The racism just won't go away.
But goals from Nick Chadwick and Big Dunc's 50th for the club rescued a point and an all out attack second half from Everton. Indeed the main topic of the week's column will be what happened off the pitch and I will deal with this first before I go into any other aspects at the club.
The club has launched inquiry after an allegation of racism against fellow supporters in a VIP lounge. I must say when I heard what had happened and what was said I was disgusted. I thought long and hard about writing what was said on Saturday but you can't get away from the facts, this was a disgraceful act of racism in a VIP lounge by people who are suppose to know better!
This is not the first allegation of racism that the club has had against its name; there have been a few at various grounds up and down the country such as Leicester and at Fulham, and also at a match that a workmate and I attended a few years ago.
This was a testimonial match for Hearts goalkeeper Henry Smith. The abuse the "Coloured" center forward, who has since then sadly passed away, was nothing short of disgraceful. So much so that the Edinburgh Police took a stance in front of the Everton "support" and warned them of their conduct. The player in question was Justin Fashanu, whose crime was not that he was gay but the fact that he was Black! Such chants as "shoot that n....r" were directed in his direction whenever he played the ball. The support thought this was funny until
Edinburgh's finest came over in their direction. I had heard a Sheffield Wednesday player say when being asked about the possibilities of him joining Everton, "No! You don't want to go there, it's bad news for people like me!" again this player was Black.
This was a testimonial match for Hearts goalkeeper Henry Smith. The abuse the "Coloured" center forward, who has since then sadly passed away, was nothing short of disgraceful. So much so that the Edinburgh Police took a stance in front of the Everton "support" and warned them of their conduct. The player in question was Justin Fashanu, whose crime was not that he was gay but the fact that he was Black! Such chants as "shoot that n....r" were directed in his direction whenever he played the ball. The support thought this was funny until
Edinburgh's finest came over in their direction. I had heard a Sheffield Wednesday player say when being asked about the possibilities of him joining Everton, "No! You don't want to go there, it's bad news for people like me!" again this player was Black.
The incidents on Saturday have put a dampener on my column this week. I wanted to write about all the positives at Goodison since David Moyes has taken over, but how can you overlook these incidents and allegations against a man who was Captain of our club and without his goals in his short loan spell from Trabzonspor, we would be playing first division football as we speak.
I think the person who chanted at Kevin, "You useless black b......d" after the player missed a chance on goal. This was bad enough but there was also racist comments made about other black players on the park. Also a supporter, Mr. Allen, who had taken his wife to the match in the hospitality area claimed his wife heard Everton supporters shouting, "Get the f.....g n....r! " and "We don't want n....rs playing for or supporting this club!"
This is not the first time Kevin Campbell has experienced racism. The striker left Trabzonspor in 1998 after the president, Mehmet Ali Yilmaz, called him a "discoloured cannibal" in a TV interview. So the treatment that was dished out to him was the last thing he needed. What chance does David Moyes have of attracting the best to Goodison if we say, "Yes you are a great player Rivaldo, and you would like to sign for us...pity you're Black!” It is disgusting and shameful; stop it now we don't want to be tarred as racist club again do we?
This is not the first time Kevin Campbell has experienced racism. The striker left Trabzonspor in 1998 after the president, Mehmet Ali Yilmaz, called him a "discoloured cannibal" in a TV interview. So the treatment that was dished out to him was the last thing he needed. What chance does David Moyes have of attracting the best to Goodison if we say, "Yes you are a great player Rivaldo, and you would like to sign for us...pity you're Black!” It is disgusting and shameful; stop it now we don't want to be tarred as racist club again do we?
Bill Kenwright has pledged to take a stance, I hope the club, and the players and the fans show their commitment as well and say there is no room for racism at Goodison or in society!
On to matters on the park at Goodison now. On the rumor front, it is said that the club are interested in David Thompson, from Coventry City.
He is just one of a number of players the club are looking at. David Moyes has traveled to Dublin to run the rule over potential targets or maybe see how Joe Max Moore shows up on the international scene. (I hope all our players that are involved in international games come back unscathed) Other players mentioned are, Koumas (again), Zamora (again), Hedman (again) also Caldwell, Jeffers, (? -no way) and Ashton from Crewe to replace Tomasz Radzinski who is said to be leaving for Europe at the end of the season, I hope not I think Tomasz still has a lot to offer this club next season. American Brian McBride is also being linked to the club.
The club are also said to be going to hold talks with Nick Chadwick in the summer over a 5-year contract extension with the club, as this lad is thought of very highly at Goodison Park.
Both Lee Carsley and Mark Pembridge are in line for a recall to the squad to face Southampton at St.Mary's stadium, live on Premiership Plus on Saturday. Hopefully if the lads get anything from that safety will be assured and the boss can plan for Premiership football.
Two other bits of news before I go. Everton will meet rivals Liverpool in the senior cup final. The blues beat Southport 3-1 with goals from Campbell, Rooney and Symes with Elam on the score sheet for Southport.
Also a reminder for Evertonians around Scotland and everywhere that the club are coming to play Falkirk for their 125th Anniversary on April 30th,kick-off 7.30. It will be David Moyes first match on home soil so it should be an interesting evening. The people and fans of Falkirk need cheering up as their team has just dropped to the second division.
Before I sign off I would like to say, Everton have a great support don't let the racists ruin your good name!