REVEALED: How Neville Southall calling club press officer a 'fat c***' led to him missing out on the Everton caretaker's job to Dave Watson in 1997

  • Dave Watson replaced Joe Royle as caretaker after he quit as Everton manager
  • Owner Peter Johnson was leaning towards giving Neville Southall the job in 1997
  • Johnson changed his mind after hearing Southall shout at the club press officer
  • Defender Watson helped Everton avoid relegation with a win and three draws

A former Everton press officer has revealed how Neville Southall unknowingly talked himself out of the club's caretaker job by calling him a 'fat c***'.

Alan Myers was working in the club's communications department when Joe Royle decided to quit as manager with the threat of relegation looming large towards the end of the 1996-97 season.

Owner Peter Johnson decided to appoint a player to take charge until the end of the campaign, with legendary goalkeeper Southall and defender Dave Watson both in contention for the role.

Neville Southall makes a save for Everton during the 1996-97 Premier League season

Neville Southall makes a save for Everton during the 1996-97 Premier League season

Joe Royle quit as Everton boss in March 1997 and was replaced by defender Dave Watson

Joe Royle quit as Everton boss in March 1997 and was replaced by defender Dave Watson

However, after a light-hearted exchange with Myers at the club's training ground, the veteran Welshman quickly found himself out of the running. 


'I don't think anybody, including Neville himself, was aware of how close he came to becoming Everton manager,' Myers told author James Corbett for new book Faith of our Families: Everton An Oral History.

'I was outside Bellefield with Peter Johnson the morning after Joe had left and we were discussing who should take over as caretaker boss.

'"I have a shortlist of two," said the chairman, "Dave Watson and Neville, but I'm leaning towards Neville because a goalkeeper has less responsibility on the pitch."

Peter Johnson (centre) walks with Watson (left) and Willie Donachie after appointing them

Peter Johnson (centre) walks with Watson (left) and Willie Donachie after appointing them

Southall chats with Royle during an Everton training session at the club's Bellefield base

Southall chats with Royle during an Everton training session at the club's Bellefield base

The story features in new book 'Faith of our Families: Everton An Oral History'

The story features in new book 'Faith of our Families: Everton An Oral History'

'At this point Neville pulls up in the car park - it was early and he was always first in for training - gets out his car and heads to the Bellefield entrance.

'Seeing me he yells, "Alright Alan, you fat c***!"

'As he headed in through the doors, Peter, says very dryly, "I think the shortlist is down to one."'

The decision turned out to be a good one, with Watson leading Everton to Premier League safety with a win and three draws from his seven games in charge.

Southall remained at Goodison Park until the following year before leaving for Stoke. He also played for clubs including Doncaster and Torquay, and eventually hung up his gloves in 2002.