Wigan to Everton Connections

Wigan Athletic entertain Everton at the JJB this Sunday and here at Vital Wigan we thought it would be a good idea to take a quick look at some of the people that have been employed by both clubs over the years and focus on a couple.

Here is a list of players and managers who have been at both clubs:

Allan Sanders, Andy Holden, Andy Mutch, Bert Llewellyn, Billy Cooke, Bruce Rioch, Bryan Hamilton, Colin Darcy, Colin Vizard, David Lowe, David Unsworth, Derek Temple, Eamon O’Keefe, Gareth Farrelly, Gary Powell, Graham Barrow.

Harry Leyland, Ian Wilson, Jack O’Donnell, Jackie Lyon, Jimmy Carberry, Joe Parkinson, John Bramwell, John Connor, John King, Johnny King, Ken Heyes, Kevin Kilbane, Kevin Langley, Leighton Baines.

Mark Leonard, Mark Ward, Mark Wright, Matt Jackson, Michael O’Neill, Mick Lyons, Mike Newell, Neil Pointon, Neill Rimmer, Paul Lodge, Paul Tait, Peter Beagrie, Ronnie Barker.

Stan Bentham, Stuart Barlow, Stuart Storer, Ted Buckle, Terry Kavanagh, Tony McLoughlin, Tony Quinn, Tony Ward, Wally Fielding, Wally Owen, Warren Aspinall, Wilf Birkett

Many of the players above have got a soft spot in the heart of many a Latics fan, who can forget Stuart Barlow and his wonderful scoring record for the Latics`

Kevin Langley holds the record number of appearance for us and he also got a Championship medal with Everton, David Unsworths goal last season at Sheffield United is already folk lore and our own Leighton Baines is now a toffeeman.

Some great players to have graced both clubs but one sticks in the memory for me, a cheeky little Irishman that was born in Manchester, he was our record signing at the time and he certainly put a buzz around the place.

Eamon O`Keefe – Forward

O`Keefe was signed for the Latics from Everton by then manager Larry Lloyd in 1981, a fee reported to be around £60,000 was to be paid in instalments and we had got ourselves one gem of a signing.

To put in to context it was a bit like Jason Roberts or Darren Bent signing for Rochdale today!

O`Keefe wasn`t exactly first choice at Everton but he had played 40 times for the Goodison Park club in two seasons and was a current Republic of Ireland international.

Lloyd said that he signed O`Keefe to get Wigan promoted and sure enough the little Mancunian Irishmans goals did exactly that, he scored a hat trick in the last game of the season at Springfield Park against Mansfield to guarantee promotion to Division 3

O`Keefe was a bit of a character to say the least and he was extremely fiery on the pitch but his wages were a big drain on Latics resources and he was sold to Port Vale in 1983

Ahhhhh memories

Join Vital Wigan and be apart of the fastest growing Latics fans web site on the net.

News, views and debates its all here.

We are a Latics fans site run by the fans for the fans, what are you waiting for sign up and join in

It`s free, quick and carries no obligation whatsoever.

Have your say on the Latics Speyk forum

Participate in the polls and the Vital Fantasy League

It’s easy to register , simply click the link and enjoy getting involved

Click here for the Latics Speyk forum