Everton stars pay final respects as Goodison stalwart is laid to rest

Feb 28 2008 by David Charters, Liverpool Daily Post

The funeral of Brian Harris

THEY carried him past Goodison Park again yesterday.

Stars of Everton teams across the generations paid their final respects to Brian Harris, a stalwart of the Everton team which beat Sheffield Wednesday in the 1966 FA Cup Final.

John Keith, the football writer, and Derek Temple, a team-mate who scored the winner on that famous afternoon, addressed the large congregation at St Luke’s Church, which juts into Everton’s ground.

Among the many retired players there were Dave Hickson, Johnny King, Graeme Sharp, Jimmy Harris, Alex Young, Roy Parnell and Joe Royle.

Duncan McKenzie and Derek Mountfield were pall-bearers.

Brian Harris played 360 times for Everton between 1954 and 1961.

A tough, hard-working and skilled player, he was also revered as a family man and friend with a great sense of humour.

In addition to football he was an fine all-round athlete, whose wit and guitar-playing could have led to a career in showbusiness.

Brian, 72, had been living in Chepstow, Gwent. He is survived by his wife Beryl and sons, Mark and Ian.