Gordon Watson… One of Us

It doesn’t spoil the content, though.

At the tail end of the 1969-70 season, I won a Promotions Department trip to the away game v Sheffield Wednesday. We'd just clinched the title v West Brom a few days earlier and this was the penultimate game of the season. Gordon, resplendent in club blazer and tie, was in charge of the coach.

In those pre-M62 days, the route was over the Pennines. About half way there, Gordon asked the driver to pull into a pub which had a large car park.

As we were getting off the coach the licensee came running out and said to Gordon, "Didn't you see the No Coaches sign? You lot can't come in here."

Gordon; "It's OK landlord. I'm Gordon Watson and we're from Everton Football Club".

Landlord; "I don't care if you're the Pope on a trip from the Vatican. No Coaches; you're not coming in".

At that, we all got back on the coach and Gordon said, "Well, that was telling us, wasn't it? I hope the team bus doesn't call in on the way home."

What I recall of the match was that Wednesday dominated with Whitham hitting the woodwork a few times but we won 0-1 courtesy of Morrissey. I think they were relegated!

Gordon was a lovely unassuming bloke and took the time to chat to some random young bloke (me) about some of the greats he'd played with.

On another note, doesn't Gordon's caricature look like James Rodriguez?!

Odd how many of the great players of past eras were 5'-3" or even shorter. Today, they'd never even make it into the academies and would be lost forever in the lower leagues.

Lyndon #3, I was going to say Bryan Oviedo, but you may be closer to accurate.

I remember travelling there at least 3 times in January 1988 when I think we played Sheffield Wednesday about 5 times in one month. Including an early kick-off on New Year's Day.

On the article, what a great story. It reminds us of what it means to be Everton. We shouldn't rest on our laurels or remain in the past and strive to build new history.

But our heritage reminds us of who we are and why we still have expectations for this club of ours, no matter how difficult recent times have been. We always will have expectation. That isn't getting beaten out of me. Never.

My Grandfather used to speak fondly about Joe Mercer. When you read his story, and if you believe the accounts of how the club apparently treated him, it is a shame. Apart from a certain generation, not really a name recounted amongst younger Evertonians and more revered by Manchester City.

I like the mention of 'keepers being "nutters". They are. Every good keeper is a shouter and a unique character. I've played and argued with many!!

Southall, Schmeichel, even our current incumbent Jordan Pickford. As a centre-back, I know what they're like!!

Leadership and shouting, what a great callout. Players should get annoyed with each other and point out mistakes. For the modern generation, watch the interviews with Kevin Ratcliffe and Peter Reid on Howard's Way. Colin Harvey giving both barrels. We fight together, lose together and win together. But if standards aren't met, we tell people, even our team mates.

The account of Tom Jones dribbling out of defence. Fast forward to John Stones. Whereas, by the report, Jones delighted the crowd, we collectively got on John Stones's back, wanting him to hit Row Z or Stanley Park. He has since proven how good he is and has the medals to demonstrate it. Pre-judgement springs to mind. Although I'll caveat that the knowledgeable Goodison crowd knew this was in the context of playing in a poor team as opposed to one on its way to a League title.

The comment of having too much too soon is as relevant now as it was then. Young players thrust into the limelight with high expectation. Built up to be knocked down.

I watched Southall and he was definitely World Class. The call on Ray Wilson intrigues me. Young, Ball, Kendall and Harvey stole the show of that generation and get the plaudits. I don't hear a lot about Ray Wilson, but he was a World Cup winner. Interested in views of those who watched him.

The bit on coaching and ability to demonstrate. You don't have to be the best player. The methodology I use is what I was taught. EDIP: Explain, Demonstrate, Imitate, Practice. You can add an R to that: Repeat.

Colin Harvey is simply the biggest Evertonian ever.

Kanchelskis was a coup and exciting to watch. That derby at Anfield when he scored twice. I was in amongst the cousins that day with my brother. It didn't bother me and I was giving as good as I was getting, but he was nervous. I guess that's a generational thing. I can always stand up to them and always will. I do at weddings, funerals, Christenings and Christmas!!

Another player mentioned. Bobby Collins. Again, another I know about but never really hear him revered like some of the previous players that have graced Goodison Park. Seems to be more linked in Leeds folklore than Everton. I'd be interested in views.

Finally, '39, '63, '70 or '85: Who were the best? I suppose that is down to generation and opinion. For me, it remains the 84-85 side.

The 86-87 side remain under-rated for their achievement in difficult circumstances. The other forgotten Champions?

Let's look forward to that 10th League Title. I like even numbers. And can we please win the League Cup?

Fascinating read. Thank you, David.

Ball to Arsenal was heartbreaking at the time, but he was just over his peak; Colins was approaching his.

I have to admit my heart sank a little to see Torry Gillick described as ‘not an out-and-out sprinter', as he features a fair amount and I basically portray him as a light-speed-like cross between DC Comics ‘The Flash' and Frank Spencer clinging to the back of a double-decker bus while on roller skates.

A brief snippet if anyone is interested:

Whether the satanic hand of Lucifer, some lads he happened to know, or simple happenstance of locality lay behind his selection of club, it took nearly the span of a full decade for them to truly sink their claws in. The shiny allure of a Championship trophy, combined with the stylish aesthetic of an Everton side later described as the most ‘scientific' of the lot, ultimately sealed the deal. Basically, he was a bloody ‘silent generation' glory boy. Yet, who could blame him?

T G Jones striding forward from the back, slaloming past opposition players in his own box and spreading the ball about the pitch like a specialist playmaker. A proto-Franz Beckenbauer, or John Stones sans the costly slip-ups and jittery cries of “just sodding hoof it!!” coming from the stands. An obvious class figure in the days when defensive instruction mainly consisted of “go out and deck the fucker!”

Excellent in possession, unparalleled in the air, prolific in front of goal, and able to silently suffer a broken beak brought about by a tumble better than Emu after Rod Hull suggested the pair go take a proper look at that tatty old aerial; Tommy Lawton became the First Division's top scorer for the second season in a row.

The immense performances of the slight but brave Ted Sagar, putting his body in the way of shots, plucking balls off the head of ogre-like strikers and racking up eighteen clean sheets en route to the title.

The bow-legged brilliance of Joe Mercer, a tough-tackling trooper to whom no lost cause was beyond turning around. Getting his boot to balls that not even Mr Fantastic would bother stretching for and bursting forward before his challenger could figure out he was connecting with nothing but fresh air.

Then there was his first true favourite, Torry Gillick. Less heralded than others, but a rapid livewire capable of leaving defenders tearing their hair out on his day.

These were the players who first captured his youthful imagination. The swaggering, all-conquering side he snatched welcome second-half glances of on a matchday, when the crowd of skint kids gathering outside Goodison were gratefully ushered in for free…..

During the sixties, Ray Wilson was reckoned by many experts to be the best left-back in the world. It was a pity he enjoyed only four seasons with us before injury struck.

Until Leighton Baines arrived, Wilson was always first choice in our Greatest XI since the early sixties. The fact that we can now debate whether or not Baines was better than Wilson is testimony to Baines's impact as an attacking full-back in the modern era.

The emphasis in full-back play in the sixties was essentially on the defensive aspect of the game. The overlapping full-back only came to the fore after Wilson had retired, with Terry Cooper of Leeds arguably the first exponent at top level.

Wilson was a master of defensive play, calmness personified with incredible powers of recovery to catch wingers, win possession, and move the ball forward quickly and accurately. His crosses from deep positions were floated into danger areas, ideal for forwards with aerial ability like Joe Royle.

I remember he would often produce his party piece with a hooked overhead clearance inside his own penalty area. That always earned cheers from the Goodison faithful. Without doubt an all-time great, Ray was a player I consider privileged to have seen in the royal blue shirt.

Despite being an '80s teenager, I always say Leighton Baines was the best Everton left-back I've seen.

Not a left-back, but left-sided player, I am optimistic about McNeil. Touching on your point, his delivery can be lethal if we get someone on the end of it and he also has goals in him.

Talking of left-footed Everton greats…

No, I best hadn't go there!!!!

It's interesting that Gordon thought his team of 38-39 was the equal of the 84-85 side, but not the Champions of 69-70. My Dad watched all three and thought the pre-war outfit was the best we've ever had. I always thought his stories about T G Jones dribbling along his own goal-line must be exaggerated; it seems not.

I was only aged 8-13 when Ramon Wilson played for us, but even then I loved watching him. Everything he did had class about it, he had great positional sense, he would jockey his opposing winger and then pounce with a lightning-fast hard but fair tackle. In those days when a goalie could pick up a back pass, Ramon would always chip the ball into their hands, he wouldn't have them having to bend down to pick it up. Like Danny's hero, Kevin Sheedy, he had no right foot – he didn't need one.

I had the good fortune to meet Mr Wilson (I wouldn't have dreamt of calling him “Ray”) a couple of times and he was a very humble gentleman.

Thank you for the article, Dr France.

The same thing happened to Everton in 1914 when they were Champions at the start of World War One. Then there was Heysel, when again we were Champions.

I read some time ago that Bobby Charlton observed as a football club, Everton had a tendency to be very unlucky.

Anyway, the article is superb.

I was only a boy of 7 or 8 when I watched T G Jones but what a player! He was majestic or even immaculate in everything he did on those muddy pitches.

He would come off the field at the end of the game with his white shorts still clean. He never went to ground but got his tackles in at the right time, then came away with the ball and seemed to rarely waste his passes. I've never forgotten him because he was unforgettable, to me, as an outstanding footballer.

Lyndon, you might change the spelling of Wally Boyes instead of Wally Bowes. He was a player I saw for Everton reserves after the war. His nickname by Gordon Watson made me laugh: “Curly” – he hardly had a hair on his head.

I think Gordon was a bit hard on Cliff Britton as a manager, just mentioning him as the manager when Everton got relegated. He could have added that Cliff was the same manager who got them promoted 3 years later with exactly the same squad who were relegated. He never signed a player, or wasn't allowed to, during the time we were in the Second Division, although I acknowledge that Gordon had Cliff in his all-time great Everton team.

Baines was undoubtedly the best left-back in the Premier League era and I'd put him ahead of Ashley Cole but maybe that's my Blue bias. Neither can be compared to Ray Wilson who was, quite simply, the best left-back in the world, in his own era and since then. Truly world class and, unbelievably, he played most of his football in the old Division 2

John #11,

Going on our past record, I half expected Britain to be dragged into the Vietnam conflict after we won the League in 1963!!

Huddersfield Town must have had some great scouts as they also had Denis Law and their fans must have been gutted to lose both Law and later, Wilson. How times have changed in that we're now in a similar situation where we have difficulty hanging on to our best players.

Well done, Bill!

Tomorrow hopefully a win v Wigan and the romance of this season's Wheel of Fortune begins.

100% mentally more confident, YOY, in that Everton have a manager and team this season who connect to players and put practice to theory to practice.

If, and Bournemouth, the bad week away last season, but that is history. Frank should have resigned, imho.

A good turn up and salute tomorrow, Sean Dyche deserves it but Evertonians deserve it!

UTFTs! “What's Our Name?”

More seriously, I was interested to note that, in the 'all-time greats' musings, no mention is made of Tony Kay. He was just before my time, but older relatives and my late brother said he was something special.

I remember meeting Gordon Watson in the late ‘80s when he gave tours of Goodison. Nothing formal or structured like the tours of today, but when you could go for a meal in one of the conference suites during the week (eg, to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday), then receive an informal tour of the ‘Grand Old Lady' with Gordon as the host.

As an aside, the food was always excellent and not expensive. It wasn't ‘prawn sandwich brigade' but delicious at a fair price. A look around the main, but small, souvenir shop on Goodison Road, next to the ticket office would always follow.

Gordon played for Everton well before my time, or my parents', but filled us and our family with stories of players past & then present. His love of Everton shone through and he came across as a gentleman.

Some great and interesting comments from other ToffeeWebbers on this article too (thanks for sharing).

In terms of ‘best team from which era', I've only been lucky or old enough to witness those of the '80s onwards. Like Danny, Sheedy is up there for me too in terms of favourite ever players and that wand of a left foot. That ‘85 team was absolutely brilliant. Skill, Pace, Fight, Power and Passion. Here's hoping we get to see another side like that in Royal Blue soon.

Andrei approved the Kanchelskis likeness. Remember, they are caricatures. All have been approved by the living subjects.

Only three were redrawn: Billy Bingham, Peter Johnson and you-know-who.

Yes, Tony Kay – who was coached by Watson – was a terrific Everton footballer for about 18 months until banned. But seriously, his contributions don't compare with those of Harvey, Mercer or Reid.

I think he modelled the idea of a Hall of Fame celebrating Everton players (and others) on numerous American institutions that had sprung up by the end of the 20th Century, but I don't know if they used the same device.

Perhaps the caricatures look a little cartoonish and somewhat anachronistic to the modern eye. But it's interesting to note that some of the old cigarette cards catalogued in the Good Doctor's first (?) Everton book, Toffee Cards, are indeed caricatures with the same oddly exaggerated head size.

Indeed, glancing through the illustrations at Gwladys Street's Hall of Fame website, the intensified emphasis on ears, nose, teeth, complexion and other visual idiosyncrasies makes most of them look rather comical. I don't know if that was the intention.

The very definition of a caricature is an illustration which takes an aspect of a character and exaggerates it, eg, Tony Blair's teeth or Gary Lineker's ears. Unfortunately, I don't think Andrei had any such features, other than perhaps his Slavonic high cheekbones.

It's a style which has gone a bit out of fashion now, presumably because we live in a more sensitive age. Apart from politicians (they are always fair game).

I apologise if anyone was offended, and certainly I have nothing but admiration for the work of the good Doctor, and the other custodians of our club's history.

Napoleon Bonaparte, for example, is still generally thought of as being so small he would struggle to come out on top in an aerial battle with Neil Maupay (he wasn't), but this is largely due to the many, many caricatures that proliferated over the years and portrayed him with a tiny body, massive head and humongous hat.

By design, the PAK caricatures are meant to be old-fashioned and unique in order to create the occasional smile as well as stand the test of time. They allow all players from St Domingo to the Premier League to be presented in colour and in the same format. Believe me, the comprehensive portfolio is almost as amazing as the research involved. There are first-teamers, reserves, trialists, loanees, youth players, managers, coaches and directors from pre-League, League and war-time eras. Only three League players are missing plus some one-game wonders from the pre-league era. Also new director John Spellman appears to be elusive.

You were correct that they were introduced in the days of the Hall of Fame and over the past 25 years have exploded to include 2,205 images and counting. Other clubs have tackled similar initiatives to the Former-Players’ Foundation, Hall of Fame, Everton Collection, Heritage Society, War memorials and library of books (sadly Gwladys Street’s Blue Book is the least impressive of the 19), but I doubt if any will be as ambitious or daft enough to commit the resources towards creating a family album like The Toffeemen. The style has been fine-tuned by Peter King over the years - less exaggeration and more detail. Not all meet David’s standards. About 60 caricatures have been rejected by him and three by the subjects – the latter requiring hair transplants or body sculpturing.

A different display of the article is presented on the Heritage Society website. That said, I regret that the caricatures have deflected from the words of Gordon Watson. I find his insights fascinating. But fear not, I am aware that similar interview material exists for Brian Labone, Gordon West, Alex Young and others. Sandy Brown included himself in his top XI - at goalkeeper, left back, centre-half, centre-forward and ‘impact’ substitute.

Michael, while I have your attention, what happened to ToffeeWeb’s sense of humour – it could be relied on in good times and not so good times? Parts of today’s TW community come across as misanthropic and cynical as well as rude and occasionally vulgar when addressing each other. It may be a generational thing, but the lack of respect is shameful and takes away from meaningful debate of all things Everton.

Many of the cynics are ill-informed. For example, the criticism of David’s article in Echo prior to the start of the 2022/23 season – remember the exit of Carlo Ancelotti “left a trail of betrayal and bitterness” – was misguided. Didn’t they realize that it was the Italian via his representatives who contacted Real Madrid not vice versa about employment after the exit of Zinedine Zidane? Yes, we were all double-crossed by Don Carlo.

In contrast, I am in awe of the 3,000-plus Blues who travel to our away games. Their support is deafeningly passionate. These loyal fans are the heartbeat of our beloved club and we wouldn't be where we are without them. As my husband’s grandfather would say – Everton Football Club is nothing without Evertonians. No doubt to his embarrassment, I would like to salute a special Blue. Neither David nor I I have never met Danny O’Neill but consider him a brother. Earlier this year, my husband encouraged him via late-night emails to maintain his faith and express unwavering positivity in all of his TW contributions. As a result, Danny provided hope. Also, he kept me company during my infusion therapy at Cottonwood Hospital. Forget the pharmaceuticals, there was nothing like the wonderful words of Danny to cheer me up. After David read them to me, tears rolled, hugs were exchanged, and voices choked with emotion.

Of course, there are 3,000 other travelling Evertonians – many young and starved of the success that oldies like me have witnessed – who deserve equal salutations. I expand my heart-felt feelings to everyone one of them.

Although David’s trips to the old country are down to three or four fixtures per year - I must confess that after the Bournemouth escape, he 'bragged' about being kissed on one cheek by Mike Lyons and on the other by Derek Hatton at full-time - we host one travelling Evertonian per month in Sedona – mostly previously unknown. Within minutes, however, they are like long-lost brothers and sisters and confirm that Evertonians are special.

Finally, I must report the demise of my car registration plate (H8 LFC). Please no flowers. Afterall, it served its purpose and resulted in smiles and provided selfies to thousands of informed football/soccer fans before being withdrawn by the Arizona DOT due to complaints from you-know-who.

Elizabeth France

I'm no better or bigger than all of those Evertonians who follow this club religiously wherever they are. Yourself obviously included.

Thank you for the kind words and, as I said in the personal response, hopefully one day I get Kevin Sheedy to kiss me on the cheek when we win our next trophy.

I hope to meet David on his next trip to the homeland.

Spirit. Forever.

We do it because we care deeply.

So, thank you very much, David, for recording and sharing all that. (I appreciate Rob Sawyer's work too)

Bearing in mind that Gordon was at one time facing eviction from his club house, the unfortunate departure of Joe Mercer, that TG Jones should fall out of love with Everton, the arguably premature departure of Bobby Collins, the failure to retain Bill "Dixie" Dean as an ambassador (I'd add Brian Labone too), the thought comes to me once again that Everton has a long history of boardroom mistakes.

Of course, that might be said of all clubs. But, in my experience, some people won't have a word said against their club. There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism. We can learn from mistakes.

It begs the question why did we pay him compensation when he left and a bonus further down the line, was it in his contract that allowed this to happen?

I thought it was pretty well known that it was Carlo who initiated the contact that led to his departure to Madrid.

First time, however, I've seen anyone claim that we paid Carlo compensation when he left. Where did you get that from?

The further payment was contract-related. It was speculated that it was somehow performance-related.

Likewise, it has been stated that Everton paid Ancelotti and his staff compensation when they left. In various posts on here and elsewhere, a bit like the speculation that his bonus was somehow performance-related that you mention.

I don't think it was the case that Everton had to pay Ancelotti compensation on his departure, rather that the compensation the club received from Madrid (reportedly £5m, when he was being paid £11m a year) was derisory, due to a convenient (or clever, depending on which side of the fence you're on) clause in his contract.

Any money owed to Ancelotti would have been ‘contingent payments' such as bonuses for targets met, commercial deals, intellectual property related to merchandising etc, which is what he ended up suing for.

I have only read the first 2 paragraphs so far and my eyes are welling up. You should be immensely proud of the work you have done with the Everton family over the years and stories like this are really what puts so much into perspective

Such integrity is hard to find these days – anywhere, let alone in the mad world of 'football'. It is wonderfully humbling and makes this Toffee very proud. Thank you.

Honestly, that's the first I've ever read that Everton received compensation for Ancelotti when he left for Madrid, although obviously we were the innocent party when he decided to move on.

The £5M we received was certainly derisory and the initial contract was maybe ‘an offer we couldn't refuse' or someone finished up swimming with the fishes… thank God it wasn't Chairman Bill!

Show them to the Villa fan, Danny, and tell her, whilst Bill Kenwright remains at Everton, you won't have any problems getting a seat at Goodison Park!!

I rooted around in our archives for articles posted ahead of the 2022-23 season but found nothing that would fit the bill.

Next, using the Echo's own search facility – powered by something ironically called MyNewsAssistant – in my quest for the wisdom of "David France", I got nothing, nada, diddly squat:

Your search - David France - did not match any articles.

"How can that be?" – I wondered…

Not to be thwarted, I returned to the far more productive realm of Google but instead with the conveniently quoted phrase “left a trail of betrayal and bitterness” – and, lo and behold, said article popped up. Third time lucky, as is the rule in the Good Doctor's adopted homeland.

Rafa Benitez can revive Everton after Ancelotti 'betrayal' and 'inebriated lottery winner spending'

Ah… so it wasn't before the 2022-23 season at all – but a year earlier!

I must admit the comments from ToffeeWebbers on that thread don't seem too abrasive to me but perhaps I've become hardened to the snide sarcasm and deeply cutting rhetoric that passes for comment from some of our valued contributors.

But it does seem strange in retrospect to read the Good Doctor telling us all: “I believe we have a decent squad and honourable manager and am confident that Rafa Benitez will find the right blend and balance over time."

Hmmm... not so good with the prophecy there, but the next but carries extraordinary irony:

"I'm optimistic that the team will start well and pick up the vast majority of the points in the first six fixtures."

Indeed: 13 points out of 18 was a tremendous return as Rafa got us off to a flier and up to the heady heights of 4th place. Hands up if you remember that glorious moment!

But it wasn't to last: just 2 points from the next 6 fixtures and the dreadful slide to near oblivion had begun. So, was the Doctor's efforts to "polish the turd" in the face massive fan opposition to Rafa's appointment as engineered as some suggested?

"The cynic in me says the Club got the biggest off-field name they could find (I mean, who don't like Dr David?) but still a non-official Club source to put out a puff piece."

Indeed.

I almost spat my tea all over the keyboard when I read that. Deliciously ironic and poetic in its lack of self-awareness! Dismaying, though, under an article that pays such wonderful homage to an Everton great.

I think it was injuries that killed Benitez, even if it was obvious that 99.9% of Evertonians, didn’t want the man at their club.

I thought this was the move that was finally going to oust Bill Kenwright, but no such luck, he’s still here unfortunately. Very unfortunately imo, because his “survival” has always been based on splitting the fanbase, and “surviving in the premier league”, has now become objective number one, for a once truly historical football club.

I can't help it. I guess it's through experience of life and Everton!!! Can you hug me rather that strangle me?!!!!

I do however understand people's frustration and I have them myself (believe it or not).

Hopefully see you soon.

My decision is going to cause me a lot of pain, but it's a decision that has been made and will lead to a few people who otherwise not be able to get a ticket, now having the chance to sit in my seat.

I think Andy Crooks & Brendan are having it for the Wolves game, but give us a shout when you're struggling Danny, and just get me a cup final ticket in return, once the jinx finally leaves us for good!!