1985 Celebration Dinner
1985 Celebration Dinner |
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Monday 9th May 2005 - Blue Brasserie (Gadaffi's Timeshare - Tent at Park End) Goodison ParkWhat a night and what a way to finish off a fantastic weekend, Toffee's winning Saturday to go 6 points clear, redshite losing Sunday and we confirm our Champions League place for next season and Monday it is a dinner in the company of the greatest side ever to wear the royal blue shirts of Everton FC. The compere for the evening was Stubbsy's Dad, Ray Stubbs of BBC fame as 300 lucky supporters gathered together to pay tribute to the hero's of 1985. Keith Wyness introduced the evening in a half a dozen European languages and reminded us of the latest exchange rate for the Euro and gave a very proud and passionate introductory speech before we tucked into a 4 course meal. The hero's were welcomed one by one, Big Nev led the procession and they were virtually all there, Gary Stevens, Derek Mountfield, Tricky Trev, Paul Bracewell, Inchy, there were rousing welcomes for Sheeds, Reidy, Sharpy, Andy Gray and The Rat then of course Howard Kendall. There others too, Ian Atkins and Paul Wilkinson. Apologies were heard for Alan Harper, Kevin Richardson, John Bailey, John Clinkard & Colin Harvey, there was a special memory and a short prayer by some for Mick Heaton. The place was buzzing. To a backdrop on stage which showed the Bayern Munich & Rapid Vienna games in succession the excitement built until the guests of the evening were called up onto the stage by Stubbsy. Reidy went up the first time with his blue napkin still stuck down his kecks! The players had been together earlier at a town centre hotel and were clearly in high spirits, the table with Howard, Sharpy, Andy, The Rat, Inchy & Sheeds had ripped into Sheeds unmercifully as the games were shown but Sheeds was to have his revenge. Howard got up and went through the players one by one, a little pen picture of each, fascinating, one minute you could hear a pin drop as he told his tale then before he moved onto the next player the crowd were singing about the aforementioned player. It is impossible to describe the night and give it full justification, we were lucky enough to be there but here are some snippets:
The comedian came on and died and we got back to singing, the raffle & auction raised a few grand for the Former Players Foundation and the players stayed until the early hours for autographs, photos & Toffee tales. An absolutely terrific night, a fitting tribute to the most successful team in Everton's history and on a night that could not have been more perfectly timed. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum & Come on you Blues!!
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