Those who were present at the Adelphi on the 30th March have no need to imagine - for them it was reality. "Am I in heaven?" I asked one middle-aged Evertonian as I was waiting to have a chat with Dave Watson. "I think so, son..I think so" was his reply. Bill Kenwright seemed to sum up the feelings of many Evertonians when during the launch of the Former Players Foundation, he said: "I do work with people that most of us would think.'oh they are huge stars.' But for me to sit opposite Alex Young - it doesn't get better than that." He was right. Everyone who attended Gwladys Street's Hall of Fame Gala Dinner on the 30th March would have agreed with the blue blood brother's sentiments.

However, it wasn't just Alex Young we were sitting opposite. Stars like Collins and Hickson through to Sharp and Stevens were there, but the biggest ovation from the recent Hall of Famers went to Paul Bracewell who after being sacked the day before turned up to receive his award. As Bill Kenwright was making his speech someone shouted: "Give him a job!" - a comment that I don't think Bracewell took too kindly to. Kenwright, however, carried on: "I wish we could give every player here a job" a sentiment echoed by many of those around me.

Even players who are not yet part of the Hall of Fame were widely appreciated by the crowd. Jimmy O' Neill, Alex 'Chico' Scott, Mick Meagan, John Connolly, Jim Pearson, Derek Mountfield amongst many others were all give rapturous ovations by the crowd. The biggest cheers were received for two of the 1995 FA Cup winning squad, Barry Horne and Joe Parkinson. Last night, Parkinson was in his element. The new Fans Liaison Officer seems right at home in his new position. He made time for everyone and seemed to be enjoying the experience. However, when two drunken, unattractive women began drooling over the shaven haired idol, he looked for an escape route. I'm glad to say he found it on our table. Mike Hughes, of Radio Merseyside turned to Joe and jokingly wagging an admonishing finger said: "I hope you' re not taking your role as Fans Liaison Officer too seriously, Joe!" To this statement, Parkinson raised his eyes to the heavens and said sarcastically: "Perks of the job I suppose!"

A perk of the job for myself was organising the former players on stage during the presentations. As well as organising them, I was having a great time with them. I shared a joke with Kendall, Sharp, Collins, Fielding and Dave Watson. I was standing on the shoulders of giants. Each of the players who went up on stage made a little speech about their time at Goodison. Special mentions must go to Brian Harris who constantly referred to Bill Kenwright as 'Mr. Moores' and Gordon West who told the story of him soaking a bunch of Kopites who were taunting him during his playing days. Although the comedian, Jackie Hamilton was great - but to be honest I could have listened to the players anecdotes for hours.

The beauty of the evening was that it could provoke tears as well as the laughter which rocked the Adelphi on many occasions during the evening. For me, the most moving part of the night was listening to 86 year old Gordon Watson. After abandoning the use of his wheelchair to receive his award he was carefully assisted on to the stage by his namesake, Dave. He began to give the listeners details of some of his exploits during his 64 years service at the club. The silence was deafening. All through the night, speakers such as Alan Jackson and Mark Jones had tried to inspire the Goodison faithful to be silent. However, the 550+ people (the majority merry due to the effects of alcohol) were listening intently to Watson's every word. Although he was frail, partially sighted, with his hand trembling, the pride and joy Gordon was emitting touched every Bluenose in the room.

What was even more touching was the fact that we were helping to alleviate the suffering for our former heroes, like Gordon, who gave so much for the Royal Blue cause. We were helping them by supporting the newly-formed 'Former Everton Players Foundation' during this wonderful evening. I couldn't get enough of Gordon and his anecdotes. After he'd gone offstage, he told me that he wanted to go on speaking. With a greedy ear I gobbled up stories of Dixie Dean peeing on the centre-circle at Goodison, much to the annoyance of the groundsman. There were many other stories too, Dean's challenge with Tommy Lawton on who could head a medicine ball the furthest, and the wages that he used to get. Unashamedly, Gordon had brought me to tears as had Tommy Eglington last year.

Wally Fielding was another character which everyone identified with and wanted to speak to. Dubbed 'Everton's favourite Cockney' and eighty years of age he was the first ex-player to accept the invitation to the dinner. This genial character with so many memories of Everton - (one being the time when after being three-nil down at half-time, manager Johnny Carey told the team to produce 'more of the same' in the second-half) - revealed with tears in his eyes that although his beloved wife was seriously ill in Cornwall, he "wouldn't have missed this for the world."

It seems amazing, doesn't it? Gordon and Wally were at their peak forty years before I was born. The wages and situations of the players seemed incomprehensible to myself, yet it was Everton which united us. Everton which we had in common. The evening had managed to bridge the generation gap.

My Grandad's hero, TG Jones was there. Sixty years on, my favourite player, Dave Watson was present. The night was a tribute to my Dad's favourite player - Brian Labone. All three central defenders, all three gentleman, all three contributed greatly to Everton Football Club. 'The Last of the Corinthians,' was a term given to Labone by the great Harry Catterick. Labone revealed how although he was called a 'gentleman footballer' he did "nail a few of the bastards occassionally." Labone was my Dad's hero, but his efforts have not gone unnoticed by the new generation either. Just ask the hundreds of people of all ages, shapes and sizes who gave him a standing ovation at the Adelphi. His love of Everton, his former teammates and the fans certainly shone through in the conversation that I had with him.

Why can't we inspire the same devotion to the club now? Today we see players kissing the badge, swearing their undivided loyalty to the club and promising to give 100% for the blue cause. A few of them are in the squad today, but the reality is that they don't care about the club or its fans. We're now in the days when players change clubs as often as they change their socks and loyalty has been thrown out of the window. I wonder how many of the current squad will make it into the Hall of Fame.

But, if you know your history, it's enough to make your heart go worrrr..