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Post by Avinalaff on Aug 9, 2013 3:11:04 GMT
Fans will decide on new Everton crest says Robert Elstone
Robert Elstone has underlined Everton’s promise to let the club’s supporters decide on their next crest.
The Blues’ decision to change their badge earlier this summer provoked anger among many fans, something Elstone recognsied when he vowed to allow the fanbase to decide on a new version before the 2014/15 season.
And Elstone – who has been a popular figure with the travelling Toffees during the club’s USA tour as he attended a string of supporter events – said he always knew the process of altering the crest would cause some controversy.
He said: “Changing something as significant as our crest was always going to provoke considerable debate.
“Not for one minute, when it’s tattooed in all its forms on the arms and backs of our fans did we expect the new crest to be universally liked or accepted. Knowing that, it was even more important for us to be sensitive, to understand our history, to listen, but also, to be brave enough to take the lead on something so passionately viewed.
“Our old crest was at the end of a long line of previous crests.
“Our forefathers have been bold enough to change nine times and they did just that on a reasonably regular basis.
“Of course, I haven’t been able to ask them but I can only assume they did so seeking to maintain a modern and relevant representation of the club.
“It was time to do the same again. The outgoing crest was badly reproduced, bits were missed off, colours were poorly reproduced and, in some media, it just couldn’t be read.
“Compared to other modern crests, particularly in its web or broadcast form, it had started to look tired. Modern badges, logos and crest are streamlined and sharp; they’re simple. Clarity is vital.
“I am repeatedly told by other clubs that Everton embraces feedback from its fans as much as, if not more than any other club.
“You will know that I attend fan meetings, supporters’ clubs and the Fans’ Forum and when I go into those meetings, very little, other than commercially sensitive information, is ‘off limits’.
“We face up to almost all questions. I also take on board feedback outside of those structured sessions. But, in this instance, we didn’t do enough and Alan (Myers, the club’s new director of communications) will put that right.
“My final word on the crest for now is we were brave enough to take on something that needed doing.
“We could have opted for an easy life but we chose to do what we believed was the right thing for the club. Your say on the new one is coming soon.”
Elstone has revealed that he was pleased overall with how the club’s recent EGM with shareholders was conducted.
“Alan’s [Myers] role is at the very heart of the club.” he said.
“An informed fan base that is listened to is so important to us and one key group of supporters are our shareholders.
“Dialogue with our shareholders has always been important to us and whilst like many similar businesses we elected not to hold Annual General Meetings, we did wish to continue to communicate with regular Shareholder Association meetings and the shareholder forums.
“Of course, there are well discussed reasons why the latter fell away but I’m pleased, as many shareholders will confirm that the recent General Meeting at the Philharmonic went well.
“On the whole dialogue was positive and in good spirit. And in the end, the club reflected on its traditions and responsibilities and has agreed to reinstate the Annual Meeting. That initiative will be picked up early next month.”
Now the Toffees chief executive is looking forward to the new season, as a positive mood embraces the camp under Roberto Martinez.
“I’m certainly proud of how my colleagues have represented the club over here; it’s been hard work,” he added. “I know we are now all ready for home and looking forward to a bright season ahead.
“We’re confident we have the right man for our club and all I can say, watching Roberto in action, if games are won on preparation, meticulous focus on details, tactics and a knowledge of the game, we’re in good shape.
“The five hour flight to Miami has seen him glued to his iPad watching games and looking at, to this untrained eye, what I can only compare to a ‘souped-up’ version of FIFA 13.
“Roberto has been pleased with what he and the team have taken from the trip, I guess we start looking to book ourselves in for 2014 as soon as we can.”
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Post by halewoodblue on Aug 9, 2013 11:44:34 GMT
I will have the one we got now thanks. Really grown on me
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