RIP, FRANK D’ARCY

Everyone at Everton Football Club is deeply saddened at the passing of our title-winning defender Frank D’Arcy, who passed away on Saturday, aged 77.

Frank made 18 appearances during a five-year career with the Blues, most notably appearing five times in the famous Championship-winning season of 1969/70, never once finishing on the losing side.

However, it was only when Football League rules were altered recently that Frank qualified for a medal. He was thrilled to receive it from 1986/87 title-winner and Club Ambassador Ian Snodin at home last year.

He said: “I was delighted when the Club told me I was due a medal. It’s been a long time coming but I’ve got it now and it means everything to me.

“They were great days and to have been part of an Everton squad that won the title is something I am very proud of.”

D’Arcy was also a member of the team that famously won the Club’s first FA Youth Cup in 1964/65 alongside the likes of John Hurst and Jimmy Husband.

Everton beat Arsenal in the two-legged final, 29,908 packing into Goodison Park for the second leg, after which Frank recalled Blues manager Harry Catterick coming into the dressing room and declaring, ‘Well played, boys. Bring your bags in… you’re going on holiday next week’.

Frank recalled: “I told my mum that we’d be away and we thought we were off to Spain.”

The reality was less glamorous. Teammate Gerry Glover recalled: “We won the handsome reward of going up to watch Scotland versus Spain! It was dismal – a terrible match – we were all expecting to go to play a tournament in Spain but it didn’t come to pass. We had to be content with an overnight stay in Glasgow!”

A tough-tackling left-back, Frank made his Senior Team debut at Elland Road against Leeds United the following season when Harry Catterick played a much-changed team a week prior to an FA Cup semi-final.

He made two further starts in the 1970/71 season. His last appearance came as a substitute at Wolves in April 1971 before enjoying a brief spell with Tranmere Rovers, then moving into non-league football with Kirkby Town.

Frank remained a passionate Everton fan throughout his life and could often be seen in the crowd at Goodison until recent years – but he will always have the honour of being an Everton league title-winner.

Rest in Peace, Frank.