little curly alan ball
Player Valuation: £70m
For those in Helmand Province , Afghanistan generally , or otherwise , Serving Their Country and away from their loved ones .
Stay Safe , Peoples ...
THAT , is a Goddamn' ORDER ...!!!
Also , for My Mother , My World ; L.C.A.Barb ;... Me Auntie Do' ; Me Babies' Babies , Me Dad an' Tommy Fergie ; the 2 funniest men I've ever met ...
and , L.C.A.Babe ; You HOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTT , Girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrllllll !!!
Oh , and , for Tony B ; Casso ... the Sheep'y , Lid ,...
And all My Peoples in the Struggle ... It's Ya' Boi ...; D
May the Good Lord be with you all .
Welcome , everyone to our little corner of the Sabbath .
I have noted recently within these walls , that it was my intention to shine a little spotlight into the areas of Evertonia , which can sometimes , be overlooked , taken for granted . Last week , was Undies , whom personifies the , Under-Rated Staunch Evertonian , category . Today's recipient is altogether alternate as regards Sermon Classification Criteria .
He was Everton's Second Highest Transfer Fee ever , when purchased from his then Club . Furthermore , in any other era , this person would have deservedly graced a Trophy Winning St. Domingo side . As it was , the nearest he came to it was a Self-Inflicted Title Implosion in his debut season , and a Clive Thomas inflicted case of Grand Larceny , 3 years later . He was , nevertheless , a Stylish - and I DO MEAN , Stylish , Elegant passer , could run all day , tackle and head a ball - though he lifted his knees when he did so . Moreover , the man scored the Second Best RS Goal - in a defeat . If it wasn't , it'd be my # 1 .. Kop End .. Sharpy's was Rd End ; that I have witnessed ,.... He was also , in my opinon , the finest Everton Midfielder , post - The Holy Trinity .
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Congregation , may I introduce , Martin Dobson ,..
John Martin Dobson , arrived in the World , as Great Britain staggered , stunned but not down , out of the Epic Encounter that was World War 2 ; on February 14 , 1948 , in the Lancashire Town of , Rishton - Happy Birthday for tomorra , Mart' . After the usual School / Local League route of progression , he was spottted by a Scout from Bolton Wanderers . Martin , he was known as Martin from an early age , was offered and accepted his First Professional Contract , in May 1966 . However , he failed to settle , and moved on to another Lancashire Club , but one with an outsanding reputation for their treatment of young players , Burnley FC , in August 1967 .
It was at Turf Moor , that Sir Dobbo , as they later would term him , found his feet . Outstanding in a Big Pond , never mind - with respect to Burnley , relatively small one in comparison ; he was ALWAYS going to shine there . The kid took year or so to settle properly , but The Clarets , knowing a young footballer when they saw one , and were patient and encouraged the lad . It would soon bring tangible rewards .
Dobbo , broke into the first team in late 1967/68 season , and began to show his strength , lung-busting running capacity , and also his quality almost imediately . As , if Martin Dobson had ANYTHING , it was quality . The side were perennial lower leagues at that time , though , of course themselves , given the size of the Town , hugely congested catchment area - LOADS of Clubs within 20 miles ; were a Football Club of repute . Not size , but reputation , relatively speaking . In 1972/73 they embarked on what remains to his day - the Premier League Promotion was snatched on the last day of the , extended , season . They were not Champions / Runners Up ; their finest hour since the 1930's . They went on to the Second Division Championship , with Dobbo not just playing a major role but beginning to gain recognition on wider scale . Burnley were ostensibly , in fact , not even ostensibly , THEY WERE , a Selling Club , ALL their players were ALWYS subject to Paper Talk of one sort or another . Martin Dobson , the young diamond was no different and indeed , the focus of a lot of it . However , it wasn't merely First Division Managers whom became aware of his performances at Turf Moor . After a number of Higher Profile Players , admittedly , pulled out ahead of an International , Martin Dobson was called up by Sir Alf Ramsay for England Duty , and made his Debut against Portugal in a 0-0 draw . He would win 3 more caps during that Calendar year whilst representing Burnley , and one , as Joe Mercer took over the Manager's Role on Temporary Basis , whilst an Everton player . Again , in 1974 . He would not pull on the Three Lions again after that year , as our failure to win trophy counted against him .
In that Summer , rumours began to emerge concerning the futures of a couple of Burnley Players , Martin Dobbo was the main rumour . However , he himself , was neither expecting to leave , nor , in an Anathema to the , Robbie Keane's of This World , was particularly keen ...
" ... After Training ... Joe Brown - The Burnley Manager ; .. had a word with me . He told me that a huge fee - £300,000 had been agreed with Everton .... He told me it was my decision whether to go and talk to them or not . However , I really felt I was being pushed into leaving - By now he was Club Captain .. ; .. and was being left with absolutely no choice in the matter . The Deal had already been done . " Kinda , refreshing , I thought , anyway . No matter the preamble , Martin Dobson , basically , saw the writing on the wall at Turf Moor , and , Sans Agent , agreed to join Everton Football Club , in August 1974 . The fee having been agreed previously . As Joe Brown noted , IT WAS an EXTRAORDINARILY high fee . Everton had - YET AGAIN , broken the British Transfer Record when purchasing Bob Latchford from Burnley in February that year - 1974 . For us to pay only £50,000 less for a midfielder - within months , was testament to the amount of faith that both Billy Bingham AND the Everton Board showed in Martin Dobson's ability .
He had to wait for his debut until some 5 games in , in a 2-1 home win over Arsenal , and in a side containing , Hurst , Royle , Latchford and Harvey , whom had scored 2 games earlier ; we had netted only 5 times thus far ; but was injured - again , and Dobbo replaced The White Pele . It would be the last time this Legend would wear the Royal Blue at Goodison Park , before leaving for Sheffield Wednesday in December . As it turned out , this side , with a view to both the past , Royle , Hurst ; the present , Clements , Connolly ; and the future , Latchford , Dobson , was to give us our closest run at the Title until we actually won it again . Everyone always comments upon our being clear at Easter , and suffering home and away losses to , One-Season-Wonders , Carslisle United . However , from September 11 , until we defeated Birmingham City , 4-1 on November 30th , we played 14 games with 11 draws , 2 losses and a victory . <<<< That , My Peoples , is where the Title went .
The F.A. Cup draw deemed to pair us with Altricham , the Non-League outfit from near Manchester . At the time , they were composed of the odd grisled , Lower League Pro , supplementing the core of Mancs / Scousers . I've told this story in a thread , so apologies to those whom have heard it , but this Cup game constituted one of my ALL TIME Personal Toe-Curling Everton moments . The game ended 1-1 . However , My Dad was a Player himself . A good one . Joe Mercer recommended Me Da' to Wolves who took up the option . Anyway , he got injured and had to spew it . Back to this game ... The match is tight . We are struggling and they do what ALL Non-League'rs whom have found themselves with the possibility of a result at a Big 5 ground do ; they PUT IT IN . They've got this Centre Half , Casey . Ostensibly , a Yard Dog , but effective enough on the day , as I recall . Anyway , I'm in the Bullens , Back Row , Upstairs , in Me Da' seat , with Him an' his Firm . Me Arl Fella knows Casey , has played against him , and is giving him RAW stick . About a quarter of an hour to go , said stopper comes to take a throw- in directly below the T.V. Gantry ... For once , it has gone quiet .....Me Da' ,...
" ... Casey ; You're Shabite !!! You were shabite when I embarrassed you , an' you're STILL shabite today ,..." I dunno if I had me Snorkel Parka on , I probably did as it goes , bein' generally DOWN , but , OMFG , me neck just went into me chest . Fellas were roaring laughing but I was beetroot . Me first - and OMG , NOT the last time I experienced my Arl Fella , givin' it one at the Match . The replay was a relatively non-complicated affair, compared to the home game , an easy 2-0 victory , with the game played in the revenue- friendly , but the wide open spaces playing into our hands , Old Trafford , as Latch' and a Lyons Penalty see us through .
There WERE highlights though . Dobbo scored his first Everton goal in that very Birmingham match , ^^^^^^ . The games immediately following Altrincham , we had three straight wins . 3-0 , Leicester at home , 3-0 away at Birmingham , as with the sweetest of irony's , Big Bob goes back and gets two . Our other goal is an Oggy , by , ..., Archie Styles - the makeweight in the Kendall- Latchford plus £350,000 , deal . The third , a 3-1 victory at Home Park , Plymouth . Also , this year's Derbies were both nil's each Monotony-Fests . We REALLY DID constitute to THROWING AWAY the League in this year . Just when you thought they had it together , a 2-0 win at Highbury ; Dobbo and Lyons , we lose not only at Carlisle , 0-3 , if you don't mind , but also get beat 1-2 at Kenilworth Road , Luton . I was present at ALL the home games and a few aways this year , but I didn't actually recall how we actually threw it away , rather than the RS take it . The RS ALWAYS took it in those days . We eventually finish 4th . 3 measly points off the Top Spot . Seriously , I'm more traumatized tonight than I was at the time !!! It could have completely altered our history , btw ... That's Everton for you , I suppose . Martin Dobson played 30 games in his inaugural season , scoring 5 times .
1975/76 began with more optimism than at any time since we last lifted Silverware , as Bingham's Honeymoon continued . Latchford and Dobson were patent quality . That much was clear . There had to be movement in and out , but evolution , not revolution . The headline signings were the previous year , as Journeymen ,... Grafters arrived . Hamilton from Ipswich , Ken McNaught and David Jones were promoted through the ranks . The Season began with , for those present , a 1-4 home tonking off , Talbot , Coventry City , as they incorporated their Sponsor's - an ill-fated British Car Company's , Logo , on both their shirts AND shorts ... It was the '70's remember ..??? Think ; .. Frisco ,,, Haight Ashbury .. A , 1-1 Goodison draw with Burnley , another win at St. Andrew's , as Smallman got 2-in-2 . The following week was Sheffield United at home . We win 3-0 . I remember this game clearly . The green pitch , their ugly-arse , red and white stripes , sunny , as Lyons , Latchford and a Smallman Penalty see them off . A 2-4 beating at Norwich aside , we've got decent form . Especially at home . Derby and The Barcodes , were despatched , Arsenal got a draw in the League Cup Goodison leg , before A.C. Milan came to The Old Lady , in the Eufa Cup . NOT one of the Great Milano sides , but still containing defensive Monoliths, Zecchini and Anquilletti , and with , Benetti and Calloni up front . Typically Bingham , we are tight at the back , but fail to really trouble them , up - top , as the game finishes 0-0 , as we all left the ground thinking , we had missed our chance . We then go to Arsenal in the 2nd Domestic Cup , and win as we knock them out after our third meeeting in 5 games . Another Derby Bore-Draw , before Milan unsurprisingly beat us 0-1 in the San Siro , prior to gaining a diluted revenge over now , Division 2's Carlisle United , whom are despatched from the League Cup , followed by our hiding of the campaign at Loftus Road , as Bowles and Dave Thomas run riot . The frustration of the season is evident over the next 8 weeks ... Win , win , draw , loss . Draw , draw , loss , loss .... The last loss in the sequence was our exit from the League Cup at Meadow Lane , Nottingham . Another 5 goal away defeat , 2-5 at Leeds , Drew Brand in goal , then , our favourite opposition Du Jour , Birmingham City were coated - yet again , at Chez Goodison , 5-2 . We were knocked out the F.A. Cup at Derby County at the first attempt . The week after , we concede 5 goals , for the third time this campaign , with a tonking at The Barcodes , 0-5 . Two weeks later , we are defeated at home to Burnley , 2-3 , in what I could have SWORN was a Friday Night Game - our only home fixture on a Friday in my tenure of watching Everton . Sure it was this one , like . Four defeats in a row in March , early April , including Ginger , Scare The Kids in the dying seconds at Grey Skull on an 11 o'clock kick off for , The National . We ended with three sraight wins ,in fairness , but it was too little , too late . Basically , our best players last season , Latchford Dobson and Lyons were still our best players . Smallman , God love him like , was just not good enough , and injury plagued . Andy King was brought in just before the season's end , and grabbed 2 goals in three games . A positive Sign ,... We finished exactly mid-table , 11th place . Martin Dobbo , made 42 appreances , netting on 5 occasions , 3 of which came in victories .
The Sands Of Time were starting to run out for Billy the Belfast Boy . Grumblings had now become pen dissent . Desperate - in view of The Bealzebub's seemingly ENDLESS supply of D'Argent ; for some tangible success , and seeing the side which 3 points off the Table , being dragged back into The Pack . The Squad was now a priority , as John Hurst - fair play to him , Irving , Gary Jones , Connolly , Clements were all moved out . Ronnie Goodlass was another promoted through the ranks and provided some much needed width , what wih having the best Cenre Forward in England in the side .
The Campaign began well , an almost unprecedented opening day 4-0 victory at Q.P.R's , Loftus Road - not the luckiest of grounds for us . The start was stuttery - Draw , Loss , Win , Draw , Loss ... in our bext 5 games , but those of us witnessed it , saw Bingham finally take the shackles off and let the side attack !!! Martin Dobbo himself looked to be more positive . A tall midfielder , certainly for us at the time as , Screechio and Rodders aside , we are currentlly , also . He scored his first of the season in the 3-0 elimination of Cambridge United from the League Cup . He grabbed another as we beat Bristol City at Goodison , before it was off to Grey Skull ....
Without going into a long ddissertation of the game itself , suffice to say , they were League , and en route to their first ever European Champions Title ;. they were decent , like . We on the other hand , were getting there . Nevertheless , we take a 3-1 hiding , a score we would become used to over the years . Nevertheless , our goal is scored by Martin Dobson . We are attacking the Deep End . Dobbo picks up the ball not far into their half , in approximately the Left Midfield position as we look . He checks to see if anything is on for a second - it isn't , before smashing an unstoppable Exocet onto a Postage Stamp in the top left hand corner of Clemence's Goal . He hits the ball with so much force , that he knocks himself off his own feet . The only time that I have ever seen an Everton Player do this . Particularly at Grey Skull . Suffice to say , the Anfield Road End went crazy . I went from being just adjacent to that whaite wall to down near the goal-line in the melee . A dustance of about 40 yards , littered with anti-crush bars . Yet , still it happened . Bizarre . We did not crumble though . They came back . 2 consecutive wins , scoring three goals both times , and a draw , followed .
However , late October / November was not as productive , and a 1-4 beating at the Barcodes brought both the Manager and Board to their senses . Mike Pejic , the Stoke City and England Full Back , had recently arrived . In the days leading up to our away fixture at Highfield Road , Coventry , Bingham made a double - transfer swoop for Duncan McKenzie , once of Forest , and the Ill-Fated , 43 Day Regime of Brian Clough at Leeds ; and Bruce Rioch , the Scots International and he of the reputed , Hardest Shot in English Football . Me Da' , rewarding me for another piece of Schoolboy Football brilliance , says , " Well in , lad . Do you fancy Coventry ,..??? .." .. DUH !!! So , off we went . We were nothing special on the day , as ANOTHER of our bogey teams grabbed four against us . The DIFFERENCE , least to me, was among our Fans . The roar that greeted them , when we scored , indeed either of the 2 Newbies touched the ball was awesome . It what you - I ; go the Match for . The quintessential essence of being an Evertonian . When we are down , YOU SHOUT LOUDER . IN SUPPORT OF ,... We lost the game 2-4 , but it didn't feel like the Barcodes had only weeks earlier , that is for sure . A draw against Birmingham , then a nasty , 0-4 coating at The Mancs , effectively , Did For , Bingham , as , after the Third Round F.A. Cup game against Stoke City - arguably McKenzie's finest ever performance at Goodison , he was dismissed as Manager of Everton FC . In truth , it was a tad premature by the board , having recently made 2 high profile buys , whom , hyperthetically , the next man may not fancy . No matter , he had gone .
I went off the day after the Stoke game to Italy , Skiing with the School . I touched down a fortnight later , with Steve Burkenshaw as our temporary Boss , and the infectious optimism that had taken with me to Italia , absconded the second we touched down in London . Burkenshaw's tenure was 4 games . 2 draws , two defeats . One of the draws was the first leg - home ; of the League Cup Semi Final , ( Bingham having enjoyed his best result of the season having achieved a fantastic 3-0 win at Old Trafford . Everyone always remember Kingy's Brace , but say , Lyons got the third . He never . he WAS on the bars , LIKE he scored , but it was Martin Dobbo . the first , I think ) . The Board sought to act , and approached Newcastle United to speak to their Manager , Gordon Lee , with a view to him being offered the St. Domingo Hot-Seat . He duly accepted , causing rankles with the overweight , shirtless ones for a decade to come .
Lee's first game was the home 4th Round Cup game versus Swindon Town . He was welcomed by the Fans before the game , as is the accepted procedure . However , given it was February , and freezing , and Mr. Lee only in his suit , he asked for an " Overcoat .." from the Players . He was provided with Martin Dobson's , Pimp-Stylee , Big Arse Sheepy . He adorned same and went on to the pitch , arms raised . Thus , the picture becomes Iconic , same as all new Everton Supremo's . Gordon Lee's is there , afront of the Mainey , arms , as I say raised , and in Martin Dobson's Sheepy . Now , I bet yous didn't know that !!! Casso ; Respetto , Frattelli . We defeat Swindon , just , 2-1 with goals from David Jones his first for the club , and Martin Dobbo himself , in a boss cup match . We remained in both Cup competitions , well into February , for the first time in anyone's memory . Indeed , Evertonians enjoyed another night of repute to live long in the annals , in the away leg of the Semi at Bolton . Our end , jam-packed , and while they were at home , but a division below us still dangerous , but Whatmore and Gowling were not as threatening as in the first leg . Duncan Mc misses a Penalty in our first Semi since Bally scored at Old Trafford 1971 - we DO DRAMA , like , but Bobby Latch seems to rise higgggghhhh , and hang for looooooong time as he bullets a header back towards the far corner and its over . We went crackers . Tell Me Ma' was given its finest pre-Wembley airing , as the players , Lyons , Kingy and Martin Dobbo particularly give it large .
The next round of the F.A. Cup we were paired with Cardiff City at Ninian Park . For those about at the time , I was just too young for Black friday , though me Da' and some of me Mates were there . Moreover , I myself - with Me Arl Fella was present at Old Trafford , later this year , The High Street Ken' , and The Tottenham Jewellers . However , THIS GAME , Cardiff away , was the most rightening experience of my young life . I can remember mad snippets of the day . The game itself ; .. My Father ROARING at Duncan Mc , to ; " Fukn PUT IT IN , You Tawt .." as he juggled the ball in the 6 yard box . All Blue kit , I seem to recall . Big Bob giving us the lead , but their Firm of , I swear it , Middle Aged Miners - Drunken , Middle Aged Miners , creating some bad ass noise . Duncan Mc does his ... See me ..?? I'm BOSS ..!!! ..thing near the end . We , Me , Me Dad , and two of his Big Arse , Tough Arse Mates , get back to the car . Just about .e are utterly on-top , as , a; our foreheads are not over-size , and b; we haven't got a wardrobe from 1969 . Me Da' and his boys are arguing the toss as best they an when attempting to navigate us through a stream of oncoming Clampetts . We get to the Car . Thank The Good Lord .... However , me Da's mate , took particular issue at one Celtic Classic , and responds a tad excessive . We get in the car . Now , Braveheart here , decides he really does want to know , butbrings 15 of his corner-men with him . I remember Me Dad grabbing his mates arm , saying , " No , Lad . not this one ..." .. Wynford Vaughan Thomas here , sees this as a Green Light and begins banging hard on the roof and window . We four are sitting staring out of the windscreen , whilst surrounded like , with delicious irony , Rourke's Drift . Funny , looking back , but soooooooooooooooo NOT funny at the time , as it goes . Next salute , the boys now start rocking the car . Now , these are Lads as big as their brains are small , so , MASSIVE . Me Da is 17 stone . His Mates not far off . I'm about 7 ... The car begins to rock . like , when I was in the Merch' . In the Biscay . In Winter ,.... Bang ..!!! Its on it's side and I'm falling on to Da's boy . He grabs me in his paw. Me Da' is roaring to CHILL ... Do NOT get out .. Bang ..!!! The vehicle is now upside down ... Amazingly , they have not broken a window - Me Arl Fella reckons it was 'cause I was there . I'm more going with , their Amoeba brains hadn't actually thought of it yet .. Irrespective , we are upside down , and they are doing an Apache Victory dance around us . Fortunately , none of us were scalped . They eventually got off , kicking the tyres and banging on -The Australian Doors .. SEE WTF I DID THERE , BTW <<<<< ...??? Having disappeared , Father and Friends climb out - a Sermon in itself , stand on me ;... flip automobile right-way-up , and we depart with L.C.A.B. having story to DINE OUT on with Mates / Older / Harder Lads ... Politiking even then ,...
Somehow , we have found ourselves on a roll . Rumours abound in theMedia and in he Ground that Frankenstein-alike , Lee does NOT fancy Stars , and thus McKenzie is not long for this Parish . The story had its roots in his having sold Barcode Hero(ine) akin to Chegs , Malcom McDonald to Arsenal whilst Geordie 1 , citing a change of system was required . Their hordes - 23,000 at the time ; were NOT amused . No matter , he stuck to his guns , but left before the effects of the changes could be really felt . We remained in both Cup competitions , well into February , for the first time in anyone's memory .
On March 12 , 1977 , Everton FC visited Wembley for the first time since 1968 , for a League Cup Final against Aston Villa . The day was more of a spectacle than the complete let-down of a game . I remember the Vanillains Car Stickers saying ; What a difference A Gray makes ... I was to become a Linguist . I kinda digs play-on-words ... The game was not at all remarkable with few chances and both teams showing their inexperience at the top table as they effectively froze . There was a rather odd event though , as a Bandsman misplaced one of his Ceremonial Spurs on the Wembley Turf whilst doing his , Band thing at half time . Thus , both sides , plus the officials spent 10 mintues combing the Hallowed Turf for a round but pointy sharp twirly thing . They eventually located it and we were off to Sheffield on the Wednesday , SEE WTF I DID ,,,,<<<<< ..???
I am the eldest of 2 children . The only lad . Thus , as Me Arl Fella was a Raw Arse Blue , as in many other areas , I was kinda spoilt , in that I got stuff . I played Footy and Cricket for evey team I ever tried to get into and was constantly in the top class at school . Thus , a good boy . As a result , my Parents sought to reward me and hopefully provide the example . This was how I ended up going to each and every round of this competition and only missing Swindon in the other Cup . So , OMFG , Barbara lets me sag school with permission to travel . I'm in the the Stand with the Sheffield Wednesday sign on it . About 6 rows back , near the Blues . 5 minutes after taking me seat . I hears .." .. Cabbie , you WHOPPER ..!!! " I looks over to see one , Kenny McKenna, huge grin , amidst the throng of blues . Beckons me over . I turns around to Monster Dad , expecting swift KB . He raises his eyebrow and says .. " .. You FUKN misbehave ... " No , Dad . The second D , is hardly across my lips , as I head off , with Big D shouting , back here , 5 minutes to go . I raises hand absently over shoulder as I dodge Stewards / Ken Dodd and literally dive into the pulsing mass . I had a BALL . Standing against a post , my mate a crackpot . Awesome night . The game weren't bad neither . Another stalemate , but a more attacking affair . Extra time . They take the lead , a Roger Kenyon comedy own goal . We are still rousing them with 2 minutes remaining , as we get a chance , McKenzie is attempting to control it as if were soap in the shower . He flicks it up , but before he can act , Bob Latchford comes from nowhere to SMASH the ball past Jimmy Rimmer , the Villa Custodian . 1's each . Off to Old Trafford again . I didn't stop dancing for 10 minutes , then remembered me Arl Fella... I shot a glance to the stand . There he is , gaze like laser beams aimed at he middle of my Fod ... Face like a Smacked Arse .. Then , breaks out into broad grin .. both arms in the air , and then waves me back , with the word , NOW ... Yes , Dad .
Our League form was decent , but '77 was our year for the Cups . We met Aston Vila one last time at the Salford Reds' , on April 13th . Rioch was Cup-Tied in this competition and our system missed him . However , in the best game of the 3 , we go behind , then , a goal by Micky Lyons brings us level . . Then , our being Everton , and thus , the unluckiest Sumbeyatches walking the Planet kicks-in . Chris Nicholl , winner of Football's Ugliest Mufuka Award for the past decade , a No Mark Centre Half , picks up ball on half way line . Begins probing , Bally-Type run as our midfield parts like the Crimson Sea before him . Cheeky [Poor language removed] shoots from 150 yards . Its going in the corner . Lawson dives . Its moving away from him . Surely not ...??? Ball nestles in bottom corner of the Stretford End goal . OMFG !!! Big Bob equalises . then , as we approach the end of yet more exra time with the game at stalemate , Terry Darracott goes to collect a ball a child could control in our right back position . Somehow it goes under his feet . There waiting is Brian Little , with a haircut from 5 years earlier . He passes the ball past Lawson , and that , My Peoples , was all she wrote . Talk about devastated ..!!!
I could not say Darracott's name for about 5 years afterwards .
We were flying in both cups , and it seemed were playing Big Games every week .
After despatching Derby at home in the quarters , it was off to Man cCty to face the All Conquering RS . Me Da' , this time , having seen the writing on the wall , as it were at Sheffield , allowed Kenny Mc to convince Barbara that her 13 and a bit year old son would be perfectly safe enjoying an afternoon's Footy in Moss Side , Manchester . The day itself , quelle surprise , battered down all day . All day , as 18 of us from by ours , none older than about 17 headed to the Land of Bobbins . Our experiences en route and home shall be for another time , but anyone there knows what I mean .
As for the game tself , we were awesome . No Latchford , injured , as Jinky Jim Pearson enjoyed his High point in an Everton shirt . They were all superb , with a shout for Ronnie Goodlass whom enjoyed his personal St. Dominmgo Zenith that day , but Duncan Mc . ...
Duncan Mc having been bladdered in the Press by the Grey Skull Iron , proceeds to embarrass him like Me Arl Fella to Whatshisface Casey ... He flicks one ball over his shoulder with his heel , and by time Complexion of the Year , 1977 , turns even his head , Duncan has gone , caught the ball before it hits the floor and is gliding away on the sodden turf . I was doing the same trick meself within a week . Used to earn me an extra kicking but the look on Kipper's was worth it So fuk knows how Duncan felt with , I'm REALLY an Invalid ,... Honest's , breath cursing remotely , in his ears . McDermot scores the goal of the season to break the deadlock , as Lawson is standing , I kid you not , 12 / 15 yards off his line . We equalise through McKenzie . They get another . Case , I think . Can't recall , really . Then , after Kenny Mc tells me to meet him at the top of the Kippax . I have been deposited at the bottom , right against the pitch , we have the maddest 5 minutes in our F.A. Cup history , as first , we equalise through Rioch . We are still celebrating , least , I am , when , OMFG , Goodlass tears off down the left wing , totally skinning England Full Back , Neal . With no Big Bob , instead of launching one , he pulls the ball back to the edge of the 6 yard area , front post , where Bryan Hamilton , our substitute has arrived unmarked . Ball hits him on the hip and flies past , if I weren't a goalie I'd make good money as a Pick Axe , Clemence and goes in . The Everton section of the Kippax literally ERUPTED ...!!!
Indeed , most us weren't even aware of the fact that the most Cantankerous Man to Wear an All Black outfit since Heinrich Himmler , Clive - I've given three different yet no believable explanations ; Thomas , had disallowed the goal . This , remember , is the man whom blew the final whistle whilst the ball was in the air from a corner , whilst Brazil , I think it was , scored from .
Pedant , with a Capital , P , and made Poll'y look media-shy .
In the event The Devil , once again , looked after his own , as they hung on for a 2-2 and the worst fright we had given them since The Holy Trinity . We are humiliated 3-0 in the Replay - same ground , as they go on to lose against The Mancs at Wembley , but lift the European Cup in Rome . We , went on to fizzle out in the League in our worst ever case of Football Larceny , and as Martin Dobson saw his final chance of Everton Silverware disappear . Evertonians were NOT HAPPY . We went on to finish 9th , as Dobbo played 40 times scoring 8 goals .
1977/78 was the year Gordon Lee stamped his own name on the Everton team . In came George Wood , an , Ahem , Scottish Goalkeeper , Micky Walsh , basically on the strength of a wonder-goal of the season on Motd , and a Lancashire perm , replaced McKenzie . The best buy though , was Dave Thomas , a winger whom had tormented us over the years . Ronnie Goodlass had done nothing wrong , but his lad was Different Gravy as they say . Colin Todd , a Rolls Royce of a defender was signed from Derby . We began with our customary , hope-balloon-bursting , 3-1 defeat at home , by Cloughies Nottingham Forest , whom hemselves would go on to the Title this year , and the European Cup the two years following .
1977/78 was in retrospect , the year of Goodison goals . At the end ogf August , we beat LeBy the end of December , we have scored that Leicester 5 , another 5 Q.P.R. , a 4-4 with Newcastle , and a 6-0 over Coventry , squaring up things from last year's opener . However , United come on Boxing Day , and punch us on the nose with a 2-6 hiding . We are defeated 1-4 away at Leed's to go out of the League Cup , and I , as did thebluefox , went to Boro to see us elimated from the other domestic Cup competition . Our League form , was fine . Better than fine . Impressive , we were taking wins were we didn't expect , there was goals all over the side , and Latchford was ON FIRE . Forest have ran away with it by the time Chelsea - oh , if only they had memories ,...; came to L4, 4EL on the final day , to be relegated . Bobby Latchford needed 3 goals to achieve the 30 that the Daily Express had put up an £10,000 reward for anyone achieving it . This game too , can keep for Bob's Sermon , but again , one for the Toffee Historians and Statto's . We beat them 6 , and with the aid of the most dubious penalty I have witnessed a Goodison Park , gets the three he needs . The place goes beserk !!! Honestly . Crackers .We party like we've won the European Cup , which in 10 more days , The Bealzebubs would actually do . No matter . We go on to finish a laudable 3rd , points off forest and qualifying for Europe at Lee's first attempt . Martin Dobson made 37 appearances and found the net on 7 occasions .
The following season began with the trip to London for Chelsea away . The High street Ken' game . I'm not gonna do this now , as my eyes feel like they are bleeding , but suffice to say , we win the game, 1-0 . Dead Sunny day . Hot . Yellow kit . Our end . Outside , and afterwards was the stuff of folklore which we will eventually cover in here , but anyone there knows precisely what I mean . At the end of August , Wimbledon in the League Cup 8-0 , as Bobby gets 5 . Then the RS come to Town ... This game of course has been depicted in both Kingy's and Mick Lyons' Sermon's , so just to say , we win 1-0 courtesy of an Andy King wondergoal in the Park End . However , I'd forgotten that theman whom nods it down from Pejic's ball , was Martin Dobson . St. Domingo goes APE as we achieve or first win of any description over The Vermin in 7 long years . 2 games prior to the Derby , we play in at the Old Lady , in Europe . Dukla Prague of Czechoslovakia are our opponents . The match following The Lucifers , We go out on away goals , 1-0 and Half Man Half Biscuit have just found their primary , though by no means only , route to notoriety . We go to Forest twice around Guy Fawlkes . I went , both times . A nil's each in the League and they knock us out of the League Cup in the midweek . Our result of November is a 3-0 win over the Mancs . We have three 1-1's in 6 games as we begin to stutter . I go to Sunderland as Rostron pus us out on the Wednesday night . Bristol City are beaten 4-1 at home , but it was precedeed by 2 defeats and yet 2 more 1-1's . However we go on to suffer 2 more defeats only twice more until , ironically , a defeat at Bolton , this time , 1-3 . A quick word , in a 2-1 victory against Q.P.R. at home and again in beaing Forest a fortnight later , George Telfer , a true blast from the past , finally got himself fit , and scored in both games . They would be his final Everton goals . There was less Swash and Buckle this Campaign compared to last , and of course , no 30 goals . However , the side was still punching its weight . Neverheless , Lee sought to throw the dice again , as first Peter Eastoe and Brian Kidd were drafted in . There would be outgoings . Martin Dobson would be one of them . He would make 40 appearances in his final Goodison season , scoring 4 goals .
He departed St. Domingo having played 186 first team matches , and scoring 29 goals .
He became a Burnley Player for the second time in August 1979 . He would remain there a further 4 years , cementing his reputation as Sir Dobbo , at Turf Moor . He plays 186 games the second time , with 20 goals . From there he goes to Bury . Just across the road , really . After a year as a Player , he was offered the Manager's Chair also . Typical Dobbo he put his hand up . He plays for another season after that one and becomes exclusivdely Manager in 1985and remains so until 1989 . He got them promoted from the th Division and established them in the Third . in 1991 he had an ill-fated tenure at Ashton Gate , Bristol . It was not successful and he left before the campaign was out . He finished his Manager's Career - to date at least . In 2008 he joined the Burnley backroom staff , and in April 2010 along with Brian Laws and Graham Alexander was appointed Care-Taker Manager for a fixture against Manchester United . They lost 3-0 . He reains on their staff .
In composing today's lesson , it has given me an opportunity to focus on a Player , whom while always loved by Blues , was often overlooked for Laurels in favour of Latch' , Kingy , Duncan Mc . Even George Wood . Yet , he was good as any of them , and better than most . Martin Dobson was pure Everton Quality . He could mix it , if required , but when given time and space to express himself was truly sublime and could genuinely play , The Beautiful Game . Moreover , along with Pejic and Dave Thomas , his 2 best buddies during his time at L4 4EL , they formed , The Bermuda Triangle ; as any player who ventured into their area , disappeared . Cute . He was extremely unlucky that , in not winning so much as runner's up medal at Everton , as he genuinely had the quality to have played in a side that did .
Therefore , this Domingo , thank the Good Lord in his providing Martin Dobson , an Artiste , whom , whilst reluctant at first , ultmately took St. Domingo to his heart . It was a mutual thing . Respect to , Allo , Allo , Matin Dobbo ...!!!
Amen .
May the Good Lord be with you all .
Written in Britain .
Remember , Jesus Loves You , 'cause you're a Blue .
Look after Your Peoples .
Peace out .
The ( Catholic ) Reverand L.C.A.B.
" ... I know My Peoples hearin' me . Hollah , if y'all need me .... Word ,.."
Stay Safe , Peoples ...
THAT , is a Goddamn' ORDER ...!!!
Also , for My Mother , My World ; L.C.A.Barb ;... Me Auntie Do' ; Me Babies' Babies , Me Dad an' Tommy Fergie ; the 2 funniest men I've ever met ...
and , L.C.A.Babe ; You HOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTT , Girrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrllllll !!!
Oh , and , for Tony B ; Casso ... the Sheep'y , Lid ,...
And all My Peoples in the Struggle ... It's Ya' Boi ...; D
May the Good Lord be with you all .
Welcome , everyone to our little corner of the Sabbath .
I have noted recently within these walls , that it was my intention to shine a little spotlight into the areas of Evertonia , which can sometimes , be overlooked , taken for granted . Last week , was Undies , whom personifies the , Under-Rated Staunch Evertonian , category . Today's recipient is altogether alternate as regards Sermon Classification Criteria .
He was Everton's Second Highest Transfer Fee ever , when purchased from his then Club . Furthermore , in any other era , this person would have deservedly graced a Trophy Winning St. Domingo side . As it was , the nearest he came to it was a Self-Inflicted Title Implosion in his debut season , and a Clive Thomas inflicted case of Grand Larceny , 3 years later . He was , nevertheless , a Stylish - and I DO MEAN , Stylish , Elegant passer , could run all day , tackle and head a ball - though he lifted his knees when he did so . Moreover , the man scored the Second Best RS Goal - in a defeat . If it wasn't , it'd be my # 1 .. Kop End .. Sharpy's was Rd End ; that I have witnessed ,.... He was also , in my opinon , the finest Everton Midfielder , post - The Holy Trinity .
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Congregation , may I introduce , Martin Dobson ,..
John Martin Dobson , arrived in the World , as Great Britain staggered , stunned but not down , out of the Epic Encounter that was World War 2 ; on February 14 , 1948 , in the Lancashire Town of , Rishton - Happy Birthday for tomorra , Mart' . After the usual School / Local League route of progression , he was spottted by a Scout from Bolton Wanderers . Martin , he was known as Martin from an early age , was offered and accepted his First Professional Contract , in May 1966 . However , he failed to settle , and moved on to another Lancashire Club , but one with an outsanding reputation for their treatment of young players , Burnley FC , in August 1967 .
It was at Turf Moor , that Sir Dobbo , as they later would term him , found his feet . Outstanding in a Big Pond , never mind - with respect to Burnley , relatively small one in comparison ; he was ALWAYS going to shine there . The kid took year or so to settle properly , but The Clarets , knowing a young footballer when they saw one , and were patient and encouraged the lad . It would soon bring tangible rewards .
Dobbo , broke into the first team in late 1967/68 season , and began to show his strength , lung-busting running capacity , and also his quality almost imediately . As , if Martin Dobson had ANYTHING , it was quality . The side were perennial lower leagues at that time , though , of course themselves , given the size of the Town , hugely congested catchment area - LOADS of Clubs within 20 miles ; were a Football Club of repute . Not size , but reputation , relatively speaking . In 1972/73 they embarked on what remains to his day - the Premier League Promotion was snatched on the last day of the , extended , season . They were not Champions / Runners Up ; their finest hour since the 1930's . They went on to the Second Division Championship , with Dobbo not just playing a major role but beginning to gain recognition on wider scale . Burnley were ostensibly , in fact , not even ostensibly , THEY WERE , a Selling Club , ALL their players were ALWYS subject to Paper Talk of one sort or another . Martin Dobson , the young diamond was no different and indeed , the focus of a lot of it . However , it wasn't merely First Division Managers whom became aware of his performances at Turf Moor . After a number of Higher Profile Players , admittedly , pulled out ahead of an International , Martin Dobson was called up by Sir Alf Ramsay for England Duty , and made his Debut against Portugal in a 0-0 draw . He would win 3 more caps during that Calendar year whilst representing Burnley , and one , as Joe Mercer took over the Manager's Role on Temporary Basis , whilst an Everton player . Again , in 1974 . He would not pull on the Three Lions again after that year , as our failure to win trophy counted against him .
In that Summer , rumours began to emerge concerning the futures of a couple of Burnley Players , Martin Dobbo was the main rumour . However , he himself , was neither expecting to leave , nor , in an Anathema to the , Robbie Keane's of This World , was particularly keen ...
" ... After Training ... Joe Brown - The Burnley Manager ; .. had a word with me . He told me that a huge fee - £300,000 had been agreed with Everton .... He told me it was my decision whether to go and talk to them or not . However , I really felt I was being pushed into leaving - By now he was Club Captain .. ; .. and was being left with absolutely no choice in the matter . The Deal had already been done . " Kinda , refreshing , I thought , anyway . No matter the preamble , Martin Dobson , basically , saw the writing on the wall at Turf Moor , and , Sans Agent , agreed to join Everton Football Club , in August 1974 . The fee having been agreed previously . As Joe Brown noted , IT WAS an EXTRAORDINARILY high fee . Everton had - YET AGAIN , broken the British Transfer Record when purchasing Bob Latchford from Burnley in February that year - 1974 . For us to pay only £50,000 less for a midfielder - within months , was testament to the amount of faith that both Billy Bingham AND the Everton Board showed in Martin Dobson's ability .
He had to wait for his debut until some 5 games in , in a 2-1 home win over Arsenal , and in a side containing , Hurst , Royle , Latchford and Harvey , whom had scored 2 games earlier ; we had netted only 5 times thus far ; but was injured - again , and Dobbo replaced The White Pele . It would be the last time this Legend would wear the Royal Blue at Goodison Park , before leaving for Sheffield Wednesday in December . As it turned out , this side , with a view to both the past , Royle , Hurst ; the present , Clements , Connolly ; and the future , Latchford , Dobson , was to give us our closest run at the Title until we actually won it again . Everyone always comments upon our being clear at Easter , and suffering home and away losses to , One-Season-Wonders , Carslisle United . However , from September 11 , until we defeated Birmingham City , 4-1 on November 30th , we played 14 games with 11 draws , 2 losses and a victory . <<<< That , My Peoples , is where the Title went .
The F.A. Cup draw deemed to pair us with Altricham , the Non-League outfit from near Manchester . At the time , they were composed of the odd grisled , Lower League Pro , supplementing the core of Mancs / Scousers . I've told this story in a thread , so apologies to those whom have heard it , but this Cup game constituted one of my ALL TIME Personal Toe-Curling Everton moments . The game ended 1-1 . However , My Dad was a Player himself . A good one . Joe Mercer recommended Me Da' to Wolves who took up the option . Anyway , he got injured and had to spew it . Back to this game ... The match is tight . We are struggling and they do what ALL Non-League'rs whom have found themselves with the possibility of a result at a Big 5 ground do ; they PUT IT IN . They've got this Centre Half , Casey . Ostensibly , a Yard Dog , but effective enough on the day , as I recall . Anyway , I'm in the Bullens , Back Row , Upstairs , in Me Da' seat , with Him an' his Firm . Me Arl Fella knows Casey , has played against him , and is giving him RAW stick . About a quarter of an hour to go , said stopper comes to take a throw- in directly below the T.V. Gantry ... For once , it has gone quiet .....Me Da' ,...
" ... Casey ; You're Shabite !!! You were shabite when I embarrassed you , an' you're STILL shabite today ,..." I dunno if I had me Snorkel Parka on , I probably did as it goes , bein' generally DOWN , but , OMFG , me neck just went into me chest . Fellas were roaring laughing but I was beetroot . Me first - and OMG , NOT the last time I experienced my Arl Fella , givin' it one at the Match . The replay was a relatively non-complicated affair, compared to the home game , an easy 2-0 victory , with the game played in the revenue- friendly , but the wide open spaces playing into our hands , Old Trafford , as Latch' and a Lyons Penalty see us through .
There WERE highlights though . Dobbo scored his first Everton goal in that very Birmingham match , ^^^^^^ . The games immediately following Altrincham , we had three straight wins . 3-0 , Leicester at home , 3-0 away at Birmingham , as with the sweetest of irony's , Big Bob goes back and gets two . Our other goal is an Oggy , by , ..., Archie Styles - the makeweight in the Kendall- Latchford plus £350,000 , deal . The third , a 3-1 victory at Home Park , Plymouth . Also , this year's Derbies were both nil's each Monotony-Fests . We REALLY DID constitute to THROWING AWAY the League in this year . Just when you thought they had it together , a 2-0 win at Highbury ; Dobbo and Lyons , we lose not only at Carlisle , 0-3 , if you don't mind , but also get beat 1-2 at Kenilworth Road , Luton . I was present at ALL the home games and a few aways this year , but I didn't actually recall how we actually threw it away , rather than the RS take it . The RS ALWAYS took it in those days . We eventually finish 4th . 3 measly points off the Top Spot . Seriously , I'm more traumatized tonight than I was at the time !!! It could have completely altered our history , btw ... That's Everton for you , I suppose . Martin Dobson played 30 games in his inaugural season , scoring 5 times .
1975/76 began with more optimism than at any time since we last lifted Silverware , as Bingham's Honeymoon continued . Latchford and Dobson were patent quality . That much was clear . There had to be movement in and out , but evolution , not revolution . The headline signings were the previous year , as Journeymen ,... Grafters arrived . Hamilton from Ipswich , Ken McNaught and David Jones were promoted through the ranks . The Season began with , for those present , a 1-4 home tonking off , Talbot , Coventry City , as they incorporated their Sponsor's - an ill-fated British Car Company's , Logo , on both their shirts AND shorts ... It was the '70's remember ..??? Think ; .. Frisco ,,, Haight Ashbury .. A , 1-1 Goodison draw with Burnley , another win at St. Andrew's , as Smallman got 2-in-2 . The following week was Sheffield United at home . We win 3-0 . I remember this game clearly . The green pitch , their ugly-arse , red and white stripes , sunny , as Lyons , Latchford and a Smallman Penalty see them off . A 2-4 beating at Norwich aside , we've got decent form . Especially at home . Derby and The Barcodes , were despatched , Arsenal got a draw in the League Cup Goodison leg , before A.C. Milan came to The Old Lady , in the Eufa Cup . NOT one of the Great Milano sides , but still containing defensive Monoliths, Zecchini and Anquilletti , and with , Benetti and Calloni up front . Typically Bingham , we are tight at the back , but fail to really trouble them , up - top , as the game finishes 0-0 , as we all left the ground thinking , we had missed our chance . We then go to Arsenal in the 2nd Domestic Cup , and win as we knock them out after our third meeeting in 5 games . Another Derby Bore-Draw , before Milan unsurprisingly beat us 0-1 in the San Siro , prior to gaining a diluted revenge over now , Division 2's Carlisle United , whom are despatched from the League Cup , followed by our hiding of the campaign at Loftus Road , as Bowles and Dave Thomas run riot . The frustration of the season is evident over the next 8 weeks ... Win , win , draw , loss . Draw , draw , loss , loss .... The last loss in the sequence was our exit from the League Cup at Meadow Lane , Nottingham . Another 5 goal away defeat , 2-5 at Leeds , Drew Brand in goal , then , our favourite opposition Du Jour , Birmingham City were coated - yet again , at Chez Goodison , 5-2 . We were knocked out the F.A. Cup at Derby County at the first attempt . The week after , we concede 5 goals , for the third time this campaign , with a tonking at The Barcodes , 0-5 . Two weeks later , we are defeated at home to Burnley , 2-3 , in what I could have SWORN was a Friday Night Game - our only home fixture on a Friday in my tenure of watching Everton . Sure it was this one , like . Four defeats in a row in March , early April , including Ginger , Scare The Kids in the dying seconds at Grey Skull on an 11 o'clock kick off for , The National . We ended with three sraight wins ,in fairness , but it was too little , too late . Basically , our best players last season , Latchford Dobson and Lyons were still our best players . Smallman , God love him like , was just not good enough , and injury plagued . Andy King was brought in just before the season's end , and grabbed 2 goals in three games . A positive Sign ,... We finished exactly mid-table , 11th place . Martin Dobbo , made 42 appreances , netting on 5 occasions , 3 of which came in victories .
The Sands Of Time were starting to run out for Billy the Belfast Boy . Grumblings had now become pen dissent . Desperate - in view of The Bealzebub's seemingly ENDLESS supply of D'Argent ; for some tangible success , and seeing the side which 3 points off the Table , being dragged back into The Pack . The Squad was now a priority , as John Hurst - fair play to him , Irving , Gary Jones , Connolly , Clements were all moved out . Ronnie Goodlass was another promoted through the ranks and provided some much needed width , what wih having the best Cenre Forward in England in the side .
The Campaign began well , an almost unprecedented opening day 4-0 victory at Q.P.R's , Loftus Road - not the luckiest of grounds for us . The start was stuttery - Draw , Loss , Win , Draw , Loss ... in our bext 5 games , but those of us witnessed it , saw Bingham finally take the shackles off and let the side attack !!! Martin Dobbo himself looked to be more positive . A tall midfielder , certainly for us at the time as , Screechio and Rodders aside , we are currentlly , also . He scored his first of the season in the 3-0 elimination of Cambridge United from the League Cup . He grabbed another as we beat Bristol City at Goodison , before it was off to Grey Skull ....
Without going into a long ddissertation of the game itself , suffice to say , they were League , and en route to their first ever European Champions Title ;. they were decent , like . We on the other hand , were getting there . Nevertheless , we take a 3-1 hiding , a score we would become used to over the years . Nevertheless , our goal is scored by Martin Dobson . We are attacking the Deep End . Dobbo picks up the ball not far into their half , in approximately the Left Midfield position as we look . He checks to see if anything is on for a second - it isn't , before smashing an unstoppable Exocet onto a Postage Stamp in the top left hand corner of Clemence's Goal . He hits the ball with so much force , that he knocks himself off his own feet . The only time that I have ever seen an Everton Player do this . Particularly at Grey Skull . Suffice to say , the Anfield Road End went crazy . I went from being just adjacent to that whaite wall to down near the goal-line in the melee . A dustance of about 40 yards , littered with anti-crush bars . Yet , still it happened . Bizarre . We did not crumble though . They came back . 2 consecutive wins , scoring three goals both times , and a draw , followed .
However , late October / November was not as productive , and a 1-4 beating at the Barcodes brought both the Manager and Board to their senses . Mike Pejic , the Stoke City and England Full Back , had recently arrived . In the days leading up to our away fixture at Highfield Road , Coventry , Bingham made a double - transfer swoop for Duncan McKenzie , once of Forest , and the Ill-Fated , 43 Day Regime of Brian Clough at Leeds ; and Bruce Rioch , the Scots International and he of the reputed , Hardest Shot in English Football . Me Da' , rewarding me for another piece of Schoolboy Football brilliance , says , " Well in , lad . Do you fancy Coventry ,..??? .." .. DUH !!! So , off we went . We were nothing special on the day , as ANOTHER of our bogey teams grabbed four against us . The DIFFERENCE , least to me, was among our Fans . The roar that greeted them , when we scored , indeed either of the 2 Newbies touched the ball was awesome . It what you - I ; go the Match for . The quintessential essence of being an Evertonian . When we are down , YOU SHOUT LOUDER . IN SUPPORT OF ,... We lost the game 2-4 , but it didn't feel like the Barcodes had only weeks earlier , that is for sure . A draw against Birmingham , then a nasty , 0-4 coating at The Mancs , effectively , Did For , Bingham , as , after the Third Round F.A. Cup game against Stoke City - arguably McKenzie's finest ever performance at Goodison , he was dismissed as Manager of Everton FC . In truth , it was a tad premature by the board , having recently made 2 high profile buys , whom , hyperthetically , the next man may not fancy . No matter , he had gone .
I went off the day after the Stoke game to Italy , Skiing with the School . I touched down a fortnight later , with Steve Burkenshaw as our temporary Boss , and the infectious optimism that had taken with me to Italia , absconded the second we touched down in London . Burkenshaw's tenure was 4 games . 2 draws , two defeats . One of the draws was the first leg - home ; of the League Cup Semi Final , ( Bingham having enjoyed his best result of the season having achieved a fantastic 3-0 win at Old Trafford . Everyone always remember Kingy's Brace , but say , Lyons got the third . He never . he WAS on the bars , LIKE he scored , but it was Martin Dobbo . the first , I think ) . The Board sought to act , and approached Newcastle United to speak to their Manager , Gordon Lee , with a view to him being offered the St. Domingo Hot-Seat . He duly accepted , causing rankles with the overweight , shirtless ones for a decade to come .
Lee's first game was the home 4th Round Cup game versus Swindon Town . He was welcomed by the Fans before the game , as is the accepted procedure . However , given it was February , and freezing , and Mr. Lee only in his suit , he asked for an " Overcoat .." from the Players . He was provided with Martin Dobson's , Pimp-Stylee , Big Arse Sheepy . He adorned same and went on to the pitch , arms raised . Thus , the picture becomes Iconic , same as all new Everton Supremo's . Gordon Lee's is there , afront of the Mainey , arms , as I say raised , and in Martin Dobson's Sheepy . Now , I bet yous didn't know that !!! Casso ; Respetto , Frattelli . We defeat Swindon , just , 2-1 with goals from David Jones his first for the club , and Martin Dobbo himself , in a boss cup match . We remained in both Cup competitions , well into February , for the first time in anyone's memory . Indeed , Evertonians enjoyed another night of repute to live long in the annals , in the away leg of the Semi at Bolton . Our end , jam-packed , and while they were at home , but a division below us still dangerous , but Whatmore and Gowling were not as threatening as in the first leg . Duncan Mc misses a Penalty in our first Semi since Bally scored at Old Trafford 1971 - we DO DRAMA , like , but Bobby Latch seems to rise higgggghhhh , and hang for looooooong time as he bullets a header back towards the far corner and its over . We went crackers . Tell Me Ma' was given its finest pre-Wembley airing , as the players , Lyons , Kingy and Martin Dobbo particularly give it large .
The next round of the F.A. Cup we were paired with Cardiff City at Ninian Park . For those about at the time , I was just too young for Black friday , though me Da' and some of me Mates were there . Moreover , I myself - with Me Arl Fella was present at Old Trafford , later this year , The High Street Ken' , and The Tottenham Jewellers . However , THIS GAME , Cardiff away , was the most rightening experience of my young life . I can remember mad snippets of the day . The game itself ; .. My Father ROARING at Duncan Mc , to ; " Fukn PUT IT IN , You Tawt .." as he juggled the ball in the 6 yard box . All Blue kit , I seem to recall . Big Bob giving us the lead , but their Firm of , I swear it , Middle Aged Miners - Drunken , Middle Aged Miners , creating some bad ass noise . Duncan Mc does his ... See me ..?? I'm BOSS ..!!! ..thing near the end . We , Me , Me Dad , and two of his Big Arse , Tough Arse Mates , get back to the car . Just about .e are utterly on-top , as , a; our foreheads are not over-size , and b; we haven't got a wardrobe from 1969 . Me Da' and his boys are arguing the toss as best they an when attempting to navigate us through a stream of oncoming Clampetts . We get to the Car . Thank The Good Lord .... However , me Da's mate , took particular issue at one Celtic Classic , and responds a tad excessive . We get in the car . Now , Braveheart here , decides he really does want to know , butbrings 15 of his corner-men with him . I remember Me Dad grabbing his mates arm , saying , " No , Lad . not this one ..." .. Wynford Vaughan Thomas here , sees this as a Green Light and begins banging hard on the roof and window . We four are sitting staring out of the windscreen , whilst surrounded like , with delicious irony , Rourke's Drift . Funny , looking back , but soooooooooooooooo NOT funny at the time , as it goes . Next salute , the boys now start rocking the car . Now , these are Lads as big as their brains are small , so , MASSIVE . Me Da is 17 stone . His Mates not far off . I'm about 7 ... The car begins to rock . like , when I was in the Merch' . In the Biscay . In Winter ,.... Bang ..!!! Its on it's side and I'm falling on to Da's boy . He grabs me in his paw. Me Da' is roaring to CHILL ... Do NOT get out .. Bang ..!!! The vehicle is now upside down ... Amazingly , they have not broken a window - Me Arl Fella reckons it was 'cause I was there . I'm more going with , their Amoeba brains hadn't actually thought of it yet .. Irrespective , we are upside down , and they are doing an Apache Victory dance around us . Fortunately , none of us were scalped . They eventually got off , kicking the tyres and banging on -The Australian Doors .. SEE WTF I DID THERE , BTW <<<<< ...??? Having disappeared , Father and Friends climb out - a Sermon in itself , stand on me ;... flip automobile right-way-up , and we depart with L.C.A.B. having story to DINE OUT on with Mates / Older / Harder Lads ... Politiking even then ,...
Somehow , we have found ourselves on a roll . Rumours abound in theMedia and in he Ground that Frankenstein-alike , Lee does NOT fancy Stars , and thus McKenzie is not long for this Parish . The story had its roots in his having sold Barcode Hero(ine) akin to Chegs , Malcom McDonald to Arsenal whilst Geordie 1 , citing a change of system was required . Their hordes - 23,000 at the time ; were NOT amused . No matter , he stuck to his guns , but left before the effects of the changes could be really felt . We remained in both Cup competitions , well into February , for the first time in anyone's memory .
On March 12 , 1977 , Everton FC visited Wembley for the first time since 1968 , for a League Cup Final against Aston Villa . The day was more of a spectacle than the complete let-down of a game . I remember the Vanillains Car Stickers saying ; What a difference A Gray makes ... I was to become a Linguist . I kinda digs play-on-words ... The game was not at all remarkable with few chances and both teams showing their inexperience at the top table as they effectively froze . There was a rather odd event though , as a Bandsman misplaced one of his Ceremonial Spurs on the Wembley Turf whilst doing his , Band thing at half time . Thus , both sides , plus the officials spent 10 mintues combing the Hallowed Turf for a round but pointy sharp twirly thing . They eventually located it and we were off to Sheffield on the Wednesday , SEE WTF I DID ,,,,<<<<< ..???
I am the eldest of 2 children . The only lad . Thus , as Me Arl Fella was a Raw Arse Blue , as in many other areas , I was kinda spoilt , in that I got stuff . I played Footy and Cricket for evey team I ever tried to get into and was constantly in the top class at school . Thus , a good boy . As a result , my Parents sought to reward me and hopefully provide the example . This was how I ended up going to each and every round of this competition and only missing Swindon in the other Cup . So , OMFG , Barbara lets me sag school with permission to travel . I'm in the the Stand with the Sheffield Wednesday sign on it . About 6 rows back , near the Blues . 5 minutes after taking me seat . I hears .." .. Cabbie , you WHOPPER ..!!! " I looks over to see one , Kenny McKenna, huge grin , amidst the throng of blues . Beckons me over . I turns around to Monster Dad , expecting swift KB . He raises his eyebrow and says .. " .. You FUKN misbehave ... " No , Dad . The second D , is hardly across my lips , as I head off , with Big D shouting , back here , 5 minutes to go . I raises hand absently over shoulder as I dodge Stewards / Ken Dodd and literally dive into the pulsing mass . I had a BALL . Standing against a post , my mate a crackpot . Awesome night . The game weren't bad neither . Another stalemate , but a more attacking affair . Extra time . They take the lead , a Roger Kenyon comedy own goal . We are still rousing them with 2 minutes remaining , as we get a chance , McKenzie is attempting to control it as if were soap in the shower . He flicks it up , but before he can act , Bob Latchford comes from nowhere to SMASH the ball past Jimmy Rimmer , the Villa Custodian . 1's each . Off to Old Trafford again . I didn't stop dancing for 10 minutes , then remembered me Arl Fella... I shot a glance to the stand . There he is , gaze like laser beams aimed at he middle of my Fod ... Face like a Smacked Arse .. Then , breaks out into broad grin .. both arms in the air , and then waves me back , with the word , NOW ... Yes , Dad .
Our League form was decent , but '77 was our year for the Cups . We met Aston Vila one last time at the Salford Reds' , on April 13th . Rioch was Cup-Tied in this competition and our system missed him . However , in the best game of the 3 , we go behind , then , a goal by Micky Lyons brings us level . . Then , our being Everton , and thus , the unluckiest Sumbeyatches walking the Planet kicks-in . Chris Nicholl , winner of Football's Ugliest Mufuka Award for the past decade , a No Mark Centre Half , picks up ball on half way line . Begins probing , Bally-Type run as our midfield parts like the Crimson Sea before him . Cheeky [Poor language removed] shoots from 150 yards . Its going in the corner . Lawson dives . Its moving away from him . Surely not ...??? Ball nestles in bottom corner of the Stretford End goal . OMFG !!! Big Bob equalises . then , as we approach the end of yet more exra time with the game at stalemate , Terry Darracott goes to collect a ball a child could control in our right back position . Somehow it goes under his feet . There waiting is Brian Little , with a haircut from 5 years earlier . He passes the ball past Lawson , and that , My Peoples , was all she wrote . Talk about devastated ..!!!
I could not say Darracott's name for about 5 years afterwards .
We were flying in both cups , and it seemed were playing Big Games every week .
After despatching Derby at home in the quarters , it was off to Man cCty to face the All Conquering RS . Me Da' , this time , having seen the writing on the wall , as it were at Sheffield , allowed Kenny Mc to convince Barbara that her 13 and a bit year old son would be perfectly safe enjoying an afternoon's Footy in Moss Side , Manchester . The day itself , quelle surprise , battered down all day . All day , as 18 of us from by ours , none older than about 17 headed to the Land of Bobbins . Our experiences en route and home shall be for another time , but anyone there knows what I mean .
As for the game tself , we were awesome . No Latchford , injured , as Jinky Jim Pearson enjoyed his High point in an Everton shirt . They were all superb , with a shout for Ronnie Goodlass whom enjoyed his personal St. Dominmgo Zenith that day , but Duncan Mc . ...
Duncan Mc having been bladdered in the Press by the Grey Skull Iron , proceeds to embarrass him like Me Arl Fella to Whatshisface Casey ... He flicks one ball over his shoulder with his heel , and by time Complexion of the Year , 1977 , turns even his head , Duncan has gone , caught the ball before it hits the floor and is gliding away on the sodden turf . I was doing the same trick meself within a week . Used to earn me an extra kicking but the look on Kipper's was worth it So fuk knows how Duncan felt with , I'm REALLY an Invalid ,... Honest's , breath cursing remotely , in his ears . McDermot scores the goal of the season to break the deadlock , as Lawson is standing , I kid you not , 12 / 15 yards off his line . We equalise through McKenzie . They get another . Case , I think . Can't recall , really . Then , after Kenny Mc tells me to meet him at the top of the Kippax . I have been deposited at the bottom , right against the pitch , we have the maddest 5 minutes in our F.A. Cup history , as first , we equalise through Rioch . We are still celebrating , least , I am , when , OMFG , Goodlass tears off down the left wing , totally skinning England Full Back , Neal . With no Big Bob , instead of launching one , he pulls the ball back to the edge of the 6 yard area , front post , where Bryan Hamilton , our substitute has arrived unmarked . Ball hits him on the hip and flies past , if I weren't a goalie I'd make good money as a Pick Axe , Clemence and goes in . The Everton section of the Kippax literally ERUPTED ...!!!
Indeed , most us weren't even aware of the fact that the most Cantankerous Man to Wear an All Black outfit since Heinrich Himmler , Clive - I've given three different yet no believable explanations ; Thomas , had disallowed the goal . This , remember , is the man whom blew the final whistle whilst the ball was in the air from a corner , whilst Brazil , I think it was , scored from .
Pedant , with a Capital , P , and made Poll'y look media-shy .
In the event The Devil , once again , looked after his own , as they hung on for a 2-2 and the worst fright we had given them since The Holy Trinity . We are humiliated 3-0 in the Replay - same ground , as they go on to lose against The Mancs at Wembley , but lift the European Cup in Rome . We , went on to fizzle out in the League in our worst ever case of Football Larceny , and as Martin Dobson saw his final chance of Everton Silverware disappear . Evertonians were NOT HAPPY . We went on to finish 9th , as Dobbo played 40 times scoring 8 goals .
1977/78 was the year Gordon Lee stamped his own name on the Everton team . In came George Wood , an , Ahem , Scottish Goalkeeper , Micky Walsh , basically on the strength of a wonder-goal of the season on Motd , and a Lancashire perm , replaced McKenzie . The best buy though , was Dave Thomas , a winger whom had tormented us over the years . Ronnie Goodlass had done nothing wrong , but his lad was Different Gravy as they say . Colin Todd , a Rolls Royce of a defender was signed from Derby . We began with our customary , hope-balloon-bursting , 3-1 defeat at home , by Cloughies Nottingham Forest , whom hemselves would go on to the Title this year , and the European Cup the two years following .
1977/78 was in retrospect , the year of Goodison goals . At the end ogf August , we beat LeBy the end of December , we have scored that Leicester 5 , another 5 Q.P.R. , a 4-4 with Newcastle , and a 6-0 over Coventry , squaring up things from last year's opener . However , United come on Boxing Day , and punch us on the nose with a 2-6 hiding . We are defeated 1-4 away at Leed's to go out of the League Cup , and I , as did thebluefox , went to Boro to see us elimated from the other domestic Cup competition . Our League form , was fine . Better than fine . Impressive , we were taking wins were we didn't expect , there was goals all over the side , and Latchford was ON FIRE . Forest have ran away with it by the time Chelsea - oh , if only they had memories ,...; came to L4, 4EL on the final day , to be relegated . Bobby Latchford needed 3 goals to achieve the 30 that the Daily Express had put up an £10,000 reward for anyone achieving it . This game too , can keep for Bob's Sermon , but again , one for the Toffee Historians and Statto's . We beat them 6 , and with the aid of the most dubious penalty I have witnessed a Goodison Park , gets the three he needs . The place goes beserk !!! Honestly . Crackers .We party like we've won the European Cup , which in 10 more days , The Bealzebubs would actually do . No matter . We go on to finish a laudable 3rd , points off forest and qualifying for Europe at Lee's first attempt . Martin Dobson made 37 appearances and found the net on 7 occasions .
The following season began with the trip to London for Chelsea away . The High street Ken' game . I'm not gonna do this now , as my eyes feel like they are bleeding , but suffice to say , we win the game, 1-0 . Dead Sunny day . Hot . Yellow kit . Our end . Outside , and afterwards was the stuff of folklore which we will eventually cover in here , but anyone there knows precisely what I mean . At the end of August , Wimbledon in the League Cup 8-0 , as Bobby gets 5 . Then the RS come to Town ... This game of course has been depicted in both Kingy's and Mick Lyons' Sermon's , so just to say , we win 1-0 courtesy of an Andy King wondergoal in the Park End . However , I'd forgotten that theman whom nods it down from Pejic's ball , was Martin Dobson . St. Domingo goes APE as we achieve or first win of any description over The Vermin in 7 long years . 2 games prior to the Derby , we play in at the Old Lady , in Europe . Dukla Prague of Czechoslovakia are our opponents . The match following The Lucifers , We go out on away goals , 1-0 and Half Man Half Biscuit have just found their primary , though by no means only , route to notoriety . We go to Forest twice around Guy Fawlkes . I went , both times . A nil's each in the League and they knock us out of the League Cup in the midweek . Our result of November is a 3-0 win over the Mancs . We have three 1-1's in 6 games as we begin to stutter . I go to Sunderland as Rostron pus us out on the Wednesday night . Bristol City are beaten 4-1 at home , but it was precedeed by 2 defeats and yet 2 more 1-1's . However we go on to suffer 2 more defeats only twice more until , ironically , a defeat at Bolton , this time , 1-3 . A quick word , in a 2-1 victory against Q.P.R. at home and again in beaing Forest a fortnight later , George Telfer , a true blast from the past , finally got himself fit , and scored in both games . They would be his final Everton goals . There was less Swash and Buckle this Campaign compared to last , and of course , no 30 goals . However , the side was still punching its weight . Neverheless , Lee sought to throw the dice again , as first Peter Eastoe and Brian Kidd were drafted in . There would be outgoings . Martin Dobson would be one of them . He would make 40 appearances in his final Goodison season , scoring 4 goals .
He departed St. Domingo having played 186 first team matches , and scoring 29 goals .
He became a Burnley Player for the second time in August 1979 . He would remain there a further 4 years , cementing his reputation as Sir Dobbo , at Turf Moor . He plays 186 games the second time , with 20 goals . From there he goes to Bury . Just across the road , really . After a year as a Player , he was offered the Manager's Chair also . Typical Dobbo he put his hand up . He plays for another season after that one and becomes exclusivdely Manager in 1985and remains so until 1989 . He got them promoted from the th Division and established them in the Third . in 1991 he had an ill-fated tenure at Ashton Gate , Bristol . It was not successful and he left before the campaign was out . He finished his Manager's Career - to date at least . In 2008 he joined the Burnley backroom staff , and in April 2010 along with Brian Laws and Graham Alexander was appointed Care-Taker Manager for a fixture against Manchester United . They lost 3-0 . He reains on their staff .
In composing today's lesson , it has given me an opportunity to focus on a Player , whom while always loved by Blues , was often overlooked for Laurels in favour of Latch' , Kingy , Duncan Mc . Even George Wood . Yet , he was good as any of them , and better than most . Martin Dobson was pure Everton Quality . He could mix it , if required , but when given time and space to express himself was truly sublime and could genuinely play , The Beautiful Game . Moreover , along with Pejic and Dave Thomas , his 2 best buddies during his time at L4 4EL , they formed , The Bermuda Triangle ; as any player who ventured into their area , disappeared . Cute . He was extremely unlucky that , in not winning so much as runner's up medal at Everton , as he genuinely had the quality to have played in a side that did .
Therefore , this Domingo , thank the Good Lord in his providing Martin Dobson , an Artiste , whom , whilst reluctant at first , ultmately took St. Domingo to his heart . It was a mutual thing . Respect to , Allo , Allo , Matin Dobbo ...!!!
Amen .
May the Good Lord be with you all .
Written in Britain .
Remember , Jesus Loves You , 'cause you're a Blue .
Look after Your Peoples .
Peace out .
The ( Catholic ) Reverand L.C.A.B.
" ... I know My Peoples hearin' me . Hollah , if y'all need me .... Word ,.."
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