The story of former Everton captain Mike Lyons is being used to inspire the club's current League Cup campaign as they aim to end a 31-year trophy drought. A new biography charting Lyons's career, which saw him come within touching distance of the League Cup in 1977, was celebrated by fans last week, as reported by Daily Mail Sport. Everton, currently 4th in the Premier League with 3 points from one game, face Preston North End in the competition on Wednesday night.
Who was Mike Lyons?
Mike Lyons made his debut for Everton in March 1971, joining a side that were reigning English champions. Over the next 12 years, he made 473 appearances and scored 59 goals, becoming a fan favourite for his total commitment. His manager Gordon Lee once said of him, "He would have died for Everton." Despite his dedication, Lyons's 11-year playing spell at Goodison Park did not yield a single honour, a period during which local rivals Liverpool won 15 trophies. He later moved to Sheffield Wednesday in 1982, missing the start of Everton's successful era by a couple of years.
What happened in the 1977 League Cup final?
Lyons's closest brush with glory came in the 1977 League Cup final against Aston Villa, a marathon series considered one of the tournament's greatest clashes. After a 0-0 draw at Wembley and a 1-1 first replay in Sheffield, rescued by a late Bob Latchford goal, the final went to a second replay at Old Trafford. Lyons scored a dramatic equaliser in front of the Stretford End and was later pushed up as an emergency centre-forward as Everton chased a winner, a tactic later dubbed 'Doing a Mike Lyons' by fans. Aston Villa scored a late winner, leaving Lyons to weep in the car on the way home. Despite the loss, the team still went on a planned open-bus tour of Liverpool, which drew vast crowds.
How is Lyons remembered today?
Now 74 and living with dementia in a care home in Perth, Australia, Lyons's legacy was honoured last Friday when about 100 fans gathered at the Denbigh Castle pub in central Liverpool. The event celebrated the release of Simon Hart's biography, 'The Man Who Bled Blue: The Triumphs and Tragedy of Mike Lyons'. His daughter Francesca, who lives near Liverpool and calls him daily, told the gathering her father would have been humbled. The biography includes poignant details, like Lyons driving a club-issue Lada and getting a disastrous perm from a teammate's wife. It also features an image of him with a gashed face after the 1980 FA Cup semi-final loss.
Why does this matter for Everton now?
Everton's current situation gives the Lyons story fresh relevance. The club is the only one among the Football League's 92 not to have won a trophy, title, promotion, or been relegated since the year 2000. Their last silverware was the 1995 FA Cup, and the League Cup is the only major domestic trophy they have never won. The current squad, featuring top scorer T. Barry who has one goal this season, must channel the spirit Lyons embodied. Manager David Moyes, whose old club is Wednesday's opponents Preston, will hope his team can use this inspiration. You can track the team's progress in the competition on our fixtures page and view the latest standings.
What is the current context for the team?
Everton begin this cup run in solid league form, having won their opening match 2-0. They have scored 2 goals and conceded none, giving them a positive goal difference early in the season. Their next Premier League fixture is away to Bournemouth on 29 August. The emotional weight of history, combined with their present league position, creates a powerful backdrop for their cup ambitions. The players have a direct link to the past through stories like Lyons's, a reminder of what playing for the club can mean. For more on the squad carrying this burden, visit our squad section.
