Neil Roberts - Blues & Beatles

Pitch Publishing Ltd
A2 Yeoman Gate
Yeoman Way
Durrington
BN13 3QZ

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Web: www.pitchpublishing.co.uk

Published by Pitch Publishing 2011
Text 2011 Neil Roberts

Neil Roberts has asserted his rights in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

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eBOOK ISBN: 978-1-909178-80-9
PRINT ISBN: 978-1-908051-12-7

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For George and Liam

There are two questions Im constantly asked, that really faze me. WHY do you love your football club so much? Not support it love it? And secondly: What was it about the music of 1956 that changed your life?

Two questions that are probably impossible to answer. All I can say is: When you know you know!

I had worshipped Everton and in particular their centre-forward the Cannonball Kid Dave Hickson for a few years before 1956, and the previous year I had written to every director telling them that the club was insane to have transferred him to Aston Villa. Similarly, I had enjoyed the few 78s of Frankie Laine, Johnnie Ray and Doris Day that my family owned. But until 1956, I didnt know. Truly know!

Then on 20 October, 1956, the lowly-placed Blues travelled to high-flying Manchester United and with a young goalkeeper called Albert Dunlop making his debut, trounced the Red Devils 5-2 at Old Trafford. My life changed on that day. I knew!! The die had been cast and my whole life would be lived as a worshipper of the Merseyside team that played in blue. The following Saturday we smashed Arsenal 4-0, and if confirmation was needed (it wasnt!) my decision had been approved by those up above who smile on us!

On that same weekend, Elvis Presleys Hound Dog went to number two in the charts (alongside Frankie Laine, Johnnie Ray, and Doris Day!). I had never heard anything like it. A rhythm, a beat, and a singer that got to me like no other had ever come close.

So my love affair started and continues to this very day. And undoubtedly will for every day of the rest of my life.

When Neil sent me his wonderful book, long before it had been published, it reminded me so much of my own journey. The boys pen, the half-time gate, bunking in behind the church, queuing all night for a derby ticket, seeing the lights at Goodison for the first time at a Lancashire Senior Cup tie, and crying all night after a defeat by lowly Bradford City. Just like Neil, I could try and tell you what it all meant to me but I wouldnt come close. I could tell you about the goals against the Reds; Ballys from the by-line; Kingies drive which restored our pride; Sharpies strike at their place; TCs unbelievable double reprieve, and probably the most famous of all the one that Clive Thomas robbed us of in 1977. I could try to explain what they meant to me but I wouldnt come close. What I do know, though, is that hundreds of thousands of Evertonians all over the world would understand. As would Neil. And that matters.

They might also understand that Dont Be Cruel (the B-side of the aforementioned Hound Dog!) and Let It Be Me by the Everly Brothers are as close to musical perfection as I probably ever want to get. But thats more personal!

The author of this book found his particular musical heaven in the music of the Beatles, and Paul McCartney in particular. Of course I understand that. But its an odd thing in that when you go to school with someone (I met Paul on my first day at big school when I was 11 at the Liverpool Institute and we have been mates since), they probably somehow cant have the same kind of legendary status for you that they do for others. Although undoubtedly Macca is a legend and a musical genius and he too is devoted to Elvis and the Evs. (But I am not too sure he is a Blue!)

And now there is George Neils very own addition to the Peoples Club. Like his dad, and like myself, George will relive time and time again those magical moments that seem to shape our lives. Not just our Blue lives, but simply our lives. If I spent time with him I would tell him, as I will undoubtedly tell my new young grandson Finn, my stories of Wembley in 1966 with half an hour to go; Oxford in 1984 with nine minutes to go; and probably the most joyful and painful of them all for me, Wimbledon in 1994 with an hour left. And maybe, maybe, if it was a good day, I would just give myself a thought towards my overwhelming pride as I stood and watched us celebrate in 2009, through teary eyes, from the chairmans seat, as we secured our first Wembley final in a decade.

Its been my privilege over the last decade to be in a position where I could hopefully help shape the future of the club, not only for the hundreds of thousands of Evertonians who are out there right now but also those who have yet to find their moment of decision. Like me, like Neil and like George, it will be a decision they will never regret. At that moment they will become a member of the greatest family in football. And more than my shareholdings, my chairmanship, and my place in the directors box, its being a member of the Everton family that makes me proudest of all. Neil will understand. George will understand. If you have bought this book you will probably understand. That matters.

Respect, Neil.

Bill Kenwright, 16 February, 2011

Its been a hard winter in England. More snow than weve had in twenty years, sheet ice and biting temperatures. But in mid-February, the edge has come off the chill, a mild breeze has replaced the shivers and I have a distinct feeling of spring in the air. Its not natural for an Everton supporter to be this optimistic. And its not normal for my state of mind to be so full of hope. But Ill repeat it. Spring is definitely in the air.

Perhaps its because my team has just reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in seven years. We beat Aston Villa yesterday. Not only that, but a 3-1 win against a team currently third in the league. Whats more, that followed a heart-thumping victory over Liverpool in the fourth-round replay. I was at the 1-all draw at Anfield. I was at the return at Goodison Park. And I was part of that picture. Part of the scenes of jubilation. Ive had some high points since I started watching Everton. League championships. FA Cup wins. European triumphs. But victories over our arch-enemies are always sweet and savoured. When Dan Gosling turned the cold night air blue in the 118th minute lets just say it was ecstasy the like of which I have rarely experienced.

Perhaps its not really spring in the air but that tantalising whiff of Wembley? Weve had our first home draw of this seasons competition. And we play West Ham or Middlesbrough in the next round. Victory in that tie, and were into the semi-finals.