ESCNI was founded in 1986 by some supporters getting together to arrange trips to watch Everton. The club started off with about 20 members and the numbers stayed in the 20 to 30 range for several years. The members knew that there were lots of other Evertonians scattered throughout Northern Ireland but the problem of getting in touch with them proved to be a real barrier.

The breakthrough came with the reorganisation of the supporters club network. Everton FC decided to set up a 'Worldwide Fan Club' [later to become the Official Everton Supporters' Club - OESC] within which there would be a number of affiliated clubs to cater for specific areas of Britain, Ireland and abroad. As a result, ESCNI was officially appointed by Everton FC as the only supporters club to look after the needs and interests of Everton supporters who live in Northern Ireland.

ESCNI secretary Peter Cross explains "Our biggest problem was getting in touch with fellow Evertonians and letting them know the club existed. Advertising in the local press was too expensive and not guaranteed to reach our target audience. That's where the formation of the OESC was invaluable providing us with the names and addresses of any Everton fans who contacted Goodison as well as other benefits such as headed notepaper. This information enabled ESCNI to build up a database and start sending mailshots to prospective members. Other initiatives included writing to over 50 provincial newspaper editors asking them to give ESCNI a mention. It meant a lot of hard work but the result has been a remarkable success and the club currently has over 200 members."

Of particular help to ESCNI has been the guaranteed provision of match tickets for home games. As a result, the club runs regular trips to Goodison and has taken up to 70 people to some games. Many of those travelling were making their first trip to Goodison, so they are quickly reaping the benefits of joining ESCNI.

The club meetings, which are normally on the last Monday of each month, are well attended. After the official club business, there are social activities such as quizzes and, for those who are unable to attend, the club's own newsletter, 'Blueprint', keeps everyone in touch. There are a number of other benefits to club members including:

• advance notification of club trips and other regular travel bulletins
a free ESCNI badge,
• OESC newsletters including free competitions
• Latest mobile texting services for flight and match information
• two vouchers for £5 off the price of match tickets
• 5% discount on Everton FC merchandise at the megastore
• 5% discount on subscriptions to both the Everton match programme and 'The Evertonian' magazine

Membership secretary John McAllister takes up the story. "Some people thought we were just catering for fans in the Belfast area and had not bothered to get in touch with the club. When they realised that ESCNI was there for all Evertonians in Northern Ireland, they happily joined up. We have members in all six counties and many of these fans have travelled on the recent club trips. As our membership grows in the areas outside of Belfast, this will increase the opportunities for members to share travelling to and from the ferry ports and airports to join in future club trips. A great deal of friendship has grown within the club. In addition, when space is available, members have brought friends and relatives on the club trips even though they were supporting the opposition!"

Aghadowey Aghagallon Annalong Antrim Armagh Articlave

Ballycarry Ballyclare Ballymena Ballymoney Ballynahinch Banbridge Bangor Belfast Bleary Bushmills

Carrickfergus Castlerock Castlewellan Claudy Cloughey Coleraine Cookstown Crumlin Cullybackey Cushendall Cushendun

Derry Desertmartin Downpatrick Dromore Dundrum Dungannon Dunloy Dunmurry

Enniskillen

Fivemiletown

Gilford Glenarm Glenavy Glengormley

Holywood

Irvinestown

Jordanstown

Killyleagh Kilkeel

Larne Limavady Lisburn Londonderry Loughguile Lurgan

Maghaberry Magherafelt Mansfield (Notts) Mayboy Merseyside Millbrook Monkstown Muckamore

Newcastle New Mossley Newry Newtownabbey Newtownards Newtownstewart Omagh

Portadown Portavogie Portglenone Portstewart

Randalstown Rasharkin Rathfriland Rostrevor

Saintfield Shanksbridge Sion Mills Sixmilecross Stoneyford Strabane

Tandragee Tobermore

Upper Ballinderry

Waringstown Warrenpoint Whiteabbey Whitehead.

The club has male and female members of all ages from all sides of the community who happily leave their differences aside and come together to support Everton. No matter where you live in Northern Ireland, if you support Everton you will be made most welcome in ESCNI.

To receive further details about the Everton Supporters' Club Northern Ireland, a membership application form and back issues of the club's newsletter, click members and send us your details. We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully to welcoming you as a member.
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