Bob Latchford

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"Bobby Latchford walks on water... "

He certainly knew how to score, and could put himself about a bit. Mind you. those were the days when you could ride a motorcycle into the penalty area, punch the Keeper in the throat, throw boiling water over the Centre Back, catch the ball with both hands in an offside position and then throw it into the back of the net... and the goal would stand. Ah, different times. Well, not quite. The game did seem more lenient and enjoyable back then, and far better for it. But I'm not sure if it was just a case of experiencing the game through the uncynical eyes of a young lad caught up in the romance of it all, or if Football was just simply better in them there days. Anyway, I loved Big Bob, thought he was brilliant.
 

My abiding image of Big Bob is of him practically jumping over the fence at Leeds after scoring the equaliser against Hammers in the replayed Cup semi final of 1980.

An absolute legend at this club and for most of us arl arses who followed the Blues in the 70s Bob is our all time favourite player.

One point I would make us that Billy Bingham made a mistake when he fetched Bob from Brum.

I wish he had bought Bob Hatton as well.

Those two Bobs were brilliant in that Brum team in an era when twin strikers were the vogue.

Comes to that, I wish Billy had fetched Trevor Francis from them as well ;)
 
alibongo said:
Met Mick Lyons once and he asked a mate and me who our Everton hero was.

Latchford was the answer we both gave and quick as a flash (and to our surprise) Mick replied, "He was my hero too!".

Top Toffees both of them.
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I remember reading an interview with Steve McManaman when he was at Real Madrid.

A boyhood Blue who would have grown up going the game in the era of Big Bob, Steve said in the interview that he used to annoy the Liverpool boot room people during practice games by yelling "Latchforrrrrdddd...." at the top of his voice every time he jumped for a header on goal.

:)

That's why I can happily tolerate ol' Steve in his TV role.
 
Cels said:
"Bobby Latchford walks on water... "

He certainly knew how to score, and could put himself about a bit. Mind you. those were the days when you could ride a motorcycle into the penalty area, punch the Keeper in the throat, throw boiling water over the Centre Back, catch the ball with both hands in an offside position and then throw it into the back of the net... and the goal would stand. Ah, different times. Well, not quite. The game did seem more lenient and enjoyable back then, and far better for it. But I'm not sure if it was just a case of experiencing the game through the uncynical eyes of a young lad caught up in the romance of it all, or if Football was just simply better in them there days. Anyway, I loved Big Bob, thought he was brilliant.
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Like this :
 

My first Everton hero. I remember his hatrick when we beat Coventry 6-0, he missed at least three easier chances in the same game but never let his head drop in front of goal. His only job was scoring goals, his record stands up with the best. Terrible perm though.
 
no9s_latch-530x155.jpg


Playing Statistics
1973/74 -1980/81
App 289
Goals 138

Only Sharp & Dean scored more
 
Khalekan said:
I remember reading an interview with Steve McManaman when he was at Real Madrid.

A boyhood Blue who would have grown up going the game in the era of Big Bob, Steve said in the interview that he used to annoy the Liverpool boot room people during practice games by yelling "Latchforrrrrdddd...." at the top of his voice every time he jumped for a header on goal.

:)

That's why I can happily tolerate ol' Steve in his TV role.
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Sure I read somewhere he's brought his kids up as Blues.More than can be said for our other Super-fan.
 

davids said:
Interesting article,sad how things turned out for Andy King.My comment was about McManaman,a Blue that wore the Red shirt but still remembered his root's and the super-fan,that total turn-coat Carragher classless idiot who now hates us.
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Good job I didn't go in to proof reading:bye:
 
Didn't know that about Mick Buckley. Very sad.
On topic. Latchford was an excellent Cf but didn't bomb around wasting energy. Stayed nice and central and waited for supply to do what he did best...score. Linked play with midfield quite well but was all about getting on the end of passes or crosses and hitting the target. Physically big so not very nippy but great at stealing a yard in the box to get in front of defender. Brilliant at one on ones running into the box too. My personal favourite big Bob goal apart from his number 30 was the last minute equaliser vs Villa in first league cup final replay at Hillsborough. Immense. Special mention for looping header away at Derby in 1974 or 75 when Bingham's team was doing well but every one hated us!!! Missed the West Ham semi replay at Leeds thank god. Would have sent me over the edge!!!
 
I forgot about the league cup final replay goal at hillsborough. I remember rhe one at Old Trafford in the second replay too.

Just out of interest, if that 2nd replay ended up a draw (as it very nearly did again), would it have gone to a 3rd replay?
 

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