Pink Power

Jenny-Jane

If only Everton had consulted me earlier about their new pink away strip; they could have got a free mention in my book ‘So What if I Hog the Ball? Instead, I had to use an Italian team, Palermo, as a reference. Fair play to Everton, though.  That choice of colour is a big step forward in the macho world of men’s football.  Oldham did it once for a charity event but to have pink as an away strip is pretty brave. The home fans are bound to give Everton some stick next season.  I can hear the chants from the terraces now, especially when they play rivals Liverpool at Anfield. Handbags will be mentioned (yawn).  Being gay will be mentioned (yawn).  Make up etc. Cos pink is for girls, innit? And girlie girls at that. Pink has that reputation. Even my beloved Huddersfield Town has replica fans’ shirts in pink stripes, instead of blue, for the ‘laydeez.’

But fear not. There are still some girls out there who haven’t succumbed to pink power. My character Jenny-Jane Bayliss for one. She’s definitely underwhelmed about the new pink away shirt (the Parrs’, not Everton’s) she is told to wear in her story. She hates it. Refuses to wear it. ‘I’d rather die first,’ she announces. Pink, for Jenny-Jane, stands for everything that’s wrong in the world. Soppy girls like Amy Minter. Lip gloss. Stupid magazines. Her downtrodden mum…  Read it and tell me if you agree with her.  £4.99 in all good bookshops and £4.99 in all bad ones.

The Everton away strip as modelled by new signing Jermaine I’m-cool-with -this- honest-Beckford