Graeme Sharp
Graeme Sharp (born 16 October 1960) is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager who played primarily as a striker for clubs including Dumbarton and Everton, where he established himself as one of English football's most prolific forwards during the 1980s.[1][2] Signed by Everton from Dumbarton in April 1980 for a then-club record fee of £120,000, Sharp quickly became a key figure in the team's attack, forming productive partnerships with strikers such as Andy Gray, Adrian Heath, and Gary Lineker.[2] Over 11 seasons with the Toffees, he made 447 appearances and scored 160 goals across all competitions, securing his place as Everton's second-highest goalscorer of all time behind Dixie Dean and the outright leading post-war marksman.[3] His contributions were instrumental in a golden era for the club, highlighted by memorable strikes including the opening goal in the 2–0 FA Cup final victory over Watford in 1984 and the equalizer in the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final against Bayern Munich.[3] Sharp's efforts helped Everton secure two First Division titles (1984–85 and 1986–87), the 1984 FA Cup, and the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup, cementing his status as an Everton legend inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2005.[3][2] On the international stage, Sharp won 12 caps for Scotland between 1985 and 1988, scoring once, and featured in one match at the 1986 FIFA World Cup—a goalless group-stage draw against Uruguay—amid a challenging period marked by reported tensions within the squad.[2] After leaving Everton in 1991 for a £500,000 move to Oldham Athletic, where he played until 1994, he transitioned into management as the club's player-manager from 1994 to 1997, guiding them through a period of mid-table stability in the English second tier before resigning.[3] In his later years, Sharp was honored as Everton's Players' Life President in 2020 and appointed a non-executive director in 2022, though he stepped away briefly amid club changes before reconciling in 2025.[3][4][5][6][7]Early life and youth career
Early life
Graeme Marshall Sharp was born on 16 October 1960 in Glasgow, Scotland.[2] He grew up in a Scottish family immersed in the city's vibrant football culture, with his father working as a business journalist for the Glasgow Herald and his elder brother Richard pursuing a professional playing career at clubs including Rangers, Kilmarnock, St Mirren, Dunfermline, and East Stirling.[2][8] From a young age, Sharp showed a keen interest in football during his school years in Glasgow, where the sport was a central part of local life and community identity.[2] As a Rangers supporter—influenced by the prevailing loyalties in his upbringing—he attended matches with his family, including the 1969 Scottish Cup semi-final at Parkhead, fostering early memories of the game's excitement and tribal passions.[2] Sharp later recalled, "I was a Rangers fan because that is what you had to be growing up," highlighting the inescapable pull of the club's dominance in Glaswegian youth culture at the time.[2] He was particularly inspired by Rangers winger Willie Henderson, whose skillful play left a lasting impression on the aspiring young footballer.[2]Youth development and debut at Dumbarton
Graeme Sharp began his professional football career by signing for Dumbarton on 26 June 1978, having previously played amateur football with Eastercraigs Boys' Club in Glasgow. At the age of 17, Sharp transitioned directly into the Scottish First Division with Dumbarton, a club competing in the second tier of Scottish football at the time. Sharp made his professional debut during the 1978–79 season, appearing in six league matches and scoring one goal as he adapted to senior football.[9] His breakthrough came in the following 1979–80 season, where he established himself as a key striker, making 34 league appearances and netting 16 goals, contributing significantly to Dumbarton's mid-table finish in the First Division.[9] Over his two seasons at the club, Sharp amassed 40 league appearances and 17 goals, showcasing his aerial prowess and finishing ability as a centre-forward.[9] One of Sharp's standout early performances occurred in the 1978–79 Scottish Cup, where he scored twice in a 3–1 fourth-round victory over Clydebank on 24 February 1979, helping Dumbarton advance to the quarter-finals.[10] Although Dumbarton fell 0–1 to Partick Thistle in the fifth round on 10 March 1979, Sharp's contributions in the cup run highlighted his potential as a prolific goalscorer.[11] These displays, combined with his consistent league form, began to attract interest from larger clubs, marking his rapid rise from youth amateur to professional prospect.[2]Club career
Everton
Graeme Sharp signed for Everton from Scottish club Dumbarton in April 1980 for a fee of £120,000, arriving as a promising 19-year-old forward who had shown early potential in the lower tiers of Scottish football.[12] He made his debut shortly after in a league match against Brighton & Hove Albion, quickly establishing himself as a key attacking option under manager Howard Kendall. Over the next decade, Sharp became a cornerstone of the team, forming part of a dynamic forward line that propelled Everton to domestic and European success. Sharp's most celebrated contributions came during the mid-1980s, a golden era for the club. In the 1984 FA Cup Final, he scored the opening goal in Everton's 2–0 victory over Watford at Wembley Stadium, heading in a cross from Trevor Steven to set the tone for the win and secure the club's first major trophy in 14 years.[13] The following season, 1984–85, Sharp was instrumental in Everton's First Division title triumph, scoring 21 league goals—including a memorable solo effort against Liverpool at Anfield that earned Goal of the Season honors—and finishing as the club's top scorer with 30 goals across all competitions.[14] His form continued into Europe's elite competition, where he netted a crucial equalizing header in the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich at Goodison Park, helping Everton to a 3–1 aggregate victory and progression to the final, which they won 3–1 against Rapid Vienna in Rotterdam.[15] Throughout his tenure, Sharp thrived in partnerships with midfield enforcer Peter Reid, whose tenacity and precise passing often unlocked defenses for the striker, and winger Trevor Steven, whose pinpoint crosses complemented Sharp's aerial prowess and finishing ability.[16] These collaborations were pivotal in Everton's attacking fluidity during their 1987 league title win as well, where Sharp contributed 16 league goals. In total, from 1980 to 1991, he made 447 appearances for the club, scoring 160 goals and becoming Everton's highest post-war goalscorer.[3] By the late 1980s, Everton's dominance waned amid managerial instability, with Kendall's departure in 1987 and brief return in 1989–90 failing to recapture former glories. Sharp's role diminished under subsequent coaches, and in July 1991, following the appointment of Colin Harvey as manager, he departed for Oldham Athletic in a £500,000 transfer, ending an 11-year spell that defined much of his career.[7]Oldham Athletic
In July 1991, Graeme Sharp transferred from Everton to Oldham Athletic for a fee of £500,000, joining the club shortly after their promotion to the First Division following a 68-year absence from the top flight.[12][17] At age 30, Sharp brought significant experience from his successful tenure at Everton, where he had been a key forward, to help bolster Oldham's attack in their bid for survival among established top-tier teams. During the 1991–92 season, Sharp adapted quickly to his new environment at Boundary Park, making 42 league appearances and scoring 12 goals, which contributed to Oldham's gritty 17th-place finish and avoidance of relegation.[18][19] His goals provided crucial moments, including a brace in a 2–1 victory over Manchester City on 28 September 1991, where he capitalized on defensive lapses to secure an important early win against a fellow promoted side.[20] Sharp's physical presence and finishing ability helped the team grind out results in a competitive division, offering leadership to a squad adjusting to the pressures of elite football. In the inaugural 1992–93 Premier League season, Sharp featured in 21 league matches, netting 7 goals, though his influence waned somewhat due to the league's increased intensity and his advancing age.[18] He marked a notable milestone by scoring Oldham's first-ever Premier League goal at home, equalizing in a 1–1 draw against Crystal Palace at Boundary Park on 19 August 1992.[17] Despite these contributions, Oldham finished 19th and were relegated, with Sharp's output reflecting the broader challenges of maintaining form in a restructured, more demanding competition. Over his playing spell at Oldham, which continued as player-manager until 1997, he made 102 appearances and scored 29 goals across all competitions.[21] The period at Oldham represented a transitional phase for Sharp, marked by limited overall success amid the club's struggles post-promotion, including inconsistent team performances and eventual relegation, which prompted his shift toward management within the game.[17]Bangor City
In July 1997, following his departure from Oldham Athletic, Graeme Sharp was appointed player-manager of Bangor City in the League of Wales.[22] Drawing briefly on his prior experience as a player-manager at Oldham, Sharp aimed to stabilize and elevate the Welsh club during his tenure.[23] Sharp's time at Bangor City lasted one season, from July 1997 to June 1998, marking the end of his playing career.[24] On the field, his contributions were limited due to his age and managerial responsibilities; he made 12 appearances and scored 2 goals in the league. Off the pitch, Sharp focused on team organization and tactical adjustments, working alongside assistant John Hulse to build a competitive squad blending experience and youth. Under Sharp's management, Bangor City achieved a solid mid-table finish, placing 6th in the 1997-98 League of Wales after 38 matches, with 20 wins, 8 draws, and 10 losses, while scoring 72 goals and conceding 54.[25] The highlight was their success in the Welsh Cup, where they reached and won the final against Connah's Quay Nomads on 10 May 1998, drawing 1-1 after extra time and prevailing 4-2 on penalties to secure the club's fourth Welsh Cup title.[25] This victory qualified Bangor City for the 1998-99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, though they were eliminated in the qualifying round.[26] Sharp retired from playing at the end of the 1997-98 season, at age 37, citing a desire to transition fully away from active involvement on the pitch after a career spanning over two decades.[17] His departure from management at Bangor followed the season's conclusion, allowing him to conclude his professional playing days on a high note with the cup triumph.[27]International career
Senior debut and appearances
Graeme Sharp earned his first senior cap for Scotland on 28 May 1985, starting in a 1–0 away victory against Iceland during the 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. Under manager Jock Stein, Sharp's inclusion reflected his rising form as a prolific striker at Everton, where he had established himself as a key goalscorer in the English First Division.[28] This debut marked the beginning of a period where Sharp competed for places in a competitive forward line, facing challenges from established talents such as Kenny Dalglish and emerging rivals like Frank McAvennie. Following Stein's sudden death in September 1985, Alex Ferguson took over as interim manager and continued to select Sharp for crucial matches, including the 1986 World Cup inter-confederation play-offs against Australia, which Scotland won 2–0 on aggregate to secure qualification for the finals in Mexico.[29] Sharp featured in the tournament itself, starting in the group stage draw against Uruguay on 13 June 1986 at Estadio Neza 86, though Scotland exited early after defeats to Denmark and West Germany. His selections under Ferguson highlighted his physical presence and aerial ability, though limited starts underscored the depth in Scotland's attack. Sharp accumulated 12 caps between 1985 and 1988, with further appearances under Andy Roxburgh in the UEFA Euro 1988 qualification, including matches against the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Luxembourg. Notable friendlies included games against Romania in March 1986 and Israel in January 1986. His only international goal came on 22 March 1988 in a 1–1 friendly draw with Malta at the National Stadium in Ta' Qali, ending his international career on a scoring note amid ongoing competition from forwards like Ally McCoist, who debuted in 1986.[30] Despite the challenges of a crowded striker pool, Sharp's contributions provided valuable depth during qualification efforts for major tournaments.[19]International statistics
Graeme Sharp earned 12 caps for the Scotland national team between 1985 and 1988, scoring 1 goal during his international career.[31][19] His appearances broke down as 4 in 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifiers (including play-offs), 1 at the 1986 FIFA World Cup finals, 4 in 1988 UEFA European Championship qualifiers, and 3 friendlies.[31] The single goal was scored in a friendly against Malta on 22 March 1988, giving Scotland a temporary 1–0 lead in a 1–1 draw.[32][33]| Date | Opponent | Score (Scotland first) | Competition | Scotland's Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 May 1985 | Iceland | 1–0 (a) | 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifying | 0 |
| 10 Sep 1985 | Wales | 1–1 (a) | 1986 FIFA World Cup qualifying | 0 |
| 20 Nov 1985 | Australia | 2–0 (h) | 1986 FIFA World Cup play-off | 0 |
| 4 Dec 1985 | Australia | 0–0 (a) | 1986 FIFA World Cup play-off | 0 |
| 28 Jan 1986 | Israel | 1–0 (a) | Friendly | 0 |
| 26 Mar 1986 | Romania | 3–0 (h) | Friendly | 0 |
| 13 Jun 1986 | Uruguay | 0–0 (n) | 1986 FIFA World Cup | 0 |
| 15 Oct 1986 | Rep. of Ireland | 0–0 (a) | 1988 UEFA European Championship qualifying | 0 |
| 14 Oct 1987 | Belgium | 2–0 (h) | 1988 UEFA European Championship qualifying | 0 |
| 11 Nov 1987 | Bulgaria | 1–0 (a) | 1988 UEFA European Championship qualifying | 0 |
| 2 Dec 1987 | Luxembourg | 0–0 (a) | 1988 UEFA European Championship qualifying | 0 |
| 22 Mar 1988 | Malta | 1–1 (a) | Friendly | 1 |