Post Past by Philip J Redmond Everton supporter, Daily Post
IT'S A long time since Everton last won at Craven Cottage - almost 39 years to be exact - and while the Cottagers have spent most of that period in a lower division, it's also true to say that they've won all the games down there since their return to the big time in 2001 reasonably comfortably.
It's high time that record was shattered and when better than Saturday. A win would almost certainly ensure that potentially lucrative fourth Champions League spot.
Back in August 1966, the Blues were undoubtedly one of the biggest and, more to the point, wealthiest clubs in the land. After the FA Cup win against Sheffield Wednesday, the Toffees had been rather worryingly taken apart by the Reds in the previous week's Charity Shield game at Goodison. With the season only days away, Harry Catterick swooped.
A few weeks earlier, England had rather fortuitously won the World Cup and football fever took over the nation. Despite their somewhat rigid formation, certain characters were taken to the nation's heart, including a little ginger bundle of energy called Alan Ball, who played for unfashionable Blackpool.
Ball had long been courted by the big clubs and was thought to be heading either to Don Revie's Leeds or Sir Matt Busby's Manchester United. However, with the lack of fuss and decisive secrecy for which he was renowned, Catterick acted before the others and wrapped up a deal for a then British record transfer fee of £110,000.
The impact was immediate and devastating and thousands of Blues travelled down to the capital for the season's opener at Craven Cottage.
The Blues triumphed 1-0 and it was little Alan who secured the points with a low drive from the edge of the box. Evertonians had a new hero.
Over the next five years Alan Ball was the main man and along with Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey formed a legendary midfield.
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