ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Bally in Yellow Socks?

Can any Blues out there help me to identify the ground Alan Ball is pictured leading the Blues out circa 1970-71. Bally is in Blue Shirt , White shorts and amber socks. The picture is from Everton's Greatest Goalscorers celebrating Dixie's 100th Birthday published by Trinity Mirror for the Liverpool Echo. Everton played Leeds away early in the 1970-71 season.

The thing that is confusing me and my mates is the Red/White paintwork surrounding the tunnel area. Can anyone remember if Elland Road did have this colour scheme at that time. The only time we played Leeds on a neutral ground during this period was in a Semi-Final at Old Trafford , but Bally didn't play in that game. Can anyone out there shed some light on this? Many thanks.
John Partick McFarlane, Lancs Posted 24/07/2007 at 18:52:02

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Ray Robinson
1 Posted 24/07/2007 at 20:42:40

John, Got any sort of link to the picture? I’m old enough to maybe help if I could see it.

John Patrick McFarlane
2 Posted 24/07/2007 at 20:46:58

Sorry Ray, I don’t have the technology! But if you have the programme from MAN U last season 2-4 Goodison. The picture is the same as front cover. We all think it is the 3-2 defeat at Leeds in 1970-71 first away game. Bally must have been captain even though Labone played. It is only the fact that the fencing and surrounding tunnel area is painted red that makes us unsure.

Ray Robinson
3 Posted 24/07/2007 at 21:02:02

Got the programme - the photo extends onto the back page but the only colour in it is on the front.

Give-away clues - the kitbag, the fan’s scarf and the paper - do they help? - I can’t work it out.

Must admit, it looks more like Old Trafford than Elland Road - why not the League match there on 2 September? Could be wrong ...

Ball, West and Husband all played in that game according to the Complete Record book that I use to look up old match scores etc.

Sad bugger aren’t I?

John Patrick McFarlane
4 Posted 24/07/2007 at 21:50:57

It couldn’t have been the end of 69-70. we first thought it was Stoke away near the end of that season, and that Leeds fans had travelled to watch us in the hope we would lose. But husband didn’t play in the latter part of that season. In the bigger colour photo , they are definitely Leeds fans either side of the tunnel, so it must be Elland Road. Although like you , we think it looks more like Old Trafford or Bramall Lane. The mystery continues unless anyone knows any Leeds fans old enough to remember the colour scheme at Elland Road at that time. Cheers anyway Ray.

Graham Lloyd
5 Posted 24/07/2007 at 22:08:16

If its the same picture that you are discussing about Alan Ball leading out the team,I am almost certain it is Highbury,as they had dugouts identical.Hope it throws a bit of light onto your query.

Paul Daly
6 Posted 25/07/2007 at 02:46:25

..........Sheffield Utd. v. Everton-3rd round of the cup Jan 3rd 1970- could it be Bramell Lane???

steve flynn
7 Posted 25/07/2007 at 08:30:22

looks like arsenal to me

John McFarlane
8 Posted 25/07/2007 at 10:02:53

John , without seeing the photograph I can only guess from the information you have given, that it is indeed a Leeds United away fixture, and Everton would have worn amber socks to prevent a colour clash. I trust that my theory may be of some use to you, and I suggest that we call a truce regarding our perception of all things Everton.
P.S. I have just read Paul Daleys post, if Sheffield United wore white socks my theory would remain the same.

Steve Mc
9 Posted 25/07/2007 at 12:00:05

Also without seeing the picture, would we have not changed shorts too if we were playing Leeds?

John McFarlane [senior]
10 Posted 25/07/2007 at 12:31:46

Not necessarily so Steve, as both Everton and Sheffield Wednesday wore white shorts in the 1966 F.A.Cup Final. Wednesday in all white, Everton in blue shirts, white shorts, blue socks. I have just dug out a photo of what looks like a Leeds United vs Everton fixture, [page 107 of Forever Everton , Stephen Kelly 1987] and although it’s a black and white photograph both teams are wearing white shorts. It features Alan Ball and Howard Kendall, and what looks suspiciously like Allan Clarke, and possibly Paul Madeley. On page 61 of the same publication there is indeed a colour photo of Ball in the same kit, but unfortunately the background is indistinct. I still feel however that my theory is likely to be correct

John Patrick McFarlane
11 Posted 25/07/2007 at 15:06:46

Thanks for all the replies, I am certain that it is indeed Elland Road as the picture I have has Leeds fans either side of the tunnel entrance. I’m also pretty sure that it is indeed the first away game of 1970-71 which we lost 3-2, Sandy Brown and Jimmy Husband scoring for the Blues, Giles and Bremner(2) scoring for Leeds.

David Hall
12 Posted 25/07/2007 at 17:33:42

You are absolutely right ,John.It was Elland Road on 22 August 1970.
Alan was appointed captain of Everton for 1970/71 immediately upon his return from the World Cup in Mexico.

John McFarlane [senior]
13 Posted 25/07/2007 at 17:59:51

John you appear to have accepted my theory, but what about the olive branch?