Everton FC: Bill Kenwright unveils trio of Goodison greats as club ambassadorsGraeme Sharp, Graham Stuart and Ian Snodin on board to promote the club across the world
Bill Kenwright has hailed Everton’s ‘Three Amigo’ ambassadors – as he unveiled Graeme Sharp, Graham Stuart and Ian Snodin as international figureheads for the Blues.
The Toffees owner invited the ECHO to his London offices to reveal that he has hand-picked the trio of decorated former players to work for the club together in an official capacity.
Striking legend Sharp has already fulfilled several roles at Goodison for 14 years since retiring from football, but the Everton chairman wanted to bring them together into one ambassadorial unit to work locally and globally at promoting the club and its award-winning charity.
Kenwright said he is inspired by each of their achievements on the pitch, but more importantly by their dedication and loyalty to the club since hanging up their boots.
Now he wants them to meet the fans, work across the region and become high-profile champions for the Blues.
He said: “It’s really important that they got out in the community and be ambassadors of a family football club. It’s also important internationally.
“If for example we had this in place when Tim Howard became number one hero in the US over the summer, they would have been out there on ‘Good Morning America’.
“We want them to travel with the team, and just be what they are which is Evertonians who know what the club is about better than most and good personalities.
“They’re fixtures at Goodison Park and that’s what we want them to be. They are already doing it individually; going to meet people with lives who aren’t as privileged as ours. But now we’ve decided that we want them to be a trio.
“It was an easy decision. I spoke to a lot of people, including Roberto Martinez, and it was instant. Everyone said it was a great idea.
“This isn’t just for a season. I want them to grow with it, to make it a big part of their lives and I think they will be a massive part of Everton in years to come. Long after I’ve gone the legends of these three will be a huge part of the club. I want them to perpetuate that during their lifetime.”
The theatre impresario recalled how all three have had significant parts to play in the club’s history; from featuring in title-winning teams for Sharp and Snodin, to Stuart helping save the Blues from relegation in 1994.
“One is the greatest goal scorer of all time apart from Dixie,” said Kenwright in reference to Sharp. “The other was a wonderful midfielder who we all rejoiced when he turned down Liverpool, and went on to become a phenomenal right-back, Ian Snodin. And then you wonder if we’d all be sitting here today if it wasn’t for Graham Stuart?
“The bravery of the lad (Stuart) on that day; which was the best and worst day at the same time because we shouldn’t have been in that situation. My memories of when we went 2-0 down was Snods geeing them up, that passion, and it wasn’t a great time for him then.
“Then five minutes into the second half we could have gone 3-1 down when Holdsworth had those chances and Graham made a double header. He had a great game. His hair even came out of place he was running around that much!
“They contributed immensely to this club and we all hold them in such high esteem and affection.”
Stuart, who scored twice as Mike Walker’s side avoided relegation on the final day of the 1993/94 season with a 3-2 triumph over Wimbledon and then went on to win the FA Cup the following year, said: “We’re a Scotsman, a Yorkshireman and a Londoner but we’ve got one thing in common and it’s that we all adore Everton football club.
“We’ve had some sensational footballers at this club over the years so for the chairman to have selected us three is a huge honour.”
ECHO columnist Snods, who featured in Howard Kendall’s 1987 title-winning side and also played in the team which avoided the dreaded drop in 1994, said: “I’m delighted. It’s a privilege. I’m sure the chairman could have picked a lot of players before me so I’m honoured. I’m a fan of this club and have it in my heart. We’re all very proud.”
Sharp, who has been associated with Everton on and off the field for more than three decades, said he relishes the chance to work with Everton in the community.
“In our day it might have been a community club as such, but there wasn’t a community department,” he said. “The players trained and then went home. Now we get them involved in different things, different projects, different visits.
“It shows how important the football club is to the players and I don’t think you realise that when you are playing.
“When you’ve finished playing you can take a step back and realise they births, marriages, deaths all revolve around football.
“The boys will realise that once they get out there and meet people.
“Last week I went to see a lad who only had a few weeks to live and he was regaling me of all the games he had been to.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to give something back.”
“There is so much going on, so much for us to be involved in with the Everton in the community and the Free School. It’s an exciting time. If you look at the lads’ diaries it’s non-stop. This club is going places on and off the pitch.”
