David Moyes wins the numbers game
DAVID MOYES has broken many records and established many benchmarks in his eight years as Everton manager.
But he never expected to be the manager who used more players than anybody else in a single season.
When Phil Jagielka came on in Portugal last week he was the 36th player picked for senior duty this season.
And that was one more than the trio of revolving door seasons which jointly held the record previously.
In 1888-89, the very first League season, football teams were constantly changing and Everton used 35 players in 22 games.
In 1919-20, the first season after the Great War, different reasons applied, with many players returning from active duty – while in 1998-99 Walter Smith was clearly experimenting trying to find a winning blend after taking over from Howard Kendall (34 players) in 1997-98.
The lowest number of players used in Everton’s history?
The 18 players selected by Harry Catterick in 1968-69, just one less than the following famous season – a campaign which saw only 16 players selected in league matches and three more in cup competitions.
Still a few tickets left for Everton 1995 FA Cup winners’ reunion at the Adelphi Hotel
SOME tickets are still available for Everton’s 1995 FA Cup winners’ reunion at the Adelphi Hotel on Thursday, March 25.
There have been numerous get togethers of the last Everton side to lift silverware in 1995, but for the first time in almost a decade the entire FA Cup-winning side has agreed to return to Merseyside for a celebration.
Many of Joe Royle’s trophy winning side have now settled abroad.
Match-winner Paul Rideout coaches at Kansas City Wiz, the man whose break created the goal, Anders Limpar, is back in his native Stockholm, while Daniel Amokachi is still involved in football, coaching in Nigeria.
Last season’s near miss means that the 1995 triumph was the fifth and final time the Blues raised the FA Cup aloft.
The famous old trophy will be present at the reunion – and tickets can be bought from Bluenose Promotions, price £85, on 07747-011014.
Shareholders Association dinner open to all True Blue Evertonians
THERE was a time when Shareholders Association dinners were perceived as stuffy, officious affairs, the preserve of stuffed shirts and businessmen.
Not any more. Everton’s present Shareholders Association has extended an invitation to all Blues to attend their annual gathering at Goodison Park on March 20.
Held in the Alex Young Suite (7.30pm for 8pm) with lounge suit dress code, the dinner will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1984/85 double winning team in the company of Derek Mountfield, Gary Stevens and John Bailey.
And to commemorate 40 years since winning the 1970 League Championship, Gordon West, Alan Whittle and special Guests “Prisoners of Rupert’s Tower”, John Keith and Dave Hickson, will attend.
Fans can have their picture taken with the trophies and enjoy a three course meal for £40. All proceeds will go to the Everton FC Former Players Foundation.
Fans interested in attending should contact paulwhartonefc@btinternet.com.
