World Book Day: 5 Everton Books

#1 - Highs, Lows and Bakayokos by Jim Keoghan Jim Keoghan is the man behind ‘Highs, Lows and Bakayokos: Everton in the 1990s’. The book remembers those brushes with relegation, financial ups and downs, stunning derby wins over Liverpool and the FA Cup in 95′. Adam from GrandOldTeamTV interviewed Jim back in October, you can watch the interview below; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGzcC1gFiTw And buy his book here; #2 - Looking for the Toffees: In Search of the Heroes of Everton by Brian Viner James Oakley reviewed Brian Viner's Everton Book, Looking for the Toffees: In Search of the Heroes of Everton for us last year; I wasn’t yet born when the 77-78 season kicked off so I was unsure how I would get on with Brian Viners look back at one of his favourite seasons in “Looking for the Toffees“. Although the likes of Bob Latchford, Andy King, and Duncan McKenzie are familiar names to any Evertonian, my earliest heroes are 10 years later when Sheedy, Sharpe and Cottee were the Gwladys street favourites. I needn’t have worried as the book is a much broader look back at football in the late 70’s, an era where George Woods could be found cutting the lawns in your local school, and a time when Bob Latchford winning £10,000 was memorable stuff. The first interview starts in a pub car park with Bob Latchford and you get an immediate sense of just how different life was as a player in 1978 to modern day. The influx of money with the rise of the Premier League and Sky has created a gulf between players and the fans and set the majority of modern players up for a life where money will never be an issue. This wasn’t the case in the late 70’s where top earners were getting £500 a week and had to think carefully about their lives after football. Not that any of the ’78 squad are on the bread line, infact some have stayed working in football with Dave Jones managing at the top level, and George Wood the goalkeeping coach at Crystal Palace. As the book progresses and Viner manages to track down the majority of the team you get the sense that although football was very different back then, not one of the players would swap to be a modern pro. The enthusiasm with which they speak about the era makes you realise that although the quality of the game has improved the actual experience of playing, and the relationships between player and fan has gradually eroded leaving a totally different game. The interviews with Andy King, and Martin Dobson are particular highlights, as 2 completely different personalities remember the highs and lows of the season and the book becomes genuinely laugh out loud funny as they enthusiastically recount stories, and tales from the F Troop days. Every player which contributed speaks highly about the club whether they were true blues like Mike Lyons or more short term like Mike Pejic, and the relationships they had with the fans, and the continued work that the Former Players Foundation does makes you realise the meaning behind “Once a Blue, Always a Blue” You can buy Brian's book below; #3 - Here We Go: Everton in the 1980s by Simon Hart Wembley became a second home for Howard Kendall’s team, the club won two league titles, an FA Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. In his book 'Here We Go', Simon Hart, a lifelong Evertonians who has been reporting on European football for more than a decade for UEFA.com, interviews some of the best-loved Everton players from the 1980s. Adam from GrandOldTeamTV interviewed Simon in November, you can watch the interview below; https://twitter.com/grandoldteam/status/798159681789140992 And buy his book here; #4 - For The Boys In The Royal Blue Jersey By Steve Zocek The Esk reviewed Steve's book for us in November; In Steve’s own words, he’s a fan not a journalist and that’s the charm of the book. I’m probably of a similar age so with the exception of a few of his interviewees I can recall seeing them play in the Royal Blue of Everton. The book is a collection of 50 interviews, arranged in alphabetical order. 49 are players, the other is a memorable interview with the daughter of Alan Ball, Steve’s hero. It’s a wonderful interview as it not only give information on Alan and football but an insight into his family life and perhaps most meaningfully the relationship between Bally, Everton and of course, us the fans – very enjoyable read. It’s a book to pick your way through, for me I enjoyed going from one player to another based on my own preferences, I don’t think many will start with Alan Ainscow and read through in alphabetic order to George Wood. There’s lots in the book I wasn’t aware of, personal insights from players, little nuggets of information that have come out in conversation. One thing that struck me is Steve’s knowledge of our club and the players themselves – forgive me for using the word but it’s phenomenal. I’m not going to do any spoilers, other than mention my particular favourite stories featured the players in the mid/late 60’s playing under Harry Catterick. Having said that this book is a great read for all ages, you don’t need to be in your 50’s or older to enjoy it. If you love Everton, and our history you’ll love the stories, and be in awe of Steve’s dedication. The book is a must for Evertonians hungry to learn more of the greats (and some of the not so greats) who have pulled on the royal blue jersey. Even better that part of the proceeds of the book go direct to the Former Players’ Foundation. I’ll leave you with 2 quotes from the book “I…would have crawled on my hands and knees from Huddersfield to sign for Everton” Ray Wilson (World Cup Winner) “I have lived my dreams for playing for one of the best teams in the world” John Bailey Many thanks to Steve, I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did! You can buy the book from Amazon here; #5 - Everton: The Official Complete Record By Steven Johnson Everton: The Official Complete Record is the definitive account of one of Europe's most distinguished clubs. With nine league titles, five FA Cups and a rich club lore that boasts names such as Dixie Dean, Alex Young, Alan Ball and more recent heroes like Tim Cahill and Romelu Lukaku, theirs is a history replete with success and high drama. Boasting one of the most passionate and knowledgeable sets of fans, Everton are justifiably known as 'The People s Club'. Nearly 140 years after Everton's humble birth as a church team, Steve Johnson has painstakingly trawled through the archives to provide for details of every game, line up, goalscorer, attendance and result, as well a plethora of other facts and figures. This officially endorsed record of one of English football's great names includes season-by-season accounts of every campaign since the onset of league football, more than 100 player profiles and a foreword by the Club's captain, Phil Jagielka. Fully revised and updated since its sell-out first edition from 2010, the new book includes details of the club's friendly and wartime matches; making it an indispensable addition to every Evertonian's library. You can buy the book from Amazon here;

World Book Day: 5 Everton Books

#1 – Highs, Lows and Bakayokos by Jim Keoghan

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