Every since the new stadium was mentioned and even after the work started, my viewpoint (oft mentioned on here!) has been that of your typical cynical Evertonian: "I won't believe it's actually 100% happening until I'm sitting in it watching us play a competitive game"

To be honest I still can't really believe or understand how an organisation that was in the position we were in, and being run as badly as we clearly were has managed it, but today that glorious day has finally arrived and I am like at kid at Christmas!

I feel the heavy weight of envy of all the Evertonians that have come before us, and the thousands around the world who wish that they were in my shoes today, one of 50,000 extremely privileged Blues who will create history.

I will be there sitting next to my son Alex - my own little Golden Vision - his first match with his own season ticket in his own name. Several rows in front of us will be my brother Jamie with his own first born son Ethan, who underwent open heart surgery just 17 days ago, and is supposed to be "taking it easy" for 6 weeks but who is insisting that he has to be there for this momentous day. And in our hearts will be my dad who made us all Evertonians, and my mum who made us all the decent hardworking people we are, and all our fellow Evertonians around the world, including all of you on here, my/our virtual friends and compadres for the best part of 35 years.

I can't wait.

So off we go, heading there now and staying in the city overnight to celebrate the christening of our new home, and hopefully a victory too, but regardless of the outcome of the match, we're already blessed and privileged to be Evertonians.

I'll leave you with the words of one of us who will be as proud as anyone today, our stadium architect Dan Meis:

"OK Everton, it’s been a long fucking journey… we need that 52k+ blue tsunami to crash down on Brighton and announce to the rest of the EPL this is the most intimidating ground in football! I want the roar to rattle the rafters at Anfield! Can’t wait!"


Wherever you are in the world - have a great day Blues.

UTFT!