Season 2011-12 Fan Articles
Second Team
By Alun Willis :: 23/09/2011
35 Comments (»Last)
By 2nd Team I don't mean the Everton made up of those yeoman foot soldiers and squad players who are one mistimed tackle away from 1st team action (if not glory). No, I mean that other team (or teams) who you have a soft spot, and look out for on the teleprinter (there?s one for the kids) on a Saturday afternoon.
When I was a tiddler and a toddler I had a whole division of "second teams" ranging from Dunfermline (still my Scottish team of choice) to Shrewsbury via Chelsea. Then puberty kicked in and for the next 20 irritable years I had no interest in any other team whatsoever. In fact my irrational dislike of all other clubs meant I wanted them all to lose every game every week (a physical impossibility I know but I lived in irrational hope).
Then from about age 35 to the present day (about 3 years hence) this loathing mellowed to the point where I could appreciate other teams once again and even cheer on one side against another when I had no connection to either and/or both.
For example, yes, I confess it publicly for the first time, I even got caught up in the "Newcastle?Everyone?s second favourite team" in their Keegan-led (first time around) heyday (you know, that time when Everton really were shite). I felt genuinely distraught for Wor Kevin (I?ll repeat that because I still can?t quite believe I?m writing it myself?.me, "distraught for Kevin Keegan") when he was slumped over the hoarding that fateful night at Ewood Park. Mind you, I can?t stand the Bar Codes now. Especially the media- driven overinflated self worth of their wobble bottomed fans "Ahm a real fan me coz ah teks me vest off wen its fookin caulld like".
So what?s the point to all this guff? Well, like most of the best things in life, there are two points.
Firstly, have you mellowed? Do you have a "second team?" I have. Couldn?t be another English team who could come up against Everton on a regular basis so I?ve gone all international and glory-hunting (something I think that I deserve after decades of supporting our beloved Blues) So I can officially announce that Barcelona are "by far the (second) best team the World has ever seen" (fact).
And what?s more, I?m going to see them for the first time ever tomorrow night (starts at 10pm for goodness sake). How excited am I? (Very. And you can probably tell I?ve written this after the odd ceveza or two).
Secondly, apparently and allegedly, since Man City became the worlds richest toy, there?s now a vacancy for "everybody?s" second favourite team. So why not us? And what would we need to do to take up this mantle? And would we want to? I do believe the potential is there. Anecdotally and a case in point, Dan Gosling not only became an instant hit in Blue households with his winner against our pesky neighbours in the FA Cup, he also became a bit of a cult to numerous fans of other teams who share our loathing of the "Red Shite". (Just a shame the ungrateful little sod dumped us for the Barcodes).
So to sum up, who are Evertonians' "2nd Team"? (it?s currently 1-0 to Barcelona) and could (and should) Everton take up the mantle of England's 2nd Team? Adios mi azul nariz amigos.
Reader Comments (35)
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Andy Crooks
2 Posted 23/09/2011 at 23:25:33
2 Posted 23/09/2011 at 23:25:33
Alun, it was always, for some reason beyond explanation, Aberdeen. Never been there, never seen them play, but I reckon I could go to the Granite City(yeah I know) and pass myself as a lifelong fan/ Incidentally this was before the Ferguson era as he fucked things up by winning stuff.
I mean, Eddie Turnbull. David Robb and ,the Everton link, Joe Harper.
I mean, Eddie Turnbull. David Robb and ,the Everton link, Joe Harper.
Chris Leyland
3 Posted 23/09/2011 at 23:34:59
3 Posted 23/09/2011 at 23:34:59
My second team are Berwick Rangers. My mate picked Alloa when we were in school so I picked Berwick as Trevor Steven was born there. We even went to a game between the 2 sides. 2 1 to Alloa at their ground. Fuckers!
I also went through a Norwich City phase in the late sevs/ early eighties.I even had a Norwich admiral kit . The full works, with massive admiral badges down the sleeves.
I also went through a Norwich City phase in the late sevs/ early eighties.I even had a Norwich admiral kit . The full works, with massive admiral badges down the sleeves.
Kiern Moran
4 Posted 24/09/2011 at 00:34:29
4 Posted 24/09/2011 at 00:34:29
I go and watch my local team Wycombe Wanderers, set to have a much more tougher season then Everton.
Pat Finegan
5 Posted 24/09/2011 at 00:32:20
5 Posted 24/09/2011 at 00:32:20
Living in the US, I have grown to support my local MLS team, The Philadelphia Union. They are actually doing well in their league so it's a nice little change of pace.
I find myself supporting individual players more so than other teams. I like Leo Messi. I think he's a class act and I tend to pull for Barca a lot because of him. I pull for Arsenal because of Arteta. I'd love to see him win a trophy or two. I root for any Evertonian playing for their national team. I don't like the England team much but when Jags and Baines are in the side I always root for them.
I find myself supporting individual players more so than other teams. I like Leo Messi. I think he's a class act and I tend to pull for Barca a lot because of him. I pull for Arsenal because of Arteta. I'd love to see him win a trophy or two. I root for any Evertonian playing for their national team. I don't like the England team much but when Jags and Baines are in the side I always root for them.
Danny O'Neill
6 Posted 24/09/2011 at 01:08:31
6 Posted 24/09/2011 at 01:08:31
Just Everton! I follow Celtic's results, but it's just Everton for me! Can't bring myself to "cheat" on them with another "woman" (team), no matter what!!! Echo the sentiment with England, means nothing to me.....just Everton - is that still a common trait amongst Evertonians to this day?
Eric Myles
7 Posted 24/09/2011 at 03:51:22
7 Posted 24/09/2011 at 03:51:22
Hartlepools United.
I had a brief flirtation with Arsenal when Alan Ball was sold to them.
I had a brief flirtation with Arsenal when Alan Ball was sold to them.
Ryan Rosenberg
8 Posted 24/09/2011 at 04:18:41
8 Posted 24/09/2011 at 04:18:41
I live in Melbourne so I support Melbourne Heart. However overseas it's Everton & Real Madrid for me, and I have a soft spot for WBA.
Derek Thomas
9 Posted 24/09/2011 at 04:54:34
9 Posted 24/09/2011 at 04:54:34
No real 2nd team. But I do have a soft spot for Giant Killers and underdogs in the FA Cup, except when they play us.
Hereford Vs Newcastle have to be up there. Bob Stokoe's Sunderland, Ipswich and of course....
WIMBLEDON, I haven't stopped laughing yet.
Hereford Vs Newcastle have to be up there. Bob Stokoe's Sunderland, Ipswich and of course....
WIMBLEDON, I haven't stopped laughing yet.
Ged Simpson
10 Posted 24/09/2011 at 06:47:25
10 Posted 24/09/2011 at 06:47:25
man city
Jamie Zeqiri
11 Posted 24/09/2011 at 08:25:07
11 Posted 24/09/2011 at 08:25:07
In this country it's Chelsea.
in Spain it's Madrid, used to be Barca but under Guardiola I've become seriously sick of their 'holier than thou' bollocks, especially with their extraordinary aptitude for, and fondness of, gamesmanship and cheating. I know Madrid are at least as bad but at least they don't harp on about 'playing the game the right way'. Also love Mourinho, his cynicism is fecking hilarious
In Italy it's Meeelan because I'm 27 and when I first became interested in football they had what I still think is the best team ever to play the game (Van Basten, Gullit, Albertini, Baresi etc) - then after that team there was the 4-0 destruction of Barcelona in a CL final bossed by Dejan Savicevic, still the best performance in a European final ever.
In Holland I like Ajax, they have the best shirts.
That is all I have.
in Spain it's Madrid, used to be Barca but under Guardiola I've become seriously sick of their 'holier than thou' bollocks, especially with their extraordinary aptitude for, and fondness of, gamesmanship and cheating. I know Madrid are at least as bad but at least they don't harp on about 'playing the game the right way'. Also love Mourinho, his cynicism is fecking hilarious
In Italy it's Meeelan because I'm 27 and when I first became interested in football they had what I still think is the best team ever to play the game (Van Basten, Gullit, Albertini, Baresi etc) - then after that team there was the 4-0 destruction of Barcelona in a CL final bossed by Dejan Savicevic, still the best performance in a European final ever.
In Holland I like Ajax, they have the best shirts.
That is all I have.
Howard Don
12 Posted 24/09/2011 at 08:47:08
12 Posted 24/09/2011 at 08:47:08
Hearts in Scotland. Used to have a soft spot for Man. City dating back to the three cup games we played against them in '66, they were 2nd division then but on their way up and their fans at the Goodison replay were, for me as a kid, the most passionate I'd seen.
Internationally I can't get past Barcelona.
Internationally I can't get past Barcelona.
Dominic Bobadilla
13 Posted 24/09/2011 at 09:29:00
13 Posted 24/09/2011 at 09:29:00
Soft spot for FC Union Berlin. Like Everton, a true People's Club with a we-have-no-money-yet-we-own-the-world approach to things.
Shaun Brennan
14 Posted 24/09/2011 at 09:49:07
14 Posted 24/09/2011 at 09:49:07
Everton and Everton reserves you bad gang of wools ha ha.
I suppose you could through CD Everton in there too. But to be honest. I've never even looked them up on footytube or anything.
Although one of my personal ambitions if you can call it that us to visit South America in the next 5 years and watch the teams with Everton links out there.
I suppose you could through CD Everton in there too. But to be honest. I've never even looked them up on footytube or anything.
Although one of my personal ambitions if you can call it that us to visit South America in the next 5 years and watch the teams with Everton links out there.
Ben Jones
15 Posted 24/09/2011 at 09:51:12
15 Posted 24/09/2011 at 09:51:12
Seeing as I am Welsh, it was a choice between Cardiff and Swansea. But ever since Martinez was there, I'd always have a soft spot for Swansea, and was happy when they came up, and really hope they do stay up. It's great hearing the crowd sing Land of Our Fathers, just like in the rugby.
So yeah, Swansea for the whole Welsh representation thing for me.
So yeah, Swansea for the whole Welsh representation thing for me.
Robert Keys
16 Posted 24/09/2011 at 09:48:54
16 Posted 24/09/2011 at 09:48:54
Having been exiled in Oz for the last 7 years i have taken a liking for Melbourne Victory. Mainly because I live in Adelaide and although Adelaide United have been quite successful they play in all red !!!
Dick Fearon
17 Posted 24/09/2011 at 10:31:24
17 Posted 24/09/2011 at 10:31:24
Its Heart of Midlothian for me. I have never seen or know anything about them, not which part of Scotland they hail from or even the colour of their shirts.
I used to think it was the home of the gods. The Golden Vision came down to us from them and that's good enough for me.
I used to think it was the home of the gods. The Golden Vision came down to us from them and that's good enough for me.
Richard Tarleton
18 Posted 24/09/2011 at 11:21:11
18 Posted 24/09/2011 at 11:21:11
Montrose! My dad played for them during the war.
Adam Bennett
19 Posted 24/09/2011 at 11:31:01
19 Posted 24/09/2011 at 11:31:01
Rangers for me, started when Tricky Trev went up there and followed them ever since.
Ray Roche
20 Posted 24/09/2011 at 11:33:58
20 Posted 24/09/2011 at 11:33:58
Andy Crooks@2
Joe Harper, I saw his debut. I also remember him slagging Everton off for his twelve pieces of silver to the NOTW, something Albert Dunlop also did when he needed some money . Dunlop tried to make out Everton players were on drugs, as I recall, and the reason he'd stayed on the pitch when all the players were called off due to fog was because he was so drugged up he didn't know what was going on. Anyone else remember those articles?
Joe Harper, I saw his debut. I also remember him slagging Everton off for his twelve pieces of silver to the NOTW, something Albert Dunlop also did when he needed some money . Dunlop tried to make out Everton players were on drugs, as I recall, and the reason he'd stayed on the pitch when all the players were called off due to fog was because he was so drugged up he didn't know what was going on. Anyone else remember those articles?
Phil Bellis
21 Posted 24/09/2011 at 11:38:03
21 Posted 24/09/2011 at 11:38:03
When televised football was a rarity, I'd watch any game that was on
The World Cup showed me the talents of the 66 Hungarians, Pele's Brazil and Cruyff's Holland, all of whom I remember with affection
Now...no 2nd team, never watch football apart from Everton or World Cup games involving our players, fast-forward to the last match on MOTD and wouldn't watch England if they paid me and threw in a night out with Faith Hill
The World Cup showed me the talents of the 66 Hungarians, Pele's Brazil and Cruyff's Holland, all of whom I remember with affection
Now...no 2nd team, never watch football apart from Everton or World Cup games involving our players, fast-forward to the last match on MOTD and wouldn't watch England if they paid me and threw in a night out with Faith Hill
Ste Warbrick
22 Posted 24/09/2011 at 11:54:37
22 Posted 24/09/2011 at 11:54:37
When I left Liverpool, I followed Enfield in the Conference.
Then moved to Nottingham where they have their own version of smug, unsporting, humourless, arrogant RS, so I have a big soft spot for Notts County. When Howard Kendall was boss at Notts a gang of Notts Blues went to the Notts v Everton reserves game and met him.
As with others, I follow CD Everton from afar.
(I always had a soft spot for Tranmere, but when they sang "we hate Scousers" at Goodison I switched off them.)
Then moved to Nottingham where they have their own version of smug, unsporting, humourless, arrogant RS, so I have a big soft spot for Notts County. When Howard Kendall was boss at Notts a gang of Notts Blues went to the Notts v Everton reserves game and met him.
As with others, I follow CD Everton from afar.
(I always had a soft spot for Tranmere, but when they sang "we hate Scousers" at Goodison I switched off them.)
Ray Said
23 Posted 24/09/2011 at 12:08:55
23 Posted 24/09/2011 at 12:08:55
Inter. We played our first Champions cup game against them -i think it was 1964 and i have had a soft spot for them from then on.
They play in blue and they consider themselves the local team as AC Milan are considered by the media to be the 'glamour team' .
They play in blue and they consider themselves the local team as AC Milan are considered by the media to be the 'glamour team' .
Adam Cunliffe
24 Posted 24/09/2011 at 12:13:05
24 Posted 24/09/2011 at 12:13:05
Toughie this! Do have a soft spot for the Villa due to the girlfriend and her family, although they do seem to be the RS of the midlands, nobody likes them!
Staying with the midlands connection, I've been to watch Tamworth in the conference with her Dad a couple of times, as it's their 'local' club! Now non-league footy's an experience in itself haha.
But in all seriousness now, it'd be interesting to see how many of you on heer do this. Was on holiday with Mum, Dad and Sis and was sat in a bar after our game with spurs was cancelled. The bar owner, incedentaly a cockney redshite had a game from greece on. Now we had no idea who was playing, but one team was in red, the other blue. Me and Dad actually cheered when the blues scored! So in conclusionto that, anyone in blue get's my vote.
Except Rangers of course, the girlfriend's familes all Irish so that'd go down a treat with them no doubt, proddy bastards and all that ;)
COYB!
Staying with the midlands connection, I've been to watch Tamworth in the conference with her Dad a couple of times, as it's their 'local' club! Now non-league footy's an experience in itself haha.
But in all seriousness now, it'd be interesting to see how many of you on heer do this. Was on holiday with Mum, Dad and Sis and was sat in a bar after our game with spurs was cancelled. The bar owner, incedentaly a cockney redshite had a game from greece on. Now we had no idea who was playing, but one team was in red, the other blue. Me and Dad actually cheered when the blues scored! So in conclusionto that, anyone in blue get's my vote.
Except Rangers of course, the girlfriend's familes all Irish so that'd go down a treat with them no doubt, proddy bastards and all that ;)
COYB!
Kieran Kinsella
26 Posted 24/09/2011 at 16:20:47
26 Posted 24/09/2011 at 16:20:47
I went to Uni in Manchester when they were rubbish under Ball and the Royle and I lived right across the street from the ground so I always had a soft spot for them as kind of a poor man's Everton. How times change.
Dalziel Kane
27 Posted 24/09/2011 at 17:20:44
27 Posted 24/09/2011 at 17:20:44
In recent years I have AC Milan as a favorite european team, this is in no small part to their involvements with the shite in European battles, 2005 in Turkey was, (and still is to a vague extent) a fucking nightmare, but two years later in Athens, what a difference!, beating Liverpool in a european cup final, especially after the hurt of two years previous, that was a great night and early morning.
Went to the San Siro a few years back and it really is an impressive stadium.
Went to the San Siro a few years back and it really is an impressive stadium.
Peter Barnes
28 Posted 24/09/2011 at 19:37:48
28 Posted 24/09/2011 at 19:37:48
Chester City play in blue and are run by their comunity and council.
Christopher Brown
29 Posted 25/09/2011 at 14:24:11
29 Posted 25/09/2011 at 14:24:11
Yeovil Town - cos I grew up a few miles from there. Shame the old sloping pitch is now a flat Tesco :)
Up the Glovers!
Up the Glovers!
Craig Tomasinski
30 Posted 26/09/2011 at 01:27:48
30 Posted 26/09/2011 at 01:27:48
I live in Australia but I really cannot get into the A League. I sort of follow Melbourne Heart but not really that closely. I used to watch a bit of the Bundesliga and follow FC Cologne as that is where my family is from. I also follow Stuttgart and Borussia Moenchengladbach due to the missus and her old man. I have actually been to a Stuttgart and Moenchengladbach game at there home grounds so I tend keep a close eye on them.
Stephen Kenny
31 Posted 26/09/2011 at 08:33:31
31 Posted 26/09/2011 at 08:33:31
FC United of Manchester, I always look out for thm because I'd love to see a club thats run the way they are come back into proper football.
Matt Traynor
32 Posted 26/09/2011 at 09:52:39
32 Posted 26/09/2011 at 09:52:39
Used to live in Brighton, and the boss invited me along to a game as part of his "getting to know you" thing. Loved it, and when I wasn't watching Everton, would watch the Seagulls. I guess it was destiny. They were fucked over royally by their owner, which saw them homeless (was at the last game at the Goldstone Ground - their winner scored by ex-Blue Stuart Storer).
Fans United, playing home games in Gillingham for 2 seasons, new owners, planning problems for a new stadium, playing in a temporary stadium at a sports centre, new owners again, and now they're in the Championship in a brand new stadium with 20k+ attendances.
Now why do I have a soft spot for them?!?
Fans United, playing home games in Gillingham for 2 seasons, new owners, planning problems for a new stadium, playing in a temporary stadium at a sports centre, new owners again, and now they're in the Championship in a brand new stadium with 20k+ attendances.
Now why do I have a soft spot for them?!?
Paul Evans
33 Posted 26/09/2011 at 09:52:57
33 Posted 26/09/2011 at 09:52:57
Wouldn't necessarily say I support these teams, I have never been to any of their matches, (would see it as cheating) but these are the teams whose results I look out for.
Hereford United as it is, geographically, the nearest league club to me (although not sure they will be in the league for much longer).
Being Welsh I follow the Swansea Cardiff, Newport County, Wrexham and Merthyr Town. Like Ben Jones#15 I have a soft spot for Swansea but find it laughable the amount of people who have jumped on the bandwagon now that they are in the Premiership
AFC Wimbledon, it must be the romantacist in me but in the time of big money it would perhaps reignite my love for football if Wimbeldon rose through the leagues again ala the Crazy Gang
Real Madrid were always my foreign team but having been to El Classico this year and done the stadium tour with the hordes Japanese tourists and then the Athletico tour which was truely the people's club of Madrid I am not so sure.
Olympiakos, it was because of a girl I met in university from Pireaus.
Hamilton Academials, I think it had something to do with Saint and Greavie in the 1980s.
Sheffield Wednesday, I think it has something to do with Panini sticker albums from my youth.
Hereford United as it is, geographically, the nearest league club to me (although not sure they will be in the league for much longer).
Being Welsh I follow the Swansea Cardiff, Newport County, Wrexham and Merthyr Town. Like Ben Jones#15 I have a soft spot for Swansea but find it laughable the amount of people who have jumped on the bandwagon now that they are in the Premiership
AFC Wimbledon, it must be the romantacist in me but in the time of big money it would perhaps reignite my love for football if Wimbeldon rose through the leagues again ala the Crazy Gang
Real Madrid were always my foreign team but having been to El Classico this year and done the stadium tour with the hordes Japanese tourists and then the Athletico tour which was truely the people's club of Madrid I am not so sure.
Olympiakos, it was because of a girl I met in university from Pireaus.
Hamilton Academials, I think it had something to do with Saint and Greavie in the 1980s.
Sheffield Wednesday, I think it has something to do with Panini sticker albums from my youth.
Andrew Ellams
34 Posted 26/09/2011 at 11:42:01
34 Posted 26/09/2011 at 11:42:01
Born on Merseyside but brought up in Central Lancs so have mates that follow the likes of Preston, Blackpool etc. so always keep an eye out for their results. Live near Milton Keynes now so follow the MK Dons results and go to a couple of games a year.
Simon Lee
35 Posted 26/09/2011 at 13:11:50
35 Posted 26/09/2011 at 13:11:50
My dad came from Enfield (in North London) so I supported them for many years - they were in the "Vauxhall Conference" for ages and, I believe, were unlucky enough to only win it the year before it bagged promotion to the football league! They also used to have the occasional run in the FA Cup. I went to see them play at Chesterfield and also at Leicester (in different seasons).
My second second team is Celtic, purely because they were the first Scottish team I ever completed in the Panini sticker books! I wouldn't really say I follow them these days, though.
My second second team is Celtic, purely because they were the first Scottish team I ever completed in the Panini sticker books! I wouldn't really say I follow them these days, though.
Eugene Ruane
36 Posted 29/09/2011 at 14:26:29
36 Posted 29/09/2011 at 14:26:29
- My other teams tend to be other mate's teams. One of my best mates is a Burnley fanatic so I always look for their results and hope they do well. I have a mate who is a QPR fan and used to hope they would do well. Then of course they DID and beat us (now I think they're a shower of cunts). Also I had an incredible mate from Glasgow who, though a protestant, was a Celtic fanatic, which I thought was incredible. Plus I have a Glasgow-Jewish mate who is Celtic daft so I always hope they do well. Fact is though, any of them play us and they immediately become shit-bags (the teams AND my mates)
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1 Posted 23/09/2011 at 22:37:02
Still, Arsenal in the last minute in '89 means they're the one CL team I don't despise.