Everton v Watford on 19th October 1985

 

Programmed for Memories

 

Everton v Watford: Saturday 19th October 1985

 

At this juncture, as a buoyant Everton supporter, I had just commenced my second year of studies at the famous seat of learning, Bangor Normal College. Along with my friend, Robin Williams, we decided to embark on an exciting journey by train along the North Wales coast to what has over the years become affectionately known as the capital of North Wales, otherwise known as Liverpool.

 

Almost incredibly, given Liverpool’s dominance of British and European football during the late 1970s and early 1980s, Howard Kendall’s men were the reigning League Champions, giving the blue half of the city the bragging rights.

 

Their other bitter rivals from across the Pennines, Manchester United, under the flamboyant Ron Atkinson, were the early pace setters, seemingly intent on winning the first division crown and thus ending a nineteen-year drought.

 

It would be my first opportunity to view Everton’s new signing, Gary Lineker, in the flesh so to speak, following his highly publicised move from Leicester City. Although he was welcomed by Evertonians, there was an element of sadness attached to the whole affair, since in order to facilitate the £600,000 signing, Goodison favourite Andy Gray, so pivotal in winning the league title would have to be shipped out to Molineux in an effort to bolster Wolverhampton Wanderers’ fortunes. As it transpired, Lineker’s Goodison tenure would be short-lived, as the greener pastures of Catalonia beckoned with a lucrative move to the Nou Camp and Barcelona. This to a large extent was precipitated by the absence of European football following a five-year ban for English clubs in the wake of the Heysel disaster.

 

This encounter was a repeat of the 1984 FA Cup final and Everton’s first trophy since 1970, thanks to goals from Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray. Earlier that season under the twin towers, the Blues had held bitter rivals, Liverpool, to a goalless draw in the League Cup final, but would lose 1-0 in the replay. However, the following season represented a zenith for Everton, as they won the First Division League Title and the European Cup Winners Cup, when they defeated Rapid Vienna 3-1 in Rotterdam, but would be denied a historic treble by ten-man Man Utd in the FA Cup final.

 

From personal recollection, it was a rather one-sided affair with Kendall’s charges playing some brilliant, often mesmerising exhibition football, with an apparent telepathic understanding between the players, as balls were sprayed across the pitch into space, with the utmost confidence that a blue-shirted player would be there to receive it. The only illuminating feature in a rather mediocre Watford display was their newly signed blonde-haired centre=forward Colin West.

 

A comprehensive 4-1 win for Everton was richly deserved with goals from  Adrian Heath, Paul Bracewell, and a brace from ace marksman, Graeme Sharp. Welsh international Kenny Jacket scored Watford’s solitary goal from the penalty spot. The final whistle was a cue for Robin and I to return to a hostelry in the centre of the city, where fellow Evertonians were in good voice and optimistic about winning the title. It should be said that Robin was a Liverpool supporter, but even he reluctantly had to admit that Everton’s attractive football was exceedingly pleasing on the eye. 

 

Further refreshments were taken at a pub in Llandudno Junction during the return journey and needless to say we were both in buoyant mood when we entered The Globe Tavern in Upper Bangor at around eight o’clock that evening. The general consensus was that the title race would most probably be contested between the two Merseyside clubs, and so it transpired with Kenny Dalglish in his inaugural season as Reds manager guiding them to the double, with unlucky Everton runners-up in both competitions. The surprise package in third place was West Ham United, with some neutrals claiming that their exciting brand of football merited English club football’s major prize, with ace striker Frank McAvennie being the find of the season.

 

Aled Evans  

 Action from the previous season's encounter, when Everton reigned supreme winning 4-0 and would progress to win the First Division League Title and European Cup Winners Cup.

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