Season 2011-12 Fan Articles
A Missive
By Gareth Humphreys :: 17/12/2011
10 Comments (»Last)
The start of last season was a unique one for me as it was the first time since 1987 I did not possess a season ticket. The decision not to renew in the summer (or probably early bird spring) of 2010 was therefore not an easy one to make however finances at home, the lack of direction by the Everton board and a general nauseous feeling towards Rupert Murdoch?s Premier League dictated that it was the right time to bow out. I had no idea how I would feel as my dad went and sat in my seat (I still viewed it as mine ? probably always will) for the first game of the 2010-11 season and I was pretty sure I would miss it. What surprised me was that instead of feeling a yearning for Goodison I actually felt somewhat liberated. This was the first time ever I didn?t have to check the fixture list to see what I was going to be doing every weekend between mid-August and mid-May. And it felt great.
My intention was to go cold turkey and not go all season however like all those addicted I did have a couple of lapses and ended up at Goodison on a few occasions. Memorably, Spurs at home for Coleman?s winner which got the juices flowing, however, I stood firm and probably only went to about 5 games all season.
The original plan was for me to give it up for the one season, get my dad back in the habit of going on my ticket (he gave up himself a few years earlier due to ill health) and then this season we would both be going again.
Instead as renewal time came around in the spring of 2011, my dad asked me if I would be renewing ?my? seat. Nope came my response ? it?s all yours again dad. I simply didn?t want to go.
This season though feels different to last. Last season I still watched, read, listened, researched and generally let Everton into my head as much in the previous 23 years, the only difference being that I was not physically there. This season I am slowly weaning myself off even more by not gorging on Everton information through the week.
Then, on the day of the Aston Villa home match I decided for me that Everton ? the Everton that exists today ? is not something for me. It was the most depressing thing I have ever witnessed as an Evertonian. Far more than any player sale, far more than any derby defeat ? it was the day I saw the biggest, proudest football club in this land, the club that has provided this continent with its greatest ever goalscorer, the club that has provided this planet with it?s greatest ever goalkeeper ? it was the day Everton and Evertonian?s gave up.
Now this article is not an exercise in board bashing however I do feel it is important that the reasons for why I feel the way I feel are highlighted and understood by the readers. Some personal lowlights for me from the current boards are:
(1) Failing to find the ?ringfenced money? for the Kings Dock.
(2) Attempting to relocate from the first purpose built football stadium in the land to a, in the planning officers words, ?mid range stadium?.
(3) Publically stating that the club was up for sale whilst at the same time stating under oath at the destination Kirkby enquiry that no director had any intention of relinquishing their shareholding.
(4) Failing to provide David Moyes with a single penny in net transfer funds since the signing of Marrouane Fellaini over 3 years ago.
Now I am not going to go any further into the above as they are all hard nosed irrefutable facts available to anyone who cares to investigate them.
What I am going to say is that on the day of the protest about the running of the club at home to Aston Villa recently, Evertonians decided to cheer and thus support the man who as chairman of the board has overseen the above shambles.
That show of support chilled me to the bone. It made me think along the lines of, ?well if that?s the Everton that you are happy with ? if you are content with a complete lack of vision on the back of what basically amounts to a dereliction of duty by all the directors over the past decade, then over to you boys and girls ? you have it, you enjoy your version of Everton?.
It?s not my version of Everton though. My Everton provided Dean and Southall. My Everton has spent more season?s in the top flight than any other. My Everton remains the only club in Great Britain to have hosted a world cup semi final. My Everton is the biggest and most important football club in this country.
But if, as it seems that my Everton no longer exists in the boardroom and the stands then I think it is a good job I am gone. I don?t like the current version and I very much doubt that the likes of William Dean and John Moores would either.
So to those of you who cheered Mr Kenwright?s picture on the screen at home to Aston Villa, ask yourself this ? why were Hicks and Gillette so hated at Anfield and why are the Glazers so hated at Old Trafford? When you have worked out the answer, ask yourself why Bill Kenwright is getting away with it at Everton just because he tells everyone he is an Evertonian?
So I hope you enjoy the club as it is at present because if I am interpreting the applause correctly it is the only one you deserve.
Reader Comments (10)
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Andy Crooks
2 Posted 17/12/2011 at 18:51:30
2 Posted 17/12/2011 at 18:51:30
Good article, Gareth. How any Evertonian can have any respect for the free loading,insincerity oozing luvvy that is Kenwright is utterly inexplicable.
Nick Armitage
3 Posted 17/12/2011 at 18:56:42
3 Posted 17/12/2011 at 18:56:42
I don't miss not going every week. I can find a million and one better things to do than watch the shite that Moyes serves up week after week.
These things include, shopping, decorating, gardening, working, etc, etc. Watching Everton is excrutiating, why should I pay my hard earned cash to watch that shit when the people who serve it up earn millions?
Fuck them.
These things include, shopping, decorating, gardening, working, etc, etc. Watching Everton is excrutiating, why should I pay my hard earned cash to watch that shit when the people who serve it up earn millions?
Fuck them.
Ken Buckley
4 Posted 17/12/2011 at 21:43:02
4 Posted 17/12/2011 at 21:43:02
You can find reasons not to go . You can find reasons to never miss a match. It is all up to the individual. Non of it is obligatory.
Jimmy Sørheim
5 Posted 18/12/2011 at 01:46:01
5 Posted 18/12/2011 at 01:46:01
While I can understand your feelings I find it sort of offensive that you no longer are a part of Everton. It is like hearing a Liverpool fan going on about Everton.
I first started supporting Everton through Duncan Feguson, and I was 14 years old when I read a news article in a sports paper that showed a huge picture of Duncan headbutting a Dundee player. I got curious and watched a game against Manchester United and I saw him score at home in Goodison Park and he showed a form of passion and rage I so fell in love with. His strong heading ability and his rough play was one of a kind, and then I was bitten by a bug called Everton Footbal Club.
Now, I feel less and less glory as each game goes by, this passion and love for the club is slowly sneaking away along with the poor results. The loss of Yakubu and Arteta has fired me up like nothing ever has, as I feel these two are an integral part of Moyes history of success, and for him to just let that go makes me angry, sad and depressed.
Though I have played with the thought of doing as you did, leave Everton be, my heart belongs to Everton and all my best memories lie within this club, so I simply can not leave it without leaving a big part of who I am.
So, again I do not blame you for feeling this way, but your remarks does not ring true to me as you are not as hard core as I feel I am. Maybe it is offensive for me to say it but I just can not help it. If you really love this club you just don't leave when the going gets tough; you stay through it all because you are a true Evertonian.
Now this does not mean I support all the failings, like Kenwright's broken promises and lies, Moyes support of him and his bad mouthing of the BU. The passive fans you talk about, the ones that cheered Kenwright, they need to wake up and smell the coffee. Things are getting very grim on the pitch and off it.
I say if you have a problem with Kenwright or Moyes, don't just leave the club, stay and start protesting against the things you don't like, because people take their clues from others, and if a small group dares to protest inside Goodison, then a big group will follow once they hear and agree with what your saying.
I try to stay positive about Moyes but I see his failings in the transfer market this season and the bad form of the team. My wish is that you and others who feel the way you feel to start protesting and do something about it. I will gladly follow if you need backing, but the passive agrressive ramblings does nothing to change things.
I pray and hope for a change in Moyes and new signings, a new manager if that is possible and so on, but if Moyes is to go he needs to hear it from the fans directly, that is the only way he will leave. If it is the right time yet for a protest I dont know, but after January my mind will be clear on that.
Also, the fans at Goodison seem to be depressed and sit quiet during the games, it is affecting the players as they have no reason to perform. This is a complete mess we are in, and it needs sorting out, now.
I first started supporting Everton through Duncan Feguson, and I was 14 years old when I read a news article in a sports paper that showed a huge picture of Duncan headbutting a Dundee player. I got curious and watched a game against Manchester United and I saw him score at home in Goodison Park and he showed a form of passion and rage I so fell in love with. His strong heading ability and his rough play was one of a kind, and then I was bitten by a bug called Everton Footbal Club.
Now, I feel less and less glory as each game goes by, this passion and love for the club is slowly sneaking away along with the poor results. The loss of Yakubu and Arteta has fired me up like nothing ever has, as I feel these two are an integral part of Moyes history of success, and for him to just let that go makes me angry, sad and depressed.
Though I have played with the thought of doing as you did, leave Everton be, my heart belongs to Everton and all my best memories lie within this club, so I simply can not leave it without leaving a big part of who I am.
So, again I do not blame you for feeling this way, but your remarks does not ring true to me as you are not as hard core as I feel I am. Maybe it is offensive for me to say it but I just can not help it. If you really love this club you just don't leave when the going gets tough; you stay through it all because you are a true Evertonian.
Now this does not mean I support all the failings, like Kenwright's broken promises and lies, Moyes support of him and his bad mouthing of the BU. The passive fans you talk about, the ones that cheered Kenwright, they need to wake up and smell the coffee. Things are getting very grim on the pitch and off it.
I say if you have a problem with Kenwright or Moyes, don't just leave the club, stay and start protesting against the things you don't like, because people take their clues from others, and if a small group dares to protest inside Goodison, then a big group will follow once they hear and agree with what your saying.
I try to stay positive about Moyes but I see his failings in the transfer market this season and the bad form of the team. My wish is that you and others who feel the way you feel to start protesting and do something about it. I will gladly follow if you need backing, but the passive agrressive ramblings does nothing to change things.
I pray and hope for a change in Moyes and new signings, a new manager if that is possible and so on, but if Moyes is to go he needs to hear it from the fans directly, that is the only way he will leave. If it is the right time yet for a protest I dont know, but after January my mind will be clear on that.
Also, the fans at Goodison seem to be depressed and sit quiet during the games, it is affecting the players as they have no reason to perform. This is a complete mess we are in, and it needs sorting out, now.
Barry Rathbone
6 Posted 18/12/2011 at 09:59:36
6 Posted 18/12/2011 at 09:59:36
Brave piece Gareth, crossing the rubicon and criticising the club is difficult enough; pointing out the culpability of fans is another. For what it's worth, I arrived at the same conclusion a few years ago.
A club defined historically by "Nil Satis..., School of Science, Dixie, Golden Vision, Holy Trinity" epithets of glory rather than utility seems a universe away compared to what happens these days at GP.
Just over a generation ago, a fan's upbringing in football remained as it always was ? into school early to play footy before the bell rang, another game at break, another match at dinner, home and into the street playing for a few hours ? EVERY day.
Add weekends playing 15-a-side matches on the park that lasted for hours and there is an understanding of the glory and sheer enjoyment of the game that disappeared with the arrival of home computers.
The dreadful phrase "ends justify the means" is all encompassing now but I think it a Pyrrhic victory for those who crow "best of the rest" and mutter "kopite" if you dare criticise.
Supporting your club should be about enjoyment, not endurance; continuing to defend Kenwright and Moyes is shortsighted.
A club defined historically by "Nil Satis..., School of Science, Dixie, Golden Vision, Holy Trinity" epithets of glory rather than utility seems a universe away compared to what happens these days at GP.
Just over a generation ago, a fan's upbringing in football remained as it always was ? into school early to play footy before the bell rang, another game at break, another match at dinner, home and into the street playing for a few hours ? EVERY day.
Add weekends playing 15-a-side matches on the park that lasted for hours and there is an understanding of the glory and sheer enjoyment of the game that disappeared with the arrival of home computers.
The dreadful phrase "ends justify the means" is all encompassing now but I think it a Pyrrhic victory for those who crow "best of the rest" and mutter "kopite" if you dare criticise.
Supporting your club should be about enjoyment, not endurance; continuing to defend Kenwright and Moyes is shortsighted.
Gary Hodgson
7 Posted 18/12/2011 at 14:05:41
7 Posted 18/12/2011 at 14:05:41
Since time immemorial we have kept players and managers beyond their sell-by date. As a club, we have to operate as any corporate business and move forward constantly if we wish to survive. No major successful company has survived by carrying deadwood.
We need to change now to ensure that our offspring can enjoy the great years of Everton FC that a lot of us have experienced. Many thanks to the board, David and the team for all their efforts but heed my words and put the club before personal gain.
Brin Williams
8 Posted 18/12/2011 at 21:38:36
8 Posted 18/12/2011 at 21:38:36
A lot of truth spoken on all sides in this discussion, but the one that rings absolutely true to me is Gary 7 when he talks about 'successful Companies' and 'carrying deadwood'
Loyalty is a much mis-used state of mind.
It works both ways and in Business it usually manifests itself on the emplyees' side with little shown by the other, the employer.
At Everton I have to question who the employer is.
It's about time we had some proper management - forget about the 'selling the club' bit and the 'We don't have the wonga' It's about time management started showing it's teeth, cut the crap, get rid of the light weights, the deadwood, the 'legends who are now a burden' and start showing a bit of loyalty to the fans and those youngsters that we are going to have to rely on to get this 'once' great club of ours out of the mire.
Show some balls, sod the loyalty,manage the business, take the hard decisions, if the COE is underperforming - replace him - there are plenty more out there with flair and imagination and who knows may speak with a foreign accent that could certainly make as good if not a better job than the one being done now and would jump at the chance of steering this club back to it's rightful place..
Ten years in charge is a long time and one does get jaded, loses touch and sometimes find it difficult to differentiate between wood, trees, timber and planks.
I am fed up of being served up dollops of mediocrity by people that are earning more in two or three days than the average man earns all year. I am fed up of listening to excuses.
I am absolutely fed up, dis-illusioned and disgusted at the way this business is being run. Underperformance, especially serial underperformance in business gets you disiplinary action which leads to dismissal.
On Saturday, we had Deliah's lot over for a kick around. Perhaps Bill could have taken the opportunity of having a word with her to try and understand better how he could get into Finch Farm and demand of his employees 'Let's be having ya'!!!!!! or 'Here's your P45'.
Loyalty is a much mis-used state of mind.
It works both ways and in Business it usually manifests itself on the emplyees' side with little shown by the other, the employer.
At Everton I have to question who the employer is.
It's about time we had some proper management - forget about the 'selling the club' bit and the 'We don't have the wonga' It's about time management started showing it's teeth, cut the crap, get rid of the light weights, the deadwood, the 'legends who are now a burden' and start showing a bit of loyalty to the fans and those youngsters that we are going to have to rely on to get this 'once' great club of ours out of the mire.
Show some balls, sod the loyalty,manage the business, take the hard decisions, if the COE is underperforming - replace him - there are plenty more out there with flair and imagination and who knows may speak with a foreign accent that could certainly make as good if not a better job than the one being done now and would jump at the chance of steering this club back to it's rightful place..
Ten years in charge is a long time and one does get jaded, loses touch and sometimes find it difficult to differentiate between wood, trees, timber and planks.
I am fed up of being served up dollops of mediocrity by people that are earning more in two or three days than the average man earns all year. I am fed up of listening to excuses.
I am absolutely fed up, dis-illusioned and disgusted at the way this business is being run. Underperformance, especially serial underperformance in business gets you disiplinary action which leads to dismissal.
On Saturday, we had Deliah's lot over for a kick around. Perhaps Bill could have taken the opportunity of having a word with her to try and understand better how he could get into Finch Farm and demand of his employees 'Let's be having ya'!!!!!! or 'Here's your P45'.
Derek Thomas
9 Posted 18/12/2011 at 22:47:11
9 Posted 18/12/2011 at 22:47:11
Gareth Humphries; spot fuckinng on.
Barry Rathbone, i think you have discribed me and many others of a certain age to a tee.
Football and politics for that matter have changed and main part not for the better.
Just as the Labour Party of Gateskill and Wilson is nothing like it is now. The Everton Football Club of Carey, Collins Catterick Young, Ball etc etc is not like it is now...Is this the eternal cry of the old, the grumpy old man syndrome for football? maybe so.
To many times now people tell me I have to do this or that or go here or there. How come I always have to see it from their point of view, move with the times...well fuck off I liked how it was,...how about ...searches around for seriously radical concept...how about we all see it from MY point of view for a change...nah didn't think that would go down to well...tough shit me and many others are getting to the stage of can't be arsed and the more 'they' go on that I should the more I won't. I will watch when I feel like or not.
Til death us do part... fuckin right, I will be buried in my blue shirt to the tune of Zcars. just don't ask me to watch shite, cos I can't be arsed
Barry Rathbone, i think you have discribed me and many others of a certain age to a tee.
Football and politics for that matter have changed and main part not for the better.
Just as the Labour Party of Gateskill and Wilson is nothing like it is now. The Everton Football Club of Carey, Collins Catterick Young, Ball etc etc is not like it is now...Is this the eternal cry of the old, the grumpy old man syndrome for football? maybe so.
To many times now people tell me I have to do this or that or go here or there. How come I always have to see it from their point of view, move with the times...well fuck off I liked how it was,...how about ...searches around for seriously radical concept...how about we all see it from MY point of view for a change...nah didn't think that would go down to well...tough shit me and many others are getting to the stage of can't be arsed and the more 'they' go on that I should the more I won't. I will watch when I feel like or not.
Til death us do part... fuckin right, I will be buried in my blue shirt to the tune of Zcars. just don't ask me to watch shite, cos I can't be arsed
Colin Gee
10 Posted 18/12/2011 at 23:15:50
10 Posted 18/12/2011 at 23:15:50
First game the 'Duncan McKenzie game against Stoke in the FA Cup in 1977.
Been a Season Ticket Holder since 1981, can't always get to every game because of work, sometimes I can swap shifts to get there, but couldn't get there on Saturday as I was at work at 4 O'clock and couldn't get a swap.
I watched the first half on a dodgy download on my PC and for the first time ever I thought, i'll glad i'm not sat at Goodison watching this crap....
Something needs changing, but I don't know what, i'm not a Moyes out person, but he needs to realise that 4-5-1 isn't the way to go these days.
I could even predict the subsitutions. Another forward on at 60 minutes and young Connor McAleny on with about a minute to go. It will probably be the same on Wednesday night as well, if we aren't 2 or 3-nil up, which I very much doubt.
It's become sooo predicitable these days, I would guess same starting XI against Swansea on Wednesday night as well.
Been a Season Ticket Holder since 1981, can't always get to every game because of work, sometimes I can swap shifts to get there, but couldn't get there on Saturday as I was at work at 4 O'clock and couldn't get a swap.
I watched the first half on a dodgy download on my PC and for the first time ever I thought, i'll glad i'm not sat at Goodison watching this crap....
Something needs changing, but I don't know what, i'm not a Moyes out person, but he needs to realise that 4-5-1 isn't the way to go these days.
I could even predict the subsitutions. Another forward on at 60 minutes and young Connor McAleny on with about a minute to go. It will probably be the same on Wednesday night as well, if we aren't 2 or 3-nil up, which I very much doubt.
It's become sooo predicitable these days, I would guess same starting XI against Swansea on Wednesday night as well.
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1 Posted 17/12/2011 at 17:52:51
It's no wonder we're in this mess when we have such passive fans. Liverpool and United fans are plastc supporters yet they still have protested against their individual owners. Just listen to how quiet our fans are at home, it's obvious fans are becoming annoyed with our current situation.
I gave up my season ticket this year, which actually wasn't a hard decison. I also agree that we deserve to lose all these matches if our fans support a manager who has given up and a liar owner. Moaning at players like Beckford who scored 13 goals in his first season in the top tier, while lauding Cahill as an Everton great free of criticism. As fans we need to put more pressure on the employees of the club to achieve things.