THE new acting chief executive of Everton FC last night said he was fully behind the club’s £400m move to a new stadium in Kirkby.
Robert Elstone was unveiled yesterday as the new acting chief executive following the resignation of his predecessor Keith Wyness last week.
Mr Elstone, 44, has been deputy chief executive of the club since 2005.
Last night he revealed his main priorities were moving forward with Destination Kirkby, the controversial Tesco-led scheme which would see Everton leave the city for a new 50,000-seat stadium in Kirkby.
He also revealed he wants to be appointed to the job of chief executive permanently, and that – like chairman Bill Kenwright – he would be happy for the club to be sold if the right bidder came along.
Mr Elstone said he was frustrated by the continuing delays over the announcement of whether the Government would “call in” the planning application for Destination Kirkby for a time-consuming public inquiry.
He went on: “This is the single biggest opportunity which the club faces, and I recognise it’s a hugely emotive issue.
“We are still awaiting a decision from the Government on the call-in, which will trigger two different approaches depending on the outcome of that decision.
“Our advisers are telling us the decision is imminent, but we genuinely don’t know what it will be and will just have to wait and see. It’s frustrating, but that’s where we are.”
Mr Elstone said a new stadium was the only way forward for the club.
“The economics of the Premier League are becoming more and more demanding. It’s important Everton FC keeps pace with the spending powers of our peer group and our rivals in the league.
“To do that, a new stadium is critical, and the strongest option available to the club – in terms of affordability, and what it can do for us in a business sense – is the one at Kirkby.
“While Goodison is a wonderful old stadium, it does constrain the club financially.”
On the subject of the club being sold, Mr Elstone said: “I think the chairman’s position on this is clear. If the right investment came along and it was in the best interests of the club, I would be right behind it.”
Mr Elstone added he was relishing the challenge of being acting chief executive.
“A big part of the reason for me joining the club is that an opportunity like this would come along, and I’m hoping it will be made permanent,” he said.
He declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding the departure of Mr Wyness.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: “Robert has been with us for more than three years and is, I believe, now fully conversant with the very special demands associated with running a club of our stature.”
