Another fabulous night of stars at Goodison park,
this time Howard Kendall was the star turn
Ian MacDonald
Last night, I was back at Goodison Park, the venue where more memories
were logged of a great season, the best in years. Former players
were gathered courtesy of Bluenose promotions. The dinner was to
raise �3000 to help the charity Wellcare send some of its members
on holiday.
Those gathered included: Howard Kendall, Gordon West, Brian Labone, John
Bailey, Roger Kenyon, Gary Jones Mark Ward, Ian Snodin, local comedian
Mickey Finn and Rooney's mum, Janette. Hundreds of passionate Blues
had gathered The Alex Young suite for this event. The MC for the
night was Elton Welsby, the ex-Granada presenter now working for Century
Radio. Rumour has it he left because of Granada sponsoring Liverpool....
Elton introduced the top table and Brian Snagg who was part of the original
organisers of Blueblood with Roger Kenyon. All who took part gave
their services free of charge, a gesture that deserves respect and a pat
on the back.
There were auctions to be held later for other items but the first item
up for grabs was an autographed picture of the Holy Trinity. �10
given with your name got you a chance to win this great piece of memorabilia.
E very penny raised went to the WellCare appeal; over �400 was
raised later on.
After the meal, a first-team autographed shirt this was held up by Ian
Snodin and fetched a respectable �300. Then a picture bigger than
John Bailey who struggled to keep it up, as always according to Howard,
was auctioned. This picture was again of the first-team shirt, autographed
and surrounded by caricatures of the current team; it beat the previous
mounted shirt framed by �20. Then a Tony Hibbert signed caricature
a lot smaller than the two previous items but fetched still an admirable
�80. As Elton said, surely Tony will be our next player to become
a full England International.
A small interlude came with the song No Other Team playing in
the background. I don't know if it was the Stella kicking in but
this song does find you singing along these days, the lyrics make your
chest push out with pride.
Now came the part were Howard Kendall was to give his speech � the most
successful manager in our 125 year history. The call of One Howard
Kendall went up with the same vigor of the new Moyes manager's song.
Howard appealed for calm; we will never forget this man's part in our
Everton lives.
"17 years here a player and manager and still they can't spell my
name right looking at the invitation with one letter l. When Howard
first came into the Main Entrance earlier the usher was asked where was
the meeting place was? "The Trophy Room � do you know where it is,
Howard?" "F*** Off " came the reply!
Howard described the first time he was guest speaker by chance as a late
replacement; he said that he played that bingo game were you sit down
if your number is shouted out. Howard lasted less than a minute
someone in the audience shouted that was as long as he lasted at Notts
County!
Howie told us he went to school with Roxy Music's Brian Ferry who was
always combing his hair. Howie told him he shouldn't do it so much
as his hair will fall out... have you seen the two men's locks lately?
Whilst he was a player at Preston in 1967, an offer came in for his services.
Everyone thought Howard was going to join Liverpool but it was the Everton
manager Harry Catterick who grabbed him in one of his famous cloak-and-dagger
transfer deals. The Cat said "Welcome to the big time, son."
As Howard looked around the changing room, he instantly knew what The
Cat meant: Names like Gordon Westy, and Brian Labone; World Cup
winners Alan Ball and Ray Wilson; Roy Vernon, Alex Young, Derek Temple
etc... He was just 20 at the time and truly awe-inspired.
It's a reverse role now with young Wayne � all the seniors are in awe
of the lad.
Howard told us The Cat ruled by fear. Tommy Wright was always moaning
about wanting a better deal but wouldn't ask till one day Westy had had
enough and grabbed Tommy and placed him in front of the manager's door,
knocked and ran away leaving a young cowering Tommy Wright. When
young Tommy came back to the changing room, everyone asked if he got what
he wanted? Tommy said, "No, I just stood there and said sorry
for disturbing you." Ah the good old manager ways.
We were told Bally kept telling fellow players that his ambition was
to own his own house by the end of his playing days. Now, players
like Owen own estates and mansions � how the times have changed, but are
many of these well paid-players fit to lace the boots of such stars like
Howard and Co from the sixties?
Howard said it seemed everybody had a nickname, Ball of Fire, the Golden
Vision. Then there was Chopper Harris and it wasn't about his tackling
but the other tackle � Chopper use to get it out all the time, lifting
glasses in night clubs. Then there was sniffer Clark of Leeds �
a name many players presently could have. Even Liverpool's Tony
Hately had a nickname: it was Skippy after the Australian Kangaroo series
shown on TV at the time. How did he get that name? Well rumour
has it when Shankly was asked about the aspiring number nine he would
mutter "tttt tttt tttt" just like the way Skippy used to reply
to questions.
Neil "Disa" Pointon, who was not. A great bit of business
for �35,000 by Howard. And of course Stuart "Jigsaw" Barlow
who went to pieces in the box � especially an infamous game at Anfield.
Our great ex-manager spoke of his reluctance to go to Birmingham in the
part exchange deal that brought Big Bad Bob Latchford to us, a great traditional
Everton centre-forward.
Howard told us that the difference between club's hit home when Everton
did laps of honour � it was because we won something, whereas with Birmingham
they did a lap of honour because they stayed in the old First Division.
Still, Birmingham set Howard on his way to his managerial career.
Freddy Goodwin, the Brum manager, sent Howard to coaching school at Lilleshall
were he met his good friend Jim "Bald Eagle" Smith � now currently
with high flying Pompey. Bobby Robson gave them training talks and
told of the new techniques he studied in Brazil at the Copa Cabana Beach
in Brazil.
Then came Howard's first stint as player-manager of Blackburn.
In a League Cup semi-final against Forest, Blackburn held the team of
the moment 1-1 at Ewood Park, but lost 6-1 at the City Ground. Still,
Howard shone that night, Cloughie said that he was looking for a midfield
player just like Howard (remember he was the visiting manager), "How
old are ya lad?" "Thirty three" came Howard�s reply,
"Nah, ya too old son." and Cloughie walked away.
Then came Howard's destiny, he came to manage Everton in 1981, taking
over from Gordon Lee. He remembered Lee saying the highlight of
his career was taking Newcastle to Dukla Prague, "Why was that"
he asked. "Well I've never been to Prague before." Howard
knew he had a chance here at Goodison then.
As you may well remember, Howard and directors were under pressure at
the beginning for results after a poor run. The leaflets etc clearly
hurt Howard (again I'll tell ya it was not me! I was too young then...),
the painting on his Garage door and front door: "Kendall out"
� Howard thought that the graffiti artist must be a red, surely not a
Blue. He later found out it was his missus!
Howard then told tales of Everton, pre-season trips to Japan and New
Zealand where John Bailey, his great mate, was believed to have said in
the morning time for breakfast, "Have you got a full breakfast please?"
"No", came the waitress's reply, "we have no bacon left."
"What with all the sheep in this country?" was Bailsie's reply!
The Magnificent Seven whom Howard had signed were mentioned. Believe
it or not, Howard was criticised for most of these signings (except for
Neville Southall) and was told by a visiting journalist that managers
lived or died by their signings. Howard retorted, "Well I've got
two weeks to live then!"
Speaking of Big Nev, his signing came as a result of a tip-off from a
mate in a the pub in Llandudno. "That's why I frequent pubs
a lot � I'm looking for players" Howard boomed out. You could
tell Howard was still smug for signing our greatest goalie since Westy,
truly a world class player. Howard said Neville loved playing Croatia
because when he came out for the ball he shouted "Mine" and
the whole Croatian team fucked off!
Howard truly believes we were the best team in the 1980s but, as always
in our history, it seems that outside matter mess us up from achieving
lasting greatness. When he went to Spain, he soon learnt that, unlike
in this country, not everything was above board. When the Cupa del
Rey was drawn in Spain, every second division club met a first division
club. When he questioned this, he was told it was a payday for the
lower clubs. But how did they manage that in the draw? Well,
apparently, Howard was told, one set of balls was ice cold and another
set was very hot when placed in the bag. I wonder now about our
past draws in the cup. But that's just me... or did you ever wonder?
Howard went on to tell of the time he managed a team in Greece; he had
bad results there once and the crowd shouted out what he thought was "Kendall!"
Howard replied with approving waves. An interpreter told Howard
what they were saying was "Wanker!"
Back at Everton for the third time, he spent �500,000 on Paul Rideout
from Rangers who did some sterling work for us � including that important
goal at Ipswich and another that slips my mind... The board said
they were unhappy about this signing at first; "What do you mean?"
Howie said, "you sanctioned the money for him." "We
meant Howard we want you to get dried out!"
Our greatest manager went on to tell more classic folklore stories.
You have to listen to this great man if you get the chance; he commands
instant respect and is a great Ambassador for the club.
Well how do you follow a great man like Howard? Put a comedian
on � and Mickey Finn is a very good Scouse comedian � he has you rolling
with laughter. It's especially hard for comedians here on Merseyside
as we all think we are comedians. Mickey opened up with " I've
played a bit of football in the past myself! But I don't go on about
it..." He's a good act!
All the top table spoke about Howard and what it meant to play for Everton
themselves. That word "we" was repeated again and again.
The club does touch those who have had the privilege to play for it.
Of course, the fans interacted with the top table, singing songs that
make your heart go whoooar! An autograph hunter's paradise was right
there on that top table. Another great night at Goodison � once
again, happy days are here for Evertonians.
I'll close with another classic line from Howard: he told us the best
ever scout we had was Harry Cook "Harry spotted Alan Ball for us
in a world cup final!"
I hope that WellCare succeeded in their aim to raise the �3,000
required to send some of its members on holiday. Everton in the
Community exceeds the boundaries of the present employees jobs, thanks
to the old guard who gave us such pleasure in the past and now giving
even more to others less fortunate.
Well in, everybody last night!
Ian Macdonald Independent Blues
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