A Spirit Like No Other
In a year when Goodison lost the ‘golden vision’, there may well be another on the horizon, as Barkley and Davies combine for a winning goal at the Gladys Street end in the Champions League, with our Dutch master guiding us to a famous win over Juventus, or even Barcelona.
Am I dreaming? After a season of much promise, and long-lost financial clout, the good times feel closer than ever, and perhaps, even more so than Joe Royle’s short-lived, albeit, glorious reign.
On that note, seeing Duncan Ferguson on the bench reminds us of Hinchcliffe, Stuart, Kanchelskis, Limpar, and our last trophy winning season, although the big man is also a testament to the spirit of the club. I still remember how visibly upset he was at Newcastle, watching from the stands, no longer a part of his beloved Blues; and the reception he got on his return. It’s a club that gets under your skin, with a special DNA, thereby securing a permanent seat at the top table (that’s right, we know our history!)
Of course, we were also hurt most by the European ban, as that title-winning team of the mid-80’s missed their chance to compete for the European Cup (having already won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1985). Not long after that, the likes of Gary Lineker and Trevor Steven left, almost certainly driven by the prospect of European football. Since then, there have been one or two false dawns – Moysey had us believing again, while the Martinez style promised so much – but this time, it feels different.
Which brings me back to Barkley, a local boy, who at his best, still reminds me of Gazza; or even those great no. 10’s, like Del Piero or Zidane, who had such skill and technique in their hey-day. Sadly, we’ve all heard about the potential interest from the likes of Tottenham, and possibly others, but to see Everton win things again, with Barkley pulling the strings, would be a great sight for all Evertonians; also reinforcing the spirit of a club, that few others can match.
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