I'd never been to watch a game in the Director's box, but when the call came I accepted like a shot. A chance to watch the blues in comfort, opposed to queuing up in the cold & rain. I couldn't wait. A chance to meet the players, a chance to advertise Blue Kipper to the players, an opportunity not to be missed, a dream come true. A four course meal, and free ale to boot. I couldn't believe it. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.

The offer came from F.W.L. Technologies, whose directors, John Elliot and Ian Littlemore and their colleague Ritu Rooney, avid Evertonians had kindly thought of Blue Kipper, and hence the invite. F.W.L. Technologies are based in Merseyside & are the UK's leading provider of Internet enabled e-commerce solutions for the warehousing, distribution, & transport industries on a global basis. So there. They were the main sponsor for the match. The invite itself was for the League Cup match v. Bristol Rovers on 20/09/00 at Goodison Park. The invite said arrive at 5.00 p.m. we arrived at 4.58 p.m. suitably attired in whistle and flute (the last time I wore it was on my wedding day).

We were met by an Everton legend, Brian Labone. We were first there. He welcomed us into the plush main sponsor lounge, and promptly said "You're a little early, anyway now that your here you may as well have a glass of Champagne". At first I was star struck, but Brian was chatty and warm and put us at ease. This is the life, half an hour, and three flutes of Moet later, the rest of the party arrived. There were 20 in all comprising of employees of F.W.L. plus some of their clients. I'd always thought that these types of "dos" would attract freeloaders enjoying a free night out and not giving two hoots which teams were playing, but I was pleasantly surprised that out of the 20 only three were not Evertonians. A tribute to the F.W.L. management.

I was enjoying myself, looking around the sponsors lounge, there were pictures of past Everton triumphs, and the carpet had the Everton Toffee badge woven into it. I was playing hopscotch, as I didn't think it was right to be walking on the Everton badge. After a while, we were joined by another Everton legend, Dave Hickson, who was to show us around the ground. Knowing that he used to play for Ivor Scholes Charity Over the Hill Team, I asked him if he still played. To my amazement he said' yes, but I have a slight hip injury, but hope to get back playing very soon.' I couldn't believe it. He's seventy odd and he's still playing.

Davie (to his mates) took us out of the sponsor's lounge, and along the corridor's of power, to the 1st team's dressing room. As we walked in Sandro Pistone was just about to take his shirt off, spotting us he stopped. To which my missus said "don't stop on our behalf", I don't know you can't take some people anywhere. Out came the camera and off I went photographing anyone, and anything. Chris Woods and Dave Watson were in there putting their training kit on ready to warm the players up.

Out came the Blue Kipper cards with me going on about the site. I asked Sandro ( to his mates) whether he was playing, and to my surprise he said he didn't know. It was a quarter to six, the kick - off was 7.30 p.m. and he didn't know whether he was playing. I asked Waggy as coach did he know the team? He said he had an idea, but not the full line up. Apparently this is the way Walter works. The dressing room was as big as St. George's Hall, with all the shirts hanging all around the room, and the massage table in the middle. There was a shower room with a couple of showers, and six baths the size of two of your ordinary baths. They also had a Jacuzzi system in them. Apparently the big bath got booted out some time back when the medical people thought it was unhygienic.
The door was flung open and in walked the biggest smile in the world, Super Kev dressed to kill. It was to be his first full comeback game after injury. A voice shouted out "How's the knee Kev?" Campbell's smile vanished, and he said "It's no good, I think it's put me back about 2 weeks. I won't be playing tonight" Scoop I thought, (and for someone who has swore he would never get a mobile phone), I was looking around to see who had one. I could see it now Blue Kipper world exclusive "Super Kev crocked again" When the smile returned and he said "I had you there" and he did.

More photos with the players, and then it was out down the tunnel and onto the pitch itself. Everytime I go to Goodison, I always get a tingle down my spine when I get my first look at the pitch, but this took my breath away. Actually standing at the edge of the pitch by the dug out. Fantastic! The ground looked so big. The stands tower above you. One point of note when we sat in the dug out, you couldn't see the other side of the pitch. It slopes 18 inches from the centre to the wing. Apparently that is why Archie Knox sits on the wall rather than in the dug out.

As Brian & Dave took us around pitch, on the new blue stoned footpath, (a handful went into me sky rocket)I saddled up to Brian Labone, and said 'You've got a great job here.' 'Don't I know it ' he said. I said 'When I was talking to Kevin Campbell, & the other players in the dressing room, I was in awe of them, even though I'm older than them.' Brian replied' I'm the same. It never leaves you. You see that man there', pointing to Dave Hickson. 'I watched him play here when I was a lad. Little did I know that I would play at Goodison for X years, and then get a job here with Dave, who I now regard as a good friend, and I'm still in awe of him, it never leaves you'

The official Everton photographer took a group photo behind the F.W.L. advertising hoarding, and then we finished a walk around the pitch. We men a happy Joe Parkinson, Stephen Hughes, Alex Nyarko, Franny Jeffers, Michael Ball, Niclas Alexandersson and Paul Gerrard, before going back to the Sponsor's Lounge.

When we arrived back at the Lounge there were more photos with Davie Weir and David Unsworth, then more Champers, and then the four course meal. The Menu included smoked salmon, and fillet steak. More Champers, & wine. During the meal, we were entertained by ex Everton player Andy King, who told a few jokes in his cockney/scouse accent. By this time most of us were best mates. The mixture of Champers, talking Everton, and good food & wine at Goodison, was a little too much to handle.

Next minute someone said 'we'd better get to our seats' so up we went to the Directors Box seat 47 row A. The 1st row best seat in the house. I took my seat and looked left and there 10 seats away was Walter Smith, Sir Philip Carter and Bill Kenwright. 'This is the life' I thought . The match began(see match report). At half-time I waited at my seat while everyone went for coffee and mints. I noticed Blue Bill had stayed as well. So I sidled along with the Blue Kipper card in hand. Never miss a chance to promote the site. Bill said "load of shite" I agreed and said "Don't worry we'll do them in the second half" Then I thought I can't believe this, I'm trying to gee up the Everton top man. Anyway back to business. I handed him a 'Call Y'self an Evertonian?' card, and he said 'AAH, So it's you!' He'd remembered Blue Kipper. This was turning out to be quite a night.

Bill went to the board room and I went back to the sponsors lounge for coffee and mints. The mints were wrapped in gold foil with a blue wrapper with the crest around it. The best looking mints I've ever seen. They tasted o.k. aswell.

Then it was back up to watch the match. Now one thing I can't stand is people getting to their seat late after the restart. Every week if you look up to the Directors Box you see people strolling back to their seats five minutes after the start. It does my head in. But I own up I was that soldier, as I ambled back to my seat and the game had started. Whether it was the warmth of the coffee or more likely the warm glow of the Champagne, wine and Becks, I'll let you be the judge. When Kevin Campbell scored I jumped up and punched the air, looked around and noticed there was only 3 other people on their feet. But one of those people was Blue Bill.

After the game, we all had to vote for a man of the match. To all of us it was no contest with Super Kev the outstanding player. He came in and had a chat with us and he was presented with the Man of the Match Champagne. He said "I am happy with the goal, but I'm sorry we didn't win" He signed autographs as we had a few more beers. Then Brian Labone presented John with an Everton Carriage clock, as a thank you for F.W.L's sponsorship. More beers, and reminiscing with Labby until gone 11.00pm. When we left the ground there wasn't a soul about in Goodison Road. What a night! spoiled only by Everton drawing.

I must add my Thanks to John, Ian and Ritu for the invitation. I had one of the best nights ever. I urge any Evertonians with a few bob to get down to Goodison and join in the fun. How the other half live, hey?