A Hug for a Hero – Gary Crumlin's Unforgettable Moment

Lifelong Evertonian Gary Crumlin has been following the Blues home and away since 1973, but few moments come close to what he experienced on the 5th April 1986.

It was the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park—Everton had just beaten Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in front of 48,000 fans.

As the final whistle blew, the pitch became a sea of joy, with supporters flooding on to celebrate the win. In the middle of it all, Gary found himself embracing the great Howard Kendall—a moment of pure emotion between fan and manager, captured forever in a treasured photo.

A day of jubilation, passion, and pride. The kind of memory only footy can give.

Gary is also featured in Chapter 119 of The Leaving of Goodison Park: The Real Fans’ Tales, where he shares another unforgettable Goodison memory from his younger days. His story, like so many others in the book, captures the spirit of what it means to be a true Blue.

We’re proud to share this photo and moment with our readers as a tribute to Gary and his decades of unwavering support for the Blues.

 

Tell your friends!

Refer them to this easy-to-remember address: evertontimes.com/goodison. This is an important historical document for future generations who will never know what Goodison Park was like unless we record the memories and pass them on through the generations.

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