BORN

Those that know me know I’m football mad. Watching, playing, debating, analysing – I love the game. It’s been at the forefront of all my life, passed on from my Dad.

When the time finally came to take my son to his first Everton match, I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve again.

He’s had every kit for five years (while I’ve walked around in rags). It’s what you do as a parent isn’t it? – You want to give them everything.

He was a late talker but by God he’s making up for it now. He sings “It’s a grand old team” and “We are the Goodison gang” regularly on daily walks to school. I can’t smile wide enough.

Heading Up Goodison Road

Leading up to the Watford match a few weeks ago he was as excited as I am. We strolled along County Road and turned into Winslow Street. The walk up the match is something I’ll cherish. From dodging horse manure to the smell of the Goodison Road chippie this is the stench of matchday at L4.

I grabbed his hand while he took everything in.

Sadly, due to Covid protocols there was no Fanzone at the Park End so we had a little waltz around the Grand Old Lady. I took photos and videos at every opportunity. We bought an Everton hat and scarf at one of the stalls then he whispered the famous words to me “Daddy, I want to go into the match now.” I had a tear rolling down my cheek immediately. My bottom lip trembled and just hugged him. “Come on son,” I proudly said. We skipped to the Main Stand turnstile then I gave him his ticket. He went in before me because I wanted to watch him independently click through the turnstile. Halfway through he looked back and smiled at me. I was beaming.

Up the steps we went to our seats. This was perfect.

We sat down. He took it all in while repeatedly saying “Daddy, when is Z Cars?”

At 2:55 the sirens blasted, the drum roll to Z Cars came. This was my dream happening in front of my eyes. I had him in my arms watching the Everton players walk out. This was boss!

Kick-off Time

The early goal came through Tom Davies three minutes in and it was the best feeling in the world. The crowd went wild, I instantly hugged him in mid air and his smile was something else. I’ll take it to my grave. “Yes, Daddy we’ve scored,” he screamed.

75 minutes after that was perfection and then a nightmare last 12 minutes endured his first match was a losing one.

It’s a blessing in disguise he doesn’t understand the full concept of results and what they mean….yet!

A walk down to County Road and a bite to eat on the way home ended off a memorable day. I can’t wait to do it all over again.

Being An Evertonian

I very rarely post anything personal on my Twitter page but I was so immensely proud of the day I’d just had regardless of the result, I just wanted to share a photograph of him at the game.

A few replies of “Thats what it’s like to be an Evertonian etc”.

Yes, that is what it’s like to be an Evertonian. If life and football was so easy, we’d all support Manchester City and Liverpool tomorrow. That’s the easiest job in the world to support a successful team.

Football moves in cycles.

Everton’s School of Science in the 60’s, Liverpool in the 1970’s, Merseyside dominance of the 80’s. Manchester United in the 90’s, Chelsea and Arsenal supremacy in 2000’s, Manchester City rags to riches over the past decade and now here we are now – 26 years without a single trophy is officially the worst drought in the club’s entire history. This current generation of Toffees are the loyalist and most fanatical bunch in the country by an absolute mile. With a season ticket waiting list and sell out allocations home and away it’s not even up for debate why they’re the very best. I pray for a Wigan or Leicester City fairytale until we move to our world class stadium on the iconic Liverpool waterfront.

Our time will come soon and his time will come.