1980-1989 – Page 2 – Everton FC Heritage Society

Gerry Mullan – When Irish Eyes are Smiling

0 Comments1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Steve ZocekBallymena, Everton, Gerry Mullin, Glentoran, Northern Ireland

Gerry Mullan signed for Everton from Ballymena United in October 1980. To date he was the most expensive Irish league player at £30,000. Gerry failed to make a first team appearance for the Toffees but gained 4 caps for his country-Norther Ireland. Gerry is quite a private man, but was very helpful in assisting me with an insight to his time at Everton. Gerry Middle row 2nd from the left SIGNING FOR EVERTON "After 4 reasonably good seasons at Ballymena, I trained really hard in my fifth season, trying to push myself to the limit. As well as Everton, a…

Pat Jennings: The Boys of ‘86

0 Comments1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve ZocekArsenal, Northern Ireland, Pat Jennings, Spurs, Tottenham Hotspur

There is a question that arises in many football trivia quizzes which is; ‘Name Everton’s most capped player’? Answers are being thrown back to the question master with all sorts of names which are all announced incorrect. Okay, I give in. The correct answer infuriates the most knowledgeable of contestants when Pat Jennings becomes the answer. Okay, I suppose it’s a bit of a trick question but the fact is, Pat was actually registered with Everton for the FA Cup semi-final and final of 1986. I don’t think I have ever seen any evidence of anything related to Pat’s association…

Michael Knighton an Interview

0 Comments1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Steve ZocekCarlise United, Coventry City, Derby County, Everton FC, Manchester United

When the name Michael Knighton is spoken in football terms, he is always associated as the entrepreneur who almost bought Manchester United FC in August 1989 for £20m. Michael entered the field of play before a game at the Theatre of Dreams, displaying his ostentatious football skills in front of the devoted Stretford Enders. Hang on a minute. What has this got to do with any Everton-related article I hear you say? Simple. Michael was at Everton in his youth and this is what he told me of his younger days with the School of Science. The chief scout that…

Son of My Father (Part II): Allen Hudson

0 Comments1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve Zocek

Allen Hudson coaching for Glasgow Rangers affiliate London Rangers Alan Hudson At Chelsea Anything Everton related always fascinates me. This second article of the Son of my Father series article is another famous footballer whose son at spells/trials at Everton. The second addition of this article is Allen Hudson. and those I guess that some of you now are familiar with the name, it’s the son of Alan Hudson former Chelsea. This is Allen’s story; I was at Fulham as a youngster. In the 4th year at school and I played for West London in the English school’s trophy in…

Son of My Father (Part I): John Armfield

0 Comments1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Steve Zocek

Jimmy Armfield playing for Blackpool during the 1967-68 season. Photograph: Colorsport/Rex/Shutterstock Anything Everton related always fascinates me. My next two article is about a famous footballers whose sonat spells/trials at Everton. This first one is of John Armfield the son of Blackpool legend Jimmy; Jimmy Armfield with sons Duncan and John at Bloomfield Road John tells his story how he teamed up with Everton. I got involved with Everton season 1987/88 because of John King who at the time was manager of Runcorn FC, a mad Evertonian and friendly with some of the coaching staff at Everton, in particular Mick…

Fred Barber: A Cut Above

0 Comments1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Steve Zocek

Fred Barber was signed by Everton as back up cover for Neville Southall in April 1986 for £50,000 from Darlington. During a brief stay, he was never required to play a first team game and was sold to Walsall, with Howard Kendall doubling his money. Fred tells me how the move to Everton happened and quite a story it is. It was a Wednesday night, 26 March 1986, and I was watching the highlights on TV, of Republic of Ireland vs Wales from Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Neville Southall the Everton and Wales ‘keeper had torn his ankle ligaments,which would keep him side-lined for a period of time. Everton of course had Bobby Mimms as their number two, but needed another…

Le Coq Sportif: Spectacular in Action – Sensational in Style

1 Comment1980-1989, Articles, History, Members Work, Rob Sawyer

Everton have never worn an Adidas team kit...or have they? When that great 1980s side containing Steven, Southall, Sharp and Sheedy was swatting away all-comers, it did so sporting the rooster emblem of Le Coq Sportif. Not appreciated by many is that the Gallic marque, which burned brightly but briefly on these shores, was a branch of the German sporting behemoth. Le Coq can trace its ancestry back to the Champagne region, where, in 1882, Émile Camuset started manufacturing sports journeys in his workshop. The iconic triangular symbol, containing the crowing cockerel, was adopted in early 1950s with company rising…

Jack Search – “Gentleman Jack” – Everton Director

4 Comments1970-1979, 1980-1989, Articles, Directors, History, Members Work, Steve Zocek

Jack Search was born in 1915 above his father’s jewellers shop number at 87 Wavertree Road. He attended Brae Street School before heading to Liverpool Institute. In 1932, Jack left Liverpool Institute to further his studies at Liverpool Technical College where he did an engineering course for another 4 years. Jack was always a keen footballer since playing at school. His senior career began in 1933 when he played for Collegiate Old Boys. He was also a member of the old Liobians team at Liverpool Institute. Jack went on to represent Cheshire and he started attracting interest from other teams.…

The ECWC Final of 1985 in Rotterdam and the thoughts of Michael Konsel of Rapid Vienna

1 Comment1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve ZocekEverton, Michael Konsel, Rapid Vienna

Everton’s only success in Europe came on 15 May 1985 at the De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam. Everton’s passage to the final could have faltered at the first hurdle with a two-legged affair with the Irish part-timers University College Dublin providing the opposition. Graeme Sharp, Everton’s saviour that night with the winning goal, once said that it was the trickiest tie of all the rounds to the final, stating that Everton could so easily have been knocked out, with the woodwork saving Everton. Had the ball gone in UCD would have had a priceless away goal. With Inter Bratislava, Fortuna…

Gray Wolves

0 Comments1980-1989, Articles, History, Members Work, Players, Simon Hart

League Cup Winner With Wolverhampton Wanderers 1984 Fa cup winner and Goalscorer alongside fellow Goalscorer and Frontman Graeme Sharp “I loved playing at Everton. Once you got on that pitch, the atmosphere was great – the comments you got when you were taking a corner or throw-in were brilliant.” These are the words of Kenny Hibbitt, a Wolverhampton Wanderers stalwart of the 1970s and 1980s – and a member of the last Wolves side to win a league fixture at Goodison Park fully 40 years ago. It was on 15 September 1979 that John Barnwell’s visitors prevailed 3-2, with the help of…