My Goodison No.42: Dr David France's Unique Relationship

14 May 25

By Dr David France

From his homes in North America, Dr David France has travelled more than two million miles to attend 800 fixtures (550 of them at Goodison) and introduce his trailblazing initiatives, including Gwladys Street’s Hall of Fame, Everton Former Players’ Foundation, Everton Collection, EFC Heritage Society, Everton War Memorials and 19 Everton books. As a result, he was rewarded with the prestigious title of Liverpool Citizen of Honour and an OBE for services to football in the United Kingdom and Europe…

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I longed to visit the special place that my father and grandfather told me about but because I was a sickly child, who had missed school through a conspiracy of life-threatening illnesses, my mother dismissed my pleas and prayers. Most likely she just wanted me to have a happy childhood. Eventually, in 1957, my father was allowed to take me to Mama Blue – his nickname for Goodison Park. I caught my first glimpse of her as we crossed Stanley Park and felt like the luckiest boy in the world. I didn’t have to enter the stadium to know it was where I wanted to watch my football.

Goodison resembled a temple of worship, pilgrimage and culture adorned with religious symbols. Outside, men carrying placards proclaiming ‘The Lord is My Saviour’ and nuns armed with collection boxes provided a guard of honour at the turnstiles. The floodlight pylons as well as the roofs of St Luke’s church pierced the heavens. Inside, Archibald Leitch’s balconies trapped the devotion pulsating from the massive terraces below. Instead of incense there was the fragrance of Brylcreem, Higsons and Woodbines. And of course, there was the deafening noise from the congregation – no hymn singing, just community swearing and roaring synchronized with the action in the 3-3 draw with the Busby Babes. As for my baptism? It occurred shortly before 6.15pm when I was hoisted onto a milk crate located near the perimeter wall. With the air full of unwavering faith, my father claimed that Goodison was the most evocative place on earth.

My parents were Methodist-strict yet encouraged independence and adventure. Therefore I was allowed to journey to Walton by myself at age 11. Or so they thought. In truth, I had returned 12 months earlier after I heard Mama Blue calling my name. Wrapped in my hand-knitted scarf and clutching my football money acquired by running errands for lazy neighbours, I caught the train to Liverpool. But not knowing how to get to Walton, I wandered outside Central Station until I spotted two early-birds wearing Everton colours who adopted me. Throughout the bus ride to Spellow Lane, they assured me that, given the newly-arrived financial clout of John Moores, it was a great time to be an Evertonian.

Though the vast stadium was near empty, I was enthralled by the voices of other early-birds echoing around the double-decker structures and then bedazzled by the relentless waves of fans flooding the terraces. Once the game against Tottenham kicked off, supporters leant on those in front of them causing human cascades down the terraces. Long before the game ended in a 2-1 victory I had tumbled head over heels in love with Everton.

Though irregular and tired, Mama Blue oozes character and, like every other cathedral, has God in her corner. But my most vivid memories are the camaraderie, kindness and special bonds she cultivates between Blues. For 66 match-going seasons, as an illiterate schoolboy, apprentice gas fitter, scientific researcher and international business executive, she has provided an uncommon sense of belonging albeit in the Boys’ Pen or Directors’ Box and confirmed that Evertonians radiate collective warmth that puts more conventional families to shame.

To date, I have lived in 23 houses but have had just one enduring home. Goodison has been a constant throughout my life. While I‘m saddened to leave her, I believe that we are at the threshold of an exciting era at the waterfront.

That said, the Grand Old Lady will live forever in my heart.

Dr David France, Evertonian

A series of first-hand accounts describing moments that made us fall in love with Goodison Park, My Goodison - supported by the Club's Main Partner, Stake - is a new weekly offering here on evertonfc.com, bringing you the most-treasured memories of fans, players, and staff both past and present, for our final season at the Grand Old Lady. Got an entry?

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