Steve Zocek – Everton FC Heritage Society

Son of my Father (Part 15): Paul and Jordan Rideout

0 Comments1990-1999, 2010-2019, Articles, Players, Steve Zocek

The next item in this series takes us to the USA to the Rideout residence. Paul Rideout, of course, will be remembered for his headed goal at Wembley in 1995 which brought the FA Cup to Merseyside. Sadly, no silverware has followed since that May afternoon, so his goal remains strong in the memory of Evertonians. Paul, it will be remembered, hit the ground running in the early days of his career when he started at Swindon Town and made his début at the tender age of sixteen, becoming the youngest player to feature for the Robins. Paul penned a…

You Will Go to the Ball – Son of my Father – Part 14

0 Comments1960-1969, 2010-2019, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

'Who is the greatest of them all? Little, curly Alan Ball.' Alan Ball of Everton at Bellefield on July 24, 1969 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by W & H Talbot Archive/Popperfoto via Getty Images) I’m sure that sounds familiar to a majority of Evertonians who were present at the Old Lady from 1966 onwards. Personally speaking, I think I was smitten with Alan Ball before I fell head over heels in love with Everton. Bally was a footballing God to many, even making it very difficult to separate him from another hero of Goodison – Alex Young, the Golden Vision…

Adrian and Harrison Heath – Son of My Father (Part 10)

0 Comments1980-1989, 2020-2029, Articles, Players, Steve Zocek

Adrian Heath arrived at Everton in January 1982 for a club record fee of £700,000. As a striker/attacking midfielder from the Potteries, he was signed by manager Howard Kendall who knew Adrian well from their days at the Victoria Ground, Stoke. ‘Inchy’ as he became known, made his Blues debut at home to Southampton in a 1-1 draw. Finding it difficult to settle at first, he eventually came into his own, playing a very big part in Everton’s success. Many Evertonians class his interception from Kevin Brock at the Manor Ground, Oxford, in a January 1984 knife edge cup…

Son of My Father (Part 16): Robert and Konrad Warzycha

0 Comments1990-1999, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

Robert Warzycha Robert Warzycha was born in Siemkowice, Poland, and kick-started his football career in the mining village of Gornik (which stands for miners). He played first for Gornik Wałbrzych, after signing from Warta Sieradz, along with Zbigniew Malachowski from Welna Rogozno, who made their debuts in the spring of 1986. He appeared thirty-one times, scoring five goals from the right-hand side of midfield. He then went on to sign for Gornik Zabrze where his career flourished, making ninety-one appearances, scoring ten goals in a four-year period. Robert’s performances were catching the eye of clubs in England, where he felt…

A Day in the Life – Mervyn Day

0 Comments1990-1999, Articles, Steve Zocek

Mervyn Day was a very reliable goalkeeper in the 1970’s, starting his professional career with West Ham United. He became the youngest goalkeeper to play in an FA Cup Final at the age of nineteen, when The Hammers faced Fulham at Wembley, collecting a winners’ medal after an Alan Taylor ‘double’ sealed victory. After six years at Upton Park, he joined close neighbours Leyton Orient for £100,000. He then furthered his career with Aston Villa and Leeds United, making over 200 appearances for the Elland Road club. Following loan spells at Luton Town and Sheffield United, he applied his experience…

Stuart Storer – speaking to Steve Zocek

0 Comments1980-1989, Articles, Players, Steve Zocek

Everton manager Howard Kendall, pictured with his two new signings from Birmingham City - Wayne Clark and Stuart Storer (Photo by Barry Farrell/Daily Mail). Stuart Storer was part of a £300,000 double swoop that brought him to Goodison Park with Wayne Clarke in March 1987. Unfortunately, Stuart failed to make a first team debut, but I took delight from talking with him about his time at Everton. Stuart continued his career with Bolton Wanderers, Exeter City and Brighton & Hove Albion, where he is fondly remembered for scoring the last ever goal at the Goldstone Ground, in the 67th minute…

Scott and Archie Gemmill – Son of My Father (Part 11)

0 Comments1990-1999, 2000-2009, Players, Steve Zocek

Scott Gemmill’s career unfolded at The City Ground, Nottingham where Brian Clough had the pleasure of managing Scott’s father Archie, at a very successful period in the club’s history. Scott, made his debut for Forest in March 1991 and remained there until he was signed by Walter Smith for Everton on transfer deadline day in March 1999. Heavy road traffic almost hijacked the transfer with time ticking down, but Scott was able to sign on the dotted line with minutes remaining. Scott was thrown in at the deep end on his debut as Everton played at Anfield in the local…

Stephen Burtenshaw

0 Comments1970-1979, Articles, Managers, Members Work, Steve Zocek

(23 November 1935 - 17 February 2022) Portslade born Steve Burtenshaw started his football career at his local club Brighton & Hove Albion in August 1951, where he spent a staggering fourteen years as a wing half with the Seagulls appearing 237 times. His first game for Brighton was as a young 17-year-old in an away fixture at Exeter City winning 5-1. Not a bad start, eh? His football career came to a pause as he completed his national service with the Army in Germany, but continued his love for football during his time abroad. Service complete, he returned to…

The Likely Lads; Mark and John Higgins – Son of my Father (Part Nine)

0 Comments1950-1959, 1980-1989, Articles, Members Work, Players, Steve Zocek

Mark Higgins joined Everton as an apprentice. Having excelled in his performances for the reserves, he earned a first team start a month after his eighteenth birthday in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City under the lights at Goodison Park. Mark, a tough no-nonsense centre half, gave nothing less than 100% in an Everton jersey, but his career was blighted by injuries, which sadly led to him missing out on the success of Howard Kendall's sides of the eighties. After over 150 appearances for the Toffees, Mark made a decision to retire from the game due to the frustration…

Patricia Pearson

0 Comments1970-1979, 1980-1989, Articles, Steve Zocek

Kick Off - The First Lady of Football on Television In the north west of England, there was a Friday night football programme through out the seventies called 'Kick Off', featuring all of the north west clubs in the four divisions of the Football League. The emphasis would be on the big games that were being played that weekend featuring the region’s clubs. Interviews with players, managers, including action of the region’s teams from the week before, would feature in the thirty-minute show. The presenter was Gerald Sinstadt who joined Granada in 1969/70 until 1980-81. Two days later, a regular…