Everton see red in Europe

By Mark Chaplin

In a city noted for the biting sense of humour which The Beatles' John Lennon introduced to the rest of the world, affectionate taunting between supporters of Liverpool FC and Everton FC is commonplace. Families are often split between supporters of the Blues of Everton and the Reds of Liverpool, and with each team's stadium barely a stone's throw from the other across Stanley Park, there is no avoiding the tension.

'Immense rivalry'
"The rivalry between the two clubs is absolutely immense," Everton chairman Bill Kenwright told uefa.com. "I never want to do anything else than beat Liverpool. But there is also a respect - because they are over the road from us. I think this kind of rivalry is very healthy, it must spur you on."

European stage
In May, Liverpool won the UEFA Champions League on an unforgettable night in Istanbul - but now the moment has come for Everton to reclaim their place on the European stage. Their Goodison Park stadium will be packed on Tuesday to welcome Spanish opponents Villarreal CF in an eagerly-awaited third qualifying round meeting. The prize at stake is a place in the Champions League group stage - and the dream of emulating Liverpool's improbable success last spring.

Lifelong Evertonian
For Kenwright, a successful theatrical impresario and lifelong Evertonian, the return to Europe has not come a moment too soon. Under the shrewd hand of their excellent young Scottish manager David Moyes, the Toffeemen finished fourth in the Premiership last season, one place above Liverpool, and earned the right to contest a third qualifying round tie.

Heysel disaster
Everton's last meaningful European campaign, in the mid-1980s, came at a time when they were enjoying considerable domestic success. The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was won in 1985, together with the English title, but the ban on English clubs imposed by UEFA after the Heysel stadium disaster meant that Everton were unable to launch a concerted challenge for European silverware, and it has taken until now for the club to rediscover a path into UEFA's premier club competition.

Club lifted
"Twenty years ago, Europe was our natural home," Kenwright told uefa.com. "Few people won more trophies than Everton, and it was taken away from us. We have had one foray back [a second-round UEFA Cup Winners' Cup exit in 1995], but we have never been in the Champions League. The opportunity to get into it has lifted the club, and lifted the city - certainly the blue and white side of it!"

Civic success
With both Everton and Liverpool in European action, there is plenty for the fans to talk about in Liverpool's pubs and cafés. "It's fantastic for the city, especially as we finished above [Liverpool] last season," Kenwright explained with a wry grin. "And long may it continue that the pair of us are in the Champions League."

Preaching caution
The Goodison dream is now for Everton to forge their way past Villarreal and reach the Champions League group stage. Kenwright preaches caution, however, but is relishing the experience.

Feelings of gratitude
"In all honesty, there was never going to be an easy draw for us. Villarreal are a good team. There will be two good games - a good night at Goodison, and we'll have our '12th man' playing for us with the crowd," he reflected. "My feelings [at being in the UEFA Champions League] are euphoria, really - gratitude to the players, my manager, and the fans who have kept with us."