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FAN ARTICLES

Having your say...

By Kieran Fitzgerald :  09/08/2010 :  Comments (16) :
With the start of the new season only days away, I started to think about how there will be all sorts of interesting posts and articles coming onto this website. With this in mind, I started to think about how I first came across ToffeeWeb about four years ago.

I started posting all sorts of stuff, in part because I had found a decent Everton site where I could really find proper information and opinions about the club, in part because I could actually give my opinion, and if I'm honest, just because I could see something I had written actually on the internet (I know, I know).

My first post was about Andy Johnson and I posted like a maniac for about a week. Most of it was poor stuff and Michael politely asked me to stop by telling me that I didn't have to post every day.

With all of the above in mind, I was interested to hear about how people first found the website and what their initial posts or articles were about. Also, what were the topics that most caught your imagination. It could be a player, a cup competition, a transfer window. My on favourite was the run up to the cup final last year.

I am going to throw this out to the editorial team as well. I know that running the website means that you may not get to have your say as often as you would like, lads, but it would be interesting to see what stuff popped up on the site that really caught your imagination.

Reader Comments (16)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Gerry Quinn
1 Posted 09/08/2010 at 14:36:57
Kieran, good set of questions there ? and you are right that the beauty of TW is the instant reactions it provides. Digital Arguments-r-Us!

One of the first replies I had writing about my memories of Alex Young was, quote, "While not wishing to be thought of as a Smart Alec, I would suggest that the passage of time has clouded Gerry Quinn's memory." unquote.

Well, I can honestly say that whoever it was that commented as such ? he was right ? and my memory has gotten a lot worse!

Now, what was the question you asked, Kieran?

Charlie Percival
2 Posted 09/08/2010 at 14:54:18
I came across the website typing Everton Football Club into Google. I then saw ToffeeWeb below the official site so thought I'd try it as an alternative and more of a social site, and liked the look of it. Here I am today...
David Price
3 Posted 09/08/2010 at 16:11:02
Must admit, always went on the Echo comments, especially the dark side so as to wind up the kopites and read their constant bickering and their divine right to be rich and successful.

As for ToffeeWeb, a class site for true supporters. The fans articles just triggers the memories and generates opinions for the here and now. Can't wait to read some glorious reviews on games for this season.

Mike McLean
4 Posted 09/08/2010 at 16:39:02
Class site & never sure Michael / Lyndon get all the credit they deserve.
Occasionally a little eccentric in what they post where, but God knows, few are as perfect as me.

Chris Butler
5 Posted 09/08/2010 at 16:46:19
TW is one of best football sites you can want. The majority of people seem to have a decent and respectable opinions on a wide range of issues.
Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
6 Posted 09/08/2010 at 16:50:38
Thanks, Chris.

I was away last week and may have missed this, but if not, is there any chance you can tell us about the success of your standing / singing initiative in the Lower Gwlady at the Everton v Everton game?
Tony I'Anson
7 Posted 09/08/2010 at 18:01:32
First post was when John Hughes posted an article about us buying the stadium and renting it back to Everton. Since then, I've written a few articles based on how we fans can have a direct input in moving the Club forward.

There's nothing better than watching the match Live on a Saturday at your PC with the TW match comments popping up. It's really funny when the video feed is a minute or so behind and we get a "Fuckin Get Innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn there" on TW just before we score.
Luke Berry
8 Posted 09/08/2010 at 18:12:34
I like yourself Kieran came on here around four years ago. I found the site whilst browsing the web in work and was immediately taken aback by just how much better it was than OS, I have been hooked ever since.

As a poster (albeit infrequently) here I have found the thoughts and opinions of my fellow TWebbers to be interesting and often inspiring. The depth and scope of peoples love and knowledge about all things Everton is a thing to behold and I honestly don't think there can be a fan-run site that comes anywhere near it.

I have in early days been scolded (very lightly!!) by Michael and Lyndon for not being completely up to date on my responses to threads, however this was in the very early days of me posting. I can only see this as a good thing as it means that it keeps the absolute idiots, who generally have nothing of merit to contribute away. Does that sound a bit elitist of me to say? I hate elitism!

Big thank you to Michael and Lyndon and the rest of the ToffeeWeb team for a site that contributes massively to the Everton way. It is like family in every sense; in keeping with the values of our beloved club.

NSNO
Brendan McLaughlin
9 Posted 09/08/2010 at 18:56:00
I stumbled across it by accident when googling for a porn site for my girlfriend. She said she wanted something "really blue" and "full of pricks".

Only joking - great site, compliments to the Toffeeweb Towers team and all the contributors.

Andy Crooks
10 Posted 09/08/2010 at 19:06:59
I am not being sycophantic, this is a fact. I have a friend who has been working for some time on a guide to fan sites. In his view Toffeeweb is the best site he has looked at. From my own point of view I can't remember how I found the site. I can remember my first post,though. It was called ,I think, "does Toffeeweb matter" In it I asked does anyone at the club ever looked at Toffeeweb and if so what effect it might have on them. Let's hope Leon Osman has never heard of it.
Charles King
11 Posted 09/08/2010 at 18:22:44
TW is great because the posts are written in english,as opposed to "txt spk" genuine and very varied.
living away from merseyside for 25yrs it has become an umbilical chord to this great passion in my life, EFC.
I have browsed other clubs sites and can find nothing like it for thought provoking comment, the allowance of critical posts regarding the club I feel is necessary, unfettered adulation is dangerous and accountability is a good thing.
Judging by comments from players, officials and management at the club I'd wager many of the comments raised here filter through.

A re run of an episode of Father Ted when the plane is in trouble reminds me of TW.
Ted tells the assembled passengers there's only 2 parachutes, and the lucky receipients will be the winners of an essay writing competition they decide to hold.

One guy becomes immersed in the techniclities.....who owns the copyright and can he use a laptop?
another unequivocably states his own opinion.... explaining without shame how great he is,
another loses control and embarrasses himself.... stating his love for his neighbouring priest
Finally, another mis-understands completely......drawing a sketch of himself "in the nip"

(One other speaks in a gibberish monkey like language and gets a round of applause, probably more for the Everton board room than TW that one as is the conclusion of fixing the problem with cello tape)

As well as being a forum for genuine discussion and information about the club I find it a great vent for frustration and howl at the moon ocassionally, I have an opinion and appreciate being able to say it.
James Flynn
12 Posted 10/08/2010 at 00:50:54
Came over with Landon. Not expecting to go onto a fan website as they're overwhelmingly, "You suck. No, you suck. Do not. Do to" etc.

Really just wanted to read abour our best player holding his own in the best league and found ToffeeWeb.

The comments on Landon were mixed. So, I didn't think of TW one way or the other until EFC whipped ManU and Kenrick posted that incredible column here shortly after game's end.

I could all but see the tears of happiness dropping from his cheeks onto the back of the hands typing how shitty a manager Moyes was. And all in his delight at EFC not just winning, but clearly being the better team.

Been a TWer since and will remain (Landon or not).
Brendan O'Doherty
13 Posted 10/08/2010 at 02:07:14
Can't remember my first post, but like many I read the site for ages before becoming a poster. I used to find that the tone leaned a lot more towards the 'negative' side of things, but I've found that over the past 2 years or so it has become much more balanced, encompassing the full spectrum of viewpoints. That may well be because of a determination by the editors to make it that way, and consequently they deserve every credit for their time and efforts in doing so.
Chad Schofield
14 Posted 11/08/2010 at 00:00:45
I remember being pointed in the direction of Toffeeweb, because "they have stories and rumours that the official site don't or won't let get out" from my friend's dad who basically got me into Everton. I'd been on Evertonia a few times, and not too dissimilar to now post some cryptic comment with perhaps even a picture. I think I didn't migrate with the merge and it was a few years later that I discovered thisa whole other world of insight into my team.

I've been shouted down on subjects, shouted down people who I may well have missed their actual point, become infuriated over other people's pure pig-headedness or slightly differing opinion. Laughed a lot, frequently been educated on things or altered my opinion on subjects I felt I knew about. I've probably come across as a bit of a prick at times or probably worse... But then that may have encouraged other people to participate or simply yell at the screen.

As a slightly geeky egotistical smart arse insomniac, it's a really great site. As an Evertonian with a thirst for happenings, rumours and opinions it's a wonderful home.

It's quite weird to feel that part of me has grown up with and on this site - not in a, look at me I'm so mature for a man-child, but more so in a Anne Frank style without the hiding and Nazis, typing away about a passion.

Both Lyndon and Michael do a splendid job of maintaining, driving and improving the site and long may it continue.
Stephen Kenny
15 Posted 11/08/2010 at 09:42:14
Can't remember how I came across TW but I vaguely remember the first post I read was a Tony Marsh special with all kinds of arguments on there. The vast majority were good natured, which is quite rare on most EFC forums. This helps if you are looking for a genuine debate.

I cant remember my first post but I remember being a bit gutted I only got a few responses!


From a personal point of view the site and the poster's have made a major difference to my own opinions on things like DK and club finances etc. But the dabates I enjoy most are the FM style post's I.e. Who would you love to see in the royal blue? For the record mine is Kaka.
Paddy Gillen
16 Posted 12/08/2010 at 20:52:25
Tony I'Anson - 7... "There's nothing better than watching the match Live on a Saturday at your PC with the TW match comments popping up"

Erm, being at the match??

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