10 years since the passing of Howard Kendall


One of our greatest players and our greatest manager.

A great man manager who had a team of characters and talent, who set the team up well and then allowed them to play. As with all great achievements he made that simple from outside and hides all the hard work and thought behind it.

Honestly don't know what the most important trophy was. All were important - but hopefully we can be set up that with one comes many just as it was under Kendall. I am torn between the first FA Cup and the first league.

As for what game turned the tide? Really I think just being allowed the time to turn it around when the fans would have accepted him being binned off for someone else was the thing. Everyone needs time to get to grips as manager and that is something that is increasingly rare nowadays.
 

Looking back on the anniversary of the great man’s passing, which game did you feel that turned the tide to success, and which trophy under his management gave you the most satisfaction?
The Oxford game and that Kevin Brock back pass stands out, and also the FA Cup game away at Stoke when Kendall’s pre match chat was to open the dressing room window and tell the players to listen to the support that was there that day!
Obviously the 1984 FA Cup win, the 1985 title and the ECWC were amazing, but in terms of satisfaction the 1987 league championship was up there - so many injuries to key players, but then the likes of Paul Power, Paul Wilkinson, Neil Adams and Wayne Clarke stepped up and we did it again! - happy days!
 
The Oxford game is held up as the catalyst for obvious reasons (it started an incredible roll) - but so many subsequent games were sliding door moments. The two cup semi-finals, for example, are to some extent forgotten, but they were critical games in this side's development. Beating Villa 2-0 at Goodison in the League Cup semi meant the Oxford win truly meant something in the end. It led us to Wembley. Once we were at Wembley, we learned we belonged, outplaying the best team in Europe and being cheated out of a victory. Then, we wanted to get back there. That win over an outstanding Southampton side is massively underrated. That was the day we won the cup.
 


If you don't shed a tear...your heart is stone.
 
Andy Grays debut.
It was a night game ,without checking.
I had a feeling, just a feeling.
I wonder how many on here were there?
I was.
I think its was Norwich at home 3pm kick off.
I was there ,I was close to a fight in Gwladys St with some fella slagging him as i thought his contribution was so much more and needed time.
I loved Howard but for me the biggest mistake he ever made was not keeping hold of Gray when he signed Lineker
 
I think its was Norwich at home 3pm kick off.
I was there ,I was close to a fight in Gwladys St with some fella slagging him as i thought his contribution was so much more and needed time.
I loved Howard but for me the biggest mistake he ever made was not keeping hold of Gray when he signed Lineker
Absolutely spot on mate. If we'd kept Andy Gray the following season, we'd have won at least one of those trophies if not both. Just his presence in the dressing room would have been enough.
 

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