The below interview first appeared in November’s Everton magazine - out now. To order a copy or download a digital version, click here. To subscribe, click here. Everton Under-23s are in action against Hertha Berlin at Goodison Park on Wednesday night (kick off 7pm). Entry is free for Season Ticket holders and Foreverton members, £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.
David Unsworth just wouldn’t look the same without a big, beaming smile stretched across his face. His energy and enthusiasm around the training ground are truly infectious. Here is a proper football man who loves his job and knows exactly what Everton Football Club is all about. And so he should. Apprentice professional, reserve-team player, first-team regular over two spells and 350 games, reserve-team coach and, albeit for one thoroughly memorable afternoon, Everton manager.
“This is where I want to be and this is what I want to do,” he said. “I love my job and I want to show the players that desire, passion and that level of enjoyment. You have to enjoy it. I spend more time at Finch Farm than I do at home.”
But what about when, just like everybody else, he has the occasional off-day?
“I’ve never felt like that yet. We got beat by Liverpool recently, which really hurt, but when your team doesn’t perform or you see individuals not performing that’s when you earn your wages because it’s your job to put things right and it’s your job to get the players playing well again. That’s the challenge and that’s what I love.”
A teenage David Unsworth announced himself to the Evertonians as long ago as 1992, when he volleyed home a terrific equalising goal on his senior debut against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane that earned the Toffees a most unlikely 3-3 draw after being three goals down at half-time.
Two years later, at the age of 20, he refused to be intimidated by Wimbledon on an afternoon when Everton needed a positive result to preserve their very presence at English football’s top table. A further 12 months on, he shackled Mark Hughes sufficiently well at Wembley to ensure that Joe Royle’s team secured a clean sheet to win the FA Cup final.
Unsworth knows how to win. It’s in his blood and it’s a habit he wants to inject into his Under-23 players at Finch Farm, even though he admits that it can’t be his absolute top priority.
“We won three trophies at the start of the season, which was great,” he said. “It’s not the be all and end all, but I am one of those coaches who thinks that you can develop as well as win. It’s really important to have that winning mentality. Our job is fundamentally to find players for the first team, but I think you have to try and do both.”
It was that positive outlook alongside his ability as a coach and his incredible passion for the Club that persuaded Bill Kenwright to offer Unsworth the opportunity to steer the first-team ship through the turbulent waters of the last week of last season. Roberto Martinez had been dismissed, confidence was low and, although there was only one Premier League fixture left to fulfil, Unsworth was all too aware of its significance.
“I often quote Joe Royle and Howard Kendall, who used to say that it was so important to finish on a high because it can carry you through the summer. It gives you a feel-good factor.”
In the event, Norwich City were brushed aside and the Goodison faithful gleefully offered their man a cover version of the chant ‘Rhino, Rhino, Rhino’ that they had belted out with gusto during Unsworth’s two separate spells as a player.
“I know Everton supporters because I am one and I knew what they were after that day and how they wanted the team to play,” he reasoned. “To be in charge of our club for that one day and have that positive effect is why I’m in the job. It was the best day of my life. It was a perfect day that I couldn’t have scripted any better. We played really well, we scored goals, the atmosphere was brilliant, we got young players in the team and everyone left with a smile on their face. It was a day I’ll never forget for as long as I live.”
Another of David Unsworth’s characteristics is that he is a people’s person. He has time for everyone at Finch Farm. You will hear him exchanging banter with Jimmy Martin, the ladies in the staff canteen think the world of him, you’ll see him playfully shoulder charge a fitness coach in the corridor who will then wait for a quiet moment before wincing in pain, such is the force of the ‘challenge’. When he hugs somebody they can only escape his clutches when he’s ready to release them. The powerful nice guy combination endears him to everyone. So it’s no surprise to learn that even on his memorable day in the first-team dugout, he still paused to consider the feelings of those who had vacated the position.
“When something like that happens you want to tell the world and shout it from the rooftops, but at the same time you have to be respectful to those who have lost their jobs,” he said quietly. “I tried to be respectful and I hope it came across that way. I have a lot of respect for Roberto and his staff because they are good guys who spent a lot of time with me and with the young players. I lost my job at Preston, so I know how it feels. It hurts, but every one of us understands the dynamics of the job that we’re in.”
Having taken the temporary reins from the departing Spaniard, Unsworth then handed them over to an incoming Dutchman and he has forged an excellent working relationship with Ronald Koeman.
“I go to every first-team game at Goodison because it’s important that I work closely with Ronald in the same way I did with Roberto. I have to make sure that I get the messages that they want. There can be no surprises when our young players step up into the first team. I have to say that Ronald and his staff have been absolutely fantastic with myself. We are talking every day and it’s brilliant when your manager takes an interest.”
Along with Duncan Ferguson, Unsworth is the only Everton player to have been selected by Howard Kendall, Mike Walker, Joe Royle, Walter Smith and David Moyes. His 350 games yielded an impressive 40 goals and he saw red on three occasions – one of which, unsurprisingly, was against Liverpool. If you can persuade him to recall those days he will readily admit that, as much as his current role offers him immense job satisfaction, there’s nothing like lacing up the boots and there are times when he still misses playing.
“Franny (Jeffers), John (Ebbrell) and I were on the pitch at Goodison before we played a 23s game recently and I looked around and thought to myself, ‘I wish I was playing!’. You do miss it, because there’s nothing better than playing and I would disagree with anyone who suggests otherwise. I especially miss the Merseyside derby and the other massive games. The second half of big games when you’re attacking the Gwladys Street, there’s nothing like it. They are special memories. I call them ‘rocking-chair memories’ and nobody can take them away from you.”
Everton Under-23s are in action against Hertha Berlin at Goodison Park on Wednesday night (kick off 7pm). Entry is free for Season Ticket holders and Foreverton members, £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.
David Unsworth just wouldn’t look the same without a big, beaming smile stretched across his face. His energy and enthusiasm around the training ground are truly infectious. Here is a proper football man who loves his job and knows exactly what Everton Football Club is all about. And so he should. Apprentice professional, reserve-team player, first-team regular over two spells and 350 games, reserve-team coach and, albeit for one thoroughly memorable afternoon, Everton manager.
“This is where I want to be and this is what I want to do,” he said. “I love my job and I want to show the players that desire, passion and that level of enjoyment. You have to enjoy it. I spend more time at Finch Farm than I do at home.”
But what about when, just like everybody else, he has the occasional off-day?
“I’ve never felt like that yet. We got beat by Liverpool recently, which really hurt, but when your team doesn’t perform or you see individuals not performing that’s when you earn your wages because it’s your job to put things right and it’s your job to get the players playing well again. That’s the challenge and that’s what I love.”
A teenage David Unsworth announced himself to the Evertonians as long ago as 1992, when he volleyed home a terrific equalising goal on his senior debut against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane that earned the Toffees a most unlikely 3-3 draw after being three goals down at half-time.
Two years later, at the age of 20, he refused to be intimidated by Wimbledon on an afternoon when Everton needed a positive result to preserve their very presence at English football’s top table. A further 12 months on, he shackled Mark Hughes sufficiently well at Wembley to ensure that Joe Royle’s team secured a clean sheet to win the FA Cup final.
Unsworth knows how to win. It’s in his blood and it’s a habit he wants to inject into his Under-23 players at Finch Farm, even though he admits that it can’t be his absolute top priority.
“We won three trophies at the start of the season, which was great,” he said. “It’s not the be all and end all, but I am one of those coaches who thinks that you can develop as well as win. It’s really important to have that winning mentality. Our job is fundamentally to find players for the first team, but I think you have to try and do both.”
The second half of big games when you’re attacking the Gwladys Street, there’s nothing like it.David Unsworth
It was that positive outlook alongside his ability as a coach and his incredible passion for the Club that persuaded Bill Kenwright to offer Unsworth the opportunity to steer the first-team ship through the turbulent waters of the last week of last season. Roberto Martinez had been dismissed, confidence was low and, although there was only one Premier League fixture left to fulfil, Unsworth was all too aware of its significance.
“I often quote Joe Royle and Howard Kendall, who used to say that it was so important to finish on a high because it can carry you through the summer. It gives you a feel-good factor.”
In the event, Norwich City were brushed aside and the Goodison faithful gleefully offered their man a cover version of the chant ‘Rhino, Rhino, Rhino’ that they had belted out with gusto during Unsworth’s two separate spells as a player.
“I know Everton supporters because I am one and I knew what they were after that day and how they wanted the team to play,” he reasoned. “To be in charge of our club for that one day and have that positive effect is why I’m in the job. It was the best day of my life. It was a perfect day that I couldn’t have scripted any better. We played really well, we scored goals, the atmosphere was brilliant, we got young players in the team and everyone left with a smile on their face. It was a day I’ll never forget for as long as I live.”
Another of David Unsworth’s characteristics is that he is a people’s person. He has time for everyone at Finch Farm. You will hear him exchanging banter with Jimmy Martin, the ladies in the staff canteen think the world of him, you’ll see him playfully shoulder charge a fitness coach in the corridor who will then wait for a quiet moment before wincing in pain, such is the force of the ‘challenge’. When he hugs somebody they can only escape his clutches when he’s ready to release them. The powerful nice guy combination endears him to everyone. So it’s no surprise to learn that even on his memorable day in the first-team dugout, he still paused to consider the feelings of those who had vacated the position.
“When something like that happens you want to tell the world and shout it from the rooftops, but at the same time you have to be respectful to those who have lost their jobs,” he said quietly. “I tried to be respectful and I hope it came across that way. I have a lot of respect for Roberto and his staff because they are good guys who spent a lot of time with me and with the young players. I lost my job at Preston, so I know how it feels. It hurts, but every one of us understands the dynamics of the job that we’re in.”
Having taken the temporary reins from the departing Spaniard, Unsworth then handed them over to an incoming Dutchman and he has forged an excellent working relationship with Ronald Koeman.
“I go to every first-team game at Goodison because it’s important that I work closely with Ronald in the same way I did with Roberto. I have to make sure that I get the messages that they want. There can be no surprises when our young players step up into the first team. I have to say that Ronald and his staff have been absolutely fantastic with myself. We are talking every day and it’s brilliant when your manager takes an interest.”
Along with Duncan Ferguson, Unsworth is the only Everton player to have been selected by Howard Kendall, Mike Walker, Joe Royle, Walter Smith and David Moyes. His 350 games yielded an impressive 40 goals and he saw red on three occasions – one of which, unsurprisingly, was against Liverpool. If you can persuade him to recall those days he will readily admit that, as much as his current role offers him immense job satisfaction, there’s nothing like lacing up the boots and there are times when he still misses playing.
“Franny (Jeffers), John (Ebbrell) and I were on the pitch at Goodison before we played a 23s game recently and I looked around and thought to myself, ‘I wish I was playing!’. You do miss it, because there’s nothing better than playing and I would disagree with anyone who suggests otherwise. I especially miss the Merseyside derby and the other massive games. The second half of big games when you’re attacking the Gwladys Street, there’s nothing like it. They are special memories. I call them ‘rocking-chair memories’ and nobody can take them away from you.”
Everton Under-23s are in action against Hertha Berlin at Goodison Park on Wednesday night (kick off 7pm). Entry is free for Season Ticket holders and Foreverton members, £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.
