The latest Official Everton Podcast is all about last day dramas!

Evertonians have had more than their fair share of mixed emotions on the final day of a football season and host Darren Griffiths is joined by Dave Prentice and Gavin Buckland to look back at some of them.

We feature the last-gasp escapes of 1994, 1998, 2022 and 2023 – and hear from one of the goalscoring heroes, Gareth Farrelly.

We learn which future Blues hero made his professional debut as a teenager for Arsenal during the very last game at Goodison Park that wasn’t filmed!

And which Everton player is the only one to have ever scored the very last goal of a Premier League campaign – a 93rd minute winner?

We also reveal that the legendary Denis Law goal for Manchester City against Manchester United in 1974 did NOT relegate United – Mike Lyons did it a week earlier!

And when did Everton get their first penalty-kick of the season with just ten minutes of the final game to go!

We also speak about Duncan Ferguson’s last goal for Everton with his last kick of the last game against West Bromwich Albion and a wonder strike against Chelsea from Jermaine Beckford.

And, of course, April 1978 when Bob Latchford just about reached his famous target of 30 league goals!

Final Day Dramatic Everton Games

The latest guest on our Bred a Blue podcast series is former Everton reserves goalkeeper, Jamie Speare.

By his own admission, the mention of his name to Toffees of a certain age will only prompt the response ‘his name rings a bell’, but in the mid-late 1990s, Speare was one of a number of young goalkeepers waiting in vain for Neville Southall to give them a sniff of first team action!

It never happened but Speare and the Blues legend struck up a friendship that has endured to this day. It wasn’t all plain sailing initially though.

“Neville pushed me to the point that I nearly quit three weeks into the first month of my YTS,” Speare says. “He was giving that much stick out and I really didn’t know how to take it. My mum took it up with the Club, but Neville said to me: 'If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t bother you,' and I thought ‘fair enough.’

“We got on great and still do. He drove all the way from Kent for my wedding, which he didn’t need to do.”

Speare played youth team football with Graham Allen, Jon O’Connor, Gavin McCann, Jamie Milligan, John Hills, Phil Jevons, Michael Branch, Michael Ball, and Richard Dunne, all of whom progressed to play senior football.

Speare came close, but just not close enough.

He played in a friendly against Aberdeen, made the odd substitutes bench in the Premier League and was in Joe Royle’s squads for the ECWC ties against Reykjavik and Feyenoord in 1995.

The closest that he got to a senior appearance was against Blackburn Rovers, but it wasn’t as a goalkeeper!

“It was at Ewood Park and Anders Limpar went down injured,” he explains. “Joe had used all his other subs so he told me to get warmed up. Anders got back up, so I never got on!”

In this Bred a Blue conversation, Speare speaks openly about being released by Everton and talks us through his subsequent career – which included European football with Cwmbran Town, more than 300 appearances for Accrington Stanley and a short spell at Sligo Rovers.

These days, Speare in the assistant manager of Northern Premier League Division One West team Nantwich Town, after being set on his coaching career by a PFA funded course.

It’s another fascinating story from a young man still involved in football after an Everton Academy upbringing.

Don’t miss the incredible story of the dramatic and historical Everton message that he mistakenly pulled off the fax machine at Bellefield while waiting for one for himself!

Bred A Blue: Episode 32. Jamie Speare

The latest guest on our Bred a Blue podcast series is Preston North End midfielder, Ryan Ledson.

Ledson first came to Everton’s attention when he was just four-years-old and he completed the full journey in 2014 when he made his senior team debut.

He speaks about his upbringing with the Blues and being handed his Under-21s debut by Alan Stubbs when he was just 15-years-old.

His big moment in an Everton shirt came on 11 December 2014 when he was one of four senior debutants against FK Krasnodar in a Europa League tie at Goodison Park.

Kieran Dowell, Chris Long and Gethin Jones also made their bows that night.

“The team was named an hour-and-a-half before kick-off and I was in it!” says Ledson.

Sadly for the player, despite performing well, it would be his one and only appearance for Everton.

A highly successful loan spell at Cambridge United in the 2015/16 season really whetted his appetite for senior football and he realised that his future lay beyond Goodison.

“I had a year left on my contract at Everton so I could have stayed in the building but I played in a 21s game coming back after Cambridge and I remember thinking during the game that I couldn’t do that anymore.”

He made the decision to switch to Oxford United where he impressed sufficiently enough to earn a move to the Championship with Preston.

Ledson speaks about the teenage pressure of being capped at every level by England and the frustrating injury that prevented him playing alongside Club teammates Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jonjoe Kenny, Dowell and Ademola Lookman when England Under-20s won the World Cup in 2017.

Ledson also reveals that he had an agonising decision to make when the Under-17s European Championships clashed with Everton’s last Premier League fixture of the 2014/15 season at Hull City. He chose his country, despite thinking that he’d play at Hull.

He is now approaching 200 games for Preston, but he retains his genuine affection for Everton and said this about one of his Blues teammates: “He’s the best player I’ve ever played with. He was a step ahead of everyone in training and played balls that you didn’t even think were on. And not only that, he was a top fella who really helped the young lads.”

Bred A Blue: Episode 33. Ryan Ledson

The latest guest in our Bred A Blue podcast series is former central defender, Neil Moore.

Moore is a lifelong Evertonian who lived the dream… just!

He played six senior games for his beloved Blues under Howard Kendall and Mike Walker before accepting that the level of competition was always going to be just too much.

“I had Dave Watson, Kevin Ratcliffe, Martin Keown, David Unsworth, Gary Ablett all ahead of me,” he recalls.

After progressing through the ranks, Moore made his debut at Goodison Park in October 1992.

Everton defeated Rotherham United 3-0 with Moore replacing Barry Horne in the 87th minute.

“Howard sent me on up front and all I did was run around for three minutes without touching the ball,” he says. “I got slaughtered for that in the dressing room afterwards!”

Two of his subsequent Premier League appearances for Everton were against Manchester United and Arsenal, so Moore found himself competing against the likes of Paul Merson, Kevin Campbell, Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes.

He also played 45 minutes as an emergency striker again alongside Peter Beardsley at Goodison against Sheffield United!

Like every player who worked with Howard Kendall, Moore was immensely fond of him, describing him as a ‘fantastic character and a brilliant man’ but he admits that he got more of a sniff when Mike Walker came in.

“It’s all about opinions and about trust, and Mike trusted me,” he says, “which was fantastic from my point of view.”

Eventually though, Moore realised that his future lay beyond Goodison Park, ‘Joe Royle just didn’t fancy me which was fair enough because that’s football’ and, ironically, it was Walker who offered him a way out – taking him to Norwich City.

However, a friendly fixture at Carrow Road while he was still technically on loan, ruined his chances of a lengthy career in Norfolk.

Norwich were playing West Ham but the referee called it off because the stadium was shrouded in thick fog. 

“You couldn’t see the half-way line,” says Moore.

That’s when it got bizarre! The referee refused to take the game, so an appeal went out and a qualified official happened to be in the crowd. He duly officiated the game, in ridiculous conditions, and Moore suffered the most horrendous bad luck.

“I broke two vertebrae in my spine so the chance of playing in the Championship was basically over before it had begun.”

As enthusiastic an Evertonian as you could ever wish to meet, Neil Moore went on to have a long-playing career at lower league and non-league level and his love for the Blues has never wavered.

He recalls his days of cleaning Neville Southall’s boots (after first knocking on the men’s dressing room door to be allowed in), buying chocolate bars with the coins intended to wash the kit in the laundrette, being coached by Mike Lyons and Jimmy Gabriel, and much, much more!

Bred A Blue: Episode 34. Neil Moore

The latest Official Everton Podcast episode is all about Kevin Campbell.

The former Blues striker passed away in June at the tragically young age of 54 and the podcast looks back at the influence he had at Everton Football Club.

Darren Griffiths is joined by Dave Prentice and Gavin Buckland, with audio contributions from Kevin’s former Arsenal team-mate Alan Smith and his striking partner at Everton, Francis Jeffers.

We also hear snippets from Kevin himself as he recalls the circumstances in which he joined Everton, THAT goal against Liverpool and the first-time he encountered a schoolboy Wayne Rooney.

He also speaks about the night Arsenal won the First Division title at Anfield and then bumped into some celebrating Evertonians after the game!

We look back at the career of a man who cemented his legendary status at Goodison within weeks of joining the football club and assess the attributes that took him to the top.

For example, he was a prolific goalscorer as a youth, but he developed his game so well that he became the perfect foil for every conceivable type of fellow centre-forward – as his partnerships with Smith, Ian Wright, Paul Merson, Francis Jeffers, Nick Barmby and Rooney would confirm.

Campbell is the Premier League’s leading English goalscorer never to have been capped, he scored 51 goals for Everton, and he captained the club, but as this podcast discusses, bare statistics only tell part of the Kevin Campbell story.

Remembering Kevin Campbell

Actor/Producer Richard Zeppieri and Award-Winning Singer/Actress/Author/Performer Irene Michaels join us on this episode of The Jimmy Star Show with Ron Russell broadcast live from the W4CY studios on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024.

Richard Zeppieri/ Irene Michaels

The latest Bred a Blue podcast is with Tony Grant.
Grant came through the Everton ranks to make 79 Senior-Team appearances and speaks frankly and openly about his time with the Club.
For example, the night he made his debut away at Newcastle United, when Barry Horne and Earl Barrett were both sent off and how only his second start in the side was at Wembley!
He also recalls the time he was offered a new contract only to find out that the manager had been sacked when he turned up at Bellefield to put pen to paper!
Grant also discusses his frustration at various managers signing players to play in his position and he reminisces about the only period in his Everton career when he actually felt like a regular.
He reveals what he’d “do differently if I had my time again” and rates the best players he played with at Everton.
The podcast also covers his coaching experiences as assistant to Robbie Fowler in India, Australia and Saudi Arabia.
Tony Grant was a gifted footballer, always good to watch. He’s good to listen to as well!

Bred A Blue: Episode 35. Tony Grant

JEDINA ZASTAVA MOJA 

(Hej) 
Svi moji putevi me 
Tebi vode 
Sad 

(Hej) 
Stadion Koševo  
I Divovi 
Moj grad 

(Hej) 
Dolazim 
Horde Zla me prate 
Nisam sam 

(Hej) 
Još jednu bordo pobjedu 
Sad proslavljam  

Nakon svega 
Ti jedini put si do neba 
Jedina zastava moja  
Jedini grad što mi treba 

(Hej) 
Nekada 
Nisam znao to 
Al' sada znam 

(Hej) 
Za tvoju pobjedu 
I život ću da dam 

Nakon svega 
Ti jedini put si do neba 
Jedina zastava moja  
Jedini grad što mi treba

JEDINA ZASTAVA MOJA

Existencial Form's - EFX.20.30 / Something Inspirational

The latest guest in our ‘Bred a Blue’ series has had quite an eventful football journey since making his one and only first team appearance for Everton.

Chris Long netted a friendly goal against Paderborn as a teenager and played at Goodison in the Europa League before accepting that the level of competition for striking places was just too much...although in hindsight he wishes he'd signed the three-year deal that Roberto Martinez offered him.

“I was fuming when we signed Samuel Eto’o,” he grins, looking back at his struggle to break through. “We had Jelavic, and Lukaku was on fire. Arouna Kone was there too, but I knew I was better than him!”

Chris Long can also name Harry Kane and Eric Dier as teammates, and he admits that he never saw an England record breaker when he first partnered the current Three Lions captain in an international youth team. And he credits a current Everton Academy staff member with helping Dier become an international Premier League footballer.

After leaving Everton, Long played for Sean Dyche, worked with David Weir, got knocked out on his debut for Motherwell and quickly learned that being a professional footballer isn’t always the glamorous existence it seems.

“Everyone thinks it’s sunshine and rainbows but it’s actually not. I’ve had more lows than highs and I wish I’d had more highs than lows but it’s the best job in the world and I love it. I thought I’d be Everton’s number nine for years and be the main man but football isn’t like that. And life isn’t like that. But at least I can tell my son I played for Everton.”

Chris Long’s career has been something of a rollercoaster but he’s back enjoying his football and is looking forward to the start of a new season…on the other side of the world!

Bred A Blue: Episode 36. Chris Long

The Jimmy Star Show with Ron Russell  (www.JimmyStarsWorld.com) is tv/radio's coolest syndicated entertainment, music, fashion and pop culture show hosted by none other than the Celebrity Renaissance Man and King of Cool, Dr. Jimmy Star, and his Outrageous Cool Man About Town Ron Russell!! In each live two hour tv/radio program, Jimmy Star and Ron Russell have a blast talking with celebrity friends/ guests and bringing you the Good Times with industry insider ideas along with cool music, movies, tv, and pop culture previews. 

The Jimmy Star Show is the #1 Webshow in the world with over 4.5 million listens/views per week.The Jimmy Star Show with Ron Russell is one of the most popular tv/film podcasts in the world. Ranked in the top 100 shows in 10 countries including the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, India, Colombia, Indonesia and Algeria. 

We recently broke 1.2 BILLION views and Jimmy Star was named the 5th most influential radio personality in social media worldwide. 

Other Awards:
8th Best Celebrity Interview Show In the World
The Hollywood Digest and Hollywood Entertainment News ranked us #2 and  Hollywood 411 News ranked us #4 out of all 3.2 million podcasts in the world.

All information about EFC Biography and Discography you can find on the Emir & Frozen Camels official web site:

http://www.emir-frozencamels.com/page/bio-eng


English version:

From Pergamino, Buenos Aires, to the heart of the Argentine underground, Nacho Zacco embodies the stoic, sensitive, and visionary artist.

At 12, he was already immersed in bands and albums like Depeche Mode and Massive Attack, and at 15, he debuted with his first residency.

He comments on his keen interest in the most characteristic sonic strains of house and techno, but with a strong influence from pop, new wave, Italo, and others.

In 2003, already settled in Rosario, Santa Fe, he feels deeply grateful to have been part of and relegated to a crucial generation for music in our country, with great artists such as Andrés Zacco, Lucas Mari, Franco Cinelli, Nico Purman, Jorge Savoretti, Cape, and Matías Oviedo, who instilled in him his interest in musical analysis, among others.

He also developed his career as a designer and animator for the advertising agency "FukingRats," where he became project manager two years after joining.

In 2007, he founded his own agency, QuieroBrand.com, where he develops creative solutions, which has become another of his greatest passions.

Thanks to his connection to the music industry, combined with his vision and focus, he has the honor of working on prestigious national and international projects, including Lustig Producciones, a prestigious event production company (Argentina), and in Latin America, managing renowned accounts such as the South American Music Conference (SAMC) festival.

As a music producer, he has launched projects for Guerrilla Tunes (Argentina), where he thanks Pedro D'alessandro for opening the doors of his home to him, Sofa Club (Fr), and on BandCamp.

He also mentions a great Uruguayan talent, Eduardo Brunetto (UY), for his unconditional support, along with the aforementioned Lucas Marí. He talks to us about Lucca Araujo, with whom he has worked on several projects yet to be released: "Proyecto Lanz."

And, above all, he highlights his brother, who paved the way for him from a very young age, not only musically, but also with the perseverance necessary to achieve his goals.

With a deep, emotional, and rhythmic approach, Nacho, or Ignacio as he is known, continues to prove that musical empires are also built from the shadows.

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Versión en Español:

Desde Pergamino, Buenos Aires, hasta el corazón del underground argentino, Nacho Zacco encarna al artista estoico, sensible y visionario.

A los 12 años, ya estaba inmerso en bandas y álbumes como Depeche Mode y Massive Attack, y a los 15, debutó con su primera residencia.

Comenta su gran interés por las vertientes sonoras más características del house y el techno, pero con una fuerte influencia del pop, la new wave, el italo y otros.

En 2003, ya instalado en Rosario, Santa Fe, se siente profundamente agradesido por a ver estado y relecinado de una generación crucial en para la musica en nuestro pais, con grandes artistas como Andrés Zacco, Lucas Mari, Franco Cinelli, Nico Purman, Jorge Savoretti, Cape y Matías Oviedo, quienes le inculcaron su interés por el análisis musical, entre otros.

También desarrollo su carrera como diseñador y animador para la agencia de publicidad "FukingRats", donde se convirtió en jefe de proyectos dos años posterior a su incorporación. 

En 2007, fundó su propia agencia, QuieroBrand.com, donde desarrolla soluciones creativas la cual se a convirtido en otra de sus grandes pasiones.

Gracias a su conexión con la industria musical, sumada a su visión y enfoque, tiene el honor de trabajar en prestigiosos proyectos nacionales e internacionales, incluyendo Lustig Producciones, una prestigiosa productora de eventos (Argentina), y en Latinoamérica, gestionando cuentas de renombre como el festival South American Music Conference (SAMC).

Como productor musical, ha lanzado proyectos para Guerrilla Tunes (Argentina), donde agradece a Pedro D'alessandro por abrirle las puertas de su casa, Sofa Club (Fr) y en BandCamp.

También menciona a un gran talento uruguayo, Eduardo Brunetto (UY), por su apoyo incondicional, junto con el, el ya mencionado Lucas Marí. Nos habla de Lucca Araujo, con quien ha trabajado en varios proyectos que aún no han visto la luz: "Proyecto Lanz".

Y, sobre todo, destaca a su hermano, quien le abrió el camino desde muy joven, no solo musicalmente, sino también con la perseverancia necesaria para alcanzar sus metas.

Con un enfoque profundo, emocional y rítmico, Nacho, o Ignacio como se le conoce, sigue demostrando que los imperios musicales también se construyen desde la sombra.

New tracks tagged #efc