Supporters divided over the right way ahead for Everton FC

Aug 7 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

THE decision to call a public inquiry into Everton FC’s move to Kirkby was last night described as a “very sad decision for the club and very worrying”.

Richard Lewis, chairman of the Everton Shareholders 2006 Group, said: “Whether you are for or against going to Kirkby, this would have given the football club a new future. A lot of financial decisions were depending on that announcement on whether the plans would be called in.

“The most important thing for Everton is a winning football team, but at the moment it has signed no new players and it was pinning its hopes on a new ground.

“It means that – even if the new stadium does eventually go ahead – it is going to be more expensive and it means at least another season at Goodison Park, with all the loss of revenue that entails.

“I can see Everton in limbo as a result of this decision.”

Keep Everton in Our City (KEIOC) said the club had wasted the past two years and now needed to come up with alternatives.

Colin Fitzpatrick, of KEIOC, said: “All their eggs appeared to be in one basket and that was wobbly to say the least.

“It leaves a serious situation because we certainly need to re-develop Goodison Park or build on another location.

“The chairman needs to seriously consider selling, we need action and we need it quickly.”

Last night, Tony Barton, chairman of 1st for Kirkby, said: “Although this will no doubt be classed by some as a victory for those against progress and regeneration, it should in fact be seen as a victory for common sense. Many residents have long voiced their con- cerns at the speed this highly contro- versial and content- ious proposal has been pushed through.”