Born to be Blue: Colin Butterworth

By Colin Butterworth

How did I become an Evertonian?

I was born into it. Literally.

On October 18th, 1975, as Everton played Aston Villa at Goodison Park, my dad was in the stands while my mum was in labour. I know this because he kept the match programme. That was the day I was born, and from that moment, Everton was part of me.

My dad, an Evertonian through and through, grew up idolising Kendall, Harvey, and Ball. In fact, I’m named after Colin Harvey. He wanted to call me Harvey, but my mum wasn’t having it—apparently, it wasn’t a popular name in the ‘70s.

Colin in one of his mum's infamous homemade kits in the late 70s. 

Before my dad, there was my grandad—another Blue. He was lucky enough to see the great Dixie Dean in action, though his favourite player was always Dave Hickson. He took my dad to away games in the ‘60s, riding in the sidecar of his motorbike. That’s dedication.

Growing up Everton

I was lucky enough to grow up during the golden era of the mid-80s, watching Howard Kendall’s all-conquering side. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, our rivals were winning everything, but switching allegiance? Not a chance. Everton was never just a choice, it was in my blood.

One of the biggest perks of my childhood was my dad’s friendship with Alan Harper. Through him, we got to go to matches home and away during Everton’s greatest years, including trips to the old Wembley. Though I still haven’t forgiven my dad for not taking me to Rotterdam!

Colin's dad & friends in Rotterdam '85 (without him)

He even attended the team dinner after our 1984 FA Cup win, and we have some fantastic photos from that night. None of my schoolmates believed me when I said I knew Alan Harper—until Everton held a family open day at Bellefield, and Alan drove us out in his car. Safe to say, I had the last laugh.

Colin's dad with Derek Mountfield at the players dinner after the FA Cup Final in '84

What Everton means to me

It’s hard to describe. It’s just part of who I am. Everton is like a family—you don’t choose it, you’re just part of it.

From the time I was a kid, my dad and grandad filled my head with stories of Everton legends. I lived and breathed football, dreaming of one day playing at Goodison. Some of my best childhood memories come from those days—season tickets all over the ground, even sharing my grandad’s last season in the Upper Gwladys Street.

Coming of age as a Junior Evertonian, going to matches with my mates without parents for the first time, standing on the terraces, feeling that euphoric rush when an important goal went in… there’s just nothing like it. No other club has it. No other stadium has it.

Everton can make or break your week—I haven’t watched Match of the Day in years because of it!

Matchday routine

I don’t get to as many games as I’d like these days. Without a season ticket, getting tickets for myself and my two boys can be tough, but we manage to get to Goodison when we can.

My dad is still a season ticket holder, so I usually pick him up, park on Queens Drive where The Hermitage pub used to be (our old pre-match pint spot before it closed), then head to the Taxi Club for a drink with friends before making the walk to the ground.

3 generations of Toffees

We always stop at the memorial wall behind the Fan Zone in the Park End to see my grandad’s plaque. My boys have a matchday tradition too—they rub the ball on the Dixie Dean statue, convinced it guarantees us goals. Then, we head inside. My youngest loves getting in early to watch the players warm up.

One Everton story that always makes me smile

There are a few.

One that always makes me laugh is from an FA Cup game around 2012. My eldest was only four, but already fully indoctrinated. At half-time, he was in the toilet cubicle, with a queue of desperate fellas waiting outside. Suddenly, at the top of his voice, he starts singing "We shall not, we shall not be moved."

From outside, an old fella shouts back, "I bloody hope so, lad, we’re bursting out here!"

Colin with his two lads while playing a game of football at Goodison Park, 2016

Thinking back to the great matches in the ‘80s always brings a smile, too.

In 1995, waiting outside the Park End for the open-top bus after we won the FA Cup, my grandad turned to me and said:

"I’ve seen Dixie Dean come home with the Cup, Alex Young come home with the Cup, Graeme Sharp come home with the Cup… and now Amokachi." That one always tickles me.

If I could relive one Everton moment…

It would have to be either the Bayern Munich game at Goodison or the QPR game in ‘85 when we clinched the title.

My favourite Everton memories

There are so many. Here's a summary. 

• Following the Blues home and away in the ‘80s.
• Semi-finals at Villa Park—especially the one against Sheffield Wednesday, when I was sitting with Alan Harper’s family as he went through and scored. Some of them even ran onto the pitch!
• Beating Manchester United 5-0 at Goodison while standing in the Gwladys Street with my dad.
• Winning 2-0 at Anfield in 1986—one of my rare visits to that ground!
• My grandad’s last season ticket in the Upper Gwladys Street.
• Taking my sons to their first Everton games.
• My eldest being a ball boy in front of the Gwladys Street when Iwobi scored a late winner against Newcastle.
• Playing at Goodison myself and having my two boys and my dad on the pitch with me.

This is one of my favourite photos...my Mum and Dad in Rotterdam 1977. 

Why does my Mum look unhappy?

My Dad said he was taking her away for a nice weekend in Holland... little did she know it was for Everton's UEFA cup game away at Feynoord! Not only that, they get chased outside the ground by Dutch Ultras and my Dad had to throw my Mum over a fence to escape!

Getting ready to leave for Wembley, 1984

Colin & his dad at Wembley, 1984 Charity Shield Vs Liverpool

Everton: more than a club

Everton isn’t just a football team. It’s my family, my childhood, and now part of my sons’ lives too. From grandad to dad to me, and now to my boys, the love for Everton runs deep.

There’s something special about this club. It’s not just the wins, the goals, or the silverware. It’s the stories, the traditions, and the people. It’s that feeling of walking up to Goodison, stepping inside, and knowing you’re exactly where you belong.

No other club has it. No other club ever will.