City council accused over ‘shame’ of Everton move

Jul 19 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL’S Labour leader last night accused the city council of not doing enough to keep Everton FC from moving outside the city.

Hopes of a cross-party alliance to try to stop the club from accepting the "deal of the century" to go to Kirkby in neighbouring Knowsley appeared doomed last night after council leader Warren Bradley rebuffed Cllr Joe Anderson’s offer for a united front.

Cllr Bradley then accused Cllr Anderson of attempting to jump on the bandwagon and of "banner waving".

A spokesman of Keep Everton in Our City (KEIOC), Dave Kelly, said he was hugely disappointed the leaders could not settle their political differences to work together.

It comes after the Daily Post exclusively revealed earlier this week the financial details to attract Everton to Kirkby.

Keith Wyness, chief executive of the club, said it was the "deal of the century" and there was no plan B if the scheme failed.

The deal involves the proceeds of a major retail development led by Tesco contributing £50m to the new stadium, and also getting the supermarket’s contractor to build a £75m value ground for that £50m.

Mr Wyness said that because the club would have little debt, the increased revenue from the new ground would give Everton up to an extra £10m a year to spend on players.

Cllr Bradley last night said that he remains confident a new home can be found for Everton in north Liverpool but said he couldn’t reveal the possible sites.

He said: "I am waiting for the period of exclusivity to end. I think that they will announce in the next couple of days that the exclusivity deal has been lifted.

"I think it is absolutely crucial we do this in the correct way. I can’t be seen to deploy guerrilla tactics. This is the way Joe Anderson works – he jumps on the bandwagon. He’s now doing this banner waving.

"I am convinced that KEIOC know that I am working behind the scenes.

"I am confident that there are two or three sites that will see Everton remaining in the city. I don’t believe this attitude of Keith Wyness that Goodison can’t be redeveloped."

He said Liverpool had attracted investors and he didn’t see why Everton could not.

But Cllr Anderson said: "The city council has stood on its hands for four years. We have done nothing and should be ashamed of ourselves.

"The only thing I want to do is make sure there’s honesty and transparency about what Liverpool City Council is doing to keep Everton in the city. "I want them to stay in the city, if we can’t do that that’s fine, but I think we should try. My passion is Everton Football Club and I want them to stay in the city. It’s nothing to do with jumping on the bandwagon."

The row came as it emerged that Everton FC had cancelled a meeting between chairman Bill Kenwright and KEIOC.

Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross said the meeting had been called off because the ballot had been called and it was not thought appropriate for the club’s chairman to be seen meeting with an anti-move group.

davidbartlett@dailypost.co.uk

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