Our 124-Year Love Affair...

My dad took me to my first game in 1961, at age 7. It was the first game of the 61-62 season, and we stood in the Paddock. I remember Alex Young making an impression, although I wasn't really too interested in football at the time. We beat Aston Villa 2-0, Young and Billy Bingham scoring.

In those days, the wall was low enough for me to stand at the front and see, but when Goodison was used for the '66 World Cup, the wall was made higher, and I recall kids taking milk crates to stand on. By this time we stood mainly on the Goodison Road terrace, on a big step midway up the terrace, which gave a good view.

In those days gates often exceeded 50,000, sometimes being around 60,000, and the atmosphere was great when the entire crowd seemed to be chanting "Everton", or (twice in the 60s) "Champions".

I remember us beating WBA 2-0 (Alan Whittle and Colin Harvey scoring) to secure the 1969-70 title, the team being presented with the trophy on the old Goodison Road stand, and my dad and me ending up on the pitch (to avoid a crush on the terraces). My only time standing on that hallowed turf.

Then, once in the ground, it was walking up the stairs and seeing the bright emerald green grass that made the biggest impression.

Men all around cracking jokes made the match a very funny experience and we won 3-1 against QPR. Mick Lyons, Mike Bernard, Dobson, Latchford probably – Stan Bowles and Frank Worthington in the opposition.

I've been a member of the family ever since.

I l loved to nip in there after a game to see if there were any exotic programmes. Anyone know when it finished?

It was on the 18 January 1964. I didn't even realize for a minute or so and wondered why the 18 January stuck in my head.

Then the penny dropped, and it turns out that my first game at Goodison was 52 years ago to this very day. How strange is that?

Can't remember a thing about the game apart from, the score 1-1, and the fact that my elder cousin Tony (RIP) took me to negate the attempted influence of my uncle Ken (RIP) who was a Kopite (as they were known in the days before they became the RS).

I'm not absolutely sure but the bloke who ran it, moved it over to the other side of the park as they seemed more interested in buying stuff than us Blues, I'm fairly certain the bloke who owned it was a reds fan from down south. I reckon the shop remained open on Goodison Road upto circa 1975 but no later than 1978.

During the 71-72 season we beat Southampton 8-0 (5-0 at half-time), and I can remember the scorer sequence on the scoreboard: 7, 9, 7, 9, 8, 9, 9, 7.

7 was David Johnson
8 was Alan Ball
9 was Joe Royle

It's also the birthday of Bob Latchford and Peter Beardsley today, as well as the anniversary of Adrian Heath's goal at Oxford in the League Cup of 1984.

January 18th

Thanks for that. Seems it was written in the stars for me!

I think me dad made a mistake, because I already loved Everton that much that it made me want to also learn to read, and when he was going somewhere with my older brother I knew he was going to Goodison!

I also recall that John Connolly had his leg broken in that match.

I think he signed from Walsall.

http://ToffeeWeb.com/season/13-14/comment/fan/g_quinn.pdf

You've got to love the Old Lady, but It lost some of it's charm years ago when they removed the raised semi-circles behind the goals and then walled up the deeper bit of the Park End. Change! Bah-humbug! 😉

Ray, you're right as well!

I seem to recall we signed him after an FA Cup tie, because he impressed against us. I was convinced it was Altrincham!

To me the best old clips of GP are those that capture the bedlam in Gwladys Street when an important goal was scored, after the wall had been removed and the terracing reinstated right down to pitchside.

Firstly, I also work in the offshore industry. Secondly, I've worked in Houston, but only for 6 months. Thirdly, you mention taking your wife to her only match, and hoping for a score similar to the Southampton game.

Well, I took my wife to her one and only match at Goodison, against Chelsea, 1978-79 season, and we won 6-0! Not far off 8-0,

"I never liked the semi circular walls myself. It meant the Gwladys Street supporters were too far from the goal and it lost a lot of its intimidatory force".

Well, if you hadn't thrown that dart, they wouldn't have erected the wall!

I still hate Jeff Astle (RIP), he broke my heart that day.

By the way, my first game was the friendly against Dundee United in Oct 75. Sure I only saw the game played in the park end half of the pitch due to the fog.

Very skillful left winger was Connolly.

I'vebeen watching Everton since 1959. I now go to the pub I used to walk past as a kid on the way to Goodison – The Barlow Arms aka The Dark House – who'd have thought, hey.

Saw most of the games mentioned above.

Great to a Blue.

Reminded me of my visit to Goodison Park to see Everton on the 14 March 1948 versus Arsenal, running up the steps of the boys pen and looking down at the pitch... magic. A blue before that match but hooked and grabbed body and soul that day, even though we lost 2-0.

I had been to Anfield the week before and saw Liverpool win 4-0 with four goals from Albert Stubbins, all in the first half, great watching football but Liverpool and Anfield didn't compare with Everton and Goodison Park.

I haven't missed many games at Goodison since that magic day and still feel great when 'Z-Cars' blasts out over the stadium and old men like me forget their aches pains and literally dance to their seats to the beat of the music..

Yes, Jamie, I'll have a tear in my eye at that last game at Goodison, but I will revisit 'The Old Lady' many times in my dreams.

I was told Connolly broke his leg, but I was just sitting on the back of my seat, watching people running about chasing the ball, and the noise. From that day on, I think both Everton and football took over my life.

I think this might become a common thread on a lot of Everton websites Jamie, once Bramley-Moor Dock, gets the go-ahead, because we have all got loads of great memories of Goodison, and as much as I want to go down the dock, I will miss Goodison Park, with all of my heart, because it really is a very, very special place!

Also remember the guy next to me repeatedly shouting "Fuck off, Davison, you broke John Connolly's leg!" throughout the game. Connolly was a good player and losing him at that point contributed to us narrowly missing out on the League Championship (as did the relegated Carlisle doing the double over us!!).

Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't... But I always knew you would be one of those kids who wouldn't miss so much as a throw-in.

I don't think many people agree with you when it comes to Everton's manager, Darren, but I've learnt my lesson and know you only want the best "for our great club"!

It's odd to think that it's now considered old and old fashioned, given that it seems like yesterday that it was one of the best stadiums outside of Wembley, being used by Brazil for the '66 World Cup.

Peter, I remember when the corner floodlights were replaced by floodlights along the edges of the Goodison Road and Bullens Road stand roofs, circa 1968. I found them blinding at first, when standing in the Paddock or the Goodison Road terrace.

Yes, Bill Brown it was, but I don't think he was hit by the dart, although the press made a big deal of it. I always thought it had missed him. There was a cartoon in one paper that showed Brown leaning against his post and a bloody big assegai sticking out of it.

Brown was the keeper in that iconic photo of Alex Young out jumping either Norman or Mancini to score the goal in a 1-0 win at Goodison.

http://www.dixies60.com/2012/04/02/60-games-that-shook-goodison-16-the-golden-vision-levitates/

"Pat Jennings was once struck by a dart thrown from the crowd whilst playing in a League game for Arsenal at Nottingham Forest. The offending item was plucked from his arm by The Gunners' physio"

And I've just found this on the web:

"Everton directors, who are investigating the dart-throwing incident for the Football Association, have eye-witness reports which claim that the Spurs goalkeeper picked up the dart when he arrived at the goalmouth at the start of the second half.

George Bailey says: “No one can tell when it was thrown. Who knows, one youngster who had a dart in his pocket might have said during the interval, ‘I bet I can hit the goal post.'”

Maybe the head with the dart in was some unlucky punter in the Grafton...

I'm desperately trying to expunge a vision of you and Bill in the Boys Pen, especially in the light of the recent investigation into abuse in football I mean, making you listen to Bill and his luvvie remembrances about Dave Hickson and other past greats – if that wouldn't count as abuse, I don't know what would. Give me the Grafton on Grab a Granny night any time.

Anyone remember the Everton Programme Collectors club run by Steve Mather, and later by Dave Saunston? There wasn't anything those guys didn't know about collecting Everton memorabilia.

Things started to change when Johnny Carey took over and Bobby Collins came in. Catterick then took over and the money of John Moores did the rest. Some great days indeed until Alan Ball left and Everton became an also ran until the Kendall era which I missed having emigrated so I have only been to the odd Goodison match since although I did see the Blues twice when they came to Canada after winning the league.

Whilst Everton is in my blood so is Goodison and it will be a sad day when they move out.

Yes I imagine now there's many middle-aged men across England who sit watching TV in the evenings and when casually rubbing their noses, feel a small dent that reminds them of my handy work."

Extract from my new book - 'I Was A Dead Big Hoolie - Stories Of 70's Football Violence That Are frankly Impossible To Disprove.'

Cracker. I'm going to try that at Stoke.

I still meet my cousin before the match his dad has lot to answer for – the family curse, as my lot say. COYB

Goodison Photos

My first game at Goodison I think was 1973-74 season, and actually my first Everton live match was the derby at Anfield – a draw and an early outing for Bob Latchford.

Travelling to other grounds, particularly when I lived in London in the early 80s, it was telling how much better Goodison was than Highbury, Stamford Bridge, White Hart Lane, Elland Road, the Boleyn Ground... even Twickenham.

But that's no longer the case. Most of these clubs have far better grounds than we have (although I don't envy West Ham). We need to move on.

We should have won the cup that year as we were a much better side than West Brom.

Unfortunately I can't remember my first game at Goodison* – might have been Burnley 1961-62. I remember seeing Bobby Collins trotting out – he left shortly afterwards.

* Probably due to too many visits to various hostelries in subsequent years (see below).

I would like to mention one very vivid memory of the '60s – the FA Cup 3rd Round replay against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

I sagged off school in the afternoon that day and my dad (God rest his soul) picked me up with two of his steel erector – Brian Roland's and Mick Cummings both have sinned passed away. Great manic Evertonians they were all 3 of them and great mates also.

The car we went in was a Ford Zephyr (yes a Z-Car). We drove across the Pennines and I can remember my dad, who was as strong as an Ox, throwing me in the air when we scored our 3rd goal. He must have had my feet 6 feet off the ground about 4 or 5 times.

On the way back we stopped at a pub on I think on the Pennines. The boss of the pub, believe it or not, was an Evertonian. When we went in, the place was heaving with Evertonians. The game was being replayed on the bar tv.

The boss locked the pub at normal closing time but he kept the bar open for the many Evertonians while we watched the replay. I don't remember much about the trip home. All a bit naughty I know – but life was different then.

Just wondering if by any fantastic coincidence any of you were in that pub that night? You never know.

I've just done a bit of research on net. According to the Red Echo, Jones had already been sent off for chinning Morris when Davison launched his assault on John Connolly. Another report suggests this was Connolly's first leg break and that it happened a second time (same break) in a pre-season game.

There was a time when I could have recalled this but like many on this thread, I'm an old guy and time is catching up with my long term memory!

PS - on that Spurs game, the dart didn't hit Brown although he made a big issue when he found it, and the arcs were installed as a result of that incident.

I did go to one big game when another rello took me to Old Trafford shortly after the Munich disaster. It was against Spurs but to be honest I don't remember much about the game.

As a kid The Alex were the local team but I also supported a big team for TV purposes. This team tended to vary according to who had done well the previous season. So I had a brief flirtation with Blackburn in the days of Jimmy Adamson and Sheffield Wednesday with Peter Swan, Ron Springett and Tony Kay.

For some reason I could never bring myself to support Spurs back when Danny Blanchflower and his troops had so much success. I had been happily following Wolves for a couple of seasons when a friend at school asked if I'd like to go to a game with him and his parents.

"Who are you going to see?" I asked.
"Everton," came the reply.
"What division are they, in I inquired.
"The First," he said.
"Where is Everton?" I asked.
"In Liverpool," was the answer (I led a very sheltered life in Cheshire).
"Who are they playing?" was the next question. The opposition would be Wolves.
"Count me in."

We caught the train from Crewe and as we made our way to Lime St I learned something about the history of Everton and the School of Science and the man who was the Golden Vision, Alex Young. Goodison was like another world compared to Gresty Road. We stood right by the touchline on the Bullens Road side. I could just see over the wall and my head was at ground level I recall.

What a game. Wolves had a decent side in the era of Billie Wright and Ron Flowers but Everton with Alex Young, the Welsh wizard Roy Vernon, the sublime Brian Labone and hard as nails Jimmy Gabriel were in a class of their own. The result was 4-0 to the blues and I'd witnessed the School of Science in all it's glory.

By 4:45 Saturday 3rd March 1962, I was an Evertonian.

There's been a few ups and downs since then but there's far more to Everton than just what happens on the pitch. Their support of Bradley Lowery is an example of the essence of the club which I'm proud to support. I brought my daughter up the same way and she's now passing on the torch to my Grandson Jack. And would you believe it, she married a one-eyed Wolves supporter. Funny old world.

Anyway, we only had 2 tickets for the Lower Gwladys terrace. Me dad eventually managed to buy 3 more tickets for ten bob (50p in today's money). As we only needed one ticket, me dad then sold the other 2 , again for ten bob. So I suppose at least one of us got in for nothing!

God knows what would have happened though, if we hadn't managed to get those spares?

The result... I haven't got a bloody clue!!

Some random thoughts: I remember games against Wolves (great side in the '50s and still a big draw in the '60s) , Spurs, Burnley, Blackburn and others, were all ticket affairs. As it was terraced it was easier, I suppose, for the club to sell tickets and you could buy tickets from the ground or the old Stadium near Tithebarn St in town.

The club could just send so many thousand tickets to the Stadium which would continue selling them until they sold out. My Dad would get me Ma, bless her, to go into town and queue all day to get two tickets for himself and me from the Stadium. I remember going there to a circus in about 1953, but never a boxing match.

Going to Molineux in '67 and drawing a FA Cup match 1-1. The replay was on the Tuesday afterwards and we won 3-1 but the crush was unbelievable. Getting carried along with the throng of people crushing into Gwladys St, it's a miracle we didn't have a Hillsborough scenario that night.

When the RS were promoted, there was no sleep for days before the match due to the excitement and, of course, the fear of losing. But both games ended honours even, 2-2 at home and 0-0 away where I stood in the Paddock with me Dad. I'd been to Anfield regularly with my mates when the Blues were away just to appreciate how it must be to be poor and they'd come to Goodison for a treat when the RS were on their travels.

Seeing, and appreciating, stars like Bobby Moore, George Best, Charlton, Billy Wright, Stanley Matthews, Greaves and Shredded Wheat himself, Blanchflower. Good football from the opposition was applauded then and Goodison Park had one of the most respected crowds in football for their appreciation of something special happening on the pitch. Unfortunately, the late 1960s-70s and hooliganism put paid to that – not just here but everywhere.

I decided then that I wanted to sit in the Top Balcony at a match, I managed it against Coventry when Kendall was in charge. I could have taken a double bed with me and could have sat anywhere as it was the infamous match when only 13,000 turned up!!!

It is difficult to forget your first game, especially when you were in the front row of the Gwladys Street stand seeing Alex Young, Roy Vernon and the rest demolish Forest 6-0.

Before that fateful day in October 1961 I hadn't been to a football match anywhere because, although 14 then and brought up in Huyton, I'd been watching rugby league, mainly St Helens (where I went to grammar school) and Liverpool City just down the road in Knotty Ash.

That all changed when my mate Harry McCann invited me along to Goodison that Saturday. I hardly missed a home game (or many away) for the next 10 years until I left uni (Manchester) and moved south.

Now in Watford for the past 30 years and retired, I'm back in the Park End for every game. That means staying over quite often for evening games, like Arsenal last month when I got chatting to a bloke in the bar of The LIner after the 2-0 win. He was up from Gloucester for the match and when I asked how long he'd been an Evertonian (like me, he was an exiled scouser), he said: "since 1961 when I was 7... First game 6-0 home against Forest"!

As I said, you never forget your first game. It might be a small world but it's full of Evertonians with long memories.

I was at that Altrincham game. They were right clonking bastards as I remember and I actually heard the crack when they broke John Conolly's leg right in front of me.

1-1 draw and we won the replay and the RS played their cup game at Anfield the same time as us, that never happens these days.

FA Cup Minnows

29th August 1978 vs Wimbledon League Cup 8-0. This wasn't my first match but I do remember (6 yrs old) coming down the following morning and seeing on the fireplace the note:

Everton 8 Wimbledon 0 (Latchford 5 Dobson 3). My Dad had written it and it was great. I only wish I had kept it though – what a wonderful memory. I shall have to remind my Dad of it later today and more importantly thank him and tell him that I have never forgotten it. Thanks, Dad!

The 3 goals we scored (1 og) have been replayed so many times, it's not hard to forget. 'Reid's cross, GRAY... what a fantastic goal!'

Laurie Hartley (#64) I'm sure there are one or two older than me on here, Laurie, John Pierce is one I'm sure, what lovely football memories we have got.

Michael Spear (#76), that Everton versus Forest game is one of the few I've missed... I've got a good explanation for missing the game, it was the day I got married so couldn't get away, although I think my wife has wished a few times since that I had gone the match instead of turning up and marrying her!!!. Got no regrets myself – even though Alex Young had a great game that day.

I had a similar experience meself, although wasn't my wedding, it was me brother's – the day we thumped Man Utd 5-0 in October 84.

Kept on disappearing with a radio for updates on the score. Boss day all round.

I sat in my seat and cried like a big girl for 10 minutes after the game... Before joining a couple of hundred fellow Blues for an aperitif in the Wine Lodge.

I bet there were thousands of us who cried silent tears of joy that day; I know I did, then watched with relief the hundreds of fans dancing the legs off themselves with absolute happiness.

I went on a coach to an arranged night out near Preston with loads of Reds, some of them whose night was fucked because we won and stayed up.

I also was gutted after the FA Cup Final in 1968 versus WBA. In 1971 I was working at Pontin's Holiday camp in Brixham, Devon. Being single, it was a fun job escaping from my proper trade.

I had a Saturday off, had a few beers and who passed me was Jeff Astle. I told him he broke my heart 3 years ago. We were chatting for ages, I said why are you in a Holiday camp. He introduced me to his wife and his two young girls.

I was a mate of his all week. He loved singing so every night we had a good old sing song. One night he started singing "O we hate Bill Shankly and we hate St John and most of all we hate big Ron". Well I was on cloud nine, both of us sang our hearts out.

I said how do you know that,he said "Alan Ball and Colin Harvey sing that to Emlyn Hughes on the England tours"

He told me about Bally in Mexico 1970, he would be in bed at 7:30 but Jeff would be in the town having a drink.

We had a good friendship for the week, a smashing man.

The case has been illustrated recently with the treatment Nobby Stiles has received from The FA and his former club, Man Utd – largely ignored, going by Nobby's family.

Anyway, Ray, glad you and Jeff had a great week together.

David Jones scored the winner that night if memory serves... I can't for the life of me think who scored the equaliser though.

You are correct, I can't remember the goals apart from DJ running down the Goodison Road and sticking it in the net and bedlam ensued. There was over 38k in the ground that night.

I went to all the cup-ties that season home and away. I couldn't find footage of the Goodison game but heres footage of the first game. State of that pitch!

Swindon
footage

He walked me up and down Goodison Road before the game to soak up the atmosphere. I'll never forget going up the stairs of the Upper Gwladys and my first sight of that marvellous pitch.

All I remember was Whittle scoring, the place exploding, then the soon to be familiar disappointment of Derby equalising. No matter, I was on a high for days.

Last year I was wondering about the date of the game and the Internet search led me to a place where I could buy the matchday programme. It arrived the day before my birthday and I opened it up and sobbed my eyes out.

Me Dad's long gone, ashes behind the Park End goal, but I'll never forget him, that first match and the love affair that day started.

Because I was a wimp I think I might have started blubbering and I remember some very kind – and very big – bloke lifting me on to his shoulders and all was well.

I can only add to that I met a guy in the Dubai airport a few years ago with a WBA shirt with Astle on it , told him pretty much what he'd expected from an Evertonian but in a sort of friendly way so we shared a beer.

Bally (my fave ever, ever Everton player) – I saw him at the Cheltenham races in the late '80s, gave him a hug (I'd had a few Guiness).

Who's the greatest of them all...
little curly Alan Ball,
Who's the greatest loved the most...
Alex Young the Golden Ghost.

Can't think of the name of it... I know I never bought it!!!!

I too was at that Wolves cup replay in 1967 when there were officially 67,000 in the ground. I seem to recall that the gates had been broken down in the Gwladys Street end that night so the actual attendance must have been much higher. Fans were cascading down the Street End and literally flying over the arc behind the goal. I witnessed all this from the relative safety of the old Main Stand but, as you say, it was a miracle that nobody got killed that night.

Also, talking about ticketing outlets, I moved from Liverpool to Ellesmere Port in the late '50s and used to get my tickets for the big matches in the '60s at a newsagents in Bromborough! Otherwise it was get there two hours before kick off and queue up. Grounds were quite often fairly full with an hour to go – unlike today when they fill up in the last 15 minutes.

Link

If Paul (#50) is right, we played Spurs in August 1964 and that pic is dated Feb 1964??

I was first taken to the game as a toddler of two in the mid '60s, with Dad and often, Mum too. We sat in upper Gwladys Street. This lasted for about two seasons. I remember nothing of the football, teams, anything, just a vague memory of the view, huge crowds in a huge place, but I remember vividly, what seemed incredible noise. I cried from the shock the first time a goal was scored, apparently.

Parents divorced soon after so no more match for some years. I was aware of Everton being "my team" from about age five. My dad supplied steelwork for the new Main Stand so I often visited the site with him but we weren't actually watching games then. We started again late '73, got season tickets the year after, then had them for over 30 years.

As mentioned, Everton was a premier ground at this time. In the 70s and 80s, I visited the ground of every team that was in the first division in those days, and others in cup games. They often seemed like dumps by comparison. Derby's Baseball Ground being amongst the worst (and the pitch). Stamford Bridge too. I felt very proud of Goodison.

Hell, the memories – remember walking along Priory Road with my dad, I'd be 15 at the time. He told me he'd eventually had to stop Granddad, his father, from going to the game as he was getting far too worked up, shouting and leaping about wildly. Roll on the years, and I was having the same conversation with my sister about Dad!

One other quick point. Several have mentioned being in Anfield. Sacrilege in our family! I made a promise to never do it. I've been just about everywhere else, but not Anfield. Derby matches or not, have never set foot in there, never will.

Thanks for the article, Jamie. Stirred some real memories.

Eric, there is always the chance that the club were attempting to play down the dart incident by suggesting that the arcs were for the World Cup, but at the time, there was definitely the implication that they were there due to the dart throwing incident. I don't know if you were a match-going fan at that time but that is how I remember it. It also reduced the ground capacity.

If the arcs were purely for the World Cup or for the photographers why the necessity for hastily assembled scaffolding as a temporary solution to the problem? Surely the arcs would just have been constructed in brick in the first place?

You say "Several have mentioned being in Anfield. Sacrilege in our family! I made a promise to never do it. I've been just about everywhere else, but not Anfield."

If you were 2 in the mid sixties you probably weren't going until the mid seventies, or at least going the game and really "getting" it, and times were changing. Well, despite ones allegiance, in the fifties and sixties, and probably before, but I wasn't going then(!), it was common to go to "their" place just as they came to ours.

There wasn't the bitterness that clings to football on Merseyside then as now. You loved football and you'd just go to watch a match with your mates, that's all. And they were in Div 2 and weren't a threat. You sort of, pitied them a bit with their cabbage patch of a pitch and piss stinking Kop.

Of course, I wouldn't set foot in Anfield now and haven't for years, with their crappy loft conversion and bus loads of tourist's all clutching their carrier bags full of shite memorabilia and wearing brand new bobble hats, scarves, rosettes... the only thing missing from a 1950s snap shot is a rattle. You need to be multilingual to understand half the crowd.

So, please don't be dismissive of those of us who visited Mordor in the past. It was quite normal in those days.

For about 4 seasons, I watched a match every weekend and don't regret a single one.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/10734999/watch-spurs-stadium-unveiled

The incentive for replay was of course playing Liverpool in next round – interesting to hear the comments about the crush on Gwladys Street because my own abiding memory is of what must have been similar on Goodison Road – queues just disintegrated into one almighty crush towards turnstiles.

A good cup run that year eventually ruined by Ian Storey-Moore – coming out of the City Ground that day (I think the day of the Foinavon Grand National) was the only time I've ever left a game intent on hitting someone (I didn't by the way!)

That Wolves game that you made your debut in 1962. I was at the game: 4-0.

It was also the debut of Gordon West. He was a great servant for the Blues. Only a few hiccups.

COYB

RIP. Gordon, lovely man, great goalkeeper.

Black-and-white TV, muddy pitches... thing of the past.

I was 16 at the time and remember games in that era more clearly than those this season even though I still attend them all! Age, eh??

I went to the Forest game too. I think you're right, we were in front, maybe 2-0. That third goal seemed to hit everything, post, bar until he finally got it over the line.

He was also involved with getting Roy Vernon sent off a season or two earlier. Referee by the name of Ken Stokes I think. Big fat arrogant prick.

Included were testimonials, like Brian Labone's, and there was one for Tommy Lawton, at Goodison, and Roger Hunt's and Bill Shankley's at Anfield. So there was mutual respect. But it didn't stop me always wanting Liverpool to lose, regardless of the opposition.

My mates applauded Everton's football when it was good, but stopped short of praising Everton players outside of the match. I remember a derby game at Anfield (but can't remember which one) where we put together a fantastic move through midfield and a shot from Royle that required a cracking save from Clemence, and I can recall reds on the Kop extolling that move, and of course the save.

I used to go to Anfield with my best mate in the 50s and 60s. He's still my best mate now. Then Goodison with him and my Blue best mates who are still my best mates.

I saw Dave Hickson make his Liverpool debut at Anfield and he scored, maybe even twice.

I also remember Tony Hately score a hat-trick there for Villa against them after they had been 2-0 up. I couldn't conceal my big grin, hard though I tried.

Actually I probably didn't try that hard.

I went to the cup game at Forest without a ticket. No luck trying to get one before the game.

We were walking away from the river end 5 minutes before kick off, still without a ticket, along the side of the ground (in those days just waste land) when from inside the ground and over the wall came a bundle of tickets in pristine condition.

You can imagine the scramble once people realised what it was. We approached the turnstiles expecting to get booted out but in we went. Brilliant (up to that point).

Forest 67

Wiggy playing for them still.

And Brent, who threw the tickets over the wall? That's a weird one, that.

Steady on, Mr. Roche. Where do you get "Dismissive" from my writings?

You're right about when I started to regularly go to Goodison (and away games). I wrote it in the post. Things by then were more partisan than in earlier friendly times. Anyone over about 50 will remember, the fighting etc.

This stopped a lot of people going to the respective "Enemy" ground, and many away grounds, though it was never so bad with Everton - Liverpool. It probably even attracted others in those days. Things have swung back the other way today.

This though, was not the reason for staying away from Anfield. Sadly, my father and other members of the family are no longer here to ask again in detail. As I was told, it went back to my great grandfather, and when we lost RS Central as our original home.

It was maybe lighthearted at the time but was something passed on that everyone stuck to. To great uproar in the family, my eldest aunt, Dad's eldest sister, became engaged to and later married, a certain pre-war overseas Liverpool player.

He was only there a season or so before the outbreak of war stopped play. Even she didn't go to Anfield! My aunt and uncle settled in his native South Africa. During a visit here in the 80s, my uncle went to tour Anfield. He met with Bob Paisley, whom he briefly played with. Dad drove him there. They told me he waited outside and drove around town touring his old haunts. I had my suspicions but he never admitted to going in!

I also have friends that won't go to the ground of their particular nemesis or rival team – it's not that rare of a thing, just a peculiar football principle perhaps.

, Ray... you can be bitter! Excellent paragraph.

No idea, Alan. We didn't hang around to ask questions! My suspicion is Ray Roche.

Little did I know that it was a foretaste of many such experiences to come ... Ignoring the 68 FA Cup Final, next up the Man City semi-final, then the Liverpool semi-final, then another Liverpool semi-final, then the West Ham semi-final...

I presume our proud record of having lost more semi-finals than any other team still stands?

As others have said, it was also the Foinavon National and Sandie Shaw did her bare-footed best to win Eurovision. I can't stand that song.

Will (#129)

Just the way I read it Will. No offence meant.

And what a way to start!!

As far as Anfield is concerned I have only been in the place once – we hammered them 4-0. Andy Rankin played a blinder. There was much merriment after the game in the Tarleton Street wine lodge. Perhaps John G Davies (84) was there also? (Never heard of a large white being called an "aperitif" but perhaps things had become a bit more sophisticated 30 years on).

Actually coming from Birkenhead (don't forget who was Bourne their) I think I only ever met one "real" Liverpudlian. His name was Jacky Geary a Cammell Lairds boilermaker, and I have to say, one of the best men I ever met in my youth. I suppose we all have our crosses to bear. Jacky, I am sure, will be getting his reward now.

Having retired, I now live about 100 km outside of Melbourne. The last time I was at Goodison was with my dad (God rest his soul), wife and niece for the Arsenal game which we lost 1-4. Leon Osmon scored the consolation goal. Still a great memory for me as you can imagine. I travelled all over the country with him when I was a youngster.

Reading through this thread as I said above, has brought back many fond memories for me. I am biased, but when it comes to football, I do believe Evertonians are a breed apart and I am looking forward to keeping my promise to Eric to somehow be at the last game at Goodison and also at the opening of our new waterfront stadium.

Flashback Everton 8-3 Cardiff – did Ray Veal play?

Line up:
Gordon West
Brian Labone
Mick Meagan
George Thomson
Jimmy Gabriel
Brian Harris
Derek Temple
Billy Bingham
Roy Vernon
Alex Young
Dennis Stevens

Where exactly?

From what I can find on the net Veall signed in the Autumn of '61 and the Cardiff game was on 28 April 1962 and Veall made his debut on18 August 1962 at Burnley's Turf Moor stadium. Morrissey's arrival scuppered his chances though.

He now lives in New Zealand and was presented with a specially struck Championship medal for the 62-63 season.

If you just enter "Ray Veall footballer" in Google there are a couple of Echo pieces on him.

Thanks Tony that's a fantastic offer - I reckon we'd have a good laugh and perhaps I would be a good luck charm. After all If Swansea can beat them at Mordor I am sure we can and will one day soon.

Dave and Ray - thanks. Like I said the memory took a bit of a hammering in those days. He was a good player Ray Veall but Johnny Morrisey - one of my all time favourite players.

My sons just texted me, he's on the coach coming home from Palace, and must be having a laugh, singing:

This is what it feels to be Liverpool,
this is what it feels to be poor,
you've had your stand converted,
whilst we get Bradley-Moore!

(ps: I've changed a couple of words, to make the song sound better)

Laurie I hope Tony gets you one for the Anfield derby game of that season, if it happens, I'm hoping he gets me one for this season's game at Anfield, but I'm only blood and kin so I doubt I'll be there.!!!!!!!!

I know you're getting on Dave, but I can't be giving Liverpool, any money, so I will promise to bunk you in, if you stop saying our Joseph, is a red.

Me and Laurie will go into The Guiness Book of records, me for the oldest jibber in this years Derby a Anfield and Laurie as the oldest and last jibber at Goodison.

He was friends with many sporting personalities including Don King, the boxing promoter, he said to him one time, "Why don't you buy a fuckin' comb and tidy your hair up" Don King said "My hair is my gimmick."

I think,it was a thank fuck,they've gone, but only on to another adventure for me, like a young Jack Dawkins, following Fagin!

So Dave - believe it or not - if you get me in to Goodison for the last game for nothing you will also help me set an additional world record for the only person to get into Goodison for his first and last game for nout.

Derek was the champion bunker. When Bruno faced Witherspoon at Wembley we were all there. Derek went to Witherspoons hotel and training camp in Basildon if I recall. He asked for Witherspoons manager and told him Mickey Duff had sent him and his two lads to keep an eye on things and they were to book all three of them in to the hotel and put the bill on Duffs expenses.

If you remember Derek's lads,who were two great kids by the way,you have never seen a more unlikely security team. He got away with it though.

If any of the younger generation can search online you will see Derek at the weigh in Odeon Leicester Square if I remember right.on the stage with the Witherspoon team tracksuit on. Sad to see how he went in later years but once met never forgotten.

John G, I'm sure Derek, ended up good mates with Timmy Witherspoon, and remember seeing his oldest lad (Carl) after one of his fights with loads of pictures, he had took on one of his training camps. It might have been after that Bruno fight actually, but I can't remember to be honest.

Very sad how he ended up, but he was funny til the very end. I remember dropping my son off at school one morning, when this fella was going about 15/20 mph, down Blenham Street driving a wheelchair. Whose this mad fucker I thought, then when I got closer it was Derek, and he started scouling, asking me, when I was gonna come and see him?

A funny man, and one of the reasons going to Goodison, has always been such a pleasure, because it's a ground full of character, with loads of characters in the crowd!

He lost his two legs later in life but never lost his sense of humour, I had some laughs with Derek, larger than life.

Laurie (#153) when I get you in at Goodison, you won't have to do any climbing, not even an inch.

Anyway back to business, my first game was around 74-75 season, the opening and first game I went was a nil nil draw against Derby County, remember thinking shitty Derby, hence to say They went and won the league.

Spotting the floodlights coming down the East Lancs, walking down past the coaches parked up, then seeing the ground, spotting the big BBC or Granada trucks outside the Park end addd to the buzz.

The sheer size of the main Stand, Zcars drum roll, hugging a total stranger in the Street end, the half time a-z scores along Bullens Road, going a goal down and Mr positive rallying the troops, don't worry we will have these with a come on Blue Boys roar in his same sentence.

Rushing back to the coach to catch the full time scores on the radio.

Be a big sad Day when we finally say goodbye to the old Lady.

Playing in the school football team, then in 1966 we
played for the Britannia pub (Tom"s Bar)in Islington.

He was working at the Empire Theatre as a doorman
(bouncer) when Slim Whitman was on stage, Derek
was in the wings of the stage, he shouted to Slim
"give us Rose Marie. As we all know the artists keep
the best untill the last song.

American country singers staying at the Adelphi, Derek
was in their room partying.

There was plenty laughs,lots of stories.

I still remember his birthday. he would have been
70 in February.
A good Blue.

Brian, I've never heard that about the arcs behind the goal being a World Cup requirement, I don't recall Roker Park, Ayresome Park, Hillsborough, Old Trafford, or Villa Park having arcs built behind their goals. I'm of the opinion that the World Cup "requiring" these was a red herring to deflect from the dart incident.

The shout went up from the MC: "Can all non boxers leave the stage please!"

The bold Derek put his arm around Richard Dunne and told him "come on Richard that includes you."

More front than Blackpool, as the saying goes

The bet was struck, and they both stood having a bevy, watching Liverpool, take a 4-0 lead when this fella went berserk. You fuckin conniving scouse bastard, the fella' starts screaming, as the camera went into the crowd, and there was Derek, caught bang to rights!

Yes, I think it was. Are you the same Tony who we had famous battles with in the 80s through Roma v East Villa and who went on to play for Nottingham Forest and the Mighty Blues. If you are, let me tell you fellow ToffeeWebbers Tony was one of the finest players I ever played against and ever seen. Great days they were, Tony!

I remembered Carl's name when you mentioned it earlier. Seen him at an away game a good few years ago.

Can't remember the other lads name. He had ginger hair if I recall it right.

A lot of times I read how Goodison has an amazing atmosphere and the fans are so vociferous which is a great bonus to the players.

I was wondering do the club ever organise any groups of fans to get the crowd going. Like often when I go I would love to have the songs or chants they sing as often I can't make them out.

We've heard Mourinho and Klopp recently complaining fans are too quiet so I wondered could we not have some pre-organised people to raise the crowd when things go quiet and so we are doing our bit to lift the team rather than waiting for the team to lift our spirits.

I was over at the Madrid derby last year and I expected the atmosphere to be electric but it was so poor. A few years before that I was at Porto v Benfica and wow was I shocked. That was the most noise and crazy atmosphere I've ever sampled.

I only met two of Derek's lads, sad news about his other lad.

Mike Williams
Westcountry Blues

How Everton came to move