Wyness who had been instrumental in pushing forward the proposed move to a new stadium in Kirby quit suddenly on Sunday, a move which was said to have surprised the Everton board.

The well- regarded Wyness had previously said that any decision to “call in” the application for a public inquiry could jeopardise the scheme.

A one-sentence statement posted on the club’s official website said simply: “Everton Football Club wishes to announce that Keith Wyness has resigned his position as Chief Executive Officer and director of the club.”

Rumours that Wyness was off to join his close friend Paul Davidson who has recently bought Real Mallorca seem to be wide of the mark, with Davidson appearing on Radio 5 this morning saying that no role had been offered to Wyness.