Peter Reid is a bona fide footballing legend. A stalwart of Everton’s golden era in the 1980s, a relentless midfielder, and now a revered pundit and occasional sideline general in legends matches. Reid, who won the Football League First Division twice with Everton, the FA Cup, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup, was known for his gritty playing style, relentless work rate, and unmatched tenacity in midfield.
Capped 13 times by England and a part of the 1986 World Cup squad, he went on to manage clubs like Sunderland, Leeds United, and Manchester City—cementing his presence in both the playing and managerial annals of English football.
In recent times, however, it’s not his silverware-laden past or insightful commentary that has caught the internet’s attention. It’s… his trousers.
Yes, you read that right.
Recently, the UK’s Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government posted images of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner touring Everton’s soon-to-be-open Hill Dickinson Stadium, the shiny new home set to replace the iconic Goodison Park. The visit was part of a larger collaboration to showcase how local government, football clubs, and private entities can combine to boost regional investment and job creation.
Among the dignitaries and footballing faces present, one sharp-eyed viewer spotted something—rather, someone—of note: Peter Reid, wearing a pair of grey flared trousers so baggy they could’ve been mistaken for a tent in the Merseyside breeze. Twitter didn’t just notice. It exploded.
One fan, clearly shaken, wrote:
“State of Peter Reid’s trousers.”
Another chimed in with a pop culture dig:
“He looks like Brooks from the Shawshank Redemption.”
For context, Brooks Hatlen is a frail old inmate in the cult classic film Shawshank Redemption starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, remembered for his oversized clothing and frazzled look post-prison release. Reid’s pants seemed to mirror that vintage, saggy energy.
Another confused onlooker asked bluntly,
“Mate, they can’t be real.”
And given the fact that Reid’s trousers appeared to completely engulf his shoes—yes, not a single lace or sole was visible—you might sympathize with the disbelief.
But perhaps the hardest roast of all came from this bloke, who did not fancy the English mayor’s fashion choices as well:
“It’s a big effort in a photo with Angela Rayner and for her to not be the worst-dressed person in the pic.” Oof.
The slander didn’t stop there. A cheeky fan suggested:
“Looks like he’s bought a pair of two sizes too big from the local charity shop for two quid.”
Another added their twist,
“He’s definitely borrowed some of Calvert-Lewin’s old kegs that were lying around. Proper lost property. Clover them.”
Here, “kegs” refers to trousers in Northern slang, and the mention of Calvert-Lewin—known for his high-fashion, often controversial fits—only added spice to the burn.
The retro aura was too strong for some to ignore. One fan quipped:
“When you’re meeting the deputy PM at 1 p.m., but you got a Northern Soul all-nighter at Wigan Casino at 7 p.m.”
For people who are not aware, Northern Soul all-nighters are dance-heavy events celebrating 1970s soul music, and Wigan Casino was the iconic venue at the heart of that movement—and so were people wearing flared pants at this event and place.
Things only got more cinematic when another Twitter user dropped a legendary movie reference captioning:
“Peter Reid when he got home”: wherein a young lad is saying, “I got picked on three times today, all because of my trousers.”
Peter Reid when he got home pic.twitter.com/jD2mlnhn9L https://t.co/OTZBHgww6e
— Mac (@CMacSWFC) July 6, 2025
This is from the famous indie/coming-of-age British film ‘This Is England,’ where the young character Sean bemoans being bullied due to his fashion choices—eerily fitting for Reid’s day on the timeline.
Another example of Peter Reid donning flared pants was seen when he was pictured alongside ex-teammate and Everton legend Andy Gray. Rumors are the image is from a pre-match meetup as Reid leads Everton Legends, who will come up against AS Roma Legends led by ex-England national football team manager Fabio Capello in an all-legends fixture at the new Everton Stadium before the new Premier League season.
But even this wholesome post by Reid himself wasn’t safe. After tweeting “Great catching up with Andy. Topman” alongside former Everton man Andy Gray on a rooftop terrace this time in black flared pants, Twitter saw a Bee Gees cameo incoming. A fan replied:
“You off to a Bee Gees tribute night, lad?” referencing the disco icons known for their flamboyant, bell-bottomed wardrobes.
(For more context, Gray was also a former Scottish international striker who starred for clubs like Aston Villa and Everton and is now a prominent football broadcaster—often paired with Richard Keys on beIN Sports.)
Of course, it wasn’t all doom and denim. One loyal fan defended the flair:
“The man makes those pants work. What an icon he is.”
And yet, the people defending those flare pants were much lesser than the people who were roasting them.
One fan said,
“Peter, Niall Quinn’s been on the phone. He wants his disco pants back,”
No quarter was given.
(Quick context: Niall Quinn, an ex-Sunderland and Ireland striker known for his towering presence and 90s-era fashion choices, was the punchline here.)
One final punchline came from a Sunderland fan (or hater?):
“You must have bought them pants last time Sunderland were in the Premier League.”
That would be the 2016–17 season, by the way. Reid’s fashion choice was so outdated it was apparently last seen before Sunderland dropped to the Championship.
Whether Peter Reid wore those flared pants in tribute to the Bee Gees, Wigan Casino nights, or simply because they were comfy—Football Twitter has made its judgment. But in a world of sanitized fashion and cookie-cutter wardrobes, perhaps it takes an old-school rebel with loose trousers to remind us that football isn’t just about systems and stats—it’s also about swagger.
Even if it’s baggy.
Even if it covers your shoes.
Even if Twitter roasts you for a week straight.
Peter Reid, we salute you. And your trousers.
