Gordon West

Gordon West (24 April 1943 – 10 June 2012) was an English professional football goalkeeper. He won three international caps in a career that included a long stint at Everton.

Club career

Blackpool West played as a defender for Barnsley, Don and Dearne Boys, but when accompanying a friend to a trial with Blackpool decided to try out as a goalkeeper. The Lancashire club signed him, and West made his debut for Blackpool at the age of 17. After 33 League games for the Tangerines, he signed for Everton in March 1962 for £27,000, then a British record for a goalkeeper, He made 399 appearances for the Toffees and retired in 1973.

Tranmere Rovers

West came out of retirement after three years to play briefly for cross-Mersey rivals Tranmere Rovers. He made seventeen League appearances for the Wirral club.

Career statistics

International career

West won three caps for England. He turned down a place in the 1970 FIFA World Cup squad because he wanted to stay at home with his family. of cancer in hospital.

His funeral was attended by Martin Buchan, Colin Harvey, Dave Hickson, John Hurst, Cliff Marshall, Peter Reid, George Telfer, Derek Temple, Tommy Wright and former player and manager Joe Royle, along with former chairman Sir Philip Carter, who paid tribute at the service.

Honours Everton FA Charity Shield: 1963, 1970