Everton’s shareholders association claim an event at Goodison Park had to be moved due the club’s ‘issue’ with an appearance by Chris Matheson.
The Chester MP was set to address minority shareholders at the Blues’ stadium on Thursday evening but will now take place at the nearby Winslow Hotel pub.
Goodison season ticket holder Matheson has publicly voiced his concerns on issues of football governance, which would form the subject of his planned speech.
Last October he used Parliamentary privilege at a Government select committee into football operations to claim that Philip Green was once a ‘shadow director’ at Everton.
He also disclosed that the high street magnate had summoned a former manager and chief executive to his former BHS headquarters to discuss transfer budgets.
But Everton officials informed the shareholders’ association earlier this week that the event would have to be relocated elsewhere due to an ‘issue’ with one of its guests.
“As you may be aware Chris Matheson MP was one of our original guest speakers and we had intended to hold the Forum at Goodison Park,” read an EFCSA statement.
“On Monday evening just prior to the U23 game our chairman took a telephone call from the club’s Director of Marketing and Communications.
“He advised that the club had issue with one of our speakers and unfortunately they could not support Goodison Park as the venue for the forum.
“He apologised for the very late notice but assured us that he had notified us as soon as possible of the club’s decision.
“Subsequently, on Tuesday, Chris Matheson MP spoke with the club’s CEO and later with our chairman.
“He decided that to avoid the potential for embarrassing the EFCSA or indeed our football club he would be withdrawing as a speaker but urged us to go ahead at a new venue.
“With so little time available to plan an appropriate alternative we were absolutely delighted when Dave Bond of the Winslow Hotel agreed to host the forum.
“The forum will now take place at the Winslow Hotel instead of Goodison Park.
“Naturally we are really disappointed that we are proceeding with one great speaker instead of two and feel the Club’s action was totally unnecessary.
“However we completely respect the decision of Chris and put on record our gratitude to him for the support he has given us, going forward he is as keen as we are to maintain a positive relationship.”