Season 2011-12 Fan Articles

Christmas 1986

As we approach the festive season, thoughts will drift towards the large number of games in a short period of time and how this can shape your season. 
25 years ago it was no different. Other than we were very much in the title push. 

The blues season so far had shown glimpses of title promise. But with a crippling injury list we were just glad to be in the mix. Southall, Stevens, Van Den Hauwe, Reid and Sharp all missed significant chunks of the season. Bracewell missed the entire campaign. So this was a campaign of the unsung heroes. Harper, Power , Heath and Wilkinson all played significant parts. Plus we had two of the most skilled and under-rated midfielders I have ever seen in Steven and Sheedy. 

Going into the Christmas games we sat in  4th place, behind Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and surprise leaders Arsenal. George Graham was building a decent side at Highbury but their wait for title glory would be two seasons away, and my that is another story!

With five games in two weeks it would be a decisive time. Including two lots of two games in three days. Nobody seemed to complain back then. They just got on with it. 

First up the Saturday before Christmas was Wimbledon at home. The Dons were in their first season in the top flight and were as rough and ready as anyone I'd ever seen. They were cast aside with a comfortable 3-0 win. I had a season ticket in Bullens Road and recall a lower than normal crowd that day. But a hard-fought three points was greatly accepted. 

The following Friday was Boxing Day. Spent it at my Nan's with my Red family members.  Liverpool had lost an early kick off at home to Man United and we thumped Newcastle 4-0 away. I listened to this on Radio City (194 MW).  The pick of the goals was the 4th headed in by Adrian Heath from a Steven cross. Clive Tyldesley's line of "4-0. It's so simple but it is beautiful to watch," summed up a terrific day. My red family remained convinced their team would still come good and retain their title crown. 

Next up two days later, back in the Bullens Road,  a Sunday home game with a Leicester side that had done the double over the blues the previous season. No danger this time round. Inchy scored early and the boys romped home 5.1. In fairness Leicester were very poor and would eventually be relegated. The highlight of the game was a fantastic chip from the Sheedy. Sheeds was playing central midfield alongside Alan Harper in the absence of Reid and Bracewell and were both in fine form. 

Match four was the hangover game. New Years Day. Aston Villa at home. Freezing as I recall. A heroes welcome for Andy Gray turning out for Villa. A slow first half and it remained 0.0. Alan Harper cracked one in at the Street End early in the second half and we were off again. Harper only ever scored from outside the box and with some power. We romped home 3.0. 

Two days later and with four wins out of four a real test awaited. QPR away and the dreaded plastic pitch. We had never won on the artificial surface at either QPR or Luton. The game was heading for a draw when Sharp raced through on goal past a couple of static defenders before blasting the blues to three points. Radio City provided this game for me at home. Clive Tyldesley tried to compare Sharp's goal with Maradona's solo effort in Mexico. Not quite,  but a golden goal for the blues. 

I remember going to an 18th party that night in New Brighton and walked in to see my red friends. As I held my hand up I wasnt saying hello. It was five wins out of five. 
We were at the forefront of the push for the League Championship. We were second now behind Arsenal. Four points behind. I didn't think Arsenal would go the distance and that it would be the Merseyside clubs that would go neck and neck for the top prize. I was right. 

The twists and turns would continue in this title race. When the championship trophy was handed out in May it was clear that Christmas '86 was a pivotal time.
A great Christmas and great memories. This was my favourite ever season. This was my favourite ever Everton Christmas. 

Reader Comments (24)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer

About these ads