Everton players Brian Labone and Gordon West
HOWARD KENDALL has paid an emotional tribute to his old Everton FC team-mate Gordon West, who died last night.
The former goalkeeper passed away peacefully in hospital last night, aged 69, after a battle with cancer. His partner Linda and his sons Stephen and Mark were at his bedside.
Kendall said: “It’s so very, very sad. He was a great goalkeeper and a lovely man and it’s another one we’ve lost from that great team we all played in.
“A few of the lads, Joe Royle, Derek Temple and one or two others had planned to meet him for lunch, until we heard just how ill he was. Now we’ll never have that time together.”
Kendall, the most successful manager in Everton’s history, was also a member of the celebrated 1970 Championship winning side with West.
He added: “He was an immense character in the dressing room and was best friends with Brian Labone. It’s so sad that we’ve lost them both now.
“They say you have to be mad to be a goalkeeper and watching the way Westy used to throw himself around at players’ feet I could understand why.
“But he was a fantastic goalkeeper.
* Read more: Tributes pour in for Everton FC legend Gordon West after he loses his cancer battle
David Prentice: Flamboyant Everton FC goalkeeper Gordon West was a big man with a big heart
* WHAT are your memories of Gordon West? Log in below and share them with us