C.D. Everton

"Chile John's" Summer 2002 visit to Viña del Mar

Background:

Since my first visit to Chile in 1980 I have been banging a fairly quiet drum about the Other Everton, located in Viña Del Mar. A further visit in 1997 resulted in the setting up of a website - "The Other Everton" - www.algorta.demon.co.uk. However, the invitation to speak at the Shareholders Association event in November 2001 served to accelerate matters somewhat. Prior to the event I received authorisation from C.D. Everton to represent them in developing links with Everton F.C. Although subsequent meetings have been held with both Clubs, which should serve to establish the link, I believe that the real links should be developed from the supporters up not from the Clubs down. With this in mind, a group of like-minded Evertonians have come together to set up the Ruleteros Society (Ruleteros being the nickname of C.D. Everton due to the presence of a large Casino in the town).

Aims:

The main aims of the trip were:

· Establish link with supporters group(s)
· Formerly introduce the Clubs to each other
· Highlight the presence and status of EFC amongst Evertonianos
· Promote Ruleteros Society
· Set up merchandising arrangements

Establish links with supporters groups:
Supporters are thin on the ground at the moment as the team struggles for a second season in the Second Division (Primera B). Unlike in the U.K., supporters become Socios (or members) to show their allegiance to the Club. This entitles them to vote in the Board every two years and obtain discounted entry to games - all for the cost of approximately £2 per month. There is no organisation as such and indifference is rife. There are 11,837 Socios registered (mine is 11, 837) of which only about 800 are paid up to date, thus leaving the Club with a fairly severe cash flow problem.

All is not gloom however. I was able to attend a meeting with the "Barra de Los Ruleteros" - roughly equivalent to the Independent Blues. These meet every week to organise tickets, away travel etc. I had expected to find a group of teenagers but was surprised to be met by 40 and 50 somethings. The meeting was extremely positive and addresses were exchanged. Their details I will make available to as many EFC groups as possible.

Formerly Introduce the Clubs to each other:
The Board is roughly made up of five local businessmen, the president being James Hudson Reinoso. These in turn are supported by twenty or so directors, who are expected to stump up the cash in times of need. This Board is elected every two years, which leads to short term planning and concentration on the needs of today - which is understandable. The next Board will come from the pool of 20 Directors, who will receive the same amount of support they in turn gave to their predecessors!

Several meetings were held with various directors but the response from those not on the Board was far more positive than that of the incumbent members - who are likely to be voted out in December.

Prior to leaving the U.K I picked up a pennant and statue (same one as sent to Real Madrid I think) from EFC. These were presented to the Club and were well received. They in turn presented EFC with a nice pennant that will be handed over shortly.

Highlight the presence and status of EFC amongst Evertonianos:
During my stay I had the opportunity to meet up with quite a few Evertonianos and in response to their genuine curiosity tried to spread the word. One thing that became obvious was the need for a Spanish version of our history - hopefully this can be provided by the Ruleteros Society. The local paper ran an article just after I left - if your Spanish isn't up to much, look for the key words - Dixie Dean, 1928, 100 (unfortunately noted as 100 consecutive years in the top flight - oh well, never let the truth get in the way of a good story) -

http://www.estrellavalpo.cl/site/home/20020611093623.html

I was also able to spread a few Everton shirts about, along with scarves and pennants. There are also quite a few Evertonianos walking around sporting smart, white tea-shirts with such logos as "The People's Club" and "Evertonians are born…etc…..". The latter sentiment makes an appearance in the article above - Frank Hargreaves stand up and take a bow!

George Orr also kindly contributed a number of fanzines and copies of his excellent book "Everton in the Sixties" which were well received.

Promote the Ruleteros Society:
Hopefully we can maintain contact with Evertonianos through the Society but in no way do we wish to monopolise these contacts. Those wishing to know anything more about the Society can visit www.the-ruleteros-society.org or mail me direct. On the day I presented the offerings from EFC, I was presented with a commemorative plaque from La Barra to the Ruleteros in the U.K. Hopefully this can be built upon in the future.

Set up merchandising arrangements:
For many years I have been asked where C.D. Everton shirts could be got. With this in mind, I approached both EFC and CDE re merchandising. EFC have still to respond on the possibility of selling through the Megastore while CDE are not in a position to sell the shirts themselves.

I have spoken to the supplier, who is obviously keen to tap into a lucrative market, re their setting up of a website to enable the sale of these goods. This should be in place fairly soon - hopefully before the start of the season.

Unlike the sad anoraks we are in the U.K., Chileans aren't too fussed about statistics and the past. I managed to speak to several people with access to T.V. and newspaper archive material with a view to collating videos / books. Something for the sadder ones amongst us to look forward to.

Highlights of Trip:

(Apart from the obvious - the great people I met)

Matches: Away v La Serena. A 16 hour round trip by bus saw an excellent performance from the Ruleteros as they take a point from much fancied La Serena.

Home v La Calera. What a start! 2 goals up, drinking with La Barra, presentation on the pitch, then I remembered who I supported. Ended up losing 2-5, bedlam!

Weather: Generally crisp and sunny during the day but cold at night - perfect for me. However, on the Sunday it started raining, stopped about Wednesday - resulting floods left 63,000 homeless, 210,000 affected, 10+ dead - puts the football into perspective somewhat.

Horses: Valparaiso Sporting Club (in Viña del Mar) holds meetings every Friday and most Wednesdays throughout the year. Approximately 20 races from 14:00 till 22:00. It's great day out in classy surroundings (they run the Chilean Derby here in February every year with crowds of 60,000+).

I didn't try the Casino or the beaches but there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the town and the amazing port of Valparaiso is only 5 miles away.

Anyone who fancies making the trip and needs any information or contacts please e-mail me. Anyone who has already made the trip, I would love to hear your accounts - perhaps collate them on the Ruleteros Society website.