Andy Rankin passes aged 79

Former Everton goalkeeper who was Watford's player of the 1970s

Like you, I hope this story isn't true.

Andy was a fine goalkeeper for the Blues and only the fact that Gordon West was such a very good ‘keeper kept Andy from having a top career with the Blues.

He was agile and brave and the link you gave, Barry, shows what a great character and person Andy was as well as being a good goalkeeper.

Until I read your link, I didn't realise he came from a family with strong links to the playing side at Everton, including George Rankin who played left-back for the Blues in the 1950s.

When these players that you never really saw are mentioned, I had to read up.

First keeper to save a penalty in a European shoot out.

Blue blessings.

I remember him being Everton's first substitute to be brought on at Goodison, when he replaced the injured Gordon West against Nuremberg in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup in 1965 (only substitute goalies were allowed at the time in that competition).

He featured in the famous 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup quarter-final in 1967. There was some grumbling about his performance in that game amongst the senior gentlemen on the coach home, it seemed harsh.

Harry Catterick brought him into the team following Gordon West's dramas at Goodison against Keflavik in the European Cup in 1970, leaving Andy in a position to win the first-ever penalty shootout in the next round against Moenchengladbach. It was an opportunity he seized, literally, with both hands amidst much excitement at the Gwladys Street end.

Condolences to Andy's family and friends, may he rest in peace.

I would like to add my condolences to Andy Rankin's family,. I was busy moving to Skelmersdale on the day Everton were playing against Nottingham Forest, 8 April 1967, I did intend to go to the game, but it was out of the question.

I was told by a mate that Everton were in control until Joe Baker had to retire injured, the match was turned on its head when Ian Storey Moore took his place at centre-forward, and if I recall correctly scored a hat-trick.

I listened to some who attended the game cursing Rankin, but on watching the TV that evening, I found the criticism unfair. Once again, condolences to Andy's family.

I was at Goodison as a very young lad for the European Cup game on 4 November 1970 when his save gave Everton victory over West German champions Borussia Monchengladbach in what was the first-ever penalty shoot-out in the European Cup. I couldn't watch but my dad said that Everton would win and we did.

God bless Andy.

Everton were twice near to scoring on the restart. Temple had two shots blocked in quick succession and Everton were playing with a tremendous drive and had Stoke rocking. Stoke fought back well, however, and their best players, Ritchie and Setters, inspired them to recover and gain two corners. After seven minutes of this half Rankin was injured diving to snatch the ball from the feet of Skeels and was helped off the field. He went into the trainer's box and it was difficult to see just what was wrong with him, but it might have been a damaged shoulder. Brown took over in goal. Harris went to full back with Harvey at wing half. Within a couple of minutes in his new role Brown was beaten by a shot from Ritchie which stuck the crossbar and bounced away safely.

After being off for ten minutes Rankin came back with a bandaged on his left forearm. He went to play on the left wing.
A message from the dressing rooms stated that Rankin had fractured a small in his right hand, but this did not prevent him from doing a lot of running and chasing down the left wing.

Stoke 1964

I was standing in the Street End directly in line with the penalty spot for that 1970 European Cup tie. What a night it was! Morrissey scored with a cross which skidded off the wet turf after 24 seconds.

The rain poured throughout. The Germans, who had a great team, equalised before half-time. There was very little to choose between the two sides.

In the end, it came down to the penalty save by Andy to send us into the quarter final. With a Wembley final in our sights many of us were convinced we would be European Cup winners. What a difference that might have made to the club's standing in Europe. The tie against Panathinaikos was a travesty.

Andy Rankin was one of the trio of keepers in the colour team photo (possibly from Typhoo Tea?) I had on my bedroom wall as a kid.

The other 'non-Westy' was Geoff Barnett. I don't think he ever made an appearance after I started going to the game (1966) and he went on to Arsenal. I don't know if he did much there.

Now, we don't even have a back-up striker.

Worse than that, we replaced those 3 keepers with David 'bloody' Lawson!

Although Dai Davies was already at the club, wasn't he?

RIP. My condolences to his family and friends.

I looked at the link... what a forward line then!

The surprising thing about that game, apart from Andy finishing on the left wing, was the attendance, just over 31,000, and we had won the league title the season before.

Re Geoff Barnett, I think he was Everton's ‘keeper when we beat Arsenal to win the FA Youth Cup and Arsenal must have kept him in mind when they bought him off us. We got a very good fee for him as well considering he never played many games for us.

He was an excellent goalkeeper and was a crowd hero at Watford for many years.

Andy signed as an amateur for Everton aged 17 in May 1944. He also joined the Liverpool City Police Cadets, leaving after five months when he signed professional forms for Everton.

I also have a vague memory of a subsequent match day programme that showed photos of each penalty kick from behind the goal in black and white.

Once Andy Rankin and Gordon West finished playing we seemed to struggle for years with goalkeepers. We signed David Lawson from Huddersfield (?) for a record amount and if we had bought Peter Shilton we would probably won one league title in the early 70s and possibly an FA Cup and/or League Cup in 77.

Competition to win a cap was fierce in every position so it speaks volumes that Andy and Westy were so very highly rated. RIP mate!