Enjoying Being a Fan Again
"David Moyes has, for me, tied the new stadium, the new owners and a half-decent squad together at just the right time. With the threat of relegation seemingly gone, I get to enjoy all the small things. I also get to start to think and dream big again."
It would surely appear to even the most jaundiced of Blues that league safety is guaranteed this season. Given that it's only late February, and that recent seasons have left many Evertonians feeling quite numb, it's a strange and very pleasant situation to suddenly find myself in.
Since David Moyes took over and we started winning games, while playing nice football, I've had the makings of several articles floating about in my brain. All of them have been postive and all of them, individually and collectively, have made me think about being a football fan who is suddenly enjoying being a fan again. So, rather than bombarding Lyndon with a flurry of articles, I've tried to fit the gist of them all into one.
1. All the small things
I have found myself in recent weeks doing all those small things as a fan that show I'm enjoying my football again. I recently rooted out my son's Everton scarf one morning when going across to the local park for a walk. I am randomly watching those three-minute highlight reels on the Sky Sports and YouTube sites several times a week now, rather than just the once out of some repetitive sense of duty. I will check to see what the next fixture is at the start of the week now, rather than on a Friday or Saturday morning. I've taken more of an active interest in websites like TW and Evertonia. I'm properly reading articles and comments.
Doing all of these small things with renewed interest and enjoyment may seem like a nothing thing to a lot of fans. And maybe it is. It may also make me look like a fair-weather fan. And this has crossed my mind. But let me provide some context.
I've lived in Ireland all my life. For varying reasons, I don't get the chance to do what I would call "the big things". I've never attended a game, and don't get much of a chance to watch Everton on the T.V. Life in gerneral, cost, work and family commitments, including a son with special needs who is half an Arsenal fan — thanks to his Mum's side — all get in the way.
I have huge admiration for those thousands upon thousands of fans who spend good money and precious time, going to all the matches and forking out for T.V subscriptions. Recent seasons, in particular, must have been gruelling and I hope the recent weeks and months have been twice the enjoyment for you. The small things, in a way, are all I have as a fan at present. I would hope that by doing them more often, I am not only enjoying being a fan, but am also contributing more to the Everton community.
2. Off-the-field progress
The new owners, and the new stadium, while huge individually in their own right, were being coloured in my thinking by what was happening on the pitch. They didn't quite have the impact they should have had. They didn't give me the lift and encouragement in my support that you would think they should.
I thought of reasons for this. Maybe it was the many — and more recent in particular — seasons of negativity, the many years of decline at board level, financial mismanagement and PSR kickings; maybe it was the dimished reputation; maybe it was the constant erosion of those enjoyable moments as listed above. Now, with a team winning matches and playing well, they suddenly seem huge in the context of how I feel about the club and the direction it appears to be going in.
Proper owners who will run the club like a proper business, a proper ground that will showcase the club, potentially atract better players, and should increase commercial revenues, have made me start to enjoy being a fan again and look forward with the club rather than elsewhere.
3. An extended pre-season
This squad has been subject to the idea that it was being killed by a thousand cuts in recent seasons. It was felt that quality was being diluted and sold off to pay the bills. It was felt by many, myself included at times, that it was only a matter of time before the quality of the squad would get us relegated. Now, by tweaking things around a little, a different/new/2.0 version Moyes as manager has it looking like a half-decent squad. I'm not suddenly that positive that I think it's a world beater, but this squad now has potential.
The biggest impact Moyes has had for me, is that he has tied the new stadium, the new owners and a half decent squad together at just the right time. With the threat of relegation seemingly gone, we now have what feels like an extended pre-season. It feels like planning can start now for the new season in mid-August, rather than waiting for mid-May. Budgets of all kinds, player trading, revenue streams, the match day experience, everything.
For me as a football fan, this means that not only do I get to enjoy all the small things. I also get to start to think and dream big again. Ask any fan, and if he is honest, he will tell you that day dreaming is a hugely enjoyable part of being a fan.
As a final note, I would like to thank Lyndon for opening up Evertonia to the fans. Twenty years ago, I stumbled across ToffeeWeb. I got so enthusiatic, Michael Kenrick had to gently chide me at one stage for posting so often. I will try to be more restrained on here but for now, Lyndon, and everyone who uses Evertonia will have to bear with me. As an avenue for a fan enjoying his football again, websites like Evertonia are to be cherished.
Reader Responses
Selected thoughts from readers26/02/2025 14:05:58
Nice article and a good read Kieran.
I can resonate with the All the Small Things paragraph. I spent a lot of time over the years in far flung places, away from family and unable to watch the blues. But there was always a way of finding out the result. It makes you appreciate what you miss.
Be with us tonight as everyone who contributes on here always is, wherever they are.
Take care and glad to see you've got your passion for the blues back. Let's be honest, it never goes away!!
26/02/2025 22:23:31
Nice post Kieran
I actually remember Michael K. suggesting you shouldn't post so often. Was it really 20 years ago?
Always thought I can see Michael K. in charge of Guinness advertising... "Don't drink so much Guinness"
27/02/2025 20:40:54
Kieran
I am 60 years a Blue. (Started in 1966 Cup Final)
I also live in the West Coast of Ireland so don't get to regular games.
Last one thankfully was vs Leicester (4:0)
On the Moyes appointment was in the MK camp of never going back but when Dyche admitted that he couldn’t get any more from the squad (in other words lost the dressing room) Moyes was the only option because there was nobody else who would risk their reputation on taking us on in the relegation battle we were in. (Potter balked at the prospect and chose the Hammers)
Therefore I have very little tolerance of the luke warm praise of what Moyes has achieve. It is nothing short of miraculous and any begrudgery is not welcome (that includes you MK and to a lesser extent M O’N (Not singing the Davy song)
I have often avoided posting on TW or now Evertonian because of the negativity. (Championship players etc.) Moyes to his credit has shown that there is a decent squad there if there was only belief in their ability. I could start naming but we all known who they are.
I once heard a talk from a football manager (from a different code) but the principle is the same. He said “my job is to make these players the best they possibly can be. When we have management post match analysis on the errors players make during the game we ask ourselves what information did we fail to provide the player which would have helped him make the right decision”. It is all about managment responsibility which is the difference that Moyes has brought to this team.
Like Kieran, I am no longer looking at the fixture list in fear and trepidation but in looking forward to each game and the expectaction of winning. The last time I had this feeling was in the 80’s and in some of Moyes seasons with his hand tied behind his back going into gunfights due to finances.
Let’s give him our full support for what he has done to date. Stop assuming that he cant bring us to the holy grail because of past performances and PREJUDICES,
For the moment Let our motto be IMWTMK2
28/02/2025 10:12:16
I've praised Moyes enough Neil, without having to sing his name!!
Maybe I'll be able to arrange to meet him post-season.
Kieran, in fact either of you, can get across, let me know. I've got a season ticket for Bramley Moore and would gladly give it up if you're making the trip over.
28/02/2025 14:57:58
Danny
That is very kind of you.
Have visited Goodison a few time but was more cautious in the past few years because I wanted to pick a game where I hoped we would enjoy the occasions and the Goodison atmosphere. That has made it very hard over the past few years.
Loved my trip recently to Liverpool recently for the Leicester game and will definitely make the effort for next season. Enjoyed the stadium tour, good dining out and a 4:0 win what more can one ask for.
On the Moyes issue as I said I have always been in the “Never go Back” camp. We saw that with HK. However I was so nervous of staying up in the PL with Dyche as we were not creating any gap between us and the bottom 3 and feared our luck would run out this year of all years. As said he was the only option available who would take a risk with us. I did think he would only get an 18month contract but new owners saw otherwise. I will give him every chance and will put no barriers on what he may or may not achieve, I only know that to date he has exceeded all my expectation and for me thats good enough. Long may it last
It is great to be looking forward rather than fearing games again. Would you believe for a good while before Dyche I wouldn't even check the results until full time. Now I go watch or listen to every game. Life is good again for Blues supporters.
28/02/2025 22:43:46
Kieran
Love to make contact if appropriate
01/03/2025 10:40:00
Neil & Kieran,
I too was in the disappointed camp when we re-appointed Moyes, but he has changed the mood amongst the supporters.
There are quite a few Irish Toffee supporters groups, who travel over occasionally or meet in a pub in Dublin to watch on the screen.
So, I'm giving my 2nd cousin the benefit of my doubts. We are connected through our Grandfathers, who were brothers. On his side, they moved to Scotland, on mine it was Liverpool.
02/03/2025 19:42:51
I forgot the family link. Grandfather's born in Belfast before the family moved to Portrush.
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25/02/2025 21:42:07
Good post Kieran and obviously straight from the heart. Moyes was maybe not my first choice but he's a safe pair of hands and I've been pleasantly surprised at his approach.
What I love about Everton and specifically Goodison is the passion of the fans. I love to be a part of it - especially when we win. What a feeling when we took 2 points of the reds at the death!
As you say we've had 2 or 3 gruelling seasons but come out the other side. COYB !