Christmas Tree

There's always a clever cunt

Fillet steaks. Our lass bought a fillet loin the other day to bring home, cut into steaks and freeze. Seen a few of these now and you never seem to be able to cut a steak thats anywhere near the size of a fillet steak you get in a restaurant. Any ideas why? (and I worked in a butchers for three years)

Simon Esland, Newcastle United head of customer operations coming on the show shortly. He was quoted in the press release today. Some of you lads getting shifted should ring in.

Good News... Pardew confirms Best and Ranger both fit for Saturday.

discussing seating!!!!

Only one club has an English owner, English manager and English Captain....... Answers on a postcard.

For OOT's this is a north east sports show with John Anderson and Gamadini from 5.30 to 7.30 weekdays and you can listen live from the web. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_radio_newcastle Better than the Legends. Simon Bird on shortly

Just watched it a few minutes ago.....Tripe.......But I might watch the second one.

Christmas Tree (Yesterday) Seems very passionate and is obviously trying to do the best he can bearing in mind the restraints he's under. Simon Bird (Today) he'll hopefully keep showing the genuine passion and appetite for the Newcastle job, despite the trying circumstances. Coincidence?

Simon Birds view, published today (No doubt after reading Toontastic ) Why the last testing week has proved Pardew has what it takes to boss Newcastle

Aye, canny post. I think bar Ferguson and Wegner, the days when a manager has a lot of say are long gone. Even at Chelsea the talk is that its the owner who bought and decided to play Torres against Liverpool, not the manager. I think Pardew was probably telling the truth when he said he has assurances Carroll wouldnt be sold and continually saying "he wasnt for sale" was probably the best he could do. In fairness it was the silly price and possible the injury that changed the situation.

The problem is (as I can testify), you wont go as much. Because you havent paid you'll either go to the pub to watch it, go shopping or go for a nice day in the hills etc. You'll get so laid back that at some point, someone will offer you a free ticket and you'll decide to stop in and decorate the house instead. Having gone as and when for a while, I really miss the whole match day experience which is partly why Im considering getting another one.

He's being saying he'll go for some time though iirc. Needs a buyer first. Interesting that the directors dont take any money out of the club.

Its a catch 22. You dont spend and try to reduce costs, squad deteriorates or you vastly increase debt to chase the four golden places.

According to Simpson the plan was Gung Ho attack by us from the off I don't blame him too much for the start. That early goal was kick to the balls and by the time they had got themselves pulled together it was 3-0. They were shell shocked after that first goal and little he could do from the line.

Came across this today from the Everton Chief Executive. To me, it just highlights how tough running a football club is finacially in the present climate and how hard a call it is to throw the club into more debt chasing glory or try and reduce debt while maintaining performances and league position. Lets keep the histrionics away if we can. Speculation 8th February 2011 A Club in Meltdown? The past fortnight has seen much speculation on the financial state of our Club. Our Accounts are later than usual, and although not late in any legal sense, I hate to say it, being later than prior years suits the agenda of a small minority of fans who seem intent on painting only the bleakest picture. According to the minority, it seems that late accounts can only mean one thing; Everton must be in ‘financial meltdown?' The Blues are set to go bust? Of course, it's simply not true. A couple of conversations I've had recently have highlighted some of the things being said. A week last Saturday, before the Cup tie, I spoke to a couple of passionate and committed fans who asked me if I'd heard there was a demonstration planned. They offered to show me the texts going round to rally the fans. When I asked why there was a protest, the response was that fans think our Directors have sold all our assets and have pocketed the money. They then said the Chairman was guilty of repeatedly turning billionaires way. I sensed a degree of embarrassment in their voices. Both points are clearly crazy. Truly, the billionaire is yet to knock on the front door at Goodison. Truly, our longed-for Russian, sheik or our media mogul has NOT been put off by a ridiculous selling price. Further, as for ‘asset stripping', there are many club directors out there who pay themselves generous salaries and enjoy plenty of perks. Ours don't, not a penny in any salaries or expenses; not even the Chairman's record-breaking mobile phone bill! After the Blackpool game on Saturday, I spoke to fans in the Joe Mercer lounge who questioned the lack of investment in players. Four players have left - Yakubu, Yobo, Vaughan and Piennar and, as I kept being reminded, no one has arrived. Of course, the first three have been loaned out with the blessing of the Manager and will either be back in the summer, or will generate us substantial transfer income. And I can assure you, we worked incredibly hard, for almost two years, to keep Pienaar, offering a lucrative new contract that in the end was rejected. My response was to pull out the team sheet; to look at the Manager's starting line-up, to look at the depth and quality on the bench. No one could deny it was an enviable team sheet. We had and we still have a great squad of players. A squad tied down for the long term. A squad enhanced by the acquisition and development of some great youngsters. Following long and considered discussion last summer with the Manager, a squad that the Board was prepared to commit to, and invest in. A squad, as we've all seen, that's capable of competing with the best. Where the Money Goes Whether we like it or not, it really is all about money. So where does our money go? The £50 million we get from Sky, or the £20 million we earn through gate receipts, or the new Kitbag deal? The simple facts are approaching 85p in every £1 we bring in, ends up one way or another at our training ground. From young prospects, to scouts, to medical support, to coaches and, of course to our first team squad, almost £70 million, out of our £80 million of income ends up at the Finch Farm complex. And quite right too. We wouldn't want it any other way. Of course, we've plenty to show for our money. We have a great Academy and, according to almost every Evertonian, as I said above, the best Blues' squad in years; a squad we all believe will see us in Europe next season. That investment, and most specifically a player wage bill that's increased significantly over the past three seasons demonstrates one thing above all else and that's ambition. It shows Everton has a Board of Directors that wants, and pushes hard for success on the pitch. Surviving on what's left? Well that's quite a challenge. The remaining 15p has to go a very long way, supporting the ground, the pitch, our matchday operation, our ticket office etc., etc., etc. Ambitious or Foolhardy? Of course, fans want and deserve ambition. But, fans who are quick to criticise and look for failings are also quick to conveniently interpret ambition as financial mismanagement. If we don't invest, we lack ambition. When we do invest, we're putting the Club at risk! Not one we are going to win. It is fair to say however, that our pursuit of success has stretched our finances, something our Chairman hasn't shied away from saying on a regular basis. Spending every last penny strengthening the team has meant that we spend every day of every week looking to drive revenues and raise funds. It means financially, no one could ever describe us as cosy. But then again, very few clubs are particularly comfortable. In football, if you're not pushing finances hard, why aren't you? And, when you push hard in today's financial climate, auditors want more assurances and lenders want more comfort. Over the past two or three weeks, that's exactly where we've been. But that's also where many Clubs are, indeed that's where many businesses are; in a financial world with a very different outlook and with a new set of rules. What the Accounts Say I'm pleased to say our accounts are now signed off, with a clean audit report. They have been published this week and show total income, in tough times, that has remained at £80m. However, away from income driven by on field performances -by league position and cup progress, other revenues increased. Matchday revenue per game held-up well with increased season ticket numbers and higher average attendances, albeit in 2009/10 we missed out on a Cup run which saw a small decrease in total receipts, and our sponsorship money improved with the new Kitbag deal. Costs also increased, and rose more rapidly than income. With further investment in player wages, - specifically, Heitinga, Distin and Bilyaletdinov replacing Lescott, our wage to turnover ratio increased. It's still under 70% and if we included our shop turnover and our catering revenues (neither is included in our accounts as they are both operated by third parties), the wage/turnover ratio remains under 65%. And did we make a profit? taking total costs from total revenues, we made a small operating loss - the measure of how we're performing before player trading. Football balance sheets are unusual and unlike most other businesses. In our case, as a result of accounting convention, Jack Rodwell, Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta, Seamus Coleman and many more players are recorded at or near to nil value and certainly way below market value. As far as our published balance sheet goes, our assets are hugely undervalued. Our debts, however, are recorded in full. I think we'd all agree the most important number on the balance sheet is total debt and at May 2010, our accounting period end, total debt was £48m (£41m in 2009), an increase explained by the continued investment in players and a rising player wage bill. Debt needs to be managed and ultimately repaid and it should be recognised and acknowledged that Everton has a strong finance team and the long term support of our bankers and lenders. Specifically, the Club has built and benefited from an eight year relationship with our bank, a partnership which is founded on the strength of the management team at Goodison, the stability in our Boardroom and two decades of top flight experience ‘racked up' by a Chairman and Manager envied across the Game. Changes to Auto Cup To finish, some evidence of how we do listen to our fans and make changes that are right for the Club and its supporters. After trying again to satisfy too many fans with too few tickets for our Third Round tie at Scunthorpe United, you asked us to review our Auto Cup scheme. Whilst there are merits to the scheme, and it was very easy to join, it is clear to us that the scheme allowed fans to jump the loyalty queue. As I said at the time, our aim on every occasion when tickets are scarce is that tickets go to fans who, ‘rain or shine', don't miss games. Fans who'd been to Brentford were missing out to fans who'd simply ticked a box. As a result, next season Auto Cup will be dropped for away Cup games. As I hope you all know, our doors are always open to suggestions which will improve the Club and allow us to ‘do the right thing'. Our Fans Forum is now bigger, has wider representation, and meets on a regular basis. Our recent Supporters' Clubs visits have included Wrexham and Southport, with Netherton, Milton Keynes and Dublin around the corner. I have a meeting with the Shareholders' Association in a fortnight's time and I'm meeting a couple of fans on an individual basis who want to discuss away game issues. Fans, quite rightly, shape our decisions. The door is always open. And Forward as One Team I am a firm believer that anyone who buys a ticket has the right to voice his or her opinions and should be listened to. Everton respects the views of its fans and has demonstrated time and time again that we listen, we ‘front up' and we tell it straight. We don't want sterile debate, we don't wish to muffle our critics and we do want to be kept on our toes. But, I hope you'd agree with me, criticism should be positive, it should be fair and above all, should be for the long term good of Everton Football Club.

Great news. I would love to see his loan spell finish and let him have a go on the left wing.

God willing though, we will potentially have four players who could play left wing in Benny, Kaz, Fergie and Jonas. I've like some of the clips ive seen of Nzogbia lately, but I still wouldnt want the whinging fuck back. Blows too hot and cols as well, with more emphasis on the cold.

I understand and agree with your view about Tiote etc, but I think quite a few who have witnessed two of the most enjoyable seasons in a long time will maybe find this, as you said earlier, a no brainer.

The green will now all be yellow. We used to be in L7A. I must admit I fucking hate level 7 Everythings so small. Might try saving up for 1892 again.

Obviously more sinister than just expanding the family enclosure if the bit about leaving more space next to the away fans for sides bringing more than 3k is correct (not suggesting Stevie isn't telling the truth btw). Also, why put the kids next to the away fans? Odd, no? And why move people out of that area when they had to become a member to sit there last season? It would make more sense to use another part of L7 for this purpose were it not for the fact they seem intent on splitting that particular section up. Bad crack. Aye I suppose so if thats the reasons. tbh Im not sure where the current family bit now extends too. When we had our family tickets it was the very top corner next to the gallowgate in L7. Good point about the away fans, I wouldnt like to have my kids with throwing / charging distance.

A big shame for the lads getting shifted, but I think expanding the family area and allowing more people to take their bairns to the match is a good news. Cant quite get my head round the 10 year thing. On the one hand its saying commit for ten years BUT you can drop out any time???????? 12 payments with no charges and no interest is good. Still doing nowt personally til the window shuts.