Firstly, I was born in Liverpool in 1940. My first experience with Everton was, I believe, at the end of the 1951-52 season when I played on the Goodison Park pitch for the school and we changed in the home dressing room.
After that, I remember during the next season I used to get in when they opened the large exit doors about 20 minutes from the end of the game to let people out early.
Later, I went from getting money to go to the game to becoming a season ticket holder in the Gwladys Street End. I was a regular attendant and went to a number of away games and Cup Finals.
In 1976, we emigrated to Canada, the idea was for a couple of years but the family are still here, nearly 50 years later! We have over the years returned for visits – the last time was in 2009.
Last year, after 62 years of marriage, unfortunately my wife passed away. After getting over Christmas, the New Year, and other memories, I decided to come back to Liverpool to visit family and friends, also to see a game at Goodison Park.
At first, I booked in February but, after my brother and my son persuaded me that was a bad time to go, I cancelled it. I then looked at alternative dates and noticed that from 21 April to 27 April, I could get to see 2 home games. The derby game had not been arranged then, and that became an added bonus. Also, I did not realize the potential significance of the Forest game.
I have to thank my nephew and his wife for making sure I got tickets for the games – even giving up their season ticket at one time. I don’t want to go over the games as they have been gone over before, but the highlight of my visit had to be the derby game: when that first goal went in, it seemed to release years of pent-up emotions and I was over the moon to see it.
I did do the tourist bit and visited 3 museums, and highly recommend them to any citizen of The Great City of Liverpool. I walked down the Dock Road to see the new stadium, bu the best view we got was when my son wanted to go on the ferry across the Mersey.
One observation that described Liverpool perfectly to me: We went in The Grapes on Matthew Street and, in the back, there was a guitarist playing and, in the middle of the Beatles music domain, they were singing Liverpool sea shanty songs and other oldies. The people singing had come down by coach from Blackpool but were on Holiday from Cardiff in Wales.
That to me was the Liverpool I love.