On This Day: 10/01

Billy Bingham was sacked as manager of Everton ON THIS DAY in 1977.

Bingham took charge of the Blues in 1973 and helped the club finish seventh in his first season, although he was well aware that more was expected of a side that had been Champions just three years earlier.

Between 1973 and 1975, Bingham's side seemed to experience a return to form as he brought in Jim Pearson, Bob Latchford, and Martin Dobson while crowd favourites Colin Harvey and Joe Royle left.

For long periods, fan optimism was rekindled as it looked like Everton might once again experience the success of Catterick's reign. Indeed during Easter 1975 bookmakers stopped taking bets on Everton winning the title, but only one win in their last five games left the Blues in fourth position.

The 1976-77 began reasonably well, but a run of eight league games without a win, despite the signing of Duncan McKenzie and Bruce Rioch, resulted in Bingham being sacked, with coach Steve Burtenshaw taking over as caretaker until an adequate replacement could be found.