My Everton #133: The Crossroads

Mine is a classic case of feeling like I didn't choose Everton but, rather, Everton chose me.

Growing up in Lincolnshire in the 1990s, most of my peers at school supported the usual suspects - Manchester United, Arsenal, the other lot from across Stanley Park. I was always a bit different, though.

Having somehow stumbled upon Everton as my team, I was met with a crossroads on what I think must've been my sixth birthday. I liked two football shirts - a Lincoln City away shirt, or an Everton home shirt (the one with Danka as the sponsor). I was told to pick one and that would be my birthday present. I went with the blue one, and the rest is history.

Having been a keen member of the old Goodison Strikers' supporters' club for a few years, my first taste of Goodison came in February 2000 as my mum, dad, brother and I piled into the old Citroen ZX for a trip over the Pennines. I vividly remember, having purchased a Kevin Campbell poster from the club shop, walking up the steps to the Lower Bullens and catching my first glimpse of the pitch. I was utterly transfixed. Derby County were the opposition, and goals from Michael Ball and Joe-Max Moore secured a victory. I loved every minute of it.

I've been to 56 games at Goodison since then (39 wins, 8 draws, 9 defeats), and that feeling of magic never dulls every time I step into the Grand Old Lady.

Goodison Park has provided me with countless wonderful memories over the years: an incredible atmosphere as we beat Newcastle 2-0 to secure our fourth place finish in 2005; Seamus' keepy-up dribble against Arsenal; James Beattie and James McFadden scoring wonder-goals in the same game against Fulham; chatting to an opposition fan in the Winslow before the Sigma Olomouc UEFA Cup game; Leon Osman scoring the best team goal I've ever seen in the same competition against Larissa (pictured above); more European football in the Europa League and a pulsating performance against Wolfsburg; singing, 'He scores when he wants', after a Tony Hibbert own goal; a pre-Christmas comeback victory against Spurs courtesy of Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic; an even crazier 3-2 comeback win on Bonfire Night against Watford - Leighton Baines keeping his cool to score the winning penalty; and, most recently, our first home win of the 2023/24 season against Bournemouth.

With a new stadium on the way for the Blues and a baby due for my wife and I this year, I'm not sure how many more visits to Goodison there will be. One thing is for sure, though - the memories I have will last a lifetime.

Thank you, Goodison, and thank you, Everton. Up the Toffees. Always.

By David Robson, Evertonian

>>> Click here to browse all My Everton entries now

Everton and technical partner hummel are proud to collaborate to present My Everton, a weekly series of first-hand accounts describing the most-treasured memories of fans, players, and staff both past and present.

Got an entry? We'd love to hear it – and there are exclusive prizes for the best fan submissions, including VIP tickets to Men's Team matches, invitations to watch training at Finch Farm, signed merchandise and discount on hummel.net. Submit via email to content@evertonfc.com.