Joey Barton: Things got so bad at Everton my son started supporting Liverpool

How many others have lost sons or daughters to the Dark Side? Which as died in the wool Blues, is unthinkable, but the newer generations want success and they want it now, so maybe understandable to a degree, but not forgivable either.

This is like going to confessional, all my family support the blues, except one son. I think he must have been dropped on his head, either that or his grandad got to him first... sigh.

Most young people have no loyalties to anything. Look at all the people who support Liverpool from all over the UK. Most of them don't even know where the city is.

My dyed-in-the-wool Evertonian nephew was proud as punch at his 2 daughters playing for Everton ladies at about 15 years old. Now at 19 years, one has said the club is so embarrassing she is now supporting Liverpool.

23 years ago, my brother read the runes and got his boy into sailing, binning footie altogether.

This is the true legacy of decades of mediocrity.

My son turned red aged about 14 as most of his mates were going to our old ground and he felt embarrassed and left out.

Thank you, Boys Pen Billy, and I hope you enjoy the £25M you made. And don't even consider putting some of it back into the club you "love" so much...

My 'Junior Evertonian' son switched to the RS just after Hillsborough, when he was eight.

Over the years it must have saved me a fortune on kits and season tickets! He now has a season ticket on the Kop where he sits, surrounded by foreigners and cockneys.

My son is also one of them. At least he's not going to suffer like his arl fella... ☹️

Being an Evertonian is so bloody painful sometimes.

If I was Barton's son, I'd do the opposite of everything he told me too.

Cassius – says it all, really. Never liked Barton, never will.

Phi @ 9;

I'm a blue for mostly that reason and because, back in the day, on Boxing Day, all the 'men' over a certain age in our extended family went to watch whoever was playing on the day, just to get out from under... and the Blues happened to be at home when I reached 'old enough'.

Once I walked up the steps and into the terraces, I was hooked... and I made sure my kids never had the option to pick or choose.

I took my lad to the old lady as soon as he could walk. He's never contemplated any other team.

He's Everton mad. Follows the players on Instagram and has had a fair few responses from players when he's messaged them.

He does occasionally walk into the room and call me a nobhead! Especially after an embarrassing defeat!

Everton till we die for me, my son, my brother and my 2 nephews and my niece. We would never ever and could never have another club.

My son, nephews and niece have never seen us win anything but would never stop being a blue. I was 20 when I first saw us win the FA Cup, my son is now 17 so hope in next 3 years we can win a trophy.

I am proud to say the whole family grandads, aunts, uncles, kids and grandkids dating back to around 1900 did not get any choice in the matter.

We were taken to Goodison at a young age and decked out in blue on every suitable occasion especially the kids parties when the "other" sides kids were coming.

My son in law tried to get my grandson to wear a Villa kit as well as his Everton togs but we soon put a stop to that.

Once a blue always a blue applies.

Christine (2), no excuses, I blame you. As soon as your son showed the first signs of liking Them, you should have had the parish priest round and got your poor son exorcised. No, you let the devil get him!!

My mate's son was taught right, it wasn't until he was 13 that he realised Liverpool wasn't a bad word, that's what he was taught by his dad.

Born a Blue, Live A Blue, Die a Blue!

As poignant now than ever, and painful, as often it's been, but it's life and the banter and laughs, it's brought and a few good years of success, is priceless.

Now for better days and looking forward to the future.

Palace next.

I'm from the opposite side, my Dad being a rednose during their many years in the 2nd Division.

I was not much interested in footy as a kid, F1 being my main interest, but then World Cup Fever hit UK in 1966 and we were in the best ever FA Cup Final against Sheffield Wednesday, I became hooked.

Ever since that day, whenever I watch a neutral sport, I always favour the team that doesn't score first.

My family are fairly evenly split. Dad and his side of the family are from Bootle way and all Evertonians. My older brother and myself followed suit.
Mum and her side of the family are from Broad Green and all Reds. The younger brother - for some unfathomable reason - bunked in with her.
Me and Ash gave him enough guff during his formative years to compensate though!
Even within the family context, you can tell the relations between the two sets of fans has deteriorated. There's a nasty edge to the banter now that wasn't there in the eighties and nineties. That's probably the saddest part.