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.
In 1960, the wealthy owner of the Merseyside-based Littlewoods corporation, John Moores, took control of Everton Football Club, setting in motion a chain of events that still affect the game in this country today. Everton had enjoyed success before Moores's takeover but things would never be the same again from the moment he walked through Goodison's doors. Although big clubs had spent money before, none had done so with such naked short-term ambition and a ruthlessness to succeed that sent shockwaves through the previously stagnant world of English football. The new owner's ruthless streak was personified by his first major move, sacking the popular Johnny Carey in the back of a London taxi in April 1961. Everton would finish that 1960/61 season in fifth place, their highest position since World War Two, but the Irishman's affable nature cost him his job. In his place Moores wanted a man in his own image to lead the club forward and he soon found him: Harry Catterick. Catterick was little over 40 years old, and had been an Everton player himself only ten years before. But as a boss he exuded an aura that demanded respect and obedience from his players. It was a characteristic that won him few fans but plenty of trophies, and across the decade Everton reasserted themselves as one of English football's powerhouses, winning two league titles and an FA Cup. Catterick's ability to nurture young products of the club's youth set-up such as Colin Harvey and Joe Royle was trumped only by his mastery of the transfer market, allowing him to sign the great Howard Kendall from Preston North End and World Cup winner Alan Ball from under his rivals' noses. Harvey, Kendall and Ball would soon form the club's greatest midfield trio, and their brilliance would underpin the 1969/70 title win, a victory for free-flowing football in an era of cynicism. That trophy would be Everton's last major honour for 14 years. In Money Can't Buy Us Love, Everton's official statistician Gavin Buckland tells the tale of how Moores and manager Harry Catterick took the so-called 'Mersey Millionaires' to the summit of English football, in the context of the major cultural changes of the time. The book provides a forensic character study of both Catterick and Moores, and also delves into the archives to provide a definitive account of the incidents that rocked the club in a fruitful but turbulent decade, including allegations of doping in the 1962/63 campaign, the 1964 match-fixing scandal which signalled the end of Tony Kay's career and the shock sale of Alan Ball. Money Can't Buy Us Love offers fascinating insight into how strong personalities can take a team to the very top, but can also cause in its ultimate downfall.
Do you support Everton FC? Have you cheered the team to victory as they scored the winning goal in an important match? Do you know all there is to know about the club's long and successful history or would you like to find out more about your favourite football team? If you are a true Blues fan you are certain to want this new book, 101 Interesting Facts on Everton. Packed full of information about the boys from Goodison Park and a fun read for all the family, this book covers every aspect of the club, past and present. Learn more about the great players, managers, opponents and all those golden moments that have helped to make Everton great. Gen up with the 101 facts in this book and impress your mates with how much you know about The People's Club. This is a must-have book for all Blues fans and anyone with an interest in top flight football.
