Terry Venables footballer for Chelsea and Spurs and England manager.
Obituaries of the famous & not so famous
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Mack
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Thu 30 Nov 2023
Actor Dean Sullivan, who played Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside, dies aged 68
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... s-28200333
Discussion thread
https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussio ... assed-away
Actor Dean Sullivan, who played Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside, dies aged 68
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... s-28200333
Discussion thread
https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussio ... assed-away
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Bernie R
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RIP Annie Nightingale
From BBC News...
Annie Nightingale: Legendary Radio 1 DJ dies at 83
Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale, the station's first female presenter, who went on to become its longest-serving host, has died at the age of 83.
Nightingale joined the station in 1970 and remained the only woman on the line-up for 12 years.
She was known for her passion for a wide range of music, championing everything from prog rock and punk to acid house and grime.
She remained on air until late last year with Annie Nightingale Presents.
Nightingale was also known for co-hosting BBC Two music show The Old Grey Whistle Test.
Tributes have been flooding in to Nightingale, with the DJ Stephanie Hirst saying she was "a true female radio pioneer".
"Rest in peace Annie Nightingale," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
DJ Dave Pearce added she was a "broadcasting legend" who had "paved the way for many female DJs".
A statement attributed to her family on Friday said she "passed away yesterday at her home in London after a short illness".
"Annie was a pioneer, trailblazer and an inspiration to many. Her impulse to share that enthusiasm with audiences remained undimmed after six decades of broadcasting on BBC TV and radio globally.
"Never underestimate the role model she became. Breaking down doors by refusing to bow down to sexual prejudice and male fear gave encouragement to generations of young women who, like Annie, only wanted to tell you about an amazing tune they had just heard.
"Watching Annie do this on television in the 1970s, most famously as a presenter on the BBC music show The Old Grey Whistle Test, or hearing her play the latest breakbeat techno on Radio One is testimony to someone who never stopped believing in the magic of rock 'n' roll."
They added that a celebration of her life would take place at a memorial service in the spring.
'A pioneer for women'
Nightingale famously presented Radio 1's Request Show in the 1970s, 80s and 90s before moving to an overnight slot. She also hosted occasional shows on Radio 2, 5 Live and 6 Music, as well as a range of documentaries.
"Every week, in my job, is a new adventure. I enjoy it," she said last July. "People don't understand. Most people get bored with pop music when they're a certain age. I go on being interested in where it's going, the twists and turns."
The DJ helped launch the careers of numerous artists and was cited as a trailblazer by fellow DJs including Lauren Laverne, Jo Whiley, Zoe Ball and Annie Mac.
Radio 1's current boss Aled Haydn Jones said in a statement: "All of us at Radio 1 are devastated to lose Annie, our thoughts are with her family and friends.
"Annie was a world class DJ, broadcaster and journalist, and throughout her entire career was a champion of new music and new artists.
"She was the first female DJ on Radio 1 and over her 50 years on the station was a pioneer for women in the industry and in dance music.
"We have lost a broadcasting legend and, thanks to Annie, things will never be the same."
Nightingale was last on airwith a three-part "best of 2023" show on 19 December.
After playing tracks by Dimitri Vegas, Daft Punk, Sam Smith and Bad Bunny she signed off by wishing listeners "a brilliant Christmas".
Her final words on Radio 1 were, appropriately, "lots of love, from me to you".
From BBC News...
Annie Nightingale: Legendary Radio 1 DJ dies at 83
Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale, the station's first female presenter, who went on to become its longest-serving host, has died at the age of 83.
Nightingale joined the station in 1970 and remained the only woman on the line-up for 12 years.
She was known for her passion for a wide range of music, championing everything from prog rock and punk to acid house and grime.
She remained on air until late last year with Annie Nightingale Presents.
Nightingale was also known for co-hosting BBC Two music show The Old Grey Whistle Test.
Tributes have been flooding in to Nightingale, with the DJ Stephanie Hirst saying she was "a true female radio pioneer".
"Rest in peace Annie Nightingale," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
DJ Dave Pearce added she was a "broadcasting legend" who had "paved the way for many female DJs".
A statement attributed to her family on Friday said she "passed away yesterday at her home in London after a short illness".
"Annie was a pioneer, trailblazer and an inspiration to many. Her impulse to share that enthusiasm with audiences remained undimmed after six decades of broadcasting on BBC TV and radio globally.
"Never underestimate the role model she became. Breaking down doors by refusing to bow down to sexual prejudice and male fear gave encouragement to generations of young women who, like Annie, only wanted to tell you about an amazing tune they had just heard.
"Watching Annie do this on television in the 1970s, most famously as a presenter on the BBC music show The Old Grey Whistle Test, or hearing her play the latest breakbeat techno on Radio One is testimony to someone who never stopped believing in the magic of rock 'n' roll."
They added that a celebration of her life would take place at a memorial service in the spring.
'A pioneer for women'
Nightingale famously presented Radio 1's Request Show in the 1970s, 80s and 90s before moving to an overnight slot. She also hosted occasional shows on Radio 2, 5 Live and 6 Music, as well as a range of documentaries.
"Every week, in my job, is a new adventure. I enjoy it," she said last July. "People don't understand. Most people get bored with pop music when they're a certain age. I go on being interested in where it's going, the twists and turns."
The DJ helped launch the careers of numerous artists and was cited as a trailblazer by fellow DJs including Lauren Laverne, Jo Whiley, Zoe Ball and Annie Mac.
Radio 1's current boss Aled Haydn Jones said in a statement: "All of us at Radio 1 are devastated to lose Annie, our thoughts are with her family and friends.
"Annie was a world class DJ, broadcaster and journalist, and throughout her entire career was a champion of new music and new artists.
"She was the first female DJ on Radio 1 and over her 50 years on the station was a pioneer for women in the industry and in dance music.
"We have lost a broadcasting legend and, thanks to Annie, things will never be the same."
Nightingale was last on airwith a three-part "best of 2023" show on 19 December.
After playing tracks by Dimitri Vegas, Daft Punk, Sam Smith and Bad Bunny she signed off by wishing listeners "a brilliant Christmas".
Her final words on Radio 1 were, appropriately, "lots of love, from me to you".
Born and raised in Romeo Street, later Lambeth Walk, Jersey Close, Garden Place, Hawthorne Rd, Gonville Rd now Netherton
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Mack
- Site Admin
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- Location: Bootle
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Good stuff Bernie 
I was a Pirate Radio broadcaster and enthusiast as a DJ and presenter, and I'm also known as Brian Grant in the underground world of Central Radio Pirate Radio for Merseyside...
Believe it or not the original location was 18 Glynne Street, Bootle. We just wanted to build our own radio station with all our mates helping.
Annie was brilliant on the BBC nationally and was always there on the BEEB promoting the underground unheard of sounds across the UK and the world promoting new music like Janice Long and John Peel on the official BBC radio stations keeping new music alive.
It's so difficult now with all the streaming services available and none of them are paying creators, musicians a proper fee for work created. I'm one of them myself which makes creating new work disheartening.
Annie gave the artists a voice to share their work and to express themselves to a worldwide audience.
Cheers Annie
Mack
I was a Pirate Radio broadcaster and enthusiast as a DJ and presenter, and I'm also known as Brian Grant in the underground world of Central Radio Pirate Radio for Merseyside...
Believe it or not the original location was 18 Glynne Street, Bootle. We just wanted to build our own radio station with all our mates helping.
Annie was brilliant on the BBC nationally and was always there on the BEEB promoting the underground unheard of sounds across the UK and the world promoting new music like Janice Long and John Peel on the official BBC radio stations keeping new music alive.
It's so difficult now with all the streaming services available and none of them are paying creators, musicians a proper fee for work created. I'm one of them myself which makes creating new work disheartening.
Annie gave the artists a voice to share their work and to express themselves to a worldwide audience.
Cheers Annie
Mack
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Paul McCabe
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:00 pm
- Location: Bootle, Merseyside
WoW........this reads like the script from a 'Biopic' movie......nearly choked on my cuppa on reading about the Parrot (!!)....thanks for posting.
Here's some clips from "The US versus John Lennon" from You Tube that was mentioned in the obit.
RIP Leon (& Thanks)
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Paul McCabe
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:00 pm
- Location: Bootle, Merseyside
A Tribute to JOHN HURST............(Ex Everton centre back)
by Rob Sawyer
‘The Last of the Corinthians’ is a phrase used to describe one of Everton’s great captains, Brian Labone. However, John Hurst, his defensive partner in Everton’s great side of the late 1960s, embodied many of the same qualities that gave Labone his sobriquet.
John in the mid 1960s
Like Roger Kenyon, who would also come through the ranks at Bellefield and be unlucky not to collect full international honours, John hailed from Blackpool. A centre-forward and inside-forward as a youth, the leggy Lancastrian had represented Blackpool schoolboys and also received England youth honours. Harry Catterick had seen him line up for Blackpool against their Liverpool Schoolboy adversaries in the Lancashire Schoolboys Cup Final and liked the cut of his jib. In May 1962, the Toffees moved in ahead of Manchester City, Wolves, Aston Villa and John’s hometown club to add him to their roster of talented prospects (Aiden Maher and Gerry Glover were signed in the same week).
He signed as a fifteen-year-old apprentice, and by January 1963 was drawing praise in Alex Young’s Liverpool Echo column for a hat-trick for the ‘A’ team against Liverpool (Tommy Wright, another forward who would later be converted to a defender, scored the other goal for the victors). He signed professional forms at the earliest possible opportunity. An issue with a shoulder that dislocated easily was solved by surgery at Broadgreen Hospital. It was clear that Harry Catterick remained a fan of the forward prospect when calling up John (and several other youngsters) for the lengthy Australian Tour of 1964. Having never been abroad before, the teenager had to make a mad dash to London to get his travel documents arranged. The five-week expedition gave him useful first team minutes, and the chance to bond with, and learn from, senior pros.
1965 saw John score the deciding goal in the 1965 Youth Cup final – in a side also containing the likes of Jimmy Husband, Geoff Barnett and Gerry Glover. He would be the scorer of the deciding goal against Arsenal’s starlets on a night of torrential rain. It was a spot kick, in off the underside of the bar, which he recalled to me in 2015: ‘It was the only penalty I ever took in my professional career. It was a case of: “It’s your responsibility – go and take it! I never took another, so I retired with a 100% record!’
Hurst sends keeper wrong way in the 1965 Youth Cup Final
Come the start of the following season, he was named as substitute (a novelty in English league football) for the season’s opener. A week later, he replaced the injured Fred Pickering with seven minutes left on the clock at the Victoria Ground. What was already a significant milestone, almost became momentous when the debutant scored in the dying seconds…or so he thought. It transpired that the referee had blown his whistle to signal full-time as John applied the coup de grace. He then enjoyed a brief run of games at right-half in place of Jimmy Gabriel, racking up nineteen appearances in all that season, playing in a variety of roles.
As Harry Catterick began to reshape his Everton side, with the old guard of Roy Vernon and company moving on, John was gradually assimilated into the first eleven. A strong showing against Liverpool mid-way through the 1966/67 season saw him establish himself – making thirtty-one appearances, primarily at wing-half.
In action against Spurs in 1967 with Dave Mackay in close attendance and Alan Mullery looking on
In 1967/68, with the Harvey-Kendall-Ball triumvirate in midfield, John found himself operating as one of two centre-backs (wearing the number 10 shirt – a favour to Colin Harvey, who disliked the number due to the unfavourable comparisons it brought with the free-scoring Roy Vernon), alongside Brian Labone. The pair complimented each other – with the junior partner having vital pace to compliment his strength, height and heading ability. And, of course, as a former forward, he was comfortable on the ball, able to distribute it effectively and had an eye for goal. Of his conversion to a defender, he said:’ That surprised a few people, but I preferred that position and had played there a lot for my school team, so I didn’t feel out of place.’ He was always grateful to the senior partner’s guiding influence: Brian gave me tremendous encouragement and advice.’
John missed the 1968 FA Cup semi-final with what was rumoured to be Hepatitis. In fact, it was fatigue-related jaundice, which a specialist had stated would keep him out for the rest of the season. He was sent to a nursing home to recuperate – with the club point-blank refusing to reveal his location to his soon-to-be bride, Rose Ingram, such was the veil of secrecy in the build-up to the semi-final (Rose, eventually tracked him down by phoning various nursing homes in the phone book). He was sufficiently recovered to take to the famous Wembley turf for the final against West Bromwich Albion. Sadly, in a disappointing final, the Toffees fell to a Jeff Astle strike. It was one of the greatest disappointments of John’s career, along with a semi-final defeat to Manchester City a year later. In spite of his consistently classy displays at the heart of the Blue’s rearguard, he never advanced beyond Under-23 level (nine appearances) for England.
FA Cup Final Wembley Stadium 18 May 1968
John Hurst looks on as Ray Wilson and Graham Lovett of West Brom battle for the cross.
Everton FC squad, summer 1968
(John Hurst centre row, in front of goalkeeper Gordon West)
John with Samantha and an Under-23 cap
In the 1969/70 season, John’s strike at Highbury got the campaign up and running – his forty-two league appearances and five goals proving a key – if sometimes unheralded – part of the successful campaign. John said, ‘In addition to the thrill of winning the game’s greatest honour, there was also the satisfaction of playing in such a good footballing side. When you turn out for Everton you are aware of their tradition, and we felt we matched it that season.’
In the run-in, he became the senior defensive partner as fellow Fylde coast denizen Roger Kenyon came in for the injured Brian Labone. The pair would sometimes commute to Merseyside from the other side of the River Ribble and, one Monday morning, found that The Catt had no tolerance for lateness. The journey had been badly disrupted by terrible traffic problems near Preston. The excuse proffered to the boss fell on deaf ears, as Everton’s famously disciplinarian manager pointed out that they had had since Saturday evening to get to Bellefield in a timely manner.
John would reveal, a few years ago, that Harry Catterick took the step of referring him to a psychologist in a bid to get him to become tougher and more effective. The man in the Goodison hot seat was once quoted assessing his centre-back: ‘He has far more ability than he displays at times. He has greater attacking flair and when the situation is on from him to break from the back, he rarely does it. When he does it, it usually means trouble for the opposition.’
John in action at Upton Park in 1970
In a period of turbulence at the club, post-1970, John remained a rare constant as other players fell out of form, were injured or departed Goodison. He found the increasing prevalence of football on TV helped him: ‘I watch as much as I can – TV does give you a chance of refreshing your memory about some of your opponents. I concentrate on sizing up the forwards’ strengths and weaknesses. Naturally, you then try to make the other fellow pay for his weaknesses.’ John, who rated Joe Royle as perhaps the best number nine around, before his back problems, would relish playing against the bigger centre forwards but found Derby County’s Kevin Hector, a smaller but mobile and gifted striker, a more challenging opponent.
When Billy Bingham assumed the helm at L4 in 1973, he initially stuck with John, but a year later, Mike Lyons often found himself partnered with Roger Kenyon. The emergence of Ken McNaught gave Bingham further options at the back, as evidenced by just six starts and three substitute appearances for the Blackpool-born man in the 1975/76 season – his last coming in a 3-1 defeat of Middlesbrough at Goodison Park on Easter Monday.
Still only 29, his stellar Everton career was at an end and ‘Gentleman Jack’ was granted a free transfer to Oldham Athletic, managed by Jimmy Frizzell (Stockport County had also held talks but failed to follow up with a firm offer). He later commented: ‘I can say, in all honesty, that I enjoyed my spell at Oldham. Not that I was glad to leave Everton. I wasn’t. I loved the club and, in fact, still do. But I had reached the crossroads, and the move was right for me.’
John – summer 1972
Up against Rodney Marsh of Fulham in 1978
At Boundary Park, he showed there was plenty of footballing life left in his body, racking up 209 appearances for the Latics to take his career total past the 600-mark. He continued living in Aughton (having first lived in Maghull upon marrying Rose), commuting to training and matches at Boundary Park. It took some adjusting to life as a Latic, after having access to the best of everything with the Toffees: ‘At Everton there were those superb training facilities at Bellfield, but at Oldham we literally did our training on a spare field. But somehow it didn’t matter, there was great spirit in the club.’
Away from football, John was fond of reading, gardening and birdwatching and enjoyed raising two daughters, Samantha and Alexandra, with Rose. She hailed from the Channel Islands, but had met John at high school after relocating to Blackpool. During his playing days he had male company in the form of Buster, the pet German Shepherd dog.
John with his famous number 10 shirt in front of his packed trophy cabinet
John with Alexandra in 1991
Although he had envisaged remaining in the game, by the time he was pondering hanging up his boots (not long before his former teammate, Joe Royle, became the Latics’ boss), John reassessed his aspirations. He told the Everton matchday programme: ‘After five years at Oldham, I felt it was time to quit while I was ahead. I watched a few games towards the end of last season and decided the change in the way things were being done was too drastic for me to go into football. I was disappointed in the standard of play. A huge and drastic change has taken place in the way football is played over the last six years.’
A short-lived business venture, at a Tetleys pub on the Dock Road, did not work out well for John and Rose. A second business, in the Kensington area of the city, selling ex-catalogue shop goods, was more successful, and lasted seven years (with Samantha being roped in as a Saturday assistant). Next, the former footballer was employed by Royal Liver Insurance, but he also did some player scouting for clubs. He would watch Everton and Oldham occasionally but, in his words, he was ‘selective’ about what he watched: ‘I go to see Tottenham because I am a fan of Paul Gascoigne,’ he said in 1991. ‘He has superb talent. I appreciate watching good players and characters and there aren’t that many around today.’
Everton friends and colleagues with Mike Walker in 1994
(Left to right) Roger Kenyon, Brian Labone, Alan Whittle, Joe Royle, Jimmy Husband, John Hurst, MW, Gordon West, Alex Young.
John back at Everton in 1995
The return of his pal Joe Royle to Everton, in the capacity of manager, paved the way for John’s full-time return to football in 1994. Initially he was assisting B team manager Dave Fogg, with John tasked with focusing on the first year YTS players and young professionals. Asked about the role by The Evertonian magazine, he explained: ‘It’s fantastic to be back at this club. You’ve got to be able to encourage the kids. I’ve seen hundreds of young footballers come and go in my years in football. My job is to try to get them to apply their talent. You have to prepare young players for the tough times – especially the first years who come here and have been stars in their local teams or schoolboy sides. Here, they are on the very bottom rung of the ladder, and they are no longer the star players. We have to teach them everything from scratch…once they have had a couple of training sessions they realise they aren’t stars anymore.’
When Fogg left, John was promoted, and was assisted by former Toffees winger Ronny Goodlass. The pair helped a good number of players to develop and get first team minutes, including Gavin McCann, Danny Cadamarteri, Phil Jevons, Michael Ball, Jamie Milligan and Richard Dunne. Rejoining the Blues may well have saved John’s life, as a heart defect was identified, and he underwent major bypass surgery in 1995. He had kept the diagnosis from Rose, she only found out when Joe Royle let it slip, assuming she had already been told by her husband. Making a full recovery from the surgery, he returned to his Everton duties.
Everton Youth Team 1995/96 under the management of John Hurst who comments briefly at the end
The departure of Royle in the spring of 1996, and the return of Howard Kendal for a third spell as manager, heralded the departure of both John and Ronny. John would follow his friend to Maine Road, acting as Manchester City’s chief scout. Having left football again, he would work for Tesco in Leyland, and one wonders how many football fans did a double-take when seeing the familiar figure in the supermarket’s uniform.
Three stars of the 1962-63 championship winning side with Everton FC Heritage Society in St Luke’s;
Derek Temple and Tony Kay, with John Hurst in the centre, signing the souvenir brochure commemorating that victorious season, while Tony Wainwright of EFCHS looks on.
In retirement, John would often be seen at Goodison supporting the Blues. It was not unknown for him to call in on Everton FC Heritage Society at St Luke’s to lend support to a book signing events. He was also a regular and popular guest at Everton-related functions. Generous with his time, this unassuming man was warm and also had a delicious, naughty sense of humour. Attending the Heritage Society’s tribute night for Harry Catterick, held at Goodison Park in 2019, John was surprised and delighted to be presented with the Dixie Dean Memorial Trophy by Dean’s granddaughter, Melanie Prentice (shown below right).
John with his Dixie Dean Memorial Trophy, signing books and souvenirs
Harry Catterick book signed by Jimmy Husband, John Hurst, Terry Darracott and Derek Temple
Over the past decade or more, there has been a ‘coffee club’ every Thursday in Ormskirk, where John would catch up with Derek Temple, Joe Royle and former physio Jim McGregor – oh, to have been a fly on the wall as they dissected the modern game.
John had been very ill since last October, being cared for by his family and visited by friends. He stunned them with his battling qualities and powers of recovery, but he passed away on 18 January at the age of seventy-six.
A short time after hearing of the passing of his old friend, Derek Temple told us,
John was a strong player but there was nothing dirty about him; he played the game the way it should be played – and did it very well. He was a very good player and had an excellent partnership with Labby at the back. He was a good bloke and we could have a good craic with him at our Thursday coffee mornings.
John Hurst, eighteenth in the Everton all-time appearance table (just two appearances clear of Gordon West, the best man at his wedding in May 1968), leaves a legacy of being one of the School of Science’s most polished centre-backs and one of its finest men.
Further reading:
Real Footballers’ Wives – The First Ladies of Everton by Becky Tallentire.
By Rob Sawyer
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by Rob Sawyer
‘The Last of the Corinthians’ is a phrase used to describe one of Everton’s great captains, Brian Labone. However, John Hurst, his defensive partner in Everton’s great side of the late 1960s, embodied many of the same qualities that gave Labone his sobriquet.
John in the mid 1960s
Like Roger Kenyon, who would also come through the ranks at Bellefield and be unlucky not to collect full international honours, John hailed from Blackpool. A centre-forward and inside-forward as a youth, the leggy Lancastrian had represented Blackpool schoolboys and also received England youth honours. Harry Catterick had seen him line up for Blackpool against their Liverpool Schoolboy adversaries in the Lancashire Schoolboys Cup Final and liked the cut of his jib. In May 1962, the Toffees moved in ahead of Manchester City, Wolves, Aston Villa and John’s hometown club to add him to their roster of talented prospects (Aiden Maher and Gerry Glover were signed in the same week).
He signed as a fifteen-year-old apprentice, and by January 1963 was drawing praise in Alex Young’s Liverpool Echo column for a hat-trick for the ‘A’ team against Liverpool (Tommy Wright, another forward who would later be converted to a defender, scored the other goal for the victors). He signed professional forms at the earliest possible opportunity. An issue with a shoulder that dislocated easily was solved by surgery at Broadgreen Hospital. It was clear that Harry Catterick remained a fan of the forward prospect when calling up John (and several other youngsters) for the lengthy Australian Tour of 1964. Having never been abroad before, the teenager had to make a mad dash to London to get his travel documents arranged. The five-week expedition gave him useful first team minutes, and the chance to bond with, and learn from, senior pros.
1965 saw John score the deciding goal in the 1965 Youth Cup final – in a side also containing the likes of Jimmy Husband, Geoff Barnett and Gerry Glover. He would be the scorer of the deciding goal against Arsenal’s starlets on a night of torrential rain. It was a spot kick, in off the underside of the bar, which he recalled to me in 2015: ‘It was the only penalty I ever took in my professional career. It was a case of: “It’s your responsibility – go and take it! I never took another, so I retired with a 100% record!’
Hurst sends keeper wrong way in the 1965 Youth Cup Final
Come the start of the following season, he was named as substitute (a novelty in English league football) for the season’s opener. A week later, he replaced the injured Fred Pickering with seven minutes left on the clock at the Victoria Ground. What was already a significant milestone, almost became momentous when the debutant scored in the dying seconds…or so he thought. It transpired that the referee had blown his whistle to signal full-time as John applied the coup de grace. He then enjoyed a brief run of games at right-half in place of Jimmy Gabriel, racking up nineteen appearances in all that season, playing in a variety of roles.
As Harry Catterick began to reshape his Everton side, with the old guard of Roy Vernon and company moving on, John was gradually assimilated into the first eleven. A strong showing against Liverpool mid-way through the 1966/67 season saw him establish himself – making thirtty-one appearances, primarily at wing-half.
In action against Spurs in 1967 with Dave Mackay in close attendance and Alan Mullery looking on
In 1967/68, with the Harvey-Kendall-Ball triumvirate in midfield, John found himself operating as one of two centre-backs (wearing the number 10 shirt – a favour to Colin Harvey, who disliked the number due to the unfavourable comparisons it brought with the free-scoring Roy Vernon), alongside Brian Labone. The pair complimented each other – with the junior partner having vital pace to compliment his strength, height and heading ability. And, of course, as a former forward, he was comfortable on the ball, able to distribute it effectively and had an eye for goal. Of his conversion to a defender, he said:’ That surprised a few people, but I preferred that position and had played there a lot for my school team, so I didn’t feel out of place.’ He was always grateful to the senior partner’s guiding influence: Brian gave me tremendous encouragement and advice.’
John missed the 1968 FA Cup semi-final with what was rumoured to be Hepatitis. In fact, it was fatigue-related jaundice, which a specialist had stated would keep him out for the rest of the season. He was sent to a nursing home to recuperate – with the club point-blank refusing to reveal his location to his soon-to-be bride, Rose Ingram, such was the veil of secrecy in the build-up to the semi-final (Rose, eventually tracked him down by phoning various nursing homes in the phone book). He was sufficiently recovered to take to the famous Wembley turf for the final against West Bromwich Albion. Sadly, in a disappointing final, the Toffees fell to a Jeff Astle strike. It was one of the greatest disappointments of John’s career, along with a semi-final defeat to Manchester City a year later. In spite of his consistently classy displays at the heart of the Blue’s rearguard, he never advanced beyond Under-23 level (nine appearances) for England.
FA Cup Final Wembley Stadium 18 May 1968
John Hurst looks on as Ray Wilson and Graham Lovett of West Brom battle for the cross.
Everton FC squad, summer 1968
(John Hurst centre row, in front of goalkeeper Gordon West)
John with Samantha and an Under-23 cap
In the 1969/70 season, John’s strike at Highbury got the campaign up and running – his forty-two league appearances and five goals proving a key – if sometimes unheralded – part of the successful campaign. John said, ‘In addition to the thrill of winning the game’s greatest honour, there was also the satisfaction of playing in such a good footballing side. When you turn out for Everton you are aware of their tradition, and we felt we matched it that season.’
In the run-in, he became the senior defensive partner as fellow Fylde coast denizen Roger Kenyon came in for the injured Brian Labone. The pair would sometimes commute to Merseyside from the other side of the River Ribble and, one Monday morning, found that The Catt had no tolerance for lateness. The journey had been badly disrupted by terrible traffic problems near Preston. The excuse proffered to the boss fell on deaf ears, as Everton’s famously disciplinarian manager pointed out that they had had since Saturday evening to get to Bellefield in a timely manner.
John would reveal, a few years ago, that Harry Catterick took the step of referring him to a psychologist in a bid to get him to become tougher and more effective. The man in the Goodison hot seat was once quoted assessing his centre-back: ‘He has far more ability than he displays at times. He has greater attacking flair and when the situation is on from him to break from the back, he rarely does it. When he does it, it usually means trouble for the opposition.’
John in action at Upton Park in 1970
In a period of turbulence at the club, post-1970, John remained a rare constant as other players fell out of form, were injured or departed Goodison. He found the increasing prevalence of football on TV helped him: ‘I watch as much as I can – TV does give you a chance of refreshing your memory about some of your opponents. I concentrate on sizing up the forwards’ strengths and weaknesses. Naturally, you then try to make the other fellow pay for his weaknesses.’ John, who rated Joe Royle as perhaps the best number nine around, before his back problems, would relish playing against the bigger centre forwards but found Derby County’s Kevin Hector, a smaller but mobile and gifted striker, a more challenging opponent.
When Billy Bingham assumed the helm at L4 in 1973, he initially stuck with John, but a year later, Mike Lyons often found himself partnered with Roger Kenyon. The emergence of Ken McNaught gave Bingham further options at the back, as evidenced by just six starts and three substitute appearances for the Blackpool-born man in the 1975/76 season – his last coming in a 3-1 defeat of Middlesbrough at Goodison Park on Easter Monday.
Still only 29, his stellar Everton career was at an end and ‘Gentleman Jack’ was granted a free transfer to Oldham Athletic, managed by Jimmy Frizzell (Stockport County had also held talks but failed to follow up with a firm offer). He later commented: ‘I can say, in all honesty, that I enjoyed my spell at Oldham. Not that I was glad to leave Everton. I wasn’t. I loved the club and, in fact, still do. But I had reached the crossroads, and the move was right for me.’
John – summer 1972
Up against Rodney Marsh of Fulham in 1978
At Boundary Park, he showed there was plenty of footballing life left in his body, racking up 209 appearances for the Latics to take his career total past the 600-mark. He continued living in Aughton (having first lived in Maghull upon marrying Rose), commuting to training and matches at Boundary Park. It took some adjusting to life as a Latic, after having access to the best of everything with the Toffees: ‘At Everton there were those superb training facilities at Bellfield, but at Oldham we literally did our training on a spare field. But somehow it didn’t matter, there was great spirit in the club.’
Away from football, John was fond of reading, gardening and birdwatching and enjoyed raising two daughters, Samantha and Alexandra, with Rose. She hailed from the Channel Islands, but had met John at high school after relocating to Blackpool. During his playing days he had male company in the form of Buster, the pet German Shepherd dog.
John with his famous number 10 shirt in front of his packed trophy cabinet
John with Alexandra in 1991
Although he had envisaged remaining in the game, by the time he was pondering hanging up his boots (not long before his former teammate, Joe Royle, became the Latics’ boss), John reassessed his aspirations. He told the Everton matchday programme: ‘After five years at Oldham, I felt it was time to quit while I was ahead. I watched a few games towards the end of last season and decided the change in the way things were being done was too drastic for me to go into football. I was disappointed in the standard of play. A huge and drastic change has taken place in the way football is played over the last six years.’
A short-lived business venture, at a Tetleys pub on the Dock Road, did not work out well for John and Rose. A second business, in the Kensington area of the city, selling ex-catalogue shop goods, was more successful, and lasted seven years (with Samantha being roped in as a Saturday assistant). Next, the former footballer was employed by Royal Liver Insurance, but he also did some player scouting for clubs. He would watch Everton and Oldham occasionally but, in his words, he was ‘selective’ about what he watched: ‘I go to see Tottenham because I am a fan of Paul Gascoigne,’ he said in 1991. ‘He has superb talent. I appreciate watching good players and characters and there aren’t that many around today.’
Everton friends and colleagues with Mike Walker in 1994
(Left to right) Roger Kenyon, Brian Labone, Alan Whittle, Joe Royle, Jimmy Husband, John Hurst, MW, Gordon West, Alex Young.
John back at Everton in 1995
The return of his pal Joe Royle to Everton, in the capacity of manager, paved the way for John’s full-time return to football in 1994. Initially he was assisting B team manager Dave Fogg, with John tasked with focusing on the first year YTS players and young professionals. Asked about the role by The Evertonian magazine, he explained: ‘It’s fantastic to be back at this club. You’ve got to be able to encourage the kids. I’ve seen hundreds of young footballers come and go in my years in football. My job is to try to get them to apply their talent. You have to prepare young players for the tough times – especially the first years who come here and have been stars in their local teams or schoolboy sides. Here, they are on the very bottom rung of the ladder, and they are no longer the star players. We have to teach them everything from scratch…once they have had a couple of training sessions they realise they aren’t stars anymore.’
When Fogg left, John was promoted, and was assisted by former Toffees winger Ronny Goodlass. The pair helped a good number of players to develop and get first team minutes, including Gavin McCann, Danny Cadamarteri, Phil Jevons, Michael Ball, Jamie Milligan and Richard Dunne. Rejoining the Blues may well have saved John’s life, as a heart defect was identified, and he underwent major bypass surgery in 1995. He had kept the diagnosis from Rose, she only found out when Joe Royle let it slip, assuming she had already been told by her husband. Making a full recovery from the surgery, he returned to his Everton duties.
Everton Youth Team 1995/96 under the management of John Hurst who comments briefly at the end
The departure of Royle in the spring of 1996, and the return of Howard Kendal for a third spell as manager, heralded the departure of both John and Ronny. John would follow his friend to Maine Road, acting as Manchester City’s chief scout. Having left football again, he would work for Tesco in Leyland, and one wonders how many football fans did a double-take when seeing the familiar figure in the supermarket’s uniform.
Three stars of the 1962-63 championship winning side with Everton FC Heritage Society in St Luke’s;
Derek Temple and Tony Kay, with John Hurst in the centre, signing the souvenir brochure commemorating that victorious season, while Tony Wainwright of EFCHS looks on.
In retirement, John would often be seen at Goodison supporting the Blues. It was not unknown for him to call in on Everton FC Heritage Society at St Luke’s to lend support to a book signing events. He was also a regular and popular guest at Everton-related functions. Generous with his time, this unassuming man was warm and also had a delicious, naughty sense of humour. Attending the Heritage Society’s tribute night for Harry Catterick, held at Goodison Park in 2019, John was surprised and delighted to be presented with the Dixie Dean Memorial Trophy by Dean’s granddaughter, Melanie Prentice (shown below right).
John with his Dixie Dean Memorial Trophy, signing books and souvenirs
Harry Catterick book signed by Jimmy Husband, John Hurst, Terry Darracott and Derek Temple
Over the past decade or more, there has been a ‘coffee club’ every Thursday in Ormskirk, where John would catch up with Derek Temple, Joe Royle and former physio Jim McGregor – oh, to have been a fly on the wall as they dissected the modern game.
John had been very ill since last October, being cared for by his family and visited by friends. He stunned them with his battling qualities and powers of recovery, but he passed away on 18 January at the age of seventy-six.
A short time after hearing of the passing of his old friend, Derek Temple told us,
John was a strong player but there was nothing dirty about him; he played the game the way it should be played – and did it very well. He was a very good player and had an excellent partnership with Labby at the back. He was a good bloke and we could have a good craic with him at our Thursday coffee mornings.
John Hurst, eighteenth in the Everton all-time appearance table (just two appearances clear of Gordon West, the best man at his wedding in May 1968), leaves a legacy of being one of the School of Science’s most polished centre-backs and one of its finest men.
Further reading:
Real Footballers’ Wives – The First Ladies of Everton by Becky Tallentire.
By Rob Sawyer
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1 COMMENT
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Gardner 180
- Posts: 439
- Joined: Sun Dec 02, 2018 6:17 pm
I was deeply saddened earlier today to learn that Johnny Irwin from " A Place In The Sun " TV programme passed away yesterday..
We have watched many of his property TV editions over the last 15 or so years. He was a great " Down to earth " character.
Rest In Peace Johnny.
Ray.
We have watched many of his property TV editions over the last 15 or so years. He was a great " Down to earth " character.
Rest In Peace Johnny.
Ray.
-
Gardner 180
- Posts: 439
- Joined: Sun Dec 02, 2018 6:17 pm
Sadly, Actor, Ian Lavender passed away on Friday February 2nd 2024. I remember him from when he started as
Private Pike in " Dads Army " in 1968 when he was just 22 years old. Rest In Peace Pikey.
Ray.
Private Pike in " Dads Army " in 1968 when he was just 22 years old. Rest In Peace Pikey.
Ray.
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Mack
- Site Admin
- Posts: 2351
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 1:00 am
- Location: Bootle
- Contact:
Bigger piccy for you,
Don't tell him Pike
Mack
Don't tell him Pike
Mack
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Gardner 180
- Posts: 439
- Joined: Sun Dec 02, 2018 6:17 pm
Thank you Mack, for looking after the Ian Lavender picture for me.
Ray.
Ray.
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Paul McCabe
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:00 pm
- Location: Bootle, Merseyside
RIP Dave Myers (Hairy Bikers)......always enjoyed their shows.
......don't miss their latest show on last Tuesday 27/2/24 on BBC @ 7pm.....they toured Merseyside & unearthed some absolute gems & were great ambassadors for the area. (Get it on Iplayer)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainmen ... s_newsarts]
Cheers
P
......don't miss their latest show on last Tuesday 27/2/24 on BBC @ 7pm.....they toured Merseyside & unearthed some absolute gems & were great ambassadors for the area. (Get it on Iplayer)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainmen ... s_newsarts]
Cheers
P
-
Bernie R
- Posts: 5690
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:30 am
- Location: Netherton
Sad news indeed, Phil.
This from the BBC news page...
Steve Harley death: Cockney Rebel singer dies at 73
Steve Harley, the frontman of British rock band Cockney Rebel, has died at the age of 73.
His best known song was Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) which went to number one in the charts in 1975.
The musician had still been touring until recently, but cancelled dates to have treatment for cancer.
His daughter Greta said Harley had "passed away peacefully at home", adding: "We know he will be desperately missed by people all over the world."
London-born Harley lived on the Essex-Suffolk border with his wife Dorothy, with whom he had two children. His family were by his side when he died.
"Whoever you know him as, his heart exuded only core elements. Passion, kindness, generosity. And much more, in abundance," Greta wrote in a statement.
"The birdsong from his woodland that he loved so much was singing for him. His home has been filled with the sounds and laughter of his four grandchildren."
Tributes were being paid to Harley across the music industry on Sunday, following the news of his death.
Singer-songwriter Mike Batt, who worked with Harley on many songs, described him as a "dear pal" and "lovely guy".
"What a talent. What a character," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "My condolences to Dorothy and all. RIP, mate."
The duo worked together on tracks including Ballerina (Prima Donna) released in 1983 and the 1988 charity single Whatever You Believe, in which they were joined by Yes lead singer Jon Anderson.
Harley was born in south London in 1951 and formed Cockney Rebel in the early 1970s.
The original band was made up of Harley, Jean-Paul Crocker, drummer Stuart Elliott, bassist Paul Jeffreys and guitarist Nick Jones.
Their debut studio album, The Human Menagerie, was released in 1973. Other hits include Here Comes The Sun which was released in 1976.
In December, Harley wrote on his official website that he was "fighting a nasty cancer" for which he was receiving treatment.
He said the first half of 2023 had been "magical" as he got to tour in Europe with his band members, adding: "Out there, on the road, that's where I come alive".
But the second half had been "heartbreaking" as the band was forced to cancel live show dates after his diagnosis.
"It's tiresome, and tiring. But the fight is on," he wrote. "And thankfully the cursed intruder is not affecting the voice. I sing and play most evenings."
But a post on his website last month said: "Due to ongoing treatment for cancer, Steve cannot commit to any concerts in 2024."
This from the BBC news page...
Steve Harley death: Cockney Rebel singer dies at 73
Steve Harley, the frontman of British rock band Cockney Rebel, has died at the age of 73.
His best known song was Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) which went to number one in the charts in 1975.
The musician had still been touring until recently, but cancelled dates to have treatment for cancer.
His daughter Greta said Harley had "passed away peacefully at home", adding: "We know he will be desperately missed by people all over the world."
London-born Harley lived on the Essex-Suffolk border with his wife Dorothy, with whom he had two children. His family were by his side when he died.
"Whoever you know him as, his heart exuded only core elements. Passion, kindness, generosity. And much more, in abundance," Greta wrote in a statement.
"The birdsong from his woodland that he loved so much was singing for him. His home has been filled with the sounds and laughter of his four grandchildren."
Tributes were being paid to Harley across the music industry on Sunday, following the news of his death.
Singer-songwriter Mike Batt, who worked with Harley on many songs, described him as a "dear pal" and "lovely guy".
"What a talent. What a character," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "My condolences to Dorothy and all. RIP, mate."
The duo worked together on tracks including Ballerina (Prima Donna) released in 1983 and the 1988 charity single Whatever You Believe, in which they were joined by Yes lead singer Jon Anderson.
Harley was born in south London in 1951 and formed Cockney Rebel in the early 1970s.
The original band was made up of Harley, Jean-Paul Crocker, drummer Stuart Elliott, bassist Paul Jeffreys and guitarist Nick Jones.
Their debut studio album, The Human Menagerie, was released in 1973. Other hits include Here Comes The Sun which was released in 1976.
In December, Harley wrote on his official website that he was "fighting a nasty cancer" for which he was receiving treatment.
He said the first half of 2023 had been "magical" as he got to tour in Europe with his band members, adding: "Out there, on the road, that's where I come alive".
But the second half had been "heartbreaking" as the band was forced to cancel live show dates after his diagnosis.
"It's tiresome, and tiring. But the fight is on," he wrote. "And thankfully the cursed intruder is not affecting the voice. I sing and play most evenings."
But a post on his website last month said: "Due to ongoing treatment for cancer, Steve cannot commit to any concerts in 2024."
Born and raised in Romeo Street, later Lambeth Walk, Jersey Close, Garden Place, Hawthorne Rd, Gonville Rd now Netherton