Kieran's Bread article and the excellent discussion that followed got me thinking about Ron Gilligan, a Blue I met just once in a bar in New York's Greenwich Village the best part of 23 years ago.
Mr Dennehy's was at the time the favourite haunt of Blues fans in Manhattan and was always open for Everton games no matter what time they kicked off. This particular Saturday, I had wandered down from my Midtown hotel for I think a mid-morning kick-off. I shared a table with another solo punter and we both ordered a full Irish (basically a full English with 2 pints of Guinness on the side). I got on so well with my fellow Blue that details of the match have almost gone, pretty sure it was a 2-1 home win against Leicester.
At the end, we stayed on for a few more pints of the black stuff and, on leaving, he invited me to lunch the next time I was in New York City, at the Windows on the World restaurant in the World Trade Centre North Tower. We exchanged numbers and email. Regrettably, that was the only time we met as he was killed in the 9/11 attacks (22nd anniversary yesterday), his office being on the 103rd floor of the North Tower.
The reason the Bread thread reminded me of him was because of his accent. Although he had lived in the US for more than 20 years he had been born and brought up in Liverpool and during the match his scouse accent returned when he got excited. It shone through his Brooklyn, Upstate New York tones and made me smile then as it does now. There was no doubt where he came from.
I have seen Ron's name on the Memorials at Ground Zero and Grosvenor Square and think of him fondly on 9/11 each year. So please raise a glass, guys, to a True Blue, who could not hide his origins, not that he wanted to.
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Posted
13/09/2023 at
09:53:03
Great tribute Stephen, wonderful that you remember him, somewhere in ToffeeWebs reach will be someone who knew him or his family. Scousers are like that...
Funny too mentioning accents as over the years I found I lost the edges of accent having lived and worked across the world in many cultures were no-one understood me! I had to slow my speech, be more pronounced... until I either had a few drinks, or got angry, or was found cheering the blues! Then it was broad Scotland Road washerwoman! Choice.
So I hope Ron's family somehow get your remembrances, awfully sad too, but still family.
Posted
15/09/2023 at
00:23:20
It's very humbling and poignant visiting the 9/11 memorial site, Stephen.
I think that is one of those moments that you will always remember where you were that day.
If you go off the beaten track in Manhattan, you find some great bars. I like it around McDougal Street, near Greenwich Village and Washington Square Park.
Posted
19/09/2023 at
14:29:41
Very touching piece, Stephen, reminding all what a dreadful event 9/11 was.
John Connor, your mention of St Kevs sent shivers down my spine the dirtiest gang of bastards ever to take to a footy pitch in the 1973 - 75 era. Even their teacher who was reffing was shit scared of them.
We couldn't get on the school bus quick enough, 'kin maniacs.
Posted
10/10/2023 at
13:36:07
You never forget nice people, Stephen, and someone you are comfortable with, I bet he was just as comfortable with you.
Posted
28/06/2024 at
22:03:38
I lived in the same street in Kirkby as Ronnie, played football in the street and on St Mick's school field with him and his brother Colin for years growing up. A really nice family, all Blues.
I went few games with Colin as we were closer age, I still live in same street and still go home and away.
All the Gilligans moved away and I didn't know Ronnie was even in America until 9/11. I couldn't believe it when I found out. Such a nice lad and so sad, a day that changed the world.
1 Posted 13/09/2023 at 09:26:12