Friday 18 November 2011

Bill Kenwright Presents.. Dynamite, Redux; a farce in several parts

Mr. Ian Ross assumes his "new role within the club". 


THE CAST

Mr. Ian Ross (aka "HICDUK"): Head of Media & Communications at The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Mr. Robert Elstone: Chief Executive Officer, The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Mr. Mark Rowan: Head of Media & Communications, The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Mr. Dave Biggar: Commercial Director, The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Mr. Martin Evans: Head of Finance/Company Secretary, The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Mr. David Harrison: Head of Football Operations/Club Secretary, The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Mr. Andy Ward: Head of Ticketing, The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Ms. Denise Barrett-Baxendale: Chief Executive, Everton In The Community
Mr. Graeme Sharp: Supporter Liaison Officer, The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Ms. Michelle Mitchell: Retail, The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Ms. Jacqui Benson: Secretary to Mr. William Kenwright CBE at The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Mr. William Hanrahan: former journalist turned public relations consultant, friend of "HICDUK"
Mr. Colin Bates: US-based businessman, shadowy potential investor in The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Ms. Emily Dallas: Personal Assistant to Mr. William Kenwright CBE at Bill Kenwright Limited
Mr. Jon Woods: unknown capacity, The Everton Football Club Company Limited
Mr. William Kenwright, CBE: himself
 ,

ACT I ~ "The Betrayal" ~ In which Mr. Ian Ross impugns the reputation of his superior within and without The Everton Football Club Company Limited, and attacks a well-known group of malcontented supporters of said institution...

From Ian Ross
From: Hicduk
To: denise.barrett-baxendale ; martin.evans ; david.harrison
Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:04

If ever you required conclusive proof that he HAS lost it and that he IS unfit to lead etc etc...here it is....rambling, incoherent nonsense.........at a time when we are in financial meltdown

From: Robert Elstone (Everton)
Sent: 17 August 2011 17:17
To: Dave Biggar (Everton); Mark Rowan (Everton); Andy Ward (Everton); Michelle Mitchell (Everton); Ian Ross (Everton)
Cc: Jacqui Benson (Everton); Graeme Sharp (Everton)
Subject: Fan Letters

Guys
Every now and again, prompted by seeing letters on desk and in pigeon holes, I wonder about who initially receives and opens letters addressed to ‘Everton Football Club’, or ‘The Board’ or ‘To Complaints’ or The Fan Liaison officer or ‘Marketing’, who/how is it decided where they go? Who then reads these inbound letters? (haven’t even thought about email or phone), and who looks to see if there’s anything we ought to know / or can learn and how that gets shared and passed on to the right people, who’s responding, and is that response ‘as we’d all want it to be’.

I’ve no reason to suggest it isn’t done well but I’d like to understand the process.As I said, I get some. I’ve just seen one in Michelle’s pigeon hole addressed to my saying we’re a disgrace because we don’t sell pennants – I didn’t get that one, I saw some on Graeme’s desk....etc

I just like to understand how the mailbag – which must be bigger than usual – is dealt with including how we all learn from any constructive feedback?

I get regular ones about why do we see LFC ads everywhere and not us....these might come to be, to Fan Centre, to Marketing etc....I would answer if it came to me and maybe I shouldn’t? Would Marketing answer?

If we do have a single point of contact for all, then we should stick to this, including email but we must share learnings and responses..

Robert

========================================================================
From: Hicduk hicduk@aol.com
To: William_hanrahan
Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2011 8:21

Hi,
Delete this once you have digested, shaken your head repeatedly and then groaned.......

The Club is facing financial meltdown.....in my naivety I have always assumed that the man at the top should be busying himself with the hunt for money ( short and long-term ).

This is an example of where he is at....where his head is at.......he is all over the place.....he is, I believe, suffering some form of breakdown......we are swamped with stuff like this on a daily basis.....non-sensical rubbish which wastes valuable time and which leaves us all in despair.

Just quickly on the Blue Union firestorm.....I spent three months telling RE he MUST keep the militants out of the Club.....then, two weeks ago, he went behind my back and met them...but he didn't even have the courtesy/balls to tell me....he then ( astonishingly ) recommends that Bill meets them....again, all behind my back...Bill meets them...they secretly tape the meeting ( as I would have told him they would had someone kept me in the loop )....the result? A 3000 word verbatim piece on the Blue Union website which makes Bill ( and, indeed, all of us ) look VERY stupid....Bill is mortified.....it's a joke.......delete and ring later

From: Robert Elstone (Everton)
Sent: 17 August 2011 17:17
To: Dave Biggar (Everton); Mark Rowan (Everton); Andy Ward (Everton);
Michelle Mitchell (Everton); Ian Ross (Everton)
Cc: Jacqui Benson (Everton); Graeme Sharp (Everton)
Subject: Fan Letters

Guys

Every now and again, prompted by seeing letters on desk and in pigeon
holes, I wonder about who initially receives and opens letters addressed to
‘Everton Football Club’, or ‘The Board’ or ‘To Complaints’ or
The Fan Liaison officer or ‘Marketing’, who/how is it decided where
they go? Who then reads these inbound letters? (haven’t even thought
about email or phone), and who looks to see if there’s anything we ought

people, who’s responding, and is that response ‘as we’d all want it
to be’.

I’ve no reason to suggest it isn’t done well but I’d like to
understand the process.

As I said, I get some. I’ve just seen one in Michelle’s pigeon hole
addressed to my saying we’re a disgrace because we don’t sell pennants
– I didn’t get that one, I saw some on Graeme’s desk....etc
I just like to understand how the mailbag – which must be bigger than
usual – is dealt with including how we all learn from any constructive
feedback?

I get regular ones about why do we see LFC ads everywhere and not
us....these might come to be, to Fan Centre, to Marketing etc....I would
answer if it came to me and maybe I shouldn’t? Would Marketing answer?
If we do have a single point of contact for all, then we should stick to
this, including email but we must share learnings and responses..

Robert
====================================================================

ACT II ~ "Suspicion" ~ In which Hicduk is fired up by the scent of rebellion in the air, but is counselled by his close friend to be cautious...

From: HICDUK > HICDUK@aol.com
To: william_hanrahan
Date: Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:34

Evening,

Ah - the joys of living precisely 2.7 miles from Goodison...........home inside 10 minutes.

We need more caution .........it is like working in a kindergarten at the moment......Bill pulled me as he was leaving to say "You were seen talking to Will and Jon twice today - what was all that about?"....talk about paranoia....

I pointed out that I have known you for 35 years plus and that Jon is a Director - and that I speak to both of you each and every time I see you.......Bill senses conspiracy everywhere at the moment........God only knows why

So, it must be even more hush-hush...............may be better if Jon and I talk on phone ( if he wants to that is ).

Happy to help - but need to protect myself etc...

Stay cool

Ian

============================================================
hicduk@aol.com

Evening....it got worse...much worse today......
Sent using BlackBerryR from Orange

-----Original Message-----
From: Will Hanrahan
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:41:37
To:
Subject: Re: I Ross esq

Your friend Robert, is no friend of EFC.

On 23/08/2011, hicduk@aol.com wrote:
Really? About?
Sent using BlackBerryR from Orange

------Original Message------
From: Will Hanrahan
To: hicduk@aol.com
Subject: Re: I Ross esq
Sent: 23 Aug 2011 22:49
Sadly, I know.

-----Original Message-----
From: Will Hanrahan
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 06:43:51
To:
Subject: Re: I Ross esq
Can't say. Sorry.

-----Original Message-----
From: hicduk@aol.com [mailto:hicduk@aol.com]
Sent: 24 August 2011 07:30
To: Will Hanrahan
Subject: Re: I Ross esq
No problem
It's just that something did happen y'day - and I wondered if we were talking about the same thing...
Cheers
Sent using BlackBerryR from Orange

-----Original Message-----
From: "will hanrahan"
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:52:26
To:
Subject:RE: I Ross esq
Sorry, the stuff I was helping with yesterday was not at the 'Liverpool ‘end of the operation.
This much is clear to me...Robert is thought of very, very highly by our chairman. My advice to you is to assume he will be there as long as Bill is chairman, so try to get a working relationship!

On 24/08/2011, hicduk@aol.com wrote:
We have a working relationship - problem being (well, one of them) he has no professional respect for any of his senior staff....there's no-one left who believes he is capable etc...It’s not only sad and unpleasant – I genuinely believe it to be dangerous / damaging for the Club.

When the rebellion comes, it will come from the inside - and with what's been happening, I don't think that's too far away.
Have a good day....
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Re: I Ross esq
From: Will Hanrahan
To: hicduk
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 8:58
You too.

=========================================================

ACT III ~ "Forget About The Pricetag" ~ In which a potential investor comes calling to answer the prayers of Mr. William Kenwright CBE; that is, until Hicduk tells him the price...


From: Colin Bates
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:28:41 -0700 (PDT)
To: HICDUK_aol.com
ReplyTo: Colin Bates
Subject: New Orleans Calling.

How have you been. I see the woes continue after reading Bill's interviews. What amount is he looking for?


From: "hicduk@aol.com"
To: Colin Bates
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 10:01 AM
Subject: Re: New Orleans Calling.
Hi mate
How's things?
How much do we need? For a full takeover or to keep Moyes happy?


Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange From: Colin Bates
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:04:27 -0700 (PDT)
To: hicduk@aol.com
ReplyTo: Colin Bates
Subject: Re: New Orleans Calling.
I guess that would be a longer conversation but high wide is that divide.


From: "hicduk@aol.com"
To: Colin Bates
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 10:10 AM
Subject: Re: New Orleans Calling.
We need money - short and long-term...why do you ask?


Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
From: Colin Bates
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:19:04 -0700 (PDT)
To: hicduk@aol.com
ReplyTo: Colin Bates
Subject: Re: New Orleans Calling.
It is always of interest but just wanted to know how much the situation may have changed before I would be able to know. Timing maybe better today than before but the financial scope may have overtaken me.


From: "hicduk@aol.com"
To: Colin Bates
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 10:36 AM
Subject: Re: New Orleans Calling.
Well, it depends what you\'d be looking to do really...of course we need investment....in short-term we need money before transfer window closes - and to appease the Bank.
Things are tighter than they have ever been....


Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
From: Colin Bates
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:54:49 -0700 (PDT)
To: hicduk@aol.com
ReplyTo: Colin Bates
Subject: Re: New Orleans Calling.
What expansion plans are being discussed to increase cash flow. Would these funds silence the bank and not be used to strengthen the squad.
What price is the 25% shareholding now and what short term amount are we talking about.


From: "hicduk@aol.com"
To: Colin Bates
Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2011 11:23 AM
Subject: Re: New Orleans Calling.
25 per cent would probably now cost upwards of 25m
It\'s well-documented that we must sell a player (or two ) this month...


Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Re: New Orleans Calling.
From: Colin Bates
To: hicduk
Date: Wed, 24 Aug 2011 1:16
Quite a jump from last time. I am very much out of the loop so perhaps we can catch up on the phone

===========================================================

ACT IV ~ "The Art of War" ~ In which Hicduk attempts to get medieval on the asses of The Blue Union, in his bosses' name, only for said boss to baulk at the prospect and suggest "jaw jaw" instead of "war war"...

From: HICDUK@aol.com [mailto:HICDUK@aol.com]
Sent: 07 September 2011 18:06
To: Emily Dallas (Kenwright)
Cc: Robert Elstone (Everton); Mark Rowan (Everton)
Subject: from Ian Ross

All,

Attached is a 1000 word piece ( in Robert\'s name ) addressing the Blue Union statement issued today....yes, it is hard-hitting...yes, it will ruffle many feathers.......
Ian

“I read with astonishment bordering on bewilderment this morning’s statement by the “Blue Union“, the umbrella name for an alliance of four internet-based supporters’ groups who – quite wrongly in my opinion – seem intent on giving the distinct impression that they speak for each and every Evertonian.

The implication seemed to be that this club’s Board of Directors has, in some way, been attempting to deceive its fan-base over the past three years with regard to its oft-declared intent to secure new and substantial investment.

I say this because by stating that the Club should immediately seek to appoint a “fully autonomous group of professional individuals“ to help effect a change of ownership the implication is, in my opinion, two-fold – firstly that our current Board of Directors is, in some way, unprofessional, and secondly that determined efforts are not – indeed, have not – been made to in recent times to secure the level of investment which will materially transform this Club’s fortunes in both the short and the long-term.

As Bill Kenwright has stated on more occasions than any of us inside Goodison Park can remember – a majority shareholding in Everton Football Club is for sale. That has been the case for three years – and it will remain the case until such a time as someone steps forward with something more substantial and tangible than fine words and empty promises.

The notion that Bill and his fellow Board members – Jon Woods, Robert Earl and Sir Philip Carter – are involved in some form of protracted, elaborate hoax designed to dupe our supporters into believing the Club is up for sale when, in fact, it isn’t, is not only totally ridiculous but highly insulting to men who – trust me – work tirelessly for Everton without salaries, without expenses…without remuneration of any kind.

So, let me make this crystal-clear to those who seem intent on dragging this great Club’s name through every available patch of mud – we continue to seek the right person to move us forwards on an hourly basis…not a weekly basis…not a monthly basis…no, on an hourly basis.

The “Blue Union“ repeatedly tells us that it will always continue to support both manager and team and that it urges “all Evertonians to cheer our team to victory.“

If that is, indeed, the case – and I don’t doubt the passion of their members for one, single moment – why organise a public march and demonstration shortly before a key Premier League fixture when, clearly, such a display of disunity and fragmentation is the very last thing the manager and the players would want?

Why, when we should all be pulling together –in the same direction – to help “cheer our team on to victory“ would they wish to engage in a display of negativity which can only damage morale ?

What, precisely, is the purpose of this march and demonstration? The “Blue Union“ statement says it is to promote the concept of allowing me, the Club’s CEO, to be “left to concentrate“ on a variety of tasks including reducing costs and developing revenue streams.

Well let me tell you those are tasks I undertake each and every day – not in isolation but with the help and invaluable support of those very Board members the “Blue Union“ seems to be insinuating are, in some way, either holding me back or interfering with set and established business processes.

The truth is, I have the most hands-on and most dedicated Chairman in English football – a man whom I speak to first thing in the morning, last thing at night…and countless times in-between.

Since I took over as CEO in XXXX I have done everything in my power to strengthen and improve the day-to-day working relationship between supporters and Club - in fact, many have called it my obsession.

Hand-on-heart, I do believe that things HAVE improved dramatically and I can confidently say that none of our Premier League contemporaries can boast a better record of engagement and facilitation.

However, I am simply not prepared to sit back and have what I still believe to be a small minority within what is a loyal, dedicated and highly-knowledgeable fan-base repeatedly call into question the integrity of this Club’s Directors.

Maybe I should avoid clichés but I have to say – be careful what it is you wish for. Would those who now, quite clearly, seek a change of administration want the current custodians to hand control over to the first person who is prepared to sign a cheque?

The supporters of other clubs – notably West Ham United, Portsmouth and Birmingham City - argued for just that scenario. The footballing Gods granted their wishes and they are now playing their football outside of the promised land of the world’s greatest league.

Some would have us believe that the last few years have been catastrophic…failure piled upon failure. Not true. Our average League placing since 2001 has been between eighth and ninth. In the decade before that, it was 14th.

Supporters have every right to analyse, to comment, to complain, to vote with their feet, to band together and to criticise; that is human nature and it is understandable.

When we fall short (as we invariably do on occasions) we expect that criticism – but we always attempt to use it as a catalyst for change, for improvement, for betterment.

If Saturday’s proposed march and demonstration is designed to deliver a message to the Board, to the Club, that the search for fresh investment must not simply continue but must be accelerated then it is pointless – because those charged with the responsibility for securing that investment are in total and absolute agreement – and they don’t need reminding of that fact just 60 minutes before a senior fixture.

As a Club, we have had our disagreements with the “Blue Union“ – notably over its abhorrent decision to secretly record what was a private meeting with Bill Kenwright – but I feel I must reiterate that we have always encouraged frank and open dialogue…we just don’t believe the correct arena for such a debate is the middle of a street on a match-day.

The “Blue Union“ statement ends with the words : “It’s time for protest“.
Actually, I think it’s time to stand together – to cheer our team on to victory. “

Robert Elstone
CEO


From: Robert Elstone (Everton)
Sent: 07 September 2011 18:57
To: IR; Emily Dallas (Kenwright)
Cc: Mark Rowan (Everton)
Subject: RE: from Ian Ross

Ian

Whilst there’s bits I like, there plenty of stuff I don’t and it’s not how I say it... They’re not saying we haven’t tried to sell. They’re not saying we hand over to the first person waving a cheque. They’re saying we’ve failed and there’s a better way. Of course, their better way isn’t a better way.

For me, we have really risen to the bait. It’s too much and we patronise them. As you know, this is what I said an hour ago We’ve been asked to come up with a plan.

It was felt the plan should use others to say what we want to be said. We know they’re accusing us of stagnation and they want the Board removing. They are or they may be influencing the fringes and they are causing us damage. This might be low hundreds it might be more. Either way, I hope we agree we should fight it.

What came back was a plan that had me on the radio and in the paper along with BK and Martin Samuel, and the Manager. That didn’t feel right.

We agreed we would start work taking as much heat out of this as we can, as soon as we can...

We will continue that post march and if the march is big we counter it will more efforts.
The people who can say good things about us include (and you know these far better than me):
? Friendly journalists including the Echo who know they owe us
? Radio show hosts Parry, Durham, Gray, Snodin
? Unofficial websites Durkins and others you know well...
? Certain fans
? Former players
? Supporters Club leaders Sweeney, Lyon, and many others who we’ve given a lot to...
? Industry commentators Cannon etc
? And I’m sure others

My view is we should be speaking to all of these, over the next 24 hours on the ridiculous notion of stagnation and the futility of removing the Board...we have league tables, awards, Academy and a list of business successes to point to.

Even if the above don’t go public, they simply talk to mates, it will help.


From: Mark Rowan (Evertonmark.rowan@evertonfc.com
To: Robert Elstone (Everton) ; IR ; Emily Dallas
(Kenwright)
Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2011 19:21

Robert

Further to the emails this evening and on the basis we will not use the piece drafted by Ian, we plan the following over the next 48 hours and will supplement with additional content from Everton supporters. This will be done through some of the channels identified below. However, part of the challenge is ensuring our credibility so will not be able to put through Club media and some of the unofficial channels. I have discussed with Ian and will keep all updated.

Thursday
Tim Cahill on a Club not stagnating and importance
Andy Gray (pitched) - importance on bringing through young players, how unrest can be counter productive.

Friday

Manager press conference where he will be asked about stagnation issue and Saturday protest

Regards

Mark

=====================================================

EPILOGUE

The above emails were culled, by persons unknown, from Mr. Ian Ross's personal email address. It is not yet known whether Mr. Ross was careless with his precautions around his personal email, or whether he was betrayed by one of his confidants. Either way, when the text was made public in the late evening on November 17th, 2011, a shit-storm ensued.

The Everton Football Club Company Limited launched "an urgent investigation" into the leak; quite how a company can investigate a "leak" emanating from a email system which did not belong to them is a matter of conjecture. Speculation mounted that Mr. Ian Ross had been dismissed; this turned into speculation that he had been suspended pending further enquiries.

In fact, The Everton Football Club Company Limited did neither: they issued a statement deploring the actions of whomsoever leaked the information (aww, bless the poor little victims!), and announced that Mr. Ross would be taking up an exciting new role within the club shortly. This, apparently, had been planned for some time and had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with his accusing the CEO of his company of incompetence and mental instability, or accusing the chairman of his company of paranoia, or plotting the overthrow of the management structure of his company from within, or for attacking well-meaning supporters who merely wished their voice to be heard.

I have a feeling that this farce, brought to you by Mr. William Kenwright CBE, will run and run.

Incidentally, The Blue Union are holding a second protest march prior to The Everton Football Club Company Limited's fixture versus Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow, November 19, 2011. 2pm, if you are interested.

Did others applaud this wonderful Bill Kenwright Production as much as I?

1 comment:

  1. Dear Mr T

    May I congratulate you on the sheer quality and intelligence of your website. It's become a ' must read ' for me, please keep up the good work, especially concerning the strange goings on at Goodison Park.

    Regards

    Alan

    Another sad case blue in exile from Liverpool.

    ReplyDelete