The erection of a Walter Smith statue at Rangers is a reminder that Everton should offer Neville Southall a similar accolade when they move to their new stadium, according Chris Beeley
The erection of a statue for former Everton manager Walter Smith reignites Blues fans’ desire to recognise Neville Southall when the club moves to their new stadium.
Ahead of Rangers’ Scottish Cup final defeat to Old Firm rivals Celtic at Hampden Park on Saturday, where they were sunk by Adam Idah’s last-minute strike to secure a domestic double for Brendan Rodgers’ side, a statue of Smith, who died aged 73 in 2021 after a battle with cancer, was unveiled to the public for the first time with his family in attendance. Smith’s widow, Ethel, was joined by the couple’s sons, Neil and Steven, as well as their grandchildren, as a blue cover was removed in front of a large crowd to reveal a bronze sculpture of the late Rangers manager outside of their Ibrox stadium, on the corner between Edmiston House and the Copland Road Stand.
It was created and sculpted by Douglas Jennings, a London-based artist whose portfolio includes statues of Queen Elizabeth II and England World Cup winners Jack Charlton and George Cohen. Smith failed to replicate his success at Everton, leading to a hat-trick of bottom-half finishes (14th, 13th, and 16th) before being replaced by David Moyes in March 2002. However, he led Rangers to 10 League Championships, five Scottish Cups, and six League Cups in two separate spells, as well as three League Championships.
Southall, the only surviving member of Everton’s 1980s team that won two League Championships, an FA Cup, and European Cup-Winners’ Cup, became the Blues’ most-decorated player after helping them win the FA Cup in 1995. The former Wales international also has the most Everton appearances, having made 751 between 1981 and 1997, 217 more than his closest rival, Brian Labone.
During his time at Goodison Park, Southall was largely regarded as the best custodian in the world. What if Sean Dyche had access to the world’s best player in his position?
Everton is fortunate to have Jordan Pickford, arguably their best custodian since Southall, at their disposal. England’s number one will be seeking glory at this summer’s European Championships that start in Germany next month, alongside the likes of Slovenia’s Jan Oblak and the hosts’ Manuel Neuer if the veteran Bayern Munich man is declared fit. However, most concede that
Southall was one of the all-time greats, but 39 years after being the last custodian to be named Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, he is currently the only one of the illustrious quartet not to have a statue erected in his honour. Bert Trautmann (winner in 1956) has a statue at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium; Gordon Banks (winner in 1972) has one at Stoke City’s bet365 Stadium; and, as of November last year, Pat Jennings (winner in 1973) has one on Kildare Street in his hometown of Newry, Northern Ireland.
To be honest, an outspoken Southall hasn’t always been a welcome guest on matchdays for some in Goodison Park’s corridors of power, but Evertonians were delighted to see him back among them for the 1-0 home win over Burnley last month. Everton greats, including Dixie Dean and ‘The Holy Trinity’ of Kendall, Colin Harvey, and Alan Ball, have statues outside ‘The Grand Old Lady’. However, when the Blues relocate to their new home at Bramley-Moore Dock next summer, the club’s decision-makers should address this significant omission.
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