Former Everton physio John Clinkard has been reminiscing about his time at Goodison in the 1980s.
Known as ‘Magnum' because of his likeness to actor Tom Sellick, Clinkard was one of the first celebrity physiotherapists in the game and he was a pivotal part of the Everton success story.
He is now based in the Oxford area in private practice but he still recalls his Blues career with genuine affection.
"During my whole time at Everton the supporters treated me really well and I have such fond memories of my time there," he said.
"Scousers are really friendly people and I was made to really feel at home. I look at it as seven-and-a-half of the best years of my life."
Clinkard thoroughly enjoyed working with the all-conquering team that swept to two titles, an FA Cup and a ECWC between 1984 and 1987 and he reserved particular praise for
Peter Reid, who spent more time with the physio than most.
"He was a great professional and really hard working," said Clinkard.
"He just loved being pushed and Howard used to take him off during training sessions and say to him ‘that's enough, go and get a shower' because he worked so hard. They all did - they became great players because they were great professionals."
However, every team had it's players who weren't at their best when recovering from injury and Clinkard had no hesitation in nominating Evertons!
"
Andy King was an absolute nightmare!" he grinned. "A lovely fellow, a really funny lad and an excellent player but you just couldn't trust him when he was injured.
"At Bellefield at that time there were three treatment rooms and I used to call them the Bermuda Triangle when Andy was injured because he would get lost in there somewhere! I would sit him on one of the tables with a heat lamp strapped to his thigh and tell him to stay there with it on for twenty minutes.
"But when I'd check on him ten minutes later, the bed would be burning and Andy would be upstairs playing pool! That was him though and he was a great lad in the dressing room...I've got a lot of time for him."
During those halcyon days at Goodison, everyone involved played their part and, when pressed, they all recall one particular game with more enthusiasm than the rest.
John Clinkard is no exception.
"Bayern Munich stands out a mile," he smiled.
"For the atmosphere and the style in which we did it. We were down but we knew we'd win it.
Andy Graywas lording it up front and I think Augenthaler broke his nose in the first half and then again in the second! I was very proud to be part of that.
"There was a great togetherness amongst the players and the staff and that was a vital part of our success at that time."
