I GUESS thats why they call us the Blues, Elton read one of the banners in the Everton end at Wembley but while Watfords flamboyant pop star chairman will be feeling down after this defeat Howard Kendalls boys are delighted to have ended their own clubs 14-year trophy drought.

Things have been tough at the Goodison side of Stanley Park since Everton won their last piece of silverware with their 1970 League Championship.

Back then, they shared the record for the most First Division titles (seven) along with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.

But in the years since, while credible title challenges and cup final appearances have ultimately fallen short for the Goodison Park outfit they were back at Wembley earlier this season for the Milk Cup final against their neighbours only to lose a Maine Road replay 1-0 Liverpool have emerged as the English games dominant force.

If next week Liverpool can overcome Roma in their own back yard to lift a fourth European Cup in seven years they will have completed a memorable treble alongside a record 15th title and fourth consecutive League Cup.

Given such blanket success for their closest rivals, an Everton Cup win has perhaps never been so welcomed or brought such relief.

Indeed, the FA Cup remains the only major prize to have eluded Liverpools former all-conquering manager Bob Paisley after he succeeded Bill Shankly but after attending this match the ex-Anfield chief got the chance to see the trophy up close when he travelled back up to Merseyside with the Everton squad and fellow County Durham man Kendall.

Although Everton have been a successful name in the past, this final was very much about footballs future rather than the established order.

None of the 22 starters under the Twin Towers had played in an FA Cup final before despite Evertons aforementioned League Cup appearance at Wembley earlier this season.

Graham Taylors Watford were playing in the basement division of the Football League when he arrived at Vicarage Road seven years ago and after leading the Hornets to the First Division in the space of five seasons, his team on this occasion had an average age of just 22.

Kendalls troops are not much older though and triumphant skipper and Goodison graduate Kevin Ratcliffe is at 23 the youngest FA Cup-winning captain since West Hams Bobby Moore 20 years ago.