Alright, so I got this bug the other day, you know? Started thinking about classic football seasons, and for some reason, Everton’s 1986-87 campaign just popped into my head. Don’t ask me why, it just did. So, I thought, let’s dive back into that, see what I can remember and piece together.
My Little Trip Down Memory Lane
First thing I did was just try to picture it. It’s funny how some things stick and others fade. I started thinking about the manager, Howard Kendall, of course. A proper legend. Then the players started to come back to me. You had your big names, the ones everyone remembers.
I tried to recall the general vibe of English football back then. It was a bit different, no European competitions for English clubs, which really put the focus squarely on the domestic stuff. Made the league title feel even bigger, if that makes sense. Anyway, I started digging around in my own memories, trying to pull out the key moments of that season for Everton.
What Stood Out For Me
So, as I was piecing things together in my head, a few things really jumped out about that ’86-’87 Everton side.
- The Resilience: Man, they had some serious injury problems that season. Key players out for ages. I remember thinking, how did they even manage? But they just kept going. That’s the mark of a champion side, isn’t it? Not just cruising when things are easy, but grinding it out when it’s tough.
- Key Blokes: You had Neville Southall in goal, an absolute wall. Then there was Kevin Ratcliffe at the back, leading the line. Gary Stevens, Trevor Steven – proper quality. And up top, Graeme Sharp, always a handful. It wasn’t just about a couple of superstars; it felt like a real team effort. Everyone knew their job.
- The Title Run-In: It wasn’t a walk in the park. They had Liverpool breathing down their necks, as usual back in those days. That rivalry was something else. But Everton just had this grit about them. They found a way to get results when it mattered.
How I Remember It Unfolding
From what I recall, they didn’t exactly fly out of the traps. There were a few stumbles early on, and with those injuries I mentioned, especially to Peter Reid and Paul Bracewell in midfield, a lot of folks probably wrote them off. That’s what made the whole thing even more impressive. They had to patch the team up, bring in other players, and somehow Kendall kept them believing.
I remember that feeling when they started to build momentum. Game after game, they’d find a way. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was effective. And then, clinching the title, I think it was against Norwich away if my memory serves me right. What a feeling that must have been for the fans, especially after the setbacks.
My Final Thoughts on That Season
Looking back, that Everton 1986-87 season was a proper testament to good management, team spirit, and sheer bloody-mindedness. They weren’t the flashiest team ever, maybe, but they had character in spades. It was about a collective will to win, overcoming adversity. You don’t see that kind of story play out too often these days, or maybe I’m just getting old and nostalgic!
Honestly, it was just great to spend a bit of time thinking about it. A proper team, that ’86-’87 Everton. They really earned that title. Yeah, good stuff. Makes you appreciate what they achieved back then.
