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Was hounded by my little 9-year-old lad yesterday, because he wanted to go and see if he could get some of the players' autographs. So, after agreeing (thinking it would be a waste of time), we go round and wait with the other kids.
First out was Osman, who goes along the line, signing for some kids here and there... Castillo, who also took time out to sign for a few of the kids; Fellaini, who was being asked by some if they could touch his hair, and he was only too happy to let them.
Van der Meyde, who we all know is a waste of space, when asked by the kids, tried to make a joke of it, by hiding behind the security guard, but then continued to fuck off and ignore everyone.
A big suprise, was the sight of Anichebe skulking off to his sports car, trying to avoid the crowd. I know he might have had his reasons, but he needs to take a look in the mirror, because he is not as good as he may think he is.
I thought Baines was pulling a fast one when he shouts that he is just going to put his washbag in the car, but he then comes back. A group of the players then come out, Jags, Nash, Lescott, and a few of the younger lads, who all take the time out to do their bit. Lescott, who I thought had the reputation of being a bit of a jack the lad, went on to sign virtually every kid's book, and was more than happy to have his picture taken with the crowd.
Then, it was my little lads hero, and probalby every other kid's (and adult's), Cahill, who is a gentlerman and a half. He signed every single kids book, and even got back out of the car to sign another lad's, who was rushing over. He stopped and talked to the kids, photo's galore.
We got our little lad one of the dream hero books, that Cahill is part off, so he gives the book to Cahill to sign; obviously knowing the book, he looks through it for the name (of our little lad) and then turns to him and says to Ben (our lad) "Hi Ben, mate" and then continues to rub the top of his head, before shaking hands with him. The look on Ben's face, well, I couldn't describe it, it actually made me feel proud, that one of our players had put that smile on his face.
The funny thing was that Cahill genuinely looked like he was enjoying himself. These players didn't act like spoilt superstars (apart from one), didn't make you feel as though you were beneath them, it just felt like they were one of the lads.
In an era, when players seem not to give a fuck about the fans, all they are intrested in, is what new car they will be getting, or what bit of stuff is on their arm, it was refreshing to see players giving something back. My lad has still got that smile on his face this morning.
Brian Waring,
Wokingham Posted 29/12/2008 at 09:58:15
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Brian,
I wrote an article for the Everton USA website regarding the pre-season match against Denver. one memory stuck with me, and that was when Tim Cahill entered the field. He saw the fans wearing the blue shirts, set a a huge grin on his face, turned round and jumped over the barrier to come and sign the autographs and chat. Never, even when I was a kid hunting autographs those many years ago, have I seen such a pleasant, genuine and warm reaction from a famous player. He is one in a million, and I can see where our dressing room gets its attitude from.....Tim, you’re one in a million, thanks for being who you are.
When my daughter was younger, she always wanted to see the players after a game. Cahill stood out as a decent bloke as he always took time out to sign things or have a photo taken. Big Dunc was always obliging and I thought Steve Watson and Alessandro Pistone were great at doing this type of thing. There is always one bad apple and it goes to Gary Naysmith. He just used to pick one of his kids up and walk right past everyone. He may have took time out when I wasn?t there but when I was, he was the one to disappoint.
Yep, I can believe it, I met Tim Cahill and AJ last year at the end of a long day at Bellefield (for them) and they still came over, said hello and shook everyone of our party?s hands (about 40 people). Considering these were both young guys, I was highly impressed with their maturity and sense of responsibility that comes with their ?job?.
Nice story, Brian. Good to see that not all of today's Premier League players are mercenaries after money and the ?next big move?. Brings back memories of myself hangin around waiting to catch glimpses of me heroes ? Trevor Steven, Graeme Sharp, Southall etc. Can?t wait for the day when I take my lad(if I ever have one) to Goodison, I?m sure it?ll bring a tear to my eye and a lump to my throat too.
Brian, I played in the same school football team as Victor and he was as arrogant then as he is now....
I wouldn't be too bothered if I were you, mate.... Your kid can have my autograph if he wants. Haha!
I?ve seen and met em all over the years and got 99% of their autographs, but Big Dunc and Rhino always stood out as King among men... I?m afraid somebody has told Victor that he is a somebody.... money don't buy you class Vic, remember that!
Oooh this story makes you feel warm inside like a bowl of Christmas pud would...
I agree Brian about Anichebe not being that good. When I heard he was fit, I was still hoping Cahill would get the nod. Nothing to do with him being a typical arrogant knob, but because I don't rate him as a Premier League player... I think he's lazy, has a first touch like an elephant, and doesn't read the game too well. Cadamateri was exactly the same: too big for his boots and soon moved on.
Brian ? something you need to consider before slating some players and praising others. I was autograph hunting before the game, as the players arrived. Van der Meyde was only too happy to sign autographs, as was Fellaini, Lescott, and Rodwell. Others such as Anichebe, Pienaar and Cahill signed one or two before darting off to get ready for the match ? why? Because they were the last ones to arrive and were running late, and as a result you cannot say a bad word about them because of it.
All I'm trying to say is that after the game some of the lads may have had commitments (it's Christmas remember) and were in a rush to be somewhere. Before the game, Cahill hardly signed one autograph, yet I won't judge him by that cos 1) he was running late, and 2) I met him last year and seemed a top bloke.
Don't judge players by one experience, Van der Meyde couldn't do enough for the fans before the game, but perhaps he had arranged to go out for a few beers afterwards!
Love these posts, thanks for sharing that with us Brian
Cahill really does seem to care about Everton, he always states what an honour it is to play for the club and he always gives 100% even if he’s having a bad game.
Ben, I mention that big Vic may have had his reasons for not signing any. Good on Van the man, for doing it before the game. I was just going on the experience I had with him. He just looked sly, the way he was trying to avoid the fans.
All this confirms what I have always believed... Cahill is a legend!!!!
Cahill for captian
Role model
I took my 8,year son after the P.S.V.friendley in the pissing down rain and Tim was fantistic then even coming from behind the barrier for photo,s he love,s the club and the fan,s.He,s been a credit to the club. Alway,s remembing not celabrating he,s goal against Millwall ,not like a certin Mr Rooney it,s called respect.
I wrote a piece on this website a while ago stating that Cahill should be made captain. He is an example to everyone on and off the pitch.
Our players are a credit to the club, and as stated above when players get stick it is refreshing to see them arrive at the ground on matchday, they are happy to sign autographs and pose for photos. Joseph Yobo even tried to help us fix a malfunctioning camera. I guess many teams players do the same, but I KNOW our heroes do.
Can I also point out that on at least 3 times we have been to Manchester Airport to see the team arrive from pre-season training in USA and each time we and the few others there have been treated with great courtesy by the squad, a highlight for me was Duncan leaning down with his arms around my lads posing for a photo, same time Gazza was brilliant and as more recently have been James Beattie and AJ, and none of this decries any I have not mentioned, we can be proud of them all.
Still this sort of stuff does not sell newspapers.
James Beattie deserves a mention here, lads. He was amazing signing autographs and interacting with fans.
I was over twice from Ireland and on both occasions he was a gentleman. He'd sign the autographs and go back round again!! Once when he was suspended, he got to Goodison first before the other players and he just stood there on his own chatting to a 12-year-old kid!!! At the Arsenal game as well, he was sub and the crowd kept on asking him for a wave, which he duly did, smiles and all as he was warming up.
Gentleman and a half.
Stuart Fairbrother
Posted 29/12/2008 at 21:03:45
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Cahill....... a true blue legend!!
What a great story. Its full credit to all of the lads and it sure makes you proud to be blue. When I was a lad back in the early seventees, my dad took me round to the players entrance, and I can still remember Mick Lyons (my hero at that time) signing an autograph for me and making a fuss. I was gobsmacked . Despite not winning anything while at the club Mick Lyons was truely an unsung Everton hero.
Similarly in the 90?s our then manager Joe Royle who had also signed an autograph for me, while in hospital in the early seventees, arranged before a match for my sons first kit to be signed by Duncan Ferguson and Daniel Amokachi (this is now framed and takes pride of place on his wall). It is these little things that make you proud to be blue and can only reinforce your support for the club at such an early age. A bit of humility costs nothing so well done to all of those involved.
Ian
I think I was the aircraft?s captain on one of those flights out of Manchester, I had only just got my command and I thought it was a wind-up when they told me the Everton squad was going to be on board. Managed to find an excuse to go down the back to chat to Gazza ?cos the air-con was dripping on him. Thick Geordie accent hard to understand, I explained the dripping air-con to him & he said he was now more bothered who was flying the plane, lovely lad. Great to shake hands with Kev Campbell & Dunc at the end. One down side though..... the seats were covered in chewing gum!
McFadden and Kevin Kilbane were also great with people before games, as was Marcus Bent.
Anichebe?s probably preoccupied with the knowledge that this is likely to be the last season in which he will be a Premier League player.
Brings back memories of me and a mate spending all our spare time outside Bellfield getting the autographs of Howard Kendall, Gordon West, Alan Ball, Colin Harvey etc.
All great gentelemen to the fans and legends to the club.
Guess I’m showing my age.
Was recently teaching in Shrewsbury where all the kids are either Man U or Kopites. Got the kids to practise their Spanish writing to Arteta and Castillo, and their French with letters to Louis and Fellaini. Thanks to Bill Ellaby, kids were sent replies. Still waiting for the dark side to reply!
Some converts as a result. Well done, EFC!
Great stuff. It was my birthday at the end of November and my girlfriend secretly sent a blank birthday card to the club. It came back filled with signatures ? great surprise! Especially in the age of the likes of Stevie GBH...
Great thread this. In 1996 I won the Everton Supporters Club of South Africa raffle to go over and present our Player of the Year trophy to Graeme Stuart. I spent the day at Bellefield, and did little interviews with all of the players on the video, and they were all fantastic.... I was like a little kid in a sweet shop!
Particularly great were Barry Horne, Anders Limpar, Joe Parkinson etc... Kanchelskis not so much but that was a language thing. Big Nev was dead sarcastic but that was great and a good laugh, and it was expected.
The only exception on that day was Andy Hinchcliffe. He said he was going to put his stuff in the car and would come back for a chat, but he just fucked off!! But you never know what might have happened.... he may have been told that he?s dropped for Saturday or something.
They were just a great bunch of lads.
Cahill always stops and goes out of his way to meet all he can. One steward remarked that Cahill stopped him in a corridor and chatted for a while. My lad has Anichebe?s boots, Joe Baxter?s boots, Yaks gloves and Johnson?s tie. Van the man usually stops as I have a few photos of him and several autographs. Arteta usually wizzes past but we have his photo and autograph, and Neville comes out elsewhere although we have got a photo of him. Jags stops, Lescott's always there and the Youngsters.
Howard stops and has a photo and signature with who he can. Ossy always stops by. The kids there always ask for something from them and some oblige. Someone even knicked a wash bag but there was no incident over it.
All-in-all, the majority come out. I doubt they all will. Even Moyes will chat and sign and have a photo taken.
Brian, its surprising how they player actions affect kids. I went up for autographs as a kid and Young ,Vernon etc were fine, Gordon West and Derek Temple where brilliant. West took us (4) into the shop and had a glass of pop with us and thanked everyone as he signed and I told Derek about having a teacher who knew him and he spent time chatting about it.
Sadly, the most outstanding memory was Bingham getting off the bus and, not content with just ignoring us all like some had, he told us to piss off! I hated the guy from that moment... years later when he was manager he was at a function and I had the opportunity to sit by him but I declined. I never forgot they way he treated kids, while I met Westy years later in Crosby and he was just the same great guy.
Sorry I forgot to mention I saw both Victor and Vaughn in town together and a couple of kids asked for autographs and BOTH just pushed past the kids. They have a lot to learn. I don?t think they owe the fans and if they don?t want to sign, fine... but civility costs nothing.
Roy Coyne, I guess it depends on the day. Sad to hear about your spat with Billy Bingham ? I called at his house in Crosby as a kid, which looking back now should have pissed anyone off with regards to their privacy. Not only did I get his autograph, but he chatted pleasantly and gave me a sweet too! (Not sure what the authorities would make of that now?)
I think that most of us would agree with Ben Rogers when he said that we shouldn?t judge these stars on one experience.... however, from your story it sounds like you caught him coming off the bus in a foul mood ? probably caused by us irritating little twats knocking on his door and making him late!!!!!!
A mate of mine also bumped into Vic and Vaughany in town one night about 2 years back. When he approached Victor for a photo I was actually suprised to hear that he was more than happy to have one taken.< Apparently Vic then called Vaughan over to get in on the snap and he just sulked over ? he even sulked on the photo itself.
I think both lads need a reality check to be honest with. Despite Vic actually being courteous on this occassion I?ve also heard tales about his arrogance in the past and still even now. They need to realise that there are fans, in particular young ones, who cheer them on every weekend when they don the blue strip, spending a lot of their money in the process. Being polite costs nothing.
Brian/Ben, Anichebe is known as Big Ed (as in Head). A friend of mine is often at Finch Farm ferrying a couple of the players, some of the senior players have commented to Anichebe about his lack of civility and reminding him of his duties to the fans ? Cahill is Boss!!!
I remember back in the 70s Latchford was another player with attitude ? the likes of Lyons and Kingy were great, Brian Labone was god in my eyes and is the only player who?s name I have and ever will put on my shirt. I remember my first game in 1966 at Stamford Bridge, going on to the pitch after the game and Labone giving me a piggy-back and appearing on MOTD ? there was no turning back after that.
Roy, on a sidenote, you don’t happen to have a brother named Paul who went to St Mary’s, do you?
Imagine how delighted the children of the Custody Seargent at Southport must've felt, when they were presented with a copy of Steven Gerrard's signature the day after he was arrested. What a shinning example to children he and his club are. Thug players, thug fans (let's not forget that if Michael Sheilds is innocent ? one of them did it) and a hooligan history that has dragged everyone else down. How abhorent that his club have told Steven Gerrard that they will stand by him, quoting ?you?ll never walk alone?. Can you imagine how the family of the victim of this assault must be feeling about that. Yet another Liverpool faux pas, but as ever they will come up smelling of roses and it will be everyone else's fault.
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1 Posted 29/12/2008 at 14:12:49
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I wrote an article for the Everton USA website regarding the pre-season match against Denver. one memory stuck with me, and that was when Tim Cahill entered the field. He saw the fans wearing the blue shirts, set a a huge grin on his face, turned round and jumped over the barrier to come and sign the autographs and chat. Never, even when I was a kid hunting autographs those many years ago, have I seen such a pleasant, genuine and warm reaction from a famous player. He is one in a million, and I can see where our dressing room gets its attitude from.....Tim, you’re one in a million, thanks for being who you are.