Evertonian Jordan: My chance to add chapter to family history

Jan 24 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

TOM JORDAN is relishing the chance to put the family name back in the headlines on Merseyside this Saturday.

The Havant and Waterlooville man wasn’t even born when his father Joe earned the controversial penalty that helped Scotland to victory over Wales in a World Cup qualifying decider at Anfield in 1977.

The dubious spot-kick, converted by Don Masson, put Scotland on the way to Argentina – and their passage was confirmed when Liverpool hero Kenny Dalglish scored on his home ground to make it 2-0 three minutes from time.

Jordan junior, an Evertonian, said: “There is a fair bit of history there for my family and dad still gets stick from Welsh fans for the 1977 game.

“Even in private though, he is 100% certain he didn’t handle it. I’ve seen it a couple of times on video and try to give him stick over it but he stands by his guns.

“Anyway, he says they won the game 2-0 so it didn’t matter in the end. That’s his story and he’s sticking to it.

“It’s only sinking in now that we have the opportunity to play at Anfield.

“And once you realise you have that chance, you start thinking ‘what if I play well, score a goal or even got a result’. We are all hoping to make our mark there.”

Jordan, who works as a personal fitness instructor in Bristol, sealed the Hawks’ fourth round place with the final goal in their shock 4-2 replay win over League One leaders Swansea last week.

But having missed his son’s moment of glory Portsmouth coach Jordan, will be absent again on Saturday as he barks out the orders against Plymouth.

“It’s a game with a big difference but dad has been good at keeping me focused on what’s important,” said the centre-half. “I trained with him one-on-one on the local school field before the last round which brought some childhood memories back.

“I’ve followed Everton since I was a boy so to go to Anfield gives the game an extra edge for me, even though it doesn’t really need it.

“You never know. A lot of people outside the club thought we would get hammered by Swansea and it didn’t turn out that way.”