Ian Ladyman in the Daily Mail writes:
“Bob Latchford won the Division One Golden Boot during the 1977-78 season when he scored 30 goals, the most that season, earning himself a prize of £10,000 offered by the Daily Express.
“After missing the start of the 1977-78 season through suspension, Latchford’s first goal of the campaign didn’t come until five games in, a 5-1 win at Leicester City. Thomas provided the assist. Everton went on an 18-game unbeaten run and by New Year’s Eve, Latchford had 19 goals. ‘Annoyingly, we had blown our title chances by losing to Manchester United and Leeds at Christmas but with the goals, the lads had started to believe I could win the £10,000 prize,’ he said.
“When it got to the last day of the season, Latchford still needed two goals. Everton were at home to Chelsea. Assured of third place, the only thing at stake was Latchford’s prize.
“Though Everton took control, going 3-0 up, that crowd had to wait until the 72nd minute for Latchford to get goal number 29, fittingly a header from a Thomas corner. He was poised to score the next one only for defender and captain Mike Lyons to steam in front of him and head the ball in for Everton’s fifth.
“Lyons came up again only to be felled by Chelsea defender Micky Droy. Referee Peter Willis gave a penalty and Latchford took the ball. Martin Dobson came over and said ‘just hit the target’.
‘The cacophony of noise as it went in was incredible. There were pensioners running on the pitch. It was probably one of the greatest achievements of my life.
‘I was sorry I ever won the money. Half went to the PFA pool and I split £4,000 among the staff. I kept £1,000. The taxman didn’t believe I’d given it away so chased me for it. I had to get accountants involved and they got the players to send letters to prove it. Even then the revenue came back and taxed me on the £1,000. It actually cost me more to resolve it. I wish I’d given it all to charity.’