Everton FC: Former left-back Jimmy Tansey dies aged 83

Jul 9 2012 by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

FORMER Everton defender of the 1950s, Jimmy Tansey, has passed away aged 83.

A solid and reliable left-back, Jimmy made 142 appearances for the Blues during a seven-year spell in the first-team at Goodison Park.

A youth-team product who signed in 1948, his debut came in a 2-2 draw at Notts County in March 1953.

He went on to make two more appearances before the end of that campaign and was again on the fringes the following year as Everton finished runners-up in the old Second Division to earn promotion back to the top flight after three seasons away.

It wasn’t until the Blues’ second year back in the big time that Tansey truly made his favoured left-back position his own however, the Liverpool-born star turning out 39 times in the league and helping the Blues reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

He was first choice again in each of the next two seasons but lost his place in the side to John Bramwell three games into the 1958/59 campaign.

His final appearance for the club came in a 2-1 defeat away at Bolton in August 1959 and he joined his only other club, Crewe, the following June.

Tansey passed away peacefully on Saturday morning.

He leaves wife Freda and his family and friends.