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Teddy Draper
1 Posted 16/07/2020 at 07:45:40
Super article, agree with everything written. Alex was my favourite in my younger days (84 now) have seen most of the greats in Blue but I sometimes wonder has one man been forgotten?

Very rarely mentioned but in my eyes one of the all-time true, in every sense of the word centre-forwards. Tommy Lawton (RIP). Maybe John Mc Snr could come up with one of his super posts about Tommy? Bless you all, the tide will turn.

Dave Abrahams
2 Posted 16/07/2020 at 10:11:15
Teddy, (1), good shout there, I think the author got it absolutely wrong putting Tommy Lawton as one of those big strong centre-forwards who left centre-half's black and blue. I never saw Tommy for Everton but I saw him with Brentford and Notts County, he could play football.

I will be giving this book a miss. I don't think the author has done his homework.

George Carroll
3 Posted 16/07/2020 at 10:58:22
Like Teddy I was fortunate enough to see both Lawton and Young – two great players – but Alex for me was the best.

A friend of mine, John Grant, who played for Hibs and Scotland, used to go back to Scotland for get-togethers with other retired Internationals and he knew how highly I thought of Alex so he kindly brought me a signed photo of the great man and it hangs on my study wall today.

Thanks, Jim, for a piece bringing happy memories rather than the gloom and doom we have been reading of late. Let's hope we have more good news after the Villa game. COYB

Joe Bibb
4 Posted 16/07/2020 at 11:21:35
Alex Young was God, I was an atheist until he came to Goodison Park!
Gerry Quinn
5 Posted 16/07/2020 at 12:30:10
I remember Alex scoring a brilliant header as he ran towards the ball from a corner – diverting the ball with his head into the far end of the net. Fantastic?

Yes, but just to state how fantastic was that he repeated it in the second half v Burnley at home – I believe the goalkeeper was his cousin, Adam Blacklaw!

David France
6 Posted 16/07/2020 at 13:52:30
I've said this many times but it's worth repeating. For those of us privileged to have marveled at Alex in action, he was the most gifted British player we had ever seen and proof that the football gods wanted Evertonians to be happy.

Alex didn't run, he glided across the turf. He didn't turn, he pirouetted. He didn't jump, he floated. He didn't kick the ball, he caressed it. In fact, his first-touch was like a mother's tender kiss. The combination of his balletic balance, delicate feints and elegant body swerves left defenders rooted to the spot as he glided past them with astonishing economy of effort. Never ostentatious, his feet stroked the ball with the uncommon motion usually reserved for the foreheads of their newborn infants.

Probably because he had toiled in the Scottish coal-mines and served in the British Army before winning every prize in Scotland and England, Alex remained an unassuming gentleman who never displayed a hint of pretentiousness. His disinterest in self-promotion was as fascinating as his natural abilities.

George #4. we were both lucky to worship him as a hero and know him as a friend

Gerry #5. his cousin/the Burnley keeper was Harry Thomson

Younger Evertonians who never saw the great man in action should check out his 2008 biography 'Alex Young – The Golden Vision'. ISBN: 1-874799-21 and the 2016 documentary 'Alex the Great' on YouTube.

Dave Abrahams
7 Posted 16/07/2020 at 14:05:15
David (6), that DVD you sent me, of Alex Young is still doing the rounds of Evertonians. In fact, because of this virus, I don't know who's got it, but it will turn up.
Danny O’Neill
8 Posted 16/07/2020 at 14:55:36
Thanks David France. I have to admit rather ignorantly, I never realised that Alex was in the British Army. My father was and I too followed and what you say about him being unassuming makes sense. Despite the perception of shouting Sergeant Majors, fitness, aggression and discipline (yes they are real!!), one of the key attributes the Army teaches is humility and respect for others.

Back to the thread. That generation was my father's not mine. I never quite knew who his favourite was. I think it was Alex, but he often spoke equally fondly of Brian Labone and Alan Ball, who my younger brother is named after.

I know we don't have as much footage to refer to for that era, but from what I read and see, it appears Colin Harvey was one of the most underrated players of his generation. Not by Evertonians I hasten to add. I was only fortunate enough to witness him become the differentiator in Howard Kendall's first regime. Whenever I watch Howard's Way, the interviews with Colin Harvey have me welling up in nostalgic pride every time he speaks. What a competitor, what a coach, what (I can only imagine) a player and whilst maybe not a manager, what an Evertonian.

Fine article. Thank you Jim.

Bill Gall
9 Posted 16/07/2020 at 15:41:41
Along with other supporters at 79 I was lucky enough to see this extremely talented player. When he signed I never believed that he was a # 9 with his slight build, but it did not take long to see how lucky we were as Evertonians to see such a gifted player.

As Dr France stated and that always stuck in my mind, he never run past players he seemed to glide past them, and had that amazing vision, of he new what he was going to do with the ball as soon as he got it.

With the comments going on about today's players, it is refreshing to be reminded of who, we the older generation, were privileged to see.

Pete Gunby
10 Posted 16/07/2020 at 16:03:55
One of the first games I can remember was with our fans booing Joe Royle being put out over Alex Young. My dad, many times, explained what I had missed.

When building our Everton dream teams, my dad, always included Young, Ball and TG Jones. How badly do we need talent like that today.

Brian Harrison
11 Posted 16/07/2020 at 16:34:29
I was lucky enough to see Alex, and as David France said so eloquently Alex glided over a football pitch. What nobody so far has mentioned is how good a header of a ball Alex was, he also had this wonderful Ability to jump before a defender but hang in the air. Alex scored some wonderful goals but some of his headed goals were very special. He missed quite a few games because of blisters on his feet, I guess with all the medical science available to players now it wouldn't have been a problem if he had played in this era. I used to go to the Royal Tiger on a Saturday night and Alex and Jimmy Gabriel were there most Saturdays and sometimes Ian St John and Ron Yeats would meet up with them.

I remember the day England hammered Scotland, and Scotland picked Ian St John instead of Alex, those days league games went ahead when Internationals were played. I remember Gwladys Street letting Alex know the score every time there was a corner, not to rib him just to let him know how stupid Scotland were leaving Alex out of the team. Just for the younger readers there were no substitutes in those days, so no squads just the 11 who were selected.

Brent Stephens
12 Posted 16/07/2020 at 16:40:58
Brian #11 ah those blistered feet. He must have lost count of the number of remedies and potions suggested to cure his blisters. Steak was one suggestion - a couple of those strapped to his feet would have given him a nice height advantage.
Dave Abrahams
13 Posted 16/07/2020 at 16:56:15
Brian (11), I think that was the 9-3 game when Scotland were humiliated by England, by the way Alex was only capped by Scotland eight times, St.John earned 21 caps.

Brent (12) Alex was also advised to use his own urine to bathe his feet in, courtesy of Everton fans writing in The Echo at the time.

Brent Stephens
14 Posted 16/07/2020 at 17:00:54
Dave, I also used to suffer from blisters from the hard pre-season pitches. I remember somebody suggesting urine, among many other things. The thinking was that if it didn't cure the blisters, at least the smell would keep the defenders away from you.

Danny O’Neill
15 Posted 16/07/2020 at 17:10:16
Erm, wrong thread Brent?!!!
Danny O’Neill
16 Posted 16/07/2020 at 17:16:23
Apologies Brent, I meant your last post, not the blisters one. Interesting theory. Now I'm curious... did you ever try it and if so, did it work?!!
Brent Stephens
17 Posted 16/07/2020 at 17:19:59
Yes, Danny, wrong thread! Too quick off the mark.

No, I didn't try the urine! Surgical spirits did some good for me. Even better when not taken internally.

Danny O’Neill
18 Posted 16/07/2020 at 17:45:38
Haha. Good to hear, Brent. We used to use Iodine, which turned our feet a weird orangey-yellow colour. Done the trick but I read now it's not recommended!!!
Gerry Quinn
19 Posted 16/07/2020 at 18:08:16
Dr David, I thought it was Adam Blacklaw, so I looked him up on Wiki (no joy), next check was "By far the greatest team - the Golden Vision".

Quote, "The 1962/63 season was undoubtedly Young's most effective for Everton as he forged a dynamic partnership with Roy Vernon. He even scored a brilliant glancing header against his cousin, Adam Blacklaw, the Burnley keeper in another important three one win against one of their closest rivals."

Were they wrong? I was in the fact that his 2nd header didn't go in... but it was still classy heading.

Phill Thompson
20 Posted 16/07/2020 at 20:29:11
Whenever people ask me why I support Everton I say something like, “Well it's a long story. The shortened version is, when I was a kid they had this player who was mesmerising when he got the ball, and had a name that for a kid conjured up, mystery, awe and sublime skill. How could you not support a club who had a player they called The Golden Vision?”
Rick Tarleton
21 Posted 16/07/2020 at 20:42:27
Perhaps not the best Everton player of my 67 years supporting Everton, but the most iconic and the player of whom I first think when I think of my club.
A superb player and he'd have been even better in the modern game.
John McFarlane Snr
22 Posted 16/07/2020 at 21:32:45
Hi Gerry [19] I've avoided posting of late, but in the absence of others picking up on the subject, Harry Thomson was definitely Alex Young's cousin.
Bill Gall
23 Posted 16/07/2020 at 22:03:50
Reading about Alex Young makes you realize how many good players from Scotland we have had in the earlier years, other people may remember other players, but I remember Alec Scott, the powder hall sprinter; Alex Parker; Jimmy Gabriel; Tommy Ring; Bobby Collins; and Sandy Brown – mostly remembered for his own goal against Liverpool. And as I say, supporters may remember others from the earlier years.
Gerry Quinn
24 Posted 17/07/2020 at 06:37:33
I believe that one or two of us stand corrected – all those years that we have thought the wrong thing! Thanks Dr David and John for correcting us.
Dave Abrahams
25 Posted 17/07/2020 at 15:20:56
Bill (23), Jock Lindsay, left back in the 1954 promotion team, Eddie O’Hara who came in the same deal as Alex Parker, an outside left and George Thomson another left back who came at the same time as Alex Young from Hearts, not great players but they had decent ability.
Tony Hill
26 Posted 17/07/2020 at 20:15:48
He was a lovely wraith. Delicate and full of grace. Infuriating sometimes too. He was the one who held our essence in himself.
Bill Gall
27 Posted 17/07/2020 at 21:30:38
Dave, I don't remember Jock Lindsay. In 1954, I was getting in the ground when they opened the gates with 20 minutes left in the game for those who wanted to leave early.
Bill Watson
28 Posted 17/07/2020 at 22:07:57
I was on the Goodison Road terraces for a League Cup game v Accrington Stanley (?) the night we signed Alex Young and George Thompson and they were introduced to the crowd at half-time. (Contrary to the book, they were signed by Carey and not Catterick.)

I agree with all that's been said about Alex; I've never seen a player who could glide past defenders so effortlessly and, remember, this was in the days of cut-throat defenders and mud-heap pitches. He also had this uncanny knack of being able to hang in the air to meet crosses.

I always understood Adam Blacklaw, the Burnley 'keeper, was his cousin but wouldn't argue with John or Dr David!!

The only criticism I could make of Alex was that he could sometimes disappear in away matches!

John McFarlane Snr
29 Posted 18/07/2020 at 10:33:56
Hi Dave [25], You've overlooked Jimmy McIntosh.

Hi Bill [27], It was common practise for clubs to open the gates at what we used to call 'three-quarter time'. Good on you for taking that opportunity of watching the Blues.

Peter Rigby
30 Posted 18/07/2020 at 11:41:45
Alex was and still is my all time favourite player; my son is named after him. I had the pleasure of meeting him in the Green Room at the Adelphi when the Bluekipper Hall of Fame was investing him.

I could hardly speak but just said, “Thank you Alex for what you gave us.”

His reply – “I can't thank you people for what you gave me and my family” such humility.

Dave Abrahams
31 Posted 18/07/2020 at 16:55:54
John (29), true, I propose Jock (Ephram) Dodds as another Scottish player, your move!!
Dave Abrahams
32 Posted 18/07/2020 at 17:02:17
Bill (27), Jock Lindsay was a left-back signed from Glasgow Rangers for around £8,000. He broke his leg versus Stoke City near the end of that promotion season.
John McFarlane Snr
33 Posted 18/07/2020 at 17:42:21
Hi Dave [31], I'm not a chess player but I think the term is 'Checkmate'. I knew of Jock Dodds but, as he only played 7 games in the 1948-49 season, I can't say that I saw him play.
Dave Abrahams
34 Posted 18/07/2020 at 19:18:35
John (33), I was playing draughts not chess. Jock Dodds scored in the record attendance versus Liverpool in 1948.

How about Johnnie McIllatton who played when I first started going? He was a little outside right... or Albert Julliousson, not sure of the spelling or even if he was Scottish, but he came down from a Scottish club. I think Everton got their money back on him because of a strange injury he had when they signed him.

Tony Hill
35 Posted 18/07/2020 at 19:41:21
Beautiful, Peter @30. That's what we need back at our club: humility; because if we know ourselves, nothing can stop us.
John McFarlane Snr
36 Posted 18/07/2020 at 20:09:18
Hi again Dave [34],

Julliussen was a prolific goal scorer for Dundee, he joined Portsmouth in March 1948 scoring 4 goals in 7 games.

He was transferred to Everton in August 1948 scoring 1 goal in 10 games. Yes he was injured, I think it was before clubs provided medicals. You will recall that Liverpool had a similar problem with Des Palmer. Johnny McIlhatton was another who only played a handful of games.

You only have a few weeks to go before you become an octogenarian and you may experience the occasional lapse of memory; it's frightening isn't?

Dave Abrahams
37 Posted 18/07/2020 at 21:22:17
John (36), you know better than me but you're only as old as you feel, and after you get up in the morning and have cup of tea you get younger as the day goes on. If you have a lapse of memory, it's allowed as you get older, but never ever when it's your turn to go to the bar.

As Eddie Canter used to sing “Keep young and beautiful, it's your duty to be beautiful”. I don't know about beautiful, but I do do my best to stay young; mind you, Everton have been putting years on the lot of us.

And John, it's getting closer to our release date: 1 August unless the government changes their mind, we'll feel like new men!!!

Geoff Wells
38 Posted 20/07/2020 at 01:34:09
Just a couple of comments about my all time favourte Alex Young. John Carey signed Alex not Harry catterick. Alex was signed from Hearts with George Thompson [Full back] by John Carey.
The famous goal which against Spurs at the Gladys Street end which virtually won us the Championship came from an Alex Scott corner not a Roy Vernon ross. I was there as an 11 year old in the Boys Pen and it is etched in my memory.
Thanks
Wellzee
Lenny Jameson
39 Posted 20/07/2020 at 16:07:10
Mr Wells (38),

As we get older our memory fades or we're certain of things that didn't actually happen and I have to inform you that your memory of Alexs' header against Spurs is wrong. It was definitely from a Roy Vernon cross. I too was there. In the Paddock. Look at the photo of the goal. There's no way that has come from a corner.

Mr Quinn (5)

It was definitely Harry Thompson who was his cousin. You're so right about his header against Burnley though. I still have a photograph of it in a scrapbook and he was so far beyond the front post it's unbelievable.

Martin Baggott
40 Posted 20/07/2020 at 17:49:32
Geoff and Lenny at 38 and 39.
Alex’s goal against Spurs was scored from a corner taken by Roy Vernon from the corner of Gladwys St and Goodison Rd!
Martin Baggott
41 Posted 20/07/2020 at 21:41:49
Geoff at 38 and Lenny at 39.

Alex's goal against Spurs was scored from a corner taken by Roy Vernon from the Goodison Road and Gwladys St junction by the church.

At least, that's how my memory replays it.

Gerry Quinn
42 Posted 21/07/2020 at 15:48:41
Peter, 30 - my Confirmation name was Alexander.

My Mother and Father (may they rest in peace) were always under the impression that it was because it was the name of my eldest brother.

Sadly I never, ever, told them the truth – I actually chose that name because of my hero Alex Young!!!!!

Lenny Jameson
43 Posted 21/07/2020 at 18:55:34
Mr Baggott.

No, I'm sorry. Definitely not. Vernon was out on the left wing position and curled a lovely ball in from a cross. You used to be able to see the goal on the ITV website until a couple of years ago but it's disappeared now so I can't prove it but it really was a cross from quite deep.

Never mind. We can agree to differ.

It might not have been the greatest goal Everton have scored but it's always been my favorite and I had the great pleasure of meeting Alex at his testimonial and telling him so. What a great player and a lovely man.

Geoff Wells
44 Posted 22/07/2020 at 05:43:34
Martin and Lenny, I stand corrected. I have checked the photo in Alex's biography, 'Goals at Goodison" from 1968 and it appears to come from the Goodison Road / Gwladys Street corner area but doesn't show who crossed it.

The fact it comes from the left not the right would eliminate Alex Scott. For me, it was the greatest moment of my life as an 11-year-old. Thanks, guys. COYB

Andrew Clare
45 Posted 22/07/2020 at 07:51:32
Alex was playing when my dad first took me to Goodison. For me, he was the epitome of Everton Football Club – a player of pure class and skill; no other club had anyone like him.

My dad always said that Tommy Lawton was a great player.


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