Concerns over the performance of Everton's board, the club's financial situation and over who makes key decisions have all been posed to Blues chiefs on behalf of supporters.
Everton's Fan Advisory Board (FAB) has issued a detailed list of questions to club officials after a series of public meetings with supporters. More than 200 fans were involved in the process, designed to collect opinions on the club's "current predicament".
The focus of supporters' concerns range from the actions of majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri to the performance of key club personnel including chairman Bill Kenwright and chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale. The club has repeatedly said it is committed to engaging with the process, the results of which showcase the level of concern, anger and frustration within the fanbase.
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The FAB held three open meetings earlier this month through which supporters could raise their concerns. They took place against a backdrop of growing discontent in the wider management of the club - including the growth of a campaign calling on Mr Moshiri to make sweeping boardroom changes that culminated in a peaceful demonstration joined by several thousand fans after the club's defeat to Southampton last weekend.
That result left Everton in the relegation zone after a miserable run spanning either side of the World Cup break that has placed the role of manager Frank Lampard under pressure and left supporters preparing for another gruelling relegation battle. The relationship of the club with fans has deteriorated amid concerns over a lack of signings in a January transfer window crucial to the team's Premier League survival and a statement issued by the club ahead of the Southampton game that claimed directors had been advised it was not safe for them to attend Goodison Park.
The club then provided examples of alleged incidents that formed the context for that advice, including claims senior figures had been subjected to death threats and that Professor Barrett-Baxendale had been placed in a "headlock" at a match. In response to questions posed by the ECHO and other outlets, Merseyside Police has since said the force received no formal complaints over any incidents from the club and was not part of the intelligence picture that led to the warning to directors. The club has refused to comment further on what it described as "historic" incidents.
Those claims are among the subjects that come under focus in the supporter questions submitted to the club by the FAB. They include whether the club has, or plans to, launch an investigation into the alleged headlock incident and whether it would provide evidence or consider retracting the statement issued ahead of the match with Southampton.
Questions directed towards Mr Moshiri, who recently backed his board in an open letter and shock appearance on talkSPORT, include: "You said that you have faith in the board of directors, but some supporters question their competence and ability. Where does your faith in them come from and how do you measure their performance?"
Further questions surround the club's transfer activity including why business - which under Mr Moshiri has seen more than half a billion pounds spent on players - is "so mediocre" and who makes the key decisions.
In relation to the board, fan questions surround how those on it came to be appointed, what their roles were, what they are doing to improve the current situation and: "We live in a digital age, but the club is run like an analogue business; how will the board of directors bring the club up to date?" One of the questions directed at Mr Kenwright simply asks: "When you said 'you’ve had good times', what have they been over the past 28 years?"
The FAB is due to meet with the club to receive responses, which it said will be published in full.
Jazz Bal, the group's chair, said: “There’s widespread concern amongst Evertonians right now about the situation we find ourselves in. Evertonians care deeply about our club and we wanted to give supporters an opportunity to have their say and ensure that the senior leaders in the club understand the strength of feeling and respond to the many questions fans have. I want to thank all those who took the time to attend the meetings. It’s been clear throughout that Evertonians want and deserve greater clarity about the club’s plans. We’ll be publishing the club response in full.”
You can find out more details about the process, and read the full list of questions, by clicking HERE.
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