For better or worse, in sickness and in health

Paul Daly on Everton as a way of life, a thread woven through generations, friendships, and love stories. From childhood memories at Goodison Park to finding lifelong friends (and even a wife) through a shared passion for the Blues, as told by Laura Gates.

I could write a book on what Everton Football Club has given to me and what it means to me but Laura has to interview other Evertonians so I'll cut right to the chase...

Put simply, I am an Evertonian because of my Dad, who is an Evertonian because of my Grandad. As the old saying goes, we were chosen. I vaguely remember the trips to Wembley in 1995 but my first proper recollection of watching Everton was with the both of them at Goodison Park, taking in a win against a Leeds side containing Gary McAllister. I also recall a 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace in which Attilo Lombardo made his debut (and scored...obviously). Nevertheless, from the moment I strolled down Goodison Road and weaved between the horse droppings to the moment I walked up the Upper Gwladys Street steps and smelt the freshly cut green grass and Pukka Pies, that was it. I wanted this place forever.

25 years on, I've been going the game with Dad and our Peter. We've managed to sit in most parts of the ground throughout our time but our true home is the Gwladys. What we've witnessed, lived and experienced whilst sat up there - both good and bad - will never leave us. Derby winners, final day stunners to avoid relegation, those games when the opposition simply couldn't live with the Toffees at their best, those games when the opposition simply couldn't believe how bad we were...I can honestly say I wouldn't swap any of it. All of it is character-building and is just a microcosm in the wonderful story that is this football club.

Everton have been both the unadulterated pain as well as the unbridled joy in my life. You can get annoyed at them for losing games and giving away stupid goals and it's cathartic to vent any anger at them. However, the moment a pundit or smarmy journalist without the slightest clue starts giving out about them then you're prepared to go to war for them, in exactly the same way you'd defend your children even though you know that they might be in the wrong. 

I could talk ALL DAY about us on the pitch but off it, they're just simply a huge part of my life and I'm eternally grateful for the bonds, connections and the friendships I've made through this incredible institution. My best friends are Evertonians and although a cynic might argue that's by personal choice...it genuinely isn't. The people I've met at the match are true friends for life. These are people I go the Leigh Arms with for a Guinness or meet in the Denbigh Castle for a pint of Lilleys and a 'Denbigh Disco' after the game. People who, when getting married, have invited me to their big days and have chosen me to be their best man. You find your own people in life and, through following Everton, I have definitely found mine.

Following a few DMs on Twitter and realising we had more in common than just mutual friends, I met my wife Katherine in 2013 outside the Royal Oak, before a pre-season friendly against Real Betis. We won 2-1 on the day but the real victory was meeting her. Like me, Katherine comes from an entirely Royal Blue bloodline. Someone to laugh with, someone to put up with my frustrations and angers (mainly because of the Toffees, to be fair) and someone who just 'gets it'...and me. We've been happily married for 7 years and have two beautiful and happy children in Elena (3) and Joseph (5 months). The former is already singing along to Spirit of the Blues having attended Goodison twice and the latter simply has no choice.

Absolutely none of this happens without Everton Football Club. 

In a few months time, we'll be saying farewell to Goodison and looking towards a bright new future on the banks of the Mersey at Bramley Moore. I'll undoubtedly shed a tear that day we play Southampton, I'll miss the visceral roar and the fervent nature that the Grand Old Lady brings and I'll  be sure to drink in every last moment until then, as I did when Elton John's 'I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues' was belted out around the ground after James Tarkowski's equaliser against them.

More than that though, I'm saying goodbye to a place where I took my first steps as a Toffee with Dad and Grandad. To a place where myself and my brother, with children of our own, have followed the same traditions as our folks did before us and took them to this cathedral of football. To a place where it's perfectly acceptable to grab and kiss the fellas next to you when celebrating a goal, even if you've just met them that day. To a place that, for almost 30 years of my life, has been my home. A place which has been home to fellow Blues, friends, family, those sadly no longer with us. The disco must go on though and so it shall, with the L4 Azzurri providing the soundtrack as we begin this next chapter.

So, what does Everton mean to me? 

Everything. Absolutely everything. That's what they've given me. For better or worse, in sickness and in health, they have enriched my life in every way imaginable and will continue to do so. Till death do us part.

Up the f*cking Toffees.