Everton chief plots changes

Moyes has been starved of cash

Everton director Paul Gregg insists he could attract £30m in investment to the cash-strapped club if changes are made in the Goodison Park hierarchy.

He is a major shareholder in True Blue Holdings, which owns 70% of the club.

Gregg said: "There are maybe two or three seriously wealthy people on Merseyside who want to invest."

But he added: "They would only do that if they could present their own views on how the club should be run, which would mean places on the board."

Gregg is the wealthiest member of Everton's board, with an estimated personal wealth of more than £120m.

And his claim looks certain to put pressure on Everton's owner and chairman Bill Kenwright to dilute his own interest to allow new investors to come in.

The present club constitution would not give investors a place on the board, but Gregg said: "Those people could invest collectively or individually to raise £15m.

"But by making it easier for people to invest in the club we could also, in the future, put together a fans' share issue to buy shares for £1,000.

"If there are 15,000 fans around the world willing to invest then we could bring in another £15m.

The frustration for the manager is that he does not know what is happening with Wayne - none of us do. Everton director Paul Gregg

"To live up to everybody's expectations we have got to change and I believe we will get support for the changes.

"The constitution of True Blue makes it very difficult for other investors to be part of Everton Football Club because the control of the club is within True Blue.

"At the moment, investors could put money into the club but still not have a voice in how it goes forward if they are not part of True Blue.

"To make the change the shareholders in True Blue must vote for it. That is something I have been asking to do for 18 months.

"It is a big decision to make changes where control may be relinquished."

Gregg also admitted the delay in Wayne Rooney giving a decision on the offer of a new £50,000-a-week contract was holding up manager David Moyes' rebuilding plans.

"The frustration for the manager is that he does not know what is happening with Wayne. None of us do.

"We all want him to stay but until that is confirmed from the player and he signs the contract it is difficult to plan his team for the future.

"We have done all we can and now it is down to player.

We want him to stay because of his relationship with the fans, what he can do for us on the pitch and because he can also help develop the Everton brand and improve our fanbase.

"That is why we made such a generous offer and now the ball is in the player's court."