02 Aug 2014 18:33:33
Not sure if I'm going to Ossies testimonial tomorrow as I'm in work and not sure what time I'll get finished, so I've looked to see how much on the gate and personally I think 25 quid is a bit much for a testimonial.

I seriously hope the bulk of this money is going to charity as I'm sure Leon isn't short of a few bob after 11 years playing for Everton.

{Ed007's Note - Claire House Children’s Hospice on the Wirral along with the Make-A-Wish Foundation will benefit from the proceeds of Sunday’s testimonial.}

1.) 02 Aug 2014
Thanks ed, glad to hear it.

2.) 02 Aug 2014
You miserable person. Bet you never go to Testimonials do you? because you'd be terrified your money went to the player, regardless of how many years of sweat n tears they've given our club. Not every player gives to charity but so what, that's up to them what happens to the money. They have deserved the testimonial for giving 10yrs plus to our club, something you don't see in clubs these days, loyalty.

3.) 02 Aug 2014
I wish I was on 50+ grand a week, and all my customers give me a huge pay packet when I've been looking after them for 10 or more years whether I give it to charity or not, testimonials are a thing of the past, it was for player who were not on big wages and actually got the bus or walked to the ground with the fans.

4.) 02 Aug 2014
Short career, and the afterwards has claimed many a footballer to mental health issues. They are in the entertainment business our entertainment and anyone who give 10 yrs plus to my club deserves my thanks. Have you imagined what its like to have 15-20yrs in football day in day out training, adulation of the crowd once or twice a week, fans clamouring for you autograph, the smells, the fitness, then you wake up one morning and nothing. No trip to the training ground, no changing rooms, no player banter and comradeship, no fans wanting your autograph. By the way not every player in the country is on 50k a week, and 9/10 of all testimonials now ARE for charities, how good is that!

{Ed025's Note - the PFA look after players who are in financial difficulty howie, and nearly all are part of a pension scheme, which gives them an income after their career has ended, thus negating the need for money gained in testimonials mate..

5.) 02 Aug 2014
Well as your mate you will have read they aren't making money, its going to charity mate. Again i'm happy to pay to go and watch someone who has served my club and entertained me for so long.
Thanks Ossie, those of us there salute you, great player, great servant.

{Ed025's Note - i will be there as well howie, the causes are great, and as you say he has been a great servant..

6.) 02 Aug 2014
Howie you're miles off the mark here son. What about the fans who spend all their money watching the team. I remember in my younger days walking from Netherton to Goodison and back in any weather to watch the game because I couldn't afford to go, I've hitched to away grounds, bunked trains from lime st, been nabbed bunking on the official man city supporters club and booted off in the middle of nowhere with not a clue where maine rd was I could go on all night. Never EVER question a fans loyalty because he is pondering a friendly. Doing so only serves to prove you've never left yourself with literally nothing to watch your team. Do you think the players really care about that. Or even understand what its like to have to live hand to mouth to watch your team?

7.) 02 Aug 2014
Sadly, you don't want to hear what the players o. I know for a fact the ammount the players and the club do in care and support to all charities, look on the website at Everton in the Community alone as to what is being done. You scream about how they don't care but your the same as all of us, screaming at the club to spend big on the team, £28 million on one player @ £65-75k a week, not worried about money then are you, quite the opposite your deleriously happy. Hypocritical springs to mind.

8.) 03 Aug 2014
I think you've had a bump on the head Howie mate, the fans who pay their hard earned money into supporting the club have every right to want to see it reinvested into players and success. Without the fans the club doesn't exist. The point I was making was he may not have the money to go or it may be leaving him short so don't jump down his throat for considering not going. All todays money goes to charity and of course I know the players do a lot for charity and so they should they're in a very priviladge
Position and it's the least they can do. They get paid handsomely for doing something they love doing so please don't tell me that the players deserve any more than what they're already getting because they get enough, it's the joe bloggs fans who struggle every year to go and watch the game that deserve the credit, yourself included mate. I probably, after mine and both my kids season tickets, kits, programmes etc give the club over 3 grand (prob more with the odd away and cup games ) and so do thousands of others. That's a lot to a working lad like myself. Players get that for a half a days pay mate.

9.) 03 Aug 2014
03 Aug 2014 18:00:52
Mean and miserable? Bit strong Howie. I support penty of local charities including woodlands hospice and Marie curie. I'm just back of hols so wasn't aware where the testimonial money was going and I'm delighted it's going to the charities mentioned. But yes your right, if I found out testimonial money was going to line the pockets of someone who is already loaded I wouldn't go as it's absurd.

How do you know Ossie has been loyal, can you really see anyone offering him a better deal than Everton?

I'm by no means a detractor but i'll say it as I've seen it. Good player times awful at times and no in between.

He deserves his day, as did Hibbert, Southall ( I went to those) but this argument about a short career- come off it!They go on to earn more thanI ever will talking rubbish in a tv or radio studio.

All I said is £25 ( plus £15 for my lad) is a bit much for a testimonial and I hope the money is going to charity. Very mean thing to say?

10.) 03 Aug 2014
I give up, ya talk like every footballer is loaded and a Tv pundit afterwards.
Went today, happy where my money went and so glad I was there to say ta to a great Everton player.