Pride, Passion & Belief

Oh, to be a Blue!

After reading a couple of interesting articles recently about what makes an Evertonian, I think last night's result could go a long way to explaining what it means to be a Blue no matter what your background is.

I?m 28, grew up just outside Blackburn and started supporting the Blues when I was 6. I think it was mainly down to Gary Lineker and that royal blue top with the white bib at the top. So, since that title winning team of 1987 it?s been a bleak and baron spell in Everton?s illustrious history. An FA Cup and 4th-place finish apart the football has been atrocious, the managers have come and gone and Everton have at times been on their knees, almost down and out. The last 20 years involving mainly relegation fights, bad signings, poor football and nothing to cling on to has left me at times emotionally drained. Head in hands asking myself will we ever be great again?

There?ve been moments where I?ve started to think, "maybe, just maybe," only to be brought back down to earth with an almighty thump. The 4th-place finish followed by the short Champions League jaunt and probably one of the worst moments I can remember as a Blue watching the debacle of Dinamo Bucaresti., followed that season with the 4-0 defeat away to West Brom. I honestly believe that all of these moments have contributed to how I feel today.

Last season was a good one. Top 6 finish and European qualification, a chance to heal some wounds from two seasons before. With some good signings in the summer and exciting youth prospects in Vaughan and Anichebe I approached this season with the same excitement and belief that maybe this could be our year, but with that nagging feeling at the back of my mind telling me we?ve been here before!

Metalist Kharkiv was a heart stopper, the Blues putting me through the mill like only they can! Then on to the group stage and a relief and excitement that we made it. A good draw followed and now we knew we could enjoy at least four European nights and, who knows...? A convincing win over Lariss,a which was expected really, and next to Nuremburg to face a much tougher opposition.

Last night I watched the game at home, unable to go due to work commitments (I?m going to Holland come what may!). I was nervous, this is the sort of game where the Blues would bring me back down to earth with a bang, surely?

Not this time, though, and last night 20 years of emotions that had been held deep within exploded and I sang, I danced, I shook my fist at the TV and I wept with joy. Last night was the night that I had waited so long for and now it has come I have this feeling inside that makes me want to stand on my desk at work and scream:

?'IM BLUE AND I?M PROUD OF IT, I?M BLUE AND I?M PROUD OF IT!!?

...until I pass out or I?m removed by security!!

So what makes an Evertonian?

The history that?s gone before them and the hope and belief that history will be made in their lifetime.

PRIDE, PASSION & BELIEF!

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