Sad news that ToffeeWeb poster Martin Mason has died

RIP Martin.

I remember when I first joined ToffeeWeb, and Martin used to have that many people up the wall that I likened him to the character The Duke.

But there was never any animosity with Martin, and what makes this news even sadder is because he was definitely one of the characters on this website whom I had always hoped to meet. This is really sad news.

He's been a long, long time contributer to this site... sometimes controversial but never really that rude.. unless he was really provoked.

I'd certainly have Martin in my ToffeeWeb First XI.

What I liked about Martin was that he was unique. He did his own thing and would come up with some pretty quirky stuff. But always a bit different from the mainstream.

If I recall correctly, his main spell with us was a few years ago, I want to say it went back to well before the Moshiri era, and he would defend the club against those who extrapolate rumours and gossip that would cast the club or its hierarchy in a bad light. I think it was during that time we thought he was a self-appointed apologist for Bill Kenwright.

He then slipped away into the shadows, stopped posting for a long time... must have been a few years, I think.

But he reappeared... and somehow he was quite different, still not singing other people's tunes but putting his own spin on things.

Away from football, I recall my only interaction with him offline, which was triggered by his claims on climate change. He claimed to be a Process Engineer.

I traced Martin's final outbursts to a 'clickbait' thread on Colin Gallagher that somehow went seriously sideways into Climate Change, with Martin kicking off as a fully paid-up Trumpian Climate Change denier.

Among a host of claims, he said he would happily debate it sensibly via his private email address. So I tried to take him up on that, as it is a subject I am interested in, and I like to see if there is any real science behind the denials.

I sent what was for me a very polite email, asking about the scientific rationale for the alternative view of climate change he had hinted at.
If I wanted to get a fundamental grasp of the underlying science, where could I get started? Could he send me a link?

His reply: "I'm sorry but I cant bring you up to degree level physics with a link." Not exactly what I was asking, so I tried again.

"Come on, Martin. One link that would get me away from the 97% who maintain that MMCC is real and an increasing threat. Something that you as a Process Engineer can trust as a reliable source of correct information that counters the climate change rhetoric that governments, the UN and WEF are all pumping out."

Nothing. Never heard from him since. And it appears now he has not posted on ToffeeWeb since that date. So I take the full blame. His departure must be my fault because I challenged his position. He will be missed.

Anyhow, he never brought that up with me. At the few away games he accompanied me with we stuck to team news and tactics, hopes and expectations.

I thought he worked in oil tbh but as I say, when I'm in game mode I only talk about Everton.

Born again Blue — from a year ago... almost to the day!

I stopped watching the games, even on TV; I visited this site now and again but didn't participate; I tried to even not read news about them or discuss with relatives and friends.

We build up a picture of a person from their comments on TW. Sometimes for me that has been accurate, sometimes not. I've met a number of contributors and enjoyed the company of them all.

I take the view that “They are an Evertonian, that's all I need to know”.

RIP, Martin.

My condolences.

I had a few differences with him on the live forum from time to time, but always respected his opinions, like every other member of the ToffeeWeb family.

It's funny apart from 3 or 4 who post on here, I always can almost 2nd guess what everyone looks like, ridiculous of course but you do feel that you know the regulars well without ever clapping eyes on them.

Condolences to Martin's family, he will be sadly missed.

I was at times drawn into fruitless debates with Martin but I believe we would have got on like a house on fire if we had ever attended a game together.

Another who will be greatly missed on this site.

Martin was a real character who me and Tony (my son) had loads of fun with over the years, loads of banter, never malicious, and he could give as good as he got, again never going over the top, he knew his football business when he got away from being controversial.

I never met Martin but I know I would have been happy in his company if we had met. Tony offered him a ticket whenever he was able to come to a game at Goodison Park or Bramley-Moore Dock, sadly that will never happen now.

Goodnight, God Bless, Martin —- Rest in Peace.

My own self-imposed exile from TW would be tarnished rightly as petty without remembering him as the often-frustrating counter view to many, including my own, perspectives on the way our club was being run. Often countering any speculation with an absence of fact, he was steadfast in his love for our club.

An extremely sad day to hear of his passing for he deserves to be remembered as one of those characters who made TW such a great site.

I remember his return after a long absence when his views appeared to indicate a "road from Damascus" moment; he would have none of it.

He was maddening at times, but he loved Everton with a passion and I am deeply saddened by his passing. We may have crossed swords many times but, without Martin, TW would have been a lesser place. He is woven into the fabric of it and will be remembered with a smile.

Thank you, Martin, you deservedly have the best seat in the house tonight.

I'll readily admit having been put off by Martin's climate change conspiracies (which he posted elsewhere besides TW), and like Christine, I often found his Everton views frustratingly off-kilter, but he was gentlemanly in exchanges and never seemed to take the debates personally -- something I am sometimes guilty of doing.

Several folks have used the word "character" to describe Martin, and I think it's appropriate.

A real character and obviously a fierce loyal Evertonian. He will be missed.

Whether in agreement, or more likely not, Martin's posts were always worthy of a read.

I think you met Martin at the Southampton away game?

I don't recall the climate change argument. As with a lot of my Everton friends I tend to avoid topics of contention. Unless it's who was the best - Ball or Sheedy? (The former.)

Martin knew when not to push it with me and we got along famously. I can imagine he was a bit of a keyboard warrior -- in real life he was a gentle soul and a very considerate man.

Blue Cosmic Grooves All The Way To You, Martin, wherever you are in the Cosmos.

Fly well, Martin. x

Martin was always good for a debate on here. Obviously I never met him in real life, so can only comment based on the one small part of his life that we shared on here.

Now he can join the other sadly departed ToffeeWebers such as Mr Matthews, Dick Fearon and so on. Sadly missed.

I didn't care if Martin was pro or anti Bill Kenwright, his opinion was as valid as anyone's. He was a grade one Evertonian.

There's always a sadness when someone from TW passes. We will miss you, Martin.

It has felt a bit awkward in the past seeing condolences sandwiched between the current main discussions of the day.

Awful news, but I'm glad that we had you there, Mark, to send it to us.

I will miss Martin on here (I already was). I will miss that in my view he was up-front, honest, spoke his mind, and did not shrink when his wagon was circled.

He seemed more relaxed and open in his second coming on here. Congenial. Talked more about himself. Made us aware of what might make him uneasy on here.

Never in doubt was his love for Everton and his deep concerns about what was happening to his club in the post-Moyes era.

RIP Martin. Condolences to your family and friends, including Mark.

Rest in Peace, Blue.

Even back in the day when the TW waters were completely shark-infested, Martin did not know how to take a backward step. He defended his points fiercely and was always more than happy to discard the gloves if that's how you wanted to play. That made him box office -- for me at least.

I never met him, but I felt I knew him. He spoke the language of the Evertonian I grew up with... and unlike so many people these days, he had zero tolerance of idle gossip. I liked that.

RIP Martin.

And to re-iterate -- he was not a Kenwright acolyte -- at least in the 7 years I knew him.

Easy to say from me to you “Nice to hear from you again”, even though I doubt you'll be staying here. Best wishes and good health, Darren.

Nevertheless he returned having had his eyes opened to Kenwright and always spoke knowlegably about football matters themselves. Despite our disagreements he is one of the guys I would have liked to meet and had a pint with.

Mark, he had previously worked in Oil & Gas in Kazakhstan.

Martin was opinionated, stubborn but listened to others and we have lost a friend and a good man.

RIP Martin.

I'm dedicating Iliman's cracking goal to Martin.

God bless Martin, a True Blue.

If anyone debated with you, it was always objective and never personal. Even if you disagreed, you could do so amiably. That was the same with Barry Rathbone, who I never agreed with but respected a lot. I wonder where Barry is and hope he is well?

I think I could learn something from how Martin managed discussions on here. It takes a lot of discipline to stay curious and avoid a judgmental mindset. Must do better.

Also, reading Darren's post it reminded me of something about his contributions. He is a very good writer.

RIP Martin

Anyway, R.I.P. Martin. Put in a good word for us with the Big Fella up there about us getting a good CF, a decent RB, and an open-minded, creative, adventurous manager.

Glad to see Darren H back. Darren, I thought you had snuffed it as well.

Mr Hind if you are still skulking about these pages perhaps a rant or two wouldn't go a miss. Good to see your tribute mate!!

We will all miss Martin's comments. Rest in peace Martin.

Condolences to your family.

Condolences to all the family.

That it brought Darren back for a post is something to be glad about.

Miss you already, Martin.

It was me at Wolves (the Mina 99th minute equaliser, that practically kept us up), with you and Martin, Neil and a few others.

But(!!), we need to talk about Sheedy!!

See you at the next match. I'll always remember us taking him to Fulham last season and the familiar walk through the park in the sun on the way to The Cottage. Great company, great day out.

Love & prayers to his family and friends.