Somehow I doubt that any modern footballer sitting out a long-term injury would spend the time making a rug. I got a chuckle out of that little anecdote.

As for Martin Dobson...I wish we had him now. An elegant midfielder, he was another player who glided across the pitch, barely seeming to break into a sweat, and he had a good eye for goals as well. The '77 League Cup final is mentioned here. We had some lovely players at that time, Todd, Latchford, McKenzie, Thomas, King and Dobson, what a pity we were weaker defensively, and could not get over the finish line.

No exaggeration to say Dobbo kept us out of a relegation scrap almost single-handed that season. He was the real deal a top-quality player who would have graced any of the great Everton sides.

Such a shame he played in one of our hopeless periods.

Regarding Martin, an elegant and consistently good player, there was a fan on the Goodison Road side, close to where the players come out. He had it in for Dobbo. I never knew him or saw him up close, but one game v Newcastle, I think, Martin scored a cracker and made a beeline for this fan, waving his hands at him and an angry look on his face. Seemed to be implying to this fan by his actions “What did you think about that?”

I think Martin did a bit of scouting for Everton after he left. Nice to know he still comes back and is well appreciated by the club.

In his timeEverton came close but ultimately failed to get the success, the fans deserved. I still believe he should never have left EFC in 1979, as he was good enough to have played in defence as he could read the game very well.

I always remember a few classy and scruffy goals and his great goal at their place.

Becky done a few books I recall, and I have some in my collection, which I got signed by her and I subsequently got signed by many former players when I had chance.

In my view he’d have been a top player in the modern game and it’s amazing to think where the years have gone, and so quickly.

Here’s to a win at Leicester tomorrow.

He was indeed a class act in midfield. Replacing Colin Harvey in 1974 was not easy but Martin quickly established himself as one of our best players in that era. Elegant on the ball, he not only set up our attacking play but also chipped in with his share of goals, some of which were among the best I have seen.

His twenty five yard rocket at Anfield in 1976 which flew past Clemence, was our first in derby games for five years. A few weeks later he scored a cracker in the quarter final of the League Cup at Old Trafford. His hat trick in the 8-0 win against Wimbledon in the League Cup in 1978 was only overshadowed by Bob Latchford scoring five.

We could ill afford to lose him in 1979. I was surprised at the time the club did not do more to keep him. After Martin’s departure the team steadily deteriorated until Howard Kendall’s arrival in 1981.

He was a quality player who deserved to win trophies.