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Keep The Blue Flame Burning Bright

I always read the Mickey Blue Eyes article with some interest as he usually has some good points to make, but I think it's about time he had a word with himself. I'm not sure what he's trying to say with his latest effort but I certainly appreciated being put wise on summer dress code. Fuck me, there was I fretting over the Blue Boys when the real problem is stripey kecks. May just save our season that knowledge, lads.

Well, people ARE entitled to criticise the team and the board. People pay (and have paid over the years) good money to follow the Blues and voicing their opinions comes with the admission price. My own view, as I've written before, is that we back EFC all the way and most Evertonians are doing just that, thankfully. Constant criticism is a self defeating and ultimately destructive thing, but it doesn't make you a 'knobhead' just because you shout in frustration, for Christ's sake. But I suppose that the law of averages dictates that in a crowd of 35,000 there will be a knobhead so Mickey is probably right there.

We all read many views and opinions on Bluekipper and there are bound to be some that we strongly disagree with, I'm not sure that makes those opinions useless - does it? Mickey is in the privileged position of writing a regular article for BK, and I don't think he should use this to berate any Evertonian with a different opinion or view from his own. Strangely enough, I agree with him most of the time (when I can follow what the fuck he's talking about) but he should take Voltaire's advice (see, I can be clever too) and remember to defend to the death a person's right to say what he likes - even though you may disapprove of what that person says. Voltaire probably said it better than that, but you get the idea. Come on Mickey, ease up.

As for this season, the picture looks brighter than it has for a couple of months despite the Arsenal tonking us. For one, Davie Moyes has taken a hardline with Rooney, going so far as to run his present contract down and go to a tribunal if necessary. At last someone has had the guts to front the situation - Davie, you're a born leader and you stand up to be counted when called on. Cometh the hour, cometh the man - and this man is our greatest asset. And speaking of assets, we have £20 mil coming to us, apparently. Well done Bill. Like most Blues, I'll take Kenwright over Gregg for obvious reasons, but - well, don't you just have this sinking feeling that this time next year we'll be in £30 mil debt again with nothing to show? For all his undeniable passion, how good a businessman is Bill, given the goings on of the last 4 years? We desperately need a good Chief Executive (for more than 6 weeks) to lay some sound business principles down, and of course, for the board to take his advice. We have a lot to thank Bill for, but really, hand on heart, the unpalatable question is, how far have we advanced as a club from the Twatty Johnson days? (By the way, what about Graham Kelly, ex FA Chief Exec, for the job? He did an awful lot right when you look at it.)

But come on lads, enough of that. Think positive. The money's on its way (!), Rooney's going nowhere right now, and neither is Davie. The new lad Cahill seems to have prospects and the word on the street is that Carrick will sign, too. What's happened at board room level could be the kick up the arse (there's Voltaire again) that we've needed for so long. Don't you sense that the mood is different lately (apart from Kevin Campbell's comments of course. I'm sure they're not representative of the whole side). Relegation- bollocks! Naive I may be, but I do believe we've turned the corner, and what a twat of a corner it was, too.

Anyway, you may think that all of this is shite - feel free. It's your right, as the Voltaire Tendency might say. We're all Bluenoses and we all care. Keep the blue flame burning bright, whatever your views, there's room for us all. And no stripey kecks, now. Kevin Latham (18/08/04)

Reasons to be cheerful, 1, 2, 3...

1. The Arse have only won once at Goodison in the last four years. And even on that occasion, Walter played 5 defenders and a midfield of Blomqvist, Carsley, Linderoth and Ginola, which explains it entirely. The year before that, we beat Arsenal and Chelsea back-to-back in the middle of a horrible injury crisis (11 first-teamers out, I remember counting.) Greece are champions of Europe. It can be done.

2. We can enjoy an unsullied opening day of the Premiership season, knowing that even if we do get thoroughly dicked, it won't happen until Sunday.

3. Match of the Day is back. No more obsession with ratings and advertisers, no more annoying Coca-Cola ads, no more Peter Drury and Clive Tyldlesley, no more obsession with the top three, showing their highlights first even when they have been live on Sky earlier in the day, no more Matt Redshite Smith, trying to take the piss out of us in an amusing way and failing miserably.

Sorry, like all Blues I have had a bloody miserable summer, but for some reason a calm has now descended upon me, and my usual irrational optimism has returned. I cannot explain this, maybe it is just the usual excitement of an imminent new season. We know what we are up against this season, so if things do turn out as bad as we fear, we may as well enjoy the last couple of days of being level with everyone else. Don't forget, as things stand we are currently above the Shite in the table. Neil, Milton Keynes. (15/08/04)

MBE & The Workers' Cooperative

Sure there is a point in bemoaning the fact that football has been ruined by the media/capitalist-military-industrial complex etc but reading your article I was reminded of a good friend, a die-hard blue. He often states his love of the Bullens Road stand, and his horror at the fact that the design classic of the blue crosses is hidden under advertisements. There are numerous responses I have, not least the fact that the Bullens Road is dilapidated and close to closure. I too am all for going back to a rosier time (if there ever was one) and damn it I'd love Everton to be run on the lines of a workers' cooperative. But it ain't going to happen. Not ever. We need money be it Gregg's, Kenwright's secret plan, or even a foreign billionaire. If not we will disappear. Perhaps MBE would prefer to see us playing in a much lower league but with integrity (whatever that means in football), much as my mate would prefer to sit in a crumbling stand that is rightly mocked by away supporters. Personally I'd prefer to see us rise again. In a good stadium, with decent players. Sittermisser. (15/08/04)

Summer Breeze - JJB

Never e-mailed the site before, but I look at the site every time i'm on the internet, and I have to say that I couldn't be a full functioning Evertonian without it, Its so good that I don't even bother to look at the official site anymore. Anyway, with all the shit going on with the board and the power control ( I haven't really been reading it, I'm worried about the club enough on the pitch rather than off it ) but I must say, praise must go to the guy who signed the deal with JJB

Everyday at some point during the summer (whether it be may or august) I take my hard earned cash and buy myself the seasons new Everton shirt, and every season it's the same story. I have to fight my way through the jungle that is basically the Manchester United megastore, barging through the selection of United caps, United scarves, United shirts both new and old, United Mugs, United shin pads.... the list is endless

Then once out of that vast merchandise jungle its straight into what, and I dunno why this is, the Liverpool section, full of about 5000 different training tops, all with that stupid stork on, mugs, footballs .... though i couldn't find last seasons champions league shirt on my travels. Then once through that, I then have to get the attention of some student in a shell suit to get that big stick thing and get me down a shirt. most of the time they don't have my size, or my preferred long sleeved variety.

This season much to my surprise I went into JJB sports, and on the way up those funny moving stair things (forgotten what they're called) I saw 3 big posters advertising the new shirt, always a good sign. On the arrival into the shop, not only straight in front of me was a whole array of Everton shirts, short and long sleeved ranging in sizes from kiddie to fat bastard but also several training tops and plenty of the new goalkeeper shirt. Seeing as last season I had to travel to the Megastore to get the keepers shirt last time, I was mightily impressed, Even more impressed was I when I found a whole Everton section, with mugs, scarves training tops etc.

Not only did I feel proud to support Everton, (after last season, I had very few of those occasions) but I was even more impressed to see the Everton section, raining supreme next to the two Redshite shirts (the yellow one looks like the inside of a crunchy.) Now I have purchased my brand new long sleeved Everton shirt, all I need now is a name and number to put on it that I can feel as proud of, I can't really put a name on at the moment, cos all I think of are either crap or under this board are on their way out. I was thinking McFadden or Cahill. Anyway keep up the great site, Toby. (15/08/04)

Transfers

SO ANOTHER DEAL HITS A SNAG.WHAT A SUPRISE!! WE ARE A FUCKING JOKE. FORGIVE ME IF IT TURNS OUT TO BE THE PLAYERS FAULT BUT I CANT HELP THINKING THAT EVERYTHING THAT GOES WRONG IS DOWN TO THE CLOWNS WE CALL THE BOARD.IT IS NOW LOOKING LIKELY THAT WE WILL START THE SEASON WITH JUST ONE MAJOR SIGNING IN CAHILL.(NO DISRESPECT TO BENT).THIS HAS TO BE THE WORST PRE SEASON FOR MANY A YEAR. COME ON BLUES GET IT SORTED. STEVE. (15/08/04)

Leon Osman

I was speaking to a season ticket holder at Derby last night, knows his football. I asked him about our Leon, "class" he said. "Too good for that division, skillful, quite quick and a good finisher" When I asked if he was a bit too lightweight, he replied " Nope, he gets stuck in and is surprisingly good in the air, with a good leap". That has been the only bit of promising news I have heard this summer, just thought I should share it. John Reece. (13/08/04)

The Poker game

I'm getting mega stressed that no member of the Board appears to have done anything over the last week to sort out our mess.
I don't understand why Kenwright hasn't said a word. If he said "Ok lads, I'm working on it, I have a cunning plan, bear with me" then you can accept something is going on behind the scenes, sorry for the pun!

But he hasn't said anything, this is worse than Gregg promising us the gold at the end of the rainbow. Most of us believe that Kenwright has the clubs interest at heart and prefer him to sort out our financial problems. But this game of poker has to end soon, Gregg has shown a couple of his cards and Kenwright is playing blind. So is he bluffing or ain't got a hand, if he's bluffing at least give a sign if he ain't got a hand he has to fold ie resign. Pride or personal feelings do not put food on the table, so Mr Kenwright the time has come, show us your hand or fold and let Mr Gregg pick up the chips. Wayne Wales. (13/08/04)

Rooney Smokescreen

How bad is it going to get at Everton FC I personally think we are down before the season has even begun.

It was announced Wayne Rooney won't be at the megastore promoting the new kit launch due to an appointment to his podiatrist being re-arranged at short notice. This is just another in a long line of smokescreens performed by Everton FC, however this time it has been forced upon them by Rooney's agents.

It is blatantly obvious that Rooney has been advised by them pricks at Pro-Active to not turn up. They are obviously going to do their very best to push him out of his hometown club who he has supported all his life so they can line their ever growing pockets - they don't give a shit about Rooney.

They are probably worried that all the fans especially young kids asking when he is going to sign his contract (like Rooney himself was not so long back) would prick his conscience. At the end of the day Rooney is still 18 and I can understand the lad being ambitious, why shouldn't he be with the talent he has. I just feel that having supported us all his life and then ripping his shirt off when he scored against Arsenal: "Once a Blue always a blue" that he would want to stay for at least a few more seasons.

This ongoing saga of contract negotiations is not helping the club at all and we are also losing out on much needed Rooney revenue as parents aren't going to want to buy shirts with his name on the back when it looks like he is going to leave (as it stands anyway).

I would love Rooney to stay but since the Euros like most people I have thought it was inevitable that he was going to leave.

Rooney should give the club the boost it desperately needs at present and sign up - even if it is just for a few more seasons. After all we have brought the lad though and by all accounts tried to look after him in the right way. Last but not least the lad is a Blue through and though.
John G. (13/08/04)

Wishful thinking....

Hopefully this will all be sorted out soon with the board. If we can raise the funds for Gabbidon and Earnshaw from Cardiff, that will be two young Div1 players (internationals) that will do well in our team. We could give them Chadwick and Stubbs or Weir or Carsley to keep the cost down. Get that Almeyda who is hard as nails and available on a free to partner Tommy G, Pennant or Joe Cole on Loan to go on the right and we are saved! A top 7 finish . It times of desperation we only have hope to cling on to. Lets hope Blue bill will get some money for Davie before the window shuts and let him make some shrewd signings.

Wishful thinking starting 11:
Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Gabbidon, Yobo, Naysmith, Pennant, Alymeda, Gravesen, Kilbane, Rooney, Bent.
Subs: Wright, Bosnar, Cahill, McFadden, Earnshaw.
John Reece. (13/08/04)

Yellow Kit

I think Joe Parkinson's testimonial against Man City was played in yellow at Goodison. James. (13/08/04)

Mickey Blue Eyes - hubris etc...

So don't trust Paul Gregg then? Basically. Fair enough.

Oh and because Bill has done exactly as Johnson did (overspend on our overdraft; big contracts for big babies with nothing to offer but injury
problems and lethargy) its okay because he's a blue and we acknowledge his mistakes and provide absolution. We are still in the brown stuff and as much as I try, I cannot see a leader to organise ourselves out of it.

p.s. Well done - keep pushing and I'm sure you'll ace that A level.

Sorry, I am not on Gregg's side. We are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

('...irrevocably has been destroyed' or 'has been destroyed irrevocably' ? just a thought. Some good points but isn't that the journalistic equivalent of showboating?) James Power. (13/08/04)

New Kit - Same Story - 10 Years on

Hi just a quick one on when the new kits were/are available........ I was lucky enough to be at Wembley when we last won something (all those years ago) & was filled with optimism for the new season.

So I took my daughter to Wembley for the charity shield & we still smile at each other when we remember someone shouting to the Blackburn goalkeeper ' Oi flowers.. You’re a pansy'.. well!!! we liked it anyway.

Back to the kit thing. The week of the charity shield we went to the Everton Shop which was on goodison road at the time, you know support the club etc.... to get my daughter (a ‘big dunc’ fan at the time) a shirt, Fat chance. I was looking for the home shirt (got none!) away shirt then (heheh!) what kits do you have then? (none) I was getting irate by this time & said “ Do you have anything in this shop that will fit my daughter for the season opener on saturday?" Guess what I was told..... 'The season does not start until a week Saturday!!!!'

If the shirt was for me I would have walked out of the shop there & then, but as it was for my daughter I stayed & eventually got here a non kit EFC type Tshirt.

Almost 10 years later & everything is exactly the same except …well there is no except.. Jimmy. (13/08/04)

The Latest MBE comment

Maybe it the best thing for Evertonians at the minute is to fully determine the facts for themselves, rather than reading more misinformed and misleading comment.

Frankly, who can blame loyal fans who see the football industry for what it is, and would like to see Everton play by the rules enforced on the industry by the big clubs (who, by the way, created their prosperity by hiring professionals from the corporate sector – I know, the sin of it all). Marketing is a word that means something derogatory to most. However, to clubs who are successful and have built sustainable success, they mean an awful lot. They employ intelligence and clear thinking to improve the quality of the organisation. I do not think that ruling any means out is the correct way to influence fans willing to be influenced.

You can accept free debate, and argue intelligently. This will help us all understand the rights and wrongs of the situation. Presumably the point of all this is to rise above the sniping within the local and national media, to retain some dignity for the cause we all follow. Or you can misinterpret and misrepresent. I can’t help but determine that you could use your, not inconsiderable, intellect to present a better view to your audience than that which you do. Chris Massoon. (13/08/04)

Golden Goals

Here is some exciting news to come out of goodison park for a while, The golden goal tickets will be a new design this season gone has the free big mac (sorry to all you fatties) and it has been replaced by a tear off stub which the golden goal seller will keep and this will be put into a draw at half time to come back the next week BUT not for pay the penalty but for HIT THE BAR yes its back after a few years in the wilderness and this season you can win a brand new car (which will be on display in the park end car park) and consolation prize of a signed shirts as well so come on all you blues dig deep and help the youth team cos god know we need the youngsters coming thru with the depleted team we have at the moment. Great site lads funny but informative to all us die hard blues. JOHN. (13/08/04)

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