FA Cup 5th Round Draw

But the quarters will be very tough, all favourable draws for the big teams, by the looks, Likely all of City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Spurs will be in the quarter finals.

Only one definite all PL tie - Saints v Hammers - and one potential one - them v Norwich.

Good draw for us. Cummon Boreham!

How do you know its a Wednesday game, I think we will have to wait till we find which match will ITV feature guess not ours so we could be Sat.

Thanks Frank.
One positive step at a time.

"He's One of US Now
He's One of US Now
Franky Lampard
He's One of Us Now !"

Hope so Frank.

(I DID have these lyrics earmarked for Delle Ali too, but, so delighted after yesterday).

Lampard had a dream to make our club supreme,
So he used Moshiri's money to build a team of his own.
We play from the back, with Dom in attack.
The School of Science is definitely back.

Any takers for "Frankie says Kopites are Gobshites"?

But for now can we all take a look at the previous shitfest, forget about that and the next game until Monday, and bloody enjoy the remainder of the weekend?

Has been a long time coming, make the most of it and enjoy.

Our feelgood IS BACK

Let's enjoy

I'll smilingly sing these songs wearing Brians T-Shirt
Happiness as an Evertonian these recent years is brief and impermanent

Now, selfishly.
I have a longer term project in mind.
An Everton Anthem.
Something that literally stuns opposition into dread, fear and RESPECT.

Presently, I have two favoured options.
One by a Boston-Irish band which is already their football tribute (albeit that pathetic american version of chasing the egg)
The second a haunting brilliant reworking of a lesser known Dylan, from Sons of Anarchy.

One:
Link
Dropkick Murphys "Rose Tattoo"
I'd rebadge as "BLUE TATTOO"
It's Irish Punk Anger appeals to My Royal Blue Toffishness
As do some lyrics
"I SWEAR to God in Heaven I would DIE for You"

Two:
Link
Audra Mae
Personally, the lyrics need only minor minor tinkering.
But
Forever Everton

Well I'll go to the foot of our stairs, where you could knock me over with a feather. Many such strange omens are cropping up! I know Dele is not available (Cup Tied) but Do-De-Do-De-Do-De, we are now entering the Twilight Zone!

About time if you ask me? :-)

Up there with "We're on the March with Frankie's Army"!

Here's a song for You Our Royal Blue American Brother.
Born a Blue

Mike Badger is a Local legend, Evertonian, Artist and Musician. Founder of Scouse Indie Cult Band, The La's.

Featuring Danny Roberts: Vocal/ Guitar, Mike Badger: Vocal/ Guitar, Anthony Foley: Bass, Sean Payne: Drums, Matt Dean: Back Vocal

This used to be played at half time.
It must be restored again.

We were drawn away but the game was changed to Goodison so a larger crowd could see the game. We nearly made a right pig's ear of that one, scraping through with a 1-0 win. Didn't Sheedy score the winner?

Come on, Boreham! Don't bore us! :-)

Thinking of the Altrincham game, John Connolly saved us with a late equaliser at Goodison. One of my sports teachers at School played for Altrincham that day (can't remember his name - I think his surname was Smith). He was an Evertonian strangely enough and gave a mate and me a lift to the League Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford in 1977.

For those wondering, we won the replay 2-0 which was played at Old Trafford to help Altrincham make the most of it money wise.

Fulham beat us at Goodison in 75 after us going all the way to Plymouth (still hurts) so I think it was 1974.

I think the teacher's name was Graham Smith btw.

Like you, I was at the game but can't remember too much about the game. I think they had a guy playing called Tony Swindells who, although getting, on played well.

I just wish I had your memory, Dave, sometimes I can't even remember who scored for us in games this season.

20-odd minutes left.

See you all there!!!

Wasn't Gary Jones sent off for punching an opponent?

It should be a walkover but these are the massive, massive banana skins. Every man, woman and dog will be hoping we slip up.

Dele, mixed emotions for you that night? Ha ha!

Altrincham 1974
Telford 1985

I was at both of those. 48 years ago against Alty.

Being honest, my long-term memory is a lot better than the more recent memories and I have to really concentrate on this season's games, but they are mostly better forgotten anyway!!

Neil (47),

Yes, Gary Jones was sent off for punching an opponent in that game, beaut of a punch as well, right on the jaw.

“He could have been a contender”, Gary, but picked the wrong sport.

A salutary lesson in view of the result at Bournemouth.

I just wonder what stupid o'clock kick-off times the TV companies will come up with for these 5th Round ties.

Will they bring more fans than Brentford managed yesterday?

Average home attendance 900 apparently!

I hope Boreham Wood don't take that approach. The game has changed now and they would get sent off these days. We don't need the injuries.

Treat them with respect and we should win 4-0 to disappoint the rest of the nation.

I'd be happier if we were playing Norwich at Wembley! Can't count our chickens though, we have to beat Boreham Wood in the next round and another team before we can think of Wembley.

Or am I going mad?

We'll have Forest in the final.

Jeff 55, that's him! I never realised he was an Evertonian, he was good to me though, I was never particularly blessed technically but always gave 110% and he seemed to really respect and appreciate that.

He ran our third eleven that season and although all our games were only “friendlies” we went unbeaten having played around 12 games with some of them against other schools first eleven. The team we had consisted of lads that just wanted to play but not considered good enough for the first or second elevens.

Hibbo shirt on back-to-front!

I don't think I've ever seen a game put on the fixture list so quick before!

They had the lowest home gates of any club at that level although he paid tribute to the band of regular away supporters numbering 30 to 40. It will be interesting to see how many jump on the bandwagon for a day out at Goodison.

Another non-league team we have played at Goodison was Kings Lynn in the third round in 1962. We won 4-0 with Bobby Collins and Roy Vernon among the goals.

In the interest of geographical accuracy, and not upsetting Dave Abrahams: Kenny McKenna's not a Scouser he's from Birkenhead.

Telford didhave a Scouser playing for them, though, but that was Davy Mather, who'd also played for the Blue Union.

I had the pleasure of playing with him in a tournament in the Isle of Man, which the Blue Union won. Worked with him too for a year or so. He was a good lad and a good player too, as is Kenny.

I'm already dreaming of Huddersfield/Forest in the quarter-final.

Nice day/evening out and a few quid in the coffers.

This is real stuff.

Best team for these, eh, Frank... they ain't conceded a cup goal yet!

Well done to Boreham Wood,a great effort... but hopefully it ends at the Old Lady!

The Champions League is starting again soon, and that's when these teams sometimes have big decisions to make about what competition they're going to prioritise, but it's gotta be the FA Cup for Everton, I hope.

I could only get football results by listening to the BBC World Service on a short-wave radio. I was forced to take an interest in ice hockey and American football for many years. How things have changed.

I strung up a wire antenna (aerial) across the living room at a right angle to the direction to England. The 1985 FA Cup Final was nerve-wracking late in the second half as we hung on to that one-goal lead and the radio signal was fading in and out.

Most probably wrong about Johnny King being the manager and having Scousers in the side but definitely right about the way they played on the day.

What are folk from Birkenhead called? I've always called them Birkenheadtheballs, but what is their true race?

A good point, mate, but woe betide anyone from Birkenhead (or the Wirral where Mr Abrahams holidays) who claims to be a Scouser, not that we would.

I've been called many things over the years, even by fellow Blues, including Wool, Woollyback, Plazzy Scouser and others I can't print.

Our true race? An interesting and totally true story of course.

We colonised the Wirral first, coming from God knows where and lived quietly for some time. Then there was a spate of wheels going missing from our horse-drawn carts. The culprits were caught and basically banished across the river.

And that's the honest truth!! Honest.

Born in Birkenhead
Went to Laird Street school
Evertonian
Could head a ball when I was younger.

Does this remind you of anyone? Just asking like.

Not sure about Johnny King, mate, but Davy Mather was a Scouser. I worked with him at Vauxhalls for a year. A cracking lad and a great striker. He played for the Blue Union from Garston before "hitting the bigtime."

Kenny McKenna was from Birkenhead, an Evertonian, who was a good player too. They did hand it out and the game became a bit "feisty" because of it.

Shame really as I hoped they'd enjoy the day and play the game. Few too many kopites in their team for that though.

I'm a huge promoter of the Greater Liverpool Region and inclusiveness in all things Scouse-ness.

Bootle, Litherland, Crosby (Sefton). Halewood, Huyton, Kirkby (Knowsley). All Liverpool and part of the Scouse family to me.

Birkenhead. Up for discussion. There's a natural water boundary. A bit like the misconception that Gateshead is part of Newcastle. But they're part of the Geordie nation, so why not Birkenhead?

One nation!!!

Sounds a bit like my dad's old mate (William) Bill, though he never used his first name. ;-)

Don't be trying to integrate us. We'll just keep the passport regulations in place necessary for crossing the great divide, thank you very much. :-))

John # 94 - you wouldn’t have said that if you had been at the battle of Ilchester Square when it rained milk bottles.

I remember the first time I visited them on my own and got stopped at the entrance and grilled. Luckily my credentials held up and I not only survived but was escorted to my aunty's door.

Good as gold after that and played many a game of footy among the glass and debris that was often there. :-)

Telford's manager was Stan Storeton, proud Yorkshire man who played at Tranmere for many years.

He ended up cleaning my windows for many years. Always good for a story and was not very complimentary about the response that their rugged performance got from the Everton hierarchy!

The term 'plastic' infers that someone wants to be something they're not. Have you considered that Wirral people have their own identity and have never called themselves scousers?

As a youngster, I was led to believe that scousers were those from the Scottie Rd area only, like the Bow Bells cockneys... anyone else heard that?

As for Birkenhead, I worked in Cammel Lairds for about 6 months when The Windsor Castle was getting built... the most depressing place I ever worked in – I hated every day I worked there, except for the dinner-hour football kick about.

Some good footballers there, Scousers and lads from the “One Eyed City” aka Birkenhead. Being honest, I never knew any real difference between the two of us, although there is always a difference.... look at Laurie Hartley. I've never met him, but know he is an absolute gentleman... and then there is Brian Williams!!

I hope this game is played on the Tuesday. I won't get home till midnight and then a 6 am start. But that's okay. If it's Wednesday, I've no chance as I'm already booked in.

Do you think the TV companies and FA would listen to my case? Oh well. I'll be there in spirit at least.

Shropshire Star: Flashback – February 17

Eaton is the guy immediately below the goalie in 2nd photo,

1975 FA Cup 3rd round Everton FC 1 Altrincham 1 Replay Altrincham 0 Everton FC 2

“IT’S wet and windy with a deep depression over Bellefield,” joked Billy Bingham with press-men on the eve of Everton’s third round tie in 1975.

He was referring to Everton’s injury list. But barely 24 hours later he might have been referring to Everton’s FA Cup fortunes.

Against Northern Premier League Altrincham, Everton came as close as they ever had to suffering the shame of being knocked out by a non-league side. It was almost the shock of the season. Everton went into the third round tie one point off the top of the table – but after a superb autumn, Billy Bingham’s Blues had wobbled as Christmas approached. To add to the inconsistent form, Bingham revealed an injury list on the Friday – which would worsen the next day. “Steve Seargeant is out,” he revealed. “Martin Dobson will not play, John Hurst is not fit and Mick Buckley cannot be risked.”

As a result Ken McNaught made his Blues debut – and hit the crossbar within 10 minutes – while Gary Jones hit the post 10 minutes later. But a nine minute spell threatened to wreck Everton’s season. Saturday’s Daily Post had warned: “30-goal John Can Be A Danger” – and John Hughes did, as Horace Yates had warned: “slip one past them.”

Perhaps shaken by the goal, winger Gary Jones then lost his composure, swung a right hook at Morris – which connected – and was sent off, then a minute before half-time a “vicious looking tackle by Davison” left John Connolly with a leg broken in two places and he was stretchered out of Everton’s season.

“The Everton and Altrincham players looked at each other threateningly,” reported Ken Lawrence “and the match never recovered.”

Everton’s 10-men equalised 20 minutes from time, skipper Dave Clements hammering a shot into the roof of the net after Dave Irving had been tripped. With a full complement of 11 players for the replay, staged at Old Trafford, Everton won comfortably with goals by Lyons and Latchford.

But Altrincham did get their top flight scalp 11 years later, when Birmingham City were dispatched in the third round. For an hour at Goodison Park one wintry afternoon in 1975 it was very nearly Everton.

1985 FA Cup 5th round Everton FC 3 Telford 0

TELFORD United made life ‘tough’ for Everton in the spring of 1985, literally.

The sight of six players queuing for treatment at Bellefield on Monday as Everton chased a trophy treble spoke volumes.

The sight of Graeme Sharp being carried off on physio John Clinkard’s back with a blanket wrapped round him (the 80s was no place for the niceties of golf buggies or stretchers) was a symbolic image of an afternoon when Telford accepted that they couldn’t outplay Howard Kendall’s talented young side, so tried to outmuscle them.

The Daily Post’s Ian Ross had no doubt who was to blame. “By showing a basic lack of respect for the rules, referee Mr Trevor Spencer allowed Stan Storton’s over zealous tough guys to dictate the pattern of play,” he reported. “They were never going to win, and they knew it, but my goodness how they managed to soil Everton’s eventual triumph.

“It is to Everton’s immense credit they refused to be intimidated by tackles which would be frowned upon in Sunday football circles and ultimately bury the minnows beneath an avalanche of class.”

Only 23 minutes remained when Peter Reid deftly flicked Gary Stevens’ ferocious drive past Charlton. Kevin Sheedy then buried a penalty and Trevor Steven added a third from the edge of the box.

But an injury list which included Sharp (two week lay-off with damaged ankle ligaments), Peter Reid (damaged achilles and bruised foot), Derek Mountfield (bruised back), Andy Gray (sight ankle injury), Paul Bracewell (knee) and Gary Stevens (ankle and knee injuries) left a sour taste.

I moved to the prairies of Saskatchewan in Canada in 1976, there was never any football on TV or scores in the paper.

I started off by phoning home but that started to get expensive. Next, like you, I hooked up to the BBC radio, but to get a good reception, I went in a farmer's storage shed that was made of metal, heating supplied by a fire in an old empty oil barrel in temperatures that got down to –30F.

Came back home in 1978 for a visit and ordered delivery of the pink Echo for a year, problem was it was only delivered with 4/5 copies once a month.

First TV coverage in Canada was about 1994-95 and the only time you got to see Everton was if they were playing Man Utd, who were on every week.

Hate to think how much I have paid to go back to Liverpool always in the season. As you say, those were the days.

The difference between the home game and the Old Trafford replay was Martin Dobson, who missed the first game but played in the replay. The Altringham cloggers couldn't get near him.

As this year is the Tiger, could Lampard put the Grrrrrrreat back into Everton? Could Tony the tiger Hibbert make a guest appearance, and present the Boreham Wood player, with a Signed Hibbert shirt? Or am I just fishing?

Could we revisit 1984 with the Frankie T-shirts? Oh how we clutch at fate and omens.

When you spend time around Derek Knox, it rubs off on you, the little funny puns.

Frankie Goes to Wembley. Frankie say Win the Cup.

A) Yes, yes and yes.
B) No, no, and no – well at least the last time I checked...

Dave – I have been called a lot of things over the years, but no-one has ever called me that!

Back on topic – Maybe Danny has got it right about the FA Cup. I think there are plenty of goals in this squad if we keep playing on the front foot, as seems to be our new managers preferred option.

Boreham Wood Tickets

Barry, 129, I've just bought my ticket and the details show the game as 3rd Match with an 8.15pm kick off.

Blame Halligan!

I thought I had, yet when I went into my account my ticket showed as “Reserved” but let me purchase it straight away.

All my card details were held except the security code on the back which I had to input again. Don't know what happened then cos I just assumed my account would be debited.

I hope I don't get to the game and find my season ticket isn't loaded. I think a few have had that problem this season?

I was told there were hundreds in the same position. Likewise I can't buy an FA Cup ticket yet, see how it is tomorrow but wouldn't be surprised that, as with Brentford, I can't buy one online. All a bit of a shambles really.

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2478883/everton-v-boreham-wood-ticket-news

Brent, are you sure you clicked print ticket? Can only assume you never as doesn’t it automatically default to upload onto season card before you can change it?

Don't!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od6hY_50Dh0

Still on 19 points, there for the taking.

Come on Danny, nobody's that lucky!

"As you are not opted into the 21/22 AutoCup scheme, you will need to purchase a Boreham Wood ticket to guarantee your seat."

I managed to buy a ticket last night, after a struggle with the website!