Boys From The Black Stuff was the iconic TV series that captured the early ’80s in the city of Liverpool and is currently available on the BBC iPlayer.
But an equally iconic Everton banner is Boys from the Blue Stuff. That’s who we are.
Once again, Everton, you put us through it, and I don’t mind admitting, it was draining at times. But I never stopped believing in them and they didn’t stop and pulled us through, which should have been with relative comfort. It was in the end.
Not so much a post-season review. We’ve covered most of it throughout the season.
Magnificent from the Blue Army, you were tremendous, every single one of you. No other support compares and never will. Desire, passion, sheer commitment and never giving in, no matter how dire it seemed at times. You all turned up and watched in the stadiums around the country and from around the globe. It was a tough ride but we kept going in the face of adversity.
We are made of stronger stuff and won’t give in on what we care about deeply and what means so much to us, no matter what. We are Everton to the core. We all are.
We came through the apparent targeted vendetta with sheer belief and faith. No matter what was thrown at us, we wouldn’t lie down and be trodden on and came out fighting as Evertonians always do. The suits picked on the wrong supporters, and congratulations to Nottingham Forest too. It’s what you do on the pitch that matters. The authorities seem to have lost that thought with no consideration for the supporters. I hope they are comfortable in their London Paddington offices smoking cigars and drinking gin. I’ll leave that there, so I don’t use foul language.
So a chance for some random light-hearted discussion whilst we eagerly wait for August to come around for our 71st undisrupted season in the topflight of English football. With me having been born in 1971, it could be a sign that we may pick up a trophy. Can we please finally win the League Cup? And bring her straight back to Goodison. That’s going to be tough. I don’t want to think about that too much right now, as it is already making me emotional.
As we will probably get a new strip, what are opinions?
Blue socks or white socks? Black socks or even amber socks as per the iconic Alan Ball photo? I’m personally a fan of blue socks with a white top fold over, Alex Young style from the footage I’ve viewed.
Wear all blue even? It looked quite smart against Arsenal at the Emirates on the last day.
Away strip. We’ve had white, silver and even the so called “Black Watch”, which I quite liked.
The salmon kit this season was a monstrosity in my opinion. I think that experiment with yellow with dark stripes around 1996 wasn’t easy on the eye and would give that a miss.
I did like that green away top we had under Moyes. Interestingly the training tops have been green recently. I quite like that.
For me it has to be amber, blue, amber.
Statues:
Scratched record time, but I’m still in tangles over what we do with the statues. Take them to the Everton Stadium or leave them where they are? I still can’t make my mind up. And build one for the 80s team with Sheedy at the centre. Southall making his flying save against Sheffield Wednesday, better than his one against Tottenham, although the one against Luton at Villa Park kept us in the semi-final and we went on to win. Peter Reid pointing. Ratcliffe holding up the cup. You could take your pick from many from that team. Obviously there can only be one Holy Trinity, so I don’t know what we’d call it.
Can we replicate St Luke’s in some way? Sorry, my mind is running away with itself!!!
Badge on the shirt?
We have the club crest, but what do we wear on the kit? It has changed over the years and we have never always worn the official club crest, which is always there and always will be. I’m not precious about that. As you approach Goodison, especially for a night match, it strikes you as you look up. It warms the heart on cold winter nights. I hope they take that to the new stadium.
If you look at footage of the 60s, we didn’t wear anything on the shirt.
I’m a big fan of the diagonal and simple EFC from the 70s. I also like the modest representation of Prince Rupert’s Tower on the current silver away kit and is on the back of the current home top.
Sean Dyche and the players deserve total respect for remaining focused on what they needed to do with the challenges faced. The manager, players and supporters have performed magnificently in the face of adversity. But the supporters are the true stars. Always there in numbers and in spirit for the club that we care about and means so much to us. Unbelievable throughout the season.
God speed Evertonians. Go and rest although I doubt many of us will. As always, it’s been a pleasure meeting many of you as well as debating on these pages. And special thanks to John, Mike, Neil, my nephew Patrick and many others who have helped me out this season when my membership didn’t kick in. I can’t express my gratitude enough.
See you all pre-season and next season.
Oh, for those concerned, my sister and nephew have said they will provide me with a jacket! I told them I’ve got one, I just forget to take it with me!!
1878 The Originals. Everton the Gear. Born to be blue. We shall never be moved.