The press have been full of stories today insisting that the proposed investment by Dubai Investment Capital in to Liverpool rests heavily on the ability for Liverpool and Everton to ground-share.
Once again the papers have proved to be talking utter nonsense.
Although our underlings across Stanley Park may have had their spirits raised by such ‘paper talk’ the fact of the matter is that Liverpool Football Club will not be involved in subsidising Everton’s move from their crumbling stadium.
Liverpool have consistently been against a stadium move, holding out all the time under the threat of removal of European funding, but here we are and Liverpool’s new stadium has received planning permission and European money has been earmarked for the project. The only deal waiting to be done now is the final financing of the stadium. We don’t need Everton.
So where do these stories arise from? The man who has consistently been wheeled out for TV and press interviews is Professor Tom Cannon, either the Kingston Business School or University of Buckingham expert (according to which rag/TV station he is quoted on).
Brian Reade in Saturday’s Daily Mirror pointed out that he was the man who insisted Man United’s Champions League exit would cost them around £50 million in lost sponsorship deals – before they signed the Premiership’s biggest shirt-sponsorship deal. He also predicted Malcolm Glazer would definitely not buy Man United.
The problem, with this so called expert, is that he is a die-hard Evertonian – heavily involved (at least recently) with the board of directors. What qualifies him as an expert to talk about football investment in light of his track record is beyond us. Today Professor Goodison said:
“In the last three years, Liverpool have averaged a profit of £1m-£2m. Even if DIC are looking to increase the profits to £20m, the only way I can see them doing it is by building a shared stadium. A hotel and other facilities would bring in a certain amount of money with one team, but with two they could make a lot more money.”
Wishful thinking my friend.
Our advice to Sky, and the tabloids who constantly wheel out this Evertonian on a personal agenda is simple:
Don’t. Ask an expert instead.
Most Liverpool fans abhor the idea of sharing a stadium with Everton. The Liverpool board abhor the idea of sharing a stadium with Everton. It’s not going to happen. Besides haven’t the blues got themselves a lovely plot of land somewhere in Lancashire.
Some more Tom Cannon facts
In the past he has claimed:
1. Everton have the best educated fans in the country! (has he ever been to Goodison on Derby Day?)
2. Everton are the 3rd best supported team amongst UK plc Directors
3. Everton have one of the most geographically diverse sets of supporters in the country. (Ooh, and how their fans love to beat US with that stick..)
Have a look at his self-important website – but don’t ring his mobile number….