When did Gordon Lee Manage Everton?
Gordon Lee took over Everton as the club’s Manager in 1977.
In January 1977, Lee joined Everton to replace Billy Bingham, who had been fired. In 1976–77, he guided the “Toffees” to a ninth-place finish in the First Division and to the League Cup final.
The final was decided after two replays, with Aston Villa prevailing 3–2 at Old Trafford in the end.
Everton also made it to the FA Cup semi-finals, losing 3–0 to Liverpool in a replay at Maine Road, after a disputed 2–2 draw in the first game, in which referee Clive Thomas denied Everton a late winner.
Lee purchased goalkeeper George Wood for £150,000 from Blackpool in preparation for the 1977–78 season.
Later, he recruited Arsenal midfielder Trevor Ross and gave Billy Wright his first start as a center-back. Everton came in third place in the table, two points behind Liverpool and nine points behind Nottingham Forest, who were crowned champions.
In 1978–79, he guided the club to fourth place, despite finishing 17 points behind Liverpool. Lee sold midfielder Asa Hartford for £400,000 and sent
Mickey Walsh to Queens Park Rangers in exchange for Peter Eastoe. Everton, on the other hand, was relegated to 19th position in 1979–80, just one place and four points ahead of Bristol City.
He did, however, take the team to the FA Cup semi-finals, when they were defeated 2–1 in a replay at Elland Road, with Frank Lampard scoring the winning goal in extra time.
Midfielders Steve McMahon and Kevin Richardson, as well as defender Kevin Ratcliffe, all made their debuts for Lee.
He also added Dumbarton striker Graeme Sharp and Queen’s Park winger Alan Irvine to his squad. Lee was fired by chairman Philip Carter on May 6, 1981, after leading the team to a 15th-place finish in 1980–81, five places but only three points ahead of relegated Norwich City.
