Christopher Ward CEO and co-founder Mike France presents members of the Everton squad that defeated Bayern Munich with the Goodison 3.1 watch in an event at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Christopher Ward CEO and co-founder Mike France presents members of the Everton squad that defeated Bayern Munich with the Goodison 3.1 watch in an event at Hill Dickinson Stadium
One of the most iconic nights in Everton’s proud history was relived as Hill Dickinson Stadium hosted a special event on Wednesday (March 25), honouring the unforgettable victory over Bayern Munich in the 1985 European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final second leg.
The event, staged in partnership with global timing partner and stadium founding partner Christopher Ward, took place in Dock on One presented by Christopher Ward, where heroes of that famous night reunited to celebrate the famous Goodison Park clash that saw Blues recover from a goal down to overcome the German giants, en route to winning a first European trophy.
Many of the players who starred for Everton in the mid-1980s graced the occasion, with , Pat van den Hauwe, Kevin Ratcliffe, Derek Mountfield, Peter Reid, Graham Sharp, Paul Bracewell, Kevin Sheedy, Kevin Richardson, Alan Harper, Adrian Heath, Trevor Steven and John Bailey all in attendance. The Everton Giants were joined by Lily Kendall, the widow of manager Howard Kendall, their long-serving club doctor Dr Ian Irving and iconic kit man Jimmy Martin who used to drive the team bus in those days.
In recognition of their achievements, each player was presented with a special limited-edition Christopher Ward timepiece – – created to commemorate that famous night.
The watch, co-designed by Christopher Ward CEO and co-founder Mike France, features a number of subtle design details, including the match date (24/04/1985) and scoreline. The date window highlights, in amber, the shirt numbers of Everton’s goalscorers – Graeme Sharp, Andy Gray and Trevor Steven – while the times of the goals (48, 73 and 86 minutes) are marked on the bezel.
The reverse is engraved with an aerial view of Goodison Park, alongside Howard Kendall’s iconic rallying call: “The Gwladys Street will suck the ball into the net.”
Lifetime Evertonian France, who attended the 1985 semi-final alongside his brother Jon, said: “A huge thank you to everyone who attended this special event.
“Celebrating arguably Goodison’s greatest night with the Goodison 3.1 watch and bringing the 1985 team together has been incredibly special, not just for us at Christopher Ward, but for everyone who understands what that night in 1985 meant. To have so many of the players who made history join us, alongside fans who lived it, brings that moment back to life in a powerful way.”
Veteran commentator Martin Tyler, who covered the globally televised match, was also in attendance, while fellow commentator Clive Tyldesley, who broadcast the game to Radio City listeners, generously gifted several of his original commentary charts from the match to the event.
The Goodison 3.1 Watch is still available to purchase from Christopher Ward. Click for more details.
Trevor Steven speaks to his former Everton team-mate Neville Southall
Trevor Steven speaks to his former Everton team-mate Neville Southall
2. Mike France in conversation on the stage with Peter Reid, Trevor Steven and compere Darren Griffiths
Mike France in conversation on the stage with Peter Reid, Trevor Steven and compere Darren Griffiths
3. The Goodison 3.1 watch that Everton squad members from 1984/85 were presented with
The Goodison 3.1 watch that Everton squad members from 1984/85 were presented with 3 of 3