Evertonians ? A Nuremburg Rally?

Gerry Allen 12/11/2007 27comments  |  Jump to last
Let?s get one thing straight: Nuremburg was a great trip.

Evertonians finally had the chance to plan and enjoy a European game á la the Champions League and we passed our first away test with flying colours. Much has been written on the behaviour of Toffees? supporters, the friendliness of the Nuremburg fans and the victory itself. In the main these are indisputable and the vast majority of those who made the trip deserve praise for carrying the good name of the club (and the city) into Europe.

It?s sad to report that we still have a tiny minority of nasty, dangerous idiots following our team. Some of these ?fans? showed their true face after the game to the disgust of many. What was their target? None other than the hero of the night, Victor Anichebe.

?Our? Victor Anichebe, Liverpool-raised, nurtured through the ranks and now bleeding blood, sweat and tears in the name of Everton. And where did this sacrilege take place? On none other than one of ?official? Everton Travel Club coaches taking supporters back to Nuremburg city centre after the game. I was not on this coach ? I and a friend travelled independently and would always wish to do so ? but I heard the story repeated by two different sets of shocked individuals on Friday morning.

Many of those on the coach responded to the idiots by shouting them down and singing Victor?s name. But their night was blighted by the dark heart of racism that still lingers in many of our followers.

The word used to describe Victor does not bear repeating in this article, it will be only too familiar to many. As the coach reached its destination the idiots slinked away ? hoods covering faces (it?s a pity we can?t post these shithouses on YouTube, isn?t it?) and merged into the huge mass of decent Evertonians celebrating into the night

Nuremburg is a town with a history of fascist postering and it was perhaps this that gave our tiny minority of fans the chance to let slip their unique brand of xenophobia. In truth, however, these idiots don?t require a trip to Nuremburg to stage their own rally. No doubt a corner of County Road suffices most weekends.

We need to ?out? these people. Commiserations to those of you on the coach that were subjected to this sickening rant and had your memories of the trip affected. Let?s turn the tables on them next time, point your camera phones in their direction and see if they are happy to ?front? such views.

Alkmaar and the round of 32 in February can be just as good as Nuremburg. What would make it better is to leave this language and views behind. Everton is at heart a working class club with values that reflect its rich heritage ? passionate support, an appreciation of skillful football, fairness and an ability to let our hair down without going over the top. All of these values were displayed in abundance in Germany.

Indeed, the local economy of Nuremburg itself would also attest to our willingness to be generous when we are happy. Some traditions (hangovers from the sixties and seventies?) such as cockfighting, bearbaiting and racism are best left behind. Nil satis nisi optimum.

Reader Comments

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Dave Wilson
1   Posted 13/11/2007 at 05:23:36

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Gerry
Dont let these clowns ruin what will become treasured memories, its a great pity they wer?nt just kicked off the bus, Vic?s a scouser, he?s streetwise and will have come across half wits like this all his life, he?ll also be aware of the very genuine affection - maybe because he?s one of our own - felt for him amongst our ranks
These fools are not real Evertonians, I know such statements are frowned upon on this site, but this is something else.

unfortunately even now in 2007 this sort of behavior still exists, it may never go away, lets hope 40 thousand right thinking Evertonians will ensure that in the future, these guys are made very aware that they are not welcome inside GP
Neil Pearse
2   Posted 13/11/2007 at 07:57:06

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Well said guys! And for that matter Joey and Joleon and the Yak and Steven and Tim H and Vaughanny are all ’ours’ too. We are a broad church, but tolerance stops somewhere and these are Evertonians we do not want.
Philip McAvoy
3   Posted 13/11/2007 at 10:02:14

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Great idea. It will take some brave souls to start coming out and naming names and filming these guys but we can do it if we show a united front.
Derek Pierro
4   Posted 13/11/2007 at 10:18:48

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This just highlights a bigger problem.
I saw the terrible racism at Everton in the 80?s.
I was there at the John Barnes? game and saw two off duty police officers in the Everton end were joining in with the banana throwing.
I went to an away game at city in the 90?s and a young black kid was serving food in the away end. The racist abuse he got was shocking.
Amongst other fans we have had a reputation for being racist.
I have a black friend who is an Evertoninan, but would never take his family to Goodison to watch the blues, let alone an away game. He says he doesn?t want his kids to see or hear any racism.
I have to say it?s been years since I have heard any at Goddison, but it takes an effort by the club to attract local black and asian fans.
This raises a much more important question. Can you be black and feel comfortable at an Everton game. The city has a large black community, but i can?t think of more than a tiny handful that i have ever seen at the game.
Forget those tools that behaved like idiots in Nurnburg. What about our record at home. It seems to be ok to have black players, but not supporters.
There was a posting by Paul Godley (04/11/07) about Desailly?s appearance on MOTD "being an embarrassment." He signs off with, "Ron Atkinson reprieved..."
I challenged him as to waht he meant, suggesting his comments were racist, as this was what was the main focus of what Atkinson said in his off camera statement.
Paul Godley replied saying his comments were not meant to be racist, he meant that Desailly was thick and lazy.
This then refered to Atkinsons comments that African players were lazy.
Which ever way you read it, it is deliberate or latent racism.
The editors should clamp down on this nonsense and let such posters know this is unacceptable.
What would our black players think on reading such posts. That deep down we are still black and lazy?
What about our burgeoning overseas support? From Thailand, China and Africa, not that many white faces.
The club has an important role to play and has made a huge difference to verbal racist abuse at home games, but this is different to making it a welcoming enviroment for black and asian families to attend. I have heard anti-semitic abuse when we play Spurs. What do Evertonians who are jewish feel when this happens?
It is up to us, the fans who attend home and away games to decide what kind of club we want.
Andrew Oxton
5   Posted 13/11/2007 at 11:29:26

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This whole subject upsets me. I was considering taking my mixed race wife up to goodison to show her just why i am a blue, perhaps i shouldnt bother, it would kill me to have her hate the place I love the most. I hope this racism is stamped out before my mixed race son plays for Everton. Get rid of these Idiots.
Derek Pierro
6   Posted 13/11/2007 at 11:44:51

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Sadly Andrew it?s not just a few idiots.
If you have grown up in Liverpool, there is a wider problem in society as regards black and minorities.
Going into town in the 80?s and 90?s I witnessed constant racism.
My sister, white, went out with a black guy and all she got from mostly white girls was racist abuse.
It is getting better, but it?s bloody slow and when you still have posts on this site showing complete ignorance and no comment from the editors it shows you how acceptable racism still is.
I have a friend who has a mixed race kid the same age as mine. I keep telling him we should all go to a home match together. Mine and his son love Everton, but only mine has been to the match. It has only just occurred to me his dad might be a bit wary of going to a match and having to explain one idiotic coment. This could scar him for life.
It upsets me you are even having to consider whether to go or not.
Until fans take an active role in pointing out racists and the club backs them to the hilt, it wont change.
It takes a brave fan to point out a group of thugs, but someone has to do it for a real change to take place.
Maybe there should be an undercover presence at the game. A steward disguised as a police officer who can get stuck in and ban these idiots for life.
Good luck with your tough decision.
Why don?t Toffeeweb get a badge printed that says Evertonins Hate Racists. If enough people buy and wear them, then any fans wanting to point out these idiots wont be on their own. You see another badge wearer, you point out the moron together, you act as a group?
Santosh Benjamin
7   Posted 13/11/2007 at 12:27:00

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This article and the comments have sent chills down my spine.I am from India but lived in Liverpool as a kid and faced little racism in school and otherwise but felt that things must have improved now.

Our team is such a great mix of cultures,yet our spirit is amazing...lets use this and the fact that most Evertonians are not racist to wipe racism totally out of our club and football itself...let ToffeeWeb play its role too...COYB
Lee S
8   Posted 13/11/2007 at 12:50:18

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May be the editors at Toffeeweb are racist too?? That?s why they haven?t commented on the subject. May be that?s why they published Paul Godley?s article on 04/11/07. People who are racist. I don?t blame them. It?s about their upbringing. Turn off the lights and where all the same colour!!
Paul Brender
9   Posted 13/11/2007 at 13:53:41

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Well said Gerry. I was on that coach back from the stadium and stood next to the lad (as far as I am aware it was just one lad) who was making these remarks about one of our own. I was astoinshed by his words and It sickend me and my friends who I travelled with. There certainly is no place for these people at Everton FC.
David O'Brien
10   Posted 13/11/2007 at 15:29:54

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It?s fairly straight forward talking about how more black people should be attending Goodison as spectators and how we should shun racism in the stands. The real question is how many black friends do you have? You cannot only make an effort inside the ground and expect results. ?Leave them alone, they?re alright? isn?t the answer. Calling your black mate to arrange a meet before you both go to the game is where the vile problem of racism will be quelled - in my opinion.
Steve Lyth
11   Posted 13/11/2007 at 15:51:11

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These scum should not be hard to find on an official package, the coach had to be staffed with stewards surely ?
Mark Perry
12   Posted 13/11/2007 at 16:40:14

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Any racist should be named, shamed and banned for life, end of.

Maybe the club should have day when we celibrate the African and players from other countries that have helped our club?
Gary Saxon
13   Posted 13/11/2007 at 16:25:21

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i am a steward at everton in the upper bullens.i agree totally agree with all above comments.there is no place at our ground or any other ground for this low life scum.at everton all stewards are made aware there is a ZERO TOLLERANCE approach to racism and are given the full backing of the club and the police to deal with any racism.DOING NOTHING is not an option.i must stress i myself have not witnessed any racism and agree it is only a very small minority of low lives who still live in the dark ages.reading about our fans abroad made me proud to be a blue.we have got class.dont let the few no hopers ruin the great times we are having at home and away.coyb
Lue Glover
14   Posted 13/11/2007 at 19:31:18

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Where I sit in the Gwladys Street stand, I have three idiots behind me who said some pretty awful things to Nani (v Man U) when he was near the touchline and then dreadful comments about the Vietnamese player for ?Boro. On both occasions I turned and asked them to stop it, which they did. I?m 5 foot nothing and getting on a bit so I was scared of getting battered but they did actually shut up.

They are really obnoxious with their comments and I have decided enough is enough and have moved a few seats down just to get away from them.
I am chilled to the bone when I hear some of the things I hear. It would soon stop if the club started to instruct the stewards to eject these people from the ground and never let them in again.

Ray Robinson
15   Posted 13/11/2007 at 20:01:53

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Sadly the issue hasn?t been resolved totally. I still hear the odd racist comment or two from fans mainly at away matches. I really can?t understand the mentality of some people who (the Anichebe incident apart) are prepared to tolerate our own black players but abuse the opposition?s. Personally, I couldn?t give a monkey?s what colour a player?s skin is as long as he gives his best for the Blues.

Oh and while we?re at it, can we give "the baby?s not your?s" chant a miss from now on? It?s long ceased to be funny ? if it ever was!
Steve Walmsley
16   Posted 13/11/2007 at 20:25:31

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My advice for the people on the coach would have been to instruct the driver to stop and remove the scum from the coach They could then find their own way home. They could always write to Everton and complain, explaining why they were removed of course !!
If people don?t make a stand then these morons will continue to try and spread their cancer. There?s no room for silent objections with this.
Chris McGlynn
17   Posted 14/11/2007 at 09:17:49

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I was in a bar in Nuremberg the night before the match. It was after the Irish pub had closed so it was getting pretty late but the bar man, Tomas, was fantastic - interested in Everton and encouraging us to sing and drink.

A group of blue deadbeats in the corner then started making racist chants to a German girl and separately a German lad who came into the bar. I wanted to react but I wasn’t sure if the locals had picked up on it and didn’t want to draw attention to it.

Later on, when Tomas was not around, me and my mate took a big gulp of weissbier and approached them and told them that it was a disgrace - they agreed and all blamed a couple of the lads who’d left by then (whick was bollocks - they were all at it).

This was the only blemish on an absolutely fantastic few days. This sort are pathetic and thrive in groups but I think we really have to start challenging them whenever it appears.

It’s harder with some random punters in the street but at least with fellow Blues there is a means of connecting so you can talk to them sensibly (and hopefully without getting a shoeing) and we can try to drive racism out of the club or at least make it known that racism comments will not be accepted.
Terry Maddock
18   Posted 14/11/2007 at 10:25:19

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I posted a comment pre -season..About a large..ish 15-20 lads in a pub at the pre season game at Bury...I had my two lads with me and had to leave the pub due to what was being chanted...All this Everton are white shit..and other rascist bollocks..most of the lads were 16 -20 years old..but quite a few fellas of my age (42) were in there and laughing along while their young kids aged about 10 or so were encouraged to join in....
I can guarantee one thing..I will in future use my camera to record these scum in future..and will give pictures to the club, the Echo, Toffeeweb, Blue kipper etc..and hope others will do the same...lets be pro-active in future..lets put their faces on the web and in the papers..lets not have them at Goodison, not on our coaches....
How many people in Liverpool are not White Anglo Saxons..?

Easily 30-40% , How many go to Everton...maybe 2%...why ? its got to be down to the scum we let in..

If you hear this type of poison at the match, then stand up and tell a steward..or support the guy that does..most of these pricks are cowards and bullies..let them know you wont take it..they will soon fuck off elsewhere
Nilesh Tailor
19   Posted 14/11/2007 at 12:52:03

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Have to admit it's a shame this is still happening. Being an Asian Everton fan living in London, i have actually been racially abused by fellow Everton fans a few seasons ago in the Everton end when we played Arsenal away and i was gutted to hear that and disappointed. I always make the effort to watch as many Everton games when they play teams down south, but I always sit in the home end.
Remi Murray
20   Posted 14/11/2007 at 14:47:08

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Let?s get things in perspective folks. There?s no evidence to suggest that Everton fans are more racist than any other fans. I suppose Liverpool is still very much a white city, and as most Evertonians come from Liverpool, they will be white. Man U have a lot more non-white fans as there is a much bigger Asian community in Manchester. And if you thing they never gey abused by their fellow fans, then you?re living in cloud cuckoo land.
Chris McGlynn
21   Posted 14/11/2007 at 14:30:56

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Nilesh

It’s really sad to hear of people not wishing to be with the Everton fans on grounds of racism. I don’t blame you for not wanting to put yourself through it but it’s a shame as the more we can encourage a greater ethnic mix in the stands the more likely we are to put a stop to it.
Chris McGlynn
22   Posted 14/11/2007 at 15:00:57

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Remi

I’m not saying that our fans are any more racist than others (although I have heard claims from fans from other cities that Everton have a reputation for racism) but I have recently heard racism from Everton fans and it is very unpleasant and should be challenged. Simply pointing at other clubs with a problem isn’t going to help us sort our house out. We’ve moved on a long way since the 80s but it’s sad that the "people’s club" is still afflicted by racists offending people and putting off our own fans from attending matches.
Terry Maddock
23   Posted 14/11/2007 at 16:18:58

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REMI.. lets really put things in perspective..

1 Racist , spouting their shite..is 1 too many...its not about being more or less racist, its about ZERO TOLERANCE..

Im a white middle aged man..and the stuff I hear at goodison quite frankly sickens me..and it only goes on because we allow it...thats me, you ..everybody who lets it go on and does nothing...have you heard the term "guilty by association"?
Well when another fan hears twords like "NIGGER" being shouted from the stands at Goodison..they hear it , so the think, from an Evertonian... Ive pulled somebody at a game for this and he defended himself by saying that Everton will always hate N****rs , because thats who we are....luckily the nearest steward saw things my way...
But by saying ,"Its not that bad", we just bury our heads in the sand...We are a great club...99.9% of our supporters have done this club, city and country proud on their travels..so lets weed out the bugs and parasites..and make it 1005 we can be proud of.
Gerry Allen
24   Posted 14/11/2007 at 17:00:01

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Remi

You are wrong. You are also dangerously wrong to quote an opinion as a statisitc.

You want a statistic about the city of Liverpool’s ethnic heritage: Where is one of the UK’s longest established black communities and Chinese communities? The fine city of Liverpool, of course. How many people from these communities attend LFC or EFC games? Very few, though many more in recent years.

By all means challenge the growing consensus that is emerging that we have a "problem" with deap-seated racism - but do it on the basis of facts.

I am refreshed by the strong supportive opinions of our "problem" at EFC. Hopefully this will reassure contributors such as Nilesh and Santosh that the vast majority of our fans want you by our side both home and away. For goodness sake we are a club founded in North Liverpool, an area of the city that welcomed immigrants from across Europe (mainly Ireland). The "Everton are White" brigade are the ones reinventing history!
Derek Pierro
25   Posted 14/11/2007 at 17:11:42

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I’m confused now Remi.
What are you saying?
What should be we trying to get into perspective?
I known black scousers who would like to go to the match but wont.
This is our club, and what are we and you Remi going to do about it.
So what if Liverpool is mostly white. What has that got to do with anything.
When all our players are fit, our best team has over 50% black players. What the hell must they think if they ever hear or read this racism.
We are not the only club with a problem. So what. We can’t do anything about Man U, but we can about Everton.
Ronald Burns
26   Posted 14/11/2007 at 19:18:49

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This needs to be taken further i think,im no wilting violet but i have heard racist abuse at EFC games home and away and to my shame have not had the bottle to stand up against these fucking morons, there is a certain core element who travel to away games who seem to come out with this racist shit.i would like to see the club take a pro-active approach to this behaviour(which is no less than a stain on the clubs reputation and history)and adopt a zero tolerance approach starting with a notice in the next programme stating offenders will be named, shamed and banned for life.
Marc Langton
27   Posted 15/11/2007 at 01:18:41

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I have read earlier the reason we don't get black supporters: most Evertonians come from a long line of Evertonians; most people that have moved here in the last 30 years have gone for the red team becuase of their success. I am not racist and hate any form of it but that is why we don't atract ethnic minorities.
Derek Pierro
28   Posted 15/11/2007 at 08:49:25

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I am not a racist but...
Marc, never have i read a comment that proves you have no idea what you are talking about.
Can this long line of Evertonians have no black people in it. They have been in and around the city for over 250 years. That means on your arguament there should be hundreds if not thousands.
If you know you history!
Wayne Learmond
29   Posted 10/09/2008 at 15:55:47

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Tx - MK.... probable kopite I make no apologies, Everton STILL has a long way to go before it becomes ?all inclusive?. It was only a few seasons ago when the Bill Kenwright had to SIT among his own supporters to calm them down, because of the vile racist abuse the Fulham players were getting. Everton, there and then should have been investigated, and DOCKED POINTS. The horrific abuse that John Barnes received [something that shocks me to the core still], showed, to non white people, the TRUE FACE of EFC.

Even though that incident happened during the 80s, the picture of John, backheeling a banana are still used to highlight the major problem of racism even now.

The incident on the supporters coach of members of the public in Birmingham being racially abused by the KKK of Everton ?supporters? from the windows of the coach as the coach travelled down the road, was horrific. The coach driver should have stopped the coach and kicked those scum off.

Too little is done, on these coach trips to away matches, and in the pubs and bars later. So, until something is done Everton will never gain the full support of non-white people. I am sorry, but I am extremely bitter about incidents such as the ones mentioned and ... [original message trails off]


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