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On 15th May 1985, Everton FC played in their first (and to date only) major European final. They lifted the Cup Winners Cup in Rotterdam by way of a 3-1win against Rapid Vienna. It was a stylish and dominant display and the final score flattered the Austrian side . Having already secured the First Division title a couple of weeks earlier (with five games to spare) the Toffees had announced themselves as a major force again in European football. And yet less than 17 months earlier the mood at Goodison was bleak, very bleak....
On 31st December 1983, Everton were in limbo, languishing in 16th place in the table. On that day they played at home against Coventry in front of a paltry 13,000 crowd. The result was a 0-0 draw and as the saying goes, both teams were lucky to get nil. It was shown on MOTD that evening and they spent more time going through the team lineups than they did showing the "highlights". The crowd, such as they were, booed the team off at half time and full time and there were calls for manager Howard Kendall to resign. Depressing really doesn't cover it. And yet remarkably, eight of the team that day went on to play in the CWC winning side.
Howard had always believed in the players despite criticism from all sides, he had spent a couple of seasons finding the right pegs for the right holes. It took time but he had such a good eye for the right type of player for "his" team, Neville Southall , Andy Gray, Trevor Steven, Peter Reid , Kevin Sheedy - the list goes on. None of these were seen as marquee signings but put them together in a team and everything began to gel. A week after the Coventry debacle Everton played Stoke away in the 3rd round of the fa cup, Howard gave a famous team talk which inspired a 2-0 win - their 4th round opponents as fate decreed were my local team Gillingham, then in the old 3rd division. As a result of this i was able to finally make my first trip to Goodison with a bunch of my Gills supporting mates. The crowd that day was a bit larger at 22,000 (plenty from Kent in attendance) but the mood was still toxic amongst the home fans as another 0-0 draw was played out, indeed the Gills were inches away from winning the game, had they done so then Howard may well have been shown the door. He was even closer to the exit nearing the end of the replay a couple of days later, as with not long left and the match still scoreless, Tony Cascarino ran from the halfway line with only Southall to beat. It's a cliche but time really did stand still. Maybe Cas had too long to think about it but Neville seemingly psyched him out and saved the day for the toffees. A week later, with a ridiculous gale force wind blowing, Everton finally showed their class with a 3 nil win at Priestfield in the second replay. Three months later they beat Watford in the final to win their first trophy in 14 years. How quickly fortunes can change, had the Gills won that 4th round tie then all that followed for Everton over the next few years would probably never have happened.
After the team beat Bayern Munich in the 85 CWC semi final on a never to be forgotten night at Goodison my West Ham supporting mate said "we have to go to the final, you may never get the chance again" but i could not get hold of tickets living here in deepest Kent. Nonetheless we decided we could at least travel over to Rotterdam and sample the atmosphere and try and get hold of tickets once we were there. We got the overnight ferry from Sheerness to Vlissingen which somewhat to my surprise was full of Evertonians, turned out all of the northern port sailings were fully booked. It was obvious that the team would not be wanting of support. A really nice scouse couple that we got talking to offered us a lift to Rotterdam in the morning (as we didn't bring our car) and they dropped us off outside the Feyenoord stadium, within minutes i spotted what i thought was an information kiosk and upon asking the attendant if he knew where i might get some tickets for the game he replied "we sell them here !". Happy days. They were actually seat tickets away from the Everton end but we were subsequently able to swap them for tickets behind the goal as we met a youngish guy who had his little lad with him and he preferred to sit down with him so he could see the game properly. The atmosphere in the city centre was fabulous with rival fans mixing and indeed having impromptu kickabout matches. There had been some fears that animosity may ensue as Rapid really shouldn't have been there given Celtic had beaten them 4-3 over two tempestuous legs in the 2nd round, however UEFA upheld Rapid protests regarding missile throwing at Parkhead in the 2nd leg (which Celtic had won 3-0) and the match was replayed with Rapid winning 1 nil. The day passed off without incident and the Evertonians were a credit to the club . After the teams superb performance and a good few beers afterwards it had indeed been a day to remember.
The next morning after little sleep we took the train back to Vlissingen and boarded the ferry back to blighty. Moving serenely over the North Sea we pondered over how bright the future looked for the club going forward. There was the small matter of the FA cup final coming up in just two days time against Man Utd (which the toffees lost 1 nil denying them an unprecedented treble - the match was ludicrously played just 65 hours after they had come off the pitch in rotterdam, imagine that happening these days !), My Hammers supporting mate opined that he couldn't see any other team stopping the toffees dominating for years to come , "this time next year i reckon i'll be travelling with you to the European Cup final" he said. It was hard to disagree i thought, if this team stayed together that is.
Just two weeks later Liverpool took on Juventus in the European Cup Final played at the Heysel stadium in Brussels.........
On 31st December 1983, Everton were in limbo, languishing in 16th place in the table. On that day they played at home against Coventry in front of a paltry 13,000 crowd. The result was a 0-0 draw and as the saying goes, both teams were lucky to get nil. It was shown on MOTD that evening and they spent more time going through the team lineups than they did showing the "highlights". The crowd, such as they were, booed the team off at half time and full time and there were calls for manager Howard Kendall to resign. Depressing really doesn't cover it. And yet remarkably, eight of the team that day went on to play in the CWC winning side.
Howard had always believed in the players despite criticism from all sides, he had spent a couple of seasons finding the right pegs for the right holes. It took time but he had such a good eye for the right type of player for "his" team, Neville Southall , Andy Gray, Trevor Steven, Peter Reid , Kevin Sheedy - the list goes on. None of these were seen as marquee signings but put them together in a team and everything began to gel. A week after the Coventry debacle Everton played Stoke away in the 3rd round of the fa cup, Howard gave a famous team talk which inspired a 2-0 win - their 4th round opponents as fate decreed were my local team Gillingham, then in the old 3rd division. As a result of this i was able to finally make my first trip to Goodison with a bunch of my Gills supporting mates. The crowd that day was a bit larger at 22,000 (plenty from Kent in attendance) but the mood was still toxic amongst the home fans as another 0-0 draw was played out, indeed the Gills were inches away from winning the game, had they done so then Howard may well have been shown the door. He was even closer to the exit nearing the end of the replay a couple of days later, as with not long left and the match still scoreless, Tony Cascarino ran from the halfway line with only Southall to beat. It's a cliche but time really did stand still. Maybe Cas had too long to think about it but Neville seemingly psyched him out and saved the day for the toffees. A week later, with a ridiculous gale force wind blowing, Everton finally showed their class with a 3 nil win at Priestfield in the second replay. Three months later they beat Watford in the final to win their first trophy in 14 years. How quickly fortunes can change, had the Gills won that 4th round tie then all that followed for Everton over the next few years would probably never have happened.
After the team beat Bayern Munich in the 85 CWC semi final on a never to be forgotten night at Goodison my West Ham supporting mate said "we have to go to the final, you may never get the chance again" but i could not get hold of tickets living here in deepest Kent. Nonetheless we decided we could at least travel over to Rotterdam and sample the atmosphere and try and get hold of tickets once we were there. We got the overnight ferry from Sheerness to Vlissingen which somewhat to my surprise was full of Evertonians, turned out all of the northern port sailings were fully booked. It was obvious that the team would not be wanting of support. A really nice scouse couple that we got talking to offered us a lift to Rotterdam in the morning (as we didn't bring our car) and they dropped us off outside the Feyenoord stadium, within minutes i spotted what i thought was an information kiosk and upon asking the attendant if he knew where i might get some tickets for the game he replied "we sell them here !". Happy days. They were actually seat tickets away from the Everton end but we were subsequently able to swap them for tickets behind the goal as we met a youngish guy who had his little lad with him and he preferred to sit down with him so he could see the game properly. The atmosphere in the city centre was fabulous with rival fans mixing and indeed having impromptu kickabout matches. There had been some fears that animosity may ensue as Rapid really shouldn't have been there given Celtic had beaten them 4-3 over two tempestuous legs in the 2nd round, however UEFA upheld Rapid protests regarding missile throwing at Parkhead in the 2nd leg (which Celtic had won 3-0) and the match was replayed with Rapid winning 1 nil. The day passed off without incident and the Evertonians were a credit to the club . After the teams superb performance and a good few beers afterwards it had indeed been a day to remember.
The next morning after little sleep we took the train back to Vlissingen and boarded the ferry back to blighty. Moving serenely over the North Sea we pondered over how bright the future looked for the club going forward. There was the small matter of the FA cup final coming up in just two days time against Man Utd (which the toffees lost 1 nil denying them an unprecedented treble - the match was ludicrously played just 65 hours after they had come off the pitch in rotterdam, imagine that happening these days !), My Hammers supporting mate opined that he couldn't see any other team stopping the toffees dominating for years to come , "this time next year i reckon i'll be travelling with you to the European Cup final" he said. It was hard to disagree i thought, if this team stayed together that is.
Just two weeks later Liverpool took on Juventus in the European Cup Final played at the Heysel stadium in Brussels.........
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tobiasr - the Heysel disaster was truly awful. Football is of secondary importance when one considers what happened that night.
However, that said i do feel it was unduly harsh for all English clubs to be banned as they were. Even many Italian press, clubs etc expressed the view that Everton should not have suffered the same consequences as their neighbours. The ban was the primary reason for Howard leaving the club after the 1987 league title win and a number of top players followed suit. We have never truly recovered (from a footballing point of view) ever since although much of that has been down to mismanagement from on high.
Maybe the move to the new stadium will be the springboard to better times.
However, that said i do feel it was unduly harsh for all English clubs to be banned as they were. Even many Italian press, clubs etc expressed the view that Everton should not have suffered the same consequences as their neighbours. The ban was the primary reason for Howard leaving the club after the 1987 league title win and a number of top players followed suit. We have never truly recovered (from a footballing point of view) ever since although much of that has been down to mismanagement from on high.
Maybe the move to the new stadium will be the springboard to better times.
Heady days, Dixie. I was 16 at the time & my mum forbid me to go to Rotterdam, God knows how I would have got there. Me & my dad had tickets for the FA Cup Final & I think I realised if I ran away from home to go to Holland (which I was planning) I'd definitley miss Wembley. The Whiteside goal!! I'd just been accepted by Shell Tankers to got to sea with them when I left school in the September, I had visions of watching Everton in Europe wherever I fancied for years to come. Then Heysel. I've still never seen Everton away in Europe & probably never will. I should have run away!!!
A supporter has been banned from attending Everton’s final Premier League match at Goodison Park after allegedly smuggling tools into the stadium and attempting to remove their seat.
YHTL - according to Phil McNulty season ticket holders have been given the chance to buy their seats after the last game as a permanent souvenir - wonder how many will ?
chewy - they were halcyon days indeed. Made all the better after they followed such bad times, seemed all the sweeter.
It was the fact that Howard built that side without spending loads of money that was so impressive.
You could have probably hitched it to one of the English ports but it would have been a fair old swim from there !
chewy - they were halcyon days indeed. Made all the better after they followed such bad times, seemed all the sweeter.
It was the fact that Howard built that side without spending loads of money that was so impressive.
You could have probably hitched it to one of the English ports but it would have been a fair old swim from there !
Is it true when the Women take over the stadium it changes its name to Goodidaughter Park?
I would buy my seat at St James when the inevitable move occurs.
Hopefully this doesn't kick off, but anyhoo.
Something had to be done after Heysel. Football violence was a continent-wide phenomenon, while there was trouble up and down the country most weekends. The only difference with Heysel was a sub-standard stadium that turned it to a disaster. So a simple minimum-effort slap on the wrist, where we pretend it was limited to one club would never have been good enough. The authorities had to go bigger and get a grip of it.
As for Everton, it was their own decisions that made them fall apart. You could argue that Liverpool had it worse. Everton were a settled side at the time while the reds needed re-building and were in uncharted territories with a young manager and had just lost the best striker around. I live around the corner from Colin and see him most mornings but I've never got round to ask him why Howard really left. Feels a bit too on the nose to straight up ask. Maybe it was arrogance in wanting to prove himself the best in Europe, maybe it was just money. But the simple fact was that the club just made bad decisions then. Harvey wasn't cut out for management, they let good players go in their prime, and the replacements were worse. It's just the same story that's been done a thousand times about how a club rises up, but then the decisions go bad and it drops down again.
Something had to be done after Heysel. Football violence was a continent-wide phenomenon, while there was trouble up and down the country most weekends. The only difference with Heysel was a sub-standard stadium that turned it to a disaster. So a simple minimum-effort slap on the wrist, where we pretend it was limited to one club would never have been good enough. The authorities had to go bigger and get a grip of it.
As for Everton, it was their own decisions that made them fall apart. You could argue that Liverpool had it worse. Everton were a settled side at the time while the reds needed re-building and were in uncharted territories with a young manager and had just lost the best striker around. I live around the corner from Colin and see him most mornings but I've never got round to ask him why Howard really left. Feels a bit too on the nose to straight up ask. Maybe it was arrogance in wanting to prove himself the best in Europe, maybe it was just money. But the simple fact was that the club just made bad decisions then. Harvey wasn't cut out for management, they let good players go in their prime, and the replacements were worse. It's just the same story that's been done a thousand times about how a club rises up, but then the decisions go bad and it drops down again.
I think we where rob
Watching
Scousers dominating Europe them lost years
On the pitch
Watching
Scousers dominating Europe them lost years
On the pitch
The Europeans dubbed hooligans the British disease and banned English teams
Those years saw English teams fall behind, and didn't they clamp down on tackles on the pitch as a side hustle against violence off the pitch?
Those years saw English teams fall behind, and didn't they clamp down on tackles on the pitch as a side hustle against violence off the pitch?
It was called the British disease. While we were probably the worst, the rest weren't innocents. My recollection of Heysel will always be the Juve fan with the gun. I was 12. I never even got back in for kick off (wasn't it 6.30?), as I was playing footy with my mates and by that point it was just another European Cup final. Was getting a bit boring frankly. But I remember the tv coverage was showing the Italians also having a good go, and there seemed to be a big focus on the lad with (I think) a flare gun running up to the Liverpool end.
As said, it was clear football just couldn't keep going on like this and the wall collapsing just made the authorities' job all the easier.
As said, it was clear football just couldn't keep going on like this and the wall collapsing just made the authorities' job all the easier.
This thread was supposed to be about Everton and recollections of those glorious mid 80s days.
But i can't let PoP get away with some of that tosh he's written above.
Firstly i have already stated above that the club hierarchy hold much of the blame for Everton's fortunes falling.
Secondly, it's widely known that Howard left because of the ban, in his own words "I finally moved to Bilbao because having won the Cup Winners Cup in 1985, i wanted to taste European football again and, with the ban, it was a long time to wait with Everton". It was the worst mistake he ever made, both for him and the club, as had he stayed there is no doubt that continued success would have followed. Incidentally it was reported that Howard was recommended to Bilbao by a Liverpool exec of all people, another thing to thank our neighbours for?!
Thirdly, what's all this "You could argue Liverpool had it worse" ? That did make me laugh, old habits die hard i suppose PoP.
When Rush left, John Aldridge came in (and of course Rush was only away for one year before returning). They also signed Steve McMahon, Peter Beardsley and John Barnes. How on earth did they cope .....?
By way of contrast Everton brought in the likes of Neil Adams, Ian Snodin, Kevin Langley, Paul Power, Wayne Clarke, Neil Pointon and Paul Wilkinson. None of whom were household names in their own household i would guess. Those guys all played at least 10 games in 86/87 when Everton cruised to the title. They also signed a more well known player in Dave Watson who played in most games that season. They did also sign Lineker for the 85/86 season but never won anything that year.
As i mentioned earlier, the Everton fans were an absolute credit to the club and indeed to the city on their European adventures in 84/5. Unfortunately you cannot say that about some (and i would emphasise the word some) of the Liverpool supporters who attended Heysel.
It is also worth mentioning something that many may be unaware of and that is that in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, some Liverpool execs tried to blame others for what happened rather than their own supporters. A shameful response.
But i can't let PoP get away with some of that tosh he's written above.
Firstly i have already stated above that the club hierarchy hold much of the blame for Everton's fortunes falling.
Secondly, it's widely known that Howard left because of the ban, in his own words "I finally moved to Bilbao because having won the Cup Winners Cup in 1985, i wanted to taste European football again and, with the ban, it was a long time to wait with Everton". It was the worst mistake he ever made, both for him and the club, as had he stayed there is no doubt that continued success would have followed. Incidentally it was reported that Howard was recommended to Bilbao by a Liverpool exec of all people, another thing to thank our neighbours for?!
Thirdly, what's all this "You could argue Liverpool had it worse" ? That did make me laugh, old habits die hard i suppose PoP.
When Rush left, John Aldridge came in (and of course Rush was only away for one year before returning). They also signed Steve McMahon, Peter Beardsley and John Barnes. How on earth did they cope .....?
By way of contrast Everton brought in the likes of Neil Adams, Ian Snodin, Kevin Langley, Paul Power, Wayne Clarke, Neil Pointon and Paul Wilkinson. None of whom were household names in their own household i would guess. Those guys all played at least 10 games in 86/87 when Everton cruised to the title. They also signed a more well known player in Dave Watson who played in most games that season. They did also sign Lineker for the 85/86 season but never won anything that year.
As i mentioned earlier, the Everton fans were an absolute credit to the club and indeed to the city on their European adventures in 84/5. Unfortunately you cannot say that about some (and i would emphasise the word some) of the Liverpool supporters who attended Heysel.
It is also worth mentioning something that many may be unaware of and that is that in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, some Liverpool execs tried to blame others for what happened rather than their own supporters. A shameful response.
My point was - as you've so ably demonstrated - that you're just looking for excuses.
In 85 Everton were the better team. I'd say they were the better team in 86 too despite Liverpool doing the double. Liverpool players obviously carried the mental scars of Heysel, had a brand new manager coming in and a team that was in need of freshening up.
My point was that all teams need renewal. What killed Everton wasn't Heysel or the ban. It was simply that they made bad choices. You could argue that they fell behind European rivals due to the ban, but they were in the same boat as all the other English clubs and went from top dogs to mid-table in the space of a few years.
You can be as bitter as you like about what might have been but the simple fact is Everton dropped due to their own poor decisions. Nothing else.
In 85 Everton were the better team. I'd say they were the better team in 86 too despite Liverpool doing the double. Liverpool players obviously carried the mental scars of Heysel, had a brand new manager coming in and a team that was in need of freshening up.
My point was that all teams need renewal. What killed Everton wasn't Heysel or the ban. It was simply that they made bad choices. You could argue that they fell behind European rivals due to the ban, but they were in the same boat as all the other English clubs and went from top dogs to mid-table in the space of a few years.
You can be as bitter as you like about what might have been but the simple fact is Everton dropped due to their own poor decisions. Nothing else.
I am not looking for excuses, all of the things i have written are factual. I have already stated twice that the people running EFC are largely at fault. And instead of guessing why Howard left i quoted the man's own words as to the reason why he did. I know that you think you are never wrong PoP but try absorbing the facts, Howard had built that team and in some cases turned water in to wine, winning the title again in 87 with so many unknowns making a number of appearances was a greater achievement imo than the winning in 85, the man had the midas touch and there is every reason to believe he might even have built a Sir Alex style dominance had he stayed at the club. But he left because of the Euro ban and EFC suffered as a result. And that is a fact, not an excuse. NSNO.
Most fans that died at Heysel were Juventus fans, most fans that were injured at Heysel were Juventus fans, to put focus onto the stadium and say that your overriding memory was a Juventus fan and his starter gun is inappropriate , it makes it seem like you're doing all you can to shift attention away from Liverpool supporters, there were 14 Liverpool fans found guilty of manslaughter, decrepit stadium or not. It was also known as the English disease, not the British disease.
And I quoted facts too.
I know what Kendall said, but I’m certain he didn’t take a drop in wages and he wouldn’t be the first to dress up a selfish decision as personal ambition. Hi Trent!
But Everton fell apart. The manager left and was quickly followed by most of the team. But why didn’t that happen to other teams? The point is you think the Euro ban only applied to you, but we were all in the same boat. But Liverpool didn’t fall apart and neither did all the clubs who leapfrogged Everton.
Seems a good moment to laugh at calling Ian Snodin an unknown again. He was the highest profile transfer of the season. We were gutted to miss out on him. The rest are unknown because they were crap. I could point to the likes of Spackman and Macdonald at Liverpool as two “unknowns” that didn’t really work out. Difference was Dalglish did a far better job and got a few crackers in.
I suppose what if is the perfect nostalgia and you can never really argue against it with reality so I’ll bid you good evening.
Scand -I’m not blaming Juve fans. Though they weren’t all innocent victims in that. Just sharing my recollection of the time and how the British tv framed it. I’m sure you could find clips of it yourself easy enough. But I’d never try to cover up what Liverpool fans did that night.
I know what Kendall said, but I’m certain he didn’t take a drop in wages and he wouldn’t be the first to dress up a selfish decision as personal ambition. Hi Trent!
But Everton fell apart. The manager left and was quickly followed by most of the team. But why didn’t that happen to other teams? The point is you think the Euro ban only applied to you, but we were all in the same boat. But Liverpool didn’t fall apart and neither did all the clubs who leapfrogged Everton.
Seems a good moment to laugh at calling Ian Snodin an unknown again. He was the highest profile transfer of the season. We were gutted to miss out on him. The rest are unknown because they were crap. I could point to the likes of Spackman and Macdonald at Liverpool as two “unknowns” that didn’t really work out. Difference was Dalglish did a far better job and got a few crackers in.
I suppose what if is the perfect nostalgia and you can never really argue against it with reality so I’ll bid you good evening.
Scand -I’m not blaming Juve fans. Though they weren’t all innocent victims in that. Just sharing my recollection of the time and how the British tv framed it. I’m sure you could find clips of it yourself easy enough. But I’d never try to cover up what Liverpool fans did that night.
everton fans always blame liverpool for what happened at hysel and the ban that followed.
the point is it was a tragedy for everyone and in particular for the people who lost their lives.
blues get over it.. it ws tough **** for u but hey **** happens
the point is it was a tragedy for everyone and in particular for the people who lost their lives.
blues get over it.. it ws tough **** for u but hey **** happens
Dragon - this thread was supposed to be about reflections of the 85 CWC final and the lead up to that famous night for Everton. It was PoP that upped the ante on the whole Heysel thing, the opening line of his first post pretty much gives the game away. And i would respectfully suggest that Liverpool fans would be feeling just as sore if they were banned due to the actions of another clubs supporters.
Lol right back at PoP regarding Ian Snodin - his transfer was only high profile due to him snubbing Liverpool to join Everton. Most fans had never heard of him as he was playing in the second tier at the time and there was no Sky tv or blanket coverage of lower leagues as we have today. He was just as unknown as most of the others i mentioned until the transfer saga hit the papers - as they say "everyone's an unknown until they're not". In fact Dave Watson was just as high profile a transfer for Everton that season (if not more so) as he cost £1m and fans up and down the country knew him as he already had 6 England caps when he was signed. And if the other "unknowns" really were carp as you say then how come they all played plenty of games and ended up with League winners medals with King Kenny's superstars trailing in their wake ?
Of course Howard was ambitious, he wanted to be managing a team with a chance of playing in the top European competitions, something which English clubs were not going to be able to do for at least 3 more years. I can't believe you are trying to compare his decision to Trent's, there was nothing like that kind of money around in 1987 so no way was it a deciding factor. How would you feel if your team had just walked off with the league title for the second time in 3 years but had again been denied the opportunity to dine at the top table the following season? It was more frustration than anything else.
And for the umpteenth time i know full well that the blame lies with the club hierarchy for Everton's lack of success since those days but it is indisputable that they were the club most affected by the European ban as they were denied playing in the European Cup on at least two occasions. If Howard had stayed who knows how many more titles would have followed ? About the only thing you got right was saying Colin Harvey was not cut out to replace Howard and it was then, and only then, that the decline began to set in.
Lol right back at PoP regarding Ian Snodin - his transfer was only high profile due to him snubbing Liverpool to join Everton. Most fans had never heard of him as he was playing in the second tier at the time and there was no Sky tv or blanket coverage of lower leagues as we have today. He was just as unknown as most of the others i mentioned until the transfer saga hit the papers - as they say "everyone's an unknown until they're not". In fact Dave Watson was just as high profile a transfer for Everton that season (if not more so) as he cost £1m and fans up and down the country knew him as he already had 6 England caps when he was signed. And if the other "unknowns" really were carp as you say then how come they all played plenty of games and ended up with League winners medals with King Kenny's superstars trailing in their wake ?
Of course Howard was ambitious, he wanted to be managing a team with a chance of playing in the top European competitions, something which English clubs were not going to be able to do for at least 3 more years. I can't believe you are trying to compare his decision to Trent's, there was nothing like that kind of money around in 1987 so no way was it a deciding factor. How would you feel if your team had just walked off with the league title for the second time in 3 years but had again been denied the opportunity to dine at the top table the following season? It was more frustration than anything else.
And for the umpteenth time i know full well that the blame lies with the club hierarchy for Everton's lack of success since those days but it is indisputable that they were the club most affected by the European ban as they were denied playing in the European Cup on at least two occasions. If Howard had stayed who knows how many more titles would have followed ? About the only thing you got right was saying Colin Harvey was not cut out to replace Howard and it was then, and only then, that the decline began to set in.
Dixie, great write ups
I grew up on Kent/London borders and vaguely remember going on a ferry from Sheerness to somewhere on the continent. The Isle of Sheppey seemed like a foreign country itself to me back in the late 70s. I assume the ferries no longer run from there?
I grew up on Kent/London borders and vaguely remember going on a ferry from Sheerness to somewhere on the continent. The Isle of Sheppey seemed like a foreign country itself to me back in the late 70s. I assume the ferries no longer run from there?
Kendall was so keento play in European competitions that he joined a team that finished 13th and didn't qualify.
lol
lol
but it is indisputable that they were the club most affected by the European ban as they were denied playing in the European Cup on at least two occasions
And here I have to come again with the facts.
Arsenal also missed out on the EC twice, while Liverpool were actually most affected, missing out three times.
And here I have to come again with the facts.
Arsenal also missed out on the EC twice, while Liverpool were actually most affected, missing out three times.
hello dixie, a lovely write up but they shouldnt have been in that final.
i will never forget tony cascarino being clear through with only the keeper to beat, sadly the keeper was neville southall and he was superb. in the second replay we were completely outclassed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEMhILyBK7Y
i seem to recall kendall was under pressure that season and a victory against clough's forest was vital in saving his job. i felt if they had lost to third division gillingham then he may well have got the sack.
i will never forget tony cascarino being clear through with only the keeper to beat, sadly the keeper was neville southall and he was superb. in the second replay we were completely outclassed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEMhILyBK7Y
i seem to recall kendall was under pressure that season and a victory against clough's forest was vital in saving his job. i felt if they had lost to third division gillingham then he may well have got the sack.
everton were a fantastic team under kendall and it's a shame they didnt get to play in the european cup.
Sheedy what player
Grew up watching them Scara Mangas win everything
Lucky my dad started taking me to orient, as could easy been London red or blue
Than when I was old enough went to Upton Park
With my mates
Grew up watching them Scara Mangas win everything
Lucky my dad started taking me to orient, as could easy been London red or blue
Than when I was old enough went to Upton Park
With my mates
their 4th round opponents as fate decreed were my local team Gillingham, then in the old 3rd division. As a result of this i was able to finally make my first trip to Goodison with a bunch of my Gills supporting mates. The crowd that day was a bit larger at 22,000 (plenty from Kent in attendance) but the mood was still toxic amongst the home fans as another 0-0 draw was played out, indeed the Gills were inches away from winning the game, had they done so then Howard may well have been shown the door. He was even closer to the exit nearing the end of the replay a couple of days later, as with not long left and the match still scoreless, Tony Cascarino ran from the halfway line with only Southall to beat. It's a cliche but time really did stand still. Maybe Cas had too long to think about it but Neville seemingly psyched him out and saved the day for the toffees. A week later, with a ridiculous gale force wind blowing, Everton finally showed their class with a 3 nil win at Priestfield in the second replay. Three months later they beat Watford in the final to win their first trophy in 14 years. How quickly fortunes can change, had the Gills won that 4th round tie then all that followed for Everton over the next few years would probably never have happened.
I tell this story too. Kendall would have been sacked if Cascarino scored. My recollection was it was that was at Priestfield. Cascarino was put through and ran from the halfway line with just Southall to beat. My recollection was that he blazed over into the Rainham End rather than Southall saving it, which, would have been fair enough. It was gut wrenching. ( maybe the miss was on tv and the game was at Everton time diminishes ).
I do remember however the 3-0 at Gillingham midweek. It was blowing a houlie and our possible one o-level goal keeper Ron Hillyard kept launching it and the wind taking the ball off at the other end rather than popping it up for the wind and a fast break. He was a great goal keeper as you know Dixie and our record appearance player.
I tell this story too. Kendall would have been sacked if Cascarino scored. My recollection was it was that was at Priestfield. Cascarino was put through and ran from the halfway line with just Southall to beat. My recollection was that he blazed over into the Rainham End rather than Southall saving it, which, would have been fair enough. It was gut wrenching. ( maybe the miss was on tv and the game was at Everton time diminishes ).
I do remember however the 3-0 at Gillingham midweek. It was blowing a houlie and our possible one o-level goal keeper Ron Hillyard kept launching it and the wind taking the ball off at the other end rather than popping it up for the wind and a fast break. He was a great goal keeper as you know Dixie and our record appearance player.
Also did they play Z Cars at Gillingham pre match? I think they did.
May 17, 2025 -- 9:55AM, jollyswagman wrote:
everton were a fantastic team under kendall and it's a shame they didnt get to play in the european cup.
Agree 100% with this.
There were 2-3 years when they were better than Liverpool and they'd have had a good chance of winning the big one.
From a selfish point of view, I'd have loved to see Kenny's late-80's team in there. Imagine seeing Barnes-Aldridge-Beardsley up against the AC Milan team of Van Basten and Gullit. Mouth watering.
Only just spotted this Fred..
This is the only match that I have ever been to that wasn't a Wolves match. I worked with a scouse bloke, he was a big Everton fan and he'd got a spare ticket for Rotterdam. I had just split with a long time girlfriend so I thought fck it.. I'll go with him (no chance of my team ever getting to a European final)... plus I thought that Andy Gray was brilliant.
We were there for 3 nights and I have to say that it was fckin marvellous. Great crack with 20 or 30 odd thousand toffee fans and a good laugh with all the Dutch and Austrian fans... never a hint of any aggro... though I do remember that they held a minute silence for the Bradford City fire victims.. the Vienna fans booed and lit fires all the way through it (the UK media never mentioned this)
Can't believe it's been 40 years... don't half make me feel old
This is the only match that I have ever been to that wasn't a Wolves match. I worked with a scouse bloke, he was a big Everton fan and he'd got a spare ticket for Rotterdam. I had just split with a long time girlfriend so I thought fck it.. I'll go with him (no chance of my team ever getting to a European final)... plus I thought that Andy Gray was brilliant.
We were there for 3 nights and I have to say that it was fckin marvellous. Great crack with 20 or 30 odd thousand toffee fans and a good laugh with all the Dutch and Austrian fans... never a hint of any aggro... though I do remember that they held a minute silence for the Bradford City fire victims.. the Vienna fans booed and lit fires all the way through it (the UK media never mentioned this)
Can't believe it's been 40 years... don't half make me feel old
I always liked the Cup winners Cup before it became dated, earliest memories of Arsenal in Europe was in this competition, Alan Smith scored the winner in the final against Parma in 94 with a team that had Zola and Asprilla, we then lost the Super Cup final against the great 90's Milan side that were in the middle of their 3 Champions League finals in a row campaign, and winning Serie A every year, though we held them to a draw at home before they got rid of two legs, a year later we lost the same final again to Real Zaragoza, some bang average, fk ex-Spurs players scored from the half line
....think Poyet was also in their team that night.
Kind Regards.
....think Poyet was also in their team that night.Kind Regards.
Hello to all who posted today and thanks for your comments, bit late replying, been otherwise engaged.
PoP - i don't think we'll ever see eye to eye on this one so lets call a truce, agree Everton and Liverpool were both great sides in the 80s and that it was a shame the era ended.
Reg - the Olau Line ran ferries from Sheerness to Vlissingen, Holland (known to the English as Flushing) from 1974 to about early 1990s.It was a financial decision to stop the service. They were lovely vessels more like mini cruise ships it was about 2 hours train ride up to Rotterdam or Amsterdam from the port. I actually first used them when i managed to get tickets for Villas European Cup win over Bayern in 1982. Had several more trips, always took the overnight which was a 9 hour sailing and they had a casino and nightclub to keep us occupied. The fare was always about £16 return !
Jolly - christ don't i know they shouldn't have got to the final that year! Gills could have won it at Goodison but had one off the line and hit the bar in a five minute spell just before half time. In the first replay as you know Cas had too much time - great goalkeeping by Nev though, i've just watched it back on you tube and both sides have loads of chances, a very good game for a 0-0. Everton beat Forest 1 nil a couple of months earlier (in the middle of November) and pressure was beginning to mount on Howard at that time.
WD - The game with Cascarino's chance was at Priestfield in the first replay, Nev saved it, Cas got a bit too close to him in the end and his low shot was excellently saved. Gills should have won anyway on the balance of chances, both sides had loads. The second replay was actually on the following Monday when the gale was blowing, it almost freeze dried us in the Rainham End. We were packed in like sardines , i'm sure you can add 2k to the official attendance. There are highlights on you tube of all 3 games. What may surprise you is that the legend that is Ron Hillyard wasn't actually in goal (must have been injured) as David Fry was between the posts for each match. In that final game Everton scored all 3 goals against the wind. showing a bit of nous in the conditions, the penny never dropped for poor old David Fry as every goal kick from him went one bounce in to the Rainham End !
Mecca - what a great experience that was, the Mayor of Rotterdam was effusive in his praise for the fans. I take it you had a hotel then ? We had to come back on the day after the game me and my mate had to rough it, kipped on the ferry on the way over then got a couple of hours kip after the post match celebrations on a bench at the rail station. If i ever do it again its going to be luxury ! And yes i remember those fires being lit by the Vienna fans, how they were allowed to do that i don't know, it was the only hint of anything nasty that i saw as both sets of fans got along famously.
Mes - i always liked the CWC and not just because Everton won it ! Many of the top European clubs won it including Barca, Bayern, PSG, Ajax. Plenty of English winners as well including both Mancs and both North London clubs.
PoP - i don't think we'll ever see eye to eye on this one so lets call a truce, agree Everton and Liverpool were both great sides in the 80s and that it was a shame the era ended.
Reg - the Olau Line ran ferries from Sheerness to Vlissingen, Holland (known to the English as Flushing) from 1974 to about early 1990s.It was a financial decision to stop the service. They were lovely vessels more like mini cruise ships it was about 2 hours train ride up to Rotterdam or Amsterdam from the port. I actually first used them when i managed to get tickets for Villas European Cup win over Bayern in 1982. Had several more trips, always took the overnight which was a 9 hour sailing and they had a casino and nightclub to keep us occupied. The fare was always about £16 return !
Jolly - christ don't i know they shouldn't have got to the final that year! Gills could have won it at Goodison but had one off the line and hit the bar in a five minute spell just before half time. In the first replay as you know Cas had too much time - great goalkeeping by Nev though, i've just watched it back on you tube and both sides have loads of chances, a very good game for a 0-0. Everton beat Forest 1 nil a couple of months earlier (in the middle of November) and pressure was beginning to mount on Howard at that time.
WD - The game with Cascarino's chance was at Priestfield in the first replay, Nev saved it, Cas got a bit too close to him in the end and his low shot was excellently saved. Gills should have won anyway on the balance of chances, both sides had loads. The second replay was actually on the following Monday when the gale was blowing, it almost freeze dried us in the Rainham End. We were packed in like sardines , i'm sure you can add 2k to the official attendance. There are highlights on you tube of all 3 games. What may surprise you is that the legend that is Ron Hillyard wasn't actually in goal (must have been injured) as David Fry was between the posts for each match. In that final game Everton scored all 3 goals against the wind. showing a bit of nous in the conditions, the penny never dropped for poor old David Fry as every goal kick from him went one bounce in to the Rainham End !
Mecca - what a great experience that was, the Mayor of Rotterdam was effusive in his praise for the fans. I take it you had a hotel then ? We had to come back on the day after the game me and my mate had to rough it, kipped on the ferry on the way over then got a couple of hours kip after the post match celebrations on a bench at the rail station. If i ever do it again its going to be luxury ! And yes i remember those fires being lit by the Vienna fans, how they were allowed to do that i don't know, it was the only hint of anything nasty that i saw as both sets of fans got along famously.
Mes - i always liked the CWC and not just because Everton won it ! Many of the top European clubs won it including Barca, Bayern, PSG, Ajax. Plenty of English winners as well including both Mancs and both North London clubs.
Everton definitely suffered most from the Euro ban, in terms of the difference it could have meant to their history.
Liverpool did miss 3 European Cups after winning titles (though maybe more that they would have played in as holders) but they already had won it 4 times.
Arsenal actually only missed out in 1989(In 1991/92 they lost to Benfica in Last 16). It's hard to see how Arsenal beat that Milan side in 1990.
But Everton very likely would have won it, maybe twice, as '86, '87, '88 were the weakest years of the tournament. The 1986 European Cup Final was so bad that BBC/ITV didn't bother showing the game live again for years afterwards. The contrast between the '86 FA Cup Final played the same week was very striking.
If they'd won a European Cup or 2 then likely they'd have attracted a lot more fans around the country that would have given them better merchandise sales in the decades since.
Though I don't think they could have sustained success into the 1990s as their great team was mostly too old by then, and, as Porcupine says, they made poor choices in the market when they were on top, certainly compared to Liverpool's signings in 1987.
Liverpool did miss 3 European Cups after winning titles (though maybe more that they would have played in as holders) but they already had won it 4 times.
Arsenal actually only missed out in 1989(In 1991/92 they lost to Benfica in Last 16). It's hard to see how Arsenal beat that Milan side in 1990.
But Everton very likely would have won it, maybe twice, as '86, '87, '88 were the weakest years of the tournament. The 1986 European Cup Final was so bad that BBC/ITV didn't bother showing the game live again for years afterwards. The contrast between the '86 FA Cup Final played the same week was very striking.
If they'd won a European Cup or 2 then likely they'd have attracted a lot more fans around the country that would have given them better merchandise sales in the decades since.
Though I don't think they could have sustained success into the 1990s as their great team was mostly too old by then, and, as Porcupine says, they made poor choices in the market when they were on top, certainly compared to Liverpool's signings in 1987.
tobermory, you make some fair points. A lot of it was to do with timing as even though Everton had just won the title, clubs like Liverpool for instance were still seen as the more attractive option for the better players (such as Barnes and Beardsley )to sign for. Had Everton's profile risen a bit earlier then they may have been able to ride out the storm. When you look at some of the players that came in to the side (due to injury to some key players) in 86/87 it's a miracle that they won the title so comfortably, but that was testament to the organisational skill of the manager.
WD - in November 1975 Gills played Weymouth away in the FA Cup first round. They won 2-0 with our fav Damien Richardson scoring both goals and Ron Hillyard playing a blinder in goal. But who was in goal for Weymouth that day, well none other than the above mentioned David Fry who on that day became the youngest ever player to appear in the FA cup at the age of just 15.
Funny I do remember David Fry, just such a long time ago!
I was in the Gillingham End so did not feel the cold, just could not understand why he kept booting it off the end.
Pete Feely, Danny Westwood, Damien Richardson…. Wot a front three with due respec to Ken Price!
I was in the Gillingham End so did not feel the cold, just could not understand why he kept booting it off the end.
Pete Feely, Danny Westwood, Damien Richardson…. Wot a front three with due respec to Ken Price!
WD, Do you know why Pete Feely only played 41 games for the Gills ? Must have been injuries i suppose. he actually scored 22 goals which is a pretty good return.
Also, did you know he became a multi millionaire after his football days were over ?
Also, did you know he became a multi millionaire after his football days were over ?
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