Gordon West - 1962 -1972:

At the age of just 18, and after only 33 first team games, Gordon West became the country's most expensive goalkeeper when he was signed by Everton from Blackpool in March 1962, the fee being £27,000. After making his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 3 March 1962 at Goodison Park, West went on to establish himself as the team's first choice goalkeeper.

The next season he started to repay a large chunk of the huge fee Everton had paid for him when he was part of the team that was to win their first league title since the war. He soon proved to be a formidable last line of defence and helped Everton to have by far the best defensive record in the first division, conceding only 42 goals at a time when goals were easier to come by.

The next three season saw West share the goalkeeping responsibilities with Andy Rankin, mainly due to injuries. At the end of the 1965-66 season Everton found themselves in the FA Cup final against Sheffield Wednesday and with the team not conceding a goal during the run to Wembley they were strong favourites. After going 2-0 down Everton fought back to win the game 3-2, West had won his second medal.

West continued to perform at a high level and on 11 December 1968 he was rewarded with his first of three England caps when he was in goal for the 1-1 draw against Bulgaria in a friendly international at Wembley.

Season 1969-70 saw West as an ever present in the Everton team that won the league title for the second time in seven years. He only conceded 34 goals during the campaign that saw the team clinch the title by a then record nine points. When the season ended West was picked to go to Mexico with England to help defend the World Cup but he declined the offer in order to stay at home with his family, so ended his international career.

He only played 12 games the following season but season 1971-72 saw West again as an ever present in goal for an Everton side that was starting to struggle. That was to be his last full season with Everton and he only made four appearances for the club again and retiring in 1973. He did play briefly for Tranmere Rovers in 1975 but left there to become a security guard at RAF Woodvale and due to ill health because of his knees he had to stop working altogether.

Gordon West's full list of honours while with Everton are :

Two league titles, one FA Cup win, two Charity shield wins and three England Caps.

Everton playing record :

League appearances 335, goals 0

FA Cup appearances 40, goals 0

League Cup appearances 11, goals 0

European appearances 13, goals 0

Other appearances 3, goals 0