Danny O'Neill, ardent Evertonian and traveling supporter, has died

Shock is always the first reaction when someone you know dies. But if Danny had been ill for a while and suffering, it will be no shock to those who were close to him. 

It makes me think I should have probed a little more when his famous Everton travelogues posted to ToffeeWeb after yet another impossible demonstration of his loyalty and devotion to the cause dried up and his comments on these pages became fewer and fewer. I never met Danny but working through every one of his unique and personal Tales of a Travelling Blue brought me a little closer. 

His lifestory, particularly the Army stuff, sounded intriguing to me and I offered to co-author a book that might have been called just that... but I suspect the Official Secrets Act meant that was never a goer. 

Unlike Danny, who would go anywhere to follow his team... our team... and leave armchair fans like me in shame. 

We already miss him, and have done for months.

Thanks, Brent, for letting us know.

I am shocked. I never met Danny but loved his passion and everything he stood for. I loved his stories, his dogs and the tales of his long suffering wife Melanie. I often wondered why he stopped posting so regularly on TW. He will be so missed.

So so sad to hear the news of Danny's passing. Condolences to his family and friends 💙💙

Sad news.

Never knew Danny apart from his valued contributions to this site, but RIP Danny and condolences to his loved ones.

Jesus Christ, what a dreadful, dreadful shock.

Danny, your name is etched on these pages and in my heart for the wonderful Evertonian you are. Your love of this wonderful club is a shinning beacon to everyone of us. The passion, the love, the optimism and sheer bloody willpower that drove you, week in and week out.

My God... you have often shamed us all with your love for all things blue and I for one will feel I have lost a friend. God bless you, Danny.

A lovely man I never met but always admired. Condolences are just not enough.

What sad news. A real gentleman, and a credit to his family and his city.

Goodness me, how very raw and how very sad this news is. A regular contributor to TW over the years and I'd wondered where he'd gone along with Christine and others.

RIP Blue boy, sleep well pal x

Thank you, Danny, for being such a sharing Blue.

I loved reading about your matchday travels, and you always saw a positive, even when skies were grey...

Well, the heavens are blue now.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Like many I never knew Danny personally but always enjoyed and appreciated his posts and articles. His focus on the positive is increasingly rare these days, and something I'm trying to emulate as much as I can, though with mixed results for the moment.

Danny has been and will continue to be missed on TW

Absolutely gutted to hear of Danny's passing after meeting up with him before many of our home games.

Though not totally unexpected, it still knocks you for six.

RIP Danny.

Sickening news. A great advocate for our club.

Danny must have been posting while ill, not that you could tell. Should be a minute's applause for him at the opening game.

Condolences to the family of this great blue.

Rest in eternal peace, Danny

God bless Danny.

I really enjoyed your posts and your day out reports.

We had a group WhatsApp of regulars who would chat on a daily basis and arrange meetups.

Danny was in our group and always had a positive side when it concerned Everton. Only last week he was chatting in our group; a lot of the guys in our group you will know, I'm sure they will be on here to pay their respects to Danny.

Danny was a great guy, was a pleasure to have met him on a number of occasions. I think we are all shocked by the news and he will be missed.

Deepest condolances to Danny's family, may you rest in peace.

That is truly terrible news.

I was lucky enough to meet Danny quite a few times. A fine man and a true Blue. The most optimistic Evertonian I have ever known.

No one on this site had a row with him because he wasn't that sort of man. What sad news.

Nice words too, MK.

Christine - 5 - wonderful post.

I had wondered why Danny hadn’t posted for some time - now we know. Heartbreaking news.

RIP Danny Boy

Truly shocking and sad news.

A proper blue and an absolute gentleman who had served his country and lived a full life.

I remember Danny posting the devastating news that his wife had passed away, and my heart goes out to his family especially his son.

Losing both parents so close together is devastating.

I am shocked and deeply saddened by this awful news. As a Blue who can no longer get to matches, I always looked forward to reading his match day reports, from sorting his dogs out before he left home, his experiences travelling on trains and meeting away fans and having a good gab with them. To his meeting up with those friends he made of the Blue variety and the craic. His march report, which was always interesting and his journey home or his going to Speke, when he stayed at his sisters.

I've missed his reports, though I think he has posted a couple of times, not too long ago. Danny, I never met you but you brought the match day experience back to me. For that I will be ever grateful. Your optimism which knew no bounds, for everything Blue, deserved a much better team and club. A great pity you never saw us win another trophy. You have been and now, will be forever sorely missed.

RIP True Blue Danny.

My condolences to all the family and friends of Danny. You were blessed to know him.

So sad to hear of Danny’s passing. We exchanged comments a couple of times and he always came across as a good man.
Condolences to his family.

Rest in peace, Danny. Condolences to all his loved ones.

I spoke with Danny in January, as I know he was a popular figure here and had been less frequent on TW. He never mentioned his illness, though he did share with me a lovely background about himself and his love for Everton.

I'd love to share it with the TW community.

Condolences to Danny's family and friends.

As a foreigner, outside of the UK, and in a little town of Nuuk in Greenland, with only a few toffees fans I know and talk to, I appreciate what I can digest through articles and comments from the members on TW, to help keep that blue DNA well in shape.

Thank you, Danny, for your contributions to people like me, that can't go to a matchday. The work you've done is really appreciated.

Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of true blue Danny. Always loved your posts, knowledge and banter on ToffeeWeb, condolences and best wishes to all your family, RIP. 💙