Everton FC's new leadership team "ready for positive season"

Everton Football Club's new chief executive, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, says she is “looking forward to a positive season” following a comprehensive overhaul of the club's leadership team both on and off the field.

Since Barrett-Baxendale’s appointment on 1 June, Everton has brought in a new director of football, Marcel Brands, and appointed a new manager in Marco Silva.

The club – which has competed in the top division of English football for a record 114 seasons – has also restructured its entire executive leadership team by naming Dr Keith Harris as deputy chair and appointing Alexander Ryazantsev as chief finance and commercial officer.

Barrett-Baxendale said she hoped the changes will help lay the foundations for the future success of the club – often described as the "sleeping giant" of English football.

The Liverpool-based club's fanbase is among the largest in the UK, with an average attendance of more than 38,000. It hasn't, however, won a top flight championship title for more than 30 years – the latest win coming during the 1986-87 season.

“I’m really looking forward to a positive season," Barrett-Baxendale said.

“The priority for me is about leadership, direction and strategy, making sure we are clear on who we are, where we are going and what we need to be successful.

"We're doing a lot of work in the background, preparing the training ground at USM Finch Farm and working on the plans for Goodison Park and the relocation to the Royal Liver Building."