Steve Ashcroft, True Blue

Beautiful. I shed tears. I'm so sorry for you and yours loss and of course Steve's and all of his.

What a wonderful friendship forged in blue. 52 FFS. At least Steve did not see the spawny shite win it.

Your honesty and integrity comes over in all your posts Jamie. I love your occasional slip-ups while always loving your devotedness and 'education' about all things Scouse. When you go there I will make sure to be there.

Please give ToffeeWeb blue to Steve's family at the funeral and also to the Crowley Everton dynasty and that Burnley supporter too.

Thanks for this truly moving post and take care mate

God bless you both Jamie, that was a lovely story, I know you wish you didn't have to tell us, but all's we've got is memories, and at least you've got some special ones to tell us about your best mate, mate!

That is one of the great things about ToffeeWeb, the way it brings brilliant stories like yours to the table.

Sincere condolences to yourself and all Steve's family.

It's strange how people meet each other and turn out to be lifelong friends, and your own experience relayed that to us in the story above.

Your tribute is elegant and eloquent. We are fortunate in this life if we have one friendship like that of you and Steve. It is irreplaceable.

I hope you will take to heart the terrible reminder you've just been given that we none of us know when the final whistle will blow. In the name of your shared love for Everton, take Steve's memory with you to Goodison. Make it happen.

Sincere condolences Jamie and to the Ashcroft family.

You'll take the memories and his spirit which will be with you for ever.

RIP Steve Ashcroft.

A timely wake up call for those of us who have kinda lost track of what is really important these past few days

Got no Irish in the house, but I raise a glass of wine to your buddy Steve.

Condolences to all involved! It's always sad to lose a fellow Evertonian!

At such a dark time, it was a wonderful thing to connect with you today via Facebook. I loved your brother immensely, and I am very pleased to hear my words are helpful at such a terribly difficult time for your family.

Thank you all who have commented. It's very nice to read such kind words.

Paul Ferry - my wife loved the Burnley shout out. ;0) You're a good man, Ferry, and I want our paths to cross.

Mike Gaynes - know I'd back you through hell in a gasoline suit, my American friend.

Christine Foster - Evertonians the world over will smile and raise a glass. That made me tear up it meant so much Christine. Be assured my debt to my friend will come sooner, rather than later. My wife and I spoke of a Christmas time trip to Liverpool this evening. It will now happen much, much sooner rather than later. I will honor Steve at Goodison before 2019 closes.

Tony, Si, Brent, Petey Mills, Dave "The Godfather" Abrahams, Derek "Punny" Knox, Dennis, Frank, Brian, Dave E., David P., Dave G., Paul, Darren "AR15" Hind, Andy "the Irishman who must be met" Crooks, Stephen, and Steve "Tactical Genius" Ferns -

You're all top people. I thank you. The catharsis for me reading this late at night here in the States is beyond helpful. I can only hope the kind words mean just as much to Steve's family. They're such good people.

Every single time I thought of a trip to Goodison, it was with Steve. Every time. It was a given. I truly hope when the time comes, and again it will be much sooner than later as events like this smack you in the face and make you realize what's really important in this short life, we can all meet in person.

It'll be my honor.

RIP Stevie Mate. When I make the trip, I know you'll be there with me, my friend.

Hope you make it to our colourful city one day to meet up with all your blue friends...

I've lit a candle and poured a measure for the fallen. It's a long way from America but good wishes and prayers travel as far as they're needed. If you need them, they'll find you, of that I'm sure.

You're a good guy and a gentleman Jamie, I've always appreciated your contributions around here. Stay strong fella.

You can have my seat anytime really, I will even give up the Burnley game for you and your wife! But coming from Florida, Christmas makes sense, straight out of the frying pan, and into the fridge!

Tony Abrahams, class mate. Class

I guess this moving story is a reminder to us all to experience all life offers while we can. You just don't know how long you or anyone else has on this planet.

Well done Jamie

Whenever you write on here, you write with passion. Your memorial was massively moving. In this cruel world, losing people and facing losing people, is incredibly hard. All we can do is keep those people alive in our heads and our hearts, then they are never, truly, gone.

Thank you for this story of friendship, love and unity. I hope the reaction on here gives you some comfort and know that you have done a great thing for Steve and his family.

Plan your journey, the rest will be taken care of.

I have to say it has been a very hard few days trying to actually grasp what has happened and being in New Zealand I do feel somewhat detached from the 'real' world anyway. To be honest simple words can't possibly bring comfort to all the members of his family but I too offer my deepest condolences, Ashy will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Being a scouse Blue in Florida for the last15 years I wish I would have hooked up with you guys at some point. You sounded like you had great fun together and I'm sure Steve would have relished that and it leaves you with memories to savour.

Thank you for sharing that with us, you sum up all the best qualities of being a Blue.

So sorry to hear of your good mate passing. When you do finally plan to get over here, contact Mike Gaynes for our details, and the lads will royally (blue) look after you. I hope you and the 5 boys are in rude health.

I'm burying an uncle tomorrow, but he had 30+ years on Steve, and had a good innings. Although a fanatical Rugby Union follower, and was President of his local club, he liked all sports, and actually came to Goodison with me a few years ago. He couldn't believe how cheap the food was in the chippy opposite the Walton taxi club, and how friendly us Blues were.

Take care blues everywhere, as the song goes "Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think".

Hope to see you soon Jamie.

A few, quick shouts -

Tony Abrahams - too kind. Class definitely. I appreciate your offer immensely.

Jonathon - I'll be seeing you soon.

Peter Armstrong - So cool to hear from a guy who grew up with Ash. It's amazing, the man's reach. Steve touched so many people who are literally all over the world. My best wishes to you. We both truly were very fortunate people to have been able to call Steve friend.

The Patron Saint of people who jump out of airplanes - I will hold you to your promise.

Everyone else - I listed all the kind and fine people who had the courtesy and decency to take some time to post, in my previous post. Suffice to say, I feel a bit of an ass not doing so again. However, be assured, I read them all multiple times and I so appreciate the kind words.

Steve's service is this Friday at 5:30 pm in St. Augustine, FL. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Ian, I have missed your posts. Hope all is well with you.

And Jamie, with ya, mate.

The quality of your writing has always provoked thought, sometimes I agree, sometimes I don't but I always appreciate your contribution.

This one however, has deeply moved me. I am glad you are the 'Blue' you now are thanks to your friendship with Steve, but equally very sad at your loss of your friend.

Your words are often eloquent, mine are merely simple. I offer condolences to you and to Steve's family. I hope the depth of your friendship with him will help you through the days ahead.

Been to the funeral today, and had to wear a red tie as my uncles' Rugby Club (Moresby) played in that colour. I actually borrowed a club tie off a workmate, so didn't have to buy something never to be worn again.

Our family went early to the crematorium, and caught the back end of the service before my uncles. "you'll never walk alone" belted out as we stood outside waiting for the previous set of mourners to leave. There is no escape!!

Enjoy the precious memories of your mate Jamie, and ensure he lives on in your heart.

PS. It's good to put a face to your name.

A great read for all the wrong reasons, sorry for everyone's loss, family and friends.

Sounds like a great bloke and what a friendship too!

Your such a great contributer Jamie, always look forward to what you write. (Though I'll never forgive you for that 2 egg omelette you made)!

Erm, without offence to anyone else, when I hear of a fellow blue passing on (to that great 80s football dvd continuous replay with added bonus content of what could of been, if the ban never happened) well, that's how I imagine it anyway, in the sky, I'm moved, really, so sad, but reading this I'm moved a lot more!

Touching, funny and so sad (obviously) at the same time.

Get in touch with the boys, they'll look after yer, also let us know when your over, would love to meet up and witness your pilgrimage to the 'Old Lady', I also now reside in the big smoke (london, I guess that's where you'll fly into, and if you have time, hopefully meet up).

Once again, Jamie, JP, and all who knew Steve, sorry for your loss, really am.

Friendships like that don't come along every day. For me, it's a reminder, if you're lucky enough to have a mate like this, for fucks sake tell them once in a while, you don't know when they'll be gone.

It's just really sweet, honest and heartfelt. Nice one and your late mate couldn't be prouder of those ‘werds' in a sort of ToffeeWeb eulogizing ‘epitaphy' thingy!

All the Best,

Jp