Andy Gray has been left angered after learning of the exit of the Everton stadium announcer from Goodison Park.
Informed of the news live on beIN Sports’ Sports Saturday [17 August] by co-host Richard Keys, Gray threatened to “make a phone call” to the club after renowned PA announcer Graeme White was let go in the summer.
White was replaced by radio presenter Simon Ross [Liverpool Echo, 9 July], who returns the role he occupied between 2005 and 2015 before White arrived.
Keys turned to Gray and said: “Just one sour note for me from Goodison… you’ve sacked your stadium announcer.”
Gray responded: “Have they genuinely sacked him? I know they’re bringing in a stadium announcer from many years ago.
“If they’ve simply got rid of him, that’s wrong. They could have worked together. It’s unlike us to do that.
Maybe it’ll get rectified. I’ll make a phone call later.”
Everton in uncertainty off the field
It’s an uncertain time at Everton – which has been the case for some considerable time.
On the stadium announcer front, well-known radio host Ross is the voice remembered by many at Goodison, but White also had his own style – it’s down to preference – though Gray makes a valid point that they could have worked together, particularly at the new stadium from next season.
In terms of other off-field decisions, it’s tricky to gauge when Toffees fans will next get a chance to be fully relaxed as to the future of their club.
With debts mounting, ambition remaining but a takeover unable to be completed following multiple collapses and legal difficulties, it’s anyone’s guess.
John Textor is the latest party to be granted an exclusivity period of talks with owner Farhad Moshiri, but must first relinquish his 45-per-cent stake in Crystal Palace to proceed with a formal bid.
If supporters were hoping for a more stress-free 2024-25 campaign, that is not looking like being the case.
