Recently by David Prentice

EVERTON have just returned from a hugely successful tour Down Under. Successful in terms of PR, organization, players' fitness - and even results.

Which is in stark contrast to one of the first tours I had the good fortune to enjoy as the Echo's Everton correspondent.

Evertonians may recall the 1994-95 campaign for the abject start Mike Walker's side made to the season, the worst opening sequence of results in the club's history.

IT rained Everton goals in 1984/85 - 125 of them - including the BBC's Goal of the Season. But how to narrow that classic collection down to a top 10?

It's a tough job, but someone had to do it - and David Prentice took the task on board.

Here's his seelction as we continue our celebration of the 25th anniversary of Everton's most successful season.

KEVIN RATCLIFFE wore the captain's armband; Peter Reid was the undisputed midfield general. But it was the oldest man in Howard Kendall's 1984/85 squad of precocious youngsters who everybody looked up to.

Andrew Mullen Gray was one of the single most important catalysts in transforming a team of talented, if uncertain footballers into the best team in England - if not Europe.

Popularly thought to be burned out and in possession of not one, but two dodgy knees, his capture for a quarter-of-a-million pounds in November 1983 was seen as something of a gamble by manager Howard Kendall.

BUT what about the misses?

For once the question didn't involve the former England captain's nearest and dearest.

But it still added up to trouble and strife for John Terry.

The Chelsea defender's problems were Gallic in their conception once again - but this time it was Everton's frustrated French striker rather than a Parisian lingerie model who caused his pain.

CLUBS who sample the intoxicating aroma of a Wembley Cup final have a habit of going back for more.

Arsenal graced four finals in five years at the turn of the millennium, Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday made unexpected back to back visits in the 90s while the previous decade the atmospheric old stadium almost became a second home for the Toffees.

Everton savoured their Wembley experience in May.

But it was a different Everton defending that Cup tradition in January.

EVERTONIANS are cussedly different - some would say downright bloody awkward. Because while most football supporters celebrate goals, salute star players and roar their approval at victories, Blues fans are quirkier.

Sure, they love their triumphs, but the greatest roars are reserved for the unconventional.

Goodison folklore is littered with idiosyncratic cameos, moments you won't find in any history books, but incidents still spoken of with dewy-eyed pride years later.

Mersey derby reaction: Liverpool got lucky, Everton didn't

GIVEN the afternoon he'd endured, David Moyes' reaction was understand- able. "Do you want this leaving on?" enquired an eager to please press officer, as the Blues boss trudged into the press room while Sir Steven Redgrave and Kelly Smith were still plucking balls from the FA's drum.

"No," he rapped, probably fearing a third round trip to Melchester Rovers with Roy Race on a hot scoring streak.

He needn't have worried. Carlisle at home was a good draw. But it was the only thing which went right for him all day.

SO Kirkby is now a termination, not a destination. The deal of the century has joined Kings Dock as a footnote in Everton's home-owning history.

And you know what, I'm kind of glad.

NO-ONE ever took offence at Bill Shankly's merry one-liners, did they? Delivered with a twinkle in his eye and tongue firmly in cheek, surely they were intended - and received - as a bit of harmless fun?

I've always had my doubts, especially after a conversation many years ago with that redoubtable Evertonian Jimmy Gabriel.

But further evidence has just emerged that Shankly's lacerating wit wasn't always so well received, especially across Stanley Park.

IF you've ever left Christmas shopping until the last minute, you'll understand the perils of panic buying.

You dash around desperately, spend more than you intended and end up with something not as appropriate as you'd hoped you'd get.