Moyes promised funds for Everton squad

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has promised manager David Moyes he will have money to spend in the January transfer window.

The Toffees' board have come in for criticism over recent months for their inability to provide the necessary investment in the squad.

This summer they sold Mikel Arteta, Jermaine Beckford and Ayegbeni Yakubu for a combined sum of about £15million but were only able to bring in loan signings Royston Drenthe and Denis Stracqualursi and back-up goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann on loan.

Making a net profit on transfers has been a regular occurrence at Goodison Park but much of the money has been used in areas other than the squad, including paying down the club's overdraft.

But Kenwright insists there will be cash to spend when the window reopens in just over a month's time.

"We are talking (with Moyes)," he said.

"There will be not a lot of money in terms of what other clubs are spending on centre-forwards but there will be money.

"There will be investment in January."

Prior to Saturday's 2-1 victory at home to Wolves there was another march by supporters' group Blue Union to protest about stagnation at the club in relation to finding a new buyer and outside investment which, according to Merseyside Police, numbered between 250 and 350 people.

While Kenwright empathised with those taking a stand in the best interests of the club he re-iterated his rejection of claims by the Blue Union that he did not want to let go his control of the club.

"The day I got the news from the bank in 1999 at 9.27am that my bid had been successful to take over the club I was on the fourth floor of my office and I ran banging on doors saying 'We've got it'," he added.

"Everton were in a very difficult time and it was a moment I'll never forget.

"But the day I finally get the billionaire or whoever, the right buyer, if I am at the top floor of my office I will run down those four floors again and say I've found the right man for at least the next 10 years.

"It will be an amazingly happy fulfilling moment for me because it has been tough, it is tough and it will remain tough but this football club is far more important than me.

"My going-away present from the directors' box will be that I have found the investor that this club needs."

In a week of positives on and off the field for the club Kenwright admitted he was disappointed by the actions of protestors.

The Toffees won Community Scheme of the Year at the north-west football awards, became the first Premier League club to be given permission to open a Free School, saw Jack Rodwell make his senior international debut and fellow midfielder Marouane Fellaini sign a new five-year contract.

"The disappointment about the events outside Goodison was heightened because it has been an extraordinary week for Everton," said Kenwright.

"Everton is much more than a football club it is a huge family - people will laugh and mock me for that.

"For those things to happen, for a chairman that has to be important and fulfilling."