The Toxic civil war between fans and the board at Everton is a reminder of the importance of good governance and communication in football clubs

Everton Football Club, based in Liverpool, England, is one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in English football history. However, in recent years, the club has been plagued by a toxic civil war between fans and the board, which has threatened to rip the club apart. The dispute has centered around a number of issues, including the team’s poor performances, the club’s lack of investment, and the management of the club by the current board.

The current board, led by owner Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright, has been criticized by fans for a lack of investment in the team. Despite spending significant sums of money on transfers in recent years, the team has struggled to compete at the highest level and has failed to qualify for European competition in each of the past two seasons.

In addition to the lack of investment, fans have also been critical of the board’s handling of the team’s management. Former manager Carlo Ancelotti left the club in June 2022 to return to Real Madrid, leaving fans frustrated with the board’s inability to keep the highly-regarded coach at the club. The board’s decision to appoint former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as Ancelotti’s replacement has also been met with criticism from fans, due to Benitez’s links to Everton’s arch-rivals.

The board’s handling of the club’s stadium plans has also been a point of contention between fans and the board. Plans for a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock have been in the works for several years, but have been beset by delays and setbacks. Fans have criticized the board for its slow progress on the stadium plans, and for failing to keep fans informed about the project’s progress.

The toxic relationship between fans and the board has had a significant impact on the team’s performances on the field. Fans have grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s poor performances, and have become increasingly vocal in their criticism of the board. This has created a toxic atmosphere at the club, which has affected the players and coaching staff.

In addition to the impact on the team’s performances, the dispute between fans and the board has also had a significant impact on the club’s finances. The club’s revenues have been hit by the lack of investment and poor performances on the field, which has led to a decline in ticket sales and merchandise revenues. This has made it more difficult for the club to compete with its rivals in the transfer market, which has further fueled the fans’ frustration with the board.

To address the situation, the board will need to take a number of steps to rebuild its relationship with fans. One key step will be to increase investment in the team, to ensure that it is competitive at the highest level. This will require significant investment in the transfer market, as well as investment in the club’s infrastructure and training facilities.

Another key step will be to improve communication with fans. The board will need to keep fans informed about the progress of the stadium project and to be transparent about its plans for the future of the club. This will help to rebuild trust with fans and to create a more positive atmosphere around the club.

The board will also need to address the issue of fan representation. Many fans have called for greater representation on the club’s board, to ensure that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed. The board will need to consider ways to increase fan representation, such as through the appointment of a fan representative to the board or the establishment of a fan advisory group.

The dispute between fans and the board at Everton is a reminder of the importance of good governance and communication in football clubs. Clubs that are able to build strong relationships with their fans are more likely to be successful on and off the field, as they are able to harness the passion and energy of their fans.