This is an excellent piece from someone who owes his Everton alliegance to Alan Ball’s white boots.
I live 238 miles from Goodison Park. That number has never dipped below its current, frankly ridiculous mark, even growing to nearly 300 during my years at university. And yet, I support Everton Football Club.
Alan Ball and his white boots are to blame. My dad, despite being born in Leyton, east London, and having no connection with the city of Liverpool, spotted him wearing them while watching Match of the Day and The Big Match in the early seventies. He was playing for the Blues, and that was that. Everton forever.
My dad has been making the pilgrimage to Goodison for almost 50 years, travelling up from Kent to witness some of the most glorious days in the club’s history, and some of the worst. This weekend, we’ll make the trip together one final time.