In the Everton takeover race, due to the numerous contrasting reports, it has become hard to pinpoint who the real favourite is to assume control of the club.
After all, there are a number of suitors who have already affirmed their interests, with one Saudi-backed consortium having bid for Everton already.
However, of those who are circling around the Toffees, it would be hard to bet against the Evertonian coalition of Andy Bell and George Downing, who have been linked with a swoop for many months now.
Simon Jordan, who is a good friend of the latter, has now provided an update on what he thinks the outcome of their takeover bid might be.
Simon Jordan gives verdict on George Downing
Speaking live on talkSPORT just yesterday (11/06, 11:10 am), the former Crystal Palace chairman offered his verdict on Downing in particular, one half of the aforementioned Evertonian partnership that is seeking to purchase the club: ‘George without breaching any confidences is well known to be a massive Everton fan.
‘As long as I’ve known George, he’s been very passionate about the football club but had very little desire to own it.
‘The motivations behind the money that they lent was predominantly and explicitly for the development of the stadium so there weren’t challenges about renegotiating contracts with the developers.
‘I don’t think unless there is a massive sea change, George Downing particularly wants to own Everton. That’s not because he’s not a rabid Everton fan, because he is, but I don’t think it is on his agenda of things to do. Now circumstances do change.’
Journalist Matt Slater, writing for The Athletic, did describe this particular takeover group as the ‘frontrunners’ just a few days ago.
Everton fans owning a club does not always work out
Although Bell and Downing are two sensible, successful and capable businessmen, who have built their respective successes from the ground up, there is a certain Evertonian owner who came before them who provides a cautionary tale of allowing fans to run the club.
And whilst such a barren spell alongside such financial mismanagement would likely not continue under their intelligent leadership, Bill Kenwright likely thought the same would occur when he assumed control in 1999.
He was never the richest owner, but remained in power through David Moyes’ careful management, working on a shoestring budget and only signing after they had sold.
So many star men departed Goodison Park under his watch, with a brighter future the justification. That brighter future never came.
Even in welcoming Farhad Moshiri into the fold, which was expected to provide the much-needed cash injection to take them to the next level, his continued presence to oversee further failure made him a much-maligned figure amongst Evertonians until his sad passing late last year.
Bell and Downing have the benefit of this unfortunate tenure having happened before them, and so they will be able to heed the warning signs that Kenwright could not.