Details behind the work of the 1878s as they seek to help Everton's players deliver a result that would be crucial to the club's European ambitions
A detailed view of an Everton fan's tattoo prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
A detailed view of an Everton fan's tattoo prior to the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
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One liver bird, two cathedrals, three stadiums and four Beatles - the huge tifo set to be unveiled for the Merseyside derby is the ultimate love letter to Everton.
The banner, which will be unveiled minutes before kick-off, will run to the height of the enormous south stand and be supplemented by thousands of cards and dozens of flags to create an extraordinary welcome.
It will follow another coach greeting, with the squad set to arrive at Hill Dickinson Stadium to a sea of blue smoke and shirts - just like they did for Chelsea.
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The spectacle - inside and outside the new stadium - has been organised by supporter group the 1878s. After helping to galvanise the fanbase to pull the players through years of trouble - from relegation battles to overcoming points deductions - those involved are revelling in the opportunity to push their team towards success rather than away from failure.
That is one of the key messages going into Sunday afternoon’s game - that everything they are doing is with the intent of helping the team take another step forward towards European qualification, a goal that was a distant dream even at the start of this campaign.
Having already overseen a coach welcome for Chelsea, and having already produced a tifo display (against Arsenal, before Christmas), the work going into the derby is about the occasion, not the opponent, those behind it make clear.
That being said the tifo, designed by Mike Lynch, the Everton creative behind the platform Everton the Gear, celebrates the club’s history by setting it against the backdrop of both the city of Liverpool and the Blues’ biggest rivals.
Under the banner ‘The Originals’, the dominant image is a giant liver bird set in a crest, a depiction of the Championship medal commissioned by Everton for the side that won the title in 1891 - the year before Liverpool FC was formed and while Everton were still based at Anfield.
Medal including a Liver Bird awarded to Everton players who were part of the 1891 title winning team.
Medal including a Liver Bird awarded to Everton players who were part of the 1891 title winning team.
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A street sign stating ‘we built this city’ hangs against a backdrop of all three of the city’s football stadia and is a nod to the Blues having called Hill Dickinson, Goodison Park and Anfield home, while an image of the Beatles in blue and white scarves is a cheeky attempt to lay claim to the band - one that has drawn plenty of comment since images of the dress rehearsals of the tifo being unveiled were leaked online. Set beneath the city’s famous skyline, the tifo is intended to be a bold statement that will capture the fascination of millions when the game is broadcast around the world.
The hard work has now been done, according to Katie Carter, a member of the 1878s. Katie, like all those involved, is now looking forward to doing everything possible to create an atmosphere that supports Everton and rocks Liverpool in the same way that the stunning work for the Chelsea game provided the Blues with the inspiration to romp to a 3-0 win.
She told the ECHO: “We are all set up, it is just about delivering it now - and the players delivering on the pitch. We are looking forward to it. None of us will ever experience the first derby at the Hill Dickinson again so this is something special.
“And this is something that we want to do to help secure another win to help Everton get into Europe. For so long we have wanted to go into these games not looking for points to stay in the league but in order to challenge those above us. This is not about taking points off Liverpool, it is about taking points off a rival for the European places. The actual display is about our football club. We just want to help the players. They loved the coach welcome last time, so did David Moyes and so did the fans.”
Moyes praised the work of the 1878s as “brilliant” ahead of the derby, one in which Everton could take a leap towards the European places if they were to secure a win.
The coach welcome will take place on Regent Road, just like against Chelsea, but over a longer stretch with supporters asked to be ready for the coach to arrive at midday on Regent Road, with crowds gathering between Boundary Street and Blackstone Street. Supporters are asked to keep the lay-by clear for the coach to turn at The Bluehouse.
With relation to the south stand display, supporters are asked to raise the sheets or flags on their seats at the end of the rendition of Spirit of the Blues. The 1878s is urging fans to be in their seats 20 minutes before kick-off to make the most of the atmosphere.