AGM Reflections

Everton have held their latest AGM at the Philarmonic Hall in Liverpool. As usual, there were lots of interesting points that came up during the meeting. Here’s our reflections on some of the points from the meeting.

Bramley Moore

The new stadium project at Bramley Moore is still on track, according to Robert Elstone. Elstone confirmed that the Liverpool City Council will provide 2/3 of the funding for the project with Everton providing the final third. He told the audience, “We are confident that around two-thirds of what we need will be supported by Liverpool City Council in an arrangement that generates not only a very healthy financial return for the Council but, most importantly, kick-starts a scheme that will provide significant numbers of new jobs, houses and new business. ”

Due to the Commonwealth games bid, however, the stadium will not be ready until August 2022. The stadium is expected to cost up to £500 million. Dan Meiss has also spoke about his excitement for the project and fans will be consulted during the process.

Whilst the delay is not ideal, the club seem bullish that they will be ready to move into Bramley Moore in 2022. Everton have to come up with the final 3rd of the investment, which is expected to be completed by next year. There will be doubts about the stadium until the first brick is laid but the club have met it’s deadlines so far.

The club are saying all of the right things about the design of the stadium. Bill Kenwright wants a minimum 55,000 capacity stadium, and both Elstone and Meiss mentioned the fans would be involved in the process. Meiss spoke about the need for the stadium to be a home for now and the future generations of Evertonians. It will be a massive wrench for Evertonians to leave Goodison Park. The club have to ensure that they get the stadium right for now and the next 100 years.

Transfer Decisions Explained

Another important piece of information from the AGM is a clarification on who has the final say on transfers. Both Sam Allardyce and Steve Walsh have to have OK a transfer. Steve Walsh told the meeting, “If one of us says completely no, it ha to be a no.”

This was an important piece of information after last summer’s recruitment. With Ronald Koeman as manager, there was a lot of speculation as to who was making the final decisions on recruitment. Allardyce and Walsh  clarified that they both had to sign off on a transfer for it to go through. This means that both men were responsible for Cenk Tosun’s signing and will approve transfers for the future. It is essential that these two men have a good relationship for the clubs present and future prospects.

Barkley and Lukaku Were Never Going to Sign

Farhad Moshiri was very candid in his speech last night. Aside from cracking jokes about Luis Suarez appetite, the Iranian clarified the departures of Lukaku and Barkley. “We offered him a better deal than Chelsea and his agent came to Finch Farm to sign the contract,” the Iranian told the audience. “Robert was there, everything was in place, there were a few reporters outside, then in the meeting Rom called his mother. He said he was on a pilgrimage in Africa or somewhere and he had a voodoo and he got the message that he needs to go to Chelsea.”

Moshiri also talked about Barkley’s exit and the unusual request in the contract talks.

Both Lukaku and Barkley led Everton a merry dance with their contract talks. According to Moshiri, Barkley’s agent disappeared for 6 months after he was contacted, with 2 years on Barkley’s contract remaining. This is the clearest indication that Barkley did not want to sign after Martinez left. The revelation about Barkley’s agent asking for Stones to leave is unreal. Why would you want to weaken the team that you want to sign a contract for? Why would you want your mate to leave the team you ‘love?’ Further unsubtantiated reports have claimed that Barkleys agent was paid £7 million for the deal. Everton lost £20 million.

As for Lukaku, the revelation that he did not want to return from LA shows the lengths he was prepared to go to to get his transfer. Much like the situation with Giroud, everything was set but the player had second thoughts. Everton have to be stronger and go longer with their contract deals in future. As it was though, there was little more that they could have done. Both players are in for a warm welcome at Goodison next season.

Garbutt Considered for Squad

One question that was asked by a shareholder was about the plight of Luke Garbutt. The 24 year old has been frozen out of the squad at Everton and was not part of the 25 man squad for the season. With Leighton Baines injury, both Garbutt and Brendan Galloway have been mentioned as possible replacements.

Garbutt and Galloway were both promising youngsters at Everton who flashed promise in cameos in the first team. Both of them have gone on to have loan spells in the Championship, Garbutt with Fulham and Wigan and Galloway with Sunderland. Neither, unfortunately, impressed.

Garbutt has never achieved his potential since signing for Everton. The Yorkshirman has made 5 appearances for the Everton first team but was behind Baines, Oviedo and Brendan Galloway in the pecking order. His last loan spell at Wigan was for 4 and a half motnhs but he only made 8 appearances for the Latics. He has been semi regular in the Under 23’s but the jump from under 23 football is massive.

Galloway is currently behind former blues favourite, Brian Oviedo at Sunderland and is 3rd choice left back at a struggling side. Mackems fans have been happy with Ty Browning but would not miss Galloway. This would be 2 failed loans in a row for the lad. Everton have not fully recovered from their horror start to the season. The Zimbabwean born Englishman is not the answer.

Whilst the clamour for a left back is huge due to Cuco Martina’s inconsistent performances at left back, these guys aren’t ready. Galloway had a great spell under Martinez but has looked poor for both WBA and Sunderland since. With Baines being some way off, it looks like Everton will have to keep on with Martina at the moment. Garbutt and Galloway haven’t proved that they are top flight players.

What did you make of last nights AGM? Let us know in the contacts below. Click here and here for an in-depth look at Ross Barkley’s Everton career.