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| Everton legend Howard Kendall was laid to rest at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral after untimely death |
FOR someone who loved a good get-together, Howard Kendall’s final gathering would have met with his seal of approval.
Whether as an exceptional midfielder, or later as Everton’s greatest-ever manager, Kendall became used to packed galleries and yesterday was no different as he was laid to rest at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.
There was not so much as a spare seat inside the venue, while hundreds of mourners outside paid their respects to one of the game’s giants following his untimely passing at the age of 69.
The sadness that has engulfed Everton was recognised in the sheer size of the turn-out as members of Kendall’s title winning teams in 1985 and 1987, including Graeme Sharp, Andy Gray, Paul Bracewell, Adrian Heath, Kevin Ratcliffe, Kevin Sheedy and Peter Reid, formed a reluctant reunion.
Wayne Rooney, Sir Alex Ferguson, Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler, Liam Brady and Mike Summerbee were among those representing the wider football community as Kendall’s coffin was carried into the cathedral to Elton John’s ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.’ The funeral cortege had earlier completed one final lap of Kendall’s beloved Goodison Park.
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| Floral tributes at the Dixie Dean statue before Howard Kendall's funeral service |
Yet it was fitting that a two-hour service quickly became a celebration of his life, laughter mixing with the tears as anecdotes highlighted Kendall’s man-management skills and feat in dragging Everton from rock bottom to become English football’s dominant force for a spell in 1980s.
Joe Royle delivered a eulogy on ‘Howard the Footballer,’ Reid one on ‘Howard the Manager’ before Graham Stuart offered his recollections on ‘Howard the Man.’
All three captured him to a tee. Kendall was a people person. And, to borrow a phrase more normally associated with Bill Shankly, he wanted to make the people happy, especially if they were Evertonians.
Reid, with typical humour, recalled the half-time team-talk on the famous night Everton came from behind to beat Bayern Munich in the European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final en route to lifting the trophy.
“We were losing and the dressing room was lively,” he said. “Howard said: ‘Sit down, relax. (Klaus) Augenthaler is going that deep he is like Jacques Cousteau.
“’Get the ball into the box to Sharpy and Andy and the Glwadys Street will suck it in.’
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| Kendall's funeral courtege arrives at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral |
“Two minutes after the break we got one back and went on to win. He told us what would happen and that was management at the highest level.”
Reid added: “After I came back from Mexico (with England in 1986) I’d lost a lot of weight.
“He called me into his office and said: ‘You’re not right.’ He opened a can of Guinness, passed it to me and said you need to get your strength back. There were three more crates in his office and he told me to take those as well. Needless to say I did.”
Kendall’s enduring appeal was one of his many qualities. He has remained as relevant to Sharp and Gray two decades after their triumphs together as he was respected by Duncan Ferguson, who played under him in his third spell at the helm and whose voice croaked with emotion as he delivered a reading.
Chairman Bill Kenwright, whose own health issues have prevented him from attending matches this season, added his own address. “He was my idol for over 50 years and my friend for 30 years,” said Kenwright. “As a player he was the best, what a player, and as a manager Howard Kendall gave Everton the stuff dreams are made of.”
Kendall’s coffin was carried out to the strains of ‘Z-Cars’ and it was then that the words of Royle resonated. “For once, Howard, you got your timing wrong my friend,” said Royle. “You’ve left us way too early.”
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| Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney was in attendance to pay his respects to Kendall |
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