June 14 – Everton have reacted to another dismal season by announcing that CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale and fellow directors Grant Ingles and Graeme Sharp a goalscoring club hero in the 1980s – have all left.
The relationship between the board and the fans had become so toxic in the latter part of the season that the directors and chairman Bill Kenwright were advised by police to stay away from home matches because of fears for their safety.
A decision about the future of Kenwright, who has been chairman for 19 years, will reportedly be made imminently.
Everton avoided what would have been their first English Premier League relegation since 1951 with a final-day victory over Bournemouth – the second successive late escape for a club that have spent more years in the top flight than any other.
In a statement Kenwright said: “This has been a great board who have all worked tirelessly for the club, no matter what the circumstances. My relationship with (CEO) Denise has been known as one of the closest in football. I thank her for her many achievements, particularly her magnificent work in respect of our new stadium.”
A statement from the departing directors added: “We have all been fully committed during our time here and are disappointed to have made the decision to leave Everton.
“We have worked tirelessly alongside our Chairman in what has been a challenging period to deliver some of the most significant projects in Everton’s history – projects that will safeguard and sustain the commercial future of the Club for generations to come.”
Everton has been for sale for some time but owner Farhad Moshiri pulled back from progressing the sale with uncertainty growing over his relationship with Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov and the source of Farhad’s funds.
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