Recently, I have been fair getting my teeth into Liverpool for their disgraceful reaction to the Luis Suarez racism saga, and given the new, depressing development during the FA Cup tie with Oldham, it seemed there is scope for a new attack.
As an Evertonian, I should relish this, but in truth, I am sure the incident at Anfield on Friday represented the actions of an unrepresentative prat rather than Liverpool fans in general, and besides, I am quite sick of the issue now – it has dragged on too long.
And besides, there is a far more pressing concern for me much closer to home regarding Everton.
Trawling through the internet looking for something to write about, I came upon a peculiar video uploaded to toffeeweb.com
The video showed a section of the Blue Union faction of Everton supporters confronting Bill Kenwright as he exited his car outside Goodison Park before Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Tamworth.
The Blue Union were making their usual points/spewing their usual shite (“let go if you love the club”, “where’s the Arteta money, Bill?) through the car park gates as Kenwright’s driver parked right next to them.
A lot has been made of him parking specifically there – complete non-issue, it’s where he parks, that’s why they were there – though Kenwright’s behaviour was altogether wrong.
His appearance bore all the trademarks of the public politician: an undeniably arrogant, fake smile complete with faux joy and mock stiff-upper-lip that simply made him look a detached fool.
Standing ‘flicking through his Blackberry’ (apparently) facing the crowd for a full thirty seconds was a deliberately antagonistic action, and one he ought to regret.
The whole thing was a PR disaster for Kenwright, and exactly the sort of confirmation the Blue Union needs for its claims that Kenwright is not the right man for the club.
But, though I admit Kenwright was wrong, unlike the majority of Evertonians who commented underneath the video, I do not see it as a big deal at all; an ill-judged move by an old man who is getting sick of being shouted at by angry supporters and nothing more.
I have backed Kenwright a fair bit in the past, and though I’ve developed my own skepticism towards the status quo, I continue to do so, but I have to say Bill, sort yourself out, what are you playing at?
Admittedly, this is not an isolated incident, but Bill, when there is nothing you can say to make it right, say nothing at all, and certainly do not provoke.
I read through the comments intending on using them as a source for this article, but in truth, it did little more than alienate me from Blue Unionists further as I read one inane Kenwright pun after another (Kenshite, Blue Bullshit), and I became bored and then irritated by the self-congratulatory praise for “not swearing” during the encounter.
Repressed yobbishness as a virtue; ‘go and shout at him in the street but keep it clean’.
Distancing myself from the Blue Unionists as I have and will continue to do so, I find their arguments empty and their methods laughable.
The mood of the Blue Union was summed up by the first 60 seconds of that video: every answer they offer is a question.
The harsh truth of Everton Football Club at the moment is that there is no answer; nobody wants to buy a debt-ridden club in a recession-hit area, with completely noncompetitive commercial activity, an aging stadium and no potential for development.
(Obviously).
There is one set of supporters who simply cannot swallow that extremely bitter pill, and put bluntly, it ain’t us.
The bottom line is that the continual blame afforded to Kenwright from the Blue Union not only completely misses the point, and fails to “see the bigger picture” to reference one of its tedious catchphrases, but it also damages the reputation, and thus the value of the club to potential investors.
For me it is no surprise that Everton’s home form has been wretched this term, nor is it a surprise to see Blackburn struggle despite having many decent players.
This sort of thing never helps, it only makes exacerbates an already desperate situation.
I have always viewed the Blue Union as a scar on my club – doing more harm than good – much like the protesters at Blackburn, which I think is the origin of Kenwright’s foolish “your Blue Union really betrayed this club” comment.
One of the hallmarks of Everton for me is unity and ultimately triumph in the face of adversity and this dissent, this division within ourselves is not the Everton I know, and that’s why I have never felt that the Blue Union have spoken for me, despite (and this is a big ‘despite’) having my own frustrations about the way the club is going.
I will end with a bit of advice for the Blue Union, though naturally it will fall on deaf ears.
All Kenwright-bashing aside, I really would drop the “Moyes out” line.
He is without doubt one of the best managers in the best league in the world, and unquestionably the best man for our club, and yes the last few transfer windows have been miserable, and this season has been a joke, but if you know your (recent) history, you will note that seven top eight finishes out of nine including one 4th place and an FA Cup Final appearance really isn’t too bad.
And that’s before the usual excuses have been trotted out.
So be careful is all I am saying; rid us of Kenwright and the rest of us will say ‘okay let’s take it from here’, force Moyes out of the club and we’ll never forgive you.
By Chris Smith
chrissmithfootballblog 