Ray Wilson

Perth Blue · August 31, 2019

Does anyone remember Ray Wilson signing in July 1964, there was a press call, and he was heading balls back to the journalists and having his picture taken, it was at Goodison and the photo appeared on the back of the post the next day, does anyone remember that and the date it happened

Eggs · August 31, 2019

...I don’t specifically remember, but there are photographs in the ‘old pictures’ thread of him signing. I recall one with a glum looking Mick Meagan looking over his shoulder as he puts pen to paper. I think Meagan went to Huddersfield as part of the deal.

The likes of @Joey66 and a few others are the photo reference experts on here.

Old Everton Pictures

www.grandoldteam.com

Steve Wigan · August 31, 2019

Eggs said:
...I don’t specifically remember, but there are photographs in the ‘old pictures’ thread of him signing. I recall one with a glum looking Mick Meagan looking over his shoulder as he puts pen to paper. I think Meagan went to Huddersfield as part of the deal.

The likes of @Joey66 and a few others are the photo reference experts on here.

Old Everton Pictures

www.grandoldteam.com

I had a long chat with a pleasant but pretty pissed Tommy Docherty a few years ago in a bar near Stockport, and he had lots of fine words to say about Mick Meagan...

Eggs · August 31, 2019

Steve Wigan said:
I had a long chat with a pleasant but pretty pissed Tommy Docherty a few years ago in a bar near Stockport, and he had lots of fine words to say about Mick Meagan...

....I think Mick is still with us. Played a lot of games for the Blues and went on to be the first ever Republic of Ireland manager.

Eggs · August 31, 2019

...oh, @ManxBrian is another of our picture experts.

ManxBrian · August 31, 2019

Eggs said:
...oh, @ManxBrian is another of our picture experts.

My collection is almost exclusively based on goals scored rather than individual players. I have found the photo of Wilson signing for Everton in a book "Everton school of Science" by Mark Platt but don't think that is the one Perth Blue was looking for.

blue1948 · August 31, 2019

My all time favourite left back for us and England but is it the rose tinted glasses ? I know he was special but believe none of the old players could keep up with the game now ,yes they are trained now -in a gym rather than the alehouse ,just thinking out aloud .

Eggs · August 31, 2019

blue1948 said:
My all time favourite left back for us and England but is it the rose tinted glasses ? I know he was special but believe none of the old players could keep up with the game now ,yes they are trained now -in a gym rather than the alehouse ,just thinking out aloud .

...nah, he was quality and would’ve been quality today, I have no doubt about that. I’d actually consider that whilst the game has become faster and more physically demanding, the quality has significantly dropped in this modern era. You only have to look at who gets England caps these days.

davek · August 31, 2019

I always thought his name Ramon was because he had Spanish heritage or something. Turns out his mum liked a Mexican-American film star of the 30s and named him after him. He reckoned it toughened him up in a 'boy named Sue' Johnny Cash type of way.

mahermi1 · August 31, 2019

Eggs said:
...nah, he was quality and would’ve been quality today, I have no doubt about that. I’d actually consider that whilst the game has become faster and more physically demanding, the quality has significantly dropped in this modern era. You only have to look at who gets England caps these days.

Totally agree, lot more skilled, individualistic type players in the sixties/seventies era's. Nowadays players are just made to be more athletic and fitter, apart from the elite type player. Rise of the Klopp search and destroy type teams I'm afraid.

Steve Wigan · August 31, 2019

Eggs said:
...nah, he was quality and would’ve been quality today, I have no doubt about that. I’d actually consider that whilst the game has become faster and more physically demanding, the quality has significantly dropped in this modern era. You only have to look at who gets England caps these days.

Full backs like Ray Wilson and Alex Parker had the ability to manoeuvre the winger into a corner were he had nowhere to go and almost 'gave up the ball'. That was one of the great skills of full back play, You rarely see it from the top full backs these days, because wingers are more direct and the full back just has to chase and get a tackle in. Try to name half a dozen modern wingers who are 'Wizards of the dribble'. Its not easy.

larbert toffee · August 31, 2019

davek said:
I always thought his name Ramon was because he had Spanish heritage or something. Turns out his mum liked a Mexican-American film star of the 30s and named him after him. He reckoned it toughened him up in a 'boy named Sue' Johnny Cash type of way.

In the same way being named Davek has helped you be a tough guy.

Tennessee Blue Mike · August 31, 2019

davek said:
I always thought his name Ramon was because he had Spanish heritage or something. Turns out his mum liked a Mexican-American film star of the 30s and named him after him. He reckoned it toughened him up in a 'boy named Sue' Johnny Cash type of way.

Didn't know that. Nice to know. Great player.

Methuselah · August 31, 2019

True story this. In the late 1950's, the Leeds United manager (can't remember his name), sent his scout to watch Huddersfield Town. Apparently, Ray Wilson had been injured but the Huddersfield manager decided to play him at the last minute. Ray Wilson played but it was someone else's name in the programme. The scout was so impressed with the left full back he recommended that Leeds sign him. Leeds bought the name in the programme. I saw this poor unfortunate lad play on a couple of occasions and he was absolutely useless. This story did the rounds in Leeds for ages.

Joey66 · August 31, 2019

Perth Blue said:
Does anyone remember Ray Wilson signing in July 1964, there was a press call, and he was heading balls back to the journalists and having his picture taken, it was at Goodison and the photo appeared on the back of the post the next day, does anyone remember that and the date it happened

Here he is signing Mick Meagan went to Huddersfield in that deal what a world calls left back he really was here's the photo @Eggs mentioned -
I have blown it up for you -
June 30th, 1964, when Harry Catterick, right, canny Everton manager, procured the signature of left-back Ray Wilson, watched by the legendary Mr E Boot, Huddersfield Town boss, second left, where Wilson learned his trade. Wilson was a star in England’s greatest triumph against Germany in the 1966 World Cup Final. Also featured Everton Eire International Mick Meagan, left, who went to Huddersfield in the deal, and second right, Everton secretary W Dickinson