Gordon West RIP

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Gordon on being a pall-bearer for Bill Dean:

“I remember when I got the phone call from Everton about carrying the coffin. There was myself, Mick Lyons, Bob Latchford and Brian Labone. It was very stressful but we did it and I remember coming back in one of the cars and Mick Lyons leaned over all quiet and serious and tapped me on the shoulder. He whispered: ‘Don’t ask me to carry yours!’"
 

Gordon West was a key part of the sixties sides that I grew up watching.

Just a few memories that come to mind are....

That he always marked out a big arrow in the mud of the six yard box with his studs before the game started - so he always knew where the posts were without having to glance behind.

That he was famously very nervous before every game - often being physically sick in the dressing room.

That he refused to travel to Mexico for the 1970 world cup. A decision that possibly had a direct impact on England's tournament. When Banks (then the best goalkeeper in the world) got Montezuma's Revenge and missed the quarter final against West Germany, he was replaced by Bonneti, another great goalie but who was criticised for at least one of the goals that put us out. Not sure if West was official number two to Banks or not but he might have played in that game and things might have been different. Think West wanted to stay with his family after a long hard season in which he'd helped us become champions.

That Liverpool fans offered him a handbag before one Derby game - because they likened him to a 'big girl'

That he got sent off against Newcastle at St James to be replaced by Sandy Brown.

I also recall a game against Wolves at Molineux in which they (then second division) played really well. Ball scored a pen and we were lucky to get away with a draw. West alone kept them at bay that day. I was standing on an open terrace all afternoon in the sweltering heat - great game though.

Very sad about this. Thank you Gordon for all those memories
 

Gordon had the highest clean sheet ratio of any post war Everton keeper (50 games minimum) - almost 40% of his games - more than the great Nev. Thanks for the memories Westy.
 
RIP Gordon West.

The 66-70 side he played in was the reason I became an Evertonian.

West, Wright, Labone, Newton, Kendall, Ball, Harvey, Husband, Royle, Morrisey, Whittle.

Legends the lot of them.
 
The Equaliser said:
RIP Gordon West.

The 66-70 side he played in was the reason I became an Evertonian.

West, Wright, Labone, Newton, Kendall, Ball, Harvey, Husband, Royle, Morrisey, Whittle.

Legends the lot of them.
Click to expand...

What a team! Granted I wasn't alive, but even I know, through stories and videos what a team that was.
 

Everton have always had a reputation for having good keepers and Westie for sure would be included in that category. He was a top proffessional and a character, i remember in Mick Lyons's testimonial Westie making a guest appearance by being carried onto the Goodison Park pitch on a stretcher. Thank's for being part of our great club and it's history RIP big man
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Oh this is so sad.
I was a kid in his day and we would all practice throwing the ball out like he did. He had the most brilliant accurate one arm throw which made his distribution from the back a terrific weapon.
A true Everton Legend
RIP ~Gordon
 
trebilcock66 said:
That Liverpool fans offered him a handbag before one Derby game - because they likened him to a 'big girl'
Click to expand...

There was a character on television at the time called 'Honey West' and it was a spin on that. :)

Gordon West was in goal when I made my first visit to Goodison as a young boy.

Very sad news.

Rest In Peace Gordon - an Everton great. x
 

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