Bob Latchford - 1973 -1980:

In order to drag Everton out of mediocrity during the early 1970's Billy Bingham put together a British record transfer deal of £350,000, cash and players, to bring in Bob Latchford from Birmingham City. He made his debut on 16 February 1974 in a 4-3 defeat at West Ham United and although he did not score the goals were soon to start to flow. In just 13 games of his first season Latchford found the net on seven occasions.

In his first full season,1974-75, Latchford led the line superbly and his 17 league goals helped Everton to fourth in the table, the highest position since they won the league in 1969-70. The next season saw the team drift back to mid table and suffer early exits to all cup competitions. Season 1976-77 was to see the club come close to two cup successes with an FA Cup semi final defeat and an epic League Cup final which Everton lost 3-2 in the second replay. On a personal note Latchford had a great season and finished with 25 goals in all competitions.

For the 1977-78 season the Daily Express, concerned about the lack of out and out goalscorers, offered a £10,000 prize for the first player to score 30 goals in the English 1st division. Only once since 1967 had a player achieved the fete, Francis Lee in 1972, but this total had included 13 penalties. As the season progressed so did Latchford's goal haul and by the last game of the season he needed two against opponents Chelsea in order to claim the prize. Everton were 3-0 up before Latchford scored his 29th of the season, Lyons scored a fifth and with the clock running down won a penalty. The ball was given to Latchford who hit a hard low shot into the centre of the goal and although the goalkeeper got a hand to the ball could not keep it out. So seven days short of the 50th anniversary of Dixie Dean's 60 goals another Everton player had achieved a goalscoring milestone.

Bob Latchford's 30 goals helped Everton to an excellent third in the league and 1978-79 saw them continue the good form as they finished fourth. During the season Latchford set a personal record when he scored five goals against Wimbledon in the League Cup, making him only the fourth Everton player to score more than four goals in one game.

In Latchford's last two seasons the team struggled and despite reaching the FA Cup semi final in 1979-80 flirted with relegation. In the summer of 1981 he was transferred to Swansea City who he was to help to promotion to the top flight in1982-83.

His goal scoring exploits earned Bob Latchford third place in the all time Everton scoring list, only Dixie Dean and Graeme Sharp are ahead of him. At the turn of the Millennium Everton chose a player from each decade of the previous century and Big Bob earned his place among the list of Everton greats when he was chosen as the palyer of the 1970's.

Everton playing record (figures in brackets are substitution appearances):

League appearances 235 (1), goals 106

FA Cup appearances 17,(1) goals 10

League Cup appearances 28, goals 19

European appearances 6(1), goals 3