Everton Independent Research Data
EVERTON OFFER FOR DOCHERTY REJECTED
August 2, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Although Everton were informed yesterday by Preston North End that their offer for Scottish International wing half Tommy Docherty was not acceptable they are not regarding this as Preston’s final word. Everton’s bid was no trifling affair and while the extent of it is not being revealed it is fair to refer to it as “considerable.” What will Everton do next-step up their offer? Not likely I believe they have gone as far as they are willing to go. They would like the player for they believe he is just the man they want to instill more authority into the half back line, but that is no reason why they should overstep their generous valuation of him. I gather there is no present intention of calling the board together to discuss the latest development. If there are fresh developments they will probably be sparked by a chance of heart and mind by Preston. It should be remembered that Docherty is approaching thirty years of age and while that would still allow him several years of useful service, the temptation to go on stepping up a offer is not quite so real as it would be in the case of a more youthful player of similar attachments. The fact that the Everton approach was given serious consideration by Preston indicates that the difference in valuation between the two clubs may not be very considerable. In the meantime Everton are unlikely to move in any other direction. Any ambition they may have developed in other directions will be allowed to lie dormant so long as there is no final slamming of the door on negotiation by Preston. Rebuffed as they are for the moment Everton are convinced that the last word has not been spoken by the North End club. Everton supporters may rest assured that if Docherty does not come to Goodison Park the failure of this mission will not prevent moves in other directions. It may be a week or more before we know whether Don Donovan will ring up the curtain on this season as an Everton or a Grimsby Town player. He is still considering the possibility of a move and has so far made no decision, one way or the other.
PRESTON “NO” TO EVERTON
August 2, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Docherty Deal Not Yet Over
By Michael Chapters
Everton’s offer for Tommy Docherty the Preston and Scottish international wing half, has been rejected as not big enough. But Everton who are unlikely to increase their bid, are not convinced that their efforts to bring this rugged strong tackling Scot to Goodison Park are finished. They feel that Preston will not be overwhelmed by clubs with large cash offers for a player nearing 30. It is known that Arsenal among others are interested but Everton are content to believe that their bid is a fair one for a player of Docherty’s years and reputation. The difference between Preston’s estimation of Docherty’s worth and the Everton offer is not so great that negotiations have came to a full stop.
Dan Donovan, the Everton back is still undecided about a move to Grimsby. It may be a week or more before the prolonged deal one way or the other.
NO PUBLIC TRIAL AT EVERTON
August 5, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Everton F.C have decided this season, not to have a public trial match. There are several reasons behind this decision, not the least the natural desire to give the turf of the new pitch every chance to knit and grow strong in time for the opening game against Preston N.E on Wednesday August 27. There is no doubt that the ground will be ready for that match. Like Liverpool, Everton will start with the added advantage of match practice. They play Shelborne in Ireland, on Sunday, and Drumcondra on the following Friday. Dave Hickson seems to have made up his mind to stay at Everton; deals for Dan Donovan are hanging fire, there is no news at the moment of further moves in the effort to sign Tommy Docherty.
DONOVAN IS EXPECTED AT GRIMSBY
August 6, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Former Everton Captain
Terms Agreed
By Leslie Edwards
Dan Donovan, Irish international full back and a season ago Everton captain is expected to sign for Grimsby Town tomorrow. The club have agreed terms. Grimsby have sent forms through and all that remains is for Donovan to pout his signature to them. Thus Manager Allen Chilton one-time Manchester United half back takes from Everton’s defender of resolution and speed. Originally, Donovan was a half back he was discovered as a back when pressed into service in that role two seasons ago.
DONOVAN WILL JOIN GRIMSBY TOWN TODAY
August 7, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Don Donovan skipper of Everton F.C last season and a member of the club since 1949 will today become a Grimsby Town player. The clubs have agreed terms, somewhere in the region of £8,000, the transfer forms are expected at Goodison Park this morning and Donovan has indicated that he is prepared to sign. With his wife, Donovan visited Grimsby on Tuesday and they were satisfied regarding housing accommodation, but it was not until yesterday that he decided to try his fortunes in new colours. Grimsby first stepped into the picture over three weeks ago when Donovan’s name was included on a circular of players, for whom Everton were prepared to receive offers. It is curious that Donovan should agree to leave the club on the day that Everton announce a brief tour of Eire for it was on a previous club trip to Eire in 1949 that Donovan was discovered while playing for Maymount Rovers and before the Everton party completed their stay the nineteen years-old inside right as he was them agreed to take up professional football at Goodison. It was not until season 1951-52 that he made his League debut and his peak was 1953-54 when he played in ever League match. Last season as club captain he made twenty-nine League appearances concluding them with three outings at centre half, after taking over from the injured Jones. Everton’s Irish staff, once so flourishing and so successful, with names like Farrell, captain for seven seasons, Eglington, Cummings, Donovan, O’Neill and Meagan has dwindled until only Meagan and O’Neill now remain.
Previous Merseyside deals with Grimsby Town include the signing from Everton, in 1937, of Jackie Coulter, one of the trickiest wingers the club ever had. A second was the transfer of Liverpool Joe Cadden, the Scottish-born centre half, who was found during the 1948 tour of America and came back to play at Anfield.
Dublin Games
Although the, main object of Everton’s visit to Ireland this week is to obtain competitive practice football against Drumcondra, the Irish champions on Sunday, and Shelbourne on Friday, August 15 they will no doubt be on the look-out for players who may be able to replace the departed Irishmen. Both games will be in Dublin. It was the idea of the chief coach Mr. Ian Buchan that such a trip should be undertaken for though he was keen to fall in with the wishes of the ground experts who advised that the newly laid Goodison turf should be given as long as possible to settle down, he was loath to enter a highly important season without adequate practice. Undoubtedly it is a very wise move. Not only will the visit accomplish the aim of providing something more than ordinary practice football ever could, but it will also tone up the players so that they can embark on the new season with the vigour and enthusiasm which all successful teams must have. Reports that Everton were to consider asking Preston North End visitors to Goodison Park on August 27, to reverse fixtures so that the two opening games would be away from home are entirely wide of the mark. In fact the reserves will be at home on the season’s opening day against Burnley. The forthcoming season will undoubtedly be a testing time for the ground. The turf advisers say the Goodison pitch will become progressively better season by season.
FLOODLIT POSTSCRIPT
August 7, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Floodlighting Anfield and Goodison Park has, I am told, cost the clubs a good deal in increased ratable value of their grounds. Everton’s figure has gone up by £1,500 and Liverpool’s by £1,000. This is addition to the extra burden imposed on football clubs when there was a general revaluation some 12 months ago.
USED TO PLAY FOR EVERTON
August 8, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
One can well imagine the reaction of the Manchester United Chairman, Mr. Harold Hardman –years ago he was a famous amateur in the Everton first team – to this latest bombshell from the League. He is getting on in years, but he is plainly going to fight and if that is necessary I think all league clubs will come down on his side. The League would be wise not to force this issue. It might be the first creak of the crack which would shatter their organization and cause the setting up the super League which certain people in football consider inevitable. There can be no question of Manchester United’s expulsion from the League except in the minds of the League bosses who are cleanly keen to show their authority in a big brotherly, if not a brotherly way. Far better if the League told United, and any other club chosen to take part in the European Cup; “You are at liberty to play in this tournament on the understanding that you fulfill your League fixtures here and field your best team in doing so.”
Everton Tour
Everton set out on the Eire trip-a match against Drumcondra next Sunday and another, the following Friday against Shelbourne-with fourteen players;- Dunlop, O’Neill, Sanders, Tansey, Rea, Jones, Meagan, Harris J, Thomas, Harburn (from Brighton), Ashworth, O’Hara, Labone and the irrepressible Fielding. Meagan has completely recovered from the back trouble which dated from the West Bromwich match at Goodison Park and which so affected his form.
TE Jones
Liverpool FC using cricket as part of their preseason training took on Prescott CC, Everton centre half Tommy Jones played for Prescott and bowled Liddell for eight.
DONOVAN SIGNS FOR GRIMSBY
August 8, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Nine Years At Goodison
£8,000 Fee
By Leslie Edwards
Don Donovan Irish international and Everton full back signed for Grimsby Town today. The fee £8,000. Ironically his first game for the new club is likely to be in Liverpool at Anfield. Grimsby open the season there and manager Allenby Chilton is certain to want his new buy to lend his experience and ability to the Grimsby defence at the earliest moment. Donovan joined Everton as a result of a busman’s holiday by Everton officials in Eire in 1949. They saw him play in a local amateur cup-tie near Cork – at inside right. He so impressed then Manager Cliff Britton that he visited the Donovan family with an offer which was immediately accepted for young Donal to join Everton. Donovan arrived at Goodison Park at the start of the 1949-50 season and after graduating with the junior sides, developed as a half-back. Later he was moved back a position to full-back, where his speed and toughness and tactical knowledge led to his being appointed captain for last season. The signing of Parker, the Scottish International back, has clearly influenced Everton in their decision to allow Donovan to got; but Parker, now soldiering in Cyprus will not be available until late September at the earliest. Donovan should do well in a Grimsby side which has improved tremendous since Allenby Chilton took the managerial chair. Like Billy Liddell of Liverpool the Donovan family boast twins. –born coincidently on the same day as the Liddell’s boys.
EVERTON DRAW BLANK IN BORDER RAID
August 11, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton did not have all their eggs in the Eire basket this week-end, for while the players were busy measuring up to match tempo in their friendly game with Drumcondra, their scouts were busy over the Scottish border. My information is that chief scout, Harry Cooke, watched every move made by Doug Cowie the Dundee left half, to help him decide whether he should recommend another Goodison plunge into the Scottish soccer pool. What Mr. Cooke thought is for the ears of the directors only but unless his view is at variance with the report I have received, you need not expect to find Everton racing back to Scotland with any untimely hastle. This was not the only Everton iron in the Scottish soccer fire for their chief scout in Scotland former Rangers trainer Arthur Dixon was at the Kilmarnock –Aberdeen match, while yet another representative saw Clyde beaten by Celtic at Shawfield. I wonder if Celtic’s outside left, Auld, was the man under review there? Everton’s scout was in good company here for Brentford, Bolton, and Blackpool were all represented at the match.
HARBURN’S DOUBLE
August 11, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
Irishmen Out Of Their Class
By Our Dublin Correspondent
Drumcondra 1, Everton 7
Trial form often is not a true guide, but on this showing Everton’s new signing, £15,000 Scottish left winger O’Hara and £8,000 centre-forward, Harburn from Brighton, did not impress in the team’s 7-1 win over Drumcondra, the League of Ireland champions, at Tolka Park, Dublin yesterday. An 8,000 crowd had expected great things from O’Hara but in driving rain and on a heavy pitch, the little Scot never hit expected form. He was completely out of it until five minutes from the end, when he put in a grand run to lay on the path for Everton’s seventh goal. Harburn, a big lad, had a disastrous first half, being completely blotted out by Irish international centre half Girvan but he redeemed himself with two neatly taken goals after the interval. The second half saw Everton in a much more impressive light. There was no First Division touch about them up to the interval, when the score was one-all, but they obviously meant business afterwards. They moved into top gear and completely over ran the home defence. So one-sided did they make it that the crowd started leaving for home twenty minutes from the end.
Harris Impressed
No doubt about right winger J. Harris claim to be Everton’s number one forward. Even during their unspectacular first half, Harris was always the chief menace with his speed and shooting power. Centre half Jones was the complete master of the middle and was always encouraging his team mates to produce something better but the threat from the Drumcondra forwards was not very strong. Only right winger Cross was in the right class. He gave Tansey quite a time of it, but Dunlop in goal, in addition to being beaten once, only had two other serious shots to handle. In the first half Everton attacks had little purpose or design but once they raised the tempo after the interval Harris, Thomas, and Ashworth backed up brilliantly by Rea, Jones and Meagan, cut the Drumcondra defence to ribbons, leaving the League of Ireland champions dismayed in view of their European Cup participation this season.
The Goals
Harris put Everton one up after ten minutes, when a Thomas shot hit the woodwork and Harris crashed home the rebound. Three minutes later Duffy beat Dunlop with a low shot for the equalizer. Thomas might have had a hat-trick in an amazing five minute spell, when he shot over the bar and had two other shots taken off the goal-line by Girvan. It was Thomas, however, who started the real onslaught when he headed home the second goal in the 49th minute from a Meagan free kick and Harburn added the third in the 58th minute and made it four in 63 minutes. He side-footed his first one into the net from an Ashworth pass and notched his second with a low shot wide of the goalkeeper. Meagan provided the pass for Ashworth to tap home the fifth in the 77th minute and Harris feed one up for Thomas six minute later. Ashworth completed the scoring five minutes from the end after O’Hara’s run. Drumcondra;- Sean; Fullam, Kavanagh; Cosgrove, Girvan, Healy; Cross, White, Duffy, Coleman, Campbell. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Jones (captain), Meagan; Harris, Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, O’Hara.
HARBURN’S DOUBLE IN TOP GEAR EVERTON WIN
August 11, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
If only for a high geared second half show which produced six goals in 38 minutes, Everton can be satisfied with their 7-1 win over League of Ireland champions, Drumcondra, in yesterday’s practice match at Tolka Park, Dublin. But it was not a very happy try out for their two new signings, Scottish left winger Eddie O’Hara and ex-Brighton and Hove centre forward, Peter Harburn. Harburn, a big leggy sort of lad, did make up for a disappointing show by scoring two neat goals in the second half against a tiring Drumcondra defence, but O’Hara never looked in the top class. Maybe he will show something a little better in Everton’s other two practice games in Ireland this week. Except for these two disappointments this was a pretty strenuous pre-season outing. The quick tackling Irish defence gave nothing away in the first half when the Everton forwards, except for Jimmy Harris, got nowhere. But turning on the heat after the interval Everton did show some reason for being a First Division club with speedy snappy passing and the punch to polish it off. Centre-half Tommy Jones was the complete master of the middle. Tansey had quite a time against the best Irish forward Dermot Walsh, but goalkeeper Dunlop, in addition to being beaten once only had two other serious shots to deal with. Once Everton raised the tempo after the interval, Harris, Thomas, and Ashworth, backed up brilliantly by Rea, Jones and Meagan cut the Drumcondra defence to ribbons. Harris put Everton one up after ten minutes when a Thomas shot hit the woodwork and Harris crashed home the rebound. But three minutes later centre forward Bill Duffy beat Dunlop with a low shot for the equalizer. Thomas might have had a hat-trick in an amazing five-minute spell when with a great chance he shot over and had two more shots taken off the goal line by Girvan. It was Thomas, however, who started the real onslaught when he headed home number two in the 49th minute, from a Meagan free kick. Harburn added two more in the 58th and 63rd minute. He side footed his first one into the net from an Ashworth pass and got his second with a low shot to the corner. Meagan laid on a pass for Ashworth to tap home number five in the 77th minute, Harris teed up one for Thomas in the 83rd minute and Ashworth notched number seven five minutes from the end after a grand run by O’Hara. The team were; Drumcondra;- Sean; Fullam, Kavanagh; Cosgrove, Girvan, Healy; Cross, White, Duffy, Coleman, Campbell. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Jones (captain), Meagan; Harris, Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, O’Hara.
DOCHERTY WILL BE THERE…
August 12, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
But He May Be In White
By Leslie Edwards
When Everton open their home season by literally breaking new ground on their newly-surfaced pitch on Wednesday, August 27, you may be certain that Tommy Docherty, famous Preston North End and Scottish international half-back, will also be there. Unfortunately, none can say whether he will be wearing the Blue of Everton or the White of Preston North End. The chances as I write, are that he will be in white. The Preston manager Cliff Britton (who used, of course, to manage Everton), tells me that he is quite happy, despite the fact the deal for Docherty hangs fire. The position is that Everton have told Preston what they are prepared to pay and Preston have told Everton their reactions to the offer. If putting two and two together makes four it seems that Everton’s offer – reported to be £18,000 –is not enough. It also seems to the absence of news concerning other clubs keenness to sign Docherty, that no one, so far, has offered the figure Preston require. It has been said, and not being a wizard of finance I cannot deny it, that whatever fee Everton pay would, in effect, be halved since they would recover half the amount from taxes paid. If that is so they are in a fortunate position and £18,000 might not be their limit. We shall see. Mr. Britton did well when he took from his old club forwards Derek Mayers and Alec Farrell. Everton might do equally well to take Docherty and give their half-back line the bite it lacked in most matches last back-end.
EVERTON’S FIRST 70,000
August 13, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Reader, Mr. A.T Flody of 44 Manchester Road, Prescot, writes because he thinks he can shed new light on Everton’s first 70,000 gate. He had it at the back of his mind that the first 70,000 was way back in 1910 when Newcastle and Barnsley met in a replayed F.A Cup final at the Everton ground. Everton records do not go so far back, but we have been able to establish that the attendance at this match was 69,000. So that famous Liverpool v. United Cup-tie at Goodison Park must stand at the first to attract 70,000 or more people. Oddly Everton themselves had another great crowd of more than 70,000 the following week when Wolves’ came here for a cup-tie.
HARDER FOR EVERTON IN CORK
August 14, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By our Special Correspondent
Cork-Hibernian 2, Everton 3
Everton claimed the second victory of their Eire tour yesterday when they defeated the League of Ireland side, Cork Hibernian, by three goals to two in Cork. The match ended in almost complete darkness. Following their defeat of the League champions Drumcondra in Dublin local supporters did not rate the chances of the home side very high. They went away however, pleased because they had been afforded the rare opportunity of seeing a First Division side in action, and the home team doing so well against such formidable opposition. The visitors had much the better of the first half and changed over with a three goals lead. The local team however, fought back in the second half and reduced the arrears to a single goal. Everton were best served in their speedy attack by wingers Jimmy Harris and Eddy O’Hara, their new signing from Falkirk. Both tested the local defence on every possible occasion and their speed and accurate shooting gave the Irish team a busy night. Everton supporters will be pleased to know that their recent signings, O’Hara and Harburn, blended splendidly with their colleagues. In a tight defence Everton were best served by Dunlop in goal, full backs Jones and Tansey, and right half Rea.
Two For Harris
Everton opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Harburn took the ball down the centre of the field, and Harris finished the movement with a splendid header. Harris initiated the movement which led to Thomas increasing the lead three minutes later with a point-blank shot which gave O’Brien no chance. Just before half time Harris went right through on his own for Everton’s third. In the second half Cork-Hibernain substituted two players O’Donovan and Goggin, for two who had played in the first half. O’Connor reduced the arrears after 17 minutes’ play, and in the 24th minute Morley scored from a penalty. Teams; Everton; Dunlop; Jones (captain) and Tansey; Rea, Labone, and Meagan; Harris (j), Thomas, Harburn, Fielding, O’Hara. Cork-Hibernain; O’Brien; Doolan, Scanlan; Leavey, Dorgan and Morley; Jeffery, Redmond, O’Connor, Horgan, Lynch.
ANOTHER EVERTON LINK GOES
August 14, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
William Coggins
Another Everton link has gone. Billy Coggins, predecessor of Ted Sagar in the Everton goal, has died at Bristol, his home town, aged 58. He joined Everton from Bristol City after helping Bristol City to promotion to Division 2 in season 1926-27 and was in the Everton goal in the famous (or must I say infamous) Cup semi-final at Old Trafford when West Bromwich Albion won by the only goal –and what a goal! Glidden on the right, headed the ball in from the touch line. It bounced once and then passed gently over Coggin’s head into the net. Dixie Dean moved mountains –and much of the West Bromwich defence –that day in order to wipe out that goal, but Everton still lost. That was the day spectators from the terraces on the far side of the ground poured over the pitch, before the match, and took stand seats. The mounted police, with an inevitable white horse, did their task well, though Monty Wilkinson on the Everton right wing had to push the white horse back a few yards before he was able to take a corner kick. Coggins had been licensee at a Bristol house. When he left Everton he played for Queens Park Rangers. He finished his career with Bath City.
Jimmy Gauld
There is also news, today, of another former Everton player Jimmy Gauld, now with Plymouth Arygle. He married a few days ago, Midle Lisett L’Avedon of Landes in France. She has been assistant French mistress at Devonport High school for the past year.
NEW MEN HAD RIGHT BLEND
August 14, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Everton were again successful in the second match of the Eire tour, when they defeated the League of Ireland side Cork-Hibernian by three goals to two in Cork last night. Having beaten the League of Ireland champions, Drumcondra in Dublin so convincingly; Everton were expected to be too strong for the Irish side, but the latter fought back against a three goal deficit at half-time to reduce the arrears to a single goal. Everton made an all-out effort in the first half when their speedy attack, well served by wingers Jimmy Harris and Eddie O’Hara their new signing from Falkirk gave the home defence a harrowing time. Everton eased off on the resumption and Cork-Hibernian came more into the picture. They substituted two new players –O’Donovan and Goggin –for Jefferey and Leavey, who played in the first half. A tonic score came to the home side 17 minutes after the resumption and when they scored again some minutes later the tight Everton defence was at full stretch. Still the local attack best served by a new signing, Lynch on the right wing found the going heavy against the experience of Dunlop in goal and strong backs in Jones and Tansey.
Newcomers Shine
Everton’s newcomers, O’Hara and Harburn, the former Brighton player who led the attack, blended well with the other members of the team. Everton opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Harburn took the ball down the middle and passed to Harris who scored with a fine header. Harris then engineered the movement which led to Everton’s second goal, when Thomas was presented with an easy opportunity to score from close in. Both players again figured in Everton’s third score, when Thomas put Harris in possession and the winger slipped the back to score just before half time. O’Connor reduced the arrears for the home side in the second half and Morley scored from a penalty. Yesterday afternoon the Everton players and officials were received at the City Hall by the Lord Mayor, Alderman S. McCarthy; Teams; Everton; Dunlop; Jones (captain) and Tansey; Rea, Labone, and Meagan; Harris (j), Thomas, Harburn, Fielding, O’Hara. Cork-Hibernian; O’Brien; Doolan, Scanlan; Leavey, Dorgan and Morley; Jeffery, Redmond, O’Connor, Horgan, Lynch.
ANOTHER EX-EVERTON MAN GOES TO SHEFFIELD
August 15, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
What is there about the Sheffield district air that suits former Everton players when they go into management? The thought occurs out of the appointment last night of Harry Catterick, one time Everton centre forward as manager at Sheffield Wednesday. We already have Joe Mercer at neighbouring Sheffield United and Duggie Livingstone former Everton back, newly installed at Chesterfield, not many miles away. Catterick joined Everton from Stockport (where his father had played) as a 17-years-old in 1937. He left in 1953 to play for and manage Crewe and later moved to Rochdale. In 1946 –his unluckiest season –he broke an arm twice, against Blackburn Rovers in September and in a Central league game against Bolton, later the same year. Catterick was always a willing, able Centre forward, but his size was such that he took a good deal of punishment from bigger centre half backs. It was Catterick who scored what appeared to be a perfectly good goal for Everton at Tottenham in the season when they were last relegated. To everyone’s surprise the referee ruled it out; Everton lost and the point involved meant that they had to go down.
Docherty
Arsenal have renewed interest in Tommy Docherty, of Preston, the man for whom Everton have made an offer. It is no secret that Arsenal’s bid is bigger than Everton’s if Everton are determined to get him it looks as though they will have to increase their offer and move quickly.
EVERTON PAY FOR LACK OF FINISH
August 16, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Our Dublin Correspondent
Shelbourne 3, Everton 2
It could be that Everton were not really playing all-out when surprisingly beaten by a makeshift Shelbourne team in Dublin last night. That is about the only charitable thing one can say about them. On the run of the play they should never have been beaten, for after an even opening half when the score was one all, they had the Irishman pinned down to desperate defence for the first half hour of the second half. It was during this period that Ashworth, Harburn and Thomas undoubtedly had the toughest luck with their shooting. The fault was not so much in attack as defence. It was very shaky under pressure and was easily rattled. Sanders had a disappointing game. He was beaten time and again by Conroy, the Shelbourne winger, who is by no means one if the top men in his position in League of Ireland football. Centre half Jones, was guilty of more than one miskick. There was little good one could say about the defence and Everton did not look a First Division team last night. After 15 minutes Jones hardly sliced a clearance and this let in Conroy, who out Shelbourne in front. Within the next 10 minutes Everton missed two grit chances.
Chances Waste
Ashworth headed wide from less than five yards and Thomas after getting clean through frittered away a glorious opportunity by dallying when he should have been shooting. Within 15 minutes Ashworth who was Everton’s best forward made amends with a brilliantly headed goal. There was only one team in it for half an hour of the second half, in which Everton kept up an almost ceaseless attack, but there was no finish to their efforts. Completely against the run of play, Shelbourne regained the lead, when Conroy again showed Sanders a clean pair of heels and passed the ball for Wilson to guide it into the net. Everton were on level terms again with an Ashworth goal two minutes later, and it looked as though the writing was on the wall for the plucky, but outplayed Dubliners –that is, outplayed in everything but defence. How gallantly they stuck it out. With eight minutes to go, slipshod work by the Everton defence let in Hennessey, and he won the match with an unstoppable shot. Shelbourne had missed a penalty kick in the first half. Everton; O’Neill; Sanders, Griffiths; Rea, Jones (captain), Meagan; Harris, Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, O’Hara. Shelbourne;- Farmer; Burke, Gaerns; Watson, Fitzpatrick, J. Hennessey, J. Wilson, Wardle, Hamilton, L. Hennessey, Conroy.
PRESTON WAIT
August 16, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Preston declined to make any statement last night regarding the future of half-back Tommy Docherty, in whom both Everton and Arsenal are keenly interested. Although Arsenal have taken over from Everton as the hightest bidders, it is unlikely that Docherty will be allowed to move at least until Everton have been given adequate opportunity to reconsider their valuation. Everton, I believe, were perfectly sincere in their statement that they considered their originally offer both fair and adequate in view of Docherty’s age, but faced with this new challenge they must now revise their ideas if they are to test their theory that the Preston player is the man who could introduce the required stability into the side. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Ian Buchan on the birth of their first child –a daughter.
POST FOR LINDLEY
August 16, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Former Everton Player Goes To Leeds
Maurice Lindley, former Everton centre half, and one time Crewe manager, has taken up a new post, with Leeds United as assistant trainer-coach. He was with Everton for 17 years before becoming manager-coach of Swindon Town in 1953. After two years there he took over at Barry Town in a similar capacity before joining Crewe, in June 1956. He resigned from Crewe in November 1957 and now he is going home. When he ended his playing career with Everton, he said it was his ambition to stay in football preferably near his home. He was born in Keighley and Leeds is not all that far away.
EVERTON WEAK AT HALF-BACK
August 16, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Disappointing End To Irish Tour
Everton ended their Irish tour in disappointing fashion in Dublin last night when losing 3-2 in a makeshift Shelbourne team. But with a little luck, the three inside forwards Thomas, Harburn and Ashworth, whose approach work was good, might have scored a few goals. Maybe the torrential rain could have been the cause of their poor marksmanship. Harris though inclined in wander, looked a better winger than the Scot O’Hara. Weakness in the side on last night’s showing looks to be at half back, especially on the flanks. The whole line, however, found it difficult to cope with the Shelbourne forwards, who even by Irish standards are reckoned to be no more than average.
First Class
Jones was frequently beaten by the Shelbourne centre forward, Hamilton, whose normal position, is inside right. Rea and Meagan had the worst of their duels with the Irish wingers, one of whom can claim only junior football status. Griffiths looked to be a first class full back coming to his side’s rescue time and again but Sanders played as though he was not taking the game too seriously. The summing up of Dublin fans was “a poor Everton team.” But of course, trial games can be misleading. Shelbourne scores were Conroy, Wilson and Hennessey. For Everton Ashworth (2). Attendance 9,000. Teams; Everton; O’Neill; Sanders, Griffiths; Rea, Jones (captain), Meagan; Harris, Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, O’Hara. Shelbourne;- Farmer; Burke, Gaerns; Watson, Fitzpatrick, J. Hennessey, J. Wilson, Wardle, Hamilton, L. Hennessey, Conroy.
EVERTON ASK-AND ARE REFUSED
August 18, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton, who spend as much time as any club and more than most prospecting in Scotland were again very active on Saturday, for the second week in succession. My Scottish correspondent tells me that Everton officials interviewed a Scottish club after watching Saturday’s game and inquired if they were prepared to release one of the half backs, who had taken part in the match. They were given no encouragement whatever and will have little more than admiration for their target to report to the Everton board meeting.
YOUTH CUP DRAW
August 18, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
EVERTON AND Liverpool Get Early Byes
Everton and Liverpool youth teams have drawn byes in the preliminary round of group one of the FA Youth Cup. In the first round Everton play Leeds United and Liverpool meet either Stockport or Tranmere Rovers.
ARSENAL STEP UP DOCHERTY BID
August 18, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Everton Offer Unchanged
Scouts Busy
By Leslie Edwards
It looks as though Tommy Docherty, Preston and Scottish international half back is not coming Everton’s way after all. Arsenal are hotter on his trail and it appears unlikely that Everton will increase the initial bid. It is understood that Preston want £20,000. Everton’s figure is considerably short of that figure. The question arises whether a player off Docherty’s age is worth £20,000 and whether a club would be better advised to go for a half-back more likely to offer long service. Everton’s scouts are busy but no busier than usual. The fact that they were in Scotland in more recently is not particular significant say Coach Ian Buchan. It was merely because the Scottish season starts in advance of ours, he told me this afternoon. The Preston directors will meet tomorrow to discuss Arsenal’s bid for Docherty.
EVERTON X1 NO FIELDING
August 20, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Surprise of the Everton team to open the season at Leicester on Saturday is absence of Fielding. The young Ashworth (four goals in Everton’s Eire tour) gets his place and Harburn and O’Hara both newly signed, make their League debut for their new club. Team; Dunlop; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; Harris J, Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, and O’Hara.
FIELDING OUT IN EVERTON YOUTH PLAN
August 21, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Horace Yates
The announcement of the Everton for the season’s first game in real earnest is almost the equivalent of the gong at a “boxing match Seconds out –and let battle begin. Certainly it was a disappointment to find Everton going down in Shelbourne in the concluding match of the Irish tour, but I gather no sleep was lost over it. The story given to me was that Everton’s play that evening was so unbelievably poor, that one could not start to analyze it. If the players had such an exhibition in their system, the best solution was to get rid of it –in Ireland, where no serious damage was done. It was nothing like a form display and not surprisingly nobody has been penalized for it. The nearest approach to a surprise is the omission of Wally Fielding, but Ashworth has been the lad among the goals. In his first team appearances last season he collected three goals in four games. To these he added four goals on the Eire tour, so that with an average of a goal a match this young man is talking the sort of language all selectors understand. What has to be borne in mind, and heavily underlined whenever Fielding’s name crops up is that he is thirty eight. Ashworth is eighteen. If Wally had been ten years younger this would have been the time to say that Ashworth could wait for his promotion but youth will be served, and although nobody pretends that the youngsters starts with Fielding’s football craft and ability he is the sort of worker who could produce more thrills than frills with goals thrown in. Skippering the side at Leicester will be Tommy Jones, Don Donovan’s successor, a choice which will find ready endorsement for this seasoned picture of consistency and reliability. Harburn from Brighton and O’Hara from Falkirk will be sampling English First Division football for the first time. The team announced by Ian Buchan, Everton’s chief coach, is; Dunlop; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; J. Harris, Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, O’Hara.
THE PENULTIMATE IF NOT THE ULTIMATE…
August 21, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Everton F.C today announces the modified penning of their terraces and other changes for the comfort of their patrons. Thus, we arrive at the pen-ultimate, if not the ultimate, in crowd control. Spectators at the first home game next Wednesday against Preston will find crush barriers running at right angles to the existing ones so that swaying which used to occur when attendances were very large should now be a thing of the past. The new system is not penning in the normal way, but it is a modified system which should prove extremely effective. For those who use the shareholders and members stand a foam-rubber cushion service will be provided. This will be an independent service by a private firm at a small charge. The boys pen has been enlarged and in future the turnstiles serving it will be the only one at which boys can avail themselves of the reduced admission charge. Entrances are as last season –two in Gwladys Street and two in Bullen Road. A fence has been erected down the corner of the terracing between Gwladys Street and Goodison road, so that on big-match occasions Gwladys Street terraces will be completely segregated from the rest of the terracing. On a big-match day admission to the Gwladys Street terrace will be only through Gwladys Street turnstiles. When the attendance is not particularly large a gate in the partitioning fence will be left open so that spectators may move elsewhere if they wish. Two additional turnstiles have been provided at the back of Goodison Road to feed direct to terraces there. Holders of ground season tickets will use special turnstiles one in Goodison Road (Stanley Park end) and the other for the paddock, roughly in the centre of Bullens Road.
BAPTISM FOR LEICESTER MEN V. EVERTON
August 22, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Horace Yates it is rather surprising to find that Leicester City, who entertain Everton at the Filbert Street ground tomorrow, have included only two of their close season signings. Manager Dave Halliday added no fewer than eight new players to his staff during the summer in an effort to ensure retention of First Division status, and many anticipated a liberal dotting of new names. Some of the recruits may not be considered quite ripe for senior football, but this cannot be said of players like Gordon Wills, an outside left from Notts County and Ian McFarlance, a full back obtained from Chelsea. It will be surprising if they do not come up for serious consideration soon. The two to whom Leicester give their baptism are Ken Keyworth, the former Rotharham left half, and Ken Leek, an inside forward secured from Northampton Town at a fee of £10,000. Leek is a young player, whose excellent performance in the Welsh (under 23) team against England at Wrexham at the end of April had several senior clubs competing for his services. Although Leicester, of recent years, have had a decidedly Tartan touch about their staff. Manager Halliday is not the man to neglect a talented player because of his birth-place. In taking Leek on to his playing strength he snapped up a young man, whom many good judges reckon is destined for a brilliant future. Keyworth, more experienced had six years on Rotherham’s staff, although it was not unit two seasons ago that he became a regular member of their first team.
Notable Absentees
The current Leicester City side is notable also for its absentees as well as its new blood. Most notable departures from their ranks during the summer are Arthur Rowley, that most prolific scorer throughout the post-war seasons and outside left Derek Hogg. Rowley has scored over 300 goals since the war for Fulham and Leicester and though now well into the veteran stage should give good service to Shrewsbury as player-manager. Hogg a much younger man, went to West Brom at the end of last season for £16,000. The Leicester team includes five Scots, which may not be as big a proportion as some of the teams they have fielded, but is still large than that of most clubs. They have an Irishman – Cunningham a most appropriately named Welshman – Leek, and other than their Scots the rest are Englishmen, so that Everton are facing a truly British representative assembly. The team is; McLaren; Cunningham, Baillie; Newman, King, Kenworth; Riley, Walsh, Hines, Leek, Calder.
EVERTON AT LECIESTER
August 22, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Everton’s trip to Leicester will revive happy memories of their great battle there in their last promotion season. It always seems to me that Leicester are essentially a side which goes out to play good stuff and now they are managed by the famous old City and Sunderland centre-forward, Dave Halliday, one expects even more emphasis on football on the turf. Tom Bromilow, the former Liverpool and England half-0back, is still connected with the club and is in control of the A and B sides. Everton have plainly looked to the future by not electing to start the season with Fielding in the attack. He is now a player fitted to come into the team as and when, as they say, now he is approaching veteranship. I know of at least one Everton player who thinks the club are set for a good season; certainly they will have one of their financially if they can product results. I hope to see O’Hara, on the wing, and Sailor Harburn, in the centre, making successful League debuts. Harburn is a giant of a man and must be given time to settle into First Division football if he is to take the place of the man from whom he takes over –Dave Hickson. Hickson has earned a niche with Everton fans and it will take a good ‘un to follow him. Tom Jones has completely recovered from his tour injury in Ghana and Nigeria –a broken toe – and all going well I hope to record in the Football Echo the start of a new and more successful Everton era. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; Harris J, Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, O’Hara. Leicester City; McLaren; Cunningham, Ballies; Newman, King, Heyworth; Riley, Walsh, Hines, Leek, Calder.
LEICESTER AND EVERTON CAN’T STOP DRAWING
August 23, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Long looked for here at last is the start of soccer’s 1958-59 season, the time when all clubs whether or not they have done very much to nourish the idea, like to believe that this is to be their year. Some of the old doubts and fears may be creeping back by the time the opening results are known, although early successes or failure are not always an accurate pointer of the shape of things to come. We have no cause to look further than the experience of our Goodison Park friends last season for confirmation of this. Remember how the world looked such a lovely place when viewed through Everton’s “blue” glasses. There was victory in the opening game and even though the second match brought defeat, who could really complain for to be beaten by the United at Manchester was a fate which seemed likely to happen most. On and on they went and what a picture it was to see them basking in third place in the League table, as we came towards the end of October. Not until the thirteenth game did they experience their second defeat but instead of this being a fleeting blot on the copybook, it was the beginning of an ugly shadow which grew and grew until another 11 matches had been reeled off the list before Boxing Day brought triumph, sweet and overdue. Some there are call the pessimists if you like, who say until that much talked of, but elusive half back signing is made. Everton are not as well equipped as they might be for the heavier grounds that are part and parcel of our English season. We shall see.
History Point
Those who believe in history pointing the way to the future can find very good reason for predicting that Everton will return from Leicester with their first point in the bag. It is a remarkable fact that six of the last seven meetings between the two clubs have not only produced drawn games, but 2-2 draws. Everton introduce Harburn and O’Hara, Leicester try out Keyworth and Leek. Last season’s close saw Leicester in even dire straits than Everton for not until their 1-0 win at Birmingham in the last game did they ensure First Division football at Filbert Street this season. There seems to be no reason why Everton should not begin with at least one point. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; Harris J, Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, O’Hara. Leicester City; McLaren; Cunningham, Ballies; Newman, King, Heyworth; Riley, Walsh, Hines, Leek, Calder.
LEICESTER’S NEW BOY PROVIDES SHOCK FOR EVERTON
August 23, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Leicester City 2, Everton 0
By Leslie Edwards
Leicester City;- MacLaren, goal; Cunningham and Ballies, backs; Newman, King and Keyworth, half-backs; Riley, Walsh, Hines, Leek, and Calder, forwards. Everton; Dunlop, goal; Sanders and Tansey, backs; Rea, Jones (captain), and Meagan, half-backs; Harris (J), Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth and O’Hara, forwards. Referee; Mr. F. B. Couktas (Hull). Football fervor was evident and it looked as though the crowd would be near capacity. The weather was dull but fine but it was rather close for soccer. Everton appeared in a new alternative strip of white with blue facing and a yellow blue-yellow lateral band round the middle of their shirts.
Officials Late
Referee, Coukas, who was at the ground a good hour before the match, came out a minute too late, and when Tom Jones and Newman tossed for choice of ends, neither linesman was in evidence so evidently one of them must have been a little late. However. When the game started they were both in their positions. Everton set Leicester to face the sun which had broken through just before kick-off. Everton found it difficult to settle down and their only real moment of danger arose when Tansey came up field to make a shot from a right wing corner, but like Leicester earlier on, he was a distance off target. It was a game slow to settle down, and apart from a good Everton left wing movement in which Meagan by taking the inside left position, there was little consecutive play from either side. Dunlop’s only task was to watch carefully a bounding header from the light-haired Walsh and field the ball safely.
End To End
At one stage the goalkeepers were indulging in a game of football ping-pong, lashing the ball from one end of the field to the other end and then Tom Jones came in with a characteristically good intervention when Walsh threatened to break through. So far little had been seen of the massive Harburn, who had no chance to show his capabilities. Everton seemed to need a steadying influence. They came nearest to scoring when from a Harris corner Leicester let in Thomas at inside right, whose big shot was crowded out early in its flight. A late tackle by Tansey on Walsh saved a critical situation in the next phase of play, and all Leicester got was a corner kick where they seemed likely to get a goal.
Hotting Up The Pace
Little O’Hara was full of life and did some defensive chores but at this moment, Leicester were chitting up the pace, and Walsh must have scored from a pulled back pass by Leek if he had timed his shot made while on the turn. Instead he mistimed it disastrously and put the ball high over. Then Everton had two quick chances –the first from a header by O’Hara from a Harris centre. He steered the ball well, but not quite angled enough to beat McLaren. Next Thomas close in, hooked the ball a foot or two wide when McLaren was in no position to reach the ball.
OH For A Docherty
It was at this stage that one appreciated how valuable the inspiration of a player like Tommy Docherty might have been to Everton who seemed so loosely knit, but it was at this stage that I learned of Docherty’s signing for Arsenal. Everton had made a substantial initial bid and were not prepared I gather to indulge in any auction against Arsenal. That is probably why Arsenal had a clear field for the player. Referee Coultas was demonstrative and not always kind I thought to Everton, but Everton’s play was scrambling and straggling at this moment despite the fact that the score was still level and they were having to defend desperately to hold the game that way. Leicester took the lead at 28 minutes. The move started with a free kick but well as Leek took his chance the opening he received was due in the first place to a blunder. Calder helped to fox the Everton defence by allowing the ball to pass on to Leek, with the result that a player from the inside left position was able to hit an acutely angled shot against which Dunlop had little hope. Thus the new boy scored on his debut and a moment later the other man making his bow, Calder, hit a grand shot high to one of the goal angles where Dunlop edged it over the top. Meagan produced Everton’s best shot a low one, which MacLaren took when on his knees and when Harburn chipped the ball through for Thomas he proved that he had football sense even if he had seemed rather out of the game in its early stages. Dunlop never did better than when punching away a stunning Riley shot and Harburn almost put his neck out of joint in his enthusiasm to connect with his head a high pass from O’Hara which MacLaren collected. Tansey survived a miskick when standing two yards from goal, recovering to get the ball away at the second attempt. The few minutes before the interval were most testing for Everton in that Leicester had such a grip on things the traffic was almost all one way and in the direction of Dunlop. Nearly all Everton’s danger came from O’Hara and it was O’Hara who led the way for Meagan to deliver a shot which flew just too high to cause MacLaren trouble.
Sun is a Trouble
Everton’s best work was coming now, despite the fact that the sun had come out to trouble the defence. Meagan joined the Everton attack to lend his ability, and Thomas was unlucky to be given off-side from a through pass which spilt the defence but even though the whistle had gone MacLaren got his body in the line of Thomas shot. From a throw-down in the penalty area the ball came back to Rea, who slewed a right foot shot considerably wide of the target. Tansey was having quite a good innings and so was Meagan, but Everton were not satisfying themselves or us, and the wonder was that the margin was so narrow. Sanders survived a penalty appeal when he and Hines went down together in the box and it was incredible that Everton were within sight of a point if they could snatch a goal after Leicester had done so much to deserve all the honours. O’Hara was given offside when he made a glorious header at full stretch. One wondered why with Harburn out of touch with the pace of the game it was not thought fit to move him to the wing where he might have done more useful work. Ashworth was on the receiving end of a fierce tackle in the box ten minutes from time, and the damage seemed severe. Play was held up for two or three minutes and happily when ambulance men brought a stretcher; Ashworth waved them away and was assisted to the touchline. He resumed after attention. Three minutes from the end Riley put Leicester two up. The Leicester left wing move threatened no danger, until the winger who was then in the centre of the field lashed in a shot which completely deceived Dunlop who went down to it, only to see the ball flash past like a four hit travelling to the boundary. Final; Leicester City 2, Everton 0.
Balance Sheet
Two goals to nil Everton lost at Leicester, but the margin might well have been heavier and that is making allowance for the desperation of a hard worked defence. The truth was that Everton never played as a team mainly because Harburn was quite at sea in this, his first experience of First Division football and because in the first half at least neither Thomas nor Ashworth were able to move in combined style.
EVERTON RES V BURNLEY RES
August 23, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Everton Res; O’Neill; Bentham, Griffiths; King, Labone, Bramwell; Harris (B), Fielding (captain), Hickson, Temple, Williams. Burnley Res; Blackshaw; Marshall, Smith; Joyce, Bracewell, Miller; Towers, Lawson, Robson, White, Connelly. Referee; Mr. G. Ollerton (Preston). Fielding elected to have the advantage of the sun and Everton made a flying start with Blacklaw making good saves in the Gwladys Street goal from King and Williams. Hickson provided the opening, as he did for Temple, who fired wide. The Everton inside left, however, netted in the sixth minute, while a few moments later Smith shot into his own side netting when hampered by Temple. Burnley were not impressive as an attacking force, and it was left half Miller who forced O’Neill to a flying save at the expense of a corner. Everton resumed the attack and from a free kick Hickson made an opening for Temple to increase their lead in the 13th minute. Burnley improved and forced two corners of left while O’Neill saved from Towers. In the 31st minute Miller ran through to reduce Burnley’s arrears with a cannonball shot. The game was becoming more even for Burnley showed considerable improvement and only good work by Bentham and Labone prevented several dangerous moves materializing. Everton, however, still showed some of their early fire when Hickson forced Blackshaw to a point blank save while Temple was only inches off obtaining his hat-trick. Half-time; Everton Res 2, Burnley Res 1.
EVERTON HAVE FOUND A SANTOS!
August 23, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Albert Dunlop
Well, we start the new football season with the knowledge that the Brazilians are the World Cup holders, and fairly popular ones too. How popular or effective their brand of soccer would be in our season of alternating conditions remains to be seen. However, I am certain the coming campaign will see many of our leading clubs trying to emulate the Brazilian style and moves. It was interesting to report back for training and hearing different and conflicting opinions of our own and other players on the games and training techniques they had seen on television when the World Cup was in progress. Within minutes of starting training one of our players had been nicknamed Santos because he was constantly trying to do things he had seen this top-class full back do. An opinion passed by an older player was that our old style of play would still be good enough if we would only stop trying to copy the Continental and getting ourselves in a hopeless mix-up of ideas. This, he said, was making us forget, how to play simple constructive football and if we did not stop somewhere in a couple of seasons it would be like American football with everybody going into a huddle and shouting out numbers. The following statement I thought was the funniest. It was made by a player struggling to do the high kicking you noticed the Brazilians doing on television to music. “I suppose if a colliery team had won the World Cup we would be doing our training down a coal mine and playing in miner’s helmets.”
One Foot Only
Another point I noticed in the World Cup series as that most of the good players seem to favour the use of one foot for passing and controlling the ball. For years we have emphasized that a good player must be able to use both feet, but the continentals seem to have practiced with one foot until it is perfect and their game seems far more accurate and less hurried. However, all these opinions are personal ones and the following weeks will give you the public the opportunity to show your approval or disapproval on the style adopted by the various clubs. Managers and trainers will be watching the game and also noting the reaction of the people in the stands and terraces. They know only too well it is only a contended spectator that keeps the turnstiles clicking and professional football alive. While we are on the subject of continental styles, &c, Everton have a complete new change strip for away games when our colours clash. We used it on the Irish trip for one game and the team think it is tops. It is such an unusual colour scheme that you can spot your team mates very easily, and I am sure from the spectator’s point of view it works equally well. I close this, my first article, by asking a favour of our supporters. It is to give our two new boys, Eddie O’Hara and Peter Harburn, all the encouragement you can as well as the rest of the side. Remember, when a player is having a good game, he needs no encouragement, but when things are not going too well it is then he needs the boost you can give him. I have never met yet the footballer who goes on the field to deliberately play a bad game.
HARBURN STRANDED BY THE SPEED AND VARIETY
August 25, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Leslie Edwards
Leicester City 2, Everton 0
It was only three minutes from the end that Riley, the Leicester City outside-right, scored the clinching goal from a fast shot which swerved so deceptively that goalkeeper Dunlop –usually so sure in his soccer and cricket fielding – could be excused for failure. Thus, Everton were within sight of a draw for nearly all the second half, but if they had gained one their performance would not have been satisfying. Indeed, though Leicester won by two goals, there was nothing about their play to suggest that they will be one of the leading First Division sides; but it must be put on record that they were immeasurably a better side together than ours. This was a game which gave no indication that we have learned the lessons of the World Cup. There was speed; there was tremendous endeavour on all hands –not least from Everton –but there were too few indications of our ability to produce master controllers of the ball with tactical brains of equal order. The game straggled along especially at the start, and only a good spell by Leicester late in the first-half, and Everton’s unfulfilled promise at the start of the second half, lifted it out of the rut. The refereeing of Mr. Coultas, too, was all too demonstrative and theatrical. The good referee is rarely seen and heard, this one was seen and heard too often and in my view, in the first half, he was often a little harsh on Everton.
Centre Forward Key
Why did Everton fail? Because, fundamentally they were lacking a centre forward. To condemn a man; especially one from a Third Division club, on one First Division showing, is absurd and I will not do it. But that does not preclude me from saying that Harburn, big, strong, and obviously a man with football ideas, was never in the game as he should have been. He was inclined to be slow to misjudge the ball in flight; to be left stranded by the speed and variety of movement such as he can rarely have experienced in third-class football. Everton’s problem is whether to persist with him against Preston on Wednesday. It is one about which they must do some heart-searching and head-scratching. If I were confronted with it I think I should ask Harburn (who must know his limitations at this point), to spend some weeks acclimatizing himself to Central League football. That he can get goals is proved by his seventy for Brighton in three seasons. It would be fully either way, to undermine his confidence in his ability. Of the other Everton newcomers I am glad to be able to give good news. O’Hara is not a big fellow but he lifted smoothly into the Everton attack, was go ahead had courage, striking force and was not slow when the Everton defence was extremely busy to come back and lend a hand. He looks as though he will develop into a very useful fixture at outside left. And when young Ashworth is more experienced it may well become a left-wing of some quality. Leicester looked more compact; their play and players had unity, compared with an Everton, who moved by fits and starts and then not very impressively. Everton seemed to lack a commanding presence someone to inspire and lead them. The odd thing was that only a goal separated the teams for so long and if Everton shooting had been accurate that goal might well have been wiped out time and again. The new Leicester left wing triangle of Keyworth, Leek and Calder, played a conspicuous part in victory. Leek with a well taken goal at 28 minutes gave many other indications that he is going to settle down quickly after the translation from Northampton Town. He seems likely to have a long and successful career in first-class football.
Damaged Players
Two Everton players –Jones and Ashworth –received severe blows in the second half. Jones came out of a crashing clinch for the ball against Cunningham and suffered a damaged ankle. Ashworth was a blow to the knee at a moment when he might well have scored an equalizer. There must be intense treatment for Jones if he is to be ready for the tilt against Preston on Wednesday. Both backs were faced by good and lively wingers and Tansey came off the better. Meagan fairly blossomed into his best form as the game progressed. Jones was kept at full stretch by Hines a centre forward who has great mobility and change of pace, and Rea who faced the better Leicester wing was given little time to do other than concentrate on defensive measures. Manager Dave Halliday must have been pleased with this opening. Coach Ian Buchan could not be other than a little subdued, a little thoughtful. Maybe he wondered as did I, what enlivening an effect Docherty might have had on Everton if he had signed for them, and not for Arsenal.
HICKSON GETS THE WINNER
August 25, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Everton Res 3, Burnley Res 2
A superb header by leader Hickson twelve minutes from the end of this Central League game gave his side a victory which was merited through a sparkling display in the first half hour. Although never reaching Everton’s early standard, the workmanlike visitors wiped out the two goals scored by Temple in a whirlwind start. The pace slackened during the second half when play became scrappy and both sides spurned reasonable chances. With an injury affecting Temple, Hickson, and Williams were Everton’s most dangerous forwards while Labone and O’Neill started in a defence which had moments of indecision, Miller and Lawson scored for Burnley. Everton team; O’Neill; Bentham, Griffiths; King, Labone, Bramwell; Harris (B), Fielding, Hickson, Temple, Williams.
HARBURN PROBLEM IS THEIR HEARTBURN
August 25, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Everton Coach, Ian Buchan was a subdued, thoughtful man en route from Leicester, where his team lost the opening game by two goals to nil. And why not? It isn’t every day a player like Tommy Docherty goes to Arsenal and not to Everton and it isn’t every day that a Third Division centre-forward, like Everton’s Harburn from Brighton, comes out to his first first-team match so disappointingly. I don’t mind confessing that I too felt a bit subdued and thoughtful after an Everton performance which though looking reasonable as to score, was dis-satisfying. All clubs bristle with problems of one sort or another. Everton have a major one, thus early, arising from Sailor Harburn’s initial inability to keep pace with the speed and movement of a big game and his failure to judge the flight of the ball when challenged or not. I heard it said on Saturday evening, but by no member of the Everton party; “He will not do.” That is an unfair comment since no man should be condemned on one showing, but in my opinion he will not do at the moment. The game of this man who scored 70 goals in three seasons for Brighton might benefit if he were given more time to acclimatize himself to football of a new class. He is out of his depth temporarily.
All Is Not Gloom
Whether Everton will choose to do this or not we shall not know until the team for the match against Preston at Goodison Park on Wednesday is disclosed. Their’s is a difficult problem. They must also consider, I imagine what steps must be taken to give the team some player who can command and general the attack and make it work; they were all too loosely-linked at Leicester. But all is not gloom on the Everton scene. They have in the Scot, O’Hara a little man of good heart; good speed and good ideas. He showed all these qualities when gaining repute as the best forward in a line which was severely handicapped. One wondered why no one thought fit to give Harburn a wing position and concentrate what strength there was in other places. O’Hara, with head and foot, gave the impression that it will not be long before he is among the goals. The pity was that Everton’s shooting from such hard-won chances as they enjoyed, was so inaccurate.
Never A Great Side
Leicester took time to get going and were never a great side, but they always looked the better. The odd thing was that they led only by a goal until three minutes from the end when Riley, a man who is likely to make Hogg’s going seem unimportant, clinched the game with a swerving shot which Dunlop covered until the last moment. The earlier goal by the South Wallan, Leek, was the better, since he rammed the ball in on the half-turn after a move which had the defence bamboozled. Everton’s new alternative strip, with narrow lateral bands of blue and yellow looked good, but handsome is as handsome does…. The defence found themselves engaged almost constantly and it was well Tansey and Meagan (whose game came back to its lively best) were at peak; otherwise a modest two-nil might have assumed frightening proportions. The club position with Jones and Ashworth bursting injuries which seemed likely to take them off field for the rest of the game on Saturday is not happy; though it is hoped to have them both fit for Wednesday.
Belief In Thomas
I have implicit belief in Thomas and on Saturday’s showing Ashworth, too, may develop into a splendid player of the sort Everton had in abundance in their great seasons, but neither of them had a really good game and with O’Hara the only front-line man to function it was scarcely any wonder that those behind were kept busy. The match against Preston will be a first testing for the new Everton turf. Not having had the sun to help it form deep roots it may well be soft and it may well lose a good deal of its grass within the next five weeks. But fans will excuse all that if the team settles down and shows results. In this connection I must recall that the Everton Chairman, Mr. Dick Searle, is taking all the sting of a story against the club, by telling it himself. It goes that he has started to tobacconists outside the ground, the shop-front legend of which is “No Players, No Star, No Turf.”
FINE GOALS BY HICKSON
August 26, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
Preston N.E Reserve 0, Everton Reserve 0
Everton Reserves gave a spirited and clever display in winning at Deepdale last night. They out-classed Preston whose aimless striving compared poorly with an Everton’s more purposeful methods. Hickson, who scored two fine goals was too fast and strong for Mattinson, who seldom got to grips with him. Everton also had two lively wingers of whom Williams snapped a smart opening goal after 30 minutes. Hickson and Kirby made it 3-0 at half time and Hickson shot a beauty after 72 minutes. A feature was O’Neill’s expert and spectacular goalkeeping.
EVERTON SURPRISE; NO CHANGES AGAINST PRESTON
August 26, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Everton F.C., have surprised the natives and especially those who went to Leicester on Saturday –by selecting en bloc the same team for the match tomorrow evening at Goodison Park, against Preston North End. Coach Ian Buchan’s view is that the club must have the courage of their convictions and none will argue otherwise. To buy a new centre-forward, like Harburn, and discard him after one show might be to ruin his confidence. It is clear that Mr. Buchan has given the eleven a second chance to justify his faith in them. Harburn had a debut that was almost too bad to be true. No one least of all me, blames him for falling in his first First Division match. He was not the first, nor will he be the last, to find the pace and movement of top-class soccer disturbing. One had anticipated that Hickson would be there and also, for the time being at least, Fielding. But if Everton are aiming at futures their decision to give younger men a prolonged chance is not so surprising. One thing is certain if the team chosen can beat the Preston menaces they will have more than rehabilitated themselves. It is good that Jones and Ashworth are both fit after severe knocks at Leicester, Jones, all going well, will take part in his three-hundredth League game for Everton against Newcastle here, on Saturday –and it only seems like yesterday that Arsenal fans were giving him an ovation when he left the field injured in his first League game for Everton at Highbury. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, and O’Hara.
SAME AGAIN IS EVERTON TEAM CHALLENGE
August 27, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Look out Preston! After an afternoon of disappointment at Leicester on Saturday changes were expected in the Everton team for tonight’s game with manager Cliff Britton’s side. They have not been made. You can read into that decision what you like. It could be a gesture of confidence, an indication that the run of the ball as much as individual failings was responsible for the opening reverse and that surely they cannot be as unlucky again. It could be that the official reading of the game differed from that of the critics. Such a reasoning is unlikely to be accepted generally for the disappointment went too deep for that and Leicester’s 5-0 reverse at Blackburn did little to ease the hurt. If amateur selectors had been able to graduate from their arm chairs to the boardroom table, there would have been the second chance just yet for at least one or two of the defeated Everton side. Naturally Chief Coach Ian Buchan keeps his reasoning to himself, but I can imagine him putting this match to the players as a question of confidence. He could have told them – “We have confidence in you to show the Leicester failings were transitory, that you can do better. “This is your chance to prove us right. Any player can experience an off-day, and it has happened that more than one man has slipped on the same day. Don’t sip again this time.” That would have been a charitable little speech. If ever a team should show gratitude towards its selectors for refusing to condemn them on one showing, no matter how damning the evidence may have been, it is Everton. Heads, would certainly have fallen in many another club. The only way these lads can show their gratitude and appreciation of the way, things are done at Everton is by a Preston paralyzing performance that will amount to an honorable acquittal, both inside and outside the boardroom.
Now Them Harburn …
If Harburn, in particular, does not strip up his sleeves and turn in a show that will prove he is equal to the jump from Third to First Division football, he will be in no position to complain if he is asked to bridge the gap in the Central League side. Hickson is watching the scene from the wings ready to step up to the stage at the first nod in his direction and already he is promising that his decision to stand by at Goodison instead of stepping out at Plymouth, is one that may still bring a blush to Everton cheeks –whether a blush of pride in performance or a blush of remorse that the thought of allowing him to go could ever have been entertained we may yet see. Hickson’s readiness to take over should be yet another spur to Harburn, for a man never tries harder than when he realize that he can survive only on his own efforts in competition with a man whose enthusiasm is often his greatest crime. It is folly of the highest order to belittle a young player of such brief acquaintance with the class of football in which he finds himself, but competition being what it is in the cut-and-thrust of modern soccer. Everton fans will be looking for evidence from Harburn that the stage fright is over and that ability and results are now the only evidence which can, for the moment be accepted. As I see it. “Go out and win, young man” is surely the invitation being extended to Harburn tonight. We all wish him luck. Wally Fielding is another player whose name must have crossed thousands of lips in the last day or two, but to him also, the call has not been made. Too late now, to bemoan that Tommy Docherty will be gunning elsewhere. This was an Everton brainwave that went wrong. One dubious distinction, Everton cannot now avoid is that of being the last team in the Division to score a goal. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; J. Harris, Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, O’Hara.
Mr. Britton is giving no team secrets away in advance. Last night he told me; “The team will not be chosen until tomorrow,” and he would offer no list of players from whom final selection would be made.
FINNEY WILL TEST PROBATIONARY EVERTON
August 27, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Everton’s first home run with two brand-new players in their team would normally bring a tremendous attendance to Goodison Park; the fact that the opposition tonight is Preston N.E and that Tom Finney will be there makes the occasion even more compelling. Finney, it seems, will be the man taking over from Stanley Matthews as the top trump card at drawing them in and if he plays as well as he does normally at this ground only the Everton defence will be dis-satisfied! Preston brings no Docherty, but one can take it for granted that Mr. Cliff Britton will have taken the precaution to equip himself with a player he thinks equally good. Also, since the present Preston manager used to be with us at Everton, one can also be sure that he will have given his new club the benefit of his knowledge of Everton’s strength and weakness. Thus, tactically and in every other way, Preston start at an advantage. Everton fans will be there in force to see Harburn and O’Hara. If O’Hara plays as well as at Leicester he must delight them, if Harburn plays as well as he did with Brighton he will justify Ian Buchan’s belief in him as a man who will make good, given a fair chance. But, let there be no mistake about it, Everton would have changes if their chosen eleven failed to click for the second time. You cannot afford to saddle or sadden yourself with defeat after defeat early in the season when matches come thick and fast. Though the segregating fence on the Goodison Road – Gwladys Street terraces will be in operation tonight, ground season tickets holders can still reach their usual place on Gwladys Street by using the Gwladys Street entrance open especially for their convenience. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; J. Harris, Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, O’Hara. Preston N.E. Else; Cunningham, Walton; Milne, Gunn, O’Farrell; Mayers, Farrell, Hatsell, Baxter, and Finney.
Something Of A Mascot
Johnny Morrissey
Like, Everton, Liverpool come up with a surprise, for their match at Sunderland on Saturday they have chosen, at out-side right, John Morrissey, normally a Reserve team left winger. Otherwise the team is as against Grimsby. Morrissey impressed Everton a good deal in the two floodlit matches between Everton and Liverpool last season, but Liverpool want to keep all their good things and so Everton had to look elsewhere. Morrissey, who got a cap as schoolboy, is an old St. Sylvester’s boy. This will be his third League game. He played twice before and Liverpool won both games. He has played twice with success at outside-right, in the Central League side.
FARRELL AND MAYERS HERE
August 27, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Ex-Evertonians Play For Preston
By Leslie Edwards
Two former Everton, players –Derek Mayers and Alec Farrell –will play together against their old club at Goodison Park tonight (7 pm). Farrell, who is a West Kirby boy, will be making his first appearance in the first team since he damaged his ankle when touring with Preston in South Africa in the close season. He takes the place of Tommy Thompson who has a damaged knee. Manager Cliff Britton (also an Everton old boy) has elected to play Tom Finney on the wing with Hatsell leading the attack. Preston N.E. Else; Cunningham, Walton; Milne, Gunn, O’Farrell; Mayers, Farrell, Hatsell, Baxter, and Finney.
PRESTON MAKE IT A HAPPY BIRTHDAY
August 28, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 1, Preston N.E 4
By Horace Yates
What a pity it was Everton who had to be butchered to make a Preston birthday celebration for Manager Cliff Britton, forty-nine-years-old yesterday. His players could scarcely have been quicker to set alight the festivities, for within two minutes, Mayers, a name not unknown at Goodison put over a beautiful corner kick and with Dunlop’s handling sadly at fault, Hatsell steamed up to put the ball in the net before all the spectators were in the ground. Even though Mr. Britton was their former chief, Everton could not stand aide like uninvited guests at the feast and nothing could have been more appetizing than that their reply, their first goal of the season should come from the head of newcomer Harburn, inside four minutes. It was thrilling indeed to see Everton hitting back so briskly, so efficiently. Harburn danced with glee at his success and the crowd gave him the sort of roar that can only mean one thing – “Keep that up and there’s a hearty welcome here for you.” Harburn was showing up well with some astute headers and clever passes, in which he found the open spaces in the defence in the most agreeable style. Preston did not pause long before proving to their chief that accidents can happen even in the best regulated circles and so Hatsell collected the ball ten or twelve yards outside the Everton penalty area and put the ball into the top left hand corner of the net with such speed that Dunlop seemed leaden-footed as he vainly struggled for contact.
Danger From Hatsell
Three goals in eight minutes and some cracking football in the bargin were enough to make spectators believe that this, one way or another, may be a season to remember. Hatsell’s head seemed to have some magnetic attraction for the ball. Certainly he was extremely successful with the ball in the air and the shot to which he treated us so early, clearly stressed that here was a danger man, in spite of all the attention. Tommy Jones could give to him. The Preston leader was hat-trick bent and no mistake but the best he could accomplish was to cross the ball for Baxter to collect Preston’s goal No 3 with still only eleven minutes having ticked by since the game was set in motion. It was thrilling and exciting and although Harburn could not put his name to further Everton goals he demonstrated quite forcibly that he is a player, with ideas and some ability. His height stood him in good stead in several heading duels, until Everton began to overdo it, with the inevitable result that a very impressive Preston defence saw to it that contact was more difficult to achieve. How sweetly the Preston forward line moved and if they did not score again before half time they went near enough to draw, exclamations from the crowd.
Neglected Harburn
In contrast Harburn must have wondered when he would receive the chance to show the power of his shot. He was left to do all the foraging for himself. No clear cut opportunities for him but by half time at least we had seen enough to suggest that he merits continued confidence. After the opening goal rush, seventy-seven minutes without a further score was approaching anti-climax even if in this period we saw Finney braze away over the bar from a penalty kick after he had been brought down by Sanders when beautifully placed for a score. Jimmy Harris too had shown there was still a kick in Everton with the sort of shot that is coming all too rarely from the Goodison attack, for it represented a wonderful achievement by Else to put the ball over the bar. Finney, fitting into the scene only rarely, but never aimlessly, was given the chance to atone for his penalty blunder when Hatsell put him in possession on the fringe of the penalty area. With Jones almost on top of him, menacingly efficient, Finney out-witted him as only a class footballer could, and calmly went on to give Dunlop no chance. Even though Preston’s play stamped them as a team likely to be one of the greatest forces in the game this season it is obvious that Everton’s team building plans are far from complete. Thomas made little effective contribution to the game, and while Ashworth who retired just before the end with concussion was a much busier man, the pair compared badly with Baxter and Farrell. Everton must now be their own sternest critics for having allowed Mayers and Farrell to leave them so cheaply, on for leaving them at all.
Mayers Advances
Mayers, in particular, has advanced not of all recognition at Preston. Had he shown a fraction of last night’s ability when at Goodison there could have been no question of his moving. Whenever he was near the ball there was progress and not a little danger. That sort of thing is tied up with the luck of the game, as well as judgment, Preston were more fortunate. They have had Hatsell on their register for around ten years and on last night’s showing he is an ornament to any attack. Yet what in his record” He has played 79 first team games in that time and has played them in four different positions, scoring 41 goals. O’Hara showed promise and will improve as I am sure will the Everton team, but there will have to be some deep thinking as to whether or not the best use is being made of existing material. I doubt if the team will be unchanged a third time. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Jones (captain), Meagan; J. Harris, Thomas, Harburn, Ashworth, and O’Hara. Preston N.E; Else; Cunningham, Walton; Milne, Dunn, O’Farrell; Mayers, Farrell, Hatsell, Baxter, Finney. Referee; Mr. F. Cowen (Manchester). Attendance 52, 405.
EVERTON LINK WITH CROWTHER
August 28, 1958.The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Having failed in their efforts to sign Docherty, Everton still believe they are in need of greater half-back strength and last night their name was linked with an approach to Manchester United regarding Stan Crowther. Crowther is the half back who played for Aston Villa in the F.A Cup final against United at Wembley and the following year for United against Bolton Wanderers at Wembley, having joined the Manchester side following the Munich air disaster. Crowther is being kept out of First Division football by the brilliance of the young left half back, McGuiness.
ONLY PRESTON DID US PROUD
August 28, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Two sides each without a point, Everton and Newcastle United, meet here on Saturday and what worries Everton fans is what steps their club can take to obviate the possibility of another defeat such as last night’s at Goodison Park. Preston North End exposed all Everton’s limitations in a 4-1 win which might well have been even more damaging and the only satisfaction to be gained from the match was the manner in which it was obtained –first class football, sometimes impudently cheeky by a side which had no weakness at any point. Indeed, a Tom Finney who was scarcely ever seen was able to indulge himself in a penalty miss (he put things right with a characteristically brilliant goal soon afterwards) and Preston coasted for the final 15 minutes with Alec Farrell, once of Everton, injured and away in the dressing room. It was victory gained virtually in the first 11 minutes. By this time Preston had gone to a 3-1 lead despite joyous headed goal by Harburn whose first 20 minutes at least was unrecognizably different from the whole of his game at Leicester. Conceding that Harburn came off for a while Everton were never comparable with Preston as a team and where Preston knew where they were going – and went quickly –Everton were undecided and then took a long time to make up their minds.
Looked For The Ball
Preston looked for the ball; Everton seemed embarrassed by possession of it. Too often they shifted responsibility elsewhere too often they failed to use the open spaces which Preston players took up as a matter of routine. In one minute Hatsell from a corner got his head to a ball which Dunlop tried to catch and didn’t; in four minutes Harburn with a glancing header and having risen higher than Dunn anticipated scored his side’s first goal of the season; in eight minutes Hatsell bursting through and delivering a cracking shot from about 30 yards had discomforted Dunlop a second time; in 11 minutes Baxter had converted on the volley, a Hatsell shot which was flying wide of the mark. Thus almost as soon as the game started the issue was settled. All that was left for us was the football lesson Preston provided.
A Finney Miss; A Finney Goal
Close home Finney –so rarely seen –strode on with Sanders in pursuit and only a tackle from behind could hope to stop him. Sanders made it and paid the penalty and Finney for once seeming to try to burst the back of the net (or the ball) missed ingloriously. His clever goal after he had edged his way beyond Jones and foxed both Tansey and Dunlop was the real Finney and put a flourishing finish to a Preston performance which suggests that they may finish champions this season not runners-up as last season. Dunlop may be blamed in some quarters, but not by me. That long range shot was a corker and found the most inaccessible spot –the far goal angle. His first goal had been rather freakish; indeed the ball had scarcely crossed the line before it was whipped away but the referee ruled a goal. Everton’s right wing did not function mainly because Thomas has lost confidence. O’Hara on the left took a knock (as did Ashworth who left the field when concussed three minutes from the end) but showed shooting power and ides though he had to wander a distance before he displayed them. But the attack never moved with the understanding and skill of Preston’s in which Mayers seems to have learned much from Finney. His speed was more than Tansey could always handle and it was no fault of Mayers’ that his partner Farrell did not enjoy a goal against his old side.
Need For An Old Hand
Everton so far are not moving together. They suffered by comparison individually and collectively. Where Preston moved with certainty and confidence, Everton looked second-rate, unsure, and needing the wisdom of an old head to guide them. You may well think that Fielding could be that man. It is certain there will be changes. Everton had no inside man like Baxter –a splendid worker. Their backs, hard as they tried were not comparable with Cunningham and Walton – the latter one of the most artistic backs I have seen for seasons. Preston had commanding half-backs; were good in the air and never seemed to play at more than half pace once they had taken Everton’s measure. More disturbing than the result was prospect of what might have been if Preston had gone after goals once they had the match all but won. Harburn’s goal gave special pleasure. His distribution early on was good too. He was soon in the crowd’s good books but in a line such as Everton’s last night it was not surprising he was scarcely seen afterwards. Everton fans took their medicine well but that is not to say they will always accept as inevitable the disparity between their team and the other. Only the fact that Preston are as good if not better than they were makes the outlook any less aggravating. The situation calls for hard, clear thinking and, if necessary the readiness to make good deficiencies by buying big and buying well. Everton’s name has been linked with that of Crowther, the half-back who played for and against Manchester United in successive Cup finals. But it seems unlikely that Everton will go further in the matter. Yet one can depend on it that their network of scouts is busier than ever this morning and that something must come of their efforts.
SOLUTION TO EVERTON NEED NOT EASY
August 29, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
How futile it is to tell Everton F.C, that the Goodison patient is not at all well and that unless he is treated to a blood transfusion with the absolute minimum loss of time, recuperation is neither likely to be speedy nor pleasant. Obviously they know it as well as anybody and probably better than most, but no diagnose; a complaint goes only part of the way towards applying a remedy. To know what is anted is a very different thing from being able to supply the need. Everton’s scouting staff is experienced and numerically strong enough to comb a lot of ground and comb it well, and because arrivals at Goodison have been comparatively few in recent times, it is to say that hundreds of players have not been carefully vetted. Extreme situations call for extreme measures and while it may be wrong to play with words at the movement, dangerous situations have a habit of veering towards the critical in an embarrassingly short space of time. Setting day, somewhere towards the end of next April may seem a great way off, as in fact it is, but any marking time now will impose an additional and increasingly difficult burden as the months go by. Everton cannot afford to wait for their youthful talent; (and by all accounts they are well placed in his regard) to strengthen senior weaknesses. Players of proved ability should be the immediate goal. A personality is urgently wanted in the Everton side, one who can inspire direct and urge others on and by his ability bring out the best in his colleagues. Nobody pretends that finding the solution is going to be easy but try they must.
Right Channels
Everton thoughts were being directed along the right channels when they made a move for Tommy Docherty and I have no doubt that the fee they offered Preston was fair and adequate by normal standards, but can Everton’s present needs be termed normal? Even though their business instincts might have repelled at the thought of paying through the nose which as a policy has nothing to commend it, might if not have been justified in this instance? Arsenal apparently considered it so. At least it would have shown Everton’s faithful following that they meant business –and that is important. Crowthers of Manchester United is now being mentioned as a possible Everton interest. If this quest develops many thousands will hope that it will not fail because of a difference of a thousand pounds of two in valuation. In the meantime, if Everton were to decide that this is just the sort of situation in which the artistry and experience of Wally Fielding could be output to profitable senior employment there would be solid support for putting the theory to the test. More than any other available forward Fielding might introduce rhythm into the forward line. Not only did Preston score four goals to Everton’s one on Wednesday but they shot at goal at least three times to everyone by Everton. It is an ugly looking ratio in print. It looks just as bad on the field. This is a position in which it is just no good hoping for the best –on the off chance that something will turn up and that things must get better. Something positive is the glaring call.
Wait For It
Like Everton, Newcastle United are not announcing their team until later today. They were hoping against hope that their captain and centre-half Stokoe, and their scoring centre forward; White would be fit to resume after preseason injuries. Both figured in Newcastle’s Central League side against Sheffield Wednesday during the week, but I gather the results were not too conclusive. There is still a fitness doubt but the prospects of White being able to resume are considered to be more promising than in stokoe’s case. Newcastle just as hungry for points as Everton, believe that their fortunes will improve when there two key players are able to get back into action.
THIS IS WHY THEY ARE NOT SUCCEEDING
August 29, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Why are Everton failing? That is the question which occupies our minds and those of club officials, not least Ian Buchan’s. It is not only that the club are not succeeding; they are not producing even an imitation of the sort of football which used to make their following talk of their School of Science. We have reached the stage –and the deterioration has been clear for a long time –when almost any ordinary First Division side can come here and make Everton look like something from a lower order. Those with Everton at heart don’t like it and who can blame them? Since the War (two notable Cup semi-finals appearances excepted) they have given us few gala days and, for the most part, have been struggling. First, Mr. Theo Kelly was Secretary-Manager, next came Mr. Cliff Britton and his long term plan which never fruited; now the team are in the charge of an expert in physical culture- Mr. Ian Buchan, a man who must be given credit for introducing into football, for the first time the many extraneous aids to fitness, not least the weight-lifting which so many other clubs (successful ones, too) have put into training schedules. The one thing common to all these chiefs was failure to produces a championship side, though Mr. Britton and for that matter Mr. Buchan have always succeeded in getting 100 per cent plus effort from players under their command.
So Frustrating
Everton’s tradition is so splendid; their ground so good; their support so remarkable failure is doubly frustrating. None can do good by fists shaken in the direction of the directors box no good can come of criticism of players. The position is one which will have to be worked on by the club painstakingly, unhurriedly. In my belief they missed the best chances to start rehabilitation when they allowed Arsenal to step in and take a player like Docherty merely because persisting further to get Docherty might have involved them in an auction. A few thousands either way would not have made much difference to Everton’s coffers; far better to pay a big sum for an established player than fritter money away, in penny packets on players who have still to show that they can hold First Division places. Another thing which reacted against Everton was the introduction of too many young players at one time. A good team can afford one of these at a time with careful nursing by more experienced men alongside a poor team cannot afford to carry one, two or three young newcomers, all of whom must be short of something in their early days in first-class football. Everton have tried too many youngsters at a time. The result is a danger that these boys will have hearts broken by non-success; some other hearts may also get broken while they are being blooded. This is no time for panic changes –on the contrary. But Everton must reintroduce men they know are able to help the team to get points.
HARBURN’S RIGHT
August 29, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Sir- Isn’t it about time your correspondents wrote a little less rubbish about Everton and Hickson. I have been watching Everton for more than 50 years and I cannot remember any other player so theatrical. Your correspondents appear to have already written off the new centre forward, after only one game, but has it occurred to them that if Hickson was as successful as they would have us believe why was it necessary to even consider a replacement? Look at Everton’s goal for tally (third lowest last season) and particularly Hickson’s and measure his success by that. A centre forward’s job is primarily to score goals. I am still old fashioned enough to believe that football of the quality Everton were once famed for, will produce results to gladden the hearts of all supporters and the directors of the club know new players are a necessary step to this end. As far as Harburn is concerned he is entitled, at the very least to expect a fair opportunity to prove his ability. All fair-minded supporters will see that he gets every encouragement even if the local Press do not! -A. Barber, 7 Bennett Street, Garston.
FIELDING RECALLED TO EVERTON TEAM
August 29, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Changes v. Newcastle
Dunlop Out
By Leslie Edwards
Wally Fielding the Everton forward is being brought back. Fielding, who was in the Everton team during their highly successful start at the beginning of last season, finds a place in the team to face Newcastle United at Goodison Park tomorrow. Other two changes involve the substitution of goalkeeper Dunlop by O’Neill and the introduction of King at right half-back in place of Rea. There is a doubt about the fitness of O’Hara on the left wing and if he is unable to play Graham Williams the Welsh boy will taken his place. Fielding’s choice was expected but even now the team does not inspire much confidence. Many had thought that a place would be found for Hickson. King, a local boy; played several times in the half-back line last season, notably in the last three matches, two of which were won. O’Neill had only six runs in the first team last season –five of those games ended in Everton’s victory. Newcastle like Everton are still without a point. Everton; O’Neill; Sanders, Tansey; King, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Thomas, Harburn, Fielding, and O’Hara (or Williams).
Newcastle Wait
After a fruitless trip to Scotland, Newcastle chairman Alderman W. McKeag and manager Charlie Mitten are still unable to announce their team. Latest is that they “hope” to make a forward signing in time for the game,” but no information is given as to who he is or where he is likely to come from. Despite the eight goals against it so far the defence will probably be unchanged, but the attack is anybody’s guess. Bottom can be counted out as he is injured, so the team would be; Mitchell (S); Keith, McMicheal; Scoular, Scott, Bell; (forwards from) Hughes, Franks, Curry, A.N. Other, Davies, Mitchell (R.), Wright, and McGuigan. Last named is a close season signing from Southend.
Prescot Debutants
Prescot Cables have two debutants at Netherfield tomorrow. They are Forshaw ex-Everton, making his first soccer appearance after playing Rugby League for St. Helens and Tallon, former Bangor City inside forward.
FIELDING BACK IN EVERTON ATATCK
August 30, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
It is a sign that hard times come to great and small in turn that the bearers of two such famous names as Newcastle, of Wembley Cup fame, and Everton, should clash at Goodison Park with not one point and only two goals to show between them. While Everton have lost 2-0 at Leicester and 4-1 at home to Preston, Newcastle went down at home to Blackburn 5-1 and at Blackpool 3-0. Whatever happens today one or other or both will register their first point or points. Everton have at last taken drastic action though the course if follows was not altogether expected. The recall of Fielding the one man with the experience and guile necessary to bind a forward line together, in place of Ashworth had been freely prophesied, but dropping of goalkeeper Dunlop in favour of Eire International O’Neill comes as something of a shock. The weakness at wing half has obviously exercised Mr. Buchan severely, and the remedy applied here is the introduction of King for Rea. King had several useful games in the first team last season but one cannot but feel that the need for a bit more size and strength in midfield has been overlooked. Newcastle have their own problems and up till late last night they withheld the announcement of their team in the hope they would be able to sign a new forward. But their search was unavailing and in the end Mr. Mitten has had to make do with the players already on his books. Mr. Mitten told me; “We had hoped to sign a player in time for tomorrow’s game but unfortunately we have not yet been successful. We hope to resume negotiations on Monday and may know something then.” The player in question” Mr. Mitten declined to give any indication but I understand he is a well known forward. The attack has been completely reshuffled with Reg Davies the Welsh International at inside right in place of Albert Franks, normally a wing half. John McGuigan, the outside left from Southend makes his First Division debut and Billy Wright the former Leicester winger moves from the left wing to centre forward in place of Carl Wilson. Everton; O’Neill; Sanders, Tansey; King, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Thomas, Harburn, Fielding and O’Hara (or Williams); Newcastle;- Mitchell (S); Keith, McMicheal, Scoular, Scott, Bell; Hughes, Davies, Wright, Eastham, McGuigan.
ANGRY SHOUTS, SLOW HANDCLAP AT GOODISON
August 30, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Newcastle Second Half Goals Against Everton
Everton 0, Newcastle 2
By Leslie Edwards
Everton; O’Neill, goal; Sanders and Tansey, backs; King, Jones (captain) and Meagan, half-backs; Harris (J), Thomas, Harburn, Fielding and Williams (G), forwards. Newcastle United; Mitchell (S), backs; Keith and McMicheal, backs; Scoular (captain), Scott and Bell, half-backs; Hughes, Davies, Wright, Eastham and McGuigan, forwards. Referee; Mr. D.T Blues, Richmore, Surrey. O’Hara failed a fitness test this morning and his place at outside left was taken by Graham Williams. Newcastle had McGuigan at outside left. This is the boy who had two very good games in the Cup for Southend against Liverpool last season. When Scoular led his team out there was a roar of amazement from the crowd. The new Newcastle strip with magpie tops to their stockings and a white edging to their black shorts looked strange, indeed. Everton faced the breeze and the sun. It was odd to see the crowd appreciating King’s first forward move, and odder still to see Scoular and Fielding take advantage of a stoppage in the game to go and shake hands. Oddest of all was the fact that when referee Blues tried to kick the ball to be placed for a free kick, he slipped and wasn’t at all sure whether he had damaged an ankle. The game wasn’t two minutes old before Scoular was involved in a foul against Fielding. Yet another oddity was the fact that O’Neill wore a peaked jockey cap of the style affected by American golfers. There was little pattern about the early moments. Only a cross field Fielding pass which Harris J, brought down and then lofted over McMicheal’s head produced the class we expect. Unfortunately, after nodding the ball forward, Harris shot wildly across the face of the goal. Fielding was making a difference to Everton in the attacking but the Newcastle line, so far at any rate could not contrive any sustained movement, hard as little Eastham tried.
First Shot
The first shot came from Davies, after a free kick by McMicheal, but O’Neill caught in confidently despite the glare of the sun. Everton did best when Harburn linked with Meagan and Harris in a right wing move which led to Meagan’s cross goal shot, being collected near the far post. Williams with a good run and a cross field pass was in the honours a minute later, and with this move Harburn all but reached with his head a centre from the right. It was scrambling football with Scoular unable to get himself or his men going. Mitchell appeared to damage himself when falling on a Harris centre to collect it at the second attempt but he was soon fit to continue.
Jones’ Bad Patch
Davies, slipping into the inside left position, was quick to shoot as a clearance came through from McMicheal, but fortunately he was wide. It was lucky for Everton too that when Tom Jones misjudged the bounce of the ball O’Neill was out to field it before Wright could hit it into the back of the net. The sun and breeze was evidently troublesome to Jones, for a moment later he was having to head away for a corner when the ball came swirling through in the air. Everton worked a free kick ruse when Harburn was impeded just outside the area and Thomas, pretending to take the award, stepped past the ball so that Fielding could run on from behind and hit a tremendous shot which Mitchell flicked over the bar in a brilliant save. A moment later, from a McMicheal free kick, Davies with a glancing header had O’Neill at full stretch to make an equally good save just inside the post. Bell, who now wore his black and white colours out of his shorts –it practically obscured his shorts altogether –looked like something out of the Follies Bergeres, but Newcastle had come more into the game at this stage. When Williams swerved the ball on to the front edge of the post and it rebounded to Harburn, who was standing not more than three yards out, he was so surprise, he could only balloon a shot pylon high. The two Newcastle wingers partnering themselves on the right, opened the Everton defence and Hughes must have scored with a cross shot if he had hit it truly, but he didn’t. Sanders got in front of a full blooded Davies shot after Hughes had taken the ball half the length of the field and at this point Newcastle were going rather better, with Scoular finding his touch. Time and again the ball was mispassed by both sides. I can’t remember a match in which there were so many mistakes. Right on the interval a Thomas shot from a Harris centre struck Keith standing on the line and cannoned away to safety.
Half-time; Everton nil, Newcastle United nil.
Williams started the second half with a splendid long ball to Harris on the right wing but nothing came of it. Mitchell was getting more to handle from his own defence than from the Everton forwards at this stage. When Newcastle took the lead at 49 minutes it was a goal that came despite what the crowd imagined to be an over-elaboration of passes in front of goal. Hughes began the move on the right, slipped the ball across goal to Davies, who, instead of ramming it home made a cast-iron certainly of it by turning it out to McGuigan on the wing. O’Neill had no chance with the cross shot.
Slow Hand-Clap
At this stage Everton fans started the slow hand-clap in unison and this, of course was not calculated to improve the play of players at which it was directed. Harris was slow to take a chance close in and then O’Neill did excellently to turn away a shot at point blank range from the massive Wright. Everton were now touching a new low and Newcastle, with a goal to help them, all but scored another when Davies stretched out his right foot to a McGuigan centre and instead of turning it into the net, turned it into the side netting. Thomas could do nothing right. At 59 minutes, Wright turned the ball as he fell from a pass by Davies and Newcastle went two up. The crowd showed their discontent and many angry things were shouted in the direction of the directors box. Truly the job of being an Everton director is no sinecure at such moments. There was a bad collision between Eastham and Fielding and the speed with which both fell to the ground and remained still, indicated the force of the blow to their heads. I was relieved to see both on their feet and back in the game so quickly. Unfortunately there was little relief amongst the crowd’s verbal brickbats.
Harburn’s Shot
The only enlivening moment for Everton for a long time came when Jones breaking down a Newcastle attack went upfield to make a sixth forward and produced the first really good on-the-floor pass, Harburn had received. Harburn’s shot carried little pace and Mitchell after edging it away was able to pick it up.
Mitchell Busy
One of Harris’s best left-foot shots brought life to his side; Mitchell did well to catch sight of this one and even better to clutch it firmly with both hands. Thomas forced Mitchell to give away a corner with a hard hit shot from close range and Fielding, with a header from a corner, had the goalkeeper jumping acrobatically to turn the ball over the bar once again. Mitchell did well to get his hands to a bumping Williams shot and having survived a few minutes of Everton, pressure, Newcastle now looked good for their first two points of the season. A Jones blunder let McGuigan through but O’Neill saved brilliantly by turning the ball upwards for a corner. Wright, with a first time shot on the turn from a Hughes centre hit the Everton bar, and all told Newcastle might have won by a wider margin. Final; Everton nil, Newcastle 2
EVERTON “A” V. LIVERPOOL “A”
August 30, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
After 20 minutes Barton sent the ball down the left wing, Blain racing over to centre it McKay converted the centre to give Everton the lead. The Liverpool keeper conceded a corner in saving Wiggall’s header. Half-time; Everton “A” 1, Liverpool “A” nil. #
WE GOALKEEPERS ARE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED
August 30, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Albert Dunlop
During the past few weeks I have been asked many times for my opinion of the laws protecting goalkeepers. Well, I think goalkeepers are adequately protected and the laws of the game covering this subject should not be altered at all. When you ask people to name the best keepers they have ever seen they will mention names like Elisha Scott, Harry Hibbs, Sam Hardy, Ted Sagar, Frank Swift, and more of these players were in action when a goalkeeper had little if any protection. However, their records speak for themselves. All were internationals and all played for 15 years or more, reproducing the form week in, week out, which has put them down in football history. The hugh cry that goes up about charging goalkeepers is only heard when a keeper is carried off after an injury or when he is charged while holding the ball and a goal is the outcome. Here are my reasons for thinking this outcry is wrong.
1. When a goalkeeper throws himself at a forward’s feet he does so instinctively at his own risk. Players do not run in to kick you deliberately, and in many incidents, I can quote Bert Trauntmann’s injury in the cup final as one, it was a 50-50 chance that was the cause. When the ball was hit through Bert could have evaded injury and let in a goal, but he took a risk, went out, and saved. What was the forward to do? If he did not take his chance he was not doing his job. Did the injury upset Bert? He is still one of the most daring man in the game.
2. If, as a spectator, you see a forward coming towards your team’s goal, you immediately shot for somebody to tackle him. Well, why the outcry when somebody charges a goalkeeper who is bouncing a ball around the penalty area looking for someone to give it to? There are 11 men in a team and they should all try and use the ball to advantage. The goalkeeper is one of them, so why should he be allowed a free kick or throw when nobody else is?”
3. Another law I would not alter is the one on substitutes I think if you bring in substitutes you will lose out of the mainstays of British soccer, that being to fight back when the odds are against you. I agree in the Manchester United v. Aston Villa cup final, and maybe a couple of other isolated cases, a substitute would have been justified, but I think the number of keepers who cannot carry on after injury are so few that it would be folly to change the law. To substantiate my argument I remind you of last Saturday’s game at Anfield when after having their goalkeeper carried off Grimsby took home a point and nearly two, against one of the strongest home teams in the country.
REFEREE AND PLAYERS GET TOGETHER
August 30, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
One Lecture We All Welcome
By Joe Mercer
Former Everton, Now Manager of Sheffield United
Bob Mann, or Worcester, one of the top referees in the Football League, did something before Sheffield United’s match last Saturday which I have never seen before – but which I hope to see many times in the future. He talked to the teams before the game. Most players and managers will tell you it is unusual. But in this case he was welcomed by everyone and the result of his talk was a pleasure for both teams and spectators at Charlton. Bob Mann told the players simply; The Football Association wants league referees to clamp down on pettiness and general gamesmanship. I won’t stand for players getting up to time wasting tricks and things of that sort… and I want the co-operation of all of you. “ His comments had an amazing result. Not once did hose spectators at The Valley see arguments about free kicks or scuffles when opposing players couldn’t decide just whose throw-in it was. The recent Players Union circular asking footballers to cut out mass protests on the field and other argumentative tactics was on the right lines. Now this plan of referees to eliminate those mass appeals from groups of players, those incidents where players won’t allow free kicks to be taken for minutes on end, and other niggles of that type is just what football has needed. You all have seen players kick the ball away when a throw-in has been awarded to the other side. I suppose it is natural…I’ve done it myself. It is not a question of being unsporting. Everyone is scared that if he calmly hands the ball to the opposing wing half that “gentleman” will throw it to a team-mate who should have been covered by the player handing over the ball. Now that referees are awake to, and will take action about this, type of ungentlemanly conduct, Id like to see players handling the ball to opponents when it is a throw-in. The referee has the legislative power to caution for ungentlemanly conduct if the wing half concerned takes unfair advantage of this. This practice of general sportsmanship will grow as the referees indicate to the player just what is wanted. And I personally welcome the day when referees visit the dressing rooms before the match and tell players just what they, and won’t stand for. Naturally I’ve no wish to see bullying referees come in shouting the odds, but a few quite words, in the presence of the club manager, can, make for a pleasant match. Last Saturday in a London hotel, I spent some time with that ageless wonder Stanley Matthews. We sat…waiting for the start of the new season which was then only a couple of hours away. I wish every young player in Britain had been privileged to see the sparkle in Matthews eyes, the quiet zest, and the air of anticipation with him. Stan, after more than 25 years of League football, was just an old fire-horse, waiting anxiously for the ball to sound. A
An Inspiration
What an inspiration that man is to his club. How the Blackpool players just starting their careers must benefit from his example. If you’re really a part of football the edge never goes off your keenness, I bet Tom Finney, Billy Liddell, and other “old-timers” covered Deepdale, Anfield, and their respective pitches like two-years-old. That’s the way it has got to be in this game. There’s no specific order for the importance of football’s various merits…ability, youth, strength, speed…but enthusiasm is second to none. Matthews and his fellow enthusiasts are invariable not only from the playing point of view, to their clubs. Young professionals in many cases take their level from the seniors of the clubs they join. Imagine the effect on a boy of 17 who reports to the ground and sees that the player who does the most conscientious training is the veteran of 35 or over. If there’s general air of indolence in a club it so easily run itself off on new recruits who imagine that their only target is to achieve the general standards of play and keenness of their older colleagues. So it’s up to the established players to work with the enthusiasm of kids, just let out of school and dribbling a rubber about after three hours of dreary lessons. And now to a touchy topic. The Press and professional football. It’s not unknown for those who go among the two-bobbers on the terrace to watch a match, later read a report, and comment; “The fellow who wrote this couldn’t have been at the same game.” Of course generally that’s nonsense. What the public fail to appreciate sometimes is that reporters have human feelings like themselves and also have different approaches and different appreciations of the games. Some reporters spend their impressionable days of youth watching the classical, styles of pre-war Everton and Preston or the past-war push and run stuff of Tottenham. Others might brown up on the gritty stuff of Birmingham or Aston Villa or the long ball power of Wolves. And each takes away a favourite impression of one style or another. So please be as indulgent as I try to be when appreciating that football writers are entitled to their likes and dislikes.
Accuracy
But there is one point I must take up with members of the Press, and in this matter some of the public have genuine grouses. Accuracy, I understood, was always the watchword of newspapermen. So imagine the feeling of players and managers when stupid errors in print occur through lack of accuracy. My players and myself read numerous reports of our match against Charlton last week. In one particular writer’s effort, there were four MAJOR mistakes involving the wrong identity of players. I know it’s not easy, but the Press must clamp down on getting every fact right. When a player has a good game and then finds his friends reading he made such-and-such a mistake, well… believe me, it’s not such a happy feeling. The players expect criticism…but we want fair and accurate criticism.
August 1958