ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Derby Magic

Tomorrow will mark the 45th league derby I have witnessed at Goodison Park. Since hostilities re-commenced in 1962, I'm sure I've only missed one (in 1982 when we lost 1-3!) but although there have been so many magic moments (and a few horror shows) it is still that first in September 1962 that stands out in my mind.

Over 72,000 saw Johnny Morrissey (signed a few weeks before from the Reds in spite of Bill Shankly`s refusal to sanction the deal) score our opening goal in a 2-2 draw to become my lifelong hero.

Over the years the anticipation and enchantment of these matches has waned for me but I know that somewhere in the crowd tomorrow will be a little Evertonian who will feel the way I did all those years ago!
David Hall, Taunton Posted 19/10/2007 at 18:00:08

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Shaun Cook
1 Posted 07/10/2007 at 17:38:07

Moyes ? one win away from being our greatest manager ever.... Don t make me laugh.

Five years gone and we are marginally better now than in previous times but certainly nothing to get excited about. Let's face it we have won nothing or have not even looked likely to. Our brand is boring and we currently sit a depressing midtable. Yes, we are still in Europe but only by fluke against a poor European side.

I am afraid its time for the Moysiah to move on as I feel he has taken us as far as he can and its time for a quality replacement who has the ability to take us on to a new level and the reputation and personality to attract the big names we crave.

David Barks
2 Posted 19/10/2007 at 22:40:24

Shaun, what the hell does your comments have to do with the original post. The guy is talking about his memories of past Derbys. Keep your hatred of Moyes to the appropriate sections at least mate.

Roy coyne
3 Posted 19/10/2007 at 23:54:50

Like you up to that day we had to make do with floodlight cup ties,But as you are aware it was not the same,I remember getting the cain in school the following Monday for fighting because my best mate argued that they deserved the draw when anyone unbiased(me) knew we deserved to win.But oh to go back to those days when both sets of fans although passionate were also able to laugh at the banter

Tony Marsh
4 Posted 20/10/2007 at 01:03:25

David I take my hat off to you mate what a fantastic achievement by your self.May you see many derby games in the future
and lets hope they are all victories for the Blues.

Dave wilson
5 Posted 20/10/2007 at 07:26:51

Nice post David

I understand what you mean about the enchantment and anticipation waning, but come kick off, your desire to see them off will burn as strongly as ever

John McFarlane [Senior]
6 Posted 20/10/2007 at 09:01:31

David Hall, like you I find that my enthuiasm is no longer at fever point on "Derby Day", now in my seventieth year I have attended every Goodison league and cup derby since 1955, and the first Anfield game I missed was in 1995, [unable to obtain a ticket] since then I’m afraid I don’t even try to go to Anfield, I find the atmosphere poisonous, [I’m sure they feel the same about Goodison]Regarding the 1962 game, Roy Vernon scored Evertons first goal from the penalty spot [Park End]. I stood behind that goal in those days, and I have a vivid memory of Vernon scoring a perfectly legitimate goal,in the first minute, only for referee Kevin Howley to rule it out."Fingers Furnell" was bouncing the ball, and lost control of it, Vernon seized on the opportunity and netted from close range, Howley was running toward the half way line with his back to the incident, and when he heard the crowd roar he turned to see Furnell beating the ground in frustration, I can only imagine that he thought Vernon had committed some sort of foul. [Another of the "crimes against Everton"].Kevin Lewis scored Liverpools first equaliser, Johnny Morrissey put us back in front [ a hotly disputed decision], only for Roger Hunt spoil the party in the last minute.I hope I haven’t offended you by this response, it’s just that I am a stickler for accuracy, and many a pint can be won or lost on such matters.To return to your post,I am certain that some youngsters [Blue and Red] will, in the fullness of time look back on this their first derby, let’s hope the Blues have happier memories of the day. I’m off to Goodison shortly so all the best to you and all our fellow supporters.

Jack Nulty
7 Posted 20/10/2007 at 09:45:35

My magic moment was the October 1978 derby.The Reds had not lost to Everton for seven or eight years and were again the reigning European Champions.We were on an unbeaten run that eventually extended to some 20 games.Some of us spent the week preparing a massive banner proclaiming ’Andy is our King’ which we somehow smuggled into the ground and unfurled at the Gwladys St. End.We pretended not to hear the bizzies who used a loud hailer telling us to put it down and our tenancity was duly rewarded when our hero (Andy King)sent a spectacular 25yard volley past a desparing Ray Clemence to give us a 1-0 victory.Memories indeed.

David Hall
8 Posted 20/10/2007 at 10:04:09

I stand corrected,John Mac Snr.Your recall is obviously more accurate than mine!To think,I’ve trotted that story out so many times over the years,I’m just grateful my hero DID get on the scoring list!

ray
9 Posted 20/10/2007 at 10:08:39

David, you brought back some memories with your post, I too was at that game, and the 0-0 return match. I was still at school and remember the build up to the match.Although I’d been going since 59-60 this was the first League Derby that I’d seen and I was so nervous (and excited/terrified) that I could hardly sleep for a week or so before the game. My Old Feller took me to the Park End and the atmosphere was absolutely electric. I, like a lot of people I imagine, don’t like Derby games, they are seldom good football matches and the feeling of emptiness when we’ve lost is only matched by the eupohria when we’ve won. The 1967 Cup game when Ball scored to beat the RS 1-0 was another wonderful experience, the game being shown at Anfield on a big screen and the noise from the Gwladys St when he scored was fantastic. If only we had a young Bally now.....

Paul Challence
10 Posted 20/10/2007 at 11:43:05

As I prepare to set out for today’s game,I just wonder how many more Derbies we can look forward to at Goodison.One thing is for sure,driving to Kirkby will never hold the same magic as the walk to Goodison with two stops on the way for ’refreshment’.Let’s just savour what’s left of ’our’Everton!

PL PL
11 Posted 20/10/2007 at 11:56:05

Sat in Ho Chi Minh counting down the minutes! Don’t give a shite if im on me own ill still be shouting like a lunatic when Lescott bangs in a winner in the last few minutes, even if the bar man doesn’t have a clue what I’m saying! He’l get the message! One more tiger please(no chang here)
COYB !!!! PLEASE!