Yesterday I was fortunate enough to realise a dream dear to all Evertonians: to run out onto the hallowed turf of Goodison Park to the tune of our beloved Z Cars. How many of us have lied awake in bed at night dreaming of scoring at the Gwladys St End and turning to 40,000 adoring fans to milk the adulation? Football Aid www.footballaid.com provided the opportunity for this mere mortal to follow in the footsteps of such legendary Toffees as Dixie, Bally and the vision.

How did I get there? Via a nail biting on-line auction system, whereby Evertonians bid for the privilege of wearing the famous shirt in either of the two matches staged at GP between two sets of fans and captained by a famous Evertonian from the past. The bidding commenced earlier this year, with some shirts going for up to £1200. I was successful with a bid for the No 4 shirt (away team second game). Once my place was secured, the work to attain some semblance of fitness begun in earnest.

The day began with all participants reporting to the main reception, that’s the players entrance to us seasoned pro’s LOL. We were greeted by two members of the Football Aid team and a representative of the club (Dave Connor). Once we had signed in, we were escorted through to the players lounge. I immediately spotted Park End Babe’s fella (Peter); nervously chewing on his finger nails and introduced myself. He was a bag of nerves and was gagging to get changed and step out onto the park. More and more players arrived including Andy Hosie (EFC commercial dept) who played very well along side me at the heart of our defence and was unlucky not to bag a goal. There were blues from all over the country, including a contingent from Essex and a Geordie lad. Eventually our team captain (Joe Parkinson) turned up and was greeted with beaming smiles from all of the star-struck Evertonians present. Joe was informed that the home teams captain (Gary Ablett) would not be able to make it; this bad news set the tone for the whole evening for the home side.

The guys from Football Aid called order and proceeded to give us a talk about some do and don’ts for the evening, stressing at all times that the emphasis was on enjoying the once in a life time experience, irrespective of an individuals skill and fitness levels. They pointed out that we were all Evertonians and that although they were expecting a competitive game, that nobody should be taking liberties. Parky must have slipped out whilst this pep talk was going on as he played with all the passion and aggression (ouch) we had all come to appreciate whenever he turned out in the Royal Blue. More of that later. The guys from Football Aid concluded with a big thank you to the club for allowing them to host the day’s proceedings as well as applauding all of the players involved. Dave Connor (EFC) gave a talk on how the evening would map out, which was followed by a briefing by the FA appointed ref on what he was and not expecting from the players.

Part of the package is a short stadium tour, taking in the delights of the Board Room (least impressive part of GP), the press interview rooms, the Dixie Dean suite (complete with Trophy cabinets) and the climax and undoubtedly the highlight, the walk down the tunnel up the steps onto the playing surface. As each player shuffled past the “Welcome to Goodison Park” sign, an out-stretched hand instinctively reached up to the touch the famous good luck charm. Once onto to the playing surface it was time to take in the whole of the ground from pitch level. It is truly remarkable, how different the stadium looks from this perspective, as opposed to the normal vantage point of the various stands in GP. The most obvious difference is the proximity of the crowd to the actual playing surface. You immediately get the sensation of being penned in by the four corners of the ground, with the crowd almost within touching distance of the playing surface in the lower Bullens. It is difficult to describe the feeling but even with an empty stadium, you got the impression of being in some form of gladiatorial arena. I cannot imagine what it it’s like having 40,000+ baying Toffees scrutinising every move you make on the park, frightening. Peter and I managed to loose the tail end of the tour and sneaked some photo opportunities in the tunnel and the media rooms. We joined up with rest of the party back at the player’s lounge, where players were exchanging small talk and nervous banter as the time to make the way to the dressing rooms was getting steadily nearer.

Much to everybody’s relief, we were shortly asked to make our way to the appropriate dressing room. My initial disappointment at not sharing the home dressing room was soon forgotten on opening the door of the visitor’s dressing room. To the right of the dressing room entrance alongside those of my teammates, hung the No 4 shirt with my name emblazoned on the back. It was one of those defining moments in life, when time stands still as oblivious to all around; you contemplate the realisation of a dream. Not for the first time that evening, the tears welled and the lump in the throat swelled. Coming back to earth after what seemed like an age, I was aware of a serious of gasps emanating from my fellow Evertonians as they entered the changing room to be greeted by the sight of their very own immaculately laid out strip. Again, any previous disappointment at not being able to secure a home shirt was tempered by the fact that we had been given the new away kit to wear. The strip looks fantastic and is reminiscent of the great away strip of the late 60’s, early 70’s. Allied to this, was the fact that the strip would not officially be available until August, which meant that we would probably, be one of the first teams to wear it. Players hurriedly changed into their strips in anticipation of getting onto the playing field for a pre-match kick about.

We were given a couple of match balls to kick about and set off on the long walk down the tunnel onto the playing surface. The first thing that strikes you about the surface is that it has a prominent crown down the middle, travelling from one goal area to the other. This is not really visible from the terraces but is very pronounced at pitch level. I imagine that it is sculptured that way to aid drainage of surface water to the sidelines. Saying that, the pitch is in fantastic nick and is a credit to the ground staff that so late in the season it still plays so well. We did some short passing and general limbering up as well as discussing some defensive tactics with Andy Hosie and Parky. For some reason, Parky didn’t fancy playing in his allotted right back position and asked if Andy and I would take turns to play out there whilst he took a more central role. It turned out to be the perfect tactic as Joe was able to call the shots across the back line. After about 10 minutes we were called back into the dressing room for the final team talk.

Parky’s pep talk was short and sweet. Enjoy the experience, get stuck in, give no quarter and most of all don’t loose. Joe encapsulated all of his playing philosophy in that one sentence. “But Joe, the guy’s from Football Aid, had said to take it easy”, I found myself thinking. I know any such thoughts would have received short shrift from Joe. His feelings were obvious, if you are playing, then you must play to win and secure the win with the appropriate level of commitment. The buzzer rang for both teams to assemble in the corridor. This was the stuff of dreams I thought, as I made my way out of the dressing room to line up alongside our opponents. Mascots in place and a final check for offending jewellery from the officials, it was time to march out. Team members started to shout words of encouragement to each other, quickly growing into a barrage of noise. Suddenly, in the distance could be heard the familiar beat of the drums sounding the opening bars to our famous old tune. The shouting immediately subsided, punctuated occasionally by gasps of disbelief as the realisation of what was about to happen descended on the 30 Evertonians assembled. Again, those familiar feelings experienced at the first sight of my kit returned, as the music became louder and louder and the green grass of the pitch became closer and closer. Each player in turn, smacked the good luck charm again and the chants of encouragement returned as we took the last few steps toward the light.

It’s difficult to really imagine what it is like for a homegrown first team player to walk out to a packed GP. Just walking out to the strains of our tune to 200 friends and family is something special. Completely oblivious to the incessant drizzle we lined up for team photos on the edge of the Park end penalty box and exchanged handshakes with the opposition. We lined up to shouts of encouragement from the crowd and last minute instructions from Parky. The away team kicked the game off, with the pitch playing very slick due to the wet conditions. It quickly settled down to reveal the pattern for the game to come, with the away team playing crisp passing football and dominating in midfield. My first touch came from a cross-field ball across the back line from Parky. One touch under control, passing inside and going wide to complete the triangle and then a pass down the line which resulted in our first positive move forward. I was relieved to get that under my belt. It wasn’t until I had completed that first move that I became aware of the adrenalin surge that I was experiencing. My heart was racing (literally in my mouth) and it wasn’t due to the lack of match fitness. It’s strange, but all through the game, I was oblivious to the crowds shouting. I wonder if that is the case when GP is packed to the rafters? Soon after, we took the lead following another fluid move. Three more goals followed without reply and we were cruising, looking likely scorers with every attack. Then horror, Parky who up until this moment had been imperious in defence upended one of their attackers with at best can be described as a clumsy tackle and at worst a Sunday league special. The converted penalty was to prove the only time we were to concede during the whole of the game.

Parky, switched sides at half time hoping to galvanise the efforts of the home team. Dave Connor joined Andy Hosie and I at the back and the pattern of the first half was repeated throughout the second, with the away side running out 9-1 victors. Sometimes it is right to say that competing is what it is all about and the football aid game was one of those occasions. The pitch was graced with some dazzling team football and some excellent individual displays but my enduring memory was the spirit in which the game was played. Full blooded, plenty of skill and honest endeavour between like-minded people and roundly applauded by the fans. The choice of Parky’s home MOTM was indicative of the kind of atmosphere the game was played under. He never gave it to the most talented player but somebody who provided some of the most entertaining moments of the match trying to marshal his disorganised colleagues (a la bally) and took the barracking from the crowd in the spirit it was intended. If you reading mate, our kid said that you were worth the entrance fee alone. Good on ya Blue.

At the final whistle, we shook hands with all and sundry and walked down to the Park end to acknowledge the support of the crowd. The Football Aid reps gave the supporters some stats on the amount of money raised, £30,000 on the day and over £600,000 in the year, some of which was going to benefit local charities as well as those across the country.

Victorious we retired down the famous tunnel into the dressing room for a celebratory version of “If you know ya history” washed down with orange juice. A quick shower (the visitors pool was not filled and the famous pool in the home dressing room is no more), followed by a detour into the home dressing room (I just had to go in there) to sign the Football Aid guest book and off up the tunnel one last time en route to the legends bar, for after game libations. Met up with the kids there and some friends, bought Parky a celebration Lager Shandy and then bid farewell to all involved including Park End Babe and Peter.

It could have all been an anti-climax. Sometimes these types of days that we anticipate months in advance prove to be disappointing. Not this one, it was more than I ever dared to dream it would be and more. I played well and did my self justice, cocking up on two occasions. One an extravagant back-heel into touch that was intercepted but fortunately went unpunished and a throw-in that didn’t go into play (beaut). But it would be fair to say that I did more things right than wrong. I didn’t score, but not conceding in open play is about as good as gets for defenders, especially if your side get nine at the other end. My daughter had lovingly adorned my tee shirt with a couple of Kipper inspired quotes (Thanks Skem Tony and At Work), in the feint hope that I could reveal it after notching one. I wasn’t going to miss the photo opportunity, so revealed it at half time (cue puzzled looks in the crowd) but us Kippers know what they mean.

I would encourage each and every one of you to consider participating next year and realise the dream of a lifetime, whilst doing your bit for Charity. Everybody is a winner. One thing it has taught me, is that in future I will be a bit more respectful of the pressure players are under to perform in such difficult circumstances. It’s daunting enough playing with 200 friends and family watching, what if you had to put up with opposition fans goading every mistake you make? It isn’t as easy as it sometimes appears to the regular fan (me included) and skill like Wayne Rooney displays, can really be appreciated when you experience the circumstances in which he performs these miracles. Can any of us really understand the pressure on a player in a derby game for example, especially if you are a homegrown player? Scary.

Finally, thanks to the good people at Football Aid, everybody at Everton FC, Parky, the Officials and both sets of teams for providing me the with the second best day of my life. Honest Love

I am happy to answer individual queries on the events of the day. (21/05/03)

My Day at Goodison (a losers perspective)

After reading Steve Battles’ excellent report on the recent football aid game at GP , I felt it necessary to give the view of a player from the losing side.

I was also lucky enough to have won a place in the match and can confirm that the most worrying time of the whole process was during the actual bidding some months before. It took me three attempts to secure a place as I was out bid twice in the last minute for other positions before I secured the right hand side of midfield in the home team. I had driven up the night before as I was coming up from Kent with my family and may have even been the party from Essex refereed to by Steve in his report (its close to Kent !!)

To summarize the game itself Steve’s report was all true, we were outclassed, outplayed and stuffed out of sight. Even with the inclusion of Parky in the 2nd half we were unable to improve our performance. I put I down to the fact that we were all in a daze , I was certainly mesmerised from the experience. At times I was getting frustrated with the lack of progress we were making , this frustration soon went away when I stopped for a moment and had a look around . Realising where I was actually playing football soon made the score, performance and lack of fitness all seem irrelevant.

Thinking back now the I have only a vague memory of the game itself, the things that will stick in my mind for the rest of my life are :

Walking into the Home dressing room and seeing my name on the back of the Royal Blue Shirt

Walking out of the tunnel to Z Cars

My Uncle singing at the top of his voice from the Park End “there’s only one Neil Edmonds”

My Header that hit the cross bar.

If I were to round off the day in a statement , it would be.

We got stuffed
I missed a sitter
I hit the cross bar
But it will always be one of the best days of my life.

I also endorse Steve’s comment to recommend this day to any true blue, definitely a chance to make a dream come true.

Neil Edmonds. True Blue from Kent. (23/05/03)

Football Aid - 2003

Just read Steve's article on the site about the Football Aid game. I played against him in that game for the home side. Hit the nail on the head really cannot describe how amazing and daunting it was. Dream fulfilled, without doubt the best day of my life!!

Attached team pic from the game ( i am the tallest one - back row second from the left).

One to treasure! Once a blue... Stephen.(23/05/03)