tell me something about Labone

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Jamo Martinez said:
I was thinking more of his playing style as a defender. To get an idea of the type of defender he was. Not trying to compare them ability wise.
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Sorry about that - I get your point -but everything about Labby the plaudits of those who seen him play, and I was one of the lucky ones ability wise =World Class - He should have had more England caps, but it was in an era where the England team had a London bias, that stopped players being chosen a good example of this was Alan Mullary being chosen ahead of Howard Kendall -
A fantastic Captain, who led by example, no flaws in his game over a long decade of a blues career of first team appearances, only Big Neville Southall has in my era the same attributes as being one of the best over a long period for the blues!
 

Labby quite Incomparable..........with a capital..... I.


Joey66 said:
Sorry about that - I get your point -but everything about Labby the plaudits of those who seen him play, and I was one of the lucky ones ability wise =World Class - He should have had more England caps, but it was in an era where the England team had a London bias, that stopped players being chosen a good example of this was Alan Mullary being chosen ahead of Howard Kendall -
A fantastic Captain, who led by example, no flaws in his game over a long decade of a blues career of first team appearances, only Big Neville Southall has in my era the same attributes as being one of the best over a long period for the blues!
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Joey66 said:
Only if they were in his class - Stones grant you has potential - but Labby or Captain Labone was something so special it was a pleasure fortunately see him to be around to pick two Championships in 7 years with two different formation of teams speaks for his record - his style of play was so great even Jack Charlton could not believe his luck when he got the 1966 England world cup call as he was a typical stopper of a centre half -
Labby had one rough patch through injury , and ironically nearly retired mid career, fortunately persuaded to say his partnership with John Hurst was unbelievable to see, Hurst { put it this way if Stones is half as good as him we will be blessed !}
Labone was Mr Everton no one else can ever claim that even on retirement he was a fan to the end!
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John Hurst was a great player but seriously underrated......probably because he confused all the reporters by wearing number 10..........
 
peteblue said:
John Hurst was a great player but seriously underrated......probably because he confused all the reporters by wearing number 10..........
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John Hurst was originally an inside forward attacker - It was a master stroke by HC to move him along side Labby as a duo centre half totally unique in its day, Hursty was also a player who scored goals - fantastic at the back learnt so much off Labby - You are right he was an unsung hero, who you only noticed how great he was when he was injured out of the team!
 

I took my son and daughter to GP after the end of the 1985/'86 season. We were lucky enough to be taken on a guided tour on our own and, whilst walking through the lounge, the tour guide called over to a giant grey-haired feller who was stood at the bar, telling me I'm probably too young to remember Brian Labone.

Too young? I was born in 1952! I was walking on air for the rest of the summer holiday after meeting, and sharing memories with the great man.
 
Joey66 said:
John Hurst was originally an inside forward attacker - It was a master stroke by HC to move him along side Labby as a duo centre half totally unique in its day, Hursty was also a player who scored goals - fantastic at the back learnt so much off Labby - You are right he was an unsung hero, who you only noticed how great he was when he was injured out of the team!
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Totally agree with all of that ;)
 
TyphooToffee said:
I took my son and daughter to GP after the end of the 1985/'86 season. We were lucky enough to be taken on a guided tour on our own and, whilst walking through the lounge, the tour guide called over to a giant grey-haired feller who was stood at the bar, telling me I'm probably too young to remember Brian Labone.

Too young? I was born in 1952! I was walking on air for the rest of the summer holiday after meeting, and sharing memories with the great man.
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Was the tour guide Gordon Watson, an old great player who played in the 30's with Dixie Dean? He was also a coach and trainer. Dave Hickson took over the tours after Gordon passed away. I was on a tour with Gordon at end of 85. Got my hands on the Charity Shield, league trophy and Euro Cup Winners Cup.

Every time I saw Brian Labone play he was solid at the back. A very cultured player, cool, calm and collected.
 

Put it simply, if he was still alive today, and played at Anfield on Wednesday night, we would probably would not have lost and he would have been man of the match.
 
He was a true gentleman and a Blue to his core. He marked the brilliant Brazilian striker Tostao out of the game in the famous England v Brazil game in Mexico.
Quality player, hard but fair: his partnership with John "Garth" Hurst was one of the reasons why Everton were so successful in the 1960s.
 
Naw , he was more of a rock ....... upon which many an attack floundered. When we remember the 69/70 team it's mainly about the Holy Trinity , Joe Royle etc but he was quietly immense throughout . I suppose the modern equivalents would be the two Leicester central defenders , solid unrecognised while the headlines are grabbed by those further forward. A true blue.
 
Watched Labby play many, many times, thoroughly deserves all the accolades. We will never see the like of him again, it was a privilege to see him play.
 

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