Birch is keeping Everton's options open

Everton failed to go ahead with a move to King's Dock, while the groundshare option may be scuppered by Liverpool's current plans for a new stadium.

The club is wrestling with debts and Birch says a move must be considered.

"If we do not find or share a ground which gives us access to additional revenue, it's unlikely we will be a big club again in the near future."

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Birch admitted he had not yet investigated the possibility having only just taken over from the departed Michael Dunford.

He said: "I have not seen the plans, I've not seen the reports or the feasibility of it.

"All I am saying is that you have to keep an open mind, if that is the only alternative to Everton generating further revenue.

"Remember there isn't a textbook on how to generate further revenue, and I am open to all suggestions."

My number one priority is going to be finding some cash because the club needs it Everton chief executive Trevor Birch

Former Liverpool player Birch secured massive investment for Chelsea from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and was at Leeds when he was charged with the responsibility of steering the club away from financial meltdown.

Birch has the task of boosting Everton's flagging finances and giving boss David Moyes the money to rebuild the squad, after releasing 14 players recently.

He said: "There are a lot of clubs out there who are suffering, but if you look at the clubs who have been successful in the recent past, it has been due to the level of finance that has been available to them.

"That tends to be generated by a very good stadium, for example Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea. They have all had a ground which has been redeveloped, which does generate revenue."

"I think it is a task that faces any football club outside the top three at the moment, one of investment, because that really does dictate if you are going to be competitive.

"My number one priority is going to be finding some cash - because the club needs it."

Birch, on the club's official website, www.evertonfc.com, continued: "There is so much to do, there is a lot of rebuilding to do.

"Hopefully it's about rebuilding and putting those building blocks in place to create the right foundation.

"I am hoping to start trying to, hopefully, make a difference, which is not going to be easy. It is going to be a long-term policy and plan that we need to implement.

"I think the perception of Everton in the footballing world is that it is still a big club. If you look at the support base, which is the sixth best in the Premiership, it should be doing better than it is."