EXCLUSIVE: Everton will stand by supporters’ vote

Jul 27 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON FC last night made it clear its fans will have the final say on the club’s proposed move to Kirkby.

The Daily Post today reveals the ballot question that will be sent out to around 38,000 supporters in the next week.

The wording makes it clear the club will only go ahead with the move if the vote, being conducted by the Electoral Reform Society, is in favour.

Last night Everton chairman Keith Wyness confirmed a 51% vote in either direction would be considered decisive. Mr Wyness said the board had asked a clear question, put simply: “Are you in favour of relocating Everton Football Club to Kirkby?” He said it was now up to fans to make the decision.

If the answer is “yes” then the club will continue negotiations with Knowsley council and Tesco to build a 50,000 to 55,000-seater stadium in Kirkby town centre. If the answer is “no”, then no further negotiations will happen.

“The board has offered a very clear question,” said Mr Wyness. “It will now be up to Evertonians to make the decision.

“Over the coming weeks we will try and respond to all questions and offer all the information we can.”

He added: “The board believe this is the only “deliverable” option for the club and is the best way forward.”

The move from Goodison Park would involve a new £75m stadium built at a cost of £50m, thanks to the involvement of Tesco’s contractors.

With land values thrown in – it is being provided free by Knowsley Council – and internal fit-out costs, the total value of the deal rises to somewhere around £150m, but at a cost of only £10m-£15m to the club, thanks to the sale of Goodison for around £15m and a naming rights deal.

Anne Asquith, chairwoman of Everton shareholders’ association which has about 180 members, said it was hard to call which way the vote would go.

“It’s a very straightforward question, I don’t think they could have done any better.”

“There are questions that people are asking that need answering though so they can make an educated decision.”

Ballot papers are due to go out in the next week and will be sent to all 2007/08 season ticket holders plus anyone who has held a season ticket for any of the past three seasons.

Non-season ticket holding club shareholders will also be given a say, as will adult Evertonia members.

The outcome is expected to be known before the end of August.

Fans last night said the question could not have been any fairer but said they would need more information about the move before they could take an educated vote.

Pressure group Keep Everton in Our City (KEIOC) said they were disappointed not every “walk-on” fan who had attended a game would be allowed to vote.

Leader of the city council and opponent of the move Cllr Warren Bradley said: “I think it’s a fair question. I would urge all Evertonians to vote no because there is another option.”

Last week he proposed three alternative sites within the city boundary.

Cllr Joe Anderson, Labour leader of the city council, said: “| don’t think you could get much fairer than that.

“I think it’s going to be close. I will vote no.”

davidbartlett@dailypost.co.uk