Gordon West RIP

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trebilcock66 said:
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
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Nice memories buddy..
 

I can still remember the day in 1962 when Harry Catterick signed Gordon from Blackpool. The fee was £27,500 - a huge amount for a goalkeeper at that time. Gordon repaid that fee many times over with his performances. Always remained a true blue. I consider myself lucky to have seen him play throughout his Everton career. RIP to a true legend. You will always be in our blue hall of fame Gordon.
 
The Everton player dinners just won't be the same without Gordon west taking the urine out of the lot across the park, always had time for you and loved to talk about the club over a pint or two. Will be greatly missed by one and all. RIP Gordon.
 

RIP gordon ! I only have to listen to my dad talk about you to realise how much of a legend you was for us blues!
 

I went to Gwlady's St school and we'd always sneak out to chat to the players after training.(they used to used the Park End car park).GW was only a teenager but the world record signing for a keeper,yet he was down to earth and always had time to answer our stupid questions and sign autographs.The best save I ever saw him make was against Nuremburg from a Labone back header.I seem to remember he dislocated his shoulder doing it. RIP
 
Too young to have seen him as a player but thankfully not too young to have enjoyed a chat with him over a pint or two at one of the pre-match dinners in the Marquee a couple of years back. Genuinely funny Man and a proper old school Evertonian. A great loss to our Blue family and he will be sadly missed. RIP Westy.
 
Quote from Joe Royle

"He wasn’t quite the same since Labby passed away," he said. "Labby was his soulmate. I've spoken to Colin Harvey and I called John Hurst yesterday and we were all very aware that when Labby went a part of Westy went with him. He'll be waiting up there with a pint for him."
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Sad that
 

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