One of the grandest clubs in English football with a history that’s rich and deep, Everton FC have never been relegated from the top flight. Up until the turn of this century, the toffees also held another proud record – they had won at least one major trophy during every decade they played. The club enjoyed its most successful period during the 80′s and therefore it’s no surprise that the bulk of this team has been selected from that era. However, from an entirely different period, the club has within its ranks a player who is perhaps considered the greatest goalscorer in English football history.
But if you had to create an ultimate team to represent your club’s colours, choosing only the bare 11 players, who would make the cut?
Do you agree or disagree with my choices? Leave your comments below!
1. GK: Neville Southall (1981 – 1998)
Many claim at one point during the mid-80’s, that Southall was the best goalkeeper on the planet. His service to the club is not in doubt, playing over 700 games during their most successful period ever.
2. RB: Gary Stevens (1982 – 1988)
Brought up through Everton’s youth ranks, Steven’s went on to establish himself as first choice in the first team, and with England. The ever-dependable fullback was a fixture of the glorious mid-80’s side that won two league titles, the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup.
5. CB: Brian LaBone (1958 – 1971)
A local lad and one club man, LaBone was Everton through and through. Making his debut as a 17-year old he went on to captain the side, playing over 500 games in which he was only booked twice. LaBone is hailed as the ‘captain’s captain’ by former players and fans alike.
6. CB: Kevin Ratcliffe (1980 – 1992)
Everton’s most successful captain, Ratcliffe was given the armband when he was just 23 years old and led the team to two league titles, the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup. Ratcliffe was well renowned for his pace and was extremely difficult to beat because of this. It is alleged that he even challenged Linford Christie to a race, after the 1992 Olympics!
3. LB: Ray Wilson (1964 – 1969)
Perhaps known more for his England exploits than his Everton ones, but it was whilst at the club he won the 1966 World Cup and is often pictured with Bobby Moore sitting on his shoulder. In the same season the left-back won the FA Cup with the Blue’s and was a losing finalist two years later.
11. RW: Trevor Steven (1983 – 1989)
‘Tricky Trev’ narrowly beats Russian Andrei Kanchelskis for this position on account on his better overall service to the club, playing over 250 games and scoring over 50 goals. Right-wing Steven, and right-back Stevens, formed a formidable, whilst also confusing, partnership on that flank for both opponents and commentators during the mid-80’s era. Steven was in-particular known for his pin-point crossing, used to setup the forwards many goalscoring opportunities.
4. CM: Alan Ball (1966 – 1971)
Another member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning side, Everton snapped up Ball just after the tournament finished. Ball settled into what became regarded as his generation’s best midfield trio alongside Colin Harvey and Howard Kendall, better known as ‘The Holy Trinity’. It took them, three more years before Ball collected his first (and only) domestic title, winning the league in 1970. He played 249 games for Everton, scoring 78 goals.
10. CM/F: Alex Young (1960 – 1968)
‘The Golden Vision’ as he was affectionately known, Young was more a forward than midfielder but used to float around the central areas where he could best use his elegant touch to set-up goalscoring opportunities for others. During the ’62-’63 season he scored 22 times in 42 games (the season his nickname was coined) and went on to score 87 times in total in his Blue’s career.
7. LW: Kevin Sheedy (1982 – 1992)
Sheedy is Everton’s best ever left-winger and was a fixture in the successful mid-80’s sides. Actually signed from derby rivals Liverpool where he wasn’t deemed good enough, the tricky and cultured winger won various titles at the Blues, and was known for his dead-ball skills. Indeed, during the 80’s era, Sheedy scored many goals direct from free-kicks.
8. F: William Dean (1925 – 1937)
Better known as ‘Dixie’, Dean is one of English football’s greatest ever goalscorers – perhaps, the greatest. During the 1927-28 season he scored 60 league goals in just 39 games – a record which stands to this day. His league stats also show that overall for Everton, he played in 399 games and scored 349 goals – a goal machine indeed!
9. F: Graeme Sharp (1980 – 1991)
A toss-up between Sharp and Bob Latchford, but Sharp just pips it due to honours collected in being the centre-forward of the team during the mid-80’s. Sharp is also Everton’s second highest goalscorer ever, with 267 goals. Excellent in the air and a great target-man, Sharp brought others into play and formed great partnerships with Andy Gray, Adrian Heath and Gary Linekar – who all benefitted from his link-up play. At a time when Everton were at their most successful, Sharp was firing them to glory.
Honourable mentions and unlucky to make the team are:
Gordon West, Mick Lyons, Dave Watson, Howard Kendall, Colin Harvey, Peter Reid, Bob Latchford, Gary Lineker, Duncan Ferguson, Andrei Kanchelskis
