2009 F.A. Cup Final

[blue1878]

I have two BIG addictions in my life

 

One is Pattaya

 

And the other is Everton Football Club

 

I have been visiting Pattaya since 1992 but I have been an Evertonian all my life

In a few years time I'm hoping to go and live in Pattaya and if that happens the one thing I'd really miss is Everton. I live in a town called Ellesmere Port which is about 18 miles from Goodison Park. I watched my first ever match in 1971 and Everton oppanants were Southampton and we won 8 - 0. After that game I was hooked. In August 1973 I turned 15 and was getting just enough pocket money to go and watch Everton play. So at the age of 15 I started to watch Everton play on a regular basis. For all the home games I would take a soccer coach over to Goodison Park. And I've been going to watch the mighty Everton every season since then. And I became a season ticket holder for the 1976/77 season. And I have got a season ticket for every season since then. So I have been a regular at Goodison Park for 36 seasons and a season ticket holder for 33 seasons.

Yesterday I traveled down to Wembley to watch Everton take on Chelsea. We lost but it was still a great day out. Our allocation for the final was a lowly 25,109. Thousands more travel down without tickets. I traveled down to Wembley with my friends Nick, Harry and Harry's daughter. Me and Nick were sitting together. Harry and his daughter traveled down without tickets. Harry and his daughter were hoping to buy tickets outside the ground but could only afford to go up to £200 a ticket. Me and Nick had £78.30 tickets which were the 2nd most expensive priced tickets.

Saturdays weather was great. Blue Sky's, warm weather and very little wind. We had a great journey down with just one stop at a service station. We got to the coach park at Wembley at about 12:30. As soon as we got off the coach we phoned some friends who had traveled down by a chauffeur driven executive people carrier. They had already arrived and were by some porta cabins that were outside the Chelsea end. The cabins were sellling Beer and food. Our friends were having some nice cold beer. So we went and joined them. Even though these cabins/kiosks were at the Chelsea end most of the fans drinking and eating and having a good time were Evertonians. While we were drinking Hary and his daughter had no luck buying tickets. Eventually me and Nick went inside. Harry and daughter tried and failed to buy tickets. They eventually watched the game inside a pub called the Silver Spoon. And it was full of Ticketless Evertonians. This was my 2nd trip to the new Wembley because I had gone there for out semi-final win against Man Utd but it was Nick's first time. He missed the semi-final on principal. he doesnt believe semi-finals should be played at Wembley so he refused to go. Nick sought of liked the new Wembley but wasnt over impressed. Everton had a great start but on the day the better team won. I thought the atmosphere that the Everton fans created inside and outside the ground was fantastic. I thought that on the day the players and supporters were a credit to the club. Hopefully we don't have to wait to long to get to another final.

The jouney on the coach back to Ellesmere Port was a little subdued and we got back at about 10:15 which was very good going considering we were stuck in the Wembley coach park for ages. Once we got back home we went straight to the pub for a few beers

[jonny low]

Great TR. mate , sorry you lost but sounds like you still had a great day, cheers..

[stevejfh]

Great write-up mate. Really pleased you enjoyed your day, despite the result going against you.

For those of us up the other end of the stadium, it was just a perfect day. Hot weather, cold beers, decent game, yet another memorable 'Super' Frank goal & more silverware for the trophy cabinet!

I do have 2 unwanted souvenirs of the day though - a sunburnt neck & a rotten hangover!

 

PS - you really think you could give up your football in the future? Chelsea is the one thing thing that would stop me ever moving to LOS on a permanent basis.

[pablo]

my commiserations for living in ellesmere port

[blue1878]

my commiserations for living in ellesmere port

 

It could be worse

 

I could have been living next door to you

[blue1878]

Great write-up mate. Really pleased you enjoyed your day, despite the result going against you.

For those of us up the other end of the stadium, it was just a perfect day. Hot weather, cold beers, decent game, yet another memorable 'Super' Frank goal & more silverware for the trophy cabinet!

I do have 2 unwanted souvenirs of the day though - a sunburnt neck & a rotten hangover!

 

PS - you really think you could give up your football in the future? Chelsea is the one thing thing that would stop me ever moving to LOS on a permanent basis.

 

I love watching Everton so I would really miss going to Goodison Park if I did go and live in LOS

[The Wigster]

Great pictures and excellent TR !!

[kaka]

everton is looking very strong for next season

they will do well next season

[blue1878]

everton is looking very strong for next season

they will do well next season

 

I hope that you are correct

 

It'll be nice to see them have another good season

[marc1878]

Great pics mate, i had i great day myself, just a pity about the result!

[blue1878]

Great pics mate, i had i great day myself, just a pity about the result!

 

I'm glad you had a great day even though it was the wrong result. The Everton fans were fantastic and they generated a lot of noise

[Alleycat]

Nice one there mate..Hopefully see you there next year ....All my mates and I were behind you on the day and I must admit I felt for you when the second goal went in...

See you in the midst of your other addiction soon.

[blue1878]

Nice one there mate..Hopefully see you there next year ....All my mates and I were behind you on the day and I must admit I felt for you when the second goal went in...

See you in the midst of your other addiction soon.

 

Thanks Alleycat

 

The 2nd goal was a big downer

 

But me and my friends still had a great day out

 

And the weather was great

 

A very nice sunny day

 

Anyway Alleycat hopefully I'll get to meet you in a few weeks time

[sleazy kii]

great tr blue

 

shame about the loss

[blueboy0510]

I love watching Everton so I would really miss going to Goodison Park if I did go and live in LOS

 

I was only 12 years home and away however the up side is every match is on live here and you have a wonderful background of thai lovelies to celebrate or commiserate with

[blue1878]

I was only 12 years home and away however the up side is every match is on live here and you have a wonderful background of thai lovelies to celebrate or commiserate with

 

That is a very good point

[sanuk scouser]

Great Tr that mate, will be in Patts for a couple of months starting end of june, hope to meet up & have a few with fellow blue brethren! Particularly liked the chang`d up flag, brilliant!

 

Sanuk Scouser

[blue1878]

Great Tr that mate, will be in Patts for a couple of months starting end of june, hope to meet up & have a few with fellow blue brethren! Particularly liked the chang`d up flag, brilliant!

 

Sanuk Scouser

 

I liked that flag as well.

 

So I just had to have a photo of me standing next to it

 

And we will have to have a few beers together in Pattaya