ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

Ian Mullin
1 Posted 15/01/2008 at 16:29:36

Top 5 Everton Managers:

1. Howard Kendall ---- Need I say more

2. Harry Catterick ------ Again it speaks for itself.

3. David Moyes ------ Think he kas done a brilliant job in testing times, especially the dross he inherited from Walter Smith.

4. Joe Royle ----- Once a blue always a blue, and we won the FA Cup against the Manc’s

5. Colin Harvey ------- Well come on, he wasn’t as bad as Billy Bingham or Gordon Lee or the brilliant Mike Walker ( doh !!!! )

Paul Gladwell
2 Posted 15/01/2008 at 16:36:58

Watched the new history dvd the other night and Dave Prentice pointed out that
the Gordon lee era deserves more credit than it actually got , it got bad in the end but we were serious challenges for a few years and came closer than anyone else to
doing what only a couple have done in our history in winning the title , so I think he deserves a bit more credit than he actually gets.

ron leith
3 Posted 15/01/2008 at 16:51:15

Harry Catterick-The title twice FA cup once
Gordon Lee-Paved the way for Kendal era
Howard Kendal-The title twice FA cup once Cup Winnners Cup
David Moyes-Most competitive era in football history
Colin Harvey-unlucky to win nothing

Ian Ankers
4 Posted 15/01/2008 at 16:48:02

1. Howard Kendall - An obvious choice for obvious reasons

2. David Moyes - Done a superb job of bringing the club back to life. Its still an ongoing project, but going well. I wouldn’t swap himfor anyone else and that speaks volumes

3. Harry Catterick - A bit before my time so couldn’t put him any higher. Just going on stories told by previous generations!

4. Joe Royle - FA Cup winner and a true Evertonian to boot. Ferguson, Kanchelskis, Limpar etc. I can’t help wondering how different it could all of been if Peter Johnson hadn’t stripped his team down to the bare bones to fund his hampers business!

5. Walter Smith - Really my only option due to my age! Him or Mike Walker are my only options!!!! Again I think the money men had more to do with his dismal reign than the manager himself. If we could of held onto the likes of Dacourt and Matterazzi it would of made Walters life alot easier. On a downside there’s Gazza, Ginola etc. but like I said I can only choose from what I know and we were shopping in the bargin bin.

ron leith
5 Posted 15/01/2008 at 17:07:10

Why I did not put Kendall top was his second and third spells. His sale of Graham Stuart for two Sheffield Utd duffers and refusal to play Pat Nevin.

Joe Royal is not in my top 5 because he left too abrutly leaving Claus Thompson and some other bad buys.

Walter Smith could have been in if he had not sold Richard Dunne after refusing to play him at centre back.

I think Billy Bingham could have been in the top 5 just for buying Duncan McKenzie and Bob Latchford.

Terry Maddock
6 Posted 15/01/2008 at 17:07:21

1) Kendall.(you want why?)

2) Catterick (again)

3) Gordon Lee (only went bad at the end)

4) Joe Royal.. for the FA cup,Andrei and Big Dunc , gave us some pride back

5) David Moyes yes I know he has won nothing, but in an era were cash is king..he is still giving the big boys something to think about....
Who knows, at thend of his next 5 year plan..He may be everybodies Num 1

Tony McCann
7 Posted 15/01/2008 at 17:52:31

Easy picking the best five what about the worst
1 Skip man Walker
2 Cliff Britton the lowest point in Evertons long history 3. Howard Kendall third time, lucky to stay in the league and he was alcaholic by then 4. Walter Smith on the signing of Gazza and Ginola alone 5. This was hard but I thought Gordon Lee was doing a decent job in the begining, Billy Bingham had a couple of decent seasons, Joe Royal a true blue and FA Cup but I thought the job was to big for him, I will go for Billy Bingham

John Andrews
8 Posted 15/01/2008 at 18:25:49

In my humble opinion.
1. Harry Catterick
2. Howard Kendall
3. Joe Royle
4. David Moyes
5. Colin Harvey

Tony Lamb
9 Posted 15/01/2008 at 18:24:27

Because of the "age thing" I would have to add one other name to some of those already listed. Obviously Kendall’s initial period gets him there in the top five which is fortunate because of his 2nd and 3rd spells. Harry Catterick would be there for other obvious ’achievement’ reasons. David Moyes whose decisions/approaches etc I have not always agreed with but who perhaps of all Everton’s managers has endured the most traumatic and difficult period of any Everton manager and who, one has to say has conducted himself in a way that brings great credit upon himself and our club and throws into sharp and unflattering light so many others in this most corrupt and corrupting time for soccer and who seems to be gathering a team/squad of ability and of some momentum But going back to my early years "with the Blues" I would have to include Johnny Carey even if his spell was a short one (3 years I think) for during that time he not only developed the likes of Derek Temple and Brian Labone but gave us the greatest of pleasures in his spotting and buying the likes of Jimmy Gabriel, Roy Vernon and of course Alex Young etc. I remember the incredibly exciting period when it seemed that for about five or six successive home games we had a new star player making his debut and we already had Bobby Collins! He did take Everton to their highest position (5th) since the war and they did play some lovely stuff but unfortunately Mr Moores saw that change was necessary in order to push on. However, I do remember that Mr Carey accepted his dismissal with great good grace and so for bringing such wonderful players to the club and for the style of play to which he was commited he would be in my life-time top five managers. I am afraid whoever got into a fifth place would remain very much a lesser light in the company of these four.

Tony Marsh
10 Posted 15/01/2008 at 18:46:14

Imposter's message removed by moderator

mick Simo
11 Posted 15/01/2008 at 18:51:22

1Cattrick never out of the top 6 in a decade
2 Howard Kendall 1984 -87
3 David Moyes back in Europe and as put a bit of pride back in the club. 4 Joe Royal FA Cup winner and Europe. 5. Gordon Lee so near but so far in his early days

Steve Ferns
12 Posted 15/01/2008 at 19:02:00

I can only rate the ones who I have seen:

1. Howard Kendall (Mark 3 excluded)

2. David Moyes

3. Joe Royle

4. Colin Harvey

5. Dave Watson (well he was better than Walker or Walter Smith)

Dave Charles
13 Posted 15/01/2008 at 19:14:57

From memories from when I first started going to the games.

1. Harry Catterick. My dad started taking me we won the league in 1970. We used to go the reserves in the old Goodison Rd stand before that. Anyone remember them days.

2. Billy Bingham. We were not that far off winning the title in 1975. Two bad results, one away at Carlisle and at home to Sheff Utd. Games we should have won but in the end cost us dearly. Derby County went on to win the league. Bingham never got the credit for getting us to Wembley in 1977. If I recall, he got sacked shortly before the second game in the League Cup semi against Bolton.

3. Gordon Lee. Got off to a good start but we couldn?t catch Notts Forest but gave it a good go. Beat Liverpool for the first time in seven years when Andy King put a screamer past Clemence.

4. Howard Kendall. Probably some of the best football I?ve watched and the success it brought was legendary. Still love the moment Heath pounced on that back pass and the same player netting in extra time at Highbury in 1984 in the FA Cup semi. Sadly Howard returned but could not repeat the glory years and nearly relegated us in his third stint.

5. Joe Royal. Gave us belief in his first game when he got a load of players low in confidence yet turned them into winners in a short space of time. A memorable FA Cup win against Man Utd when early in the season we looked doomed for the drop.

I could mention Harvey and Moyes but there is not much to mention from Harveys reign and Moysie is still going strong. Plus the fact it was five, so I?ll go five from memory from when I first started going.

Alex Baker
14 Posted 15/01/2008 at 20:30:47

We?re playing the Mentalist?s again?!? Just kidding... my top 5 would be Catterick, Kendall, Moyes, Royle and Harvey.

Andrew Weston
15 Posted 15/01/2008 at 21:21:45

1. Howard Kendall
2. Harry Catterick
3. David Moyes
4. Gordon Lee
5. Joe Royle

Paul Heery
16 Posted 15/01/2008 at 21:49:30

Gordon Lee sold Duncan McKenzie - I’ll never forgive him. Howard Kendall has been an Everton legend for 40 years, he created the best side in Europe, the Cup Winners Cup semi-final was the highest point of my Everton supporting life. Harry Catterick built the school of Science, and put together two great sides. Joe Royle saved us from certain relegation and oblivion and won the FA Cup - in the same season. Moyes is a man of integrity, who has a feeling for our club, and is slowly building a terrific side and will move up the list when he wins some silverware. None of the other managers from the last 50 years deserves to make the list (although Colin Harvey was one of the best players I ever saw)

Nick Toye
17 Posted 15/01/2008 at 22:34:45

Tony Marsh, what a clown you really are. Do you revel in controversy?

What I want to know from you is this, are we having a good season? Could you do better?

Keith Glazzard
18 Posted 15/01/2008 at 22:55:15

Ditto Paul Heery above.

All I can add is that Colin Harvey has his own credit as a First Division champ manager.

Let’s take Catterick vs Moyes. I can do the Gordon West to Johny Morrisey team by number, as they played in those days.

Across the Kendall/Harvey days, squads changed, but the greats are memorable.

I guess that we all can write Moyes’ first team for him about now. Which means its coming together - like Catterick and Kendall’s teams did. At least that’s how it feels to me.

Nick Toye
19 Posted 15/01/2008 at 23:45:35

@Keith, Harvey never won anything as Manager.

Keith Glazzard
20 Posted 16/01/2008 at 00:20:59

Nick - of course you’re right, its probably that it felt like Colin Harvey had his own trophy.

But that’s what I like about the club right now. A solid defence, a classy midfield (which Harvey - always no. 6 for me - would be proud of) and attacking players to scare the shit out of them from anywhere on the field.

The best - in this era - is yet to come.

James Martin
21 Posted 15/01/2008 at 23:51:18

Good point Keith. I think, despite not being the finished article, we’ve got a first 11 to inspire optimism going into any game. If you asked all the Everton fans to name that first 11, there’d be little variation. This in an age when squads need to be far bigger than 20 years ago.
Howard (Mk. I)
Catterick
Royle (for the cup)
Moyes
Lee.

I’ve only used managers from my lifetime, and trophies have obviously been the bottom line. Hopefully Moyes can move up in this ranking.
As for Lee. He was a dour bastard, but 2 ’Champions’ League’ finishes in my first 2 seasons visiting Goodison. Heady days for a 12/13 year old. Bobby Latchford walked on water, Andy was our Kiing and Duncan McKenzie was MAGIC. Come to think about it, I still can’t forgive the bastard for selling McKenzie. Fuck it. Put Harvey at number 5.

Roy Coyne
22 Posted 16/01/2008 at 01:23:35

1 Kendall no doubt
2Catterick again no doubt
3 Carey never won anything but Catterick benefited from what he left him
4 Royle saved us and won the cup
5 Moyes maybe he will rate higher in years to come. Can not believe Gordon Lee is rated I remember the first thing he did was get rid of Dunc.

Arthur Jones
23 Posted 16/01/2008 at 09:03:22

1 Kendall ? easy, brought together the best team in europe at the time
2 Catterick had to compete on a level playing field with Don Revie, Shankley and Matt Busby
3 David Moyes We would be playing in the championship if he had not come along when he did, we are now seeing an improving team, year by year, and he?s not competing on a level playing field .
4 Joe Royle rescued us , won our last trophy , was the best choice at the time
5 Billy Bingham Was one player short of winning us a championship, Peter Shilton, but brought Bob Latchford and Martin Dobbo to the club

Chris Briddon
24 Posted 16/01/2008 at 09:43:25

1. Kendall (mk 1 the less said about mks 2 & 3 the better) No need for explanations

2. Catterick - based on history rather than any knowledge

3. Moyes - Has given the club the potential to compete with the big boys again and renewed faith amongst supporters. here’s hoping !

4. Walter smith - A controvercial choice here, but given the circumstances of the Johnson era and what he had to work with, I felt he did a decent job, and gave us a semi-stable foundation for Moyes to work from. An excellent spotter of overseas talent, and was permanently ’hampered’ by the financial constraints of the club in having to sell players just as we looked promising.

5. Joe Royle - saved us from Mike Walker, won the cup and looked promising, but couldn’t carry on the consistentcy. Was ultimately knocked down a few places by his later transfer dealings, which were a bit odd.

Steve Lyth
25 Posted 16/01/2008 at 09:59:42

1, Kendall
2, Catterick
3, Royle
4,Lee
5,Bingham

Alex Mather
26 Posted 16/01/2008 at 10:16:37

Top Five Mangers

(1) Howard Kendall - Made us Great
(2) Harry Catterick - School of Science best side of the 60?s
(3) Joe Royle - Gave us a glimmer of hope in the 90?s and never lost a derby match.
(4) David Moyes - Finally, hopefully putting us back on the map
(5) Carey - Brought the Golden Vision to the club.

Paul Tran
27 Posted 16/01/2008 at 10:49:58

1. Kendall - title with two sides, FA Cup, ECWC

2. Catterick - title with 2 sides, FA Cup

3. Royle - FA Cup

4. Lee - great cup runs, unlucky near-misses, my first Derby victory and trip to Wembley

5. Moyes - based on last few months has potential to get to number 3

Stephen Hammond
28 Posted 16/01/2008 at 11:42:18

I remember Gordon Lee winning a ’Bells’ Manager of the Month for which he got a huge bottle of bells whisky. He requested the equivalent in miniatures which he distributed to the fans. He also had a comical knack of using the full first names of players eg Geoffrey Nulty, Michael Lyons on ’kick off’ on a Friday evening - just before the alpine van came....good memories

Michael Brien
29 Posted 16/01/2008 at 12:01:04

1. Howard Kendall - for rather obvious reasons and I am convinced that but for the European ban, due to the Heysel tragedy, we would have had even more trophy success i.e. European Cup !!
2. Joe Royle - the last English manager to win the F.A. Cup, and saved us from relegation in the same season. A certain ex chairman was his undoing.
3. David Moyes - has turned the club around and if that "first" trophy isn’t forthcoming this season, I think we will have some success in the next couple of seasons.
4. Johnny Carey - this one is for my late father(who would’ve been 75 today). He turned things around and brought some great players to Goodison. As well as the likes of Roy Vernon and of course the great Alex Young a couple who were favourites of my Dad - Mickey Lill and Tommy Ring.
5. Harry Catterick - as I first went to Goodison with my Dad in 1964, when I was 7, he is the first Everton manager that I can remember.He won 2 Championships and the F.A. Cup.But as my dad used to tell me the 1962-63 title winning team was virtually Johnny Carey’s team.My big criticism of him, and why I place him only at 5, is that he banned TV cameras from Goodison as he thought it gave opponents a chance to spy on us !! A big own goal there as it gave the likes of Liverpool,Man Utd and Man City etc a lot of public attention. It also denied future generations of Evertonians the chance to see players like Alex Young,Derek Temple and Jimmy Gabriel on film.Oh and he annoyed me when he sold Alan Ball - that was the begining of the end for him.

Rob Hollis
30 Posted 16/01/2008 at 13:47:53

In my time as a supporter Catterick has to be no.1. He established a reputation and expectation that exists to this day. Kendall was excellent but walked out. I always have misgivings about why he did that.

I think the next two years will put Moyes right up there.

Rob Jones
31 Posted 16/01/2008 at 17:13:06

Gotta go by managers I?ve seen manage Everton except Kendall coz I?ve looked up the 80s side so much.
1) Kendall
2) Moyes
3) Royle
4) Watson (running out of managers lol)
5) Smith