An Everton fans' group that is pushing for changes at Goodison Park have written an open letter to owner Farhad Moshiri urging him to address their concerns.
A year on from an organised walkout in protest of what they view as an absence of leadership behind the scenes which has resulted in on-pitch decline, the 27 Campaign have penned a letter to Moshiri laying out their worries in relation to the club's finances, ownership, leadership and direction.
In a statement sent to the ECHO, the 27 Campaign called on Moshiri, who has been Everton owner since 2016, to make changes, including calling for the exits of chairman Bill Kenwright and chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale.
READ MORE: 'I couldn't believe how bad some were' - Wayne Rooney says Everton team-mates weren't good enough
The 27 Campaign statement read: "Farhad Moshiri’s financial commitment to Everton is significant and his funding of our new stadium is very welcome. But his silence while we struggle on and off the pitch is very concerning.
"It’s vital he now stops the silence. Not only do we call for engagement and communication, but more importantly action. Action that will reverse the continued decline of our great football club.
"That action includes evidence of clear leadership. Evertonians deserve to know what his short and long-term plans are: What is our financial position? How are we financing a stadium build and huge continued losses? What are his views on ownership? Is he looking to sell outright or attract minority investors to fund the above?
"As our competitive position declines year on year, why has the board, particularly the chairman and chief executive positions not been strengthened? What, beyond building a new stadium, are his ambitions for the club? In the short term, Premier League survival seems to be the limit. What are his plans to return to being competitors for trophies and European qualification places? What changes to the club’s leadership and direction does he plan in the near future?"
The statement was accompanied by an open letter to Moshiri, who holds a 94 per cent stake in Everton.
In the letter, the 27 Campaign, who wrote another open letter to the Blues owner in July seeking clarity on a number of issues, questioned the direction of the club under the current board and requested that a number of questions be answered, including calling for a change in leadership and culture at Goodison.
The full open letter reads: "Since our open letter in July 2022, we respected your request to all Evertonians to “judge you at the end of the (summer) window”. We gave you the benefit of the doubt. We have continued to provide the manager, Frank Lampard, his team and the players, the very highest levels of support particularly on match days, home and away.
"A year ago, the 27 Campaign was formed to highlight the time since our last trophy win. Our actions, alongside other fan groups, then and since are driven by concerns as to the financing, ownership, leadership and direction (#FOLD) of our great club. We believe that issues surrounding finances, ownership, leadership and direction directly relate to our performance on the pitch.
"Regrettably, given the absence of communications and any degree of change in the running of the club, we have in an open letter format, to ask you the following questions:
"Finances: Other than the minimum statutory requirements, the club provides no information on its finances. On the back of constructing a new stadium, having extensive, continued losses, and profitability & sustainability issues, it is reasonable for shareholders and fans to expect regular updates on our finances. Our finances directly relate to our ability to compete.
"Ownership: Since the summer, messaging from the club has been confused. Is the club for sale? Are you seeking new investors to fund our working capital requirements? Other Premier League clubs seeking new investment or owners have appointed investment banks to handle their requirements. They have been clear with their communications. What is your intention, what are you doing and when will you communicate it clearly?
"Leadership: In the near seven years since you acquired your initial shareholding you have persisted in retaining the current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. There is nothing in the club’s governance, commercial, financial and indeed footballing performance, that suggests they warrant continued employment. As a result of huge losses and the squandering of resources, our competitive position declines on an annual basis in all respects. How can you justify their performance?
"Direction: What are your ambitions (if any) for the club? The building of a new stadium, in isolation, will not cure the ills that have befallen Everton in recent years. So much more is required for us to be a competitive Premier League and ultimately European competitor once more.
"We have short term, immediate requirements, namely survival in the Premier League. But if that is not to be the limit of our ambitions in years ahead we have to see change at the football club. Change in the leadership, change in the culture that exists.
"You, as the majority shareholder, are the only person who can bring about that change. Surely you, with the financial commitment you have made, must recognise that change is necessary?
"With respect, we ask you to directly answer the questions put to you. Tell us what changes are to be made to change the direction the club is heading."
While the 27 Campaign have cited failings across areas of the club, Everton sources have stressed that there have been measures taken this year to address some of the issues around governance and accountability.
Last December the club launched a strategic review at a time when Rafa Benitez was still at the helm, with Frank Lampard drafted in his replacement. Changes also continued on the football side with the appointment of Kevin Thelwell as replaced Marcel Brands as director of football. Thelwell has since overseen a change in structure on the football side of the operation.
A Fan Advisory Board was also launched earlier this year. Consisting of 11 elected members, the FAB was created to 'represent key supporter groups and the diversity of the club’s global fanbase'. As part of the plan, as stated on the club's website, "the FAB will be consulted on long-term strategic issues and will meet regularly with the club’s hierarchy, including members of the board of directors."
Club sources also believe that there has been engagement from ownership to a greater extent than many of their Premier League rivals, pointing to club owner Moshiri having written two open letters to fans in 2022, one addressing his ongoing commitment to Everton and the other addressing the same point amid talk of a potential sale of the club during the summer.
Commercially, the club feel that they have also improved their position, bringing on board nine new partners this year and increasing revenues, while they have also engaged with US firm Elevate Sports Ventures to try and widen their scope and tap into Elevate's expertise when it came to the sale of stadium naming rights, something which the club continue to explore.
Formed 12 months ago, the 27 Years Campaign group were named for the amount of time it’s been since Everton last picked up silverware, winning the 1995 FA Cup. The pressure group has been a vocal critic of the club's leadership and management behind the scenes.
While a new stadium build is ongoing and the club set to move into its new home in time for the 2024/25 season, and despite heavy transfer spend early on to try and bridge the gap with the so-called 'big six', the Blues have suffered decline in their on-field performance and have been stung by their early heavy spend by having to navigate the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. The club has made losses of more than £370m in the last three seasons.
Back in January, Moshiri penned his own open letter to fans, stating that his commitment to Everton "would not waiver."
He wrote: "The money that has been spent since 2016, not just on the playing squad but also on key projects including our new stadium, demonstrates my commitment to Everton.
"I write to you to assure you that my commitment remains strong and focused. The club has announced today the conversion of a £100m loan to the club into equity which is a clear demonstration of my commitment and greatly strengthens the balance sheet.
"I am a private man and I do not speak publicly very often. But I promise you that my determination to deliver for Everton will not waiver."
The Everton owner followed that up in July with another letter to fans, stating: " I want to reassure all of you that Everton Football Club is not for sale.
"My commitment to the club remains strong and focused and Kevin Thelwell and the chairman are currently working hard to bring in new players to improve Frank Lampard’s squad.
"There will be new signings and I would ask supporters to judge us at the end of the transfer window – not now – and to listen to official club channels for information.
"The fact that we are an open and collaborative football club which listens to our supporters was underlined last week when we added another famous first to our long list of historic milestones when the inaugural Everton Fan Advisory Board met."
READ MORE:
Tom Davies makes Everton critics admission as off-field business venture revealed
Everton new stadium hits another major milestone as new status confirmed
Jordan Pickford understudy impressing after loan risk pays off for Everton youngster
Matheus Cunha has shades of Everton cult hero but presents big transfer question
