Everton face protests amid Rooney furore
Everton could face protests from their fans today in the wake of Wayne Rooney’s transfer request.
Both the shareholders’ association and director Paul Gregg, who is challenging chairman Bill Kenwright for control of the club, have come out strongly against accepting the 18-year-old’s request, which was submitted yesterday.
With Everton due to face West Brom at Goodison Park today, Gregg issued a statement in which he pleaded with supporters to “encourage” the England striker to stay.
Gregg said: “It was disappointing to see Wayne Rooney hand in his transfer request after four months of speculation, and I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the passion of the Everton fans and it is now time to bring an end to this saga.
“My message is clear: we don’t want to see Wayne go and David Moyes does not want to sell him. It’s just plain wrong and everyone who cares about him understands that. The fans are desperate for him to stay at Everton, it’s where he belongs.
“We know that David Moyes has been a huge influence on his career and his backroom team will do everything possible to support and encourage him in the future.
“Wayne is only 18 and he has his whole football career ahead of him. Time is on his side and if his advisers cannot see that then so be it.”
Rooney has been offered a new £50,000 (€75,000)-a-week, five-year contract by the club, which it now appears he does not intend to sign, but has two years remaining on his existing deal anyway.
Gregg added: “Wayne is contracted to Everton and we should insist he honours his contract. Now more than ever the Everton family should be together and not give in to pressure from outside. Every single Evertonian should encourage him to stay.
“He is a hero to Everton fans young and old. Heroes need loyalty and to understand where they come from.
“The board should request he remains here, not because we want to slow down his career development but because his education was at Everton and he should understand that more than ever at this time in his life.
“Bill Kenwright and David Moyes, with only the best interests of Everton at heart, have done everything in their power to try to persuade Wayne to accept a record-breaking contract. The board should say to his agents that Wayne has a contract and he should honour it.”
The shareholders’ association hold a similar view, particularly as they will participate an EGM next month in which the board will be quizzed over the financial future of the club
