13 Oct 2015 13:43:08
Those of us of a certain age may remember a television play in the late 1960s called "The Golden Vision". It mixed a drama about a group of Everton fans with some match footage and interviews with players and staff. Well, Gordon Honeycombe - the writer of the screenplay (and he was also a television newsreader) - has just passed away. The title of the piece refers, of course, to the great Alex Young. The play is available to watch on YouTube. Younger fans may not find it interesting, but I found it quite nostalgic and evocative of how times have changed - and yet have stayed the same in so many ways :-)
13 Oct 2015 17:15:33
I remember i'd Sid. Wonderful.
13 Oct 2015 22:01:26
Very sorry to hear about the passing of Gordon Honeycombe. It was as great screenplay and you can still watch it on YouTube.
Actually Sid, Gordon Honeycombe co-wrote "The Golden Vision" with Neville Smith. For our sins we went to Ellergreen High School in Norris Green. Neville also acted in the screenplay (he is the one with the fag in his mouth at the start of the screenplay) and thankfully is still going strong. He is a life long Evertonian and we attended many great games in the 1950's and early 1960's together. Of course Alex Young was a firm favorite.
We met for the first time in over 50 years in the UK last year and it was a great re-union. As you might expect almost all of our conversation was about the might Blues and great memories,
Mike
{Ed025's Note - nice story that mike..thanks for sharing mate..
13 Oct 2015 22:29:06
BlueMike75: I knew that Neville co-wrote the screenplay and appeared in the film - my bad that I didn't mention him. Nice story from you about him and your reunion.
14 Oct 2015 14:13:42
Hi Sid,
Not sure how old you are but I am 75. This gives me some advantage from the viewpoint of having attended many games like the ones depicted in "The Golden Vision". As a teenager in the 50's I would get the Football Bus from the Triangle in Leyfield Road in West Derby and go to the ground to be met by Neville. No boy's pen for us, we went into Gwladys Street end and often it was 90 minutes of trying to stay alive. Games like the FA cup against United on 14th Feb. 1953 with an attendance of 78,000 and Dave Hickson scored the winner with blood pouring down his face. The first game under lights on Oct. 9th 1957 against the reds. Watching the Blues parade the League 1 cup around Goodison in 1963 and of course the great come back at Wembley in 1966.
How things have changed since 1963, United were 19th, City relegated in 21st position and Chelsea 2nd in League 2. Half the attendance at Goodison, not as much singing, chanting or mayhem. Sorry for being nostalgic but talk about "The Golden Vision" brings the memories flooding back,
Mike
14 oct 2015 21:27:52
enjoyed those posts sid and mike. Remember the play first time around and will check it out again. Alex young is still my all time favourite everton player. Pure class. Loved the brief period when him and alan ball played together.
15 oct 2015 13:15:43
available on dvd from amazon & is a great watch
{Ed007's Note - Here you go lads, it's interesting to see that it was Ken Loach (Kes, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Sweet Sixteen, My Name is Joe etc) that directed it.