Source: Liverpool_Echo
Matchday memories: Everton FC v Bayern Munich, 1985 European Cup Winners Cup
In the long, illustrious history of Everton Football Club, there is one night of nights that stands above all others.[LNB]The period between 1984 and 1987 during Howard Kendall's first spell as manager was arguably the most glorious Goodison has ever known, with scintillating football and silverware flowing in equal measure but the spring evening in 1985 when Bayern Munich were despatched to send the Blues to their first ever European final is revered by many Evertonians even more than when the trophy itself was lifted.[LNB]From the dark days of December 1983 when Kendall's side languished perilously close to the relegation zone and leaflets were distributed on the terraces urging the manager and the chairman to quit, Everton had risen pheonix-like to become, by the spring of 1985, indisputably the best team in the country and feared throughout Europe.[LNB]The previous season had seen the Blues reach Wembley twice, beating Watford in the FA Cup Final to secure the club's first trophy in fourteen years, while finishing a respectable seventh in the First Division.[LNB]The summer addition of midfielder Paul Bracewell did not pay immediate dividends with the Blues losing their first two league games to Tottenham and West Brom but, as the leaves began to turn golden on the trees, so did Everton's prospects of a successful season.[LNB]Left-back Pat van den Hauwe joined from Birmingham and the last week of October saw two results that acted a statement of intent as to the capabilities and potential of Kendall's emerging team.[LNB]On October 20th, they made the short trip across Stanley Park to face League and European champions Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, a fixture they had not won at Anfield since 1970, where Graeme Sharp's unforgettable 25-yard volley gave the Blues the points and cemented their growing reputation as a force to be reckoned with.[LNB] A week later, Manchester United were annihilated 5-0 at Goodison with the Blues travelling to Old Trafford a few days later to knock their Lancashire neighbours out of the Milk Cup as well just for good measure.[LNB]Leicester City were comfortably beaten at Goodison the following weekend to send Everton to the top of the the league for the first time that season, a position they rarely looked like relinquishing from that point on.
