Peter Reid

Everton Giant - Year Inducted: 2006

It is hard to imagine now, but when Howard Kendall signed Peter Reid from Bolton Wanderers for £60,000 in December 1982 the bargain-basement deal was regarded as a significant gamble.

Reid's injury record at Bolton was the cause of a few raised eyebrows. A series of problems including a broken leg marred the last years of his career at Bolton, ensuring that when he made the switch back to his native Merseyside it was with a reputation for being injury prone.

But he soon lost that tag, making his name as a tough no nonsense midfielder with a knack for overcoming the odds with the Toffees.

He was already 26 when the Blues snapped him up. He became a key figure in the heart of Everton's most successful ever side.

His engine was superb and he became a virtual ever-present as Kendall's rejuvenated Everton went on to win league titles in 1985 and 1987, the FA Cup in 1984 and the European Cup Winner's Cup in 1985.

It was a glorious era in the club's history. And Reid's significance was underlined by skipper Kevin Ratcliffe. On the night Reid was welcomed onto the list of Everton Giants he said: "He was a winner, a leader and a dream to play alongside. He made everything look easy, he kept it simple and he made sure other players could play."

Reid was voted the PFA 'Footballer of the Year' in 1985 - underlining his vital role during Everton's greatest ever campaign.

He was an inspiration with his tackling, his leadership and his ability to set the tempo of a match.

Those qualities took him to the World Cup finals with England in Mexico in 1986.

He had already amassed 262 appearances for Bolton before making his debut for Everton in a 3-1 home win over Nottingham Forest in December 1982, when he accompanied Kevin Sheedy and Steve McMahon in midfield.

He finally departed Goodison on a free transfer in January 1989 at the age of 32, moving south to play for Queens Park Rangers.

A boyhood Liverpool fan, he now proudly proclaims himself as an Evertonian.

When receiving his Everton Giant accolade he said: "To have been able to play for this club is fantastic. To be described as a legend is beyond my wildest dreams.

"I lost my dad earlier this year. He, like me, was born a red but converted to an Evertonian.

"My mum was the one with the brains in the family because she has always been a Blue. This award will take pride of place at my mum's house and every time I look at it I will think of my old fella."

When he retired from playing in 1994 he had accumulated 642 senior appearances and 41 goals.

He earned 13 England caps as a player and went on to enjoy a successful spell in charge of Sunderland between 1995 and 2002, leading the Black Cats to Championship glory in 1999.