Scorers: Sheedy (2). (Jim Melrose Hat-trick for Charlton)

Everton: Southall, McDonald, Snodin, Watson, Pointon, Steven, Reid, McCall, Nevin, Cottee, Sharp.

Bench: Sheedy on for Steven.

Scorers: Cottee(3), Sharp.

My eldest brother took me to my first game when I was 14, he was the oldest evertonian in the traditionally large red/blue family. I had been a mad Evertonian since I can remember, you don't choose these things, it's decide before you turn up - like your name or your destiny - when you pop out you get your colour, and thank God I got blue. It was the first game of the 1988/1989 Season and we had signed Cottee, McCall and Nevin that summer and Peter Reid had got a purple rinse (for some reason). What a match! We played out of our skins and Cottee got his Hat-trick, but the crowd went absolutetly nuts when Sharp headed home in the second half to make it 4. Even the Geordies, who must be amongst the most one-eyed fans there are, appreciated a side playing at its best. I was lucky to see some of the greatest players to don a blue shirt on the park that day, and at a time when Everton fans could honestly expect their side to produce the goods and rival the best in the world. I hope it's not too long before we can expect that again.Michael Richardson. (17/06/03)

Everton 2, Arsenal 0. 6th April, 1968.

Everton: West, Wright, Darracott, Kendal, Labone, Harvey, Husband, Ball, Royle, Hurst, Morrisey.

Scorers: Royle (2)

I was a mad Blue from the time I first went to school. Funny because prior to that there had been no history of Blueblood in the family. My dad sort of supported Arsenal and no one else was bothered about football.

My Dad took me to the Arsenal game for my 7th birthday. We sat in he Upper Gwladys. For as long as I live, I will never forget the moment when I walked up the steps of the stand and set eyes on the pitch for the first time. It was so bright and sunny and the grass was so green. It was like being given a glimpse of the promised land for the first time. From that moment I knew that Goodison was my spiritual home. Even when I'm there now watching us play shite and lose 3-0, I'm still content because I'm at home surrounded by my extended family.

The Arsenal game in 1968 is now a distant memory. I remember big Joe Royle scoring with a close range header into the net just in front of us. I also remember being a bit disappointed that Ray Wilson wasn't playing. From memory it was young Terry Darracot's debut and Wilson's injury might have been the one that eventually cut his career short. I also remember listening to the chatter of the men sitting in the seats behind us, probably my first extended exposure to grown up swearing. I had the hood up on my jacket (God knows why, fashion statements have never been my strong point) and the bloke behind me kept pulling it down slowly. I was scared stiff and didn't dare turn around or tell my dad what was happening. I still haven't told him to this day.

I've now got three kids and all of them are confirmed Blues. Even my wife has converted (if you can't beat them, join them) and my Mum & Dad. They all work on the theory that the weekend spent in my company will be much more enjoyable if we win. Upper Bullens season ticket holder and lifelong Blue. Phil A. (17/05/03)

Joe Royle

Everton 4, Lincoln 2. Coca Cola Cup. 93/94. Atten: 8,375

Everton: Southall, Holmes, Hinchcliffe, Ebrell, Ablett, Jackson, Ward, Horne, Cottee, Rideout, Beagrie.

Scorers: Cottee(2), Rideout, Snodin.

I dont think this was my first match but this is the first one I remember, I was about 8 years of age and it was against Lincoln City in the "Coca Cola" Cup back in the 93-94 season when we won 4-2 at Goodison there was hardly anybody there in fact 8,375 attended but at least there was plenty of goals with Super Tony Cottee scoring 2, Rideout getting 1 and Ian Snodin scoring a rare goal coming off the bench. But my real worry was the next day when I mis-read the paper and it said Tony Cottee could have got a Hat-Trick but I thought it said Cottee could have had a heart attack. Ken Stewart. (17/05/03)

Oldham Athletic 0, Everton 4. 29th April 1954.

Everton: O'Neill, Moore, Donovan; Farrell, Jones, Lello; Wainwright, Fielding, Hickson, Parker, Eglington.

Scorers: Parker(2), Hickson, Jones.

The last match Everton played in the old Second Division was the first game I ever went to. My uncle took me (he must have been mad!) as a tenth birthday treat. Everton had to win by seven goals to win the Championship, and were 4-0 up at half-time, but the match stalled there and Leicester took it. We missed the first couple of goals because the gates were closed, and we had to climb over a wall to get in. The Oldham authorities had thoughtfully covered the top of the wall in wet tar, which wouldn't have stopped us anyway. I thought it was great, and that all matches were like this; I was quite disappointed the next season when I found that you simply paid 9d. and went through a turnstile. A great site, by the way. Cheers, Terry Morgan. (17/05/03)

I'm an Oldham fan and was at the match in 1954 described on Sausage 5.
Your contributor doesn't mention that the game was played with hundreds of fans on the running track, and spilling onto the pitch, after climbing over the tar. (Somebody had found a massive piece of brown paper from somewhere)
I also was 10 and was taken by my dad in the car. I got in through the kids' entrance, but my dad got locked out. He just sat in the car for 2 hours listening to the crowd - no car radio or mobile phones etc .
Your contributor also omits to mention that, if Everton won, they got promotion and Oldham were relegated, if Oldham won, they stayed up and Everton stayed down.

The scoreline says it all.Roger Fitton (20/1/04)