Brian Harris, who died on 17 February, 2008, aged 72, was a versatile football who played in almost every position on the park during a 12-year stint with Everton that also included an FA Cup win.

He was popular on the terraces and had a reputation for playing practical jokes. After his retirement he continued to be associated with Everton, attending matches and events for former players.

He also played for Cardiff City and Newport County, managing the latter at the same time. In total he made more than 500 league appearances.

Brian Harris was born in Bebington in the Wirral and began his career with local side Port Sunlight. In 1954, aged 18, he signed for Everton for a mere £10. Between then and 1966 he played 360 times and scored 29 goals.

Although primarily a right-winger, he could adapt to any position with the obvious exception of goalkeeper. He was a stalwart of the team under four different Everton managers.

His most successful time with the club came in the 1960s. Following the appointment of Harry Catterick as manager, Harris lost his first team place after the record-breaking purchases of Tony Kay midway through the 1962/63 League Championship-winning season.

But when Kay was banned from football because of his involvement in the 1964 betting scandal, Harris won his place back. It meant that he could crown his time with the Blues as part of the famous FA Cup-winning side of 1966. In the final, a team featuring the talents of Brian Labone, Alex Young, Mike Trebilcock and Colin Harvey came from two goals down to win against Sheffield Wednesday.

During the game his reputation as a joker was cemented when a supporter ran on the pitch celebrating Trebilcock’s equalising goal. A pursuing Bobby lost his helmet and Harris duly picked up the headgear and put it on his own head to the amusement of supporters.

Another incident, the previous night, further illustrates his jovial nature. It was Mr Harris’ custom to take a bottle of wine to away games and share a glass or two with room-mate Jimmy Gabriel in the hotel. Despite Gabriel’s protests that it was "most important game of our lives", Mr Harris persuaded him to have some to help him sleep the night before the Cup Final. "You and your ******* wine," said Jimmy Gabriel when they were 2-0 down.

The following season he moved to Cardiff where he played for a further five seasons, racking up 181 appearances and one goal. Having settled in Wales he finished his playing career with three seasons at Newport County as player-manager.

He hung up his boots after a testimonial against Everton in 1974. But his managerial career ended in contentious circumstances shortly afterwards. "The people of Newport just aren’t interested in football," he fumed after less than 2,000 people turned up for a game against Barnsley. "They’re only interested in betting, booze and bingo!"

He was then assistant manager to Richie Morgan at Cardiff for two years, before settling in the town of Chepstow in South Wales. He died at his home there following a short illness. He requested that his funeral be held at St Luke’s, the church opposite Everton’s Goodison Park ground.

David Giles, a former Cardiff player who began his career during Mr Harris’ tenure, spoke of his ability to make people laugh: "He was, without doubt, was one of the funniest men I ever met. He could light up a room with a one-liner or by pulling a face."