Class of 85 - The Greatest team you never saw?

[electricblue]

The Class of '85 had winners throughout the team, that was what spurred them on to greatness. In particular a certain grey-haired gentleman in midfield who basically ran the show.

Had the privilege of seeing them many times. The great sadness of course is that Heysel prevented them achieving what they were capable of.

 

[AndyC]

My dad was there when we won the league v QPR

Me and my missus were too, Lower Bullens

 

[Dabluez]

The 85 team were a great team but I think we arguably had a better team in 86. If things had panned out slightly different then we would of done the double.

Looking back at that team though in 85 we won the League by 13 points with a team that consisted of Steven aged 20, Stevens, Bracewell, Richardson and Mountfield aged 21, Ratcliffe, Psycho, Harper, Inchey and Sharp aged 23. Even Sheedy and Big Nev were only 24 and 25 respectively.

That is what we need a young hungry squad.

 

[Joey66]

The 85 team were a great team but I think we arguably had a better team in 86. If things had panned out slightly different then we would of done the double.

Looking back at that team though in 85 we won the League by 13 points with a team that consisted of Steven aged 20, Stevens, Bracewell, Richardson and Mountfield aged 21, Ratcliffe, Psycho, Harper, Inchey and Sharp aged 23. Even Sheedy and Big Nev were only 24 and 25 respectively.

That is what we need a young hungry squad.

It's amazing in the times of even then in big money sognings the 1970,and the 1980,s era relied upon a few big money signings and youth, and bargain buys both teams just clicked , and became great sides meaning even now Leicester have proved it can be done the difference now is we could never hold on to the best players wages have gazzumped players attitudes of no loyalty unfortunately!
As there team was ripped apart by the top four money teams!

 

[Dario Terracotta]

I watched a team march into every ground,heads high,chests out and fearing no team,they could play anyway needed,a team that even Wimbledon knew they couldnt intimidate them,the joy of following a team you felt were invincible was amazing,if the FA cup final had been a week later we would have won the lot,memories that last a lifetime

Always thought that about that final mate,even if we'd seen it through to a replay I think the following Thursday night was it?those extra days would have done the trick and the treble would have been ours.

 

[zzebra]

Happy memories, a perfectly balanced team, with every player comfortable on the ball.

Even the 'fringe' players like Harper, Richardson, Mimms, and Wilkinson could slot in and do a good job.

We went into every game really confident of a win.

Indeed.Especially as there was only one sub back then.

I was only talking to another blue about the fringe players of that squad the other day.

Were we right in saying Ian Atkins and Terry Curran also made a (very) few appearances too that season?Was Alan Irvine still at the club at the very start of the 84/85 season?

Were there any other "forgotten" players who played that season?

 

[BernieWright13]

...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.

Sometimes when I hear youngsters wax lyrical about certain recent sides, then I feel almost guilty about having seen us in the mid 80's. I remember less about 1970 but missed 63. So if I feel guilty, surely you must feel ashamed?

 

[BernieWright13]

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.

Right on both counts. And I love the mental image of this current lot having to look the 85 side in the eye on the park.
Though tbh, I'd also fancy Reid & co against city 2018

 

[Dario Terracotta]

Fantastic post Joey, I stand to applaud
The mid 80s teams were fantastic to watch and win, but the 69-70 side was absolutely sensational.

My old fella saw both and would concur mate!!

 

[radiostar]

85 was the greatest season in Everton history and so, really, the best team.

 

[Eggs]

Sometimes when I hear youngsters wax lyrical about certain recent sides, then I feel almost guilty about having seen us in the mid 80's. I remember less about 1970 but missed 63. So if I feel guilty, surely you must feel ashamed?

..i’d just love our younger supporters to see the quality and success that old fellas like myself have seen. This fan base deserve it so much.

 

[StreetEndBlue]

I wasn't around in 1970 but old enough to remember the 1985 side so of course I'm biased towards that one.

The 85 side achieved more than the 1970 side so that surely ranks it as the better team.

It's the biggest travesty in the history of this club that those players never got the opportunity to go on to bigger and better things.

 

[Seathestars]

Happy memories, a perfectly balanced team, with every player comfortable on the ball.

Even the 'fringe' players like Harper, Richardson, Mimms, and Wilkinson could slot in and do a good job.

We went into every game really confident of a win.

Yes I think the fringe players deserved that special mention.
They would come in and cover an injury, then be back on the bench as soon as the injured player was fit again.
I don’t ever recall any of them whinging about it either.

 

[Davideeyore]

Being 11/12 I don't remember the games really I have programmes to show I was there with me dad I know games like the Doncaster game in the cup for example. But the one memory is both the QPR game and the West Ham game as we also had a title celebration after West Ham I'm sure. 85/6 bit more I remember Lineker's goal against Luton in the cup, but 86/87 more fondly I went to almost every home game even the Forest game on the opening day warm sunny day as I recall then full circle to the Man City game on the Saturday 0-0 before the Luton game and the celebrations as in my profile pic "champions, champions, champions" still ringing in my ear as if it were yesterday. Last game v Tottenham Derek Mountfield with the goal playing up front even hit the bar!

 

[Davideeyore]

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!

Same here. And even though my dad has gone now and was only born in 1938 he said the 1938/39 side was Everton's best. I'm lucky enough to have a programme from that season!

Our mid 80's team could match any one of the modern era but we were distined to crumble after you know what I do think Kendall should not have left that was deathknell.