Everton legend Tommy Wright dies aged 81

Terrific player in a glorious team. Have a look at that lot.

I remember serving John Conte and his dad on their way to Birkenhead. And yes, I served all four Beatles with ciggies on their way to play in Birkenhead,, no Ringo, Pete Best I think, but I'm sure Ringo was with them next time Happy days, must have been 1962.

RIP and warmest and deepest condolences to family and friends.

I was at the same school as Tommy, Stonebridge Lane, Tommy was a year or two older than me so never played against him in house matches.

He lived opposite my mate in Swallowhurst Crescent and if there was a game in the street then Tommy often joined in.

RIP Tommy.

One of the greatest fullbacks ever to put on a royal blue jersey

One of my favourite players after Colin Harvey and Ray Wilson... RIP Tommy.

He was one of the 4 from Everton who went to the 1970 World Cup in Mexico (more of the team should have gone). He got crocked against Romania by a thug named Macanu, who got Keith Newton in the same game, and was never quite the same player after that.

His testimonial at Goodison against Rangers on a freezing, sleeting night was memorable for the appearance on the pitch of a Glaswegian dressed only in a scarf.

Respect and condolences to Tommy's family and friends.

https://www.followfollow.com/forum/threads/everton-v-rangers-2nd-may-1974.28709/

It was a strange night, there wasn't a great crowd, and probably 50% of it was Scottish. There were suggestions pre-match that there might be trouble.

I was on the Gwladys Street terrace, my dad took my sister in the stand above me to avoid hassle. After 60-70 minutes, a shout went up on the terrace -- “The Rangers are coming in”. One drunken Jock appeared on one of the ledge entrances.

I met my dad after the game, he said there had been bedlam in the stand, the Rangers had gone in through the wrong entrance, they were looking for a scrap and nobody had wanted to respond!

Just a story about that testimonial. I don't want to deflect attention away from the loss of a genuine Everton giant, lesser known than some, but one of an elite band who won League and FA Cup medals for us.

I was 9. Can't remember it sadly.

A few running scuffles down the road back to town but nothing that Leicester or Man Utd didn't bring on back in those days.

I saw more trouble on the bus to the derbies in the 70s when Celtic and Rangers blues threw their oar in.

I feel better with your approval and, actually, Tommy towers over this. RIP.

Allegedly; after the 1970 World Cup and the discipline and rigours of training were done, he went up the steps of the plane home with a very large carton of beer and worked his way through them on the long flight home.

RIP Tommy.

I think that George Best said that our Tommy RIP was his hardest opponent.

According to my uncle, he was always hungry since he was put on a special diet by the club. So, taking pity on him, he began to secretly take sausage sandwiches into work for him. He didn't tell anyone this until my nana started to question who was eating all the sausages!

He was an inside forward who was moved back into defence — I don't know who deserves the credit for that but whoever it was deserves a pat on the back because Tommy became a very good defender who took no prisoners without resorting to foul tactics and served us very well.

A quiet man who liked a drink, I heard that after the 2-1 loss to Liverpool in the semi-final at Old Trafford on a Saturday afternoon, he went on a bender and never got home ‘til Monday afternoon!

They don't make them like Tommy any more... players with half his talent become millionaires though.

Good night God Bless Tommy — Rest in Peace

Tommy is the first right-back I remember playing when I search the memory. A great Blue as you say.

His brother Roy, who you will know, is still a massive Blue. Both of them thorough gentlemen.

As Tommy turned awa,y the rest of the team led by Bally ran over pointing as everyone including Tommy, who was laughing, knew he'd mishit it.

I also recall a story of Tommy turning up for training a bit worse for wear and Colin Harvey ran his "time trials" for him under Wilf Dixon.

RIP.

Tommy was a brilliant defensive full back who never resorted to the dark arts. A bit of an unsung hero really alongside the likes of Colin Harvey, Joe Royle, Gordon West and Brian Labone.

Not too many right-backs better than Tommy in a Blue shirt. Alex Parker and Gary Stevens were probably better at going forward but Tommy was a better defender than both of them.

Tommy Wright obituary