Steve Zocek

56 Posts
Richard Duckenfield – ‘Get off the Pitch!’
08
Oct
By Steve Zocek
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1970-1979, Articles, History, Interview, Steve Zocek

Richard Duckenfield – ‘Get off the Pitch!’

 October 28th 1978 is a date etched in many an Evertonians mind.  John Motson commentating that day for the evening football show ‘Match of the Day’ cries out, “The ball falls to Andy King, oh yes he’s got it, Andy King has scored” When the final whistle sounded at 4.45 Richard Duckenfield a BBC reporter waits on the pitch side to grab a few words with the hero of the afternoon.  Before the conversation could commence, a Police Superintendent rudely pushes Duckenfield and King away from the pitch with an order “Get off the pitch”  42 years on I caught up with Richard to find out about the moment which has…
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Barry Rees: A Blue from Rhyl
19
Sep
By Steve Zocek
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1960-1969, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve Zocek

Barry Rees: A Blue from Rhyl

Barry Rees was a bright young lad who originated from Rhyl in North Wales. An excellent footballer from an early age, he caught the eye of an Everton scout. Having represented his county of Flintshire, he eventually made the grade as a professional footballer.  Barry impressed his manager sufficiently to feature in four first team games, netting twice, before being sold to Brighton and Hove Albion. Barry died in tragic circumstances at the age of 21 and I am indebted to Barry’s brother Geraint for sharing Barry’s all too short career with me.  Barry was a bit of a home boy and he was forever coming back to Rhyl and staying at home, which manager Harry Catterick didn’t like, preferring his players to stay local…
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Pat Jennings: The Boys of ‘86
24
Aug
By Steve Zocek
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1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve Zocek, , , ,

Pat Jennings: The Boys of ‘86

There is a question that arises in many football trivia quizzes which is; ‘Name Everton’s most capped player’? Answers are being thrown back to the question master with all sorts of names which are all announced incorrect. Okay, I give in. The correct answer infuriates the most knowledgeable of contestants when Pat Jennings becomes the answer. Okay, I suppose it’s a bit of a trick question but the fact is, Pat was actually registered with Everton for the FA Cup semi-final and final of 1986. I don’t think I have ever seen any evidence of anything related to Pat’s association…
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Alan McInally: “The best striker ever to play for Everton”
12
Aug
By Steve Zocek
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1990-1999, Articles

Alan McInally: “The best striker ever to play for Everton”

Alan McInally, in his day, was a big name north of the border with Celtic. To his beloved fans at Parkhead, on the terracing known as ‘the Jungle”, Alan was known as Rambo and Big Mac. Alan relished the challenge of playing in England where he was signed by manager Graham Taylor for Midlands club Aston Villa, then in the old Second Division, with desires to help Graham Taylor’s men gain promotion to the top flight. German giants Bayern Munich became his next club, where he spent four years, helping Bayern win the Bundesliga in his first season. Whilst with…
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Terry Cochrane – an interview with Steve Zocek
04
Aug
By Steve Zocek
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1970-1979, Articles, Interview, , , ,

Terry Cochrane – an interview with Steve Zocek

Terry in his Gillingham days Terry Cochrane started his football career in Northern Ireland with Derry City then Linfield. His displays for The Blues started to attract attention from football clubs in England, one in particular Everton catching the eye of fellow Billy Bingham.  He was invited over to Everton for a week’s trial. Terry kindly told me of his experience at Everton. When I was at Linfield, I was asked to go to Merseyside to have a trial with Everton under Billy Bingham. I was put up in digs near Bellefield where I would walk into training every morning. I…
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Michael Knighton an Interview
20
Jun
By Steve Zocek
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1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Steve Zocek, , , ,

Michael Knighton an Interview

When the name Michael Knighton is spoken in football terms, he is always associated as the entrepreneur who almost bought Manchester United FC in August 1989 for £20m.  Michael entered the field of play before a game at the Theatre of Dreams, displaying his ostentatious football skills in front of the devoted Stretford Enders. Hang on a minute. What has this got to do with any Everton-related article I hear you say? Simple. Michael was at Everton in his youth and this is what he told me of his younger days with the School of Science. The chief scout that…
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Son of My father (Part Three) -Jeremy Charles
13
Jun
By Steve Zocek
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1970-1979, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve Zocek, , , ,

Son of My father (Part Three) -Jeremy Charles

This is part three of Son of my Father. John Charles and brother Mel in 1955 - the men who founded a football dynastyCopyright REX FEATURES  Mel Charles was a famous Welsh international who played his club football mostly at Swansea Town, as the club was then called. Mel had a son called Jeremy, who, like his father, went on to play for the same club and country. As a youngster, Jeremy was invited to Bellefield where he spent a week on trial. This Is Jeremy’s version of events. I was playing for the local schoolboys in Swansea, and in…
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Son of My Father (Part II): Allen Hudson
08
Jun
By Steve Zocek
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1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve Zocek

Son of My Father (Part II): Allen Hudson

Allen Hudson coaching for Glasgow Rangers affiliate London Rangers Alan Hudson At Chelsea Anything Everton related always fascinates me. This second article of the Son of my Father series article is another famous footballer whose son at spells/trials at Everton. The second addition of this article is Allen Hudson. and those I guess that some of you now are familiar with the name, it’s the son of Alan Hudson former Chelsea. This is Allen’s story; I was at Fulham as a youngster. In the 4th year at school and I played for West London in the English school’s trophy in…
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02
Jun
By Steve Zocek
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1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Steve Zocek

Son of My Father (Part I): John Armfield

Jimmy Armfield playing for Blackpool during the 1967-68 season. Photograph: Colorsport/Rex/Shutterstock Anything Everton related always fascinates me. My next two article is about a famous footballers whose sonat spells/trials at Everton. This first one is of John Armfield the son of Blackpool legend Jimmy; Jimmy Armfield with sons Duncan and John at Bloomfield Road John tells his story how he teamed up with Everton. I got involved with Everton season 1987/88 because of John King who at the time was manager of Runcorn FC, a mad Evertonian and friendly with some of the coaching staff at Everton, in particular Mick…
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Fred Barber: A Cut Above
15
May
By Steve Zocek
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1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Steve Zocek

Fred Barber: A Cut Above

Fred Barber was signed by Everton as back up cover for Neville Southall in April 1986 for £50,000 from Darlington. During a brief stay, he was never required to play a first team game and was sold to Walsall, with Howard Kendall doubling his money.  Fred tells me how the move to Everton happened and quite a story it is. It was a Wednesday night, 26 March 1986, and I was watching the highlights on TV, of Republic of Ireland vs Wales from Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Neville Southall the Everton and Wales ‘keeper had torn his ankle ligaments,which would keep him side-lined for a period of time.  Everton of course had Bobby Mimms as their number two, but needed another…
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