Just catching up, so this will be short and sweet. Given the talk of players past and present on yesterday’s derby match report thread, here is my view.
Nostalgic, light discussion but maybe therapeutic after yesterday to take our minds off the events that unfolded and have been fiercely debated. I thought it best to start something separate or it gets lost in the noise.
I will have to leave it to more mature generations to comment on the likes of Dixie Dean, Ted Sagar, Dave Hickson and no doubt many others I have missed.
I was brought up on tales of Labone, Gabriel, Wilson, Alex Young, Kendall, Ball and Harvey, and Joe Royle. Not forgetting Tony Kay who was very highly rated. But again, I never watched any of them. Apart from Howard Kendall in some of his cameos as player-manager, and watching Alan Ball occasionally on Match of the Day playing for Southampton.
My first idol was Bob Latchford. I also liked watching Duncan McKenzie. Although, when I look back, despite being a crowd pleaser, in hindsight, was he a bit inconsistent? I was a bit too young to be making analysed views back then.
My era was the ’80s and I was spoiled for choice. So here we go, as they say:
Neville Southall: Simply the best in Europe.
Gary Stevens: a solid right back with marauding runs and a powerful shot that got goals. Seeing his winner go in from the Anfield Road in the League Cup is still vivid in the ageing memory.
Kevin Ratcliffe: was there a quicker centre-back at the time? He could outpace Ian Rush. No mean feat.
Trevor Steven: with his silky skills. Not known as Tricky Trev for nothing.
Paul Bracewell: who was graceful (Paul Graceful should have been his name).
Peter Reid: what we could do with him now. He could mix it, but he could play. And his team mates were under no uncertain terms if they weren’t performing.
Graeme Sharp: but for me, his reputation has been tarnished. I won’t go there. I’ll remember him as the player.
But there can only be one. And those who know me, know who that is.
Kevin Sheedy: he could slow the game down and play at his own pace. His vision was second to none. Although remembered as a left winger, I thought he was better suited in what we now call a Number 10 role.
To give later generations a shout:
Peter Beardsley: he had one of the best footballing brains I’ve witnessed. He played in a poor team and was mostly one step ahead of those around him.
Andrei Kanchelskis: he was arguably our last genuine top-quality signing.
Leighton Baines: I rate him as the best Everton left-back I’ve seen.
Tim Cahill: he deserves a mention for his determination, desire and sheer hard work. As well as the goals.
Wayne Rooney: I can’t leave him out, even though we didn’t have him for long.
Does John Stones deserve a shout in that respect?
This will all be opinionated and subjective. I would like other views. As I say, nothing like a bit of nostalgia as we face an important week for the club and get ready for West Ham and a trip to Stratford.
Now, back to nostalgia, what happened to “We Love Everton” to the tune of the French song “Alouette”? Been a while since I heard that but it used to be popular on the coaches. Maybe that’s why as I get the train these days and more often than not, I’m the only Everton supporter.
And we love our Neville Southall. Everton oh we love Everton!!!