1980-1989 – Everton FC Heritage Society

Forgotten Champions 1986/87: Everton’s Last Title

22

Dec

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1980-1989, Books, Film and Media, Latest, Lewis Royden, Mike Royden, Paul McParlan, Rob Sawyer

Forgotten Champions 1986/87: Everton’s Last Title

Paul McParlan – in Conversation with Rob Sawyer The Forgotten Champions is an enthralling account of how Everton overcame a devastating catalogue of injuries and the sale of their star striker to reclaim the league title from Liverpool in 1987. Manager Howard Kendall used all his tactical acumen to produce a side that was far greater than the sum of its parts, to bring the title back to Goodison. Paul McParlan, of Everton FC Heritage Society, is a member of the Football Writers' Association and a senior writer for These Football Times. His articles have appeared on The Athletic website…

Son of My Father (Part 20): Billy and Graham Brindle

29

Aug

By Steve Zocek

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1960-1969, 1980-1989, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

Son of My Father (Part 20): Billy and Graham Brindle

Steve Zocek Graham Brindle Graham Brindle first signed for Everton at the age of thirteen. He played for a Sunday league team called Bovis, managed by former Everton scout Sid Benson. Graham was a versatile a midfielder, comfortable playing either side of midfield. His versatility rewarded him as he went on to represent Liverpool schoolboys. He was recognised for his performance in the semi-final of the British Home Stores trophy, facing Essex boys at Anfield. It was the visitors that looked promising in the early stages of the game as Danny Maddix who years later had a career with QPR…

Erin Roberts – Memories of an Everton Mascot in 1985

25

Jan

By Rob Sawyer

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1980-1989, Articles, Latest, Rob Sawyer

Erin Roberts – Memories of an Everton Mascot in 1985

Rob Sawyer with Erin Roberts On 14 September 1985, I was one of just over 26,000 Evertonians at Goodison Park, watching the Football League champions Everton take on Luton Town. It was a fairly routine 2-0 win for the home side. Howard Kendall had the conundrum of which pair of strikers to select from Gary Lineker, Adrian Heath or Graeme Sharp. On this occasion ‘Inchy’ and the former Leicester man got the nod from the manager. I recall a clearly nonplussed Sharp coming on in the second half and scoring from close range at the Gwladys Street End, making a…

Getting it Wright – (Son of My Father Part 18)

20

Apr

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, 1980-1989, 2010-2019, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

Getting it Wright – (Son of My Father Part 18)

Billy and Anthony Wright As well as being the son of Billy Wright, Anthony is also the great-nephew of Everton's World Cup full back Tommy Wright, and the cousin of Everton Ladies league winner Emma Wright-Cates. Quite an Everton family! Billy Wright Billy Wright (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images) Ray Minshull was in charge of the youth set up when young Billy came to the attention of the club. It was touch and go at one stage, because Liverpool were keen to take the youngster on too. There was a scout that represented Liverpool that actually…

25

Aug

By Rob Sawyer

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1980-1989, Articles, Rob Sawyer

“And the Linesman’s Name is Everton”

writes Fred Harvey, with Rob Sawyer John Everton, aged 75, had a distinguished career as a match official, which included service as a linesman for the Football League between 1984 and 1992. Six of those seasons saw him refereeing Conference (now the National League) games and in the ‘Pontins’ Central League when clubs fielded reserve sides. To cap it all, John Everton is an Evertonian! He reckons that he has trodden the hallowed Goodison Park turf on twelve occasions, three as a referee. What’s in a name? Research into the Everton family tree shows an 800-year progression from Northern France,…

Adrian and Harrison Heath – Son of My Father (Part 10)

08

May

By Steve Zocek

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1980-1989, 2020-2029, Articles, Players, Steve Zocek

Adrian and Harrison Heath – Son of My Father (Part 10)

Adrian Heath arrived at Everton in January 1982 for a club record fee of £700,000. As a striker/attacking midfielder from the Potteries, he was signed by manager Howard Kendall who knew Adrian well from their days at the Victoria Ground, Stoke. ‘Inchy’ as he became known, made his Blues debut at home to Southampton in a 1-1 draw. Finding it difficult to settle at first, he eventually came into his own, playing a very big part in Everton’s success. Many Evertonians class his interception from Kevin Brock at the Manor Ground, Oxford, in a January 1984 knife edge cup…

05

Nov

By Ken Rogers

1980-1989, Articles, Everton Collection, History, Ken Rogers, Members Work

Programmed for Success

In the second of a series of EFC Heritage Society articles focusing on the World-famous Everton Collection, Ken Rogers takes a look at programmes from encounters with Wolves in May 1982 and April 1984. He reflects how the team listings on the back pages reflect how an era of change accelerated towards the most successful in our history. It is accepted across the Premier League that our matchday programmes are amongst the best in the country. It’s therefore not surprising that thousands of our most evocative publications form a key strand within the football memorabilia treasure that is the Everton…

14

Aug

By Ken Rogers

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1980-1989, Articles, History, Ken Rogers, Members Work, Players

Leicester’s Favourite Blue

Any visit of Leicester City stirs up personal memories of those heady days when, as the Liverpool Echo’s chief football writer, I found myself recording the most successful phase in Everton FC’s history between 1983 and 1987. In the middle of this glorious spell, the Blues signed Gary Lineker, a major blow for Leicester fans. Not only did they lose the top flight’s leading goalscorer in the summer of 1985, but also one of their own. I was at Bellefield on Gary’s first day. As I left, my car was stopped at the gate by a crowd of young supporters,…

10

May

By Steve Zocek

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1980-1989, Articles, Players, Steve Zocek

Stuart Storer – speaking to Steve Zocek

Everton manager Howard Kendall, pictured with his two new signings from Birmingham City - Wayne Clark and Stuart Storer (Photo by Barry Farrell/Daily Mail). Stuart Storer was part of a £300,000 double swoop that brought him to Goodison Park with Wayne Clarke in March 1987. Unfortunately, Stuart failed to make a first team debut, but I took delight from talking with him about his time at Everton. Stuart continued his career with Bolton Wanderers, Exeter City and Brighton & Hove Albion, where he is fondly remembered for scoring the last ever goal at the Goldstone Ground, in the 67th minute…

The Likely Lads; Mark and John Higgins – Son of my Father (Part Nine)

11

Apr

By Steve Zocek

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1950-1959, 1980-1989, Articles, Members Work, Players, Steve Zocek

The Likely Lads; Mark and John Higgins – Son of my Father (Part Nine)

Mark Higgins joined Everton as an apprentice. Having excelled in his performances for the reserves, he earned a first team start a month after his eighteenth birthday in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City under the lights at Goodison Park. Mark, a tough no-nonsense centre half, gave nothing less than 100% in an Everton jersey, but his career was blighted by injuries, which sadly led to him missing out on the success of Howard Kendall's sides of the eighties. After over 150 appearances for the Toffees, Mark made a decision to retire from the game due to the frustration…