The Ruleteros Society - Trip to Chile 2005
The Ruleteros Society - Trip to Chile 2005 |
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Ruleteros Society Trip to Chile – Easter 2005 During Easter 2005 a group of Evertonians from the Ruleteros Society visited Chile to visit our namesakes in Viña del Mar, Corporación Deportiva Everton. The flight left from Manchester on Friday, 18th March and returned Tuesday 5th April. This
article (below) about the trip appears in Mercurio de Valparaiso newspaper..with
some good photos of Evertonians (Gerry, Tony, John etc..) over there.
Something positive. I'm attaching the translation in case you want to
use it. Everton: the passion which brings them together 17 fans from Everton FC are tightening links with their namesakes from the Garden City (Viña del Mar)
“The first
time I went to the stadium I was 5 years old and my father took me. When
we arrived I didn’t really understand what was going on and I was a little
scared with all the people shouting and the atmosphere around the ground.
But then I became hooked on football quite quickly.” This is how Tony
Heslop, speaking in perfect Spanish, remembers his first experience of
the world of football. Now 43 years on, this language teacher in trying
to build on his passion in Chile and specifically in Viña del Mar
where one word links him with is home town: Everton.
When
you first meet him it’s clear that he has nothing in common with the feared
hooligan element in English football; quite the opposite, he’s a very
easy going, jolly sort of bloke. He’s the main man in the Ruleteros Society,
an almost unique organisation in the world of football, which is trying
to tighten links between fans of both Everton FC and CD Everton. In June
the Society will be 3 years old and bit by bit the members are paving
the way towards achieving their main dream, that of seeing a game between
both clubs.
The First Society They say that the links between both clubs goes back to the start of the last century when a group of friends decided to start their own sports club. This was in 1909, the same year that Everton FC, which was founded 31 years earlier, did a tour of tour of South America as one of the most famous clubs of the old continent. Some say that’s where the name of the club which later moved to Viña del Mar came from. At least that’s the favourite theory among members of the Ruleteros Society: “I like that story and it’s the most common theory back home but I’d like to think our famous name was used by the Chileans to name their own club”.
Chile con chorrillana Back from the first of what we hope will be many trips to Chile, the Ruleteros Society can report that the visit was a pronounced success, a mission accomplished and truly a celebration of Evertonianism along with so many other delights. Experiences to dine out on and memories to savour. Where do we begin ? The most memorable aspect of our first day, aside from the match at the Sausalito, parading on the pitch and meeting the fans and some of the players, was the discovery that an extremely filling meal could be had for little more than a couple of quid. Splash out 4000 pesos or around £4 and the chorrillana challenge is there for the taking, an Alan Partridge size plateful of papas fritas aka chips smothered with about 15 types of meat including chorizo sausage, chicken, lamb, beef and pork. Worth a photo, like the fish that didn’t get away, but nobody in our party could manage more than a third of what is evidently a dish for a number of hungry souls. Viña del Mar’s beaches and coastline proved a scenic
distraction from the Derby disappointment of the first weekend and the
many hundreds of microbuses, 30 seaters, could take us anywhere along
that coast, a bumpy but enjoyable ride costing buttons. Alternatively,
they all clattered along to Valparaiso, with its chaotic but uniquely
varied and colourful housing situated on so many different levels up hillsides
accessible by ascensores or cable cars. A site of world heritage and vibrant
culture, day and night, one or two of its bars and restaurants resounded
to our singing in collaboration and occasionally competition with the
official musicians. The first week saw us move from the Cerro Castillo, where presidents spent summers in the nearby Palace, to the Hotel Español, in the Plaza Vergara, centrally situated amidst the hustle and bustle. Fifteen minutes walk from the Sede or headquarters of CD Everton, where we had the pleasure of meeting Jorge Miranda. He played for the team in the 50s and 60s and now looks after a club museum, shows guests round and does an awful lot to help former players, particularly those who’ve fallen on hard times. A good, honest, humble man, the comparison with Dave Hickson was never far away. In the basement of the Sede too was where the Barra de los Ruleteros met, a loyal group of fans formed nearly 40 years ago and people every bit as dedicated as any travelling Evertonian. We ingleses were made so welcome, treated to beer , wine, pisco ( or piscola if you add the real thing) and empanadas or pasties. A singsong was inevitable, Ever forever en el corazón followed by It’s a Grand old Team , the barra’s drum beating out the rhythms to both English and Chilean ditties. The keen eyed were invited to a game of rana or throw the disc into the frog’s mouth and the more or less energetic were tempted into a game of five a side on the pitch which adjoined the basement. Perhaps the first incidence of Everton playing Everton in South America and most certainly the first mother and son partnership in such a game. Anne and James Asquith didn’t disgrace but yours truly lasted only two minutes before crashing out on the sidelines. Young Michael “Bonzo” Shearon Weller passed a late fitness test and scored five goals but Everton (FC) still finished second. Group photos testify to a night of true unity and my own memories will include the tales of women, now in their 60s and older who still make the 1000 mile trips to such venues as La Serena and Arica and who remember with misty nostalgia the campaign of 1976 which ended with CD Everton taking the Chilean Championship in the National Stadium in Santiago in front of 70000, 55000 of whom were from Viña. In these days where gates have dipped to a few thousand, it is evident that Viña is still full of evertonianos de corazón but many have, perhaps temporarily, lost the habit of going. Those who do go, as has already been documented, give support of quality for 90 minutes. Quality too were the visits to the Casino and the Horse Racing at the Sporting Club, venue for the Chilean derby. Slight losses incurred but little damage to the wallet, thanks to Ignacio ( whose surname, whisper it soft, is Kop aitic but he’s a good lad) and to the fact that snacks and drinks were available at what in England would be 1970s prices. Real quality too in the visit we made to see the youth teams play. To see the glee with which the youngsters picked up and wore the shirts we had brought over and the genuine gratitude of the coaching staff, all of whom had signed a letter of thanks, was truly uplifting. We were overwhelmed at the response to our shirt appeal and the many fans of all clubs who donated can rest assured that the kit has found good homes. Empanadas all round again and a number of group and one to one photo opportunities, particularly for one team kitted out à la Slaven Bilic. Danka very much and Changs for the memory not least to all those kids called Rooney. The middle weekend, free of domestic football but given over to world Cup qualifiers, took us to Santiago for a day’s sightseeing and, with a 10 o clock kick off, the Chile Uruguay game. We were in that stadium three hours before kick off and both ends were already well near full with fanatical Colo Colo and Universidad fans going ballistic. A great atmosphere, ironically not as good once the game started and Uruguay took the lead, but we all joined in with the Vamos chilenos song, knowing that esta noche tenemos que ganar (tonight we have to win). Sadly it was not to be, a second half equaliser regaining some pride but 1-1 not enough to threaten the leaders. Fears that we would be swamped in a free for all were unfounded and we had many a pleasant chat with Chilean fans curious as to our presence. That same evening saw James Brown perform in the Quinta Vergara Park, just by our third hotel. We didn’t see him but we still felt good down at the Estadio Nacional. This was far from just a tourist trip but the group, either as a whole or in smaller units saw a fair bit of the country. Graham and Julia went off to Easter Island and David to Punto Arenas for a week’s trekking whilst most of us saw a variety of villages to the north and to the south of Viña, including the poet Pablo Neruda’s Isla Negra and a vineyard or two. Argentina, too, was an experience, a day’s travelling there and another one back for a day in Mendoza, but the journey through the Andes was all part of it, amazing scenery and frightening bends, curves and heights. Mendoza itself was a gem, a wine producing area with a history and prices even lower than in Chile, giving you a massive steak with trimmings and a bottle of wine for around a fiver. Trust us to find the Liverpool Bar, owned by a Beatles rather than football aficionado, but that was where we saw Argentina’s World Cup game and where we left behind the odd Everton memento to grace their cabinet display. International relations boosted too as Tommy and Steve entertained the locals with Evertonian lore and lingo. If Everton FC’s season seemed to be falling apart, we at least didn’t have to suffer watching it, the Pope’s untimely, or perhaps timely, death changing the schedules on the channel which would have been showing the events from the Hawthorns. Perfidious Everton, who chose to put in one of their worst performances against West Brom and leave the securing of fourth place very much in doubt. Mobile phone messages informed us of our fate as we watched a benefit match, organised by Jorge, for one of the former players. At least it wasn’t Kevin Campbell wot dunnit. A good job too that CD Everton finally came good on the pitch and fully justified a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Temuco. Had they not won, John Shearon, who had not seen a single victory in 25 years, might have been banned for life. As it was, fans at both ends gave us another stirring welcome and a meeting with the Club Directors confirmed their interest in common with ours for extending the links and making it happen on the pitch for both Evertons in 2008, 2009 or even both years. Where there’s a will…….The lads from the Cerro, who included Roberto and Maxitoriano ( massive Evertonian ) did us proud with certificates and a fine meal and the Ruleteros for their part presented us all with medals and gifts from the heart as well as the market. A plato unico or fundraising meal was accompanied by Latino music and some pretty dirty dancing but no names protect the innocent and the guilty. Photos however are another matter. The toast was to each other, the passion shared, the future hopeful and suddenly 8000 miles didn’t seem that far away, either culturally or geographically. It’s almost wrong to thank individuals, knowing some names
will be omitted or forgotten but I’ll try. To members behind the scenes
such as Chris and Steve without whose organisation things may never have
happened, to Adrian for his translations so quickly available on the web,to
John Shearon, who is and was the inspiration for it all, to Big Frank,
simply the Leader, and to Gerry, aided by Jose Antonio, who sorted out
so much before and during the trip, including those international tickets.
We may not have taken up all those offers of cheap meals and drinks, but
do appreciate the hard work put in to make things happen. Luis Ramos needs
little introduction, known and loved by all evertonianos, our man in Viña
and again someone who just smoothed the way for us behind the scenes.
And yes he is indeed an old smoothie. Cristian, who was there at the airport,
at the end and at so many points in between, Juan Pablo Salgado, journalist
and friend, a great help to Angela in facilitating interviews and Cristobal,
who paved the way for the official part of our trip as well as showing
us what was what in the area. Steve, a drama teacher and archivist of 1950s Everton songs, was overwhelmed by the welcome and the amount we had in common. For his own contribution, he was so grateful to give, and myself and Angela so privileged to witness, a masterclass in Romeo and Juliet to a class of forty 14 year olds. Knowledge of Shakespeare or even a great deal of English not being compulsory, the youngsters participated in a session which dealt with the main issues of the tragic romance and which, I’m sure whetted a few appetites for further study. Love, like football, is universal and Steve shared his passion and Everton memorabilia with the group, a truly ambassadorial performance which left more than one vowing to make Everton FC their number one European team. There is
scope for so much development at the level of the fans and, all being
well, the Clubs and their sponsors. A youth team collaboration doesn’t
seem too far fetched and nor does the participation of namesakes in each
club’s and city’s celebrations. Everton FC’s directors will receive a
genuinely positive report of this venture and they, like everyone else,
including web browsers will be able to tune into two programmes made by
Angela for BBC Radio Merseyside dealing with the visit, to be broadcast
the week beginning May 9th just before the final games of this season.
Culture and football, people and passion. Tune in and get a flavour of
what we experienced and remember, as we always will, e for e, once an
Evertonian, twice an Evertonian. And go easy on the chorrillana. Few
match reports can be have been written with any authority from the perspective
of an internet surfer following via the various message boards and the
official club site but this was what 17 Bluenoses were reduced to on the
appropriately named Passion or Palm Sunday. The price to be paid, I suppose,
for the privilege of taking part in the Ruleteros Society´s inaugural
trip to Chile, or more specifically, Viña del Mar. Having arrived
at Santiago Airport 48 hours earlier and caught up in a whirlwind of activity
organized by our evertoniano friends, we fully expected to be settling
down in a local sports bar to watch the global transmission of el gran
derby ingles. Blow me, wasn´t every other Sky Premiership game transmitted
live that weekend with one notable exception. They even had that West
Midlands thriller live and on delayed transmission with ourselves reduced
to a half time postscript. Painful, but not that painful I suppose. More wistful for the Viña-based Blues and, with no gloating Reds in evidence, the chance to look to Chile´s consolations, beautiful summer weather, cheap sorrowdrown ale and a world heritage site (Valparaiso) in which to celebrate the birthday of Ann, one of our party. The author will pass on the fact that his chosen venue was shut but reports that an evening at an alternative restaurant was as successful as it could have been, rounded off with a repertoire of the Blues, old and new, songs from as far back as the 50s and all recited perfectly by Stevie N with assistance from Tommy R Indeed,
without football, this would have been a perfect weekend. Our Chilean
friends met us at Santiago airport on Friday noon, cracked open a few
cans, settled us into our hotel and, just a few hours later, took us to
the game, an 8 o clock kick off at C D Everton´s Sausalito Stadium,
with Huachipato the opponents. Cracking atmosphere but a very small gate
for this live televised game. Greeted by the Club secretary, we spent
one half at each end of the ground with the two barras, or loyal supporters
groups. Sing and dance they can certainly do, even if there´s nothing
to cheer. Banners and shirts were exchanged and Everton FC flags draped
around the stadium, including the famous Everton Huyton one as carried
by the amazing Richie “The Flag” Harrison
and as seen at many internationals. Chile con Roby, so to speak. I´d like to say that our intervention led to a turnaround in fortunes but I can´t. Our brave Huachipatan was joined by three others in the second half and, in spite of much more evertoniano pressure, commitment and a horrifying number of missed chances, they were celebrating a 3-1 victory at the end. A consolation goal by Estay near the end gave CD Everton some cause for hope but no more than their namesakes were to have 2 days later. I´ve never felt more like singing the Blues….. Viña is a welcoming city, the Chileans are hospitable people and football is a beautiful game, even if results don´t always go your way. Suffice it to say that beyond results that leave both clubs in some state of anxiety, the Chileans some distance from their playoffs and the Blues clinging to a four point lead, the first few days have shown just how much common ground there is, even if not all share the ability to communicate in the others´ language. With goodwill, and, yes, a shared pride and passion, the message is conveyed clearly enough. Once an Evertonian, twice an Evertonian. And so to the next game and the next song. Tony Heslop and the Ruleteros on Tour. (03/04/05) Twice an Evertonian
The 16 members
of the Ruleteros Society (a group of Everton fans from Liverpool) were
invited to attend the weekly meeting of the official CD Everton Ruleteros
supporters club from Viña del Mar in their headquarters at Viana
161. A splendid time was had by one and all. The event was presided over
by the presidents of both groups of fans, Tony Heslop and Héctor
Pérez, and it went a long way to tightening the links which already
exist between the 2 Evertons. Translated from La Estrella de Valparaiso, 24 March 2005. by Adrian. (26/03/05) Everton: the passion which brings them together 17 fans from Everton FC are tightening links with their namesakes from the Garden City (Viña del Mar) “The first
time I went to the stadium I was 5 years old and my father took me. When
we arrived I didn’t really understand what was going on and I was a little
scared with all the people shouting and the atmosphere around the ground.
But then I became hooked on football quite quickly.” This is how Tony
Heslop, speaking in perfect Spanish, remembers his first experience of
the world of football. Now 43 years on, this language teacher in trying
to build on his passion in Chile and specifically in Viña del Mar
where one word links him with is home town: Everton.
Officially
there are more than 160 members of the society but it’s hoped that this
number will increase as the links between both clubs grow. But what has
a fan of Everton FC got in common with its Chilean namesake? For Heslop
the answer is clear: “It’s the passion for football. Both here and there.
We are all real Evertonians and that’s why we want to spread friendship
among all Evertonians.” The First Society
They say
that the links between both clubs goes back to the start of the last century
when a group of friends decided to start their own sports club. This was
in 1909, the same year that Everton FC, which was founded 31 years earlier,
did a tour of tour of South America as one of the most famous clubs of
the old continent. Some say that’s where the name of the club which later
moved to Viña del Mar came from. At least that’s the favourite
theory among members of the Ruleteros Society: “I like that story and
it’s the most common theory back home but I’d like to think our famous
name was used by the Chileans to name their own club”.
But the visit
of the Ruleteros Society isn’t just all talk. In Liverpool, for the last
month, the Evertonians made an appeal for fans to donate any unwanted
football shirts. They managed to amass over 200 Everton jerseys that have
now been handed over to the youth players from CD Everton. This
article (ABOVE) about the trip appears in today's Mercurio de Valparaiso
newspaper..with some good photos of Evertonians (Gerry, Tony, John etc..)
over there...something positive after yesterday's "disappointment"... The
Ruleteros Society celebrates promotion How
Promotion Was won - 2003 For more information on the Everton in Chile, log on to www.ruleteros.com or www.evertonchile.cl |
