Big yellow taxi

Derek Thomas 23/02/2008 7comments  |  Jump to last
I noted with a passing sadness the death of Brian Harris, another one bites the dust and not in a flippant Queen way. As stated elsewhere, an excellent Obit in the Independent.

History? The victors are supposed to write that, or are they? Sky 'seem' to be the victors and are trying to re-write the history, with their attempt to turn the formation of the EPL into some sort of year zero.

History: If you know yours... People's Club members for the use of.

Know it! I lived it, well most of the 2nd half of the 20th century bit any way. I know, I was there said Max Boyce, we are all our own Max Boyce's.

So why don't we say nice things to people BEFORE they die??

In my mind I can't separate Brian Harris from Tony Kay, the two are interlinked in Everton History: contrasting sides of the same coin; both old-style pre-maximum-wage decent pro's. Well paid for the time but not prima donna's.

But talk about there for the grace of God go I. Tony Kay was even made an 'offer he couldn't refuse' (and didn't) by the Kray Bros, talk about, if it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any at all!

There was a post on here not long ago about Alternate Futures, how about this one... Catterick's 1st act was to sound out Leeds and the newly appointed Don Revie about the availability of one Billy Bremner for £15k, the Leeds Board were all for it, but Revie said if he goes, I go! Kay, Bremner and Ball... unstoppable!

It may do us well to revisit our old heroes to re-assess them away from the warm fuzzy light of nostalgia, but their place, just like Brian Harris's, is there for ever in the collective memory that is our History. We may change our perceptions in light of a new, more modern paradgim, but they did what they did and at the time we loved it, so let them know now, don't leave it too late.

Does any one know Tony's adress??

Well done to the Former Players Foundation as well.

In fact, we could do worse than apply this to our own non-football lives. I'm off to visit the kids in Brisbane.

Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone' ? so sang Joni Mitchell, be it people, places or milieu, but people above all.

PEACE!

Reader Comments

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Rob Jones
1   Posted 23/02/2008 at 17:48:18

Report abuse

Sorry if I sound a little stupid but I just need some quick clarification.

Are you saying that If we had managed to sign Bremner, Harris wouldn’t have broken into the squad and Revie would have gone meaning that Leeds success period wouldn’t exist?

Nick Heady
2   Posted 23/02/2008 at 19:28:07

Report abuse

I don't care if you think I'm stupid.... I don't understand.
Ron Leith
3   Posted 23/02/2008 at 19:44:27

Report abuse

This article I assume is saying that there were very good footballers before the Premier League. These players that did not get £40,000 a week, play with light easy-to-kick footballs ? they played on mud baths rather than lawn-like pitches. They did not have agents and wore kits that nobody could buy. We had to stand up to watch them and they always kicked off at 3:00 pm on a Saturday. We only saw them every now and then on TV which had highlights of two or three games only. The players looked much older and had hair that was balding. There were few with shaven heads and only one had white boots. Yep tell the younger generation and they won?t believe you. It were bloody awful.
Steve Hogan
4   Posted 23/02/2008 at 19:57:16

Report abuse

Derek, I like this article, because despite it’s bent on nostalgia, it ’s the sort of posting you have to read two or three times before it starts to sink in!

Good exercise for the brain cells.

Also, so much of it you can apply to life outside football.

Good post mate.



Derek Thomas
5   Posted 24/02/2008 at 02:52:58

Report abuse

Rob Jones:

Short answer; No.

Medium answer; sometimes it’s just funny how things work out, if your name’s Brian Harris, or don’t if your name’s Tony Kay.
Charlie Dimmock
6   Posted 24/02/2008 at 08:24:29

Report abuse

While we are on nostalgia I can’t help but remember Bobby Collins rubbing his hands together in the centre circle at kick off and Albert Dunlop sweating buckets while just standing between the posts.

Don’t do that now of course because most of them seem to wear gloves and goalkeepers don’t normally have ten pints of Threllies the night before a game.
Dave Lynch
7   Posted 25/02/2008 at 15:37:59

Report abuse

Great post Derek.
Your?e right of course. The one thing it got me thinking about where the unsung heroes of those squads.
We all remember the Balls (Ahem) and Labones of this club, but the Harrises, Husbands, Temples and Hursts etc rarely get a mention.
We really have had some great players who deserve as much of our attention as the bigger names.


© ToffeeWeb