Evertonians had been brought up on having a great goalkeeper a brilliant centre-half and a class centre-forward. Since Gordon West had stood down, there had not been one single goalkeeper to catch your attention — some couldn’t even catch the ball!
Then on Saturday 17 October 1981 at Goodison Park a young, raw, some would say scruffy young man called Neville Southall stood between the posts to make his debut. A crowd of only 25,146 were there to witness now what we know was history in the making. Nev did well and Everton won 2-1 but he didn’t play again for seven games; it was at home to Aston Villa, this time only 16,538 turned up. Again Nev played well and kept a clean sheet . He kept his place until the end of the season. He looked big strong and good but not an instant hero.
The following season, Nev started his 13th League game of the campaign and it was to be a very unlucky 13 for Big Nev, his Welsh team mate Ian Rush along with our enemies put five past him. It was devastating for all Blues and Southall felt the axe with 25 games out in the wilderness but Nev wasn’t to be kept down he came back and he was determined to stay.
He had some ups and downs before becoming the automatic choice; passionate and single-minded, some said he was a bit moody but as a goalkeeper he was a giant. If you entered Goodison Park early on a matchday, you would see Neville out on the pitch hurling himself around his goalmouth, taking shots from all angles, saving them as if his life depended upon it. He was covered head to toe in mud and it was still 15 minutes to kick off, the kit man must have been having a fit.
As Evertonians, we all know what he did for us, we all know he was the best in the world in the 1980s. Every one of us have our own ’Nev Moment’ but how many of us have stopped to think that maybe, just maybe, Neville Southall was the most important Everton signing since Dixie Dean?
Both of those men came to Everton and lifted them not only with their performance but with their passion, their commitment to the Blue Cause, their dedication. You knew that, if Everton lost, Nev hurt; he didn’t like or ever accept defeat. Neville Southall is not only a giant goalkeeper he is a Giant Evertonian.
There is a chance for every Evertonian to pay their respects to this living legend on Friday 28 September 2012 at the Alex Young Suite Goodison Park. A book launch dinner for £55 which includes a three-course meal, a signed copy of Neville’s New Book The Binman Chronicles plus a Q&A session with the man himself. If you already have the book tickets will only be £40 for more information email paulwhartonefc@btinternet.com
Don’t just sing ’If You Know Your History’ — go to this dinner and live it.
Reader Comments (19)
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Paul Wharton
2 Posted 04/09/2012 at 20:04:25
2 Posted 04/09/2012 at 20:04:25
John
The same thing was said about Alan Ball but what they have in common is they are both winners and expect others to raise their game.
The same thing was said about Alan Ball but what they have in common is they are both winners and expect others to raise their game.
John Campbell
3 Posted 04/09/2012 at 20:52:48
3 Posted 04/09/2012 at 20:52:48
Agree Paul but at least go out and celebrate when you achieve things, win cups etc, wouldn't hurt to spend a few hours with the lads. Surely that is why trained so hard in the first place!
Paul Wharton
4 Posted 05/09/2012 at 20:32:51
4 Posted 05/09/2012 at 20:32:51
John
Then come along and ask that question to him and we will all anticipate his response.
Then come along and ask that question to him and we will all anticipate his response.
Peter Warren
5 Posted 05/09/2012 at 22:41:26
5 Posted 05/09/2012 at 22:41:26
Gutted can't make it as away. I'm 33 years old Si never saw the best of him I guess but when people say who's your favourite player ever, it's Big Nev. I've never been in awe of anybody but just love the bloke. Wish I had seen him in 80s rather than 90s but he was still class in the 90s.
Steve Green
6 Posted 05/09/2012 at 23:12:03
6 Posted 05/09/2012 at 23:12:03
I'm very tempted to come along, but I'm getting married that day. Had a good think about it but eventually came down on the side of not making it.
Sorry boys.
Sorry boys.
David S Shaw
7 Posted 06/09/2012 at 09:57:30
7 Posted 06/09/2012 at 09:57:30
Nev is my hero. I'm not one who has ever looked up to players but he is the exception.
Jim Harrison
8 Posted 06/09/2012 at 14:57:47
8 Posted 06/09/2012 at 14:57:47
As a lad, I covered my walls with cut outs and posters of Southall. I had the kits (when we could afford them), the sondico gloves, shin pads (with socks half rolled down) Hi tec boots with the fold over tounges. I tried to do the one handed kick in the same style, with limited success!. What a legend. With the exception of Schmiechal I don't think there has been a keeper with the same influence on their team since.
John Campbell
9 Posted 06/09/2012 at 15:37:50
9 Posted 06/09/2012 at 15:37:50
Love to Paul but I live in West Sussex... bit of a trek for an evening although I'm sure it would be quality.
Phil Bellis
10 Posted 06/09/2012 at 16:42:41
10 Posted 06/09/2012 at 16:42:41
Hi George
I have the pleasure of meeting Gordon Banks et al each October and I told him on first meeting, 5 years ago - as if he'd never been told so before! - that he was the greatest England ever had
He responded "thank you - you're an Evertonian, aren't you? did you ever see Lev Yashin play?"
"only that one time at Goodison in `66"
GB "Yashin was a great keeper but your Neville Southall was the best I've ever seen"
Mike Berry
11 Posted 06/09/2012 at 19:05:53
11 Posted 06/09/2012 at 19:05:53
On the money George, as per usual. Still seems odd not seeing you outside the ground flogging 'Blue Blood'.
Jack Okell
12 Posted 06/09/2012 at 21:12:50
12 Posted 06/09/2012 at 21:12:50
My 1st ever visit to Goodison was Big Nev's testimonial. What a perfect introduction to football. You could feel the love for Nev that night, instant hero to me!
Steve Green
13 Posted 06/09/2012 at 23:07:02
13 Posted 06/09/2012 at 23:07:02
Wife To Be has just seen my earlier post and coolly said 'You can go if you want', scanning for my reaction. I'm not fucking stupid, this wedding has cost me a bomb.
Maybe when we raise our glass with the wedding toast (Rose Prosecco actually), I might secretly close my eyes and thank our blessings for having Nev cross our paths. She'll never know!
Maybe when we raise our glass with the wedding toast (Rose Prosecco actually), I might secretly close my eyes and thank our blessings for having Nev cross our paths. She'll never know!
Julian Batti
14 Posted 06/09/2012 at 23:25:08
14 Posted 06/09/2012 at 23:25:08
This world has probably seen more athletic goalkeepers than Southall, but there were three respects in which he was unsurpassed:
1) Positioning
2) Mental strength
3) Intimidating demeanour
He made forwards feel very small.
Whereas most goalies defend, Southall was an attacker.
Chris Hockenhull
15 Posted 06/09/2012 at 23:32:48
15 Posted 06/09/2012 at 23:32:48
George will know what I mean but Neville was / is the Bob Dylan of EFC...did his own thing/ didn't give a shit what people thought of him/ didn't play the media thing/ shied away from the plaudits/ was totally odd/ a 'One Off'/ took critisism on the chin and went his own way/ a legend that people still talk about and reflect on/ soldiered on against it all/ took fame better than anyone else/ no pima donna.....etc etc
And when we are all dead and gone will be still spoken about in reverent terms
Thanks Nev saw him on his debut ..and final games.
Mapped out a huge part of my EFC life
(and thanks Bob too!! but that's another story)
Neville..the 'Tempest' in the stormy years (That was for you George)
Ken Rushton
16 Posted 07/09/2012 at 22:25:14
16 Posted 07/09/2012 at 22:25:14
Nev in my view was the difference in our glory years [along with Sharpy] he
bossed the box terrified opposing forwards a legend ,due to lack of international success a bit like Giggs and Ratcliffe not recognised in my view as theh giant he was.
bossed the box terrified opposing forwards a legend ,due to lack of international success a bit like Giggs and Ratcliffe not recognised in my view as theh giant he was.
Lee Gray
17 Posted 08/09/2012 at 10:29:54
17 Posted 08/09/2012 at 10:29:54
Quite possibly the best goalkeeper EVER ,won trophies with the blues and then kept us up, I for one will never forget the mans contribution to Everton Football Club. He is what Everton is all about,!
Neville Southall now there is a legend!
Dennis Stevens
18 Posted 08/09/2012 at 10:45:48
18 Posted 08/09/2012 at 10:45:48
I love football & love Everton, but even as a kid I didn't really get grabbed by the hero-worship thing - may be that was a result of my formative supporting years being the 1970's! Then, in my twenties I found I had my footballing hero : Big Nev. The man epitomised our great team of the 80's, was stalwart in slowing the pace of our decline in the 90's &, to me, is the man who won the Cup in '95. Undoubtedly the best in the world at his peak, arguably the best the game has ever seen. After '85 I'd have been happy for him to wear a red shirt for every match!
Thomas Windsor
19 Posted 09/09/2012 at 17:39:17
19 Posted 09/09/2012 at 17:39:17
I seen some great goalkeepers: West, Banks, Shilton, Jennings, Clemence... but none come anywhere near Southall.
I remember one game, Germany v Wales — I have never seen a goalkeeper play that well, it was him versus Germany.
I remember one game, Germany v Wales — I have never seen a goalkeeper play that well, it was him versus Germany.
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1 Posted 04/09/2012 at 19:56:13