Favourites aren't always the best, Part 1

it's my intention to go from goalkeeper to outside left, and as the title implies, it's not what I consider to be the best eleven players I've seen, but certainly my favourites.

I suppose it depends on the age of the reader, the amount of enjoyment it provides, once again thanks for your positive reaction.

With regard to Gordon West, I wonder what went through his mind as he sat at home watching Peter Bonetti playing for England in place of Gordon Banks. I bet he was kicking himself, & probably the cat too! He really should have gone – who knows what a difference he may have made on the day?!

I was also at that cup tie at Wolves in 1967, it was some save, and it was indeed from Ernie Hunt.

I didn't know Gordon had shown his throwing ability on his debut, I thought it was something he developed because of his inability to kick due to the thigh strain he incurred in 1966. You will recall opposition players would stand in front of him to impede his throw, I thought he “followed through” with such a throw at Newcastle, punching the Newcastle player and conceding the last minute penalty, but you may well be correct.

No mention of the Keflavik incident, when he fell out with Gwladys Street, leading him to be dropped and replaced by Andy Rankin, who subsequently saved the deciding penalty in the first ever penalty shoot-out against Borussia Monchengladbach.

I agree with John that Westy was certainly throwing the ball long distances prior to his injury in the '66 cup winning season. He actually played the first half of the final without strapping on his thigh but reappeared after half time with it on.

I am going to go out on a limb and try to preempt the next episode of John's stories. My pick for right back? The peerless Alex Parker, the king of slide tacklers.

I do however possess a photo I had taken with him at one of the Hall of Fame evenings. During a little chat that I had with him, the subject of the pain killing injections that players of that era had to endure, was brought up, and his response was "Yes, but we wanted to play."

As I mentioned to Charles, the title of the article is self explanatory, I think that Neville Southall is without doubt the best keeper I have seen play for Everton, but Westy for his enthusiasm, and his apparent love of life was my favourite.

I wonder did you see him play? If you did, then you will know what sort of character he was.

I am spoiled, because the 1st 'keeper I saw play for Everton was Neville Southall – so I would have to say him. I have high hopes for Pickford, though, I have to say.

I am spoiled, because the 1st 'keeper I saw play for Everton was Neville Southall – so I would have to say him. I have high hopes for Pickford, though, I have to say.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8tfYm3Fpr0

Great games for Gordon, v Arsenal and then Wolves, both in 1967.

I was in the Street End when he was badly abused by the crowd in that end after making a mistake which cost us a goal. It was that bad he stood by the penalty spot for as long as he could, only going back to his goal when the opposition attacked, which was seldom.

We won easily in the end by a good score, but the abuse Gordon took that night sickened me and I've never forgotten it. One of our own (?) he was treated like a dog that night.

Keep them coming, John.

I don't want to appear a bit of a smart Alec, but I have been saying since the beginning of the season, that Wayne Rooney should sit in midfield, and be the link man, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine he could produce such a match winning performance. As for his hat-trick goal I have to say, that was the finest goal I have seen at Goodison, [and I've seen a few,] the vision, technique, and execution was a once in a lifetime experience, and I'm glad Josh and I were there to witness it, I'm sure he will be talking about it for years to come.

I'm glad you enjoyed the Gordon West tribute, and I'm sure you will appreciate that it can be almost as difficult, separating your favourites from the best. [One mans meat etc.]

Regarding the Gordon West treatment during the Kaflavic game, I was in my customary position behind the Park end goal, so I wouldn't have been aware of it.

I can honestly say, I may have expressed disappointment, and been critical of many an Everton player in my time, but I have never directed abuse, I don't even boo the opposition, quite the reverse. I often get looks of disdain for praising an opponents play, but if I see good football it's an involuntary reaction. Let's hope we've 'turned the corner'.

But what I was saying about Wayne's game last night is let's wait and see if he can play that way against a team that presses Everton more than West Ham did in the first half. They gave Wayne all the time and space he needed. When they pressed early in the second half Rooney was as poor as the rest of the team were.

Regarding his goals, the first was very good, a good team move finished with aplomb by Rooney, the last of his hat-trick, as you say, would take some beating absolutely majestic.

I'm glad Josh enjoyed the match and that goal, he is lucky to have a granddad like you learning how to be a good Evertonian. You gave me and Josh a good laugh last week when we were discussing how we should be more forgiving when footballers make honest mistakes. I asked you, had you ever seen the perfect footballer? You said "No", before quickly adding, "Only when I look in the mirror" with your tongue firmly in your cheek. Nice one, John.

While last nights performance was [in the main] promising, we have much to do, to establish a respectable position in the League table. I thought the support was tremendous, no anti "Allardyce chants", even when we experienced that rocky period, and the tribute to David Unsworth at the end of the game was commendable.

You and I Dave, have played and watched football long enough to know, that there is no secret formula for success. Success is earned by hard work, and the best way to develop a happy dressing room is to win games, let's hope that's what we will experience in the near future.

We have seen both sides of football, and it's the younger ones I sympathise with, I was two months short of my 25th birthday when we won the League in 1963 and two months short of my 28th when we won the Cup in 1966. There will be young men in their thirties now, who have yet to feel the joy of success, they are the ones who I feel sorry for, having to take the brunt of derision from our 'illegitimate cousins' from across the park.

I believe that the Swansea game is a Monday night fixture, so if you fancy a cup of tea and a chat, Josh and I would be happy to oblige, best wishes John.

The 60s was the main time for me being an Evertonian, being when I got hooked in 1961, to seeing the great side that won the league in 1970. Probably because of this, I'd agree with Westy as your choice, although big Nev was great.

West had fantastic reflexes to pull off some great saves, but as you say he had a tendency to punch crosses and corners. I recall someone saying he was like Dracula, because he didn't like crosses. He could certainly handle himself in an era when centre forwards would get away with more physicality than they do with goalies nowadays.

Looking forward to the next instalment, John.

I have already prepared my next choice and when the current one has run its course, I'll submit it and the "Webmaster" permitting, you will be able to read it.

You may recall, I only did it because of the constant Managerial debate, which I'm afraid to say shows no sign of going away.

Oh, for those days when men were men, not like the Jessies like today's Huddersfield forward who squealed like a child after a tackle and then jumped up, clearly unhurt when no penalty was given.

I think 'favourites' perhaps brings out personalities more than 'best', so it's a theme from a more personal angle.

They used to say about Brazil, they don't worry about defence, they just score more than they concede!

It mirrors to me what Jordan Pickford may be feeling because should his performances dip he too has a real contender on the bench in Joel Robles, seriously.

That said, whilst Westy was truly great what adjective describes the heights Nev achieved?

And, as an aside, we were also graced by Nigel Martyn, another great keeper.

Do you remember the way he would grab the cossbar and pull it downwards? I don't know if it ever had any effect, but it was the action of a character and Gordon West was a character. Keep posting, John.

My first game was v West Ham in 1958. It was 2-2 but I can't recall the scorers. Fortunately, I'm still able to get to all the homes and many aways, including Lyon, last month.

Yes, some of those 1960s players were brilliant but one of my favourite players was Gary Jones, from the 1970s. Gary never really made it, at Goodison, but had tremendous skill and strength.

Looking forward to the rest of your series, John.

Gordon would be a favourite of many who saw the sixties teams but I also had a soft spot for Andy Rankin who was serious competion for Gordon during the sixties.

My liking for Andy probably stems from this save I saw him make at Anfield (now known as Mordor) when we beat them 0-4 with an under strength side and many youngsters in the team. I don't know how he got to that shot from St John (I think). I was in the Anfield Road end. What a day!

Andy Rankin Keeps a clean sheet at Anfield

I also like Nigel Martin - he was a great influence in Moyes' teams.

Looking forward to your next favourite.

You called the old-fashioned formation a "W" but I changed it to a 2-3-5 Pyramid.

I'm amazed how long this stuck around, despite the modification forged in the 1920s by Herbert Chapman, who moved the centre-half and the inside forwards back to combat different styles of play following the change in the offside law. This became labelled the WM, which you were probably thinking of, but it doesn't jive with the way you set up your favourites. Hope you don't mind!

I can recall watching Albert Dunlop and then of course Westy after he joined from Blackpool. I first became aware of him when there was a picture in a newspaper of him making a fabulous save which had the caption "the human corkscrew" referring to the contorted shape of his body as he twisted to keep the ball out.

I was a young schoolboy then and a budding keeper myself so I was thrilled when he joined us soon after. He was a great keeper, perhaps a little behind Neville, but as your article says, it's all about favourites and he was certainly mine. He would definitely earn the description, totally missing from today's players, of being a character. He was the very epitome of the saying of all keepers being mad! But what a keeper!

I remember after a game, which I think was away to Arsenal, one of the Sunday papers gave him 10 out of 10. As well as pulling off great saves, he also commanded his area, going through anyone on his way to get the ball. I even remember him laying out his big mate Labby when coming to punch a cross clear.

It's funny that around the end of the 60s beginning of the 70s, I came into contact with both Dunlop and Westy. I had to look after Albert when he came into my workplace, and then one day I ended up getting drunk with Gordon.

I was off work having broken my arm when making a (superb!!) save playing football on the Jeffrey Humble Playing Field in Longmoor Lane. I found myself in town one day and bumping into a friend, we went for a pint in the Post Office pub in School Lane. Just then, who should walk in but Westy. He knew my mate apparently and came over and joined us for a drink.

After my mate went back to work I ended up spending the afternoon with Westy. He was waiting for his wife, who I think was a pianist and I think she may have been giving a recital in the Bluecoat. Westy could certainly knock them back (it was close season) while I was a young amateur both at football and drinking! I can't recall anything of the conversation. I just remember trying to struggle onto a bus later with my arm in plaster and my legs like jelly!!

I'm another who was at Molyneux to see that save from Ernie (Roger) Hunt – we've bought players (e.g. Mickey Walsh, coincidentally, like Westy, also from Blackpool) on the strength of a goal but I swear we bought Hunt on the strength of that shot!

Laurie (#33) – I was there too! That game and save stick long in the memory!

Tony Heron (#35) – heading for the Post Office in 2 hours for Xmas drinks with a few old Evertonian mates (and a Manc!). Cheers!