Jimmy Oliver, RIP little blue……

3^rd March 1999 – 18^th April 2009

I first met Jimmy & his father Mark at this seasons game at West Ham. A last minute decision on my part, but one that will stay with me forever. Eddie had put me in touch with another supporters club who had a spare ticket so wasn’t sat with the normal crowd. You might recall that we came back from a goal down to win 3-1 with 2 great goals from Saha in a mad 8 minutes, which reminds you why we love football and our team.

Jimmy & Mark were sat by me, we hugged we smiled and we danced (yes, even on crutches Jimmy was up there). What struck me most was the amazing smile, Mark took loads of photos, and it was brilliant. I remember coming home, still with a stupid smile stuck on my face & telling Janice all about the game and the brave little bugger I had met with the most amazing smile.

I saw them both again at the Liverpool cup game at Anfield & again recently at Pompey. Jimmy was obviously in some pain that day, but still that brave little bugger had made the long trip down. Mark & Jimmy were part of the characters that you look out for at games & I always smiled when I saw them.

As I sat down in my seat at Wembley with my own son Alex, Mark was sat just 3 rows in front, but no Jimmy, he was trying to tell me something, but nothing prepared me for the devastating news that Jimmy had passed away just the day before. To be honest, it knocked me for 6, here I was watching Everton at Wembley with my own son, a magical experience but now I was filled with sadness for Mark & his devastating loss.

All Mark could say was how much Jimmy loved me, how one of their happiest memories was that brilliant day at West Ham and that how Jimmy looked out for me and that they associated seeing me with happy days. It seems that through a common bond of our love for Everton we had touched each others lives. Mark asked if I could attend the funeral as Jimmy would just love it. I was honoured and touched and made arrangements to attend.

Jimmy’s funeral was held at the Holy Family Church, Southport on Monday 27/04/09. The service as you can imagine was very emotional & I have no embarrassment in telling you the tears rolled as Angus played ‘Z’ cars on the bagpipes as the coffin was brought into the church. The service was intended as a celebration of a fantastic little boy’s short life & you were overwhelmed by the love & affection that this lad who touched so many lives was held in. With Tim Cahill, Jim Pearson (after whom he was named) & Howard Kendall in attendance along with hundreds of others all dressed in something blue, whilst obviously sad it was also uplifting.

Having made contact with Watty, Marks friend and part of the NSNO website & Southport Independent supporters club, I made my way to the Hesketh social club where we could continue to talk & reflect. I am glad I made the effort to attend, Mark was genuinely ‘made up’ that I had attended & if in some small way I was able to offer some comfort then I am delighted. We talked all things Everton & it was great to made so welcome by a group of unknown people but with a common love that is Everton. The fact that we are the ‘Peoples Club’ has never been so true.

Ian Welch Thursday, 30 April 2009