Evertonians might debate over which team from the Club’s history was the greatest in terms of talent but, in terms of achievement, the core of Howard Kendall’s side from the glory days of the mid-1980s stands alone. By the same token, Colin Harvey might be Everton’s greatest living player on sheer ability; Graeme Sharp our most successful.

When the time comes next year, Kendall’s heroes, who conquered most and might have conquered all had they been given the chance to take their 1985 or 1987 championship wins into the European Cup the following seasons, will be there to bid an emotional farewell to Goodison Park, the theatre that played host to and witnessed their brilliance during those halcyon days.

Sharp, however, looks likely to be a notable absentee from the reunion with no indication that he is willing to end an exile from the Grand Old Lady that began in January 2023 amid “Headlockgate” and protests from a broad section of the fanbase against Farhad Moshiri, Chairman Bill Kenwright and the Everton Board of Directors.

There is a yearning from many Blues for Sharp to be there with his team-mates and other former players at Goodison but it’s seemingly not shared by one of its greatest adopted sons. Indeed, the 64-year-old’s experience as an object of protest has embittered him to the club where he made his name and won two league titles, an FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup on the way to becoming Everton’s greatest post-War goalscorer.

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Sharp started his career at Dumbarton and played over 100 times for Oldham Athletic but he will forever be synonymous with Everton, where he scored 160 goals in 447 appearances in all competitions. Two decades ago, he was invited back to the Club by Bill Kenwright to become an official ambassador for the Blues and, eventually, he was appointed as a non-executive member of the Board, a role he fulfilled until his resignation the summer before last.

His departure coincided with that of chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale and finance director Grant Ingles as Moshiri dismantled his much-criticised Board in response to the clamour from an increasingly agitated, vocal and organised bloc of match-going supporters and the Monaco-based businessman prepared his exit from the club he has owned outright for the past six years.

Arguably the most divisive figure, Kenwright, remained in the boardroom until his passing in October last year and, truth be told, it was the Chairman, the CEO and the owner who were the chief focus of the protests. No Evertonian genuinely believed that Sharp, in particular, was anywhere near the biggest problem at Everton or even a decision-maker of any significance during those turbulent months of dissent against the hierarchy. He became implicated, however, by association as the frustration at Moshiri’s inaction and ineptitude intensified. The desire for sweeping, wholesale change at the top meant that no one in the boardroom was spared when the protest banners were being drawn up.

Sharp, it seems, has very much taken it personally, not only in terms of his own feelings but on behalf of his fellow Board members as well. In that sense, the Scot has always very much come across as a “company man”, unfailingly loyal to Kenwright and sharing in both the late chairman’s unwillingness to acknowledge failings by the hierarchy and his lack of a true understanding of the fans’ perspective or their methods. Sharp, influenced no doubt, by an atmosphere in the administration of closed ranks and circled wagons that followed the Destination Kirkby calamity and Everton’s anguished austerity between 2010 and 2012, is reputed to have mocked the Blue Union protestors when they were making their voices heard.

He has faced accusations in the years since of doing dissenting Everton fans down on the radio and he was similarly dismissive and hostile to the movement of recent seasons that railed against Moshiri and Kenwright, accused of furthering false narratives about the nature of the protests. For many supporters, it was yet more evidence that he had chosen sides when silence or even his resignation in solidarity when it was felt fans were being thrown under the proverbial bus by the Board would have been the more welcome course of action — particularly if his role in the boardroom was more symbolic than tangible.

His continued exile from the Club, despite invitations from Sean Dyche to visit Finch Farm, appears to be based on an ongoing fear of reprisals and a growing ambivalence towards the Club. When the decision was taken by the Board not to attend home games starting in January last year, he was quoted as saying: "I don't want to miss games, Everton is in my blood. Of course, fans can have their say and I can understand the frustrations, but some of the protests have gone over the top.”

And in an interview with Alan Pattullo in The Scotsman last week, Sharp admits that he’s “not comfortable” being in Liverpool these days. “I just think the way things happened … it’s a difficult one. To be treated the way we were, was awful. I just think the stick that I got was totally undeserved, and I thought, nah, I don’t need it.”

Only those close to the situation will know the true nature, scope or veracity of the “credible threats” to the safety of key personnel that prompted the controversial briefing prior to the home game against Southampton on 14 January 2023, where the media were informed that the Board had been advised to stay away from home games for the foreseeable future. It’s notable that no police action resulted from either the apparent threats while Barrett-Baxendale was fine with using the alleged headlock incident as a pretext for staying away from Goodison out of fear yet had elected not to involve the authorities. It was all the more galling, too, when Board members showed up at West Ham’s London Stadium just a week later and then at Anfield — of all places — three weeks after that.

Given all the opacity around the hints and allegations, the fact that Kenwright has since passed on and Moshiri will soon exit “stage left”, it would seem as though the imminent rubber-stamping of the Friedkin Group’s takeover at Everton by the Premier League and the growing likelihood that Sean Dyche will be able to keep the club in the top flight is going to provide the ideal opportunity to move on.

The mood will shift from one of simmering frustration to one of hope and unity as the Blues prepare for a new future under new owners at Bramley-Moore Dock while saying a heartfelt goodbye to our beloved home of 133 years. You would imagine that any lingering feelings of resentment will be left behind, that the vast majority of Evertonians would be happy to let bygones be just that, and that a bona fide playing legend like Graeme Sharp could take his place amongst his 1980s team-mates to join in the celebrations.

Indeed, following a recent event at The Bridewell pub in Liverpool, the former striker said: “People were saying to me they were behind me, and I appreciate that,” but, sadly, he appears to have all but closed the door on his participation in the planned gathering at Goodison at the end of this season: “I’ll never go back. I can never go back.

“I know people say it will be fine, but it’s scarred me a little bit. It’s a shame to say it. It’s not the same. The amount of people that’s spoken to me, saying it’s a minority, which I understand… it’s just stuck with me. I’ve lost a bit of the appetite. ‘You have to come to this game, you have to come to that game.’ I am not really bothered now. [I’ve] lost interest a bit. Whether that comes back, it remains to be seen. I doubt it.”

There will be those who will be as equally nonplussed about Graeme Sharp’s absence from the farewell-to-Goodison events next year; others will be wondering just how much Everton could have been in Sharp’s blood if the almost inevitable criticism of a failing Board was enough to turn him off a Club to which he contributed so much as both a player and ambassador; still more will be genuinely disappointed not to see him join his famous and revered team-mates to say goodbye to the Old Lady.

This writer straddles those last two categories — the reuniting of the '80s glory team won’t feel complete with its No 9 as the one glaring absence but he also seems to have walked away too easily. It’s all very sad; a regrettable by-product of an emotional time when the strength of the bonds that bind the Everton family was tested. As ever, the spirit of the Blues lives on and you’re left to lament that, surely if Royston Drenthe — of all people — might be there at Goodison next year, Graeme Sharp should be, too… but that’s up to him.

Reader Comments (56)

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Brian Williams
1 Posted 22/10/2024 at 00:27:41
Very well written, Lyndon.
Ben King
2 Posted 22/10/2024 at 00:52:19
Well written, Lyndon, but not for me.

Graeme Sharp was an immobile lump worth 5-8 goals a season by the time I saw him, so I don't even have particularly good memories of him as a player.

And as a man: much much worse — Evertonians have suffered so much over the last 5 years. Whilst our red cousins have played unbelievable football, won leagues and cups & Europe, we've literally been hanging on to our Premier League status, year after year after year.

We've done incredible maths looking at the teams around us, prayed every weekend for about 6 results to go our way… put up with some of the most turgid and ineffective football for so long.

One of the main factors that has kept this great club afloat has been the unbelievable fans. The passion, commitment and energy… by god, the fans wouldn't let the club go down!

So, for a board (of which Sharp was a member) to make unsubstantiated accusations against our fans was unforgivable. Absolutely atrocious.

Just think: lots on here hate Gordon because he wanted out after being confronted by fans – that's a fact. There's video footage. But we hate him for forcing a move to get away from the Everton situation.

Yet we're ready to forgive a man who hasn't even apologised for being part of unsubstantiated accusations!!!

Nah, not for me. Stay away, Sharpie – until you can apologise and/or come clean, you can go and count your blood money and enjoy it.

Ernie Baywood
3 Posted 22/10/2024 at 01:22:52
We need to be clear that supporting Kenwright is not grounds for being asked to hand back your Evertonian credentials. It feels like the narrative is creeping that way with Sharp.

If that were the case, we've had plenty of high-profile players, fans and officials who could be disbarred.

For me, it's just really simple. He went along with some specific, shameful activities. He's complicit, even if I can accept there may be some human factors in his decision to, at a minimum, go along with it.

He's not been barred from the ground and it really makes no difference to anyone except him whether he's there or not.

But he can't move on. Ultimately, it's his loss.

Eric Myles
4 Posted 22/10/2024 at 03:14:15
I have no affinity with Sharp, or indeed the rest of the trophy winning side of the '80s, having spent 8 years of the decade in the pre-internet sandpits of Saudi.

So what gets me in Sharp's interview with The Scotsman is that he's perpetuating the myths of "headlockgate" and the "clear and present danger" of the board attending games, which is unacceptable.

It appears to me that he's the one who's bitter about the events and how they played out, possibly because of his perceived fall from grace as an Everton Legend and Hero? (which he undoubtedly is).

The fans can hopefully draw a line under the Chairman Bill years when we move into a new stadium with a new owner, but it seems that Sharp can't, and that is regrettable.

Derek Knox
5 Posted 22/10/2024 at 03:43:23
Great article, Lyndon. I have to agree with Eric @ 4 on the Sharp aspect, as if he believed 'headlock-gate' actually happened. I think the vernacular there is ignoring the actual facts and covering his own arse.

I believe he has made his own bed there, as it cannot be denied that before he accepted his 'muppet' role on the Board, he truly remained a true Everton Legend.

I believe, if he were to be honest enough, it would be through his embarrassment that he accepted the salary and subsequent pay-off, were the real reasons he is now a no-show. Even after invitation and refusing any olive branches which were kindly offered by Dyche (apparently), so kudos to Sean there on that one.

Don Alexander
6 Posted 22/10/2024 at 04:30:29
Sharp is still showing himself as a totally self-serving non-Everton-supporting sycophant based entirely on his own perception of Kenwright and his backers having our club as their personal road to wealth, whilst contributing fuck-all and less in his, and others, cases.

He and they are a disgrace – period.

Paul Ferry
7 Posted 22/10/2024 at 05:06:29
Very well written piece Lyndon on a very sensitive subject.

How could Sharp not be a legend for me? I was there for it all. I was at Oxford on 18 January 1984, Rotterdam on 15 May 1985, and Carrow Road on 4 May 1987.

What I don’t think you do adequately in your thinking here Lyndon is to separate that Graeme Sharp from the Graeme Sharp who very happily became a Kenwright crone for two turdy decades. He was:

... The fan liaison officer who criticised the fans.

... The boardroom toad who kept his mouth shut behind the collective snug front of Kenwright’s bunker where lies and false accusations were the familiar soundtrack.

... His own self-made victim after catching Kenwrightitis (the main symptoms are self-denial, silence, gaslighting, pomposity, self-delusion, and not treating fans with the respect that they deserve ) who still believes that he was hounded out of the club by the people he failed to liaise with into what in fact is his self-imposed exile.

... The ex-fan liaison officer who took his place on the parasite board who made no attempt to communicate with fans.

... The self-pitying ‘hurt’ grown up who is a victim more sinned against than sinning who cynically wants us to respond to his pathetic plaintive pleas as Sharp the player and not establishment Sharp who sucked Kenwright’s nipples for nourishment, praise, and money.

... And the grumpy bored resident of somewhere North Wales, starved of attention, who took the decision to speak to the papers because he was worried that he was becoming forgotten.

‘I am not really bothered now’, our former player says. Then why did you run to the papers? Well, he got a golden opportunity to state his sanctimonious self-pity case, blame others, regurgitate false narratives, and create an idea and image of himself as wronged victim, in the full knowledge that there would not be a right of reply because he was once a footy player.

This is the bit that really gets my goat: ‘I just think the stick that I got was totally undeserved’. Am I allowed to call a ‘legend’ a self-deluded narcissistic obnoxious twat? What does he want us to fecking do? Walk en masse begging forgiveness to somewhere North Wales with an amazing technicolour dreamcoat and a chariot of gold to bring him back in self-basking glory through one of the tunnels? Are we supposed to start a facebook/instagram/tiktok petition to free the Everton 9?

I think that Lyndon is reasonably and commendably asking in a very human way for Sharp’s reintegration into the Everton fold. The trouble is that Sharp is not acting like that or in any way deserving. He is ‘not really bothered now’. He projects himself as a hurt victim not a deserving case.

There are some situations when ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ or ‘let bygones be bygones’ can seem trite, hollow, shallow, too easy. Sharp ought not to be let off the hook because he put a self-pity narrative in a paper. He still sucks Kenwright’s nipples in memoriam. He made his bed, choices, decisions, money. He should not be there for The Old Lady’s final bow. His presence will be divisive unless he has the integrity to make amends. He might possibly spoil the occasion for some; one is too many. And isn’t it possible that forty years on some of our mid-80s legends are sick and tired of Sharp’s toad life and would not be arsed if he was not there?

Imagine. Sharp walks into the Goodison lift on that sad last day. The door closes. Sharp looks up. The only other fella in the lift is Neville Southall.

‘I’ll never go back. I can never go back’. You brought it all on yourself soft lad.

Brendan McLaughlin
8 Posted 22/10/2024 at 06:51:30
Paul #7

On the possible Sharp/Southall lift encounter scenario:

"Sharpy will be my friend to the day I die
We have gone through thick and thin together
Nothing will ever break that friendship
I sit down and wonder what I would have done
The honest truth is I don't know
I think I do but I am guessing"

I'm going for awkward man hug.

Paul Ferry
9 Posted 22/10/2024 at 07:00:12
Oh, by the way, our former player is clearly 'really bothered now'; otherwise, he would not have sent this self-serving/-pitying shite to the press.

It can be really crap sometimes when you peer beneath the veneer of legend or idol to find out what the human said legend or idol is actually like.

Paul Ferry
10 Posted 22/10/2024 at 07:05:22
Brendan, you could well be right mate. They did go through a lot together. With Sheeds, weren't they the longest serving survivors of the 1985 team?

And how they got through those pissed up nights in The Weld Blundell on the Formby bypass and Sands and Toad Hall (Sharpy would have been well at home at Toad Hall) in Ainsdale beggars belief.

Danny O'Neill
11 Posted 22/10/2024 at 07:32:02
A very balanced article as always, Lyndon.

There was anger and frustration at the time aimed at the dysfunctional way the club was being run and maybe it got a bit heated. It's not the first time. Kendall must go and I remember a march down Goodison Road after a defeat by Tottenham. The Benitez season.

Sometimes the frustration spills over, but only through a desire to see Everton in the position we feel they should be.

I was disappointed at the time that Sharp didn't come out and make a stand. I'm disappointed he has taken this stance rather thanmaking a different statement to reconcile with the supporters who idolised the player.

I hope over the coming months his mind changes and he walks out onto the pitch he once graced with his teammates.

I also think it would be a nice gesture for Colin Harvey to walk them out.

And if I get to meet Sheedy, I'll probably faint!!

Phil Wood
12 Posted 22/10/2024 at 07:40:15
I haven't a problem with Sharpy returning to Goodison.
I don't know what has happened between him the fans and other board members. I know what I have read in many articles but couldn't honestly say what is believable and what isn't.

What I do know is that he was a great player for us. Many fans have bitter feelings and that is up to them. I have seen a lot of hate over the years that may or may not be justified. I don't know the reality but am happy to move forward. Life is too full of misery and hate at present.

My opinion is that we worry more about the football, continue to support the team. What has gone before has gone. As I said, I don't believe everything that is put out but cannot say what is and isn't true.

Paul Ferry
13 Posted 22/10/2024 at 07:54:39
Being a 'great player' in many respects should be enough Phil, but in life it is not - and I 100 per cent take your point about what is truth and what is not, but in this case the words spill out from Sharp's ill-judged mouth.

Sadly, and I really mean that as a veteran of 1984-87, Sharp might well be the most divisive living figure in the circles that matter in our club with the exception of our absentee landlord and that twat who sits behind Brian Williams shouting shite all through the match.

Ray Roche
14 Posted 22/10/2024 at 07:59:03
Paul Ferry,

I imagine that the Scotsman newspaper approached Sharp; I doubt if he ‘sent this self-serving/-pitying shite to the press' or if ‘Then why did you run to the papers?' is accurate.

Again, just my opinion.

Nigel Scowen
15 Posted 22/10/2024 at 08:02:25
In my opinion, if he were to attend then, at the worst, there would be indifference and, at best, he would be patted on the back by the fans.

I don't understand why he needed to regurgitate all this nonsense at this time but I for one hope he does attend but only if he doesn't sulk.

Paul Ferry
16 Posted 22/10/2024 at 08:07:59
Ray, it doesn't matter whether he ran or not – and I don't believe for one second that The Scotsman 'approached' Sharp (why?), he put feelers out – Sharp is still the name at the top of this self-serving, self-pitying story. He approved it for his reasons.

But I do respect your opinion, Ray. You've studied Everton for longer than I have. But my hunch is that you might possibly be wrong on this occasion, although a part of me really wants you to be right.

Ernie Baywood
17 Posted 22/10/2024 at 08:13:15
The problem is, Nigel, that the worst and best cases you provide are probably true for 99% of people.

There are some right weirdos in that 1% though.

But even then I'd suggest the worst case might be a bit of a drive by shouting.

Paul Ferry
18 Posted 22/10/2024 at 08:18:27
Nice, Ernie.

I had to read that three times.

Derek Thomas
19 Posted 22/10/2024 at 08:23:01
With the passing of Bill Kenwright and the December departure of Moshiri, any Non-Disclosure Agreement is, if not null and void, then surely moot... it's old news.

Tell the truth and shame the devil, Sharpy, unless that truth is so unpalatable from your point of view, you'd rather just whinge.

'Fess up, or at least tell a palatable version of the truth we can all live with, sources close, etc.

Tony Abrahams
20 Posted 22/10/2024 at 09:02:55
A very good summary, Lyndon, but one that unfortunately paints Graeme Sharp (the man) in a very bad light, with regards how he has allowed this very unfortunate saga to play out.

Seriously, Graeme, if you read this, mate, I'm being very sincere when I say “Thanks very much for the memories” but like Andy Gray said with a smile, when I echoed that same gratitude to him one night, “I enjoyed it even more than you, you know!”

Everton has been very kind to you, Graeme, and helped give you a wonderful life. Until the silence is removed, then most people will feel you chose the devil, rather than the real soul of Everton Football Club.,

But the real soul is the real soul for a reason, and I'm sure they would welcome you with open arms, if a little bit of humility and truth came their way. I might be wrong… but I doubt it.

Ernie Baywood
21 Posted 22/10/2024 at 09:18:02
Derek, that confidentiality agreement will extend beyond his employment and won't be tied to just Moshiri or Bill being at the club.

You won't get the truth. To be honest I don't really care about it – onwards and upwards. And it's not like we need headlock-gate to be confirmed as false... it sounded ridiculous from the start.

John Pickles
22 Posted 22/10/2024 at 09:23:35
One glaring absence?

Yes. Howard!

Tony Abrahams
23 Posted 22/10/2024 at 09:38:24
Don’t forget Easy Heaton, John, who seemed to be an integral part of that very close-knit group, mate.
Rob Dolby
24 Posted 22/10/2024 at 09:40:41
The club was in a total mess, fans fed up and frustrated with the owner and board.

Let's say the headlock did happen, let's say death threats were made. Those very things may have tipped the balance to get rid of Moshiri and his cronies.

Even if Sharp was totally innocent in the whole saga, the actions taken by fans justified the push to get rid of Moshiri and Co.

Without fans acting the way they did, we could well be clapping Sharp, Barrett-Baxendale and Co around the new stadium in The Championship.

Sharp was a great player, not sure how good he was in the boardroom.

There are plenty of Evertonians who won't get to say goodbye to Goodison Park. Sharp not being there won't make any difference to me.

Danny O'Neill
25 Posted 22/10/2024 at 10:00:28
I forgot to mention another recent one, when a few supporters chased cars. To his credit, big Yerri Mina stopped, got out and talked to them.

Mind you, they probably wouldn't want to mess with him!!

John Williams
26 Posted 22/10/2024 at 10:04:31
I have to disagree with a number of people on this forum.

I have sat in the Goodison Main Stand since the mid-1960s, watching and supporting great Everton sides and very poor Everton sides, and believe me, it was a hard watch at times, during the 1970s.

Over time, I have realized that our supporters (if you can call some that) have become more hostile towards the players and the club. So much so, I decided that I would not be going to the new stadium – I have had enough.

Football is a sport, not a matter of life or death, and some of our so-called supporters should take a long look in the mirror.

Robert Tressell
27 Posted 22/10/2024 at 10:11:54
Let's be honest, it's a disgrace that people are still romanticising a team from nearly 40 years ago.

No criticism of the people doing the romanticising either by the way. The disgrace is all on the people who have run the club into ground – when we were well placed to secure a rich and rosy future at the top of the food chain.

I look forward to developing some players capable of allowing us to focus on the present and future rather than the distant past.

Danny O'Neill
28 Posted 22/10/2024 at 10:38:40
I always respect your views and your detailed research but the use of the word 'disgrace' is a bit over the top.

Of course, those of us who lived through the '80s will remember it with fond memories. I have family who reflect fondly on the Moyes years, whereas I don't.

And those old enough to recall the '60s, with Young, Harvey, Kendall, Ball, Vernon, Gabriel and Royle. My cousin can talk all day about Bob Latchford. And some of a certain generation idolised Duncan Ferguson. It's not a disgrace to reflect on the past.

I do agree with your point about moving forward to a better future, but there is no shame looking back. Don't live in the past, but don't disrespect what made us the club we are. 9 times league champions.

Tony Abrahams
29 Posted 22/10/2024 at 10:53:35
The Mina incident happened on the day of the Southampton game, Danny, on a day when the board invented some lies to justify their no-show, because they knew the fans had prepared a protest against the way the club was being run (into the ground) against them.

This created a very toxic atmosphere, and wasn't helped by the team surrendering a lead to lose to the bottom team, with another awful performance.

Yerry Mina only had to face up to a few kids (I know this doesn't make what happened right) and it sounded like they were only trying to find out what was going on (judging by the recordings on X) because, let's face it, we don't know the half of it according to the people in high places, and it doesn't sound like anyone wants to tell us anything either.

Sean Dyche has already alluded to this on numerous occasions, but imagine getting the Everton job and being told by the board of directors that they aren't welcome at Goodison so they would have to wish him luck the day before the game.

A sorry saga that has hopefully run its course because it's time for Everton to become a genuinely professional football club once again and leave the unadulterated misery of what has transpired this century behind us as we get ready to move into a stadium that is thankfully befitting of a previous time in our history.

Steve Brown
30 Posted 22/10/2024 at 10:58:14
Everton supporters are very fair and balanced, and to err is human.

I am sure that a letter from Sharp explaining why he chose not to speak up when Kenwright tried to criminalise the club's own fans would be more than enough.

Of course, hubris might prevent him from doing so. Then it is up to him.

Josh Horne
31 Posted 22/10/2024 at 11:03:00
I've lost track of how many times I've vowed "I'm done with Everton" after feeling hurt by the latest humiliation; always I have relented though. Graeme Sharp has Everton in the blood; despite his protestations, any self-imposed exile will be hurting him.

If he decides to come back along with the champions then I'll cheer him, as I did 40 years ago, for the fantastic service he gave the club as a player. No apology required for that. If he doesn't, I'll cope.

If regaining respect from fans, as a human being, means anything to him then he is going to need to build some bridges. This is perfectly possible, but the article is not the way to go about that.

Maybe he's an old man who just doesn't need any of that anymore, in which case, I respect his position and don't expect to hear from him again.

Danny O'Neill
32 Posted 22/10/2024 at 11:07:54
At least he got out to speak to them, Tony, and calm them down.

Your last paragraph says it all. Time to move on and behave like a professional and progressive football club and look to the future.

Derek Thomas
33 Posted 22/10/2024 at 11:26:56
This is only a big deal now, come the big day... and I think it will not be on the first game of the season, because the Premier League won't want their big day overshadowed.

There are plenty of players and fans, some separated by cost, distance, health and some, sadly, by death, who might've liked to be there, so he'll just be one amongst many (like me) who won't have that golden ticket.

On the day, not many in real terms will miss either of us in a vast host of other far worthier absentees.

I am (hopefully) aiming to make it in September between the International Breaks though.

Kevin Molloy
34 Posted 22/10/2024 at 12:19:08
He's an appalling chap. I'll be disappointed if he changes his mind and turns up (not that I'd register any dissent).

He's just put two fingers up to the whole fanbase, when it's him that took the gold and shafted the fans. Who cares what he thinks.

Barry Rathbone
35 Posted 22/10/2024 at 13:18:05
"Sharp admits that he's “not comfortable” being in Liverpool these days. “I just think the way things happened … it's a difficult one. To be treated the way we were, was awful. "

"not comfortable in the city" - Even if he reveals his wife and kids were threatened and bullets sent in the post with any number of unspeakable threats made, some here would just give a "c'est la vie" shrug of the shoulders.

It will be a desperate omission if he doesn't return and a possible focal point for the red media to exploit, but do we care?

I think so… but you never can tell these days.

Nigel Scowen
36 Posted 22/10/2024 at 13:30:45
It's all ifs and buts though, isn't it, Barry, neither he nor his wife or kids have been threatened, it's all in his head this 'not comfortable' stuff.

And I disagree; I would suggest that if this hypothetical situation were to ever happen, then there would not be one Evertonian on this forum that would condone it.

Barry Rathbone
37 Posted 22/10/2024 at 13:40:11
Nige 36

Did you ask him, like?

Did it go like this?

"Sharpie baby, are you sure this isn't all in your head?"

"Were security messing around with that not turning up for games caper?"

"I bet they're just a gang of jokers having a good laugh - right?"

"Do you like fig rolls?"

Nigel Scowen
38 Posted 22/10/2024 at 13:51:15
🤣 Baz @ 37

I didn't ask him, mate, no and I wouldn't even if I were to meet up with him, it's old and tired news. I would probably want to talk about Everton winning trophies in the '80s as I reckon most Blues would.

As far as the ‘security advisers' are concerned, they have to justify their own existence. The police said nothing was credible..

Robert Tressell
39 Posted 22/10/2024 at 13:54:26
Danny at 28, I'm absolutely not criticising the fans here at all. I probably expressed myself poorly. The disgrace (and it really is a disgrace) is that it's getting on 40 years since we had a team worthy of a brilliant set of fans.

I think the fans have every right to be furious about this.

Dave Abrahams
40 Posted 22/10/2024 at 13:58:23
Danny (28),

Never mind looking back at the past although you might like to remember Keven Sheedy and wish him happy birthday —— Kevin is 65 today!

Dave Abrahams
41 Posted 22/10/2024 at 14:02:30
Dave (40),

Sorry, Danny, cancel those celebrations: Kevin was 65 yesterday!

Tony Abrahams
42 Posted 22/10/2024 at 14:20:40
Barry @35, you might not reside here anymore, mate, but one thing you won't have forgotten about Liverpool is that it's like a village.

Rob Halligan, who is a very genuine Evertonian nd follows our team wherever they are playing, said that Sharp was in Liverpool the other week, happily posing for pictures in his partner's workplace.

Nothing wrong with that and this doesn't mean he's comfortable, but most of his adult life has resolved around Everton, so he more than anyone knows what scousers are like.

A lot of Evertonians believe that Graeme Sharp could have dealt with things better and to many of us it looks like he chose to stay loyal to his paymasters rather than the people who adored him.

That was his choice, and the one thing life should have taught everyone is that we live and die with our own decisions.

If Sharp made a decision to speak tomorrow, I believe that if what he told us was genuine (you know how cynical some of us can be), then most people would be happy that he's been prepared to give us some truth, rather than him just cynically saying “They don't know the half of it” and just leaving it there to cause even more division, even though this is exactly what the Bill Kenwright era was mostly about.

The time to stand together and unite is now!!!

Barry Rathbone
44 Posted 22/10/2024 at 14:42:31
Tony @42

I hear you but it goes back to the seriousness of the situation.

As you say, he knows scousers and there may be something beyond the normal "whaddya looking at lar?" bravado that concerns him. Equally the level of invective might have been so horrendous he can't bring himself to forgive and has washed his hands of all things Everton.

At the risk of being boring, I have to repeat – I don't know – and the point is nobody else does. Be a terrible shame if he's lost to us.

Pete Clarke
46 Posted 22/10/2024 at 14:49:12
Ah, Poor Sharpy! His feelings have been hurt so he's now scared to go to Liverpool.

This doesn't sound like a tough Scotsman to me. It sounds like he loved Blue Bill because of the money he was giving him and he basically betrayed us supporters. His resignation would have been a turning point in righting the wrongs of Blue Bill.

Love of money has led him to this point and he no longer cares.

In fact I'll go back to a pre-season trip to Holland in the early '80s and he didn't want anything to do with us supporters then.

I'd like to see him alongside the other heroes of that great team who gave us success years ago but he's no hero of mine.

Jimmy Salt
47 Posted 22/10/2024 at 15:03:28
Sharp was a bit of a hero to me growing up and discovering football in the '80s and it's all a bit sad how it's turned sour.
I don't have a dog in this race; life's too short.

And for anyone wondering whether Sharp may dish the dirt, try reading his biography…

Nice guy but one of the most boring books I've attempted to read and one of the few I never finished.

Paul Ferry
48 Posted 22/10/2024 at 19:29:12
John Williams (26).

Genuinely sorry that you feel so strongly that you will not be taking up your seat at the dock John. Your personal history establishes your credentials but adds nothing to this discussion. You completely whitewash Sharp – who you do not even mention by name – in a post that imitates life in Kenwright’s bunker with its disgusting denunciations of our fans: ‘supporters (if you can call some, that)’, ‘our so-called supporters’. Genuine thanks for your wonderful support at The Old Lady, but those sort of views will not be missed at the dock.

Great post Steve Brown (43). A sniper's accuracy.

Liam Mogan
51 Posted 22/10/2024 at 19:51:20
I checked the Everton v Notts F programme from 1985 and Sharpy lists 'bourbon creams' as his favourite biscuit.

Interestingly under favourite disciple he lists 'Judas' and favourite Dickens character as 'Uriah Heep'.

Christy Ring
54 Posted 22/10/2024 at 21:11:30
Lyndon, a very fair and honest assessment.

In my opinion, Sharp has let himself down badly with his comments now. When Kenwright promoted him to fans liaison officer (I think Joe Parkinson walked away from the position), even then he didn't have the fans' back

But the whole episode with the board's accusations, considering the Merseyside Police came out later and said nothing was reported to them, was the lowest of the lowest by the board.

He made his choice, and he has to live with his actions; he's embarrassing himself now.

Ian Wilkins
55 Posted 22/10/2024 at 21:41:45
I've watched Everton for 50 years. For me, Graeme Sharp is an Everton football legend. I will be sorry not to see him with his '80s team legends saying farewell to Goodison Park.

Sadly, that's where his legendary status ends. He was an average club ambassador, but more importantly somebody not qualified for a Board Non Exec Director role.

It's not his fault for accepting; Kenwright should never have asked him. But he was always going to suit as a Yes-man in a period when Everton really needed strong Non Execs to apply corporate governance.

He was never equipped for that, and stayed loyal to the Board as expected. The best move he could have made was to resign his position. He didn't have to mention Kenwright et al, just show integrity and resign.

I think his press interviews have made it worse. He could have said…

"I am an Evertonian through and through, I love the club. Pulling the Everton shirt on were the proudest days of my life. I was pleased to work as an Ambassador and then Non Exec Director, but I must confess I didn't have the skill set for such a role. I made mistakes and regret some naive comments. If I have upset any Everton fans then I am truly sorry. They are the last people I would ever want to hurt."

I'm not sure how it would have played out thereafter but some respect would have returned and he would have remained an Everton football legend. Pity it's played out the way it has, from my perspective anyway.

Danny O'Neill
57 Posted 22/10/2024 at 22:35:56
Aside from the obvious when he done Lawrenson and smashed in a screamer in from of the Anfield Road.

Another favourite was a header when we put Manchester United to the sword and beat them 5 - 0.

But for me, even though not his best, the first goal at Wembley in 1984. In off the post and I knew then, we were going to lift the first trophy in life. Being there was unbelievable.

Paul Ferry
58 Posted 22/10/2024 at 22:47:47
That is all true Danny mate (57) and I agree with you. We know about these things because we were there and they have become a part of who we are.

But that is not the issue here. We need to distinguish between the player we all praise and the Kenwright lap-dog that he became. Pointing out again what he did on the pitch for us only matters I think if you feel that it legitimises and permits the choices, decisions, and justifications that he made in his shameful two-decade long stint as the narcissistic liar's toad and crone.

Danny O'Neill
59 Posted 22/10/2024 at 22:58:07
I think most are distinguishing between the two Paul. I just hope he comes around. I think most would welcome him back if he spoke out rather than the statement he made.
Jerome Shields
61 Posted 23/10/2024 at 05:38:15
Sharp has an attitude to fans which isolated him and continues to do so. I think he knows he has to apologise, but missed the opportunity or is not prepared to do so. He has now made an issue of it. I doubt we will ever see him at Goodison again.

The fact he feels the need to express himself so strongly would indicate a need to defend his past actions.

Brian Williams
66 Posted 23/10/2024 at 11:58:45
Little bit more "evidence" emerging regarding the alleged threats to the Everton board.

“I understand that the club’s security liaison team had not found any evidence to do him (Graeme Sharp) physical harm, though did have evidence of a plan to encircle directors in a confined space and voice complaints against the custodianship of the club,”

That from reporter Ian Herbert.

So no threat of violence but not something I'd have liked to be subjected to.

Derek Knox
67 Posted 23/10/2024 at 12:17:24
Rob @ 24,

"Sharp was a great player, not sure how good he was in the boardroom."

I don't know how old you are, mate, but in the '60s and '70s, most cars had a nodding dog on the rear parcel shelf, activated by the movement of the vehicle.

Well even if you don't remember, or were too young, they sum up Sharp's role in the boardroom! :-)

Mark Murphy
68 Posted 23/10/2024 at 13:26:06

I loved Sharp the player, I don't know Sharp the man, but if I knew that if I went to my local pub, I was going to get even mild abuse, I'd probably just not go.
This is just an example - I'm not likening Everton to my local pub.
UTFT and roll on saturday!

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