Robert Dennis Latchford, born Birmingham, England, January 18, 1951. Bob Latchford’s status as a goal machine during the 1970s made him a fan favorite, and his ability to deliver in crucial moments earned him widespread respect.
Bob Latchford began his professional career with Birmingham City. He made his debut for the club in 1968 and quickly demonstrated his natural ability to find the back of the net. Birmingham City recognized Latchford’s promise early on, and his goalscoring prowess quickly became evident. His physical strength and height made him an imposing figure on the pitch, a quintessential English centre forward who could dominate defenders in aerial duels and hold up the ball to bring others into play. Latchford’s performances with Birmingham earned him wider attention, and his growing reputation as a formidable striker did not go unnoticed by clubs in England’s top division. Over time, his consistency in front of goal was something that would soon attract the attention of Everton, a club with grand ambitions in the top tier of English football.
In February 1974, Latchford made a sensational move to Everton, one that involved a then-British transfer record fee of £350,000. This deal not only brought him to Goodison Park but also involved Howard Kendall and Archie Styles moving to Birmingham as part of the transfer. At Everton, Latchford found the perfect stage to display his talents, and he did so with remarkable consistency. Latchford’s first few seasons with Everton solidified his reputation as one of the best forwards in the league. He became the club’s top scorer for six consecutive seasons, demonstrating his reliability in front of goal. His most prolific campaign came in the 1977–78 season, when he scored 30 goals, winning a £10,000 prize offered by a national newspaper for being the first footballer to reach that goal tally in a single season. Latchford’s ability to score headers, his clinical finishing, and his knack for being in the right place at the right time earned him admiration from Everton fans and respect across the footballing community.
Moreover, his goalscoring was not the only asset he brought to Everton. Latchford was a tireless worker, leading the line with determination and always willing to battle defenders to create opportunities for his teammates. His physicality, combined with an instinctive sense of positioning, made him one of the most feared strikers in English football during the late 1970s. However, despite his individual brilliance, silverware eluded Latchford during his time with Everton. The closest he came to winning a trophy was in 1977, when Everton reached the final of the League Cup. Unfortunately, the Toffees fell short, but Latchford’s contributions throughout the competition further cemented his status as a crucial player for the club. In total, Latchford made 268 appearances for Everton, scoring 138 goals. By the time he left the club, he was the club’s leading post-World War II goalscorer, a record he held until Graeme Sharp surpassed him in 1989. Only the legendary Dixie Dean had scored more goals in Everton’s history up until that point, illustrating just how integral Latchford had been during his time at Goodison Park.
In 1981, after a brief guest stint with Brisbane Lions in Australia where he scored 4 goals in 4 appearances, Latchford left Everton for Swansea City, who had just been promoted to the top tier of English football under manager John Toshack. Latchford made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick on his debut for the Swans. His arrival at Swansea was seen as a major coup for the club, and Latchford’s presence up front gave them a significant attacking threat. Latchford’s time at Swansea was marked by his consistent goalscoring, as he found the net 35 times in 87 league appearances during his three-year spell. Just like at Everton, his goals-per-game ratio was impressive, averaging nearly a goal every other game. Despite his contributions, Swansea struggled to maintain their position in the top division, and by the time Latchford left the club in 1984, they had been relegated.
Nevertheless, Latchford’s impact at Swansea cannot be understated. He became a fan favorite for his commitment and ability to deliver crucial goals, and his influence on the pitch helped Swansea establish themselves, even briefly, as a competitive side in the First Division. After leaving Swansea, Latchford embarked on a brief spell abroad, signing for NAC Breda in the Netherlands. Although his time in Dutch football was short, he made an immediate impact, scoring 13 goals in 15 appearances. His natural goalscoring instinct once again shone through, even in a different footballing culture. Latchford’s final years as a professional footballer saw him return to the lower divisions in England, playing for Newport County and later Merthyr Tydfil. Despite no longer being at the peak of his powers, his professionalism and love for the game kept him performing at a high level. He eventually retired from playing in 1987, bringing an end to a career that spanned nearly two decades.
While Latchford was widely regarded as one of the top forwards in English football during the 1970s, his international career did not reflect his club success. He earned his first full cap for England in a World Cup qualifier against Italy in 1977 and went on to make 12 appearances for his country, scoring 5 goals. Latchford’s style of play, which relied heavily on his aerial prowess and physicality, perhaps did not fit the tactical approach favored by the England managers of the time. Nevertheless, when called upon, Latchford always gave his all for the national team, and his goalscoring record in limited appearances remains respectable. Despite his ability, Latchford was never able to fully establish himself as a regular starter for England, with competition from the likes of Kevin Keegan and Trevor Francis limiting his opportunities.