Everton: Tony Cottee thrilled by prospect of new era with Farhad Moshir

Tony Cottee is thrilled that Farhad Moshiri is ready to usher in a new era at Everton.
And the man who made 241 appearances for the Toffees believes that Moshiri’s arrival vindicates chairman Bill Kenwright’s long search for investment.

“I get really fed up with people having a go at Bill Kenwright and questioning him,” he said.
“All he has ever wanted in his life is what’s best for Everton Football Club.
“People say ‘Why has he done this?’ or ‘Why hasn’t he done that?’ but selling a football club to the right people takes time.
“You have to work out who is the right person for the football club and you have to get that decision absolutely right.

“You only have to look across the park for evidence of that.
“Liverpool might have got things right now but under the two guys before they were heading for disaster.
“Then you look at the situation at Aston Villa under their new owner. Things can very easily go wrong.
“Bill deserves enormous credit for the job he has done at Everton and I have immense admiration for the way he has run things.”
Moshiri’s shareholding has still to be ratified by the Premier League, but when it is Cottee believes that the stadium issue has to be a priority.
“Hopefully Farhad Moshiri working with Bill will be a partnership which can blossom - but the first thing they have to sort out is the ground issue,” he added.

We love Goodison but we're in danger of being left behind

“As much as we all love Goodison Park, our inability to develop the stadium leaves us in danger of being left behind.
“Arsenal have a new stadium, Tottenham are moving into a 60,000 capacity ground, Chelsea are knocking Stamford Bridge down and rebuilding and West Ham are moving into the Olympic Stadium.
“That’s four big London clubs, while we already know about the Manchester clubs and our friends across the park.
“If we are not careful Everton could quickly end up in a middle tier of Premier League clubs, when they should always be in a top seven or eight.
“Much as we all love Everton’s tradition and history, the bigger ground you have, the more corporate boxes you have, the better players you can afford to bring in.
“And as much as it would hurt to say goodbye to Goodison Park we have to consider it.

“When I signed for Everton they were part of a big five in English football of Arsenal, Spurs, Manchester United and Liverpool. The club needs an overall plan to try and get back there.
“That’s what West Ham have done and while no-one wants to see Upton Park go, we are slowly coming round to the idea that it’s something we will have to do.”
West Ham come to Goodison on Saturday - and are already counting down to their farewell appearance at the stadium they have graced since 1904.
Cottee is hoping for a farewell fitting for such an historic, atmospheric venue.
“With postponements for cup ties and such, it looks like our last game will be a midweek match against Manchester United which would be a great occasion.
“At the moment it’s scheduled to be Swansea on a weekend, which doesn’t have the same appeal.
“No-one wants to see us leave Upton Park but we accept it has to happen.”