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Twiggy

By Ian   Macdonald  ::  20/06/2012   11 Comments (»Last)
Gordon West

No, this story is not about the Carnaby Street model of the sixties but about a man who I had the pleasure to know as a friend and a great Everton goalkeeper, Gordon West.

"Twiggy" was the affectionate nickname given to Gordon by another Everton legend "Labby," Brian Labone. Forty years friends and ex-teammates and players who gave such happy times to fellow Evertonians, family and friends.

I am too young to have seen Gordon play but I know he is embroiled in Everton's rich past. I first met this giant of a man, who had hands like shovels, in a local pub, the Royal Oak, in Waterloo. I instantly recognized Gordon; although a few stones heavier than his playing days (but most a us pile the weight on in later years), he had his bike parked in the pub's foyer and came in on his way home from work for a couple of pints. Gordon at the time was a security guard at Woodvale airport. I soon built up a rapport with Gordon; he had many a tale to tell about his playing days.

I would sit and listen like a kid round a camp fire hanging on his every word. I'd offer him a pint but he would never accept one off me, telling me not to be offended but he only has a couple of pints a day. Years later when I got to know him better I asked him why he would never get a pint off me and everyone else who queued up to buy this dry-witted Barnsly lad a pint.

He told me, ?Ian, I could not have offered to buy you one back because I was brassic lad.? I'm getting told this by an ex-England and Everton player who never lost his money through bad investment or gambling. The fact was players from his era only got three or four times the average man's wages; it would not be the case today of players earning a hundred times the man-in-the-street's wages.

I remember being at Linda's home one day and offered Westy a lift back to Waterloo. He would put his pipe out and ask if I had any paving stones. I told him I'd get him a few, what size? "No, no, Ian. I want broken ones. I'm going to do some crazy paving in the front garden." Crazy being the right word for this man as it's a well known observation that most goalkeepers are crazy.

I offered to help him but he wanted to do this project on his own, in his own time. I thought of the old Johnny Cash song, ?I took one piece at a time and it never cost me a dime'. I went to inspect his works and Gordon made a good job of it. Last year he started the back in the same style but he never finished it due to ill-health.

It was last Sunday late afternoon I got told by Dave McDougall, a great friend and aid to Westy, that Gordon had passed away. I went quiet as I thought he was coming home on Monday from hospital. We had lost a friend who was such a humble man, who would shirk handouts and was basically a bit shy at times, a very private man. Gordon never liked fuss or be the centre of attention. He told Linda, his partner, and his family that when he goes he would like a service in St Luke's, and a trip round Goodison one last time, his spiritual home, followed by cremation.

But St Luke's is too small and a bigger venue was needed due to so many wanting to come to his funeral. Reverend Harry Ross has been very good to Gordon these last few years, aided by Dave McDougal under the umbrella of the Former Players Foundation, the brainchild of David France, another person who helped Gordon in many ways. Gordon would bang the drum for this great service to former players at every occasion. I think he was its greatest Ambassador when he spoke of it with such passion and vigor.

At functions when Gordon got up to speak about the foundation, a golden hush would fall over fans with tears in their eyes from the help given to these bruised and battered bodies. Players who would go through the pain barrier for Everton but in later years were repaid for that passion with worn hips and knees, crippled in many cases.

Reverend Ross told Linda that The Anglican Cathedral was available, the same venue as his great friend Labby's funeral was held. I think when Labby died a big part of Gordon did too.
Oh, they would fight like cat and dog but they were so close; like brothers.

When these two were on the top table at functions it was pure comedy; Hinge and Bracket, Morecambe and Wise. Westy would be the fall guy and butt of the jokes by Labby but Westy would respond with a one-liner of pure dry Yorkshire humour, often smoking his pipe like Sherlock Holmes.

Like in his playing days, Westy was sick before functions. He did not like going up on the stage but felt he owed it to the fans and a couple of bob came in handy to help pay bills. When he was with Labby, Howard Kendall or Ian Callaghan (an ex-red and decent man) he would nominate to get the drinks in, not wanting to be the centre of attention and questions, still being the butt of his top-table speakers. He had the last laugh, though ? unbeknownst to them he had a bigger glass than the others.

Gordon in his playing days

Gordon in his playing days

Gordon was often asked about who was the best, Big Nev or himself. He would respond in a couple of ways. "In Black and White, I was the best. In colour Nev was, but we were both the same, fat bastards." Big Nev would get upset a bit as he is in denial of his now larger frame.

Roy Caine was always helping Gordon with getting functions but when he would get paid he would tell Roy, "that's too much, take some back or I'll flatten you." I think Gordon thought he was getting paid the same value as the sixties.

Roy would come down to the Exchange in town to meet Labby, Gordon and myself sometimes. It was usually a Christmas meet or an odd Friday. It was then I heard Labby say that he wanted to get buried first before Gordon. I asked why. ?Because I'm not carrying that fat bastard!?

I heard of Labby's death when we went to a friendly against Bray Wanderers. I rang Gordon to see if he was OK. For the first time he was lost for words. Labby's wife Pat and daughter Rochelle were close to Gordon and they sent a lovely card to Linda showing the affection they had of this giant of a man whom they had known for over forty years.

Roy told me the story of Gordon's famous Viva. It was novel back then to own a car and Gordon would be the taxi to his fellow players. On one occasion, a driver cut across Gordon, nearly causing an accident. The man gestured at Gordon to **** off. For the first time Gordon saw red! He followed the man and words where exchanged again with the man throwing a punch at Gordon. Westy threw one back and knocked him out in one blow. No wonder, with hands like his.

Coming from the backwaters of Barnsley, Gordon went to Blackpool to play. It was a big change in his life. He had a lovely landlady to look after him, but when training had finished he would be lonely in his attic room. He felt homesick and rang his Dad. He wanted to come home. His Dad told him, ?Gordon, if you come back you know where you will end up. Stay where you are son.? Gordon knew it was the Pits or a footballing life above ground.

It was while staying at his digs that Gordon met his wife Ann and later, opposite his home, Alan Ball stayed. When he went to Everton he was just eightteen. At his first derby at Anfield, he could not understand why 22,000 koppites were hurling abuse at him. He had done nothing to them! Next game he would blow kisses back at them. They sang back to him, ?Hey there, Gordon West, you're a bigger girl than Georgie Best?. The banter grew with the infamous giving of a handbag to Gordon.

Gordon wished he could get his hands on that Koppite again. He told me he wanted to be remembered as a great goalie not being given a handbag on a football field. I told Gordon we will always think of you as a great goalie, you big softy.

A great example of Westy's nature is encapsulated in Paul Wharton's story of Gordon.

Gordon came with Linda to my house to celebrate my son Michael's 18th birthday. He was laughing with all the young Evertonians. I introduced Gordon to an aspiring young 'keeper about 14 years old. "Good physique," said Gordon with a glint in his eye. "I would like to give you a test to see how clever you are. What's 2+2," said Gordon to the young 'keeper. "Four," said the 'keeper confidently. "You will fail to be a good goalkeeper," said Gordon to the young man, "because you are too clever. The room burst into laughter. "You have to be stupid to be a keeper," Gordon chuckled away.

Gordon and Linda

Gordon and Linda in happy days

When we had the opening of the Dixie Play in Crosby, I was standing with Gordon when the Z-Cars theme started up. He started jogging on the spot. "Come on, Labby. Time to go he said." We only had just lost Labby so the music must have brought it back.

To have met Gordon as one of my idols was just great but to have got to know him as a very humble, funny man was fantastic. He had a bagful of stories to tell you that had you laughing. It was a pleasure to have known you Gordon, so see you next time in the big blue heaven.

A number of Everton fans who knew Westy added their tributes:

I first saw Gordon West at Goodison when he replaced Albert Dunlop, he looked thin and nervous ? not the image that we have of him today ? but that nervousness was a cover for confidence. Deep down he knew he was good, he knew that he had all that it would take to be the best. He also knew that he would be in command of his area; if he was to be blamed for a mistake then it would be his mistake, no one else's. He was quite simply the best goalkeeper to have ever played for Everton from 1878 up to the 1960's and through to the 70's.

Labone, Parker, Gabriel, Wilson, would hang on his every word. Wingers Scott and Morrisssey would wait just over the half way line for the amazing throw outs of Gordon. He launched the ball with missile accuracy ? check out the 1966 Cup Final at Wembley, when this so-called nervous wreck, threw twelve balls over the half way line with only one not finding its target.

As the years went by, Gordon grew in stature and in figure, but that was okay, he was OUR 'Gordon', OUR 'Westie'. When you talked to him you listened, you knew that what he said was true and important and mostly it was funny, delivered with a dry Yorkshire wit, that could match any Scouse jibe.

Goodison Park celebrates 120 years this coming season. If you say the names Sagar, West, Southall, you will have 70 years of giants. Gordon was so good that the defence could relax and never panic. Look at the record at Goodison Park that Gordon had. It was a fortress; Russia had its Iron Curtain, Berlin had its Wall, but we we had the "Westie Rock" and it stood the test of time.

Gordon was a Giant of Everton Football Club, an Excellent Goalkeeper, An Evertonian, but most of all a LOVELY, WARM, NICE, MAN.
George Orr

What words can you put down about someone who you have know about since you were five years of age?

My father first took me to watch Everton when I was four, first to a few reserve games, but took me to watch Everton's first team when a certain Mr Gordon West was goalkeeper.

Gordon was purchased for a then record fee for a keeper. (£27,500). With his movie-star features and his athletic build he quickly settled into his new role and quickly became a fans favourite. He had the ability of hurling his massive frame to every corner of the goal. In fact, one of his famous saves was captured and used for many years on Grandstand.

I was very lucky and priveleged to spend many social occasions in the company of Gordon, Linda and his family. He was a wonderful human being, a gentleman and an Evertonian.
Keith Wilson

There was an old dear who used to pop into the Brooke Hotel in Waterloo every day. She'd be there for about three or four hours, nursing a couple of halves of bitter, reading her paper. She was a widow, had no local family.

Whenever Gordon came in, he would ignore the bar and go across to her. "Are you are right, chuck? How have you been?"

"I'm very well, thank you, and thanks for asking."

Gordon would then proceed to the bar and order a drink. I have no doubt that the old lady had no idea who he was. I am also pretty sure that Gordon didn't know her name, either. But he made sure that this special old girl had a friend whenever he saw her.

She passed away a few years ago. But not without a friend.

About a decade ago, I was at work at my desk in Her Majesty's Land Registry, when the phone rang. It was Keith Wilson.

"What time are you finishing work?"

"Whatever, I'm on Flexi-time."

"Finish now. Get down to the Volunteer Canteen" [a pub in Waterloo]

"Why?"

"There are three guys in here who saw Dixie Dean and Tommy Lawton play for Everton."

"On my way!"

And so it was that I met two brothers and their brother in law. We met every fortnight in the Volly and Keith and I just listened.

A couple of months later, I bumped into Gordon West, and mentioned our fortnightly jaunt to the Volly. I told him that these guys would love to spend some time with him, and so it was that Gordon became the sixth person in our fortnightly get-together.

Six months later, I was invited to the Annual Shareholders Dinner at Goodison by John Sinnott. Happy to accept, I arrived and bought some wine for the table, after which John informed me that he had to drive back to Leicester that evening, so I was on my own with the wine.

It's fair to say that this was a very important night in my life, as this was the evening that I first saw my wife Barbara. However, I also met two remarkable ladies that evening, Lena and Linda. Lena was in her eighties, four feet ten and seven stone dripping wet. Her daughter Linda was vivacious, bright
and intelligent ? and both of them were big blues and shareholders.

Talking to Lena, it transpired that she danced with some of the Everton Team of the 1930s ? her particular favourite was Torry Gillick. I mentioned that every fortnight, Keith and I met up with these three guys who remembered the EFC team pre-war, and would the ladies like to come along and meet them?

Well, they did. And became part of the furniture every fortnight.

But more than that ? Linda and Gordon became a very loving couple. Linda always said that she would always stay with mum ? and mum sadly passed away a few weeks ago aged 99. Well, at least we thought that this would offer Gordon and Linda some quality time together, but as you know, this was not meant to be.

Our wonderful friend, the Barnsley Scouser, passed away today.

God Bless you, Gordon. Lovely guy, honest and forthright, and an Evertonian all the way.

Here's Westy receiving the Dixie Dean Memorial Award two years ago. In great form, as ever.

Phil Pellow, Satis fanzine

Sad morning with the news of Gordon's death. I met him once at a "Hall of Fame" do at the Adelphi. Larger than life in many ways.

My first ever Everton game was in March 1962. It was his debut so his Everton career started mine off. We beat Wolves 4-0 so I have no memories of him in that game but so many after that. Some random memories: -

  • He made a magnificent save against a Brian Labone back header in the 1966 Cup replay against Man City to keep us in the game. We drew 0-0 and won the second replay the following week
  • Him taunting the Kop when we won there 2-0 in 1970. Clinched the Championship a couple of weeks later
  • Saw him throwing one of those old footballs into the Bullens Road upper deck in protest against a bad decision.
  • The 1967 Cup game against Liverpool when he thumped St. John. That was the game with 65,000 at Goodison and 40,000 at Anfield watching on big screen.
  • A cup game in 1972? against Crystal Palace at Selhurst park when he made a string of saves to keep us in the game.
  • He had a meltdown on the pitch against Keflavik in the European Cup is 1970 when we won 6-2 but he had a shocker. Ran off the pitch at the end and didn't play again that season. That's why he was so loved - he was so vulnerably human.

A sad day
Jim Lynch

On Saturday night I was invited by Gordon's son Stephen to raise a glass or two to his Dad in The Royal Oak. It was a privilege to be there going over the old stories about his dad. Stephen was with his partner Ella, his best mate Sean, Phil, Dave and Keith.

I often see Steve and Sean at many away games and at home. Both these lads lived in the Isle of Wight meeting up when Gordon's wife left him and made a home there with his brother, Mark, who was 9, and Steve, 13, when they made the long journey down south.

The story goes that Anne, Gordon's wife would leave him if he went with the England party to Mexico in the World Cup. Ann, a talented pianist, left six months later anyway.

The pub's manager Peter bought us all a round in respect of his famous, departed customer. Tales of how Westy wound up Labby for a change when at functions he would ask who was afraid of Burnley's bruising striker Andy Lockheed? Gordon knew Labby had a torrid time against this particular striker and had nightmares about him. Labby would answer back ?Not me!? Gordon would shout to the audience ?Oh yes he was!?

Steve told us he was looking through his dad's possessions and found an England cap v Mexico. He was made up; it was a little bit of light in this sad time. Gordon's other caps are in the Everton Collection, as are his medals.

Gordon had to sell his medals to make ends meet although he qualified for a testimonial having served Everton for eleven years. Sadly he was never awarded one. Steve also found his dad's contracts with Everton which where on a yearly, rolling basis. At the end of every season Westy, like others, would go in and see Harry Catterick the Everton manager and ask about his new contract for next season.

Catterick would say ?Well, lad, you've had another good season, I'll keep you on. ?What about a rise boss?? ?Hmmm, an extra fiver a week!?

Now Gordon feared no man, ask any striker he challenged, but he went in every year and sheepishly ask for a rise. Gordon, at Mick Lyons testimonial, came on at the second half on a stretcher; always the joker. During the game Gordon rolled back the years with a wonder save.

We discussed what music would his dad like at the funeral? Steve said he liked Queen but thought Another One Bites the Dust would be in poor taste. Mike and the Mechanics' Living Years has been chosen, a great send-off song.

Part of Westy's work wear was his gloves, being a crazy goalie. Now at the time, Jack Sharp sponsored Everton to a degree and Gordon would go down and get his gloves once a season, get a chitty off the store to include two pints for him and Labby. Towards the end of the season the gloves where looking worse for wear but instead of getting new ones Westy would have to darn them, the same as his goalie shirts. How times have changed...

Gordon, when asked, was not jealous of the riches awarded to the present players. He said he was lucky to have been given a decent living whilst playing. Gordon told me that he and Labby used to collect stamps; now players collect houses! (As he was under 21 when he signed for Everton he never got a signing-on fee from Blackpool).

When he finished at Everton he went to work as a rep in Scotts bakery. He lasted just three days. He hated being told to wait outside offices and be called in when the buyer was ready to see him.

He then went to Tranmere for two years playing and training the kids. Unfortunately Tranmere fell into financial difficulties and Gordon was let go, only to be asked back at a later date to play 14 more games.

Whilst not playing he put weight on easily and had to train vigoroursly to get back to fitness, putting bin bags on and running around Sefton meadows, losing two stone in a short period. Our mad goalie then went to work for the council and then onto being a security guard at Woodvale.

66 Reunion

Gordon at the 1966 Team Reunion, with John Bailey, Alex Young and Mike Trebilcock


I have to mention Westy's long term partner Linda, they were such good company to each other. Sadly Linda lost her mum, Lena, the oldest Everton season ticket holder and shareholder earlier this year. Lena was a young 99 year old and Gordon helped Linda to look after her mum.

It was a loving task but when Lena died I thought that Linda and Gordon could have more quality time together, but illness to Gordon now put paid that. Life can be so cruel and I feel so much for that lovely lady Linda and Gordon's family.

When going to visit Linda, Gordon would get the bus at the top of his road. On one occasion Jamie Carragher's Dad, Phil, who was a mad Evertonian stopped the bus along South Road standing in the middle of the road just to jump on it and shake Gordon's hand.

Stephen was a frequent visitor to his Dad's home and no one knew this giant of a man better. Over the years I would often see Gordon's brother, Jack, from Barnsley and the dry humour of these Yorkshire men was another comedy act. My rule of thumb on ex-Everton players is the older they are the nicer they are. These past heroes are so humble and taken aback by the adoration they receive when fans meet them.

Gordon's last journey to Goodison

Monday came, the day of Gordon's funeral. The sun shone down like Gordon's smile. I was picked up by Dave Mc and we went to Gordon's house in Holden Road. All the neighbors came out to see Gordon off. We then left to go around Goodson where he became a great player and spent so many happy times.

Onwards to the Great Anglican Cathedral and all its magnificence, a truly great venue for a funeral. As we approached you could see the crowds outside sprinkled with red shirts as Gordon was popular with the older reds. A guard of honour awaited Gordon's coffin of ex-players: John Hurst, Duncan McKenzie, George Telfer, Ian Callaghan, Fred Pickering, Peter Reid, Tommy Wright, Cliff Marshal, Derek Temple, Joe Royle, John Baily, Dave Hickson, Tony Kay and Johnny Morrissey. As the coffin was taken from the hearse, spontaneous clapping broke out.

Arriving at the Catherdral

Reidy got up to the pulpit and shouted, "can you see me!" He did look small. Reidy said he was honoured to speak about Gordon, he loved his sense of humour. As a child, Gordon's team broke his heart as he was a red then as Everton were the best team. "Gordon was an Everton giant. Gordon was the best. I was privileged to play in the second best Everton side as Gordon's was the best. It's a grand old team to play for..."

Next it was Joe Royle's turn at the pulpit. He said to have a great side you need a great goalkeeper and we had three great sides Gordon played in. "I loved his bravery his madness and his sense of humour. From changing the talcum powder to grout to winding up fellow players."

"On one occasion we were coming back from Sunderland on course to win the league. Westy challenged Sandy Brown to a Scotch drinking contest. Why Scotch? Well for no other reason than Sandy was Scottish, but a plot ensued.

"Two drinks where poured out. Labby would then call Sandy down to the back of the bus and Gordon poured the whisky back into the bottle from his glass. This happened all the way back home till Sandy was legless and Gordon as sober as a judge.

"Gordon came into his local with his security guard uniform on which had security badges on each side of his shirt. A nervous fan asked what he was doing now. 'Oh, I'm working at Woodvale aerodrome now.' 'What do you do there Westy?' Gordon glanced at his security badges and told the fan he was a pilot!"

Then it was Sir Philip Carter's turn to add plaudits to Gordon. He said when we bought Gordon from Blackpool for a then-record £27,000 it was stated in the Blackpool Gazette that this fee would never be broken. Sir Philip added, ?I wish?.

"He was a man of the people even across the divide of Stanley Park He made 402 appearances for Everton and kept 21 clean sheets in our 69/70 championship season, still an Everton record.

"At the famous 66 Cup Final Gordon never kicked a ball due to a thigh injury. Born in South Yorkshire died an Evertonian. In 2008 Gordon was given an Everton giant award Gordon said he was just made up too play for Everton!"

It was left to Rev Harry Ross to end the service. He told us what Mick Lyons rang up from Australia to say about our mad goalkeeper.

Mick said, ?When you speak about Gordon, have a smile on your face. He was a big man with a big heart?. When there was no clocks at grounds Gordon would keep a watch in his hat and if we were winning late on would kick the ball out of the ground to waste time. Fulham got on to him and would put a man in a boat on the Thames to retrieve it quicker. Gordon was hard on the outside but soft inside. He with his best friend Labby now.

Steve, Mark, Margaret

Steve West, Margaret and Mark West.
Margaret was Gordon's boys' babysitter when they lived in Claremount Avenue, Maghull

Gordon's son Steve could not get up he was too upset so Rev Ross read out Steve and Mark's tribute to their Dad. They said their Dad's death has left a big void. To thank Everton and particularly the Former Player's Foundation who made their dad's life easier.

"Linda (dad's partner) was a rock for Dad as was Ella (Steve's partner). Thank you so much for your support. Dad we love you and miss you R.I.P."

As we left this great Cathedral, Z-Cars was played on the biggest organ in the world it seemed; the crowds followed this Everton giant to the funeral cortège.

After the service the family went to the crematorium where Gordon was led in with the Mike and the Mechanics song ?The Living Years', the service closed with Lennon's Imagine.

Gordon West

"God bless you, mate"

Then it was back to Goodison and the 1878 Club to celebrate Gordon's life.

We have lost another big character in the Everton family but he will not be forgotten for his playing days, his humour, his humility and that smile. We all have a funny story of the man from Darfield near Barnsley.

God bless you, mate. We are richer to have known you. I was so privileged to know him as a friend, his family and partner Linda. Like Mick Lyons said, smile when you think about this gentle giant. A private man who had time for you.

Gordon's son Steve said to me "I'm lucky Ian, I'm an Evertonian like you, but I had a dad as an Everton giant. How good's that mate? I'm a lucky lad."
Ian Macdonald

Gordon West
Born 24 April 1943 Darfield, South Yorkshire
1960-1962 Blackpool 33 Appearances
1962-1973 Everton 402 Appearances
1976-1977 Tranmere 17 Appearances

Honours
A Division One Winner ( Twice ) 1962/63, 1969/70
An FA Cup Winner v Sheff Wed 1966
FA Cup runner-up v West Brom 1968
Charity Shield winner, 1966 and 1970
Capped for England 3 Times
Capped for England Under - 23 Twice
Appeared for the Football League Once.

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