Favourites aren't always the best, Part 7

This is yet another occasion where you've revived memories of an old favourite.

Alex never really lived up to his reputation with Everton, that is for me, he put the effort in, scored some good goals but overall he was more disappointing and average than a good player.

Maybe I expected too much from him. As you say so often, John, we all see players in a different way.

My one criticism of Alex was that he didn't get his head up enough and see what was around him, I think the only time he looked up was when he was within a couple of feet from the goal line. But he certainly played his part in the title-winning team.

I think our generation were very lucky as at that time Everton could buy anyone they wanted, a bit like Man City and Man Utd are today. How I long for those days, and one of Catterick's qualities was that they signed players and nobody knew until the club announced it to the press. No agents to spill the beans to the press – oh happy days.

I was also at the Blackburn Rovers game you refer to, however I remember nothing of the game, that game took place on Grand National day (21 March 1964) and my abiding memory is of the journalist Nancy Spain losing her life in a light aircraft crash at Aintree. I have checked and the scorers in a 2-1 win were Alex Scott and Derek Temple.

Hi Jason [3], I'm afraid that your memory has let you down, Alex Scott's first two goals were away from home against Sheffield United and Blackpool respectively. His next two goals came in home games against Birmingham City in a 2-2 draw, and Fulham in the 4-1 victory that clinched the title.

Hi Dave [4], My original choice was Mickey Lill, but I ruled him out because he only played 34 games, although he managed to score 12 goals. I had to do the same thing for the outside left spot with Tommy Ring, 27 games and 6 goals.

Regarding Alex Scott, I too felt that, as good as he was, he wasn't quite the player I had seen, on what little televised football there was in those days. On reflection I suppose he found a place in my heart, because of the fact that he was part of the team that gave you and I our first real taste of success, given that we had also experienced the joy of promotion.

Hi Brian [5], You're correct in your appraisal of Alex Scott, we probably didn't see the best of him, I think that the Rangers fans had that pleasure. A friend of mine used to call him "Lino" because he reckoned that he spent too much time on the floor. I thought that was a bit cruel of him, although I myself quite often said that if someone opened the gates he'd finish up Everton Valley.

Yes Brian, I agree that the days of "cloak and dagger" were preferable to what goes on today, I appreciate that everyone has to earn a living but I think we could all live without agents.

Hi Martin [6], You are 75% correct in your post, Everton did play Nottingham Forest on 9 March 1963, the score was 2-0 to the 'Blues,' and Alex Young did get one of the goals, I'm afraid however that Alex Scott wasn't on the scoresheet, the other goal was scored by Alex Parker. I hope I'm not coming across as some sort of Smart Alec, it's just that I have one or two books that I use for reference.

Thanks again, John, on reviving memories of one of the first players I remember seeing. As you say, the first winners we really associate with remain strongest in our minds so I fondly remember Alex's successor, Jimmy Husband.

Not too sure he would be my personal favourite but he is yours and that's all that counts, John!

Don Alexander makes a good point, Walcott is a latter day version - possibly.

To be honest, other than the scoreline, I can remember little about the game itself. The date (9th March) did however take on further significance for me 16 years later when my first child, Becky (another Blue, like my other two and my grandchildren!) was born! A memorable double for me on 9th March!

Keep up the good work John!

Jimmy Husband, Tricky Trevor Steven and Andrei Kanchelskis (not least for his 2 goals at Anfield) come to mind but like you, #4, I would choose Micky Lill, a name largely unknown to many of our younger contributors.

Lill was signed from Wolves and scored 11 goals from only 31 league appearances. He played in both wing positions. Injury limited his playing time and he was replaced, Ron #2, very quickly by Billy Bingham on the right and Jimmy Fell on the left.

I was 13-14 when Mickey signed for us. Perhaps it was his confidence as a brash Londoner that caught my eye? But he was a lively player with an eye for goal following a number of nondescript wingers and that is probably why I liked him.

A goal he scored in our 4-1 win over West Ham (Lill, Ring, Vernon 2) can be found on YouTube, an inch-perfect through ball (naturally) from Bobby Collins and a thumping finish into the Park End net.

Unfortunately that ruled out Mickey Lill with 34 league and cup appearances and 12 goals, it also put paid to Tommy Ring's inclusion at outside left, his 27 appearances and 6 goals, not meeting the criteria.

I suppose I could have bent the rules, but isn't there a saying "To thine self be true?"

100 appearances equates to over 2 seasons of playing in every one of the 42 league games plus some others in the "old" days. That is an awful lot. My "favourites" become that at the time probably when I am most impressionable and stay that way even with the benefit of hindsight and other competitors that come along. So, I can like other players in a position but they do not often replace the original. Jimmy Husband would push Mickey Lill close though.

I am in agreement all along of your post. The array of
stars we had in our Championship side, but I wasn't a fan.
I remember an F A cup game at Elland Road about 1965. We were losing 1-0, then we got a penalty. Chico took it and was saved (must have been Gary Sprake).

The Referee pointed to the spot to take it again. Roy Vernon with confidence, scored to equalise.

John I think we thought Spurs had signed him. The stop press in the Echo stated that Everton had snapped him up for £47, 000. Catterick was very shrewd in the transfer market.

All the posters on this thread have fine Number 7s Trevor Steven, Jimmy Husband, Andrei Kanchelskis etc...

I am going for Jimmy Harris he certainly is not the best. When I started at Goodison, in the Boys Pen (no I didn't
see him), Jimmy racing up the wing, he was one of my idols.

Jimmy Harris was an ever-present in the late '50s teams and our top scorer on more than one occasion before he was transferred to Birmingham City where has played in a Inter Cities' Fairs Cup final, I believe.

I met Jimmy a couple of years ago at a book signing along with Derek Temple. Jimmy is a nice man and was more than happy to talk of the times when he played for us. He was a little sad that he missed out on the success of the teams that came after him in the early '60s.

I think he scored an hatrick at White Hart Lane, when we got thrashed. I hate saying the score, but it was a long time ago. (10-4)

However, for me, the number 7 shirt would always have to go to Tricky Trevor, what a player and what a medal haul he got in his career in England, Scotland and France. A champion wherever he went.

Roy Vernon was missing for the Burnley and Ipswich games, and I suppose that because Alex Scott had been successful with his two attempts, it would have been agreed that he would be entrusted with any penalty kicks that may be awarded, But thankfully Roy Vernon wasn't going to give him the opportunity to miss again.

I must confess that while I was at the Burnley and Leeds games, I didn't realise that the Ipswich game (which I would certainly have attended) was sandwiched between them, your post prompted me to go to what I call my research department, where I uncovered the following information,

11 January 1964 – Burnley 2 Everton 3, Jimmy Gabriel, Johnny Morrissey. Alex Scott [pen]

18 January 1964 – Everton 1 Ipswich Town 1 Alex Scott [pen]

25 January 1964 – Leeds United 1 Everton 1 Roy Vernon [pen]

A hat-trick of penalties, we're lucky if we get three a season now.

It's your game so you can set the rules but I think I am right in stating Duncan McKenzie is in one of Everton's "Hall of Fame" lists and Tommy Ring isn't and there wasn't many games total between them, I had an argument with Dr David France about this, wasn't a verbal debate, we did it by post. He won, mind you he was on the panel that picked the Hall of Fame.

Ray (#18) remember that penalty incident, don't know why Vernon didn't take first.

Terry (#19), I remember meeting Jimmy Harris and Derek Temple at St Luke's church a couple of years ago along with Tony McNamara who was with his son. Tony was suffering from some sort of dementia, he died not long after that meeting.

Keep this series coming John, it is very interesting, especially for us old-timers. By the way, John, you are allowed to use seven substitutes!!!!

Hi again, Ray [20]. Jimmy Harris did indeed score a hat-trick against Spurs in that 10-4 demolition, I was serving in the army in Cyprus at the time, and the date – 11 October 1958 – is written indelibly on my mind.

Hi again, Dave [23]. I hope the explanation I gave to Ray, clears up the reason why Roy Vernon didn't take the original penalty kick.

I'm going to watch the Chelsea - Norwich game now.

Tommy was the first of four signings, in a five or six weeks investment that signalled a resurgence of Everton as a footballing force. He joined us in January 1960. and was quickly followed into the club by Roy Vernon, Mickey Lill, and Jimmy Gabriel.

Tommy's first game for Everton was a 6-1 win against Nottingham Forest, I had been brought up watching the speed of Tommy Eglington, and to see the skills of Tommy Ring added a new dimension to wing play as we knew it.

I envy the supporters of Clyde, because they enjoyed Tommy's magic far longer than the 27 games we were privileged to witness. I also envy yourself, because if Tommy Ring was my cousin I would be the proudest Evertonian alive.

Hi John [26], you are correct in every aspect of your post, it was 2-1 for Everton and the scorers were Alex Scott and Derek Temple. I have no knowledge of the scoring sequence, but something at the back of my mind, suggests that the Blackburn goal was the result of a penalty or an own goal, perhaps someone who was at the game may be able to shed some light on the matter.

I had to Google the Grand National details as I'm not a racing fan, Team Spirit was indeed the winner; however, as I stated in a reply to Rick [1], my main memory of that day was hearing of the death of journalist Nancy Spain in a light aircraft accident on Aintree racecourse.

Rankin, Brown, B Harris, Gabriel, Labone, Kay, Scott, Stevens, Pickering, Harvey, Temple.

You can't beat a good book when your memory's failing.

It has to be presumed that Alex Parker was missing because of injury; thankfully, we had reliable and versatile, replacements at that time.

Denis Stevens (50), Derek Temple (49) and Alex Scott (48) made the most appearances. Denis Stevens was an ever-present in all of Everton's games that season. The figures relate to Charity Shield, League, European, and FA Cup fixtures.

At home games, Mick Meagan, for some reason, always used to get a round of applause when he passed back to the goalkeeper. Always found that a bit strange!!

I remember Chico had a sort of hunchback style and blistering pace.

Although I think Kanchelskis and Trevor Steven were superior footballers, that team of the early sixties was my all-time favourite with so many real characters and a high level of skill and dribbling ability (something we don't see too much of now) so I won't argue with this choice.

Anyway Micky Lill played in this game; I went to the match but for the life of me can't remember which team he turned out for, the reserves also played a game at Anfield versus Huddersfield Town during this period.

I don't know if your books will have any reference to these game,s John, especially the Wolves one, to put me out of my misery. Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately, I think that chap is no longer with us, I'm sorry but that's as much as I can tell you.

Thanks for your lovely comments. We are hugely proud of Tommy & it's a pleasure to meet great Evertonian supporters like Eric Williams who compiled an incredible scrapbook about Tommy for me. I have a Scottish jersey & cap that he gave me.

I have a great story about Mick Meagan that he recounted at an open forum in Dublin many years ago. He told the story about looking for a wage increase and his meeting with Harry Catterick. He nervously entered the office to request an increase in his existing salary from £11 during the football season & £9 in the off season to £14 & £12.

Catterick went berserk and replied, “That's what Stanley Matthews earns! Do you think you're as good as Stanley Matthews?"

“Well, I am in the off season,“ replied Mick.

I also felt that Scott took more time than expected to adjust. When he did settle in, he became a good player, although not top of my list. However, I am tending to forget the hundred game criteria. He did become a memorable Evertonian with true grit and spirit.

Every player mentioned in these posts were great to watch. Lill, Ring, Kanchelskis, Husband, Steven and of course Scott all brought excitement to the game.As regards loyalty and spirit, and going a little further back I would definitely include Tommy Eglington (Eggo). I watched him before we were relegated and after we were promoted. I think he scored five goals against Doncaster in Division 2.

.Sorry John. I forgot that we were focusing on right wingers and he was totally left. I sometimes get confused by today's positions. I may have jumped the gun but today's wingers are usually expected to be able to play both sides.

I was the only member of a strong Everton family who witnessed it. My cousin was married on that day, 27 September 1952] and all my uncles and cousins were at the wedding, unfortunately none of them are with us today.

Regarding the 100 game criteria that was self imposed, had I not decided on that course of action Mickey Lill and Tommy Ring would certainly have featured. I just felt that that figure was a realistic one.

I'm pleased that my articles have given pleasure to supporters of our generation, and possibly given younger Evertonians an insight into why we look back with nostalgia. Let's hope that they have favourites that they can look back on with similar fondness.

Me and a mate of mine were coming back from a game in London on the same train as the Everton team, we were young kids, just in our teens, and my mate said to Tommy (Eggo),

"You are playing for Eire next week, any chance of getting us a programme from the game?"

"No bother," said Tommy.

A few weeks later, we met him coming back from another Everton game, and Tommy gave him the programme, telling him,

"You missed the last away game. I was up and down the train looking for you."

How many players would do that today?

My mate will be well known to most of you on here even though you have never met him: Mick Brownless, now in a nursing home suffering from dementia. He was the young Evertonian who climbed up the drainpipe at Wembley for the West Brom FA Cup Final at Wembley, featured on TV news that night and shown on the front of The Evertonian a few years ago.

I believe I saw your mate climbing the drainpipe, although it's possible that he wasn't the only one trying to gain entrance that way. I'm going to check the church out tomorrow; I'll let you know the outcome.

Your tale regarding Tommy Eglington only illustrates the distance between the players and the fans, today's footballers are yesterday's film stars.

No doubt there are some of the modern-day players who do care about the fans, Steven Naismith to name one, but I get the impression that many of them are living in bubbles in their mansions, having been mollycoddled from an early age.

I suppose it's people like you and I, who can recall the days when the players travelled on the tram or bus to the ground, who feel alienated.

To the younger supporters, it's just the way things are, but I get the impression that, to some of the players, supporters are just a nuisance who have to be tolerated. I'll keep you posted on the church situation.

Jimmy Husband, he was the one, until he "filled out" a bit. Steven, most certainly, but I never really thought of him as a winger.

Dave Thomas could cross beautifully on the run but I have never seen anyone float the ball so wonderfully as your cousin. It was a unique thing, to accompany his all-round talent.

Dave and I have already met a couple of times, and you're right – it is good to share memories... If a meeting could be arranged, I would be glad to attend.

Hi Tony [46],

I'm glad that you are enjoying the articles; I'm with you regarding Tommy Ring. You will have read in an earlier post, that the only reason I left Tommy and Mickey Lill out of my favourite eleven, was because I had decided to set the bar at 100 appearances.

On reflection, I think it was the wrong decision but, because I'm in charge, there is a good chance that I can bring them off the subs' bench.

Strange that, as I type, a song should pop up on Pandora... Nancy Spain, sung by Christy Moore. Not about her, apparently. Barney Rushe just liked the name.

John the players do live in a bubble, and even though I'm sure they are not to blame for everything, some things do make me feel ashamed of how distant they are from normal life, and normal people now.

I was on a train with the Everton players, coming back from West Ham, just before xmas a few years ago, and the train was buzzing because we had just won and we were in the top four. Loads of kids were on the train, which always makes me smile, because we are brought up from an early age to love and follow our football club.

I asked the steward, who was with the club, could he let a few of these kids in to see the players because it would obviously make there Christmas. Sorry he said, but I can't the players are resting. Are you serious mate, I said, the players won't even have to get out of their seats. He looked at me with discern this idiot, even when I told him that if he let a few kids meet the players, it would probably be better than the presents they were going to get a few days later on xmas day

Maybe it wasn't the players fault, but why can't a few of them be like Eggo sometimes!

Alex Young was my favourite all time player and there's two Scots who come into the picture with him. They were Bobby Collins and Tommy. We were privileged to see those few short games with him in our side.

We don't forget them lads!

I think Jimmy's first game was against Charlton Athletic at Goodison, we won 5-0 and Jimmy got one of the goals, he looked a decent signing, the next week we played Man Utd in a cup game and Jimmy played like he had nails in his boots. He didn't last long, I think he finished up running a newsagent's shop in Bootle.

His first game the following season was an away fixture against Sunderland a 1-1 draw, on February 2nd 1957, you're right in saying that he played against Charlton Athletic a [5-0 victory] when he scored one of the goals, the others coming from Jimmy Harris 2, Wally Fielding, and jimmy Gauld.

Again, your correct in saying that he played against Manchester United in a 1-0 F A Cup defeat, he then played in a 2-0 loss to Arsenal at Highbury, followed by a 4-1 home defeat to Preston North End, he actually scored Everton's goal. His record For Everton is 6 appearances and 2 goals, before retiring through injury, he then, as you say, ran a newsagents, I believe it was in Aintree Road, Bootle.

You're allowed the occasional lapse of memory Dave, after all it was nearly 62 years ago, fortunately for me I have my research department to fall back on. I may repeat this post on the part 8 thread to make sure you receive it.

Anyway, John thanks for going to the trouble to sort his Everton career out for me.