Call Y'self an Evertonian? 8 - bluekipper.com -

How did you become an EVERTONIAN? Where you born a Blue? Have you a story to tell the world. Can you call Y'self an Evertonian? e-mail Blue Kipper

240. Michael McCabe. Born in Bootle 18/8/1951 the day Everton lost away 1-0 to Southampton. My dad had to miss the match, (not happy). I started going to Goodison Park in the late 50’s with dad and my uncle joe. Used to stand in the Gwladys St end over near the church, great stuff trying to catch a toffee from the toffee lady (no chance). Remember watching my hero’s Alex Young and Roy Vernon scoring 3 against Fulham when we won 4-1 in 1963 the year we won the league. The best match I can remember was the game against Manchester United on 8-September-1964. Seated in the stand at the park end, my first night match, what a game 3-3 I think Fred Pickering scored 2 and the Golden Vision scored the other 1. I don’t remember who scored for the others. (25/06/07)

I have been a Blue since the day I was born and chosen and will always be one. My son and I still support Everton with a passion. Moved to Australia in 1964 with Dad, Mum, brother Ted (who also has sent an E mail about being an Evertonian), sister Carmel (who has since defected to the dark side). I live in Wagga Wagga in NSW. Been back to Goodison once in 2000, not a good time. The only game I could get to was at home to Ipswich (lost 3-0) I had treated myself to a seat in the Goodison Rd Stand upper level. After the game I was talking to the person next to me and said how disappointed I was to come 12,000 miles to watch one game (which was rubbish), to which she instantly replied “It’s ok for you but we have to watch this rubbish every week. Anyway Once a Blue Always a Blue. Great site guys. (25/06/07)

239. Tina (dollyblue). I was born and brought up in Toxteth and when i was eight my mum remarried, my stepdad and stepbrother were both supporters of the red s***e so i started supporting them too even though i had never been to analfield. When I was twenty one i met my now husband who is a true blue. Our son was born a couple of years later and so when he was about five he started taking him to the matches. One day i asked if i could go with them, so I did. I still remember that feeling when i got inside Goodison Park it gave me goose pimples and still does today every time i go to watch the blues. I am now forty six and that's how i became an EVERTONIAN Love. (25/06/07)

238. Ashick Dankan. I am known as Dankan..am from Mauritius..a small island in the indian Ocean...i was born in 1975...I don't know how come i support the blue One thing i remember,that in 1985 when i started to follow football...i remember a small fellow playing forward for EVERTON, I think it was Adrian Heath..we have lots of internationals in the squad like G-Stevens, T-Steven, P-Bracewell etc......From that time till now i still support Everton....My brothers and cousins are Man-U or Red shite fans and they always tease me about my favourite team....Whenever i met people from England ..we talk about football and one question they always ask me...''How come i support Everton FC??.'' I really think,people are born Everton fan..they are choosen....and am proud to be a fan of the people club...i will never change and before i died am confident to see my favourite team lift many trophies..Am presently studying in Ireland and next season am planning to go to Goodison Park on tours to watch Everton...By the way i have watch Everton play in Mauritius in1994 i think ,against Aston Villa and they play a friendly against the Mauritian National Team ,Everton won that match by 3goal to 1...Thanks for this great site, keep it up. By the way my all time favourite player is BIG-DUNCAN-F. (25/06/07)

237. Simon Harwood. Born August 1977 in Blackpool. Dad a Chelsea/Man U fan ( I know go figure) no one in my entire family history even been associated with, lived or supported any club on Merseyside. According to my mum, when I was 3, I awoke to my calling and the blue blood that was surging through my veins took over…..I was an Evertonian. From that point on I have been a staunch Evertonian, I got my first Everton shirt in 1982 – Hafina (still have it) Sheedy my hero….and still is! Backing them through thick and thin. Moved to Bolton, Basildon, Lanzarote, back to Bolton all the while proud to be a blue. I have had many a numb nut tell me we were crap, and I defended them to the hilt (ok so on occasions I have had to agree….Barret, Angell, Barlow, Hottiger, Claus Thompson any one!?) never listening to a word. What I am trying to say is the motto is true….we ARE born, not manufactured, we do not chose we ARE chosen. I am proud to be an Evertonian, it is a unique club with the best supporters in the world. And who ever or what ever chose me to be an Evertonian, there will be a pint for them when I go through those pearly gates. BORN A BLUE, LIVE A BLUE, DIE A BLUE…….FOREVER EVERTON!! (25/06/07)

236. Oliver Loveless. My mum's parents moved over from Ireland sometime in 1940s I believe, to Liverpool, Litherland. My mum and her siblings grew up there and she met my dad who wasn't from there but teaching there at time and married. My brother was born there, and then me not long after. When I was born I was born down south because that's where we had moved too for my dads job. He soon got a job in Germany teaching for British forces, and I grew up there till 18. All my family were blues as I grew up and I have been for as long as I can remember. Only being 23 my most obvious memories growing are 95 final, and surviving relegation in the 90's. Being in Germany made it harder to come to Goodison, but think i was about 11 when went to first game there, against West Ham, and I loved it, and now lost counts amount of times been, I love it there, the buzz is amazing. I can't sit still, knees usually knocking! Might sound sad but I just can't imagine life without Everton, when it grows up with you it becomes part of you. My brother is the same, currently serving in Iraq, and is doing his head in that he cant read much transfer news as he would like too! Forever Blue! (18/06/07)

235. Dean Brown. It was the spring of 1969 bang in the middle of the love generation. My father returned home from working on the Docks with some knock off posh brandy, He plied my mother with it then bobs your mothers brother. 9 months later her blue waters broke and out popped me singing “OHHHHHH We ate Billy Shankly and we hate ……” That’s how I became and Evertonian, I remember it so well. (18/06/07)

234. Lee Worgan. Bournemouth. I have been a blue for 22 years, not bad seeing that I’m only 27. I wasn’t born into a football family, my old man kept an eye on Preston as that’s where he was born and my Mum loved Nottingham Forest because Brian Clough was the manager?!?! From a young age I loved football and was given an Aston Villa shirt when I was about 5. I remember it looking crap and smelling of some sort of crap too. I think I become an Evertonian as they seemed to be winning the most things during the mid 80s’. Yes I could consider myself as a glory hunter back in the day but I loved supporting Everton. There just seemed something special about supporting them. My earliest favourite player I can remember was Adrian Heath. I was lucky enough to go into the Everton changing room to meet the players and Howard Kendall when they came to the old dell to play Southampton. Jason Kearton showed me around and I met Dave Watson, Big Nev, Stuart Barlow, Paul Holmes (I didn’t have a clue who he was), Hinchcliffe, Mo Johnston, Ebbrell and Peter Beardsley. I sat behind Paul Rideout and watched the boys play out a 0-0 draw…..never mind!! Being from Bournemouth I didn’t get to see the boys play that much unless they came to Southampton. Also in Bournemouth there’s not too many Evertonians around and I think that made being an Everton fan even greater as when we won the big games I felt great and everyone at my school would know it too. They all supported the Shite and Man Ure….rather them than me!! I have stuck with Everton all my life, through the highs and lows. What a day it was during the beautiful cup win over Man Ure in 95 and I don’t think I have ever drunk so much after the spanking we gave to the shite last season….AJ gave me the biggest hangover of my life but I had a permanent smile on my face throughout!! I visited Goodison in the late 90’s for the first time and was there to see Francis Jeffers get his first ever goal for Everton in the 2-1 FA cup win over Coventry. Think John Oster got the second. What a day…..I think I was the first one in the ground as I was sitting in there soaking it all up well before kick off. Don’t think my Mrs at the time was to impressed….well I know she wasn’t, we finished a few days after that. The love for Everton was far stronger than the love for her anyway!! I have visited Goodison only once more after that when my current Mrs took me there for my birthday when we drew 1-1 with the Arse. She loved it and was dressed all in blue….what a girl….she’s now my fiancée!! (18/06/07)

233. Kevin Myles. Hi. I came from a single parent background living with my mother, in Manchester. However when she met my future step father when I was 7, one of the first things he did was to take me to a game. And Bloody hell what a game. 1985 Everton V Bayern Munich. Being only 7 I don't remember much of the game apart from that we won. What I do remember was the atmosphere and the buzz about the place. I did not really understand what that feeling was, but I swear I experienced Goosebumps for the first ever time. I knew that even at that age, that this was my church. I have been to plenty of other grounds in my life and not one of those have any where near the oooomph of the old lady. No matter where we play in the future or how much money we don't have to spend, who cares, the only thing that matters is that we have royal blue blood in our veins. (12/06/07)

232. Gary D. I am an Irish blue and have been since I have been since I got the bug as a young boy, my father who is also a blue and he has been for the past 60 years had his first ever trip to Goodison Park for the Cup replay against Millwall the season before last, we were in the main stand and it gave me great pleasure when Tim Cahill scored the winning goal but I got greater pleasure watching my father enjoy the atmosphere of the match and how the old stadium was effecting him to (the stewards had to ask us to leave as the stadium was almost empty because we hadn't noticed as we just stud in awe). We are both in agreement that if change is necessary then change it must be. If it is going to help Everton to take the next step then it must happen. I cant reiterate enough what it means to me when I visit Goodison Park, the buzz when on the airplane coming into land at John Lennon Airport, the crack in Mathews Street on the Friday night, then on match day getting the taxi from the Punch and Judy to the Club Shop, picking new Everton gear for my two youngest kids who are both mad Evertonians to the hairs standing as z-cars starts up, the tears welling in my eyes just realizing that I am actually in Goodison Park on a match day. That is Goodison Park and what it means to so many people so whilst we all if we were honest would ideally love to stay at Goodison it may just not afford the Club the chance to get back to the greatness that we have achieved in the past. Cheers for this season and looking forward to the fixtures coming out so that I can get on the net and book my flights. (12/06/07)

231. Kenny Donohue. I was a Man United supporter. There I said it. It takes a real man to admit these things. I was born in Bury, Greater Manchester to a Blue Dad from Maghull and a Mum from the green and white half of Glasgow. My dad though, never forced his team on me. He cleverly just took me to Goodison every now and again from an early age and let nature take its course. He must, though, have been seriously worried at one point that his plan wasn't working. I club-hopped as a child from Arsenal (they were on the telly a lot in Europe), Bury (my local team) and then settled in the early nineties on United. This is why I now hate United so much, coz I know what sort of person they attract. I wanted to be like everyone else at school, I wanted to have my ego massaged by attaching myself to a winning team, I wanted to be able to sit at home and see my team on the telly every week. Then I grew up. I realised I had been going to Goodison my whole life and cheering Everton when they scored. I could no longer deny what I was. For a few years I tried to support both Everton and United. I was living a lie. Then Japp Stam scored an own goal for Everton against United. I went mental. I had to accept that, try as I might, I could not resist that I was, and always had been, a Bluenose. Me and my dad now reckon that your club is more than just handed down. Its a personality thing. I know I don't need to convince anyone reading this site of this, but as bad as Everton may get and as many modern-day bastardisations of the European Cup as United or Liverpool may win, its still way more fun being a Blue. Coz if y'know yer 'istory etc. And I now see myself as living proof of the old adage that Evertonians are born not manufactured. Those who understand need no explanation, those who don't don't matter. (12/06/07)

230. John. Started supporting Everton in 1967 age eight because of Alan Ball being born in Farnworth near Bolton. Been to hundreds of games over the years home and away. Get a special buzz when i hear Z cars and If you know your History. Think given time we will get back to the top. Been lucky enough to see Everton win three championships but not live until the mid eighties.(01/06/07)

229. Shaun. It’s all very simple. My Mother was from Prescott; my Dad was in the American Air Force. In 1967, when I was 10, my Grandfather visited us in Delaware in the U.S. where we were stationed. He brought an old, leather (proper) football with him, for me. He told me he was going to teach me to play the game that summer and that I was going to be an Evertonian. Simple as that. I spent an inordinate time listening to the BBC World Service growing up, just to keep up with scores

I still play, 40 years on, albeit more slowly than when I was in high school and college. And more importantly, thanks to my Grandfather, I’m still an Evertonian. I’ve been to Goodison only twice, taken both times by an uncle, but two moments stand out over here in the U.S. First was about 2001, when the US national team was playing some Caribbean island nation at Foxboro and the stands were filled with Everton shirts, thanks to Joe Max-Moore, who was then playing for the Blues.

Second was last summer. I took my two eldest boys, one a 12-year old goalkeeper and the other a 10-year old striker, to Columbus, Ohio. My birthday present was to introduce them to the team as the Blues played the Columbus Crew. Had a wonderful time talking to the other Evertonians in the crowd and the boys are now tried, true and Blue.

Love the site. All the real Blues out there need to keep the faith. We live outside of Boston and if we can see the Red Sox win a World Series after an 86-year drought, Everton can get back to the top of the Premiership where they belong. And on the way, they can do a summer tour to Boston so that I can see all those Everton shirts at Gillette Stadium again. (01/06/07)

228. Ted McCabe. Born in Bootle in 1947…………. Left for Australia in 1964. Spent a lot of time in the boys pen at 6d a go, later behind the goal at the Gwladys St end. Was a mate of Andy Rankin in those days. Hung around Captains’ Green with him and a lot of other Blues. I live in Newcastle (nsw) now and still love the Blues. My Australian born son lives in London and goes to every match he can. (01/06/07)

227. Stu (Toffeeman), Wellington NZ. I was born in Beverley just outside Hull and emigrated to New Zealand in 1982. I started supporting Everton when the came on tour to NZ in 1987 when I was 7 years old. Since then I have been to the UK twice and seen them play at Goodison both times (v’s Leeds in 98 and Chelski in 2002). I am one of the most dedicated Evertonians in NZ and watch every game no matter what time it’s on (normally about 3am). My brother, who lives in Leeds, buys me the home shirt every season for my birthday in July and I keep every single on of them (I’ve got 15 different ones so far). I also have a collection of other memorabilia such as programs, flags, beer towels, training gear etc. My most recent addition is the program from the game that I went to as a 7 year old in Auckland. I picked it up on a NZ auction site. They played an Auckland XI at Mt Smart Stadium and I think Everton won 2-0. My cousin is also a season ticket holder. At the moment I designing a tattoo that mixes my passion for Everton with my love of NZ. Can you please publish this in the Evertonians section. (01/06/07)

226. Ger Johnson (what a surname!!!!) a.k.a Gezzer J. I've been an Evertonian since '83 (I was 6) and have suffered long and lonely
for the cause here in Ireland. Surrounded by droves of Sh1te and Manc fans, long have I had to endure the jeers and boos from their traps!
I remember writing to the folks way back when, asking them would Gary Lineker come back and play for us cos he was da sh1t; obviously my innocent pleadings stirred the hearts and tear ducts of a few heads there, because they sent me an autographed photo of the man himself!
Never once have I set foot in Liverpool, never mind stood in the stands of Hallowed Goodison Ground!! Its a tragedy!!! Anyway, if anyone feels like meeting me at the airport sometime and taking me to a match (the only other way I'd get to go would be a/. alone or b/. in the middle of RedSh1te fans (shudder!) I'd be eternally grateful! Love the site, keep up the good work! (01/06/07)

225. Kevin Fitzsimons. It was Santa that did it. All my family were Man Ure supporters but, at the age of 4, I knew I was different... better... chosen... special Christmas 1965 I asked Santa for a 'blue' football kit, Did I just want to be different, just need to be NOT RED or was I born to the true blue. I got a royal blue shirt, I knew Santa wanted me to work it out for myself and I thought long and hard about my football supporting career. Then, in May, a certain Mr Catterick took his charges to a famous stadium for an even more famous win. The road to Damascus was complete and I, as I am now forever and ever.....an Evertonian.... (01/06/07)

224. Carles. Barcelona, Catalonia. Hi, I'm a Catalan Evertonian. I live in Barcelona with my scouse girlfriend. Her family are Evertonians and they taught what is to be one of them and how important our club is. So now I am myself an enthusiastic about Everton and I'm proudly wearing my t-shirt in Barcelona. All my co-workers and friends know that I am an Everton supporter, even some of them don't even know the club! not for so long though! They say "once blue, always blue", here I am Evertonians! (28/05/07)

223. Joe Crosse. I have been an Evertonian for the last thirty years or more. I live in Ireland and back then we hadn't the luxury of sky sports to keep you up to date with your club and live matches were restricted to cup finals. I had to tune in to radio 2 as it was known then and the reception wasn't the best as you hung on to every word the commentator said like it was the last word. I remember listening to those games against villa in 1976 league cup final and the last replay when I sobbed my heart out and even my mam couldn't console me for weeks. Then the game against West Ham in the FA Cup semi in 1980, the heartache once again. There wasn't many Everton fans back then and not too many now but I was an Everton fan through thick and thin. That is why when you live close to Goodison you should count yourself very fortunate and lucky to be able to see your team on a regular basis. In conclusion remember what you are and be proud to be an Evertonian as our history speaks for itself and lets get behind our manager and team and lets help bring back the good times once again. NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM. (11/05/07)

222. Brian. (Bollickchops). My Dad was a big Blue. My first game was in 1969 when I was 11 . My Dad got me a season ticket the following year . I had it for 7yrs Till I moved to Jersey still went to the game including all the FINAL'S . My hero was Bally he was brilliant. Been in Canada 15yrs now but I still go home and see my Mum in Speke. I always go the game when I back there . I was at the 1st game against Watford this season. I love Everton but some time's they piss you off. Just hope we can get back to winning thing's in the not to distant future. (13/01/07)

221. Gavin Moss. I live in Suffolk and I first started supporting Everton in 1983, when I was just 8 years of age. There is something special about being a Evertonian, You are chosen to be an Evertonian ( And I really believe that with all my heart). Unfortunately I am surrounded by fake red noses. I was born in Leeds but I was born to be an Evertonian. I love the website and I always look at it first before the official website.
Keep up the good work boys. Born a blue, always a blue! Do you know what the big man is doing at moment, to be honest I don't like the Scots that much, but I love our real number 9. I think Mr Moyes is a good manager and I am proud of all of our international players. Even Andy van der Meyde. Come on you blue boys. A toffee till I die. (13/01/07)

220. Dave K, Maghull. I’m happy to say that I was a chosen one… Luckily my Dad and his father were both Evertonians so was raised in a good way. My first Everton match… a monumental one… Everton vs. Wimbeldon – the one were we needed to win to stay up. I don’t remember what year it was, or how old I was… I suppose I’d be early teens or younger. I just remember a cracking atmosphere and blood and guts going into every challenge from the blues… and Graham Stuart! What a legend! I didn’t really understand the importance of the match – but the celebrations after the goals, and the pitch invasion! On the way home on the bus there were horse voices still singing their love for the Blues. It’s only a vivid memory of the match I have, but one thing I remember is that that day made me realize what makes me love the Blues so much and why I know I will always love them – the team spirit and the undying love of the fans – I support a good ‘un!!! (13/01/07)

219. Craig (HMS Severn). I was born to be blue no matter what. Everyone in my family is blue and my awl fella even tried to stop me sister marrying a RS. How do I know I am a blue? Every time I hear Z Cars play, hairs stand up on the back of my neck just like the roar of england fans during a rendition of god save the queen. Serving away from home in the forces I hardly see a game anymore but when I listen out on the radio when I'm at sea and Everton are playing my heart is in my mouth and the butterflies come rushing to me stomach. (23/10/06)

218. Susie Hood. I wasn't born in Liverpool, none of my family are scouse or even have connections here, but I still think I was born/destined to be a blue! As long as I can remember I have supported Everton, despite being brought up a Baggies fan and Oxford Utd fan and with a West Ham fan for a brother. I remember having an argument with my brother when I was about 3 as to why Everton were better - I think my argument was that any club who were named after a sweet like toffees had to be best. To be fair to my parents, they supported my early defection with good grace and took me to watch Everton away games with Derby, WBA, Villa and B'ham as often as they could. As soon as I was able, aged 20, I moved from West Midlands to Liverpool and could start to follow the blue boys better. After 7 years here now, this fantastic city and the best club in the world are definitely home to me, and this season is the first of hopefully a lifetime as a season ticket holder. I'm blue til I die - and then some! (23/10/06)

217. Andy Shields. I'm the chosen one. Simple really. (23/10/06)

216. Yosser. I was born an Evertonian simple as that and so grateful that I was one of the chosen ones. Was first taken to Goodison by my Dad as a 2 year old (Everton were the reigning champions having won the title in 62-63) and have been watching home and away for the last 44 years. Missed the 66 cup final as we couldn't get a ticket but have been there for every trophy since. Was also there in 1983 for the league cup match at Goodison when about 10,000 diehards cheered the blues on to a 2-1 victory against Coventry - without that win there wouldn't have been a Kevin Brock back pass and who knows, 2 championships, Rotterdam etc. Was brought up hating all things red - tomatoes, strawberries, snooker balls, Rudolph, (all reindeer just to make sure) Little Red Riding Hood and even undercooked bacon. Now have a season ticket in the upper bullens and sit next to my Dad and my two young sons who were also fortunate enough to be born blue. It was a memorable day last saturday as three generations sat shoulder to shoulder to watch the blues destroy the dark side - the first time we have all been present at a derby win. Born a blue, live a blue, die a blue. (06/10/06)

215. Trish x x x. I was born a Blue. Only one member of my family went over to the dark side and my mother clearly remembers dropping him on his head at a young age. He had a fight with my eldest and infinitely more intelligent brother and to spite him, decided not to go with him to watch the Blues anymore and defect to the other side of the park. I know he's my own flesh and blood but that's typical RS behaviour that isn't it? Anyway, it was my two older sisters that got me into going the match. It started with reserve matches and I remember my sister and her mates going all funny over Jimmy Husband. I remember my other sister cutting the corners off the proeys and sticking them on a card - I think for the next years season ticket and I longed to join her. I think my first 'proper' match was a cup game at home to Fulham. We lost but I bought an 'Everton for the Cup' rosette on the way out - I was besotted and I still am. No matter what league we play in I will be supporting them. Born a Blue, Live a Blue, Die a Blue. Amen to that. (30/09/06)

214. J, Wirral. How did I become an Evertonian – I was chosen – simple as that.

My middle name is Alex – which was my Dad’s idea after Alex young – he tried for William Ralph but my Mum had none of it…(apparently).

My whole adult family (when I was a kid, obviously) where season ticket holders in the upper Gwladys St and I can remember going to a game in the back of my Uncles white van to see Andy Gray play for the mighty blues. I can’t remember much about the game but I can remember that Gray scored and we won. I can remember coming home from the match after spending what seemed like a lifetime in the Queens Arms pub. When we all got in the back of the transit to go home, my Nan (also a season ticket holder) had bought me an everton top and a poster of the team. Although born a blue, that day I was christened a blue.

I have followed the blues ever since. My Nan has sadly passed away and my Dad can’t go anymore because of his work. But I have now had my own season ticket for 12 years (missed 1 game in all that time – villa last year!!! 4-1 win!) and I get a sickening feeling in my gut when we concede a goal – its more than just a disappointing feeling – it really is stomach turning. I also get massive nervous butterflies before kick-off and I can’t tell you what happens when we score!!! I know I’m an evertonian. Cheers Lads – super site. (30/09/06)

213. David (Paddock Boy) Edwards. now living in Darlington: Born in Chester in 1961, I was always going to gravitate to nearby Merseyside for my club. Before I was born my Dad and Mum used to go to Everton or Liverpool on alternate Saturdays on the old BSA, but they never had a particular allegiance to either club over the other one. I think it was a combination of both Match of the Day and ITV’s Sunday afternoon match on the telly that featured Everton, and various Goal/Shoot comics and annuals that got me moving towards Everton. I liked the Royal Blue shirts, I liked the crest, I liked the fact that you could buy mints with their name on! The 1966 Cup Final largely went unnoticed (as did the World Cup), but I’ve vivid memories of the 1968 FA Cup run and that classic final v WBA. I remember sitting at the bottom of the stairs in the hallway and sobbing my eyes out when Jeff Astle scored that extra time winner. I think such a traumatic experience for a 7-year old can create a bond that can never be broken and it was the moment that I was always going to be a True Blue, regardless of what fate had to hold.

My Dad used to work a lot of shifts up at Shotton Steelworks and later at Stanlow Refinery, and with my Mum never learning to drive, it was only at the start of the 1969-70 season that I was able to pester them sufficiently to get me to my first ever game – the classic 3-2 win v champions Leeds United. Now that whole day was an experience. Dad parking the car and paying protection money to the ‘Mind Yer Car, Mister?’ brigade, getting my first programme and reading outside a pub with my pop bottle and straw, while Dad got his pre-match pint. Then to the Paddock side of the ground and that seemingly endless and winding queue to the turnstiles. Up the steps and then down again and there I was surveying the beautiful old ground with those fantastic semi-circles at either end behind the goals (I’ll never work out why we had to lose such recognisable landmarks for the sake of a few hundred more spacers!) I can’t remember if the new Main Stand facing me was in the process of being completed or whether that was another year. However, for my Dad the big issue was how his little lad was going to see the match. The touchline wall was too high for me to peep over, and it ended up with my Dad having to support me on his forearm most of the match at the wall for me to see. It’s only now when I lift my two children on my shoulders that I realise the strain he must have been under. Still, it was a great result and I went away with my Alan Ball glossy magazine and team poster for my wall, and I couldn’t have been any happier.

That season my Dad and I saw home games regularly (he admits he soon got hooked on Everton as a result of these trips) and it was obviously one of our best seasons ever to be involved in. He knocked up a folding stool for me, so I could get a relatively comfortable view from the Paddock wall (occasionally sharing it with some unlucky lad whose Dad hadn’t been so ingenious). They were great times, with Ball, Kendall and Harvey, Royle, Labone, Morrissey and Hurst etc. and West dominant in goal. I never saw Alex Young at his peak – I remember Alan Whittle as being my blondey – but for me it was Alan Ball (even if my mates used to take the piss out of me for worshipping a squeaky-voiced footballer). Then it was that mid-week evening match v West Brom to see my heroes win the league. Dad left it too late to leave Chester and we got caught up in miles of queues through the Queensway tunnel and couldn’t get into Paddock. We managed to squeeze into the back of the Park End just as they kicked off and although I was on my stool I can’t remember much of the game (did one of our winning goals come from a corner?), but just being there was all that mattered, and the playground bragging rights for the next 6 months!

Talk about peaking too soon…..the next decade was a tough one, but you stay with them (as all true Evertonians did), despite the selling of Ball to Arsenal (why the hell did we ever do that!) and many years of mediocrity. I started catching the Everton bus from the Odeon Cinema at Chester on Saturdays (and then on Sundays as the powers that be messed about with the schedules to boost attendances – well before Sky did!) and didn’t miss a match. Despite not winning anything, I always consider the 70s were my favourite time as an Evertonian. Bob’s 30th goal, Duncan McKenzie, Mickey Lyons, Ronnie Goodlass, the superb Dave Thomas on the wing…although you had to deal with Mark Higgins doing his sideways passing on the halfway line (like Butch ‘The crab’ Wilkins). I rate those Gordon Lee team as one of the best ones we ever had for entertainment and skill and it still amazes me we never won anything (even that League Cup Final marathon against Villa – not helped by having no extra time at Wembley which I think we would have won with!).

The start of the 80s took me to Manchester University and if ever there was a time my ‘blueness’ faded slightly, it was in those dark days of Clive Thomas, Liverpool domination, Lou Macari’s FA Cup goal as a substitute etc. I’d alternate going to Maine Road and Old Trafford just to see a match as a neutral and even Widnes Rugby League on Sundays got more attention, although I was still able to see a few home and away games for Everton. Started work in Coventry by the time 1984 saw the change in fortunes and getting to the Watford Cup Final (and having to pay a steward a few quid to get me and my mate in the Everton end at Wembley after finding our tickets got us in with Elton’s crowd) was fantastic – and shouting out “14 Years I’ve waited, 14 F***ing years!” at the final whistle in cathartic relief was a real memory. The 80s were fantastic and the 1985 team has to be our best ever (the Bayern Munich Semi was probably my best match ever!). I was sad to see Andy Gray be replaced by Linekar, but he seemed to do the job for us, although we were incredibly unlucky not to win anything with him before his World Cup performance and inevitable move abroad came about. In many ways our second championship success under Kendall was a greater achievement that 1985, as we had fewer stars and more injuries to contend with.

Sadly the 90s (most of the time spent at Grimsby) and the start of the Premiership era were not great with only the ‘Dogs of War’ Cup Final to keep us warm. How I prayed that our unbeatable top flight record would not be threatened by relegation (Rule 1 of any new manager and player coming to Everton – We never get relegated, right?) Thankfully, we now have the Moyes era and despite the odd blip and close shave, I do think we are heading closer to our true position as one of the great British clubs ever (in our view the greatest, obviously). The 3-0 derby win, the arrival of AJ and the team consolidation I’m seeing in most position are unfortunately raising my expectations once again – but hopefully this time it’s for real. But whatever happens, I’m a Blue to the day I die and although I will never force my 4-year lad to have to follow my team if he doesn’t want (I fear peer pressure at school here in Darlington might see him gravitating to Boro – although I’ll put my foot down if it’s Newcastle!) I’ll ensure Everton get first refusal. Hopefully we’ll have enough success in the next few years to confirm that Dad knows best! When he grows enough hairs on the back of his neck so that they stand up when the Z-Cars theme starts up – then I’ll know he’s one of us!

Keep up the good work guys – bluekipper is a great site! (23/09/06)

212. Brendan Fox. I was born in Leicester in 1979, the first game I can remember watching was the 86’ FA Cup Final my father and sister both followed the darkside so naturally being the black sheep of the family I had to be a BLUE anyway it was my favourite colour. I can remember crying my eyes out when we lost that day and my sister really taking the p*** so that only made my devotion to the BLUES even greater, even through the doldrums my passion never wavered. My first live game was the 95’ FA Cup Final which I paid for with my first pay cheque from my first job. What a top first game to watch Paul Rideout you beauty! I now live in London and try to get to Goodison at least once a season and all the away games in London. So my first trip to White Hart Lane saw us win 2-0 so I must be a lucky charm. Come on you BLUES! Great work on the website you BLUEKIPPERS! (23/09/06)

211. Sander Hilhorst. I'd like to tell the story of how I became an Evertonian.. Although became is not the right word because I think i was born with it.... I live in Soest, Holland and I am 31 years old. It was the FA Cup Final 1986 Liverpool - Everton and at that time here in Holland the only English Football we could watch at the time was the FA Cup final. I was twelve years old and didn't know that much about foreign football at the time but one thing I did know... I hated Liverpool with a passion. Don't ask me why.. I just did! I didn't really know Everton that well at the time but when the dutch reporter mentioned that Everton also came from Liverpool for some strange reason things fell into place. From that moment on I was a blue.. there was no doubt about it! Been a blue for 20 years now and even called my company after them. (23/09/06)

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