On November 8 2007, Everton supporters experienced one of their club’s most memorable and enjoyable away days as they travelled in great numbers to Nuremberg for a UEFA Cup group game
Mention the word Nuremberg and it of course retains fond memories for Evertonians. It remains the location for one of the most memorable and enjoyable European away days for Blues fans, on November 8, 2007.
While Everton have been denied any trips in UEFA’s premier club competition for over half a century now since their side’s chaotic visit to Athens in 1971 to face Panathinaikos, the continental destinations outside of the Champions League can often be more colourful, and certainly provide more variety. Former Blues midfielder Lee Carsley, who is now serving as England caretaker manager before Thomas Tuchel takes charge next year, played in the 2-0 win over 1. FC Nurnberg, recalled the party atmosphere when commenting on how he believed Everton supporters had been unfairly pre-judged by the French police in Lille some seven years later, telling the ECHO: “I’ve been all over Europe with Everton and there’s never been a whiff of trouble.
“Our fans just don’t have that kind of mentality. I remember being in Nuremberg and looking out of my window to see scores of Evertonians enjoying themselves hanging off trams and bus stops, but it is always good-natured fun and never nasty.”
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The 2007/08 UEFA Cup consisted of a short-lived format in which groups of five clubs presented two home games and two away games with each side facing their opponents just once. David Moyes’ side were therefore denied another Greek odyssey by being pitted at home against former Blues striker Ibrahima Bakayoko’s Larissa and a long trek to St Petersburg as (eventual tournament winners) Zenit instead headed to Goodison.
Everton’s only other away game was against AZ in Alkmaar, a game played in freezing temperatures with the visitors having already qualified for the knockout stages. All these factors combined to ensure Nuremberg was the travel highlight of the campaign.
Such was the appetite among Blues to be there, some 1500 who had booked seats in the home end through Nurnberg’s website had their tickets cancelled after UEFA classified the fixture a “risk mask” following talks with the local police.
Asked if they deserved to be reimbursed, Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: “You would think so. (By) Nuremberg I would have thought.
“I would have thought these boys do have the right to some sort of compensation. The bad news began weeks ago when we were given our allocation, which is very small.
“Evertonians will do anything to see their team, especially in Europe. The fact that these lads, who work hard for their money, have invested money not only in the tickets but in flights and hotels – they are wondering whether they should go.
“Some of them will want to be there. They have waited a long time to be in Europe. I do feel for them and I do feel they have been dealt a blow by UEFA.”
Kenwright added: “We can only ask our fans that wherever they watch the match, they continue to be the great ambassadors of this football club that they have always been,” but he needn’t have worried as the swathes of travelling Blues behaved impeccably.
They needed to be patient though with their team’s breakthrough not arriving until seven minutes from the end via a Mikel Arteta penalty while substitute Victor Anichebe sealed the three points two minutes before full time. Writing in his ECHO match report, Dominic King declared: “Cheers from countless giddy supporters, tears for tormented personnel departments – Everton’s relentless European progress will send requests for annual leave next February shooting through the roof.
“Sitting pretty at the top of UEFA Cup Group A after two wins from as many games, only a calamity will prevent them from qualifying for the next stage of this competition, and their elated fans will be going wherever the draw takes them. Undeterred by a farcical ticketing policy that cast a dark cloud over last night’s clash with FC Nurnberg, at least 5,000 Blues gained entry into the easyCredit-Stadion to see their heroes pass another tricky test with honours.
“Needless to say, they celebrated accordingly. Vast quantities of the local brew were supped, songs were sung in celebration, and they dared each other to dream that this adventure will have the happiest of endings.”
Given their impressive form in the group stages – which was followed up by an 8-1 aggregate victory over Norwegian champions Brann in the first knockout round – Everton’s failure to lift the UEFA Cup that season continues to be regarded as one of the biggest missed opportunities of Moyes’ long tenure. Some 17 years on though, most Blues will surely be relieved that another chance from this time slipped through the club’s fingers.
The game was played against the backdrop of Everton’s proposed move to a new stadium in Kirkby with thousands of Knowsley residents being canvassed over the £400million development that would ultimately be rejected by the government. Just as tourists flock to Nuremberg to see the old town and enjoy the aforementioned winter wonderland, so visitors to Liverpool appreciate the views of the waterfront.
Rather than being out of sight and out of mind in a satellite town some nine miles from the city centre, Everton can instead look forward to a bright new era by the banks of the Mersey, starting from next season when they move into their magnificent 52,888 capacity future home which has already become an iconic-looking addition to the impressive maritime skyline.
