Everton announce shareholders' rule change

Sep 10 2008

EVERTON FC today announced a rule change to make it harder for shareholders to call general meetings.

The club said they will need support of members representing at least 10% of the club’s "paid-up capital" to convene a formal get-together.

The figure will only drop to 5% if there has not been a general meeting in the previous 12 months.

Blues bosses said the decision was taken because it feared a section of shareholders would repeatedly call meetings to discuss the club’s controversial Kirkby move.

Acting chief executive Robert Elstone said: "We held a general meeting only last week but, as most people were aware, moves were already afoot to petition for a second meeting even before that first one had been staged.

"While we are a club which has always believed in freedom of speech, and which has always both encouraged and enjoyed a healthy and productive working relationship with its shareholders, we have to ensure the integrity of Everton is preserved and protected at all times.

"By making this change, we are simply putting ourselves in line with our contemporaries."