Basil Fawlty
Player Valuation: £35m
Anyone remember the Zenith Data Systems Cup?
Robert Warzycha does.
When Everton took on Crystal Palace at Wembley in the final of the ill-fated competition in April 1991, it was the Polish international who levelled the encounter at 1-1.
Unfortunately, Palace went on to get three in extra time, condemning Howard Kendall's side to a humbling defeat.
Warzycha, who had moved to Goodison from homeland outfit Górnik Zabrze just a month before, went on to score eight goal in 86 appearances for the Club before heading to Hungary and, later, the United States of America.
Now an assistant coach at MLS Champions Columbus Crew, Warzycha is in the running to take over the vacant manager's position. He told evertonfc.com about his chances of landing the role, his days at Goodison and his admiration of Everton's two Tims.
Guest Columnist - Robert Warzycha
My time at Everton was great and I loved it. When I think about the time I spent there it was just fantastic.
I loved the atmosphere, the fans, the Club and the players I played with. My family liked Liverpool and we got a lot of help from the Club. One thing though, I wish I had played a little better.
I'm not disappointed by what I did, the start was very good and I loved it. But later on, after injury, I couldn't get back to my best form, and I was disappointed with myself.
Despite that, I have many great memories. I remember us going to Old Trafford to play Manchester United in only the second game of the first ever Premier League season. I set up Peter Beardsley for the first goal, he then returned the favour for me to make it two and Mo Johnston made it three. What a fantastic game!
I look at how big the Premier League has become since then and the players in the league now make it the best league in the world. There was a time when everything was long ball but now the games are different, they pass and the players are skillful. But back when we beat United they were still the team to beat. Look at the players we played against, Bruce, Pallister, Parker, Kanchelskis, Hughes - it was unbelievable.
Robert Warzycha beats Nigel Martyn during the Zenith Data Systems Cup final.
I remember scoring at Wembley too, in the Zenith Data Systems Cup final. I got the ball from Mike Newell and hit it in off the crossbar from about seven yards. I had another chance at the end of the game and should have scored. That would have won us the game. Instead it went to extra time and we gave up three goals. It was terrible, but playing at Wembley was always special.
I played there for the Polish national team against England and the atmosphere was fantastic, but during that game against Crystal Palace the place was just red and blue. It was something special, a game I'll always remember.
My manager for the most part was Howard Kendall - a man I really liked. He was a players' coach. He could talk to you but when he had to be serious, he was. I had a good relationship with him and can't say a bad thing about him.
Unfortunately, in my last year, he went. Mike Walker came in and soon after I left too. Basically I wasn't playing for the national team and in order to get a work permit to play here I needed to have gained a certain number of caps. We appealed but we were waiting on a decision for two months and by that time it transpired that Hungary was the only country where I could go [he left Everton and joined Pecsi Mecsek FC].
I've kept tabs on the Club ever since though and still watch Everton when I can. I was so happy with the Manchester City game, to win late on, but how unlucky were we against Aston Villa? I couldn't believe it. But I think David Moyes has done a great job and we are now one of the top teams in the Premier League.
Used to like Bob me, honest, hardworking player who added a bit of flair at the time. Nice to hear from him









