Favourites aren't always the best, Part 3

If my memory serves me correctly I think Mick Meegan was our left back when I went to my first game at Goodison in 1961. I do have some vague memories of George Thomson however.

I was quite surprised when Harry Catterick replaced Mick, an Ireland international, him with Raymon Wilson.

I thought Mick might have been your choice of favourite. Mine would have been a toss-up between Leighton Baines and Raymon Wilson.

I don't really remember him playing or that period but my dad and uncles always told me he was a good solid hard defender who always gave 100%. Knowing the family, I can believe it!

However for me there is only one left back,

Ray Wilson. What a fantastic player both defending and attacking. Again like Parker, very rarely made a sliding tackle and did not come away with the ball.

We have had numerous left backs since Wilson and, in my opinion, not one could lace his boots, and I include Baines in that.

Simply one of a kind.

Only just saw Wilson and as a World Cup winner would feel hard done by being on the bench.

From my era, Pat van den Hauwe two Championships Cup Winners etc was the best defender I ever saw and you would want his attitude in any winning side.

Baines was for me the best attacking left-back – his assists and chances made in the current era difficult to match anywhere across Europe and add to that his amazing free kicks and penalties and long service – history might put him higher.

Mine would be Wilson on the Team and Van den Hauwe on the bench

I think that from the response that my articles have prompted, there is merit in reflecting on the past, and it's proof that though we all see the same players, we differ in our favourites. If my Uncle Tommy was around today, I have no doubt he would be extolling the virtues of Warney Cresswell.

You will appreciate that I will be unable to answer each comment, but if the 6 post rule has been relaxed I would be delighted to respond to as many as I can.

I will however answer one now: John [3] – as Jimmy Tansey was your Mother's cousin, you will no doubt be aware that his brother Gerry was also on Everton's books, but unfortunately he never made the grade.

It pleases me that my memories are bringing pleasure to others, even those who are too young to remember some of the players under discussion, and to sum up it's a case of, "One man's meat is another man's poison" – we all have our favourites and, as I have stated, "Favourites aren't always the best".

He kept Ray Wilson and Tommy Wright out of England for a while and – even though he fell out with Catterick – was a really classy player and one of the best overlapping fullbacks I have seen.

Nice to see my home town team, Worcester City, get a mention. Sadly, their feat of knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup was somewhat before my time!

For me, it has to be Ray Wilson. As a young Evertonian, my impression of him was that he made everything look easy, that he was absolutely reliable both in the tackle and in using the ball. Also, I will always remember him carrying the Jules Rimet trophy around Goodison with Roger Hunt when we played Liverpool in the Charity Shield in 1966.

Another favourite of mine was Keith Newton, who didn't play many games for us, but made an impression, and was part of the great 1970 title-winning side. He was good with both feet, and a very elegant player.

Thanks for that insight into Thomson, it's always nice to get little nuggets of information, tales etc. from players from our youth. I don't think that there are players in the game today that have the personality that players in past eras had.

I cannot imagine players from the 1950-60s practising dance moves to celebrate a goal, choreographing them with their mates "Ere, Tony (Kay) what d'yer think of these moves?"

I doubt if Kay, Chopper Harris,Morrissey,Hunter etc. would be able to contain their laughter...

One of the last players who was a larger than life type was Gascoigne, now we have Carlton Pogba with his different hair colours and crap dancing... Lord help us.

John Snr, another good article; Lindsay was before my time really, so Wilson is my favourite, as well as the best I've seen.

I remember Hickson, who was always winding up the opposition, pulling his beard and upsetting the centre-half so much he lost his temper and chased after Hickson right back into our own half with Hickson protesting his innocence to the ref that he had no idea why their centre-half had completely lost his rag.

The ref then admonished their centre-half while Hickson was chuckling away behind his back. One reason we scored 8 that day methinks. Alex.

Jeez, I'd forgotten all about Thomson. For some reason that brought back the excitement at the time of the twin signing.

And Ray (#11), re differences between players of today and then... I know I've said it before but I remember Young living by us on Aintree Lane (end of Aintree Lane or start of Bullbridge Lane). A Wimpey semi. One step up from our council house and we thought that was wealth. No comparison with today's semi's in Cheshire that they live in.

Ah, yes, tax havens; I almost forgot. To think, a couple of years ago the taxman visited me because, in error, I'd reported in my self-assessment a payment as received in the wrong tax year. It set the hares running for him and tied up an inordinate amount of his and my time trying to discover that error and to then convince him there was nothing else he needed to be concerned about.

Like many others I'm not (quite) old enough to remember your choice and for me the best and my personal favourite was the great Ray Wilson, just pure class. The first left-back I can remember was Mick Meagan in the early 60s. I think though that we've had some good ones throughout the years. Andy Hinchcliffe, Mike Pejic, John Bailey all decent players.

I wonder if anyone remembers John McLaughlin, small but a tenacious tackler. I recall Alan Ball going into meltdown and raging at Keith Newton after making a mistake in a game and he was an England international at the time! Imagine him with Martina now!! How standards have changed.

Brent @15: It's amazing how HMRC target the likes of us, and most often seem to get it wrong.

On footballer's houses, I remember the standard they had around 1970 was a detached 4- or 5-bedroom house that might fetch in the region of 𧺬k nowadays, in a 'well sought after area close to all local amenities and schools'. I think I've found my vocation, I sound like an estate agent. A 'dream home' for most of us back then, but a far cry from the mansions they have now.

At the time of adding the second part, there should be 20 parts in total, and already 6 names have been put forward as possibilities for the left back position,

Mick Meagan, George Thomson, Leighton Baines, Ray Wilson, Keith Newton, and Pat van den Hauwe. When you're in your 80th year, and it's your turn to reminisce, you may experience the difficulties I've had in deciding my eventual team and manager.

There are two positions causing me problems; it may come down to the toss of a coin, but I won't divulge which positions they are, just to add to the intrigue...

Centre-forward, how to choose between Royle, Latchford and Sharpe. Similarly, centre-half.

But you'll be aware of more players than most of us, so looking forward to what you come up with.

A year or two back, I played golf at Mere Golf Resort and Spa* near Knutsford. I don't know if you've been there but there is a large lake, the mere,along one side of the course. Across the lake there are some rather special Lottery Winner houses, with lawns rolling down to the lake. Beautiful.Some fabulous properties.

The starter told us, while we waited to tee off, that one of the Man Utd footballers had bought one and knocked it down and built a new one in it's place. They are ٠.5m - ١m houses. He knocked it down. Don't anyone ever try to tell me that footballers earn there money. Spoilt idiots, many of them.

* Spa. This is not a little shop where we all thought we could get some crisps and pop for the game. Apparently it's a place popular with the ladeees where they get pampered by some oiled up gigolo with a sock down the front of his kecks and a bottle of Johnson Baby Oil. And "pampered" has nothing to do with nappies.

Stan, Roy Vernon was one of the most awkward looking players I've seen (but liked him - an edge about him). Others?

The most graceful (apart from Alex, of course) – Alan Gilzean? Others?

John, I remember Jock Lyndsay very well, particularly the Stoke City game when he broke his leg, think it was on the Saturday after we had beat Lincoln City 3-1 on the Good Friday. As you say, a very good footballing full back but to be honest, John, he is way behind on my list of left-backs who have played for the Blues, after Ray Wilson, I'd have Pat van den Hauwe and the much under rated Mick Meagan among others, but as you say ''each to their own''. Keep them coming, John.

Anyone confirm, enlighten a youngster?

However, difficult though it may be, selecting the very best would be infinitely harder than selecting your favourites. Keep up the good work, John!

TG jones was a centre-half but my dad also said he was the best player ever to wear an Everton shirt and he also had the privilege of watching Dixie and Tommy Lawton.

I tried to do a quick count of the left backs I've seen since 1948, from Gordon Dugdale and got fed up with it when I reached number 15, Keith Newton in 1969-70.

Yes, John Bramwell was available for selection, but I'm afraid he wasn't one of my favourites.

Steven [29],

I think you've misunderstand the theme, it's not the best players; the clue is in the title, "Favourites aren't always the best".

George Thomson did indeed come with Alex Young from Hearts. He made 73 first-team league appearances including 20 in the Championship-winning season around an injury mid-season having played in all the first 14 games.

Sadly I believe he committed suicide having fallen on hard times. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Thomson_(footballer,_born_1936)

Jock Lindsay was before my time but my two favourites were Ray Wilson and Leighton Baines although I don't know which one I would have as sub.

I would also give honorable mention to Pat van den Hauwe – nobody would get past him even if he was having a bad game; Andy Hinchcliffe – The best corner taker going (I would love to know how many goals we scored off his corners); Paul Power – a very classy full-back; and John Bailey – a great character – I used to play in the same team as him as a kid.

I decorated it and put wardrobes etc in and he paid for the materials. He was an absolute gent, frightfully well spoken and forever smoking his pipe. We stayed there for a year before moving to Wales.

He was always modest but could be persuaded to chat about football, I think he played in the same side as Catterick. A really lovely old chap.

How about John White, the ghost of White Hart Lane, brilliant inside right to the great Spurs team of the early sixties, sadly killed when lightening struck him down while on a golf course at a very young age.

I knew the Baileys from the 4 Squares, though John was a bit younger than me, I'd often see him kicking a ball around when I "crossed the Brow" to see my mates.

Like me, he went the Friary but not sure if he went to St Gregs or another school after the Friary.

I still occasionally see him around Shaw Street Park area. I think he lives with his sister somewhere around Everton Road way.

I don't ever remember him mentioning that, I just remember him as a very decent sort of chap.

It's a long time ago but I remember that it was recorded in the Liverpool Echo at the time.

Stan Schofield (#14), I remember in 1962-63, Jimmy Gabriel's family, I think his brother really, had a building business and my mate's dad worked at Long & Browning on Queen's Drive. Jimmy was driving for him and said his biggest pay cheque in the season we won the League was 㿷, that included win bonuses and attendance bonus (ٟ) for every thousand on the gate over 45,000.

In those days, Brian Labone, an England international, imagine that now, whom I mentioned earlier played cricket in the summer with his mates from his primary school; Flo Melly, not organised cricket just a game with mates in the park, in Walton Hall Park and I was mates with a brother of one of his mates. Later, I played crown green bowls with Brian at The Hermitage.

Stan (#22), I agree about the Holy Trinity, but to be honest, only Colin Harvey gets in my immortals Everton, while Bobby Collins and Tony Kay are certainties.

John #32 "Steven [29] I think you've misunderstand the theme, it's not the best players, the clue is in the title".

Sorry, John, you rightly pull us back on to the original theme!

After that I started my pre-apprenticeship support by waiting for the gates to open I think it was 20 mins from the end and getting into the Boys Pen on the end of Gwladys Street, after getting a paper boys job I was able to pay to get in. I started work in 1956 and was then able to continue as a paying customer first in Gwladys Street end then on to the paddock and finally finished my apprenticeship as a season ticket holder and part time steward.

I am now 77 years old and my memory is not as good as it used to be but I would go with Ray Wilson who said he never missed a penalty in practice but would be terrified to take one in a game. Great article.

Can't wait for Part 4 because now you have me guessing.

Don't let Christmas get in the way, John – keep it coming!!

Gordon Dugdale was a teammate of Harry Catterick, my fondest memory of him was after he retired as Dave [38] correctly stated.

Gordon was a Conservative Councillor for the Low Hill ward, and I can only surmise that the Headmaster of the school I attended [All Saints RC] was a friend of Gordon's, because he came along to supervise a training session which was held on Breck Park.

I was lucky enough to be team captain at the time, and during a six-a-side kick-about, I managed to clear the ball off the line, Gordon said, "Well done, full-back" and I recall saying in reply, "I'm not the full-back, I'm the right-half!"

Unlike today, the footballers were ordinary people going about their daily life relatively unrecognised, and to have a player of the club I supported complimenting me was something I cherished.

A few years later, I played for Anfield Boys club, and the leader of the club (Albert Cheetham) arranged for Billy Liddell to give a talk on behaviour, another gentleman.

The standard of comments posted so far [40] is excellent, not a swearword in sight. I have to confess that although I don't consider myself a prude, I do find foul language in the public domain (where ladies and youngsters have access) is not necessary. Please don't let me down.

I've no real doubt that modern players are quicker, fitter and more skilful, but these are the players I watched and adored when I was a kid and when I was a teenager. Thanks, John.

Yes, Ray Wilson was a brilliant defender and would be my choice of substitute but Baines was/is an excellent defender and also brilliant when attacking, which Wilson was not noted for, and don't forget to throw in Baines's superb penalties record.

So Baines for me – both very sporting gentlemen by the way.

And you can be sure it's always "Best Wishes" from me.

For me, Ramon Wilson is the indisputable left back in my all-time Everton team of those I have watched, so Jock must have had something about him to work his way into your affectionate all-star 11!

Looking forward to the next one.

After retiring from football he ran a news agents in Sudell Cross Blackburn. Above the door it read:

Keith Newton – Blackburn Rovers, Burnley & England.

The fallout with Catterick must have cabbaged his memory.

Ray Wilson for me. I like Leighton Baines too over his Everton career.

If the 6-post rule is still in effect, then I will only have one more to go. I'm hoping that the person I erroneously called the 'Webmaster', may well come on to this thread to clarify the position.

I feel that I could contribute a little to many of your comments, and I would love to do so, but for now I'm faced with a bit of a predicament, should I chance my arm or should I play safe?

Ron (#53), I would certainly have been at the match you refer to, it was versus West Bromwich Albion on 27 February 1971 – a 3-3 draw, the scorers were Keith Newton, Jimmy Husband, and Joe Royle; however, I have no recollection of either the match or the goal.

I had to go to what I call my research department to establish the facts; it was actually the only goal that Keith Newton scored for the Blues, so my advice to you is cherish the memory, because other things will come and go, and (like me), you'll find they'll pass you by. Oh and by the way, you were one of 35,940.

Can anyone confirm, or otherwise, please?

I said to the salesman, "Wasn't that Keith Newton?"

"Yes, he works here," was his reply, "do you know him?"

"Only through watching him play for and against Everton," I replied.

"Oh, I'll tell him when he gets back."

My favourite left back was Ray Wilson – a gifted player and as cool as a frozen cucumber. And one of the few English men who will ever be the recipient of a World Cup Winners' medal.

It was a belter, looked great from where I was, but I can't remember who we were playing.

However, I hope you don't mind me saying that left back is Ray Wilson's spot.

I look forward to the rest of the team and hope that I will concur with one of your favourites. Here's a hint, John: imagine Dean and Lineker together.

According to Don Alexander (#19), Joe Royle thought Pat van den Hauwe was the best left back we have ever had. I thought Pat was very good myself but would agree that Wilson was the best left back we have ever had. I don't think there is anything wrong with mentioning the two of them in the same sentence.

I never saw Dixie, so although everyone knows he was the very best of goal scorers I don't know if he was a great footballer, do you?

I can't object to you preferring Ray Wilson, because you are doing exactly what I have done, choosing your favourite left back.

We don't have to justify our decisions, everyone sees different qualities in players, and in my case (then not a teenager) Jock Lindsay showed me something I hadn't seen from a full back.

Now, approaching 80, and still attending games, I will readily admit that there have been many better left backs for Everton, but the magic that I witnessed in my youth has stood the test of time.

In the (close on) 70 years since, I still have that affection for Jock Lindsay, and I believe that you, at an advanced age, will likewise extol the virtues of Ray Wilson, and rightly so.

As for imaging Dean and Lineker together, I can... but not in the tight shorts of the eighties.

I certainly revere him as the tops in goalscoring, and although I saw Tommy Lawton he was past his best and in the second division with Notts County...

Mind you, his partner that day, Jackson was more than a handful, scoring four in County's 5-1 win.

My father watched both and told me Dixie was better than Tommy Lawton. Personal preference as ever, but I also got the impression he thought Dean was more of an Evertonian than Lawton and perhaps he was right about that.

Dave, I can remember that game very well. As you say, Jimmy Jackson scored 4 goals in a 5-1 defeat for Everton. I believe that Jackson later emigrated to either Canada or America, I think most likely Canada.

I think that Lawton may also have appeared at Goodison Park with Brentford, but I wouldn't put money on it.

John, keep replying; I know you relish your good manners but I think Michael and Lyndon will turn a blind eye in your case... mind you, I will have to start counting my own.

Most of my mates are actually reds, and two of them went to Lawson's testimonial, as well as Brian Labone's around the same time. I went to Roger Hunt's and Bill Shankly's, standing on the Kop with my mates.

I know times have changed, but there was always a mutual respect between the two halves. I also recall a derby at Anfield, about 1972 I think, where we lost 1-0 but played really great football, true to our reputation. Again, I was on the Kop, and I remember one Everton move in particular, it was brilliant, nearly scoring after a move involving what seemed like every one of our players. There were Kopites extolling that.

The color name 'sandy brown' first came into use in 1987, when this color was formulated as one of the X11 colors, which in the early 1990s became known as "the X11 web colors."

Hi Chris [69] ,Sandy Brown was on my short list, not least because he played in so many positions for Everton, I found it difficult not to give him a place on the bench, but I considered Ray Wilson deserved it more.

If you ever undertake a similar venture when you have time to spare, you may find it's not as easy as at first imagined.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-35360384

It's a shame that a man who gave such sterling service to Everton, should have had to bear the stick he got, for that one mishap for the rest of his life.

I have a busy schedule as I'm the resident Santa at our local school, but I'll make an effort in memory of Sandy.

I thought a lot of him and as I said, it's a shame he had to bear that one mistake for the rest of his life. RIP Sandy.

Mike at 65 mentions Dixie as being more an Evertonian than Lawton. Based on what my dad and uncles told me, I would second that. He seemed just an ordinary guy with a gift.

Stan Schofield (#68), I went to the Tommy Lawton testimonial in '71 and will always remember the rapturous look on his face when he took to the pitch pre kick-off. None of us at the time knew of the penury that'd engulfed him, a total 24 carat legend according to my Dad, but he was crying with what I now assume was relief. Sad, but I hope the night made his last years more bearable.

I've noticed on this and other recent threads that a preference is emerging for describing our unloved neighbours in something other than the odious "Red-Shite" term, or worse. If I'm reading it right I commend it.

Liverpool families contain avid Blue and Reds so, whilst I'd rather barbecue my own balls than start singing "You'll Always Walk Forlorn" or what-ever it's called, their fans are but a dramatically different gene away from us, so let's dispense some compassion on them 'eh?

I thought Mike Pejic was solid too. Did he not buy the house Kevin Keegan owned in Colamendy, North Wales?

Ray Wilson was brilliant but I have loved Leighton Baines since he came to us. Always gave his all and never complained. Like somebody said earlier, his goals and assists cannot be beaten by any left back we have had.

Anyway I decided to see if Mick Meagan (got the spelling right this time Terry) was as good as I thought he was as a 12- or 13-year-old boy. As a result I came up with this quote from a potential "midfield favourite" Bobby Collins who said Meagan was:-

"The finest exponent of the one-two pass' he had ever played with."

To be honest, I don't think it matters having a joke about that own goal. The reason I say that is, Brown is definitely remembered for the versatile and reliable player he was. Steven Gerrard made a major blunder that halted Liverpool's title ambitions in 2013-14, but it doesn't stop folks remembering his playing attributes. (It does make me smile though!).

I recall that when a player was injured, Brown would often play in their place, and every time we just knew he'd put in a strong performance. As you say, one of the favourites, and a player that (like Paul Madeley of Leeds) any top team would gladly have because of his versatility.

I think a minority have perhaps become arrogant with past success, which ironically seems to blind them to their current status. I don't like that arrogance, and I'm afraid Klopp seems an exponent of it, unfortunately, with constant attempted 'cheating' by getting into the faces of match officials. For this reason, I was quite chuffed with his media meltdown on Sunday, it gave the same kind of pleasure I get when Liverpool lose.

"He was most effective as an overlapping full-back but also played as an emergency attacker and scored against Real Zaragoza in a European game during the 1966-67 season. In fact he played in every position during his Everton career, including goalkeeper. This came after Gordon West was sent off in a game against Newcastle United."

As Brent said, I was surprised Sandy Brown's name didn't come up, but in the comments, not your original post. You're entitled to mention whoever you like – they're your favourites!

And didn't Sandy once score against Liverpool in a 3-1 win after coming on as a substitute?

Frank told us he was at Everton for 10 years, and we recalled him being in the 1965 FA Youth Cup winning team, and also substitute in the 1970 Title winning game v West Brom. He told us of his frustration at not being able to command a regular first-team place and how he would go in to see Harry Catterick once a year to ask for a transfer. Harry would answer “No, we need you in the squad", then turn away and look out of the window of his Bellefield office. Frank would stay seated, Catterick would shout down the corridor “Harry”. Harry (we assumed Harry Cooke, chief scout and sidekick) would appear, and Catterick would say “How much is Frank on these days? Make sure he gets another ٦”.

Frank later signed for Ron Yeats at Tranmere. Having struggled with a knee injury, Ron promised to pay him £X if he played 12 games – his knee went in the 11th.

It was good to meet Mr and Mrs D'Arcy.

Sandy Brown did wear the Number 1 shirt, going in goal after Gordon West got sent off against Newcastle.

Poor ole Sandy immediately conceded the penalty the barcodes were awarded following Gordon's sending off.

Sandy was the perennial butt of Gordon's dressing room humour – the story goes tha,t when the team traipsed in having lost the game to that single penalty, Gordon laid into Sandy for not saving it!!!

I started watching the Blues in 1967 and saw Sandy play many a time and even score at the Gwladys Street end (I can't remember the game) but he cut in from the wing past a couple of defenders and buried it.

He always gave 100% even when often he was the sub. He always got the biggest cheer when he came on because the first thing he would ever do would be to roll his sleeves up, indicating he would get stuck in. The fans loved him. Happy memories indeed.

I'll try to reply to a couple of posts, Chris [89] I'm pleased that you didn't take offence, and yes Sandy did come as a substitute to score against Liverpool, Alan Ball scored the other two.

One Sunday newspaper read, "Liverpool resorted to Scotland Road thuggery".

Hi Stan, [86] I was 99% sure that Sandy played in every position for the Blues, but I'm going to, what I call my research department to check it out, I'm a stickler for accuracy.

Hi Jay [91] You're correct in stating that Sandy donned the keepers jersey against Newcastle United, when Gordon West flattened [if memory serves me right] Ollie Burton, and it was reported that Westy berated Sandy not saving the penalty kick. I'm off HO, HO,HO'ING now.

Sandy was also the butt of many stories by other Everton players, one of them told Sandy was ordering a round of drinks, one of the drinks was scotch on the rocks and Sandy asked for ''Scotch on the rocks with no ice''.

I spoke to him a few times when he lived in Maghull. Safe to say he was a real character, funny even if he didn't mean to be.

I confess to have never having heard of Jock Lindsay and to being surprised that Ray Wilson didn't make it. I never saw him play myself, but he is the stand-out player for many Evertonians of a certain vintage.

But then, that is the point of the article. Favourites aren't always the best, so it would be impossible and pointless to argue with you, even if I had seen both Lindsay and Wilson play.

I consider myself fortunate to have seen Pat van den Hawe, Andy Hinchcliffe, Michael Ball and Leighton Baines don the blue Number 3 jersey in the last 30 years or so. Baines takes it for me, but it is close between the four of them.

Dave, it was actually the Number 3 shirt. Have a look, if you can stomach it, at the link below.

Mick Meagan was a very neat and versatile player. He started out as a wing half, a typical Everton player of that time in that position, undersized! Kenny Rae was another example of this.

Mick certainly fitted in well in both full back positions during the Championship year. I can well understand Bobby Collins's tribute to Mick, he was largely underappreciated by the faithful as we were signing so many "stars" at that time.

I'm 99% certain I played against Frank in the Sunday league. It was definitely an ex-Blue. I think he played for a side that played on Lower Breck.

I can't remember who made way for Sandy, but he is listed as number 12, and although I appreciate that he may not have actually worn that shirt number, I suspect that he did.

Hi Terry, [97] You're right in describing Mick Meagan and Ken Rea as being somewhat undersized, I wonder what you made of Jackie Grant, and later down the line Graham Williams.

I remember reading of Mick Meagan in a programme before he made the first team, and in it he was referred to as Chick Meagan.

I suspect that Laurie [85] will be chuckling now, and that he's feeling that the spelling boot, is on the other foot, I write that as a bit of banter, and trust you are not offended.

No worries Dave, as long as you don't watch the link I sent... it'll put you off your tea.

Alan, true, Sandy deserves a better epitaph than that goal. He was a fine all rounder who never gave less than 100%, something today's precious little mites should try once in a while.

Hi Dave [94], when looking up Sandy's record, I discovered that it was Fred Pickering who was substituted in the 3-1 game; we can't be expected to remember every thing, can we?

Jackie Grant, as you mentioned, was cut from the same cloth. Ken Birch, while taller, had no weight on him either. Peter Farrell, on reflection, was a bit of an anomaly.

Regarding the incident that led to the referee [Ken Stokes] taking both teams off the pitch, was a savage assault on Derek Temple, I said to my mates, "Temple won't come out again" obviously I was mistaken.

To add insult to injury, the man who launched that attack on Derek Temple [Willie Bell] scored the winner. As good as Leeds were at that time, they were also masters of the dark arts.

No offence intended on my part or taken from anything that has been said. With my simplistic sense of humour I smile when I see so many of the names of our players, past and present, being misspelled.

At least it humours me! It's the little things...

I have just sent a post to Michael Kenrick [on the thread announcing the signings of the three youngsters] requesting clarification of the 6 posts rule.

I have noticed on other threads that there appears to have been a relaxation over the last few days, I too have violated this rule, but being a bit 'Old School' I don't seek special consideration.

The mid seventies where an era where there was a leftover from the Corinthian spirit of the 50s and 60s and the superstar was starting to emerge: Cruyff, Keegan, even blurts like Malcolm McDonald where starting to make big money from TV adverts etc.

Looking back, we had some top players around that time: Dobson, Todd, Pejic, Thomas, Latchford etc – some of them really intelligent footballers who were brought up on the game when the likes of Young, Wilson, Moore etc where their icons..

I didn't notice anything at the time either. But on reflection we wouldn't, as the papers print different stuff in different editions 'oop north' than down south, where they were no doubt preaching to the choir.

It only came to my notice 2 years ago when somebody posted a page, probably from Charles Buchan's footy magazine, with Roy Vernon vigorously refuting the accusation; short version - we were hard but fair... I'll try and dig it out.

I got talking to him a few times and he was reluctant to tell me that he had played for Everton. I have to say he was a really nice man with no side to him at all. Sad to see that he passed away a long time ago but I still have fond memories of Jock Lindsay, the Scottish fitter who was also and ex-Everton player. RIP, Jock.