Kieran Maguire salutes Everton after unexpected board reveal
Everton fans identify with those in senior positions at the club – that is why the links with the hierarchy remain so strong.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the results of the annual fan engagement index.
Think Fan Engagement (TFE) data which ranks all 92 professional clubs in England was released last Thursday (24 February).
The Toffees were the only top-flight side to feature in the top 20.
Everton scored highly in terms of dialogue with fans, while the board’s governance and transparency efforts were not as well received.
That is a surprise given how much criticism there has been of the club’s transfer moves as well as the regular failed manager changes, including the immensely unpopular Rafael Benitez appointment last summer.
Maguire saluted the Toffees hierarchy for retaining their links with bedrock fans on Merseyside.
“Everton has always sought to engage with fans,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“They have people who are Evertonians in senior positions and they understand the culture and traditions of the club.
“I think the fans really appreciate that. Graeme Sharpe has recently joined the board. Denise Barret-Baxendale is well thought of too.
“The fanbase do still feel that there is a strong link between many people at the club and themselves, which makes a difference.
“That’s reflected in them having the best score in the Premier League on the engagement index.”
Everton scored highly on the index despite protests against the board earlier this season.
The club has also been forced to sever all ties with Russian benefactor Alisher Usmanov since the index was published.
In other news, pundit issues “massive” Ollie Watkins claim after source’s “huge” Arsenal reveal.