The Second Great Escape - Press Cuttings
The Daily Mail 11/05/98 EVERTON fans last night celebrated their team's escape from relegation by the skin of their teeth then bayed for the head of chairman Peter Johnson. But as thousands demonstrated angrily, a defiant Johnson announced that he wants to stay in control at Goodison. Yesterday's 1-1 home draw with Coventry kept Everton up on goal difference at the expense of Bolton, and Johnson - who required a police escort to and from the match said: 'No doubt the criticism will continue but the divisive critics should be aware that it has not and will not affect MY love for the club or my commitment to it. 'As far as my own position is concerned, I've been the subject.of a great deal of personal criticism, - some constructive but much of it unjustified.' The news that he wants to stay on may dampen the joy of the blue half of Merseyside after Everton capitalised on Bolton's 2-0 defeat b-v Gianluea Vialli's Chelsea. Everton manager Howard Kendall and the club's most senior player Dave Watson each vowed that they would not allow a repeat of yesterday's humiliating and nerve-racking situation. Kendall said: 'So long as I'm the manager we'll never go through this again. 'We've survived and deservedly so, despite the fear and despite the doom and gloom of the build-up to this match.' Watson spoke from the heart when he said: "We just can't keep putting people through this, year in and year out. 'My head is wrecked and I'm drained, not Physically knackered but because my head is done in. 'After the game there was virtual silence in the dressing room which is completely different from the last time we escaped by beating Wimbledon. Then, everyone was jumping around and drinking champagne but now everyone just feels that we can't go through this again.' It was an even more depressed dressing room at Stamford Bridge where Bolton manager Colin Todd admitted there were tears. He said: 'It's not a nice experience. It has been a testing time ior us and 1 thought we were close to an escape. But this is one experience 1 never want to go through again. I always believed we were good enough to stay up so now I'm very disappointed. - There's heartbreak in our dressing room and no hi ding from the fact that we weren't good enough. It does hurt, and there are no excuses. We had an effort cleared off the line and when that happened 1 had the strangest feeling that, after all, fate might not be with us.' A relieved Watson added:'If we'd shown the passion we had today In the previous six games we'd never have been in this position.' Kendall turned his thoughts to the future when he said: 'We need to recharge the batteries and enjoy the summer. But there will be a change of personnel even though It won't be drastic. 'We have a strong squad when everyone is fit. People have forgotten about the eight players who were unavailable. 'We've also had to cope with finger-pointing in the build up to this game and I even read John Parrott, who is an excellent snooker player, telling me what I'm not doing right. That has been very disappointing - to hear people not involved in football doing that.' Kendall's comments will inevitably be read as a swipe at Everton director Bill Kenwright, who spoke out during the week and seemed to blame the manager while distancing the board. Inevitably, there will be an intense reaction to news that their chairman so soon after the final whistle announced that he felt that the status quo would suffice. Johnson continued: 'When I became chairman four years ago I said I wanted to make Everton great again. That came from the heart. I'm still committed to that. 'The directors and management share a collective responsibility for such a difficult season. 'It's hard to bear that our supporters deserve better. They've turned out and stayed loyal and I offer my sincere thanks.' Todd concluded. 'I know Chelsea wanted to put on a show for their supporters but I never believed we were out of it. Good luck to Everton but it would have been nice to see one of the bigger clubs go down. 'Right now the feelings are the worst I've ever known. Even though we played well and our fans were magnificent, it doesn't hide the disappointment.' by Graham Hunter & Nigel Clark
EVERTON fans last night celebrated their team's escape from relegation by the skin of their teeth then bayed for the head of chairman Peter Johnson.
But as thousands demonstrated angrily, a defiant Johnson announced that he wants to stay in control at Goodison. Yesterday's 1-1 home draw with Coventry kept Everton up on goal difference at the expense of Bolton, and Johnson - who required a police escort to and from the match said: 'No doubt the criticism will continue but the divisive critics should be aware that it has not and will not affect MY love for the club or my commitment to it.
'As far as my own position is concerned, I've been the subject.of a great deal of personal criticism, - some constructive but much of it unjustified.' The news that he wants to stay on may dampen the joy of the blue half of Merseyside after Everton capitalised on Bolton's 2-0 defeat b-v Gianluea Vialli's Chelsea.
Everton manager Howard Kendall and the club's most senior player Dave Watson each vowed that they would not allow a repeat of yesterday's humiliating and nerve-racking situation.
Kendall said: 'So long as I'm the manager we'll never go through this again. 'We've survived and deservedly so, despite the fear and despite the doom and gloom of the build-up to this match.'
Watson spoke from the heart when he said: "We just can't keep putting people through this, year in and year out. 'My head is wrecked and I'm drained, not Physically knackered but because my head is done in. 'After the game there was virtual silence in the dressing room which is completely different from the last time we escaped by beating Wimbledon. Then, everyone was jumping around and drinking champagne but now everyone just feels that we can't go through this again.'
It was an even more depressed dressing room at Stamford Bridge where Bolton manager Colin Todd admitted there were tears. He said: 'It's not a nice experience. It has been a testing time ior us and 1 thought we were close to an escape. But this is one experience 1 never want to go through again.
I always believed we were good enough to stay up so now I'm very disappointed. - There's heartbreak in our dressing room and no hi ding from the fact that we weren't good enough.
It does hurt, and there are no excuses. We had an effort cleared off the line and when that happened 1 had the strangest feeling that, after all, fate might not be with us.'
A relieved Watson added:'If we'd shown the passion we had today In the previous six games we'd never have been in this position.'
Kendall turned his thoughts to the future when he said: 'We need to recharge the batteries and enjoy the summer. But there will be a change of personnel even though It won't be drastic. 'We have a strong squad when everyone is fit. People have forgotten about the eight players who were unavailable.
'We've also had to cope with finger-pointing in the build up to this game and I even read John Parrott, who is an excellent snooker player, telling me what I'm not doing right. That has been very disappointing - to hear people not involved in football doing that.'
Kendall's comments will inevitably be read as a swipe at Everton director Bill Kenwright, who spoke out during the week and seemed to blame the manager while distancing the board.
Inevitably, there will be an intense reaction to news that their chairman so soon after the final whistle announced that he felt that the status quo would suffice. Johnson continued: 'When I became chairman four years ago I said I wanted to make Everton great again. That came from the heart. I'm still committed to that.
'The directors and management share a collective responsibility for such a difficult season.
'It's hard to bear that our supporters deserve better. They've turned out and stayed loyal and I offer my sincere thanks.'
Todd concluded. 'I know Chelsea wanted to put on a show for their supporters but I never believed we were out of it. Good luck to Everton but it would have been nice to see one of the bigger clubs go down. 'Right now the feelings are the worst I've ever known. Even though we played well and our fans were magnificent, it doesn't hide the disappointment.'
by Graham Hunter & Nigel Clark
Farrelly strikes the all important goal in the 7th minute, his first in the Premiership for the Blues
The Independent - 11/05/98
GOODISON PARK rocked to an extraordinary mix of protest and party yesterday evening as Everton supporters celebrated their latest escape from relegation by calling for the departure of chairman Peter Johnson. "We want Johnson out" alternated with chants of jubilation as the fans, drained by 90 minutes of high tension gave vent to their relief and anger. Thus, while a police cordon guarded the entrance to the directors' enclosure a conga of fans snaked across the pitch around supporters busy ripping up their own grassy momento of the day. Everton survived due to a sixth minute volley from Gareth Farrelly, the quality of which was totally at odds with the rest of the match, and Chelsea's defeat of Bolton 250 miles away. With transistor radios as prevalent as replica shirts in the full house the ground exploded with joy within seconds of both Chelsea goals. There was even a chorus of "Vialli, Vialli". Their other heroes were all Evertonians, though Paul Alcock made a late bid for canonisation with a shocking penalty decision which looked to have secured victory with five minutes to go. In the event Nick Barmby marred an otherwise outstanding performance by missing the chance and Everton were condemned to a false ending when Dion Dublin headed an equaliser with 40 seconds of normal time remaining. A goal for Bolton or Coventry at that point would have sent Everton down. But then came news of Chelsca's second and though Coventry, who dominated the match, continued to press Everion held on. This was the second time in five years they had survived on the last day and the immediate reaction, as last time, was "never again". However after five relegation struggles in six years the pattern will be hard to break and much work needs to be done, with the team and within the boardroom, if Everton are ever to become a force again. Johnson's after match insistence that he will stay is sure to provoke an unhelpful summer of discontent. There is hope for the future in the promise of the young players. Michael Ball, just 19, was the most composed player on the pitch while the youth team underlined their potential by parading their FA Youth Cup before the game. The ladies team also showed off their league championship trophy as Everton sought a positive mood. They even issued a reprint of the programme from Everton's game 70 years ago in which Dixie Dean completed his legendary 60-goal season. The pessimists recalled that even Dean, in 1931, was relegated with Everton, so what price the current team? There was nothing in the opening six minutes to console them with misplaced passes de rigueur from both sides. Then a loose ball fell to Farrelly, a £700,000 summer signing, 25 yards out and his volley flew in off the right-hand post. It was his first League goal of the season, judging from his later efforts, a complete fluke, but that did not concern the joyous hordes. The goal failed to settle the team and Coventry soon took command with George Boateng the leading influence. What little football Everton played came from their few quality players, Barmby, whose endeavour was phenomenal, Don Hutchison and Duncan Ferguson. Yet the key performers were at the back with Dave Watson, Carl Tiler and Craig Short resolute in the face of what became continual pressure. With Darren Huckerby surrounded whenever he got the ball, Coventry were forced to play to Dublin's head and, though he ultimately scored, that tactic played to Everton's defensive strengths. Neville Southall, hoping to avoid the dubious distinction of playing for three relegated sides, Everton, Stoke and Southend in the season, lifted the mood when he appeared at half-time when he appeared to say a personal farewell after his long service at the club. The boost was short however as Everton began to tire after their mental and physical effort. Huckerby, Nilsson and Noel Whelan went close and the tension showed as Ferguson then Ball squared up to Paul Telfer. At one point Viv Busby, the Everton coach, came 15 yards onto the pitch to calm one conflagration while play went on elsewhere. Thomas Myhre saved from Simon Haworth and Trond Soltvedt volleyed over before Danny Cadamarteri, on for the ineffectual Mickael Madar, ran on to ]3armby's header. He was cleanly tackled by Paul Williams. Alcock to general delight and astonishment gave the penalty but justice was done when Magnus Hedman dived to his right to save. Calamity then beckoned as Dublin rose, in the last minute, to head in a cross from former Everton player David Burrows. However, Everton, who were last relegated when George VI was on the throne and Churchill was sweeping back to power, survived. By Glenn Moore
"We want Johnson out" alternated with chants of jubilation as the fans, drained by 90 minutes of high tension gave vent to their relief and anger. Thus, while a police cordon guarded the entrance to the directors' enclosure a conga of fans snaked across the pitch around supporters busy ripping up their own grassy momento of the day.
Everton survived due to a sixth minute volley from Gareth Farrelly, the quality of which was totally at odds with the rest of the match, and Chelsea's defeat of Bolton 250 miles away.
With transistor radios as prevalent as replica shirts in the full house the ground exploded with joy within seconds of both Chelsea goals. There was even a chorus of "Vialli, Vialli".
Their other heroes were all Evertonians, though Paul Alcock made a late bid for canonisation with a shocking penalty decision which looked to have secured victory with five minutes to go. In the event Nick Barmby marred an otherwise outstanding performance by missing the chance and Everton were condemned to a false ending when Dion Dublin headed an equaliser with 40 seconds of normal time remaining.
A goal for Bolton or Coventry at that point would have sent Everton down. But then came news of Chelsca's second and though Coventry, who dominated the match, continued to press Everion held on.
This was the second time in five years they had survived on the last day and the immediate reaction, as last time, was "never again". However after five relegation struggles in six years the pattern will be hard to break and much work needs to be done, with the team and within the boardroom, if Everton are ever to become a force again. Johnson's after match insistence that he will stay is sure to provoke an unhelpful summer of discontent.
There is hope for the future in the promise of the young players. Michael Ball, just 19, was the most composed player on the pitch while the youth team underlined their potential by parading their FA Youth Cup before the game.
The ladies team also showed off their league championship trophy as Everton sought a positive mood. They even issued a reprint of the programme from Everton's game 70 years ago in which Dixie Dean completed his legendary 60-goal season. The pessimists recalled that even Dean, in 1931, was relegated with Everton, so what price the current team?
There was nothing in the opening six minutes to console them with misplaced passes de rigueur from both sides. Then a loose ball fell to Farrelly, a £700,000 summer signing, 25 yards out and his volley flew in off the right-hand post. It was his first League goal of the season, judging from his later efforts, a complete fluke, but that did not concern the joyous hordes.
The goal failed to settle the team and Coventry soon took command with George Boateng the leading influence. What little football Everton played came from their few quality players, Barmby, whose endeavour was phenomenal, Don Hutchison and Duncan Ferguson. Yet the key performers were at the back with Dave Watson, Carl Tiler and Craig Short resolute in the face of what became continual pressure.
With Darren Huckerby surrounded whenever he got the ball, Coventry were forced to play to Dublin's head and, though he ultimately scored, that tactic played to Everton's defensive strengths.
Neville Southall, hoping to avoid the dubious distinction of playing for three relegated sides, Everton, Stoke and Southend in the season, lifted the mood when he appeared at half-time when he appeared to say a personal farewell after his long service at the club.
The boost was short however as Everton began to tire after their mental and physical effort. Huckerby, Nilsson and Noel Whelan went close and the tension showed as Ferguson then Ball squared up to Paul Telfer. At one point Viv Busby, the Everton coach, came 15 yards onto the pitch to calm one conflagration while play went on elsewhere.
Thomas Myhre saved from Simon Haworth and Trond Soltvedt volleyed over before Danny Cadamarteri, on for the ineffectual Mickael Madar, ran on to ]3armby's header. He was cleanly tackled by Paul Williams. Alcock to general delight and astonishment gave the penalty but justice was done when Magnus Hedman dived to his right to save.
Calamity then beckoned as Dublin rose, in the last minute, to head in a cross from former Everton player David Burrows. However, Everton, who were last relegated when George VI was on the throne and Churchill was sweeping back to power, survived.
By Glenn Moore
The Daily Mail - 11/05/98
BY THE end of the afternoon Everton's players and fans had torn lumps out of the Coventry players and the Goodison pitch, while the theory that Bolton would survive by Chelsea rolling over and playing possum had been hit for six.
Everton were safe but only after a couple of hours of complete mayhem. The referee allowed Gordon Strachan's players to be treated like rag-dolls; leftfooted Gareth Parrelly, scored a blinding right-foot goal; and Everton missed a penalty before avoiding relegation by virtue of Bolton's defeat at Stamford Bridge and a superior goal difference of five.
Suddenly, the rain was pouring down upon a seething mass which danced on the turf in front of the stand like lunatics taking over the asylum. It was one of the most extraordinary sights in English football for an awfully long time and the noise which greeted the entry of the gladiators, Gianluca Vialli's goal for Chelsea and the referee's final whistle was ear-splitting.
Farrelly's seventh-minute goal was created by one of the heroes of the afternoon, Duncan Ferguson, but neither Dave Watson nor Nick Barinby will have done better work all season. For the fourth time in five years, Everton flirted with relegation but gave it the kissoff at the vital moment.
Laudable though their approach to a do-or-die occasion, their firebrand football merely underlined how badly they had let themselves down during the rest of the season. Instead of the paper-thin pallid stuff which had left their relegation in the hands of another team, Bolton, the way Everton played yesterday scared the living daylights out of Coventry.
The impression lingers that they still need the kind of shock which relegation and a season out of the good life can bring. Everton, with 44 years unbroken in the top league are not a 'Premiership' club, by right. They possess a wonderful, atmospheric stadium, an outrageously loyal and vocal support and were FA Cup winners only three seasons ago.
Whether it is the board or the management which has foundered because of complacency is a complex question but beneath the ugly exterior lies some handsome facts.
Yesterday, it was a case of 'Women and children first', not because the rats were about to desert the sinking ship, but as the Everton ladies paraded their championship trophy and Everton's youth team waltzed around the park with their FA Cup. They showed that this footballing community is full of vitality rather than the decay associated with decline.
This weak Everton side has some valuable players in Ferguson, Thomas Myhre, Barmby, Slaven Bilic and Don Hutchison. The difficult season has also unearthed Danny Cadamarteri, Michael Ball, Richard Dunne and John Oster who possess real promise.
The evidence indicates that either the amount of money available to the manager has been insufficient to make the squad competitive or he has misused it. Medical opinion would diagnose that the patient feels a bit run down by stress and often looks listess - but the vital organs are healthy.
Nothing like a bit of electro-shock therapy to them going again. From the very first minute, when Watson went through Darren Huckerby, no-one could have failed to miss the snarl in the Mersey air.
This was about survival and the barbed-wire attitude certainly made Coventry howl with pain. Every ball was a prisoner. Elbows were used, shoulder charges became the norm and by the time Strachan removed Huckerby with 22 minutes left you knew it was for the elongation of the Coventry player's career.
The same side which humiliated themselves with an insipid surrender at Highbury last week simply applied methods which were nasty, brutish and which worked.
That no-one was sent off was nothing short of miraculous, or mismanagement by the referee, poor old soul, who seemed to be overwhelmed. Paul Alcock ignored a clear foul by Watson on Dion Dublin in the box, gave a disputed penalty to Everton and then missed a confrontation between Paul Telfer and Ferguson which brought Viv Busby running on to the pitch from the bench to intervene. Strachan was so utterly livid at the treatment his players received, and their willingness to be hustled, that at one stage he hurled his notepad and pen onto the pitch in fury.
When, at the start of the second half, French striker Michael Madar flounced about for an instant or two when he felt he was fouled, Howard Kendall's fury was scary to behold and the short, jerking gesture he made with his thumb was unmistakable - get that quitter off.
It was Madar's replacement, Cadamarteri, who earned the penalty with five minutes remaining even though Paul Williams appeared to reach the ball first. Both Williams and Dublin were booked for protesting but Magnus Hedman tipped away Barmby's decent effort.
Dublin's equaliser with 100 seconds left caused veins to throb in people's foreheads around the stadium. But news soon filtered north of Chelsea's victory and Everton were safe. Whether this reprieve proves to be genuinely in the best interests of the club, despite the blessed relief it meant to almost 40,000 rain-sodden lunatics yesterday, remains to be seen.
Something is drastically wrong when such a passionate, vibrant giant of English football sinks so low. The future depends on finding what that is and rooting it out. Or it will be same time, same place next year - heaven forbid.
by Graham Hunter
The Second Great Escape.
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