Care for a Toffee?
Almost everyone today has made a definitive choice of the club they want to support. Most base this life-changing decision based on the club’s personality, be it the fluid Arsenal way or the Never-say-die of Manchester United. Some fans simply like being the best club at the moment, and thus, of late, we have Manchester City fans in abundance. But there are some clubs, irrespective of the first choice of club, always find a soft corner from every fan. Everton probably tops that particular list, followed by Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.
The Club
Everton was originally founded as St. Domingo’s FC, by the people from the parish of St Domingo’s Methodist Church so that they could play sports throughout the year, as opposed to just cricket in the summer. They were then renamed Everton, as interest from outsiders grew. Liverpool was a breakaway clique from Everton, who decided to find their own way and eventually set up one of the biggest rivalries in sport today.
Everton certainly have not have won the most laurels, at least in recent times. But something about them just spells stability, which makes them such a wonderful breath of fresh air in today’s tumultuous times. They have managed to stay in the top division since 1954, and they are also founding members of the Premier League, back in 1992. Although they haven’t achieved top honors in the league, they have won the FA cup in 1995. They did come close again in 2009, but lost out to Chelsea by 2-1.
Everton’s colors are royal blue and white, which gives way to the inevitable ‘The Blues’, and they rarely defer from their original strip. The attendance at their home turf, Goodison Park, has witnessed phenomenal attendance with numbers being pegged at 95% percent capacity at an average, which translates to over 36,000 visitors per game.
The Manager
Second place is just not good enough anymore, and boards assume that if a team isn’t doing well, the manager is the first to be blamed. Maybe rightfully so, considering the fact that managers today wield power unheard of in earlier times. For instance, we do not need proof that Arsene Wenger calls the shots in the transfer market, with or without the consent of his superiors and that Alex Ferguson certainly doesn’t wait for the memo before preparing the team sheet. And managers, who aren’t as successful as the aforementioned duo, face the guillotine even before they can say bye.
In David Moyes, Everton found their foundation. After taking over from Walter Smith in 2002, Moyes has held his spot till today. From facing relegation, they were delivered to a spot of relative safety and even finished at fourth place in 2004-05. They have qualified for UEFA competitions on and off but have never made the most of their luck. Nevertheless, with Moyes holding the reins, Evertonians have stayed strong to the idea of a solid pack of players who believe that home is where their heart is. Seldom has Everton signed stars at astronomical prices, but they have sold quite a few who have made it big in the game. Their biggest signing till date in terms of cost was Marouane Fellaini at £15 million in September 2008. Moyes has actually broken the ceiling at four different occasions, but it was him who ensured Wayne Rooney’s passage in to the first team, and the rest is history, worth £27 million at that.
Moyes’ presence adds to the stability, as he has grown with the club and familiarity with how things are done at such an institution in of utmost importance. Fans do not stop at calling football a sport, and understand that being a fan is enrolling oneself in a historical institution where pride and love supersede money. Doing better every season is the manager’s job and Moyes has tried his best at every occasion, thus finding his place in the Everton brand of folklore.
Sibling Rivalry
Born from essentially the same idea, Liverpool and Everton are at best siblings. The Merseyside Derby is a celebrated event and more than just bragging rights are at stake, at least twice a year. The rivalry was born out of an internal disagreement between the owners of Anfield and Everton reps, after which they moved to Goodison Park, leaving a gap for Liverpool FC to fill. These derbies are jam-packed affairs and have streams of red and blue flooding the stadia. Regarded as the biggest domestic rivalry in the region, the matches have witnessed the highest number of dismissals over the years.
Verdict
The majority of my sample clearly stated that if Everton was their second club of choice, at least in English football. Some respected the club, some loved the resilience, but everyone stated the fact that not one of the current squad could be called a superstar. Yet, the Toffees perform to their best, day in day out. The physical aspect to their game is another factor that makes people like them, especially after the day the big Duncan Ferguson knocked one in against Manchester United. They did find their feet again when they beat United on the opening day of the season after Fellaini found the net.
They are a strong side, with a close knit midfield and the dependable American, Tim Howard, in goal. Their January buy, Nikica Jelavic, was a key addition to the fire power up front, and Steven Pienaar can only make the mix better. Another key name is Leighton Baines, and with the interest he generated over the transfer period, he is a left back to die for. A squad of plenty and a manager of class, the team should be able to do better this time around.
Essentially, everyone is a closet Everton FC supporter, and it won’t be long enough before they all decide to step out. As the Everton crest says, “Nil Satis Nisi Optimum”, or “Nothing but the best is good enough”. Hopefully the trophy cabinet at Goodison Park will soon stand witness to the club’s ideology.