12.Eric Howell
Bio: - Eric is an American that lives in Lawrence, Kansas. He is a Kansas City Wizards of the MLS Season Ticket Holder. He becase an Everton fan due to players like Preki, Mo Johnston & Paul Rideout that played for Everton and then went on to play for his home town team. He started the podcast with Ped in order to gather information about Everton, give fans from around the globe a voice, and show fans that are local to Goodison that there is support for the club away from Merseyside. You can follow Eric on twitter at @AmericanToffee .
Q1.Why Everton?
I grew up in Kansas City. I have been a supporter of the Kansas City Wizards from the inception of the team in ’96. With that said there are past players of the Wizards such as Preki, Mo Johnston & Paul Rideout all came from Everton to play in the MLS in KC.
Q2.All of a sudden you have access to an Everton time machine, which player from the past would you have loved to have seen?
Throughout school I was never the tallest member of the clubs a played for. So I would really love to see Inchy Heath ply his trade. The passion and skills required of the little guys out there has always interested me.
Q3.Favourite all-time player?
Peter Reid
Q4.It looks like the only doubt in Landon Donovan’s mind about returning to Everton is fatigue. How important is Landon to Everton and how big of a blow to MLS would it be if he left for Goodison permanently?
I think Landon is more important to Everton’s merchandise sales than he is to David Moyes. I would like to see him back at Goodison and think it would be helpful to the squad.
The lynch pin in this deal is MLS’s valuation of a 28 year old American International Winger. They will want $10M US. The league seems to think that it will not survive without LD.
I really think that the league could be better if Landon came back to Goodison. Either he leaves MLS in January or he will play out the remainder of his career in the USA.
Q5.How big is Everton’s profile in the US, compared to say Man Utd or Chelsea?
Right now I would say that Everton is about 5th or 6th WAY behind Chelsea and ManU. Then there is Arsenal & the RS closely behind those two. Then Everton would slot in next in a group that includes Fulham and more recently Man City.
Q6. What are your thoughts on a ground share with Liverpool?
I am very torn. It better not happen before I get to Goodison.
Q7.Is money necessary to compete at the highest level, and if so – should Kenwright step aside?
In the current landscape of the Premiere League yes. Fair practices being put into effect will change that somewhat. But the teams with great marketing will be the ones still on top.
Even more reason why Everton needs to increase their presence in America and Asia. Kenwright should only step aside to for a chairman with the same or more passion for Everton Football Club.
I don’t want an investment group or a conglomeration owning “The People’s Club”
Q8.How do you keep up with Everton news and games in the States?
I started my own podcast because there was very little news about Everton. I have tried to get into various forums and message boards but just got tired of the crap.
I check the various broadsheets’ websites regularly.
Q9.And finally, where do you see Everton in 10 years time?
Owned by Wayne Rooney. Playing in a newly renovated Goodison Park.
