Elstone: Young fans critical to Everton's future

Spin doctor...

Everton showing we really are the People's Club once again.

COYB!

Perhaps one Bobby can have a word with the other Bobby and encourage him to ensure a good matchday experience for our younger fans.

UP THE BLUES.

That said, I would be delighted if our new major shareholder gave smirking Bob his marching orders.

In fact I'd love to do it personally.

Bob: "Why!?"

Me: (smiling) "Well Robert...or maybe you prefer Bob? Well anyway Robbie, not to put too fine a point on things, or to beat around the bush...or go all round the houses, to be perfectly frank...and earnest, it was felt at this particular juncture, or point in time, that a different direction might be beneficial to the general well-being of the club and to the Everton brand, in a 'moving forward' type scenario. We have of course taken on-board many different views and opinions and listened to arguments both for and against, but felt that for real organic, tangible growth and lasting development, the most helpful and profitable solution would be to not have a shifty twat like you at the club"

The problem I have is, although my boys love Everton and football, unfortunately my boys are starting to miss the odd game here and there for things they would never have considered missing games over.

My cousin goes to the game with his 7-year-old and he's having the same issue.

All these boys have both Saturday and Sunday football teams, my two play 4 nights a week too. They clearly love football.

I'm worrying a lot about the simple fact that Martinez isn't just boring the shit out of me, but he's managing to bore the kids who can see his poor management, even at a young age.

Unless we fix our management problem, we will soon be unable to give kids season tickets away.

A number of season ticket holders have already stated their intention not to renew their tickets as long as RM remains in charge. If results continue in the current vein with no sign of the manager seeking to put right his own failings, it won't be long I fear, until a trickle turns into a flood and season ticket sales hit an all-time low.

Delicately and sympathetically put. There's clearly something about Martinez's smug arrogance and complacency that drives is all mad. We'd all love to scream some home truths in to his face but he'd probably smile back the smile of someone who knows better.

It is a positive thing to reduce prices for kids but it would be a whole lot better if you have the something they really wanted. Of course what they really want is what we all want: goals, wins, attacking pace, do or die defending and players with steel coursing through their veins – not much to ask really!

One thing is certain: Martinez is not the man to deliver it!

When I became a teenager I had to suffer all the shite football of Catterick (last seasons), Bingham (until he bought Duncan Mckenzie and Bruce Rioch) and the frustrating Lee years. Then came Howard Kendal (glory, glory years) followed by..........well, you get my drift don't you? Fantastic years followed by barren decades.

My suggestion to you is that you tell these young 'uns that being disappointed and being served up dollops of shite by EFC is part and parcel of being an Evertonian. If they want to continue on this tortuous path then they are going to have to man up and be prepared to suffer. It's what we do.

I remember as a kid wanting to play more than anything (though less on TV back then) – so maybe they just like playing more than watching.

However if they find it boring, I suspect its maybe the influence of others – at 7, 9 age, they very much look up to those around them . And just to be clear, I am not saying you are providing this influence, but there is a general malaise around Goodison these days and at times potentially intimidating for younger children?

BTW, I've seen a rumour in the rags on why Mourinho would see Everton as more appealing – any thoughts?

Just on the point of Martinez's reign driving fans away, there were 39,000 at GP on Saturday. Does anyone feel that the crowds will keep coming, to some extent, despite poor-average results, if the games are exciting and produce lots of goals?

Just one more reason to hate him....

I can't answer that it's irrelevant; what I do know is the walkout against Sunderland seems to have had the desired effect as it made the so-called powers that be sit up and take notice. Love them or hate them – and I personally hate them – it seems to have had a massive effect. Hence the £30 away ticket cap.

Colin, what you have put to me is what I've relayed to my boys, I have explained that we can't expect to win or be fantastic, we can watch Barcelona, Madrid, Bayern etc for that.

Hopefully our glory days can return as for me I believe this will help with the younger generation of fans.

How do I explain to my kids that the eldest was born in 2006 and he has to look back to 1995 to hear about our last trophy, especially when the fooks across the park seemingly arrive at finals most seasons, even with a bog standard team.

Who knows, maybe Martinez will win the FA Cup, consequently getting us into the Europa twice out of his three years and giving us our first bit of silver wear in over two decades.

Can't see it like, but it's strange to think it could happen and I'd still be unhappy.

He must be doing something wrong!