Being Blue

As a 7-year-old in Edinburgh, I was out with my Grandad and we were in a cafe having lunch and I was reading that week's copy of Shoot!

In it, there was an article from Phil Thompson about that weekend's game between Everton and Liverpool. The article went on about how they were Champions of England and Europe and that they considered themselves unbeatable.

Now, as a 7-year-old in Edinburgh 1978, I had no real knowledge about English football but I decided that I didn't like that man or his team. On the Saturday, Andy King scored 'that goal'. I really feel I did not choose to support Everton – I was chosen.

It was unbelievable seeing us win leagues and cups then and this season finally getting hope for the future again with Roberto. We are a proper football club in every sense, I'm so proud of my super Everton. Every Evertonian I know is a diehard supporter... We are the people! COYB

I have had to miss going to the game whilst a wedding and house were saved for too. Thankfully the light at the end of the tunnel is near with my season ticket being renewed from August. It'll happen again for you mate cos it's in your blood.

The first match my Dad took me to was April 1976 v WHU. (I've still got the programme). But I'd been a Blue well before that – from the age of 6.

Funnily enough, part of my experience was similar to John's #6. My Dad went to watch both teams in the '50s / early '60s (it was mainly a few pints with his mates I think) but became a Blue later in life because of me. His mates were mostly RS and even from an early age I thought similar to John (#6) – "I don't like that team."

The kit – blue shirt, white short and white socks – was also an influence on my 6-year-old mind in becoming a Blue. I thought it looked great and still do, even though the days of the one traditional kit have gone. One of the photos in the Blue Room of my house "Goodison" (complete with wooden inscription beside the front door) is me on my 7th birthday in my Everton kit, the number 7 ironed on the back.

Our next door neighbour in Ariel Street, Bootle, was also an influence – John Jennings (not the one who sometimes posts here) – a big Blue.

I'd guess that, in the main, it's family / friends who influence people's allegiance but I wasn't rail-roaded into being a Blue.

I definitely agree with Steve's words, I've tried to explain it but never found the words. I hope I never do. It's a feeling. It's a belonging. It's Everton.

I left for Canada in 1976 but still return back every few years and always during the season after going over the fixtures to see the best time to go. I've lived in a number of places in Canada and always had a shirt or hat to show where my support lay.

Funny thing happened this week: I was on the phone with a technician trying to get my DVR working and when she asked if I followed soccer? I said "Yes," and she asked, "What did I think of Liverpool throwing a 3-goal lead?" After I told her I had not stopped laughing, I explained to her I was an Evertonian and what it meant.

The people I truly really admire, more even than the locals, are the brilliant folk from overseas. These guys have never been as lucky as us, yet, they are as fervent and as supportive as anyone who was born within stone-throwing distance.

They know as much, if not more, about our history as us locals. They have/had a chance to follow the glory but came with us, contrary to media and individual pressure. So to them I take my hat off and admire them as really really True Blues.

Although I'd supported the Blues for a few years before, after my dad gave me an Everton kit for an earlier birthday (no reason, just because he liked blue so god forbid if there had been any red shirts there!) that was my first visit (my mum and dad weren't football supporters) and it was then that I was smitten!

Needless to say, I've been through the good times and the bad and I still feel pissed off if we get beaten in any game. My wife of 38 years still doesn't grasp why I'm a miserable bastard after any defeat but I think, unless you ARE are Blue, you won't get it!

A great memory was when we returned to the First Division in the 1953-54 season, with our red neighbours going the opposite way.

First live Everton game: Notts Forest V Everton at The City ground 1969-70 Joe Royle scored the only goal in a 1-0 win. That year we won the title.

I was a season ticket holder at GP 1989 to 1999 until I moved down south. I have been to 4 cup finals: 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1995.

It's been a roller coaster!

My First game was I think one of the Bristol Clubs @ Goodison, I was about 10ish got in early and stood in the Park End behind the circle that used to be behind the goals. We won either 1-0 or 2-1 its all a bit vague. Been going ever since, had my season ticket for God knows how long. Just wanted to say I don't think we're any more passionate than a lot of other fans, I've seen fans crying from Southend to Sunderland from Exeter to Everton, I just love to see the fans of any club, other than them, celebrating with each other. I remember watching one of the play-offs a few years back when Blackpool came up and I was crying as much as their fans seeing how emotional they where that THEIR team had made the EPL.

A girl my missus works with is a Wigan Rugby Fan, but she started crying when she saw our photo's from the Man U Semi Final, because of the passion in the faces of 3 Generation of Blues. When we lost The Final v Chelsea my grandson ( 12 at the time ) looked at me and said "is it alright if I cry", to which I replied " "I'd be disappointed if you didn't mate" Feeling choked now.

However I don't recall Fred ever playing alongside Bally. Unless there was an earlier 5-4 victory. Whatever, happy days altogether.

Now if I could only remember what it was I was looking for on the internet......

My first game was 1980 against Nottingham Forest. I think we won 1-0 with a Graeme Sharp goal. From that moment, I was hooked.

I've been through very good times and not so good times. Everton have given me so many good memories... and hopefully under Roberto, many more to come. Quite simply, we are the greatest club in the world. And by far the best fans in the world.

That's not why I'm a Blue
I'm a Blue because I'm a Blue

My best ever early memory was my first night match in the Paddock
Fuck !
Walking up the steps into the blue floodlit football Valhalla !
God's Acre

I can still feel my heart thunder at the sheer power of the impression
The smell of the perfect green sward
The bluish tinge of the floodlights
The whiff of ale, ciggies n pies

And then
"Z Cars"

He was a (1930s) Liverpool featherweight who won the British title three times (despite having one lung)

First game in 1983 aged 7. With great times just around the corner.

My Blue influences were all on my mums side of the family. My mum is a Scouser with little interest in football but her brothers and dad and other members of her family are in the main blues so took me along for the long ride!

My dad,although having lived in Liverpool since the mid 70s, is a 'wool' from St Helens and is from a Rugby League family who are all massive supporters of the 'Saints',and although I like Rugby and I watched St Helens many times with him,particulary when I was a youngster, he knew my heart lay completely at Goodison.

Proud to be a Scouser. Proud to be an Evertonian.

Nice article. I agree that other fans are often just as passionate, but there’s definitely something different about us. I have been an Evertonian 40 years and first match was an away game in London at Spurs in April 1980 which we lost 3-0 and played terribly. Only about 300 Everton fans were there (as opposed to 30,000 at the cup semi-final replay at Elland Rd v West Ham 3 days earlier!) but even then there was something different about Scousers.

Tube train got smashed up in a battle with Spurs fans afterwards as well (they were the days!) but it didn’t put me off, and I’m still here today.

Good all-round sportsmen I think. Leigh (and Gary) played a very good level of rugby (union) which is where I know him from.

For me it was Joey Singleton, John Conteh and (later) Tony Willis.

Was also at 'The Nark In The Park' rooting for Everonian Shea Neary.

We would all like to have seen more trophies over the years, but maybe the scarcity of them is what makes that special bond between Evertonians. You are no less of a Blue for being down south, nor are the people who support from the USA, New Zealand or anywhere else. Wherever football's played, you'll hear the song of Everton come riding on the breeze.

My biggest compliment to fellow Blues is that I've never met a disinterested one. Unlike some "supporters" of other clubs, they always know the results of the last match, the upcoming fixtures, who's out injured and so on. There are no glory hunters. Everyone is passionate about the club. It matters!

Joey was a great boxer, as were the other names you mention. He had an accident after his career ended where, I think I am right, he lost an arm.

I have no family connection with the City of Liverpool but have been a Blue since 1985 (impressionable 6-year-old following top team!) but I certainly have the feeling Steve describes so well. My mates support various teams but they don't live them like Evertonians do!

I think about the Blues all day!!! The results determine my mood; I see a scouser on the telly... "Wonder if he's a Blue?" If I catch a glimpse of someone in an Everton shirt, it makes my day! Etc, etc.

As Steve said, you just can't explain it!!

This weekend a few of my mates are going down to the pub to watch the final day of the season. They are a mix of Leeds, Man Utd and Sheffield Utd followers and support their teams to varying degrees. What none of them can understand is why, rather than watching the top-of-the-table Premier League climax, I would rather stay at home and watch Everton play a meaningless game against Hull on some very ropey internet stream.

I LOVE the club and I want to see every minute of every game they play. It's obsession, it's completely stupid... but it's my life!

First game... Chelsea at home in August '71, night match, won 2-0, both scored by the White Pele. Chips, Everton mints, bottle of pop, seats in the Upper Bullens. Amazing atmosphere, I'll remember that game if I live to be 100. (Thanks, Dad.)

If you are on Facebook, you'll see I published two photos of my uncle Nel this week.

My dad was born in 1913 and was in the middle; another sister Lily was married to Norman Low who was a Liverpool footballer in the thirties. I've recounted on numerous occasions about my dad taking me to meet Dixie Dean when I was 18.

If my memory serves me right he won a Lonsdale belt outright or maybe even two. (Or... was that Foran? – too idle to Google.)

My first game in 1954 was Preston at Goodison when over 76,000 were there and one-nil to the Blues. To my eyes, the blue was always bluer, the green turf just amazing... and that was it!!

Since that time, I have seen all the ups and downs but all in the Top Division, along with Arsenal – just think: 61 years of the top table.

Having been overseas for the last 40 years, but hanging onto every little bit of Everton news in every game they have played in that time, I feel privileged to tell anyone who wants to listen that We are Born, not Manufactured.

You mentioned Peter Kane and he too was part of the Tarleton stable of boxers. My dad and George (said to be the best Tarleton sportsman, but he lost his leg in an accident when he was 14) were basically Nel's and Ernie's trainers, but officially they were managed by Ted Broadrib; in those days, relatives couldn't manage a fighter.

My dad loved his football and took me to games whenever he was home from sea. He became a merchant seaman after he finished with boxing. He was like all the Tarletons – a Red, but we went to "The Match" and when he wasn't around, my William's uncles, mainly Reds too, took me regularly to Goodison Park and Anfield Road throughout the fifties.

I've recounted how I became a Blue above and I think Dave Hickson and Everton's promotion to the First Division were the prime ingredients.

The former Liverpool boxers used to meet on a Sunday in The Rose in Cheapside. Not sure if they still do...

I've been smitten since the late-50s; I went to my first game in '61 with my mate – it was an evening reserve game against Derby County and I am not kidding – it was packed. I didn't see BK in the Boys Pen, by the way. I forget the friggin score but I will always remember the meat and potato pie and a cup of Oxo at half-time!

The rest, as they say, is history – which, as we all know, was filled with a rich tapestry of Everton Football Club!

I feel it in me water, though – the glory days are coming back big style. Coytoffeeeeeeees!

That's exactly how we feel.

The third occasion never occurred 'cos Psycho got his tackle in, stood over the young lad and quite audibly said "I told you if you did that again I'd break your fucking legs". The poor lad went missing for the rest of the game; today Pat would have been banned for half a season. What he lacked in quality he made up for in menace – different times!!

Anyway, the game was on The Match and it was Everton v Man United. Even though it ended up being 1-1, I was drawn to Everton. Not because they played better they just seemed to have "called me". Been a Blue ever since.

I grew up in Hastings on the South-east cost and started supporting Everton at the age of eleven after the 4-4 draw in the FA Cup 5th Round in 1991. I had little concept of how far away Liverpool was. I used to watch Hastings Town play and occasionally Brighton but never felt the same connection to them as I did for Everton. A few years later I met my childhood best mate who was also a Toffee. We were both obsessed with the Blues and the fact that most other kids were Liverpool (and later on Man Utd) fans just seemed to make me more protective of my team. His dad (a Leeds fan from Yorkshire) used to take us up to London to see Everton at away games. I'm ashamed to say that I have never seen us play at Goodison, something I need to put right soon!

Having followed Everton through a pretty barren twenty plus years I'm really enjoying the feeling of optimism Martinez has brought to the club. Can't wait for next season!

Unbelievable. My grandfather was Dick Burke who was a top boxer from Liverpool in the 1930s, boxed at Fly, Bantam and Featherweight. He was great friends with Nel and Dom Volante. I have a few photographs of them together, in civvies and in their boxing gear.

Nel and my grandfather both did exhibitions during the war to raise money for the war effort.

My grandfather was also good friends with Dixie. I have photos of them together.

He use to speak very fondly of Nel and Dom. He was also good friends with Ernie Roderick as well. I have photos of them sparring when Ernie was helping my grandfather prepare for one of his upcoming fights.

I'm absolutely stunned!

If you want I would be more than happy tocopy the pictures I have of Nel and send them to you.

Let me know.

By the way, my grandfather was a blue...My grandmother was a red!

On the recent two decades survey I mentioned that some sort of ToffeeWeb alehouse city-centre night might be a good idea for all you lucky L blues (postcode) to bevvy and natter.

I really hope that happens one day and becomes a part of the blue calendar and this lovely Tarleton et al natter is a real reason why this should happen.

The guy at the help desk was Irish and he said there was no time to sort this out, and if they let me on the plane without clearance they would have to pay a fine of $5,000. "So you come from Liverpool, do you?" he asked, "and which team to do support?" "Everton," I said proudly, and his eyes lit up. "Same here," he said and we talked about things Blue for a bit.

Then he looked at his watch and called his girlfriend who worked at the American Embassy. She was at lunch and couldn't get to her office in time to help me. My newfound friend told her to find someone in the restaurant with a laptop and tell them it was urgent international business. She took my details and confirmed my status with 5 mins to spare and I ran to the plane with my new bezzie mate, ignoring all formalities.

Evertonians are family. Luv em!

Sorry to say but I'm a southern Blue. Born in Limerick to English parents (my dad is a Mackem), moved to the South coast when I was 10 months old.

I came to support Everton because my older brother did. He supported them because his favourite colour was yellow and the first team he saw on TV were playing in yellow. Everton. So glad it wasn't Norwich.

This was in the late 70's. I've been supporting them since before I really knew what football was.

I remember, aged 6 or 7, I went to bed one Saturday and Everton were going to be on MotD later that night. I had insisted that my parents woke me so that I could watch my beloved team. The bug had hit me.

I saw us through the success of the 80's. Everton were never fashionable down south, even then. In 1985 I was beaten up by the school bully. I was 10 and had the cheek to not support ManUre before the FA Cup final.

I remember in 1989 I said to my brother "If Everton don't beat Liverpool, I'm going to start supporting them instead". Haha, as if. I sat down that even and squeezed as if I could simply squeeze out the love I had. The reason I did it was because losing hurt, it really is one of the worst feelings.

I don't get people who have managed to change their allegiances, I work with someone who used to support ManUre (he is actually from Manchester, go figure) but now support Southampton. How?

My first trip to Goodison, when I could afford it, was with a bunch of Chelsea fans. I had a ticket to sit with them. I went to the ticket office and asked if I could change it to sit with the home support. To my astonishment they did without ever questioning. I was a young southerner in Bullens Road stand. I remember the guy next to me making some jokes, so I joined in. The moment he heard my accent he stopped and stared, smiled and then the banter went on.

Everton consumes my life, probably not as much as many of you, but it's impossible to get away from. It affects my mood every day, just ask my wife. Everton lose and the feeling is completely disproportionate: I have my health, a loving wife and children yet nothing can be done to stop that feeling in the pit of my stomach.

And you are right, people don't get it. Hell I don't get it. It's unfair to say everyone, but a lot of football fans down here seem able to switch off when a match isn't on.

And being an Everton fan down here isn't easy, I only know 1 other - and he got me started on this path.

I'm sat here at my desk in work reading this for the last hour holding back those man tears we get when we see our players hug the gaffer after a goal (Rom & Rob).

Originally from Cork where everyone is a Man Utd or Liverpool fan, I was called by the Blues in 1984 and have been loyal ever since. School days of being the only Blue in an all boys collective of 700 students – the sole blue shirt in a sea of red – I was never prouder of my team, and never backed down from the relentless jibes of the red hordes.

Fast forward a decade or so and my life took me to the North West where I settled for 10 years and got to see the Blues play at Goodison every week I could. I took my now wife to her first ever football match a few years back when we beat Fulham 3-1 with a stunner or two from Faddy if memory serves! I leant into her and said "This doesn't happen every week, love but look at the reaction on that ladies' face." The lady in question must have been in her 80s and she was up, fists pumped and a huge smile from ear to ear!

One of my most treasured memories of my seat in the Lower Gwladys. The missus has been a Blue ever since and quotes her best memory so far as the reaction to the Arteta equalizer vs Fiorentina at Goodison – the place went berserk, and so did she! I almost wept with pride then!

Everton reaches into your soul, never lets go. Doesn't promise the moon and the stars but by god how we celebrate every win and mourn every loss. I love my team and I love my fellow Evertonians like family.

I am 55, have been one forever and reading these letters has just made my day. It made me feel that "lates" is not the worst thing in the world. Not being a Blue probably is!

COYB