Roy Vernon
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Thomas Royston "Roy" Vernon (14 April 1937 - 1994) was a Welsh international footballer who played for Blackburn Rovers, Everton and Stoke City.
Vernon was born in Ffynnongroyw in Flintshire, Wales. He made his debut for Blackburn Rovers at the age of 18. He signed for Everton for £27,000 in 1960 (an Everton player Eddie Thomas was the 'make-weight' in the deal and moved in the opposite direction.) Vernon made his debut for Everton in February 1960.
He was the top scorer with 24 goals and captain when Everton won the championship in the 1962-63 season. His striking partner who scored 23 goals in that championship year was 'the golden vision' Alex Young.
Vernon was a lean player with an aquiline nose, a powerful left foot shot, great skill and a coolness when taking his chances. Brian Labone said of him: "Taffy Vernon was about 10 stone. Wet through he looked about as athletic as Pinocchio." Apart from his success in open play, Roy Vernon was probably the finest and most successful penalty-taker ever to play for Everton. He made 199 appearances for Everton scoring 110 goals.
He left Everton in 1965 to join Stoke City for £40,000 before playing in South Africa.
Vernon won 32 caps for Wales scoring 8 goals and represented his country in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.
Vernon was a heavy smoker, often smoking in the tunnel before the game and immediately after, and was reputed to bet on the horses in his spare time. He died in 1994 from cancer.
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Wales squad - 1958 FIFA World Cup | |
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1 Kelsey | 2 Williams | 3 Hopkins | 4 Sullivan | 5 M. Charles | 6 Bowen | 7 Medwin | 8 Hewitt | 9 J. Charles | 10 I. Allchurch | 11 C. Jones | 12 K. Jones | 13 Vearnecombe | 14 Edwards | 15 C. Baker | 16 Crowe | 17 Leek | 18 Vernon | 19 Webster | 20 Elsworthy | 21 L. Allchurch | 22 T. Baker | Coach: Murphy |
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