The Day I Met God...

Picture the moment - you're in Liverpool, enjoying everything County Road has to offer in the aftermath of a superb home derby victory.  We've won 1-0, we're now twelve points ahead of that lot from across the park and everyone in Blue is lapping it up.  "We're gonna win the League" sing the kids who've never experienced such lofty heights before.  Life, as a Blue, is currently wonderful.  Christmas has arrived early, two weeks before the rest of the world.

The usual "choons" are being churned out with increased gusto - "Davey Moyes", "Grand Old Team", "Oh Everton....", "Those Where The Days...", "Z Cars" etc.  Steve Allinson chucks a few older chants into the mix and a 40something at the bar, shaking his head in 'nostalgic wonderment', turns to join in the singing.  The younger generation are shut up for the first time on derby day!  Wonderful.

I'm sent outside to phone home and see how the kids are getting on with their nanny (their grandmother not some paid employee minding me kids!!!).  "Daddy!  Daddy! Daddy!  We won!  We won!  Lee Carsley scored the winning goal and we're now second in the table"  Ahhhh, bless him.  Job done already I reckon!  Born a Blue is that son of mine...

Head back inside to the pub, where I'm told to drink up - "we're moving on".  No probs there so off we head to the next port of call.  Inside that next port of call, all is quiet downstairs.  Not a sinner to be seen.  However, it's upstairs we're heading for.  Upon entry I realise that this is the now famous Kipper Lounge (recognisable by its decor).  Over on the stage though, stands a man I have loved - absolutely adored - most of my Evertonian life (in a non-sexual way of course!).  I make absolutely no bones about it..........Mick Lyons is, for me, MY HERO.

I cannot explain, sensibly, why this is so.  Mick was a great servant for Everton throughout his playing days.  If Bingham or Lee asked Mick to walk through a brick wall for Everton he would do so without questioning the manager's logic.  You don't get players like that today.  Mick, more often than not, put his head in where you get hurt.  For Everton.  Not the greatest player ever to don the shirt - something he'd acknowledge - but he had few peers, if any, when it came to knowing what THE SHIRT meant to one and all.  I just loved him, as a kid, and that feeling remains as strong today as it was back then.

So, I'm standing at the bar realising my all-time hero is over there on the stage.  It's derby day, we've won 1-0 and me day's about to be truly crowned by meeting God!  I cried!  Fcuk yiz, I don't care if you laugh or mock at that...

Mick Lyons is my God.  End of argument.  I don't meet my hero every day.  Meeting Mick crowned my day, brought a tear to the eye and for arranging it (Mr. Mountfield, Ms. Sykes and me missus!) I am truly thankful.  If only every derby day could be as good eh?!

Those were the days...scoring against Leeds and also against Aston Villa in the League Cup Final, 1977.

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