Martinez Appointed Manager: On This Day

Everton appointed a new manager for the first time in more than 11 years ON THIS DAY in 2013.

Following the departure of David Moyes, the Blues turned to Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez to take over first-team affairs.

The Spaniard had just shocked the football word by winning the FA Cup with Wigan and he had previous managerial experience with Swansea City.

Martinez was Everton’s 14th managerial appointment and brought with him his assistant at Wigan, Graeme Jones, goalkeeping coach Inaki Bergara, Head of Performance Richard Evans and Chief Scout Kevin Reeves.

“I knew from the moment I arrived at Everton that this was a special place,” said Martinez.


Alan Ball, Brian Labone and Ray Wilson were all in the England side that lost in the semi-final of the European Championship ON THIS DAY in 1968.

The format of the tournament was very different in those days. The Home International Championship results of 1967 and 1968 were combined to provide a ‘group’ stage, which England won ahead of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Sir Alf Ramsey’s team then eliminated Spain over two legs in the quarter-final to qualify for the four-team knockout phase in Italy.

England were the reigning world champions, of course, but they lost 1-0 against Yugoslavia in the semi-final in Florence.  It was a bruising contest and the Yugoslavs earned criticism for their cynical play – indeed, the match is memorable for Alan Mullery becoming the first England player to ever be sent off when he reacted to another dreadful challenge before the end of the game.


Harry Catterick paid a British record transfer fee for a goalkeeper ON THIS DAY in 1972 when he signed David Lawson from Huddersfield Town for £80,000.

Gordon West had been an ever-present in the previous season but Catterick replaced him with the 24-year old, who went on to play 152 games for Everton.