Graeme Sharp is widely regarded to be of the greatest players in Everton history, and the former forward will always remain as a legendary figure in Goodison park. Sharp spent an astonishing 11 years with the Merseyside club, during which he scored 111 goals in 322 games. He won 8 major trophies during this spell as well, which would be quite the surprise for modern football fans who've currently seen Everton. Let us now take a look back at his legendary stint with the club.
A star of their golden era
Born in Glasgow, Graeme Sharp began his footballing journey with Scottish club Dumbarton. After 2 years at Dumbarton, Everton signed Sharp in 1980. The young Scottish star initially failed to get into the starting lineup, and had only made 6 league appearances during his debut season.
It was the appointment of manager Howard Kendall that changed his fortunes, as he selected Sharp as his regular striker and was rewarded handsomely with Sharp netting 15 goals in 29 league games.
Sharp's greatest phase at Everton began in 1984, with the Merseyside club winning the FA Cup. The Scotsman was instrumental in the final as well, scoring the first goal of the game. This was the beginning of a golden period for Everton, which further resulted in 2 Football League First Division titles (1985, 1987), and a historic European Cup Winners' Cup victory in 1985.
One of his finest individual moments came in October 1984, as he scored the only goal in Everton's first ever win at Anfield in 70 years. Despite those moments of success, Sharp and Everton faced massive disappointment as well. They lost 2 FA Cup finals in 1986 and 1989, both against rivals Liverpool.
It was nonetheless a golden era for Everton, and Sharp's contributions saw him included in Everton's "Greatest Ever Team" After a poll during the club's 125th anniversary.
Player partnerships and exit
As the 1986 campaign came to a close, Sharp's Everton teammate Gary Lineker was signed by FC Barcelona. This led to Sharp having multiple striking partners. He first played alongside Paul Wilkinson, Adrian Heath (also a midfielder) and then Wayne Clarke before the arrival of £2million signing Tony Cottee for the start of the 1988–89 season.
This season was also remembered for Everton's 2 consecutive final losses in Wembley, as they first lost 4–3 to Nottingham Forest in the Full Members Cup final (in which Sharp scored a goal) and then they were beaten 3–2 by Liverpool in the second all Merseyside FA Cup final in four seasons.
A year later from this, Everton signed yet another striker in Mike Newell. Despite all the competition in the attacking positions, Sharp kept his place and played in 33 games that campaign. Sharp went on to keep his position in the following season as well.
However, manager Howard Kendall wanted to sign another striker to replace the Scotsman in their attack. As Sharp wasn't in the manager's plan anymore, he eventually departed to Oldham Athletic. It was the end of a glorious 11 years at Goodison Park, as the club and its supporters bid farewell to one of their finest ever players.
Aftermath
Graeme Sharp spent the next 6 years of his career at Oldham Athletic, scoring 30 goals in 107 appearances. His time with the club also saw him serve as player-manager. He finished his association with football with one final coaching job at Welsh club Bangor City, which was a part of the League of Wales. He stayed there for a single season, led the club to a Welsh Cup victory in May 1998.
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