ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

The Mail Bag

Tim Howard

I am a life-long Evertonian; my youngest son was recently diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome. Being only 12 years old, this is a lot for him to come to terms with. So I thought it would be really cool if I could arrange for him to meet Tim Howard, who of course is a fellow sufferer of this disease and a big inspiration to many kids of Joe's age.

Does anyone on the site know how I could get in touch with him? I have tried surfing the web for an e.mail address but nothing has turned up. As we live in Glasgow, it is too big an expense to just turn up after a game in the hope of catching him & I was hoping for more than just an autograph for Joe.

Can anyone help? COYB
Simon Gilmovitch, Glasgow Posted 14/10/2009 at 16:17:19

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Matt Traynor
1 Posted 15/10/2009 at 06:11:25

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Simon, I think Graeme Sharp is still Fans’ Liaison Officer at Everton. You can email him.

I did a couple of years ago to get Tim Cahill to meet the Singapore Toffees when the Socceroos were here for 10 days.

He advised it was out of their remit, and I’d need to deal with Football Federation Australia, but they’d "had a word" and Tim was up for it.

The FFA understandably weren’t keen, but Tim insisted, and we did it.

From memory - email address is asksharpy@evertonfc.com

Gareth Humphreys
2 Posted 15/10/2009 at 07:39:01

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Hi Simon, you could also write to the club as I would imagine you would get a decent response.

James Cadwaladr
3 Posted 15/10/2009 at 09:15:14

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Simon, leave your email address on here and I will forward you the email address of David Moyes's PA. She works at Finch Farm so will have immediate access to the players and imagine it will get to Tim a bit quicker than going through other formal channels.

Tony Williams
4 Posted 15/10/2009 at 09:16:48

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Simon, as above I would suggest that you contact the club direct. I imagine they must get quite a lot of request, so fingers crossed for your boy.

Also if we put our critical caps on, it will be good PR for the club.

Duncan McDine
5 Posted 15/10/2009 at 09:29:37

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I’m sure he’d be more than happy to meet with your son, but knowing the communication at Everton...

Good luck anyway.

Sam Morrison
6 Posted 15/10/2009 at 09:39:23

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Hey Simon. As you’re probably aware, there is a charity giving support (http://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/) but in this instance one would hope contacting the club direct would do. Good luck.

Jamie Rowland
7 Posted 15/10/2009 at 09:47:19

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Simon,

I run a supporters club and have a good relationship with the liaison officer at Goodison. I can’t post the details here, but if you get in touch with me I’ll forward a number/email on to you..

I will have the editors send you my email address.

Jamie Morgan
8 Posted 15/10/2009 at 12:36:34

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Simon, hope all goes well and I’m sure every Evertonian sends best wishes to you and your son.

I think Tim would go out of his way to meet you.

Good luck and let's hope the Official site pick up on this. Everton are a true family club and I for one would love to know your progress.

David O'Connor
9 Posted 15/10/2009 at 15:45:57

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Hi Simon, I'm sure he would like to help!
I could get a message to him if you want. If you e mail me I will forward it on to him!

david_oconnor@hotmail.com

James Boden
10 Posted 15/10/2009 at 17:59:40

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Good luck finding something Simon. I am sure your son will be able to meet Howard at some point. As for him having tourettes not to worry I am sure he will cope quite well. I was diagnosed with the condition when I was 8 and I have coped very well with it. So I am sure your son can do the same as hard as it will inevitably will be as you will be soon to find out. But with persistance and encouragement I am sure everything will work out a treat. That is the best advice I could give as someone who suffers from Tourettes myself.

David Barks
11 Posted 15/10/2009 at 18:35:39

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I’m going to lend my name to those who suffer from it, as James Boden just did. James is right, it is something you can cope with and go on to be a very successful and happy person, but it will get harder.

The teenage years are hard enough on their own, but add Tourette’s Syndrome to the equation and it will be very difficult for all involved. My simple advice is to not try to hide it, for him to let his friends know that he suffers from it so that all know what it is and more importantly what it is not.

Of course it varies in severity, but is very misunderstood. But it was such a relief for me when I told my friends what it was. We were able to discuss it openly and I wasn’t so worried about trying to hide it, which in turn lead to less stress and less problems with the symptoms.

Battle through it, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed, and he will be fine. And if he can’t get in contact with Tim Howard but would like to just talk to somebody else who has grown up with the condition, the site staff have my permission to give you my contact information. Good luck to you both.

Brian Williams
12 Posted 15/10/2009 at 19:06:09

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Sometimes you read things that renew your faith in human kindness and caring. The repsonses to Simon’s plea on here are a perfect example of that. Good luck Simon to you and your son!

Simon Gilmovitch
13 Posted 15/10/2009 at 19:22:33

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Cheers lads for all the replies, I will be contacting those who have offered help and will let you all know how we get on. Hopefully I can post some pics if we get to meet Tim. To me this just underlines.....as if any was needed what a fantastic fan base we have at the peoples club COYB

Thanks again, really appreciated

Simon

Steven Lancaster
14 Posted 15/10/2009 at 21:39:39

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Hi Simon,

My son was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome a couple of years ago when he was 9 years old. We had the same idea as you Simon and I wrote Tim a letter and sent it to Finch Farm (as I thought he would receive the letter quicker there rather than sending it to Goodison).

It did take a couple of months, then my son received a really lovely letter from Tim, so be patient as I am sure you will get a reply.

Good Luck Simon,

Steve Lancaster, Isle of Man

David O'Connor
15 Posted 15/10/2009 at 23:27:49

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Simon, I’ve received the letter and will forward that onto Tim. He’s a top guy so I’m sure he will help you out. Best of Luck.

Darren Watts
16 Posted 15/10/2009 at 14:34:48

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It was with great interest that I read the letter from Simon regarding Tim Howard and his attempts to contact Everton. I visit ToffeeWeb on a daily basis and have read all the good, the bad and the downright ugly that gets said about our club but only now do I find the need to make a contribution.

My son Dylan was born prematurely at 25 weeks and has spent nigh on 3 months in our local neonatal unit on ventilators and undergoing a variety of infections and treatments that do not need to be listed here. The hospital chaplain is a fellow Evertonian like myself and took a keen interest in Dylan's health and progress, obviously helped by our mutual love for all things Blue! He took the time to contact the club to let them know of their newest supporter and his situation.

Their response: a personalised strip with Dylan's name on the back and a very sympathetic and touching letter of good wishes to Dylan arrived on the ward today.

For a club the size of Everton to take the time and to make a gesture like that has made me very proud to be a Blue and I'm pretty sure will ensure that Dylan grows to be a loyal fan himself with a small but significant attachment to the club. After a very difficult period of my life, Everton have brought a small ray of pleasure to our lives and I will always be grateful. I wish Simon well in his attempts to help his son and hope that Everton show the same appreciation of another young fan in the near future.

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