More than 12,500 people have now backed a campaign calling for a vote of no confidence in Everton's board of directors.
Launched last week by the Everton Shareholders Association, the petition outlines a number of concerns over the running of the club. The board has been the focus of frustration and anger in recent weeks amid the club's miserable run of form and questions over the decisions that have led to Everton in a second relegation fight in consecutive years.
Protest banners were once again visible in the away end as Everton slumped to a defeat at West Ham United. The club is now second from the bottom in the Premier League.
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Created four days ago, the Shareholders Association called for signatures after releasing the petition online. The organisation explained: "We have a long, proud and proven track record of not just speaking on behalf of our members but also during times of adversity speaking up for the wider fan base." Issues raised in the campaign included concerns over the future for face-to-face AGMs, and the relationship between senior club officials and the supporters. Several thousand supporters remained inside Goodison Park after the final whistle following the 2-1 defeat to Southampton to back a separate campaign for sweeping changes at boardroom level.
Members of the board did not attend that match after the club claimed there were credible concerns over their safety. Merseyside Police later confirmed, in response to questions from the ECHO and other outlets, that no formal complaints had been received from the club over specific incidents and that, while it was made aware of the wider safety fears, the force did not play a role in the gathering of that information. Board members did not attend that match but chairman Bill Kenwright, chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale and Graeme Sharp were present at West Ham, along with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
Days after the Southampton game the Shareholders Association said: "In our opinion our club continues to underachieve both on and off the pitch and the relationship the owner and the board have with the wider fan base is at an all-time low. It is with great regret that the association is asking fellow shareholders and the wider fan base to sign our online petition calling for a vote of no confidence in the board of directors."
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