Great days for going to the match, sadly in my eighties now and cannot afford to go. Still remain a True Blue until the inevitable (Lol). God bless you all.

Then, early 1960, Moores started investing.

It must have been a slog for the type of player Eddie was to play in that team.

I remember that Blackpool match well, the snow was thick on the pitch, an auld fella near me said “ Mathews won't play in this “ he didn't, his understudy Hobson did, Eddie scored four as stated by Rob, Jimmy McIntosh, signed by Everton from Blackpool the day before this match, got the other.

I remember that Derby County game when Eddie got that injury which kept him out of football for a long time, looking back now I would say if Eddie hadn't have got that injury then we wouldn't have been relegated, he was that good.

I was there the night we won promotion with Eddie in the team, a wonderful joyous occasion, 1954 Rob, not 1953, by the way.

Eddie was Everton's penalty taker and I was there when he took that penalty v Spurs,a second division team but an outstanding team at the time, before the game a blue balloon made its way into the Gwladys Street penalty area and it was cheered in the corner of the net by the crowd, the same corner of the net that Eddie placed his penalty very early in the game.

A quiet man off the field but easy to talk to coming back from away games following The Blues, he'd listen rather than talk but always friendly, a lovely man in lovely times.

Obviously a loyal Everton Fan for decades and still has the love of the club at heart. Great that you still post Teddy and that you can keep following the news on ToffeeWeb. You must have lots of great memories stretching back many many years.

I currently live in Philippines and have lived in Asia for the past twenty years, being fortunate enough to be able to travel back and forth to watch the Blues on many occasions during that time.

Have recently retired and can now play lots of golf and watch most of the Everton and EPL games on TV at my home but don't see myself travelling to watch the blues any time soon or in the near future.

As such I would like to extend to you and a friend or family member of your choice, the chance to watch a home game at Goodison once the crowds are allowed back into the stadiums and you can hopefully see and enjoy the Blues at least one more time until as you quite nicely put it "the inevitable". Expenses for seats and the day will be borne by me and hope that the crowds are allowed back in before Xmas so that you can see and enjoy the new "Grand Carlo" experience.

I shall send my contact details to the honorable Mr Michael Kendrick at ToffeeWeb (administrator) and hopefully he can liaise between us whenever the ground is re opened and you can have your day planned and organized for whatever fixture you choose.

COYB

Going a little off topic (reading such articles brings up memories) I think I am correct in stating that "Freebooter" won the Grand National that year. The reason I remember was that My Uncle "Eddie", same christian name, won a 50 pound sweepstakes. That was huge in those days. He gave me a ten pound note. Wow!!

The same Uncle, along with my Dad, was responsible for me becoming a fanatical Evertonian. Ironically he died at half time at Goodison Park on March 13 1954 when Everton beat Rotherham 3-0 during the promotion year. He was my mother's brother and had lived with us since the war. As sad as it was at the time nothing could have been more appropriate. He had never married, but Eddie Kehoe was always obsessed by Everton and probably would never have had time to marry. Without a doubt the greatest Evertonian I have ever known.

Thanks ROB for helping me to rekindle some great memories, a little sad at the time. Incidentally Everton scored all three goals in the second half of the Rotherham game, so my Uncle Eddie was not there physically. Parker scored a hatrick in front of 53,00 and Eddie Wainwright was inside forward. However I am sure my Uncle Eddie was screaming EVERTON from up above. Probably the best seat ever available.

Rob and Dave, thank you for your stories.

Great epitaph to the times and spirit of football as it was then and to players and people who appreciate the game then, and now.

I am proud to be an Evertonian when I see John Hall, offering to pay for a supporter he does not know, yet he is family. Just shows you what being a blue means... Well done you!

My clearest memory of Eddie is of Everton's first home game after they returned to Division 1. It was 24 August 1954 against Arsenal – lucky Arsenal as my Dad always called them. Almost 70,000 were there and the atmosphere was something the 9-year-old boy that once was me never forgot.

Eddie stood out down the right and unless memory deceives me it was he who put over the early cross that Tommy Eglington, coming in from the left, headed home for the game's only goal. It was a great win to set the season off perfectly.

The other strong memory for the 9-year-old me was of renowned 'dirty bugger' Alec Forbes coming off last at half time to a torrent of abusive language I'd never heard before!

I shall get in touch with him when the ground reopens.

Stay safe until you get your big day.

Our first home defeat came at the hands of West Brom, I recall that there was a disputed goal in that game but I'm not sure if it was their winner or a possible equaliser for Everton, all I can remember is that the incident occurred at the Gwladys Street end. Like the present day we won our first three games and led the field. lets hope we build on our early successes.

I worked with Cyril on a shut down in Fords, he was a sparks mate like myself and he used to enjoy the dinner time break listening to all the stories us Scousers would come up with, not about football, but everyday life, always made him laugh.

As you said in an earlier post John, on this thread, it was a different life in Eddie and Cyril's time, they were born too early,both would have been millionaires today, doubt very much they would have been happier than they were then.

I can't verify that story but I remember going to Goodison Park on two consecutive Saturdays. Ted was outside left for Man Utd Reserves and the next Saturday he was outside left for Everton making his debut, possibly versus Man Utd, but I wouldn't bet on that. However, both games finished 0-0.

Hi Dave [26] you are correct in stating that Ted Buckle made his debut against Manchester United in a 0-0 draw, and knowing your track record you are more than likely to be correct in saying that he played against Everton reserves, [for Manchester United] the previous week. It's quite likely that I too attended both games, but I can't b sure.

Regarding Ted Buckle, I don't recall him being called “Sailor Buckle”, there was a player signed in 1958 I think called Peter “Sailor” Harburn from Brighton, a centre-forward, but the least said about this player the better... It was £10,000 threw down the grid, when £10,000 was not to be sniffed at.

Watched Lamella of Spurs go down like he'd been hit with a sledge-hammer after Martial tickled his chin... these modern-day players wouldn't have lasted a minute back then.