EVERTON icon John Hurst has passed away at the age of 76, the club have confirmed.
Hurst was an FA Youth Cup winner and 1970 Division One title winner with the Toffees before he became part of Joe Royle’s backroom staff in the 1990s.
Also known as “Gentleman Jack”, the former centre-back played 404 times for the club across 11 years, scoring 34 goals.
In the 145-year history of Everton, only 16 players have appeared more often, cementing Hurst’s credentials as a Goodison Park legend.
An Everton statement said Hurst had passed away peacefully in his home following a long illness.
The statement read: “Everyone at Everton Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of John Hurst at the age of 76.”
Writing in the Everton Player by Player, Ivan Ponting said on Hurst: “John Hurst could be guaranteed not to turn a drama into a crisis.
“The tall, leggy, centre-back possessed one of the coolest heads in football, and when pressure mounted on the Everton goal, he would be found at the centre of the storm, defusing the danger efficiently and unfussily before seeking a chance to set up the Blues’ next attack.
“Yet ‘Gentleman Jack’, the quietest man inside the Goodison dressing room, did his job so unobtrusively that few public plaudits came his way. Inside the game, however, there was no lack of recognition amongst his peers.
“He was respected as an impeccable professional who offered class and consistency in equal and ample measure.
“When he returned to Everton for a spell as youth coach during the 1990s the new generation of Blues could not have wished for a more impeccable role model.”
The group who came through under Hurst included Michael Ball, Richard Dunne and Danny Cadamarteri.
Cadamarteri said: “John didn’t just coach the youngsters, he instilled values and standards into the group.
“He knew what it was to be an Everton player and behave like an Everton player. And with those very high standards he brought expectations as well.
“You knew what was required and he was brilliant at getting his messages across. He was totally honest with us, which is important for a young player. He didn’t dish out praise regularly so if you got some, you knew you’d done well!
“You could say he was ‘old school’ but I would call him ‘real school’ because he’d been there and done it. I always enjoyed his coaching sessions and, of course, he was a great guy, too.”
Hurst had amazingly been diagnosed with hepatitis on the eve of the 1968 FA Cup semi-final before bouncing back to feature in the final.
He would eventually leave Everton for Oldham in 1976 before retiring in 1981.
Hurst’s commitment to Everton was clear to see, even continuing to work as a staff member after having a heart bypass operation in 1995.
In 2019 he was presented with the Dixie Dean Memorial Award by the Everton Heritage Society.
Hurst leaves behind his beloved wife of 55 years Rosemary and daughters Samantha and Alexandra.
