Chairman's Pride At Club's ProgressMr Kenwright speaks of 'hugely exciting time' on and off the pitch with Farhad Moshiri as 'right investor'.
Club Chairman Bill Kenwright has spoken of his pride at having Farhad Moshiri as “the right investor... to lead a hugely exciting time for all Evertonians”, as he reiterated the Club’s commitment to get back among Europe’s elite.
In a passionate speech at Everton’s end of season awards ceremony, The Dixies, on Tuesday, Mr Kenwright said his search for investment in the Club was starting to pay off with the arrival of Mr Moshiri as major shareholder.
With the Toffees back in Europe next season, the Chairman outlined the Club’s ambition to aim even higher, vowing to help strengthen Ronald Koeman’s first-team squad this summer and progressing with the ambition to relocate to a new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.
"I did find you the right investor. I promise you I did," said Mr Kenwright. "The search did come to an end with Farhad, I knew instinctively.
“In Farhad Moshiri we have someone who is totally committed to making this Club the best. He will lead a hugely exciting time for Evertonians. There is such positivity among our fans right now and that’s because we are going in the right direction.
“I spoke to Farhad and I asked him, ‘what is the message?’ Because I knew you’d want to know. The message is we are totally focused on getting this Club to the dock.
“But, at the same time, that is not going to take away the focus from our commitment to the manager.
“If there is a player who wants to play for Everton Football Club who Ronald [Koeman] wants, who Steve [Walsh] wants, we will get them for you. It’s fantastic for me to be able to say that.
"We can get you back to where to you belong - Champions League, even higher."
Mr Kenwright also paid tribute to Koeman for steering Everton back into European football, while revealing the Dutchman “loves this Club”.
“He's a great manager – he’s different,” added the Chairman. “He tells it like it is. He’s honest and he’s on it.
“There was a lovely moment not too long ago when we had a bit of lunch and there was something different and I thought, ‘Everton has got him, we’ve got him’. And he said to me, 'I love this Football Club'. He does love us and he does give everything.
"We are really grateful to what you’ve done, Ronald. First of all for getting us back into Europe and, secondly, for helping us believe.”