Adrian Heath

Adrian Paul Heath (born 11 January 1961) is an English football manager and former player. As a player, he is best known for his six seasons at Everton, where he won two First Division titles and an FA Cup. As a manager, Heath initially worked in his native England before moving abroad and guiding Orlando City to the best start of any newly founded team in the history of the professional game in the USA winning multiple honours and guiding the team to expansion into MLS.

Playing career

Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, Heath started his playing career at Stoke City having joined the club from playing in the local Ladsandads League. He signed a professional contract at 17 and played in the reserves under the guidance of player coach Howard Kendall, Heath's impressive performances helped the second string to 2nd in the Central League and saw him win the club's young player of the year award. Known as "Inchy" due to his small stature, he burst on to the first team scene in 1979–80 displaying great maturity in the First Division and scoring two vital goals at the end of the season which ensured Stoke's survival. He scored seven goals in 41 matches in 1980–81 and five in 20 in 1981–82. With Heath fast becoming one of the most sought after midfielder in the country Richie Barker allowed him to join Everton in January 1982 for a then club record fee of £750,000.