ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Trouble with the neighbours

For some unexplainable reason, why is it that whenever there is a debate, argument or decison concerning Everton that our bastard offspring across the park are somehow brought into the equation? I despise the neighbours as much as any blue, I take glee in our infrequent victories and cherish every season that they are Premier League also rans. However, what really grates on me is the continuing comparrison that some make between the Clubs, it borders almost on an inferiority complex and I believe adds to the perpetual struggle that we face with our own identity and progress.

If people have reason's for saying no to Kirkby that's fine, its democratic and every fan deserves a voice. However this constant one eye on Liverpool approach is futile, financially we are not even in the same stratosphere and if we are ever to close the gap we must think laterally and forget the darkside.

Growing up in Liverpool during the 80s and 90s I was lucky that in my academic years Everton had its most successful period in its history. Did it make much of a difference to those on the playground in terms of blue numbers, the answer is no, but those that did follow you could count as being as passionate in few as those in many from the red side. Urban myth it may be but Labone we know coined a saying that one blue is worth twenty of them, and I honestly and with conviction believe it to be true.

Wherever we may end up, be it in Kirkby, somewhere else or Goodison we need to base our decisons on what's best for Everton. Being parochial, luddite and introspective will only serve to widen the gulf. Facts are facts, LFC have a juggernaught on Stanley Park fast approaching, once its realised our anthem 'if you know your history' will become a self-prophetic parody of a Club trapped in a time warp and stadium that no longer befits its status as fore-runners in the game of English football.
Peter Laing, Liverpool Posted 26/07/2007 at 11:37:18

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Comments

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Michael Kenrick

It is the policy of this site to not have content relating to LFC. And your letter comes very close to that line. However, the stadium debate is unique and the inevitable comparissons form a substantial part of that debate. Indeed, you yourself end up doing exactly what you are bitching about! I'll be glad when it's all over (will it ever be?)

Mike Lepic
1 Posted 26/07/2007 at 16:27:55

To be honest with you, your constant moaning and bitching just underlines what a an inferiority complex most blues have with the red team on Merseyside. I have followed the reds since 1969 and have never said anything negative about the blues. The four biggest clubs in the country are steaming ahead of all the rest at such a pace that our 18 titles will soon become 20 and 25 and that’s all our manager is focused on. Everton is a proud club with a decent history and I wish you well, but stop the bitching and insults will you...yes we lost our way for a while, however LFC is now on a level playing field with the other team that play in red shirts and despite the 20 years or so that they have been spending money for fun to win things, we are still Englands most successful club by a long way and will remain so certainly in our lifetime.

Seamus Murphy
2 Posted 26/07/2007 at 16:47:36

Mike - "The four biggest clubs in the country are steaming ahead of all the rest at such a pace that our 18 titles will soon become 20 and 25 and that?s all our manager is focused on"
You are clearly very short sighted if the four biggest clubs you refer to include Chelsea (which i assume you meant) - Chelsea will revert to an also ran when the money dries up - just like Leeds were considered a "big club" and look at them. Mewcastle the same and Blackburn.
And as regards being the most successful club and remaining so for your lifetime - well the Mancs are only two titles behind you - you must not intend to live too long!!
Is there no LFC site that you can go to and drool over your success instead of being a nosey neighbour peeking over the fence into next doors garden??

Steve Claringbold
3 Posted 26/07/2007 at 17:06:02

Hold on,

This is a site for Everton fans is it not, surely it is our right to bitch and moan about LFC if we want to.

Away with you onto your own fansites and stop bothering us.

Craig Jones
4 Posted 26/07/2007 at 17:30:42

Peter, a well written and realistic appraisal totally ruined by your ridiculous assertion that you believe with honesty and conviction that 1 Blue is worth 20 Reds. Do you really believe Brian meant that as anything more than a joke? Do you really believe this decent man thought he was in any way 20 times better than his mate Ian Callaghan?
I am convinced that this propaganda which suggests we are special and that there is an Everton way which no other club follows is part of our problem.
The truth is that we are like every other football club..our history belongs to yesterday. We can be proud of it but it will do nothing to make our future better.
Greatness will be achieved only by hardwork and by a single minded commitment and vision to get us back to the top.Undoubtedly, finances will play a part in that and each of us make up our own mind
as to how that need will be met in the future ie at Goodison, in Kirkby or somewhere else.
What we must not do is believe that having a latin motto or bestowing on ourselves the title of The Peoples Club or believing with conviction each of us is worth 20 of our fellow citizens who happen to support another club, will get us anywhere at all