My First Week as a Blue

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=everton+supporters+terrace+chants

I wouldnt worry too much about not knowing the words to songs Evertonians aren't renowned for getting tge wirds right all the time, again because we're nit manufactured. however, Lyndon's article is about the feeling you have at the minute which goes line this:

"I've never felt more like singing the blues, when Everton win and Liverpool lose, oh Everton you've got me singing the blues!"

Keep up with the postings they are class

Also in the best 'glass half empty' ToffeeWeb tradition comes the disclaimer.

It isn't always this good

That's half the fun... the highs are higher and the lows lower...but you knew that.

The bitter is only £2.12 a pint too, which isn't bad for a matchday pub!

So I realize it’s early days for you but, when you get the chance, google Australian Football League (AFL) and check out the Fremantle Dockers. I know plenty of bluenoses who follow them and, like me, they believe they compliment each other. Last night they qualified for next week’s Grand Final and the noise and passion at the ground brought me back to so many games I’d seen at Goodison Park. Blue and purple — the greatest colour combo ever.

So, after watching the game, I then got to watch the mighty blues clean up whilst drinking the beer that compliments both these teams — Cooper’s Pale Ale. A truly magic weekend... oh, and the deludes getting beat was the icing on the cake.

However to take up a position that will not be welcome on here... I don't actually hate the Red Shite.

I just dismiss them!

My first ever game was at Anfield – taken by my older brother-in-law, who died a raging Koppite – it was 1952 and they beat Man Ure 2-0.

I didn't actually get to see my beloved Blues until 1954; but I persist in my proclamation that it's not necessary to revile all things red just because the Dark Side wear that colour. I think no more about them than I do about Scunthorpe, and a good deal less than I do about Sterling Albion.

It's good that you are keeping up the contact.

Now I'm going to the air-raid shelter to avoid the flak from the red-haters on here.

Since you arrived on the scene the record has been perfect. All you have to do now is keep this correlation going.

No pressure.

Leung Chi Ho. Great name, great post. Believe the Racing is fantastic in Hong Kong. Happy Valley etc. Love your philosophy. You're right. Being a Blue will increase your strength and make you a better person. Keep posting.

As Brian Labone sagely advised "One Evertonian is worth 20 Liverpudlians", the same could be applied to the quality of input
So please, don't feel stretched or coerced, though I am enjoying your "Affirmations of Faith"

Your original thread drew remarks from a number of other "far flung Blues", so you have already served the cause nobly

Us blues get a buzz when someone new joins the fold

Careful with those carpet burns !

You should support the Dallas Cowboys. There are few similarities with Everton: one of the most-storied NFL franchises; they feature blue as one of their main colors, they are near the top of all-time Super Bowl wins (but nothing since the mid-1990s); they have an owner who leaves fans constantly scratching their heads; and, as modern rivalries in the NFL go, they are in a division in which the other team's fans still hate each other.

The differences are that they have no financial issues as they are behind only Man U and Real Madrid in franchise value and the NFL has a salary cap which prevents teams from trying to outspend each other. In addition, they don't have a hallowed ground like Goodison. If it's any consolation, their stadium is the jewel of the league.

On a personal note, I have been a fan of the Cowboys since the mid-1970s, through two very succesful stints and through two long playoff droughts. Since we are currently in one of those dry spells, you will be joining at the perfect time.

You picked a good week. Two victories, a glimpse of what might be one of the most exciting CF's we've had in years, defeat for the RS and better again, a thrashing for the other version of the RS.

Problem is, it can't get better than this.....can it?

We want our English friends to be frustrated, not suicidal.

On the topic of new US Everton fans, readers may be interested in the video blogs of Nick Bailey from Virginia who goes under the name of Nick Knows Footy. His musings on the Chelsea game are here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubm5c6Isj2E. A warning - not for the easily offended.

Took my kid to his soccer game this weekend right after the Everton match, and one of the coaches (from the other side of the pond) made a beeline for me and said "an Everton jersey? Are you from there?" I laughed and said no but I plan on making it to Goodison Park one day. I guess I should've picked one of the big 4 teams so I don't get people so confused. We talked a little about the game and organization (organisation?), it was pretty cool.

As for the American Football team, definitely go with the Seahawks, a young and ruthless team that will be getting loads of TV coverage so you can watch. Plus their jerseys look damn cool. And as for the Seattle Mariners (baseball), we may not have to worry about them changing colors (colours?) because they may just have no fans by the end of the season.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the hottest team in MLS and my beloved Seattle Sounders!! COOOME ONNNN SEEEATTLE!!!!

Anyway, I love the post — what a great weekend.

My long suffering better half remembers my similar hatred of all things red, period — even down to painting gate posts and window sills blue.

Nowadays, for the sake of peace and though it is still an offence to my eyes I will tolerate that awful colour. There is a lot more than that in being a Blue but it is a good start.

Like you I'm averse to all things red, and refuse point blank to drive a red car, much to the annoyance of the other half when we were offered a really good deal on a car. And then there was the sister-in-law's Christmas present of three red t-shirts and a red sweater-that was a laugh opening that on Christmas morning, I could go on.

But if you want a taste of what's it like to watch the blues, click on the link below of Bainsy's free kick v West ham. Pure magic

Welcome aboard and keep the faith

https://fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net/safe_image.php?d=AQD7pfT5ekKYBQyJ&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-vthumb-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhvthumb-ak-ash3%2F1096708_10152440544321777_10152440544186777_45706_311_b.jpg&jq=100

Gerry Quinn in Houston.
Mark in North Texas.
A mate here who I bumped into in the pub; and I believe Lyndon Lloyd's own brother Matt is in Austin too. Plus of course my family and any other neutrals I can adopt as Everton fans. We've fewer fans than the Sky teams, but we do get a lot of respect, I find especially from the Arsenal fans, more than Spurs surprisingly.

Actually, I had dinner last night at a restaurant, and they served Chang. So I had one, and then another. And I told the waitress that it was in honour of a fine victory of my team, thinking she wouldn't get it; she told me her boyfriend was an Everton fan and that she was a Spurs fan. I told her to see the light but, to her credit she stood her ground.

Anyway, so yes, a fledgling population of texas toffees. We also had Adrian Heath here in Austin for a while, but his Stoke backed team flew the coop to Florida and the (very successful) team in their stead is, alas alack, coached by the son of Queen Kenny himself.; he's done a good job though and I am coming around to the idea of supporting my local team.

Mark Pakulak, I hate to tell you this but Everton actually played Club America at the FC Dallas stadium in Frisco about 4 or 5 years ago. It was unremarkable game except for the fact that Simon Davies played quite well for us. It was however my wife and youngest's first game, so it is indeed memorable for that. Hoping to see us in Houston next time, it's air conditioned!

Viva Texas Toffees!

If you think those 2 were special, check last season's Leighton netbuster

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug-gPzlAtMI

Anyway, again, great to have another Texan brother-in-arms - and, as for only blue colours in your house (note the CORRECT spelling of colours :) - brilliant, now you have to go ahead and beat this for a Christmas Tree, Mark:

http://www.bluekipper.com/photos/23-xmas_blues/toffee_trees_4/625.html

Like Americans, I would refer to football as soccer because football to a lot of us Irish folk is Gaelic Football. But my main reason is because I would be your vice versa.

I'm a lifelong blue. By the time I had my first memories of any kind the seed was already planted by my dad that I would support Everton. I don't remember not supporting Everton.

But it was in 2004 I became a Baltimore Ravens fan. NFL is becoming quite big as a brand in the UK and Ireland these days, back then was probably the beginning of today's big movement. I'm not entirely sure why the Ravens, I suppose I could suggest I was chosen especially considering they won the Superbowl 2 years previous and the fashionable team for the glory hunter at the time would have been Tom Brady's dynasty at the NE Patriots which sandwiched the Ravens superbowl with 3 of their own in 01,03 & 04. Since then I'm big into my beloved Ravens (though Everton trumps them if it came to it) and it was amazing to watch another Superbowl winning season last year. Though like Everton your heart is always in your mouth. Even a huge lead in the Superbowl wasn't enough for Ravens fans to settle ourselves, we went about doing it the hard way and that made it super sweet when we won it in the last play of the game.
I'm not a Merseysider but I certainly can inadvertently understand your late coming and choosing of (being chosen by) a team in a league and sport you were initially unfamiliar with.

ps David Nicholls, along with my wife, I absolutely loved Friday Night Lights, so much so that our 17-week-old daughter is called "Grace" after we fell in love with the name that coach Taylor gave to his newborn.

Your English, by the way, is excellent.

When I was young, Dad took me to see the Philadelphia Ukrainians (winners of the US Open Cup in '60, '61, '63 and '66) play a few times, and I'd always been interested in 'real football', even if somewhat bewildered by the tactics and rules. When the Premier League got onto my cable package last year, I got up early Saturday mornings to watch (won't tell what I was wearing ;-) ). Got hooked. Read a couple of 'How To Play Soccer' books for kids, to help figure it out. And thought of picking a team to cheer for.

Considered squads with uniforms in colours matching the '70 era Phillies*, or with improbably cute Olde World stadiums.

Then came March 16th. Thought "this team - where's Everton** - is putting up a good fight, against the league champions ... oh-oh, red card, 10 against 11 with a half-hour to go ..." But I kept watching, and realized "This Team plays with HEART!".

And I realized - late but in earnest - that I'm an Evertonian

So, thanks for new things to learn, and appreciate, and cheer about, and for finding a loyalty in common with people around an ever-smaller world.

Finally, if I may suggest an American football team to root for - even though this is Not Their Year, and I primarily cheer for 'duh Fluffya Iggles' (especially now that I'm living in the borderlands with 'da Jints'(evil incarnate ;-) ) ) - the Pittsburgh Steelers have a long and glorious history, a public-spirited ownership, and a loyal and wide-spread fan base. Check them out.

Best wishes to all of you !

Yours, John

*Yes, was born a fan of the first sports team to lose ten thousand matches, and with red as their team color, too. Also went to a college that joins red and blue in the school colors. Sorry, but not planning interior redecorating soon.

**I'm something of a geography buff, too.