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Your free 16-page guide to the FA Cup final
IN MOYES WETRUST
2 SPORT
Thursday, May 28, 2009
★★★★
IN MOYES WE TRUST
The 2009 FA Cup final guide
All together now – I just want to thank our magnificent fans for all they do for us - Neville
T
ODAY a Blue army will mobilise. From the moment David Moyes and his players meet at Finch Farm, it will be all systems go as Everton train their sights on a sixth FA Cup. Though the beaks in the corridors of power at the FA felt compelled to only give Everton and Chelsea supporters a preposterous 25,109 tickets each for English football’s showpiece game, many more Toffees are expected to travel south. Trains will also pull out of Lime Street with no seats available, while coaches and cars will head to the M62 packed with supporters dreaming the club’s 14-year wait for silverware is about to end. The lucky ones are guaranteed entry to Wembley but many more Evertonians are sure to travel, simply to be there and soak up an atmosphere which – if the semi-final is anything to go by – should make hairs on the back of the neck stand up. Ever since victory over Manchester United was achieved in dramatic circumstances, all talk has been centred on Everton’s Big Day Out and now the wait is almost over; a mass exodus from the city is guaranteed to see if Phil Neville is presented with the trophy. Neville has been to four FA Cup finals but none have captured his imagination as much as the build up to this one, mainly due to the passion that supporters have shown and he is aching to give the thousands who follow Everton home and away their just rewards. “I just want to thank our supporters for everything they have done this season,” he said. “They’ve picked us up when we’ve needed it, kicked us up the backside when we’ve needed it and always worn their hearts on their sleeves. “It makes me proud as captain to see them filling other people’s stadiums with our fans. It’s then that it hits home that you’re playing for a big club with supporters who really care. Let’s hope on Saturday we can repay the fans and give them all a nice present.” But it’s not only the captain who is of that mindset; Moyes – still bitterly unhappy about the allocation figure that was conjured up at Soho Square – knows that opportunity knocks for him to cement his name alongside managerial giants Catterick and Kendall. “I think it’s hard to play a semi-final
Dominic
King where you get 30,000 of your supporters there but then a final where there are only 25,000,” said Moyes. “I can’t see how that works. The idea of getting to a final is to get your supporters there. “Yet we’re taking less so the whole thing is not correct. They (The FA) want you to bring all your money and people to the semi-final but come the final they don’t. I don’t think that’s right. “We will go there as underdogs. Does it suit us? I think it does. I think we go in with the knowledge that the pressure will be on Chelsea to perform and show the side they are and we go into the game with the attitude to show we are capable of playing at this stage.” Already idolised for the way he has dragged a club that was nearly on its knees back into the upper echelons of the Premier League – where Everton rightfully belong – winning the FA Cup would take him on to a new level all together.
FAN-TASTIC: Chairman Bill Kenwright hopes for another day of pride and glory
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EVERTON v CHELSEA
Thursday, May 28, 2009
SPORT 3
Wembley Stadium, Saturday, May 30
as destiny beckons
ALL FOR ONE: The players and the fans (inset above) celebrate after beating Manchester United on penalties in the semi-final at Wembley
For too long supporters have watched others enjoy moments in the spotlight, puzzled and perplexed that a club which possesses the kind of honours list that is envied by many throughout the country kept tripping up. Since Joe Royle let loose the Dogs of War in 1995, nearly every team in the Premier League or Championship – a few in League One – has experienced a game at Wembley or the Millennium Stadium, be it in the FA Cup, Carling Cup or play-offs. That’s why the emotions after United were beaten on penalties last month were so raw, why it felt like a final travelling down; all you could see were vehicles with Blue scarves, flags and banners and it is sure to be the same again. Unfortunately, some will have to stay behind but those who remain have been urged by one well known website to paint Liverpool Blue - advice that’s clearly been heeded. It is impossible to walk down a street without seeing a flag confirming Everton will be playing at Wembley this weekend – even the window of a city centre bar, owned by a certain Liverpool defender, had one pinned up earlier in the week. Should Everton win, those flags will flutter all summer and if the atmosphere around a training ground is anything to go by, Neville may well be the captain who goes up the steps to get the Cup. Every squad member knows their job inside out, all are playing with maximum confidence but, if that is not enough to set minds at rest, Everton are staying at their lucky hotel once more. The luxurious Grove in Hertfordshire was the place they called home before beating Tottenham in the league last November – a win that seemed to spark a revival after an erratic start to the season – as it was before the semi-final. Of course, fate won’t have anything to do with how Everton ultimately fare but the backing they will receive from the stands is sure to play its part; passion and ambition is this particular army’s weapon of choice – and it might just help them win the battle.
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Thursday, May 28, 2009
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Good luck Everton.
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EVERTON v CHELSEA
SPORT 5
Thursday, May 28, 2009
★★★★
Wembley Stadium, Saturday, May 30 CENTRE STAGE: Graeme Sharp and co with the FA Cup at Wembley in ’84
T
HERE is nothing football fans love to do more than wallow in nostalgia when an anniversary comes along. Once a significant date comes around on the calendar, it is only natural to take a walk down Memory Lane and relive the drama of a certain victory and for Evertonians, there have been plenty of chances to do that in recent months. It is, after all, 25 years since Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray scored the goals that secured the first trophy of the Howard Kendall era, that FA Cup final win over Watford in 1984 was the catalyst for the most successful period in the club’s history. Inevitably, that has meant members of Kendall’s great team being gathered together for reunions and it has been just like old times, with the banter as cutting as ever and legendary anecdotes being retold. For some, it would leave them misty-eyed but Sharp has another take on events; while he loves getting together with his old pals, nothing would give him more pleasure than for supporters to stop talking about his achievements and instead focus on the current squad. So with that in mind, what better
AsSharpasever
Blues legend wants to see the FA Cup return home by DOMINIC KING way for nostalgic chatter to stop than beating Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday? “We’ve had a lot of dinners recently and the boys have been meeting up,” said Sharp, whose tally of 159 goals in 447 appearances makes him the second highest scorer in Everton’s history. “It’s been great to see the likes of Rats, Trevor Steven, Kevin Richardson, Big Neville and John Bailey. “Reidy is in Thailand and he couldn’t come over for any of them but I spoke to him a couple of days ago and I know he’s going to be
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there on Saturday, which is fantastic. It brings back memories. “But that is in the past and I just hope that the present squad go on to feel what we did. We won it in 1984 and then again in 1995. Those games get brought up all the time. But this is the present day and you have to remember that these boys have done remarkably well. “What I’d like to see is everyone talking about the current squad’s achievements; their performances deserve it. This is a new generation and I hope these lads give me as much joy as I had in 1984.” He may want to move on from that beating of Watford but there is no mistaking the pride that a man who played in four Cup finals for
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the Blues still feels about getting on the scoresheet; Wembley may have changed since that May day but returning to the famous stadium still gives him goosebumps. “I used to watch the Scottish Cup Final as a kid – usually Rangers v Celtic – and the best part was when the English final came on,” recalled Sharp. “I never thought I’d get to play in one, let alone score in one. “When you walked out from behind the goal and you looked up to see the crowd, you hit this barrage of noise. It was absolutely incredible and it will always be there in the history books. “Everton versus Watford, scorers Sharp and Gray. No one can take that off me. But we went to
Macclesfield in the third round and that, to me, was what the FA Cup was about. It was a welcome to the real world.” Sharp will be at Wembley in a professional capacity this weekend – he is Radio City’s expert analyser – and is confident the system that served Everton so well when they had no strikers earlier in the campaign will do again. “David (Moyes) stumbled on the formation with Tim Cahill up top and Fellaini behind,” he said. “Earlier in the season we were playing 4-4-2 and people were saying we were missing Lee Carsley. “We weren’t; it’s just that we don’t have the players to play 4-4-2.”
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6 SPORT
Thursday, May 28, 2009
IN MOYES WE TRUST
★★★★
The 2009 FA Cup final guide
PRESSURE POINT: Vaughan puts the shackles on Manchester United midfielder Anderson
BROTHERS IN ARMS: Vaughan (left) celebrates a famous semi final triumph with Phil Jagielka
SUITABLY IMPRESSED: Everton’s stars will be back at the imposing new Wembley stadium on Saturday
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★★★★
EVERTON v CHELSEA
Thursday, May 28, 2009
SPORT 7
Wembley Stadium, Saturday, May 30
Vaughan gets set to live the dream
‘To think I am going to be a part of FA Cup final day is surreal’ James
Pearce
J
AMES VAUGHAN admits he will have to pinch himself when he steps on to the hallowed Wembley turf on Saturday. The Everton striker never misses FA Cup final day but this time around he will have one of the best seats in the house. Vaughan is likely to start on the bench against Chelsea but he will be ready and waiting to answer his manager’s call just as he did in the semi-final victory over Manchester United. And after a campaign dogged by injury, the 20-year-old is relishing the opportunity to be part of the showpiece occasion. “Growing up as a kid FA Cup final day was always a big deal,” he said. “We would make a day of it in our house and I’d sit in front of the TV with my mum and dad to watch the game. “It’s a day I always look forward to and to think I’m going to be there as part of it this weekend is just surreal. “It’s going to be the biggest day of my career and I think the same goes for most of the lads. “I was only six when Everton last won the Cup in 1995 but I’ve seen all the footage and it would be amazing to follow in their footsteps. “I don’t think there is an English player who hasn’t dreamed of lifting that trophy. To get my hands on it really would be a dream come true.” If Vaughan plays his part in a glorious Blues triumph then nobody could deny he deserves his moment in the spotlight. The Birmingham-born frontman, who joined the Everton Academy at the age of nine, has had enough bad luck to last a lifetime. Since he burst on to the scene with a goal on his debut against Crystal Palace in April 2005, Everton’s youngest ever scorer has had to deal with numerous setbacks. Cartilage damage, a dislocated shoulder and severed arteries in his ankle have hampered his hopes of establishing himself at Goodison. This season brought more misery with a knee injury keeping him out for five months. When he underwent surgery at Christmas there were fears he wouldn’t play again this season but he surprised medical staff with the speed of his recovery. He made his comeback as a substitute in last month’s semi-final against United and contributed to a famous victory with a successful spot-kick in the shootout. “The semi-final was massive and I’ve never felt emotion like I did at the end,” he admitted. “It was a special feeling to put away that
SO COOL: James Vaughan scores from the penalty spot against Manchester United in the semi-final at Wembley penalty. It was an incredible day and so great for everyone associated with the club. “When it went to penalties we always felt that we could do it and I think that showed when we took them. We are a very close squad with great unity and it showed that day. “The fans were amazing and I’m sure they will give us the same if not more this weekend. They will have a big role to play. “They will be giving everything they have got for us and we’ll be doing the same for them.” Since the semi-final Vaughan has had to settle for three cameo appearances and he is hungry for more action. “I’ve had some tough times with injuries but that’s all behind me now and I feel really good in myself,” he said. “The knee is fine and I feel fully fit. Hopefully I can get some time on the pitch because I want to get out there and give my
best for the team. “The side hasn’t been picked yet so everyone is still in with a shout. I’ll be giving my all this week to try to give the manager a bit of a headache. “Everyone is looking sharp and you can see in training how much everyone wants it.” The Blues will go into the contest on a high after back to back wins over West Ham and Fulham secured fifth place in the Premier League. Vaughan admits confidence is surging through their veins as they plot one final upset in a memorable Cup run. “Since we beat United in the semi our goal has been fifth place and only since beating Fulham last weekend has our focus switched to the final,” he said. “Chelsea are a great side and everyone knows we’re going into it as the underdogs but we’ll thrive on that. “Nobody gave us a chance against
Liverpool or Manchester United but we came through those ties. “We are confident in our own ability and when I look around the dressing room I see quality everywhere. “The fact that this club is in the FA Cup final is a sign of the direction we’re going in. “We’ve made great progress in the last few years but a trophy is long overdue for a club like Everton. Hopefully this is the first of a few finals for us. “The gaffer has done a great job here and it would be fitting for him to get his hands on a trophy. “He deserves it for what he has done and we want to repay the management team by lifting the Cup. “We’ve worked hard all season to get us to this point and now we’ve got to try to finish the job. In a one-off occasion you never know what can happen. We’ll give it our all and hopefully that will be enough on the day.”
8 SPORT
Thursday, May 28, 2009
★★★★
IN MOYES WE TRUST
The 2009 FA Cup final guide
Smashed iPod m from third roun E
VERTON’S route to Wembley has been packed with thrills and spills and every supporter is well aware how Saturday’s date with Chelsea was secured. What they don’t know, though, are some of the anecdotes that have come about on the journey, such as a winning goalscorer being left to chase after the team bus, the hero who has become a fashion victim or the fit of pique that ultimately sparked fits of laughter. It would be easy to look back over the games that Everton have played and recall the crucial incidents that took place on the pitch, however LEON OSMAN and LEIGHTON BAINES decided to lift the lid and tell DOMINIC KING some dressing room secrets.
ROUND THREE:
Macclesfield (a), January 3. Won 1-0 (Osman 43)
Osman and Baines reveals their Dominic
King he was in the toilets, ‘come on let’s go!’ and off we went! LO: Fortunately there was only one road out of Macclesfield and the bus was stuck in traffic, so it was only moving a short distance at a time. But I ended up chasing after the bus, banging on the side of the door and our bus driver, Alan, wouldn’t let me on. He thought I was a fan. And as I was running along, my iPod fell out of my pocket, the bus ran over it and smashed it to pieces. Not a great way to end the day.
ROUND FOUR:
LO: I remember it well. We went down the day before to have a look at the pitch and the stadium. The pitch was frozen over and the dressing rooms were tiny, LB: I remember watching the which left some of the draw with my Dad and I said to foreign lads a bit him before it started: “We’ll get surprised. It turned Liverpool.” He said the same and out well, though, when it came out we just burst because I scored. SCORCHER: Leon Osman scores out laughing. We deserved the LB: It was a great the winner at Macclesfield draw at Anfield. goal and it saved us. Everyone remembers the one Goose (Dan Gosling) scored against Liverpool but that was just as important. I also remember what happened after the game... LO: Thought you might. I was doing interviews on the pitch and you could actually see over the back of the stand onto LO: I suppose I could have been the ‘hero’ the main road. I looked up at one point and again but my shot in the second half hit the saw the team bus driving off, so I had to cut post. I was devastated and never stopped them short and run off. thinking about it for weeks. LB (laughing): You didn’t make it though, But my disappointment opened the door for did you? Goose and the confidence it gave him is there LO: No thanks to you. for all to see. LB: We did a head count on the bus and LB: Shame he’s a terrible dresser. He’s when nobody could see Ossie, I just shouted
Liverpool (a), January 25. Drew 1-1 (Lescott 27)
RUNNING MAN: Leon Osman hit the winner against Macclesfield - but got left high and dry!
ROUND FOUR REPLAY:
Liverpool (h), February 4. Won 1-0 (Gosling 118)
going through a dreadful period right now. LO: I know. The other day he came into training with a mix and match tracksuit on. It was awful, like he’s been influenced by too many people at once. LB: I know. It’s just not working for him. He’s even got a side part now and he’s persevering with it. He’s getting plenty of stick.
ROUND FIVE:
Aston Villa (h), February 15.
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EVERTON v CHELSEA
SPORT 9
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wembley Stadium, Saturday, May 30
my own souvenir nd Macc winner
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LO: I know. When we got into the dressing room at half-time he was waiting for us and went absolutely berserk. LB: It was crazy. Everyone was shocked by it because it was so out of character but it made everyone sit up and realise what we could throw away if we didn’t pull our fingers out. It made the difference in the end and we did what we knew we could. It was serious when he did but in the days after the game, everyone who saw him started banging on desks or smacking walls when he was near by. To be fair, it started straight after the game and everyone was laughing about. He took it in good spirits.
SEMI-FINAL:
Manchester United (n), April 19. 0-0 (won 4-2 on penalties)
THE BIG ONE: Dan Gosling wheels away with Leighton Baines after scoring the winner against Liverpool in the fourth round replay at Anfield
Won 3-1 (Rodwell 4, Arteta 24p, Cahill 76)
LO: We had worked so hard to beat Liverpool and there was never any chance we were going to let it waste. Villa were flying when they came here but we never gave them a second and turned them over comfortably. LB: They are a team at the minute that we are always trying to beat because of where we are in the league. We knew it would be wasteful if we didn’t follow up the win against Liverpool and thankfully we did it with a bit of style.
ROUND SIX:
Middlesbrough (h), March 8. Won 2-1 (Fellaini 50, Saha 56)
LO: That was the game when Steve Round shocked a few people. Usually he’s the person who will take you to one side and have a chat if things aren’t going well. He does it constructively and explains things in a subtle way. LB: But that day he turned into the Incredible Hulk.
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LO: I never watched the draw take place, as I hadn’t watched any of the previous ones and didn’t want to put a jinx on us. I left Goodison straight away and found out later on. LB: It was like a final and it was also like playing a final at home, such was the noise that was made. You could tell our fans were there to enjoy it and let everyone know they were around. LO: A few people have said it and I have to agree that when Z-Cars came on it was just an unbelievable moment. It made you appreciate how many Blues were in there. LB: We had done well in the game and we were even relaxed before the shoot-out, more so than I expected and thankfully Tim Howard played a starring role. LO: You could tell how relaxed we were before the shoot-out started as a few of the lads were saying if anyone missed, we’d ignore them when they came back. Everyone was laughing their heads off about it but then Tim missed. Safe to say we never ignored him. We ended up ignoring Bainesy, though. LB: I actually said to Joleon Lescott when Jags scores, remember that it’s only a semi-final and we haven’t won anything, so keep a lid on the celebrations. You wouldn’t be able to print what he said back to me but safe to say he never took my advice! LO: The feeling at the end was unbelievable. We were lucky we were able to get that feeling and now it’s great that we have got to a major final. We are just determined to finish the job. We’re underdogs but let’s see what happens. We won’t let anyone down.
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CALM DOWN: Leighton Baines advised his team mates not to overcelebrate in the Wembley semi final. He was duly ignored!
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10 SPORT
Thursday, May 28, 2009
★★★★
IN MOYES WE TRUST
A B C D E F G H I J K
Andy Gray. The legendary Scot scored the Toffees’ second goal in a 2-0 victory over Watford in the 1984 FA Cup final.
The 2009 FA Cup final guide
Chris Bunclark studies the letter of the lore
Bill Kenwright. Everton’s Chairman is a lifelong Blue and will enjoy the success of the team as much as anyone. Everton have not won the cup while Kenwright has been Chairman, and are looking to change that now.
Paul Rideout. Rideout is most remembered for his winning header in the 1995 FA Cup final against Manchester United, and became a hero around Merseyside for helping Everton win the trophy against all odds.
Dan Gosling. It could have been Dave Watson or ‘Dixie’ Dean, but D goes to youngster Dan Gosling who memorably scored a 118th minute winner in this year’s fourth round replay against Liverpool.
Quarter-finals. Everton have played in more FA Cup Quarter-finals than any other side.
Extra Time. Everton equalised with the last touch of the game and went on to defeat Luton 2-1 in the 1985 semi-final through a Derek Mountfield header.
Rounds. Everton have progressed through more FA Cup rounds than any other team.
Duncan Ferguson. Everton Talisman ‘Big Dunc’ was in his first full season and recovering from injury when they won the 1995 FA Cup. Despite his cult hero status, this was the only honour of his career.
twice.
Giant Killers. Should Everton beat Chelsea in the upcoming final, they will be the first club in the history of the competition to defeat the three leading clubs in the top division on the way to lifting the trophy..
King Louis. Saha has won just about everything possible in this country with a Champions League, League Cup and two Premier League winners medals. However, the injury-plagued striker has yet to feature in an FA Cup final and will be eager for success against Chelsea.
L M
Limpar. Swedish star Anders Limpar was an FA Cup winner with Everton in 1995 – having started the move which led to Paul Rideout’s headed winner against United. Mike Trebilcock. Trebilcock became the first black player to score in an FA Cup final, with a brace in Everton’s 1966 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. The Blues came back from 2-0 down to spectacularly win 3-2.
Super Sub. Midfielder Stuart McCall came on for Everton in the all Merseyside 1989 final and became the first ever FA Cup final substitute to score
Thirteen. 13 goals have been scored by Everton in their latest FA Cup campaign, each by a different player, including their semi-final penalty shoot-out against Manchester United.
Harry Catterick. One of Everton’s most successful managers, Catterick led the team to FA Cup glory in 1966 and built two famous title winning sides.
Joe Royle. In 1994 Royle was appointed manager from Oldham and when relegation loomed, he not only kept Everton up but won the FA Cup for good measure.
O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Oldham. Everton’s run in last year’s competition was ended by League One outfit Oldham Athletic. The 1-0 defeat had previously been delayed by half an hour due to a fire in a chip shop on Goodison Road.
Will Cuff. Cuff was one of Everton’s earliest managers and was responsible for their first FA Cup success. The Toffees won the cup in 1906, five years into Cuff ’s 17-year tenure as manager.
“Inchy” Heath. Adrian Heath sent the Toffees through to the 1984 cup final with his goal in a 1-0 win over Southampton at Highbury.
N
Neville Southall. ‘Big Nev’ was the only remaining member of Everton’s 1984 FA Cup winning side to make it to the successful 1995 team. The Welshman played a huge part in the win over Manchester United, with a top double save from Paul Scholes.
year.
ALL CONKERING: Duncan Ferguson sports his blue nose in 1995
Blues A-Z Cup Guide
Fascinating facts and magical memories of those runs gone by
Uriah Rennie. Rennie was the controversial referee in charge of the match against Oldham which sent Everton out of the competition last
James Vaughan. The young striker has come back from injury and was thrust into the thick of it against Manchester United in the semi-final. Vaughan came on as a substitute and coolly slotted his penalty away to help the Blues progress.
occasions.
Winners. The Toffees have won more FA Cup games than any other team, and have lifted the trophy on five
Abel Xavier. Xavier is the only player to play in Merseyside derbies for both clubs in one season, but did not play in the FA Cup for Everton that season as he was cup-tied. Alex Young. The Golden Vision had a phenomenal spring and ability to meet crosses with devastating effect. Part of the 1966 FA Cup winning side, Young is renowned as one of the all-time Everton greats.
Z-cars. The Goodison theme tune has inspired many Everton teams through the years and has accompanied this side throughout the competition and into Wembley, where it was blasted out to the adoring fans before their semi-final victory.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
★★★★
EVERTON v CHELSEA
SPORT 11
Wembley Stadium, Saturday, May 30
Jags joins players left feeling Blue by CHRIS BUNCLARK
E
DROPPED: Ted Critchley
VERTON have performed remarkably well to progress to this year’s FA Cup final. However, it has not all been smooth sailing for the Toffees. Injuries have left the squad depleted this term and the club’s Player of the Season, Phil Jagielka, who has been so influential in the cup run, is their latest casualty, cruelly ruled out of the biggest domestic cup final in the world. But ‘Jags’ is not the only Blue to miss the big time though. In the past many Everton greats have been absent from the prized match. Here is a look at some of the biggest names missing from Everton’s FA Cup finals...
GEORGE WILSON (1907)
LEFT OUT: Fred Pickering
IN the 1907 FA Cup final, holders Everton lost 2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday, a team they had beaten on the way to lifting the trophy the previous year. The Blues were put into the final through a winner from George Wilson in a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion. Bizarrely, Wilson was dropped from the team for the final. Many fans blamed the loss on not playing Wilson, whose mysterious absence from the side was discovered later on. It was rumoured that the board had dropped Wilson over a contract dispute, and when they refused to give him a bonus, he simply packed his bags and headed back home to Scotland. He never played for Everton again.
TED CRITCHLEY (1933)
INJURED: Kevin Sheedy
TED Critchley was one of the Toffees’ best players in the 1933 season, and contributed to their cup success with a goal in the 2-1 semi-final victory over West Ham. Critchley however, was left out of the squad for the final by captain Dixie Dean (who had a role in selecting the team). Dean instead opted for winger Albert Geldard. The decision left the Goodison faithful
SIDELINED: Phil Jagielka, whose penalty booked Everton a place at Wembley, will miss Saturday’s final through injury
Many tales of final heartache for stars unconvinced. Critchley may have felt hard done by to have been absent from the team, but Dean seemingly got the selection right, and his side went on to beat Manchester City 3-0. At the time it was the largest margin of victory in an FA Cup final.
FRED PICKERING (1966)
EVERTON’S most prolific striker alongside Derek Temple throughout the 1966 season, Pickering was heavily responsible for the Blues progressing all the way to the final. He had scored in each round he had played in the competition, and was looking to propel Harry Catterick’s side to victory. When Pickering picked up a knee injury before the Cup semi-final though, he returned to the line-up unsuccessfully and the Toffees did
not net in three games. “I feel he is not playing with the confidence he was showing in his play before being injured,” said Catterick, and so the manager opted for Mike Trebilcock as his replacement. Catterick’s choice was justified as Trebilcock bagged himself a brace of goals and led the team to a 3-2 win.
KEVIN SHEEDY (1984)
IN Everton’s 1984 FA Cup glory, future legend Kevin Sheedy was absent through injury. Sheedy became sidelined after the quarter-final match-up against Notts County, and to his heartbreak, would ultimately miss out on the chance to play at Wembley that season. Everton went on to win the competition without Sheedy, with
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victories over Southampton and then Watford in the final. Sheedy’s misery was compounded over the following two seasons as the Blues reached Wembley for the 1985 and 1986 finals but lost them both.
JOHN EBBRELL (1995)
THROUGHOUT the build-up on the way to the FA Cup final in 1995, Joe Royle kept his cards very close to his chest and decided he was not going to reveal his starting XI, even to his side, until the day of the game. John Ebbrell, who had been an unsung hero for the Blues, had missed the semi-final, but was confident of returning for the big day. Come the day, Royle surprised everyone by leaving Ebbrell out of his final 14, and opting for the duo of Barry Horne and Joe Parkinson.
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12 SPORT
Thursday, May 28, 2009
IN MOYES WE TRUST
★★★★
The 2009 FA Cup final guide Dominic
A
BLUE DAYS: Veteran defender David Weir was a £250,00 capture from Hearts and went on to play 269 games for his beloved Everton
King
N unforgettable weekend has just passed but an even more memorable one beckons for David Weir; after all, he is daring to dream that he could win two cup finals. Fresh from ending Celtic’s grip on the Scottish Premier League title, thanks to a 3-0 win over Dundee United, celebrations on the Blue half of Glasgow have yet to subside but, ever the professional, Weir already has his mind on the next challenge. That should come as no surprise, as Rangers are looking to put the gloss on a successful season by beating Falkirk at Hampden Park to retain the Scottish Cup and their captain Weir wants nothing more than to hoist another piece of silverware aloft. As someone who grew up supporting Rangers, the last two-and-a-half years have been a wonderful footnote to his career and, as he knows the time to hang up his boots is creeping into view, he has enjoyed every minute. Weir, however, has taken just as much satisfaction from watching events unfold at Goodison Park; he might have been raised on a diet of all things Ibrox but there will forever be a piece of him that is Everton. No wonder. Weir cost £250,000 when he arrived in these parts in February 1999 but repaid that transfer fee many times over with a string of classy performances at the heart of the defence and also proudly wore the captain’s armband on countless occasions When he eventually left in January 2007, the transformation under David Moyes was well under way and, thrillingly, the prospect of that journey being crowned with an FA Cup win on Saturday is something all Evertonians are praying for - Weir included. Events at Hampden Park, of course, will be at the forefront of his mind but that won’t stop Weir’s thoughts from drifting to the home of English football and he wants nothing more than to be able to toast a brace of cup wins on Saturday evening. “Europe was a big disappointment but first and foremost when you are with a club like Rangers, you have got to try and win the league and thankfully we did that,” said a man who made 269 appearances for the Blues, scoring nine goals. “It was extra special for me because Rangers were my boyhood club and to lift the trophy like some of the great players have done in the past, those who I grew up watching, is something I’ll never forget. “But you don’t spend eight years of your life at a club and have no affection for it; don’t get me wrong, I love Rangers but I had a fantastic time with Everton; they were a big part of my life and it’s been fantastic to see what they have achieved this season. “It’s been amazing. I would have loved to have been at Wembley on Saturday and I don’t see any reason why they can’t go on and finish the job; it’s become the norm that they are a top five or six team and that’s down to the fantastic job the manager has done. “He’s been able to achieve success
Thursday, May 28, 2009
★★★★
EVERTON v CHELSEA
SPORT 13
Wembley Stadium, Saturday, May 30
Weir out to celebrate two cup victories in a day of double delight PROUD DAYS: Rangers skipper Weir lifts the SPL trophy
Former Blue hopes to savour silverware both sides of the border by the quality of players that he has brought in; he’s kept them hungry and is ready to take them up to the next stage; so, yes, the ideal scenario would be for the double at the weekend and hopefully that will be the case.” If Weir’s record in knockout football north of the border is outstanding - he has played in three
finals since joining Rangers and also won the Scottish Cup with Hearts - the same could not be said of his time with Everton. The closest the Blues got to silverware in his time were FA Cup quarter-finals against Aston Villa (2000) and Middlesbrough (2002); both ended in anti-climax and it rankles Weir that he and his
colleagues couldn’t give Evertonians the success they craved. “The Aston Villa game is the one that stands out the most,” Weir, who has just celebrated his 39th birthday, recalled. “That was a big disappointment because they beat us at Goodison Park and we’d really fancied ourselves to get through
that day. “Middlesbrough was also a massive disappointment; we were all desperate to give the fans something to shout about and it would have been great to play at a neutral ground in the semi-finals with so much backing but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.” This year, though, the feeling has
been that destiny is guiding Moyes and Company towards a glorious finale, with many feeling that - just as in 1995 - Everton’s name is on the Cup. Weir, on the other hand, has a much more pragmatic view; as a veteran of 642 career games, he knows success is only achieved by hard work and talent, something he sees in abundance at Goodison. So while Chelsea will be favourites for this particular battle, Weir knows it would be folly to write off his old club and believes the newly-crowned Manager of the Year is poised to get his hands on a second trophy inside a week “I don’t think it has got anything to do with your name being on the cup,” said Weir. “Everton are where they are because they have got a good manager and good players; David is keeping the boys at a good level and is getting rewarded for hard work. “There has been nothing lucky about what they have done so far; ok, some people say Manchester United played a weakened team in the semi-final but they did the same last weekend against a side (Hull) that needed to win and beat them comfortably. “You can’t take anything away from Everton; United, Liverpool and Aston Villa are all top sides and I really fancy them; the lads deserve their day at Wembley and it is good that there are players who have been there before. “Tim Cahill has played in a final with Millwall and is a special player; he comes alive in these games, you can be sure he will rise to the occasion. He will relish the challenge, as will all the other boys. Fingers crossed they’ll see the job through.”
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14 SPORT
Thursday, May 28, 2009
★★★★
IN MOYES WE TRUST Dominic
N
King
EGATIVE starts being transformed into positive endings has been a recurring theme of Everton’s season - and few know that better than Robert Elstone. When taking over the role of chief executive from Keith Wyness, who had quit unexpectedly last summer, Elstone was immediately left to juggle the hot potato that was the EGM and deal with the contentious Public Inquiry over the planned move to Kirkby. It was, undoubtedly, a stressful time for Elstone and one that meant he was unable to divert his focus but since the Public Inquiry ended, there has been a lift around the atmosphere in the corridors of power at Goodison Park – sparked primarily by an outstanding FA Cup run. Everton’s charge to Wembley has captured the imagination over the last few months and while the men in David Moyes’ dressing room
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The 2009 FA Cup final guide
Smiles all the rollercoaster Elstone drives the Goodison feelgood factor
have felt that most, the impact it has had on other areas of the club should not be underestimated. Elstone, certainly, is much more relaxed and confident than he was in his first few months and it is no surprise; after all, he has just successfully negotiated a record sponsorship deal with retailers Kit Bag that will be worth more than £32m to Everton over 10 years. There have, however, been other successes, one of which is entirely topical; before Everton played in the FA Cup third round, Elstone wanted to generate interest and income from a possible run in the famous old pot – and so the Road to Wembley was launched. Six months on, that route will reach its final destination on Saturday and Elstone is hoping the latest trip will be
the best yet – that, of course, will be guaranteed if Phil Neville ends up hoisting the trophy aloft. “There has been an awful lot of progress made on a number of fronts,” said Elstone, reflecting on the season. “I look back on my first year and the first six months were spent handling the EGM and the Public Inquiry. It was very defensive and reactive. “But since February, after the Public Inquiry finished, it has been much more positive, progressive and we’ve been on the front foot. We have got a great new deal with Kit Bag that is the most exciting with which I’ve ever been involved in my sporting career. “It’s not just pounds, shillings and pence. It’s all to do with what our partner wants to
do. They are a leading online sports retailer, who look after Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea; they know how to sell but they want to show the world that they are good at traditional retailing. “Accordingly, they investing heavily in the look and feel of our stores. To have found a partner that is committed to doing something better than anyone else is just fantastic; it’s really exciting and our season ticket sales have been really encouraging too.
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★★★★
EVERTON v CHELSEA
Thursday, May 28, 2009
SPORT 15
Wembley Stadium, Saturday, May 30
way on Blues ride to glory as he savours every moment in club’s hot-seat “We are always ambitious. We don’t want to settle at last year’s numbers despite the economic position. But coinciding with all that has been this fantastic FA Cup run; I remember sitting down with our corporate sales and coming up with a ‘Road to Wembley’ campaign. “I wanted to talk to our corporate members about seeing whether they wanted to come on a coach to Macclesfield, having a nice meal in a hotel beforehand; it’s a cliche but it was the start of the road to Wembley. “Did I think we would end up going all the way at that point? Probably not. Particularly so after we saw the draw for the next round; but to see everything come to fruition, from our fans to our board of directors, has been wonderful. “What it has done is generated this great feeling inside and outside the club. There have been some brilliant
performances.” Sentiments with which few would disagree; having knocked out the Premier League’s top two teams, come from behind to get the better of Middlesbrough and demolish Aston Villa, some of Everton’s best displays have been reserved for this competition. Should they see the job through and beat Chelsea, it would be enormously satisfying but not the zenith of their ambitions; the mantra coming from Moyes and his players is very much that this will be the first of many big days out. Similarly, Elstone thinks the same way.
Some may perceive him as a rugby league man, given his links with Castleford Tigers, but the 45-year-old will savour every moment of Saturday afternoon as, in many ways, he is living out a dream. “One of the most obvious strengths of the playing squad and the management is the level of ambition, the will to win and the team spirit,” said Elstone. “It’s very evident that the group of players we have, led by the manager we have, absolutely don’t see this as the endgame. “It’s the start of the journey. We have to ensure that the rest of the business has the same mentality and I’m sure it does. Everything is about tomorrow being better than we were today; that might be a little bit
cliched but it’s true. “This day captures our imagination; everybody of my generation grew up on FA Cups. The FA Cup final was the biggest game of the year; it was before the Premier League was formed and dominated everything. It was the absolute highlight, we watched it wall to wall on the day. “We then went out with our mates and replayed the game in the streets. So to be involved in that at this point in my professional career is just fantastic; I know everyone here feels the same. The workload, obviously, has been huge. “But I’ve encouraged everyone to take a step back and make sure they look back on this period as a highlight; the challenges have been huge but we need to make sure we enjoy the rewards. This is what football is all about – it’s the culmination of a lot of hard work.”
History makers
● EVERTON’S Mike Trebilcock was the first black player to score in an FA Cup final. Trebilcock scored a brace of goals in the Blues’ memorable 3-2 win over Sheffield Wednesday in 1966. ● NEVILLE SOUTHALL is the only player to win two FA Cups playing for Everton. The Welshman kept goal for both the 1984 and 1995 triumphs. ● BLUES midfielder Stuart McCall was the first substitute to score two goals in an FA Cup final. McCall achieved the feat in 1989, but Liverpool’s Ian Rush levelled it with two goals of his own in the same game to give the Reds the 3-2 win. ● EVERTON’S first-ever FA Cup appearance was due to be in 1886 against Glasgow Rangers, but before the match, the Blues realised they would be fielding ineligible players, so played it as a friendly. ● JOE ROYLE is the only Everton manager to steer them to a trophy in a first season in charge. ● EVERTON’S first actual FA Cup game was in 1887 against Bolton Wanderers, which the Trotters won 1-0. But the game was to be replayed for Bolton fielding an ineligible player. The match was drawn and replayed three times before Everton triumphed. The tie was eventually given to Bolton however, as Everton fielded ineligible players! ● EVERTON’S first-ever FA Cup goalscorer was George Farmer. He scored in the first replay against Bolton in 1887, and was also one of Everton’s first professional players, signing from Oswestry. ● EVERTON’S first FA Cup final came in 1893. Everton played against Wolves at Fallowfield and lost 1-0, despite beating them 4-2 in their previous league game. ● THE first Everton player to score in an FA Cup final was Jack Bell in 1897 against Aston Villa. Although Bell equalised to make it 1-1 in the 23rd minute, Everton would go on to lose 3-2. ● THE first FA Cup Merseyside derby came in 1902 in the first round at Anfield. The match finished a 2-2 draw and Liverpool would go on to win the replay.
sport
★★★★
TELLMEMA!