1970-1979 – Everton FC Heritage Society

31

Jan

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1960-1969, 1970-1979, Latest, Obituary, Rest in Peace, Rob Sawyer

Tommy Wright – A True Blue Hero

Rob Sawyer In the sweltering early afternoon June heat of Estádio Jalisco, Guadalajara, England’s right-back slumps to the ground. Lying prone, he is approached by Brazil's number ten, the great Pelé, who proceeds to lift his opponent's leg and push the foot back in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms of cramp. FIFA World Cup 1970 Pele (10) of Brazil tends to cramp-stricken Tommy Wright (14) of England after sustaining an injury during their Group 3 match at Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico, 6 July 1970 (photo; Neil Leifer) On England duty in the late 1960s This display of sportsmanship at…

27

Jan

By Rob Sawyer

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1970-1979, Latest, Players, Rob Sawyer

Forever Everton – The Story of the Song

Rob Sawyer In Goodison’s final years as the venue for Everton’s men's team, kick-off was preceded by the Toffees’ musical ‘holy trinity’ of Forever Everton, Grand Old Team and Theme from Z-Cars - with Spirit of the Blues being added to the repertoire more recently. With the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium, these have been joined by The Las’ classic There She Goes. Advert for Neil Sedaka at the Wooky Hollow, September 1972 Here, I delve into the backstory to Forever Everton – 2 minutes and 36 seconds of proud Bluenose breast-beating with a brass backing. As many now know,…

Trevor Finnigan – From Right-Back to Non-League Striking Legend

14

Apr

By Richie Gillham

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1970-1979, Latest, Players, Richard Gillham

Trevor Finnigan – From Right-Back to Non-League Striking Legend

Richie Gillham In the rich and sometimes forgotten annals of English football, certain names burn a little brighter in the hearts of those who watched them, those who knew them, and those who now tell their stories. One such name is Trevor Finnigan, a cult hero whose journey from a young Everton hopeful to non-league legend is as gritty, spirited, and dramatic as any tale in the footballing world. This is the story of a man who went from warming the benches at Everton, to a striking icon at Runcorn, Weymouth, and Yeovil, and whose crowning glory came not…

07

Oct

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

The FA Youth Cup Campaign of 1976/77

Steve Zocek Prior to Everton reaching the FA Youth Cup Final in the season of 1976/77 the young Blues had made their bow in the final of 1960/61, where they were beaten 5-3 on aggregate over two legs by Chelsea. Four year later, the youth side again reached the peak of the competition, going one better than their previous encounter. Extra time prevailed in second leg at Goodison as the Blues edged their way to victory, with an aggregate score of 3-2 over Arsenal. In the season of 1976/77, Colin Harvey’s youngsters reached the final of the FA Youth Cup,…

12

Mar

By Rob Sawyer

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1970-1979, Articles, Latest, Players, Rob Sawyer

Buck – Mick Buckley Remembered

(4 November 1953 – 7 October 2013) By Rob Sawyer Mick Buckley was a fine young footballer who had the great fortune to play for Everton FC - but the equal misfortune to have to follow immediately in the footsteps of Colin Harvey, Howard Kendall and Alan Ball and suffer from the inevitable comparisons. Michael John Buckley was born to Roy and Jean Buckley in Salford on 4 November 1953; he was the eldest of five children raised in the Salford and South Manchester areas. Like his father, Mick followed Manchester United – he idolised Denis Law and his school…

11

Mar

By Rob Sawyer

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1960-1969, 1970-1979, Articles, Latest, Mike Royden, Obituary, Players, Rest in Peace, Rob Sawyer

Jimmy Husband – An Appreciation

Jimmy Husband (15 October 1947 – 9 March 2024) An Appreciation The sad news of the death of Jimmy Husband comes just weeks after the passing of John Hurst, his teammate in the 1965 FA Youth Cup-winning side and the legendary championship-winning team of 1969/70. Harry Catterick spread the net wide in his search for the best young talent in the 1960s, and was hot on the trail of a precocious attacking talent from Newcastle, who had England schoolboy honours, by the name of James Husband. But Everton were not the only side keen to get the teenager’s signature. Jimmy,…

19

Jan

By Rob Sawyer

2 Comments

1960-1969, 1970-1979, Articles, Latest, Obituary, Rest in Peace, Rob Sawyer

John Hurst (1947-2024)

A Tribute by Rob Sawyer ‘The Last of the Corinthians’ is a phrase used to describe one of Everton’s great captains, Brian Labone. However, John Hurst, his defensive partner in Everton’s great side of the late 1960s, embodied many of the same qualities that gave Labone his sobriquet. John in the mid 1960s Like Roger Kenyon, who would also come through the ranks at Bellefield and be unlucky not to collect full international honours, John hailed from Blackpool. A centre-forward and inside-forward as a youth, the leggy Lancastrian had represented Blackpool schoolboys and also received England youth honours. Harry Catterick…

02

Sep

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

John Turner – from a Ram to Japan

Steve Zocek The name of John Turner would not be particularly familiar to most Evertonians, whatever their age. It would be a stiff challenge in a pub quiz to guess his connection to Everton in relation to the pre-season tour of Japan under manager Howard Kendall in 1981. A Geordie by birth, he never hid the fact that he was a fanatical Sunderland supporter who would go along with his father to watch his heroes –notably Charlie Hurley, Len Ashurst, Martin Harvey, Brian Clough and Ernie Taylor – at the famous old Roker Park in the early 1960s. A former…

Everton v Keflavik – European Cup, Sept 1970

09

Aug

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, Articles, Everton Clubs Abroad, Latest, Steve Zocek

Everton v Keflavik – European Cup, Sept 1970

In the week commencing 14 September 1970, Edward Heath was in residence in 10 Downing Street, Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles was top of the charts, back and white television sets were still in higher demand than the newly introduced colour sets, and one hundred pounds back then would now (in 2023) have the purchasing power of around £1,900. Meanwhile, the newspapers rocked the music scene with reports of the shocking death of the brilliant young guitarist Jimi Hendrix, as a result of a barbiturate overdose on 18 September 1970. The 'Twenty-Seven Club' had claimed…

Getting it Wright – (Son of My Father Part 18)

20

Apr

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, 1980-1989, 2010-2019, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

Getting it Wright – (Son of My Father Part 18)

Billy and Anthony Wright As well as being the son of Billy Wright, Anthony is also the great-nephew of Everton's World Cup full back Tommy Wright, and the cousin of Everton Ladies league winner Emma Wright-Cates. Quite an Everton family! Billy Wright Billy Wright (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images) Ray Minshull was in charge of the youth set up when young Billy came to the attention of the club. It was touch and go at one stage, because Liverpool were keen to take the youngster on too. There was a scout that represented Liverpool that actually…