Physio Mick Rathbone recalls how he tried to price himself out of a move when David Moyes came calling and had Duncan Ferguson in his face on the first day but ended up loving his time at Everton
Physio Mick Rathbone and manager David Moyes look on during the match between Everton and Watford at Goodison Park on August 19, 2006
Physio Mick Rathbone and manager David Moyes look on during the match between Everton and Watford at Goodison Park on August 19, 2006
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Former Everton physio Mick ‘Baz’ Rathbone has recalled the moment he fell in love with the club - despite trying to price himself out of a move to Merseyside and then being confronted by Duncan Ferguson.
Nicknamed ‘Baz’ after actor Basil Rathbone, who was famous for playing Sherlock Holmes, the 66-year-old had two spells with the Blues, the first between 2002-2010 after following manager David Moyes from Preston North End but he admits that he was initially scared to take the plunge from Deepdale to Goodison Park because of the fearsome reputations of Everton’s players.
Appearing as a guest on the Royal Blue podcast to coincide with the publication of his new book The Smell Of Football 3, Rathbone told the ECHO: “I’m at Preston and David Moyes is coming for me that summer, but I don’t want to go, I want to stay at Preston because it’s seven miles from home, I played for them, and I was on decent money. People were saying to me at Preston: ‘Baz, you’ll hate it at Everton, the players are horrible, Big Duncan Ferguson has a pathological hate of physios.’
“But Dave’s phoning me and saying: ‘I need you over there.’ So, I go around to his house, and I don’t want to be a coward, and I’ve got a wife and kids to think about providing for.
“I thought if I ask for so much money, he’s going to say: ‘We can’t do it,’ and I’ve not made a decision have I? I go to his house, knock on his door and say: ‘Alright Dave?’ because he’s not the boss anymore.
“I was on £40,000-a-year, which was good money back in 2002 at Preston. I’ve never asked for anything in my life, and that was my fault as a player, and that’s why I got nothing.
“So, we were chatting about the club, and I thought to myself: ‘Do it, say it, blurt it out...’ I said: ‘I’ll come Dave, but I want twice the wages.’
“He goes: ‘Yeah, no problem at all.’ I went: ‘Good... and a win bonus.’
“He replies: ‘Sure, a couple of hundred pound a pop.’ I go: ‘That will be fine.’
“So, then I add: ‘And a big car.’ He just remarks: ‘Yeah, we’ll get you a Mercedes or something like that.’
“I just said: ‘Okay.’ I went outside and thought: ‘Oh my God.’
“I was nervous, there was a fear factor that I had to go over there and meet those people who hate physios. But from the point of view of my wife and kids, I knew we’d be fine which is a big issue.”
Having failed miserably in his negotiating tactics, the Brummie, who, as a no-nonsense full-back started his playing career at home city club Birmingham before spells at Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End and Halifax Town before swapping his boots for the physio’s bag, then had to face the music in what was his first taste of life in the Premier League at Everton’s former training base in West Derby. Rathbone said: “Fast forward another four or five weeks and I pull up into the car park at Bellefield for my first day. I’m scared and my hands are sweating.
“I think: ‘This is for your wife and kids – do it.’ So, I got out of the car and I remember it was a really hot day and I was wearing some faded denim jeans and a yellow and blue check shirt on.
“I walk across with heavy legs, and I’m stood in the foyer, I don’t really know what to do and my heart is pumping. Then I hear this big, booming voice, which I now know to be Big Dunc, saying: ‘My the way, have you clocked the new physio? It’s Bob the f*****g builder!’
“I hear this laughter, then down the corridor, just like in a Western, the door gets booted open, and there he is, all 6ft 4in of him, just with his shorts on, he’d been working out. He stood, menacingly, looking down on me.
“He comes towards me, with that swagger, and goes: ‘I’m Big Dunc, I’ve finished a few physios’ careers.’ I go: ‘I’m Baz, I’ve finished a few players’ careers!’
“He comes right up to me, puts his face in my face, and says: ‘I like you. Then he goes and walks away.”
Former Everton physio Mick Rathbone speaks to ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley on the Royal Blue podcast
Former Everton physio Mick Rathbone speaks to ECHO Everton reporter Chris Beesley on the Royal Blue podcast
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Rathbone, who is currently helping out at Harrogate Town on maternity cover in what he believes is his 11th posting in the past three years after another thwarted scheme to retire, added: “Then, God rest his soul, Kevin Campbell comes down. He goes: ‘Baz, I’m Kevin Campbell’ – like I didn’t know – ‘I’m club captain, everyone has heard a lot about you, we’re really excited, welcome to Everton Football Club.’
“I was in. It was as simple as that, and it was magical.
“That afternoon, when everyone had gone home, I was in the little gymnasium at Bellefield, and I had my Everton kit on. The badge... Nil Satis, and I had my initials on the shirt.
“I’m on the running machine and there is a big mirror in front of me, and I’m looking at myself with the badge on. I had tears streaming down my face.
“We don’t want to get twee, and I never played for Everton, but I think a lot of people have said it, there’s something special about it. I just need to hear the word ‘Everton.’”
Click here to listen to Mick Rathbone's Royal Blue podcast episode in full and here to order your copy of The Smell Of Football 3.