COMMENT

In 1947 Joe Mercer, Everton idol and England International, was transferred to Arsenal, much to the dismay of my dad and all the other 'flat cap' Evertonian's. In 1971,I can remember seeing my mum being interviewed on TV by Tony Gubba, then a mere local TV reporter, asking her what she thought of the news that Alan Ball was being transferred to Arsenal? She replied "you're joking! my fella will do his nut" He did.

I did my own nut when Trevor Steven went to Rangers. There of others, Gary Lineker to Barcelona, and Duncan Ferguson to Newcastle. No doubt you can think of your own favourite. Now its Barmby. The only difference is, he couldn't lace the boots of the above mentioned players, and he says he wants to go and play for the Red Shite. Anyone who says that, especially after kissing the Everton shirt so passionately, wants a good kicking. 

The thing is I'm a Evertonian. Barmby is not. Lets look at the facts, Barmby was shite under Joe Royle and only played well in the second half of last season (when incidentally we were safe from relegation, is that a coincidence?) He's played one full game for England against Malta, and the papers go bonkers for him. If Walter gets 5 million for him, from the Red Shite all well and good. The things to deduce from this are :  

1) most footballers think of themselves only. There is no loyalty to clubs, and as fans we are naive to think there is.

2) Walter Smith and Archie Knox are a top class management team, if they can get him to play as well as he did, I think they can do the same with Stephen Hughes, Alex Nyarko, and the other new recruits.

Here at Blue Kipper we'll have a go at anyone, you don't need to say you want to play for the Red Shite, but the main thing to remember is we're Evertonian's  and we love Everton Football Club. Yes it hurts when someone kicks you in the balls, but after the pain you get on with it. Soon the hairs on the back of your neck will be standing on end, when 'Z-Cars' is playing and Richard Gough leads out the players at Goodison on August 23rd against Charlton.

Call Y'self an Evertonian? Barmby, you don't know what your missing. (July 2000)       

. What do you think? e-mail Blue Kipper

With Gazza winning his 2nd Blue Kipper Star Man award against Southampton on Saturday. It is appropriate we publish this article from Ian Macdonald E. I. S. A. THE LAST CHANCE SALOON FOR GAZZA ? Without doubt it is a privilege that I talk to Bill Kenwright from time to time; one such subject was what Everton needed on the playing side. Bill said we needed a player to put bums on seats on more importantly a player that got you off your seat when in possession of the ball. A couple of names were mentioned Kanchelsis and Ginola. I said that I don't think it would be popular to bring the Russian back after the bad feeling in which he parted and regarding Ginola would he come and live in the cloth cap north. Bill said don't be still naive Ian, players would go anywhere if the money was right (smogland Boro proves Bill's theory right). Still it was a worthwhile discussion, as always with Bill, as to what this 'fan' wants at our club. I wondered what he was up to? A few weeks later I realised what he had been busy doing for the good of Everton as always. I can't wait for my second argument with Bill.What was the first one you may ask, well that was a real humdinger it lasted over two hours and at the end of this heated argument we formed a lasting relationship. The topic was about P.J. I shall say no more. Bill rings me on a Sunday morning to burst out I've got Gazza for us. Now I know Bill doesn't really drink and it was a bit early for anyone to be under the influence, unless you're on one of our coaches, so I asked Bill to repeat his statement. Sure enough it was that we acquired the services of possibly the best player to come from these shores over the last ten years. Bill was as exited as a kid on Christmas morning was. He told me about the meeting with Paul and Walter at his London home on Saturday night. Bill said he had never known a person to want a job as badly as Paul and that included the theatre world. Paul was left in the room by himself when Jenny (Bill's partner) went to make some chicken for the guest's and Bill had a talk with Walter in private in another room. Bill described Paul like a young expectant debutante desperate for good news, when Walter walked back into the room with Bill and Jenny following behind Paul burst out "have I got the f---ing job boss" seeing Jenny he remarked "oh no sorry for swearing in front of Jenny I haven't blew it have I?" Bill and Walter laughed. "no you haven't. Paul, welcome to the stage of Goodison Park". Bill added about the father son relationship Paul and Walter clearly had stemming back from the Rangers day's together. I'll stop calling him Paul now; Gazza 's deal was a pay cut and no signing on fee. Incredible when you consider that Gazza could have took up a lot of more lucrative deals that were on the table one from Japan and Australia plus other's from nearer home. Monday morning comes and the news has broken and been confirmed everywhere. And I mean everywhere such is the stature still of Paul Gascoigne. As you know I get a lot of phone calls from the media for statements on behalf of Evertonians, but my phone was on meltdown for this transfer more than even the 'Johnson meeting'. It seemed the whole world press was ringing me for quotes. I knew that morning I wasn't going to earn any money that day for the Macdonald family but I wouldn't change it for the world. My long suffering wife Pat said to me "Ian have you noticed that since you have become so obsessed with Everton we get red letter's all the time for bills" don't say that word Pat "which word, bill?" replied Pat, No the reddddddddd one. It was at that moment Pat realised I couldn't be saved and become a normal father and husband. Indeed the world's press was ringing me .In all my time of dealing with the media I have never spoken to the oversea's news reporter's I did a piece for a Italian newspaper and the Armed Forces, incredible that Gazza guy. The tone of some of the media was that that Gazza was a big gamble on Everton's part. Well all I can say is that the deal in which we got Gazza (including the boot out clause for misbehaving) was a gamble that a lot of top managers and football fans would also want to take on .The coming weeks of wall to wall news with the Everton brand name never so high was such a ' gamble' it was laughable. Everton's name because of Gazza was on the front, middle and back of all the national tabloids. There was a real buzz about Goodison that Monday and I was privileged to be invited to the press conference that day .The news conference was held at the Park End second floor at two o'clock on the 17th of July. When I walked into that room it was like a Hollywood blockbuster premier there was more camera's than at Nelson Mandela's jail release. When Mr Gascoigne walked into the room followed by Bill and his associates I thought the overhead false ceiling might melt such was the heat of a battery of flashing cameras Even the hardened reporters cheered. The atmosphere was electric, Gazza sat at the table next to Bill and had a smile on his face from ear to ear, maybe it was to show off his £10'000 denture job but I believe it was that Gazza was genuinely as pleased as punch to be given a second chance with a big club with a manager who he respect's. During the press conference I was still doing radio interviews (I have a body for radio) I remember saying to one station that Gazza is less than eight feet away to me one looks a fit as a greyhound. It was sad but true that Gazza is perceived as a 'crock' in some quarters, he made only severn premership start's for Boro so you knew were they were coming from. But I added that he had just past a medical for insurance purposes so he can't be that ill fit. During the press interviews people were calling me Jimmy and what was it like living with Gazza, if I needed a reason to start a diet it was then. Mistaken for Jimmy five bellies indeed, coupled with the photographers having to use a wide lens on me to get me in the picture. If ever a spin doctor is needed for a political campaign I would look no further than the person who orchested this day's event's, wasn't there supposed to be a massive press conference for Barbie and his mates at anfield early that week. You know five new players for the reds, including a certain one to cross the park in the opposite direction for the first time in 41 years since Dave Hickson. I asked a well-known sports presenter about that press conference to come he replied " oh yes I forgot about that one who have they signed" say's it all don't you think about the Gazza circus. On this day that Paul Gascoigne signed for us it was to be a beginning of a process allied with all the other players we have signed pre-season to forget the 'professionals' that have left us in the summer in such unsavoury terms. I sincerely think the crop of players we are assembling will come good. At the press conference Bill's excitement was for all to see, Bill likened Gazza'' arrival to the occasion some years back when he gambled on the fading talent of David Cassidy to revive his struggling Broadway show, Blood Brother's. Could Gazza be David Cassidy ? well first he would have to have a hair transplant and a singing and acting course and talk like a Yank somehow I don't think he would fit in with the Partridge family with his past antics (see footnotes)but I know what Bill means. The script of what Bill wants off Gazza will unfold during the season hopefully. I would hate to think we signed Benny hill or Gary glitter instead of David Cassidy . Smith is no fool remember the eyebrows being raised when we signed Richard Gough . After the press had finished with Gazza I had a chance to have a one to one with the great man himself whilst he went into the Legends bar adjacent,to change his shirt. Before hand Bill had introduced me to our new player who I think will be our Roy of the Rovers so Gazza was pleased to talk to a fan without having to be guarded as what he say's unlike the press who can be Angels or a savage pack of jackals. Gazza endorsed he was genuinely made up to feel wanted and felt at home already. He was looking forward to meeting his old friend Goughie and working again with Walter and Archie's baseball bat, when asked about that bat he said Archie could not catch him with it on the playing field. Instead he would lie in wait for you in the dressing room. I said to Gazza that if he showed he was doing his best and not hide he could become a Goodison legend in a very short time I mentioned such names as Gray and Reidy. He replied he was going to give his best shot and would work his socks off to repay the boss for signing him. We had our picture taken together and shook hands. Afterwards I thought to myself What was I doing giving advice to a superstar , I do get above my station sometimes. In the coming weeks the pulling power of our latest signing was endorsed quite a lot. Our first pre-season game was at Dundee United for Maurice Malpas's testimonial never has Sky television had so much interest in Everton fans and the team for a non-competitive game. A large following as usual came to see the Blues boosted by a contingent from the blue half of Glasgow to see the flute playing ex Ger. It was the same at Preston were the game was delayed to allow the large crowd in. At Blackburn there was more away support than 'homers'. The interest in Gazza and Everton was more clearly defined at Tranmere. Again the game was delayed a full house sign went up 15,286 fans crammed in to see this prince of midfielders. Tranmere fuelled by the ex -red Aldo went at Everton as if it were a relegation battle. It was prudent that Walter took off Gazza when he did such was the stick he was taking from the barbarians in white shirts. It goes to show that every no name player wanted his fifteen minutes of fame by putting Gazza'a career in jeopardy with a crunching tackle. On the following Saturday Tranmere had a re-run of the league cup final with Leicester, the crowd a measly 3,250. I saw a sight at a later friendly at Plymouth that I never witnessed before. Again it was a bumper crowd (three times their average gate, 14,500) on a Monday night. A special mention to the fantastic travelling support for the Blues, gobsmacking. A great team display even surpassing the Preston performance capped by a magnificent goal from Gazza. A goal that if scored at international level would be shown time and time again. Gazza looked up from nearly the half way line and placed a shot over the goalkeeper into the top corner. The whole ground applauded it as one. Gazza got in a bad tackle on the Plymouth rightback to the disgust of the home crowd. I bet Gazza thought he was Homer Simpson at that point, Doh and I had the crowd eating out of my hand. But if Homer I mean Gazza thought that he was wrong. In the 79th minute Gazza was substituted and it was then I witnessed the Gazza phenomenon to its full, the whole ground stood up and applauded this modern day gladiator (don't forget he plied his trade in Rome aswell) this player remember had nothing to do with the home team never played for them or against them but everybody in the ground that night wanted to show their appreciation of this man for what he has given to football and England particularly. At a time of few hero's in the nineties Gazza has filled that void adequately. It would have been a even bigger success story but for injuries, some self inflicted, but I would like to think Gazza could have a Indian summer aided by his new teamates (particularly Stephen Hughes who could be the modern day Paul Bracewell, who was the lungs for Reidy also perceived to be a crock). Even the money we are paying this superstar in wages will be dwarfed by the income he will bring in, the part he will play in the dressing room atmosphere, and of course the Brand name of Everton never being so high in this ever-decreasing small world of communication. When the media deal bears fruition I bet Gazza had a small part in the big picture of negotiation, him or David Cassidy. Recently in Alex Ferguson's auto biography Gazza is mentioned .In Sir Alex's opinion Gazza should have picked Manure instead of Spurs that is were it all went wrong for our new midfielder. Sir Alex went on about the bright lights of London taking its toll on Gazza back in 1988 he could have joined the likes of Bryan Robson Norman Whiteside and Paul McGrath. Sour grapes maybe but at that time Manure were never title contenders so I beg the question who missed out on who?. If you think it is all one big party for Gazza think again this English version of Michael Jackson has been built up and knocked down more times than an apprentice bricklayers wall. He has lived in a goldfish bowl existence his private life isn't. He has been paid well over the years for his play on and off the field but at a cost. That is why the likes of 'Jimmy five bellies' was in his Lazio entourage to keep some sanity in this circus of a life' To talk to a friend when all was against him with injuries and a level of expectancy few could match on the football field. A bit of home was his friend Jimmy and a side kick for his illuminating pranks. A disturbing facet of what Gazza has to put up with was told to me the other day by Michael Dunford. It seems a reporter was talking to the locals in Woolton village, were Gazza stays in a Hotel, trying to dig up some dirt on him , putting ideas of him being a modern day Viking or Attila the Hun. Thankfully the locals could see right through this gutter press reporter and sent him off with a flea in his ear. They told their local celebrity what had happened and Gazza asked Michael Dunford to find out if the reporter was a local one and if it was to sort it out. I had my suspicions it might have been that nice Mr McNulty (nice toupee I bet you thought we hadn't noticed) but he is too cowardly to ask questions in public bars. There was a story in The News of the World about Gazza gate crashing a wedding in Chester with Steve Watson both apparently rotten drunk and staggering on the dance floor and falling over injuring a little boy in the process. The truth was that he was invited and was not drunk but made the evening for everybody , laughing and joking. It just shows you we should not believe everything in the papers but most of us do. The local pizza parlour has welcomed Gazza, apparently our midfielder gives the delivery boy a ten-pound tip all the time. Well how do you think our 'gamble' is getting on . Sure we as Evertonians are no fools we know Walter is not building his team around him . As I have already said I regard Gazza as a bit of a Roy of the Rovers .I am in no delusions that we will get a full season or many full games out of this old war-horse. WHEN we have a fully fit squad to chose from he will be on the bench and come on to unlock a stubborn defence with a killer pass ,a la Charlton and Boro matches . Gazza has lost that little extra pace to be honest I don't think we will see him bursting through defences as he did in his hay day . But let's not be too negative about this lad . He must be worth his reduced wages when he came to have around the squad and extra bums on seats. Six games into the premiership and just one booking, his temperament was suspect but no demons have appeared yet. Carling 'opta' has shown him with high percentages of crosses, passes completed and assists . Sure it's the last chance saloon for Gazza at this level ,don't you think he knows it .To all the sceptics out there give the lad a chance . It is better to have had Gazza than to never have had him at all .There still is that bit of a buzz when he gets the ball ,the applauds when he comes over for the corners (imagine Duncan on the end of some of them ), when the buzz becomes a moan then he will know himself it didn't work out. A few names to consider and remember what happened ; Reid, Gray ,Power and more recently Gough. Let's see what unfolds for Gazza and our team ,patience is a virtue not normally associated with a football fan. We all want a quick fix but lets not have memories of goldfish , ten months ago we were orphans in the football world ,nobody wanted us .Only one Goodison son was brave enough and determined enough to get us back were we belong . He has adopted us all to make it hopefully a happy family again by doing so the family silver is in short supply and it will take time to renew more wealth to spend on this family's soul passion which is Everton F.C. So until we are able to shop again at Harrods we will have to go to Bargain Buys , lets see if Gazza and co can become bargains they have got to be worth a try! Ian Macdonald. Everton Independent Supporters Association (15/10/00) What do you think? e-mail Blue Kipper

50 things about Gazza                                                                                                                               50 Things about Gazza                                               50 Things about Gazza

Jogger's Snapshots | Young Toffeemen | Sting Ray | Sausage's Sandwiches | Cod PiecesCaptain Haddock | Look-A-Likes | Tomorrow's Chip Papers | Top Toffee Ale 'ouses
E-mail bluekipper.com