‘Yet another kick in the face’

Well, what a few days as an Evertonian.

Yes, we admitted our guilt. The fact one of the founding members of the football league is even in this position is testament to the incompetence and sheer ineptitude of a once ‘revered’ Everton board.

But guess who pays for their actions and a rule breach that gained no sporting advantage? The fans, the players and the manager. Those with no involvement in any of it. Those who have banded together and dragged this team up above the line.

It is yet another kick in the face for a fanbase who were finally starting to see cohesiveness on the pitch. We really could see a worry-free season ahead, and that is testament to Sean Dyche and his team.

But if there is anything the ruling will do, then it will bring Evertonians completely and utterly together. Fan group the 1878s had already raised more than £20,000 not even 24 hours after the ruling for banners and flags that can show our disgust in the days to come.

Our response will be heard.

We are the wrong fans to mess with.

What we all feared would happen, has now become a reality. A pawn in a game of chess, Everton and our fans face a battle unlike any other.

We all accept Everton have breached financial regulations but it’s important to remember that they were in constant discussion with the Premier League for a good couple of years in an effort to stay within them.

The fact that a club regenerating an area of the city, providing countless jobs and revenue to the local economy, would have been better destroying livelihoods and businesses by going into administration tells you exactly how unjust the 10-point deduction is.

A £3m fine was deemed adequate for those six clubs that aimed to destroy the English football pyramid by setting up a breakaway European Super League. Make it make sense.

Immediately after the death of the Everton chairman, word came out in the media that the Premier League was considering recommending a 12-point deduction. That lacked taste.

I wonder if the commission deciding to issue its findings during an international break suggests it thought it would dampen the anger before this weekend’s televised home fixture against Manchester United. If true, it’s naive at best.

Another tumultuous week is upon us.

The world’s eyes will be on Goodison Park this Sunday. A galvanised fanbase is a powerful weapon.