A star of Second Division Oldham Athletic’s 1990 cup heroics, which saw them reach the League Cup Final and the FA Cup semi finals, Mike Milligan was one of English football’s most desirable transfer targets in the summer of 1990.

 A hard tackling, energetic and constructive player, there seemed to be echoes of Peter Reid in his play. Colin Harvey beat off much competition to make the adopted Irishman a £1million signing.

It was unfortunate that Milligan came into a side suffering its death throes under Harvey’s management. But as one of the club’s most expensive signings he shouldered some of the burden for the malaise and his performances did little to allay the decline.  Likened to Bryan Robson, it was soon obvious that the comparison was hasty and inaccurate. Injured in September 1990, by the time of his return from injury Harvey had been sacked.

Following Howard Kendall’s return as manager in November 1990, Milligan increasingly became a peripheral player at the club. There was a return to the first team in spring 1991, but little sign of the vibrant performances once witnessed in the blue of Oldham. At the season’s end, Kendall cut Everton’s losses, selling Milligan back to his former club for £600,000.