bluekipper.com - Everton Hall of Fame

Gwladys Street's Hall of Fame Gala Dinner. - 29th March 2001. - Adelphi Hotel.

This was Blue Kipper's first attendance at Gwladys Street's Hall of Fame Gala Dinner, we had heard all the comments about how it would be an 'unbelievable' night, stalwarts said 'just wait and see...' and left us to ponder. It was like Christmas as a kid all over again, it couldn't come quick enough and the excitement was almost unbearable - let the evening begin.

Kipper and Sausage met up in Weatherspoons but only stayed for the one and then scurried over to the Adelphi, the invite stated 7pm for 8pm surely no one would notice as we slipped in at 6.30pm and they didn't as there were loads of Blues already there. 'There's Westy, there's Brian Harris, there's Roger Kenyon, look Barry Horne and so on, the blasts from the past were in touching distance and the hairs started to rise on the back of the neck.

Barry Horne, & Brian Harris with the Blue House

Duncan McKenzie, Don Donavon, Bobby Collins, Mrs. Donavon

They were coming thick and fast as The Hengler's arrived, next thing Kipper gets a VIP pass and is whisked upstairs' to hob nob (all official of course to get photo's for the site) meanwhile, I'm saying to myself 'there's Derek Mountfield, there's Gary Steven's, there's John Connolly, look Bobby Collins!!

Pre-dinner drinks were had in the main lounge were there was also an opportunity to spend on various tables all in support of Blueblood, framed photos of the Captain's of '66, '84 & '95, Blueblood ties and photoshoot with the FA Cup.

Bang on 8pm the hammer goes down, the start is announced and the doors to the main hall open. 500 Blue boys all suited up slowly file in to find their places at the 25 tables. The walls are decked with banners 'one Evertonian is worth twenty liverpudlian's', 'on the banks of the royal blue Mersey'& 'we don't care what the red shite say' all of which would be auctioned later in the night.

The top table were clapped in Duncan McKenzie, Alex Young, Bob Latchford, Bill Kenwright, David France (trustee who started it all), Rev. Harry Ross, Simon O'brien, Sir Philip Carter, Howard Kendall, and a late Barry Horne. MC was Mark Jones from Century Radio (Sean Styles had pulled out due to his unfortunate news and our thoughts are with him) welcomed the players and they were clapped in to the Z-Cars theme, now we were rockin' and it had only just begun.

Westy is about to put one on Degsey for trying to pinch his ale

Dereck Mountfield, Becky Tallentire, Gordon West

Martin(assistant head of school recruitment), Simon(tv star), Tosh(coach for 6/11yrs.), Billy's mate(drinks beer)
Martin Waldron, Simon O'Brien, Tosh Farrell, & Billy's mate

Gordon Watson, who attended last year's bash in a wheelchair, was given a rousing reception, as he WALKED into the room followig his succesful hip operation. This was paid for by the Blueblood fund.

Simon O'Brien then introduced Alex Young who presented the Blueblood Young/Senior & Player of the year to Michael Ball, Richard Gough & Kevin Campbell who all went up on stage to rapturous applause and deafening chants, the tears were now in the eyes. Bally announced 'see you next year' and that was it - blue through and through like the rest of us present. Goughy indicated he would be off and Super Kev said how much he loved the club particularly since he got his new wage packet.

We enjoyed an excellent four course meal and the booze flowed freely. The Revd. said a witty grace, Howard toasted the club and Blue Bill responded confirming that we will be giving up the reserves 'over his dead body' and that 'this club WILL be great again'.

After dinner, Alan Jackson took to the stage for the Hall of Fame presentations. Alan went through the History, Tradition, Roots and Emotions in a rousing speech. He gave us the Blueblood background born in 1996 established 1998 committee being made up of former players, journalists, shareholders etc and that nominees are considered for their loyalty, sportsmanship and popularity (how the fuck did Judas get a nomination - which was quickly followed with a chorus of 'Die, Die oh Nicky, Die die.........')

Inducted into the Hall of Fame were Bob 'biggest mistake I ever made was leaving Everton' Latchford (who look as though he could still lead the line on Sunday), Sir Philip 'I'm only sorry we didn't get chance to conquer Europe' Carter ', Derek Mountfield And Duncan McKenzie who relayed a tremendous Brian Clough tale involving Peter Storey. You can imagine each player on the stage is roared on, singing dancing on the chairs and chanting, 'we don't care......', 'kopite's are gobshites', 'we love you Everton the lot. Oh and numerous horn noises followed by ' who needs cantona? when we've got Barry Horne.... '

The auction followed:

Gazza signed/framed shirt £800
Big Dunc £800
Home shirt signed £500
Away £450

84/85 no.6 signed £1900
Welsh Pembo signed £400
1966 Alan Ball - red! £800
1966 Ray Wilson £800

Banners
3 x 'Blueblood' £150 each
'One Evertonian...' £1000
'On the banks.......' £450
'We don't care.....' £1050

Over £15,000 was raised in the raffle alone! A fantastic response. All the proceeds to Blueblood.

The 3 captains then took to the stage, Labone, Mark Higgins (representing The Rat) & of course Waggy Wat. Well the place exploded. They were introduced individually by Howard and they all tried to say a bit, by now the noise was at peak level. Labby told us he was pissed and that the team we have now are crap and can only get better!!

The rest of the night was spent mingling and talking to the players and other true blues who were awestruck in heaven, we left the Aldelphi at 1.30pm to the sound of Z-cars and 'just fuckin' cook will yer' ringing in our ears- what a night and roll on next year.

Blue Kipper would like to thank The Blue House, The Patrons and Trustees of Blueblood (especially Steve Milne, Davd France, & Harry Ross for organising the night), all the players past and present and club officials who attended and all the true blues who made this an unforgettable night. Thankyou.

Hall of Fame - Click to see Photos