Ray Wilson - 1964 -1969:

Ray Wilson was 29 years of age before he got to play at the highest level of club football. He had spent 13 years with Huddersfield Town before they reluctantly agreed to let him sign for Everton during the summer of 1964. Despite playing most of career in the second division Wilson was regarded as the finest left full back in England and was an established International, having made his England debut in April 1960.

Although he was slightly built he was strong in the tackle and possessed incredible pace over short distances. His qualities did not end with defending, and with his composed and excellent distribution he fitted well into the Everton way of play.

His career with Everton did not start off well and in his first home game he sustained a hip injury which was to keep out of the side for four months. His second season at the club was to end with two Wembley appearances and two wins. Wilson was an ever present during the FA Cup run which ended with victory in May and a month later he was to return with England, being part of the team that lifted the World Cup.

From the highs in 1966 came the lows in 1968 when a training ground injury to his knee stripped him of much of his pace. In 1969 Ray Wilson left Everton for Oldham Athletic and later moved to Bradford as player-coach and later as caretaker-manager, before retiring from football altogether. After leaving the game he became an undertaker from which he retired from in 1997.

In 2000, along with Alan Ball, Roger Hunt, George Cohen and Nobby Stiles, Ray Wilson was awarded the MBE for services to football.

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

League appearances 114 (2), goals 0

FA Cup appearances 26, goals 0

League Cup appearances 0 (1), goals 0

European appearances 10, goals 0