COLUMNIST JOE JENNINGS
Tim Cahill ? Everton Legend?
Comments (50) : It?s a word that seems to be thrown about like confetti in contemporary society, often in football when a player scores an important goal or stars in a splendour performance. Rarely, though, is it applicable to those it is associated with.
Whether winning headers that belies his size, expending energy of five times that of the opposition or putting in a defensive shift ? Tim Cahill deserves every last superlative that comes his way after what has been another incredible season for the hard-hitting talisman. The man is just relentless. He can do no wrong.
Which brings me to my point. Evertonians have had little to cling onto over the past fifteen years ? particularly the younger generation ? and it?s easy to sketch comparisons with the Everton legends of yesteryear. But can Tim Cahill really be mentioned in the same breath?
Tim Cahill is arguably the greatest bargain buy in Everton?s long and illustrious history. For the little we paid, we acquired a truly world-class performer. But there really isn?t, as far as I?m concerned, a figure you can put on a player of Cahill?s calibre. The man is priceless.
A player who can sniff goals despite having a killer cold, a player who wears his heart on his sleeve, a player who the young Evertonian hordes look up to hoping to emulate. A fine representative of his profession.
Is there a predetermined list of rules and regulations for which a ?legend? has to follow? I don?t think so. Personally, I believe it to be dependant on circumstance. There are those who will argue you have to win something in order to be considered a true Everton legend, considering our healthy roll of honours. It?s a fair judgement, and the same supporters would probably point to Duncan Ferguson as evidence of that.
But did Duncan?s cameo for thirty minutes in the FA Cup final against Manchester United really qualify him as a fully-fledged Everton legend? I?m not so sure. I?d argue it was more the passion displayed by Duncan, the love for the shirt and the memorable goals that endeared him to the Everton faithful and made him a legend in his own right, as opposed to his role in lifting our last tin-pot.
Make no mistake, he has been our undisputed leader during the David Moyes regime and epitomises the Everton spirit and everything our current crop of players embody. There are players that come and go and those that will always be remembered fondly. But safe to say, Tim Cahill will go down as an Everton great. There is no other player who rivals Cahill when it comes to those who have embraced Everton, although Duncan certainly runs him close.
There are those that wonder whether we will enjoy the remaining years of Cahill?s courageous contribution. Some just get a niggling worry that a major bid could be on the cards come the summer. I hold no such doubt. If Manchester City offered 50 million it would not make a difference, as Bill Kenwright is all too aware he wouldn?t draw another breath if he was to dare consider selling as an option. And that, I guess, is a measure of the affection and love we have for him.
He is a player I can see, in the future, revelling about to my son, no doubt with a tear of nostalgia dripping down my face. He epitomises everything great about Everton Football Club. If Tim is to win something with the Blues, it will only confirm what others already know, that he?s in our hearts for life. My favourite Everton player of all time.
?Why would I need to go anywhere else when I can be a legend here??
Tim Cahill, in the opinion of this Blue, is already an Everton legend. The question is however, can he become a Goodison God?
Reader Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
I’d love Cahill to stay but if we were offered silly money and he could go to a team that could offer regular Champions League action and a chance of winning titles then I wouldn’t begrudge him as he has given so much to the cause and will always be close to our hearts.
I would definitely put Cahill ahead of Ferguson but on a par with the likes of Latchford, Lyons and Dobson. He’s a great servant, has provided great value and comes over as being a great guy but not a true Everton great until he has a medal.
Lets be honest though, if City offered 20 million, let alone 50 million for a 29 year old we’d be daft to turn it down
In the case of Tim Cahill, he does have celebrity status. He certainly commands respect. I live in Sydney and I often hear about Tim’s commitment to youth soccer. By the example he sets there, he is becoming a role model, which is also a quality that can (and should) be part of being a legend. However, there are other qualities found in the man. Loyalty is one. Look at the way he has shown loyalty to his club and to his country. My son, who met him in Samoa last year, describes him as a humble man. He is also a man who is proud of his routes and their traditions. His reaction after scoring on Sunday shows that he is also a proud Australian. Many Australian sportsmen confuse pride and arrogance. Tim Cahill is an unusual Australian who combines pride with humility.
Now if all these qualities help someone become a legend, then Tim Cahill has already reached that status. I am extremely envious of my son. I hope one day that I will meet him.
That’s not to say he has no faults. He seems to get booked a lot, but his bookings are usually a result of his 100% commitment and loyalty to his club.
Enjoy it while you can, he is one in the making!
I think this artical can be summed up with Cahill, legend? You decide...
This is on a different subject but Chris Stubbs, you may take... probably take... a different view with living in Oz, but Cahill’s one man black armband goal celebration smacked of self importance to me. Rather like when Beckham wanted to wear the US flag as captains armband after 9/11 for an England match as a statement of support... as Cahill said about the fires: ’it puts things in perspective’ and as such I don’t think some newly homeless fire victims would give a dam for the ’look at me pointing at my black armband because I’m the face of soccer in Australia, don’t you just love how important I am and that I care about publicly expressing my support with this gesture?’... You’re wearing it in the match, no need to underline what you’ve done with a point and serious face... really, what was that?
Right, time to duck for cover!
Dixie was a legend,the Golden Vision was a legend,Bally was a legend -all the others named merely very good players in their time. But then,some people who saw none of them do get carried away!
Every grouping of the greatest Everton legends coincides with a golden age for the Toffees: 20-30s, 60s, 80s. The wall barring entry comprises our illustrious past and, unfortunately now, the childish giants in the playground, the Sky 4.
Should Tiny Tim lead a charge and bring us a League Championship, well... I?m sure Dean, Labone, Ball would be happy to make room at their Feasting Table.
But its how you view these things I suppose?
I found your article an interesting read up until "If Manchester City offered 50 million it would not make a difference, as Bill Kenwright is all too aware he wouldn?t draw another breath if he was to dare consider selling as an option". I just couldn?t take you seriously after that comment, if we were to receive an offer anywhere near the £20m mark anytime soon then Billy Boy will be slobbering with delight.
I?ve also heard from numerous fans that have spoken with him about how humble he is. I honestly know what you mean but when it comes to the type of person Cahill is, I just don?t see how it could be looked upon as self-serving. I think he was just merely trying to show that the victims and their families were in his heart and it was more of a personal gesture of respect. Going back to what he said "it puts things in perspective".
As for the broader topic of Cahill?s status, I think Dominic?s got a point! We all rate Cahill, let?s not squabble over exactly how much!
Firstly, he loves this club, as he has always stated and would really be hard pressed to up sticks and leave.
The only club he would leave for in the Premiership is Man United. And I can’t see them bidding for him in the summer when they already are competitive in the middle of the park, and they don’t exactly play a system that suits him.
He would just turn his nose up at City knowing Cahill. This club could be going places again, unlike City who will continue to be a circus unless they learn to conduct themselves in a more efficient and sensible manner.
He is a good player and a great find but he is far from world class. How many clubs like Man United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona have knocked on Everton?s door inquiring about Cahill's availability?
He plays in a Australian team bereft of decent players were Mark Viduka is seen as class. I would sum Cahill up as; not a bad player who has immense ability to score important goals. Players who score important goals (Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard) tend to be idolized far and above their full ability, I would put Cahill in this category.
Mark, why just because Peter says something you don?t like, he suddenly becomes a bitter red? It?s his opinion. He does make a good point, Cahill is not world class, he?s a great player who is important to us. Kaka, Messi, Iniesta, Raul are world class, I just don?t think you can put him in that company.
Mark, for a start I am not a Red, I have supported Everton since the mid sixties, so please give me a break with that nonsense.
I was trying to get some perspective on the outrageous statement that we would not accept £50M for him.
I like Cahill and admire his never say die Aussie spirit.He in my opinion is the Football equivalent of Shane Warne, committed, aggressive and talented. He niggles the opposition (like Warne) and gets results (like Warne), however he is unlike Warney in that he is not world class.
Like every Evertonian I am enjoying the moment, but lets get real and accept he?s a good player and probably will become an Everton legend but like others before him; Fergusson, McKenzie, Latchford, Lyons; far from world class.
For me legend is too widely used these days. I understand the evolution of the word and I certainly wouldn?t reserve the term for the "mythical". However, I personally reserve legend status for players no longer in the game (not necessarily deceased) but of a bygone era. A legend should be somebody who is still talked about even though they no longer play. I don?t think he absolutely has to win a medal to achieve this, he just needs to be remembered in years to come as a great player from this era in our history. I don?t think he needs to be world class to be a legend either. Does that mean that supporters of clubs in lower divisions, who don?t win things and don?t have world class players, don?t have heroes or "legends"?
Nick Entwistle ? I don?t know where that comment came from fella. You seem to be reading a lot into the dedication by Timmy to the Ozzies. You have been very negative with your responses to Joe?s articles lately, do you have an agenda?
I hope in 20 years he is a legend.
From what I have seen and heard of Tim Cahill, the commitment he has shown on and off the pitch for our beloved club, his dedication to his country and for the way that every rs fan I meet hates him, which I absolutely love him for, he has my total respect. So Nick, as much as I respect your opinion, I completely disagree with it. Try look on the bright side off life sometimes.
If you?re going to compare, you have to accept that the legends you refer to strutted their stuff against opposition overall of the quality of the Championship or worse. Witness how many British players are good enough to make it in the EPL. The fact is that the Everton sides in which the legends played would not have won a sausage had the 1st divsion then been of a comparable quality to that of the EPL.
Secondly, Peter, obviously you?re keeping other personal traits of the latter out of the equation in saying Tim?s the ?football equivalent? of Shane Warne! Also, Shane is not merely ?world class?, along with Bradman he is the greatest player to ever grace that game.
Pietterson as England captain in cricket seemed to be doing everything right and was lorded as such by the media, and then goes and gets all the big I AM about it and ended his captaincy because of it.
If it is the case with Cahill, and only one moment he has shown, then it's not too surprising he does it back from international duty where he gets hero worshipped by Aussie crowds and media and comes back to do the gesture.
I?m not sure that any other Aussies playing around the world were sole wearers of black armbands and felt as individuals someone who can singlehandedly represent the feelings of a nation by pointing to a black armband with serious face in acknowledgement... sure the sentiment is there, but sheesh, some self importance too.
Oh, and I don?t have an agenda against Joe?s articles, just as someone wrote above, less is more.
Warney is world class and is probably the greatest spin bowler of all time, but using Bradman here you are falling into the trap of comparing players of the past with those of today.
I would define world class as a player who would be without question picked for any national team: Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka, Iniesta. I cannot see Cahill entering this select group.
For a central-mid, he doesn?t have the tackling skills, sheilding the ball, hold the ball, passing it around, controling the pace/tempo of the match.
For an attacking-mid, he doesn?t have the dribbling skills, the Platini-spilt-defence-passes, the playmaker genius.
For Second-striker, he?s not exactly Roberto Baggio, and when have you seen the divine ponytail track back to fullback positions 150 times a half?
For center-forward, he doesn?t hold the ball like your traditional number 9s, scores and finishes like a natural striker, yet defines all odds by out-jumping centerbacks who are a foot taller than him.
What the fuck is he???
We should add a new lexicon to the position dictionary, the Tim Cahill position. This would fit right up there with the Makelele. TC pulls the strings up the field, where Makelele does in front of the back 4.
It is testiment to TC that he uses all his wit, determination, industry, and sheer spontaneity in every game, to get the fucking job done.
TC is your fucking honest FOOTBALLER that we could all do more with in this modern era of manufactured players positions, rigid formations, and downright confusing laws to the simple game.
TC gives you that "I don?t give a shit ? I just want to play footie and fucking win!"
?Legend? is only a handy label for lack of something specific, to hang on the player to show what he does and how much we like it, in the same vein as ?Icon?.
There is an opening for a budding Dr Johnson to invent and quantify a new lexicon of football hyperbole... go for it, you wordsmiths!
When other Aussie battlers face hardship, like they are in Victoria, the nation will become emotionally involved. Aussies around the world will take up the cause. So Cahill?s reaction the other day is what Aussies would appreciate and expect. The same type of reactions happened after the Bali bombing and will happen again when Aussies face these type of tragedies.
The discussion about a comparison with Shane Warne is interesting. Many Aussies admire his on-field skills and achievements, but cringe when his off-the-field activities are discussed. The fact that he blamed his mother when he was caught having taken performance-enhancing drugs and the fact that he was caught having a smoke whilst at the same time sponsoring a no-smoking campaign have made Warne an embarrassment. Tim Cahill (and many others) would not stoop as low as that.
So I would agree that legends can only exist in the past. Tim Cahill has the potential to become one. But he will remain in most Australians? minds a typical Aussie Battler.
And Ian Tod?s post is spot on too ? how many players since Mick Lyons (Ferguson included) come close to Tim in terms of ?playing for the shirt?? Puts to shame local lads like Hibbert, Baines, Rodwell and, dare I say it, Big Vic, in a way, doesn?t it?
But you need to cut this "tears dripping down my face" lark. It makes you sound like a tart
One more thing: Ignore Entwistle?s attempts to hijack your articles... Jealousy.
Honour is an old-fashioned thing. Cahill is at one end of that spectrum. Others there would include Andy King and even Kevin Campbell. More recently, Alan Stubbs and Nigel Martyn could claim a space at that end of the spectrum. In my opinion, there is only one former player who would find himself at the other end, that is Wayne Rooney. Honour has no meaning for him.
Samoans and Pacific people in general value humility very highly, it is central to their culture and Cahill would be well versed in this having a Samoan mother.
LOL. So true. This crying issue is becoming an increasing bug bear of mine. I worry that if (or more optimistically When ) we win the FA Cup, half of the blue half of Wembley is spontaniously going to burst into tears, such has been the quantity of posters on here freely admitting to blubbing at all things EFC related.
If we win I will cheer and jump around like a monkey on angel dust and if we lose I will shout something constructive like "Fuck you, Phil Neville!", but I can assure you ? absolutely no tears... after all were not Geordies
BTW Tim Cahill ? Legend in the making... [sniff]
Fellaini - the odd one out?
Cahill - Everton legend?
Heres a few more you could write:
Jo - any good?
Anichebe - a bit petulant?
Howard - best keeper in the prem?
Arteta - for England?
Neville - he’s improved a bit?
Hibbert - him too?
And Baines?
I have to agree with you in everything you say about Tim. I considered writing a similar post, however my writing skills dont allow it.
He as a person is equally impressive. I have been fortunate enough to meet him on two occasions, at a friend's son's birthday party as he goes to the same school as Tim's boy where he was extremely humble, gracios and polite.
I also met him at a Amir Khan fight at the MEN in the summer. He wasn't in VIP but in with the masses. I spoke to him with a friend in the concourse and ended up speding 1/2 hour at the bar having a couple of pints. Again gracious and genuinely interested to hear what you have to say... about life and about the club. He loves it. He is also clearly, extremely grateful
All in all Top player but equally importantly Top man.
That’s why I would name players such as Dean, Young, Ratcliffe, Royle, Kendall and Labone as legends....not an exclusive list btw!
On a similar note, in the cold light of day, I wouldn’t classify Ferguson or Gray as legends. The former due to the massive breaks in his playing career for us. The latter due to the lack of a true bond with the Toffees...he may well have scored crucial goals for us but you wouldn’t have thought so when you see him in his cushy Sky seat. Compare this posture to those of Hansen and Lawro when they enthuse about the Dark Side.
Best way to summarise Tim Cahill? Legend in the making, no doubt about it!
I believe history will consider him a legend of Everton. But he is not quite there yet.
As to the comments about his gesture to the victims of the bushfires. Firstly, these bushfires are a national tragedy on a scale similar to the London terrorist bombings. As an icon of Australian sport, Tim’s gesture means a lot to Australians.
Secondly, Tim wears his heart on his sleeve. He is an emotional guy and has been criticised for his gesture of support to his brother. It is not arrogance, he simply has a stage for his emotions. He brings such pleasure through his football that he deserves to show his emotions.
Incidentally, why not Ted Sagar, TG Jones, Dave Hickson and Alan Ball. You youngsters can only recall those who played, literally, yesterday!
Without being our "best" player (Mikel Arteta) or even our most effective (Phil Jagielka) Tim Cahill is our most important and for me is the heartbeat of Everton.
Nick Entwistle where on earth are you coming from fella? The guy loves his country and like any Australian around the planet he was gutted by the tragic events in his homeland. Quite rightly too. He showed whoever saw his celebration whether at the game or anywhere the tv coverage was seen ? Australia certainly ? that his countrymen were in his thoughts. What is wrong with that? I saw it as the actions of a good bloke that cares about his homeland.
Where do you get off with your pathetic theories? Why even post it?
You leave me cold, mate ? you are not the kind of man I would associate with.
Has come on leaps and bounds since arriving from South London, and in retrospect a great signing by Moyes, who is key to the rest of the season, and is an indispensable member of the squad who will cause no end of problems at set pieces.
But Legend, like Ferguson before him, No.
"The EPL is an entirely different from and a vastly superior competition to the old Football League Division 1 in which the former lot plied their trade.
If you?re going to compare, you have to accept that the legends you refer to strutted their stuff against opposition overall of the quality of the Championship or worse. Witness how many British players are good enough to make it in the EPL. The fact is that the Everton sides in which the legends played would not have won a sausage had the 1st divsion then been of a comparable quality to that of the EPL. "
On first blush I gave this its due. Steve says you cannot compare apples and oranges but then proceeds to compare apples to oranges. You cannot minimize the achievements of the legends of yesteryear because they would not excel if transported through time and planted into a squad of today’s bands of mercenaries. Talent is talent. If William Ralph Dean played today he would have conformed to today’s contingencies and been more fit, had better nutrition etc (also playing with lighter boots and a ball less akin to a medicine ball, it must be added). And by God, I would have no doubt he would put 60 past the overpaid prima donnas of today! Could you imagine Dean afforded the referee protection the ladyboys now receive? He shrugged off a tackle from which he eventually lost a damn testicle and came back on!
Also, comparing the First Division of yesteryear to "Championship or worse" today is an affront to those players of old. Today’s Premier is littered with foreigners, displacing British talent, "raising the level of competition", but I do not see how this bears on the English/British comprised teams of the past. England and Scotland would have strode like behemoths on the world stage if the World Cup had existed in the very early parts of the 20th Century, and England would have likely won a WC had it chosen to compete in the 1930’s. On the club front Arsenal in the 30’s was likely by far the greatest club in the world (with Everton their greatest rivals) and Wolves of the 50’s beat all-comers in prestigious friendlies prior to the advent of the European Cup (beating Real Madrid and a Mighty Magyar populated Honved, among others). Also, in the decade prior to Heysel English teams virtually monopolized the European competitions (playing essentially foreign all star teams that bear a closer resemblance to that which the Sky 4 teams of today have warped into).
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment to Column articles, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and MailBag submissions across the site.
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 17/02/2009 at 14:45:47
Report abuse
I appreciate the proffesionalism that Pip brings & he is obviously Moyes General on the pitch but if the fans voted for our captain I have a feeling that he’d walk it.
Coupled with Mikel Arteta who is the best midfielder and prob most talented player we’ve had for over 20 years then we’ve got two crackers on our hands here!!
In answer to your question. Yes, he is deffo on the right track. A cup in may would help like!!