Everton stadium update: New funding secured separate from MSP Sports Capital investment
Everton have secured some new funding towards the stadium development that doesn’t change the MSP Sports Capital situation, as reported by The Esk.
The Toffees head into the final weekend of the season with the advantage in the relegation battle but with safety still hanging in the balance, and Farhad Moshiri is believed to be keeping quiet about a long-awaited deal with the American company until after the match.
However, a document registered with Companies House shows that a legal charge – the rights given in return for a loan – has been registered between Everton Stadium Development Company and a lender, although the amount and ultimate source of the cash is not clear.
Reporting via Twitter The Esk wrote: “Everton Stadium Development Company publish a charge in favour of Blythe Capital (as security agent). In layman’s terms this means Everton have secured some external funding for the stadium. Blythe is owned by Andrew Bell founder of the v successful AJ Bell, an investor platform.”
In some follow-up replies he added: “Just to clarify, Blythe Capital is the agent, not the principal. It doesn’t mean that Andrew Bell is the lender.
“No it doesn’t change anything re MSP.”
Step by step
The major investment deal that is thought to be very close appears to be a big advancement down the road to getting the dockside development finished and, crucially for fans, new influence in the boardroom.
But if that on the horizon has helped Everton get some wheels turning in the short term towards those goals then all the better, in theory.
Money coming in from just anywhere with no questions asked is not automatically a positive so until further details come out fans may reserve judgement.
But with a hugely important project well under way and funding to get it completed, as the costs inevitably increased, clearly key this move should at the very least buy some time.
The wheels are turning behind the scenes and after months of false alarms the hope is that this time things get over the line in a meaningful way.
But prior to that a small matter of a huge game at Goodison Park where Everton can secure Premier League status in front of the home fans is of primary importance.
Finish the job on the pitch and finally get a significant development done off it soon after and hopes may raise that the limbo the club has been hanging in virtually all season might finally be lifting.