Farewell, John Hurst
We are all very grieved by the news that John Hurst, who was 76 years old, has passed away.
Today, after a protracted illness, John departed quietly from his home.
“Gentleman Jack” Hurst was a member of Joe Royle’s backroom staff in the 1990s, a league title winner, an FA Youth Cup winner, and a lifelong supporter of the club he loved.
In Everton’s 145-year history, only 16 players have made more appearances than him. However, the calm defender stood out for the way he played during his 404 appearances.
Hurst introduced Richard Dunne, Danny Cadamarteri, and Michael Ball to the young group.
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“You knew exactly what had to be done, and he had great communication abilities. He was honest with us, which is very important for a developing player. Although he didn’t always throw out praise, you knew you done well when you got it!
You may call him “old school,” but I would characterize him as having been there and done it.
Hurst had been a rising talent in his youth.
He was the FA Youth Cup champion in 1965, bringing the trophy to Goodison for the first time with his coolly-headed penalty kick that upset Arsenal.
Quickly promoted to Harry Catterick’s senior squad, he has a distinct
“Hurst headed into goal brilliantly,” according to a recent article “only to find the score disallowed by the blast of the referee’s whistle a split second before the score could have become legal.”
John recollected, “Those were the days before tactical substitutions.” You didn’t have to go on if someone got hurt; Fred Pickering was covered by me.
It was almost the perfect debut. We were about to head the ball into the net at our final corner when the referee blew his whistle for full time. John showed unwavering passion and loyalty to the Club, which I found unbelievable
Rosemary, his devoted 55-year wife, famously remarked, “John was a dedicated player: he’d have died for Everton.” He”
Even on the eve of the 1968 FA Cup semifinal, Hurst was diagnosed with hepatitis, but he overcame the illness to compete in the Wembley final.
He continued to be a fixture for the next two seasons, which included the league title-winning 1969–1970 campaign in which, despite his incessant taunting of his great friend Joe Royle, he actually headed the Club’s leading scorers’ lists after the first two games.
“John is an Everton legend,” Royle remarked. He was an extremely versatile player who was mostly overlooked. Although other players received greater media attention, Hursty was a crucial member of the team that won the 69/70 Championship, I promise you. All you need to know is that he was always there during that season. Hursty was not only an incredible football player but also a”
Hurst’s playing career at Everton ended in 1976 when he signed a contract with Oldham Athletic. He played 404 games and scored 34 goals in 11 seasons at Goodison Park.
When Royle was named manager in 1994, he went back to work at Goodison as a development coach, and he stayed on even after having a heart bypass surgery soon after the FA Cup final in 1995.
Even though he left the Club a second time in 1997, the Everton family never forgot him.The Everton Heritage Society awarded him the Dixie Dean Memorial Award in 2019.
The Liverpool Echo commissioned the creation of the Dixie Dean Trophy in 1980 to honor the life and accomplishments of the man whose name it bears. Interestingly, the front of the trophy features the inscription “For Sportsmen in The Great Tradition.”
Hurst was a very fitting winner.
Alexan and Samantha, his daughters, and his wife Rosemary are left behind.