Everton legend, Dave Watson, recently visited Park High School in Birkenhead to talk about his career and accept a cheque on behalf of Radio City's Cash for Kids Appeal.
Dave talked about what it was like being a professional footballer, including lifting the FA Cup at Wembley and playing for England in Brazil. On show for school pupils to explore were items from the Collection, including old balls, boots, rattles and a 1995 FA Cup Final shirt!
Amateur boxer, Tom Stalker, also talked to pupils about becoming a boxer and what it was like winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Dave Watson played for the Liverpool reserves before joining Norwich City in 1980. He made 256 appearances for Norwich and as club captain lifted the Milk Cup in 1985. He made his first 6 appearances for England whilst at Carrow Road before moving on to play for Everton in 1986 after six years at Norwich. He remained at Goodison Park for 15 years.
He helped Everton win the title in his first season and helped them reach the FA Cup Final in 1989 where they lost 3-2 to local rivals Liverpool in extra time. Watson was an integral part of the Everton side throughout the 1990s and following the departure of Neville Southall in 1998 he became the club's oldest and longest serving player. Watson got his hands on some silverware for one final time in 1995 when he captained Everton to a surprise 1-0 win over Manchester United in the FA Cup Final. Watson captained Everton to sixth place in 1996 but when manager Joe Royle resigned in March 1997, Watson took over as caretaker manager for the final few weeks of the season. Howard Kendall then took over as manager for the third time. He made one final appearance at 39 before calling time on 15 years at Everton and becoming manager at Tranmere Rovers on 4 May 2001.
He later became a scout for Birmingham City before joining Wigan Athletic as their youth team coach on 23 April 2008.
Tom Stalker was born on 30 June 1984 in Liverpool. He is an English amateur boxer fighting in the 60kg Lightweight category. Tom is a member of the England elite squad as well as the Great British podium squad and recently won silver at the 2010 European Amateur Boxing Championship in Moscow and Gold at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. He was named amateur boxer of the year in 2010 by the Boxing Writer's Club of Great Britain.
Dave Watson and pupils with Collection