Ratcliffe vs Labone

[Groucho]

Still don't get the dislike of Ratcliffe.

Doesn't it stem from him saying Everton should be aiming higher and playing better during Martinez' reign?

 

[Runcornblue52]

Labone........Takes a special man to turn down the opportunity to play in a home World cup finals because he'd already promised his girl that they'd get married !.........Oh and he was captain to the holy trinity .

 

[Joey66]

Hard one.

I only saw Ratcliffe play. Used to see Labone in town.

Can't judge.

For stayable longevity has to be Labby my older brother seen him as a youngster have to face the great Tom Finney of Preston North End they switched him from the wing to play down the middle that game the young Labby never gave him an inch of room !
My recollection of Labby was so consistent unflappability could and should have had a World Cup medal booked only once in a long career, a pure footballer alongside John Hurst the best centreback football pairing I have seen playing on mud bath pitches - Hurst learnt off Labby career wise Hurst was ten times better than John Stones!
Ratcliffe was a totally different centreback fast speedy great partnership with Mountfield hard to compare in different eras at full back I was impressed with the young Ratcliffe he got sent off in one European game he became a great centre back
Labone was the last of the corrinthians lasting over nearly ten years he gets my vote pure solid class !
A true leader without shouting at players his glare on the field meant everything to drive the team on!

 

[strummer]

I can't judge Labone cos I never seen him but Ratcliffe was lightning fast and very aggressive. a great defender. I'd also say in a team with some big big names and personalities his role as captain and leader was undoubted. despite being younger than most of the team

 

[Toffeelover]

For stayable longevity has to be Labby my older brother seen him as a youngster have to face the great Tom Finney of Preston North End they switched him from the wing to play down the middle that game the young Labby never gave him an inch of room !
My recollection of Labby was so consistent unflappability could and should have had a World Cup medal booked only once in a long career, a pure footballer alongside John Hurst the best centreback football pairing I have seen playing on mud bath pitches - Hurst learnt off Labby career wise Hurst was ten times better than John Stones!
Ratcliffe was a totally different centreback fast speedy great partnership with Mountfield hard to compare in different eras at full back I was impressed with the young Ratcliffe he got sent off in one European game he became a great centre back
Labone was the last of the corrinthians lasting over nearly ten years he gets my vote pure solid class !
A true leader without shouting at players his glare on the field meant everything to drive the team on!

Well said Mate.

 

[1966efc]

Very different. Equally effective for me.

 

[Bluebonic]

I saw Labone from about 66-67 onwards and he was immense, I the saw Ratcliffe be just as immense in the 80's. Being a great captain isn't about keeping the fans inside, it is about driving your team to success, and the stats prove that Ratcliffe had more success than any other, therefore he was the better captain! If we get the new ground, they should both get a statue!

 

[Irvine]

Labone was head and shoulders above the rest of the team in terms of authority and presence. I don't think he was as good a player as Ratcliffe, but I feel he was a better leader.

 

[Eggs]

...tea or coffee, red or brown sauce.

 

[Jacob]

Both players have their own merits. Playing wise, Ratcliffe became a fine centre back after an iffy initial period as full back with lightening speed being his major asset. Labone had speed of thought...and another dimension in his ability to break attacks up at source by anticipation. I also think Labone edges it skipper wise with his immense presence and all round character. Kevin Ratcliffe led us to by far greater success undoubtedly. But Brian Labone's sheer love of the club as an Evertonian shone through till he passed away. He was a class act.

 

[Bluebonic]

Both players have their own merits. Playing wise, Ratcliffe became a fine centre back after an iffy initial period as full back with lightening speed being his major asset. Labone had speed of thought...and another dimension in his ability to break attacks up at source by anticipation. I also think Labone edges it skipper wise with his immense presence and all round character. Kevin Ratcliffe led us to by far greater success undoubtedly. But Brian Labone's sheer love of the club as an Evertonian shone through till he passed away. He was a class act.

Jacob, I would never dispute Labones credentials as a blue or his status as an Everton hero, I just think that bearing in mind that both were managed by great men, and both played in exceptional sides, Ratcliffes captaincy brought us more rewards, and so purely in the basis of succes delivered in placed him top. In reality, I think there is little space between them so it just falls to personal qualities, such as Labones undoubted love for the club that sways the aragument one way or the other. What we wouldn't give to have them playing alongside each other now eh?

 

[Jacob]

Jacob, I would never dispute Labones credentials as a blue or his status as an Everton hero, I just think that bearing in mind that both were managed by great men, and both played in exceptional sides, Ratcliffes captaincy brought us more rewards, and so purely in the basis of succes delivered in placed him top. In reality, I think there is little space between them so it just falls to personal qualities, such as Labones undoubted love for the club that sways the aragument one way or the other. What we wouldn't give to have them playing alongside each other now eh?

Oh yes Blue.... just imagine that partnership at the back, hey. For most forwards it would be a question of "see ya later". And that's not doing down both of their own defensive partners John Hurst and Derek Mountfield who were exceptional players in their own right. My ole head is just ruling my heart for Labby...the last of the Corinthians.

 

[bring back the catt]

go

Difficult, as both played in great teams for a great manager, in different eras.
Whilst Kev The Rat was the more successful, he was ably abetted by some real winners in his team. While that could sometimes make captaining them a bit of an ordeal, it wasn't in reality as they were all carrying out Howard's instructions. Kevin's major job was to oversee the carrying out of those instructions.
Whereas Brian Labone was a colossus who took the managers instructions onto the pitch, and was the sole voice and sole leader.
Close, but Brian Labone for me.