This story is a replacement for my previous "Diving in recklessly" as the save corrupted, so had it deleted. Hopefully this will be just as successful as the previous. As usual, feel free to add any constructive criticism/advice. Thanks for reading. And also a big thanks to all previous viewers, comments and adivce.
I had a hectic childhood, being born with my father serving in the Royal Navy in Plymouth, in the month of February 1975 in a naval dockyard hospital. And it was never a stable environment growing up. Wherever my dad was deployed, me and my mother and brother followed. Portsmouth, Hong Kong, Thailand, Rosyth (Scotland).....pretty much everywhere, so never really had a chance to settle down properly. It was in Hong Kong where I discovered football for the first time. The 1984 FA Cup Final between Everton and Watford. I picked Everton as my team to support before kickoff as I had never seen a match, let alone been to one. And ever since that day, I've supported them through good times-and terrible times.
I've also experienced the spectacle of football as a whole. My first experience of a World Cup being 1986. It was an absolute eye opener-it was so incredibly fascinating and enthralling to watch. Sir Bobby Robson taking England to the semi-final, Diego Maradonna's "Hand of God", watching Socrates.......I was gripped and excited. The introduction of the Premier League in the 90's, which totally changed the face of English football. For better-or for worse. It gave birth to legendary players. Eric Cantona, Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Zola....the list is nearly endless. It's been a **** of a ride.
Just as my life has been away from football. Living through the Cold War, watching the unification of Germany, the collapse of the USSR, downfall of Thatcher, my father fighting in the Falklands War aboard HMS Invincible-with Prince Andrew, 9/11. And not forgetting the 2 Gulf conflicts. Mixed with personal tragedy aswell. Again, a near endless list. So you could say I've had a rather eventful 36 years on this planet so far. I also grew up sooner than I was supposed to-especially with my father being away from home so much. I had to be the man of the house. And I had the military type disciplines pretty much drilled into me.
Which made attempt to joing the Armed forces. I attempted to enlist with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Sadly, my medical past cost me. I have damaged knees due to torn ligaments from playing American Football in Chester Le Street (Durham). If I hadn't of played I may have been involved in a conflict somewhere-fighting for my country. Then again-it would have been an another unfulfilled dream if I hadn't of played.
My parents basically made me the person I am writing this right now. Taught me that I shouldn't suffer fools. Don't tolerate ignorance. Give respect where due-the basic values we should all be taught. If they hadn't-who knows what would've happened. I could be writing a very different account right now. They also taught me that if I put my mind to it-I could achieve anything. Never expect something for nothing. We all have to pay a price to achieve our goals. If we expect something for nothing we are equally at risk of ending up with nothing.
Which is why I now have my FA coaching badge and qualifications. I had often dreamt of being a manager, and now I was on the verge of achieving my dream. I was tired of thinking I could never do it. It would be yet another unfulfilled dream. For too long I had lacked the courage of my convictions. But I had done it. Through hard work and sacrifices, I had achieved the first part of my goal. It made me immensley proud. And all this was due in part to what my parents had taught me in my childhood.
Anyway, I'm not going to bore you any more with details about my past life. Time to tell the story of what was to come............
Introduction
My name is Andrew or Andy. Run of your mill 36 yeard bloke, who's your typical passionate football fan. I'm an avid fan of Everton football club-of nearly 30 years now. Had glorious times, and of course times of heartbreak-coupled with immense rollercoaster rides of emotion during seasons gone by. Pretty much like every other football fan in all four corners of the Earth. We've all exerienced it at some point and will continue to experience it at some point in the future. I've also seen football evolve and grow into a monster-at times with a heavy price to some clubs. I've also sadly seen the passing of legends of the game-both player and manager. But they will never be forgotten by fans and will always be remembered. And sadly, I've also witnessed tragedy on the pitch too.
I had a hectic childhood, being born with my father serving in the Royal Navy in Plymouth, in the month of February 1975 in a naval dockyard hospital. And it was never a stable environment growing up. Wherever my dad was deployed, me and my mother and brother followed. Portsmouth, Hong Kong, Thailand, Rosyth (Scotland).....pretty much everywhere, so never really had a chance to settle down properly. It was in Hong Kong where I discovered football for the first time. The 1984 FA Cup Final between Everton and Watford. I picked Everton as my team to support before kickoff as I had never seen a match, let alone been to one. And ever since that day, I've supported them through good times-and terrible times.
I've also experienced the spectacle of football as a whole. My first experience of a World Cup being 1986. It was an absolute eye opener-it was so incredibly fascinating and enthralling to watch. Sir Bobby Robson taking England to the semi-final, Diego Maradonna's "Hand of God", watching Socrates.......I was gripped and excited. The introduction of the Premier League in the 90's, which totally changed the face of English football. For better-or for worse. It gave birth to legendary players. Eric Cantona, Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Zola....the list is nearly endless. It's been a **** of a ride.
Just as my life has been away from football. Living through the Cold War, watching the unification of Germany, the collapse of the USSR, downfall of Thatcher, my father fighting in the Falklands War aboard HMS Invincible-with Prince Andrew, 9/11. And not forgetting the 2 Gulf conflicts. Mixed with personal tragedy aswell. Again, a near endless list. So you could say I've had a rather eventful 36 years on this planet so far. I also grew up sooner than I was supposed to-especially with my father being away from home so much. I had to be the man of the house. And I had the military type disciplines pretty much drilled into me.
Which made attempt to joing the Armed forces. I attempted to enlist with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Sadly, my medical past cost me. I have damaged knees due to torn ligaments from playing American Football in Chester Le Street (Durham). If I hadn't of played I may have been involved in a conflict somewhere-fighting for my country. Then again-it would have been an another unfulfilled dream if I hadn't of played.
My parents basically made me the person I am writing this right now. Taught me that I shouldn't suffer fools. Don't tolerate ignorance. Give respect where due-the basic values we should all be taught. If they hadn't-who knows what would've happened. I could be writing a very different account right now. They also taught me that if I put my mind to it-I could achieve anything. Never expect something for nothing. We all have to pay a price to achieve our goals. If we expect something for nothing we are equally at risk of ending up with nothing.
Which is why I now have my FA coaching badge and qualifications. I had often dreamt of being a manager, and now I was on the verge of achieving my dream. I was tired of thinking I could never do it. It would be yet another unfulfilled dream. For too long I had lacked the courage of my convictions. But I had done it. Through hard work and sacrifices, I had achieved the first part of my goal. It made me immensley proud. And all this was due in part to what my parents had taught me in my childhood.
Anyway, I'm not going to bore you any more with details about my past life. Time to tell the story of what was to come............
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lol