Tony Cottee
The £2.2m striker who scored a hat-trick on debut and finished sixth with Everton, but left without silverware.
Tony Cottee joined Everton on 2 August 1988 in a £2.2 million deal, briefly making him the most expensive player in a transfer between British clubs. He made his debut on 27 August 1988, the opening day of the 1988–89 First Division campaign, scoring a hat-trick in a 4–0 away win over Newcastle United at St James' Park. Over six years at Goodison Park, he played 184 league games for the Toffees, scoring 76 goals, and finished sixth with the club in the 1989–90 season, though he never won a major trophy with the club.
- Role
- Striker
- Total Appearances
- 184 league games for Everton
- Goals Scored
- 76 league goals for Everton
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Cottee's Everton career was marked by near-misses and memorable moments. He played in the 1989 FA Cup final defeat to Liverpool, losing 3–2 in extra time at Wembley. Earlier that season, he scored twice in another Wembley defeat, a 4–3 loss to Nottingham Forest in the Full Members Cup final. In the 1990–91 season, he scored a goal in an FA Cup fifth-round replay against Liverpool, making it 3–3, with Dave Watson scoring the final equaliser in a 4–4 draw in what proved to be Kenny Dalglish's last game before resigning as manager. Cottee scored Everton's first two hat-tricks in the Premier League: a 4–2 home win over Sheffield United early in the 1993–94 season, and a 6–2 home win over Swindon Town in January 1994.
In Their Own Story
The 1993–94 season nearly ended in disaster for Everton, who only narrowly avoided relegation just seven years after being league champions. Cottee managed 16 league goals that season, including those two Premier League hat-tricks. But new manager Mike Walker, who arrived in January 1994, promised an overhaul of the squad. On 7 September 1994, Cottee returned to West Ham United in a part-exchange deal for defender David Burrows plus cash. Everton manager Mike Walker had signed Nigerian Daniel Amokachi fresh from World Cup duty and financed the move by selling Cottee, much to Everton fans' disapproval.
Reader's Guide
Cottee spent six seasons at Everton, from 1988 to 1994. He played alongside Graeme Sharp in his first season, then under manager Colin Harvey in a 4–3–3 formation with Mike Newell for 1989–90. After Harvey was sacked on 31 October 1990 with Everton third from bottom, Howard Kendall returned as manager. Cottee scored 10 league goals in 1990–91, 8 in 1991–92 (his first season with fewer than 10 league goals since his debut season), 12 in 1992–93 (the inaugural Premier League season), and 16 in 1993–94. His final career tally across all clubs was 579 league games and 226 goals, and 712 games and 293 goals in all competitions.
Did You Know?
- Cottee scored a hat-trick on his Everton debut, a 4–0 away win over Newcastle United at St James' Park on 27 August 1988.
- He scored Everton's first two hat-tricks in the Premier League: against Sheffield United and Swindon Town in the 1993–94 season.
- Cottee scored Everton's third goal in an FA Cup fifth-round replay against Liverpool on 21 February 1991, making it 3–3, with Dave Watson scoring the final equaliser in a 4–4 draw in Kenny Dalglish's last game before res
- He played in two Wembley finals for Everton in the 1988–89 season: the FA Cup final (lost 3–2 to Liverpool) and the Full Members Cup final (lost 4–3 to Nottingham Forest, scoring twice).
- Cottee was sold to fund the signing of Nigerian striker Daniel Amokachi in September 1994, a move that displeased Everton fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tony Cottee?
Tony Cottee was a prolific English striker who joined Everton in 1988 for a then-record British transfer fee of £2.2 million. He became an iconic figure at Goodison Park despite his relatively short six-year tenure with the club.
How did Tony Cottee perform on his Everton debut?
On August 27, 1988, just days after signing, Cottee made an immediate impact by scoring a hat-trick in a 4–0 victory over Newcastle United. This historic performance set high expectations for his time at the club.
What were Tony Cottee's total statistics with Everton?
During his six seasons with the Toffees, Cottee appeared in 184 league matches and netted an impressive 76 goals. His goal-scoring rate remains one of the most significant individual achievements in the club's recent history.
Why is Tony Cottee considered a legendary player if he never won a trophy?
Although Cottee left without securing any major silverware or finishing higher than sixth in the league, his status stems from being the most expensive British signing at the time and his prolific scoring record. Fans revere him for his sheer talent and instant impact upon arrival.
When did Tony Cottee's story with Everton end?
Cottee concluded his chapter at Goodison Park after six years, having failed to secure a league title or cup victory despite his individual brilliance. His departure marked the end of an era defined by high expectations and memorable goals rather than silverware.
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