Steve Zocek – Page 3 – Everton FC Heritage Society

30

Jan

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1980-1989, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

Once a Blue – Steve Bateman

In the matchday programme during the 1983/84 season, there was a Q & A featuring the players. I came across the one with Mark Higgins, who was asked to recommend a player for the future. ‘Steve Bateman’ was his reply. Steve was the captain of the Everton FA Youth Cup side that lost the final to Norwich City in the 1982/83 season, 6-5 on aggregate. Whatever happened to Steve? As always, I dug deep to satisfy my fascination, intrigued to find out what happened to hhim after Everton. Enjoy. Steve originated from down south at Berkhamsted. At the age of…

Any Dream Will Do: Don Donovan – (Son of my Father Part 13)

24

Jan

By Steve Zocek

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1950-1959, 1970-1979, Articles, Latest, Players, Steve Zocek

Any Dream Will Do: Don Donovan – (Son of my Father Part 13)

Don Donovan arrived in England from Cork, the second largest city in Ireland located in the south west of the country, an area which also produced Roy Keane. Don played junior football for Maymount Rovers then Dalymount Rovers, where he was spotted by an Everton representative whilst the club was on a pre-season tour. Don was invited to cross the Irish Sea in 1949, just after the war, leaving his close family and moving to new surroundings in Liverpool, only to be welcomed by a fellow countryman, Tommy Eglinton. Tommy later became the godfather of Don’s son, Terry. Other members…

Alan and Jackie McInally – (Son of my Father Part 12)

20

Jan

By Steve Zocek

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1960-1969, Articles, Members Work, Players, Steve Zocek

Alan and Jackie McInally – (Son of my Father Part 12)

Alan McInally never played for Everton, but he spent pre-season with the Toffees during the days of Howard Kendall. Alan was registered a Bayern Munich player at that time and a very close friend with Mo Johnston who was at Everton back then. Alan was recovering from a knee injury eager to regain some match fitness. The German giants authorised that Alan could play for Everton in a pre-season fixture for the Blues at Port Vale where he managed the first forty-five minutes. Following in his father’s footsteps, this is the story of Jackie McInally. Jackie started his career in…

08

Jan

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Players, Steve ZocekCeltic, Everton, Hibernian

Son of My Father – The Tale of Two Joes

Welcome to Part Five of Son of my Father. This time, I feature a football family from Glasgow: Joe McBride (Jnr) who played for Everton, and his father Joe McBride (Snr) who will be most remembered for his playing days at Celtic Park in the 1960’s. Joe senior actually had a great personal statistic by being top scorer at every club he played for. We start with Joe (Snr) who was born in 1938, a stone throws away from Rangers’ Ibrox Park. His football career began as a very young 15-year-old at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock. After 57 games and 24…

07

Jan

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, Articles, History, Interview, Steve Zocek

Son of My Father – Part 6

Carry on Seargeant by Steve Zocek This latest article is quite an intriguing one, featuring Steve Seargeant and his son Christian who both played for Everton. Steve made 80 first team appearances for the Royal Blues with one goal in his Everton career, which came in a late September afternoon in 1974 with a memorable strike from 35 yards, which squirmed under the body of Leeds United goalkeeper David Harvey to open the scoring that afternoon. Everton went on to win the game 3-2 after an enthralling 90minutes. For the younger readers who were not aware of his goal, it can be seen on the YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/_SseuJApkZ0 Christian tells me that he never really…

01

Jan

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve ZocekCoventry City, Everton FC, Wigan Athletic

Son of my Father – Part 7

THE KINGDOM OF RIOCH by Steve Zocek Some of you may be wondering why I’ve given this article the title of ‘The Kingdom of Rioch’? Well, Rioch means kingdom which comes from Irish origin. So, that’s the formalities out of the way. Bruce Rioch joined Everton in December 1976, making his Everton debut at Coventry City’s Highfield Road in a 4-2 defeat. Bruce appeared 30 times in an Everton shirt hitting the net 3 times. He had a thunderous shot, and was always favourite to take the direct free kicks when a goal seemed possible. Bruce played for a total…

19

Dec

By Steve Zocek

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1970-1979, Articles, History, Interview, Members Work, Steve Zocek

‘Son of my Father’ Part IV: James Wood

George Wood was signed for Everton in August 1977 by manager Gordon Lee. George soon became a “darling” of the Evertonians, making 126 appearances for the Toffees before joining Arsenal in August 1980. George also represented Scotland, and once told me he was the one who launched Diego Maradona’s career as the Argentinian scored his first international goal against him. Maradona scored his first international goal in the fixture after beating George Wood courtesy of SNS Group This feature is a little different to the previous ones as it features George’s son, James, who followed in his father’s footsteps wearing…

Gerry Mullan – When Irish Eyes are Smiling

21

Nov

By Steve Zocek

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1980-1989, Articles, History, Interview, Steve ZocekBallymena, Everton, Gerry Mullin, Glentoran, Northern Ireland

Gerry Mullan – When Irish Eyes are Smiling

Gerry Mullan signed for Everton from Ballymena United in October 1980. To date he was the most expensive Irish league player at £30,000. Gerry failed to make a first team appearance for the Toffees but gained 4 caps for his country-Norther Ireland. Gerry is quite a private man, but was very helpful in assisting me with an insight to his time at Everton. Gerry Middle row 2nd from the left SIGNING FOR EVERTON "After 4 reasonably good seasons at Ballymena, I trained really hard in my fifth season, trying to push myself to the limit. As well as Everton, a…

10

Oct

By Steve Zocek

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

Gordon Lee – a Life in Football

Steve Zocek Everton F.C. manager Gordon Lee, c.1977 Gordon Lee's family roots were in the Midlands; a small place called Cannock in the county of Staffordshire. As a youngster, Gordon was a keen footballer and could also play cricket. When he was given the opportunity, Gordon chose to play football playing in a wing half/inside forward role. As a young man, he joined his local team, Hednesford Town, who were known as The Pitmen. They played in the Northern Division of the Birmingham and District League. His enthusiasm for the game earned him a nickname of Onka which means 'unstoppable.'…

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…