Chairman Stadium Thoughts

Bill Kenwright gives his thoughts on why the Club needs major investment.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has spoken for the first time since the Club's ground plans were rejected by the Government.

And he reiterated the fact that although the Kirkby scheme would not be going ahead, the football club is still in need of investment to move forward.

"The first thing to say in terms of Kirkby, is that the chapter is over and the book is closed.

"The motivation has only ever been to improve the finances of the football club.

"They need to be stabilised, improved and expanded.

"As everyone knows, the club doesn't currently have a chairman or a board in a position to do those things.

"We have had some of the best financial experts helping us with our search for investment for some considerable time now – and that will continue."

"Inevitably the search will throw up questions about where the club will play its football in years to come.

"And the response will be: 'We are happy to be at Goodison Park while we regroup, reassess and consider all options available to us there and possibly elsewhere’.

"At the end of the day, the club's finances will be key to everything."

Kenwright has repeatedly said that he would immediately step aside if the right investor came along as the search continues for a major cash injection.