A £150,000 acquisition from Manchester City in March 1979, Brian Kidd was among the
First Division’s best known and most prolific scorers through the 1970s. On his 19th birthday he memorably scored Manchester United’s third goal in their 1968 European Cup Final win over Benfica. Subsequent spells with Arsenal and Manchester City added to his reputation.

Tall, skilful and with a powerful shot, his signing was intended to ease Bob Latchford’s goalscoring burden. While Kidd held his own and finished the 1979/80 campaign Everton’s leading goalscorer, his contribution was not enough to lift a team in decline. Through that season, Everton won just nine league matches. There were, however, glimpses of his supreme talent – as witness his headed strike against Liverpool in the October 1979 derby.

But most Evertonians will remember the magic and madness when Everton faced West Ham in the FA Cup semi-final in April 1980. Called upon to take an early penalty, Kidd showed great composure to give Everton the lead, but was later sent off after clashing with Ray Stewart. West Ham grabbed a late equaliser and stole the replay, for which Kidd was suspended.

That was virtually Brian Kidd’s last action in an Everton shirt and, aged 31, he was sold to Bolton Wanderers in May 1980 for £150,000. He later embarked upon a hugely successful coaching career, notably at Manchester United, where he was Alex Ferguson’s long-term assistant, and for England, where he performed the same duties under Sven Göran Eriksson.