David Prentice: Kirkby snub can break down Everton FC’s divisions

SO Kirkby is now a termination, not a destination. The deal of the century has joined Kings Dock as a footnote in Everton's home-owning history.And you know what, I'm kind of glad.Not because I was ever ardently against the move.I've written in the past that I was uneasy about the switch, but could see no alternative.But this morning I'm relieved because the issue divided Evertonians like no other, and a divided football club is clearly a weaker one.Everton now have the opportunity to pull together. The bickering and infighting which has infected messageboards and letters pages must end.Everton needs its fans to present a united front because the grand old football club is at a pivotal point in its fortunes.Their present stadium is atmospheric, but outdated.They do not have the funds to either rebuild it, or construct another.And that lack of a new arena appears to be turning away anybody even remotely interested in investing in one of English football's most famous names.Everton need help.Perhaps their first port of call should be the City Council which campaigned so hard to keep them in the city.The body which granted Liverpool FC planning permission to build on a Victorian Park without so much as proof of funding, yet knocked back planning permission for their neighbours to build houses on the site of their old training ground, owes Everton.Unfortunately our civic leaders are often muddled in their thinking.Yesterday we had the bizarre sight of Council representatives travelling to London with a World Cup bid which contained a proposed new stadium - a project already derided by their leader as: 'A glorified cow shed built in a small town outside Liverpool.'Bet that impressed the bid assessors.So perhaps it's best if Everton look elsewhere.They're unlikely to get help from across the park, nor should they.The shared stadium is a non-starter.I've long believed it's the most sensible option for both clubs, but when has good sense ever held sway in football?And at this moment in time Everton seek to benefit far more than their neighbours from sharing a stadium.Which is why Liverpool won't consider it.The naming rights alone for a new Anfield are worth hundreds of millions of pounds.Whether Evertonians like it or not, Anfield is a name which resonates around Europe.Would there be the same scramble from blue chip businesses if the stadium was not a new Anfield, but a new Goodfield or a new Anison Park?

Source: Liverpool_Echo