Peter Reid - 1982 -1998:

Everton finally signed Peter Reid in December 1982 for £60,000 after they, along with Arsenal and Wolves, had agreed a fee ten times that amount some three years earlier. The deal fell through due to Reid sustaining an injury and he stayed with Bolton Wanderers. The signing was seen a bit of a gamble, even at a relatively low fee, due Reid's injury record, but he was to prove the doubters wrong.

He made his debut at home in a 3-1 defeat of Nottingham Forest on 28th December 1982 but only played six more times due to injury. He got himself fit for the 1983-84 season but spent the early games in and out of the side. His claiming of a regular first team place coincided with an upturn in Everton's fortunes. After a poor start the team put a run together after the turn of the year and ended up seventh in the league, league cup finalists and FA Cup winners.

The following year resulted in Reid having his most injury free season and as the team won honours at home and abroad Peter Reid won personal recognition when he was voted Player of the Year by his fellow professionals. He had had a sensational season in the centre of Everton's midfield, he was not the quickest of players, but he did not need to be. His game was simple but extremely effective, receive a pass and either lay it off or move into space to get it back, or strike a majestic long pass into the path of a team mate.

Reid won the first of 13 England caps during the 1984-85 season and established himself as a regular in the squad. The end of the following season saw him head off to the World Cup in Mexico and following an injury to Bryan Robson he was given the chance to impress and played in England's last three games at the tournament, including the infamous quarter final against Argentina.

On his return from the World Cup he helped Everton to their second league title in three years in 1986-87, although he only played in 15 games. Reid was appointed player/coach by Colin Harvey in 1987 and he held this position until he left two years later. It was at the start of the 1989-90 that he actually left the club when he moved to Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer. From QPR Peter Reid went to Manchester City were was to become player / manager in 1990, he then spent seven years as Sunderland's manager before having short spells at Leeds United and Coventry.

Honours won with Everton

League Championship - winners 1985 & 1987, Runners-up 1986

FA Cup- winners 1984, runners-up 1985, 1988

European Cup Winners Cup - winners 1985

League Cup - runners-up 1984

Charity Shield winner - 1984. 1985 and 1987, shared 1986

PFA Player of the Year 1985

13 Caps with England

Everton playing record (figures in brackets are substitution appearances):

League appearances 155(4), goals 8

FA Cup appearances 35, goals 3

League Cup appearances 23(2), goals 1

European appearances 9, goals 1

Other appearances 6, goals 0