Who captained Everton to victory in the 1966 FA Cup final?

Brian Labone: The Everton Captain Who Lifted the FA Cup at Wembley

On 14 May 1966, Brian Labone climbed the famous Wembley steps and raised the FA Cup above his head after Everton defeated Sheffield Wednesday 3–2 in one of the most dramatic finals the competition had ever seen. It was a moment that cemented his place as one of the greatest figures in Everton's history.

A Final That Nearly Wasn't

The 1966 FA Cup final is remembered for its extraordinary comeback. Sheffield Wednesday took a two-goal lead, with goals from Jim McCalliog and David Ford putting Everton firmly on the back foot. For large stretches of the match, it looked as though the Toffees were heading for defeat. Then Mike Trebilcock — a relatively unknown Cornish striker — had other ideas, scoring twice in quick succession to level the tie. Derek Temple then finished the job with a third, completing one of Wembley's most celebrated turnarounds.

The Man Wearing the Armband

Throughout that tension-filled afternoon, Labone was the calm at the centre of the storm. A commanding centre-half, he had come through Everton's own youth system and made his senior debut in 1957. By the mid-1960s he was the undisputed leader of the backline, renowned for his composure, reading of the game, and no-nonsense defending.

Labone was so thoroughly associated with Everton that he spent his entire professional career at Goodison Park — a rare feat for a player of his calibre. He made over 500 appearances for the club between 1957 and 1972, and was never tempted away despite his obvious quality.

An England International Too

The FA Cup win came during a golden period for Labone personally. He was a regular England international, earning 26 caps between 1962 and 1970. He was part of the squad during the 1966 World Cup — the tournament England hosted and won — though he didn't feature in the final itself. He returned to the World Cup stage in 1970 in Mexico, still a key figure for his country well into his thirties.

A Proper One-Club Man

Labone's loyalty to Everton made him a genuine folk hero on Merseyside. He captained the side through their First Division title win in 1969–70 as well, meaning he led the club to both of the major domestic trophies during that era. Everton fans of a certain generation regard him as one of the finest defenders the club has ever produced.

He passed away in April 2006, but the memory of that afternoon in May 1966 — arms raised, FA Cup gleaming in the Wembley sunshine — remains one of the defining images in Everton's long and storied history.