I had the huge pleasure of meeting Paul Bracewell at an event in Bristol on Friday night. It’s the first time I have ever met a player, and a nicer fella would be hard to find. We talked derbies, the 80s and targets for the season – and the man who helped drive us to glory has very high hopes for the Blues this season.
First off, the derby. Paul seemed very confident of our chances, dismissing mine (and others’ here) fears. "We’ve got every chance haven’t we," he said. "We’re at home and we’ve got good players. Why shouldn’t we go into it with confidence?"
He said he had seen David Moyes during the week and said the manager was relaxed with just a few days to go before Sunday. Should we feel good about that? I suppose it’s better than him feeling nervous and thinking the same old defeat will happen.Interestingly, Paul seems to believe we have the players – and the squad – to end up in a Champions League slot. Personally, I think 6th or 7th is more realistic, but our former star seems to have more confidence than many fans. It’s reassuring that someone who clearly still has blue blood in his veins and has the playing experience has so much faith.
I moved on to ask him about the 80s. He recalled how he was signed in Cup Final week of 1984 and Howard Kendall had invited him to join the team at Wembley – but he turned down the invitation, saying he didn’t feel worthy of joining them when it was the existing squad had worked so hard to get there. A humble professional? Surely not...!
We spoke about the great team and asked him what the highlight had been of his time with us. He thought for a while and said that it was simply being a part of such a great side that was full of leaders, was so beautifully balanced and, of course, could mix it up with the hardest when needed!
He also made the point that he was still a blue at heart – just as the likes of Alan Ball always said he was after leaving. Paul said there was something special about Everton that marked them out from other clubs — the way that the relationship between the club and the fans was so strong.
He still comes down to Goodison for matches and will be there more often next year. He is now director of Complete Football, which aims to "be the UK leader in providing training and development centres and football for all, regardless of age, gender, ethnic group, social background or ability level".
Paul and his company are due to open a training centre in the city at Walton Park – check this link to find out more about it... http://www.completefootball.net/centres.html
So, I’m a little starstruck at meeting one of my heroes when I was a young lad – but delighted to have heard him be so positive about us, about how well he is doing now and, to beat it all, find out what a decent, down-to-earth fella he is.
I can’t make it to Goodison tomorrow, but will of course be there in spirit... bricking it every second!
But one of our true blue legends is doing well, is still a blue at heart, and believes we can stuff the shite. Come on you Blue Boys!
Reader Comments (3)
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2 Posted 27/10/2012 at 18:59:12
Beating them will come down to psychology, and I wonder if Moyes has worked with the players to overcome this mental block. We'll know more by 4pm tomorrow.
3 Posted 01/11/2012 at 18:27:20
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1 Posted 27/10/2012 at 18:46:31