Popular Post duncanmckenzieismagic Posted March 23, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 23, 2021 2 hours ago, Gwlad all over said: Behind a paywall for me unfortunately but as it's an interview with Denise I'm guessing it's good and full of sense. We want to be Champions League on and off the field’ Everton CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale tells Henry Winter how her club fought pandemic Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Everton’s chief executive, was at Goodison Park on Saturday, quietly lamenting the absence of fans again, and also feeling the frustration of going out of the FA Cup to Manchester City. She’s very proud of the way her club have responded to the pandemic, reflected in glowing appraisals in the 25th Premier League fans’ survey being digested by clubs, and wants Everton to be Champions League quality on the pitch as well as in their award-winning community work off it. “Absolutely,” she states firmly. “Our strategic vision is competing at the top of the league.” As ambitious as she is for the team, Barrett-Baxendale is also well placed to put football in the age of the pandemic in perspective. “I did have Covid myself,” she says. “The evenings were the worst part for me because it was just so difficult to breathe. It was the continuous coughing and the inability to be able to lie down flat and sleep. “In the daytime it was fine as I was moving about at home, going from room to room on my Zoom meetings. I was able to fight through and continue to work throughout whereas other people, unfortunately, are hospitalised and unable to continue to work at all or take care of themselves. “Like everybody, there were dark nights, scary parts. I have parents in their late 70s, 80s who have underlying health conditions so there’s all of that pressure. But every one of us has looked after people who are vulnerable in our family, in our community and neighbourhood and we’ve all gone through that with our fingers crossed.” While some people simply waited for the vaccine, Barrett-Baxendale and her Everton staff rolled their sleeves up and increased their fabled community work by redirecting match-day staff into the Blue Family campaign. “It was about a people’s club protecting the people within our community,” she explains. “We’ve supported more than 29,000 vulnerable and at-risk families across Liverpool during the pandemic. We’ve provided more than 26,000 check-in and welfare calls by staff, players, club ambassadors and Carlo [Ancelotti]. We’ve delivered 15,500 food parcels and vouchers and provided 265,000 meals to schoolchildren and people in need across Liverpool. We’ve supported 3,350 families with utility bills, mobile phone credit and essential household items. We’ve provided 570 laptops for schoolchildren. We’re proud of our Covid response.” So she takes “great pride” that 90 per cent of Everton fans in the Premier League’s 25th annual survey said the club had “supported its fans” throughout the pandemic, 26 points above the Premier League average, that 92 per cent believed Everton supported its local community (+24), and 92 per cent were “impressed by the conduct of the players” (+13). “With the players, there’s a blue thread right through them,” Barrett-Baxendale continues. “They understand the community commitment. Séamus [Coleman] is a wonderful captain, somebody very much in connection with the community. “I’m really proud we’re 30 points above Premier League average [84-54 per cent] in supporters believing we listen to them. We’re custodians. It’s really important that 95 per cent of our fans think our leadership maintains the traditions of the club.” The Premier League average is 80 per cent. Clubs are competitive about where they come in this survey of fans’ approval. “The points difference between the average ratings and our club’s ratings are really important to me because I don’t want to be average,” Barrett-Baxendale says. “I want us to be Champions League off the pitch and this is the evidence of how we’ve been able to achieve that. We are competitive [with other clubs] because we want to deliver the best service we can for our fans.” First and foremost, Everton fans want delivery on the pitch. They’re out of the Cup and are five points off fourth place, albeit with a game in hand. “Our strategic vision is competing at the top of the league, to win trophies and we want Champions League football, we want to be in Europe and we have secured the manager we believe will help us get there,” Barrett-Baxendale replies. “We are happy with the recruitment, happy with how Marcel [Brands, director of football] and Carlo are working together on that. We’re very fortunate to have Carlo. He’s so calm, so considered and so compassionate. No matter what I’ve requested from Carlo, going on telephone calls, doing video recordings, having access to players for additional support, and deliveries, he’s been incredible. We are so gifted to have a gentleman of that stature and that leadership pedigree. He absolutely loves the club. He’ll say, ‘Denise, this is such a well run club, I feel so privileged to be here’. “He’s as interested in the new stadium and how he can contribute and support me as he is in the community programme and working on a masterplan for Finch Farm. Carlo wants to contribute in whatever way he can to the future of the club. Marcel’s very much the same. They understand what it means to be at Everton and they understand the expectations from our fans and how we want to exceed expectations for our fans. There would be no hiding place anyway! But there doesn’t need to be, though, for Marcel and Carlo.” They’re ambitious. One obvious concern flagged up in the survey was that only 67 per cent of Everton fans felt the club had a “sustainable financial policy” [average 70 per cent]. They do have a wealthy owner in Farhad Moshiri. “He’s been critically important,” Barrett-Baxendale says. “When Covid hit we had a significant issue around broadcast fees.” Moshiri recently injected more money. “The ambition comes from the owner and the board and that is to be competing for trophies, to be competing to be the best we can on and off the pitch.” During the pandemic, Project Big Picture emerged, which would have enriched certain elite clubs. “At times we need to discuss modernity and how we can look forward and if we need to make some improvements then we can do that,” Barrett-Baxendale replies. “But the timing wasn’t right and the route through which that was managed was unfortunate. “What the pandemic has certainly done is it’s been a uniting factor for many of the clubs. You want it to be the collegiate of the willing to protect our game and a number of clubs have done that.” Barrett-Baxendale cannot wait until the Everton family all congregate at Goodison again. “I think about the first game with fans back all the time,” she says. “It makes me tearful thinking about what it could be like. It’s going to be like everybody in the league’s won silverware at the same time. “It’s been so upsetting without fans. The first game back in the stadium without fans after Project Restart [against Liverpool on June 21] we were all wearing face coverings, and, for me, it was a saving grace because the tears were dripping down my face. To stand there with just Marcel and one or two visiting directors and the stadium empty is haunting. “We’ve missed the fans so badly. The players have missed them so much. The stewards, the staff in the hospitality lounges and staff who work on the concourses, the cleaning staff, are all used to this vibrant atmosphere and the wonderful relationships they have with fans who’ve been sitting in the same seats for many years. They chat to them on a Saturday, check their wellbeing. That absence and isolation has been really difficult for all of the staff. “For those people who’ve maybe misunderstood the role of football in society and [think] that football happens 19 days a year at home games, gosh, there’s been nothing like the pandemic to reaffirm what football actually means to people in society.” Sibdane, Romey 1878, StevO and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwlad Posted March 24, 2021 Report Share Posted March 24, 2021 Thanks! All that's good about football and our club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncanmckenzieismagic Posted March 25, 2021 Report Share Posted March 25, 2021 Could be good news for us and Uncle Ali https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9397951/UEFA-set-SCRAP-Financial-Fair-Play-rules-allow-clubs-control-finances.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted March 25, 2021 Report Share Posted March 25, 2021 Godfrey and Davies both starting for England U-21s today. Romey 1878 and Palfy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted March 25, 2021 Report Share Posted March 25, 2021 2 hours ago, MikeO said: Godfrey and Davies both starting for England U-21s today. It did not go well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted March 25, 2021 Report Share Posted March 25, 2021 2 minutes ago, Romey 1878 said: It did not go well. Nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shukes Posted March 26, 2021 Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 Lost 0-1 after lax play from Godfrey and a five away from Davies. To go with me dropping a piece of wood on a Neff hob at a customers yesterday. Googled the cost... £3k So hoping that along with Davies and Godfrey f’ing up.... I’m counting all that as comes in threes!!!! Bailey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 26, 2021 Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 2 hours ago, Shukes said: Lost 0-1 after lax play from Godfrey and a five away from Davies. To go with me dropping a piece of wood on a Neff hob at a customers yesterday. Googled the cost... £3k So hoping that along with Davies and Godfrey f’ing up.... I’m counting all that as comes in threes!!!! For a hob?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Btay Posted March 26, 2021 Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 Davies was subbed off 10 minutes before they scored... MikeO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted March 26, 2021 Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 47 minutes ago, Btay said: Davies was subbed off 10 minutes before they scored... Was a long build-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Btay Posted March 26, 2021 Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 1 hour ago, MikeO said: Was a long build-up. Must have been! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted March 26, 2021 Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 im shocked you call a stove a "hob", what is the story there. short for hobgoblin or something lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted March 26, 2021 Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 15 minutes ago, markjazzbassist said: im shocked you call a stove a "hob", what is the story there. short for hobgoblin or something lol The word is a noun meaning approximately "holder", derived from the Old English verb habban "to have, hold". The word hub "support of a disk or wheel" is apparently from the same source. markjazzbassist 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shukes Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 On 26/03/2021 at 08:50, Matt said: For a hob?! It’s one of these fancy things that extracts through a vacuum system in the hob. Still feel sick haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shukes Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 On 26/03/2021 at 10:16, Btay said: Davies was subbed off 10 minutes before they scored... That’s the negative effect he has on the team! Just look at how many matches we’ve lost without him on the pitch. All his fault! MikeO and Btay 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 It’s not gone well for them again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shukes Posted March 29, 2021 Report Share Posted March 29, 2021 21 hours ago, Romey 1878 said: It’s not gone well for them again. Godfrey looked good up till the 60th minute that I watched. Davies was guilty of giving the ball away on the edge of the penalty area again, but also looked pretty solid. Not sure what happened from there haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted March 29, 2021 Report Share Posted March 29, 2021 11 minutes ago, Shukes said: Godfrey looked good up till the 60th minute that I watched. Davies was guilty of giving the ball away on the edge of the penalty area again, but also looked pretty solid. Not sure what happened from there haha. The problem was that they offered absolutely nothing as an attacking threat. Probably because Boothroyd is a terrible manager and should be nowhere near them. Shukes and MikeO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete0 Posted March 29, 2021 Report Share Posted March 29, 2021 Have the players played much together? Don't really follow England but looks like s lot of the unders have moved up to the senior team this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shukes Posted March 30, 2021 Report Share Posted March 30, 2021 On 29/03/2021 at 19:26, pete0 said: Have the players played much together? Don't really follow England but looks like s lot of the unders have moved up to the senior team this week. Looked like several newish players to me. Can’t imagine they have done much together at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/davide-ancelotti-tom-davies-most-20288572 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 16 hours ago, Shukes said: Looked like several newish players to me. Can’t imagine they have done much together at all. Not managing to have a single shot on target from open play in two games certainly is not doing much together at all . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncanmckenzieismagic Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 That’s a scary squad! https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-worst-premier-league-squad-17967664 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted April 1, 2021 Report Share Posted April 1, 2021 Sibdane 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted April 1, 2021 Report Share Posted April 1, 2021 Yet more footage of James looking unhappy in Liverpool, after the operation. Romey 1878, Matt and markjazzbassist 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted April 1, 2021 Report Share Posted April 1, 2021 2 hours ago, StevO said: Yet more footage of James looking unhappy in Liverpool, after the operation. The deepness of Mina's voice makes me laugh every time . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2096421/evertons-employee-engagement-given-top-rating markjazzbassist 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 what an honor, no surprise it's a great place to work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c1982 Posted April 9, 2021 Report Share Posted April 9, 2021 Spot on sadly... Zoo 2.0, Romey 1878, StevO and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Zoo 2.0 Posted April 9, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 9, 2021 I can't switch off from Everton because I love them, but I'm definitely in aeroplane mode at the moment. Our obsession with letting opportunities slip is beyond frustrating and something which we must put right in the summer with future signings. markjazzbassist, Matt, Romey 1878 and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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