Post Past by Philip J Redmond Everton supporter, Daily Post
WITH all thoughts on Europe this week, now is as good a time as any to recall Everton's last meeting with an Eastern European team in European competition.
Back in October 1984 Everton faced a daunting week, a week which would eventually prove pivotal in shaping the season. First of all Everton were at Anfield in the first of the season's derbies.
They would then travel to Czechoslovakia to meet Inter Bratislava before returning to Goodison for a clash against title favourites Manchester United.
After a shaky start Everton were running into form. But nobody predicted how it would all work out.
First up was the derby and Graeme Sharp's famous volley, Bratislava was next. Like tonight's game in Bucharest, this was an impossible one to call. Czech football had a decent reputation and the Blues were inexperienced in Euro combat and had made heavy going in beating Irish minnows UCD in the first round.
The Toffees would also be followed by only 100 fans in Bratislava. In those days of Communist rule, it was extremely expensive and prohibitive to travel behind the Iron Curtain. All in all, it looked a daunting task.
But we needn't have worried as Howard Kendall's Everton were more than up to the challenge and Paul Bracewell's early header was enough to give the Blues a decisive lead to bring back to Goodison. Everton, with Peter Reid magnificent in midfield, never gave the Czechs a sniff, as Neville Southall was rarely threatened.
This was the week when Kendall's young team arguably grew up and proved to everybody that not only were they up there with the best in England, but Europe too.
The win in Bratislava boosted confidence to the point where the Blues were able to return to Goodison and wallop United 5-0 with another never-to-be-forgotten performance to crown an incredible week.
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