Howard Kendall

Lore & Background

Kendall joined Preston North End as an apprentice and turned professional there. At 17 years 345 days, he was the youngest player to appear in a Wembley final, playing in the 1964 FA Cup Final. He moved to Everton in 1967 for £85,000, forming a midfield trio with Alan Ball and Colin Harvey known as 'The Holy Trinity'. With Everton, he won the First Division title in 1969–70 and the Charity Shield in 1970. He became club captain for three years before being sold to Birmingham City in 1974. He later joined Stoke City in 1977, became player-coach, and helped the club gain promotion from the Second Division. Kendall never played for England at senior level but captained the England Youth side to victory in the 1964 Little World Cup Final.

Reader's Guide

Kendall's managerial career began as player-manager at Blackburn Rovers in 1979. He returned to Everton as player-manager in 1981, retiring from playing after four games. In his first spell at Everton, he won two Football League titles, an FA Cup (1983–84), three Charity Shields, and the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup. He also reached two further FA Cup finals and a League Cup final. He left in 1987 to manage Athletic Bilbao, was sacked in 1989, then managed Manchester City. He returned to Everton for a second spell, then managed Xanthi, Notts County, and Sheffield United. He returned to Everton for a third time in June 1997 but left by mutual consent a year later. His final managerial role was at Ethnikos Piraeus, where he was sacked with the team last in the league.

Did You Know?

• He won Stoke City's inaugural player of the year award in 1977–78.
• Kendall is a member of the League Managers Association's Hall of Fame, the English Football Hall of Fame, and listed as an 'Everton Giant'.