Favourites aren't always the best, Part 6

Until I read your article I had forgotten he started as a winger. I remember when Tony Kay joined I was initially disappointed Brian lost his place but as you rightly said, he buckled down and got his place back, if under circumstances I am sure he wouldn't have chosen.

Thanks John, here's to number 7.

Me? I'd had to spend two or three hours scouring the streets around the Old Lady looking for him with his Dad! Foot blisters was all I got, but that was zilch compared to the bollocking my uncle got off my auntie when, after reporting the lad missing to the police, we got home to break the awful news to her. She was NOT impressed but even she said "the bloke who'd driven him home (she knew nowt about football) was a really nice man!"

Not the best, but a very deserving favourite and one with which I totally agree.

I went down and had a chat with him about that very incident in the 1966 Final. He was a very modest, unassuming man, but funny also. He told me how much he had enjoyed that day, and was delighted when I told him I'd had a pretty good day too at Wembley as a 10-year-old.

As you mentioned about him having a good personality, the Everton squad went to Australia for midsummer training after the 1963-64 season.

Apparently he was very good doing an MC spot and singing. The Aussies loved him and wanted him to stay down under.

Everton beat the Australian team 8-0. They didn't have our Tim Cahill then.

As I have tried to convey, the players I have chosen are not necessarily the best in their respective positions, although one or two could come into that category, but they are my personal favourites.

I believe that if you were to list your own particular favourites, there could be no arguments, as it would be a case of each to his own.

Also as a stalwart for Cardiff in the ECWC along a 16 yr old John Toshack

Another good choice John, Brian was indeed a very popular Evertonian, not the best but certainly a favourite.

I know his name, never heard of him being revered though, but you explain why you have picked him, and for the reasons you give, I know many more will have Harris down, which is a great testament to the man, considering the great midfielders who have represented Everton, down the years.

All the best for the new year John, keep them coming, and hopefully the sun (TOSUN) will shine tomorrow night at Anfield!

You are a few years behind me, [as my teenage years were between 1951 and 1959,] but I suspect that we share the same values. Unfortunately it appears that the mentality of todays supporter is, 'I've paid my entrance fee, I can shout what I like.'

Hopefully the players can't pick individual comments up, through the noise of the majority of supporters.

I'm sure there will be others favouring Tony Kay (perhaps the "best" in that position?), while how can room be found for Peter Reid and Colin Harvey, both playing in different formations to the 1960s, thereby not really being true wing halves?

I am with you and Martin (#12) regarding the use of foul language. I would extend my distaste also to certain contributors on ToffeeWeb. I was not brought up to speak that way and it greatly offends me.

I'm sure there will be others favouring Tony Kay (perhaps the "best" in that position?), while how can room be found for Peter Reid and Colin Harvey, both playing in different formations to the 1960s, thereby not really being true wing halves?

I am with you and Martin (#12) regarding the use of foul language. I would extend my distaste also to certain contributors on ToffeeWeb. I was not brought up to speak that way and it greatly offends me.

It's a while since I read it and I'll probably revisit it having read John's excellent article and the subsequent posts.

I think he was a talented athlete as a youngster, played golf to a high standard, and in the days when I seem to recall, Everton played an annual cricket match against Bootle CC, he was also a decent cricketer. ( I could be mistaken here)

The only time he may have worn the number 9 shirt, was before a Cup replay against Leeds, when Catterick sent him out of the dressing room before kick off to confuse the Leeds players. Jimmy Gabriel played centre forward that night and scored.

Terry's father and my dad, together with other men from St Peter & Paul's, Crosby, including the parish priest, took us to the game. You will recall our prospective champions struggled in the match, much to the annoyance of one particular supporter in front of us, who resorted to profanities. Our ‘Uncle Jack' Fleming, as ever, took command of the situation and shouted “Hey mate, watch the language will you, we've got a f**king priest here”.

I didn't want to post until after we had won the derby. It just wasn't to be.

I agree with you about Brian Harris. He was a great Blue and deserves to be in your team. However, without mentioning names we have had more skillful mid fielders. Few had as much heart..

I was also at the Burnley game, August 1955. I remember it so well because I was a fit 16 year old back then, fit enough and stupid enough to ride there on my bike. I was with two friends. Going was relatively easy because we had all day. Riding home was HELL. My memory is not totally clear, but I think it was a night game. Could anyone help me in regards to the time of the game.

ps: We could have used a Brian Harris tonight.

As to last night, very good effort from the team. We needed just a little dose of luck to push us home, but when did we ever get that in a Derby game!!!!!

Hi Dave [21], I agree with you regarding last nights game. I too was pleased with the effort and general play of the team, in particular that of Phil Jagielka.

I had seen every derby game home and away from 1955 to 1994, but I haven't stepped foot in that ground since, and you're right In suggesting that we don't get much luck there, but then we don't get much luck against them anywhere do we?

As you're probably aware, I tend not to get involved in the main threads, because of some of the ultra negative views expressed; however I feel I must respond today, because I feel that a great deal of the criticism is uncalled for.

Thanks for helping me to defog my memory. I now realise that it must have been during the day, particularly on a Saturday. However, whenever I think of that ride home, I still get tired. It was easier because we won.

More ups and downs on that long ride. Much like spending your life watching the Blues. I think it gives you patience. But it isn't all downhill. Some of our younger supporters need to bear that in mind. Never give up, just like Brian Harris.

(Regrettably, the RS got about 90k at Stadium Australia last year. Made me sick that, seeing all those red-decked try-hards bellowing out that satanic anthem.)

http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/MiscGames/1964SR/64S6.html