Spirit of the Blues

<p><b>The definitive story of Everton’s 133 years at Goodison Park, told with help from those who were there to witness the action and drama. </b></p><p>Foreword by Everton’s most successful captain, Kevin Ratcliffe.</p><p>Written by the <i>Liverpool Echo</i>’s Everton reporter Christopher Beesley.</p><p>As the Blues make their once-in-a-lifetime journey to a new home by the banks of the Mersey at Bramley-Moore Dock, Beesley takes us on an absorbing ride through Goodison Park’s rich history, includin</p><ul><li>Everton’s glory days... The 3-1 win over Bayern Munich; the 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United in the same 1984/85 season; the 4-0 win over West Ham when the Blues closed in on their last title; plus the Charity Shield fixture when the World Cup, league championship and FA Cup trophies were all on display</li><li>Landmark occasions... Wayne Rooney’s first Premier League goal against Arsenal; the first-ever penalty shoot-out in European competition; the Gwladys Street’s last stand; the first use of floodlights; the visit of the ‘other’ Everton; David Moyes’ explosive first game in charge and Johnny Carey’s last after he was sacked while taking a taxi ride</li><li>Merseyside derbies... Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin ending a 14-year hoodoo; Andrew Johnson keeping score; dramatic winners from Lee Carsley and Dan Gosling; The Dogs of War by Royle appointment; and when more than 100,000 watched in two grounds</li><li>Dixie Dean... A special section on Everton’s and English football’s greatest goalscorer, including of course the day of his hat-trick against Arsenal to reach 60</li><li>Quirky stories… Sylvester Stallone adding a touch of Hollywood stardust as ‘Rocky’ came to Goodison; when Everton were the ‘away’ side on home turf; a match abandoned due to hooliganism; Sam Chedgzoy forcing a change in the corner-kick rule</li></ul><br/><p><b>Covering the full gamut of this historic ground’s fascinating history – from Goodison’s first fixture in 1892 to its final one in 2025 – this book is a must-read for Everton fans of all ages.</b></p>