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Graham Stuart joined Everton from Chelsea in August 1993. Willing to
play anywhere across the midfield and capable of filling in as a
striker, he became a regular fixture in the first team line-up following
his £850, 000 move. Despite scoring only three goals in his first
season at the club, two of these helped his new side to avoid relegation
in a nailbiting final day 3-2 victory over Wimbledon that assured
Graham of a place in the hearts of the Everton faithful.
The next season
brought the highlight of his Goodison career with an FA Cup final
victory over Manchester United. He had played an integral part in the
cup run, scoring the second goal in the Semi-final against Spurs as the
Toffess cruised to a 4-1 victory. In the final itself it was Stuart's
shot, cannoning off the crossbar, that provided Paul Rideout with the
opportunity for the only goal of the game. Stuart was even being talked
of for a place in England's European Championship squad during the
1995/96 season as he notched up the impressive return of fourteen goals,
helping the Toffees to sixth place in the league.
Playing as part of a
more attack minded team, Stuart excelled in his more advanced role up
front. During his final two seasons with Everton, his form mirrored that
of his teams. Industrious yet often flattering to deceive, Stuart never
recaptured the consistency that had brought him goals and plaudits
during his early years on Merseyside. Keen to bolster his defence,
Howard Kendall accepted a deal from Sheffield United of Mitch Ward and
Carl Tiler plus cash in exchange for his utility man. He left Everton
midway through the 1997/98 season, his four and a half years at the club
having yielded 31 goals from 161 appearances. (Chris Williams)
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