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Why do you support Everton?

If you are a resident of Liverpool and its environs or are the son and/or daughter of a proud Evertonian then, welcome, however this piece is not aimed at you. I was curious as to why Non-Scousers would support Everton (sorry for introducing the term "Scouser" however it?s required for some wordplay later on in the piece)
Let me tell you my story: -
I?m a "suvvener" or more precisely, from Essex (Gods? own County). As a 6 year old I supported the following teams (in no particular order)
? Chelsea
? QPR
? Shrewsbury
? Everton
? Dunfirmline
My local teams were "Sarfend" and West ?am. As a 6 year old this wasn?t an issue. Geography wasn?t important. In fact, in hindsight, I think this was one of the reasons Everton was on this list in the first place, that is, I couldn?t find it on a map (other than the village in Bedfordshire and I know Goodison wasn?t located there). Because I could not find Everton, to my 6 year old noggin, it must have been a mystical, magical place, a bit like Narnia or Middle Earth (and in some ways it still is).
So why did I support all of the above teams? Simply put, I liked the names.
But then, as a 6 year old two games were played which connected with me: -
Everton 3 Sheffield Wednesday 2, followed by England 4 West Germany 2. The latter cemented my love of football as THE sport to play and follow, however the former gave me the direction I would follow (through thin and thin) until this day.
So my love of Everton can be put down to: -
1) The name
2) M. Trebilcock Esq.
Does anyone else have a similar reason for their love of Everton? Or a different route into their love of the club?
I thought about setting up a group for Toffeenoses with no connection to Liverpool. I was going to call it the "National Organisation of Non-Scouce Evertonians", however on second thoughts I realised that it was a really bad idea.
So praise the lord for Mike Trebilcock, because without his intervention in the FA Cup final I could well now be supporting Chelsea. And just think how sad and depressed I would currently be, trophy-less for one whole season, and only able to spend a gazillion pounds on new players for 2011/2012!!! On second thoughts, "Trebilcock?!!! You b*&^%$d"!!!
» More from our "Being a Blue" section
Reader Comments (59)
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2 Posted 13/06/2011 at 19:58:17
3 Posted 13/06/2011 at 20:04:25
God knows what we must have done in a previous life to deserve it...
4 Posted 13/06/2011 at 20:02:00
When I applied to college - I picked the ones that had good football teams - Liverpool, Sheffield and Nottingham. That will tell you the era!
Ended up in Liverpool - went to a few Liverpool games with friends as I had no choice. and it didn't feel right
Eventually after a couple of months - another friend said he would take me to a game - but at Goodison. The second I walked through the gates, I knew that was where I should be. That was 1975 and I haven't looked back since.
Magical, maybe - but I do believe that the phrase Evertonians are born was meant for me
6 Posted 13/06/2011 at 20:35:40
7 Posted 13/06/2011 at 21:02:54
8 Posted 13/06/2011 at 21:23:28
A case of my blood will ALWAYS be blue.
9 Posted 13/06/2011 at 21:34:55
10 Posted 13/06/2011 at 21:34:55
11 Posted 13/06/2011 at 22:15:18
12 Posted 13/06/2011 at 22:33:01
13 Posted 14/06/2011 at 02:37:44
14 Posted 14/06/2011 at 03:52:10
Joe Max, McBride, Timmy, and Landon.
Pulled me in for good and ever (You'd have to be American to understand).
15 Posted 14/06/2011 at 07:03:07
16 Posted 14/06/2011 at 08:27:35
I had no choice really. My Dad and older brother are Manure fans.
My Grandad and Uncle both Everton fans.
As my Dad got his way with my brother my Grandad and Uncle were left to influence me.
I was born in 1981 in Cambridge, I can't really remember a lot until the famous Wimbledon game. Listening to it so nervously on the radio, I still rememeber the commentators telling everyone at home how it looked like Everton were relegated etc.
I can't ever recall complaining about being an Everton fan, i used to love wearing the kits my Grandad bought for me every Christmas.
With all my friends supporting Spurs, Arsenal and the other glory teams I have got a lot of stick over the years (Still do) but I am proud to be an Evertonian.
I find it hard to take that some 'local' fans (very few tbh) can look at us as if they perhaps love Everton more than we could ever do.
My Uncle died in a car crash when I was 15, he never got to see Tim Cahill play.
My Grandad passed away last year from cancer. On his last day alive I was with my Norwegian girlfriend watching Everton play at Villa Park.
His last words were "How did Everton get on". I cried like a baby when my Dad told me this.
So now I live in Norway which is the plastic fan central I take great pride in knowing who I am as a football fan.
I will be having kids in the near future and they will have no choice but to support Everton, as when they do I will tell them how much it meant to their English family and how much it means to me.
We have some really bad times as an Everton fan but I wouldn't have it any other way, we can all share that in common.
17 Posted 14/06/2011 at 08:55:57
18 Posted 14/06/2011 at 08:48:58
But hey, when, or so we are told, given the choice between printing the ( mundane ) truth or the Legend...print the legend.
When asked about his credentials for being in Texas or Texan ( Texican ? ) or at the Alamo.
I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as quick as I could.
Well that sums up all the none locals.
My story as a local is I came from a ' mixed ' Family but the thing was none of the RS ( my Dad's) side took it seriously or even went, It was just what they were. Like none Church goers putting C of E on forms.
This is pre Shankly so no wonder. That and the fact that back then Saturday Morning was part of the working week plus cash and time was tight.
But the In-law side, the Owens of Garston, they were.
We would Go as a Family on Highdays and Holidays especially, which at the time always seemed to be to Goodison on Boxing Day.
My first view was overwhelming.
BIG, the towering walls of the Gwladys Street, the flood lights.
BIG, GREEN, the pitch ( I was 7 or 8 )
BIG, BLUE, the ground and the stands.
BIG, LOUD, the crowd.
I was hooked.
Other factors, not long after I started Junior School. The first day bigger kids came up to me and my 2 mates and said to one, what are you red or Blue...Blue was the answer... ok, your in. Then on to me, I'm not daft, Blue, quick as a flash.
And maybe last but not least, being a bit of a rebel ( without a clue ) I think it annoyed the shit out of my Dad and Grandad.
I wasn't born in Goodison but I got there as quick as I could.
19 Posted 14/06/2011 at 10:03:05
20 Posted 14/06/2011 at 10:17:18
21 Posted 14/06/2011 at 12:32:15
I remember first i time went to goodison park even though a lot on here run down state of stadium, it was just brilliant to be there, I have been to other grounds which are new and facilities are good but the atmosphere there is brilliant. Everton bring out all the emotions in you from being proudest supporter to levels of frustrations that nothing else can compare to. I remember listening in on to relegation battles especially when we stayed up on goal difference beating wimbledon, I am not a person to cry but is one of few times I can remember crying about anything apart from birth of my children.
We need to keep the faith in supporting our team, I know it would be great to have millions to spend on players, but we just dont have it, We as fans have to stay right behind team especially at Goodison as, if we don't get behind the team fully, there will be several points lost due to crowd intensity which is not always there. I know am waffling on a bit now but I will always be proud and loyal Everton supporter. COYB.
22 Posted 14/06/2011 at 13:08:08
In truth, it still does. Yes, there have been alot of lean times, but the passion with which I feel about Everton overshadows just about every reaction I see from other supporters from other teams! Everton are part of me, and I agree with the statement earlier, we are born not chosen.... you don't choose to support Everton, you just do.
23 Posted 14/06/2011 at 13:20:46
I was brought up in Hertfordshire, not too far out of North London, and almost everyone at school was Spurs fans, with a few Gunners creeping in every now and again. I don't think I met a fellow Everton fan till senior school.
It's a question I've often asked myself, and I'm not sure even I know the answer. My theories are (in no particular order):
1. I was about 8 years old when I first got into football and this coincided with the golden period of the mid-80's. In this sense, I guess I am a glory-hunter!
2. My best friend when I was growing up supported Liverpool, and we had that kind of competitive friendship where we would never have supported the same team. I'm not sure which of us chose first.
3. I like the colour blue (though not sure if this is because I'm an Everton fan).
4. the name 'Everton' has some kind of mystical quality that you just don't get with teams that are named after a city or a town (you've got to remember that I'm talking about child-like logic here!).
5. Everton mints are pretty tasty!
As I say, it could be all or none of those reasons, but I've been a bluenose for over 25 years and there's no changing now - my wife periodically suggests that I should change allegiance and support a 'better' team, but I'm stuck with Everton till I die, and that's just how it is!
24 Posted 14/06/2011 at 13:20:58
Now living in Oxfordshire I have totally ensured my three boys are all blues and take them to at least a couple of games a season. Not many blues where I live here but if I do see one a shout out the car window is always in order... "EverTON, EVERton...."
25 Posted 14/06/2011 at 13:57:35
A related Q might be why do we REMAIN as Everton fans, especially the "non Scousers". God knows it is not an easy ride and it would be a lot simpler to pick another more successful team. For me, Everton embody a fantastic footballing tradition, great and loyal supporters (I can't believe how much money some supporters must shell out following the team around) and yet have not sold out (ok nobody will buy us) to some Billionaire. We have that underdog tag and I love that.
I am originally from Ireland but have lived in Oz for quite a while. Last year I was in a large shopping centre in Sydney with my young daughter when I spotted a guy in an Everton shirt. I immediately went over and started chatting to him (BTW, he was a scouser) like a long lost friend. My daughter couldn't understand how I just walked up to a complete stranger until I explained what it meant to be an Everton fan. You couldn't do that to someone in Manure or RS shirt eh?
26 Posted 14/06/2011 at 19:21:13
27 Posted 14/06/2011 at 19:28:36
It took me 30 years to make it Goodison but it was worth the wait. Before long I had a Season Ticket and next moved up this way (allegedly for work so don't let on!).
I've loved every minute of being a match going Blue (yes even the lows in a strange way) and have developed a completely irrational dislike for the colour red, no idea why!!
28 Posted 14/06/2011 at 18:35:40
I was born in Runcorn, and my Dad is a blue. However I grew up in Milton Keynes (long story). I was very isolated being an Evertonian. In fact, back then, I was the only one I knew. That led to alot of stick off of my school mates. Bear in mind this was during the nineties and early noughties ( I finished school in 2002) and MK was only 30 odd years old (no MK Dons). All my mates supported either Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea or Tottenham. You know the type, Couldn't locate thier club on a map but think thier better than you because their club is doing better.
Anyway, I digress. My point was; during the 93-94 season, I came close to throwing in the towel and calling it a day. My logic was; if I supported the same club as everyone else I would get less stick and be happier. I honestly can't remember why, but I didn't. I stuck it out and grew a thick skin. I couldn't stop supporting Everton because it felt so right. Like your right arm, It's was just there. It defined me rather than held me back. Even now I struggle to put it into words.
Looking back, the thing that strikes me the most was knowledge. I knew far more about my team and football in gerneral than my mates (and their respective teams). A good example: One day in middle school I was getting the same old crap off of an Man Utd fan. I decided to retort with 'yeah, but we beat you 5-0 in 1985'. The next day, the lad came to me and said 'my dad says you have never beat us 5-0'. Even then the ignorance struck me. It wasn't untill secondary school, when I met an Orient fan, did I ever come across anyone with the same passion and knowledge for football.
We are different. So it's true. Evertonains are born, not manufactured.
29 Posted 14/06/2011 at 21:26:36
To be honest I had no idea where Everton was but I'd heard of Alan Ball (from the two world cups) and the blue strip appealed. I also remember the squad picture that year and they all appeared to being having a laugh (except Harry C, which appears to be the way it was with him).
30 Posted 15/06/2011 at 00:58:53
Definitely agree on the football knowledge of Everton fans. All the ones I have met have a great interest and understanding of football in general as well as Everton. Interesting fact is that Everton fans have won the FPL best fans for the last couple of years (worked out by the average score per fan per club).
31 Posted 15/06/2011 at 08:21:00
32 Posted 15/06/2011 at 08:40:45
33 Posted 15/06/2011 at 14:02:04
34 Posted 15/06/2011 at 18:48:25
Following Everton has given me so many memories - from the wonderfully ecstatic to the excruciatingly painful - it's what being an Evertonian is all about! Throughout it all I have always felt intensely proud and privileged to be an Evertonian. Every time I go up the steps to take my place in the Lower Gwladys I look around the Old Lady and drink in the atmosphere and the history. I think of some of the moments I have savoured there and some that I would love to have witnessed - Dixie's sixty goals in 1927-28, Alex Young in his pomp, the Holy Trinity of Ball, Harvey and Kendall, the great team of the 1980's (and Kevin Sheedy, my favourite player from that era, not just because he was Irish but also because he had the sweetest left foot I have ever seen), the Bayern Munich game in 1985, the last day survival against Wimbledon - the list just goes on. In my part of the world where almost everyone claims to support either Man Utd or Liverpool, I take great pride in informing the RS supporters that we were the first team to bring the League Championship to Anfield before they even existed. That usually shuts them up. If you know your history . . . .
Nowadays I try to get to a home match at Goodison at least once a season. I do my best to watch every single game home and away using an online stream. Indeed regular match-going Blues should be in no doubt that far-away Evertonians go through exactly the same agony and ecstacy as those who are lucky enough to be at the games! Our love of Everton is unconditional - despite the disappointments of last season after such promise and regardless of what next season brings - Once A Blue Always A Blue! The T-shirt I wear with pride says it all:
Evertonians are born, not manufactured
We do not choose, we are chosen
Those who understand need no explanation
Those who don't understand don't matter.
35 Posted 15/06/2011 at 23:03:32
Dessie, great stuff.
36 Posted 15/06/2011 at 22:48:22
No-one supports Everton lightly, especially outside Liverpool because of the nonsense that we have to take off ill-informed Liverpool 'supporters'.
I am a teacher and when the kids discover who I support I can expect some flak especially from so-called 'Liverpudlians'. My usual response is to ask them 'How were Liverpool formed ? It's something they keep quiet...' The usual comeback is 'I don't support them like that...' that usually finishes the exchange. But I digress.
In my Everton odyssey there have been defining moments - three that stand out are:
1 Andy King's goal in October '78
2 Visiting Goodison for the first time and going into the Toffee shop
3 My first match at Goodison on my brother's ( he is also a blue)18th birthday - 20th September 1980 - Everton 5 Palace 0 with a Bob Latchford hatrick at the Park end when I was at that end !
I come from Exeter, and I did try supporting Exeter City, but I never felt welcome there, but I instantly felt at home at Goodison. ( To be fair to Exeter, the mood of the club has changed in recent years, and I have a soft spot for them ).
The geographical accident of birth should not limit one's allegiances. I feel no affinity for the England team - never have really. Why should I ? I didn't choose to be born in England. Likewise for my club.
There are some lovely quotes above, but the one that I like is from Alan Ball which goews something like
' Once this club gets under your skin...'
Everton got under my skin and will always be there.
Thank goodness !
37 Posted 16/06/2011 at 09:07:17
Denis # 14, the 1878 comment from your daughter made me realise the same thing.
My grandad was born a blue in 1911 due to his dad being a blue, which must have meant he was there at the start.
Never thought of what it must have been like starting off with a new team in a new national competition.
Here we are, 133 years later spending , i think, 130 of them in the top flight.
What a club !!
38 Posted 16/06/2011 at 09:32:25
39 Posted 16/06/2011 at 12:00:44
I'm from Somerset (now living in Bristol) and like many on here fell in love with Everton in the early 80's, specifically during the 1984 FA cup win over Watford. Once you get the blue in your blood you can't get it out again......
40 Posted 16/06/2011 at 16:43:28
I'm a non "scouser", about as opposite as you can get.
Born and bred in London (if you go by location, Crystal Palace or Millwall would be my local).
I was around 6 or 7 when my best friend at the time, used to brag that his dad played for Everton. Thinking back on it, his surname was Latchford, however i'm pretty sure it was just a coincidence!
Started supporting from then on, and 27 years later, i'm still blue through and through.
Try to get to a couple of games every season and always get the new kits. Much to the disgust of the wife, our bedroom is littered with Everton merchandise.
Marc
41 Posted 16/06/2011 at 20:31:39
When I was at my grans one saturday afternoon, my Dad took me shopping for a sports bag for school, Off we went down Lower Breck Road, I wanted an Everton one. None in the shops, So he said, ok, get a England one. My Grandad was Irish, and did his best so I asked for a Ireland one. No way, you're english lad. So he gave me the money to buy one, and I came out with a Manure one, just to piss him off. He had the last laugh as I got fucking twatted in school on the monday. Ho hum.
42 Posted 16/06/2011 at 22:47:10
And if you did, where is she now? Being an old romantic I was really hoping you were going to write that ?that lady is now my wife!?
I digress.
The thrust of the question was reasons non-Liverpudlians would support Everton. Well I?ve dug out my Spectrum ZX and produced the following meta-analysis from all the comments: -
? Alan Ball (5)
? The Kit (Colour Blue) (3)
? The name ?Everton? (3)
? Goodison Park (3)
? FA Cup final 1984 (2)
? FA Cup final 1966 (2)
? League Champions 1970 (1)
? The mid 1980?s Team (1)
? FA Cup final 1986 (1)
? To oppose an older relative (1)
? Because of an older relative (1)
? To oppose a friend (1)
? Because of a friend (1)
? First team completed in Panini sticker collection (1)
? Our USA players (1)
? The mints (1)
? Fathers influence (1)
? Because they weren?t Liverpool (1)
? Being bought an Everton bag by mum (1)
? Tim Cahill (1)
? To get my wicked way with a lady (1)
? Alex Young (1)
? Andy King's winner against Liverpool (1)
Are there any lessons here for the evil Overloads on the Everton Board? Well, yes I think there are: -
? The obvious message to Davie, BK and all our current Blue heroes is ?Please please please! Win a bloody trophy for crying out loud!!? Any trophy. No more half hearted performances against Brentford or Reading please. Thank you.
? Making the most of our foreign icons. Do we use Felli, The two Timmies, Bily and King Louis as ambassadors for Everton in their mother (or father) lands? Felli for example, would be fantastic to break into the Belgian market (or marché). And not forgetting Morocco. OK they may not be huge markets but they are markets none the less.
? Produce (and keep) the next Alan Ball.
So there you have it. A strategy for maximising future generations of Evertonians whereever they live. ?Simples?.
43 Posted 17/06/2011 at 10:13:56
44 Posted 17/06/2011 at 10:47:03
45 Posted 17/06/2011 at 12:31:02
My first kit was a Liverpool one, it lasted less than 3 hours. My mum bought it for me and when my dad came in, he told me to take it off and threw it in the bin (my mum just did it to wind my dad up) and went out and bought the new Everton kit. That was it, I was a blue.
Parental pressure because I was that young I didn't know what was going on.
Also I am a scouser so ignore what I have just wrote, as this post doesn't apply to me...Doh!
46 Posted 17/06/2011 at 15:38:35
A few years back my mum told me a family tale about her great uncle who emigrated with his sister to New Zealand, and made a packet of money on something like the railways. This would be the later part of the 19th century. Anyway, the story goes that he sent a whole load of cash over to his brother, (my great grandfather, or great great - you see this story gets a bit shaggy!) with the intention that he and the rest of them use the money to travel down under to join them there. Instead he, my great grandfather, used the money to plough into the local church football team to make it really successful. At this my ears prick up... my mum's family were from Scotland Road and Everton, and this was beginning to sound like we had some historical claim to the old St Domingo's, and maybe a long lost part ownership of Everton. Kenwright Out even.
Calm down. Sadly the church in question turned out to be Our Lady's Eldon Street, which I don't think is even there any more. And its footie team gone too I guess - with or without NZ railways money.
But I was born into a family of blues and although it was maddening at times, I am proud and pleased that my daughters are also carrying on the family tradition.
47 Posted 17/06/2011 at 20:14:18
But it doesn't really matter how you became an Evertonain, as far as I see it the more the merrier. As far as i can see, your support is more important than your heritage.
48 Posted 18/06/2011 at 22:47:29
49 Posted 18/06/2011 at 23:02:53
My oldest son, Daniel, who is 11, is a Blue also and we get to Goodison two or three times a season. Inevitably, there is a mixed bag of results. This season we witnessed the 4-1 hammering by West Brom, but also the 2-0 win over Sunderland and the Man City win in May when the atmosphere was out of this world.
I treasure the trips to Goodison - leaving the M6, picking up the local radio signal and the pre-match chat, parking at Aintree, the train to Kirkdale and the walk to the ground with so many fellow Blues. So different from back home where we are out on a limb.
The game can sometimes be good too! And waiting behind to get autographs is always worth it even if it means getting home even later at night (between 10 and 11pm).
Daniel and I also follow Motherwell, our local team, but the Blues come first. I have no family connection with Liverpool at all, but I hope my long and loyal service has earned me my place in the Everton family!
50 Posted 19/06/2011 at 21:33:35
In 1968 my brother told me that we would support the team that won the Fa Cup Semi Final between Leeds and Everton. I was Four he was older so I did what I was told!
Thankfully Everton beat Leeds thanks to a Johnny Morrissey penalty. Funnily enough I now live in Leeds!
After that it was Everton all the way and not even early life trips to Fratton park across the Solent would change things.
My earliest, clearest memory though was beating Southampton 8-0 in 1971 with my favourite player Joe Royal scoring 4. I can still visualise my dad telling the result.
My first game at Goodison was 3 years later to see the blues lose 3-0 to an already relegated Southampton who featured Channon and Osgood in their team. I was lucky enough to see Royal and Latchford up front in the same game.
My first season ticket was bought in 1983 so I was very lucky to see the next few years home and away when we were at our best.
I Love it!
Roll on the 13th August.
51 Posted 20/06/2011 at 10:32:23
52 Posted 20/06/2011 at 14:36:22
But I do remember the heartache as a young boy; 1980 - my dad had let me stay up late to watch the semi-final replay highlights versus West Ham.
We were rarely on the TV back then so we deliberately avoided the result earlier. I was sure we were going to win; they were 2nd division opponents after all.
Unfortunately, "Lampard Snr wasn't it", didn't read the script and scored with a flying header. Imre Varadi then missed a golden chance and we were done.
I cried myself to sleep that night but knew then; it was always going to be Everton for me.
53 Posted 21/06/2011 at 00:02:57
54 Posted 22/06/2011 at 08:23:01
I'm 31 years old and have been an Everton supporter since 1986 - but as an six year old I wasn't aware that Everton were one of the top teams in Europe when I decided they were MY team from now on.
For me it has got do do with a comic book my parents bought me
It was called "Buster" and I think it was originally made in the UK. THere were a lot of football comics such as Hot Shot Hamish, Roy of the Rovers and Billy's Boots. And it also ran a Swedish comic called �shöjdens BK in which a small village team reached the top flight. In the episode that featured in this particular issue the two protagonist s, brothers, had been sold to England and Everton and they were playing in the Merseyside Derby at ANfield and I immediately caught on. Of course I wanted Everton to win the game in the comic and from there on I've been a die hard Everton fan.
55 Posted 22/06/2011 at 13:41:45
56 Posted 22/06/2011 at 13:42:04
However my reason for being everton daft is due to one Emlyn Hughes , erstwhile captain of the dark side.
After Liverpool had won their first European Cup, there was a civic reception in Liverpool. I remember the players appearing on the balcony of the town hall on the BBC news, and a clearly drunk EH lead the community singing on the balcony and along with the rest of Liverpool FC sang the charming ditty---'Liverpool are magic, Everton are tragic' etc. etc.
That did it for me. Everton had nearly been relegated, but Liverpool could not be dignified to their neighbours on the other side of the park. Not are they poor losers , they cant win in a dignified manner.
I've been loyal ever since and try to visit Goodison 2 ton 3 times a year, obviously more during the eighties and the good years. I love the city , the people, the clob, and goodison. My daughter is equally a true blue and loves going to the home of footbvall in the city.
thank you Liverpool F C for making me a true blue--I have never ever regretted being an EVERTONIAN.
NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM
57 Posted 22/06/2011 at 19:55:10
I live in Mid Essex and started supporting Everton in 1984 just before the best spell in our history. The first reason was because I hated Liverpool FC with a passion even as an 8 year old, they were winning trophies all over the place and I always favour the underdog.
The second was a feature on Everton in my treasured collection of Roy of the Rovers comics, I loved the name and the look of the ground (now it may seem hard to believe but in those days Goodison was amongst the biggest and most modern in the country).
Everton were about to play Southampton in the FA Cup semi final at Highbury and I asked my dad if he could record the highlights on our old beta max video player. I cant actually remember the match itself, however I can remember watching the highlights on the Sunday afternoon and seeing Heaths late header crash into the North Bank net. That was the first time I got goosebumps from watching football and from that moment I have been hooked.
The following season I went to my first Everton match at Ipswich (2-0 with sharp both goals) and watched Everton sweep all before them, unfortunately losing to Man Utd in the FA cup final.
I have had lots of ups and downs in the 25 years plus I have been supporting Everton, I have been to hundreds of games and spent countless money but it has all been worthwhile because no matter what happens from here on in I have tons of great memories.
I do come across quite a few Everton fans down here in Essex, although we cant compete withour neighbours or Man Utd I see a lot more Everton fans than teams like Man City, Newcastle and Aston Villa, most are around my age and have the connection from the great 80's teams.
I have tried to pass it onto my kids however my two boys have opted for a North London rivalry, my 5 year old daughter is taking an interest and spreads the Everton word at school when football is discussed.
If we could have another period of domination I am sure our numbers would swell further and dilute some of these plastic Liverpool fans that live down here. Sorry probaly waffled too long, but was thinking of starting a similar thread some time ago but never got round to it. Keep the faith!!
58 Posted 24/06/2011 at 15:06:20
I emigrated from Liverpool and over in Aus you get lots of blokes supporting Premier League teams. I can honestly say, hand on heart, that when you meet an Evertonian they're something else. Evertonians just seem to know their history and, for me, are more likely to be proper supporters than those who support the more successful teams.
Thing is, no-one would choose to have supported us over the last 20 years unless it was embedded in them. Who gets up at unGodly hours of the morning to watch a team that wins fuck all? Talking about blokes trying to get supporters groups going and pushing the "soccer" agenda in a country dominated by other sports.
I wouldn't have thought it before I moved, but some of the most committed and dedicated supporters are outside of Liverpool, because in Liverpool you can kind of take it for granted.
59 Posted 24/06/2011 at 21:57:48
60 Posted 24/06/2011 at 22:05:35
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1 Posted 13/06/2011 at 19:40:23
It's got to be something mystical!