Furious Everton fans chant "sack the board" as protests continue after Southampton loss

Everton fans refused to leave Goodison Park for over an hour after their side’s defeat to Southampton on Saturday afternoon as they continued to protest against the club’s board.

Frank Lampard’s side slumped to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches after James Ward Prowse’s second-half double consigned them to another loss.

After the full-time whistle, loud boos could be heard from the home supporters as the Everton fans voiced their frustration against the team, Lampard and the club’s hierarchy. Chants of “sack the board” were visibly heard following the Toffees’ defeat, while others sang “you’re not fit to run the club” and “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” as fans expressed their anger.

And while supporters did depart after the game, thousands stayed to continue to protest against the running of the club, who again find themselves in a relegation dogfight.

Fans could also be seen holders banners as many complained against the board, while some chose to attack the players and the manager instead. One called for chairman Bill Kenwright to depart, reading: “Kenwright out.”

Another picked out owner Farhad Moshiri, saying: “Moshiri’s decisions and Bill’s lies, not acceptable for a club of our size, a fanbase that’s loyal but always ignored, it’s time to sell up and sack the board. NSNO.”

A third said: “18 years as chairman, lie after lie, there’s been no ‘good times’, you’ve let our club die.”

A fourth could be seen and said: “A club with no structure, no vision or plan, an incompetent board overseen by one man, it’s now time for action, stop protecting your mate, Moshiri – make changes before it’s too late.”

Some Everton fans stayed inside the ground until almost 6pm, as they continued to protest. Amadou Onana was the only Toffees player to be applauded off the pitch for his performance as the rest were slammed by the club’s fanbase after another shambolic performance that leaves them bang in trouble.

The events come after Everton announced statement to say that the club’s board of directors would stay away from Goodison Park ahead of their relegation six-pointer against Southampton. Chairman Kenwright, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, the Chief Executive, Finance Director Grant Ingles and Graeme Sharp have come under fire in recent months and were not permitted to attend the game due to their own safety.

Barrett-Baxendale’s car was attacked and the club’s CEO was ‘physically manhandled’ by a fan after Everton’s most recent home match ended in a 4-1 defeat by Brighton, according to reports. Barrett-Baxendale was also subjected to ‘misogynistic, sexist and threatening language’ as she tried to leave the stadium in her car. It is said that her vehicle was spat at.

Speaking after the game, Everton boss Frank Lampard said: “There is no questioning the passion. It was a difficult game because of two teams not where we want to be, fighting it out. We had our chances and didn’t take them. It can be like that. It is an unfortunate day. We have to take responsibility, myself first. We have to do better.

“We were okay in the first half. We played quite direct and had an idea of what we wanted to do. I said to the players, ‘this is not a huge tactical game, it is more of sticking together and continue with the right effort’. The fans here relate to that. The goal after half-time changed the game.

“When you take this job, you understand the nature of it. I want to get things right here. I will try and do the best job I can possibly do. We had amazing times last year staying up when people thought we would be relegated.”