Howard Kendall RIP

[allezlesbleus]

It could not have been any other way.
Howard was also one of us.

They are brilliant words mate. Gracias.

 

[kithnou]

Right, bear with me, I might waffle a bit...


Howard Kendall.

To me, he was all manner of things. As a 11 yr old kid, in 1981, he was one of my dad's idols, coming back to us. A legend coming back to fix us. We were awful back then. Really bad. You youngsters fuming today really have no idea!
Back then, dad took me everywhere. Home and aways (Except 'far ones' on a school night) I was there. I remember being outside the players entrance, pissed wet through, as the coach arrived. Dad offering words of encouragement to the lads, shaking Howards hand and wishing him luck. No matter how bad we were, my dad and his mates, and me, would be there.

One of dads mates worked at the club, nothing special just a normal job, and through him, dad became mates with Howard and the players. So as we gathered momentum and took all before us, I kind of got swept along. Name a big game from then, I was there. Dad's friendship with Howard grew too. So, as we conquered all, I felt more of a part of it because dad knew Howard, celebrated our successes with him, right there, right at the heart of it. Players lounge after games, me wandering amongst my heroes. My idols. It was a magical time for all of us. I will never forget a minute.

Then Howard left. Then he came back, left, and came back again. We know the history of those times. Howard never changed though, he was still Howard. He still had the same steely determination, the same desire and passion. It just wasn't to be. Howard though, well he just carried on being Howard.

He still enjoyed a drink, with the same lads, in the same bar. He still stopped to talk to everyone, he still had that warm smile and glint on his eye. He still remembered me, 30 yrs after I first met him, when I last spoke to him last year, he asked how dad was and smiled, a glint in his eye, "good times lad, good times" he said.

"The best of times Howard, the very best of times. Thank you"


RIP Gaffer. I will never forget the joy you gave me and my dad, and all of us.

Thank you.

Just beautiful. End of...

 

[summerisle]

It could not have been any other way.
Howard was also one of us.

 

[The Esk]

Well said mate. I identify with everything you've said especially the bit when after so long not seeing him he asked how your dad was. He'd do often do the same with me if he hadn't seen me or my dad in a while and you'd know he was always genuine. And yes, that glint in his eye. i last walked along Goodison Road with him after the Chelsea game recently and there was that lovely glint accompanied by a massive grin and clapping his hands to himself just like any other fan leaving the ground that day. And as we looked up the Chelsea coach with its multi-millionaire players crept passed us and i remember thinking to myself, for all the money you lot have got you haven't got an ounce of what this man has in joy, class and life right now. And of all the thousands of happy memories i have of Howard, i think this is the one i'm personally going to treasure forever now. And thanks a million for sharing yours with us all.

Mate, I hope today has gone as well for you as it has for the thousands of blues across the world looking in and marvelling at the Everton family, what it means to each of us, and of course, what Howard meant to us individually and collectively.

 

[Lowste]

I love Everton and will always love Everton

Watching today's eulogy's it just reinforces why I love Everton

Howard will never be forgotten, he is part of the fabric that makes Everton what it is.

I take pride in what we as a Club do in the Community, how we never forget our ex players.
We do so many things right, and so many thing that make me proud to support Everton

 

[evo1878]

Mate, I hope today has gone as well for you as it has for the thousands of blues across the world looking in and marvelling at the Everton family, what it means to each of us, and of course, what Howard meant to us individually and collectively.

Happy memory ... 'Howard's game'... " G S ? " (clue: not Graham Stuart or Graeme Sharp). Tickled me pink that from Joe Royle and Graham Stuart today.

 

[Titus Bramble]

It's funny, being born early 90's I never saw him play and don't remember him managing, but I knew all about him as my dad is of the generation who will chat on about the Holy Trinity for hours after a couple of pints.

Anyway, while I was at 6th form I used to work in the Spar corner shop on Harrington Road in Formby. Every Saturday morning I'd serve him his milk and bread and we'd have a chat about how we thought Everton would get on that afternoon. Then every Saturday evening I'd see him in the Pinewoods pub round the corner and he'd buy me the odd pint and would always have a chat with me. Always made my dad jealous lol

But that's how I knew him, as a fellow blue who could talk about Everton all day. It's only seeing the scenes today which have helped me realise just how much of a legend he really is. Cheers for the pints Howard, hopefully he knew how much he meant to everyone.

 

[GraemeS1980]

There are three parts to this this is part one and its an exceptional interview enjoy lads

 

[Groucho]

I wrote a thing for the home page yesterday. I won't quote the piece because you can easily read it yourselves, but it's hard to say anything that hasn't already been said today.

Well played, Howard. Well played Everton.

 

[Steve Wigan]

I've been housebound since April, with an infection that spread to my transplanted kidney. The story I told in the 'Wigan' thread in the World Football thread was also the first time I'd been out since April..it took two very good friends from Australia to get me out of the house ...you get a bit 'institutionalised' and afraid to go out, except to hospitals, doctors and clinics. And so I'd like to add another description of Bill Kenwright, who, despite looking and being very ill, got to Howards funeral and spoke with some difficulty but with his usual feeling and eloquence about Howard. The new word to associate with Bill? Bravery, of course. As someone said above, in circumstances like today, there is not a better chairman in football, despite the divisions his tenure at Everton has caused. We may have many disagreements on this and other forums, but sometimes events conspire to remind us that we are all Evertonians and we are therefore special, with a special bond. Never mind 'The Special One', we are 'The Special Club'.

 

[Liamliverpool86]

What a turnout for a great man

Couldn't make it myself but have seen great coverage , seen howard a few times after games top man who loved the club

even the some of the ex red's turned up to there credit

my biggest regret is that i couldn't make it to pay my last respects to the gaffer

 

[rbm]

It's funny, being born early 90's I never saw him play and don't remember him managing, but I knew all about him as my dad is of the generation who will chat on about the Holy Trinity for hours after a couple of pints.

Anyway, while I was at 6th form I used to work in the Spar corner shop on Harrington Road in Formby. Every Saturday morning I'd serve him his milk and bread and we'd have a chat about how we thought Everton would get on that afternoon. Then every Saturday evening I'd see him in the Pinewoods pub round the corner and he'd buy me the odd pint and would always have a chat with me. Always made my dad jealous lol

But that's how I knew him, as a fellow blue who could talk about Everton all day. It's only seeing the scenes today which have helped me realise just how much of a legend he really is. Cheers for the pints Howard, hopefully he knew how much he meant to everyone.

You'll be able to tell your grandsons that you actually knew and spent time with the best loved son of the greatest football club in the world who also happened to be just one of us. An Evertonian......just imagine.

Sleep peacefully Howard. Your Everton brethren love you.

 

[dion]

Well done Peter Reid.

 

[Pienaar's gloves]

My Uncle bumped into Howard and Colin Harvey leaving Goodison the evening we had won it in 87. Asked if they wanted to go The Winslow and Howard was keen.

He walks in with the two of them and stuck with them all evening. The way he tells it, he properly treasures it. Sounds like Howard adored time with us, the people who make the club.

 

[Elong]