In 1974, Bob Latchford became the nation's most expensive footballer when Everton paid Birmingham City pounds 350,000 for him. The bearded striker joined a celebrated line of Goodison No 9s. His 30 goals in the 1977/78 season, when First Division defences were at their meanest, was a feat even Joe Royle never managed.
Latchford won 12 England caps but no medals while with Everton, although perversely he later played in Europe with Merthyr Tydfil, the last of his eight clubs, who won the Welsh Cup and so qualified for the Cup-Winners' Cup.
He retired in 1988 and returned to his native Birmingham in 1990, having spent nine years based in south Wales following his transfer from Everton to John Toshack's Swansea in 1981. Today he works for the bookmakers, Ladbrokes, promoting their football betting business.
"We moved back after selling a small children's clothing business in Swansea, which my wife ran," he said. "I then had a couple of sales jobs but I had the itch to get involved with football again and this job was a great opportunity to do that." Now 44, Latchford lives with his wife, Pat, in Redditch.
Jon Culley
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