Everton History Treasured Memories of a Bygone Age — Part 3 Continuing the theme of players I have seen in my boyhood, adolescent, and adult life. John McFarlane [Senior] 10/05/2019 17comments | Jump to last Continuing the theme of players I have seen in my boyhood, adolescent, and adult life. Goalkeeper: Ted Burgin. Sheffield United, Doncaster Rovers, Leeds United and Rochdale. A dark-haired acrobatic goalie, who for a long time, was on the brink of international honours, Ted Burgin eventually had to settle for 2 England 'B' appearances. Whilst playing for Alford Town in Lincolnshire, he wrote to Sheffield United for a trial, before signing in March 1949. He was a regular at Bramall Lane until the advent of the brilliant Alan Hodgkinson, whose early displays soon warranted a regular first-team place. Not happy to be a long-term understudy, the once prospective international goalkeeper moved to Doncaster Rovers, and a few months later, in March 1958, to Leeds United. He later went on to Rochdale and gave sterling service. My personal memory of Ted Burgin is from the 1954-55 season and Everton's first game on our return to the First Division. I, along with a mate, travelled to Bramall Lane and we were informed by locals that Ted Burgin was to be the next England goalkeeper. Needless to say that, when the score was 5-2 to Everton, we had to beat a hasty retreat to the far end of the ground; this meant going via the cricket pitch, a considerable distance. Right back: John Angus. Burnley & England. John Angus was taken on by Burnley from Amble Boys Club on amateur terms in 1954 and became professional on his 17th birthday in September 1955. He made his First Division debut in the 1956-57 season as a right back, giving early warning that he was one to take due note of, becoming a polished defender. He graduated from youth honours and under-23s to an England cap in 1961 against Austria in Vienna. He won a League Championship medal in 1960 which was followed by a runners-up medal in the FA Cup Final against Tottenham Hotspur in their well-nigh-invincible glory years. A loyal team member, John played for over 15 years before bowing out finally in 1971-72. Left back: Graham Shaw, Sheffield United, Doncaster Rovers & England A classy left back of the highest order, Shaw came through the Sheffield United nursery on leaving school. Whilst at school, he gained a reputation as an all-round sportsman, winning an England ABA boxing title and playing cricket for Yorkshire Colts. He made his debut at Bramall Lane in March 1952, almost immediately becoming a regular until 1965, thereafter playing only sporadically. He formed a long-standing partnership with Cecil Coldwell, during which time he gained a Second Division medal in 1952-53. He also played for England on 5 occasions after representing the Football League and playing for the under-23s. His younger brother, Bernard, was also a prominent Sheffield United defender, and at one time they partnered each other at the back. Right half: Bobby Robson. Fulham, West Bromwich Albion & England. Bobby Robson first joined Fulham in 1950, later forming part of the brilliant trio with Johnny Haynes and Bedford Jezzard, for whom Newcastle United offered a record fee which was turned down. Constructive, sound and very stylish, he was great at going forward, and excelling either at wing half or inside forward. Transferred to the Albion in March 1956 for £25,000, he was capped two years later, playing 20 times for England, before going back to Fulham in August 1962 for a fee of £20,000. On retiring from League football he had made 584 appearances, and went on to become a highly successful manager with Ipswich Town and England. I believe I'm right in saying that Bobby Robson was in the Fulham side the day Everton won the League Championship in 1963. Centre-half: Mike England. Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham Hotspur, Cardiff City & Wales. A tall defender, England developed with Blackburn Rovers junior sides, not establishing himself as a regular until 1963-64, despite having been capped at Under-23 level previously. He became a tremendous centre-half of quality: cool, calm and collected, with great skill for one of giant stature. Tottenham Hotspur reckoned the young man to be one of the key players to rebuild their once famous side, signing him in August 1966. Within a year, he had picked up an FA Cup winners medal against Chelsea. After playing 300 League games for Spurs, he decided to finish his career back in his native Wales with Cardiff City. Left-half: Ray Barlow. West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City & England. A tall blond, attacking left-half, Ray Barlow after waiting many years in the shadows, finally won an England cap against Ireland in 1954. He was one of the best wing halves of that period, with a long stride and a terrific shot. Converted from an inside-forward, championing the long pass, Ray Barlow was almost 'Buchanesque' in style and technique. Charles Buchan od Sunderland and Arsenal in the early 20th Century. Often playing up front, he was always a danger within shooting distance. He signed for neighbours Birmingham City, finishing a career that was really incomplete, due to a distinct lack of international honours, although he was the proud possessor of a 1954 FA Cup winners medal gained against Preston North End. Share article: Reader Comments (17) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Bill Watson 1 Posted 11/05/2019 at 14:20:30 John; thanks for reminding me of some of the players from my youth. I well remember John Angus as being part of that brilliant Burnley side of the late 1950's early '60s. Sadly, in today's world a club like Burnley would never be allowed to assemble such a star studded team. Even in those times they tended to sell a player a year. Probably because I admired that side so much Burnley is my 'second' team.Bobby Robson was a really cultured player and obviously a thinker.I always thought England to be more in the Dave Watson mould rather than being a bit more cultured. Dave Abrahams 2 Posted 11/05/2019 at 15:12:16 I was at that 5-2 game when Burgin played, did Joe Shaw play in that game, Joe was a classy centre half, small to play in that position but used his head and positioning ability to get him out of trouble, like Howard Kendall he was destined never to win an English cap although thought he was more than good enough, I'm not sure if he was related to Graham Shaw who I recall and he was capped.John Angus was a tall right back and a big part of that excellent Burnley team unlucky to come along at the same time as that fabulous Spurs team.Mike England another good centre half, were Everton interested in signing him at one tiBobby Robson a very experienced wing half / inside forward who knew the game inside out which he proved as a manager as well with a few clubs including Ipswich, Barcelona and of course England.Ray Barlow, remember him well, one of my favourite players at the time, huge left half, I think he played in the game cup final vPNE in 1964.As Bill Watson says above thanks for the memories of long ago. Dave Abrahams 3 Posted 11/05/2019 at 15:17:25 That cup final game would have been 1954 not 1964. John McFarlane Snr 4 Posted 11/05/2019 at 18:53:27 Hi Bill [1] My recollection of Mike England is one of a tall, commanding centre half, unafraid to venture forward with the ball, but time does have a habit of contorting the truth. Hi Dave [3] It was indeed 1954. I recall Ronnie Allen scoring from the penalty spot, while at the other end goalkeeper Norman Heath was leaning against the upright, afraid to watch. The 1964 final saw Preston North End lose to West Ham United, Howard Kendall playing in that game. Joe Shaw and Graham were not related, and although Joe Shaw was never capped, he did represent the Football League. October 10th 1958 versus Scotland at Ibrox a 1-1 draw Brian Clough scoring for the Football League, and November 12th 1958 a 5-2 win over the Irish League at Anfield the goals being scored by Len White [Newcastle United] 3. Johnny Haynes and Alan A'Court. You may have been at that game Dave,I was about 3 thousand miles away soldiering in Cyprus. Incidentally, both Graham and Joe Shaw played in those games. I'm sticking my neck out by saying this. but I believe that Alf Ringstead and Jimmy Hagan played in the 5-2 Everton victory, I have no way to confirm that claim, and after all, it was 65 years ago. Dave Abrahams 5 Posted 11/05/2019 at 21:19:59 John (4), no I wasn't at that football match between the English and Irish league, don't know why because I was football daft then, well even now, and like you you I can't recall if Alf Ringsread an outside right, or Jimmy Hagen a brilliant scheming inside right played in that game.I think you might have to check one of your books John on the WBA goalkeeper who watched the penalty being taken at the other end of the ground, it was a famous photo the next day in the papers, but I think the goalie's name was Sanders? Andy Meighan 6 Posted 11/05/2019 at 21:55:46 Brilliant stuff, John. I haven't heard of Bergin Shaw and Angus before but I'll take your word that they were great players. Obviously Robson I've heard of because he was a great manager and, by all accounts, an absolute gentleman. I vaguely remember Mike England in the mid to late 60s as this big imposing centre half and used to frighten the life out of me everytime I saw his picture. Can blues of a certain vintage recall that he was close to getting the Everton manager's job in the 70s or have I dreamt that? I'm sure yourself or Dave will correct me on that, John, but I'm sure I'm right. John McFarlane Snr 7 Posted 11/05/2019 at 22:43:44 Hi Dave[5] I stand corrected, it was indeed Jim Sanders. I've established that November 12th 1958 was a Wednesday, and as Liverpool and Everton had installed floodlights in 1957, the Football League game against the League of Ireland would presumably, have been an evening game. I'll see what I can find out about it. Peter Mills 8 Posted 12/05/2019 at 08:17:10 Andy#6, After the (in)famous 0-0 draw against Coventry at Goodison on 31 December 1983, we got back to the car and switched on the radio for “Sports Reportâ€. I'm pretty sure it was Stuart Hall who reported on our match. He concluded with comments to the effect that Howard Kendall's job was in severe jeopardy, Mike England had been spotted in the Main Stand at the game, and strong rumours were circulating that he was going to be appointed to take over.It was a dark moment as, despite the frustration of the time, Howard was much-loved. Any mention of the “petition†to have him removed from the job still rankles with me - I do have memories of a scratty piece of paper being passed around at a previous match and it received very short shrift. John McFarlane Snr 9 Posted 12/05/2019 at 12:35:10 Hi Dave [5] a bit more on the Jim Sanders-Norman Heath subject, ""In 1954 West Bromwich Albion player Norman Heath was looking forward to playing in an FA Cup final against Preston North End, a match which West Brom won 3-2.But after playing in the Semi-Final, Heath's career came to an abrupt end, he suffered severe back and neck injuries in a match against Sunderland, and was forced to retire from the game, and had to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life.Despite being unable to play in the Cup Final, Heath was awarded an FA Cup winners medal, and his team-mates took the trophy to his hospital bedside". Dave Abrahams 10 Posted 12/05/2019 at 13:17:40 Peter(8), strangely enough earlier that season versus Coventry City in the league cup when we were very lucky to get through,that was the game when the Kendall out leaflets were distributed, late in that game Peter Reid was brought on as a sub and changed the game forEverton,Peter hadn't been used much prior to that by Howard,more importantly the next day Colin Harvey was appointed first team coach, a massive help to Howard. That is whyI always look back on the Coventry game as the one that changed Everton' andHoward's fortune, not the Oxford Unt. game which many point to as the beginning of our great run of winning silverware. Peter Mills 11 Posted 12/05/2019 at 13:25:54 Dave#10, that would be right, I remember it being a night match with a low attendance. Dave Abrahams 12 Posted 12/05/2019 at 13:29:58 Peter (11), yes I think it was around 10,000 or a bit more,don't know who scored in that game but I think Graeme Sharp was hobbling around injured, so we may have used up the subs. Peter Mills 13 Posted 12/05/2019 at 13:47:39 Just as well Dave, the hobbling Sharpy scored a 90th minute winner! Rick Tarleton 14 Posted 12/05/2019 at 19:33:36 I remember and saw all these players. Robson and England were absolutely top-drawer players and all of the others including Burgin were international class. I think Barlow only made one international appearance, but he was the dynamo of that excellent Brom team that won the cup in '54 and finished runners-up I'm the league. Thanks John, for this trip. Andy Crooks 15 Posted 12/05/2019 at 19:47:33 Great stuff, John, but Mike England? Slow and, well...slow. John McFarlane Snr 16 Posted 12/05/2019 at 21:09:20 Hi Peter [10] and Dave [11]. they were dark days for us, the attendance for the Coventry game was 9,080 and the average attendance for League games was 19,343. Although I would have undoubtedly been there, I have no recollection of proceedings, I do however remember the unrest, but there was no evidence of an organised protest in the section of the Upper Bullens stand, where I sat at that time.I think that people will have their own views on when and where the recovery took place, as in your case Dave, the opinion that it took place on that League Cup evening at Goodison. Some will favour the Cup game at Stoke where Howard Kendall is reported to have opened the dressing room window and said, "Listen to those supporters, now go out and win for them." And then there is the Oxford United game and the Adrian Heath goal. I believe that each event played a significant part in the resurgence of our fortunes. Hi Rick [14] you are correct in stating that Ray Barlow only won one international cap, against Northern Ireland in a 2-0 victory, with the goals coming from Johnny Haynes and Don Revie, you are also correct in saying that West Bromwich Albion finished as runners up in Division one, but you will appreciate that my mind was elsewhere that season [1953/54].Hi Andy [15] your memories do not coincide with mine regarding Mike England, but I have learned over the years that two supporters could next to each other, and watch the same match but see a different game. Rick Tarleton 17 Posted 13/05/2019 at 17:36:52 I thought Mike England particularly in his Spurs years was excellent. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. 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