Fans Comment
Matt Traynor

The Scrimshank Redemption
7 May 2006

Actually the title was going to be some form of excuse as to how injuries had hampered our season, but really, there isn't an excuse. I just liked the title... Anyways, I want to talk about the player who polarises the views of Evertonians worldwide: Big Dunc. He may or may not have played his last game, but I can kind of see why the man was idolised by so many Blues. Colours to mast time — I personally think he should look back on his career and say he could've, should've been a lot better and achieved a lot more. But, if I may, let me defend him. A bit...

• He joined on loan in '94 just before we sacked the truly abysmal Mike Walker.
• His debut (with Durrant) at Palace away was truly forgettable.
• His 'moment' came in the Derby at Goodison - Big Joe's first game. I remember his reaction really clearly as if it was yesterday. He ran over to where we were sitting, and to be honest, if I'd met him on the street late at night, I'd have shat myself just looking at the loon.
• His first words to the press (Echo) were 'Sorry pal, don't talk to the press'. Somewhat ironically he'd also said in the same 'interview' that he wasn't interested in a permanent move, as he was a 'Rangers man'. Don't forget, we were after him when he left Dundee (Utd??). He was even paraded in a Leeds shirt before it fell through.
• He really, really got fucked over by the Scottish FA. I totally understand his reasons for refusing to play for Scotland again. In no way do I condone what he did to McStay, but Prison?? Cantona should've been hung. Oh forgot, we don't do capital punishment anymore in the UK. And, he played for Media Utd.

Ultimately, Duncan felt loved by the Evertonians — because we always love our No 9s. Remember his chagrin at the move to Newcastle — engineered by the Board — and his 'arl fella going into the Winslow to tell the fans what had happened? ('My lad's in tears' etc. etc.)

Someone on another EFC website (hey, in my defence I always read this one first) aptly described him as the young Evertonian's Labone. Us older types (though I am too young to have seen Labby play) don't hold him in the same esteem.

Ultimately he will reflect on his own career, and I doubt it will be with a sense of satisfaction or achievement. At best, we should view him in a Quixotic context, but remember that in this 'modern' football context, he truly loved the fans who idolised him.

Well, I think so anyway...
Matt Traynor


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