Fan Comment

Farewell Old Friend

Tuesday 9 July 2019

A muggy day in Walton. The rain that fell at times was the type that leaves you soaked within seconds. Big, wet splattering drops, none of your fine drizzly nonsense. I couldn't help but feel the heavens were shedding a few tears as a throng formed on the new ‘Holy Trinity' plaza outside St. Luke's around 2.30pm.

Amongst every small group within the overall gathering was a famous Everton face or two, George Telfer waiting on the steps, Joe Royle striding by with a twinkle in his eye as ever, John Hurst and the effervescent Derek Temple, who seems to get younger every time I see him, Ronny Goodlass and John Bailey strolling up, Cliff Marshall, Jimmy Harris and Alec Farrell getting in out of the rain, Tony Kay still looking likely to crunch into a tackle at any given moment, ubiquitous club ambassadors Sharpy, Snods and Stuart, Mark Higgins and, at a second glance I realised, 1986/87 goal poacher supreme Wayne Clarke… I'm sure I must've missed a fair few more, but needless to say a crop of Everton heroes to cater for most generations of a certain age. And beyond that members of the Evertonian family from all corners. Club Chief Executive Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale and her Everton in the Community counterpart Richard Kenyon were present, along with several gentlemen of the cloth from other churches across the city.

Here we were to bid a fond goodbye to our friend, the Reverend Harry Ross.

I never had the opportunity to get to know Harry, I've said hello to him once or twice and corresponded with his son Philip, who was present with his mother Wendy and brother Andrew, by email a few times over the years. But still, Harry WAS Everton to me. He embodied our motto. Nothing but the best was ever good enough for the Reverend Harry Ross. As was reflected in warm readings given by Darren Griffiths, who read a heartfelt, funny message from absent Everton Chairman, Bill Kenwright; Dr Stephen Reid, on behalf of the Freemasons with whom Reverend Ross had a very active 50 year involvement; our very own Joe Royle; and Father Paul Harris, who grew up in Harry's beloved Walton, learned to play the church organ with Harry's encouragement, plus free use of the St. Luke's organ, which Harry had shown the drive and determination to get restored during his 33 year term as vicar there.

Hymns were sung with a gusto with which the man himself would have been delighted, I'm sure. The hush which descended within the walls of the old building as prayers were delivered allowed time for contemplation of the achievements of a man who lived his life with vigour and intent to the last. Even in his final weeks he continued to provide what help, care and support he could by text to people in need. The friendship, concern and kindness he shared extended not just to members of his congregation, but far beyond that to fellow members of the clergy, the staff and players of Everton Football Club and the numerous former Everton stars he helped provide support for over the years in his role as a patron of the Everton Former Players' Foundation.

Talking to several of those former players afterwards, it was clear that the common touch Harry Ross had has made an immense difference to the lives of some of them. It goes without saying that most men aren't great at discussing their feelings or admitting they might be struggling. This must be a particularly difficult hurdle to overcome within the macho environs of top-flight football of any era. Harry Ross clearly realised this and managed to find a way to allow some of our Everton heroes to open up and seek help. It's clear from talking to a few of them first-hand this afternoon, that, however he did so, he made a huge difference and will be missed.

We all filed out to the siren blasting and Z-Cars. I was pleased, as I always am at funerals, that there had been plenty of laughter throughout the service. Funerals should be a celebration of a life well lived, a gathering of that person's nearest and dearest, plus in this case a much broader extended family including people like me who never knew the man personally but have been moved over the years by his work and inspired by his example. It is sad to lose such a pillar of the Everton community and the local community in L4 of which I am now part again after 38 years away.

My own Everton family has grown exponentially in the 10 months since I moved home. I have built on long-distance friendships which were established on social media, meeting up on matchdays with Twitter friends, networking furiously at Everton functions, involving myself in the Everton Heritage Society, volunteering with Everton in the Community, selling People's Place scratchcards in the FanZone on matchdays (yes, that's me!) and being voted onto the Everton Fans' Forum by fellow Evertonians, something in which I take immense pride and am determined to repay in energy and endeavour over the remaining two and a half years of my term.

My Evertonian friends old and new will never understand quite how much they have helped me through this period in my life, helped me find myself again and make the best of my decision to relocate 325 miles away from my daughter and start all over again as I approach 40 years of age.

Every one of you has made a difference. Thank you all for that. Life really is beginning now; I can feel it.

I think we can all learn something from the likes of Harry Ross. We can all strive to better ourselves, to help our neighbour and to be good role models. I have lived most of my life no closer than 100 miles to Goodison Park, yet I've immersed myself from a distance in everything I possibly can in relation to our club. I now live within 200 yards of the stadium (although I'm moving shortly, only ‘round the corner!).

Between the little house I have been renting, Goodison, St. Luke's and the Everton in the Community campus on Spellow Lane - and in spite of all the bluster of County Road, the odd siren or noisy neighbour - I have found a comfort and an inner peace which has been missing for my entire adult life.

I'll continue to pop into St. Luke's for Sunday service when I can, I've been a few times since I arrived. In my own small way, I'm reconnecting gently with the Christian faith I learned about in Sunday School as a child. I am devoted to making a positive difference here in L4, alongside or as part of the Goodison Legacy project in some form. I am proud of this place; it is a part of me and I am a part of it. I even have done the family history research to prove it. If you know...

Rest in peace, Reverend Ross… although I'm sure you'll soon be busy keeping up the good work making sure everyone up there is very well before long!

NSNO.

Jamie Yates

Winslow Street, L4

PS: per the order of service:

Donations in memory of Harry are being gratefully received for Queenscourt Hospice and your choice of the Everton charities c/o Dean Brothers Independent Funeral Directors, Deans Court, Gores Lane, Formby, L37 7DF Tel: 01704872923.

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