Everton Former Players vs Barcelona Veterans

Heritage Week Matchup with proceeds to the Everton Collection

A Night to Remember
 

Match Report from Paul Trail : 28 March 2007

Having been generously offered the chance to go to watch the Everton game from the press box as ToffeeWeb's nominated representative, I was certainly not going to turn down this opportunity.

Having spoken with Darren Griffiths (Media & Communications Manager) on Monday, he told me to get to the main entrance at about 6:30pm.  As I had to get to Goodison to sort out some other tickets anyway, and predicting some big queues outside the box office, I was parked up around Goodison at about 5:30pm.  With no queue whatsoever at the box office, I quickly picked up my tickets, and with nothing to do for a while I had little option but to go for a quick pint.  At around 6:30pm I made my way to the main entrance, and was confronted by some guy at the door.  I explained I was Paul Traill, from ToffeeWeb, and sure enough, I was on the list and he told me to just go straight up to the press room.  Up I went and I had to have pretty much the same conversation with another guy upstairs who then let me in to help myself to tea and snacks.

I got chatting to some guy who worked for Uefa who was familiar with ToffeeWeb and was very complimentary about the site, as too was the guy on the door for the record.  After a while, Darren came up and introduced himself and explained that we later had the chance to speak with Howard Kendall.  This certainly roused my spirits.  A little later, I recognised Dave Prentice from the Liverpool Echo stroll in.

At about 7:25pm we were told the team were coming out soon so I made my way to the press area.  It was a little strange sitting up there and seeing how it all goes on.  A few people frantically typed away on their laptops throughout the game behind me, whilst I settled for the old fashioned method of teamsheet and notepad to take in the game.

Dave Watson lead Everton out (wearing white), whilst Barcelona sported their more traditional colours.  The teams and subs were:

Everton Former Players: 1. Bobby Mimms 2. Alan Harper 3. Neil Pointon 4. Paul Bracewell 5. Dave Watson 6. Peter Reid 7. Graham Stuart 8. Adrian Heath 9. Graeme Sharp 10. Ian Snodin 11. Peter Beagrie

Subs: 12. Stuart Barlow 13. Kevin O�Brien 14. Kevin Richardson 15. Scott Fenney (for the record, he won a competition and got to play for the last 10 minutes. He�s not actually a former player) 16. Mick O�Brien 17. Mike Newell

Barcelona Veterans: 1. Pere V Mora 2. Tono De La Cruz 3. Vicente Sanchez 4. Joan Blanquera 5. Vicens Navarro 6. Luis Milla 7. Geli Delfi 8. Javier Villena 9. Angel Alonso 10. Garcia Oscar 11. Enrique Esterbaranz

Subs: 12. Rafael Zuviria 14.Tony Serrano 15. Josep M Nogues 16. Jose Ramos 17. Jordi Rebello 18. Javier Priego

Naturally, we were managed by Howard Kendall, whilst Barcelona were managed by Josep Fuste.

As a rule, I think these games are normally crap.  It�s always too friendly for me and never worth the admission money.  With this in mind, I was delighted that this was not the case for this one.  Both teams wanted to win and both teams went for it.  All in all, it made for a very entertaining evening of football, and was much, much better than I expected. I t�s just a shame only around 6,500 witnessed it but those that did will not have been disappointed.

It took both sides a little while to settle as they got a feel of each other and got into the game.  The first shot on goal came in the ninth minute when Graham Stuart had a half-volley well blocked by Mora, although the flag was up against Graeme Sharp.  A couple of minutes later, Milla thought he�d get in on the act at the other end, but from much further out, but his effort was flapped away by Mimms.  Sadly shortly after that spelt the end of the evening for Adrian Heath who had a calf strain, and was replaced by the youthful (!) Stuart Barlow.  The change actually benefited Everton (I never thought I�d say that!) as his pace and the fact he is still playing at some level meant he was a bit sharper than most players out there.

The game now began to kick into gear and both sides had plenty of attempts at goal.  Alonso headed against the post, albeit from an offside position, and Sharp flicked a half-volley just wide on the stretch.  A goal was imminent as we approached the quarter point of the game.

On 20 minutes, Delfi side-footed an effort from the edge of the box just wide, before Bracewell missed two sitters in as many minutes.  The first when he was played through, I think by Stuart, and he let it bounce before skying it over the bar.  The second came when he was slipped through, this time by Reid, but he shot too close to Mora who saved comfortably.

Everton were starting to get plucky and it actually proved to be our undoing, as we then conceded two goals before half time, though both from our free kicks!  The first when it was whipped in towards Watson.  The keeper punched clear and suddenly Estebaranz had a run on I think Snodin.  Unfortunately, Esterbaranz had the legs and ran it into the box.  He attempted to chip over Mimms, who, for a moment, looked like he�d saved it, but unfortunately the ball nestled into the corner of the net.  Que generous applause from the crowd.

10 minutes later, and from another free kick, Barcelona again had a good break on.  This time, it was crossed from the right for Estebaranz to half volley home cutely, and Everton were 0-2 down.  The half time whistle went shortly after that.

At half-time, everyone congregated in the press room and watched England struggle away at Andorra.  I got a beer, but felt like a bit of a loser doing so as I was shamefully the only one who got one!

Everton had to resort to some last ditch defending in the first 15 minutes or so of the second half as Mimms was forced into several fine saves, the best of which both came in quick succession.  The first was a long-range chip from Milla, which was brilliantly tipped over; the other was a good stop from Delfi as Barcelona had a 2-on-1 break.  All this rearguard action didn�t stop Barcelona from extending their lead however, as on 65 minutes Barcelona lead 4-0 and I just hoped it wasn�t going to get embarrassing for Everton.

Bracelona�s third goal completed Estebaranz's hat-trick when he volleyed in at close range from a rebound.  Their fourth was probably the best of the night when Oscar (their captain) picked his spot with a great finish from 20 yards.

Credit to Everton though who rallied and made a real fist of it late on.  Just two minutes after Barcelona�s went 4-0 up, skipper Dave Watson leapt highest in a crowded box to bullet a header in off the underside of the bar from a Mick O�Brien free kick.

Just three minutes after that, the comeback was on when Graham Stuart headed home to make it 2-4.  Everton were pressing really hard now as they had nothing to loose I guess, and Stuart Barlow very nearly scored when Graham Stuart drove into the box and found him.  Unfortunately Mora saved well.

Everton�s response certainly tested the nerve of Barcelona, when Stuart Barlow�s cross was met at the near post by Mike Newell who smashed it home to make it 3-4, and then a minute after that Newell had another chance, this time with his head, although unfortunately he skewed it wide.

That miss proved to be costly when, a few minutes before full-time, substitute Rebello was played into the box and was clipped, I think by Alan Harper.  Referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot and Rebello took the penalty, sending substitute keeper Kevin O�Brien the wrong way.  That was comeback over unfortunately and the full time whistle went shortly after. Everton 3-5 Barcelona.

Just before full-time, some guy from Everton asked if we wanted interviews and I ended up being led downstairs to an interview room with a few others.  After a while, Howard Kendall came in.  I thought I�d maybe get a chance to speak with him but unfortunately never really got the opportunity as Radio City and I think Radio Merseyside quickly spoke to him and then he was gone.  I possibly could have shouted something out at him but didn�t have the gall to do that.  In his interview he spoke of how proud the players all were to play for Everton again and how proud he was to manage the team once again.  He spoke of what a great captain Dave Watson was and was genuinely disappointed that Paul Bracewell had missed such clear opportunities in the first half.  He did make a point of how good the Barcelona players were as well, and also that he never remembered loosing 3-5 before.  I resisted the urge to point out that once we did actually once loose 3-5 at home to QPR!  I think I�d have rightly been escorted out for saying that!!!  He seemed a very warm fella and I wish I could have spoken to him for just a few minutes, but never mind...

Amidst all this, Darren Griffiths came over to me and some fella sitting next to me and said that just me and him might be able to have a quick blurb with a player, possibly Peter Reid.  I was made up with that so stayed put!

Mike Newell came in after Howard and I thought Radio City and Radio Merseyside (again, at least I think it was Radio Merseyside) were a little harsh in the grilling they gave him regarding the latest shenanigans at Luton Town.  Yes, yes, journalists just doing their jobs and all that but I felt they were being a bit pushy.  Anyhow, it made for a good interview.  He spoke of how he really enjoyed the game and enjoyed the banter with the lads and loved being back in the dressing room.  He also spoke of how he was now quite relieved to be out of management for a little while and glad to be back home.  He seemed quite philosophical about being sacked stating he�s �proven he can do a job at that level, and want to do it at a higher level�, although not just now.  He says he wants to be out of the game for a little while, although not too long as you can become easily forgotten then.  Clearly Newell is still a man of principle though, which is probably why he�s so highly thought of, stating that �you should never back down on things you believe strongly in�.  Good advice for anyone I reckon.  He kept a dignified silence on all the other stuff going on at Luton as well.  You know what, I like that guy!

We then got the signal from Darren Griffiths and were lead into what I believe was the players tunnel were we got to meet Graham Stuart.  I was somewhat awestruck to be honest and was grateful that the guy next to me was a bit quicker to the pulse with questions.  It was all a bit unreal for me.

Graham was delighted to be back and really enjoyed the game.  He really enjoyed the banter with the lads and was honoured to play with some great players such as Peter Reid, and made the point of how good Barcelona were stating �they didn�t play for Barcelona for nothing!�.  I managed to muster: �What was it like playing for Howard again?� and he went on to say what a great man he is and how well respected he is.  Not just by him, but by everyone.  The other guy asked �What did Howard say at half time when we were 0-2 down?� and Graham said they were all just giggling about it.  He was made up to score a goal and I quipped (for want of a better word) �not the most important goal you�ve scored at the Gwladys Street though, hey?� which he answered well with �no, but it�s always a great place to score�.  He was a really nice guy and I really valued the opportunity to meet him.  I just wish I was more prepared with questions to be honest and wish I wasn�t so awestruck. I did get his autograph before he left, however.

We then walked back to the interview room but everybody had cleared off by then.  Mindful of my car still being at the car park (and not wanting it to be left in overnight) I cleared off.

It was a great evening for me and I�m very grateful both to Everton and ToffeeWeb for giving me this great opportunity to experience this.

I�ll sign off with a great quote, which Howard came out with in his interview:

�There�s always something to celebrate at this club�. Here�s to more great nights at Goodison, hopefully starting with some European ones next season!

Paul Traill

Other Match Reports: icLiverpool