'The Golden Vision' dies aged 80

Absolute Legend ― very sad news for All Blues.

My day has just been torpedoed.

I think this thread and will reach three figures before the night is out.

I am 66 years old, but with tears in my eyes, I can still see him now skipping past defenders, scoring that wonderful headed goal against Spurs in a real 4-pointer for the title in 1962-63.

Hopefully a massive remembrance day at Goodison for one of the truly great players in Everton's history.

We will never see his like again, the Golden Vision TV programme will be most viewed across the Everton world tonight.

Re-united with Bally.

RIP, Alex.

RIP Alex.

A win on Sunday please, boys!!!

And of all the great players I've seen, Alex Young was the only man that I saw, "Grace" the hallowed turf of Goodison. Thank you, Alex, for the sublime artistry you brought to football and especially to Everton Football Club.

Thank you, Alex Young.

All my sympathy to your family.

I have many wonderful memories of his sublime skills.

A sad loss for all Evertonians.

An 80-year-old ex footballer who lives in Edinburgh with part of Goodison Park named after him is a testament to the love and esteem we held him in.

You will not be alone. Many people who saw your Dad play will be thinking of the great man and will be sending their thoughts and condolences to you and your family.

The saddest news I have heard for a while.

Condolences to all the family and may he rest in peace.

RIP Alex, and condolences to all your family and friends.

For those who haven't seen it here is a link to the Ken Loach film about the 'Golden Vision'

The Golden Vision

RIP The Golden Vision

Terribly sad news.

RIP ― What a team there is in the hereafter: Young, Ball, Kendall, Dean, Labone, West to name a few.

The People's Player

https://footballpink.net/2017/02/27/alex-young-the-peoples-player/

He was great in the air. A replay against Burnely in the cup in a mid-week game, and he scored 2 outstanding goals with his head ― he was head and shoulders above them all, both figuratively & metaphorically.

Thank you, Mr Young, for giving us such great football, and honouring our club with your incredible skills. May you Rest In Peace.

Max Murphy 22 - I was also at that game - he was sublime that night and the two goals he scored were against his cousin in the Burnley goal - Harry Thimpson I think was his name.

RIP Mr Alex Young - a light has just gone out

One of the best headers of a football I have ever seen. Jumped early and seemed to just hang in the air before dispatching the ball unerringly into the net. In the days of muddy pitches, he would invariably come off the pitch at half-time without a mark on his kit, such was his balance and skill.

Never to be forgotten, such a sad day. Named my youngest son Alex after the great man.

I took my son to the London launch of the Alex the Great movie. This should be rushed into production now to celebrate this extraordinary man's life.

RIP Alex – sincere condolences to your family.

I was very fortunate to meet Alex several times over the years but the highlight was him stopping and giving me and a mate a lift to Goodison for a midweek match versus Chelsea in April 1967. Can you imagine that happening now?!

He was having a 'wee rest' that night and in his place Joe Royle made his home debut scoring two goals. Our Golden God was great in the air, could shoot with both feet and dribbled past players as though the ball was tied to his boots. We simply adored him.

RIP Alex.

Saw the Golden Vision on YouTube for the first time a few weeks ago and I'm sure I'll probably watch it again tonight. RIP Alex Young, a true Everton legend

Whilst very sad, it must have been lovely for him, and his family, to know how much he was loved down here!!

I can't bring myself to tell my Dad the news, for I know how heart broken he will be.

RIP The Golden Vision

We have had many great players play for our club but he will rank amongst the very best we have had. I am old enough to have had memorable nights and seen some fantastic individual displays, but none finer than when Alex was on fire. The word legend is bandied about too often but this man was a legend in every sense of the word.

Condolences to his family.

RIP "THE GOLDEN VISION".

I wrote my first ever letter to the press (The Echo) when Harry Catterick bought Fred Pickering who took his place in the team. I was outraged and, if I remember correctly, the Echo received a deluge of protests.

Condolences to his family and connections.

Him, Royston, and his great mate Bally, all together for eternity now.

RIP, Alex, and condolences to the family. Thanks for the memories.

RIP, Alex Young, one of the all-time greats. A legend.

A very sad day for all Evertonians. Condolences to Alex's family – RIP, The Golden Vision.

Like John#18, I was at the pre-season game at Hearts not too long ago and the affection for him amongst both sets of fans was something to see (and hear).

Another Everton legend, has gone, but I don't think he will ever be forgotten, especially off all the people who were lucky enough to see him play in the "Royal Blue Jersey" RIP, Alex Young.

RIP, Alex Young...

Not many left from that great Catterick squad of the early sixties: Temple, Gabriel, Morrissey maybe.

There are 3 images: Koeman, Lukaku and Davies so I'm presuming not. Anyone know?

It's probably something blatantly obvious. I was born in the '60s but never got to see Alex Young play. My Dad talks with great respect for the man. RIP, The Golden Vision

For those Young enough never to have witnessed

Link

Please, watch.
The opening is so enchanting.
Utter truth.

Our family's thoughts are with yours today. They always will be.

Peerless, both as a man and a player, I met him at a book signing upstairs at the church at Goodison. He was standing on his own so I approached him and, like a star struck schoolboy, mumbled something about him being the best player I ever saw. So modest, he just thanked me and shook my hand.

Just choked hearing of his death. RIP, Alex.

RIP, Alex and thanks for the wonderful memories.

The Golden Vision, as a child I was perched on my uncles shoulders watching a slender man with blond hair, skip tackles and drive opposition mad, determined to take chunks out of him, they couldn't touch him, no one ever will now.

My fondest memory was at Goodison park playing Inter Milan, strangely we played all in white... they tore the shirt off Alex but still couldn't contain him, he skipped around some horrendous tackles and left a trail of angry and bemused Italians in his wake.

Even as a child, I knew he was special, Alex Young, Golden Vision... Inspiration of a generation. RIP, wee man..

On the return, walking through Euston to get the train home, I walked with Alex (as the players did the same Journey).

Being only sixteen then, I was in awe of my idol, he talked to me as he already knew me. When I told my mates, what an experience, I'll never forget.

RIP, The Pride of Goodison.

Thinking of all the family in Scotland.

Rest in peace, Alex Young, Everton legend and inspirer of youngsters.

Goodnight, God bless, Alex, thanks for the memories, there are many.

One of the very few players that Blues of all ages can brag about anywhere in the football world and not get an argument. Never to be forgotten.

Annoyed golfers were not happy to see an urchin running across to the tee, with Roy Vernon, Alex Parker and Alex Young all waiting to tee off, Roy Vernon with a cigarette as always, and I asked My Young, nicely, if I could have his autograph, much laughter ensued, "Of course," he said!

Except I had no paper and only a pencil... all I had in my school bag was the programme from the Inter game, he got every one of the players there to sign it and then walked me back to the cinder path. It's the smallest things that mean the most... RIP, Alex.

One Goodison memory I vividly have is of him running to the front of the 6-yard box on a corner, leaping ahead of everyone and guiding the ball beautifully into the opposite top corner – and he did it not just once in that game, but twice – and against his cousin in goal for Burnley, Adam Blacklaw, I think his name was.

Rest in peace, Golden Vision, enjoy the company of those other great players up there – what a heavenly Everton team that would be...

Young, Ball and Labone were Dad's favourite players from that particular era, with an occasional mention for Ray Wilson. The more you look back, the more you appreciate the great players and history of this club. It's nice that they're properly remembered when they pass, and good that there are those here posting with their memories of him.

As arl Sonny Moore (who passed away himself recently) used to say. "We're assembling some side up there."

Condolences to his family.

He was so skilful... dribbling which you hardly see these days, was his forte. The defenders, and they were ruthless in the '60s, tried to kick him off the park; they couldn't get near him, and the only Everton player of his size who could head a ball so expertly is a certain Tim Cahill. It was a joy to watch. Thank you, Alex Young, an Everton Giant.

Sky are at Finch Farm all day. Access all areas stuff.

My grandads favourite after Dixie. Thanks Patrick for the link to golden vision.

Great seeing again the spirit of being an Evertonian and a player. Alex cherished being both. Legend..

He wanted nothing more to chat to me and my son all afternoon. He made a fuss of my lad. He said to him very softly (my lad was about 5), "Do you play football son?". My lad nodded. He said, "Ask your daddy to buy you a tennis ball to play with, do you know why?" My lad, absolutely hanging on his every word shook his head. "Because" he said using his hands to the shape of a ball, "if you can control a little ball, you can control a great big ball!"

Needless to say, I had to get him a tennis ball. My lad explained the story to his grandad and said "Grandad, Alex told me to play with a tennis ball and then I will be better than my dad with a big ball!"

"Do you know my friend, Alex, grandad?"

My dad filled up. Alex the Great, the Golden Vision and my son's mate, rest in peace.

Condolences to all the family and his army of fans.

RIP, The Golden Vision.

"What does your Daddy do?"
"Plays football."
"Who for?"
"Everton."
"What's his name?"

Such a gem of a short film from a genius film maker. Thank God he made it.

Let's hope it inspires the present team next Sunday.

RIP.

He was not the best Everton player I have seen but the most beautiful and stylish of them all.

I am so sad tonight but immensely grateful that I was privileged to see him play.

I hope that his family find some consolation in the wonderful tributes being paid to him by Blues fans.

Condolences to his family.

You are right – it was Alex's cousin in goal that night for Burnley. His name was Harry Thomson. According to Wikipedia he passed away in March 2013.

To the fans he was the Evertonian god/man talisman, a genii that we could draw on every Saturday to perform his little masterpieces for us. A player that we got and no-one else seemed to understand.

My deepest condolences to Alex's family and Evertonians everywhere.

I can still vividly remember the buzz of anticipation when he had the ball and indeed the sense of disappointment when he couldn't play due to injury (he suffered badly with blistered feet). However he played in every game in the 1963 Championship winning team, crucially scoring 22 goals.

He would have most certainly scored near the end of the 1966 Cup Final but he unselfishly passed the ball to Mike Trebilcock who unfortunately fluffed the chance of a hat-trick.

I will never forget the thrill of him signing my programme in Goodison Road before a European Fairs Cup match v Kiimarnock in 1964.

Alex will always be remembered as an all time Everton great.

RIP, the Golden Vision. Let's get his family down for the West Brom game a week on Saturday, and give him a proper rememberance / celebration of his life.

That said, for all the criticism of Bill Kenwright, I have no doubt that he's not getting something special together as he was one of his favourite players and we did Ball proud.

I have seen most of the greats post-war live (Eusebio, Pele, Mathews, Finney etc. and all the more modern ones) but he was the greatest although never acknowledged in the wider game.

Also, what a lovely, lovely man. I had the privilege of escorting him and the great Colin Harvey from the Adelphi to Waterstones for a signing when my nephew, James Corbett, launched 'Everton. The School of Science'. I knew I was in the presence of Greatness if not Sainthood.

Tony Waring@80, greetings from Crosby and you are absolutely right. What a goal against Spurs in 1963!!!!!!

My Thoughts to all his family and God Bless you, Mr Young.

The way he could hang in the air to score at the near post or nod down to Roy Vernon running clear are memories that will stay with me for ever, not forgetting the way he seemed to float along the ground with the ball tied to his feet.

If anyone hasn't seen it by now, seek out The Golden Vision and watch why we are Evertonians and Alex was our god.

Sad, sad day. RIP, Alex Young, and condolences to his family.

May he rest in peace.

Farewell, "Tenderfoot".

Do you remember the Street end serenading Harry Thomson with the song "Ee I addio Your God's Chosen Cousin".

So apt, so true. Goodbye the Golden Vision.

The picture of Alex rising above everyone to score that vital goal against Spurs in 1963 to push us on the title with a packed enclosure behind is an all time classic.

Anyone got it to put on here as a tribute? I want it as a screensaver.

I've had it as my screen saver for years!!! Go on Google and type in "Alex Young's header v Spurs". It comes up on images straight away.

There is another hugely important connection to the Spurs team of the 60s; their great captain, Danny Blanchflower, it was who actually first coined the description that came to define Alex; "The Golden Vision". Blanchflower, an intelligent man himself, wrote: "...the view every Saturday that we have of a more perfect world, a world that has got a pattern and is finite. And that's Alex – The Golden Vision." Another legend of that Spurs team, Jimmy Greaves, described Alex as "Nureyev on grass".

I loved the Everton of the 1960s. I loved the way football was – and the way that opponents could be generous in recognising greatness. Alex Young deserves the accolade of being a great and it was uplifting to hear it coming from his peers as well as his adoring fans.

Just watched the Alex the Great trailer, shivers down my spine and wiping away the tears. RIP.

My favourite GV Goal was shimmy and perfect shot on the edge of the area against Man Utd on the opening game of 1967, when they were reigning champions. That day, he stood head and shoulders above greats like Charlton, Best et al.

To his son and family remember that they are still part of our great Blue Family and Community! RIP, The Golden Vision. Great footballer and great man!

John Lennon once declared that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus Christ, a quote that could easily be applied by all Evertonians who, like myself, regarded Alex Young as a living god, as ridiculous as it may sound, such is the magic of 'the beautiful game'.

My own treasured and abiding memory of Alex was when, as a young employee of the North Western Gas Board, in Ormskirk I was called to a home in Maghull to repair a gas stove, you can imagine my utter amazement when the front door was opened by 'The Golden Vision' himself, to say I was gobsmacked was putting it mildly and when I finished the repair Alex insisted I sit down and have a cuppa and slice of cake with him and his missus meaning a ten-minute job took 45 minutes, I had the work order he signed for years but somehow mislaid it.

It goes without saying but I hope his memory will never fade and wish his family my deepest condolences as will all football fans who had the pleasure to see him play, God Bless.

As a New York Yankee fan, the player I most wish I could've seen was Babe Ruth. No question. I'd say the wish of most Yankee fans if they had the chance to see a player from the past. Leaving him aside, I'd pick the "Yankee Clipper" Joe DiMaggio; a brilliant player, God bless him. But any part of the Yankee history starts with the Babe.

Set aside Dixie Dean, for the same reason as Ruth, it's Alex Young. Ball is held in such esteem in here, he must have been something to see. But there's always been in ToffeeWeb, I'm not sure what to call it, a reverence when Young's name came up.

So, RIP Alex. Many a man stamps his name in history; a name remembered. Few of them do so with such an outpouring of earned, while never-sought, love and affection.

Went to the link Patrick Murphy provided. Led me to the link below. Just Young at Goodison sitting and talking about his playing career. Got to say, he even looks like the player he was. Cool and calm, whatever the question.

What stood out to me was that he considered 1961-63 his best years because he lost hearing in his right ear after that!

Link

And congratulations to those of you saw him play.

His virtuoso performance in the final game of the 1966-67 season, a 4-1 defeat of Sunderland.

Secondly, my dad coming home from work a few days before the 1968 FA Cup Final with a brand new amber and blue tie to wear for the match. He worked in the old fruit, veg and flower market in Queen Square and he told me that Alan Ball and Alex Young had wandered down to the market that morning, as footballers were wont to do in those days. Having asked them about the precise shade of amber in the shirts to be worn, the two Gods took him to George Henry Lee's, found an appropriate tie, paid for it and presented it to him.

Sincere condolences to all Mr Young's family, I hope the love and respect being expressed on this thread will be of comfort to you.

I remember as a 9- or 10-year-old being captivated by The Golden Vision and for me three skills in particular stood out:-

1) He seemed to float for seconds waiting for the ball as others have described,

2) His dribbling skills were second to none (even in the era of George Best) with the press using the phrase ‘turn on a sixpence' about him all the time, and

3) I was amazed, how he could control a high ball literally instantly. He inspired me to practise these for hours as a kid, sadly to no avail.

I met him at the Adelphi event a few years ago and asked, still star-struck, how his blisters were nowadays. As others have confirmed he ever-so-politely explained “Much better now, thanks!”

Sad day. Condolences to his family and all blues. RIP, Alex.

Dad didn't really hear, like all around he was beaming as though "Nil satis..." had arrived in human form and was dancing around Goodison.

Not growing much more till my teens, I never did see much of our Golden Vision but I understood why a TV drama would choose "The Golden Vision" as a theme. Just to see him walk onto Goodison was to evoke magic, mystery and hope.

The heights he hit meant the undying love of his faithful fans cascaded down the generations. He was more than a fantastic talent he was an entity that represented everything our club at it's best aspires to.

Thank you, Alex.

Get his autograph for me dad.

Yes, I wonder how many suggestions he received for avoiding those pre-season blisters.

I only saw the great man play a couple of times but remember that feeling of anticipation whenever he had the ball... what "magic" was he going to produce this time?

A shame for all younger Blues that we didn't have the football coverage years ago that we have now. He will always live strong in Evertonian memories. What a team we have in heaven now. RIP, great man, and my sincere condolences to your family.

Thank you, Bill Kenwright –you took the very words out of my mouth. Everton fans everywhere – he was our hero, just stunning to watch. He glided over Goodison Park like no other – or ever will.  He was a gentleman on and off the pitch – simply the greatest.  Rest in peace, Alex.

Holding back the tears.

"God must really be a blue because he sent one of his own to illuminate Goodison. Alex was elegance personified. He did everything with style and transported Evertonians to royal blue heaven."

A heaven he now resides in but his place in all our hearts will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace Alex and thank you for everything.

But he was as near to perfect as any mortal had a right to be. The early '60s was an interesting time for football on Merseyside. Both Liverpool and us had signed new small Scots Number 9s. Each epitomised the style of each club and fitted in to the needs of that club at that time. Ian St John was a hard working player who helped the RS come out of the old Division 2.

But Alex the Great played with a style that fitted in to our way of doing things in a highly entertaining side that Johnny Carey had put together when we seemed to score goals for fun at Goodison Park, but not on the road.

Alex had one talent that set him above all others. He had perfect balance which enabled him, as Joe Royle has said, to leave opposition players sitting on their backsides. The goal scored against Man Utd is an excellent example of this, by perfect control and a balanced sway, he was able to leave 2 defenders and bury the ball into the Park end. He always was at his best cutting in from the left side.

Other games have been cited to remember his greatness. I can only concur with them. His header from Vernon's centre to beat Spurs, his flick-ons to Roy in the title-clinching game against Fulham, his two in the night replay against Burnley, his 3 wonderful goals in the early season night game against Sheffield Wednesday.

It is so sad that there are only a few clips of his greatness to treasure such as his precision finish from Vernon's through ball at Wolves in the Championship season.

Funnily enough, I was looking at his 2008 interview on You Tube only the other day. Such a polite, softly spoken Gentleman. It was a pity that he was not truly appreciated outside Merseyside at the time.

I have a signed print of Alex scoring his first goal for us at Blackburn (a game I attended) on the wall facing me now. That, plus all the wonderful memories he has generated for us, will ensure he will never be forgotten by this Everton fan.

Peter (#113), I do hope you still have your Dad's amber and blue tie (not a happy occasion! Perhaps if Alex had played, the result would have been different?) and you can show it when we are next together.

Alex Young was way before my time but, as in most football supporting families and no doubt all Evertonian families, each generation have their own favourite player with the following generations' favourite not fit to be mentioned in the same breath.

The name Alex Young came up again and again with my Grandad's nephew being one of the writers of and an actor in 'The Golden Vision' (Neville Smith) and with my family being the fanatical blues portrayed on screen.

I wasn't around to see Alex Young play and was too young to ask questions about him to the people I wish were still here to ask. One thing is for sure, the Golden Vision will be remembered by those who saw him play and also those that didn't.

RIP Alex.

I remember my Dad when he was alive; regaling me of stories of the Golden Vision and his partnership with Roy Vernon in the 1963 Championship team. My Dad was a Blackburn fan but thought that was a great partnership. I remember grainy black and white TV images of the Tottenham game mentioned in particular.

It's very clear just how special a player he was to those of you on here who saw him play live; perhaps Everton's own version of a young George Best? Or was he better for those who saw him?

My own memories are of other great and sadly departed Everton players such as Alan Ball, Howard Kendall, Brian Labone etc but that in no way diminishes the fact that the Golden Vision was/is a legend for what he achieved at our club.

My condolences to his family and RIP to the legend in his lifetime, Alex Young.

RIP Alex. My deepest sympathy to his widow and family.

As I write this I'm looking at his own hand, an autograph he wrote for me at Lime Street as I and the team disembarked from the London train near midnight, more than 50 years ago. It's a strange feeling, because I didn't make a habit of collecting autographs. It's written on a page torn out of a diary because I didn't have anything else to hand.

The picture Patrick has posted, of his goal against Spurs which I saw from the length of the pitch away – I was on the terrace behind the Park End goal – is reproduced in a souvenir brochure I collected celebrating our league title.

To me, he always epitomised the triumph of athleticism and skill over brawn and skullduggery. The picture captures this perfectly.

He was, as my dad said was better than George Best, but he never got the fame.

I've cried and laughed today, but that squad in the sky is The Best, as Evertonians, it's humbling and inspiration for the next leg of the journey.

Inspiration, unique and different class, as Alex would want it it to beat Spurs.

RIP, "What's Our Name?" The Best of the modern era and I will laugh and cry, happy, knowing that we are going to a better place.

Your Legacy will always be remembered and your spirit never forgot.

To The Young Family and Evertonians, we know we we were indeed Blessed and Thank You! Thanks Golden Vision, you will inspire Evertonians for ever! God Bless.

RIP, the Golden Vision, and I bet Harold Matthews is rubbing his hands in delight at welcoming him to that great Goodison in the sky.

RIP.

"I wish I was Alex Young, I wish I was Alex Young."

We loved him. RIP Great Man.

The sheer love, admiration and universal adoration which is evoked at the mention of his name. Alex Young.

Even amongst our legends, Alex stands out.

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum, Alex Young.

RIP, Alex Young. Thanks for the many, many boyhood memories!

I think his relationship with Catterick, a man with a strict disciplinary code, had soured and Catterick got rid.

That is the iconic photograph of Young out jumping (probably) Marchi with Bill Brown, the keeper, stranded. For a smallish guy you can see just how much spring Alex had to be head and shoulders above his marker.

Of our last nine games, we won 7 and drew 2 with that game against rivals Spurs being the one that many think sealed our Championship as Spurs were seen as our biggest rivals.

Best? Messi etc? Not in the same league.

I was on the Bullens Rd terraces about 20 yards up from the boys pen when Alex scored that goal. Thanks Patrick (#139).

I don't know how it came about but I was there on my own and can remember I was shaking like a leaf before and at the start of the game – we knew it would decide the title.

I had no fags (I was skint) and I remember there was a couple there who gave me a fag to settle my nerves down – I was 14! :)

My memories of the game are blurred but what I do remember is the goal. I was more or less level with Alex as he rose majestically, hung in the air, and buried it.

Cue PANDEMONIUM.

That Spurs side was a great side by the way.

Alex Young a great player in a great team of players.

Condolences to all the Young family and friends – take comfort in the fact that he brought so much happiness into the lives of so many people.

Up the Blues!

My thoughts extend to his family foremost, but also to all fellow blues, who are old enough to remember his silky skills, and may have been luckier than myself, to actually see him playing live, or to have met him!

Alex Young was, without question, one of the greatest British footballers of all time, arguably, the best ever at his first two clubs, Hearts and Everton.

Alex The King

He told me Alex could hang in the air for five seconds. He told me Alex could beat the whole defence then come back and do it again.

I will settle for that description.

Thanks for that one. That 4-1 win v Sunderland was some game. I vividly recall we were so much on top that Bally sat on the ball on the edge of their box and gestured them to come and try and get it. They tried and failed to kick him off the park. It was a real pleasure to see Alex and Bally in the same side. It didn't happen too often. And a Johnny Morrissey hat-trick to boot. There was a rarity if ever there was one.

Another memory was a game, I think vs Villa maybe, and we were a couple of goals down. Alex was languishing on the bench late in the game and the crowd were restless for a substitution, when the PA announced without a slice of irony – "This is an SOS for a Mr A Young. Can he please contact the Secretary's office immediately."

The crowd went ballistic. Unfortunately Harry Catterick was the only one out of 40,000 who chose to ignore it and the inevitable defeat followed.

Alex Young was a true gentleman on and off the pitch, an outstanding player and one of the elite to grace Goodison Park with his sublime talent. I will remember him fondly as a legend in royal blue and one of my greatest heroes. RIP.

I met him years later, when he picked me up as a cab driver in London. Lovely guy full of tales and memories, who remembered Everton fondly as their greatest challengers. These guys always ask Scousers "Which team?"

I wish I'd asked him about the goal.

Tony Marchi was in the Spurs team that day, and what a crowd, nearly 68,000 inside Goodison Park that day.

I think this is the goal from Alex on that day, no sound and you have to be quick to spot it.

http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//ITN/1963/04/20/FS200463014/?s=Everton+1963&st=0&pn=1

I think it is Tony Marchi. I watched it along with many others from the packed Goodison Road terrace. I know Maurice Norman did not play that day for Spurs which may have made things a little easier for us.

I do remember Gordon West making a very late save, I believe from Jimmy Greaves, and collapsing on the ball for a while.

Every other touch has been like silk. I see it now. I see what you old-timers are talking about. Every touch is like Gold.

RIP Alex!

Some wag called Everton with one of those SOS messages. Minutes later a voice came on the tannoy: "There is an emergency message for a Mr A Young. Will a Mr A Young please report to the nearest steward immediately." The crowd got the joke right away. and roared laughing. It took the announcer a little longer.

My eternal memory of Alex is him rising high to head a beautiful goal against Spurs in a crucial championship match against Spurs in 1963 – and floating beyond three defenders to score a beauty against Man Utd in 1966. And so many, many, many more.

Acta est fabula, plaudite!

It was John Smith (No 4).

Spurs team that day was Brown; Baker,Henry; Smith (J), Marchi, MacKay; Jones, White, Smith(R), Greaves, Dyson.

From Soccer Star, a weekly football magazine that gave full line-ups.

One of my recollections of Alex was he had a book out that the Liverpool Echo printed excerpts from, in the Saturday pink edition. A couple of us were talking in the local pub and the conversation got around to who Everton beat and what round on the way to Wembley in 1966.

I thought Everton played Bedford in the 4th or 5th Round (not sure exactly now) but this scum Liverpool supporter insisted it was the other way around and goaded me into betting a fiver who was right.

As soon as we had shook hands on the bet, he produced the Liverpool Pink Echo and pointed out that he was right and backed it up with what it said in the Liverpool Echo. He was right and I paid the fiver but could not get it out of my mind and a couple of days later I checked my beloved Everton programs and my prized cup final program showed I was right and there was a error in the Liverpool Echo.

I think he was at Stockport Country so I wrote to him thanking him for the enjoyment he had given to Evertonians, I also enclosed a photo taken at the Cup Final of him being presented to some royalty at the start of the game, saying he would always be Royalty with Evertonians and pointing out the error in his book. I could not believe it when I received a reply from Alex thanking me for the photo and letter I sent and pointing out that the mistake in the Echo was a mix-up with the ghost writer

He was a gentleman, he was my idol, he was one of Everton's great players.

RIP, Alex.

Our Tuesday regular George McKane from @yellowhouse_25 and he's telling us about his memories of Alex Young

Listen: Link

The ball was always about six inches away from his boot, as if if it was on a string. He would be running at full speed with the ball, check, and change direction instantly. Defenders would be falling over.

He would rise for a cross and somehow hover for what seemed like an eternity in the air (I've still after all these years never be able to understand it) and then head the ball with as much power as many could kick it.

1966, after the world cup Everton at home to West Ham. All the World cup heroes were there and everyone wanted to see them. We had Bally by this time so there was a great deal of talent on the pitch.

Alex was in his own half, spotted their goalie off his line and hit an intended shot at goal. It went over the bar. This was four years before Mexico and Pele's effort. Sublime.

Does anyone else think in all his pics Alex looks like a Roman God?

A few years back there were some great articles and letters about him in The Scotsman. Thanks for the memory but it was just as if it was yesterday.