Southall's belated induction into Hall of Fame

He was instrumental in winning our trophies, especially the 95 cup final and between him and Watson kept us in the division at times in the 90's.

Just had a quick look and noticed Michael Owen and Gazza have already been indicted... a bit pathetic really.

Rescue a dog and that will get you the Nev's respect. My all time hero, biligerence at its very best, a dedicated and veracious trainer. I've watched so many games he's played in over and over. Calm, unfussy and just plain competent. The standard was so high, mistakes limited and rarely if any in the big games.

His off field demeanour and outspokeness has inevitably led to this honour being delayed, call it what you will. Player of the year a goal keeper you say? Never in this era. Up there with so many decent keepers in the 70/80's His only peer in my opinon, Rinat Dasayev he of Dymano Tiblisi and the feted custodian of the Russian goal when Van Basten came 'volleying.

His best performance, ironically was not in a blue shirt, was in Amsterdam for Wales 88/89 when he single handedly turned back Guilt, Van basten, Rijjkard and one Ronald Koeman as a 0-0 was salvaged from the Dutch Alamo only months after they were crowned European Champions

The man is a legend to all Evertonians, could this new dawn at Everton have the foresight to see past the bluster and opinion and let him train our goal keepers?

One would hope so! NSNO

I cannot ever remember him making a mistake.

A devout Evertonian, Southall wanted to win EVERY game and couldn't tolerate losing or second best.

And how many times has he stuck up for us ever since: outspokenly reminding everyone of our heritage, standing and lost-pride?

Hope his nomination co-incides with a 'new Everton' muscling in at the top of the game again and Super Nev's unashamedly honest, confident attitude becoming part of our revised, winning mentality.

Very proud of him - and for him.

What pissed me off recently was Chris Coleman mentioning great Welsh players of the past who they will be representing at the Euros this month. He mentions the usual Manc bastards and gobshite subjects but no mention for Ratcliffe or Southall. Absolutely appalling, but what else would you expect from such a cheating twat!

I find it amazing even David Seaman seems to get a mention ahead of Big Nev when the talk is about best all-time goalies. Seaman wasn't fit to wipe Nev's backside.

And his book called 'Everton winter Mexican summer' Peter Reid rated Nev higher than Peter Shilton, who he played with for England.

And in an interview a few years ago, Ian Rush reckoned he'd have got twice as many derby goals but for Big Nev, and his injury towards the end of the season in 85/86 is what many of us believe cost us the double.

He's the best keeper I've seen bar none. A living legend.

"His best performance, ironically was not in a blue shirt, was in Amsterdam for Wales 88/89 when he single handedly turned back Guilt, Van basten, Rijjkard and one Ronald Koeman as a 0-0 was salvaged from the Dutch Alamo only months after they were crowned European Champions."

I watched that game live. I honestly don't think I've ever seen one single player determine the result of a match more than Big Nev that night.

It was absurd! Against another keeper it could have been 7-8-9 goals against, no exaggeration. Against world class players and a world class team, he pulled off worldy after worldy, all without a care in the world.

Giant of a player.

Came from a humble background and became the best goalkeeper in the world for a number of years.

Absolute disgrace and a sign of contempt towards Everton that it has taken until now for him to be inducted.

Ray Clemence is on the list, wouldn't lace his boots, and I see Mark Lawrenson is on the panel??

Well deserved award.

We were honoured to watch him for so long, and seeing him come out to claim that catch in the dying seconds of the '95 Cup Final, and being part of the roar that greeted it, is one of my best Everton moments ever.

I mean the OP sets it off with the headline. 'Belated induction'.

When if what has happened is one of our best ever players is being honoured and recognised. That's it. Good news!!

But the reaction is all 'it should have been sooner, everyone hates us, blah blah blah.....'

Trust me the media don't hate us, we are the not the subject of bias, it's just many of you are a little erm ..... paranoid.

The best keeper I have ever seen, love the way he is still passionate and says it as he sees it. True legend in every sense of the word

He's tactless.

He doesn't care if what he says offends someone or a bunch of people or everyone.

He doesn't make convoluted explanations for why he holds such opinions.

Thank God !

Big Nev was always the safest hands and if Everton was run according to his stark, undiluted principles then we would be the greatest club in Europe, by far.

He's an uncompromising Evertonian as we all should be.
He isn't remotely interested in the affairs of other clubs and neither should we be.

Big Nev is an Everton Jedi Knight !
We should all heed him.

I have seen that man defy all belief, then bollock and then organise his back four. HIS back four.

William Ralph or Neville MBE ?
GREATEST ever Evertonian ?
(And here I feel deep sadness because Tommy Lawton really should be utterly revered, but we treated him abysmally. Our shame ).

The average fan who thinks football was invented when the premier league started will say "schmichael all day".... then again they would say Roy Keane was a greater player than Alan Ball.

Love Southall and love what he stands for.

Nine ?
Nine years of Blue ?
Perfect !
Old enough to idolize and to understand and to ache !

Neville Southall is by far the greatest, most dedicated, most gifted, jaw dropping footballer that I have ever had the privilege to see. He was Everton, IS Everton, will ALWAYS be Everton and he Captained Everton.

I bumped into him once, in Queens Square, he is by faaaaaar the most gentle but most terrifying human that I shall ever meet. His persona is just undiluted, he exudes WIN !

I was at that game. Unbelievable. My only other recollection of the day, Was Paul Bracewell, the chasing of the Wednesday players.

Big Nev wasted so much time it was sooooooo funny, their fans were going beserk and afterwards SAF was beside himself with rage over Southalls antics. Brilliant

For those of us at a certain age, I recon we can hand on heart say that we had the best goalie in the World.

I was brought up with Gordon West and he was brilliant (how was he ever kept out the side by David Lawson I will never know) but big Nev was simply the greatest and will never be surpassed. Having said that, he won't give a fig about the honour.

Mr Southall was a world class goalkeeper. Dedicated to his profession to become better. Everton legend who cares passionately about the club and the fans.

Mr Southall has spent many years supporting youngsters to turn there lives around. He is a credit to our club.

Better late than never. You deserve it!!

Without doubt, the pothole Nev landed in playing for Wales robbed Everton of the double in 86.

Still my all time fav player, I envied people who saw Dixie, Ball, Young in the flesh, but to the younger generation, without being biased, Southall was the finest goalkeeper I ever saw and doubt I will see a keeper as good again.

Agree with Brian, that Lansdown Rd pitch, cost Everton, the double in 1986. That and Linekar forgetting to put his boots in the skip for Oxford.

Not just because of his truly incredible ability and achievements, but because he was/is that rarest of creatures - a genuine free-thinking individual in a sport where most appear comfortable to be part of the herd.

Not for Neville media-friendly, talk-without-saying-anything bollocks like 'I thought we were lacking a bit in the first half but we kept working, had a couple of good chances in the second half and maybe should have had a penalty...'

More like 'I thought we was crap.'

Of course if he had been English, not only would England have won the World Cup in 1990 but one of Everton's greatest keepers would have had statues erected to him, never mind a crusty ticket to a selective hall of fame. What is it really and what does it even stand for judging by some of the clowns feted as such. I'm sure Neville doesn't care one jot whether he's in or he's out. When it really mattered he was up there with the best of them.

As others have said, had he played for anybody else and been less outspoken, this would & should have happened years ago.

How we could have done with his spirit and attitude last season, and prior to that to be fair.

I would love Moshiri to offer him something/anything to do with the players (motivational speaker/player liason officer for new signings?), that he could fit in alongside the work he does with children, as Nev is exactly what Everton need.

Sadly, I doubt he will be entertained.

No offence intended to Sharp/Stuart/Snods ,but I would swap the three of them for one Big Nev in a heartbeat.

Gordon Banks was probably the best of them all , but Westy (and his handbag) and Big Nev came very close. Two of the best by any measure – and I would probably give Big Nev the edge. Had they played for the other lot or Man Utd we wouldn't have heard the last of it and I agree it's an absolute disgrace that this great man is only now being recognised. Both West and Big Nev had their little quirks, but we loved them even more because of them.

Big Nev – Blue through and through and he was a gem (a rough diamond perhaps but he didn't half sparkle).

Congratulations Big Nev very well deserved, it was a privilege to watch you. NSNO – that was Big Nev.