his right foot, before scoring. What a goal! That year's birthday
present to me were a pair of red George Best 'Stylo' boots which
you tied on the side, really trendy for the time. Unfortunately for me
that was as close as I got to looking like him, but that did not stop
me thinking how he managed to be so aware of what was around
him, how he maintained balance when running or how he would
fool defenders, making them think he was going one way before
going the other. What a player, what an inspiration.
My love for footy deepened further when I watched in awe at what
was arguably the finest midfield trio that ever represented Everton
football club, Ball, Kendall and Harvey, affectionately referred too as
the holy trinity. Three players so in tune with each other linking
telepathically at times, tireless energy, outstanding passers of the
ball, strong in the tackle and demanding of their teammates. All
three natural born leaders. The fact that Alan Ball was redheaded
like myself and not the tallest player you had ever seen, again
motivated me to want to be like him.
1968 Mum and dad get me my first Everton tracksuit and dreams of
being a professional footballer begin.
Left to right,
Alan Ball,
Colin Harvey,
Howard Kendall
Affectionately known
to Everton fans as
'The Holy Trinity'
The mental images of watching those great players have always
stuck with me as I moved into coaching.
How could I help develop players to maintain their enthusiasm for
the game and become highly technical, well balanced, make more
right decisions than wrong, brave and fearless on the ball? I would
like to think this is a question coaches continually ask themselves
around the world.