Brian Labone appreciation thread

Groucho · October 1, 2016

It's Saturday, it's early, we need a lift and I'm full of coffee - let's have one of our semi-regular legend appreciation discussions, with memories of older blues hopefully being passed on here. Today I thought we'd look at Stuart Barl.... hang on no that won't do after two points lost at home.

Let's look at Brian Labone.

League and cup winner with us who was famously dubbed the last of the Corinthians, he gave up his place in the'66 World Cup side to get married. By all accounts a great player and captain, he had to be talked out of early retirement by Harry Catterick.

Above all though, a massive Evertonian. You can hear his famous comment on 0.16 in this video:

1966efc · October 1, 2016

A seriously good defender and a leader of men (when Bally allowed him to be!). Very little got past him in the air and his nous made up for lask of pace on the ground. In his last couple of seasons, he remarked that John Hurst was "his legs" ... but his very presence in the side helped calm both the team and the crowd.

Should have been in the '66 World Cup side but decided to get married (IIRC) ... the competition wasn't the be all that it is now. In comparison with Jack Charlton, there wasn't a comparison. Brian was quite simply the better player.

Have to say these threads make me sad when I look at the crew of shysters currently wearing the shirt.

hallamblue · October 1, 2016

Too young to remember Labby but my dad talks highly of him and he rarely talks highly of anyone so that will do for me.

AndyC · October 1, 2016

A Blue to his very core... A genuine leader and captain... A gentleman... Nuff said.

McMagic · October 1, 2016

Groucho said:
It's Saturday, it's early, we need a lift and I'm full of coffee - let's have one of our semi-regular legend appreciation discussions, with memories of older blues hopefully being passed on here. Today I thought we'd look at Stuart Barl.... hang on no that won't do after two points lost at home.

Let's look at Brian Labone.

League and cup winner with us who was famously dubbed the last of the Corinthians, he gave up his place in the'66 World Cup side to get married. By all accounts a great player and captain, he had to be talked out of early retirement by Harry Catterick.

Above all though, a massive Evertonian. You can hear his famous comment on 0.16 in this video:

Fantastic, more-so this morning,

TrixyStevens · October 1, 2016

Last of the Corinthians

anjelikaferrett · October 1, 2016

Slightly too early for me as a match going Evertonian but my Dad, when watching the current team, sometimes says we need somebody like Brian Labone.

Baschurch blue · October 1, 2016

Great player comand everything infront of him pity about about him not playing 66 world cup

Logans run · October 1, 2016

great player who played in the best England side ever, not 1966, 1970.
Wish we had one as good today at center half.

Jacob · October 1, 2016

Brian Labone personified the class of our club. A talented superb centre half and at the same time tough... but fair. A commanding skipper who had the respect of his teammates. An eloquent intelligent talisman for the club and moreover the ability to mix with all levels with the same wit and ease. An Evertonian through and through. The Last of the Corinthians indeed.

Eggsyblueskin · October 1, 2016

Transcends legend and approaches Godlike status. My first Captain.

ELMSWOOD48 · October 1, 2016

A Brian Labone and Kevin Radcliffe interview pre the FA Cup Final 1995. Des Lynham talks to Brian Labone and Kevin Radcliffe a couple of hours before the kick off of the 1995 FA Cup between Everton and Manchester United, Brian talks about the two finals he played in 1966 and 1968 and Kevin talks about his four finals and Freddie Starr entertaining the players prior to the 1984 final when Everton beat Watford 2-0.

degsy · October 1, 2016

Groucho said:
It's Saturday, it's early, we need a lift and I'm full of coffee - let's have one of our semi-regular legend appreciation discussions, with memories of older blues hopefully being passed on here. Today I thought we'd look at Stuart Barl.... hang on no that won't do after two points lost at home.

Let's look at Brian Labone.

League and cup winner with us who was famously dubbed the last of the Corinthians, he gave up his place in the'66 World Cup side to get married. By all accounts a great player and captain, he had to be talked out of early retirement by Harry Catterick.

Above all though, a massive Evertonian. You can hear his famous comment on 0.16 in this video:

Re the Retirement thing; The way I saw it at the time and I'm sure I remember an actual Interview. Labone, who was having a 'Mare of a season, going from bad to worse, no matter how hard he tried it didn't get any better, did announce that he would retire at the end of the season.
Lo and behold once the pressure was therefore off, up his form went, in to the England team he went and the rest, as they say, is History.

We only lost that 71 Semi when he did his Achilles...no slur on Sandy who was the Sub, but that turned it. ( not withstanding the fact that their 1st goal was the result of a foul on Whittle not given by whoever the dodgy Reff was)

He said that he was that raw, he had to be told where to stand for corners and 12-15 yrs later I saw him doing the same with Kenyon.

Top bloke.