1970-1979

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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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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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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Tommy Wheeldon: the Third New Boy
09
May
By Steve Zocek
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1970-1979, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve Zocek, ,

Tommy Wheeldon: the Third New Boy

On Tuesday 7th December 1976,Everton manager Billy Bingham made a triple swoop by signing Duncan McKenzie from Anderlecht, Bruce Rioch from Derby County and Tommy Wheeldon.  Tommy who? You know, Tommy Wheeldon from St Helens Town?  Never heard of him? You have now. Liverpool schoolboys in cologne I was intrigued to find the truth about Tommy, an Evertonian from birth, who was expected to reach better things in football. Tommy takes up this wonderful story.  I played for England Under 18’s and attracted interest from both Everton and West Ham United and a few more clubs. John Lyall the manager of West Ham made contact with me, and I also received a letter from Ron Greenwood the former…
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One Goal at a Time Bob Latchford
30
Apr
By Steve Zocek
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1970-1979, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Players, Steve Zocek

One Goal at a Time Bob Latchford

Recollections of Bob's 30 Goal record by his colleagues       On 29 April 1978, Everton recorded a memorable 6-0 victory over Chelsea in front of 39,500 people. Watching from the Main Stand that afternoon was the great Dixie Dean. Bob Latchford was adored by his fans, who were convinced that he walked on water and anxiously wanted the two goals required to achieve thirty goals for the season. The Daily Express had offered a generous prize of £10,000 for this milestone.I recently made contact with most of the players that played for Everton that day, to ask for their story of that great afternoon. Sadly, two of the team, Mick Buckley…
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Jack Search – “Gentleman Jack” – Everton Director
27
Sep
By Steve Zocek
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1970-1979, 1980-1989, Articles, Directors, History, Members Work, Steve Zocek

Jack Search – “Gentleman Jack” – Everton Director

Jack Search was born in 1915 above his father’s jewellers shop number at 87 Wavertree Road. He attended Brae Street School before heading to Liverpool Institute. In 1932, Jack left Liverpool Institute to further his studies at Liverpool Technical College where he did an engineering course for another 4 years. Jack was always a keen footballer since playing at school. His senior career began in 1933 when he played for Collegiate Old Boys. He was also a member of the old Liobians team at Liverpool Institute. Jack went on to represent Cheshire and he started attracting interest from other teams.…
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Martin Murray: ‘The New George Best’
14
Dec
By Steve Zocek
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1970-1979, History, Interview, Steve Zocek

Martin Murray: ‘The New George Best’

Martin Murray was signed by Everton from Irish club Home Farm in December of 1975 at the age of sixteen. Billy Bingham, the manager who signed him, labelled him as the new George Best. Unfortunately, Martin was unlucky with injuries and failed to make the first team. I have been fascinated with trying to find Martin for a few years, but with much homework, I managed to locate him out in Denmark. We spent time chatting about the days he spent at Goodison, which has left a lasting impression on him, as he is now an Evertonian.  Martin continues to…
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22
Oct
By Steve Zocek
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1970-1979, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve Zocek

Blue Echo Interviews Steve Melledew

      Steve Melledew appears on many Everton team photographs with the league championship trophy in 1970. Unfortunately, Steve never made a first team appearance, but never regretted the opportunity of a dream move to Everton from fourth division Rochdale. I caught up with Steve to talk of his move, and what it was like sharing the company of so many household names.   When I was at Rochdale (pictured Below 2nd row first on left) , we were on a roll, which eventually lead to promotion. In the early stages of the season we were struggling. In fact,…
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22
Oct
By Steve Zocek
1960-1969, 1970-1979, History, Members Work, Steve Zocek

FA Cup Games at Goodison park ( without the Blues)

  The victorious Notts County team pose with the FA Cup. Photo: PA FA Cup Finals On 31st March 1894 Two years after construction, Goodison Park was chosen by the Football Association to host to hold an FA Cup Final, Notts County beat Bolton Wanderers, watched by crowd of 37,000. County running out 4 goals to 1 winner The Magpies were a Second Division club at this point, but Logan did not let this deter him, scoring 21 goals in 21 games and guiding the club to their first FA Cup Final. To get there, Notts eliminated three clubs from…
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