Gordon Lee, the former Everton manager who guided the club to two FA Cup semi-finals and two top-four finishes, died at the age of 87.
Gordon Lee, a former Everton manager, was in charge from 1977 to 1981.
He guided the team to two FA Cup semi-final appearances and two top-four finishes.
Lee died at the age of 87, and the club paid tribute to him on its website.
Gordon Lee, the former manager of Everton, died at the age of 87.
Lee guided the team to two FA Cup semi-finals and two top-four finishes between 1977 and 1981, during a fruitful spell for the club.
‘Everton Football Club is profoundly saddened to learn of the demise of the Club’s former manager, Gordon Lee, at the age of 87,’ the club’s website declared on Tuesday morning.
‘Gordon was a brilliant, forward-thinking coach who, in the summer of 1968, replaced the renowned Stanley Matthews and, within two years, had arranged Shrewsbury Town’s elevation from the Fourth Division to the Third Division.
‘Everton came calling in January 1977. When Gordon joined, the Blues were already in the League Cup semi-finals, and they went on to win the final, which required three games before Aston Villa won the second replay 3-2 at Old Trafford.
‘Everton also reached the FA Cup semi-finals, where they were famously denied a stunning victory against Liverpool by a decision by referee Clive Thomas that remains a mystery to this day. The replay was won by Liverpool 3-0.
‘Gordon was a brilliant, forward-thinking coach, and in the summer of 1968, he replaced the great Stanley Matthews, and within two years he had arranged Shrewsbury Town’s elevation from the Fourth Division to the First Division.’The Blues reached the last four again in 1980, but were defeated by Second Division West Ham, with our current manager’s father scoring the game-winning goal.
‘For Everton, Lee signed George Wood, Dave Thomas, Brian Kidd, Colin Todd, John Bailey, Asa Hartford, John Gidman, Grae Sharp, and Alan Irvine, as well as giving debuts to Kevin Ratcliffe, Kevin Richardson, and Steve McMahon.
‘The squad finished third in the table in 1977/78 and fourth the following season, but Gordon’s career ended there.
‘After a dismal conclusion to the 1980/81 season, he was stripped of his duties, and Everton replaced him with former player Howard Kendall.’
‘Gordon Lee died quietly in his sleep on March 8, 2022,’ stated his son Gary. Everton have been fantastic to him and our family; please convey our gratitude for being such an important part of his journey.’
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