little curly alan ball
Player Valuation: £70m
For those in Helmand Province , Afghanistan generally , or indeed ANYWHERE , Serving Their Country and away from their loved ones ...
Stay SAFE , Peoples .. THAT , is a Goddamned ORDER !!!
For LCABarb ; My Mother My World , an' Our Eva an' Arch The Blue ...
As far as Everton legends go , Billy Dean , Bally , The Golden Vision , even for younger voters , the Big Man , all deserve a shout . However , few can argue , when people cite our Greatest Ever exponent OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BLUE , as , one , Brian Labone .
Born in the early days of World War 2 , A Scouser , a talented young sportsman - boss cricketer , apparently - , and gifted scholar , he swerved a possible University Career to join his first love , Everton FC , in August , 1957 . After a good showing against Dave Hickson in a practice game , he was fast-tracked through the usual youngster route , and eventually would make 4 appearances in the first team that year , and the same the following year . Me Da' said he got a lesson in his early days ( at Spurs ??? ) , but was the good scholar in all things , he went away , toughened up , and came back , better .
When Johnny Carey was sacked in the back of the most famous Liverpool Taxi ride ever , Harry Catterick would take charge of an Everton in the early days of the 1960's . He would begin moulding a side that would challenge Shankley's R.S. for the rest of the decade . Labone became a regular under Catterick , and as a result , became , in 1962 , the first Everton player to be capped for England , since the War .
In a side featuring The Golden Vision , Roy Vernon - whom scored 23 and 24 goals respectively , the heartbreaking - for a blue - Tony Kay , and Labby's TOP buddy , Westy in goal , the team went on to win the Title .
Labby would prosper over the next few years . Never the quickest - but a SUPERB reader of the game - , and more one footed than I was - an' I WAS one footed ( left , but ) , he would receive the Everton captaincy early in 1966 - after Tony Kay was receive a life ban for having taken part in a bribery scandal whilst at Sheffield Wednesday . Later that year , he would lift the F.A. Cup after one of the greatest comebacks in Wembley history , saw Everton concede two first half goals , but come back to win 3-2 .
Brian was to marry that summer , forgoing any hope of Ramsey's World Cup squad , but he was behind Charlton - despite , in me Da's words , being TWICE THE FUKN PLAYER , in the Bosses affections .
August 1966 saw Alan Ball sign for Everton , the following year , Kendall joined , and the next 4 years would see the REAL School of Science . A Cup Final defeat , 1968 - WHEN WE NEVER SHOULD'VE LOST THAT GAME , numerous Semi - final appearances , and ALWAYS in the Title hunt , 1969-70 saw , until the 1980's , our GREATEST EVER side lift the League Championship . Labby captained the side and again lifted the trophy in his most proud moment as an Evertonian .
He would go to the World Cup in Mexico - again , ENGLAND'S GREATEST EVER SIDE - including Bally , Tommy Wright and Keith Newton , as FIRST choice Centre Half . If you ever get the chance , watch the famous England Vs Brazil game . Though EVERYONE ALWAYS mentions 1 ; Banks' save from Pele , and 2 ; Bobby Moore's tackle on the same player , well , watch for Labby just being his majestic self , giving Pele a lesson on more than one occasion - also , by then , Bally was THE MAIN MAN , having inherited Bobby Charlton's mantle of , England's Go - To - Man .
Unfortunately , in a blatant stitch - up , Bobby Moore was arrested , Banks got food poisoning , and Labby - without Moore , and Bonetti in goal , saw England throw away a two - goal lead to lose to Germany 3-2 in the quarter finals .
The season after the Title saw a decline in our League performance , though for me , as a 7 year old , I recall a Penalty victory of Borussia Monchoengladbach , Derby Win over the R.S. a home draw against Panathaniakos - eventual finalists against Johann Cruyff's Ajax , only to lose in the away leg on away goals .
The following Saturday , my Da' - I love you , Big Man - took me to Old Trafford to watch the F.A. Cup Semi Final versus , again , the R.S.
Just before half time , we were leading 1-0 , Bally , of course , but Labby got injured late in the first half ( ?? ) , and had to go off .
We went on to lose the game 2-1 . We would go into decline for the next 15 years , and Labby would never wear a blue shirt again . Eventually retiring in 1972 , aged 31 .
He played over 500 - 530 , games for his ONLY club . The only club he wanted to play for . He played in an era of MAGNIFICENT forwards . He was booked only twice . Our Chairman , coined the phrase , Last of the Corinthian's , to signify Labby's , Hard - But - Fair Ethos . He got it spot on .
However , Labby being Labby , that was NOT the end of him as a blue . Always attending games , the intro of ex- players being embraced by the club in the 90's saw Brian installed as Mr. Everton , once more .
There's a photograph of the Coventry relegation game of 1998 . Whilst the rest of us were going baldy inside the ground , Brian is pictured , pacing up and down Goodison Road , 'CAUSE HE COULDN'T BEAR TO LOOK .
THAT , is how much of a Blue , this man was .
Anyone , like myself , whom ever worked , either in the Insurance / Financial sector of the City , OR Bevvy'd near Old Hall Street , COULD NOT FAIL to have seen , bumped into , or spoken to Labby over the years .
His penchant for a Bevv' , saw him use public transport . He would often be found either on the train , or the bus from Maghull , an' HE ALWAYS HAD A WORD FOR AN EVERTONIAN .
ALWAYS .
I was fortunate to get to be able to say , Hiya , to this Everton Legend , for a few years , and saw him MANY times holding Court in the Exchange Boozer , on Old Hall Street , his FAVOURITE watering hole .
The night he died , he was on his way home from - typically - an Everton night in the Winslow , facing Goodison . He is pictured with his arm around his top mate , and another Everton Legend , The Cannonball - Kid , Davie Hickson .
THAT , says it all , about Brian Labone , Evertonian , and , Last of the Corinthian's .
So , today , give a thought to Brian Labone , World Class Evertonian .
Written In Britain .
Look After Your Peoples .
Peace Out ..
The Catholic Reverand L.C.A.B.
" .. I know My Peoples Hearin' Me , Holler if Y'all need Me ... Word .. "
Stay SAFE , Peoples .. THAT , is a Goddamned ORDER !!!
For LCABarb ; My Mother My World , an' Our Eva an' Arch The Blue ...
As far as Everton legends go , Billy Dean , Bally , The Golden Vision , even for younger voters , the Big Man , all deserve a shout . However , few can argue , when people cite our Greatest Ever exponent OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BLUE , as , one , Brian Labone .
Born in the early days of World War 2 , A Scouser , a talented young sportsman - boss cricketer , apparently - , and gifted scholar , he swerved a possible University Career to join his first love , Everton FC , in August , 1957 . After a good showing against Dave Hickson in a practice game , he was fast-tracked through the usual youngster route , and eventually would make 4 appearances in the first team that year , and the same the following year . Me Da' said he got a lesson in his early days ( at Spurs ??? ) , but was the good scholar in all things , he went away , toughened up , and came back , better .
When Johnny Carey was sacked in the back of the most famous Liverpool Taxi ride ever , Harry Catterick would take charge of an Everton in the early days of the 1960's . He would begin moulding a side that would challenge Shankley's R.S. for the rest of the decade . Labone became a regular under Catterick , and as a result , became , in 1962 , the first Everton player to be capped for England , since the War .
In a side featuring The Golden Vision , Roy Vernon - whom scored 23 and 24 goals respectively , the heartbreaking - for a blue - Tony Kay , and Labby's TOP buddy , Westy in goal , the team went on to win the Title .
Labby would prosper over the next few years . Never the quickest - but a SUPERB reader of the game - , and more one footed than I was - an' I WAS one footed ( left , but ) , he would receive the Everton captaincy early in 1966 - after Tony Kay was receive a life ban for having taken part in a bribery scandal whilst at Sheffield Wednesday . Later that year , he would lift the F.A. Cup after one of the greatest comebacks in Wembley history , saw Everton concede two first half goals , but come back to win 3-2 .
Brian was to marry that summer , forgoing any hope of Ramsey's World Cup squad , but he was behind Charlton - despite , in me Da's words , being TWICE THE FUKN PLAYER , in the Bosses affections .
August 1966 saw Alan Ball sign for Everton , the following year , Kendall joined , and the next 4 years would see the REAL School of Science . A Cup Final defeat , 1968 - WHEN WE NEVER SHOULD'VE LOST THAT GAME , numerous Semi - final appearances , and ALWAYS in the Title hunt , 1969-70 saw , until the 1980's , our GREATEST EVER side lift the League Championship . Labby captained the side and again lifted the trophy in his most proud moment as an Evertonian .
He would go to the World Cup in Mexico - again , ENGLAND'S GREATEST EVER SIDE - including Bally , Tommy Wright and Keith Newton , as FIRST choice Centre Half . If you ever get the chance , watch the famous England Vs Brazil game . Though EVERYONE ALWAYS mentions 1 ; Banks' save from Pele , and 2 ; Bobby Moore's tackle on the same player , well , watch for Labby just being his majestic self , giving Pele a lesson on more than one occasion - also , by then , Bally was THE MAIN MAN , having inherited Bobby Charlton's mantle of , England's Go - To - Man .
Unfortunately , in a blatant stitch - up , Bobby Moore was arrested , Banks got food poisoning , and Labby - without Moore , and Bonetti in goal , saw England throw away a two - goal lead to lose to Germany 3-2 in the quarter finals .
The season after the Title saw a decline in our League performance , though for me , as a 7 year old , I recall a Penalty victory of Borussia Monchoengladbach , Derby Win over the R.S. a home draw against Panathaniakos - eventual finalists against Johann Cruyff's Ajax , only to lose in the away leg on away goals .
The following Saturday , my Da' - I love you , Big Man - took me to Old Trafford to watch the F.A. Cup Semi Final versus , again , the R.S.
Just before half time , we were leading 1-0 , Bally , of course , but Labby got injured late in the first half ( ?? ) , and had to go off .
We went on to lose the game 2-1 . We would go into decline for the next 15 years , and Labby would never wear a blue shirt again . Eventually retiring in 1972 , aged 31 .
He played over 500 - 530 , games for his ONLY club . The only club he wanted to play for . He played in an era of MAGNIFICENT forwards . He was booked only twice . Our Chairman , coined the phrase , Last of the Corinthian's , to signify Labby's , Hard - But - Fair Ethos . He got it spot on .
However , Labby being Labby , that was NOT the end of him as a blue . Always attending games , the intro of ex- players being embraced by the club in the 90's saw Brian installed as Mr. Everton , once more .
There's a photograph of the Coventry relegation game of 1998 . Whilst the rest of us were going baldy inside the ground , Brian is pictured , pacing up and down Goodison Road , 'CAUSE HE COULDN'T BEAR TO LOOK .
THAT , is how much of a Blue , this man was .
Anyone , like myself , whom ever worked , either in the Insurance / Financial sector of the City , OR Bevvy'd near Old Hall Street , COULD NOT FAIL to have seen , bumped into , or spoken to Labby over the years .
His penchant for a Bevv' , saw him use public transport . He would often be found either on the train , or the bus from Maghull , an' HE ALWAYS HAD A WORD FOR AN EVERTONIAN .
ALWAYS .
I was fortunate to get to be able to say , Hiya , to this Everton Legend , for a few years , and saw him MANY times holding Court in the Exchange Boozer , on Old Hall Street , his FAVOURITE watering hole .
The night he died , he was on his way home from - typically - an Everton night in the Winslow , facing Goodison . He is pictured with his arm around his top mate , and another Everton Legend , The Cannonball - Kid , Davie Hickson .
THAT , says it all , about Brian Labone , Evertonian , and , Last of the Corinthian's .
So , today , give a thought to Brian Labone , World Class Evertonian .
Written In Britain .
Look After Your Peoples .
Peace Out ..
The Catholic Reverand L.C.A.B.
" .. I know My Peoples Hearin' Me , Holler if Y'all need Me ... Word .. "
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