EXCLUSIVE:

Everton will stand by supporters’ vote

Jul 27 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON FC last night made it clear its fans will have the final say on the club’s proposed move to Kirkby.

The Daily Post today reveals the ballot question that will be sent out to around 38,000 supporters in the next week.

The wording makes it clear the club will only go ahead with the move if the vote, being conducted by the Electoral Reform Society, is in favour.

Last night Everton chairman Keith Wyness confirmed a 51% vote in either direction would be considered decisive. Mr Wyness said the board had asked a clear question, put simply: “Are you in favour of relocating Everton Football Club to Kirkby?” He said it was now up to fans to make the decision.

If the answer is “yes” then the club will continue negotiations with Knowsley council and Tesco to build a 50,000 to 55,000-seater stadium in Kirkby town centre. If the answer is “no”, then no further negotiations will happen.

“The board has offered a very clear question,” said Mr Wyness. “It will now be up to Evertonians to make the decision.

“Over the coming weeks we will try and respond to all questions and offer all the information we can.”

He added: “The board believe this is the only “deliverable” option for the club and is the best way forward.”

The move from Goodison Park would involve a new £75m stadium built at a cost of £50m, thanks to the involvement of Tesco’s contractors.

With land values thrown in – it is being provided free by Knowsley Council – and internal fit-out costs, the total value of the deal rises to somewhere around £150m, but at a cost of only £10m-£15m to the club, thanks to the sale of Goodison for around £15m and a naming rights deal.

Anne Asquith, chairwoman of Everton shareholders’ association which has about 180 members, said it was hard to call which way the vote would go.

“It’s a very straightforward question, I don’t think they could have done any better.”

“There are questions that people are asking that need answering though so they can make an educated decision.”

Ballot papers are due to go out in the next week and will be sent to all 2007/08 season ticket holders plus anyone who has held a season ticket for any of the past three seasons.

Non-season ticket holding club shareholders will also be given a say, as will adult Evertonia members.

The outcome is expected to be known before the end of August.

Fans last night said the question could not have been any fairer but said they would need more information about the move before they could take an educated vote.

Pressure group Keep Everton in Our City (KEIOC) said they were disappointed not every “walk-on” fan who had attended a game would be allowed to vote.

Leader of the city council and opponent of the move Cllr Warren Bradley said: “I think it’s a fair question. I would urge all Evertonians to vote no because there is another option.”

Last week he proposed three alternative sites within the city boundary.

Cllr Joe Anderson, Labour leader of the city council, said: “| don’t think you could get much fairer than that.

“I think it’s going to be close. I will vote no.”

davidbartlett@dailypost.co.uk

He tried to kill a cop - but he could be free in eight years

Jul 27 2007 by Ben Rossington, Liverpool Echo

’The court has failed in its responsibility to ensure that offenders understand that if they attack police officers, they will be severely punished.’ - Police Federation secretary Ian Leyland

POLICE representatives today slammed a “lenient” sentence handed to a knifeman who tried to kill a constable.

And they warned the eight-year minimum term given to vicious Stephen Hoey would put off recruits to the force.

PC James Lloyd today told the ECHO how he was lucky to survive the brutal attack during which Hoey stabbed him in the head.

He declined to speak about the sentence handed down by Judge Brian Lewis, but Police Federation officials criticised it and called on the Crown Prosecution Service to appeal.

Hoey was sentenced to life imprisonment yesterday, but could serve as little as eight years for the ferocious attack on in March.

PC Lloyd, a father-of-two with 29 years’ experience in the force, was taking witness statements over an allegation of criminal damage when Hoey plunged an eight-inch kitchen knife into his head, neck, shoulder and arm from behind.

He was saved by his colleague, PC Phil Quirk, who first sprayed mace in Hoey’s face then hit him with his baton.

PC Lloyd, 49, who has now returned to light office duties, said: “One minute I was a police officer going to take simple statements about a criminal damage matter. The next I was being stabbed repeatedly.

“Without Phil’s intervention, I could have been dead. If he had just steamed in, he would have been in hospital too but he stood back, used his head and the equipment on his belt and took Hoey down.

“I was off for two months and it is only because of the support of my family, friends and everyone in the force – from all the lads at Huyton police station to the chief constable – that I’ve made it back to work.”

Police Federation secretary Ian Leyland said: “PC Lloyd will obviously be devastated by the sentence, as we are too. This is far too lenient given that Hoey attempted to murder a police officer.

“All police officers face significant risks on a daily basis and put themselves in harm’s way for the safety of the public.

“When this type of sentence is passed, they will question the point of putting themselves on the line when the judiciary will not do their part and keep them safe.

“The court has failed in its responsibility to ensure that offenders understand that if they attack police officers, they will be severely punished.

“I would hope and expect that the Crown Prosecution Service will consider appealing this decision.”

Cowardly attack on officer was not the first by thug

STEPHEN Hoey once left a police officer with a broken nose and jaw and two bite wounds.

Liverpool crown court heard the attack he launched in 2000 came as he was arrested for dangerous driving.

The revelations came as he was told he would have to serve a life sentence for the assault he mounted against PC Lloyd in March, which was described by a judge as “cowardly.”

But Judge Brian Lewis told Hoey, 43, of Boundary Walk, Huyton, his minimum term was eight years before he could apply for parole.

Nigel Power, prosecuting, told the court Hoey had been married to his wife Christine for 25 years, but was under a restraining order for harassing her parents.

He was banned from contacting them at their home in Ardennes Road, Huyton, but they were woken at 11pm on March 1 by a bang outside.

PC Lloyd and PC Quirk arrived an hour later, but were confronted by Hoey bursting into the house as they took a statement.

Mr Power said he lashed out with an eight-inch kitchen knife, stabbing PC Lloyd in the head and the back of his neck.

PC Lloyd was not wearing body armour and was saved by PC Quirk who struck Hoey with his baton. The injured officer was taken to hospital and treated for five knife wounds, one of which penetrated the back of his left ear.

Hoey admitted attempted murder, two charges of criminal damage and breaching a restraining order.

Mr Power told the court when Hoey was arrested after he assaulted the officer in 2000 he told staff at the police station, ‘Next time I will kill one of you’ - something Hoey still denies.

Christopher Stables, defending, said Hoey had been drinking and was emotionally charged when he burst into the house and was unaware police were there.

Judge Brian Lewis told Hoey: “This was a cowardly attack committed against a man for no other reason than that he was a police officer.

“I have no doubt that you are dangerous and will remain dangerous for the foreseeable future.”

The judge also praised Constables Lloyd and Quirk.

Speaking after the case, Detective Inspector Chris Green said: “This was a very serious incident and it clearly demonstrates the challenges facing our officers.

“Constable Lloyd demonstrated an incredible amount of courage.

“Constable Phil Quirk acted swiftly and decisively.”

ben.rossington@liverpool.com

Kirkby says yes to Everton

Jul 27 2007 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo


MORE than half of Kirkby residents want Everton to move to their town, a major poll reveals today.

The new independent survey of more than 500 people shows a shift in support for the controversial plans.

The findings were released just hours after a stormy meeting held by the anti-stadium Kirkby residents action group.

The ICM poll commissioned by Knowsley North MP George Howarth focused on the key wards of Shevington, Park, Whitefield, Northwood, Cherryfield and Kirkby Central.

The favourable results mean plans for the 50,000-seat stad-ium are likely to get the green light at vital upcoming planning meetings.

They should confirm club chief executive Keith Wyness's view that it is the “deal of the century”.

The proposed deal between Everton FC, Knowsley council and Tesco has been hit by controversy from both traditional supporters who want the club to stay within Liverpool boundaries and from Kirkby residents who did not want to be swamped by incoming fans.

But the poll showed:

* 53% of Kirkby residents believe the plan will improve their quality of life and 81% believe it will deliver economic benefits.

* 51% believe the new stad-ium is the right step forward, 39% “strongly” support the project and 33% remain against.

* Support for the Tesco retail development associated with the new stadium is now running at 75%.

Mr Howarth said: “From the time these proposals first emerged, my main concern has been to ensure that the people of Kirkby are heard and that their concerns are seriously addressed by the developers and their associates.

“Because the view of the community was not entirely clear, I commissioned a reputable, independent polling organis-ation.

“It was a fair, honest and statistically robust reflection of local opinion.”

He said it was an “amber light and possibly a green light” for the project, provided developers ensure there will be real benefits for the people of Kirkby.

But Mr Howarth said he will continue to press Everton, the council and Tesco to guarantee that nearby residential estates are safeguarded from the problems associated with mass numbers of incoming fans.

He added: “We are all passionate about our footballing allegiances.

“But this development is about the future of the town, not trivial football loyalties.”

Yesterday up to 500 Kirkby people attended a public meeting at St Chad’s church held by the anti-stadium Kirkby Residents Action.

Rev Tim Stratford, who arranged the meeting because he felt the council’s formal consultation events were biased, said: “We conducted our own poll of people leaving the council’s consultations and they were 75% against the ground.

“Last night the feeling among the vast majority was very strongly that they do not want this stadium.

“We will lose a school because of it. It will cause social instability in a town which has improved massively.

“It will reduce our green space and it will mean a cut in athletics facilities, not to mention the traffic congestion.”

Rev Stratford said he consulted experts who claimed 300 real jobs would be created for Kirkby people and not the 2,000 quoted by the council.

ianhernon@liverpoolecho.co.uk