Jimmy Husband dead at 76: Everton legend who won First Division and guided Toffees to FA Cup final dies after illness
EVERTON legend Jimmy Husband has died at the age of 76.
The club announced the death of Husband in a heartfelt tribute on their website.
A statement on their website said: “Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of 1969/70 League Championship winner Jimmy Husband.
“Jimmy, 76, died peacefully on Saturday following a short illness.”
Born in October 1947, Husband won the First Division title with the Toffees in 1970.
He starred at Goodison Park between 1963 and 1973, scoring 55 goals in 199 appearances for the first team.
His career path had seen him star for a number of top clubs academy sides, including Aston Villa, Leeds, Sunderland, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Burnley and Everton where he turned professional.
In 1968, Husband was instrumental as Everton reached the FA Cup final, scoring twice in the quarter-final against Leiceste.
But a bad miss in the final against West Brom would prove pivotal as the Baggies won the game 1-0.
Two years later the winger was a key man in Harry Catterick’s team who stormed to the First Division crown, though an injury prevented him from playing in the run-in.
His absence in the second leg of Everton’s European Cup quarter-final against Panathinaikos in 1971 after being injured early in the second leg was also cited as a big part of the teams elimination.
Husband left Everton for Luton in 1973, helping the Hatters to promotion in the 1973/74 season.
He played 162 games for the Kenilworth Road outfit, scoring 48 goals.
His football career in England would end in 1978, before he headed to the United States and featured for Memhis Rogues, indoor team Cleveland Force and Oklahoma City Slickers.
Husband played for England Under 23s but never made an appearance for the senior team, partly due to Sir Alf Ramsey’s reluctance to use wingers.
After retiring Husband was a regular sight at the Everton Former Players Foundation Christmas Lunch and was a special guest in 2020 when John Hurst was presented with the Dixie Dean award.
Everton concluded: “The thoughts of everyone associated with the Club are with Jimmy’s family at this sad time.”