Brian Labone facts for kids
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Brian Leslie Labone | ||
| Date of birth | 23 January 1940 | ||
| Place of birth | Liverpool, Lancashire, England | ||
| Date of death | 24 April 2006 (aged 66) | ||
| Place of death | Liverpool, England | ||
| Playing position | Centre half | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1958–1971 | Everton | 451 | (2) |
| National team | |||
| 1962–1970 | England | 26 | (0) |
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Brian Leslie Labone (born 23 January 1940 – died 24 April 2006) was a famous English footballer. He played his entire professional career for Everton, where he was also the captain. Brian Labone was known for his loyalty, playing only for Everton from 1958 to 1971. During his time, he helped Everton win the Football League championship twice and the FA Cup once. He also proudly represented the England national football team 26 times.
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Who Was Brian Labone?
Brian Labone was born in Liverpool, England, on 23 January 1940. His parents were Arthur Leslie Labone and Bridget Patricia Rice. Brian grew up in Liverpool and later became a true legend for the city's famous football club, Everton.
School Days
Brian Labone went to the Liverpool Collegiate School. Even though he was a good student, he chose to follow his dream of playing football.
Playing for Everton
Brian Labone joined Everton when he was 17 years old in July 1957. He chose football over going to university. His first game for the senior team was in 1958. People widely thought he was one of the best central defenders of his time. He was a very strong tackler and good at heading the ball. He was also quite fast.
Labone played a huge number of games for Everton. He made 451 appearances in the League and 534 games in total. He only scored two goals in the league. What's amazing is that he was only given a yellow card twice in his whole career! This shows how fair and disciplined he was.
His manager, Harry Catterick, called him "the last of the Corinthians". This meant he played the game with great sportsmanship and honesty.
Winning Trophies
Brian Labone was a key player in Everton's successful teams. He helped them win the championship in the 1962–63 and 1969–70 seasons. He was also part of the team that won the FA Cup in 1966. He played in another FA Cup final in 1968. Brian also won the FA Community Shield in 1963 and 1970. He once famously said, "One Evertonian is worth twenty Liverpudlians", showing his deep love for the club.
Playing for England
Brian Labone played 26 times for the England national football team between 1962 and 1970. He was supposed to play in the 1966 FIFA World Cup but had to withdraw because he was getting married. However, he did play in three of England's four games in the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.
Retirement from Football
In the 1970–71 season, Brian Labone got a serious injury to his Achilles tendon. This injury made him retire from playing football. A few years before, he had planned to retire at the end of a season. But fans and the club wanted him to stay, so he played for two more seasons.
Life After Football
After retiring as a player, Brian Labone stayed connected with Everton. He worked as a guide for guests and visitors at the club. He also wrote columns for the club's website. In 2003, fans voted him into Everton's 'Greatest Ever Team'. This was to celebrate the club's 125th anniversary.
Brian Labone sadly passed away suddenly on 24 April 2006, at the age of 66. He collapsed near his home after an Everton fans awards evening. He was survived by his wife, Pat, and his daughter, Rachelle.
Many people paid tribute to Brian Labone. Kevin Ratcliffe, another former Everton captain, said: "Brian was Everton. If you could put together a team of every player that has ever captained Everton, every one of us would turn to Brian to lead us out. He will always be known as the captain of Everton". Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright also said: "On the foot of the Dixie Dean statue outside Goodison Park are the words 'Footballer, Gentleman, Evertonian'. Those words summed up Dixie and they apply, equally, to the great Brian Labone." A part of Everton's home stadium, Goodison Park, was named in his honour.
Honours and Achievements
Here are the main trophies Brian Labone won with Everton:
Everton
- Football League First Division:
- 1962–63
- 1969–70
- FA Cup:
- 1965–66
- FA Community Shield:
- 1963
- 1970
