Welcome to this special edition of Everton Business Matters where for the first time since May 2021 Rodger Armstrong, John Blain and I get together to discuss the last seven years, right up to the potential new investment doing the current media rounds.

In our usual style we analyse what's happened, where it has placed us and most critically how do we get out of the deeply uncompetitive position we found ourselves in. As ever strong opinions, some disagreement and Rodger's eloquent summary.

Thanks for listening

Rodger, John & Paul

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Welcome to this episode of the Esk podcasts. Today I an joined by freelance journalist Paul Brown review the season to date, take a detailed look at Lampard, his style of management, what's working, not working. We look at his relationship with the board, and in particular the differences between now and his time at Chelsea

We talk about Farhad Moshiri, with Paul Brown giving some very interesting revelations

Thanks as ever for listening

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Welcome to another episode of the Esk podcasts, featuring two fellow Evertonians, Rodger Armstrong and Paul Brown.

Several months since we last spoke, so we cover virtually every topic from the end of the season to present day including Lampard's style of management, transfer strategy and execution, Kevin Thelwell, Farhad Moshiri, Anthony Gordon and Paul's take on Dele Alli. Great insight from Rodger and Paul as usual as we try to figure out who is doing what and what the results will be.

A genuinely enjoyable but frank discussion

Thanks for listening, the esk podcasts and Talking the Blues are available on all major podcast platforms, links to which can be found here

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I am joined by Jazz Bal, Chair of the Everton Fan Advisory Board as we look back on the comments made on Sky Sports News and then an examination of the Fan Advisory Board. We have a frank discussion as to how prepared the FAB is to face the challenges of a fan base wanting change. Change that results in a better Everton. We look at some of the practicalities of how it may all work before commenting on how best fans with opposing views may interact with each other going forwards

Thanks to Jazz for giving up his time and his willingness to answer questions.

Jazz's email address is fanadvisoryboard.com">chair@efc-fanadvisoryboard.com

Details of the Fan Advisory Board members can be found here

The esk podcasts are available on Spotify and Apple as well as other podcast platforms

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Welcome to this episode of the esk podcasts. Today I am joined by Mark from The People's Group

We discuss a range of topics including how to gain supporter support for change in the club we all love. We look back on previous campaigns, we discuss the need for wider fan participation, the need for engagement from the club. We look at Farhad Moshiri and what he can do to help us all achieve a common objective - a much better football club.

Thanks to Mark for joining from Adelaide, the podcast we refer to that featured Mark can be found here

Thanks as always for listening!

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John Blain and Pete Molyneux feature in their regular end of season podcast to do their annual review of the previous season and discuss hopes and expectations for the future for both Everton and Manchester United

Enjoy!

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Welcome to another episode of The Esk podcasts. Joining me is a man who needs no introduction to whoever listened to or watched Everton in 1970's and 80's on Radio City and Granada, the one and only Elton Welsby. Alongside him, a really good friend and always has interesting points to make, Rodger Armstrong.

Not going to reveal any of the content, except to say it was huge fun. Hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed talking and recording

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Welcome to this episode of The Esk Podcasts. Today I am joined by Dave Powell business football writer at the Liverpool Echo, and Tim Keech, Co-founder of MRKT Insights, a leading football consultancy service provider.

Our topic today focuses on the potential takeover of Everton Football Club from a number of perspectives. We look at how the news broke, we look at what goes on behind the scenes, how a takeover is valued, how investors behave, who is Peter Kenyon, what's his reputation and finally the timing implications for Everton's transfer business.

Both Dave and Tim bring a fresh perspective to the story in what is an interesting hour of discussion.

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Today's podcast sees me catch up with a fellow Blue, Mike Gow, who is an expert in China, having worked there for 15 years and is a leading academic on industry, management and even football in China.

Mike takes us through the current thinking regarding football in China, the long term thinking leading to eventually hosting a World Cup. The link to Everton might be John Thornton, the potential bidder. Mike discusses John's interests in China before covering his theory which set a small corner of Twitter alight last evening.

Finally Mike talks about a very interesting research programme involving Everton social media and the potential for providing a one stop solution for Evertonians to access all future Everton related content.

Thanks Mike, and I hope the listeners find your conversation very interesting!

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Personal taste is hugely important - anyone fancy a Thornton's Toffee? A takeover special with two highly qualified and interesting guests

I am joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater and a life long Evertonian Richard Watts to discuss the latest takeover rumours at Everton. So many questions asked and answered including the attraction of the Premier League to US investors, who is John Thornton, what does it mean for us?

What does a takeover mean to Everton, how different would we be in the future, without Moshiri?

A fascinating hour with two real experts in their fields.Thanks for listening!

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Welcome to this episode of the Esk podcasts featuring Gavin Buckland. Not only is Gavin Everton's offcial statistician, author and regular podcaster with the Liverpool Echo, but he and I share something in common.

Sit back and please listen as Gavin and I explore the patterns that run through Everton's history, particularly the Moores' and Catterick years and their relevance to today. A few laughs and anecdotes thrown in too. We left enough on the cutting room floor to do it again. Hope you enjoy it and look forward to your feedback once more.

Thanks Gavin!

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A fantastic hour of conversation with Richard Watts, life long Evertonian and someone who understands the importance of local assets both in the public and private sector - a really interesting conversation with someone with strong views drawn by his love of Everton and his personal leadership experiences in the public sector.

Thank you Richard for your insight and time

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Welcome to a new episode of the esk Podcasts. Today I am joined by Paul Brown and Rodger Armstrong. Paul is a leading football reporter for the Reach stable of newspapers and as such has seen/worked with our last three managers in their former positions as Chelsea Manager. As such he can give a unique insight into Lampard's experiences as Chelsea manager and what he brings to the Everton position.

In addition Rodger gives his insight, particularly as to the style of play Everton may engage in and what it means for the future of key players such as Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin.

An enjoyable hour with two knowledgeable and engaging guests. Thanks for listenng!

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Welcome to the recording of the 27years Campaign Twitter Space first broadcast on Thursday 20th January 2022 with Rodger Armstrong and myself .

In our first live space we discuss the reasons behind the campaign, what our objectives are, and our plans for the future. Our objectives centre on engaging with Farhad Moshiri, the Everton majority shareholder, to discuss the failings of the club and to create change. Change which leads us back to success once more.

Most importantly, the space gives a platform for Evertonians near and far to have their say. Not everyone agreed but we have 17 Evertonians join us on this occasion.

Thanks for listening, and thanks for supporting the #27years campaign!

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Today I am joined by Rodger Armstrong to discuss the #27years campaign and why the messaging and target of that messaging is so important to the prospects of change at Everton.

The campaign is predicated on the belief that only Farhad Moshiri can make the changes to people and systems within Everton that will result in us being successful once more. To be clear that doesn't mean he runs the football club, but he puts professionals and a structure in place that can build a modern, successful, trophy winning, dominant football club.

The podcast acknowledges that the Everton supporter base must through this campaign and all the other supporter groups and campaigns work to bring about the necessary changes.

In the podcast, we ask Farhad Moshiri the 5 fundamental questions about making the club a "winning" organisation once more.

Thanks for listening and your feed back is very welcome either to me or the #27years campaign itself

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In the post Derby Talking the Blues Podcast we talked about Moshiri's role at the club over the last six years. Apologies that this is largely a (15 minute) monologue but I think it is important for Moshiri to recognise, acknowledge and act upon the following. "We (the fans) have an emotional investment in the club, Moshiri has a financial investment. Our interests are totally aligned. We want a return on out (respective) investments"

It's vital that Moshiri responds to our investment in our club and engages and communicates with Everton fans as to how he intends reversing the regression currently experienced by the club. Allowing the same people to do the same things will not improve the club's position.

He has to act and he has to communicate.

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On the day the Fan Led review of Football is published I get together with Niall Couper, CEO of Fair Game to discuss the report's findings and recommendations.

We look at the importance of independent regulation, the licensing system, fan engagement, governance and much more.

Importantly we conclude with what fans must do next to ensure that the report is turned into action with a stronger, fairer, more sustainable game enjoyed by both genders and at all ages.

A copy of the report can be found here

Thank you for listening!

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I get together with Rodger Armstrong plus journalist and great Blue Paul Brown to look at the Wolves match but also a wider look at where we are as a club. What do we need to do to break the cycle we appear stuck in?

As Gary Lawson observed "we're not exactly rocket scientists". It is time to face reality and consider what the board and owner must do to change our fortunes.

Three very different contributors bringing together their experiences and views on the Wolves game, an analysis of Rafa Benitez, and ultimately the classic response organisations usually deploy when faced with significant challenges.

Thanks to Rodger and Paul for their time and contributions and most importantly you the listeners!

Up the Toffees!

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This evening I am joined by Niall Couper a director of Fair Game and one of the original founders of AFC Wimbledon. Fair Game is an organisation set up to represent a growing band of football clubs striving to change the game for good.

In the podcast we explore who Fair Game are, and their objectives. We look at independent regulation as the enabler to improve the whole game from grassroots all the way to the Premier League promoting sustainability, fairness and success.

Importantly we look at the fan lead review chaired by Tracey Crouch MP and we look at how fans can involve themselves in the process.

Fair Game can be found at Fair Game (fairgameuk.org) and on Twitter

Niall can be found on Twitter

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I get together with Rodger Armstrong and journalist Paul Brown to review the 2020/21 season from an Evertonian's perspective. Rodger and Paul give their insights into "clear progress", Carlo's performance, the squad's performance, before looking at the options open to Ancelotti as he attempts to increase the quality of the playing squad whilst moving several players on.

As ever with Rodger and Paul, an interesting, engaging and thoughtful discussion on the club we love

Thanks for listening and your support as ever

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On the 9th May episode of Talking the Blues we got into the conversation surrounding UEFA, the treatment of the twelve miscreants and then a wider conversation on governance, regulation and fan involvement.

I've taken that conversation and made it available on this channel for a wider audience. I hope you enjoy it

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Today I am joined by football journalist and Evertonian, Paul Brown to have a chat about Carlo Ancelotti. Paul had the good fortune of reporting on Carlo's time at Chelsea so shares his experiences of a man who is demonstrating the effectiveness of quiet leadership at Everton.

There are some great stories regaled by Paul, thanks Paul for a very enjoyable hour.

There's a reference to a Financial Times feature, Lunch with the FT: Carlo Ancelotti which can be found here

Thanks for listening!

Image copywright James Ferguson

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Today, I am joined by Dr Gary James, academic, historian, Manchester City supporter and writer of several books including Joe Mercer's biography Football with a smile.

We cover a lot of ground, compare City's history and the common threads that run through both blue clubs in the great North West cities of Liverpool and Manchester, before getting into some great tales about Joe Mercer, beloved of Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City fans plus many neutral fans for sure.

Thanks to Gary for a really enjoyable talk. Gary can be found on Twitter here and his website brimming with content https://gjfootballarchive.com/. His website also includes links to the book, Joe Mercer OBE, Football with a smile .

Thanks for listening!

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Today, I am joined by Rodger Armstrong and BBC Leeds Adam Pope. Adam, born on Merseyside and as you will discover a life long Blue.

We spend a good hour chatting about the modern Leeds, Bielsa, their owners Andrea Radrizzani and the guys behind the San Francisco 49ers. We look at last night's game and Adam gives his assessment of the Everton side compared to other teams that have visited Elland Road this season.

We finish with a marvellous tale involving a young Adam and a certain former Everton centre-forward.

Thanks for listening!

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Today I am joined by Dr Dan Parnell, Kieran Maguire and Dr Rob Wilson to discuss their recently published paper "Covid-19 the return of football fans" presenting the case that spectators are key to the survival of football clubs and that the United Kingdom Government must reverse their decision to not let spectators return.

In a wide ranging discussion we reach some firm conclusions on the running of the game, the Government's response and the impasse that exists. Sadly, as a result,the game suffers, the clubs suffer and of course, fans - the most important stakeholders in football are left in the wilderness.

Thanks for listening and comments most welcome!

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Today's episode features Paul Brown, a lifelong Evertonian and London based football reporter for Reach PLC.

Paul really gives new detail into Moshiri. We talk about Usmanov, Ancelotti and our transfer targets this summer. We look at two London clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal and how their strategies have changed before returning to Everton to look at Pickford, Sigurdsson and what the season holds for all Blues.

Thanks to Paul for his time, thanks for listening

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A detailed examination of how we become a success once more. We draw on the experiences of success stories such as Tony Adams, who had to recognise where he was before claiming the help that led to recovery. As ever Rodger is forthright and direct. Ultimately we reach a point where we identify a pathway forward.

I look forward to your feedback - thanks for listening

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Today's podcast is with football agent Neil Sang. A registered agent for more than 22 years Neil looks after a host of players on different rungs of the football ladder, from the Premier League to more humble, but no less important Divisions 1 and 2.

Today's podcast looks at the role agents play in young players, the role agents play in the transfer window, and we examine the entry requirements to become an agent and what needs to be done across the industry to raise standards.

Thanks for listening!

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Today's podcast features life-long Blue, Neil Wolstenholme and the BBC's chief football writer Phil McNulty to discuss Everton's 2019/20 season. We ask searching questions of the squad and individuals before turning our attention to how exactly Ancelotti, Brands and Moshiri will play the close season.

Some excellent considered opinion from both my guests on what the three men will have to deliver not only for the next season but as a platform for sustainable competitiveness, let alone success, in the future.

Thanks for listening

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Following on from my recent article regarding Farhad Moshiri and Everton, I sat down with Rodger Armstrong and examined in further detail what is meant by strategic thinking and the points within the article.

It's an expression of personal opinion which I hope provides further background to what's is required in these challenging times to bring the club we all love back to the position we expect and ought demand.

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Today I am joined by Rodger Armstrong and Andrew McGregor to discuss our Director of Football. We analyse his 2 years here, looking at what he inherited, the environment in which we works and the challenges ahead. We look at the role of Farhad Moshiri over this time and the impact that Carlo Ancelotti will have on Brands' role.

Finally Rodger and Andrew give their considered views on what is required in the post season transfer window.

Thanks for listening!

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In a departure from talking football and the business of football, I talk to Dave Critchley, Executive Chef at Liverpool's regional Chinese restaurant, Luban. We talk about Tianjin, in North East China, how different regional chinese cooking is from that generally served in the West.

We also look at Lids, a local food delivery service in Liverpool utilising the fantastic produce of local independent suppliers, and Knowsley Kitchen, a geat scheme that gets fresh fruit and vegetables to people suffering food poverty in Knowsley.

Finally we talk about what it means to come from Liverpool and the importance of both football clubs to show leadership in helping the City of Liverpool in recovering from the damage caused by Covid-19.

Thanks for listening. Feedback very welcome.

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Today, in the first edition of the esk podcasts, I am joined by two Evertonians who ought be heard more frequently. Rodger Armstrong and Neil Wolstenholme will be known to many Blues that populate Twitter in particular for their forthright and informed views on football and other subjects.

Today we discuss Everton, predominantly on field, we look at Project re-start and examine the challenges facing Marcel Brands in particular. Following we look at the proposed stadium at Bramley Moore and the options open to the board in terms of financing.

The intro music, chosen by Rodger, is "Never Stop" by Echo & the Bunnymen.

Thanks for listening

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