Everton seek supporters to share their 'home' stories

Goodison will always have a place in my heart. I am the son of a red father and blue mother, but it was my grandad that really instilled the love of Everton in me.

I started going to the match around 7 years old. I remember feeling like I didn't watch us lose in so long from when I first went (we are talking the early 90s here) which was probably the naivety of youth and the blue tinted glasses of memory. We had and have quite a large extended family with lots of aunties and uncles and every Saturday we would head up to my great grandparents who lived in Craine close near the cemetery. Everyone would bring something, I specifically remember my aunt and uncle would always restock the soft drinks and they used to come in big glass bottles and you had to take the old bottles back - That was always amazing to me as a young kid. We would all have lunch and there was always a massive pot of Scouse on offer. Then at the allotted time my grandad would take me and my cousin Claire off to Goodison.

There was a small wall on one of the corners of the cemetery and we used to climb up and over to get in, the gate was only round the corner but I guess it was a bit of a ritual and a way of my grandad making it a bit more exciting. We would walk up to through the cemetery to our seats in Gwladys Street. We weren't season ticket holders so we would end up in different seats every time, but there was a sweet spot just to the left behind the goal about 15-20 rows back where we were most of the time. So many good memories. Myself and Claire always used to harass my grandad to go and get us a sausage roll or crisps while the game was still on because, on what seemed too often to be coincidence, we would inevitably score when he was away from his seat. I also remember when times weren't so good and my lucky charm had definitely worn off and we weren't exactly winning every home game. My grandad would always say "you have to win your home games. Win at home and don't lose away" this is when we were fighting relegation and he was talking championship form! We would walk back to my grandparents along queens drive after the game and my nan would answer the door with a "never mind". My grandparents aren't with us anymore but whenever I think of my grandad, goodison is not far behind. He was the man that made me an evertonian and goodison was his spiritual home. I will miss it as I miss him and those special memories when it is gone.

Michael Ward

A Brazilian fan as part of an upside-down human chain descended from the stands to retrieve his bongo.

"Stop blowing that whistle, referee, or the pea will germinate!"

The crowd went silent until laughter started and everyone was in bulk. I suppose that was his Oxbridge way of saying "Fuck Off, you black enamelled bastard!"

I know the date was 28th January 1959 because I have looked it up in the record books.

A thick fog hung over Goodison Park that winter's night, as my father, somewhat reluctantly, with concern written all over his face, left me to enter into the Boy's Pen for my first Everton game. I was 9 years old.

Even in the crowded Boy's Pen, the enormity of the stadium, the atmospheric floodlights and the crush of the crowd, only enthused this young boy and I was in love with the Old Lady from that moment on.

The thick fog didn't ruin the experience, it might have even added to it, I can't recall. What I can remember is seeing Everton score one of the goals down at my end of the stadium in a 4-1 victory. I cannot recall anything about the game probably because I couldn't see anything, as the Daily Express the next day described it as the “Greatest Game Never Seen”, such was the impenetrable mist.

A relieved father was waiting for me when I emerged amongst goodness knows how many other young lads but despite the fog, he had lit a light in me that has never gone out.

Drew 2-2 at the Valley in 1959.

I was a 12 year old went with my mates in Gladys st end at this match. Just short of 75,000, – yes 75,000 – and no allocation of tickets, just pay at the gate!

I lost my mates. Everton scored at the Park End but I couldn't see a thing because of thick fog and we only knew because of the roar at the other end. Not long before the end, I thought I'd leave early to catch the football bus (remember them) to Page Moss and then a good walk to home.

When I got in, my dad said, "Good win for the Blues, 4-1!" Charlton scored just after I left and game went to extra time and Everton scored 3 goals - I didn't see any and nor did the massive crowd. By then, Davie Hickson and Bobby Collins scored two each. A most memorable game I didn't see!!!

'The Battle of Goodison'.

Like Ian @ 4, I have checked my facts for clarity.

November 1964, Everton v Leeds United

13 years old, I went on my own because my uncle said there wouldn't be any problems!

Found myself in the Park End (didn't realise) surrounded by Leeds fans. It was that packed, you were stood shoulder to shoulder; when the crowd moved you moved.

However, 4th or 5th minute, Sandy Brown was sent off for throwing a punch at Johnny Giles, I didn't see the punch but I guess he must have connected.

It was a really physical match with Everton dishing it out, just as much as Leeds.

About half-an-hour had gone, it was getting nasty, and the crowd were just as bad. The ref took the players off, and the crowd were warned over the tannoy to calm down or the match would be abandoned.

Ten minutes later, the match restarted, but it was just as physical, and the crowd did calm down a bit, but it was still hostile, especially from the Park End.

Leeds scored and went on to win 1-0.

However, what really sticks in my mind, was when Leeds had a corner, the ref went and stood behind the Everton goal, to see whether or not Jack Charlton was punching Andy Rankin in the back. Rankin had been complaining that that was what Charlton was doing.

I was hooked and although it is a family tradition that the next home game after you are born is your team, I was always going to be a blue, and always will be, through thick and thin.

I think it was the FA who later blamed the players for earning to much money!!!!

I think this was the start of Leeds getting their tag 'dirty Leeds', but Everton certainly dished it out that day.

I think Norman Hunter was the only (other than Sandy Brown) player booked that day. Whereas today, the game would have been abandoned, as other than Rankin or Sprake, the rest would have been sent off.

I didn't see any after-match violence, but I guess from the way it was reported, there must have been some.

My uncle got an ear bashing from my mum for letting me go on my own.

Happy days.

To this day, I despise Leeds and always rejoice in their failings. Today for example against Newport. Dirty cheating bastards!

He'd only kick when away from the ref and the other player had his back to him. As soon as he got a kick, he'd be howling to the ref.

Yes, one dirty bunch of shit were Leeds...