Season 2011-12 Fan Articles
Everton: One Big Family
By Paul Traill :: 01/07/2011
12 Comments (»Last)
On the evening of Tuesday 29 June 2011, on behalf of ToffeeWeb, I was fortuitous enough to be one of 34 provided with the luxury of enjoying an evening with Dr David France, his lovely wife Elizabeth, and several special guests at the fantastic venue of the Liverpool Town Hall. The occasion: the not-so-small matter of the Citizen of Honour Award for Dr David France.
Arriving in good time, I shuffled through the main entrance and up the stairs? slightly overawed by the beauty of the venue. I followed the corridors through to the main area where the Z-Cars theme was played by an exquisite pianist. The venue fantastic. Overawed?completely.
I recognized David and Elizabeth France and wanted to get over to them and offer my congratulations on the award and to express my gratitude on the invite to such an auspicious event. Getting to the great man was impossible given that everybody wanted a piece of him? and who could blame them? it?s not every day you get a chance to meet a man like Dr Everton.
Whilst waiting for my opportunity to speak with Dr and Mrs France, I did recognize two other great Evertonians who do some sterling work for the Everton Heritage Society and go by the names of Steve Flanagan and David Starsky? nice to catch up with both of them ?David Starsky in particular, he?s a nice fella with so much time and knowledge for all things Everton Football Club. Paul Wharton deserves a mention also ? he?ll have been disappointed to have missed this one... on his holidays I?m told. He does some relentless work also. The great Dave Hickson was also present? and also receiving a Citizen of Honour award at the ceremony as Steve Flanagan informed me. ?If You Know Your History? boomed out from the piano.
It was only when we were getting ushered inside for the ceremony that I was finally able to grab a quick word with Dr Everton. Within moments of meeting Dr David France you feel so assured, so at ease, such is his way? a smile, a warm handshake and kind words immediately. He gave me a sneak preview of a few gags he had in store for the ?Everton Family Gathering? later on. I was then able to speak with Mrs France also, a lovely lady? very endearing. I walked alongside her for a while as we made our way on to the ceremony. She spoke of her pride at the award for David and the reward for the incredible hard work he?s completed over the years ? and still continuous to do.
I took a seat towards one of the back rows in the ceremony room. The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councilor Frank Prendergast, led out the awardees as they took their seats at the front of the stand, facing the Lord Mayor. Dave Hickson and Dr France weren?t the only ones to receive Citizen of Honour awards. Joe Anderson spoke kindly of Mr Tony McGann, OBE, for what sounds like a lifetime of community work, starting in the 1960s / 70s with the founding of the Eldonians Community Based Housing Association, which has benefitted many. Tony also won the Citizen of the Year award in 1983 and was granted an MBE in 1993? and then an OBE in 2008. In collecting his admission into the Roll of Citizen of Honour in recognition of outstanding services to the community and the City, he had special praise for Joe Anderson and dedicated the award to the Eldonians and the people of Liverpool.
Joe Anderson?s next words were for none other than the great Dave Hickson, starting with something along the lines of ?this man played for Liverpool?s premier team? Everton?. He went on to describe Dave Hickson?s unique hair, and how he still has it now, and that ?if Everton don?t get to sign a striker this summer, Moyesie could do worse than give Dave Hickson a call?? Robert Elstone was beaming. Joe proudly described a famous goal scored by Dave Hickson against Manchester United when he bravely headed Everton?s winning goal and got a good clout in the process. The blood streaming from Hickson?s head at the time, much better than anything Terry Butcher could achieve! ?They just don?t make them like Dave anymore? he said? also commenting that Aston Villa paid £17k for Dave Hickson? ridiculous when considering what players are transferred for now.
Dave Hickson is of course the only player to have played for all three Merseyside clubs: Everton, Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers. He only stopped playing charity games aged 75 and, of course, still works at Goodison Park on matchdays. Further to football, he has also raised thousands for breast cancer support. The word ?legend? springs to mind and the fantastic reception he received upon his admission to the Citizen of Honour award would suggest this to be true.
His speech was short but excellent? almost stating he felt undeserving of the award and that he was just ?pulled out of the hat? given that thousands of others also do a great deal of charity work in the city. He thanked the Lily Centre for all their work in breast cancer support and also stated that Liverpool FC and Tranmere Rovers FC have both provided a great deal to support the Lily Centre but nobody quite as much as Everton FC. ?Sorry, ladies and gents. That?s me.? he finished with?resuming his seat to quite a moving standing ovation.
Next up was indeed Dr David France, with Joe Anderson providing some lovely words in presenting the honour. He spoke in depth about David?s background of working in USA since emigrating in 1978 and of his work at an oil and gas corporation, with NASA and even a nuclear expert? retiring aged 42 to devote more time to worthier causes in USA and closer to home, with Merseyside football? or, perhaps more to the point, Merseyside Footballers?
Dr David France was the first to recognize the medical and financial requirements of retired footballers; he conceived and founded the Everton Former Players Foundation in 1999. This was the first of its kind in the world of football and to date has raised funds and awarded grants in excess of £1,000,000. Consequently, Uefa have embraced this model and it is replicated by football giants worldwide, such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich ? all this down to one man.
Of course Dr France is better known for his phenomenal collection of Everton FC memorabilia from the first ever matchday programme to the most recent... the first ever team photo... medals... I could go on and on. The most priceless probably the official club ledgers detailing the minutes of all board meetings between 1886 and 1964, containing details of the split which resulted in the formation of Liverpool FC. I could go on all day... I really could... and, to show the measure of the man, Dr. David France has completed 97 marathons ? all for charity.
He received his admittance into the Roll of Citizen of Honour in recognition of outstanding services to football and the local community in the City, to an excellent round of applause from all attendees, and I don?t think he missed anyone out in his acceptance speech with Bill Kenwright, Sir Philip Carter, Robert Elstone, Keith Wyness, Laurence Lee, Rev Harry Ross ? the trustee of the Former-Players Foundation, Anne Asquith, Paul Wharton and from the Everton Shareholders Association, the Everton Collection Trust, the Everton Heritage Society, David Prentice and others from Trinity Mirror / Liverpool Echo... the official Everton website and the independent websites who keep him updated on all things Blue from across the pond, namely ToffeeWeb, Bluekipper and NSNO.co.uk... all recipients of David France?s gratitude.
Most thanks of course went to Mrs Elizabeth France following 35 years of marriage... though little did she know at the start that she was also marrying into the Everton family!
David spoke highly about the Everton Family and about how we don?t just support the club... we support each other and how this is akin to the people of the city of Liverpool. He admires how Everton do these things for former players but don?t make a song and dance about it... unlike perhaps how some of the so-called ?darlings? of the football world may do. It was a really nice speech and I?m sorry I can?t quite do it justice in text. I have a transcript of both Dr David France's and Joe Anderson?s speech. If you?d like to see this in full please email me: paultraill2000@yahoo.co.uk. As you?d expect? he left the stage to fantastic applause.
Danielle Thomas took to the stage to perform Abide With Me before Mr Louis Biggs OBE received his award for outstanding services to the Arts in the City. Louis had a big hand in the Capital of Culture 2008 award for Liverpool and has worked as Director of Liverpool Tate Art Gallery amongst other works? also working in Shanghai in what he calls ?Liverpool?s Sister City?? albeit 40 times the size of Liverpool! He wants to continue working for Liverpool and is also of the Blue persuasion. ?I?m made up!? he ended his speech with.
He was followed by Miss Patricia Mary Mullin, OBE, who has overseen some fantastic works within education in Liverpool. She is also a Blue? finishing her speech with ?The only time I don?t like hearing about Liverpool is whenever they beat my beloved Everton?.
With that, Danielle Thomas blasted out a superb version of ?You Raise Me Up?. I wasn?t expecting to have to sing either? though we all did with one verse of the National Anthem. At that, the mace was removed, the Citizens of Honour left the venue, and the wonderful ceremony was brought to an end.
The fun was far from over, however, and was in fact just beginning. After some slight confusion, we were led upstairs for a reception and were able to overlook parts of Liverpool City Centre from the balcony on the top floor of the Liverpool Town Hall? where The Beatles once stood... and apparently the 1966 FA Cup winning team. I got talking to a gent from the Bluekipper website for a short while before we were led onto our tables.
I was sat between Greg O?Keeffe, the Everton FC Correspondent for the Liverpool Echo, and Phil Parker, a good fella who co-incidentally enough is a distant friend of a friend. It was nice to speak with both of them and interesting to hear a few stories from life on the road supporting Everton? both as a journalist from Greg?and some interesting stories from the 70s and 80s from Phil.
Mrs France said some nice words to get proceedings under way as we tucked into a delicious mushroom soup. The theme of the evening was ?What does Everton mean to me?? Lawrence Lee, trustee of Everton Former Players Association, began explaining how he used to deliver lemonade to Joe Royle and felt from an early age that he was part of the Everton family. Joe Anderson also said yet more nice words.
The humorous gag Dr David France had prepared was the serving of Scouse for three Liverpool supporters who had been invited along: Steve Done, Jah Jussa and David Mann. This was accompanied by roadmaps highlighting the way into the city! A lovely chicken meal was served as the toasts continued.
Anne Asquith of the Everton Shareholders Association told of her early years being smuggled into the Boys Pen at Goodison Park and her delight at the Everton club's worldwide spread of other clubs and support, be that in Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and at one stage in New Zealand. It really hit home the message of what supporting Everton means to Evertonians ? that we are one big family? this was endorsed by most of the other speeches. Apologies ? I?m unable to recall everything from the night? there was a lot going on.
Steve Done, Liverpool FC curator, stood up to say some very nice words about Everton also...?this is lambs to the slaughter? he joked as he began. He went on to say that behind the public jibes and banter towards Everton from Bill Shankly, that he actually had a lot of time and love for Everton FC. In 1960-61 and 1973-74 he was actually provided with a season ticket to be invited into the Directors Box at Goodison Park. Bill Shankly wouldn?t throw these away and kept them in his sock draw? a fascinating tale.
As the night moved on, Jake Mills, a budding young comedian who was sat at my table, took to the floor to add some humour to the evening. He was followed by Simon Paul of NSNO.co.uk who said some nice words, reiterating the feeling of the Everton Family? meanwhile we moved onto deserts?t he night flowing ever so nicely.
Peter Lupson, an author and excellent speaker who I?ve now had the pleasure of hearing talk about Everton FC on a few occasions, spoke of his feelings for Everton FC? how Norwich City was his first love but he can?t help the slide towards Everton ? even unable to stop his children from the gripping lure which is Everton FC. ?How can you ignore a team which has won nine league titles?? said Peter.
He spoke of four key areas he sees which makes Everton such a special club:
1. Inclusiveness: The inclusion of different religions in the early Everton days at a time when things were much more difficult. James Baxter, a Catholic Chairman, invited others to participate at Everton FC (apologies?I?m hazy on the details).
2. Forgiveness: Everton FC reaching out to Liverpool FC? personified by the great friendship of Will Cuff and John McKenna.
3. Support: Hillsborough.
4. Humility: Dr David France. An extremely dignified, intellectual man? one who reaches out to others.
He ended his words with: ?David and Elizabeth France? like Everton? a great team?.
George Orr spoke glowingly of the work completed by Dr David France ? particularly so with the Everton Former Players Foundation? speaking of ex-players crying at events when supporters were singing their names, and again, endorsing what most prior had already said ? that of the family feel associated with Everton FC.
We were onto cheese and crackers when Norman Jones toasted Everton?s 109th season in the top flight ? easily the highest total of any other team in the land ? and a good eight more than the next team down, Aston Villa.
Gerry Murphy wound down the evening with a couple of excellent songs, namely The Ballad of Dixie Dean. People started to fritter out and, conscious of ensuring I caught my last bus home, I had to make a dart. The evening kind of ended for me as it began? I wanted to catch a quick word with Dr David France and Mrs Elizabeth France before I left? though was difficult to do so as everybody wanted to speak with both of them. Luckily I was able to, and as ever, the great man had time to chat? also going back to his table to provide me with some notes which could be helpful for this report?how many people would do that for you?
It was a real pleasure to meet him again, an absolute honour to be invited along again and I really hope I get the chance to see the Frances again in the not-too-distant future. I was also able to thank Mrs Elizabeth France and bid her farewell? just like her husband, the thoughtfulness doesn?t stop, asking if I had a nice time and wishing me a safe trip home. They really are extraordinary people? this is one extraordinary club? one extraordinary family so starved and deserving of some success on the field. <>P> You never think it?s possible, but having witnessed the love for the club last night, I now feel even more proud to be a Blue.
Congratulations, Dr David France. Thanks very much for a wonderful evening.
Reader Comments (12)
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2 Posted 01/07/2011 at 14:27:14
Thank You Paul
3 Posted 01/07/2011 at 15:20:33
Even though I've met and talked to so many different players and managers, I still have not been able to meet Dr Everton and his wife.
I hope they travel to Washington for the pre-season, as I would love to be able to shake his hand and thank him from the bottom of my heart for all he has done for our "family".
4 Posted 01/07/2011 at 17:00:44
An excellent piece as always. ToffeeWeb should be very proud that they have you on board!
But I would also like to add my Thanks in public, and hopefully for posterity here on the World Wide Web, to Dr David France and Elizabeth France for ALL they have done for the Everton Family.
I was fortunate to meet with David the previous week, and I never cease to be amazed at his knowledge and love of Everton. I was helping him review questions for the new Everton Quiz Book that is being planned, although my ?helping? consisted of me sitting dumbfounded as he reeled off fact after fact about every player mentioned in the first 100 questions, and me borrowing his glasses to read the document he had prepared!
I also witnessed the Everton fan who had recognised David and had come over to shake his hand and talk about Everton, and old times back in Widnes. David seemed more humbled than the gent himself, as though he doesn?t sometimes understand just why he is held in such high esteem by Everton fans. Such is his humility.
On the evening of David receiving his award, and suitably humbled after the meeting the previous week, I arrived at the Town Hall and renewed old friendships with David and Elizabeth.
This Town Hall which was so pivotal as the Civic Reception point when Liverpool was the second city in the Largest Empire the world has ever seen ? and it an immensely regal setting.
I have not had the chance to speak with Elizabeth much, but I find her to be a charming Lady, and I was very happy to be in her company while David was being buttonholed by the Blue acolytes. I apologised about how on David?s last visit I had probably been the reason he had returned with pneumonia, and how on this occasion we had inadvertently found ourselves in a noisy ?party atmosphere? bistro when Elizabeth had phoned him from Canada. I was half expecting a slap or a telling off, but Elizabeth had taken it all in good humour.
If there is a saint on earth, then she is it!
I had expected to say a few words at the dinner and had prepared a few notes to help me. I needn?t have bothered because everyone had the same sentiments, and expressed them much better than I could have.
The main phrase in the speeches from the attendees, who had all independently drafted their words, was the EVERTON FAMILY.
And the reason I had also had this phrase on my lips was the fact that David, when referring to the upcoming Town Hall event to me, had used the phrases Everton Family Gathering, and the Everton Family Photo. He does treat Evertonians as his Family.
As we all know though, a family contains some characters. And our Everton family is no exception. The ?Keep Everton in Our City? members sat alongside the NSNO website members and the Liverpool FC guests sat alongside Robert Elstone the CEO of Everton FC, and EFC Heritage Society members. I was happy to see Steve Done from Liverpool at the meal as it is a fitting acknowledgement of the power of good over the people who look to divide and turn fans on Merseyside against each other.
THE EVERTON FAMILY IS DIVERSE AND IT IS INCLUSIVE.
Football Fans respect what David France has done for Football, not only on Merseyside, but also worldwide. I am sure there are people reading this on the other side of the world who have free access to the Everton Collection treasures. David did not go looking to make money out of the treasures of football he gathered. He wanted to give the treasures a home that would allow them to be seen by all! For that alone, he deserves his Citizen of Honour award.
David, like a paternal Grandfather, acknowledges the different elements of Evertonians, and indeed football fans in general, and welcomes them! Although, as he said in his speech, ?he likes the Blue ones better!?
I also notice other facets of David?s personality. He is ultra-professional when he needs to be, and caring just because of his nature. He ensures everyone is welcomed and included. He has a maturity of thought that is awe-inspiring to witness. As an example, on the evening he made sure that Dave Hickson knew he had the support of a friend there, and was at ease.
David, in his Citizen of Honour speech, Thanked EFC ? who I hope will try and make more of use of David?s skills and passion for the club than they currently do ? and the Everton websites, EFPF, Shareholders, Evertonians and the EFC Heritage Society. But most of all, and with a real affection, he acknowledged Elizabeth his wife who really has been the great woman behind the great man!
It was a pleasure and an honour to witness David being awarded the Liverpool Citizen of Honour award. I hope your next honour isn?t too long coming.
David Starsky
5 Posted 02/07/2011 at 04:19:52
After initially reading the piece, I thought 'What can you add to that?' so I didn't bother. Looking at the small number of comments, a lot agreed with me.
Then I read Dave's piece, excellence upon excellence.
This is up there with the best posts ever.
Close it off MK, let it stand alone and unique as a monument to the Man and The Everton Family.
Why do I support Everton?? What Reasons??
ALL OF THE ABOVE. End of story.
6 Posted 02/07/2011 at 05:49:58
After reading this piece, and taking in the unreserved praise for Dr David France, he is certainly someone I would very much love to meet and have a good chat to.
Really nice report, and very welcome in a time when so many (myself included) have a number of issues with the club.
7 Posted 02/07/2011 at 17:25:33
WE ARE STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF 'A' GIANT.
8 Posted 03/07/2011 at 12:52:33
David found the time and put in the money and effort to restore Everton's lost history. Artefacts that were strewn around the world were gathered together , logged and then displayed to an unbelieving fan base. How did he do that? How did he find the time to do it? Those were some of the questions posed when the Collection was launched.
His wife Elizabeth is a truly wonderul understanding woman, George Orr who does the excellent fanzine Blue Blood, has told me on many occasions that David & Elizabeth are the 'Everton Royal Family'. They have shown huge amounts of patience when the collection looked like not being purchased. The lottery people do not give money to causes that are not worthy and the Everton Collection was very worthy.
David gave former Everton players their pride back, they thought that they were forgotten, lost in the 50s, 60s & 70s... David travelled the length and breadth of Britain telling them they were not forgotten, that they were still loved by the fans; he organised the first Hall of Fame Gala in the Adelphi, he gave the old players some money and paid their hotel bills so as they could feel the gratitude of the fans.
80 ex-players came to that first Hall Of Fame Dinner ? when they entered the room, 600 Evertonians stood and applauded and sang their names. The former players were stunned and some were reduced to tears. David France gave them their pride back, he gave us, the fans, an opportunity to thank them. Players and fans side by side with mutual respect.
I will never forget the night I talked to Wally Fielding, Bobby Collins, Alex Young, Roy Vernon's wife, Joe Mercers wife. David did not ignore the widows ? they were included in this show of respect.
I want to say thank you to David & Elizabeth for being so kind, so generous and for being BLUE.
9 Posted 03/07/2011 at 14:51:19
David thoroughly deserved his award and the reasons have been well documented. However, I'd like to add something else. In my speech at the dinner, I made reference to a remarkable family ethos among members of the EFC family (and I speak as a Norwich City supporter) that's almost tangible. I believe its origin can be traced right back to St Domingo, in particular to three men who set the moral and spiritual benchmarks for the Sunday School boys of the class of 1878 ? Rev Ben Chambers and his right-hand men Henry Cuff and Joseph Wade.
Henry's son, Will, and Joseph's son, Alfred, were in that class and they, in turn, transmitted the St Domingo values to following generations of Evertonians. David France's many qualities of character prove that those values have been passed down to him. His compassion for struggling former players, his ready and warm acceptance of those outside the EFC family (even if their preferred colour is red!) and his striking humility are just some of the many qualities that distinguish him as a remarkable man.
On receiving his special award in the Council Chamber, David stated "We're placed on this earth to make others happy". As he said that, I pictured Rev Chambers, Henry Cuff and Joseph Wade warmly smiling and saying under their breath: "Well done, David. You're a true son of St Domingo. We're proud of you!"
10 Posted 04/07/2011 at 09:07:04
If you don't ask you won't get.
Alright Queen...nah, too informal
Dear Queen....better but nah.
May it please Your Majesty...yeah thats how to start it.
Seriously considering some of the tossers that do get K's can you think of any body better.
11 Posted 04/07/2011 at 14:57:21
Peter Lupson, people say that the St Domingo influence died in the early years of us arriving at Goodison but I like you know different, when we had Alfred Riley Wade who played in the first St Domingo and Everton teams and was a Director right up to his death in 1938 and the reign of Will Cuff till his death in 1949, these men brought to the table the morals of the church they came from and in turn gave Everton FC the platform to reach the heights of English football.
David France, Everton FC have had a number of Doctors through our history but you will be remembered right up there with Dr Baxter for the great Evertonia you have brought to the lives of Evertonians. Well done and see you soon.
On behalf of the EFC Heritage Society congratulations on your award.
Paul Wharton
EFC Heritage Society Chairman
12 Posted 05/07/2011 at 18:45:31
It was a wonderful night, and hats are well and truly off to David and Elizabeth for being such gracious hosts
As David Starsky has said, it really was a family affair! I thought it was a shining endorsement of our fans that groups who are known to have public disagreements, such as NSNO and Robert Elstone, can come together and put them to one side for the good of "the family".
Mr Elstone was a terrific sport, although admitted he should never have barracked the comedian!
I'm proud that David France asked me to help him find a venue to host this dinner in, although it was a difficult task with the brief he gave me ? until I remembered where the hell we where and that the Town Hall is one of the finest places to hold this type of gathering in the city!
Elizabeth thanked me for helping out, but I have to say that I don't think I did too much. I hung around with Dr France for a day or two and watched in awe as he showed the kind of attention to detail I can only dream of achieving!
Lapel badges with "I Love Everton" on for every guest, a massive bouquet of flowers for each lady diner, and one of 10 fantastic cartoon sketches for each diner with the menu and running order of the night included (we have all ten on display on the NSNO Facebook page).
Even the free bar was respected by all and nobody abused the privilege.
I admit that when it got to my turn to speak I was pretty nervous, which is unusual for me actually, but I think I managed to convey my respect and admiration for our "big brother" David France. I hope I did anyway, although both run deep.
Our red cousins were respectful and welcomed with open arms, although the gag with the scouse might have thrown a few of them off balance!
I'd like to thank David for inviting me along on the night, and involving me in the planning, and of course congratulate him again on his award. David France really is the best thing to happen to Everton without ever wearing the shirt in anger!
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1 Posted 01/07/2011 at 04:24:02
Dr David France and his lovely wife Elisabeth are indeed exceptional people and ? it goes without saying ? wonderful Evertonians. This fantastic honour is no less than the great man deserves, and it's fantastic to see him still making these pilgrimages to the homeland and our Mecca.
The incredible thing for me is his inventiveness in continuing to come up with unique Everton creations of his own, such as the memorial plaque for the Everton war dead. Long may it continue.