For the last two years — some would go much further than that — the Everton fans have kept our club going. Two seasons of pretty awful football, evidence of some players not trying particularly hard, players not appearing to be as fit as those from other teams, and the absence of the directors from home games have failed to dampen the undying support of this marvellous fan base.
I was present for the Crystal Palace and Bournemouth games and the support was like nothing else that I have seen in my 61 years of following my team. The Palace game was lost and we dragged it back whilst the Bournemouth game needed us to urge the defensive effort over the line. Whether we can all do it again this season, only time will tell… but the way the transfer market is going, it looks like we are in for another battle to stay up.
So why is there still a lack of camerarderie between the supporters and the players? There is a lack of appreciation for the fans at the end of games and too often only two or three players walk over to acknowledge the supporters. The manager disappears down the tunnel with scarcely a glance (in contrast to the much maligned Lampard who at least had the nous to do this) and the fans are left sitting in the cold with a long trip home.
Around a dozen of the West Country Blues fan club made the trek to Forest Green Rovers today to watch the Under 21s. Not one player acknowledged the support at the final whistle which is pretty disgraceful. Surely the club and the manager can get the players to bond sufficiently with the fans by thanking them for their support — especially when most players underperform every week? Surely this is not too much to ask or indeed expect because, if the support weakens, we will be going down.
This needs sorting out!