Kits, Pies and for pity's sake...

Comments (7)

Having lived outside of the UK for the past few years, you can imagine my excitement at visiting Goodison Park on the opening day of the season.

Prior to getting on the ale down County Road and heading to the game, I decided to check out the new Everton Two store. I was impressed with the set-up of the store but I can't imagine what was going through the mind of the so-called designer when the two new kits were being drawn up.

The home kit is an attempt to bring back memories of the glory days with an homage to the kit of better days. The problem is that the style those days allowed a kit looking like that... but not today. It looks alright on kids but only serves to accentuate beer bellies on the majority of the faithful. The away kit is I presume an attempt at tapping in to the female market. A PINK EVERTON BADGE!!! I wonder if Chang were asked if they wanted their logo in pink. I can imagine the response if indeed that was the case.

The beer on County Road was unchanged and then it was off to Goodison. I took my seat in the Upper Bullens with me mates, all of whom hold season tickets. One of the lads returned from the cafe with a sausage roll, bemoaning the fact that he waited for 10 minutes to get served and was told that the coffee machine wasn't working and he'd have to go to the cafe further down the stand. How hard is it to test the machinery before the start of the opening day of the season? Disgraceful.

I set off to said cafe to get some coffee, and having been the boozer for a few hours, had a pocket full of change. It was just enough but I also wanted a programme but had no more cash. I naively asked the girl in the cafe if there was anywhere I could get cash out. No. I couldn't spend any more money if I tried. How many people find themselves in this position... unable to add to the revenue of the club on matchday? Joke!

Z-Cars and a poignant round of applause for the great Sir Bobby Robson signalled the start of the season proper. The injury list from last season hadn't changed and with no new arrivals it was always going to be difficult. Lescott was ridiculously half booed and then had his name sung by the Gwladys Street. In retrospect Moyes should have played him and substituted him after 5 minutes to make a point, given the fact that he said he wasn't in the right frame of mind to play. Lets all give it a try on Monday, call in to work and instead of saying you've got swine flu tell the boss your heart isn't really in it but you'd still like paying! FFS!

I left at 5-0 and fought throught the crowds outside to get back to the solace of the boozer. It was busier in there than it was before the game and there was still 15 minutes left!

Having lived abroad for a while it seems like Everton are standing still. Poor merchandising (Kits); poor catering (Pies) and 1-6 on the opening home game of the season... for pity's sake!!!
Colin Grierson, Dubai     Posted 22/08/2009 at 12:01:44

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