Richard Keys sends message to Graeme Sharp ahead of Everton v Spurs after boardroom news
Richard Keys has told Everton hero Graeme Sharp to stand down from his role on the board and apologise to fans for backing Farhad Moshiri.
Sharp is currently a director on the board at Goodison Park and has backed Moshiri and Denise Barrett-Baxendale publicly as fans are furious with their ownership of the club.
But despite that he remains a hero to many because of his playing career with the Blues, and Keys wrote in his blog (3 April) that he should apologise to fans for taking that stance as it gets clearer that Moshiri is wrong for the club as he wants Sharp to attend games once again.
“I’m desperately sad that Graeme Sharp feels – along with the rest of the board – that he can’t attend games,” he said.
“Graeme is a great guy and an Everton legend, but unfortunately he’s put himself at odds with fans that used to idolise him by both joining the board and backing the unpopular owner – whoever that really is.
“Graeme compounded matters by telling supporters that Chief Exec Denise Barrett-Baxendale shouldn’t be a target of abuse because she ‘works hard’. Really Graeme? Abuse? No.
“But trying to convince hard working fans, many of whom can barely afford to go to games now, that Barrett-Baxendale works hard wasn’t a good idea. That’s a minimum requirement for someone in her position.
“My advice to Sharp would be to stand down from his role – apologise to fans for taking the stance that he has and take a seat next to Reidy tonight (Monday) for the game v Spurs. Make yourself a hero again Graeme.”
Legend
It’s very rare that you’d find Everton fans agreeing with Richard Keys on anything, but he is right about this.
Sharp was an outstanding player who was brilliant throughout his time at the club, and that is why he is so fondly remembered by fans at Goodison.
But after taking sides in the battle against the board and choosing the dark side, many have turned their back on him or feel that he has turned his back on us.
The respect and love is still there, but he has to admit he was wrong about the situation. We know he’s just trying to defend his boss in public, but Everton is bigger than Farhad Moshiri and we’re better off without him.
Everyone knows the “threats” against the board are a nonsense, and once Sharp admits he was wrong he’d be welcome back at the club with open arms.