From My Armchair: Tractor Obstruction

Thousands Are Sailing and Body Of An American for rabble rousing but Dirty Old Town is poetry for post-match and a missile at the "sign on" pricks.

Let's revel in our beautiful, historic, cultural, and traditional dirty old town.

You really don't know the posters on here and the lives they've led but the stories they relate are more than interesting!

dreamed our dreams by the big blue sea

We love them more than life itself

Ev - er - tin, Ever - tin💙

Just fancied staying up late while lovely is in CA for the week. New Radicals on now. That could be a BMD song - 'You got the music in you'.

An Everton song to tune of Thousands Are Sailing would be awesome.

I'm absolutely terrified that the ghost who cursed Goodison is waiting at Bramley-Moore Dock!

Isn't that sung by Salford City?

I think when we went 2-up, the players thought "It's only relegated Ipswich… it's game over."

They went into Man City mode, just passing it around with little intent to look for another goal. Then up pops the lad with a world class goal and, from that moment, the game changed.

I don't think we had a shot on target in the 2nd half. Moyes had selected the players we had being asking for and he moved Ndiaye into the No 10 role which I and many others have been asking for. But in the end he had to move Alcaraz from wide left and put Ndiaye back there, probably one of his poorest games for us.

Regarding their 2nd goal, there were a few mistakes leading up to the goal. Harrison received the ball in their half and Patterson made a run ahead, more to try and create space for Harrison but Harrison as always took the easy option and played the ball towards Patterson who had no chance of winning the ball, and going down as easy as he did was embarrassing.

Mykolenko missed his tackle and the ball went out wide and their wide player got to the by-line. Pickford for some reason is at the near post, there isn't an Ipswich player anywhere near the near post so what he was doing there, I have no idea.

The only option for their wide player was to clip it to the far post, which he did, and O'Brien made no attempt to win the ball, a real comedy of errors.

I was looking at some stats yesterday and this season we will record the lowest number of home wins in the Premier League… and, even if we beat Southampton in the last, it will still be the lowest amount of wins.

Somebody once said "You can't kid all of the people all of the time". Well, for us to keep filling the place out week after week proves that theory wrong.

They are scruffy bastards, those Mancs, though and it wasn't lost on the Irish Toffee!

That's some tune, Paul, and exactly the reason why I still want to have a bevy, even though it kills me sometimes, mate!

Perhaps he might appear?

How does he make us more adventurous without losing the defensive discipline, which is such an excellent base to begin with?

A safe pair of hands is how a lot of people have been describing David Moyes, but I suppose a lot of those same people used to utter the words, be careful what you wish for?

I'd go for a revamped version of:

Ferry Cross The Mersey
In My Liverpool Home
Leaving Of Liverpool

All great songs and none of them nicked (yawn - Celtic) from other teams.

There must be some creative lyricists out there.

Let's put Z-Cars to rest.

I'm not renowned for my musical talent but I like the idea of that song. The Pogues' performance of Dirty Old Town is another favourite.

A new one would be good, although I have enjoyed hearing the classics from the past being sung by young and old. Marching from the 60s, Forever Everton from the 70s, Spirit from the 80s along with Here Go. Uniquely Everton.

I just hope that dreadful "Everybody's Singing the Blues", again from the 80s doesn't resurface. I never really liked "When Everton Win and Liverpool lose (I think we pinched that off Sheffield Wednesday) and I wish we would drop "If You Know Your History".

I used to love "Everton oh we love Everton", which I remember from the 80s going through all of the players one by one. All together now:

And we love our:

Neville Southall

Shaggy Stevens

Pyscho Pat

Kevin Rats

Degsy Mountfield

Peter Reid

Tricky Trev

Andy Gray / Inchy Heath

Graeme Sharp

Paul Bracewell

And last but not least, Kevin Sheedy. The one who could part the Red Sea, play football on water and feed Goodison with 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish.

Each player repeated twice, with the chorus repeated after each player was introduced to the list. I've not heard it much in recent years. It got lengthy, so maybe one for the train, coach or concourses.

Obviously his memories are very different to mine, I don't think we should burn it down, although I can understand his sentiments.

I do think moving to the new stadium, we should leave the siren, which I hate, and Z-Cars with the Dixie and Holy Trinity statues.

New stadium new era, start a-fresh. What is the general consensus: keep or ditch the siren and Z-Cars?

My brother said exactly the same thing to me on Saturday, when I asked him what was missing?

We need a new song, he said, although I was alluding to a massive flag, with a picture of our first championship winning medal featuring a blue liver bird!

My oldest has been saying the same thing about Goodison for years Brian, and he said the Ipswich game probably summed up his years being an Evertonian, better than anything.

Let’s ditch the songs but keep the safe pair of hands, even though that safe pair of hands made a massive contribution to how Everton football club are now perceived.

It was 1984 and we made our daily trip to Portsmouth Poly Students Union for some ale & pool. We couldn't get on the tables due to older musician types. Turns out they were the unknown band playing that night. The Pogues.

The only smart-looking one was Shane, hammered and articulate, loved the fact I was a Blue. Top lads, so we went in to watch them. They were fabulous. They had a bucket behind the drum kit and four of them threw up in it. Followed them ever since.

I could never understand why we never adopted a Beatles song back in the day. A missed opportunity

These moments are the ones we comment on because they seem avoidable errors, but I doubt that Jordan will ever be a "Commanding" style of keeper.

Okay, the siren's recent but ditching Z-Cars… not for me. It's a tradition I'd miss.

Guys like Rory Gallagher and Alex Harvey could really entertain a crowd, so could Jimmy Page and Dave Gilmour, moving forward in time a bit the Waterboys and Coldplay can do it too...

As for Anthems in the new ground (whatever it ends up being called) we could do with a brand new one, but he siren and Z-Cars give me shivers in a good way...

I understand exactly, but when I started going to Goodison there was no Z-Cars, no pre-game warm-up, just players running out 5 minutes before kick off, a little sprint and that was it.

I don't believe the siren is just us; it was only introduced because Bellew had it as part of his ring walk for his fight at Goodison, so nothing to do with football at all.

I was sat next to Ed Stewart when we lost the league at Oxford in 86, Lineker's boots got left behind and he missed a few chances that night,

Stewart was a decent bloke and a good Blue, started supporting us after a relative took him to Stamford Bridge and we got twatted 6-2, he became a supporter after that.

I liked the Rolling Stones, wasn't fussy on The Beatles.

It seems like we have been at war with the football authorities, our owners, the last chairman, and his cronies the last few years so for the last game v Southampton and, with the 80th Anniversary of the Second World War ending I think the last song at Goodison could be We'll Meet Again?

Maybe not!

Goodison (for me) is very dated with facilties from the 60s, and wooden cramped seats. The only success I've known was 4 years as a teenager, and 18 months with Big Joe.

It won't happen but I'd like a restart also. No Grand Old Team and "The People's Club" (embarrassing). Taking to the pitch to the Ace Of Spades by Motörhead, some real rousing noise.

The fact there have been 4 Everton victories at Goodison all season really does scream the Bayern game was 40 years ago. David Moyes, the longest serving Everton manager, is a negative failure. That's our history.

Great Song too.

Your post reminded me of a bus in Singapore advertising Chang beer, it had the Everton squad painted on the side. I had to do a double take when I saw it.

I wasn't struck on the siren when it was started, but some how missed it when they stopped using it. I am all for keeping Z-Cars.

After about 25 minutes, Billy had hardly moved and never uttered a word, I said to him “I thought you was an Evertonian, you haven't opened your bleedin mouth since the game started – and [nodding my head at Wally] who does he support?”

Billy he said “ He's not really interested in football” I got Wally by the throat in a pretend choke and said “Well, what the fuck is he doing here then?”

Billy livened up a bit after that, especially when the two goals went in. Wally kept a wary eye on me the rest of the night but Billy was taking the piss out of him on their radio show the next morning about the incident.

Gareth Evans, the Director of “The Raid” and “Havoc” is a blue.

As are actors Dolph Lundgren, Michael B Jordan and George Costigan.

Dave 45, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction would be very apt after so many years of frustration.

Yes, that would be apt. Maybe Waiting For A Friend would be better with our new owners being the friends we've waited a long time for!

I don't want to turn this political but, hats off to our parents and grandparents and all vets for VE Day. The greatest generation.

https://youtu.be/o6drD2SCwHE?si=BGwyJ_ay94XrbDbt

You're my world, you're every breath I take
You're my world, you're every move I make
Other eyes see the stars up in the skies
But for me, they shine within your eyes
As the trees reach for the sun above
So my arms reach out to you for love

With your hand resting in mine
I feel a power so divine
You're my world, you are my night and day
You're my world, you're every prayer I pray
If our love ceases to be
Then it's the end of my world for me

With your hand resting in mine
I feel a power so divine
You're my world, you are my night and day
You're my world, you're every prayer I pray
If our love ceases to be
Then it's the end of my world
End of my world
End of my world for me

Tender!!!

I regularly visit Ieper (Ypres in French) and the WWI battlefields and cemeteries. Plenty of recognition to the likes of the Sikh, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and South African nations, amongst others that fought alongside the British. I discovered a cemetery and memorial to the Liverpool Scottish Regiment in those Flanders Fields.

I've also been to Arnhem famous for the Bridge Too Far in WW2. From a British Force of over 10,000, including a Polish Brigade, nearly 1,500 were killed, 6,500 captured as PoWs or missing leaving less than 4,000 making it out to fight another day.

Quite staggering when you think about it. Two remarkable generations.

My generation had it tough, but nowhere on that scale.

I wonder and would like to think that football could mark the anniversary this coming weekend. I understand sport and politics shouldn't mix, but it would be fitting. Unless it's been done this weekend.

I know it wasn't written about them, but there is association with that other song.

Unfortunately the RS would no doubt accuse us of disrespecting Hillsborough if we adopted it.

Why can't we introduce another song as well as Z-Cars? In My Life (includes the line “there are places I remember” would serve as a nice tribute to Goodison.

Perhaps we can change it every so many years?

Okay, Z-Cars is a good, historic, tune to run out to but an iconic anthem before each game would be great.

Andrew, Danny, Geoff: they've appropriated everything about our city. It's about time we started taking it back, including the music!!

Danny 57, we certainly do know how to put on a parade. This was very inclusive and was great to see commonwealth representation and loads of civic groups.

My dad fought alongside Indian, Kiwi, and Polish troops in North Africa and Italy during the war and he was so grateful to have them next to him.

However, as Colin says, we also need an iconic, upbeat anthem to run out to. Despite my years, I find the magnificent Thunderstruck by AC/DC as energising as any. If that doesn't get you going, not much will.

I always think it's a shame VJ doesn't get the same recognition. I believe they said this week was about both, but victory over Japan happened in the August and today, if it was supposed to be joint, it barely got a mention.

Brian, if only they would. I'd rather walk alone.

On the music theme, the words to Ray Charles's I Can't Stop Loving You always make me think of Everton. But that's just emotional Danny coming out.

Danny #57, it's awesome that you take so much time at those historic battlefields. If you ever get the opportunity, make sure you visit the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor. Powerful.

V-J Day is a much bigger deal over here, for obvious reasons.

I would find a pipe band to play it before every match.

It made me wonder why the Germans and the Japanese became allies in the first place… and why actually did the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbour?? It's not very clear to me.

Anyway, the TV series is very thought provoking (Rufus Sewell plays an excellent roll as a Nazi oberhruppenfuhrer) but, according to my wife, very diffferent from the book.

(As is Bladerunner from “Do androids dream of electric sheep?”)

There are plenty of US memorials and cemeteries in Belgium too. I always find the German ones more poignant. As the victors, our headstones are white. Theirs a black, I assume as a mark of shame?

I worked and lived in Anzio, near Rome. We used to hold Remembrance at the British Commonwealth cemetery in Anzio and the US one in nearby Nettuno, both famous for the allied Anzio landings in 1944. I always visit both on my annual returns.

And the seafood is to behold. A lot of the Roma and Lazio players frequent a certain restaurant on the picturesque a harbour.

Typical Moyes response to going 2-nil up and the reason why I want a young, fresh approach come August. I just hope he keeps Charly but worry he keeps Doucoure and Harrison. Both work horses which is what Moyes prefers over skill and ambition.

https://paradata.org.uk/content/4643651-sergeant-bryan-quinn

He missed out on Arnhem because he sustained a back injury – something he was so grateful for when he heard what had happened in the raid. He never mentioned the war except to say that his younger brother, serving in Burma, did more damage to the British soldiers than the Japs ever did – because he was a chef!!!!

Uncles Phil and Dave as well. Unfortunately, all three were reds. Well, no one is perfect.

I don’t have the numbers but a large portion of football pundits and co-commentators are former rs players. Carra dominates the written and visual media with his non-stop anal comments.

Even alky Aldridge was dragged out of his local opium den to give his “observations” about this earth shattering news. Sickening

I hate the siren. It’s all about Bellew and our former narcissistic chairman who used to love getting his evil tongue deep deep deep into Bellew’s ass. We should be taking as little as possible to the Dock that has been touched by that lying conniving twat me me me me me and the train set Kenwright. We should offer the siren to Watford.

‘Ferry cross de Mersey’ is a great idea. Stirring, rousing, moving, emotional, relevant, inspired. The toppest of top shouts. Banging Ferry out in a blue wave of sound all over the ground moments before kick-off is inspirational.

And Thousands are Sailing for the thousands crossing the river.

Feck right off with Yank Jump. I could imagine Waterfront down there on the waterfront and then straight into the Ferry song.

I once got a taxi from Lime St to the match with Amanda Holden and we ended up not going to the match.

What would I add at the new stadium? A light show if we win an evening game. The rest can come organically, just like the resurgence of Spirit of the Blues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1Awug6zeMY

We shall not, we shall not be moved

We shall not we shall not be moved

Just like a team that’s playing by the waterside

We shall not be moved!

Tony A will absolutely love this idea.

Waterfront
We Shall Not Be Moved
The Ferry Song
Z-Cars

Sorted.

I worked on a fruit barra in town and this man, an absolute gentleman use to come every day and get three pieces of fruit but always got in the long queue, I told him not queue up and I’d have his fruit ready for him but he insisted he couldn’t be served before people already in the queue.

When the celebrations were due for the 50th. year after the war I asked him would he be celebrating like most people——He said no he wouldn’t he’d prefer to forget about the war, I asked him did he play a part in the war he told me he was a bomber pilot and I understood why he preferred to forget about he war.

I watched a lot of the tributes and also the scenes of the war itself but I loved the celebrations of the day it was announced that the war was over—— how absolutely wonderful they felt about such a joyful day.

Forget football, nothing bonds you when are depending on each other like your life depends on it. You forget the politics or reason you are there. You just look out for each other and and want to be thankful for getting home.

I've just had a musical thought. The Whole of the Moon by the Waterboys. Only because we used to go to my mate's dad's Italian restaurant, Buca di Baccos, just near Matthew Street after Everton matches. He used to pick us up in his white van back to town. No windows, no view into the front, no seats, no seat belts. Great days!!!

What's Another Year: J Logan?
Don't Give Up On Us: Soul boy?
Angelo: Brotherhood of Man?
Bright Eyes: Art?
Annies Song: Denver?
Float On: Floaters?

I have never really liked Ferry across the Mersey, because I hate that phoney bastard Marsdan, so I’d replace that with one of my top ten of all time favourites “Brothers In Arms” I’d keep Z-Cars, and I would find some lyrics to the tune of Biko!

August 25, on the banks of the big blue sea

We finally went to Bramley Moore to see the next phase of our history

Oh Everton, Everton, because Everton!

You can blow out a candle but you can’t blow out a fire

And when the flames begins to catch our fans will take us higher!

Dancing in the Dark by Bruce is a sort of bouncy singalong with short lines for new Everton lyrics.

Seriously I often put sunshine on Leith on my iPad, love watching Celtic fans singing Grace, or Ajax, with their three little birds, and the only song I’ve ever heard Evertonians singing properly is definitely “we shall not be moved”

I think we all want another one, I think most of feel that we definitely need another one, so keep up the suggestions everyone and once we get through the countless bad shouts, we might just get somewhere😂🤞

Can you just imagine it…….Aquarius, and my name is Hewitt!!

Now I like a woman who loves her freedom

And I like a woman who can hold her own

And if you fit that description, baby, come with me and watch a game of rugbee!!

😂😂😂😂

We shall not be moved should be regalvanised.

Just like a team that's going to take the City and football back.

"Stand by me"

Andy (94): didn't we consider that the look at the time? The ladies went wild. First line is promising. We could work with 'When I wake up in the morning light'. A lot rhymes with 'light' - ' keep it tight'?

That I look upon

Should crumble and fall

And the Shite get washed out... to the sea.

NO I WON''T...BE AFRAID"

And for the chorus when we steal THEIR sponsorship...

Oh Carling, Carling...

Don't tell me the bastards already sing this!

How about "Keep Right On To The End Of The Road"?

It'd be a knockout song from a large crowd - seriously!

And Z Cars/Johnny Todd should be eternal - it's all about our city after all.

Of course... I just thought the John Lennon shout would strike more of a chord.

You're feisty tonight!

And may the Lord, or someone even more special, assuage yer ass.

“There are places I’ll remember,

All my life, tho’ some have changed,

Some forever but not for better,

Some have gone and some remain.

Penny Lane is one I’m missing,

Up church and to the clocktower,

In the circle of the Abbey,

I have seen some happy hours.

Past the tramsheds with no trams,

On the 5 bus into town,

Past the Dutch and St. Columbus,

To the Dockers Umbrella that they pulled down.

All these places have their memories,

Some are dead and some are living”

There's no place like home.

Another great catchy song I remember people used to sing before the ecstasy took over was Forever In Blue Jeans by Neil Diamond.

So much better than that Sweet Caroline shite, but definitely not as good as AHorse With No Name when everyone joins in with the chorus.

Therein lies the problem with this song.

In My Life is a brilliant song.

The provenance of the music dates back to a shanty/song way back to late 1800’s and was sang by children in Liverpool. It was good enough for Bob Dylan to cover, and the lyrics mention Liverpool and the sea, which seems appropriate now we are going to BMD. It certainly has more relevance than a Howard Keel Ballard/Dirge from an American Musical that the RS sing. I would definitely lose the air raid siren.

If people want a song then for my mind it would have to be ‘In my Life’ by the Beatles.

I like the following lines replace the words Liverpool with Everton and Cathedral with Stadium and it works until Goodison has been repurposed!

In my liverpool home, in my liverpool home

We speak with an accent exceedingly rare,

Meet under a statue exceedingly bare,

And if you want a cathedral, we've got one to spare

In my liverpool home...

I did like the fact that we won a header in their half for the first time since Dom was injured. Says it all that it was Dom that won it. If his demands aren't stupid, I would keep him. Look at what Chris Wood can do with better runners around him.

My last time ever at Goodison with my son. 48 years, approx 400 games. We should have won it, but we didn't lose, so I can take that away with me. The 1878 flags were magic. Emotional day for the two of us.

The irony is… we will have just moved to get there!!!