Bailey - John 01

A Autograph Signed 10x8 Picture by John Bailey a retired English professional footballer who played in the 1984 FA Cup Final with Everton.

Bailey began his career at Blackburn Rovers as an apprentice in 1973, turning professional in 1975 and making his first six Football League appearances in the 1975-76 season. He became a regular player in 1976-77 and had made 120 league appearances for Rovers by the time of their relegation to the Football League Third Division at the end of the 1978-79 season, after which he was transferred to First Division Everton for £300,000.

Everton were being managed by Gordon Lee when Bailey arrived, but after two seasons of bottom half finishes Lee was sacked in favour of new manager Howard Kendall, who had ironically been appointed to Blackburn Rovers as Bailey was being transferred to Everton. At first, it looked as though Bailey's days at Goodison Park were numbered as he was selected in just 12 out of 42 First Division games in 1981-82, but he won his place back in the side for the 1982-83 season and helped them maintain their progress under Kendall with a second successive top 10 finish. He was in the side that won the FA Cup in 1984, but then lose his place in the team to new arrival Pat Van Den Hauwe. However, his 15 league appearances in 1984-85 were enough to merit a league championship medal, but he played just one league game in 1985-86 before being transferred to First Division rivals Newcastle United in October 1985.