Everton 1969/1970 or Everton 1984/1985 Which Squad Was Better?

[Cork Evertonian]

I saw all three sides as well, I was a boy, being taken to Goodison by my big brother for the 62-63 season, they really were a great side, Vernon was lethal, the Vision was remarkable, Tony Kaye should have been one of the best wing halves ever, but, sadly it was not to be. Yes a very good side.

The side from the cup win of 1966 to the league title of 1970 just got better and better, I was a young fella back then, just started work and had the money to go to lots of aways. The reaction of other team’s fans, yes there were some reasonable ones you could talk to, was one of awe, they just couldn’t believe the football we played.

The mid 80’s side was again a truly great side, just a whisker between them and the late 60’s side, but, for me, the Catt’s side of the late 60’s was the best English club side I’ve seen.

The Catt was a difficult man to warm to, even for his players I believe, I had huge problems with his decision to sell Bally, but, I’ll always think fondly of the Catt for the pleasure that late 60’s side gave me, 6 of that first choice 11 came up through our youth system Wright, Labone, Hurst, Harvey, Husband and Royle, not to forget Roger Kenyon and Alan Whittle, who both made their contributions in the title season.

Roger Kenyon of course came in to replace Brian Labone, when he got injured. I think it's a shame that Roger didn't get a league winners medal. Especially when you consider, how heartbreaking the rest of the 1970s, turned out for Everton and Roger.

 

[Cork Evertonian]

I've put the 69/70 side first. The 69/70 side played scintillating football by virtue of the Holy Trinity and were an absolute joy to watch.
The mid eighties team played scintillating football and were an absolute joy to watch. In other words the only difference was Ball, Kendall, Harvey.
The emotional attachment to those three trumps Kendall's mid eighties teams.
Different eras brings up the usual caveats. Both exceptional squads which brought me memorable moments and was privileged to see. Apologies to those fans who possibly deep down resent us that saw them going on about it but once upon a time we were giants in the top division.

Not at all. I love hearing the stories from people, who saw this club at the height of it's powers.

 

[tommytowne]

Not at all. I love hearing the stories from people, who saw this club at the height of it's powers.

In many ways its worse for us oldies that saw us winning things on a quite regular basis. We were very good and we expected to see silverware.
Since then there's so many who are happy just to see us compete possibly in the knowledge we're unlikely to win a thing.

 

[CrustySack]

It's a generational thing. As a 13 year old I witnessed the 84/85 team from the Lower Glwadys at most home games, and they had no weaknesses at all. They could play any style of football, and often mixed it up depending on the opponent. I thought the 85/86 side actually played the better footy.

 

[JammyP]

Where's both/cheese on toast?

 

[peteblue]

Roger Kenyon of course came in to replace Brian Labone, when he got injured. I think it's a shame that Roger didn't get a league winners medal. Especially when you consider, how heartbreaking the rest of the 1970s, turned out for Everton and Roger.

I had a pint with him one Friday, unfortunately it was the day before the match…..

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

West, Wright, Newton, Kendall, Labone, Harvey, Husband, Ball, Royle, Hurst, Morrissey were unbelievable. The chemistry together with Catterick in charge was the best I've seen in my lifetime.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Also,on the whole i think as a competitive league,it was much stronger back then,ourselves,man u,city,Leeds,Chelsea,spurs would all fancy their chances,even the likes of West ham,Stoke,west brom all were very decent with top class players.

Very true. I've often mentioned that in the first seven years of my life (65 - 72*), seven different teams won the league.

* you're the same age, aren't you Darrio?

 

[Major Gowen]

In many ways its worse for us oldies that saw us winning things on a quite regular basis. We were very good and we expected to see silverware.
Since then there's so many who are happy just to see us compete possibly in the knowledge we're unlikely to win a thing.

How did those lines from James's Sit Down go? "If hadn't seen such riches/I could live with being poor"?

 

[Lawrence]

I base my answer on one fact. The sixties saw a whole host of evenly matched sides all capable of a top 4 finish. We normally ended up top 4 and then crowned it with a wonderful Championship win, literally by a country mile. Sadly the World Cup seemed to affect us the season after and The Catt lost the plot. 84/85 was a lovely team it really was and it was more successful, however besides our cousins over the park and Spurs it wasnt the strongest period of football. But you can only beat who you play. I doubt Kenwrong saw either team very much. His fav is Graham Stuart oh and Dave Higson, who knew Uncle Cyril.

 

[degsy]

Who knows, European football wasn't as important to the English teams in those days, the league and the FA Cup were the be all and end all. It was only really in the 70's that Europe began to take precedence.

Had some great European nights in the 80's, as you say Bayern was the one.
Having said that I did see the 62-63 champions play Inter Milan off the park at Goodison and be robbed by the ref. He disallowed a perfectly good Vernon goal. It came out later that the Italian teams in the 60's were well known for bribing officials.

I was there.
There's a 5 sec clip out there somewhere, I found it by accident following many links after looking at some old clips of games...but it is out there.
Anyway, is shows (very grainy and brief) what looks like Young heading the ball back across the goal for Vernon...who was not offside, being behind Young...to slot.
Now Young Could have been offside, it didn't show the ball being kicked...
and rules were stricter then...
and a foreign Reff.
and the form for brown envelopes...

We weren't at full strength - no proper LB, people carrying injuries, iirc, Vernon and Gabriel were sort of rushed back.
Now remember, this was the Team that was more or less going to dominate European Football until The lions of Lisbon - Celtic beat them in 67.
I honestly believe if we couldve played them in May and not Sept, the form we were in then, we would've pasted them.

But as some wise man, or smartarse...take your pick...said - We don't do Dynasties
Everton That.

 

[Dario Terracotta]

Very true. I've often mentioned that in the first seven years of my life (65 - 72*), seven different teams won the league.

* you're the same age, aren't you Darrio?

Yup!!

 

[Jeff Jones]

Some of the pitches they had to play on as well, imagine the Prima Donna's in todays game playing in those conditions, the amount of whinging would be huge.

That's why I hate that Dixie Dean is never mentioned when pundits talk about football's greatest ever strikers.

On topic, I suppose that the difference between the two is that 1969/70 was the very end of that squads amazing quality and
1984/85 was the start of a great era. I can't split them.

 

[Groucho]

1970 was before my time so I have to go 85 as I saw most of them live.

I’m told the 68/69 team played better footie than the following season however.

 

[Toffeelover]

West, Wright, Newton, Kendall, Labone, Harvey, Husband, Ball, Royle, Hurst, Morrissey were unbelievable. The chemistry together with Catterick in charge was the best I've seen in my lifetime.

Back then I went to a derby at Anfield, the only time I set foot in that place. Natrurally I was in the A road end. We won!!

The highlight for me was Morrisey turning Smith inside out and in. Smith could not handle him and daren't foul him because Morrisey would have got up and done for him.