Joe Royle

Pros: Won our last tin. No loss in five derbies. Signed Kanchelskis.

The only downside was his relationship with the media. That said, he wasn't to know what a crucial thing that would be 30 years later.

There's a reason we don't get a home penalty every time or have Tony Bellew on Comms with jags as chief pundit and big dunc hosting Refwatch
 

That smi final, when the media wanted the dream final, when interviews Joe said “ there are two L L in that, anyone remember the exact quote ?
 
That smi final, when the media wanted the dream final, when interviews Joe said “ there are two L L in that, anyone remember the exact quote ?
Screenshot_2025-05-11-12-39-58-60_dc00545bd3b8828f033a02ac25b2d36d.webp
 

People talk of it being a mistake to let Joe go, but my memory of the time is that he had completely lost the plot for the four or five months prior to his dismissal. We were in freefall. Kanchelskis made a mug of us and we crashed of the cup to Bradford. I was relieved when there was a change of management that Easter, because we had been dire for months - and this after winning a cup and finishing sixth the previous year. We were going backwards fast.

So, was I right? Well, looking back at our results from that season - nearly 30 years ago now - we started well, beating Newcastle and going 2-0 up at Old Trafford. What a start! These were the two best sides in the country at that time. Bizarrely, we lost the next three to Villa, Wimbledon, and Middlesbrough - so the signs were there. Then we went on an eight-match unbeaten streak, including a draw at Anfield. Joe had the Indian sign over them. But my memory is proven right when we look at the next set of results. We lost 3-1 at home to Sunderland at the end of November and went into absolute freefall. We suffered six (!) straight defeats, conceding 18 goals in the process, after Christmas and then four more defeats in the following eight matches. And crashed out of the cup embrassingly. Joe went with us four points above the drop zone.

Given what followed, you could argue it was a mistake. But at the time, he had lost it. Utterly. And there is no guarantee that he could have retrieved things, especially given the financial constraints that soon would follow.

I love Joe. He was a winner. But Everton in the 90s ate winners for breakfast, as even the great Howard Kendall and serial winner Walter Smith would find to their and our cost.
 
Was instrumental in pretty much all my greatest Everton experiences.

My favourite game ever the 2-0 Derby host first game, Duncans first goal.

The cup win 95 obviously, went every round including Bristol city away, never thought I'd end up living there.

My season ticket years ran from 94 until a year of Walter, sitting with my dad every game.

That was my golden time for football and Everton, may not have had the glory but the memories feel like yesterday.

I'd have a statue of Joe up at Bramley Moore up tomorrow providing his magnificent cranium wouldn't get unesco protests.
 
I met him at either Dave Watson or Neville’s testimonial dinner in London and both were after Chelsea games.

He spoke to everyone and I had a chat with him about football and his dad playing the piano at the Broadway…he seemed pleased that someone knew that bit of trivia.

Lovely bloke based on what time I had with him.
 

People talk of it being a mistake to let Joe go, but my memory of the time is that he had completely lost the plot for the four or five months prior to his dismissal. We were in freefall. Kanchelskis made a mug of us and we crashed of the cup to Bradford. I was relieved when there was a change of management that Easter, because we had been dire for months - and this after winning a cup and finishing sixth the previous year. We were going backwards fast.

So, was I right? Well, looking back at our results from that season - nearly 30 years ago now - we started well, beating Newcastle and going 2-0 up at Old Trafford. What a start! These were the two best sides in the country at that time. Bizarrely, we lost the next three to Villa, Wimbledon, and Middlesbrough - so the signs were there. Then we went on an eight-match unbeaten streak, including a draw at Anfield. Joe had the Indian sign over them. But my memory is proven right when we look at the next set of results. We lost 3-1 at home to Sunderland at the end of November and went into absolute freefall. We suffered six (!) straight defeats, conceding 18 goals in the process, after Christmas and then four more defeats in the following eight matches. And crashed out of the cup embrassingly. Joe went with us four points above the drop zone.

Given what followed, you could argue it was a mistake. But at the time, he had lost it. Utterly. And there is no guarantee that he could have retrieved things, especially given the financial constraints that soon would follow.

I love Joe. He was a winner. But Everton in the 90s ate winners for breakfast, as even the great Howard Kendall and serial winner Walter Smith would find to their and our cost.
This is my memory too. An Everton legend he is but our fan base have rose tinted memories of his spell as manager when in truth he wasn't quite the level required. Though appointing Howard for a 3rd time after was puzzled thinking by the board
 
This is my memory too. An Everton legend he is but our fan base have rose tinted memories of his spell as manager when in truth he wasn't quite the level required. Though appointing Howard for a 3rd time after was puzzled thinking by the board
Howard was a panic appointment. They spend the summer courting Bobby Robson and Andy Gray and the erstwhile Sky pundit played them for idiots, getting a huge pay rise in the millions out of it. A great player for us was Andy. But he wasn't averse to screwing us over for his own ends.
 
Saw him play as a 16 year old at Goodison, he was a beast, raw but straight away you knew we had a winner. God we had some fabulous players back in the 60’s with forwards of the calibre of Vernon, Young and Royle. Brings tears to my eyes remembering how good we were……..
 
Howard was a panic appointment. They spend the summer courting Bobby Robson and Andy Gray and the erstwhile Sky pundit played them for idiots, getting a huge pay rise in the millions out of it. A great player for us was Andy. But he wasn't averse to screwing us over for his own ends.
Ohh yes I remember that now, Bobby Robson turned us down on a few occasions during his career apparently
 

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