Class of 85 - The Greatest team you never saw?

[BernieWright13]

Not sure if any mention of this has been posted but given the depths to which our club has sunk lately this might brink a tear to a few (other) eyes.

I guess the lack of exposure of the club back then might help explain the acceptance of our current plight by some of our fanbase. Age might be a factor though too of course...

The full link to the article is further down.

"Everton’s all conquering class of ‘85 was one of the greatest ever. They ran away with the league, lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup and only lost out on the FA Cup to Manchester United in extra-time; but unless you were one of the few who attended Goodison Park at the time there’s a good chance you never actually saw them play.

That’s because, despite being one of the most attractive sides in years, Everton hardly featured at all on television that season, while the average league gate throughout that magnificent campaign was just 31,984 as a combination of high unemployment and economic recession took its toll."

https://www.thesportsman.com/articl...1985-the-greatest-team-you-probably-never-saw

 

[SantaClausisanEvertonian]

My Dad used to talk fondly of the Kendall, Harvey and Ball era but even he had to admit that our Class of 85 was even better. That amazing team in 85 were not only the best Everton team I've ever seen, they were the best ever football team I've ever seen; almost unstoppable!

 

[Bluebonic]

The 63 and the 69 side both had much better individual players, but as a unit, 85 was unstoppable!

 

[Eggs]

...Harvey was centrally involved in the 1970 and 1985 teams and had no hesitation in saying the 1970 side were far superior. I have no reason to disagree, one side had Alan Ball in it.

I was lucky to see both, along with the 1963 team.

 

[blue61]

My brothers wax lyrical about Kendal, Harvey and Ball, my one regret is not seeing Ball in an Everton kit. The day we sold him was the start of our decline, regardless of what we achieved in the 80's.

 

[Sophie]

My Dad used to talk fondly of the Kendall, Harvey and Ball era but even he had to admit that our Class of 85 was even better. That amazing team in 85 were not only the best Everton team I've ever seen, they were the best ever football team I've ever seen; almost unstoppable!

Hi!!
Random question but I’m looking for some information on a Everton FC jacket that I have purchased.
Apparently it’s a limited edition but I’m not sure its era or whether it’s an original from the 80s , what for and how long ago?
I know It’s a long shot but I thought I’d ask if you know anything about it or know anybody that would?

Not sure if any mention of this has been posted but given the depths to which our club has sunk lately this might brink a tear to a few (other) eyes.

I guess the lack of exposure of the club back then might help explain the acceptance of our current plight by some of our fanbase. Age might be a factor though too of course...

The full link to the article is further down.

"Everton’s all conquering class of ‘85 was one of the greatest ever. They ran away with the league, lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup and only lost out on the FA Cup to Manchester United in extra-time; but unless you were one of the few who attended Goodison Park at the time there’s a good chance you never actually saw them play.

That’s because, despite being one of the most attractive sides in years, Everton hardly featured at all on television that season, while the average league gate throughout that magnificent campaign was just 31,984 as a combination of high unemployment and economic recession took its toll."

https://www.thesportsman.com/articl...1985-the-greatest-team-you-probably-never-saw

Hi!!
Random question but I’m looking for some information on a Everton FC jacket that I have purchased.
Apparently it’s a limited edition but I’m not sure when it was made, what for and how long ago?
I know It’s a long shot but I thought I’d ask if you know anything about it?

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

You would go to the game oozing confidence that whoever you we're playing you would beat them, even when we went one down to Bayern, you just knew we would come back and beat them, don't think we'll ever get that feeling back again.

Also, imagine that 85 team playing today's team, it would be like a heavyweight boxer going up against a lightweight, it would be over in the blink of an eye.

 

[duncs pigeon]

Sometimes we dont realise how good things are until they are not there. That 85 team was magnificent. Mixture of skill and battlers, never knew when we were beaten. In typical Everton fashion I used to be critical of Kevin Sheedy, never tackled or ran back! Why the hell did he need to? Reidy and Bracewell did that for him, and that left foot- say no more.

 

[Toast]

Also, imagine that 85 team playing today's team, it would be like a heavyweight boxer going up against a lightweight, it would be over in the blink of an eye.

Heath and Bracewell would only miss a few games now with their injuries and Big Nev would have been back to stop Bobby Mimms getting a run out in a cup final !

 

[T LEAFE]

I was lucky to see both the 70 and 85 sides.
I find it hard to pick the best but my heart goes to the 70 team purely because of Bally. He was that good and special. The best player I have seen in a royal blue jersey and I told my son that when we met him.

 

[Alanbileysfeathercut]

The media hated us
" there's no stars in that team"
Probably Howards team talk everton week

 

[rochdaleblue]

...Harvey was centrally involved in the 1970 and 1985 teams and had no hesitation in saying the 1970 side were far superior. I have no reason to disagree, one side had Alan Ball in it.

I was lucky to see both, along with the 1963 team.

My late father really enjoyed the 85 team, but like Harvey he admitted the 70s team was better and he admitted that was down to Ball. He said he was the best Everton player of his life time and could signal handedly transform a game with brilliance. He drove the players alongside him, with the standards he set. He could only think of Gerrard in modern football he could liken to Ball, in his influence on the team and the club (of course he said Ball was better mind you). As good as the midfield was in 85, my dad said the holy trinity of the late 60s, could even dominate games against the likes of united, Leeds, city and the RS who all had outstanding midfielders within their teams.

 

[rochdaleblue]

I only remember the 85 team, but it’s the only period in my lifetime watching Everton, that before going to a game:
a) know that we’d win
b) be entertained by the quality of football served up
c) wonder how many we’d score that day.
Great times, great memories.

 

[Blues Harp]

...Harvey was centrally involved in the 1970 and 1985 teams and had no hesitation in saying the 1970 side were far superior. I have no reason to disagree, one side had Alan Ball in it.

I was lucky to see both, along with the 1963 team.

Totally agree Eggs...so lucky to have seen both myself....and then unfortunately watch the whole thing fall to pieces in both cases...

 

[1966efc]

My greatest sadness, football related, is that we have only had three teams in 70 odd years worth reminiscing about.

Close call but a team with Ball and Harvey is by definition better than any other.