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Tony McNamara passes aged 85

, 30 May, 13comments  |  Jump to most recent
Ex-Everton player Tony McNamara, who played for the Blues for four years in the 1950s, has passed away after a long illness, the club have announced.

He helped Everton regain promotion back to the top flight in 1954 and scored 22 goals in 113 appearances before moving across Stanley Park for a brief stint at second division Liverpool.

He would become the first player to play in all four divisions when he turned out for Crewe Alexandra and then Bury but he retained his affinity with the Toffees and was a regular at Goodison Park over the years.  

Reader Comments (13)

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Dave Abrahams
1 Posted 30/05/2015 at 16:07:24
Another good Blue has passed on. A big tall right winger who scored one of the goals in EvertonÂ’s great 5-2 victory Old Traffold when we beat a very good Man. United team.

He joined Liverpool around 1955 with Jimmy Payne joining Everton in a straight swop.

I met Tony last year inSt. LukeÂ’s church along with two other old Everton favourites Derek Temple and Jimmy Harris, he was with his son and easy to talk to. RIP Tony.

Jason Murray
2 Posted 30/05/2015 at 19:30:13
Rest in peace, Tony. Many thanks for your contribution to our wonderful club.
Rick Tarleton
4 Posted 30/05/2015 at 20:40:10
He scored the first goal for Everton in the First Division I saw. Scoring against the soon to be champions Chelsea. I remember we swopped him with Liverpool for Jimmy Payne.Was he the last of the promotion team?

Sympathy to all his family.

Colin Glassar
5 Posted 30/05/2015 at 20:54:57
To be perfectly honest, IÂ’d never heard of him before. My old dad used to tell me about the great Everton teams of the 30s and 40s, ie, Dixie, Lawton, Mercer, Sagar, Jones etc... but never mentioned the 50s teams for some reason.

Former Blues command my respect so, RIP Tony. God bless.

Julie Naybour
6 Posted 30/05/2015 at 21:04:41
I work as a volunteer with Â’Everton in the CommunityÂ’sÂ’, Â’Pass on the MemoryÂ’ group, which Tony attended each week. I am deeply saddened by this news as I know will be all the participants.

I just want to say he was a lovely person, very genuine, humble and a true gentleman, who was always modest about his achievements. He will be a great loss to our group and I know everyone will be very upset and want to pass on their sympathy to his family.

RIP Tony, We will miss you

Dick Fearon
7 Posted 30/05/2015 at 21:38:27
Tall, coiffured black hair, decent ball player, a genuine could a been, I may be wrong and if so I apologise but I believe personal problems led to his rapid fall from grace. I last heard he was signed by non-league New Brighton.

From 1st, to 2nd, to 3rd then 4th to non-league in little more than 12 months must have been some kind of record. Despite all that, I was a fan of his laid back cultured style.

Andy Meighan
8 Posted 31/05/2015 at 13:31:07
IÂ’ve got to be honest here and say IÂ’ve honestly never heard of him. But sounds a lovely fella which was quite typical of the players from a bygone era. Oh and a lovely post from Julie (#6). RIP Tony.

And I thought I knew my history...

Dave Abrahams
9 Posted 31/05/2015 at 14:11:02
Julie, I understand Tony now, when I was talking to Tony last year, I described the goal he had scored against Man Utd but, as I was mentioning the goal, it was apparent to me he didnÂ’t remember, but quick as a flash he said to me "Great goal, wasnÂ’t it". As you say, Julie a very unassuming man.
Dennis Stevens
10 Posted 31/05/2015 at 14:53:57
Very sad to hear of the loss of another blue brother. Tony was a bit before my time, although I had read of him, particularly the Â’all 4 divisionsÂ’ thing.
Kevin Jones
11 Posted 31/05/2015 at 20:43:19
I know TonyÂ’s son, Paul, well, so condolences to him Chris and TonyÂ’s grandsons, Kieran & Ben.

Dick, Tony is in the Guiness Book of Records for playing in the 4 divisions in one season: Everton, Liverpool, Bury and Crewe I think.

RIP Tony

Paul Wharton
12 Posted 31/05/2015 at 22:25:40
Always very sad when one of our own passes over to the blue heaven. I met Tony on several occasions and was a really nice gentleman plus a great sense of humour, it was the pleasure of the EFC Heritage Society to have hosted Tony at St LukeÂ’s.

God bless Tony and our deepest sympathy to all TonyÂ’s family & friends.

John Boon
13 Posted 01/06/2015 at 18:34:15
I am about 10 years younger than Tony, but I always used to see him at St Mathews church on Sunday. As a 12-year-old, I thought that was great and it almost made me think I knew him. I thought he had great potential but some of the fans were too impatient and often expected too much.

He was a really genuine person and a great Evertonian. Far more loyal than some of the twerps we have today who make more money in 90 minutes of uselessness than he did in five years.... That was when most of the players were called Fred, George, Billy, etc.

Joe Bibb
15 Posted 01/06/2015 at 19:24:59
Nice man, good player and a true Blue

He did wonderful work with Everton In The Community people. The EFC Heritage Society and others.

Condolences to his family and friends.

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