A Blue Lament

Nice article Christine. As a fellow exile I can relate.

Lovely read, Christine.

I always have the upmost respect for the global supporters that follow from afar regardless of time of day.

I'll be doing that walk tomorrow. Undecided yet whether to just walk from Lime Street, through town or get to Moorfields.

Hopefully all of the blues in exile and those adopted get to view the occasion(s). I probably won't hang around for the legends match, but it should be a good day out. The last one was.

A beautifully composed article, Christine, written from the heart; it will resonate with many including those in much closer proximity to our new home.

I find it very saddening that your pure emotions are so mismatched with the ruthless world of the professional game where ambition and money have absolute rule.

Stark contrasts in a 'sport' (?) played by athletes with so little in common with those on the other side of the pitch edge.
Please retain your ethos and remind us all of the real values.

It's interesting that people who move a long distance away from ‘home' often identify as strongly with the area they have departed as those that remain. Sometimes more so. The Irish of Boston and New York are a good example, and it's something that seems to be passed on through generations.

Nice to see that footballing attachments are as strong, especially when it comes to the mighty Blues.

I haven't got a ticket for the Roma game but can't wait for Brighton at home on 24 August. The first proper opportunity to stamp our authority on the pitch and for us fans to do the same from the terraces.

UTMFT!!!!!!

Scott, the old adage, "Home is where the heart is" is very true, I guess in life we all have those emotional links that shape who you are. Tribal almost, the sense of belonging is sharpened to a point that cuts through distance.
Last week I went shopping in our local supermarket, Pak n save, it's a throw back to Kwik Save, but it's cheaper here in a small rural town called Hawera. I stood looking at some veg, silently outraged at the price, when a voice in broad scouse behind me read my thoughts and confirmed his disgust too.. I turn round in surprise at the comment made in the way I had heard so many times back home. I laughed in agreement and replied I didn't want it really because of the colour. The effect was instantaneous, he beamed, he understood, a blue! Without a word he reached into his pocket and pulled out his set of car keys with its oversized fob of the Everton club crest in its blue splendor. Unspoken I pulled out my set with an almost identical replica. Two blues in the middle of nowhere. We chatted and laughed in the way that scousers do, our accents dropped back into a more familiar comfort zone. We immediately chatted about the stadium, the game and how we missed not being there. He told me his life story in 30 seconds, his mixed marriage with a Man U supporter, how he moved to NZ 17 years ago, how pleased he was to know he wasn't the only one. How he would be watching against Roma at 2am on Sunday morning, (just look for the house with the lights on)
We never even exchanged names, didn't have to, just thrilled that we weren't alone, in a sleepy backwater two far flung blues met and made each other's day.
Not alone. No matter where you are, a blue will find you. 💙
My 5'4' frame feels like it's 6'4' with pride at being blue today. For every blue, in every country, town or village on this blue planet, I stand next to you. My memories ablaze as I walk down Boundary street once more.
Proud of every bloody one of you. Sound turned up, the ale in, never alone. Welcome home.

Christine, on the few occasions my Dad had to miss the match, he would always ask me to “Give them a cheer for me”.

I promise to do that for you tomorrow.

Nice Peter, and because I've lived so far away in New Zealand, myself Christine, I think I know what you are feeling.

Remembering the Duncan Ferguson derby, I was on the ale by myself in a working men's club, by 10.30 in the morning, and although I won't be there today, I will probably think of the people who can't be there, more than the people who will be.

The heart definitely grows stronger, Scott, and while those Irish people gave a lot to America, some of the sickening WhatsApp videos doing the rounds highlight the severity of the current illegal immigration situation in our city right now.

Back to Bramley-Moore Dock, and remembering what a lovely lady told me after the last test event, “Our dreams have just become reality” so let's just hope we can eventually get a team, that can match such poignant words💙 singing…We Shall Not Be Moved!

Wonderful article Christine.

You can add Singapore to that list.

We are among the 5.5 million British who live overseas. All of us immigrants.

💙

Wonderful article, Christine. Summed up what it must feel like to the Blue Diaspora. I'm in tears … and I'm going.

Didn't realise the Bard was a Blue but maybe this next bit was written about the move to Bramley-Moore Dock:

“Oh, wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, that has such people in ‘t!”

Christine, I always feel the passion and emotion you have for the Blues in every post you make, put me on your list of those who won't be there.

I'm in outer Norris Green but feel like I emigrated from town in the early seventies and my heart still lives there even though I was closer to my real home at Goodison Park!

All together now: “Come on you lovely Blues”

Danny (2),

If you have your usual drink in Wetherspoons on Lime Street, you can catch a bus in Commutation Row, at the bottom of London Road, that will take you close to Bramley-Moore Dock.

Thanks, Dave.

Yes, I'll head there.

Lovely piece, Christine, and obviously from the heart too. All of us who 'know you through TW' including myself of course, will give that extra cheer on your behalf.

Really looking forward to today, though it is not my first experience of the new Stadium. Hoping we see a good run out, and a look at our new additions too, pity there wasn't more of them. While the result is less important, it would be a good confidence builder for next week in earnest!

Lovely thoughts, Christine, I really enjoy your posts.

Just diverting away from your topic, myself, my wife and my sister-in-law caught the ferry over to Seacombe yesterday and walked along to New Brighton. I noticed the Stadium now has the sponsor's name in large letters all along the side of the West Stand facing the river.

I know I'm getting on in years and probably considered old-fashioned and understand having a sponsor brings in millions to the club but personally I think (not sure why) this sponsor's name seems to take something away from the effect of seeing such a marvelous stadium on such a majestic setting.

I'd have preferred them to have it up on the East Stand and something different on the West Stand, maybe something like "Home to The Mighty Blues of Everton".

Maybe I'm being picky. Personally I'll be referring to it as Bramley-Moore Dock.

It would be great if you could come over sometime, Christine, and meet up with some on ToffeeWeb sometimes.

Dave, 21#.. ah I was born in Norris Green, 20 Beversbrook Road before Nan got a flat off Scottie in Virgil Street. My playground was the rubble making way for the new tunnel. I had more schools than hot dinners before I was 11.

Thanks to all of you for the kind thoughts, so many blues will be watching from afar. I really don't know what to expect today, not even sure exactly who will play and where... early days.

Have a great day everyone, will be raising a glass to you all. Come on the blues!

Christine (16), Virgil Street, on Greatie, what a street Greatie was, alive night and day with shops, pubs and street traders with their handcarts on loads of street corners, All Souls might have been one of your school not far from Virgil St. It is featured in a film “ Waterfront” with Richard Burton, Robert Beattie and Kathleen Harrison, worth a watch on U tube.

Don't know where Beversbrook Road is in Norris Green but as my wife always says to me “ You don't know anywhere in Norris Green except Scarisbrick Road which took you to the bus stop in Broadway and got the bus to town and took the reverse journey home again” I loved the journey into town twice as much as the journey home— nothing to do with wife, honest.

I hope you enjoy the game Christine—best wishes and good health girl.

"It's a cold walk on a winter's day".

Back in the late '60s I was playing cricket in Aigburth, Riversdale Road on the river, it was the first game of the season which had been brought forward to, I think, early April owing to an FA Cup Final and one of the Umpires was taken from the ground as he was suffering from almost hypothermia due to the wind off the river.

This from a cold Western Australia winter this year when Optus Sport have given the Premier League football over to Stan for supposedly the same price but each time I try to access it I'm told to register and the price is double. Probably just a technical hitch but you can never get anyone just to speak to.

Fabulous Christine. God bless you.

Dave #17
I lived in Scarisbrick Road Norris Green from 1940 to1970 and moved to Cherryfield Crescent in Kirkby until 1976 then emigrated to Canada.and after moving between province's am still here. Usually get back home around every 4-5 years with the last time being in April 2024, and if my health holds up hope to get back for a game in the New Stadium this season.

Christine,
Nobody can ever doubt your blue soul, your scouseness nor your literacy.

I’ve lived in Florida for the past 20 years and share your sentiment.Up at all times and anytime just to watch the lads.

Born in Rolo street (just off Scottie)
Brought up in Gerard crescent and Canterbury street and supported the blues since 1959 just like my dad and grandad. I really hope to see some restored glory before I pass if only for the young Evertonizns among us.

Christine, I’ve been living in self-imposed exile for over 40 years now but the love/hate relationship with Everton has never really diminished.

Wherever I’ve lived be it in Europe, USA, Mexico, South America etc… I’ve been asked why I support a (relatively unknown team) and I say to them; When I was five the big fella upstairs whispered in my ear, “Everton” and I’ve never looked back since.

Once, like Bally said, Everton touches you that’s it. No turning back.

Yes Christine being a Exile does throw up nostalgia for home.You become more identified with the culture you left than those that live in it.That was how it was for me also.It's a identity to be proud of, but also be very proud of the identity you have carved out for yourself where you are now.I sure it has not been plain sailing. Evertonians are a passionate lot, as you are and I am grateful for the small amount of blue that has rubbed off on me.

I find in my own children, two of who have followed the same path, that I have worked hard at encouraging them to integrate nto the Culture they now live in.Love your Country and what you do.It may appear easier now, but it is just as difficult in reality.The reality back home is not much different. I suppose it has been the same for all emigrants since time began.

I live by my father's last words to me :"If you got the chance to live your life over again knowing the mistakes you made, you would make a bigger mess of it the second time round."

I don't believe in success or failure because I have to face up to the next morning. It will be up to others to judge when I am gone.to the place that no traveller returns from.

I suppose the people I admire most are ones that live iife as best they can and Evertonians have certainly had to do that whilst even supporting their team.