Steve Zocek

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,…

Steve Zocek Graham Brindle Graham Brindle first signed for Everton at the age of thirteen. He played for a Sunday league team called Bovis, managed by former Everton scout Sid Benson. Graham was a versatile a midfielder, comfortable playing either side of midfield. His versatility rewarded him as he went on to represent Liverpool schoolboys. He was recognised for his performance in the semi-final of the British Home Stores trophy, facing Essex boys at Anfield. It was the visitors that looked promising in the early stages of the game as Danny Maddix who years later had a career with QPR…

by Steve Zocek Like many football-mad teenagers, Bangkok-born Teeratep Winothai dreamt of goals, cup finals and stardom. Unlike most boys of his age, Teeratep was able to live out that dream. In fact, from the age of fourteen, he was already attracting the attention of clubs in his homeland and abroad and had represented Thailand at under-17 level. Then, a fantastic opportunity to study at Brentwood School in Essex led to an excellent sporting experience at Crystal Palace who were the first English club to offer him a trial. He had already represented his country’s under-17 national side in the…

                              Holmes Sweet Holmes                                  Albert Holmes Albert Valentine Holmes was born on 14 February 1942, St. Valentine’s Day, hence the middle name Valentine. In his teens, Albert attracted attention for his football skills and was wanted by Rotherham United, but declined in order to prioritise his focus on his studies, which were more important to him. He started work by taking on an apprenticeship with British Gas (East Midlands Gas) as a gas fitter. The works had a football team for which Albert played. He was also involved in local football and, at the age of  sixteen, matched up against opponents…

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…