The Lighthouse Sports bar in Formby, home of the 'Formby Blues' was the excellent venue, were 150 Evertonians gathered to watch The 1995 FA Cup Final with two special guests: The Skipper – Dave Watson The Man of The Match - Joe Parkinson

Part 1- First time round...

I can remember the day of the 1995 F.A cup final as if it were yesterday, I was 8 at the time and I was in Majorca with my family. My mum had booked the holiday before we found out that Everton had got to the final. My dad wanted to cancel as soon as we knew we were going to Wembley. Mum refused as she wasn’t really a big footy fan and wasn’t letting it ruin her week in the sun. So off we went. I remember playing a game with my dad on cup final day: “count the Everton shirts” (similar to count the airplanes but considerably better!)

Dad was adamant he was going the pub to watch the game so we hired one of those bike things that you peddle round and drove him to a bar called Cheers which was heaving with Evertonians and Mancs. Dad wanted to watch the game in peace without the mithering of me and my younger sister and used the excuse “who‘d take yer the toilet? If yer mam ain't coming in?” So off we went peddling around looking at perfume shops. We then went back to pick him up later on and as we were waiting outside I saw a little lad probably no older than me at the time sitting on the step in his full United kit crying his eyes out. I remember feeling really sorry for him, and I heard his dad say to him “cheer up fella next year eh?”. Then my dad came out arms in the air, ran over to us and gave us a hug and a kiss, then we peddled our way home singing “onwards Evertonians don’t let your heart be moved” It was a great holiday after that and it is a memory that is quite vivid in my mind and was re-visited due to the F.A. cup experience at the Light house, Formby on Thursday.

Part 2- The Experience...

The night went extremely well and was not at all what I expected either. I honestly thought that there would be a lot less people I was quite surprised, I recall some one telling me that the numbers for this were quite low so I could not imagine what other events are like!

The night started off at the Winslow were I met a few of the other kippers, we had a bit of a laugh in the pub and the boarded the mini bus to Formby stopping off on the way to pick up Sower and a few others. We finally got to the Lighthouse and I was impressed by the way it was done up inside. Two massive Everton flags adorned the walls at the front and all of the tables had on team sheets from the game, I was made up with them and took about 5 home with me! The only thing I was upset about was that I didn’t get to keep my tickets because they took them off you upon entry.

I felt a huge rush of pride and passion when the Waggy and Parkinson were introduced. Everyone was up off their seats singing along to Z-cars....we were all in fantastic voice that night, even my dad!

Watching the game through again was really exciting especially knowing that you were sharing the experience with Evertonians all of whom you know felt the same. At one stage I thought the DVD player was broke because from some reason it kept replaying and replaying Parky clattering that prick Ince to the floor, they need to get that sorted out!

Shortly after a rather loud booze fuelled chorus of “A grand old team” rang out from inside the Lighthouse I was only happy to participate in the singing as it would be rude not to. After it had died down a little the players had their say on particular key events, it was nice to hear the people who actually played in the game have an input with their feelings.

One thing I was disappointed in was the rudeness of some fans singing over the top whilst the players were talking I’m sure they were probably just rowdy because they had been drinking or what not but for the people sat far back it was annoying that we couldn’t hear and I felt it was quite a lack of respect on their part. I was fascinated at what the players had to say, and wouldn't dream of talking/singing over them. That was my only moan of the night (except that I wasn't allowed to drink partly due to legal requirements and due to the fact that I had an exam first thing the next morning) and apart from that it went well without further upset.

Before Thursday night I had never realised how funny Dave Watson was before. The joke about killing his Grandma to win the F.A. cup was a particular favourite of mine, and the when he said “if I had any hairs on the back of me neck they’d be standing up now” they were classics them . The lads were really down to earth and were willing to sign autographs and pose for photo’s with the fans and have a chat with us. I now have a lovely personalised photo of me and Dave as my wallpaper on my phone!

Watching the replay was like sitting through the whole game live the emotions that were expressed, everybody was up cheering and DVD player started playing up again especially when the goal went in because it was shown about 50 times! I felt the night was extremely well structured, everything ran smoothly without any blips and that was down to the Blue Kipper lads, Steve and Jogger and the others (and the fella on the mike who I thought was rather amusing too. ) all of whom worked hard to put the night together and made sure everything ran successfully. They should be proud that they have created a wonderful outlet for Evertonians to respect the past and welcome the present.

I was especially impressed with the Blue kipper symbols around the mike definite attention to detail was paid there! I felt extremely welcome by my Everton family, as I had never been to anything like this before and because I am quite shy I felt embraced by the people there and the atmosphere. Sower gave me a big kiss and I felt like I really belonged, I had a fantastic night and I know the rest of my family did as well. I hope to get to a few more of these functions in the future.

Towards the end of the night when I felt I had let my barrier down a little bit I was on my feet giving it everything singing along to all the songs. I learnt a new song that night as well. (and we love our shaggy Stevens...) and I also enjoyed watching the fella in front bid for everything, I would like to see him try and explain to his missus when he got home how he’s spent £300 in a night.

Finally I would like to say Thank you to everyone who made the night what it was and to tell them that they did a fantastic job in organising the event, and I was honoured to be invited along and to write the report. Well done to the Blue Kipper lads.

Call y’self and Evertonian? Jenny Thomas. (15/06/04)

Have you got special memories of The 1995 FA Cup Final? If so e-mail them to bluekipper.com