It was 65 years ago today…

Dave Hickson was a hero for my dad.

I hope you've got his autobiography, entitled The Cannonball Kid — of course.

I think Dave Hickson was a hero for thousands of us in those Second Division days of the early 1950s and the FA Cup run in 1953.

Hw was the only real idol I ever had at Everton although I liked dozens of players over the years, better players than Davie, but not many players loved Everton and played with the passion that Dave Hickson did.

Volatile, fiery and furious on the field. quiet and friendly off it. There will never be another Davie!

Davie was a hero for most of us of a certain age, his love for this club was there for all to see.

I don't quite know how Davie didn't get any England caps, when I think of some who have played in his position for England.

I was lucky to meet Davie at Goodison on numerous occasions, you wouldn't have believed the Davie on the pitch was the same man off it, so humble.

I don't think the crowd helped Davie sometimes, when an opponent committed a bad foul on Davie, of which there were many, the fans in Gwladys street used to shout "Hit him, Davie!" — and sometimes Davie did!

To try and explain to our younger supporters who never got to see Davie, he was like Duncan Ferguson on steroids… mind, he was a far better player than Ferguson.

Yes, a hero alright, a lot of Everton players have ditties sang to them. Dave had a song, three verses or more, sang about him to the tune from a film about Davy Crockett which was popular at the time, even after he left Everton!

I think for different generations, different matches and teams as well as players.

Everyone who reads these pages knows who my favourite is. I hope the younger supporters get to have one.

Bayern Munich. Sheedy's double take free kick against Ipswich. Lifting the title in 1985 and that long trip to and from Carrow Road to lift the title again.

An unbelievable, albeit short-lived, times — although it didn't feel like that to teenage Danny.

I am sure someone on TW will remember all the words.

I was always aware that the FA Cup Final had been staged at Goodison but hadn't realised that a hat-trick had been scored by a player from the winning side.

Blackburn's William Townley had also netted a trio of goals in the 1890 FA Cup Final staged at Kennington Oval against Sheffield Wednesday.

The sad story of Jimmy Logan goes on to say that the hero of the Goodison Cup Final, died a couple of years later and was buried in an unmarked grave in Loughborough, 300 miles from his family home in Ayr, until some Notts County fans got together 120 years later to 'put right the wrong'.

1894 FA Cup Final

Sat next to him at tea after the match, what a wonderful guy – so humble given his hero status!

Thanks for the article, Rob.

The exploits of Dixie were still in living memory for many as were 2 fa cup triumphs bringing glory that even today's Champions League couldn't match.

Unassailable Kings of Merseyside -"What a time to be alive!" .

Little did we know.

I am currently living in North Lancs near the Cumbria border. I have a season ticket (still, although I'm not sure why). If you can get a ticket perhaps we could meet up at the ground sometime? If you would like to that is of course.

ps: I too still have vivid memories of that match against Inter Milan. Your dad, my dad, you, me and Phil Huxley stuck in traffic on the way to the match. The queuing started before we even got to Cammel Laird's gates!

I don't get to many games now but it would be great to meet up at a game if I do manage to get a ticket. I live in Sheffield now but my younger son lives in Liverpool and we could perhaps meet up outside the ground even if I don't have a ticket.

Perhaps we could keep in touch through these pages. Either way, it's great to know you're still around.

I only remember the first verse I'm afraid.

Born on a mountain top in Ellesmere Port, Football was his favourite sport
Signed by Everton for half a crown, Now he's playing for Huddersfield Town.
Davie, Davie Hickson, King of the forward line.

It might be possible someone in St Luke's church of the Everton Heritage might have the rest of that song.

We have had some great victories in the last few decades. Unfortunately the most recent of them involved great escapes from relegation rather than winning trophies. That said, Dan Gosling's extra-time winner in the FA Cup derby tie and the 4-4 draw in 1991 stay in the memory.

I was lucky enough to see him perform in a charity match at Holly Park, when Ferenc Puskas scored a hat-trick.

Let's get down with the kids and ‘speak' on email heh?
Try to “reach out to me” on:- onceablue@hotmail.co.uk
and we could try to arrange to meet at the ground when you can.

Is that a plan? Martin (excited!!)

It started going with the 'New' Main Stand (and little did I know it, my youth) the big blue clocks, the flood lights, cushions all went and fences, seats took their place.
Oh and somewhere along the way it stopped being an addiction you could fund with with a paper round and some pocket money.

There are places I'll remember
All my life, though some have changed.
Some forever, not for better;
Some have gone and some remain.

All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall.
Some are dead and some are living,
In my life I've loved them all.

You never know the day, except that it's coming, so the preliminary Plan A is to head to BMD in between next September's International breaks.

My mates John Laing, Tony Loy and I used to travel from the North End of Birkenhead - 62/3 season. We were 13 years old.

We used to get there an hour before the game so we could get down by the wall. A lifetime ago.

We were great then - and we will be great again.

”Born in a chimney pot in Ellesmere Port”?

I don't remember that line but it fits right in so I'll have that!