They say you have to be daft to be a goalkeeper. So what about a goalkeeper who discards the opportunity to represent his national team in the world’s most prestigious competition, while at the peak of their career? Introducing Gordon West.
Over 400 appearances for Everton saw him claim two first division titles and an FA Cup winner’s medal. He also set a club record that still stands to this day, 25 years later. After winning the first of two his league titles during his inaugural season, he had to wait sometime to recapture that success with the Toffees. Nevertheless, it became worth the wait for the South Yorkshire-born number one, as he kept 21 clean sheets en route to their ascent to the top.
While always possessing the determination to become a professional footballer as a child, West didn’t believe it would come between the sticks. Primarily featuring as a defender for his local side Don and Dearne Boys, he only stumbled across the opportunity of manning the net while accompanying a friend to a trial with Blackpool. Joining in as a goalkeeper, West was signed by the first division outfit and went on to make 33 appearances in two seasons.
A move to the Merseysiders carried a hefty price tag after making his debut for the Tangerines at 17 – his £27,000 fee becoming a British transfer record for a goalkeeper. However, the youngster lived up to the demands, and became an ever-present figure for the Toffees throughout 11 seasons, prior to his retirement. Forming a formidable partnership with Brian Labone, his first FA Cup success in 1966 was soon followed by a close encounter in 1968, finishing as runners-up to West Bromwich Albion courtesy of Jeff Astle’s strike three minutes into extra time.
West also featured for England in a South American tour shortly after the domestic heartbreak, initially as back-up to Stoke City’s Gordon Banks – a hero of the 1966 World Cup still vivid in memories for all football supporters at the time. However, with the number one returning home for a family bereavement, West became the first-choice goalkeeper until halted by injury, making the occasional appearance for the Three Lions. After a snapped bone in his chest resulted in a number of torn muscles, West was forced to join Banks back home in England. It was soon after that he wrote to Sir Alf Ramsey. “Please don’t consider me for the World Cup in Mexico, 1970,” he penned. With the decision, he was ultimately forfeiting all future opportunities in the national set-up, turning down a potentially significant pay rise while rejecting the luxuries and lavish lifestyles of the football’s paramount figures. But why? A number of widowed men, and women with husbands who had experienced war or separation, had supported and praised West for his decision, as he opted to put family over football. Ten weeks away from his wife and two children for training and preparation, before competing in the finals, combined with the continued pressure and demands of football, meant West wanted no involvement in the World Cup.
Also ruling himself out of the upcoming 1974 World Cup, closer to home in Germany, West didn’t take to football in a way many of his teammates lusted. Alan Ball, for example, would eat, sleep and breathe football. He would play anywhere and everywhere, just to be able to kick a football. West was different, however. He relished the pre-season break where he could switch off from all the spotlights and attention, where he didn’t have to watch or talk about football. In his lengthy spell at Goodison Park, he watched just a single league game when not playing, and he didn’t enjoy watching – despite backing England to retain their world status by winning the 1970 World Cup.
He would have travelled to Mexico as second choice to Banks, who conceded just once in the group stages playing every fixture, before Peter Bonetti armed the goal in a 3-2 defeat to West Germany in the quarter-finals. And while it was likely he would have represented England over Bonetti, West remained to have no regrets over his decision – as Brazil went on to achieve international glory. Ramsey had personally written back to West, stating despite being highly disappointed, he fully understood and readily agreed to not consider the goalkeeper. While England may have progressed further should West have travelled with the squad, he enjoyed his summer with his family, before retiring in 1973. The family man briefly came out of retirement to feature 17 times for Tranmere Rovers over three years, before hanging up his boots for good. Former Wales and Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall, who spent 17 years with the Blues, later campaigned for West to have a testimonial match for his services, although it was never granted.
West died in 2012 after a short battle from cancer, but remains in the record books for Everton, as well as in the hearts of many supporters who witnessed the league success and cup misery alongside the keeper.
