I was also around in the days when Goodison was a happy place because we were winning things and the individuals you mentioned were all part of that happiness and played their part in that feeling. That is a long time ago now.

I am sad that we have turned out to be no hopers who are just making up the numbers every season. Moyes said in his Presser today that it was no-one was at fault for our new centre forward not signing! He may have been right, although I question that, but what he should have said, as he is the only one that talks to us, is that someone is to blame for letting Beto sign for FiorentYina before we had tied Balogun down. Unforgivable.

Yes no-one is carrying and waving the banner for Everton today. We supporters are on our own.

The Texans seem to think that now that they have spent their money on us that all will be well and that the world is wonderful and their money God will provide and the dollars will just roll in without further effort on their part and that we will carry the banner forward and be vociferous on their part.

I wish it was as easy as that as you probably do as well. But it's not. We need help from the Friedkin, Kinnear and Moyes to ensure we will turn up the volume as appropriate, because we are all in this together even if huge clangers occur, eg like has happened in the last week of the window.

Robert, "To be honest though, I am not that bothered about big talk and PR exercises from the owners, manager or whoever. All I am really bothered about is club operations, club finances coming together to build a Champions League quality squad. That is evidence of ambition."
Couldn't agree less Robert, to give stakeholders (shareholders, fans, players, staff and investors) everyone of them needs to understand where they are going and the plan to get there. If this transfer window has done nothing else it has firmly nailed that one.
Kinnear: We have the money, we are in recruitment mode, we don't need to sell.
Moyes; We needed to sell to buy.
TFG: (who knows what the plan is) but we are selling off chunks of the club. Large stake, small stake, what is the recruitment strategy if they personally dictate which players are sold (Harrison then Lliman)

What message are they sending to their own players, staff, fans or prospective players? That's the very example of a business that's not pulling in the same direction.
Result: Kinnear made to look like a liar which he isn't.
Moyes made to look irrelevant to decision making.
Prospective players don't see us as a strong club, they see media turmoil. They are reluctant to join.

In short I want to see progression on the playing side (like you) but to achieve it you have to clearly state how it's going to be done and when. That's leadership, who do you look to for direction if all around you question decisions?
Someone other than Moyes needs to step up and be a leader.

Otherwise it's leadership by committee and we all know it never works due to conflict of interests, personal agendas, misunderstandings of direction, timing etc.. the Silo effect.

Good article, but delusional, there is no knight in blue armour, he doesn’t exist. This week’s transfer window has set us back 2 years. I can’t stand Moyes but we actually need him this season to once again steady the ship, then next season, consolidate, and then rinse and repeat. There is no end to this mid-table dross cycle, apart from a relegation cycle.

Cundy is correct, what is our point? And he, or some other no mark, will be saying that again in two years' time.

On face value this article makes a lot of sense and the passion is clearly stated.

Unfortunately though times have changed with the character of Clubs now shaped by their owners rather than by managers/first team coach’s or whatever term fits. Along with CEO’s they know that they can’t say a lot, no doubt there are clauses in their contracts preventing any criticism of Club procedure- probably resulting in the withholding of any compensation for being sacked in those circumstances.

The mention of hugely successful managers such as Harry Catterick/Bill Shankly/Brian Clough - spotlights that these types of dominating personalities are now defunct and nowhere to be seen in the Premier league as owners want yes men who will get well paid and say nowt before being paid off.

Annoyingly as supporters there is little tangible that we can do…yet our superb away support at Bournemouth showed up the ignorance of our absent owners and a victory was gained by keeping Harrison Armstrong. This though was only a short-lived success as the sale of our most gifted player -the one player who could really excite with his ball skills-was jettisoned out to Man City for a below marketplace value and we all know the rest of the saga that followed that night.
So how do we find the spark that Darren longs for…I have no idea but somebody needs to materialise pretty quick as we are all getting older.

Who Knows Where the Time Goes?

Brilliant article Darren, and very well-written as usual.

In the back-office we need ambition and competence, in the football operations we need a long-term plan, and on the pitch we need excitement. At an outcome level, TFG have not shown they can deliver the first two, and we have a dreary manager who will tread water to the end of the season.

The great managers usually have charisma - Shankley, Clough, Kendall, Ferguson, Wenger, Mourinho, Klopp, Guardiola. But, I also think back to Catterick, and in particular Bob Paisley, who were introverted quiet men who earned massive respect through success.

Overall, we need a competent manager with a clear plan, relentless focus on accountability and determination to achieve results. The back office should stay in the background and build the framework for the manager to succeed. Although I hate to say it, that is what FSG have done across the city.

As for excitement on the pitch, start with an exciting style of play and our supporters will do the rest.

David Moyes has been in charge for 20 months now, incredibly according to reports in the Guardian he has never spoken to the owners. Not through his appointment proccess or anytime since. Not once.

The art of Leadership. How not to do it.

If you ever wanted to know how important or valued you are or aren't then this is it. Shameful.

Our significance is solely restricted to The Friedkin Groups balance sheet portfolio. One would have hoped they would understand that a well funded successful team wins trophies and generates more money. This purchase has all the hallmarks of making a quick buck, not a long term investment.

All Dan Friedkin has to do to counter these observations is come to a game, meet the fans, explain what his plan for the club is.

What are you afraid of Dan?

Jeff

I understand where you are coming from, but if I thought there is was no hope at all. I'd probably throw my hand in right now.

Everyday, struggling organisations, charities, business's and yes Football clubs, are turned on their head by one person who can act as catalyst - A-larger-than-life character who walks into the right place at precisely the right time. I'm not saying there are Tony Blooms and Jurgen Klopp's lurking behind every corner, but They are most definitely out there. I still maintain that this clubs future depends on finding one.

Our new owners couldnt have made their intentions any clearly if they had grabbed the front of our collars and hissed "Give me your fucken money". It depresses me no end to listen to people defend them with imaginary rescue acts and great deeds. I keep wondering what I`m missing.

I really hope you’re right Darren, do you think Bell and Downing could be those investors even if it is with TFG?
I would then hope they and their team could take over the day to day running of the club, which TFG are clearly not capable/interested in.

Jay@11 - "Shades of George McKane"

I got a few positive comments on this thread (which I really appreciate), but comparisons with George ?.

I went to the same school as George, but I sometimes think we went down different corridors once we got through the front door.
While I bash out my alehouse-speak on my laptop. George creates magic a few strokes of his paint brush.

Darren 19# as you get older you don't suffer fools gladly, after a lifetime of trying to see the good in all, you end up looking at people and asking, "Can't you see what they're doing?" But sadly rather than look again, they ignore you or ridicule you because the very thought they may be wrong is just too hard to contemplate.

The truth is we are being used and abused. Taken advantage of because we fell in love with something that means the world to us, Everton Football Club. We put up with far more than rational people normally would, try to understand those decisions made that hurt us or ignore us.

Too many cannot see the wood for the trees, a one way love affair with an abusive partner who takes you for a ride, just wants your money.

That's TFG to me, am I cynical? You bet, we've seen it before, it's one of life's experiences you always remember, you don't believe a word they say. Been there, done that, bought the T shirt.

I wait for your larger than life leader who loves life is passionate and savvy, who makes mistakes but admits it, changes, tries again. Someone who gets it. Loves the club, loves what it means to be a blue.

Someone is out there who can do all that. I want to believe again.

Great post, Darren.

A couple of months ago, I worked with a room of 90 graduates in Germany. Of course, they all assumed I supported the other lot. When I mentioned Everton, there were raised eyebrows. One simply asked 'Why?'. Then a voice piped up. A soft Scouse accent. He said 'When we get good we'll explode!'

He got it. You're right. We need someone who gets it, and wants it as much as we do.

I was on a bit of a downer this week after the shambles of our transfer business.
Posts 19 & 22 have put a spring in my step.

Jeff,if it is George Downing coming into the club I will be doing cartwheels.
Home and away Blue for decades.