Billy Kenny has revealed just how close he came to joining Liverpool or Manchester United as a schoolboy — but says choosing Everton was never really in doubt.
Speaking in an interview with the Liverpool Echo, published alongside a special edition of the Royal Blue podcast, Kenny recalled being wanted by two of Everton’s biggest rivals before beginning his senior career at Goodison Park.
For Kenny, however, there was only one club he really wanted.
“I was possessed. I needed to play for Everton, you know what I mean, it was my dream,” he said.
Liverpool and Manchester United wanted Billy Kenny
Kenny had already attracted attention as a teenager and played for Liverpool schoolboys before reaching the point where he had to choose which club would begin his professional career.
The midfielder admits he enjoyed being pursued by some of the biggest clubs in the country, including the free kit that came his way as they attempted to persuade him to sign.
Liverpool, then managed by Sir Kenny Dalglish, were interested. So too were Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, with Kenny revealing that he spent six weeks training at United’s old Cliff training ground.
“The feelers were definitely out. When I came back from Liverpool at Wembley, I went to United for two weeks. Alex Ferguson knew. He said: ‘How was your trip to Wembley with the Reds?’” Kenny recalled.
Neither manager could persuade him to abandon Everton.
Kenny eventually made his Premier League debut in a 1-1 draw against Coventry City on 17 October 1992. Less than two months later came the performance for which many Evertonians still remember him, when he was named man of the match in a 2-1 comeback victory over Liverpool at Goodison Park.
He made 23 appearances and scored once for Everton, while teammate Peter Beardsley gave him the nickname that has followed him ever since: The Goodison Gazza.
Kenny also recalled his battles with another outstanding young player of the era.
“I had some cracking games against Ryan Giggs, or Ryan Wilson as he was called at the time,” he said.
Kenny now tells the other side of his story
What followed has been well documented, and Kenny discusses it openly. Everton released him in 1994 as problems with alcohol and drugs contributed to the premature end of a career that had once promised so much.
Spells with Oldham Athletic and Barrow followed, while Kenny later spent time in prison. He has subsequently spoken candidly about his recovery and the death of his mother Bella, which he identifies as a major turning point in his life.
Now 53, Kenny has told his story in his book The Goodison Gazza.
There is inevitably sadness attached to a career that might have developed very differently. Yet his recollections of being courted by Dalglish and Ferguson also offer a reminder of just how highly Kenny was regarded before he had even played senior football.
Liverpool and Manchester United both wanted him. Kenny only really wanted Everton.
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