The first part of this piece appeared 25 years ago and was the first thing I ever wrote on the site.
My view at the time was that ToffeeWeb mattered a great deal. However, the consensus, if I recall correctly, was not really. As a forum to inform, entertain and bring Blues together, it is second to none. A late friend, Kopite to boot, spent many years compiling a guide to fansites and this one was the best by some distance. Many of us have made lasting friendships over the years through being on here. Importantly, it’s somewhere to let off steam without going nuts at the match.
This brings me to the reason for Part 2. Do any of our players read it? Would you read it if you were a player? I would. Kind of in the way that I might look up symptoms on Google and focus on worst-case scenarios.
The incident at Euston station highlighted how bad it can get when angry fans meet indignant players. But, in the cold light of day, should players be protected from reasonable and non-abusive criticism?
Imagine, for example, the players come in after a specially lamentable first half and Sean Dyche has the Live Forum up on a big screen. Mmm… maybe not.
Or, in addition to Gaffer’s Day, there is a ToffeeWeb Day. I honestly think that a good read through this site in the days after the Bournemouth capitulation would have done the world of good.
For many of us, our investment in Everton is almost entirely emotional. It’s a big investment with a poor return right now. ToffeeWeb is our space to deal with it. A player like Seamus Coleman would surely have been proud of what has been said about him over the years on here. Maupay… maybe not!
We are part of the whole media package. No supporter, no atmosphere, no event… no Sky. If you would be happy to repeat anything you say on ToffeeWeb to a player’s face, then why should they not read it? A few years ago, someone told me that at least one player checked out this site under an assumed name.
Who are you? Step forward!