jungleburger
Player Valuation: £750k
With the absence of much to talk about on the Everton front, as per usual, I find myself reminiscing of the good times and great players to grace the hallowed turf at Goodison.
The one stand out moment for me, being a child of the 80's, not quite old enough to witness the amazing times, but young enough to see the slow decline, was the time Gazza descended on Goodison playing for the mighty Spurs. Prior to the game, much of the talk was about Gazza and how we needed to watch this Geordie lad as he could be the difference. I remember feeling the trepidation in the atmosphere; this was certainly going to be a game not to be missed. I remember us leading, at half time, Gazza subdued. And thinking and discussing with my little clique that maybe the guy wasn't all that after all.
How wrong we were!
Second half came along; Spurs were shooting to the Gladys Street. I virtually had a front row seat. And what a master class we were treated to. Gascoigne, literally, beat Everton on his own that day. With the whole of ground applauding his second goal, Spurs' third, if I remember correctly.
It was pure class. And something I will tell my kids about once I start taking them to the games.
But, it wasn't the stand out moment of the day!
It was we witnessed before the kick-off. In the warm up.
We had all been chatting about Gascoigne coming to Goodison, days before, and on the day of the game and before the game. He was the only thing that we talked about and he ensured he was the only thing we would continue to talk about after the game and for years to come. But I'm digressing.
In the warm up, before the game, all eyes were on Gazza. And boy did he know it. He was a showman; he loved playing up to the crowd. And the crowd loved him. He was showcasing his skills, with keepy ups and shots from the half way line. Suddenly, he stopped. He was stood about 20 feet from the bullens Road end, just off the half way line, in the Spurs end. He looked to all four sides of the ground and the whole ground seemed to go quite, watching him in amazement. With his foot on the ball, he gestured to something toward the Main Stand. The whole crowd looked, but we couldn't work out what he was pointing at. He gestured again, making a mime of kicking the ball and showing us the flight of the ball with his right hand. This time it was obvious. He was pointing at a rather chubby St Johns Ambulance guy facing the crowd. All eyes were on the guy, yet he had absolutely no idea everyone was looking at him. Gazza made the mime again, but this time he finished it with the action of a hat falling off a head. Everyone knew what he meant. I'd never experienced the ground so quiet! (Even when we're playing sh*te). The anticipation was astounding. Gazza knew we all knew what he was going to attempt. He made sure of it.
With the swing of his right boot, he hit the ball. The ball took flight. Arcing its way toward the unknowing volunteer. It seemed to hang in the air for an age, it seemed like it was about 100 feet in the air at its apex (which of course it wasn't). From the path, it looked like it was going to hit its mark. As it descended, it was apparent; this was going to be close. The volunteer hadn't moved, he stood stock still, watching the crowd. Maybe he sensed the quiet. Then the ball hit. And off came the hat. Exactly as Gazza had predicted. The crowd erupted, in a mixture of cheers, laughter and amazement.
The poor guy, who'd lost his hat, spun round as if to say "Who the fook did that!" Looking slightly aggrieved and... Angry? I remember thinking, "why's he angry?" But that thought was quickly lost, as the entire ground burst in to laughter. There were actual tears of laughter rolling down my face, it was fecking hilarious. The St John's Ambulance guy couldn't do anything but laugh as he realised what had happened. Gazza ran over to him, shaking his hand and apologising to him. I could barely see for the tears.
Then we were treated to a second half master class, from a pure genius.
So my question to you guys is:
Has anyone got any memories they would like to share of the Good times or Good players that have come to Goodison over the years?
Thanks for listening
And I look forward to reading some great things....
The one stand out moment for me, being a child of the 80's, not quite old enough to witness the amazing times, but young enough to see the slow decline, was the time Gazza descended on Goodison playing for the mighty Spurs. Prior to the game, much of the talk was about Gazza and how we needed to watch this Geordie lad as he could be the difference. I remember feeling the trepidation in the atmosphere; this was certainly going to be a game not to be missed. I remember us leading, at half time, Gazza subdued. And thinking and discussing with my little clique that maybe the guy wasn't all that after all.
How wrong we were!
Second half came along; Spurs were shooting to the Gladys Street. I virtually had a front row seat. And what a master class we were treated to. Gascoigne, literally, beat Everton on his own that day. With the whole of ground applauding his second goal, Spurs' third, if I remember correctly.
It was pure class. And something I will tell my kids about once I start taking them to the games.
But, it wasn't the stand out moment of the day!
It was we witnessed before the kick-off. In the warm up.
We had all been chatting about Gascoigne coming to Goodison, days before, and on the day of the game and before the game. He was the only thing that we talked about and he ensured he was the only thing we would continue to talk about after the game and for years to come. But I'm digressing.
In the warm up, before the game, all eyes were on Gazza. And boy did he know it. He was a showman; he loved playing up to the crowd. And the crowd loved him. He was showcasing his skills, with keepy ups and shots from the half way line. Suddenly, he stopped. He was stood about 20 feet from the bullens Road end, just off the half way line, in the Spurs end. He looked to all four sides of the ground and the whole ground seemed to go quite, watching him in amazement. With his foot on the ball, he gestured to something toward the Main Stand. The whole crowd looked, but we couldn't work out what he was pointing at. He gestured again, making a mime of kicking the ball and showing us the flight of the ball with his right hand. This time it was obvious. He was pointing at a rather chubby St Johns Ambulance guy facing the crowd. All eyes were on the guy, yet he had absolutely no idea everyone was looking at him. Gazza made the mime again, but this time he finished it with the action of a hat falling off a head. Everyone knew what he meant. I'd never experienced the ground so quiet! (Even when we're playing sh*te). The anticipation was astounding. Gazza knew we all knew what he was going to attempt. He made sure of it.
With the swing of his right boot, he hit the ball. The ball took flight. Arcing its way toward the unknowing volunteer. It seemed to hang in the air for an age, it seemed like it was about 100 feet in the air at its apex (which of course it wasn't). From the path, it looked like it was going to hit its mark. As it descended, it was apparent; this was going to be close. The volunteer hadn't moved, he stood stock still, watching the crowd. Maybe he sensed the quiet. Then the ball hit. And off came the hat. Exactly as Gazza had predicted. The crowd erupted, in a mixture of cheers, laughter and amazement.
The poor guy, who'd lost his hat, spun round as if to say "Who the fook did that!" Looking slightly aggrieved and... Angry? I remember thinking, "why's he angry?" But that thought was quickly lost, as the entire ground burst in to laughter. There were actual tears of laughter rolling down my face, it was fecking hilarious. The St John's Ambulance guy couldn't do anything but laugh as he realised what had happened. Gazza ran over to him, shaking his hand and apologising to him. I could barely see for the tears.
Then we were treated to a second half master class, from a pure genius.
So my question to you guys is:
Has anyone got any memories they would like to share of the Good times or Good players that have come to Goodison over the years?
Thanks for listening
And I look forward to reading some great things....
