Colin Harvey
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| Colin Harvey | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Colin Harvey | |
| Date of birth | 16 November 1944 | |
| Place of birth | Liverpool, England | |
| Playing position | Attacking midfielder | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1963–1974 1974–1976 |
Everton Sheffield Wednesday |
320 (18) 45 (2) |
| National team | ||
| 1971 | England | 1 (0) |
| Teams managed | ||
| 1987–1990 | Everton | |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Colin Harvey was an English footballer from Liverpool best known as a player for and manager of Everton
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[edit] Playing career
Harvey was born in Liverpool, and joined Everton as an apprentice in 1960. Harvey was often described as an elegant and skilful player and was nicknamed the "White Pele" by Everton fans.
"It was when I made my debut for Sheffield Wednesday at Bolton. My dad had brought me back and I got a few phone calls asking how the game had gone, and someone told me that there was a banner at the Park End at Goodison saying something about me and the white Pele – it was a very proud moment for me! For someone to say that about you comparing you to probably the best player that ever played the game is really unbelievable. To think that people thought that much of me was hard to believe."[1]
[edit] Debut
An eighteen year old Harvey made his debut in 1963 against Italian giants Inter Milan in a European Cup tie in the chaotic San Siro Stadium. He became a first team regular during the 1964 - 65 season.[2]
Of the occasion he said: "[I found I was playing] on the afternoon of the game. We had lunch and then we had a team meeting. Harry Catterick said there would be only one change. He said “Denis Stevens – you move to number 4 and Colin Harvey goes to number 8” This was all because Gabby was injured at the time. It was as simple as that! I just gasped, I didn’t have a clue that I was going to play – it was a great way of doing it, he didn’t give me a chance to think about it, I just had to go out there and play! I thought no-one was going to expect too much of me, I just went out there and done my best and I did okay."
[edit] Holy Trinity
Harvey became a part of the famous midfield trio known as the "Holy Trinity" with Alan Ball and Howard Kendall that were the key components of Everton's Football League First Division winning team in the 1969/70 season captained by Brian Labone.[3]
[edit] Honours
He played in the 1966 FA Cup winning team, scoring the winning goal in the Semi Final against Manchester United. Harvey also played in the 1968 team that also reached the FA Cup final who lost the game against underdogs West Bromwich Albion. Harvey was also a key member of the 1970 League Championship winning side. While at Everton he made 384 appearances (4 as substitute) and scored 24 goals.[4]
[edit] Moving On
Harvey left Everton in 1974 to join Sheffield Wednesday where he played for 13 months before retiring because of a persistent hip injury.
[edit] England Material
Harvey was capped once for England against Malta in a European Championship qualifier in 1971. When asked by an Independent Everton website whether he felt he should have won more caps for England, he said:
"In my honest opinion yes I do, it was difficult because Alf Ramsey played England like a club side and he picked players who’d done well for him over the years. Some were top players who had won the world cup and reached the quarter finals in 1970. Give him his due in that respect but I always hoped I would have got more and I believed that I should have done. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be but the fact I did I play for England is a great honour and one I will remember.".
[edit] Managerial career
Following his retirement from the game in 1976, Billy Bingham invited Harvey back to Everton to become Youth Coach. This was a role in which he was successful, winning the 1977 Youth Cup in a side featuring future stars Kevin Ratcliffe and Steve McMahon.
Harvey was promoted to reserve team coach in 1981 at the same time that Howard Kendall became manager.
In 1983, Harvey was promoted to first team coach, which coincided with the beginning of Everton's most successful period in their history in the mid 1980's (two Championships, FA Cup and a European Cup Winners' Cup). Harvey was appointed manager of Everton in June 1987 after the departure of Howard Kendall. During his spell as Manager, Everton finished 4th, 8th and 6th respectively in the old first division and also reached the 1989 FA Cup Final losing 3-2 to Liverpool. Harvey's time as manager ended in October 1990. Harvey was immediately appointed assistant manager by the returning Kendall.
Harvey left Everton shortly after Kendall's departure in early 1994 but returned as youth team coach in 1997, following a spell as Assistant Manager at Oldham Atheltic with former Everton centre forward Graham Sharp.
As youth coach, Harvey was once again successful in winning the FA Youth Cup in 1998. During his spell as Youth Coach, Harvey nurtured the talents of England internationals Francis Jeffers and Wayne Rooney, where once again the Youth Team progressed to the Youth Cup Final in 2002.
[edit] Retirement
He retired in 2003 due to ongoing hip problems, and was granted a testimonial against Italian side Bologna FC recognising his remarkable achievement of playing, coaching and managing at every level within the club during 40 years of almost continuous service to Everton Football Club.
In 2005, Harvey released an autobiography called "Everton Secrets", written with BBC Radio Merseyside presenter John Keith. He also had a weekly column with the Daily Post entitled "Talking tactics". He currently also presents a weekly round up of the English Premier Leahue on GNB Radio 2 UAE prior to the EPL commentary.
Evertonians have nominated Colin Harvey for an MBE for over forty years worth of service to Everton F.C.[5]
[edit] Return With Bolton
In November 2007 he came out of retirement to become the new chief scout at Bolton Wanderers who are managed by former Everton midfielder Gary Megson. Colin has helped to bring a number of UK and foreign based players to the Reebok Stadium including Gretar Steinsson, Tamir Cohen, Matthew Taylor and Gary Cahill.
[edit] References
- ^ Everton Secrets - Colin Harvey's autobiography. (ISBN 0954687167)
- ^ Colin Harvey Toffeeweb profile
- ^ Colin Harvey NSNO profile
- ^ The History of Everton Football Club - Colin Harvey
- ^ Harvey MBE
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