Yahoo News Andy Burnham praises Everton support before Merseyside derby and pinpoints 'bigger game' to come
Andy Burnham has praised the work of fan groups in creating a "fierce" atmosphere at Goodison Park.
As Everton took to the pitch last Sunday afternoon in their crunch Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest, flags were laid out across the Gwladys Street and the Park End transformed. This was the work of The 1878s who had spent the week curating plans to bolster the mood in L4.
Mr Burnham - himself a season ticket holder - has lauded the work of the group in lifting the mood among supporters.
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Speaking to the ECHO, Mr Burnham said the Toffees' 2-0 win was significant given the disappointing result at Chelsea earlier in the week. He said: "Credit to the players, there was a big reaction on Sunday.
"Credit to the 1878s, I’ve seen how they’ve built the atmosphere at Goodison. It’s been hard, it’s been really hard at times to lift ourselves and get ourselves going.
"The atmosphere in the Gwladys Street and looking out into the Park End on Sunday was as good as I’ve ever known it. It was phenomenal, it was fierce, it was brilliant and credit to the 1878s, I do think all Evertonians owe them a debt of thanks."
In the run up to the game, the fan group urged supporters to continue to sing Forever Everton into the start of the match, rather than halting for kick-off. The work of organisations like The 1878s came to the fore during the survival campaign under Frank Lampard two years ago, with coach welcomes outside Goodison Park on match days.
The group has called on supporters to play their part once again as the Blues take on Liverpool in what could be the penultimate Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park in this evening's 8pm kick off. Looking ahead to kick off, Mr Burnham - who sits in the Gwladys Street - said he fancied the Toffees to get a result that could prove vital in the club's fight against relegation.
He said: "Things feel different this week than they did last week and Sunday was a massive boost for us. It’s a hard ask for us I think but I’m going there with a bit of hope. It’s an interesting game, a lot at stake for both clubs but the good thing for Everton is that it’s not the be all and end all, the bigger game is Saturday, Brentford, then Luton away, those are the games we need."
The Labour man, who is seeking a fresh term as Mayor of Greater Manchester next month, added that supporters needed to come together to ensure a final season of top flight football at Goodison Park. He said: "I think it’s really important we keep our focus on the pitch and supporting the players. I think Evertonians just need to focus, the players reacted, the manager reacted, Sunday felt good, it felt together.
"We just need to focus on that now and we’ll deal with those other issues as they come but I think we mustn’t get distracted and get over that line and we can with the games that are coming."
