Favourites aren't always the best part 11

Tommy Eglington was one of the very few Everton players whose name my late Mother (a red!) knew, as a result of attending an event where he & some of the other players put in an appearance. She only remembered him in particular as his foot was in a cast. I should comment here that the only time she got to Anfield was when some beau took her to a derby match on a date – imagine his dismay when she turned up in a royal blue suit!

Take things easy, John.

That is – as much as a life-long devotion to Everton allows you!

Good to read you're on the mend, best wishes for the future.

Goalkeepers: Ted Sagar, Jimmy O'Neill, Albert Dunlop, Neville Southall, Nigel Martyn.

Defenders: Tommy Wright, Ray Wilson, Keith Newton, Mark Higgins, Kevin Ratcliffe, Derek Mountfield.

Wing Halves / Inside Forwards / Midfielders: Jimmy Gabriel, Tony Kay, Colin Harvey, Howard Kendall, Alan Ball, Wally Fielding, Duncan McKenzie

Wingers: Eddie Wainwright, Mickey Lill, Tommy Ring, Derek Temple, Johnny Morrissey, Dave Thomas,

Centre-Forwards / Strikers: Dave Hickson, Jimmy Harris, Joe Royle, Bob Latchford, Graeme Sharp, Duncan Ferguson.

I have no doubt that some of those players will figure on some others' list of favourites.

I am on the mend but I'm afraid it's going to be a slow process... it may give me time to improve my keyboard skills – I'm a one finger operator, and putting the articles together was painfully laborious, but a labour of love nonetheless.

Anyway, John, I think you need to get to work on the reserves. Keep this top stuff coming!

I know that Saturdays are never going to be the same for me, but I take comfort from the fact that my Daughter and Grandson will carry the torch that my own Granddad lit in 1888.

Hi Don, [3] it's quite likely that your Dad may have been a year or two older than I (80 in July) but I would hazard a guess that he began following the "Blues" post-war, and as regards favourites, it seems to be "One man's meat is another man's poison." I could never bring myself to believe that Pat van den Hauwe was a better left-back than John Bailey, it appears that we all see things differently.

Your series has been so informative, nostalgic and debate-inducing that it has to rank among the best seen on ToffeeWeb.

Thank you from one old codger to another.

For what it's worth, as a young boy, I only saw the latter years of Tommy Eglington but I understand why he is one of your favourites.

Good health and hope to see some more from you and the family, best wishes.

I'm also glad that Josh can continue his Everton education; he had a great start with yourself, not only with football, I might add. I'm always impressed with people who have good manners, so Josh will never let you down there, he was very good in that department.

Take it easy, John, in the coming weeks, one step at a time... Good luck and very best wishes. I enjoyed our couple of meetings and from them, I realised you have been a bit of a character in your younger years. Up the Blues!!!

Regarding your reference to Dave Thomas, he is obviously a favourite of yours, but, as I said to Don[3] "One man's meat" etc...

I do have an idea that might be of interest to fellow "Webbers" – it may only feature Everton events now and then, but without giving anything away, if I pursue it, you will find that it is based on football in general.

Hi Jay [8] I am pleased to learn that you've enjoyed the "Favourites" theme. I know I'm pretty good, but I think you're over-egging it a bit by granting me Legendary status, although I believe it would be ill-mannered of me to refuse it, so I'll try to live up to the high standard you have set me.

Hi Dave [9], thank you for your kind regards, it was a pretty serious operation, and added to my existing ailments, I have been forced to purchase a stair lift and a mobility scooter. As Laura suffers from arthritic knees, I may be able to claw back some of the expenditure, I just have to decide how much I should charge her for the use of such luxuries.

As I mentioned in the lead-up to the Tommy Eglington tribute, our Nicki (Josh's mum) has taken over my season ticket, and I am grateful to Everton Football Club for the humane way in which they handled things. I know that they come in for some stick from time to time, but it's acts such as this that gives them the reputation of being "The People's Club".

I too enjoyed the couple of pre-match meetings we had, and I feel that we could have built on that, so don't rule out another meeting; all things are possible if there's a willingness.

Hi Ken [10], thank you for your kind words, I'm afraid that my memories will be second hand, but they will be passed on to me via my daughter and grandson. I have memories of League Championships, European and domestic cup victories.

Nicki is old enough to remember some of them, but approaching 14 years of age, Josh has never felt the thrill of success. I would give anything for him to experience that feeling, the one feeling I've had that I don't want Josh to experience is that of relegation.

Also, England vs Rest of the World, would anyone other than Alan Ball have got in the RotW side?

Finally, here's one to ponder: Who in your view is the best player to have ever worn the blue shirt, after Dean? Ray Wilson for me but what do you think?

Next up, I presume, is the Manager?

Great to see you are on the mend, all the very best with your recovery.

I wouldn't know you if I sat next to you but, through your articles, I can get a feeling for the type of person you are. It's clear it is very important to you that young Josh keeps the hereditary Blue line going; that's how our club continues to get full houses – the love being passed from generation to generation.

Long may it continue.

I don't go as far back as you and my first recollections are of Micky Lill and then Derek Temple (Wembley 1966!!), but my personal favourite was Dave Thomas, or as we called him Thomas-Latchford-Goal.

Best wishes for your continued recovery.

Over the past few weeks, I have contemplated mailing Lyndon to put out an inquiry after your well-being, but decided that eventually one of your family members or, better still, you would be in contact.

Very best wishes for a continued recovery. Thank you for the education, and I hope young Josh brings you (happy) match reports for many seasons to come.

Good conclusion to a great series. I'm only in my 55th season so didn't get to see Eglington – my own favourites were Davy Thomas and Mogsy but on balance the latter just about shades it.

Great that you are well enough to have continued the series. I say 'continued' rather than 'concluded' in the hope that you might round things off with your nomination of a manager, and perhaps some substitutes?

I'm 'only' 64 and never saw Tommy Eglington but, like some of the other contributors, my dad saw him play regularly and was at the game when he scored 5 goals.

In my time, my favourite left wingers were Dave Thomas and Johnny Morrissey. My first game was in November 1962, and the left winger was a lad called Ray Veall. I presume Derek Temple and Mogsy were injured that day.

Best wishes for your future recovery.

That was in the days when Goodison held over 70,000, and the highest attendance for those games was 58,429 for Portugal 3-1 Brazil, the night that Portugal kicked Pele out of the tournament. The second highest attendance was 51,387 on the night of my 28th birthday, Hungary 3-1 Brazil, 15 July 1966.

I find it impossible to select a player I consider the best to wear the "Royal Blue" shirt, that's why I why I'd rather pick favourites.

Hi Derek [13], thank you for your generous praise, my response to the comments that Jay [8] made was tongue-in-cheek. To tell you the truth, I'm somewhat overwhelmed by the reactions my articles have evoked.

I was prompted to write them because of the back-biting that the Sam Allardyce appointment had caused, I firmly believe that there is way of getting a point across without the nastiness that was being shown by some contributors, and that a "Webber" with a different point of view should be shown some respect, and not personally abused.

Hi John G [14], thank you for kind comments, I appreciate that it will take some time for me to recover from my recent surgery, that's why I took the decision to hand my season ticket over to my daughter Nicki, and you are absolutely right in your assessment of the continuation of the "Royal Blue Line".

I feel that Josh will be a credit to his family, and to Everton Football Club, as he matures into a young adult.

Hi Ian [15], thank you for your good wishes, and I'm sure that your father would have shared the love of Everton that we all feel. It saddens me when I witness fellow Evertonians abusing each other. In mine and your dad's time, we left that sort of thing to the Liverpudlians and we made sure that we gave as good as we got.

Hi Tony [16], thank you for your kind words. There were times when I was lying in the hospital ward that I feared the worst, as one piece of good news was followed by a piece of not so good news, but here I am, and although I don't posses the strongest mind, it is at the moment, stronger than my body, but a few days in the gym should cure that (I wish)!

Hi Peter [17], people like yourself, and the others who have written to wish me a full recovery from my recent surgery, renew my faith in the human race. I'm not sure what education you're referring to, but if I have added anything to your life, I'm very pleased to have done so.

It's very kind of you to mention Josh, I have tried to stress to him that anything can happen in a game of football, and if Everton losing a couple of games is the worst thing that happens to him this year, then he hasn't had a bad year.

I'll let you into a secret Johnny Morrissey lost out by a whisker, the five goals from "Eggo" swung it, and I felt that as Johnny would have been the only one still with us, I may have been tempting fate.

As you'll see in my reply to Barry [19], I still have one more article to submit, that being the appointment of a manager.

Hi Barry [19], thank you for your good wishes, and you were right to assume that there would be one more submission from me and that it would feature a managerial appointment. I was going to tag it on to part 11, I'm afraid that the spirit was willing but I was completely knackered.

Ray Veall was a promising young footballer, but I heard some tales regarding his off-field behaviour, and I'm afraid he never fulfilled his potential.

Your first game would have been either Blackpool on November 10th 1962, a 5-0 victory with goals from, Alex Young 2, Billy Bingham, Jimmy Gabriel, and Dennis Stevens, or November 24th a 3-0 win against Sheffield United with goals from Roy Vernon 2, and Dennis Stevens.

As a 16-year-old schoolboy, I went to all the 1966 World Cup games at Goodison Park. I wouldn't have called it a "state of the art" stadium even then. It was certainly up there with one of the best in the country, but sadly no longer.

I still have all the ticket stubs. The tickets were 7s/6d each, 37p in today's money. For that, I got to see Brazil with Pele and Garrincha. Portugal with Eusebio. West Germany (as it was then), with Beckenbauer and Uwe Seeler and USSR with the great Lev Yashin in goal.

The Hungary v Brazil game was one of the best, if not the best game I've ever seen with the centre-forward for Hungary called Albert absolutely outstanding.

Goodison still remains the only league ground in the country to host a World Cup semi-final. Great days.

Really glad to see you posting again, you have been so missed by us ToffeeWebbers.

I saw Eglington when I was a kid but, in the sixties, it was Mogsy for me. He was the fourth member of the Holy Trinity.

Best wishes, John and family.

I am interested in looking at your list of "almost made its", Post #5, respecting your selections have all been "favourites" rather than "best" and with your minimum of 100 games played as a criterion, I am curious of your selection of one Albert Dunlop; perhaps his penalty save in the penultimate home game of the Championship season of 1962-63 may have swayed you given future revelations?

Personally, in this group I would have found room for consideration also for Martin Dobson and the magnificent midfielders of 1985 and 1987, Steven, Reid, Bracewell and Sheedy.

Guess it is over to you now, Peter Mills, after John's managerial selection, you promised! You have had plenty of time to consider your favourite XI.

We were privileged to see the players you mentioned and many more besides. The player you spoke of, Florian Albert (his surname was pronounced Al-bear) and to hear the majority of the 51,387 spectators chanting Al-bit, must have left him a bit confused, but as you say, he gave a magnificent centre-forward display.

Hi Ray, [23] it's nice of you to say that I've been missed by fellow "Webbers". To tell you the truth, I often wondered what was going on in the outside world. Most of the time I had more serious issues to worry about. On admittance to hospital I weighed 11st 10lb, and I weighed myself a couple of days ago and I'm down to 9st 8lb, so if any "Webber" is looking to lose a bit of weight, I would recommend the "5-week nil-by-mouth plan".

You will have read my reply to Martin [18] regarding Johnny Morrissey, and I can tell you that he absolutely hated the nickname Moggsy. I personally think that he related it to the character from the Addams family, Mugsley I believe it was. (I'm not sure of the spelling.)

While your favourites will be of a later generation to John, if you are struggling you could always incorporate some of your wonderful father's picks?

Don't underrate yourself, you're much better than Moyes.

Just for a start you've got a sense of humour, that puts you ahead right away.

I leap to the assumption that both the stair chair and the scooter are the appropriate shade of Blue and properly decorated with club decals.

Having also spent some time on your "nil-by-mouth" diet plan – I lost two stone, if I am using the term correctly – I can tell you that the upside is that ice cream is now a medical necessity and your family members can be instructed to bring it to you on a frequent dosage schedule. With fudge sauce.

All the best as your bounceback continues.

Derek Temple's Cup Final winner is my all time favorite Everton goal, but my #11 has to be Johnny Morrissey

"In October 1970 Jack Charlton famously appeared on a TV programme where he said he'd once kept a “little black book” of names of players whom he intended to hurt or exact some form of revenge upon.
Johnny Morrissey presumably figured on page one.

“We knew all about the so-called black book” laughed Colin. “Johnny absolutely clattered Jackie one afternoon then went over to pick him up. As he bent over he muttered into his ear ‘you can put that in your fucking book now!'

Story on Jack Charlton's little black bock

Johnny was very skillful as well being a hard man.

Only one eleven for me though, Kevin ”Christy Brown” Sheedy!,

As I have stated in other posts I was led to embark on my journey into the past, by the constant tirade of Evertonians insulting and abusing fellow Evertonians, in our day it was left to the Liverpudlians to bad mouth us, there did seem to be a bond between Evertonians, it was our club right or wrong.

The stair lift is a pleasant neutral colour, while the mobility scooter is a beautiful "Royal Blue"

If my operation hadn't been successful I may have spent the rest of my life being fed by a machine, never to taste the ice cream that you recommend, or the steak and kidney pie that I am partial to. Once again thank you for your kind words.

HI Ron [32] as I have said in a previous post, Johnny Morrissey was a whisker away from being in my team of "Favourites" I was a great admirer of him, and as you rightly say he was a very skilful winger, he didn't just toss the ball into the middle, he actually picked out the recipient, mainly "Big Joe".

I was familiar with the tale about Jackie Charlton and his little black book, and Johnny's reaction to it.

Hi Tony [33] I think it was my spirit that carried me through the worst seven weeks of my life. It was with reluctance that I had to make the decision to bring my match going days to a close, but having given Everton Football Club 70 years of my life. I think I've earned the right of a quieter life, but no doubt I'll be pacing the living room swearing at the radio or television, I'll leave it to lads like you to carry the baton until it's your turn to pass it on.

As I have stated in other posts I was led to embark on my journey into the past, by the constant tirade of Evertonians insulting and abusing fellow Evertonians, in our day it was left to the Liverpudlians to bad mouth us, there did seem to be a bond between Evertonians, it was our club right or wrong.

The stair lift is a pleasant neutral colour, while the mobility scooter is a beautiful "Royal Blue"

If my operation hadn't been successful I may have spent the rest of my life being fed by a machine, never to taste the ice cream that you recommend, or the steak and kidney pie that I am partial to. Once again thank you for your kind words.

HI Ron [32] as I have said in a previous post, Johnny Morrissey was a whisker away from being in my team of "Favourites" I was a great admirer of him, and as you rightly say he was a very skilful winger, he didn't just toss the ball into the middle, he actually picked out the recipient, mainly "Big Joe".

I was familiar with the tale about Jackie Charlton and his little black book, and Johnny's reaction to it.

Hi Tony [33] I think it was my spirit that carried me through the worst seven weeks of my life. It was with reluctance that I had to make the decision to bring my match going days to a close, but having given Everton Football Club 70 years of my life. I think I've earned the right of a quieter life, but no doubt I'll be pacing the living room swearing at the radio or television, I'll leave it to lads like you to carry the baton until it's your turn to pass it on.

Tommy Egglington was before my time but a favourite of my dad's.

Johnny Morrisey and Tony Kay are my two favourite Everton players – both of whom didn't quite make your list of favourites. They were both skilful but they were tough. All the best teams I have seen have had a couple of them.

I was fortunate enough to attend most of the World Cup games in 1966 so I saw Pele, Eusebio, and Albert, but the player that intrigued me and left a lasting impression on me was Garrincha. He played football like he was still in the schoolyard and I consider it a privilege that I saw him play in the flesh. What a player!

I didn't think that for a person of our generation there was any other choice than "Eggo". My last memory was of him standing in the same section (G64) as me at Wembley in 1966 and jumping up and down with the rest of us as one of his successors scored that great goal which ensured our victory.

Thank you, John, for a marvellous series, some positions I'd have picked differently, but I always understood your reason and enjoyed your argument in favour of certain players.

Look after yourself and concentrate on getting well.

I have been a blue for 60 years and have seen a cavalcade of wonderful players pass down the blue highway. There have been some good Number 11s along the way.

Enjoyed the rumbustious Johnny Morrissey and even Ray Veall had his moments. The sweetest and silkiest for me though was the talented Dave Thomas. The pace, skill and crossing were a pleasure to behold. There is no doubt that big Bob Latchford would agree with me on that choice!

I don't remember Eglington myself and my choice would be Morrissey. Hard but skillful and without fear, great winger. What I also find interesting are the players who missed the cut! Southall, Kendall, Ball Harvey, Wilson, Ratcliffe, Kay, Sharpe...where we so spoilt for choice that those players can't get in a "Best X1" side? When you think of the talent we've been blessed to have seen at Goodison and the dross that disgraces the pitch these days...

A great series of articles John, very much appreciated for bringing back memories and prompting discussion on ToffeeWeb.

Regarding your two favourite players Johnny Morrissey and Tony Kay, you will have seen from other posts that Johnny came within a whisker of making my list, and unfortunately Tony didn't qualify because of the 100 game stipulation.

We were indeed privileged to have seen the players who graced Goodison during the 1966 World Cup campaign, and although Brazil didn't do as well as they had hoped, they brought a carnival atmosphere to L4, that we had never seen before, and are not likely to see again.

Hi Rick [37] you will have read the first paragraph of my reply to Laurie [36] I feel a little embarrassed but appreciative of the good wishes that have been extended to me, and I think it's indicative of the football supporter in general and the Evertonian in particular, we are indeed a family in the true sense;my sincere thanks to everyone.

I too was in G64 and my lasting memory (and I expressed my opinion at the time)] was that I think there were more than 100,000 in Wembley on that day, because the particular section that we were in resembled the "Kop on Derby day"

I've thoroughly enjoyed writing the articles, and I've made no secret of the fact that I have had to do some research, to which I have tried to add some personal experiences, it seems to have worked in the end.

Hi Lenny [38,] I think you would agree that trying to pick a "best eleven players" would be nigh on impossible, and selecting "Favourites" while slightly easier is still a daunting task. I believe that some of the players, who I witnessed through the eyes of a schoolboy, may have caused raised eyebrows among the younger "Webbers" but those of a certain age would, [I think] understand.

The understanding that you suggest, existed between Dave Thomas and Bob Latchford, was equally evident between Johnny Morrissey and Joe Royle, this is something you won't find in a coaching manual, it comes under the heading of natural ability.

Hi Ray [39], yes it was a bit of a rough ride and while I believe it will be a slow recovery period, I will try to keep my one finger typing method in working order, whether it produces pearls of wisdom, I'm not so sure.

You will have noted what I have written in response to other posters regarding Johnny Morrissey, and how close he came to being included in my "Favourites", however, I think you've missed the point when you name, Southall, Kendall, Ball, Harvey. Wilson, Ratcliffe, Kay, and Sharp. and then ask the question, "Were we so spoilt for choice that those players can't get in a best XI side?"

The title of the article is "Favourites aren't always the best" I have stressed throughout that I would find it impossible to select a "Best XI".

Sharpe, second-highest Everton scorer but who would we place with him who would form a better partnership than Young and Vernon?

Maybe you can start a new series of what you think would be your best team, and in their correct formation? As you say, not your favourites but your best team. Maybe that will keep you busy!

This old age business is a bit of a bloomin nuisance eh'. I have enjoyed very much your contribution to this marvellous fanzine .

Your article about Tommy Eglington brought back great memories. I stand to be corrected but the weather in Doncaster was freezing and Tommy scored all his 5 goals were right-foot swingers. Tommy was well known with his 'other' foot, the right one.

The game was played on Saturday September 27th at Goodison, a mild autumn day as I recall, and although I was at the game (a 14-year-old schoolboy), I can't remember the goals, but I find it highly unlikely that they were right-footed efforts because Tommy was predominately left footed.

I'm sure that someone will be able to shed some light on the subject.

I never saw us play until 1985, so almost all of what I know of Everton's deeper history is from Faith of Our Families and Everton Crazy (thanks to Messrs Corbett and France) and while neither of those books is indexed, I'm pretty sure they never mentioned Tommy Eglington. Or Alex Scott, Alex Parker or Jock Lindsay for that matter.

So you sharing your distant memories is a real gift.

So, truly, John, it makes me happy to see you are better. I hope you do improve and you can take your grandson to another game.

It's a fitting way to end the series. One of the best we've had here on ToffeeWeb and you can see the esteem everyone holds you in. You're a top guy and the kind of Evertonian we all want to be. I wish you the best of health.

Good luck to you too, Brian.

If you only started watching Everton in 1985, it was a good time to be introduced to the experience; three years after my initiation Everton were relegated to the Second Division, and I had to wait a further 12 years before tasting success.

I find it difficult to believe that neither of the authors you mention have referenced the likes of Tommy Eglington, Alex Scott, or Alex Parker; there may be a case for overlooking Jock Lindsay, although he played a major part in the promotion efforts of 1954, an important event in the history of Everton Football Club.

Hi Steve [47] whatever people think of my articles, you must take a little of the praise or blame, because it was down to your encouragement that I was prompted to undertake the task.

It isn't exactly the last episode in the "Favourites" theme, because I have decided to appoint a manager to get the best out of the eleven players I have selected.

If it's as you suggest, that I'm held in esteem by fellow Webbers, then I'm flattered and regard it as a special event in my life. I am what I am, and I've always tried to treat people with respect, whatever their point of view.

First game I saw was the 1966 FA Cup Final. Watching on Irish TV, that was the only game we saw each season. They cut off to the Curragh for a horse race in the 2nd half with the score at 2-0. When they came back I couldn't believe I heard the commentator say it was 2-2. A far cry from the communications age we live in now. Everton used to come over regularly for friendlies with Shamrock Rovers back in the late 60's. See list here Link

When I start my own favourites series, I won't have a problem picking my right back. I heard recently he was playing football with the kids in his native Killybegs last Summer. He headed off and they thought he had gone home. Then he returned with ice cream for all.
I have really enjoyed your series. Take good care.

Everton did indeed play quite a lot of friendlies in Ireland, there were strong links as witness the number of Irish players they signed.

Am I allowed to hazard a guess as to the identity of the right back you will pick in your "Favourite team ?, it's a complete stab in the dark, but what the heck, could it be Seamus Coleman?

HI Bill [51] your observations regarding Ted Buckle and Jimmy Tansey, come as no surprise to me and lads of my era, they operated in an age when the footballer and the working man were closer in social standing and in financial reward.

The maximum wage for a footballer was 㿀 per week but very few would have received that sum I believe that Everton players were paid 㾼 with a win and draw bonus during the season, and 㾸 in the close season, but that compared favourably with the ٣ or ٤ that the working man received for five and a half day's toil.

Today's footballers are yesterdays film stars, they are cossetted from the age of seven or eight, and the one's who make it to the top have no connection to the working man. Maybe I'm being a bit hard on them, because there are always exceptions to the rule, so I'll rephrase that by saying, "Many of them have no connection to the working man".

Hi Rick [52] you will have read in some of my responses that Johnny Morrissey was a whisker away from being included in my "Favourites" eleven.

It seems that the expression "Great minds think alike" should occur to me at this time, because whenever I discuss Johnny Morrissey I always say that he and John Robertson of Nottingham Forest were cast in the same mould, neither were what you could call speed merchants, but neither were they slouches, they had the ability to beat full backs at walking pace and with the drop of the shoulder.

Another two players who I thought were from the same mould, were Steve Heighway and Tommy Hutchinson, leggy with an electrifying turn of pace.

I too have a great regard for Derek Temple, and I have had the pleasure of being in his company once or twice, a true gentleman. The thing that places Derek above many of his peers was his ability to play in every position, from outside right to outside left, which he did for Everton.

I remember him being interviewed on Radio Merseyside and when he was asked, "What was the highlight of your career?" I expected him to reply "Scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final" but no, his proudest moment was winning his solitary International cap for England, Being considered the best English outside left was definitely his proudest moment.

Rick I'm still trying to find someone who can confirm that my Auntie Nora taught Nel Tarleton to dance at Pepper's dance hall, on the corner of Everton Road and Aubrey Street, but I'm afraid there's no one alive who can verify it.

Can anyone help me with my failing memories of his battles against the horrible Man Utd right back John Fitzpatrick, please? I can remember him trying to clog Morrisey but Johnny was far too canny and put his foot in first on several occasions.

Despite this, I can recall a baying Goodison calling for Fitzpatrick's blood during at least one night match. But were there two night matches, over consecutive seasons? Was Fitzpatrick sent off? And did he say after one of them that he would never play at Goodison again?

I recall that Shankly was on his holidays and Morrisey was sold without his knowledge.

Trying to respond to your questions. Referring to the excellent Everton Results website:-

1. The 69-70 and 70-71 home games were both midweek night games and Fitzpatrick played right back against Mogsy in both of them. Shay Brennan had played at right back for them before that.

2. I cannot see any reference to blood-baying in those games, nor of Fitzpatrick being sent off (a precursor to red cards for our younger readers).

3. As to what he is reported to have said, I think his Mum may know.

If you were at the latter game, Peter, you witnessed a most unusual sight – one of Tommy Wright's 4 league goals spanning over 370 league games for the club. He clearly specialised in scoring important goals and I was in attendance later in the 69-70 season when he also scored the only goal of the game against Nottm Forest.

My #2 favourite right back after Alex Parker.

Young and Ball in the same team against Best & Charlton

I know you and John Mc are very careful in your use of correct language, so let's just say the very loud chant went up (to the tune of “On Ilkley Moor ‘baht hat”) “You dirty little twit”!

Not a pleasant experience, but as I say, I believe that was the beginning of the decades of football violence. I have spoken to many younger fans over the years when violence was at its height, and their reaction was "It's always been like this" – they couldn't believe that opposition supporters stood side by side with very little trouble. Obviously with crowds of 50,000 upwards, you are going to get isolated incidents but, in the main, the football supporter was well-behaved.

I'm just putting the finishing touches to my "Favourites article" where I divulge the identity of my favourite Everton manager, and the seven players who so nearly made the team.

Firstly I hope you make a full recovery, and although you have had to call time on your visits to Goodison, I hope this doesn't mean we won't see any more excellent articles from yourself. My Grandson accompanies me to the games and I just hope that he along with your Grandson can have the chance to experience the quality of player that you and I watched.

As you can see from the many posters, this series you put together has been very well received and created a great deal of debate which I suspect you knew might happen. Football is all about opinions so for me Ball and Wilson would have to feature in my all-time Everton team.

Funny you should mention Ray Veal, I remember watching him play one of his early games away at Burnley. They had I think Angus and Elder both international full-backs, but Ray took them apart and hit the crossbar from 25 yards.

I heard a story and you know what this City is like for rumours about footballers, apparently some fans had tipped off Catterick about young Ray liking a drink. So the story goes that he sent his assistant Egglestone to keep an eye on him on a Saturday night.

When Egglestone came in on the Monday, Catterick asked how things went he said "I followed him from pub to club until, at 2:00 am, I called it a day. Sadly, Ray's first team stint was short lived. How true this story is, I have no idea, but there were rumours about that time over Ray's drinking habits.

Great to have you back. Enjoyed the series and look forward to another one soon!

I only make this comment because you brought him up in your excellent post and Alex Elder happens to be a very close family friend.

I think I've told this tale before, but here goes anyway. I worked for the John West company in Walter Street, just off the Dock Road, and a couple of days before the season started, a Liverpool supporter said to me "Have you seen what this 17-year-old kid from Blackpool has said, the Kop doesn't frighten me" The 17-year-old kid was Alan Ball, and the Kop didn't frighten him either, because while we were at Turf Moor, he was helping Blackpool to beat Liverpool at Anfield.

To return to Ray Veall, the stories were rife in the city, I heard that he was living in digs, and was being moved from place to place because of his behaviour, mainly concerning his drinking habits.

Thank you for your good wishes, I am feeling better by the day but I think it's going to take a while; when I entered hospital I weighed 11st 10lb, last week I weighed in at 9st 8lb, and this morning I flexed my muscles at an astonishing 10st 2lb onwards and upwards eh.

I have an idea for another topic, but I'll have to give it a bit more thought, the subject I'm considering doesn't give much scope for research, but if I take it on I'll do my best to make it interesting and thought-provoking.

You are correct that Eggo is the only winger to score five in a league game. I think Jimmy Harris scored five in a friendly game against a Dutch team in a midweek floodlit match in the fifties.

Just to add that your relative Alex Elder was one of the best full backs around at the time, I don't know if you got to see him play or not. What a great pity he broke his leg before he could play in the World X1 against the legendary Pele.

They used to hold a few World X1 games then, pity they cant be revived now to maybe play the European Champions or the South American Champions.

Thanks for that... that was brilliant!

6 players 21 or under, proving if you're good enough you're old enough and Alex Young too... briiliance. Character talent and leadership from all on the pitch.

Oh and I know it was in black and white but you can determine the 'proper' Royal Blue of the shirt there too (whatever happened to that?

Wonderful days!

You should trust your instincts because I was abroad and with it being a friendly, I have no knowledge of it, I just Googled it.

Thanks for your quick response, John, I'll try and give you a few more posers in the next few weeks, not too many, just a few now and again, to keep your mind ticking over.

Keep getting better, John, and not doing too much too soon, best regards.