(21/02/1920-14/01/2004)
Frances Eggleston in conversation with Rob Sawyer
Beside virtually every great manager there is a great right-hand man. In Harry Catterick’s case he enjoyed the vital support of Tom “Tommy” Eggleston for ten years at Sheffield Wednesday and Everton.
Born in 1920, Tom was, like Harry Catterick, a child of the North East who had seen a promising playing career interrupted by the Second World War. After his spell at Derby County (which saw him unluckily lose out on a place in the first post-war FA Cup Final) he represented Leicester City and Watford before injury curtailed his playing days. He joined the backroom staff at Brentford before teaming up with Harry at Hillsborough for the first time in 1958. They would form a formidable double-act, driving both the Owls and the Toffees up to the heights, perhaps nobody got closer to Harry than Tom during his managerial career.
After 1963 league and 1966 FA Cup success Tom left Everton in 1967 to try his hand at management at home and abroad. He returned to Goodison in 1972 to support the ailing Harry following his heart-attack. His post-Everton career took him to Ireland and Devon before enjoying a Suffolk Indian summer in which he tasted domestic and European glory as a physio under Bobby Robson. Famously he resuscitated a man he found lying in the street prior to a February 1978 FA Cup tie in Bristol.
When Tom passed away in 2004, Joe Royle (who was, at that time, the manager at Ipswich) paid tribute in the East Anglian Daily Times:
"Tommy was a massive help to me at the start of my career. When I joined Everton from school he was the first-team coach. I made my debut at 16 and became a regular at 18, and as a young lad feeling my way Tommy was a major influence on me.
"He had a lovely sense of humour, but no one took liberties with him. He was also a strict disciplinarian when he needed to be, but he was a true gentleman and I am extremely saddened by the news. Tommy used to take myself and some of the other youngsters out in the afternoons for an extra hour or two. He was such a great striker of the ball and I've a lot to be grateful to him for."
Trevor Putney, the Ipswich Town left-winger in the early 1980’s, has fond memories of the man they nicknamed “Egg” as he recalled after his passing:
“Egg was the physio when I first arrived at the club and he was always ready for a bit of banter with all the players. He enjoyed a laugh and a joke – much of the time at his own expense. We even used to have a lunch in his honour at Christmas with lads like Terry Butcher, Russell Osman, Kevin O’Callaghan and a few others toasting ‘good old Tommy’. Just mentioning his name brings a smile to my face.”
I was honoured to spend time reflecting with Tom’s wife, Frances, on her husband’s wonderful career in football:
Tom was from a little village called Ebchester, Consett was the nearest town. He had one elder brother John who played football. In a game he was badly injured and taken to Newcastle General Hospital but they didn’t diagnose a ruptured spleen and he died the next morning from. That was very sad and Tom’s parents stopped him from playing football for a quite a number of years. Then he was playing for Medomsley Juniors and Consett - club scouts were around and one from Derby County picked him up as a young boy - George Jobey was the manager of Derby at the time. Tom played at right-half and later became a full-back; the press reports at the time said that Tom would play for England one day but then, of course, the war started.
Tom had been in the Navy – first of all mine-sweeping the Suez Canal and then he was in Tobruk. When he was injured he came back and was stationed in Southampton - that’s where we met, just after the war, as I had been called-up for the Wrens and was stationed there. During the time there he guested for Southampton FC. After the war he went back to Derby and was upset when he did not play in the 1946 Cup Final; I think Chick Musson took his place – but there we go. We watched the game in the stand as guests. We lived on Osmaston Road not far from the centre. Tom’s parents came to live in Derby – losing John had been very hard and Tom was the only son left. Tom’s dad worked for Rolls Royce and was also a market gardener – he used to go mad if we weren’t growing vegetables in the garden!

Leicester City team, 1948. Tommy Eggleston on back row, third from left. (Note: Don Revie on the front row.)
Then he went to play for Leicester and he was very happy there, he played alongside Don Revie. One director, Shipman, was so kind - he’d look after me until Tom was ready after the matches as there was nowhere for wives to wait in those days. The move to Watford was a surprise - but it was a nice club. Tom was injured there – it was his knee and that was not a very happy time as he had to finish playing. So from there he went to study physiotherapy at Wakefield hospital in Yorkshire. Our daughter and I were left in Watford whilst he was up there for over a year. Tom did remedial gymnastics, Swedish massage and chiropody as well - when he was playing, he was already very interested in doing things like that. He used to stress with younger players, “Finish your education before you commit yourself to football” because, as with Tom, an injury comes along and that’s it.

Watford FC, 1950 – Tommy Eggleston is in the middle, second row from the back
The manager at Brentford at this time was Bill Dodgin who had been stationed at Southampton when Tom was in the Navy. We were very friendly with Bill - we used to go to his house and borrow his bikes - and he got Tom to go to Brentford. Tom was so loyal to him that when Bill left Brentford he decided to go as well.
Tom was then going to concentrate on physiotherapy but Bill was friendly with Harry Catterick. Harry came onto the phone and said that he wanted Tom to go to Sheffield - so off we went. Tom put the physiotherapy to one side and he was back in football doing coaching. He did enjoy being at Sheffield Wednesday, we’d socialise with the Cattericks and I was very friendly with Harry’s wife, Nancy. We’d go to their house and they’d come to ours for dinner.
Then John Moores came after Harry and he was off to Everton. I never really wanted another move as our daughter, Linda, was in primary school – moving all the time would be awful for schooling (Tom was very proud of her as we have moved quite a bit) but I was coaxed. My parents were from Ireland but I was born in West Kirby, so Harry and Nancy kept on saying “Come on Frances, you can come with us and you’ll be going home.” This went on for quite a while but in the end I thought that I did had quite a few old friends over there so that was that. In the end it was a happy move.
My father was a great supporter of Everton – the whole family followed them and still do. It was very sad really that my father had died by the time Tom went to Everton as he would have been absolutely delighted. He’d have had a seat in the stand instead of standing down below! Tom was happy to go; he and Harry had a great partnership and wherever Harry went he’d always want Tom - they were very, very close. They would help each other in any way – Tom was there for Harry when he was ill with the heart problems which were very worrying.
When Everton won the league we went to the meal at the Adelphi and we all went off to Torremolinos in Spain. John Moores came as well and we had a great time, it was lovely.
I went to all the matches – I was a great football supporter - but after the match you’d be standing out in the cold and the rain. I noticed, when he came back to Everton (in 1972), how much it had improved - they did have a players’ lounge then.
The 1966 Cup Final was great – we were all there. I remember coming back, we got off the train on the edge of the city and got the bus coming right through the streets – I remember seeing Ken Dodd there. Tom was also quite friendly with Bill Shankly who used to say “I wish you were over here Tom on the other side of the Park!” I used to think that Bill was a great person.

Everton team, 1967-68, shortly before Tommy Eggleston left
In 1967 Mansfield came after Tom – I don’t think Harry, or anyone at Everton, wanted him to go but on the other hand Harry didn’t want to stand in Tom’s way . Tom wanted to go further and you have to think of yourself sometimes. So he went there and did very well. Then the Greek people came after him. Before that he had been to Australia with Everton (in 1964) when Harry didn’t go – so he kept getting letters from there offering him jobs. I said “no”, to them, so when the Greek thing came up he said, “If you won’t go to Australia how about Greece?” I thought that Greece was not too far away so that’s how we went off there. It was okay, I liked the lifestyle but you get homesick and our daughter was finishing University so we came back.
We went back to the Wirral to stay with my sister, she said that Harry Catterick was in hospital so Tom went over to see him. Harry asked if Tom would go back to Everton; as Tom was not doing anything he went back – they knew each other inside-out so were happy to get back together. Tom looked out for Harry, if Harry couldn’t get into the club he’d phone Tom in the morning. It was quite a hard time for Harry and Tom. Afterwards Harry and Tom had kept in touch. When we went to Harry’s funeral (in 1985) it was quite sad – it brought back a lot of memories of what life had been like.

Mansfield Town, 1968-69 – Tom is in the pale blue tracksuit seated thrid from left on the front row
Billy Bingham then took charge and we moved from Crosby over the water (to the Wirral). From there Tom went to Ireland at Home Farm. That was a nice time but I wasn’t very well so we came back. He was going to start his own physiotherapy business - but then he went off to Plymouth as physio - talk about coming back home! Tony Waiters had come on the phone and said “I hear that you’re back Tom; would you think about coming to Plymouth?” It was another nice move - it seems like I was on the move the whole time! When Tony was leaving Tom decided to get going with his physiotherapy so we came back up to New Brighton.
When Tom was at Everton he used to talk to Bobby Robson a lot – they used to phone each other up about players. So Bobby then came onto the phone and asked if he’d come to Ipswich. I became very friendly with Bobby’s wife Elsie – I stayed in their house when they were away in order to look after their dog and I helped Elise in her dress business. Bobby was very friendly and Ipswich was a lovely club. Tom was a very caring person - he’d help anybody. He saved that man’s life in the road – that’s the kind of thing he would do.

Ipswich Town (with Tommy centre, in tracksuit, wearing glasses) celebrate their 1978 FA Cup triumph
In retirement we moved to Yorkshire but I’ve still got quite close contact with Liverpool and I am very attached to the Wirral. When I go back I always have a run to West Kirby, when I was a child we used to go to Hilbre Island a lot. Ipswich is a wonderful club – some of their players and directors came to Tom’s funeral and that was very nice – like a family.
I still keep in touch with Pat Cobbold who was Bobby Robson’s secretary. You meet some nice people along the way. You always seem to support the last club you have been with but for us it was Everton and Ipswich that were special.
Reader Comments (104)
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2 Posted 17/11/2014 at 10:58:30
TommyÂs close friendship with Bobby Robson at least explains why he virtually swopped the young and excellent David Johnson for that pony, Rodney Belfitt. Friends donÂt always do you the best favours, do they?
3 Posted 17/11/2014 at 14:08:35
I think that Wright was actually a Harry Cooke "spot" as the Chief Scout was impressed with how he got "in the thick of it" when playing for Walsall against Everton.
As for the Johnson exit and Belfitt arrival – we certainly got the bad end of that deal – whoever sanctioned it (Tommy was Assistant Manager to Harry Catterick at the time).
4 Posted 17/11/2014 at 14:13:32
5 Posted 17/11/2014 at 14:17:51
Can anyone else name them all? Fantastic team that was. TheyÂd beat most sides today.
6 Posted 17/11/2014 at 14:26:20
Mickey Treb-il-cock
7 Posted 17/11/2014 at 14:41:13
8 Posted 17/11/2014 at 14:49:41
9 Posted 17/11/2014 at 14:58:11
IÂm going to print that photo and put all their names on it so I never, ever forget the greatest football team IÂve ever seen. And itÂs going on the bedroom wall, where it belongs.
10 Posted 17/11/2014 at 15:17:48
you really need bringing up on your 1960Âs Everton Studies Colin... these were the players / men of my youth!!!! scary thing is that it only seems like yesterday!
11 Posted 17/11/2014 at 15:20:29
The rest, I swear, I can name. Honestly.
12 Posted 17/11/2014 at 15:25:49
Midd row: Eggleston, Pickering, Royle, Labone, Hurst, Husband, Kendall, Trebilcock
Front row: Temple, Scott, Morrisey, Catterick, Wilson, Harvey, Wright, Young.
Please say IÂm right. This is after all my dream team.
13 Posted 17/11/2014 at 15:35:56
14 Posted 17/11/2014 at 15:39:51
Wright
Labone
Brown
Wilson
Kendall
Harvey
Ball
Morrisey
Royle
Husband
Subs: Rankin, Hurst, Whittle?..........I give up. Oh, the shame and I didnÂt google it.
15 Posted 17/11/2014 at 16:33:58
16 Posted 17/11/2014 at 18:58:18
17 Posted 17/11/2014 at 19:55:34
18 Posted 17/11/2014 at 20:02:18
19 Posted 17/11/2014 at 20:09:39
20 Posted 17/11/2014 at 20:55:59
21 Posted 17/11/2014 at 21:06:08
22 Posted 17/11/2014 at 21:03:55
But back to Keith Newton, sadly never played to his true potential and played out of position and struggled to the end of his time here...
Roger Kenyon played a major role in the run in when Labone got injured and served Everton well for some years afterward. But youÂre right, Colin, he had a fine head of hair... almost Hicksonian at times. Sadly passed away, as have Sandy Brown, Alan Ball, Gordon West and Brian Labone from the 69-70 squad. RIP, you heroes!!!
23 Posted 17/11/2014 at 21:09:37
24 Posted 17/11/2014 at 21:11:33
25 Posted 17/11/2014 at 21:25:23
26 Posted 17/11/2014 at 21:19:41
Like a sadly diminishing core, those formative days of my teens were the very happiest I have had as an Evertonian. Rob SawyerÂs recent book on Harry Catterick brought them all back to me and the words therein of of my good friend, David Exall – then the Programme Editor – says it all:–
"It was just like poetry in motion. I get quite tearful even now when I think back to how good they were and how brilliantly they played."
27 Posted 17/11/2014 at 21:59:16
I still hold it against my dad to this day for not letting me run on the pitch which I never fail to remind him of...
28 Posted 17/11/2014 at 22:04:35
Tommy Wright and Sandy Brown were our full backs most of that league winning side I think.
29 Posted 17/11/2014 at 22:58:44
30 Posted 17/11/2014 at 22:59:14
31 Posted 17/11/2014 at 23:11:56
32 Posted 17/11/2014 at 23:18:37
33 Posted 18/11/2014 at 00:42:59
34 Posted 18/11/2014 at 00:58:04
Plenty of talented Brits around in those days.
35 Posted 18/11/2014 at 00:57:14
In the early hours I began to realise that my formative years as an Evertonian were of such high standard that so little of what has followed the sixties has seemed of any quality. ItÂs as though in 1970, the football gods slammed the door on Everton, opening it only on rare occasions since.
No doubt that explains my distrust of those whose utterings get far more headlines than their performance and why so many of those who talk so easily of Âgreatness have never really witnessed it!
36 Posted 18/11/2014 at 01:19:56
Gordon LeeÂs team couldÂve reached the stars but, as the man himself infamously said, "if I want to see stars all I have to do is look at the sky".
YouÂll hate me for saying this, Phil, but I havenÂt been so excited as I am now since those halcyon days. I think we are close to something special again.
37 Posted 18/11/2014 at 02:02:32
As for the picture, it came with the family when we emigrated to Canada, and hung on my bedroom wall.
38 Posted 18/11/2014 at 08:55:17
39 Posted 18/11/2014 at 08:59:14
40 Posted 18/11/2014 at 12:23:37
41 Posted 18/11/2014 at 14:13:46
I will open up the record books when I get a moment at home to give the full grist on who played when and what etc. Want to do it tonight but Jackson Browne in Manchester beckons.
Sue, interesting about John Hurst... always No 10 yet in the middle. Quite unusual for those days re the numbers.
42 Posted 18/11/2014 at 15:08:35
44 Posted 18/11/2014 at 15:56:25
Confirms Westy played all games (yet 12 months on his form had nosedived spectacularly) as did Joe Royle who was by far away top scorer. Sadly Joe never reached those heights again and soon on his back problems affected him though he did soldier on for a few more years in the top flight but him and Waesty are the classic cases of how things tumbled within 12 months..on the top of their game 69/70 then pale shadows within a year.
45 Posted 18/11/2014 at 16:09:15
46 Posted 18/11/2014 at 16:16:38
Gordon West was indeed dropped in the 1970-71 season following a poor run of form (he was inclined to these during all of his Goodison career) including a European Cup game stinker which we won comfortably against Kevlavik. Andy Rankin played in all of the other European games and was in goal for the infamous Cup semi-final when Labone went off at half time and we lost our 1-0 lead to the RS at Old Trafford. Gordon did make a popular reappearance at the end of that season, I think, and played some games in the following season, a little more portly, before leaving us to David Lawson!
47 Posted 18/11/2014 at 16:08:45
48 Posted 18/11/2014 at 16:33:06
The stats donÂt lie... they all played most of the games and so must have been a regular trio.
To all those I have misled over the last forty years a big apology and I shall start taking more water with it.
49 Posted 18/11/2014 at 17:31:10
Unfortunately Tommy was hit by injuries from about 1971 onwards and played his last game in April 1973 after which he was forced to retire at just 28.
50 Posted 18/11/2014 at 18:34:16
51 Posted 18/11/2014 at 18:29:04
Seamus, eat your heart out!
52 Posted 18/11/2014 at 18:47:05
Tommy Jackson did play in the semi-final and Alan Ball missed that game.
And didnÂt Roger Kenyon play in this game as well?
53 Posted 18/11/2014 at 18:57:55
54 Posted 18/11/2014 at 20:06:00
That game you refer to when Everton played Kevlavik was a night I was ashamed to be an Evertonian. Gordon West made an error early in the game which cost us a goal. Gordon was booed by the crowd behind the goal, he then stood around the penalty spot every time the ball was at the other end.
To treat a genuine lad like Westy stunk.
In the we won, I think 5-2 or 6-2 but I got no joy out of that night nor out of the victory.
55 Posted 18/11/2014 at 20:09:21
It was the one and only time I saw The Cat throw his arms round every member of his team. Bally, standing in for injured Labby received the trophy from Man UtdÂs Louis Edwards.
That night was the happiest of my life and my missus knows it !
56 Posted 18/11/2014 at 20:25:36
57 Posted 18/11/2014 at 20:33:11
You are most probably right, glad your wife enjoyed the night as well!!!!!!!
58 Posted 18/11/2014 at 20:39:16
Lots of great memories of that season. For those wondering about John Hurst, when he first came into the team he was played more forward but didnÂt have the pace and got a lot of stick. In the Championship winning team he was moved back although retaining the number 10 shirt. Scored the winner at Arsenal on the opening day (1-0) and was a rock in the team remembered for the Holy Trinity. He anchored the team and helped Kendall, Ball and Harvey to do the damage they did. A players player. Happy days.
59 Posted 18/11/2014 at 21:48:20
60 Posted 18/11/2014 at 22:12:56
Thanks Rob for another great article.
61 Posted 18/11/2014 at 22:50:04
Nowadays itÂs Ossie, Lukaku and even Martinez. Nothing really changes, does it?
62 Posted 19/11/2014 at 00:18:11
I donÂt know about Westy getting stick in that Keflavik match – he gave all of us in Gwladys St plenty when he stuck two fingers up at us!
63 Posted 19/11/2014 at 08:51:53
Well every one who booed him, and there were plenty, deserved the two fingers and more.
64 Posted 19/11/2014 at 09:08:15
65 Posted 19/11/2014 at 10:52:09
Just a quick word about John Hurst with his shirt number confusing Ken Wolstenholme. This wasnÂt the first time Catterick had used this tactic, Colin Harvey wore the No 10 shirt in the final against Sheff Wed with Gabriel wearing No 4 and Brian Harris No 6.
Fred Pickering, who Catterick bought from Blackburn for 㿨,000, was controversially left out of the final for Mike Trebilcock who came from Plymouth... sorry, canÂt stop when I start.
66 Posted 19/11/2014 at 11:14:53
67 Posted 19/11/2014 at 11:22:11
They were all talented players but itÂs the less talented ones who really get stick week-in & week-out: I remember Brett Angell getting dogÂs abuse when attempting to warm up before a game, and my little lad was convinced that Neil McDonaldÂs first name was actually Fuckoff, as in the stadium-wide cry of "Fuck Off, McDonald!" that ensued as another attempted cross ended up 20 rows back in the Gwladys Street.
Same at all clubs, though – both Ian Bowyer and Paul Power were effectively forced out of Man City by the boo boys and both went on to greater things.
68 Posted 19/11/2014 at 11:34:24
69 Posted 19/11/2014 at 11:22:37
70 Posted 19/11/2014 at 11:51:43
I will always wonder what would have happened in the 1970 World Cup if he hadnÂt turned down the chance to go. If heÂd have deputised for Banks, would we have lost to West Germany? Westy RIP.
72 Posted 19/11/2014 at 14:03:06
73 Posted 19/11/2014 at 14:18:50
I cried in 1964 when he told me that Fred Pickering had been signed to replace Alex – although Young outlasted him here, so it wasnÂt really true – and I never became a fan of the ex-Blackburn man for all his goals in our cause.
I was daft like that. Then.
74 Posted 19/11/2014 at 15:11:36
75 Posted 19/11/2014 at 15:28:21
I see what you are saying but I was near the front of Gwladys Street that night and some of the remarks were very personal and maybe Gordon was unwise to show his displeasure with the fans but I know from his reaction that he was sickened by what was shouted to him.
It always amazes me that fans(?) seem to think they can abuse players no matter how distasteful, and then take umbrage if a player responds back.
77 Posted 19/11/2014 at 18:59:30
78 Posted 19/11/2014 at 19:10:35
79 Posted 19/11/2014 at 20:12:35
80 Posted 19/11/2014 at 20:21:45
81 Posted 19/11/2014 at 20:57:51
82 Posted 20/11/2014 at 09:36:31
I was at the Keflavik game that September night. Here we are, Champions with a not too good a start to the season in our first European Cup game against some Icelandic part timers who everyone expects us to stuff. Except the plucky Icelandics were up for their big night and had a go.
Westy fluffed a few early attempts and eventually one goes past him and we are one down. Cue the bubbling stick heÂd been getting behind the goal to turn into a louder load of verbal. Earlier he had turned to the Street End, hands outstretched, saying "Come on... give us a break. Get off my back." but now the verbals got to him and he turned and gave them the V-sign and told them to "Fuck Off" clearly.
It was rumoured Catterick saw this as the reason to leave him out the next league game and he didnÂt surface for a while later. He was – as someone stated – a man who fell out of love a lot with his job... something I can certainly relate to.
I think his aloofness was a lot to do with his nerves and concentration. He used to throw up in the toilets in the dressing room before games and smoke like mad. How he ever did live the life of a performer in front of large crowds, I will never know... but he was a great great servant.
83 Posted 20/11/2014 at 09:01:54
Harry Catterick – Champions twice and Cup Winners once in an 8-year period when Spurs, Man Utd, and Liverpool were in their pomp. Nicholson, Busby and Shankly were his opposition. Say no more.
Roy Vernon – IMHO, he was a better striker than Dennis Law and Jimmy Greaves.
Only in recent years have I realised how important Dennis Stevens and John Hurst were to the team.
Brian Labone was a great captain and great centre half.
It broke our hearts when Alan Ball was sold to Arsenal.
When both of those teams were in full flight, the brand of football they played was both breathtaking and unique. They moved the ball up the pitch so quickly and they "pressed" the ball like a wolf pack when they didnÂt have it. Although they were all talented footballers those two characteristics were coached into them – take a bow, Tommy and Harry.
My dad (God rest his soul) always used to say to me before he passed away "We will be great again". He had followed Everton since before the war and into the Moyes era. He was referring to those two teams when he used the word "great" – they truly were.
Last but not least – I believe we will be great again despite all the seemingly insurmountable financial restraints that bar our way. There is just something "great" about Everton Football Club. I canÂt put my finger on it but it sets us apart from most other clubs.
If IÂve wandered off topic into the realms of nostalgia, take it easy on me – itÂs EvertonÂs fault.
84 Posted 20/11/2014 at 09:49:47
YouÂre right though, we are destined for greatness. I can feel it in my bones. We are a club that goes through cycles and our time is coming again.
85 Posted 20/11/2014 at 09:49:25
But, if you mean Âgreat in the sense of winning the Premier League and European trophies, as other clubs see it, then only a miracle can EVER make that happen.
The artificial wealth of Chelsea and Man City – limitless in spite of ÂFair Play standards being introduced (phony to the core!) – has effectively turned the English game into a copy of what prevailed in Scotland before Rangers got themselves sold to Âa wrong ÂunÂ!
In this scenario, even the business skills of the American entrepreneurs at Man Utd and Liverpool (near misses donÂt count!) have been impotent because in both instances they play by business rules to turn a profit.
Of course, despite my gut-feeling that we are a Âseventhish club which can aspire to a Top Four place from time to time, is that really the measure of greatness? I donÂt think so. But we can enjoy some great times in the endeavour to do better!
86 Posted 20/11/2014 at 09:53:26
I must say, I was never a fan of Denis Stevens or Fred Pickering as neither had the natural ability of those players they replaced. Stevens was a workhorse and would have been an average top division player, as was Pickering, who was pretty clumsy. We hardly ever replaced star players of the early Â60s with their equals and that is why IMHO we never created the conveyor belt of trophies that Liverpool unfortunately did.
We remember great days and seasons because they are distant memories now. The Everton team I watched in my very young years was a bloody awful one and I think we had a home gate of about 13,000 for one match, which gives recent fans some idea of what we went through between 1949 and 1953. That is why the team that John Carey assembled is lauded today.
The season before he was sacked was when the team played the best football but that was in home matches and the away form was not good for some unknown reason. Catterick signed Kay who was brilliant and would have graced any side. But, he tended to sign on lesser skilled players and went for steel.
Our away results improved and we started to win titles but, having been a decent-level player myself, I always enjoyed watching flair players who really entertained the fans so I missed the likes of Ring, Vernon, Collins and Young. Those players will be remembered for much longer than Stevens and Pickering etc.
I actually saw Matthews, Lawton and Finney play against us and Lawton, who had been one of our greatest ever centre-forwards, returned with Notts County to Goodison Park and seemed to win every header. I know that he scored at least one goal and we got stuffed 4-1.
The season Liverpool were relegated, FinneyÂs Preston North End beat them 5-1 at Anfield and Finney missed a penalty although he tore them apart during the game.
I actually played against a couple of ex-Everton players when they played for Rochdale in the old 3rd Division North. Maybe someone will remember Eddie Wainwright and Jackie Grant?
87 Posted 20/11/2014 at 10:22:02
IÂll take most Evertonians word that we have one!
88 Posted 20/11/2014 at 14:15:27
Gordon West was apparently the PFA rep at Everton and an old mate of mine who was in the Everton junior teams then told me the story of how he came in to tell the kids all about the PFA and why they should join. He was wearing crappy old swimming trunks with a Jockstrap on his head. Apparently he started with a rendition of the Beatles ÂYou CanÂt Do That which went: ÂIÂve got something to show you that might cause you pain, ItÂs a 2 foot dick with a varicose veinÂ. ItÂs amazing the stuff that sticks in your mind (and a bit worrying)!
89 Posted 20/11/2014 at 14:15:57
I loved Dennis Stevens. I know he replaced one of my favourites in Bobby Collins, but he did a great job for the Blues, grafted all over the pitch always with the team in mind. They came first to Dennis.
I never worried when I went to away matches if Alex Young wasnÂt playing as long as Stevens and Johnny Morrissey were in the team – thatÂs how important they were to the side.
90 Posted 20/11/2014 at 15:42:58
When we played away at Southport in the 3rd round of the FA Cup in 1968 they tried to combat this by getting their big lump of a centre forward, Eric Redrobe, to stand right in front of Westy, a legitimate tactic in those days. Redrobe never fouled, but every time Gordon dropped to one knee and got a free kick, much to EricÂs annoyance. He eventually got booked, which Gordon found hugely amusing.
91 Posted 20/11/2014 at 16:00:42
I once vividly remember West getting involved in a derby match fracas when he raced half the length of the pitch and then gently pushed St John in the chest... it was hilarious.
The return derby match came around and West was given a pinkish handbag which he tossed into the back of the net and St John received a bunch of bananas. St John was sent off on at least three occasions for punching opposing players and the joke was that he was the only centre forward with a Lonsdale Belt. :0)
Pancho Pearson of Man Utd was knocked spark out by St John and the Liverpool striker did not even wait for the referee to act. Pancho later said he did not even remember the punch which was a great left hook!
92 Posted 20/11/2014 at 16:12:21
93 Posted 20/11/2014 at 16:56:59
94 Posted 21/11/2014 at 01:52:27
96 Posted 21/11/2014 at 12:53:53
A favourite ditty, when playing rivals Tranmere, to the tune of "The Hole in the ElephantÂs Bottom" was....
Ay, ay, ay ay
Reeves is better than Yashin,
Redrobe is better than Eusebio
And Rovers are in for a thrashinÂ
Was in line for an Ivor Novello. Regards to Charlie!
99 Posted 21/11/2014 at 17:18:53
100 Posted 22/11/2014 at 05:49:43
I agree with you - we were spoilt but we especially must keep the dream alive for this generation of fans.
On the surface it does looks like we need a financial miracle to win a premiership - but perhaps there is another "more excellent way".
It seems to me "winning" is 75% a state of mind and the remaining 25% ability. There is no reason why our footballers can't be as fit, strong and fast as Chelsea's Man City, or any other team on the planet.
The only thing is you need a General to bring the best out of "the team". I am hoping that Roberto Martinez is such a general.
I have said this many times on ToffeeWeb - history is full surprising victories - even in football. Perhaps the most outstanding example of this was England winning the World Cup in 1966. The architect of that footballing miracle was Sir Alf Ramsey (who as you know led Ipswich to the first division title in 1961-2)
Here is an interesting link http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alf_Ramsey#Tactics
I just can't bring myself to subscribe to the idea that money will always win - it crushes hope and aspiration.
Up the Blues.
101 Posted 22/11/2014 at 07:37:24
102 Posted 22/11/2014 at 08:59:01
104 Posted 22/11/2014 at 11:20:02
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1 Posted 17/11/2014 at 10:32:17