Ranking the Top 10 Best Everton Players of All Time

Everton are one of the most historic clubs in English football. The Toffees are one of only three teams that can boast being founder members of both the Football League in 1888 and the Premier League in 1992. While their recent years in the Premier League have been challenging, they have still achieved more glory than most football teams in the country throughout their history.

As of 2024, only Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal have won more league titles than Everton's nine. Throughout their history, the Blues have also lifted five FA Cups and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1985. Many fantastic players have donned the Everton shirt over the years, and this article looks at the ten greatest.

Ranking Factors

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These players have been chosen based on:

• The longevity of their Everton career
• Their achievements and trophies won during their time at Goodison Park
• The legacy they left on the club

All of these players spent a significant portion of their careers with the Toffees, and all but one lifted at least one trophy while representing the club. Here are Everton's 10 best players of all time.

10. Alex Young

1960-1968

Alex Young was an extraordinarily graceful forward who epitomized Everton's philosophy, "The School of Science," more than any player before or after him. While he may not have been the most prolific centre-forward to represent the club, the elegance with which the Scotsman played the game made him a fans' favorite throughout his time at Goodison Park, earning him the nickname "The Golden Vision."

Young signed from Hearts in 1960 for a then club-record sum of £55,000. His 22 goals in the 1962/63 season helped the Blues win their first league title since World War Two began in 1939. The striker also starred in the Toffees' 1966 FA Cup triumph before departing the club two years later, leaving behind a record of 87 goals from 270 appearances over his eight years at Everton.

9. Bob Latchford

1974-1981

While Alex Young was renowned for his elegance and grace on the pitch, Bob Latchford is remembered for his clinical finishing during a challenging period in Everton's history. The striker was signed from Birmingham City in 1974 for a British record transfer fee of £350,000. He quickly repaid the faith shown in him by scoring 15 goals in 30 league appearances in his first season at the club.

Latchford went on to be Everton's top goalscorer for all seven seasons he spent on Merseyside, including the 1977/78 season when he was also the league's top scorer with 30 goals. Despite his prolific goal-scoring, he is the only player on this list who never won a trophy with the Toffees, although he did score in the 1977 League Cup final, which Everton lost to Aston Villa.

8. Peter Reid

1982-1989

Peter Reid was a boyhood Liverpool fan who turned blue after signing for Everton in 1982 at the age of 26. After a slow start to his career at Goodison Park, he soon became a star player in a team that would become the best in the country. The midfielder shone in the 1984 FA Cup final, which the Blues won 2-0 against Watford, marking their first piece of silverware in 14 years. However, the following season, they would achieve much more.

In 1984/85, Everton won the league title with a record 90 points and also secured the European Cup Winners' Cup. Reid was named the PFA Footballer of the Year for 1985. During his seven years at the club, the midfielder won the adoration of the Goodison faithful for his tireless effort and tough tackling. He added a second league title to his trophy haul in 1987 before joining QPR two years later.

7. Graeme Sharp

1980-1991

Graeme Sharp is Everton's second-highest goalscorer in history, netting 160 goals in 426 appearances over 11 years at Goodison Park. The Scotsman joined from Dumbarton in 1980 and became a key player in the team that won numerous honors in the mid-1980s alongside Peter Reid.

Sharp scored in the 1984 FA Cup final and bagged 30 goals in the 1984/85 season, which was highlighted by his stunning goal against Liverpool. This goal won the BBC's Goal of the Season award and secured Everton's first Merseyside Derby victory at Anfield in 14 years. He left for Oldham Athletic in 1991 but later returned to Everton post-retirement as a club ambassador and briefly served in a non-executive role on the Everton Board of Directors.

6. Brian Labone

1958-1971

Brian Labone was a classy defender who came through the ranks at Everton and spent his entire 13-year career with the Toffees, making his debut in 1958. He was a standout in the 1962/63 league championship-winning side and earned the nickname "the last of the Corinthians" from his manager, Harry Catterick, a reference to the famous amateur footballing side known for their professionalism and commitment to fair play.

Labone made 534 appearances for the club and was even persuaded to delay his intended retirement in 1969. He played for Everton for two more years, helping them win another league title in 1970 before finally hanging up his boots the following year. During his career, the center-back also won 26 England caps and represented his country at the 1970 World Cup.

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