little curly alan ball
Player Valuation: £70m
May the Good Lord be with you all .
Welcome , everyone to our little corner of the Sabbath .
Given our recent enforced absence , please accept my sincere apologies for same , incidentally ; I felt that with the resumption in our studies , the focus should truly be , Old Skool , " One of ours " . Well , in the subject of today's lesson , I feel that I have at least accomplished that objective . He played for Everton as little more than a boy , saw a Halcyon period like few before or since , prior to returning as Manager and taking a no-hoper side on to lift the F.A. Cup .
Ladies and Gentlemen of Congregation , may I introduce , Big Joe Royle .
Joseph Royle was born in the good City of Liverpool , on April 4 , 1949 , while , it must be said . into a strictly Evertonians ONLY , Family - with the exception of himself . Say this quietly , but as a kid Big Joe was , like my Grandfather , a Manchester United fan . A prodigiosly gifted child , " Exceptional " was the term applied to his general sporting prowess , and he also passed the 11 plus exam . Thus , he was off to the Home of the Beatles , Quarry Bank High School . Indeed , whilst there did a rare thing by , in representing Liverpool Boys , became the first Grammar School Boy in some years to be selected - the number usually being drawn from Comprehensives or Boy's Schools .
Primarily , a Winger , ??? ; he was actively pursued by Matt Busby's Manchester United , but , against his own boyhood loyalties , and thankfully , the influence of his obviously more erudite Family members ; thus , once Everton entered the race , there would only be one destination . Big Joe Royle came from Blue Stock and had been a Street Ender since a young boy , despite his Busby Babes thing . So , all was eventually well .
He joined Everton's Youth Staff in August 1965 , and, now converted into more of an inside forward than the winger he was upon signing , immediately began to make a name for himself in both " A ", and " B " , teams - for anyone confused , these would now , be a step , and two steps , respectively , below the Reserves ; to the extent that , from nowhere ,he was invited to accompany the First Team in an away fixture at Blackpool . Now for someone to have had as Great an Everton career as Joe Royle , it is beyond ironic that he would both set a record , and also endure perhaps the most torrid and contraversial debut EVER experienced by ANY Everton player in over 130 years of this laudable Institution .
Having been called up to the squad , as Catterick Sowed the Wind , the kid was about to , Reap the Whirl-Wind . Harry Catterick's persona and relationship wihy ALL he Big Stars at Goodison in the 1960's will keep until his Sermon , but his treatment of Bally and , in particular , The Golden Vision , was , in truth , less than acceptable . Anyway , on this occasion , despite his Darling of Goodison , status , Young was dropped . Evertonians WERE NOT happy , and had vented their frustrations upon British Rail Rolling Stock - amonst other things , and were branded , Hooligans , by the Sunday Red-Tops . The week , in January 1966 , before Blackpool , saw the famous , " Sack Cattrick , ( Sic ) , Keep Young " ,.. dfemonstration at Goodison . As The Golden Vision would later say , " At Goodison , they were protective of their Heroes ,.."
Anyway , having announced to the Press that Young would again be absent , the selection of a 16 year old ahead of their idol , saw some of the travelling fans , " Jostle " , Mr. Caterick . HE would later allege that he was kicked . In fact , he was adamant . However , with few reliable witnesses , it is all conjecture , but certainly , Joe himself , and the 2 remaining members of The Holy Trinity , doubt he was kicked , but rather opt for Mr. Catterick being Mr. Catterick .
In any event , Joe Royle was chosen to play , and in doing so became the youngest player at 16 years , 259 days , to ever represent Everton Football Club at competitive level . He was largely anonymous , at inside forward , as the side were beaten 2-0 . Nevertheless , a marker had been laid . Big Joe wouldmake one other appearance that year before returning to , hyperthetically , when in fact , he was yet to play for , the Reserves , to hone his talent a touch more . He returned to the side , a year later , the F.A. Cup having been won in the meantime , along with the signature of one , Alan Ball Jnr - World Cup Winner . In truth , Joe struggled , despite his relative success in front of goal , he scored 2 in a 3-1 defeat of Chelsea and the winner at Bloomfield Road the next week , as he returned to the scene of his debut ; to win over the Goodison Crowd . There was a " You're NOT Alex " , aspect to it , no doubt , but in point of fact , it was childish and MOST UNLIKE Evertonians . It DOES however bare testimony to the impact of the Golden Vision . Joe Royle WAS , after all , a Scouser .
In any event , in the 1966/67 season , despite Young being chosen for the season's opener , a T.V. mauling of Champions Manchester United , 3-1 ; Ball 2 , Young , his Goodison days were numbered as Catterick played Power Politics YET AGAIN , and began to construst his , Great Side #2 .Joe Royle would play 4 games this year , scoring 3 goals , as the side , having lost to the Bealzebubs , 1-0 in the Charity Shield , finished 6th .
However , it was in 1967/68 that Big Joe would REALLY establish himself at Everton , and more importantly , in the hearts of Evertonians . with Young still at the Club , Royle played 33 games - To Alex's 24 , and scored 16 goals to the Golden Vision's 5 . Big Joe was the Future . It could NOT BE DENIED . So much so , with a 1-0 win and a loss in that year's Derbies , and also what would be the initial Goodison appearance of one , L5CABizzzzzzzzlllllllllllllle , as Royle scored in a 2-0 victory over Tram Car Rovers , as the side dazzled many in the Country on the way to an unlucky 5th place League finish and also , for the second time in 2 years , a trip to Wembley in the F.A. Cup Final , we were expected to brush aside our opponents West Bromich Albion , in a RS / Wimbledon , kinda thing . The POINT though , was that Joe Royle was by now First Choice Everton Striker , at 19 years old . Pickering having already left and Young imminently to do so . Of course , we were mugged and , as a result cost Bally , and those absent 2 years prior , a treasured Winner's medal .
1968/69 again saw the team begin to evolve organically . Youth was everywhere , with not just Royle , but Wright , Whittle and Husband all playing significant roles . The Holy Trinty were now becoming widely recognised as Telepathic , and our defence , even with the loss of the Great Ramon Wilson , as good as any , as the side , now amongst the finest in the land , but yet a tad raw , finished yet again , unluckily , 3rd and were defeated in the F.A. Cup Semi Final , by eventual Winners , Manchester City , 1-0 . This was amons my favourite ever seasons as a Blue , as , despite being my first , it was WHO I was watching . Even young as I was , I KNEW that was something SPECIAL . I SWEAR I DID . Amongst this year's highlights were a Royle hat-trick in a 7-1 winter hiding of Leicester City , two , 5 goal wins and scoring 4 on three other occasions . We were mustard , and Joe Royle was the finest young Centre Forward in England and amongst the best in the league of any age or nationality .
The season , 1969/70 , for those fortunate , and older than I to REALLY appreciate it , to have witnessed it , is one of those , Brandy / Sunshine / Honies and Cigar moments in life ,..England held the World Cup . The greatest player in Christendom wore our #8 and we were abou to embark upon a campaign that would live long not only in the Annals of Everton Football Club , but throughout the Football World . Our first loss was against Derby County , 7 league and 1 League Cup game in . the next was when Man' City put us out said knockout , in October . There was of course , the question of a 3-0 coating in the home Derby , but was rectified with a 3-0 win over Manchester United , and a 2-0 revenge mission at Grey Skull . All in all , we were MAGNIFICENT . This season would represent , certainly domestically , of some of thevgreatest players in our history , as , as Labby said , The Only 3 Man Team In History , went on to lift the Title as the Bona Fide , School Of Science . Big Joe Royle was among only 3 ever - presents that year , along with Westy and Tommy Wright . He played all 42 league games , scoring 23 goals . Evertonia was in Dream Land .
Big Joe would , after a clamour by the North West Press , make his England debut , along with Colin Harvey making his only ever appearance , in a Pre-Tournament Friendly in Valetta , Malta . He was unluckily left out of the final squad , however , as 4 Everton players were chosen , BUT NOT HARVEY , KENDALL NOR ROYLE !!!
The legacy of England's ultimately disasterous campaign , along with the personal foibles of Harry Catterick , were certainly felt at Bellefield , post Mexico 1970 . The season began with a Chariy Shield victory over Chelsea , but with end in tears for all Blues . Despite , as our Manager alledged , a World Cup hangover , and an acknowledged under-performance in the league aside , we reached the Semi Final of the F.A. Cup , at Old Trafford against Satan's 11 , and the last 16 of the European Cup , versus Panathaniakos of Athens . However , in the grimmest 4 days , certainly in my personal history of following Everton FC , we went out , via a non-award of a clear penalty , on away goals in Greece , and after Big D , having played a blinder in taking me to Old Trafford on the Saturday . We were winning 1-0 , Bally , of course , then Labby got injured - Labby NEVER GETS INJURED , he goes off , and 2 no-marks named Alun Evans and Brian Hall put us to the sword . Our season ends right there , despite THAT " New Scoreboard " game , the following week against Southampton . An 8-0 win , which read ; 9, 9 , 9 , 8, 8 , 9 , 8 , 7 . We went on to finish 14th , as all in the camp WAS NOT WELL , as Joe made an impressive 40 games and just as noticeable 17 goals in a side nowhere near as potent as 12 months earlier ..
Apparently , there had been a " Buzz " , in the Press for some time , regardng the fact that , apparently , Alan Ball wanted to leave Everton . It was all Harry Catterick had been waiting for . It happened to be untrue . No matter , as on December 22nd , 1971 , Alan Ball , unbeknown to him and against his wishes , was sold to Arsenal , for a British Record Fee of £220, 000 . As far as I , a 8 going on 9 year old Blue , not only did the season end there . MY LIFE WAS OVER !!! Certainly the side appearede to feel the same . Not merely Bally , neither , Labby had been out since Old Trafford , and , as TD previously pointed out , DID come back for 4 games , on one leg , but ultimately retired by 1972 , still a relatively young and capable man . Joe Royle would play 26 league games in 1971/72 , scoring 9 goals , as he suffered the first in a series of chronic , and ulimately Club Career Ending series of back injurys .
1972/73 was us being like a Battered Wife at a Family Wedding . Everyone KNEW we were fukd up , but we put on that lipstick and that best frock and we strutted , OK , perhaps limped , our STUFF . In truth , we were rank . A new club bage and fly-away collar could not disguise the World Cup Winning / Second Best Player In Our History , sized hole in our midfield , as defat followe defeat . There WAS the consolation of a 1-0 home victory of the Bealzebubs ; though with 2 provisos ; A ; It would be or last over them in ANY competition for the next 7 years , and , B ; Our goalscorer that day was a Kopite Tawt whom would later win a European Cup Winner's Medal with THEM . We went out in the 3rd round of the League Cup , and the 5thy round of the F.A. Cup , as we finished 15th , as Bally's Arsenal , though sans the Great One due to a broken leg were beaten in the Cup Final . Joe Royle played only 14 games , scoring 7 goals as the back injury REALLY kicked in . He was not the presence he had once been , even when fit . His game was changing , but Mr. Catterick - now suffering so bad from heath issues thathe was forced to relinquish his role as Manager, and at that time , the Club , did not particularly fancy its general direction of choice .
So much so , that with the appoinment of Ex-Blue Billy Bingham , as the Catt's successor , while Joe was chosen , the Manager and Chairman agreed that neither Rod Belfitt nor Joe Harper quite hit the mark . Thus , as a resonable start in the league highlighted our deficiency as we scored more than one goal on only 3 occasions , pre-December ; our heirachy agreed to purchase Birmingham Centre Forward , Bob Latchford , for a British Record Fee of , £350,000 . Joe Royle made 18 appearances in all in 1973/74 , scoring just 2 goals , as not only was his position in the team in jeopardy , but his career was in danger for a while there . We finished a respectable 7th place , as spirits rose somewhat at L4, 4EL . Joe , however , saw the undoubted writing on the wall , and with Latchford's purchase , and accpted Tony Book's offer to join Mancester City , and was transferred for £170,000 . He made 231 appearance and scored 102 goals . At the end of our Title season , he had made 170 appearances scoring 90 goals .
Joe Royle recovered and prospered . Indeed , whilst at Maine Road , in one of their best ever sides , represented England once more , and played in Man' City's last ever Trophy Winning Side . In his three years in Manchester , he played 99 games , scoring 23 goals .
From there he went to Bristol City , where , along with Leeds Stalwarts , Norman Hunter and Terry Cooper , he attempted to maintain the Robin's unexpected First Division status . He adopted a different role to the goalscorer of old . A target man , primarily , he scored 4 on his on-loan Bristol City debut , but managed only another 14 in another 100 games in the South West . Joe left Bristol for another Hot-Bed Football City , that of Norwich , in 1980 . However , contrary to his previous experience , Big Joe was a Hit in Norwich . Indeed , was their Player of the Year in his first season , before being forced to retire the year later due to a serious knee injury . Joe would make 42 appearances for the Canaries , netting 9 times . He was admitted into the Norwich City Hall Of Fame , in 2002 .
He played for his Country on 6 occasions , scoring 2 goals .
Always the brightest of buttons , it was a surprise to no-one when Joe Royle opted to enter Football Management . He was appointed Manager of lowly Oldham Athletic , the same year he retired . He basically sought to imprint his ethos upon the whole club , starting with helping the groundsman and kit man . He built from the ground up , but for the long term . Replacing players each year with others slightly btter , he maintained an incremental pattern of success , to the extent that , in 1990 Oldham , as a Second Division Club , were beaten in the League Cup Final by Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest , and returned to Wembley to be beaten by Fergie's Manchester United , unluckily in a replay . Joe had arrived . The Media raved about his side , the Oldham Fans , his " Rave " Dancing at a game at Swindon that year . Oldham were promoted to the First Division , the following year , 1990/91 . They finished 17th in their first season in the Top Flight in almost 70 years , thus securing their place in the inaugral Premier League . They survived on the final day with a 4-3 victory at Southampton . However , the year later 1993/94 , Oldham's financial anorexia in the world of Financial Fat Cats , finally saw them relegated . Indeed , the season was pure heartbreak for the Big Fella , as Oldham were again denied by Fergie's Mancs first , in a F.A. Cup Semi Final at Wembley , then battered at Maine Road the following Wednesday . Losing their last 8 games , his team , now containing Greame Sharp , just ran out of legs .
in November 1994 , Joe Royle's Football God came knocking , as , in the wake of the sacking of the hapless Mike Walker , he was approached to be Everton Manager . Accepting in a heartbeat , despite the team being almost stripped of quality and currently in the bottom 3 in the Premier League - this , after escaping relegation the previous year via a freak game against Wimbledon . He immediately signed both Duncan Ferguson and Ian Durrant on loan from Glasgow Huns , and following a League Cup game at Portsmouth , faced the Bealzebubs in his first Premier League home game . As History will note , we ROSE - See what I did there ??? ; to the Challenge as we secured a hugely important 2-0 victory , as we were introduced to whom we would ultimately know as , The Big Man , and all bad memories were instantly erased . Roy Evans called it , " The Death of the School of Science " . We said ," Fuk Off , Kopite !!! " Not only that , Joe managed to take this side of , let's be honest , Bin Man aside , remember , Fergie was in Barlinnie Jail for miost of it ; not very fukn much , and took us to the Stars . We began an F.A. Cup run in nothing more than hope , a 5-0 coating of Norwich the likely highlight . Then, Christened , " The Dogs Of War " we beat the Media Darlings Barcodes and it was off to Elland Road for a Semi Final against Media Super Darlings , Tottingham . The subsequent performance , and 4-1 victory will stand forever as among my finest 10 , possibly top 5 , Everton Days Out OF ALL TIME . We were AWESOME . Honest to God . Semi Final , Big Ass Oppo' ,.. Fuk It All . We Are Everton , and We ROCK . The Spurs Fans trying to pull down the Crossbar in order to get the game postponed IS among my top 5 Everton Images . Wem-Ber-Ley ...!!!
Again , as History recorded , we , Goddamn Amazingly , went on , with THAT side , against THAT side , to beat Fergie's Man' United at The Home of Football . Thus , squaring our own debt from 1985 and also Joe's from 1991 and 1994 . We WON THE FUKN CUP , Dude !!! We were getting relegated less than 2 years ago , now , L5CABizzzzzlllle is on Tele giving the V's to Cantona . Hallehluhjah !!!
The year 1995/96 saw Joe Royle make a conscious move away from the Dogs Of War , tag , he never enjoyed , when breaking the club tansfer record with the signing of , Nick , Judas Escariot , Barmby , from Middlesborough , for £ 575,000 . Barmby had been one of the Famous Five Spurs Glitterati whom we so comprehensively spanked in the Semi Final , and was supposed to be the New Alan Ball . Yeah , right . We went out in the Eufa Cup , primarily due to that ridiculous 3 Foreigners , rule .Nevertheless , the side managed our finest ever , Pre-Moyles , Premier League finish , 6th place . Progress was tangible, it appeared .
1996/97 began for us , as Blues , with the enormously procrastinated transfer of Andrei Kanchelskis from Manchester United . The Big Fella had identified the Russian as the man to play opposite to his oher Teacher's Pet , Anders Limpar , whom Royle drooled over . I remember this as a strange season , however . Two steps forward , one back , kinda thing . Granted , we now had Speed , whom departure aside was TRULY EXCELLENT for Everton FC , Barmby and Now the Flying Cossack . It was certainlt an improvement on The Dogs Of War , nd even on last year's 6th place . At least , on paper . Alas , Football is not played on paper as normal service was resumed and we ended up in 15th place . We enjoyed a good 1-1 draw at Grey Skull , and another at home , with Big Man getting RS goal #2 .
The pre-start optimism of a year prior , while not exactly disappearing , was definately curtailed somewhat . It was a, wait-and-see thing . We began with a win , but eventually had too many draws . The Big Man's injuries and lack of back up , caused Big Joe , on Transfer Deadline Day , 1997 , on account of being denied funds for the Norwegian duo of Tore Andre Flo and Claus Efftevaag , to resign as Everton Manager , citing lack of support from the heirachy . I happened to be walking past as he left . Even then , there were Paperazzi in Goodison Road , so , some fuka knew about it . He was devastated to do so , but , and I believe him , attempted to make a statement on behalf of Everton and Evertonians .
Within a year , he was ensconced back at his 2nd love , the Manchester Blues , then languishing at the wrong end of the Championship . Unable to prevent them dropping into English Football's 3rd Tier for the first time since the Old King died . A year later , in an amazing Wembley Play-Off Game against Gillingham , Man' City gained promotion , and the following season brought them back into the Premier League . They were unable to maintain the status , however, and with their relegation , Big Joe was dismissed .
He returned to Management wih Ipswich Town , as the Club entered administration . However , Royle was the perfect appointment under such circumstances , leading the Tractor Boys in both 2004 and 2005 , losing both times to West Ham United. He lost various players to Premier League sides , though , in Administration was unable to replace them . As a result , Ipswich Town finished in 16th place in the Championship , in 2005/06 , Joe Royle left the club . After being considered for various jobs , Big Joe was re-appointed Oldham Manager , on a stand-in basis , following the departure of John Sheridan . He was later offered the position on a permanent basis . He declined , and departed for good at the end of 2008/09 season .
He is currently employed as a Commentator / Pundit by both Channel 5 , and ESPN .
In compiling today's lesson , given the recent enforced absence , I was forced to re-examine some of very favourite periods in my life as a Blue . Joe Royle , I re-discovered was instrumenal in many of them . As a player , tbh , I only had eyes for Bally . Colin Harvey at a push , but Bally , Monday-Sunday for me . Thus , Big Joe sorta passed me by as aplayer . As a Manager , though I had issues with him , same as the others he was certainly THE most erudite , witty and downright KICK ARSE in pre and post- match comments . Moreover , he initiated the " Players Lunches " for PROPER Evertonias to eat , drink with and get to know the team . It was a MAD success . I went on loads . The thing I found most , was that Big Joe, as was Howard after him , still ordinary blues at heart . Get them talking Everton , and hey were away . It has always been a criterion of mine in judging the relative Blue-Merits of any individual . He won us a Trophy , gave us a Legend , won at home and away against the Bealzebubs , indeed , You'll NEVER BEAT Joe Royle " , was a popular refrain of the period . A few weks ago , Bab sent me a disc of him , Harvey and HK talking 1969/70 . The over-riding message I took from it and him was his unadulterated love , even now , of all things , L4,4EL . He is an Everton Legend of First Team standing , and in a toss up with Harvey and Neville Southall , is perhaps THE greatest Evertonan currently walking the Planet . THAT , is SOME epitaph .
Therefore , this Domingo , thank the Almighty for creating Big Joe Royle ; Prime Evetonian , and bringer of Silverware as both player as Manager . Treasure him as he treasures you .
Amen .
May the Good Lord be with you all .
Remember , Jesus loves 'cause you're a Blue .
Look after your peoples .
Peace out .
The ( Catholic ) Reverand L.C.A.B.
Welcome , everyone to our little corner of the Sabbath .
Given our recent enforced absence , please accept my sincere apologies for same , incidentally ; I felt that with the resumption in our studies , the focus should truly be , Old Skool , " One of ours " . Well , in the subject of today's lesson , I feel that I have at least accomplished that objective . He played for Everton as little more than a boy , saw a Halcyon period like few before or since , prior to returning as Manager and taking a no-hoper side on to lift the F.A. Cup .
Ladies and Gentlemen of Congregation , may I introduce , Big Joe Royle .
Joseph Royle was born in the good City of Liverpool , on April 4 , 1949 , while , it must be said . into a strictly Evertonians ONLY , Family - with the exception of himself . Say this quietly , but as a kid Big Joe was , like my Grandfather , a Manchester United fan . A prodigiosly gifted child , " Exceptional " was the term applied to his general sporting prowess , and he also passed the 11 plus exam . Thus , he was off to the Home of the Beatles , Quarry Bank High School . Indeed , whilst there did a rare thing by , in representing Liverpool Boys , became the first Grammar School Boy in some years to be selected - the number usually being drawn from Comprehensives or Boy's Schools .
Primarily , a Winger , ??? ; he was actively pursued by Matt Busby's Manchester United , but , against his own boyhood loyalties , and thankfully , the influence of his obviously more erudite Family members ; thus , once Everton entered the race , there would only be one destination . Big Joe Royle came from Blue Stock and had been a Street Ender since a young boy , despite his Busby Babes thing . So , all was eventually well .
He joined Everton's Youth Staff in August 1965 , and, now converted into more of an inside forward than the winger he was upon signing , immediately began to make a name for himself in both " A ", and " B " , teams - for anyone confused , these would now , be a step , and two steps , respectively , below the Reserves ; to the extent that , from nowhere ,he was invited to accompany the First Team in an away fixture at Blackpool . Now for someone to have had as Great an Everton career as Joe Royle , it is beyond ironic that he would both set a record , and also endure perhaps the most torrid and contraversial debut EVER experienced by ANY Everton player in over 130 years of this laudable Institution .
Having been called up to the squad , as Catterick Sowed the Wind , the kid was about to , Reap the Whirl-Wind . Harry Catterick's persona and relationship wihy ALL he Big Stars at Goodison in the 1960's will keep until his Sermon , but his treatment of Bally and , in particular , The Golden Vision , was , in truth , less than acceptable . Anyway , on this occasion , despite his Darling of Goodison , status , Young was dropped . Evertonians WERE NOT happy , and had vented their frustrations upon British Rail Rolling Stock - amonst other things , and were branded , Hooligans , by the Sunday Red-Tops . The week , in January 1966 , before Blackpool , saw the famous , " Sack Cattrick , ( Sic ) , Keep Young " ,.. dfemonstration at Goodison . As The Golden Vision would later say , " At Goodison , they were protective of their Heroes ,.."
Anyway , having announced to the Press that Young would again be absent , the selection of a 16 year old ahead of their idol , saw some of the travelling fans , " Jostle " , Mr. Caterick . HE would later allege that he was kicked . In fact , he was adamant . However , with few reliable witnesses , it is all conjecture , but certainly , Joe himself , and the 2 remaining members of The Holy Trinity , doubt he was kicked , but rather opt for Mr. Catterick being Mr. Catterick .
In any event , Joe Royle was chosen to play , and in doing so became the youngest player at 16 years , 259 days , to ever represent Everton Football Club at competitive level . He was largely anonymous , at inside forward , as the side were beaten 2-0 . Nevertheless , a marker had been laid . Big Joe wouldmake one other appearance that year before returning to , hyperthetically , when in fact , he was yet to play for , the Reserves , to hone his talent a touch more . He returned to the side , a year later , the F.A. Cup having been won in the meantime , along with the signature of one , Alan Ball Jnr - World Cup Winner . In truth , Joe struggled , despite his relative success in front of goal , he scored 2 in a 3-1 defeat of Chelsea and the winner at Bloomfield Road the next week , as he returned to the scene of his debut ; to win over the Goodison Crowd . There was a " You're NOT Alex " , aspect to it , no doubt , but in point of fact , it was childish and MOST UNLIKE Evertonians . It DOES however bare testimony to the impact of the Golden Vision . Joe Royle WAS , after all , a Scouser .
In any event , in the 1966/67 season , despite Young being chosen for the season's opener , a T.V. mauling of Champions Manchester United , 3-1 ; Ball 2 , Young , his Goodison days were numbered as Catterick played Power Politics YET AGAIN , and began to construst his , Great Side #2 .Joe Royle would play 4 games this year , scoring 3 goals , as the side , having lost to the Bealzebubs , 1-0 in the Charity Shield , finished 6th .
However , it was in 1967/68 that Big Joe would REALLY establish himself at Everton , and more importantly , in the hearts of Evertonians . with Young still at the Club , Royle played 33 games - To Alex's 24 , and scored 16 goals to the Golden Vision's 5 . Big Joe was the Future . It could NOT BE DENIED . So much so , with a 1-0 win and a loss in that year's Derbies , and also what would be the initial Goodison appearance of one , L5CABizzzzzzzzlllllllllllllle , as Royle scored in a 2-0 victory over Tram Car Rovers , as the side dazzled many in the Country on the way to an unlucky 5th place League finish and also , for the second time in 2 years , a trip to Wembley in the F.A. Cup Final , we were expected to brush aside our opponents West Bromich Albion , in a RS / Wimbledon , kinda thing . The POINT though , was that Joe Royle was by now First Choice Everton Striker , at 19 years old . Pickering having already left and Young imminently to do so . Of course , we were mugged and , as a result cost Bally , and those absent 2 years prior , a treasured Winner's medal .
1968/69 again saw the team begin to evolve organically . Youth was everywhere , with not just Royle , but Wright , Whittle and Husband all playing significant roles . The Holy Trinty were now becoming widely recognised as Telepathic , and our defence , even with the loss of the Great Ramon Wilson , as good as any , as the side , now amongst the finest in the land , but yet a tad raw , finished yet again , unluckily , 3rd and were defeated in the F.A. Cup Semi Final , by eventual Winners , Manchester City , 1-0 . This was amons my favourite ever seasons as a Blue , as , despite being my first , it was WHO I was watching . Even young as I was , I KNEW that was something SPECIAL . I SWEAR I DID . Amongst this year's highlights were a Royle hat-trick in a 7-1 winter hiding of Leicester City , two , 5 goal wins and scoring 4 on three other occasions . We were mustard , and Joe Royle was the finest young Centre Forward in England and amongst the best in the league of any age or nationality .
The season , 1969/70 , for those fortunate , and older than I to REALLY appreciate it , to have witnessed it , is one of those , Brandy / Sunshine / Honies and Cigar moments in life ,..England held the World Cup . The greatest player in Christendom wore our #8 and we were abou to embark upon a campaign that would live long not only in the Annals of Everton Football Club , but throughout the Football World . Our first loss was against Derby County , 7 league and 1 League Cup game in . the next was when Man' City put us out said knockout , in October . There was of course , the question of a 3-0 coating in the home Derby , but was rectified with a 3-0 win over Manchester United , and a 2-0 revenge mission at Grey Skull . All in all , we were MAGNIFICENT . This season would represent , certainly domestically , of some of thevgreatest players in our history , as , as Labby said , The Only 3 Man Team In History , went on to lift the Title as the Bona Fide , School Of Science . Big Joe Royle was among only 3 ever - presents that year , along with Westy and Tommy Wright . He played all 42 league games , scoring 23 goals . Evertonia was in Dream Land .
Big Joe would , after a clamour by the North West Press , make his England debut , along with Colin Harvey making his only ever appearance , in a Pre-Tournament Friendly in Valetta , Malta . He was unluckily left out of the final squad , however , as 4 Everton players were chosen , BUT NOT HARVEY , KENDALL NOR ROYLE !!!
The legacy of England's ultimately disasterous campaign , along with the personal foibles of Harry Catterick , were certainly felt at Bellefield , post Mexico 1970 . The season began with a Chariy Shield victory over Chelsea , but with end in tears for all Blues . Despite , as our Manager alledged , a World Cup hangover , and an acknowledged under-performance in the league aside , we reached the Semi Final of the F.A. Cup , at Old Trafford against Satan's 11 , and the last 16 of the European Cup , versus Panathaniakos of Athens . However , in the grimmest 4 days , certainly in my personal history of following Everton FC , we went out , via a non-award of a clear penalty , on away goals in Greece , and after Big D , having played a blinder in taking me to Old Trafford on the Saturday . We were winning 1-0 , Bally , of course , then Labby got injured - Labby NEVER GETS INJURED , he goes off , and 2 no-marks named Alun Evans and Brian Hall put us to the sword . Our season ends right there , despite THAT " New Scoreboard " game , the following week against Southampton . An 8-0 win , which read ; 9, 9 , 9 , 8, 8 , 9 , 8 , 7 . We went on to finish 14th , as all in the camp WAS NOT WELL , as Joe made an impressive 40 games and just as noticeable 17 goals in a side nowhere near as potent as 12 months earlier ..
Apparently , there had been a " Buzz " , in the Press for some time , regardng the fact that , apparently , Alan Ball wanted to leave Everton . It was all Harry Catterick had been waiting for . It happened to be untrue . No matter , as on December 22nd , 1971 , Alan Ball , unbeknown to him and against his wishes , was sold to Arsenal , for a British Record Fee of £220, 000 . As far as I , a 8 going on 9 year old Blue , not only did the season end there . MY LIFE WAS OVER !!! Certainly the side appearede to feel the same . Not merely Bally , neither , Labby had been out since Old Trafford , and , as TD previously pointed out , DID come back for 4 games , on one leg , but ultimately retired by 1972 , still a relatively young and capable man . Joe Royle would play 26 league games in 1971/72 , scoring 9 goals , as he suffered the first in a series of chronic , and ulimately Club Career Ending series of back injurys .
1972/73 was us being like a Battered Wife at a Family Wedding . Everyone KNEW we were fukd up , but we put on that lipstick and that best frock and we strutted , OK , perhaps limped , our STUFF . In truth , we were rank . A new club bage and fly-away collar could not disguise the World Cup Winning / Second Best Player In Our History , sized hole in our midfield , as defat followe defeat . There WAS the consolation of a 1-0 home victory of the Bealzebubs ; though with 2 provisos ; A ; It would be or last over them in ANY competition for the next 7 years , and , B ; Our goalscorer that day was a Kopite Tawt whom would later win a European Cup Winner's Medal with THEM . We went out in the 3rd round of the League Cup , and the 5thy round of the F.A. Cup , as we finished 15th , as Bally's Arsenal , though sans the Great One due to a broken leg were beaten in the Cup Final . Joe Royle played only 14 games , scoring 7 goals as the back injury REALLY kicked in . He was not the presence he had once been , even when fit . His game was changing , but Mr. Catterick - now suffering so bad from heath issues thathe was forced to relinquish his role as Manager, and at that time , the Club , did not particularly fancy its general direction of choice .
So much so , that with the appoinment of Ex-Blue Billy Bingham , as the Catt's successor , while Joe was chosen , the Manager and Chairman agreed that neither Rod Belfitt nor Joe Harper quite hit the mark . Thus , as a resonable start in the league highlighted our deficiency as we scored more than one goal on only 3 occasions , pre-December ; our heirachy agreed to purchase Birmingham Centre Forward , Bob Latchford , for a British Record Fee of , £350,000 . Joe Royle made 18 appearances in all in 1973/74 , scoring just 2 goals , as not only was his position in the team in jeopardy , but his career was in danger for a while there . We finished a respectable 7th place , as spirits rose somewhat at L4, 4EL . Joe , however , saw the undoubted writing on the wall , and with Latchford's purchase , and accpted Tony Book's offer to join Mancester City , and was transferred for £170,000 . He made 231 appearance and scored 102 goals . At the end of our Title season , he had made 170 appearances scoring 90 goals .
Joe Royle recovered and prospered . Indeed , whilst at Maine Road , in one of their best ever sides , represented England once more , and played in Man' City's last ever Trophy Winning Side . In his three years in Manchester , he played 99 games , scoring 23 goals .
From there he went to Bristol City , where , along with Leeds Stalwarts , Norman Hunter and Terry Cooper , he attempted to maintain the Robin's unexpected First Division status . He adopted a different role to the goalscorer of old . A target man , primarily , he scored 4 on his on-loan Bristol City debut , but managed only another 14 in another 100 games in the South West . Joe left Bristol for another Hot-Bed Football City , that of Norwich , in 1980 . However , contrary to his previous experience , Big Joe was a Hit in Norwich . Indeed , was their Player of the Year in his first season , before being forced to retire the year later due to a serious knee injury . Joe would make 42 appearances for the Canaries , netting 9 times . He was admitted into the Norwich City Hall Of Fame , in 2002 .
He played for his Country on 6 occasions , scoring 2 goals .
Always the brightest of buttons , it was a surprise to no-one when Joe Royle opted to enter Football Management . He was appointed Manager of lowly Oldham Athletic , the same year he retired . He basically sought to imprint his ethos upon the whole club , starting with helping the groundsman and kit man . He built from the ground up , but for the long term . Replacing players each year with others slightly btter , he maintained an incremental pattern of success , to the extent that , in 1990 Oldham , as a Second Division Club , were beaten in the League Cup Final by Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest , and returned to Wembley to be beaten by Fergie's Manchester United , unluckily in a replay . Joe had arrived . The Media raved about his side , the Oldham Fans , his " Rave " Dancing at a game at Swindon that year . Oldham were promoted to the First Division , the following year , 1990/91 . They finished 17th in their first season in the Top Flight in almost 70 years , thus securing their place in the inaugral Premier League . They survived on the final day with a 4-3 victory at Southampton . However , the year later 1993/94 , Oldham's financial anorexia in the world of Financial Fat Cats , finally saw them relegated . Indeed , the season was pure heartbreak for the Big Fella , as Oldham were again denied by Fergie's Mancs first , in a F.A. Cup Semi Final at Wembley , then battered at Maine Road the following Wednesday . Losing their last 8 games , his team , now containing Greame Sharp , just ran out of legs .
in November 1994 , Joe Royle's Football God came knocking , as , in the wake of the sacking of the hapless Mike Walker , he was approached to be Everton Manager . Accepting in a heartbeat , despite the team being almost stripped of quality and currently in the bottom 3 in the Premier League - this , after escaping relegation the previous year via a freak game against Wimbledon . He immediately signed both Duncan Ferguson and Ian Durrant on loan from Glasgow Huns , and following a League Cup game at Portsmouth , faced the Bealzebubs in his first Premier League home game . As History will note , we ROSE - See what I did there ??? ; to the Challenge as we secured a hugely important 2-0 victory , as we were introduced to whom we would ultimately know as , The Big Man , and all bad memories were instantly erased . Roy Evans called it , " The Death of the School of Science " . We said ," Fuk Off , Kopite !!! " Not only that , Joe managed to take this side of , let's be honest , Bin Man aside , remember , Fergie was in Barlinnie Jail for miost of it ; not very fukn much , and took us to the Stars . We began an F.A. Cup run in nothing more than hope , a 5-0 coating of Norwich the likely highlight . Then, Christened , " The Dogs Of War " we beat the Media Darlings Barcodes and it was off to Elland Road for a Semi Final against Media Super Darlings , Tottingham . The subsequent performance , and 4-1 victory will stand forever as among my finest 10 , possibly top 5 , Everton Days Out OF ALL TIME . We were AWESOME . Honest to God . Semi Final , Big Ass Oppo' ,.. Fuk It All . We Are Everton , and We ROCK . The Spurs Fans trying to pull down the Crossbar in order to get the game postponed IS among my top 5 Everton Images . Wem-Ber-Ley ...!!!
Again , as History recorded , we , Goddamn Amazingly , went on , with THAT side , against THAT side , to beat Fergie's Man' United at The Home of Football . Thus , squaring our own debt from 1985 and also Joe's from 1991 and 1994 . We WON THE FUKN CUP , Dude !!! We were getting relegated less than 2 years ago , now , L5CABizzzzzlllle is on Tele giving the V's to Cantona . Hallehluhjah !!!
The year 1995/96 saw Joe Royle make a conscious move away from the Dogs Of War , tag , he never enjoyed , when breaking the club tansfer record with the signing of , Nick , Judas Escariot , Barmby , from Middlesborough , for £ 575,000 . Barmby had been one of the Famous Five Spurs Glitterati whom we so comprehensively spanked in the Semi Final , and was supposed to be the New Alan Ball . Yeah , right . We went out in the Eufa Cup , primarily due to that ridiculous 3 Foreigners , rule .Nevertheless , the side managed our finest ever , Pre-Moyles , Premier League finish , 6th place . Progress was tangible, it appeared .
1996/97 began for us , as Blues , with the enormously procrastinated transfer of Andrei Kanchelskis from Manchester United . The Big Fella had identified the Russian as the man to play opposite to his oher Teacher's Pet , Anders Limpar , whom Royle drooled over . I remember this as a strange season , however . Two steps forward , one back , kinda thing . Granted , we now had Speed , whom departure aside was TRULY EXCELLENT for Everton FC , Barmby and Now the Flying Cossack . It was certainlt an improvement on The Dogs Of War , nd even on last year's 6th place . At least , on paper . Alas , Football is not played on paper as normal service was resumed and we ended up in 15th place . We enjoyed a good 1-1 draw at Grey Skull , and another at home , with Big Man getting RS goal #2 .
The pre-start optimism of a year prior , while not exactly disappearing , was definately curtailed somewhat . It was a, wait-and-see thing . We began with a win , but eventually had too many draws . The Big Man's injuries and lack of back up , caused Big Joe , on Transfer Deadline Day , 1997 , on account of being denied funds for the Norwegian duo of Tore Andre Flo and Claus Efftevaag , to resign as Everton Manager , citing lack of support from the heirachy . I happened to be walking past as he left . Even then , there were Paperazzi in Goodison Road , so , some fuka knew about it . He was devastated to do so , but , and I believe him , attempted to make a statement on behalf of Everton and Evertonians .
Within a year , he was ensconced back at his 2nd love , the Manchester Blues , then languishing at the wrong end of the Championship . Unable to prevent them dropping into English Football's 3rd Tier for the first time since the Old King died . A year later , in an amazing Wembley Play-Off Game against Gillingham , Man' City gained promotion , and the following season brought them back into the Premier League . They were unable to maintain the status , however, and with their relegation , Big Joe was dismissed .
He returned to Management wih Ipswich Town , as the Club entered administration . However , Royle was the perfect appointment under such circumstances , leading the Tractor Boys in both 2004 and 2005 , losing both times to West Ham United. He lost various players to Premier League sides , though , in Administration was unable to replace them . As a result , Ipswich Town finished in 16th place in the Championship , in 2005/06 , Joe Royle left the club . After being considered for various jobs , Big Joe was re-appointed Oldham Manager , on a stand-in basis , following the departure of John Sheridan . He was later offered the position on a permanent basis . He declined , and departed for good at the end of 2008/09 season .
He is currently employed as a Commentator / Pundit by both Channel 5 , and ESPN .
In compiling today's lesson , given the recent enforced absence , I was forced to re-examine some of very favourite periods in my life as a Blue . Joe Royle , I re-discovered was instrumenal in many of them . As a player , tbh , I only had eyes for Bally . Colin Harvey at a push , but Bally , Monday-Sunday for me . Thus , Big Joe sorta passed me by as aplayer . As a Manager , though I had issues with him , same as the others he was certainly THE most erudite , witty and downright KICK ARSE in pre and post- match comments . Moreover , he initiated the " Players Lunches " for PROPER Evertonias to eat , drink with and get to know the team . It was a MAD success . I went on loads . The thing I found most , was that Big Joe, as was Howard after him , still ordinary blues at heart . Get them talking Everton , and hey were away . It has always been a criterion of mine in judging the relative Blue-Merits of any individual . He won us a Trophy , gave us a Legend , won at home and away against the Bealzebubs , indeed , You'll NEVER BEAT Joe Royle " , was a popular refrain of the period . A few weks ago , Bab sent me a disc of him , Harvey and HK talking 1969/70 . The over-riding message I took from it and him was his unadulterated love , even now , of all things , L4,4EL . He is an Everton Legend of First Team standing , and in a toss up with Harvey and Neville Southall , is perhaps THE greatest Evertonan currently walking the Planet . THAT , is SOME epitaph .
Therefore , this Domingo , thank the Almighty for creating Big Joe Royle ; Prime Evetonian , and bringer of Silverware as both player as Manager . Treasure him as he treasures you .
Amen .
May the Good Lord be with you all .
Remember , Jesus loves 'cause you're a Blue .
Look after your peoples .
Peace out .
The ( Catholic ) Reverand L.C.A.B.
