Season 2011-12 Fan Articles
Being A Happy Evertonian
By Terry Fearn :: 28/03/2012
22 Comments (»Last)
I've been an Evertonian all my life.
Since sitting on the bar with my dad in the Street End thru watching my beloved Blues highs and lows for the past 50 years my thoughts are:
I appreciate the good times and accept the bad times. Good times are winning the FA Cup in 66, 84 and 95. League Champions in 63, 70, 85 and 87. Cup Winners Cup 85. Bad times would be the barren 70s, even then there were great days and nights to gladden the heart!
All-in-all, it's been a privilege to follow the Blues through all the highs and lows and I wouldn't have it any other way.
OK a few more trophies here and there would have been nice but following your team isn't about how many trophies you win, it's all about the passion you feel about your team!
And for me no other team in England, or anywhere else, engenders passion amongst its support as Everton FC does.
To me, this is a good thing! We Evertonians are a breed apart. We accept that we cannot win everything but when we do win we can appreciate the triumph for what it is.
No doubt there are those amongst us who would like a sugar daddy prepared to splash millions to make EFC successful, but we have seen that money doesn't always spell success! (see Anfield...)
This season encapsulates the Everton Way: ups and downs... and now an FA Cup semi-final against the old enemy.
We've all been here before and suffered the disappointments of the past. Once again, we hope for the right result and a decent run of the ball and no dubious ref decisions against us!
Whatever may happen, we will continue to believe and follow the Blues for the love of the club. If we win, all the better, but for me following the Blues is all about the passion, highs and lows.
I for one would not have had the past 50 years any different. I have had the most enjoyable time following my team.
Winning Cups and Championships isn't everything; supporting the team you love is!
Reader Comments (22)
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Howard Don
2 Posted 28/03/2012 at 08:41:48
2 Posted 28/03/2012 at 08:41:48
Well said Terry. With the number of "fans" on TW seeming to look for every opportunity to whinge and criticise, it's great to get a reminder of what real support is all about. And boy did we see real support at Sunderland last night, take a bow everyone who was there. There's no doubt the support played its part in a great win, now let's do it again at Wembley.
Kase Chow
3 Posted 28/03/2012 at 08:55:32
3 Posted 28/03/2012 at 08:55:32
I can't take another loss against them tho. I really can't
Bob Willis
4 Posted 28/03/2012 at 09:49:38
4 Posted 28/03/2012 at 09:49:38
I managed to get tickets for the 84 final and Charity Shield and had a whale of a time with the lads.
This time I'm hoping for two tickets - one of which will be for my long suffering wife who has put up with my erratic mood swings from the depths of the shite defeat to the ecstasy of last night.
We shall of course share the driving. Me there her back!!!!
This time I'm hoping for two tickets - one of which will be for my long suffering wife who has put up with my erratic mood swings from the depths of the shite defeat to the ecstasy of last night.
We shall of course share the driving. Me there her back!!!!
Peter Davies
5 Posted 28/03/2012 at 10:40:40
5 Posted 28/03/2012 at 10:40:40
Cheers Terry, you speak for me too! I'll be 54 just before the next season kicks off and I can't remember the moment when I made a conscious decision to support Everton...it's just always been a part of my life. Since I went to my first game, against Tranmere Rovers in the League Cup 1968, right up to the present day I've never once wanted to be anywhere else on matchday other than watching the Blues.
I for one would be a bit uneasy about a 'sugar daddy' take over just look across the park; with all the money spent by 'king' Kenny he's managed to produce one of the worst redshite teams in living memory. Yes, a few more trophies would be fantastic, but not so many as we become complacent/arrogant (again like that lot across the park from the '70's onwards!) just enough to savour and let the world know Everton are still the greatest! However if someone out there would like to buy us a new stadium for Christmas that'd be nice!
I moved away from Merseyside back in the late '80's and since then have only managed the occasional game. I took early retirement a few years back and am now about to move back to Merseyside in the next few months. The wife was starting to get cold feet about the move, but I told her she can't change her mind now 'cos I've just sent off for a season ticket.! Looking forward to making friends with fellow Bluenoses in the Lower Bullens stand. Yes...another happy Evertonian!
I for one would be a bit uneasy about a 'sugar daddy' take over just look across the park; with all the money spent by 'king' Kenny he's managed to produce one of the worst redshite teams in living memory. Yes, a few more trophies would be fantastic, but not so many as we become complacent/arrogant (again like that lot across the park from the '70's onwards!) just enough to savour and let the world know Everton are still the greatest! However if someone out there would like to buy us a new stadium for Christmas that'd be nice!
I moved away from Merseyside back in the late '80's and since then have only managed the occasional game. I took early retirement a few years back and am now about to move back to Merseyside in the next few months. The wife was starting to get cold feet about the move, but I told her she can't change her mind now 'cos I've just sent off for a season ticket.! Looking forward to making friends with fellow Bluenoses in the Lower Bullens stand. Yes...another happy Evertonian!
Eugene Ruane
6 Posted 28/03/2012 at 11:03:10
6 Posted 28/03/2012 at 11:03:10
Did anyone ever watch Deadwood?
It featured the incredible character 'Al Swearengen' (played brilliantly by Ian McShane).
There were many memorable quotes from the show, but after hearing one piece of dialogue, I remember thinking, this might have been written by a blue.
Basically Al is bollocking the Editor of the town Newspaper who is whining about his lot.
Al. "Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back".
Actually, as a Semi-final, pre-match team talk...
It featured the incredible character 'Al Swearengen' (played brilliantly by Ian McShane).
There were many memorable quotes from the show, but after hearing one piece of dialogue, I remember thinking, this might have been written by a blue.
Basically Al is bollocking the Editor of the town Newspaper who is whining about his lot.
Al. "Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back".
Actually, as a Semi-final, pre-match team talk...
Anthony Lewis
7 Posted 28/03/2012 at 12:49:06
7 Posted 28/03/2012 at 12:49:06
What a great quote:
"Stand it like a man... and give some back"
"Stand it like a man... and give some back"
Norman Merrill
8 Posted 28/03/2012 at 14:11:39
8 Posted 28/03/2012 at 14:11:39
Great shout Terry, I too have followed that same path, and do not regret a minute.
We have seen the good & bad seasons come and go, privileged to have seen the great Dave Hickson, bless him, wear the famous Blue shirt with pride.
I was a kid when we lost to our neighbours 2-0 in the semi at Main road, they went to Wembley and lost by the same score to a Joe Mercer led Arsenal, in 1950.
Then we had the 1953 cup run, when Davie Hickson
& co took us to Main rd again, this time Bolton beat us 4-3.
What a come back that was, 4-0 down we got back to 4-3, even missing a penalty, thru Tommy Clinton.
So we are on the verge of another piece of FA cup history, Along with United & Arsenal we have played in most semi-finals.
The first against our great rivals since the infamous
1977 Clive Thomas game.
I won't forecast any result, because we have been kicked in the bollocks too many times.
But just maybe, the boys in BLUE may come away smiling?
We have seen the good & bad seasons come and go, privileged to have seen the great Dave Hickson, bless him, wear the famous Blue shirt with pride.
I was a kid when we lost to our neighbours 2-0 in the semi at Main road, they went to Wembley and lost by the same score to a Joe Mercer led Arsenal, in 1950.
Then we had the 1953 cup run, when Davie Hickson
& co took us to Main rd again, this time Bolton beat us 4-3.
What a come back that was, 4-0 down we got back to 4-3, even missing a penalty, thru Tommy Clinton.
So we are on the verge of another piece of FA cup history, Along with United & Arsenal we have played in most semi-finals.
The first against our great rivals since the infamous
1977 Clive Thomas game.
I won't forecast any result, because we have been kicked in the bollocks too many times.
But just maybe, the boys in BLUE may come away smiling?
Rob Hollis
9 Posted 28/03/2012 at 21:49:42
9 Posted 28/03/2012 at 21:49:42
Why are Everton supporters any more special than supporters of other teams?
Sunderland brought just as many to Goodison and over the years they have not won much. I could never support another club but that is because it is my team. We are not special. Football is a very popular game and it gives you special moments but far from unique.
And yes, I remember the Boys Pen.
Sunderland brought just as many to Goodison and over the years they have not won much. I could never support another club but that is because it is my team. We are not special. Football is a very popular game and it gives you special moments but far from unique.
And yes, I remember the Boys Pen.
Rob Hollis
10 Posted 28/03/2012 at 22:11:43
10 Posted 28/03/2012 at 22:11:43
I must correct myself having read the Friendship Scarf article. All supporters of anyone are more special than the RS.
This is due to the slimy attitude of the club being reflected in the moronic minds of the fans.
This is due to the slimy attitude of the club being reflected in the moronic minds of the fans.
John Daley
11 Posted 28/03/2012 at 22:29:44
11 Posted 28/03/2012 at 22:29:44
Don't get me started Eugene. Al Swearengen. My favourite tv character  of all time. Even more so than fucking Captain Caveman.
So many good lines from the ex-Lovejoy that I'll just try and force them to fit Everton:
(The Red Shite): "You want a donkey?s attention, you bring a fucking pole down between his ears."
(Kenwright): "That type guy hanging round gets people agitated. Forces them to take a position, one side or the other. And agitation brings a slight bump up in whiskey sales, but sale of twat plummets."
(Moyes): "He must think I'm a fucking dog, forgives the blow first friendly scratch at the ear."
(No relevance at all but just had to get it in there): "God rest the souls of that poor family... and pussy's half price for the next 15 minutes."
So many good lines from the ex-Lovejoy that I'll just try and force them to fit Everton:
(The Red Shite): "You want a donkey?s attention, you bring a fucking pole down between his ears."
(Kenwright): "That type guy hanging round gets people agitated. Forces them to take a position, one side or the other. And agitation brings a slight bump up in whiskey sales, but sale of twat plummets."
(Moyes): "He must think I'm a fucking dog, forgives the blow first friendly scratch at the ear."
(No relevance at all but just had to get it in there): "God rest the souls of that poor family... and pussy's half price for the next 15 minutes."
Eugene Ruane
12 Posted 28/03/2012 at 22:35:08
12 Posted 28/03/2012 at 22:35:08
John - The donkey quote is another I remember.
Great writing and McShane was incredible.
Great writing and McShane was incredible.
John Daley
13 Posted 28/03/2012 at 22:30:34
13 Posted 28/03/2012 at 22:30:34
Errr, the word 'cunt'' magically transformed into 'twat' on it's own. What's going on there? Is 'twat' acceptable but 'cunt' outlawed now? Is there some new-fangled Toffeeweb auto filter clamping down on use of the word 'cunt'? I would never use the word 'twat' and neither would Ian McShane. It's just wrong. I'm 100% a cunt.
David Gunning
14 Posted 28/03/2012 at 22:32:53
14 Posted 28/03/2012 at 22:32:53
Eugene, one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Ian McShane criminally underrated but that's probably about the steaming pile of horseshit that was Lovejoy as opposed to how good he was in Sexy Beast, 44 Inch Chest and The Pillars of the Earth.
My favourite Deadwood quote seems apt for this site: "You can't cut the throat of every cocksucker whose character it would improve."
My favourite Deadwood quote seems apt for this site: "You can't cut the throat of every cocksucker whose character it would improve."
Michael Kenrick
15 Posted 29/03/2012 at 03:06:32
15 Posted 29/03/2012 at 03:06:32
John (#427), I suspect that's the sensibility of our Webmaster coming through. The word 'cunt' is pretty bad for some people but apparently it's a lot worse in the US, where you don't hear it very often.
We have had some complaints recently about allowing bad language on the site, but I think that's where the individual poster has to take responsibility.
My personal view is that so-called naughty words form a vibrant addition to the breadth and depth of the English language, down to its Anglo-Saxon roots, and should be celebrated rather than suppressed.
But some people get very hot under the collar about swearing, so like anything on here, there is one side and the other side... and everything in between.
We have had some complaints recently about allowing bad language on the site, but I think that's where the individual poster has to take responsibility.
My personal view is that so-called naughty words form a vibrant addition to the breadth and depth of the English language, down to its Anglo-Saxon roots, and should be celebrated rather than suppressed.
But some people get very hot under the collar about swearing, so like anything on here, there is one side and the other side... and everything in between.
Lyndon Lloyd
16 Posted 29/03/2012 at 06:26:02
16 Posted 29/03/2012 at 06:26:02
I suspect that's the sensibility of our Webmaster coming through
It is, yes. I agree with Michael's "vibrant addition to the breadth and depth..." assertion and I'm fine with pretty much every other word going but I've always found that one word to be one step beyond the last vestiges of decency.
I was going to posit that maybe it's because I have two daughters but I've always found it a particularly abhorrent word and for the sake of our younger and female readers, I'm sure its omission won't be the end of anyone's world.
It is, yes. I agree with Michael's "vibrant addition to the breadth and depth..." assertion and I'm fine with pretty much every other word going but I've always found that one word to be one step beyond the last vestiges of decency.
I was going to posit that maybe it's because I have two daughters but I've always found it a particularly abhorrent word and for the sake of our younger and female readers, I'm sure its omission won't be the end of anyone's world.
Richard Dodd
17 Posted 29/03/2012 at 07:32:32
17 Posted 29/03/2012 at 07:32:32
......and every time,he came on Lovejoy, my old man used to say, "His dad, Harry, used to play for Man United, you know!"
Was he any good?
Was he any good?
John Daley
18 Posted 29/03/2012 at 15:54:53
18 Posted 29/03/2012 at 15:54:53
"We have had some complaints recently about allowing bad language on the site."
Sorry to hear that Michael, as I suspect I'm probably one of the worst for it. I rarely swear in general conversation but do tend to pepper my posts with profanity here and there. I would offer to tone it own some but it would be a false gesture as I know fine well I'd soon revert to type.Â
As for the word in question, there's no doubt most people despise it, so you're certainly not alone, Lyndon. It has been described as "The most offensive word in the world", "the worst word that anyone has ever been able to think of".
On the other hand.... Elton John likes it ("It is the best word in the English language") but that's probably because he get's called it more often than he get's called Elton or Reg or Wiggy.
I quite like the summary provided by the Guardian columnist Deborah Orr: "Attitudes to this powerful expression, especially among women, are changing. For many centuries now, the word has been elaborately veiled under the weird and heavy drapes of a disapproval so strong that it has become pre-eminent among forbidden words. "Cunt" remains, for the vast majority of people, pretty much the worst, the ugliest, the most barbaric, crude and filthy English word there is. For others, though, its use is a mark of worldly and liberal sophistication".
So, that's my defence. I'm 'sophisticated'.Â
Sorry to hear that Michael, as I suspect I'm probably one of the worst for it. I rarely swear in general conversation but do tend to pepper my posts with profanity here and there. I would offer to tone it own some but it would be a false gesture as I know fine well I'd soon revert to type.Â
As for the word in question, there's no doubt most people despise it, so you're certainly not alone, Lyndon. It has been described as "The most offensive word in the world", "the worst word that anyone has ever been able to think of".
On the other hand.... Elton John likes it ("It is the best word in the English language") but that's probably because he get's called it more often than he get's called Elton or Reg or Wiggy.
I quite like the summary provided by the Guardian columnist Deborah Orr: "Attitudes to this powerful expression, especially among women, are changing. For many centuries now, the word has been elaborately veiled under the weird and heavy drapes of a disapproval so strong that it has become pre-eminent among forbidden words. "Cunt" remains, for the vast majority of people, pretty much the worst, the ugliest, the most barbaric, crude and filthy English word there is. For others, though, its use is a mark of worldly and liberal sophistication".
So, that's my defence. I'm 'sophisticated'.Â
Michael Kenrick
Editorial Team
19 Posted 29/03/2012 at 16:42:34
Editorial Team
19 Posted 29/03/2012 at 16:42:34
Aha! A Guardian Reader! Say no more!!! ;)
Terry Fearn
20 Posted 29/03/2012 at 22:54:23
20 Posted 29/03/2012 at 22:54:23
This was the first and now the last time I post on this site. What was a football comment has been hijacked and turned into a debate on foul and abusive language.
James Cadwaladr
21 Posted 30/03/2012 at 16:20:20
21 Posted 30/03/2012 at 16:20:20
Terry, I hope not. First thing I've really enjoyed reading on here for a while.
Regardless... thanks.
Regardless... thanks.
Trevor Lynes
22 Posted 01/04/2012 at 10:26:23
22 Posted 01/04/2012 at 10:26:23
Like the article writer, I'm an Evertonian during, before and after the relegation period back in the early 50s and we are without doubt one of the most unpredictable sides. I've experienced the very highs of the 60s and watched an Everton side who could play other sides off the park with individuals who were worth the admission fee alone. I've also experienced the very low period when gates were dire and it matched the football.
My only comment on this present squad, who definitely play with plenty of spirit and endeavour, is I just wish that they could control the ball properly and put on a spectacle that made the fans really proud. I'm a true blue through and through but even though we are in the middle of a fine run results-wise, I still shudder at the clumsy ball control and lack of real skill.
If the present younger fans had seen the really great players we have had in the past then I am sure that they would be like myself. Every pro footballer should have good ball control, basic passing ability and skill which is better than any other amateur... but I see loads of endeavour, spirit and stifling tactics which grind out results rather than earn them by superior play.
I hope that when we play Liverpool we raise our game and earn a resounding victory by more than a one-goal margin. I want us to beat them three-nil and really play them off the park, then go on to gain revenge over Chelsea in the final. Let's see a real skillful game with EFC emerging triumphant.
My only comment on this present squad, who definitely play with plenty of spirit and endeavour, is I just wish that they could control the ball properly and put on a spectacle that made the fans really proud. I'm a true blue through and through but even though we are in the middle of a fine run results-wise, I still shudder at the clumsy ball control and lack of real skill.
If the present younger fans had seen the really great players we have had in the past then I am sure that they would be like myself. Every pro footballer should have good ball control, basic passing ability and skill which is better than any other amateur... but I see loads of endeavour, spirit and stifling tactics which grind out results rather than earn them by superior play.
I hope that when we play Liverpool we raise our game and earn a resounding victory by more than a one-goal margin. I want us to beat them three-nil and really play them off the park, then go on to gain revenge over Chelsea in the final. Let's see a real skillful game with EFC emerging triumphant.
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1 Posted 28/03/2012 at 05:06:31