Football FanCast columnist Joe Jennings hopes his fellow Evertonians will continue to carry the torch.

It is the Evertonian gift to draw strength from our past when looking to a foggy future, an ability to transcend the moment, in the belief that the future will, once again, be part of a magnificent past. I think we are all conscious of our passing place in a much larger history, a tapestry made rich by torment, irritation and pain interspersed with royal blue threads of joy and success. We carry our ghosts with us, every day. And they sometimes carry us to lofty heights that can nurture us for a week, a month, a year or even seemingly a generation. Some might say being an Evertonian is the triumph of hope over experience and a refusal to allow reality to interfere with allegiance.

There is a pride in the side we support, the duty to carry on family tradition - usually. The joy of watching a proper football club with real history as opposed to bandwagon jumping to whichever side is in fashion. Hearing the lord's song commence, the roar of the crowd, that buzz in the air - truly mesmerising and only understandable to the "insiders".

For many supporters (the older ones in particular) it is knowing Everton have been the best, the crème da la crème, the one to beat - they have witnessed and tasted the success. Everton may never again be crowned league champions, but to a very lucky band of Evertonians, they will be safe in the knowledge that they viewed Everton as the biggest and the best - how many other supporters can say the same? Not many would be the answer.

The likes of Newcastle United, or even Portsmouth can spend all they like in the hope of success, crow for eternity that they're both huge clubs, but they still won't taste what Evertonians have and for me, that is a reason to be proud.

What hopes can we harbour for the future? There are of course, the necessities, such as sticking to the traditions of the club that have served us so well, remaining true to such traditions that have moulded us into a top club is an imperative.

Even when the skies are grey, as they are at present, we've had success - whether limited or otherwise. I can only hope the younger, loyal, unshakable band of Evertonians get the chance to taste the champagne, the realisation that Everton are the best in the land - I can only imagine the emotions it would inflame.

Just to grasp that feeling; that sense of pride, and knowing fans of other clubs will die without feeling what we have. Even if we don't do it again - which optimistically I crave won't be the case - our history is eternal and should and will be sang forever with sheer authority.

Club politics aside, with Everton's history, there will always be a future. With or without David Moyes, Bill Kenwright and his band of merry men we - the younger generation - are the future of our great, great football club and we will be there when the older, indulged ones are gone. We have to carry the torch, we will sing loud and proud, for we are Everton Football Club, and nothing quite beats that.

Once you're nibbled by the Everton bug, there really is no remedy. The bug can lay inactive for years, but it never fully goes away. Everton is a club at a fundamental flash in its history. Whether the club and supporters choose the right path and progress is yet to be seen. As an Evertonian I really hope so, after all "Nil Satis Nisi Optimum" is a motto that has not been adhered to for long enough.