40. Jack Sharp (1900-09)

342 appearances, 80 goals

Born in Hereford in 1878 Sharp was a lightning-fast and exciting outside right who represented England at cricket and football, he played 342 games for Everton and went on to be a director at Goodison. Jack bagged three league championship runners-up medals, one FA Cup runners up medal and lifted the FA Cup in 1906 when Everton beat Newcastle United 1-0 at Crystal Palace. A superb cricketer he hit 38 hundreds for his beloved Lancashire and, in 1909, also managed to crowbar three Test matches against Australia into his career, scoring 105 at the Oval.

41. Mikel Arteta (2005-present)

Our current midfield laureate, Arteta has feet like Rory Delap’s arms and more importantly, a sharp footballing brain. His  ruthless combination of power and technique led to a series of unstoppable free kicks last season. Ostensibly brought in as Thomas Gravesen’s replacement – Arteta has gone on to outshine the Dane. No diver, Arteta is instead equipped with the fleet-footed skill and innate sonar to pick up countless fouls against him. Last season, following a move to central midfield, chairman Bill Kenwright compared the Spaniard to Alex Young, the “Golden Vision”; dubbing Arteta La visión de Oro. He has been sorely missed as he recuperates from his knee injury.

42. Joe Mercer OBE (1932-46)

184 appearances, 2 goals

A league title winner at Goodison in 1938-39, Ellesmere Port born Mercer was an excellent left half and an England legend. Everton got four seasons out of him before the war. As with many players of his generation the war ‘stole’ what would have been his best years. He moved to Arsenal for £9,000 in 1946, though he continued to commute from Merseyside. Mercer’s fierce tackling and marauding runs were to be missed. His long and distinguished managerial career included spells at Sheffield Utd., Villa, Manchester City and as the care-taker England boss.

43. Cliff Britton (1930-39)

240 appearances, 3 goals

Everton signed Britton in 1930 from Bristol Rovers. Three years later the talented midfielder had won the FA Cup and was later to be recognized by England, winning nine caps in all. Britton provided much ammunition for Bill Dean, who would later claim that his crosses were the best he had ever received.

44. Gary Stevens (1981-88)

284 appearances, 12 goals

Stevens graduated through the youth team and became a strong right back. Though admittedly not the most technically gifted, he was almost unbeatable because of his extreme pace. Such was his symbiotic relationship with the man who played in front of him that Gary Stevens and Trevor Steven effectively came as a pair. The much hyped on-field relationship between Gary Neville and David Beckham doesn’t hold a torch to our Blue duo.

45. Derek Temple (1956-68)

272 appearances, 82 goals

Derek ‘Shirley’ Temple, a pacy and versatile player, scored the third miraculous goal in Everton’s famous 1966 Cup Final comeback against Sheffield Wednesday, a cool finish in a cauldron of pressure. His two-footed wing play even won the attention of Alf Ramsey, earning him one England cap in 1965.

46. Andy King (1976-80, 1982-84)

247 appearances, 68 goals

An effervescent and skillful attacking force, Andy King first came to Goodison in 1976 as a £35,000 signing from Luton Town. None of his 68 net-bulgers were more memorable than his volleyed goal against the old enemy in October 1978, which has gone down in Goodison lore; King smashed the ball past Ray Clemence, ending seven years of inferiority to the Anfield club. King had exquisite technique and a huge heart, and the only regret from Evertonians is that he didn’t truly fulfill his massive potential.

47. Warney Cresswell (1927–36)

306 appearances, 1 goal

Cresswell oozed such class that he became known as “the prince of full backs”. He won seven caps for England and helped Everton to win the Football League Championship twice and the FA Cup in 1933.

48. John Hurst

385 appearances, 34 goals

A product of Everton’s youth system, Hurst was a key member of the 1970 league championship-winning side, playing at the heart of the defence alongside Brian Labone. An imposing and skilful player, Hurst has been somewhat neglected by the historians but his contribution is not forgotten by this admirer. Confusingly for those less flexible times he wore the No 10 shirt. Legend had it at the time that this allowed the goal-shy Colin Harvey to wear the No 6 shirt thus lifting psychological pressure from the attacking midfielder’s shoulders. Given Harry Catterick’s man-management skills, this is not as outlandish an explanation as might be imagined.

"Sir Dobbo"

49. Martin Dobson

190 appearances, 29 goals

“I think you learn more from failure than you do from success. I was  and I was totally devastated. You just got a letter in those days – ‘Thank you, you’re crap, goodbye’” – Dobson on being rejected by Bolton as a youngster.

Bolton Wanderers must still be kicking themselves for rejecting Martin Dobson when he was a teenager. Unbelievably, he is the second high profile Evertonian to be shown the door marked “gerrout!” by Bolton, the first being Alan Ball.

Dobbo was a tall, gracile midfield player with excellent technique who was bought from Burnley by Billy Bingham in 1974, for a record British transfer fee. The £300,000 that Everton spent on him provoked questions about whether money was beginning to rule the sport, questions which have never stopped.

Dobson won won five caps for England under three different managers; Sir Alf Ramsey, Joe Mercer, and Don Revie.

Dobson had excellent close control which aided his wonderful shooting and passing, and when he was in possession of the ball he was neither hurried nor wasteful. The latest Everton starlet to make it into the first team, Jack Rodwell, has been compared to Dobson – and he should take it as a huge compliment.