Everton's Magnificent Mid-Eighties: The 1983-1985 Story in Caricatures

By Andy Groom

Are you an Everton fan? Can you remember back to the team’s glory days of the 1980s? Would you like to revisit all of those magical moments from 1983-1985 or find out more about that time? If so, you are certain to enjoy this new book, researched and illustrated by lifelong Everton supporter, Andy Groom. Everton’s Magnificent Mid-Eighties takes a nostalgic look back at the period 1983-1985 and is packed with facts and tales about the Everton success story during these years. The book contains 20 player profiles and 18 caricatures drawn by the author as well as information on club history and general trivia about the Blues. All the great names of the day including Howard Kendall, Neville Southall, Kevin Ratcliffe, Kevin Sheedy, Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray to name but a few, are featured in this fascinating, illustrated tribute to Everton. This is a must-have book for anyone interested in learning about Everton FC during the mid-eighties and one that Blues fans of all ages will treasure for years to come.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Apex Publishing Limited
• Release date: Jul 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9780993263026

Book preview

Publishing.

Introduction

Everton’s Magnificent-Mid Eighties is packed with 18 caricatures, history, facts, tales and profiles depicting the 1983-1985 Everton story. The book includes over 20 profiles of the players who are rooted in the history of Everton, with the likes of Howard Kendall, Neville Southall, Kevin Ratcliffe, Kevin Sheedy, Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray adding to the mid-eighties’ story. Unlike other historical publications, Everton’s Magnificent Mid-Eighties offers a roller coaster ride of Everton FC’s performance during 1983-1985 through illustration and text.

As an Evertonian, I have loved researching, writing and drawing the history of one of the world’s greatest football clubs. This is a book every Evertonian and football fan will want to read.

Chapter One

New Birth

During the divine mid-eighties, Everton won one League Championship, the FA Cup, the European Cup-Winners’ Cup and came in close proximity to a momentous treble in 1984-85!

It had been eighteen years since Goodison welcomed a trophy!

On May 1981, the exit of Gordon Lee saw the appointment of Howard Kendall, a productive centre midfielder for the Club in his playing days, and now a manager who wanted to build a side in true Everton traditions.

Everton Chairman, Sir Philip Carter, had significant confidence in Kendall on the basis that he was a young talent suited to management. Carter joined Everton in 1975 and witnessed Kendall’s managerial skills.

The year 1970 was a long time ago, when the Everton player had played magical football, and a match against Keflavik saw Kendall score a fine goal. Now, he needed to set a high standard of managerial expertise at the Club.

Sir Philip Carter and Kendall targeted four years to shape and develop a top Everton team.

In Kendall’s first managerial term, he acquired the likes of MBE Neville Southall, Alan Irvine, Kevin Ratcliffe, Graeme Sharp and Kevin Richardson. The 1982-1983 season saw the arrival of Adrian Heath, Kevin Sheedy from Liverpool and the shrewd bargain Peter Reid.

Then came Gary Stevens, Derek Mountfield and Andy Gray in October 1983.

We all know this part of the Everton story; when only 18 months previously Everton were bottom of the League and the fans were not pleased with manager Kendall. In the first and second season, confidence was very