From the Times.
Even though he wants Everton to win tonight I've got a lot of time for Big Joe.
Joe Royle
Last updated at 12:01AM, January 27 2016
The tag of being the last Everton manager to win a trophy is one that I would like to lose, albeit with a smile, because I’m very proud of it, but equally I want to see the present team be successful and I would like Roberto Martínez to lift a trophy this year. I’d love Manchester City to win the Premier League and for us to win this semi-final and go on to win the trophy. That would be ideal from this tie.
I still have a great rapport with City fans, having played for the club and managed them. I was at an Everton supporters’ club meeting in Crewe last week and four City fans turned up to see me. It is nice. I was also at a City supporters’ club meeting last year and there is that rapport with the middle-aged to senior City fans who remember the hard times when their chant of “We’re not really here” came about when we were traipsing the far reaches of English football, going to York, Gillingham and Wycombe, which funnily enough a lot of the fans still cherished and enjoyed. I have a great relationship with both sets of fans.
I am back working at Everton. Basically, what I do is get the under-21s out on loan, when they are ready, in co-ordination with David Unsworth, the under-21 coach, and Martínez, of course. I then follow them around and report on their progress or lack of progress accordingly.”
I was at Fleetwood last night watching one of the young players on loan. I enjoy being involved again. I sometimes miss seeing Everton at home on a Saturday, but I do get the chance to go to the big games. I will be at the second leg. I am a guest of City, would you believe.
We lost Howard Kendall recently and it would be nice for him if Everton could win something this season. I was looking at YouTube the other day and seeing Howard volleying a goal against Leicester in one cup run, so it would be nice. It really would. I have to be careful because I get emotional. We were very close, we had holidays with him and his wife, and in recent years we have been closer than when we were players. So it would be nice if we could win something for him.
•Joe Royle was Everton manager from 1994 to 1997, winning the FA Cup in 1995. He was Manchester City manager from 1998 to 2001.