As remembered by the fans who were there

 CLASSIC MATCHES

 EVERTON v BOLTON WANDERERS

Everton versus Bolton Wanderers, played at Maine Road (always an unlucky ground for us)

Everton: O'Neill, Clinton, Lindsay, Farrell {capt}, TE Jones, Lello, Buckle, Cummings, Hickson, Parker, Eglington.

The ground was packed to the rafters, with 75,000 in attendance. I asked where were the Bolton supporters, "he's up there in the corner of the stand" replied my brother-in-law – guide for the match.

There were evertonians everywhere. It was going to be a walkover and we would be at Wembley fro the first time since 1933. Cliff Britton had said to me before the game that if we got to Wembley, I could travel with the team on the coach, "and bring your accordion, Joe" he said.

After twelve minutes we were three-nil down! My God, what was going on? Nat Lofthouse bustled his way all over the park, causing mayhem in the blues defence. Davey Hickson just couldn't get going. After half an hour we were four nil down...

Then, just before half time we were awarded a penalty, Tommy Clinton strolled up nonchalantly to try and redeem things a little – he had never missed a penalty for Everton: Horror of horrors! he missed this one.

Half time came, but I couldn't eat my meat pie; I was sick. This shouldn't happen to an 18-year-old Evertonian...

The second half started. We got behind the team: we roared, we sang, (and personally I prayed, promising whoever the patron saint of soccer is, that I would become a reformed character if we got out of this situation).

We pulled two goals back, John Willie Parker got them both. Then we were awarded a free kick just outside the Bolton penalty area. Peter Farrell stepped up to take it; he put it between a defenders legs, straight into the back of the Bolton net.

Delirium, bedlam, mayhem, and then.. O my god, the referee ordered it to be taken again! Peter stepped up again, bang, over the wall and right into the net again. 4-3, with seven minutes left,

I was now praying to every God that is supposed to exist: Buddha, Allah, the japanese lad, Thor, Zeus, and every other deity. It didn't work, the referee blew up, we had lost! Peter farrell shed bitter tears as he walked off the pitch.

Ironically, bolton lost the cup final by the same score, against Blackpool, in a classic game which saw Stan Mortensen score a hat-trick. A game forever remembered among football fans as the Stanley Matthews Final!!!

It could all have been so different, if only Clinton had scored that penalty.... Ah happy days,

Come on yee Blues,

Joe Bollard