Narrative

The projected narrative of this blip changed somewhat between the 88th minute and the final whistle which went around ten minutes later. 

As the (football following) world now knows, Everton were 2-0 up, had played well and dominated the game. Bournemouth had had one shot on target and had scarcely threatened, but then bundled one in. Cue Evertonian meltdown, and two more goals in added time for a 2-3 defeat. One of those wild, end of match swings that you know occasionally happen, and that fills you with theoretical hope when your team is trailing, and you hope to witness, but not really when it’s your team that’s on the wrong end of it. Of course my pessimistic mindset prepared me for just that possibility, and when the first Bournemouth goal went in, I expected the worst - I guess that’s some warped form of mental resilience.

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago I am trying to fit in a few more Goodison experiences during our last season at the ground before the move to the new stadium. My opportunities to visit don’t come along very often. I managed to get a seat in the Park End, which is the only side of the ground that I’d never been in. 

I came across early to make a day of it, again starting with a visit to the Walker Art Gallery before wandering down to Pier Head and Albert Dock. A nice street art find along the way was a piece by Liverpool artist Lost Hills, one of his figures derived from the Adventure Time character Jake the Dog (extra) - perhaps in the form of Tom Baker era Dr Who? It was a nice sunny day.

I headed up to the ground a couple of hours before the game to soak in the atmosphere and to browse the memorabilia stands at St Lukes. I enjoyed my spot in the Park End: more modern facilities, no pillars to block the view, and a good atmosphere. And up to the 88th minute, a very good game with a star turn from new signing Iliman Ndiaye. And then what happened happened, and a complete and authentic Everton experience was achieved. 

For my main image I’ve chose another great banner from the Gwladys Street End, drawing on the bittersweet Beatles song, ‘In My Life’ (incidentally from the album that was number one in the charts on the day I way born) and featuring the lettering that sits atop the Park End stand, to convey this last season at Goodison.