Everton legend Graeme Sharp has issued a transfer demand, insisting all the club's new signings should follow a unique request: watch the Howard's Way documentary to understand what it means to play for the Blues.
The club has brought in five players so far this summer: Hayden Hackney, Tyrique George, Merlin Rohl, Christian Norgaard and Brennan Johnson, but are attempting to add more new faces before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Tuesday, September 1.
Sharp's call to new signings
Sharp, speaking ahead of a charity screening of Everton, Howard's Way at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday (August 31), said: "I think it would be a given to get new signings to watch the film. I think they'd enjoy it as well."
He added: "I'd go as far as saying I'd give them a copy when they sign and say: Here you are, you want to know what it means to play for Everton, here is the history."
Film screening details
The Everton, Howard's Way showing will be the climax of three nights of drive-in cinema at Hill Dickinson Stadium across the Bank Holiday weekend. Saturday, August 29 sees Finding Nemo at 6pm and Mamma Mia at 9pm; Sunday, August 30 has Grease at 6pm and Back to the Future at 9pm, with those screenings £30 per vehicle or £10 per person without a vehicle in a dedicated lawn area.
Entry to the Howard's Way screening is on a pay-what-you-want basis, with all donations going to Everton in the Community. Places must be booked in advance.
Reflections on the Howard's Way era
Sharp told the ECHO: "When it first came out, it was great to make and great to watch. But for the younger ones – and I hate saying that – but they haven't experienced much success."
He said: "It just takes the fanbase back to when we were competing at the top, winning trophies, so, I think they'll enjoy it. Everybody I've spoken to who has seen it has been really impressed, so get along, see it and have a view."
Sharp, who scored 160 goals for Everton, a figure second only to Dixie Dean's 383, was speaking as he and his former team-mate, Peter Reid, joined older participants at one of Everton in the Community's Stand Together events at the Blue Base on Salop Street. The programme is designed to tackle social isolation and provide opportunities for people to connect, build friendships and improve their wellbeing.
Sharp said: "It's probably true that outside the Everton bubble, the team didn't get the wider recognition that their achievements deserved. Unfortunately, what happened prevented us from maybe going forward, but when we were winning things, it was a joy to watch and be part of."
He added: "When I first came down from Scotland, I was miles away from it. I couldn't see myself in the first team and replacing Bob Latchford and the other players who were there at that time. Slowly but surely, the whole football club changed. Colin Harvey was a big influence on my career and Howard Kendall came in."
Sharp said: "I think it helped that both Colin and Howard were former players. It was an Everton thing, and they drew everyone closer and closer. That was one of the main reasons for our success, it was the team spirit we had with the desire and the passion with everything they taught us about playing for Everton."
Sharp, 65, said: "Don't get me wrong, it was a few years back now, but I think it is a fantastic story of what can be achieved. I know we've moved on, and football has changed but in our team, every single one of us had a passion and desire to not only play for Everton, but to win things."
He added: "There were teams at the time who spent more money than us, but getting a good squad together and having a good work ethic with pride and passion to wear the shirt can make all the difference. So, hopefully the new lads can all check it out. It's a fantastic film, but for me personally, it was a fantastic time."
