A long traumatic season. On the back of a previous long and traumatic season. Can I take much more? Yes. I can and I will. You are my Everton and always will be. I will follow you wherever and through whatever. Cradle to grave. It is a birthright.

I've witnessed title triumphs. I've witnessed trophies. I've witnessed European nights and success. I've witnessed too many relegation scrapes. I've witnessed mediocrity. I wish we would finally win the League Cup. Personal gripe, we will. 

Deep down, I never believed it would happen, even when it went to the wire. I kept getting mixed messages. The wife telling me it would be okay, which made me suspicious as she doesn't like Everton because of me. My son reluctantly accepting that we were down. My brother a mess by his own admission on the last day. I just wanted to switch off. But I couldn't. I wasn't sleeping very well in the nights leading up to that final fixture. I don't mind admitting to waking up at about 3 am and having a breakfast doctor's order. It was a necessary calmer.

I couldn't believe it would happen. I wouldn't let myself believe it would happen. And it didn't.  

Never stop believing. 

Like many thousands of devoted others, I followed that team all over the country this season, trying to ignore the off-pitch turmoil, and it was a privilege. But that's me and I'm a fool. Credit once again goes to those young supporters who graced the stadiums all over the land. How do they do it? There needs no answer, I am just glad they do. They are the future and their time is coming.

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And credit to those who wake up in the early hours all over the globe to pace around the living room watching the blues. Equally devoted.

Everton is like a magnet. An attraction you just can't resist, no matter what they put you through. 

On the back of last season, it was said, not for the first time, it can't happen again. Well, we surpassed that and went one step closer. But ultimately, we pulled ourselves away from the cliff edge and we live to fight. We retain our proud record of remaining in the top flight of English football for a consecutive 70th year. Unsurpassed.

I won't delve too much into to the detail of each match, as that has been done in the match reports throughout the season. 

Happy trips to Goodison and the home city regardless of the result, it is never a chore, always a pleasure. Miserable trips to Bournemouth and back twice in four days. That was brutal. Newcastle home wasn’t a great experience. But then we had bright moments like Chelsea away. Michael Keane's goal against Tottenham. Seamus’ goal against Leeds. Watch closely, he looked up and meant it.

Leicester away and the fantastic travelling blue army outdoing those annoying clappy things. Brighton away; apparently, we had no chance. The team and supporters thought differently. Wolves away.  Now that is going to the wire. But afterwards, we knew we still had it in our own hands. You could feel and hear it in the supporters.

Unbelievable last-day emotion. I was gutted that I couldn't be there. I watched with my son and the dogs. On two occasions, the goal and the eventual final whistle, the poor souls ran up the stairs and had to be coaxed back down.

I suppose it is time for perspective. He had his critics, but we lost Richarlison, who was an important player for us. Calvert-Lewin was absent for most of the season. We finished on the last day with no recognised full-backs and a winger as a makeshift striker.

McNeil took time to settle, Onana is raw and inconsistent. Mykolenko still learning. Tarkowski immense as was Pickford. I can't choose between the two for Player of the Season. However we look at it, the squad was depleted from an already thin squad that had only narrowly escaped relegation 12 months prior.

But we did it. Just enough and just in time. I always thought and believed we would. We are Everton. 

A note to new owners and investors: We were abandoned and left on our own along with the players and manager. We have dragged them through the mud for the second season running. The current regime is not needed or wanted.  

Take heed. Amidst the emotion and relief, deep down, we are hurting as a fan base. Really hurting about something we care so deeply about. Fix it. Don’t give us words. Give us action. Repair the damage that has been done and reconnect. But not with this board. That is beyond repair.

Never stop believing. We didn't. We never would have and never will.  

As always, I am spending my early mornings with the dogs. Pacing, waiting for the fixtures and August The dogs are confused but happy.  

The Grand Old Lady's last full season will be in the top flight of English football, where she belongs and should be put to rest. Forget the football, this will get emotional, but Bramley Moore Dock points us to a bright future. 

Great as always meeting with all of you, be that at Goodison, County Road, or the towns cities and concourses around the country, as well as online.

See you all next season. At Goodison or on the road. It's all on the road for me, home or away. But I'll never give in and never stop. Don't ever stop Everton. Anything is possible. 

Marching. Spirit. Forever. 

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Reader Comments (101)

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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 03/06/2023 at 22:56:13
Well in, Daniel. Top corner stuff.
Brent Stephens
2 Posted 03/06/2023 at 23:12:07
Good stuff, Danny. See you at away games again. I was dreading trips to Millwall, Boro, Cardiff. Now I can enjoy dreading trips to Newcastle, Arsenal, Man City.
Barry Rathbone
3 Posted 03/06/2023 at 23:39:39
I've always maintained our historic standing counts against us in big games. We've been poo for decades but will never do a Portsmouth, Swansea, Wigan. Birmingham etc and win a cup by sneaking in under the radar.

When players play against Everton, it's still meaningful – it doesn't matter if it's home or away, the fans are a reminder of what an institution the club is and the opposition raises its game.

Nice to be respected but it does mean we need a proper team to win something.

Kieran Kinsella
4 Posted 04/06/2023 at 01:57:16
Danny

It's funny hearing your worries as you hid them very well in the build-up, as did Rob, Neil and Co.

Weirdly I was much more concerned but the day of Bournemouth I woke up totally relaxed somehow and calmly confident of a win.

I don't know why – it was a great contrast to my feelings on the prior occasions. Maybe I'd just run out of stress and anxiety so moved onto a different emotion.

Dave Long
5 Posted 04/06/2023 at 06:39:15
My last game before I left for Japan in 1996 was the Wimbledon Great Escape.

2023 has been a bad year for Everton and my family. My dad died in April after a merciful short cancer battle. His last game to enjoy was Simms scoring that brilliant goal versus Chelsea.

I watched the Blues versus Leicester at Paris airport on the way home and then on the plane with the help of a friendly Moroccan lad.

Back here in Japan, the last game was with my family, visiting the eldest in Osaka. At the hotel at 2 am there was banging on the wall from angry neighbors as we screamed at the Doucouré goal.

What a bad season with ultimately a great ending. Everton has been a pain in the arse for me and my Texan wife ever since we met in '96. Please get better. Thank you to all the brilliant Evertonians in the stadiums.

Joe Hurst
6 Posted 04/06/2023 at 09:23:04
Apart from at our old house, at the scruffy, stinking of wee part of L4…
Martin Mason
7 Posted 04/06/2023 at 09:27:41
Danny,

Looking forward to seeing you as many games as I can get tickets for next season. I'm positive about next season and think that a couple of inspired changes could see us in the top half which would be an amazing improvement. Clear of injuries, we may just have the makings of a strong squad?

Hope to see Brent and the other amazing Blues I had the pleasure to meet this year. Come on you clappers, respected everywhere. Hope is rising from the ashes.

Tony Abrahams
8 Posted 04/06/2023 at 09:50:44
What you have just written is a perfect example of why Everton is still such a special club, Danny, mate.

It's only special because of the incredible love that the people have got for our football club. When I stood on County Road, quietly watching the absolute passion of Evertonians of every different age group last Sunday, it was very hard to the fathom that the team was in a relegation battle.

A brilliant from-the-heart read, Danny, and to every single Evertonian who went through every single emotion leading up to last Sunday – You did not desert us, my Brother in Arms…💙

Brian Harrison
9 Posted 04/06/2023 at 10:25:23
Danny,

I can empathise with the mixed messages you got from your wife to your brother, and I guess you were even looking for positive signs from your dogs that everything would be okay.

My two sons were both convinced some weeks back that we were gone, but I reminded them that I had seen us in even worse positions and escape.

There is just something about this club and its supporters that comes together more so in adversity than in the pursuit of trophies that won't allow this club to go down.

But I do hope we don't test my theory again in the near future, as I think we would all like a very boring mid-table finish next season.

Obviously next season is going to be very emotional with us playing our last game at Goodison, and I don't think any of us could stand that and a relegation battle next season. I think we all need the close season to recharge and go again next season.

I was in the Lake District yesterday and had absolutely no interest in watching the Cup Final. I just cant' watch any football at the moment, it's amazing what following Everton can do to you.

Dave Abrahams
10 Posted 04/06/2023 at 12:07:11
Do you ever ponder, Danny, how hard you work getting to and from all those games you follow Everton?

The planning, early starts, going from station to station, throw a few air journeys in, the worry and fret this causes you before you add the worry and fret of how we are going to perform…

I know following the Blues means everything to you but, like most of us, you don't get much back in terms of joy from supporting our team. I worry and fret like yourself but from the comfort of my well-worn armchair.

I've got to put my hands up to you, Danny and would love the club to do more and show some appreciation to the fans who follow the club through thick and thin for the sheer love of Everton FC while travelling thousands of miles at all hours in all weathers, amazing the lot of you.

Where's that bleedin' rainbow at the end of this?

Will Mabon
11 Posted 04/06/2023 at 12:35:14
Joe,

no need to mention the RS stadium in this thread.

Rob Halligan
12 Posted 04/06/2023 at 12:51:55
Great stuff, Danny.

It's been a nightmare of a season, we can't deny that, yet every game, home and away, is sold out. Away tickets have sometimes been sold out in a matter of hours.

Why do we do it…? Well I suppose it's in the blood, it's like a drug, we're addicted to it, it's something we can't give up, no matter how hard some may try. But the likes of me, you, Brent, Neil, John Raftery and Bill Watson, are totally addicted, and no doubt a few more we may know who do every game, will simply never give up, no matter what the future holds.

I met Derek Knox, Neil, Brian Wilkinson, Stephen Vincent, Dave Williams and one or two more in the Harlech Castle prior to the game last Sunday, having had a couple in the brick beforehand. Was great to meet a few more TW'ers.

After having a couple of drinks with them, I returned to The Brick to meet my mates. It was mental… you couldn't get in The Brick – it was that chocker, but it was even more chocker outside. You couldn't move, County Road was blocked, lads standing on bus stops, blue smoke filled the air and constant singing, it was deafening.

You'd think we were about to play a cup final, or play a game to win the league, but no, it was a game we were going to play, to try and win and avoid bloody relegation.

Quite simply, no other set of fans could generate an atmosphere like it, not even those deluded Geordies! As you say, Danny, just wait until we actually do win something.

Just to finish, I was on a MIDAS training course last Thursday. The person taking the course was a Leicester fan, no less. Obviously he was disappointed at them being relegated.

He said to me that if someone had said to all Leicester fans 8 years ago, that they would win the Premier League, the FA Cup, Community Shield and get as far as the quarter finals in the Chmpions League, then get relegated, he said it's something most Leicester fans would have readily accepted.

Is it something we would accept? I'm not so sure?

Finally, part of the course involved driving. He asked where the new stadium was and could we go down there? We set off, going down to Riverside Drive and along the River Mersey, passing the tourist sites along the way, before getting to Bramley-Moore Dock.

He was gobsmacked, and blown away by the sheer size of the stadium, as well as the location. He took a few photos before we headed back. It's somewhere he said he will definitely visit when Leicester get back into the Premier League.

Raymond Fox
13 Posted 04/06/2023 at 13:08:09
Well said, Danny.

I don't think we will have the same worries at the end of next season, we played this one with one arm tied behind our backs.

We missed Calvert-Lewin a lot, we sold Richarlison and didn't replace him with anything like the same quality player; it was asking for trouble and that very nearly sank us.

It's all up in the air with the club at the moment so it's impossible to say what the strength of our squad will be, but I've every trust that Dyche will at least have us playing in the Premier League when we move into the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

Neil Copeland
14 Posted 04/06/2023 at 13:30:03
Danny, good read that, thanks.

I missed the games at Bournemouth, not sure if that means I was lucky but I never feel lucky missing games.

It's funny but I am always nervous before away games but rarely so when we are playing at home. However, against Bournemouth, I was a bag of nerves with my stomach churning constantly and little sleep the week before. The feeling at the end was pure relief and felt different to the Palace game. Strangely it also felt like the end of an era, hopefully meaning the worst has passed with better things to follow,

Going into the break, I was looking forward to relaxing a bit and forgetting about the traumas that supporting Everton brings. Ha! Not a chance, and find myself scanning every available outlet for news.

Also, can't wait for the new season to start, I've always been the same and don't know why I try to kid myself. The new stadium continues to make good progress and it does look like this will be our last season at Goodison. So many memories, it will be a wrench and I will be a mess at our last game but wouldn't miss it for the world.

Like so many others on here, Everton means so much, I just can't get enough of them. We are so fortunate to support such a great club and that club is so fortunate to have such great support (match-going or otherwise).

So, it will be good to meet everyone again next season plus others I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. Until then I hope all stay safe and keep believing.

UTFT!


John McFarlane Snr
15 Posted 04/06/2023 at 21:18:10
Hi Danny,

I share your optimism mainly because I learned some time ago that anything is possible in a game of football. My philosophy has been that "Every game is unique, it's never been played before and will never be played again." That's why I attend games with an open mind. There have been many examples over the years, but the one I always use to get my point across is the Wigan Athletic victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.

My away days are long since gone, although I've visited more than 50 grounds, many more than once, but finance and ailments have been the main reason for my absence at away fixtures. I never gave up hope this season and I am on record stating that, "When the points required outweigh the points available, I will accept that our place at the 'Top Table' is interrupted."

Along with Dave Abrahams and many others, I was old enough [13 years 2 months] to remember the last time we were relegated, not a happy memory.

"Keep the Faith, things can only get better."

Mark Murphy
16 Posted 04/06/2023 at 22:02:40
Have a relaxing summer Danny!

As a happy clapper who only goes for the ale, I am in awe of anyone like you who can sink pints of Pinot Grigio and still write a match report.

Looking forward to Fulham and Palace etc away next season if I can get a ticket

John McFarlane Snr
17 Posted 04/06/2023 at 22:34:39
Hi again, Danny,

I'm afraid that time is catching up with me. I was actually approaching 12 years 10 months old, when Everton were relegated on 5 May 1951, having been born on 15 July 1938.

They do say that "There's 'no fool like an old fool" and I think they may be right.

Brian Williams
18 Posted 04/06/2023 at 22:50:10
A good read, Danny. One small point of order though.
We've got two full seasons left in the Old Lady. 😉
Soren Moyer
19 Posted 04/06/2023 at 23:05:46
Brian,

I believe we are moving to the new stadium at the start of the 2024-25 season so, as Danny says, next season is the last one at Goodison Park.

Brian Williams
20 Posted 04/06/2023 at 23:07:34
Soren. You may believe that mate but it aint true.

The move is/was delayed and the board decided they didn't want to move in the middle of the 2024-25 season so it's gonna be the start of the 2025-26 season.

The board saw fit to omit to announce the fact though.

Brian Williams
21 Posted 04/06/2023 at 23:19:48
So it's rumoured.
Soren Moyer
22 Posted 04/06/2023 at 23:31:31
Brian, it's also rumored 'safe rooms' (panic rooms) are being installed in our new stadium for the members of the board!
Martin Mason
23 Posted 04/06/2023 at 23:47:38
Two amazing moments for me last season, being luckily one of the visiting Blues.

30 seconds in at Brighton expecting bad things, Calvert-Lewin dances around Dunk and squares to Doucoure –Explosion of Joy.

Wolverhampton, 1-0 down and seconds to go and Mina scores. Total explosion of joy again and silence in the Wolves ranks.

When I say 'joy', this was genuine joy from great people who gave up everything to support the Blues when it looked bad.

Can I say one other thing to praise these wonderful fans at the games I went to. Full allocations sold, and at the destination when train traffic was cancelled but most important the wonderful families who'd come down together.

Brian Williams
24 Posted 05/06/2023 at 07:15:45
Soren. Well the delay, I thought, was quite common knowledge to be honest.

The club's never "officially" given a date for opening but I'd say in the past 4 to 6 months it was being reported that the opening would be "mid-season" 2024-25.

There was then a whisper that the club didn't want to move mid-season and would wait for the start of the 2025-26 season.

The board, and who could be surprised, didn't want to announce what may be looked at as bad news though, to go with all the other bad news going on at the time.

Either way, let's just hope we're in a much better position by the time we play there.

Danny O’Neill
25 Posted 05/06/2023 at 08:36:23
I had heard there would be a delay to half-way through the season Brian, hence the last full season quote.

You are probably correct. I'm not sure we would move half-way through, but who knows with Everton? I don't recall seeing any official communication from the club, but I could be wrong and may have missed it?

Michael Lynch
26 Posted 05/06/2023 at 09:21:14
I've always been a strong believer in the need to move to a new ground but, I must admit, the closer it gets, the less convinced I am.

The last two season have been dreadful – painful and stressful – but Goodison has never been more important to us. The atmosphere has at times been incredible, the fans have found their voice again, and – because of the existential situation we found ourselves in – there have been more memorable games across the last two years than across the two previous decades.

I've rekindled my love affair with the Old Lady, and walking around her before the Bournemouth game I was close to tears because there really is no place like it. The fans, the ground, the history, the streets, the pubs, the shops, the church, it's simply unique.

Is it too late to change our minds?

Brian Denton
27 Posted 05/06/2023 at 09:53:39
Michael, I understand your feelings exactly, because I feel much the same way about Goodison. I'd rather have spent the 𧽴 million or whatever buying up all the property around Goodison Park and making a huge concourse of it, on the scale of Old Trafford!

I'm sure the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock will be a success, but I fear it will all be a bit 'Grandfather's Axe'.

Still, got to keep movin' on.

Kevin Molloy
28 Posted 05/06/2023 at 09:56:28
Michael, I'm afraid it is.

I agree with you, would redeveloping Goodison really have cost us a billion pounds? I'll never be convinced on that, I'm sure we could have done what the other lot did for around the same price and saved ourselves half a billion in the process.

Everton have been playing at Goodison since the Victorian Era, and the old place has an atmosphere that is irreplaceable. She has also been the difference between survival and going out of business these last 2 years.

People laugh at Goodison, the wooden seats, the obstructed views; for watching football, it's actually one of the greatest stadiums around.

After everything that's happened, Goodison is still regularly cited as the most intimidating ground to come to, with Declan Rice and Howard Webb both chiming in recently on that. Every time I think about the move, I feel a bit sick, but the reality I think is going to be worse.

People should have a look around at the things the Victorians built, even mundane stuff like Crewe Station, and realise it was done with a style and verve that the current generation wouldn't be able to come near to if it tried. At least we can say we were there.

Brian Denton
29 Posted 05/06/2023 at 10:12:39
In a nutshell, Kevin, in a nutshell.
Raymond Fox
30 Posted 05/06/2023 at 10:31:06
Michael @26,

We have filled Goodison every game this season, I think, but we were only the 10th best-attended club in the Premier League.

We needed a ground with extra capacity, arguably with a bigger capacity than the new stadium is going to have.

Of course we also need a team good enough to draw in the extra supporters.

Barry Rathbone
31 Posted 05/06/2023 at 10:44:08
The only real plus about the financial millstone of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is it might help attract a big oil type buyer. Otherwise bragging rights about a shiny place on the river doesn't seem a massive step in the crusade back to greatness compared to a revamped Goodison.

But so many seem convinced it's going to transform us…

Brian Williams
32 Posted 05/06/2023 at 11:28:34
Danny #25.

No, you missed nowt, mate, because nowt's been said by our ever-communicative board, well not in "public". 😉

Stu Darlington
33 Posted 05/06/2023 at 12:10:39
Nice one, Danny. For me, you deserve a medal. Your optimism, belief and positive mental attitude kept me, and probably thousands like me, going through the dark times and the even darker times!

Keep it up, lad, I just hope you don't burn yourself out!

Let's hope for better times ahead!

Danny O’Neill
34 Posted 05/06/2023 at 15:01:33
I'll comment on the many posts later.

But on the stadium, I used to have these conversations with my mates, Everton and Liverpool, 30 years ago.

We could have redeveloped Goodison Park, but we would have had to buy up the houses opposite the Bullens Road, and, possibly controversially, bought, demolished and relocated the Gwladys Street School.

A combination between what Liverpool and Tottenham have done. Buy land and property. We would have had to have redeveloped the footprint and turned the ground 90 degrees.

We are moving now. Let's embrace it.

Tony Abrahams
35 Posted 05/06/2023 at 15:40:25
Goodison has definitely saved us on more than one occasion and this was uppermost in my thoughts after the Bournemouth game, Michael L.

It's nearly time to move now, although I think the Old Lady definitely belongs in a different era, it's still going to be a very hard day watching the last game of football in a place that is littered with memories.

Peter Mills
36 Posted 05/06/2023 at 15:44:16
Well done, Danny, I've enjoyed your thoughts and reports throughout the season.

I've also admired your optimism. I tried not to say it too often, but did so when asked my honest opinion: I thought we were going to be one of the 3 worst teams in the league. We weren't.

Barry Hesketh
37 Posted 05/06/2023 at 15:51:32
Tony @35,

We might require Goodison to do it 19 times next season, given the current circumstances and squad.

I'm a believer that it's not the bricks and mortar that makes somewhere special, it's the people within it. So, from that perspective, the new stadium could be just as intimidating and passionate as Goodison Park is and has been.

Danny O’Neill
38 Posted 05/06/2023 at 19:07:30
Mike Gaynes, you and the likes of Christine put me to shame, the hours you put in.

Brent, always a pleasure. I look forward to those dreaded, but welcome away trips! The last encounter I had with a Millwall supporter, he told me he was going to "smash me up". I looked him in the eye and told him he wasn't going to. He walked off to the bar and I bought him a drink to calm him down.

Mark and Martin, meet you again next season. A great double act. It wasn't a pint, just a big plastic glass that made it look like a pint!

Tony, we are special. We care so much like no other support can. The imposters across to park. The magpies who think they are as big as Real Madrid. They don't come close to us.

Brian, I couldn't accept it. I had been telling my son and brother all season it wouldn't, no matter how much they shook their heads at me. I went close to the wire and hedged my bets, but I came through.

Never stop believing.

Dave Abrahams, I just can't stop and never will. It wakes me up at night, but I sleep on the way home, sometimes smiling.

Peter Mills, thank you for your help and support. I will see you next season.

Rob Halligan, we can't help ourselves. Addiction is an understatement. Waiting for the pre-season fixtures. I'm thinking of European qualification already.

And a mention for Brian Murray. Religiously follows the blues
and religiously tells me off for being too soft!

John Senior, you've been there, seen it and done it. I always appreciate your words of wisdom.

Finally, once again, those blues who wake up at godless hours to watch and cheer us on. That takes as much effort as getting on a bus, coach, plane or train. Respect to every single one of you.

If I've missed anyone, I didn't mean to. Thank you Evertonians. Every single one of you.

Danny O’Neill
39 Posted 05/06/2023 at 21:21:52
I forgot John Hurst. Massive, thanks.
Pekka Harvilahti
40 Posted 05/06/2023 at 23:12:40
We survived again because this is Everton, not just any old poor team who has run out of steam but a real old time football club with a massive support around the world. Do you really think it is only luck that has kept us in the highest level for 70 years when everybody else besides Arsenal have fallen at some point?
No, it's the club spirit and it's great supporters that kept us there at the highest level.
Now it is time to start building the club again, I just hope we have some money to spend. If we don't, there will be another showdown at the end of the next season, and we might not survive it.
Andy Crooks
41 Posted 05/06/2023 at 23:46:07
Good article, Danny.

Barry @ 31, I respect your posts and admire your willingness to go against the tide when you feel it necessary. What are your views on a rich takeover, I mean a really rich one?

Say a newly image-laundered regime like the Qataris or Saudis, or even an Iranian regime (not out of the question, by the way) came in and put up the mega money that you have, quite rightly, said is needed.

Would you welcome it, or would you, like me on my red wine induced high horse, think, "Nah, I'll stick with what we've got."

Genuinely interested in your thoughts.

Danny O’Neill
42 Posted 06/06/2023 at 08:08:00
Back to the stadium discussion.

The new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock will have a bigger capacity than St James's Park, from what I'm reading. Only by 888 seats, but that adds perspective. And we will sell it out every week.

Stamford Bridge left behind at around 40,000 – like Goodison Park. The Etihad – only about 500 or 600 more seats at 53,400. A stadium they apparently can't fill. The "Empty-had" as Man Utd supporters like to tease them with.

We will sell out the new stadium and there will still be people on websites like this scrambling for tickets. The waiting list for season tickets remains a long wait.

Never ever underestimate the size of this club. As Rob says, wait until we next win something. The footballing world will experience something they haven't seen. Forget the falseness across the park. It will be massive.

It's going to break all of our hearts to leave Goodison for the last time. But our future is about 3 miles down the road, on the docks, and taking over the city's waterfront.

Brian Harrison
43 Posted 06/06/2023 at 09:41:02
Danny

Regarding the capacity of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, when the consultations over the new ground were taking place, the vast majority of our fans wanted a capacity of over 60,000.

We were informed that, although the club had settled on 52,000 being the new capacity, we had the possibility of increasing that to 62,000 with safe standing, provided the rules changed to allow safe standing.

Well Man Utd along with a couple of other clubs are planning to introduce safe-standing areas next season, so I can't for the life of me understand why we haven't done the same.

Also we know the cost of our season tickets will rise when we move into the new stadium, so wouldn't it be a nice touch to allow those in the safe standing area, who will probably be the younger fans, reduced prices for those in the safe standing area?

Tony Abrahams
44 Posted 06/06/2023 at 10:08:30
It will be interesting to see if standing up at the match, will still be cheaper than sitting down like it was before the introduction of all seater stadiums Brian, because of the limited number of standing places that will be available?
Brian Harrison
45 Posted 06/06/2023 at 10:22:20
Tony,

I have no idea what clubs will charge for those in the safe standing areas, probably because, as I understand it, the seats will still be there, they will charge the same. But I would suggest that they offer cheaper prices.

To be honest, given the number of clubs who are going to install safe standing next season, I am amazed that Everton are not considering making a safe standing zone in the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

Football is pricing itself out of reach for some supporters so wouldn't it be a great way of getting these fans back in the ground?

James Marshall
46 Posted 06/06/2023 at 10:39:13
Who are we respected by? I don't think we garner a great deal of respect from fans of other clubs, or pundits in the media. Not that I care what anyone thinks, but it's a fallacy that Everton are this great institution of football in my view.

We're a relic. A museum as someone famously once said. Even our new ground harps back to the past – we just can't help ourselves. As a club, and also the supporters, have pinned all our hopes on things that happened decades ago – misty-eyed nonsense that does nothing to forward the club.

Just look at the cretin who's been running the gaff for the best part of 25 years. We've been sold a dud in my opinion – sold a lie, a dewy-eyed vision of a byegone era – we even still sing the same old songs at matches from 30, 40, 50 years ago.

I for one am slightly more embarrassed at the way Everton is viewed, not respected at all. We're laughed at, mocked even for being such a bunch of old fuddy duddy's when it comes to the modern game.

My son turns 21 in a few weeks and he laughs his head off at the thought of Everton being any good (he supports Man Utd BTW). His generation only know Everton as a shit show that regularly flirts with relegation.

We're not special, all clubs and supporters think that about their team – that's why football is such big business and such a lifelong millstone for the masses. "Crack for the masses" my other half calls it, and she's right.

There is nothing 'special' about any football club, how can they all be special? It doesn't make any sense. It's just an addiction, something that harks back to long sunny summer holidays when we were all little kids banging a football against a wall somewhere, and we can't stop ourselves from feeling all those feelings we had when we were young & good looking and life was simpler.

If Everton and Everton fans can learn to drop all the 'istory stuff, and all the 'we are chosen' fantasies (maybe learn a few new songs too) this club might have a better chance of becoming a modern day, modern thinking football club that actually achieve something.

I support a team that makes me ecstatic when we win a game. Not a competition, a game.

That's how low the bar is.

Phil Greenough
47 Posted 06/06/2023 at 10:52:48
Harsh words, James, there maybe some truth in what you say. As I read your post, I was listening to Gerry Pacemaker singing, "Don't let Everton catch you crying" on Radio Caroline.
Eddie Dunn
48 Posted 06/06/2023 at 10:53:33
A couple of my long-standing 6-a-side mates confessed that they were gutted that Everton didn't go down. One is a QPR fan who would like to go to Goodison and the other is a Welsh Saints fan.

The pundits can ony think of certain things to say about us. If they are trying to be nice they might mention how many years we have been in the top flight, or they might mention league titles etc. Usually they can't stop themselves making sarky comments about the aging ground, the restricted views and "toxic" support.

We have some admirers...the old school who have been around longer, who think that things were better before SKY.

The problem is that nowadays everyone is only interested in the next big match, the next title.

Even when watching any of our tv stations they tell you about the next thing even when the game you are watching is at a crucial point.

I find the whole "history" thing is simply giving the club an excuse for not making history.

Nobody gives a fig about what we did 40 years ago, nobody except us. Nobody gives a toss that Wolves were a great team in the fifties -nobody but yam-yams.

The new stadium is a new start. We need to look to the future, we need good owners, good business people in charge and we need to start making some new history.

Then the rest of the pundits, fans and heirarchy will give us more respect, but hate us just the same.

Robert Tressell
49 Posted 06/06/2023 at 11:02:55
I agree with James. The history seems to become more important the longer we go on as a Premier League irrelevance. I think the fans are respected for turning out in force but that's about it.

Otherwise, we've done nothing to earn respect in about 35 years – which is why any idea of a quick fix is always so laughable.

Hopefully Kenwright will be gone soon and we can enter a new era of professional club management where we gradually reclaim some respect by assembling a decent squad and doing something of note on the pitch. I want cup wins and trophies.

Tony Abrahams
50 Posted 06/06/2023 at 11:27:04
When Rob H, wrote his post @12 the other day, telling us what that Leicester fan said, I thought long and hard before coming to the conclusion that most Evertonians would probably not be prepared to accept relegation in return for winning every domestic cup whilst getting to the latter stages of the biggest competition in European football.

I'm obviously not certain, so I'm going to ask my oldest son when I see him tonight but it wouldn't surprise me if he took footballing snobbery over winning silverware.

Do a survey, Lyndon, because it's a very interesting question, imo, with my own answer being that I'd definitely take relegation simply because I want Everton to be the first team to win the top league in three different centuries!

Danny O’Neill
51 Posted 06/06/2023 at 11:29:23
Totally disagree with you James.

I travel up and down the country with followers of other clubs.

I live amongst a myriad of Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, London Reds and United supporters.

Believe me there is respect and intrigue once they find out you are an Evertonian.

You are clearly entitled to your views James. You are embarrassed. I am proud.

Brian, I have made comparisons many times with Schalke's Veltin's Arena. About 54,000 capacity for International matches when it's all seating. Rises to about 62,000 for league matches when safe standing areas are introduced.

And your match ticket get's you free public transport for the day.

No chance Tony. Founding members. Played the most top flight seasons. I won't accept relegation. I just want us to compete.

If we compete, we will win trophies. But just compete. In the top flight where we belong and have done for most of our history.

Tony Abrahams
52 Posted 06/06/2023 at 11:40:29
Some people might have great respect for Evertonians, Danny, but I'd also have to agree with a lot of what James said, mate. Look at Eddie's QPR mate though, because he only wanted Everton to get relegated so he could go to Goodison! Understandable really because Goodison Pk, is definitely a special place, and I'm not arguing with anyone over this!!!

To be the first team to win the league in three centuries would be a massive achievement Danny, and even worth putting up with all the shite we have had to put up with on a regular basis for years. But FIRST we have got to get rid of the CURSE.

Tony Everan
53 Posted 06/06/2023 at 11:43:21
James is right, there's no respect, the only respect left is for the resilience and passion of our support. The rest is ridiculed. The first rivulets of respect will only come back when Mr Moshiri sells a majority stake to professionals who can maximise the revenues from the new stadium and all the associated commercial benefits and essentially getting rid of the amateur, incompetent Chairman and CEO.

The most top-flight games and a top-flight club for 70 years does mean something, an achievement , but it's a nostalgic indulgence and a distraction. I mean who else really cares about that? You know, great! … move on. Especially right now when it's decades since we won anything and worse still, we are fighting relegation with regularity.

What really matters is focusing on the here and now, having a great stadium, leading to increased sustainable funding and recruitment for the squad. Then incrementally building a team that is a real challenger for Europe every season.

Then the rest of the club can match up with the quality of its support.

Barry Hesketh
54 Posted 06/06/2023 at 11:49:05
We might not be respected to the degree that Danny argues, but we aren't a hated club either. We've usually made friends along the way rather than enemies.

Just because we have to occasionally remind people that we are a club that has actually won things in the past doesn't mean that we are happy it's been so long since we put a trophy in the cabinet.

In fact, the history stuff from the fans' perspective is used to constantly show the board where we'd like to be, and that we're loathe to accept the "plucky little Everton" stuff.

I think most of us are realistic and don't expect to see us win the title or qualify for the Champions League in the near or even the mid term, but that should always be the aim of the club, at the start of every season, regardless of how unrealistic that might be; cups should be there to be won too.

If we can't be proud of our past achievements, what else is there to cling on to? I can't see the argument that says "History is holding us back" when it's the history that should be used as the driving force to go on to replicate those past triumphs, even if in the present circumstances that seems unlikely.

We also have to accept that the competition is heavily weighted in favour of the now well-established clubs and even Newcastle with their funding may struggle to win actual silverware – I bet that statement comes back to bite me in 12 months.

Dave Abrahams
55 Posted 06/06/2023 at 12:09:49
James (46),

I don't now where you live but I suppose it could have been worse regarding your son, he might have chosen to support Liverpool.

On a lighter note, if he'd been my son and supported anyone but the Blues, he'd have been supporting them from an orphanage!!

Tony Abrahams
56 Posted 06/06/2023 at 12:22:25
Everton have been in the orphanage since the morning of the Southampton game, Dave.
Chris Hockenhull
57 Posted 06/06/2023 at 12:37:49
James (46)…

The article I meant to write! I can not disagree with a single word you wrote.

Peter Moore
58 Posted 06/06/2023 at 12:37:55
Danny,

What a cracking article. As you rightly say, Everton is inbued deep in the soul. Whether near or far, match-goer or no, it's in our heart and soul. For better or worse. Life is not all smiles of course, for most of us it is more struggle than smiles a lot of the time. The trick is to smile through the struggles when we can, which in my opinion is what we are doing right now as Evertonians.

Massive relief to stay up, but massive concern about the huge off-field cloud of worry. May the board change be confirmed soon, with MSP shoring up both the finances and giving leadership to this rudderless ship, from a board perspective. First team squad massive restructuring can't be overlooked for the second season in a row.

Dyche must be given the tools needed for the coming season to set us on the right upward path heading into Bramley-Moore Dock.

UTFT!

Peter Moore
59 Posted 06/06/2023 at 12:51:59
James (46), there is a lot of truth in that as well. Special is a subjective thing of course.

We have a massive amount of special history. We certainly need major change off the pitch in order to get the major change needed on the pitch.

Personally, I am willing that to be the case, so we can have new real special times in the coming new royal blue dawn by the banks of the royal blue Mersey. 💙

Danny O’Neill
60 Posted 06/06/2023 at 13:14:31
For the record, James, I'm with you on the history thing.

Be proud of it, but don't live in it.

Make new history.

Get rid of that song.

Take our heritage with us and build on it.

We are respected.

Raymond Fox
61 Posted 06/06/2023 at 13:16:31
I agree with James but only to a degree, not to be relegated for 70 years is an achievement.

That takes in the recent 20 years which we have not won anything but at least we are still here fighting.

Its now extreamely difficult for clubs outside of the usual suspects to win anything.

When its said that we need to be taken over by oil sheikhs and the like, while I wouldnt say no to that, you are now limited to what you can spend on players per season.

City, Arsenal, Utd, Chelsea, Spurs and the Reds stocked up the value of their squads which carries through to the present when there were no restrictions, we havn't now got that luxury.

Shearer on MOT day intimated much the same, that its now very difficult to challenge the most successful clubs.

Newcastle who he loves are now rolling in money but cant go out and buy the very best players because of P & S rules.

Somethings need to change because the Prem. as a competition is far from a fair one.

Tony Abrahams
62 Posted 06/06/2023 at 13:31:31
With regards your last sentence, Brian H, then my answer has got to be most definitely. Sadly, football is no longer the working-class game it once was, with the most ludicrous shouts coming from the working-class people and their sycophantic friends in the media, who support both Liverpool and Manchester United.

Day trippers spend hundreds and even thousands of pounds, to get the chance to watch a game at Anfield and Old Trafford, but the working-class people who support Man City sometimes get stick because football is now a very expensive hobby, and City don't yet have enough day-trippers to help fill their stadium every other week.

I was asking a genuine question, Brian, but because of the absolute greed attached to football nowadays, I was also probably being a bit cynical in asking such a question because it genuinely wouldn't surprise me if standing became more expensive because of the limited number of tickets.

Will Mabon
63 Posted 06/06/2023 at 13:39:17
Hmm - so history and tradition don't matter? Annoying, even?

If we were to be purchased by the Middle East, they brought huge money, and were able to rename us as Petroleum Global FC, with a new sand yellow with petrol blue strip... and the new stadium had an Arabic name in Arabic typography.

A new start, with the slate wiped clean and no right or claim to the earlier honours, as part of the club name change. Then we obtained the world's best players, then we mopped up the trophies. How'd that be?

An exaggeration – but all we'd really like of the above are the money and the trophies... because the rest is Everton. This is why the move to the new stadium is a tug on the heartstrings, accepting the benefits.

I don't understand the dismissal of our history. That history is the record of all that went before, the players and fans with the exact same hopes as today. Bill Kenwright has overplayed the past in lieu of the present… but screw that – it will be over soon and the history can sit properly.

One could always simply watch Man City. If they finish 2nd, follow the winner the next season.

The history and the club are why we look to the future. Success and history.

Mick O'Malley
64 Posted 06/06/2023 at 13:50:21
I completely agree with James, we are no more special than any other club. Fans of other clubs are as passionate about their team as we are about the Blues, we do not stand above other support as the best.

Think about what the likes of Bury, Luton, Wigan have gone through, Brighton also. Their fans have gone through thick and thin, relegation, points deductions, administration and yet they follow their clubs up and down the land, just like our fans do.

Also regarding winning something and getting relegated, ask Wigan fans if they would have sooner stayed up instead of winning the cup? It's winning the cup every single time and I'm of the same mindset.

Watching Everton lift that FA Cup in 1984 is my favourite moment as an Everton fan especially after losing the replay in the Milk Cup Final against Liverpool.

Give me a cup any day ahead of Premier League football.

James Marshall
65 Posted 06/06/2023 at 13:56:26
Danny,

I love your optimism and will never question your love & commitment to all things Everton. Respect for that and your article. It's all opinions of course, so there's no right or wrong in my view – just differing views.

I think we're all on the same page when it comes to the current state of the club, and what we need to move forward. I'm just sick of supporting plucky old Everton relying on history to keep us relevant.

As I said on another thread the other day, quoting Jose Mourinho to a reporter last week ahead of the Europa League Final,when asked about Roma's history, he replied, "History isn't playing".

Will Mabon
66 Posted 06/06/2023 at 14:11:17
James,

It's really only been the later Bill era that the history has been over-egged. He'll be gone soon, and his "We've had some good times" will go with him. There is perhaps one certain song I'll give you...

As I also said on that other thread, ask Mourinho about his past honours, see what he says. He's also said, all his past teams have a special place in his heart. That's history for ya!

Pete Clarke
67 Posted 06/06/2023 at 14:14:40
I was working in Brazil back in 1996 and my ex-missus was working for a sports journal. I used to get a copy of it every morning as a way to learn the language, keep up with the sport, and also help keep the local robbers at bay by giving the impression I was local with this newspaper hanging out of my pocket.

Anyway, there was a centre-page article on the Top 50 football clubs in the world. It was based on the level of the league, importance of trophies won, history and worldwide support.

Remember that we had only just won the FA Cup the season before and we had not yet fallen into the tight grip of the Grim Reaper named Bill Kenwright. rAlso remember that Chelsea and Man City were nowhee near our level in the game and in fact Man Utd were only just overtaking our haul of 9 league titles under the stewardship of Alex Ferguson (now there's the manager that we missed out on).

We were number 15 on that list behind the likes of Benfica, Bayern, Ajax, Juventus, the Milan clubs, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Man Utd, Barcelona, Liverpool and Madrid.

Strangely enough, even though we have been torn apart by Kenwright and Moshiri and have been trophyless for 27 years, we have still not fallen down that table too far.

We were viewed by many of the old school supporters as a giant of the sport. Today, we are still respected by those over 50 years of age but not by many of a lesser age although that's aimed at the club and not the support.

Sadly today and due to our Chairman we are viewed as cannon fodder by the big clubs and some mid-table clubs when it comes to game day.

There is change in the air though so with the input of some bright people on the new board, a climb up the table next season, the huge move into the new stadium and hopefully some new songs we can gradually climb back to the top and bring some trophies home.

Talking of songs, there should be a competition with big prizes for whoever comes up with the best songs for the future.

Any news coming out of the club yet?

Tony Abrahams
68 Posted 06/06/2023 at 14:50:26
Only news I've read on Everton today, Pete, is what Conor Coady said about having now been on the inside that it's very clear to see that the club has lost its way.

Almost everyone can see it now, so it's refreshing to hear people who have been involved speaking so honestly about Everton and how they need a complete reset.

Eddie Dunn
69 Posted 06/06/2023 at 15:02:32
Danny,

On your travels up from London and back, you come across a wide variety of fans. Although I rarely get to a live match these days (due to geography, costs and time constraints), I have been all over the country following EFC and I've also been to lots of Pompey games as well as Forest & County when I was a student in Nottingham.

Now I don't doubt that you have had some pleasant exchanges with the vast majority of fans, but much like today's keyboard warriors, to be insulting or bad-mannered to someone's face is still beyond all but the idiotic.

However, I have always been polite, even to my Kopite relatives, and Mancs that I have played sports with. You tend to look for common ground when you talk footy with strangers. It doesn't mean that you like their clubs one little bit – it's merely good manners.

I worked overseas some years back and had to liaise with Arabs (from Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan. These guys would always agree to anything you asked. "Yes Eddie, you will have your crane tomorrow, no problem." The cranes never turned-up and the next day you would call them to hear a hearfelt apology and a promise that it would be delivered the next day etc.

Culturally, they thought it rude to say "No". They told us what they thought we would like to hear. Of course, once you got used to it, you factored in such delays.

Us Brits also try to be nice. I am nice to my QPR mate, ask him how they are getting on… Who knows what people really think?

The Premier League should do a fan survey to see which clubs are considered "most entitled", "biggest moaners", "most toxic", and which clubs are generally liked by rival fans.

The recent YouTube video by a pair of Bournemouth fans (Back of the Net) was most interesting, as they do a summary of their matchday experience. These two found our fans to be really nice despite some cretins spitting on them from the Upper Bullens. https://youtu.be/e8hjoD8GhTM

A good insight though.

Danny O’Neill
70 Posted 06/06/2023 at 15:39:53
Tony, very honest words from Coady. Nothing that any of us wouldn't say. I just listened to it after being sent a link from my brother early today.

James, you are fine mate. I think we are all saying the same thing, just framing it in different ways.

And we all have different ways of expressing our desire in our club. But we all have desire and belief.

As I keep saying, the difference between the ageing fool that is me and the young realism of my son and youngest brother.

But we all want the same.

When does pre-season start?

Robert Williams
71 Posted 06/06/2023 at 16:19:55
J McF 17.

Methinks you are not such a fool as you make out, John. The fact that you and I are old does not make us fools, eh? You are four Everton supporting years ahead of me.

Robert Williams
72 Posted 06/06/2023 at 16:32:59
Danny @42 says:

"Never ever underestimate the size of this club. As Rob says, wait until we next win something. The footballing world will experience something they haven't seen. Forget the falseness across the park. It will be massive."

Danny, kids my age and older in North-west Wales followed Everton – that is until the Rising of the Shite – and then the youngsters all went like lemmings towards Shankly and his lot.

When, not if, Everton find their mojo again, the next generation will be back in droves. With the right people at the helm, nothing is unachievable – we will have the new stadium, we will hopefully have the team to compete, but more importantly, we have always had the fans, and those fans are bursting for success. It will come. I hope to see it!

David Currie
73 Posted 06/06/2023 at 17:21:20
James @46,

How the heck did you allow your own son to support ManUtd??? Shocking!

My son is 20, born a Blue and will die a Blue, if he goes on to have children, they will all be Blues as well.

James Newcombe
74 Posted 06/06/2023 at 17:42:51
James is right, by Christ we need some new songs. Spirit of the Blues is absolutely terrible – especially the 'whoooo' part!
Chris Leyland
75 Posted 06/06/2023 at 18:00:43
James Newcombe, the fact that Spirit of the Blues is so bad is what makes it so good.
James Newcombe
76 Posted 06/06/2023 at 18:48:22
Maybe, Chris! It is a football song after all!
Raymond Fox
77 Posted 06/06/2023 at 19:05:07
I think a lot of you like 'whistling in the wind'.

Of course everyone likes to win but the way things are at this time the League is way way out of reach and will be for the foreseeable future, a Cup of some sort I suppose is much more likely with a large dose of good fortune.

What the hell, I still enjoy most of the games, yes I would enjoy them more if we were more competitive but it is what it is.

John McFarlane Snr
78 Posted 06/06/2023 at 19:08:33
Hi all,

Regarding the history of Everton FC, I don't wallow in the past, but I do feel proud of its achievements down the years. When I were a lad, any youngster living in Barnsley and interested in football would have been a Barnsley supporter, and his hero would have been centre-forward Tommy Taylor.

Since the coming of the Premier League and the money that was introduced by the Television companies, I wouldn't be surprised to see youngsters parading around Barnsley wearing the tops of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool etc. There is no doubt in my mind that the combination of the Premier League and Television money has changed the game completely.

When Everton won the league in 1963, the attendance for the game that sealed their success was 60,578. Earlier in the season, they had home attendances of 72,488 against Liverpool; 69,500 against Manchester United; 67,650 against Tottenham Hotspur; 62,616 against Wolverhampton Wanderers. I would be stating the obvious by saying that Goodison Park would match some of those figures today if the ground was big enough.

The point I'm trying to put over is that, in the days I have referred to, it was mainly local supporters who supported their teams, for example Bury, Rochdale, etc. We attended games not because our clubs won trophies, but in the hope that they would do so. You may not be surprised to learn that over the years, I have earned the nickname of 'Johnny McFossil' but that's life.

Joe Hurst
79 Posted 06/06/2023 at 19:13:59
Robert (27),

As someone born as a Blue, it's something that's always been clear to me: being one of the ‘Blue' chosen.

I moved to North Wales at 27, but I'm nearly twice that now! I was lucky enough to go to our FA Cup win in ‘84 – it was a treasured memory to someone who was 9 when he saw Andy Gray's work then at Wembley.

Moving to Mancot, Chester, and for 6 months Rhyl – and now being married to someone who was already a Blue before we even met (she saw Everton hammer Southampton at The Dell) – it's been quite a tale.

She knows like I do that following our club can be quite an ‘emotional rollercoaster' at times. As a young boy, I would stay at grandparents for the weekend, just a few hundred yards downhill from Rupert's Tower!

Bill Gall
80 Posted 06/06/2023 at 19:46:08
Hi John Snr,

You may remember better than me as I seem to remember a game against Burnley, I believe it was around the Xmas period, we played them on their ground first and we were crushed trying to get in never mind when we got in.

At Goodison Park a few days later we just had the normal procedure getting in and I was surprised that the gate was listed as over 70,000 as it didn't seem overcrowded. Some time I can't remember what I had for breakfast but I think it was the early 60s.

Danny O’Neill
81 Posted 06/06/2023 at 20:06:30
Robert @72. That's it. That is what makes us special. The supporters.

James@74 and Chris@75, Spirit Of The Blues was originally a tacky 80s cup final song. But it has become iconic. You only have to be there to hear it belting out every week. It's great to watch.

Opposition supporters love it and believe me, I've sat amongst enough of them home and away. They almost join in.

Like Forever Everton, it's unique. It's Everton. No copying the Kopites and changing the words. No copying the Palace ultras.

Everton.

Just don't sing Everybody's Cheering the Blues. As catchy as it is, I never liked that.

Here We Go. That's ours. No one else's.

Goodison Gang. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it. Again. Unique and Everton.

We Shall Not Be Moved. That was ours and was sung loud and proud in our last European escapades. Maybe introduce a team that is marching on to Bramley-Moore Dock into it.

I'll leave that one to the older generation as to if we have copyrights on that one.

Rob Halligan
82 Posted 06/06/2023 at 20:08:04
David # 73

I guess it's so easy to be a glory hunter, which is what an awful lot of Man Utd and Liverpool fans are. Jeez, I've got a mate who is well older than me, was a Wolves fan for many years, until Man Utd started winning trophies on a regular basis around the start of the Premier League, then whooooooosh, he became a Man Utd fan, and claims to be one of the best, despite hardly ever going to Old Trafford.

Another mate, a close mate at the time, back in 1977, was a Blue……….Liverpool won the European Cup and that was it, he became an avid RS fan. It's so fucking easy to follow the trophies around!!

Tom Bowers
83 Posted 06/06/2023 at 20:10:56
Bill Gall and John Snr. I remember those games very well.

I was at Turf Moor when we trounced them and they had a really good team then with Jimmy Adamson and Ray Pointer.

I also got crushed in the return game when the gate was 75,000 or more and we lost 3-0. Amazing how we survived back then with the terraces the way they were.

No point trying to get to the toilet if you had downed a few ales.

Chris Leyland
84 Posted 06/06/2023 at 20:11:16
Danny,

I love Spirt Of The Blues and I've still got the original 7-inch record along with the Here We Go picture disc too.

My favourite Everton track is Home and Dry the B-side to Here We Go.

“The tide is turning, it's close at hand as we sail onwards to the promised land…"

Home and dry, you and I. As long as we're together then we always home and dry”

Brings a tear to me eye. Looking forward to the Gwladys Street belting it out on the last game before we move to the new ground.

Brent Stephens
85 Posted 06/06/2023 at 20:33:41
I'm forever blowing bubbles , anybody?!

I thought not. Couldn't be worse if they sang On the Good Ship Lollipop!

Robert Tressell
86 Posted 06/06/2023 at 20:49:56
As time goes on without any success, it will become harder and harder to maintain the same level of fanatical support.

Although the history matters deeply to many ToffeeWebers, it will matter very little to kids nowadays. They want Real Madrid, Barca, etc – clubs who are synonymous with winning. At some point, it will erode our fan base.

Dave Abrahams
87 Posted 06/06/2023 at 20:51:38
Bill (80), Bill it was in the very early 1960's when Everton played those two games versus Burnley, the first game was on Boxing Day when we won 3-1, it was on the next day when we lost 3-0 at Goodison Park, I don't know what part of the ground you were in at Goodison but it was absolutely chocca standing, or trying to stand, in the Lower Gwladys St. end with the attendance close to 75,000.
John McFarlane Snr
88 Posted 06/06/2023 at 20:51:48
Hi Bill [80] the games you refer to were played at Burnley on Boxing Day 1960 at Turf Moor,on that occasion I took my young lady to her first away game, and also to the Goodison game.

Everton, won the first game 3-1 and although I recall the scoreline in both games, I have had to check my book to establish the goal-scorers, [Billy Bingham, Bobby Collins [pen] and Brian Harris].

I took her into the paddock for the home game, a 3-0 win for the visitors, and it was only after the game that I learned that Jimmy McIlroy had been taken off following an injury.

The Goodison game was watched by 74,867, and since that time she was a season ticket holder for some years, and attended the semi-final against Norwhich City at Villa Park, and a Final against Liverpool at Wembley plus a Charity Shield game.

Stephen Vincent
89 Posted 06/06/2023 at 20:59:45
Bill, John Snr and Tom, the Burnley game on 26th December 1960 was my first away game we won 4-0 at Burnley the return game the next day at Goodison we lost 3-0 in front of 75,000.

The tickets for those games were my Christmas present that year. I was in the old Goodison Road terrace with my Dad who had taken a milk crate for me to stand on.

John McFarlane Snr
90 Posted 06/06/2023 at 21:21:48
Hi Stephen [89],

I don't wish to come across as pedantic, and I am aware that times and events can be easily ''misted'' but you weren't far from the actual score or attendance figure. After all we're discussing something that occurred over 62 years ago, and time can play tricks with the mind.

Robert Williams
91 Posted 06/06/2023 at 21:50:30
John Snr @ 88,

That match was my first Everton attendance – I will never forget the fathers passing the kids over the heads of those in front so that they could sit around the touchline and not be crushed in the massive crowd.

That is what sold Everton to me. I was there. It may well have been 62 years ago, John, but it is still vivid in my memory. COYBs

David Currie
92 Posted 06/06/2023 at 22:05:15
Rob 82, I don't understand fans that can change teams, my Dad first took me to Goodison when I was age 6, I first took my son to Goodison when he was age 8.
Once you experience Goodison you are Hooked and that is it or should be for life!
Stephen Vincent
93 Posted 06/06/2023 at 22:09:08
Credit whereas due John, I was only 133 out on the attendance!
Si Cooper
94 Posted 06/06/2023 at 23:14:41
“If Everton and Everton fans can learn to drop all the 'istory stuff, and all the 'we are chosen' fantasies (maybe learn a few new songs too), this club might have a better chance of becoming a modern day, modern thinking football club that actually achieve something.”

Sorry but it's pure bullshit if anyone thinks a change in our affectations will affect the way the club is run.

I'm also not going to take much notice of what the vast majority of 21-year-olds consider worthwhile.

I agree we aren't universally respected but that doesn't mean we can't talk ourselves up a bit. Everybody else does!

I've generally gotten very positive responses when people I've met over the years have become aware I am an Evertonian but it is harder to explain to the youngsters who don't know about much pre-millennium.

Years ago, I met a Man City fan who was very anti-Everton, apparently because of some trouble he'd had as an away fan years before.

Just recently, two blokes at my current place of work on the fringes of London said on separate occasions that they'd be happy if we got relegated. Neither knew my allegiance at the time they spoke so I made it known and asked what their particular beef with us was. Neither had any real reason and one said it was because we'd been in the top division for so long. That's just petty jealousy in my book.

At the end of the day, Evertonians celebrating what pulls them together is entirely harmless and nothing to do with the mismanagement of the club. We should now be utilising that spirit of ‘brotherhood' to gee up the expectancy and make the board face up to their failings.

Bill Gall
95 Posted 07/06/2023 at 03:51:54
Dave 87,

I always stood on the second level in the Gwladys Street end, under the stand, looking at the goal we were to the left side of it.

James Marshall
96 Posted 07/06/2023 at 11:09:07
David @73

Well he chose Man Utd when he was about 7 or 8, and I couldn't bring myself to force Evertonianism on him.

Let's be honest, at least he gets to see a winning team and since we don't live in Liverpool or Manchester, it's all down to peer pressure and kids are glory hunters.

To be fair, when I started following Everton, we were one of the best teams in Europe so it's not that different really.

If my family lines were to be followed, I'd be a Leyton Orient fan anyway, so me and my son both got off lightly!

Peter Mills
97 Posted 08/06/2023 at 08:51:46
Danny#81, I don't think we can claim “Here we go” as our own, it was an anthem for Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen as they won the Cup Winners Cup in 1983.

We have a much better claim to “We shall not be moved” which was originally a B-side for The Seekers in 1965, it was soon picked up on our 1966 FA Cup run.

I've always been disappointed that “We'll be running ‘round Wembley with the Cup” to the tune of “She'll be coming ‘round the mountain” has never re-surfaced. Hearing that bouncing around Burnden Park in the latter stages of the ‘66 semi-final is one of my abiding boyhood memories.

Danny O’Neill
98 Posted 08/06/2023 at 09:15:53
I'm always willing to be educated, Peter!!

I still half cringe and half smile at that appearance on the Terry Wogan show footage on Howard's Way.

Those tracksuits.

Most of the players looking awkward. But Paul Bracewell getting down with his good self and in the groove!

Dave Abrahams
99 Posted 08/06/2023 at 09:46:06
Bill (95) Yes I always stood on “ The Ledge” in Gwladys St. but not that day, as I said it was chocca block down in the front.
Paul [The Esk]
100 Posted 13/06/2023 at 10:21:26
Superb, Danny, thank you.
Peter Hodgson
101 Posted 15/06/2023 at 16:19:42
Stephen Vincent @ 89

I'm glad that you (& the other posters obviously) have reminded me about that match at Goodison. I didn't go to the Turf Moor match (unable to get a ticket) and my transport to away games (I was only 16) couldn't either) but even though we lost what an experience it was it was. Being at a jammed Goodison, was an experience in itself. I've looked for it on the internet more recently to try and establish when it was and how many of us were there.

I was told at the time it was in excess of 75,000 and it didn't seem too packed to me but I was young and sturdy then. Couldn't mange it now! Thanks to all those of you who have reminded me and solved the mystery I had.

Just one more thing - when the hell is Kenwright going?


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