Ian Snodin: Everton FC medical was best bar none

Published: 09 Sep 2010 - 06:00:00

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Ian Snodin and Howard Kendall Shy, retiring, teetotal . . . Ian Snodin is none of these things! Snods played hard on and off the pitch, and in his hilarious new book the Echo's new columnist lifts the lid of some of his career escapades. IAN Snodin was at the centre of a transfer tug of war when he left Leeds United in 1986 - with Everton and Liverpool pulling at either end of the rope. When he eventually opted for Everton, manager Howard Kendall decided to waste no time in getting his new player's signature on a contract. But even Snodin himself couldn't believe quite how quickly the deal was completed! He explained - When Leeds attempted to sign Asa Hartford in 1971 they found he had a hole in the heart. Subsequently, when I signed for them in 1985 I had undergone a two-day medical. I saw a knee specialist, an ankle specialist, a back specialist, I had my blood taken at the hospital and I had my heart monitored. It was nothing if not thorough. It was a bit different at Everton. I arrived at Bellefield and Howard told me how delighted he was. Then he said: 'This medical, it's a formality. You've turned them down to join us, there'll not really be a medical, just go into the back room and the club doctor will be along with the physio. Within an hour we'll be at Goodison.'