Former coach retires

Last updated : 11 June 2003 By Tony Scholes

Harvey leads Everton out in Charity Shield at Wembley
Colin Harvey wasn’t at the Turf for long. He came in as number two to Adrian Heath as a replacement for John Ward who had moved on to manager Bristol City. There were just eight games left in the 1996/97 season and hopes were high of a place in the play offs or even better.

It was not to be and with Harvey alongside Heath we won just two of the games. Within no time he had gone, taking up an offer to manage the youth set up at Everton.

Harvey was an Evertonian in every sense of the word. He supported them as a kid, played for them (he made his first team debut in the European Cup against Inter Milan) and went on to be coach and manager. It was no real surprise that he answered the Goodison call.

That was six years ago but after three hip replacement operations he is still troubled and Harvey said, "I’ve had the hip trouble and it has been limiting what I’ve been able to do on the training ground."

He is highly respected at Goodison for his work with the youth set up and has overseen the development of young players such as Michael Ball, Gavin McCann, Francis Jeffers and someone by the name of Wayne Rooney.

He has been assisted over the last five years by Alan Harper. He was appointed after Stan released him as youth team coach at Burnley. Their time together culminated in them reaching the FA Youth Cup Final last season although they lost out to Aston Villa over two legs.

Harvey has been granted a testimonial match and Everton will play Parma at Goodison Park on Sunday 10th August.