60 Evertonians, a new series we are running, aims to interview 60 Everton fans from all walks of life. 

1. Joe Jennings

editor@sos1878.co.uk

Bio:Joe Jennings runs the popular Everton Fan Site “School of Science 1878″(SOS1878) – although only online since September 2009 it is a burgeoning Everton web presence. Joe , who has also written books on Everton, is above all a passionate fan.

Q1.Why Everton?

I never really had a choice in the matter thankfully. All of my family are Blue and my Dad had me in Everton kits before I could walk. I cried my eyes out as a Chris Waddle inspired Bradford City ruined my first trip to Goodison, but that was when the passion started to develop.

 Q2.Which player from the past would you have loved to have seen?

Tough one. You can’t fail to feel fascinated – or proud – when older Evertonians talk of the mystical ‘Golden Vision’ with misty eyes. But then one man stands head and shoulders above all the rest. The greatest of them all and how proud we all should be that he was one of our own. 60 league goals in one season. Never to be equalled, never to be forgotten…what a man.

Q3.Favourite all-time player?

Duncan Ferguson. He had something special about him. Something unpredictable and heart-warming. When he was in the side you always felt we had a chance. For the younger generations of Evertonians, Duncan was a symbol of hope and pride in the absence of trophies or any real success. He truly loved the club and it showed.

Q4.Dixie Dean OR Alan Ball – who’s better in your book?

That’s like asking which one of your kids you love more! They are, without doubt, the undisputed celestial duo in the long, distinguished history of our fabulous football club. It would have been incredible to have seen the ‘Holy Trinity’ of Harvey, Kendall and Ball in full swing, but you just can’t look past Dixie’s achievements. By the age of 21, he had achieved a degree of recognition and acclaim previously beyond the reach of any footballer. The greatest centre forward there will ever be and, like I’ve already said, how proud and privileged we should feel to know that he was ‘one of us’.

Q5.Favourite/Worst Everton Shirt?

My favourite would be the Amber and Blue away strip from 2003/4, although the season in question was easily the worst of my Evertonian life. I know the pink effort this season has received a fair bit of slack and probably rightly so, but the hi-vis fluorescent third kit from 2008/9 was as bad as it gets. My judgement isn’t helped by the fact that we wore it for one of the most dire Everton performances in recent memory; Wigan away in November 2008.

Q6.Favourite quote by an Evertonian?

“Once you’ve been touched by Everton nothing will ever be the same”

Q7.Joe, you and I come to Everton from different ends – You’ve been critical of Moyes of late during this dire run – and my stance is almost the exact opposite – supporting Moyes & writing about dropping our NSNO motto. Where do you think the majority of Evertonians lie, with “Moyes Out”, “IMWT” or somewhere in the middle?

The ‘In Moyes we Trust’ brigade unfortunately. I have come to the conclusion that David Moyes is some sort of sacred cow in the eyes of most Evertonians, and, despite the wretched run of form we’re currently in, completely beyond reproach. Moyes has got it completely wrong so far this season and is proving himself to be ridiculously one-dimensional. He has done a fantastic job but the majority elevate him to an unworthy pedestal. The simple, and unfortunate, fact is that we have a lot of downtrodden supporters who will put up with pretty much anything because David Moyes is ‘better than Walter Smith’. The sooner Moyes starts picking players on merit and in their proper positions, as opposed to blind loyalty to his favourites, the better.

Q8.Is money necessary to compete at the highest level, and if so – should Bill Kenwright step aside?

This squad we now have in place should be challenging for the Top 4, no question. Sadly we are playing catch up already thanks to our shocking start and you could be forgiven for thinking that already it’s another write off. One of the best things Moyes has done during his time in charge is bring in some top players for buttons. He has spent big money when given the chance but he has assembled a very capable squad without an open cheque book. That said, this group of players won’t be around forever, and we’re going to need to find suitable replacements. Quite how is anyone’s guess. As for Kenwright, this club will only go backwards while he holds on to his train set.

Q9.SOS1878 is often at or close to the first to break news, what’s your secret?

Good, reliable sources and fast typing fingers!

Q10. And finally, where do you see Everton in ten years?

The future is how we want it to be. Anything is achievable provided the club stay faithful to the motto, nothing but the best is good enough. Whatever happens though, at the end of the day, I am proud and privileged just to be a part of it. Part of the greatest family there ever was.