The Friendly Derby

AggieToffee · May 6, 2013

Hey guys, I've been a lurker and occasional poster on this site for about a year and a half. Born and bred to not like soccer down here in Texas (I quit after one year when they wouldn't let me play keeper the whole game, every game). But ever since the US run in the WC in 2010 I've gotten into soccer wholeheartedly. Just a little background, but whatever, that sh!t ain't important. My real question is:

Always seen the derby referred to as "the friendly derby" but ever since I have started following Everton, it has only seemed to degenerate and be filled with vitriol more and more each year. Now, I know a little bit about what has been revealed concerning Hillsborough the past two years (screw American news outlets, Guardian and BBC and a Spanish paper are my homepages FFS), and I've read my fair share of articles regarding the history of both clubs and soccer in the UK as a whole.

Given all of that, I guess my real question is, was it really always a friendly derby up until all of the unfortunate events of the 80's? Are there really and truly families who have been split about this event (past the 2+ days a year we play them, obviously) within the city? Alot of y'all who were at the game seemed very patronized by things like the "Thanks" banner at the game yesterday:are they really overplaying stuff like this? Do they really play the victim this much? It's not that I don't believe y'all, it's just that its hard to gauge over here in the States.

For instance, FSC (the biggest soccer channel over here) plugged that damned Being Liverpool ****e show for ages on other major channels. And I can honestly say that, in my past 5 years at uni, I can honestly say I have never seen another Blues kit (Staying true to my American roots, the first kit I bought was a Howard keeper kit FFS!).

Everton has fast become my second favorite team across all sports (that's saying a lot for a recent American convert), and really, I'm just trying to get a gauge for the history of the derby that I can only get from real supporters who have lived and breathed Everton for much longer than I have.

Don't feel like y'all have to give me long answers or anything--videos, pics, gifs, or short sentences will do. I just want to know more about this awesome club I have fallen in love with!

TL;DR: New Everton fan here, since '10. Why has "The Friendly Derby" become less friendly lately?

icburns · May 6, 2013

I wish I had an answer for you, lid. Welcome to GOT though, and don't be discouraged by those who would write you off for being new to the sport, and therefore to Everton. There are lots of posters from the United States here if you know where to look, and your story rings true for many. Stick around and post loads.

Pat's Van · May 6, 2013

Hi Aggie, this is a decent enough (although relatively twee) documentary about Everton and Liverpool fans.

It shows how close a relationship the sets of supporters had in days gone by.

[video=youtube;onUuVNUXqRo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onUuVNUXqRo[/video]

As I say, it's from years and years ago, so you must excuse the haircuts and clobber.

Very few of us look like that anymore.

AggieToffee · May 6, 2013

Pat's Van said:
Hi Aggie, this is a decent enough (although relatively twee) documentary about Everton and Liverpool fans.

It shows how close a relationship the sets of supporters had in days gone by.

[video=youtube;onUuVNUXqRo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onUuVNUXqRo[/video]

As I say, it's from years and years ago, so you must excuse the haircuts and clobber.

Very few of us look like that anymore.

hahaha haircuts excused--pretty sure if you look up "americans in 84" our hair is way different too! This is exactly what I was looking for thought, thanks dude! I'm gonn be honest though, I had to watch it twice--first time I just spent trying to recognize all of the famous names I've google imaged recently (kendall, daglish, etc.). Second time, I just listened...Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Milk Cup is still a pretty big youth cup each year in NI? and we're pretty boss at it?

AggieToffee · May 6, 2013

watched it a 3rd time BTW--loved the "empty streets" bit, and how much passion regular folks show for the game.
I will say, you guys had (have?) some crazy-ass accents! But I love every minute of 'em! hahahahah ACE!

and singing BEATLES songs on the TRAIN down....literally every stereotype I had hoped for when I became an Everton fan.
Thanks Pat, 100% honest here.

Pat's Van · May 6, 2013

the milk cup is the "league cup" mate, gets a change of sponsor every now and then

I think it's now the "Capital One" cup, Swansea are the current holders

it's probably the least regarded of the main domestic competitions, but getting to the final usually meant a trip to Wembley and a day out

Everton Bulgaria · May 6, 2013

I think this myth must be shattered! A derby may not be friendly. City derbies must be fierce and passionate as in the stands and on the pitch ! COYB

SLAVEN BILIC · May 6, 2013

things is with Everton and Liverpool fans is that every family in this city is split. I'd say the relationship between us as gone down in recent years I think because of the media trying to get an angle and he younger fans have believed it, I think if you look at the older generation of fans there's still respect for each other. in relation to your question about hillsborough we've always supported them on this, the city wil always be united by that event and for Liverpool to do the whole thanks thing is a bit of cheap trick for the media to try and sell them off as being grateful, when if they really looked hard enough they should have said thanks from day one. in terms of the derby though I think their playing staff are the issue, some of their actions have lead to some serious decisions against us in the past and it just eats us up when they brag about a win that wasn't deserved. players like car rather and Gerard epitomise everything that is wrong with Liverpool FC, they'll look for any advantage and if its an illegal one try and justify it in the media.

these are my views on it don't know if anybody else agrees.

wembley84 · May 6, 2013

Anyone who can't see this is a wind up by our loveable friends across the park must be retarded...do us a favour soft lad, **** off and go and start a crusade against someone, there must be a journalist out there who you can all send death threats to for daring to say something negative about you shower of ****e.

Can just imagine this whopper sat in his bedsit, in his sauce stained bills, wanking his days away over videos of "king kenny".

AggieToffee · May 6, 2013

Pat's Van said:
the milk cup is the "league cup" mate, gets a change of sponsor every now and then

I think it's now the "Capital One" cup, Swansea are the current holders

it's probably the least regarded of the main domestic competitions, but getting to the final usually meant a trip to Wembley and a day out

Damn, I thought I was gonna look smart, knowing the youth comps and stuff. haha oh well. I knew the cups change sponsors a lot, but never knew the LC used to be known as the Milk Cup. Thank for the heads up.

I can only hope that when I finally have enough cash to visit Merseyside y'all don't cover up your awesome scouse accents for my dumb american a$$!

AggieToffee · May 6, 2013

wembley84 said:
Anyone who can't see this is a wind up by our loveable friends across the park must be retarded...do us a favour soft lad, **** off and go and start a crusade against someone, there must be a journalist out there who you can all send death threats to for daring to say something negative about you shower of ****e.

Can just imagine this whopper sat in his bedsit, in his sauce stained bills, wanking his days away over videos of "king kenny".

See, I think this is part of the problem....there's a small section that don't want new fans. I get it, Everton is seen as the fighters; the working class, "I'm a scouser" team...but what if....just what if, there are people from other parts of the world that can identify with that "BADASS legacy, GREAT history, everyman's team" mentality....

Why can't we be Everton fans too?

AggieToffee · May 6, 2013

SLAVEN BILIC said:
things is with Everton and Liverpool fans is that every family in this city is split. I'd say the relationship between us as gone down in recent years I think because of the media trying to get an angle and he younger fans have believed it, I think if you look at the older generation of fans there's still respect for each other. in relation to your question about hillsborough we've always supported them on this, the city wil always be united by that event and for Liverpool to do the whole thanks thing is a bit of cheap trick for the media to try and sell them off as being grateful, when if they really looked hard enough they should have said thanks from day one. in terms of the derby though I think their playing staff are the issue, some of their actions have lead to some serious decisions against us in the past and it just eats us up when they brag about a win that wasn't deserved. players like car rather and Gerard epitomise everything that is wrong with Liverpool FC, they'll look for any advantage and if its an illegal one try and justify it in the media.

these are my views on it don't know if anybody else agrees.

Thanks dude. All i want are opinions anyways--I just want to try and get the local feel from 3000+ miles away.

wembley84 · May 6, 2013

AggieToffee said:
See, I think this is part of the problem....there's a small section that don't want new fans. I get it, Everton is seen as the fighters; the working class, "I'm a scouser" team...but what if....just what if, there are people from other parts of the world that can identify with that "BADASS legacy, GREAT history, everyman's team" mentality....

Why can't we be Everton fans too?

Go and wash your **** stained champions league shirt from 2008 you soft ****...and shout your ma for another egg butty fatty so you can get more yolk stains on your vest.