Everton is a club that has a long history in the English League competition. Although in almost the last two decades Everton can't win any prestigious title, this club has a great contribution in producing some world-class players. Considering this fact, it is not surprising to know that this club has millions of loyal fans from different countries.
In this hub, I will discuss a list of 15 best players in the history of Everton. These players do not only have good individual skills, but also played major roles in the glorious era of Everton in English League as well as European competitions.
15. Tim Cahill
Tim Cahill is an attacking midfielder from Australia, who became the general of Everton midfield line in the period 2004-2012. He was voted as Everton's best player of the 2004-2005 season. In addition to be known as an expert in organizing the offense, Cahill also often scored for his team, especially from penalty kicks. Throughout his career with Everton, Cahill played 226 times and scored 56 goals. Currently, he plays in the MLS club, New York Red Bulls.
14. Leon Osman
Leon Osman is an English midfielder who has played for Everton since 2000 to present. Although he has been playing for this club for a long time, Osman is not a popular player among the fans. He is the type of hardworking midfielder who does not like to show-off his skills. He commits more harsh tackles rather than giving beautiful passes. However, Osman is able to prove that his loyalty is helpful in maintaining Everton's reputation as one of the biggest teams in Premier League.
13. Kevin Sheedy
Kevin Sheedy is a retired Irish midfielder who played for Everton from 1982 to 1992. He was a crucial figure who helped Everton twice win the Division One (the highest division in the English league at the time) in the mid-1980s. Not only that, Sheedy also presented one Winners' Cup trophy in 1985. In 1990, Sheedy created a record as the first Irish player to score in a World Cup tournament.
12. Duncan Ferguson
Duncan Ferguson was a sharp striker who played for 10 years for Everton. He was a player who presented the last major title for this club, the FA Cup trophy in 1995. Throughout his career, Duncan was known as a very reliable target man. He was not particularly fast or powerful, but highly efficient at converting chances into goals. In total, Duncan played 239 times and scored 71 goals.
11. David Unsworth
Unsworth is a former defender who was dubbed with the nickname "Rhino" because of his high stamina and incredible strength. Unsworth was also part of the Everton team that won the FA Cup in 1995. He once played for England national team, before eventually lost his position to Graeme Le Saux, Tony Adams, and Gary Neville. In addition to playing as a left back, Unsworth also sometimes positioned as a central defender.
10. Peter Reid
Peter Reid is a retired defensive midfielder who played for Everton from 1982 to 1989. He was part of England team national team in the World Cup 1986 and Euro 1988. Reid had quite brilliant career with Everton, where he was able to help this club win two English Division One titles. In total, he played for Everton in 159 matches and scored eight goals. After his retirement, Reid works as a coach for various team in English League.
9. Graeme Sharp
Graeme Sharp is one of the best strikers ever owned by Everton. This 185 centimeters tall players is known as a striker who often scored with his head. His career at Everton lasted for 11 years, from 1980 to 1991. He also led Everton to be one of the strongest clubs in the Premier League and Europe in the mid-1980s. Throughout his career with Everton, Sharp scored 111 goals in 322 appearances.
8. Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker only played for one season for Everton, but the England's best striker's left a deep impression for the fans of this club. Playing in the 1985-1986 season, Lineker scored a total of 30 goals in 41 games. In the season, Lineker scored a hat trick and three times and presented one Charity Shield trophy. Lineker also became the top scorer in the English First Division League at that season. Among the other names in this list, Gary Lineker is my number one favorite.
7. Brian Labone
Brian Labone is a retired central defender from England who played for 23 years for Everton in the period 1958-1971. Labone also spent his entire career as a professional footballer as an Everton player. His sacrifice and loyalty was not in vain because in that time he was able to win two First Division League titles. This player is also played for England national teams in 26 matches.
6. Ray Wilson
Ray Wilson is a legendary Everton left back who played from 1964 to 1969. He was part of England squad that won the World Cup 1966. Throughout his career with Everton, Wilson played in 116 matches. He is known as a left-back who is very determined in helping the team's offense and provided dangerous crossing passes into the middle of the opponent's penalty box. Wilson ended his career as a professional footballer in 1971 as a Bradford City player.
5. Bob Latchford
The center forward played for Everton for seven years, from 1974 to 1981. His transfer fee from Birmingham City to Everton that was about 350 thousand poundsterling made him become the most expensive player in English League of that time. Although he has big and muscular body, Latchford is known as a very fast striker. His speed helped him scoring a total of 106 goals in 236 appearances for Everton.
4. Alan Ball
Not only in Everton, Alan Ball is also known as one of the best English midfielders of all time. This player played important role in bringing the Three Lions win the World Cup in 1966 by defeating West Germany in the final match. When he played for Everton from 1966 to 1971, Alan Ball presented one English League title. In total, this creative midfielder played 208 times and scored 66 goals for Everton.
3. Kevin Ratcliffe
Kevin Ratcliffe is a retired Welsh central defender who played for Everton for 12 years, in the period 1980-1992. In 1983, Ratcliffe was trusted to be the captain of Everton, even though at that time he was only 23 years old. Under the leadership of Ratcliffe, Everton went into its glorious times. The club won two English League titles and one Winners' Cup trophy. Throughout his career, Ratcliffe is known as a tough, strong, and very determined defender.
2. Neville Southall
Neville Southall is legendary Welsh goalkeeper whom to this day still holds the record for most numbers of appearances in Everton of all time. Over 17 years playing for Everton in the period 1981-1998, Southall capped 751 times. His achievements with Everton made Southall was listed in the list of World's Best Goalkeeper created by IFFHS. Not only that, he also received an MBE honorary awards from the United Kingdom's Royal Family because he is recognized as someone who has great contribution in the world of football in Great Britain.
1. Dixie Dean
Without a doubt, Dixie Dean is Everton's best player of all time. With a total of 383 goals, Dixie Dean still holds the record as Everton's top scorer. This player played for the Toffees for 12 years in the period 1925-1937. He won the British League title twice with this club. Dixie Dean also holds a record as a player who scored the most goals in a single season of British League, with a record total of 61 goals in the 1927-1928 season. In order to respect him, Everton supporters built a gold statue of him outside the Goodison Park stadium.
