Not embarrassed to say that this brought a tear to my eye. Beautifully written and heartfelt and shows the power of the game.

Thank you Sid 💙

Very moving Sid, especially your memories of that wonderful 80s team. I got to the 1986 Charity Shield, an Everton-Liverpool 1-1 draw, with Wembley echoing to "Merseyside-Merseyside" at the end: it felt like a defiant two fingers to Thatcher.
Yesterday was marvellous, celebrations laced with tears. Let's hope the Hill-Dickinson Stadium will be blessed with wonderful Everton Teams!
Thanks Sid

That's lovely Sid. Same thing happened to my Dad and he was never the same. Stopped going for years until my sister surprised him with a season ticket. A wonderful bit of history, thanks for sharing it!

Great stuff Sid. Your comments are missed in the Guardian by the way! Many posters ask where Sid has gone.

I'm one of them, barred by the Guardian for asking Where is Sid Fishes? Now they just restrict my comments. 🙂
Nice to read you again Sid

Seriously, they barred you Rod? I’d been commenting about Everton (and other stuff) for nearly 15 years, had ‘Guardian Picks’ by the hundred and they’d even contacted me to contribute on a couple of football related articles.

At the time of the FFP points deductions, behind the scenes and by email, I questioned their journalistic standards, as I felt (in common with most media outlets) that they didn’t want to look too closely at the whole issue, including the ‘independence’ of the ‘Independent committee.’ My posts became subject to extra scrutiny and I flounced taking my posting history with me.

I made the point back then that the FFP sanctions were arbitrary, specifically targeted at certain clubs and unfair.

Great stuff Sid! Another guardian reader here wondering where Sid has gone
The guardian's silliness has cost them a valuable contributor, meaning you, not me, also suspended
Liverpool supporter, match going when I lived there in the early 90s. Never had the chance to get to Goodison myself but I totally get your sentiment about that only home you'veever had.. I have red friends with the same experiences. As I am sure you do too.
Be well Sid. Perhaps we'll see you at the G sometime