| *
Many
memories. Going down to London with my friends, all of whom
had tickets. I did not. Try as I might it proved impossible
to get hold of one. Then at about 2-30 the word went out that
there was a ticket to be had at Wembley station. I was fortunate
enough to buy it for the princely sum of £5.
Getting into Wembley with little time to spare I found myself
right at the very back in the end opposite to that in which
Shirley netted the fantastic winner. From where I was it was
nigh impossible to see anything but I still recall the atmosphere.
We arrived back in Liverpool too late for Match of the Day but
as the highlights were being shown on TV on Sunday afternoon
I could wait.
In those days I had recently joined the Blue Funnel Line as
a junior officer. Blue Funnel had sent me on a fire course and
then had me working-by on ships in Liverpool as fire officer.
Anyway, I was working aboard a ship on the Sunday but as there
were never any fires I had decided that I would go home at about
2 p.m. to watch the game. I changed from my uniform into my
suit (people actually wore suits then even when not going for
an interview)
I was making my way towards the gangway when the shout of 'FIRE'
greeted me. I had been taught to asses the situation, take whatever
action I could and ensure the fire doors were shut. Having been
informed of where the fire was, still in my go-ashore suit,
I went down an alleyway in the passenger accommodation armed
with a fire extinguisher. However, the smoke was so dense and
the fumes all over-powering that all I could manage was to shut
the fire doors before beating a hasty retreat.
In the meantime some of the dockers had smashed the window(
not porthole) and had succeeded in extinguishing the fire. I
returned down the alley way to survey the scene and satisfy
myself and the Chief Officer that there was no further risk.
It transpires that a french-polisher had been working in the
cabin using wire wool and white spirit to clean up the woodwork.
Unfortunately his wire wool had somehow touched an electric
wire the result being an instant blaze.
Anyway, I did not get to see the highlights. Very soon afterwards
I went deep sea, returning some 4 months later. Not only did
I not really see Everton's win, though I was there, but also
I never saw a ball kicked in the World-Cup.
Finally, should you still be awake, coming home through the
Suez Canal I heard the news that Everton had signed Alan Ball
for £110,000. Doug Roberts. (19/05/06)
Outside
Wembley 1966
From
left to right Eric Tate, Tommy Groggan, George Baxter and Ray
Jones (Sting Ray)
*
We
all worked for the English Electric on the East Lancs except
George, who is my Brother in Law. The 2 lads sitting behind
them are Sheffield Wednesday fans. We shared a beer with them
before setting off to the west end for a party. We all made
it home safely still as immaculate as we left ties and all.
Ray Jones. (19/05/06)
*
This
photo(above) appeared in the Echo when the blues won at Wembley
in 1966. It is me, Tony Williams, in the middle flanked by the
2 brothers Lenny and Robbie. Sorry lads cannot remember their
surnames, but the 3 of us were all milkmen for Hoggs Dairy in
Walton.......nobody got any milk that morning !!!! cheers. Tony
Williams. Sydney Australia. (29/01/05)
*
I was working in London at the time and was desperate to get
hold of a ticket. I went down Petticoat Lane and asked the stall
holders if they knew anyone who could get one for me. I was
told to come back the next day. True enough he had a ticket
for me, I think I must have paid twice the face value. When
I looked at it I was horrified. I worked in printing and was
convinced it was a forgery as it did not have the teams on and
seemed to me poorly produced. I lived in a flat near Highbury
so went straight to their office and asked them to check it
against their allocation. I remember seeing Billy Wright who
was the Manager in the office. RELIEF! I was told the ticket
was genuine. Like many others I cannot remember much detail
regarding the match, what springs to mind is my cousin at Baker
Street Tube Station with a replica of the cup on a large stick
leading a mob of blues chanting Everton! and HP Baked Beans
there the beans for me! Another cousin who had been practising
jumping and tumbling over a chair in his back garden did the
same over the turnstyle and got into the match (he did the same
for the World Cup Final and joined me who had a ticket). I remember
the supreme confidence at half time amongst the supporters that
we would win. We all went down to Trafalgar Square after the
game and my brother and I picked up a couple of girls, we took
them back to the flat and when we got in every bit of floor
space was occupied by prone, sleeping, Evertonians all with
big smiles on their gobs! Watching The Golden Vision on BBC3
a few weeks ago brought back some of the flavour of traveling
to games in those days, happy days when Everton were a major
force not the sad fallen giant they have become due to years
of boardroom mismanagement. WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED! Mike
Rathe. (04/08/04)
*
We
got the train down, complete with crates of beer, except that
two bottles were missing. Two days before the match my cousin
and best mate Peter got appendicitis and was in hospital in
Birkenhead. Against orders we smuggled in the ale for him. When
Temple scored he nearly split his stitches! As for the match,
well the first half was a blur but the second was the best moment
I had had as a 16year old. After the match we went to the West
End, drank and pinched a fruit barrow from Convent Garden,to
wheel a number of drunks to Trafalgar Square and swim in the
fountains. The midnight train back and so to St Georges Hall
for the triumphant homecoming. The crowd was tightly packed
and I enjoyed the crush by squeezing up to a girl named Sue
from Widnes. We went out after that for one or two dates. Are
you still around Sue?
Peter,a great Evertonian, died young at 43, but left three sons,
all Blues. Two are now in Washington DC spreading the word and
one in Wallasey. I live in Cornwall where there are more Blues
than you would think. Never forget your history!!! David
Evans. (04/08/04)
*
I went to every home game that season. I collected every match
voucher, sagged school and queued up all day for my ticket after
sticking all me vouchers on the card. I got my ticket eventually
and it took all day. I was made up and went home. When me mum
got home from work she said I couldn't go to Wembley .. I was
too young, had no adult to take me. My only chance was to go
with me sister boyfriend who was 18 at the time ... but he didn't
get a ticket. I ended up having to sell my ticket for a small
fortune to a 13 year old then ... 5 quid! Had to watch it on
the telly! Peter J. (04/08/04)
*
Overnight we stayed in Rugby and then drove to somewhere like
Harrow to get the Tube. My next memory was sitting on Wembley
Way (can't take to Empire Way) and discussing where we would
meet my Dad and then looking up and seeing him as large as life
in his own inimitable way walking towards Wembley. The picture
is still very vivid in my mind.
In the ground the old man and I were just behind the goal line
at the tunnel end on the royal box side - I must have had almost
the same place in 1995 - and my Uncle and cousin were in the
ground opposite the tunnel. Phil, my cousin who is 6 months
older than me, was plonked by a load of supporters on top of
one the dividing walls of the ground so he could see.
What of the game itself? Well I have to confess not too much
sits in my mind. I can remember Trebilcock's second goal and
the lap of honour but all my other memories seem to be from
TV and film. Not very good really but there you are.
The trip back is also a blank other than seeing an accident
in Widnes. Funny what sticks and what doesn't.
Some years later I met Derek Temple who by then had a social
connection with my Dad and I can remember getting his autograph
on a piece of paper. I used to have the programme for the final
which I also had autographed by Derek Temple. I can't remember
where it is now or if I gave it away - still, I've got an excuse
to go and look. Ken Finch. (08/07/04)
*
I
went to every home game that season. I collected every match
voucher, sagged school and queued up all day for my ticket after
sticking all me vouchers on the card. I got my ticket eventually
and it took all day. I was made up and went home. When me mum
got home from work she said I couldn't go to Wembley .. I was
too young, had no adult to take me. My only chance was to go
with me sister boyfriend who was 18 at the time ... but he didn't
get a ticket. I ended up having to sell my ticket for a small
fortune to a 13 year old then ... 5 quid! Had to watch it on
the telly! Peter J. (08/07/04)
*
Yes I was there aged just 13 Years old, got lots of fantastic
memories on this. Both myself and my late Father went down by
train of Friday Afternoon stayed over in a B & B somewhere
in London, couldn't sleep that Night due to the noise of workmen.
Apparently they were building a new section of the underground
so I was told. Up early Saturday Morning made our way by tube
to Wembley Stadium.
My
First sight of the twin towers will stay with me forever. Whilst
we were queuing to get in to the ground I remember the chap
in front of us had his ticket snatched from his hand. He was
lucky he still had the part you have to hand in and a policeman
had seen this and had a word with the chap in the turnstile
and they let him in. On the game I was on my dads shoulders
for most of the game don't know how he managed it, but he did
I remember it was a hot day and my dad had both his and my coat
tucked under his braces.
At
half-time I remember a tear or two in my eyes and I said to
my dad: "we aren't going to win are we?" He turned
and said: "You watch us go in the second-half. We will
win." and he was right. I remember this fellow running
onto the pitch with the policeman giving chase. I thought that
was very funny. We all know now that it was Eddie Kavanagh.
After we had won the cup and hoarse with shouting and singing
we set of back to the B & B. I must have fell asleep quiet
quick after tea because I don't remember much of Saturday night.
woke up on Sunday Morning bought a Blue & White Teddy Bear
for My newly Born Sister and set off to get the train Home.
It was then that my Dad had found out that the Everton Team
were actually getting on the same Train as ourselves. Once the
Steam train set of for home we made our way through the carriages
meeting all the players, managers chairman & ex-players.
I got my programme signed by all the players, even Dixie Dean
Signed it. 'To Young Phil Best wishes Dixie Dean.'
As
we were walking through the train it was then we noticed the
F A Cup in a compartment on the shelf by the window. After what
seemed like age's (probably a second or two) standing looking
at the FA Cup. It was then I noticed Harry Catterick with I
presume his wife and John Moores. Mr Catterick called me in
and told me to lift the FA Cup, which I did. I lifted it up
just like Brian Labone did the day before and I remember thinking
it was heavy. Oh I wish we had a camera. My Dad was made up.
I remember the Everton team got off the train at Edge Hill,
but we carried on into lime street.
I have still got the signed programme, ticket stubs, and song
sheet these are among my prized possessions.
I Have been watching EFC since 1962 and still a season ticket
holder today. Happy memories.
I have also got photos of the 1966 FA cup Final match. I think
my father must have bought them from the Liverpool Echo Or Daily
Post if it was called that in 1966. Phil Preston. True
Blue. (01/06/04)
|
