Simon Jordan makes ‘Toxic’ Everton admission after what Jim White said
Goodison Park has been “toxic” and “hostile” much more often than it’s been “jumping” of late, Simon Jordan has said.
Speaking on talkSPORT (6 February, 10:36am), Jordan and Jim White discussed the atmospheres of stadiums in the UK, with White admitting that Goodison is one of the best he’s experienced.
Jordan hit back, arguing that in recent years, the Toffees’ downturning fortunes have made the Grand Old Lady a “hostile” place, particularly towards former chairman Bill Kenwright and his former board.
White said: “I’ve been to Goodison on many occasions and it is jumping, I must say.”
Jordan responded: “Also, there’s been some difficult times in Goodison Park recently where it hasn’t been jumping – in fact it’s been toxic, it’s been hostile, and they would say because of justified cause.
“It was hostile to the late Bill Kenwright and that board of directors, so much that they couldn’t even go in the bloody stadium.”
Everton fortunes reflected in Goodison Park atmosphere
It’s hardly surprising that given the Toffees have seemingly been on a downward spiral across the past few years – until very, very recently – the atmosphere at Goodison has at times reflected to negativity.
Farhad Moshiri’s haphazard ownership, which saw the Blues drop from regular European contenders to perennial relegation strugglers, is seen as the root cause of the hostility which has grown at Goodison.
Not only did Moshiri almost spend the club into oblivion before finally being bought out by the Friedkin Group in December, the Iranian was also absent for all-but a handful of matches across his tenure.
That left Kenwright and co to face the brunt of justifiably angry Evertonians, but there’s no denying that when on-song, few atmospheres in world football come close to that of the Grand Old Lady.
The doors are set to close on Goodison in just a few months time ahead of the Blues’ move to Bramley-Moore Dock, but with big games coming up, expect the farewell to be louder and prouder than ever.
In other Everton news, David Moyes could give a new Blue his debut when his side host Bournemouth in the FA Cup on Sunday.
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