30 is the story of Bob Latchford's 1977-78 season, a pictorial journey detailing each and every goal that the Goodison legend scored on the road to a £10,000 prize from the Daily Express.  All the players were behind him and everyone wanted him to do it, persuading The Latch to even tae the penalties to give him a better chance. 

Latchford had the instinct for finding space to get in and tuck away the easiest of goals; a classical predator.  It's something that can't be taught. His ability to get in at the near-post, dodge his marker, and nab the final touch based on a presumption of where that vital final ball would be delivered to.

The great irony was that Latchford joined Everton in a record swap deal with Howard Kendall and Archie Styles moved to Birmingham.  And when he left Everton, Howard Kendall was just coming back as manager, and tried to persuade Latchford to stay, but he chose to go off to Swansea and a fresh lease of life after a series of bad seasons with things going on behind the scenes at Everton.  

With extracts of match reports from the time, memories from the fans themselves, plus a unique insight on the strikes from the man who Evertonians thought could walk on water, 30 is an ideal gift for any Blues fan, particularly those who remember him in action.

• Boxing Day, and losing 6-2 at home to Manchester Utd!
• Coventry: 6-0 and a hat-trick for Latchford.
• West Ham and the FA Cup Semi-Final, the diving header in front of the massed Evertonians at Elland Road

There is no record other than these stills of the final game against Chelsea and the thirtieth goal that sealed the win.  The TV cameras had been banned from Goodison Park for some reason.  Everton were 3-0 up before Latchford got a header past Peter Bonetti.  Lyons scored the fifth and had to apologize to Latch for cutting across him.  But Lyons was fouled for a penalty and Latchford, with a few minutes of the game left, had to belt it home in front of the Gwladys Street.  Pandemonium!

The prize was £10,000 but £5,000 went to the Football League and the PFA charities, and the Latch gave £4,000 into the kitty for the team.  A few months later and a letter from the taxman wanting his cut from the £10,000 — that battle went on for months.

All proceeds of the book will be going towards the Everton Former Players' Foundation, Registered Charity Number 1080101. 

30 will be released on 21 April 2006.  To place your order: Send a cheque payable for £30 (please add £3 if you require P&P) to: The Everton Former Players' Foundation, PO Box 354, Liverpool   L69 4QS.  Alternatively, you can call the Foundation's Credit Card Hotline on 0151 520 2362 or email: subscribe@boblatchford.com.

See your memories in print!  Every Evertonian who remembers the Latch in action and has sent in their recollections has their own special memories that have been included in the book!  Martin O'Boyle, former newsroom Evertonian at Radio Merseyside, is now employed with Fifa.

Price: £20.00   Published: 21 April 2006