The Man Wearing Number 9

 

Every generation of Everton fans has their favourite ever, the one they idolised and dreamed of being best mates with. There have been many great Everton strikers and many that define eras, here is my list of top three Everton strikers ever to don the magnificent Royal Blue Jersey.

 

Number Three – Graeme Sharp

The most decorated man on the list, Graeme was the star at the head of the team of the 1980s. Known for his work rate, shooting ability and movement, Sharpy was a nightmare for defenders alongside Andy Gray. A prolific goal scorer in Everton’s most successful era to date and bagged in some massive games, including against Bayern Munich and Rapid Vienna in the Cup Winners’ Cup, Watford in the FA Cup Final in 1984 and of course his famous goal against Liverpool which probably haunted Mark Lawrenson for a good while.

 

Like every other player from the 80s, Graeme Sharp won the lot and upon his departure for Oldham Athletic in 1991, he sat at number two in the all-time goal scorers list for Everton.

 

Number Two – Duncan Ferguson

The second Scotsman on the list, Duncan Ferguson is obviously more of a cult hero for Everton but you cannot argue the man’s influence. Opponents were terrified of him, because his fuse was somewhat short and the aggression that followed always had dire consequences for the target. But Duncan could also play; he had good technical abilities for a man of his size, a lanky six foot four. Like Sharpy, Big Dunc scored in some massive games for Everton, securing points against Liverpool and terrorising a Manchester United size that had its own psycho in Roy Keane, who conveniently forgot his brave pills whenever he came up against Everton.

 

Until Romelu Lukaku came along, nobody had scored more goals for Everton in the Premier League era. Duncan was my childhood hero, as he was for many, many people. A single FA Cup win is all he got for his efforts, but he left a lasting impression on everybody who watched him, or dared to challenge him. I’m pretty sure Jimmy Bullard still has nightmares of Duncan Ferguson waiting in a tunnel for him.

 

Number One – William Ralph “Dixie” Dean

There is only one answer here. There is one Everton giant upon whose shoulders the legacy of the Everton centre forward is built upon and it is the man who continued scoring headed goals after fracturing his skull in a motorcycle accident. Dixie Dean was a colossus and his goal scoring record shows it, there is only one man to have ever scored 60 league goals in a single season; not Pele, not Messi or Ronaldo, but Dixie Dean. It is a record only Pele has come close to since.

 

Dixie Dean is the King of the Everton world. His statue is a point of pilgrimage for Everton fans across the globe and part of the ritual for many Everton fans who “go the game” every weekend.

 

His example is one that Everton fan would follow if they were chosen to represent the club; he was loyal, dedicated and driven to succeeding as an Everton player. Nobody has scored more goals for Everton Football Club that Dixie, and probably won’t for a long time.

 

 

Honourable Mentions

·         Bob Latchford – Icon of the seventies

·         Joe Royle – Arguably the archetypal big Everton centre forward.

·         Gary Lineker – Scored a load of goals but won naff all with Everton before he was shipped off to Spain.

·         Andy Gray – Partners with Sharp, probably wasn’t quite as good, but still brilliant.

·         Romelu Lukaku – Currently Everton’s all time Premier League goal scorer.

·         Wayne Rooney – Everton’s prodigal son. Didn’t stay long enough to leave more of a lasting legacy, although he is the measuring stick for academy graduates.

·         Dave Hickson – The Cannonball Kid, legend of the 50s.

·         Roy Vernon – Lead the line during the 60s.

·         Graham Stuart – 90s legend who’s goals and grit saved the club from oblivion.

·         Yakubu – Moyes era star that scored some great goals, never won anything to show for it.