Everton Independent Research Data
SUNDERLAND SEEK HEDLEY
August 1, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Everton asked to Fix Fee
Bogota Echo
By Ranger
Everton F.C., directors, at their meeting this evening, will have before them intimation from Sunderland that the latter would like to open negotiations for the transfer to Roker Park of Jack Hedley, the Everton full back. Hedley, along with Roy Paul –then of Swansea Town, but since transferred to Manchester City at a fee of £25,000 –was the centre-piece of a Bogota trip a couple of months ago. He and Paul flew to South American to sign for the Millionarios Club, but returned home with a week somewhat disillusioned, as the terms they were offered did not measure up to expectations. Hedley was not at Goodison Park when the Everton players returned for training a week ago. He was down with tonsillitis at his home at Willington Quay, which is about 14 miles from Sunderland. Although he is now better, he has not yet been to Liverpool and has not been re-signed by Everton. Mr. Cliff Britton, Everton’s manager, stated recently that Hedley’s position was “still in the air,” and that no decision had been made regarding him by the club.
Just The Type
In view of this manager Billy Murray, of Sunderland, has intimated to Everton that if there is any possibility that Hedley will not be re-signed later he would like to enter into negotiations for his transfer to the north-eastern club. He has asked Everton to place a figure on the player. It now rests with the board to decide whether to begin negotiations or whether they will re-sign the player themselves. He is still on their retained list. After his return from South American Hedley told me that he hoped he would be able to resume with Everton where he left off last season, and that he would be keener than ever now to give the club the best service he could. Sunderland have been seeking to strengthen their defence for some time, and consider that Hedley is just the type need. They have other strings to their bow, however, and if Everton decline to do business will probably turn their attention to Poppitt of Derby County, for whom they have previously made tentative inquiries. Hedley joined, Everton in April 1945, being signed by Mr. Theo Kelly following a recommendation by Alan Grenyer, the former Evertonian. He made his senior debut in 1947-48 season, but the following year after making his position secure as a regular first-teamer, he broke his leg on February 12, 1949, at Birmingham and was out of the senior side until last December. He made an excellent recovery, however, and in the closing stages of last season was back at his best.
EVERTON DISTRIBUTING £9,750
August 2, 1950, The Liverpool Echo
More Benefit
Thirteen Players Share, But Three Others Refuse Next Season’s Terms
Ranger’s Notes
There is news of two contrasting types from Everton, today. First team is that the board, at last night’s meeting, decided to pay maximum benefit of £750 to thirteen players, involving a total payment of 9,750. The second is that three players –Moore, McIntosh and Powell –have refused the terms offered them for next season. We will deal with the benefits first. The players who share in this nice little windfall are Bentham, Burnett, Catterick, Dugdale (see below) Falder, Fielding, Grant, Humphreys, Lindley, Wainwright, Greenhalgh, Jones (T.G) and Stevenson. Ted Sagar, by special permission was presented with his third benefit cheque when he made his record-breaking appearance last season, Wally Fielding does not complete his full service for another couple of months, but League permission is being sought to include him in the general distribution.
A Generous Gesture
You noted the name of Gordon Dugdale? In case anybody has forgotten, Dugdale had to retire from football through heart trouble eight months ago. He has received his full wages from Everton right up to the end of July, and now, though he can be of no further service to the club, he still receives his £750 like the rest, although he had only 64 first team appearances in his career. A very generous and sporting gesture. There is also the case of Tommy Jones, who has definitely gone out of big football. He had every right to do as he wished, of course, and good luck to him. Tommy also gets his full £750 despite the fact that during his last two or three seasons he had several disagreements with the club. Everton have forgotten those, but not the valuable and brilliant service he gave them. Then there is Falder. Falder did not make his debut in the first team until December 27 last year, and in five years has thus made only 24 first-team appearances. Yet he gets the full “cut” –another generous dividend. Now we come to Higgins and Hedley. It is no surprise that their names are not in the list. Higgins is still in South America and has broken his contract. Hedley has not broken his in actual fact. Though he made a close-season trip to Bogota, he was back in time to resume training had he been required to do so.
Hedley Move Soon
Sunderland’s offer to start negotiations for Hedley’s transfer was considered by the board last night, but no statement is forthcoming from the club today. Further developments can be expected very soon, however.
Terms Refused
Now we come to the next item arising from the board meeting. Aubrey Powell and Jim McIntosh, who –apart from one appearance by Powell in April –did not figure in the first team after last December, have refused the terms offered them for next season and the club is now willing to consider offer’s for them. Eric Moore has also refused terms, after having been offered the maximum permissible under League rules for a player of his length of service. Everton are not inviting offers for Moore. McIntosh has been on Everton’s books since March, 1949, being signed at a comparatively small fee, as things go these days, from Blackpool. He has played in 36 first team League and Cup games. Powell joined Everton from Leeds United in July, 1948, and has made 39 senior appearances. Last year Powell also refused terms in the close season and offers were invited for him, but later negotiations resulted in his re-signing. Everton paid close on £10,000 for him. In the case of Moore, Everton, by League rules can only pay him maximum terms of £12 when he is in the first team. His contract has to be at a slightly lower figure, based on his years of service as a professional, though his pay automatically goes up to the maximum so long as he figures in the first team.
Everton Win –At Cricket
Wainwright’s splendid innings of 75 was the outstanding feature of last night’s play in the game with Bootle side. Bootle on the previous evening, had made 156 for ten declared (each side having twelve players), but the hard-hitting Wainwright, with the help of Moore (37) who hit two 6’s and a sixth wicket stand of 84 with Buckle, put the Bootle total well behind them. Wainwright made his runs in 72 minutes and reached the boundary on ten occasions. The later batsmen enjoyed some lusty hitting and sharp singles to reach a final total of 243. T.G. Parry was Bootle’s most successful bowler, taking six for 55, and White two for 12.
Three Sign Professional Forms
Three Everton amateurs have now signed professional forms. They are Harry Leyland, the 20-year-old former “A” team goalkeeper, David Gibson, an 18-year-old outside-right, who has had a few Central League outings, and Edward Forshaw, 18-year-old centre half.
Everton have fixed their public practice match for Saturday, August 12 (3.15).
EVERTON 13 BENEFITS
August 3, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
Thirteen Everton players are to receive £750 benefits in the next week; a total outlay to the club of £9,750. The players are Bentham, Burnett, Catterick, Falder, Fielding, Grant, Humphreys, Lindley, Wainwright, Greenhalgh, Stevenson, Dugdale, and T.G. Jones. Jones still on the transfer list, is to be player-coach next season of Pwilbeli Football Club. Dugdale gave up football last season through heart trouble; Stevenson is now player-manager of Bootle F.C., and Greenhalgh was transferred to Bangor City last week. All except three of Everton’s players have resigned for the fourth-coming season. They are full back Moore, centre forward McIntosh and Welsh international inside forward Powell, Everton are prepared to consider offers for the transfer of McIntosh and Powell.
HEDLEY JOINS SUNDERLAND
August 3, 1950. The Evening Express
Fee Stated To Reach Five Figures
By Radar
Jack Hedley, Everton’s young left full-back, was today transferred to Sunderland at a fee believed to be in the five-figure region. It will be recalled that Hedley flew to Bogota during the summer together with Roy Paul, the Swansea Town Welsh international half-back –recently transferred to Manchester City –but that both returned to England after refusing to sign for the Colombian club, Los Millionarios F.C.. Hedley, who was on Everton’s retained list, did not re-sign and Sunderland’s manager, Mr. Bill Murray, pursuing his search for a class defender, asked the Goodison club if they would be prepared to consider transferring him. The over-all position was discussed by the Everton directors when they met on Monday night, and it was decided to consider an offer for Hedley. A figure was named by Everton, and negotiations between Mr. Murray, Mr. Cliff Britton, the Everton manager, and Hedley were successfully concluded this morning. Hedley, who is at his home in Willingham Quay on Tynesider at the moment, was signed by Everton from North Shields during the war. Hedley broke his leg at Birmingham during the 1948-49 season, and was out of the game until the following Christmas. He made a perfect recovery, however, and is now regarded as one of the most intrepid defenders in the game.
EVERTON FULL BACK JOINS SUNDERSLAND
August 4, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton’s twenty-five-year-old full back, Hedley was yesterday transferred to Sunderland at a five figure fee. Mr. William Murray, the Sunderland manager, frit mated to the Goodison Park club a few days ago that if the club did not propose to re-sign the player he would like the first chance of signing him. Everton’s other young full back Moore, yesterday re-signed for the club, when the list of players was issued on Wednesday, name was not included.
HEDLEYJOINED SUNDERLAND
August 3, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Everton Departure
Five-Figure Fee for Full Back who Visited Bogota
Ranger’s Notes
Jack Hedley, Everton’s 25-year-old full back, who was not re-signed by the club after his trip with Roy Paul to Bogota, was today transferred by the Goodison club to Sunderland at a five figure fee. Mr. Bill Murray, Sunderland’s manager, who for several months has been seeking a class defender to strengthen his side, intimated to Everton a few days ago that if they did not propose to re-sign Hedley he would like the first chance of negotiating his transfer to Roker Park. Although Everton have never made any official statement regarding their attitude to Hedley’s ill-fated trip to Colombia –he was back with a week, after having refused to accepted the reduced terms offered him by the Millionarios Club –it is obvious from subsequent events that they had no desire to retain the player in view of his action. Hedley himself was prepared to re-sign for them. Before he broke his leg, in February, 1949, Hedley was one of the best young defenders in Division 1 and when he returned after his injury towards the end of last season he was again playing well.
JACK HEDLEY
August 4, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton are applying to the Football league for permission to pay Jack Hedley his accused share of benefit, so that the player will not suffer financially through his Bogota misadventure. This is another generous gesture to the club’s credit, and now brings the total of £750 payments by Everton on the past twelve months to seventeen, Sagar, Watson and Saunders, got maximum benefits last season, thirteen other players were named for it a couple of days ago, and Hedley completes the total.
CYRIL LELLO UNFIT FOR PRACICE GAME
August 8, 1950. The Evening Express
By Pilot (Don Kendall)
Cyril Lello, Everton’s left half-back, is the first local casualty of the pre-season preparations and is not likely to be available for the Blues’ practice game which is scheduled for Goodison Park on Saturday. Lello is suffered from a knee injury of such a nature that Manager Cliff Britton cannot express any opinion about Cyril being 100 per cent, for the opening of the season on Saturday week, when Huddersfield Town will be at Goodison. This is not a recurrence of the knee injury, which kept Lello on the inactive list so long last season, but in a private trial match he severely twisted a knee. It is tough luck on the Blues having an injury even before the season begins but there is consolation in the thought that Everton are well equipped at half-back with Farrell, Grant, and Lindley, all players of wide First Division experiences. Manager Britton is delighted with the showing of the lads in their works-out at Bellefield, and assures me that things have been running smoothly apart from the Lello injury. Cliff never was one for rash statements or predictions, but he struck me as being quite sanguine about the prospects. His very, tone imbued a degree of confidence.
Youngsters
In the Goodison trial game Mr. Britton will seized the opportunity of introducing to the public eye as many, of the more unfamiliar youngsters, and that is precisely the idea at the back of his mind, and Everton were out this morning having further runs in private.
EVERTON TEAMS
August 10, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton make no experiments and the team which will wear blue shirts in the side which is likely to do duty in the first league game of the season, for which Lello is still a doubtful starter. His absence means that Farrell drops back to his old half back position. The Whites will include only four players with senior appearances of whom one –Oscar Hold –has made only a single first team appearance. Included in the reserves string will be Harris, the former Marine amateur, who has now turned professional, and some of the younger lads who distinguished themselves last winter in their Central League outings. Teams;- Blues; Burnett; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington. Whites; -O’Neill; Clinton, Rankin; Lindley, Humphreys, Melville; Harris, Donovan, Hold, Hampson, Parker.
Captain
The Everton board have appointed Peter Farrell as captain for the coming season, so that the Irish international again takes over the position which he relinquished last season to Tommy Jones. Farrell is a hard-working and wholehearted captain, whose energy and determination are a constant inspiration to his colleagues.
FARRELL LEADS EVERTON AGAIN
August 10, 1950. The Evening Express
By Pilot (Don Kendall)
Peter Farrell, the Irish international half-back or inside-forward, has been appointed captain of the Everton Football Club for the second time. Farrell was the Everton captain in season 1948-49, but last year was succeeded his actual appointment by Tommy Jones. Jones however, did not play for the first team in the second half of the season, and Farrell acted as skipper. Now the directors have decided that the full job shall be Peter’s once again. It is interesting to note that Farrell, who played so much at inside-left last season, will be at his original position of left-half in Saturday’s Goodison Park trial.
One New Face
In the Blue trial there will be one newcomer in the chosen teams. This is Joe Harris the 22-year-old outside right, who will be in the Everton’s White side. Harris was with Marine last season and is on a month’s trial at Goodison Park. Manager Cliff Britton states that he will be many changes at half-time, Mr. Britton will make changes as he deems fit. Game kicks off at 3-15. Teams;- Blues; Burnett; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington. Whites; -O’Neill; Clinton, Rankin; Lindley, Humphreys, Melville; Harris, Donovan, Hold, Hampson, Parker.
EVERTOJN CHANGES
August 11, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
The absence of Lello, still a doubtful starter for a week hence, due to a twisted knee sustained in training means that compared with the side which ended last season’s programme, Manager Cliff Britton has had to return Peter Farrell Everton’s captain to the half-back line. Saunders comes in at left back for Hedley, now with Sunderland, and Fielding returns to the attack, to fill Farrell’s niche. Otherwise the side which will do duty for the Blues tomorrow is the same as last season, apart from Sagar’s special benefit-cum-record appearance in the concluding game. The solitary newcomer to Goodison in the second string is Harris, the former Marine amateur who has now switched over to full time professionalism. He is on a two month’s trial at Goodison. The rest of the Whites’ eleven is made up of experienced players such as Humphreys, Lindley and Hold, and the pick of last winter’s Central League performers. Teams;- Blues; Burnett; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington. Whites; -O’Neill; Clinton, Rankin; Lindley, Humphreys, Melville; Harris, Donovan, Hold, Hampson, Parker.
EVERTON PRACTICE GAME
August 12, 1950, The Liverpool Echo
By Stork
Blues;- Burnett, goal; Moore and Saunders, backs; Grant, Falder, and Farrell (captain), half-backs; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, and Eglington, forwards. Whites;- O’Neill, goal; Clinton and Rankin, backs; Lindley, Humphreys and Melville, half-backs; Harris, Donovan, Hold, Hampson and Parker, forwards. Referee; Mr. A. Jones. Everton had no new men, at least no important new men to show in this practice game at Goodison Park today, but they had a lot of useful talent, in the White’s side, which opposed what is likely to be the senior side when football really begins next Saturday. He was called upon twice in quick succession, not to shots, but to balls which hovered dangerous in front of his goal and which needed quick action to put them away from the danger zone.
Fielding’s Artistry
So far from what I have seen from the young Whites there was any amount of skill in the side and they realized the value of the ground pass, but naturally there was greater artistry in the first team and Fielding made one opening with a canny pass to Eglington, whose shot passed a yard wide of the far upright. White’s goal had another lucky escape when an Eglington shot was deflected over the crossbar, and the corner proved of no value. O’Neill was again in the picture with a superlative save when he tipped a 25-yard drive by Eglington over the crossbar. That the White’s goal did not fall before it did was due in the main to some good goalkeeping by O’Neill. He was given some fiery shots to deal with and also some tricky ones, but he mastered them all until 40 minutes when Buckle ran down the wing and sent over a long centre that seemed to have no real danger about it, but O’Neill had left his goal and the ball went swirling into the net. Three minutes later a shot by Wainwright was pushed on to the upright by O’Neill and it went on to Catterick who soon had it back in the net at 43 minutes.
Half-time; Blues 2, Whites nil.
Several changes were made for the second half. Most of them in the White side. Hickson came in for Hold, who took over from Donovan, while Gibson was at outside right. Forshaw was at centre half for Humphreys, and Woods came in at left half for Lindsay. In the Blues side Moore moved over to the left wing in place of Saunders, and T.E. Jones was at right back.
Star Goalkeeper
Fielding had been in brilliant form in the first half. His control of the ball was marvelous. He was soon at it again in the second session. So far the star of the White team was their goalkeeper, O’Neill. He had made many brilliant saves, but none better than the one he made from Buckle. What I liked about the senior side was their keenness to shoot. Last season the line lacked punch. This could not be debited against them today. The Blues eventually got on top despite all the magnificent work of O’Neill. It is not often that you see a penalty in a practice game, but it happened here today when Clinton handled in his efforts to keep out an effort by Catterick. He actually turned the ball on to the upright and O’Neill saved, but the referee awarded a penalty and O’Neill set seal to his fate by saving Wainwright’s spot kick. Wainwright had the recompense a few minutes later when he scored a third and fourth goal for the Blues.
O’NEILL TOOK THE HONOURS
August 14, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Promise
By Stork
Blues 5, Whites 3
Goals are what Everton have been asked for during the last couple of seasons. In every other respect they were a fairly good side, but lacked punch, and matches were lost which should have been won. No doubt it has been instilled into the forwards that only goals will win games and in the practice match at Goodison Park we saw eight goals recorded. Practice games are not always a true guide. They can give a false value of ability, but they supply the opportunity of running the rule over the young members of the staff on whom Everton are banking on nowadays, taking the long view, as it were. In this game we saw some of the boys who may prove the stars of the future and lift Everton to their prewar standard. Naturally the Blues being the senior side, were the master tacticians but we got a glimpse of several young men who will one day don the senior jersey. O’Neill in the White goal was the star of the day. He prevented a cricket score against the Whites by many superlative saves. His penalty save from Wainwright was excellent but no better than a host of other he had to make when the Blues; forwards –all shooters – were moving into attack by clever combination. He was beaten five times before his side scored, but had it been ten times, no one could have complained at his display.
Hickson Pleases
Hickson, who came in at centre forward during the second half, recorded a hat-trick and it was the way he took his goals that pleased. He calmly slipped one beyond Burnett and coolly lifted another over the goalkeeper’s head. Hold, of course, is not in the boy’s class, so he naturally did some clever things and shot well when given the chance. Rankin and Clinton held on firmly for a time against an attack that was bewildering on occasions. Donovan and Hampson introduced ideas and enthusiasm and Harris produced some clever touches. Wainwright’s hat-trick was the result of perfect linking up with his colleagues. Fielding was at his best; his command of the ball and passing was a joy and Eglington thus had a grand second half. Blues;- Burnett, goal; Moore (T.E. Jones 45) and Saunders (Moore 45), backs; Grant, Falder, and Farrell (captain), half-backs; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, and Eglington, forwards. Whites;- O’Neill, goal; Clinton and Rankin, backs; Lindley (M Woods 45), Humphreys (R Forshaw 45) and Melville, half-backs; Harris (D. Gibson 45), Donovan (Hold 45), Hold (D Hickson 45), Hampson and Parker, forwards. Referee; Mr. A. Jones.
CRRIL LELLO WILL BE READY FOR NEW SEASON
August 14, 1950. The Evening Express
By Pilot (Don Kendall)
Great news for Everton enthusiasts on the eve of the new season. Cyril Lello, the left half-back, who was forced through injury to break training and miss the public trial, has received an encouraging report from the specialist, and has resumed training. Lello, who had to miss many games last season owing to a knee injury, had the misfortune to twist the same knee, while training and a completely new injury, developed. The club specialist was called in and as Cyril mentioned to me “I feared it may be a cartilage.” You can appreciate just how delighted Cyril was to assure me that the latest report is that definitely the cartilage are not affected and that he will soon be okay again. Lello himself expressed the opinion that he would be fit for the opening of the season. The news has eased the mind of the club directors and Manager Cliff Britton. There were other confidence inspiring features about Everton’s trial game in which the Blues defeated the Whites 5-3. They were the young Irishman Jimmy O’Neill, proved that the club has no real or urgent need to go in search of a capable deputy goalkeeper to George Burnett and that Everton seem to have recaptured their goal sense. Well, eight goals and a hat-trick from Hickson indicate that the luckless in front—of-goal-days are over. One must never attach too much important to practice match form, but the skill of O’Neill was there for all to see, for Catterick and company were in striking mood ensuring hat of O’Neill needed a keen positioned sense and safe hands. What is more young Jimmy saved a penalty taken by Wainwright. It was a most encouraging parade revealing the potentiality of Oscar Hold; plenty of ability at full-back where experimental switches were made by Manager Cliff Britton and a new Tommy Eglington confidence in that right foot which brought him his last season’s goal. Keep it Tommy.
EVERTON SHOT WELL
August 14, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
We had an interesting pre-view at Goodison Park (writes Stork), for, apart from one hat-trick, there was a penalty save by the “reserve” goalkeeper, O’Neill, who was the outstanding member of the White’s team. Although he was beaten four times – it would have been treble that if O’Neill had not been at his brightest and best. Last season aye, for two seasons now, we have lamented the lack of goal-scoring forwards, yet here we had eight goals for Everton, a thing unheard of for years. I liked the way Hickson took his first and last goal, for it showed that he can use his grey matter, but in the main it was the Blues who were masters of the situation and it was not until they had rubbed it in to the tune of five goals that the Whites got a look-in. This was naturally enough against the seniors. The Blues undoubtedly eased off, but they never let go by a chance of having a crack at O’Neill, who has improved considerably since I saw him last. He actually saved a penalty taken by Wainwright –and not a point-blank shot either. The younger members of the side have got the Britton idea –the ball along the ground and the inter-change of position. One or two of them should undoubtedly make the grade with careful coaching –and they will get that at Goodison. Now what of the side which will have to face sterner opposition on Saturday? This will not be in the nature of a practice for Huddersfield yield nothing without a grim flight, Everton played top-grade football – they did that quite a lot towards the end of last season, but there was that annoying factor –no shooting. They could not be accused of that on Saturday; at least O’Neill will vouch for it that there was plenty of fiery and accurate shooting. The defence was sound and Burnett showed little trace of his cartilage operation, so it seems that it is once again up to the forwards to round off excellent midfield play with the necessary shot. The determination to reply on youth –fostered by their own coaches – will most likely bring its full reward in the near future. By the way, Cyril Lello tells me that he is almost certain to be fit for Saturday.
POWELL JOINS BIRMINGHAM
August 15, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel
The Everton and Welsh international inside-forward, Aubrey Powell was yesterday transferred to Birmingham City. Everton paid £10,000 for Powell, when they secured him from Leeds United in 1948, and it is believed that another five figure fee is involved in his move to the Midlands. During the past two seasons Powell made 34 appearances with the Goodison Clun first team, scoring five goals. He is an attractive player.
EVERTON’S LOYALTY
August 15, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton, like Liverpool, are fortunate to have a large backing of loyal supporters who stick to them through thick and thin. These loyalists have had so much anxiety in the past three seasons that it would be a welcome change to see the Blues firmly fixed in the top half of the table. Again like Liverpool –and for that matter most senior clubs –there are no newcomers of note at Goodison. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Everton will again be faced with a depressing struggle. On the contrary, there were promising indications last back end that the team was beginning to pull itself together, though goals were still in short supply. Past escapes and sequences of defeats are soon forgotten. Footballers and football followers today are looking ahead, not behind, if Everton can pull out a little extra in attack and hit the back of the net oftener their prospects will be all the brighter. As announced in our last edition yesterday. Aubrey Powell has been transferred to Birmingham City, at a fee which practically balances that paid for him two years ago, Inquiries have been received for McIntosh, but so far no negotiations have been started.
JIM McINTOSH
August 16, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Jim McIntosh, who earlier refused Everton’s retain for this season, has today re-signed for them. This does not necessarily indicate, however, that inquiries for his possible transfer will not be discontinued.
EVERTON’S FIFTH JUNIOR SIDE
August 17, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Bending on Youth
Injury to Saunders Holds Up Goodison Team Selection
Ranger’s Notes
Intent on bending more vigorously than ever before on the upbringing of their own young players to fill any senior emergencies, Everton have decided to run yet another junior side this winter. Including the first eleven and the Central league side, this means the Goodison Park club will be fielding seven teams each week. The new eleven will play in the under-18 section of the Bootle J.O.C and will be an all-amateur combination. Everton will now have two lots of lads in the Liverpool County Combination, two in the Bootle J.O.C and one team in the Prescott and District League. All play their home games on the club’s practice grounds at Bellefield. The running of these juniors clubs involves a lot of work and organization, and no small amount of money over a season, but if they produce only one tip-top star per winger – and I should imagine Mr. Cliff Britton is hoping for just a bit more than that –they will have been worthwhile.
Saunders Injured
Everton’s team to oppose Huddersfield Town in the opening game of the season at Goodison on Saturday will be announced later. It has been held up to see how George Saunders who has received a slight knock in training, responds to treatment. There are hopes that he will be fit in good time. Lello started training again this week, but is still under medical attention following his knee injury. At the moment he must be regarded as a slightly doubtful starter. Other pre-season casualties, fortunately also only with comparatively minor injuries are the reserve goalkeeper, Leyfield and Humphreys, Leyland will be out for a fortnight or so, as he has broken his little finer. Humphreys has a knee injury.
EVERTON WILL HAVE SEVEN TEAMS OUT THIS SEASON
August 17, 1950. The Evening Express
Colt’s Side to Play in the Bootle League
By Pilot (Don Kendall)
Everton have decided to run an entirely new team next season to being their junior strength up to five clubs, entirely apart from the first and Central League team. On post war years Everton have been running “A” “B” “C” and “D” teams which have provided the club with many players who have attained, and now comes the Everton Colts. This is a side which will be composed of players who are under eighteen, and it will complete in the Bootle J.O.C League, who are holding their annual presentation of trophies at Bootle Town Hall next Thursday. This is not the first time by any means that Everton have had a team in the Bootle J.O.C League’s in fact the Blues always have been staunch supporters of the Bootle organiastion. The Colts will play at Bellefield, where it is possible to play 3 matches at once, and manager Cliff Britton said to me; “The formation of this new team ensures that all the many juniors we have on our books are certain of a game each week. And it is by playing that interest is maintained among the youngsters.”
EVERTON TEAM V HUDDERSFIELD
August 17, 1950. The Evening Express
By Pilot (Don Kendall)
Everton do not spring any surprises for their season’s opening match –against Huddersfield Town at Goodison Park on Saturday. The team in the main is that which did so well in the closing stages of last season. George Saunders the erstwhile right back has been selected to fill the gap left by the transfer of Hedley to Sunderland, while Wally Fielding has re-won his position at inside left. There was a doubt about Saunders right up to noon today, for he received a slight knock in last week’s trial, but he was found to be quite fit to partner Moore. Lello is not yet fit after his enforced lay-off and so Peter Farrell, the skipper, who played so much at inside left last season, reverts to his original position of left half, Jackie Grant continuing at right half. Wainwright and Buckle constitute the right wing of the attack, and Fielding links with Tommy Eglington in a line led by Harry Catterick. Everton; Burnett; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington.
Everton Res (at Newcastle); O’Neill; Clinton, Jones (T.E); Lindley, Forshaw, Melville; Harris, Hold, Hickson, Hampson, Parker.
IT’S THE BIG KICK-OFF TOMORROW
August 18, 1950. The Evening Express
Huddersfield Open Goodison
By Pilot (Don Kendall)
The fifth post war Football League season, embracing, for the first time 92 clubs opens tomorrow, with Everton setting the ball rolling in Liverpool. Football since it was resumed in 1946 has been in a process of rehabilitation but I really think we should be getting back to something of the 1939 standard. Everton will be at home to Huddersfield Town, who I expect to prove one of the surprise clubs of the First Division after having had rather a lean time in post-war football. They have a nice blend of youth and experience and will I am certain, put up a much better show than last season, when they were beaten by Eddie Wainwright’s hat-trick. Everton went on to complete the “double” over Town and if the Blues can reproduce the skill and effectiveness they have been showing in private trails they should get away to a good win. The Evertonians had only six home League victories to cheer last term, but I fancy they will have many more this season, and start off on the right foot provided Teddy Falder can keep the chains on young Geoff Taylor, whom I rate as one of the best of the young centre forwards in football. The game starts at 3.15 pm. And should provide plenty of thrills and good football. Everton; Burnett; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington.
Huddersfield Chosen
Ronnie Burke, Huddersfield Town’s £15,000 capture from Manchester United, who was kept out of the game for most of last season with a knee injury, deputizes for Nightingale at inside-left against Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow. Nightingale received a knee injury in the practice match last Saturday and is not yet fit. Jess Taylor will lead the attack but may change places with Burke during the game. The team will be; Mills; Gallogly, Stewart; Battye, Hepplewhite, Boot; McKenna, Smith, Taylor, Burke, Metcalfe.
HUDDERSFIELD AT GOODISON PARK
August 18, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton have by no means an easy opening game, for though Huddersfield Town have been among the stragglers and strugglers for the past three years they provided evidence towards the conclusion of last season that better things might be in store. A good fighting recovery in the last few weeks lifted them ell out of danger. Had the same average of points been gathered in the first part of the season, Huddersfield would have finished level with Liverpool. Should they resume as well as they left off –they defeated Liverpool at Anfield in the final game of the season –they will test Everton to the full. A good start is half the battle, especially during the first hectic rush of mid-week fixtures and for that reason I hope that we shall see the Blues chalk up an opening victory. Everton will field the same eleven as did duty for the Blues in the public practice, which means that Farrell continues at left half, owing to Lello not being fit. The same marksmanship from the front line as we had last week will give the Huddersfield defence plenty to think about. Conversely, the home rearguard will have to keep a tight hold on Town’s youthful and somewhat unorthodox attack, which got among the goals fairly frequently in the concluding games of last season. These Yorkshire lads are quick to seize an opening and have striking power on both wings. To give them too much rope may prove expensive. Everton; Burnett; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington. Huddersfield Town;- Mills; Gallogly, Stewart; Battye, Hepplewhite, Boot; McKenna, Smith, Taylor, Burke, Metcalfe.
MENACE McKENNA
August 19, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
At Goodison Park today we shall look with eagerness for directness and fire in front of goal against a Huddersfield Town carrying a weight of age in some departments. But were that gnatty little McKenna, he can win matches of his own busy little boot. Everton; Burnett; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington.
EVERTON GIVE CROWD PLENTY TO CHEER IN GRAND GAME AT GOODISON
August 19, 1950. The Liverpool Football Echo
Everton 3, Huddersfield Town 2
By Contact
Everton; Burnett, goal; Moore and Saunders, backs; Grant, Falder and Farrell (captain), half-backs; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding and Eglington, forwards. Huddersfield Town; Mills, goal; Gallogly, and Stewart, backs; Battye, Helpplewhite, and Boot, half-backs; McKenna, Smith, Taylor, Burke and Metcalfe, forwards. Referee; Mr. J. H. Clough (Bolton).
Goodison Park was nicely filled for the Huddersfield Town fixture, and the grass of the pitch, which had been rolled in a television screen effect, looked almost inviting enough to eat. At 3.15, when Everton kicked off, the game got away to a false start. No sooner had Catterick moved the ball than the whistle went and the ball was replaced on the centre spot. But in the first minute Everton had the ball in the Huddersfield net, and the goal counted! Catterick had been stopped on the right wing, but a squarely pulled centre from Eglington in the next phrase of play was only half got away, and Grant, taking possession purposefully, went on a few yards before he hit a glorious shot where it hurt Mills worst –just inside the angle. Next came a free kick in favour of Metcalfe when he was standing inside the penalty area, and the referee undoubtedly gave a free kick inside the penalty area for obstruction. Hepplewhite, however, chose to place the ball on the penalty line, and then pulled the ball yards wide and Burnett was soon placing it one handed for the goal-kick.
A Perfect Setting
Everton, after their surprise opening, were not much in the picture except defensively, and when Fielding’s choice through pass unluckily caught Wainwright on the heels a good opening went for nothing. With the ground bathed in sunshine, and the crowd now 50,000 or more, it was the perfect setting for the opening of the season. Burnett did his first real work adequately, catching a long punt by Hepplewhite, against the glare of the sun whereas a moment later Mill’s big and high clearance had Farrell bamboozled. Battye was showing up well, but the game was losing some of its early shine, and needed the wheeling Catterick to out-manceuvre Hepplewhite when all alone, to enliven us with a long distance shot which beat both Mills and his right hand post.
Quick Equaliser
To the enthusiastic applause which greeted this effort Catterick made another effort which produced a further burst, and although he referee adjudged his shot to have passed over the bar without intervention by Mills, Catterick –quite rightly, I think –tried to draw the attention of the referee that Mills had made a save. Huddersfield’s equalizer at 20 minutes came as a great shock, McKenna by a sharp tip-and-run ruse, beat Saunders and centred almost on the face of the crossbar. It must have been a rather awkward, fast-moving centre for Burnett to deal with, and he appeared to put it on to the underside of the bar, from whence it dropped –the ripest of chances – for Taylor who had nothing more to do than pivot and hit the ball home. At last Buckle, with a characteristic weaving run, got Everton going, and eventually a Fielding centre far beyond Mills was flicked in by a Catterick header, and the save made a difficult chance for Eglington, whose low shot Mills now had ample time and position to deal with. The best thing on the Everton horizon at the moment was a lovely inter-change between Fielding, sleeves down as ever, and Catterick in a straight down the centre project which all but succeeded. Then Farrell side-tapped a free kick to the trusty right foot of Grant, and this half back all but got a second goal, the ball striking the foot of the post just ahead of the falling Mills. Farrell was doing well, but Everton had found one of their ineffective moods and this was obviously a game which could go either way. Huddersfield covered up well in defence, though Fielding. Buckle and others frequently made cleavages in their ranks. A misunderstanding between Wainwright and Eglington, in which Eglington came in when Wainwright expected him to stay away, ruined one more chance. Mills did well to punch from the head of Catterick as he came in to meet a well-placed centre from Fielding, but in the process both were injured, and could only resume after attention.
Half-time; Everton 1, Huddersfield Town 1.
The rather leggy young Taylor thought not strikingly successful, was good in the air, and with a glancing header enabled McKenna to move the ball sweetly and closely near the corner flag to offer it on a plate to Saunders at the crucial moment. Not for the first time we had the Everton supporters murmuring the praise of the Irishman Gallogly (pronounced precisely as it is spelled) for sterling full back execution.
Shaky Goalkeeping
Mills continued to be the unpredictable kind of goalkeeper, making heavy weather of what catches he made, and being at sea with the ball crossed from either wing. Metcalfe’s centre beyond the far post was made while Everton appealed that the ball had gone dead, but play went on, and it was well Saunders big body was at hand to break up the possibility of Mckenna heading Huddersfield’s second goal. When Catterick had Hepplewhite chasing shadows and prodded the ball forward to Buckle, then at centre forward, Everton seemed set for a goal, but Buckle was caught in the tackle. No such fate came the way of Eglington a moment later, when he drifted in, placed the ball to his right foot, and then unexpectedly hit a right-foot near miss with the power one usually associates only with his left-foot shooting. Burke sportingly stood back rather than risk injuring Burnett in a race for possession, and then Taylor, not sensing McKenna’s presence on his right, chose to take the difficult shot on the turn, which failed, when it would have been quite easy to put the incoming McKenna in line for an almost certain goal. Huddersfield after losing some of their grip on the game in the first half, seemed now to be on a fresh wave of confidence and superiority. Falder fortuitously got in front of a first-rate shot after Burke had been quick to take up position. Sixth-two minutes had gone and Everton were not shaping like a goal when Buckle scored with a low shot which just found the inside of the post as Mills scrambled down too late too late to do anything about it. Mills brought off a save from Wainwright a moment later, and then when Wainwright came a second time, bringing the ball in paralled with the goal-line, Buckle was left with a goal devoid of goalkeeper but filled with defenders. One of these, I think it was Gallogly, kicked away Buckle’s shot from the line.
Level Again
Two minutes later, from an equally unlikely position as Buckle’s Huddersfield made it 2-2. Boot’s shot may or may not have beaten Burnett, but when Taylor stuck out his right foot and diverted it well out of the Everton goalkeeper’s reach, there could be no possible doubt that was indeed a goal. Two minutes later Buckle, standing in the centre of the field, received the ball, and took it forward to produce a left-foot shot of such power that although Mills reached it with both hands it sped on and into the net. Both sides were flagging a bit in the heat and Burnett had to fling out a desperate hand to put away for a corner a swinging centre by Boot. Buckle tried to dribble round Mills for a goal which would have produced his hat-trick and all but succeeded, and how Everton were really awake and playing with the verve they had lacked to this point. Still Huddersfield were not finished with, and that earnest endeavourer, Battye, centring strongly, had Burnett missing his punch, with the result that Boot could shoot at an empty goal. Fortunately for Everton he was high and wide. Mills belated best came when he held up a point-blank shot from Eglington, and went on, with some jugglery by Gallogly, to complete his save. Final;- Everton 3, Huddersfield Town 2. Official attendance 51,768.
HOYLAKE “A” V. EVERTON “A”
August 19, 1950. The Liverpool Football Echo
Confident along-the-floor exchanges gave Everton the advantage in the early stages, but a Hoylake attack led to Jones scoring a fine goal in the 13th minute. A freak pass by Wilkie enabled Jones to give Hoylake an second goal. Day scored a third, Lewis scored for Everton.
Half-time; Hoylake “A” 3, Everton “A” 1. Final Hoylake 6, Everton “A” 1
Everton “H” 7, Hoylake Athletic Res 3
NEWCASTLE UNITED RES V. EVERTON RES
August 19, 1950. The Liverpool Football Echo
Newcastle Res;- Garbutt, goal; Story and Corbett, backs; Stokoe, McNeill, and Crowe, half-backs; Brown, Thompson, Graver, Robledo and Paterson, forwards. Everton Res;- O’Neill, goal; Clinton and Jones (T.E.), backs; Lindley, Forshaw, and Melville, half-backs; Harris, Hold, Hickson, Hampson and Parker, forwards. Referee; Mr. W. N. Collier (Leeds). A clever fast-moving Newcastle side were too good for Everton in the first half. Only a great display by O’Neill kept their interval lead to two goals. Robledo was in great form. After 29 minutes he crashed home a terrific drive. At 40 minutes Thompson added a second. Little was seen of the Everton attack, and Lindley and his full backs were outplayed.
Half-time; Newcastle Res 2, Everton Res 0. Everton were unfortunate to concede another goal after four minutes in the second half. O’Neill dazzled by the sun, allowed Thompson’s shot to pass between his legs into the net. Hickson had a great drive turned round the post by Garbutt. Garver, with two solo efforts scored further goals for Newcastle at 60 minutes and 70 minutes. Final; Newcastle Utd Res 5, Everton Res nil.
COME HOME, BILL HIGGINS, COME HOME!
August 19, 1950. The Liverpool Football Echo
Sidelights on Bogota
Former Everton Player Has Had A Raw Deal In South America
By Ranger
At the start of another new season, when most folk regard the future through rose-coloured glasses, and ignoring past disappointments and the possibility of disillusionment just around the corner, are full of optimism let us spare a thought for one of Soccer’s forgotten men, languishing in a foreign country and almost eating his heart out for a sight of good old England.
The player is Billy Higgins, formerly of Everton and now of Los Millionarios Bogota. Bogota loomed large on the close-season horizon when first Franklin and Mountford, then Higgins, and next Hedley, Paul, Flavell, and Mitten took a one-way ticket to this supposed new Eldorado where even the streets seemed to be paved with gold. Two of them, Hedley and Paul, were glad to get back even more quickly than they went. Franklin was next to return, under circumstances which did nothing to enhance our reputation in Colombia. Don’t tell me it doesn’t greatly matter what the Colombians think about us. It does. This Country has other things at stake these days abroad than football matters alone. Anything which lowers foreign opinion of us is to be regretted.
I have a letter from Billy Higgins this week which throws a blinding light on the Bogota business, and should make any player who has a lingering desire to “have a go” there think twice before taking the plunge. Reading between the lines, Higgins is a very disillusioned young man, who realizes now, as he said recently in a letter to another friend of his here, that he didn’t know before how well off he was when with Everton. I was afraid this would happen. That was why I did everything I could to persuade him not to go. But when one is young one is ready for adventure. I am sorry it has not worked out according to expectations. All that glitters’ in Bogota isn’t gold. “After being treated as we were back home,” Higgins writes,
“It has been a big blow coming here, I know the lads in England have their little grumbles, but to me now they seen very petty. I have had an awful lot of worry. There are two words here that seem to ‘manano and ‘momentico,’ which means tomorrow’ and ‘just a moment.’ Each time you ask to see the directors you are met with this. Bobby Flavell and I waited nearly a fortnight to get two minor points settled.
Had to Walk Back
“Back home they do at least have a manager to supervise. Here it can be anybody from a director to a bus driver. That is no exaggeration. Flavell and I have been left behind and missed training half a dozen times because the bus driver did not bother to call for us, as he is supposed to do! “The other week we were playing a match about ten miles away, and went by bus. The game was played with the sun blazing down, and we ended up in a lather of sweat. There were no showers or baths at the ground and when we went to join the bus it had gone. We all had to start walking along the road in our gear, along with the crowd, with scores of urchins pulling at our shirts. “After we had been walking about a mile the rest of the players jumped on a contractor’s lorry. Obviously they had sampled this before. Bobby and I eventually managed to thumb a lift back to the hotel.” So far the picture isn’t so good, is it? After the luxurious way English players live on their away trips the Colombian angle isn’t attractive. There are a few compensations, however, though even those seem to be hedged with reservations. Higgins tells me that although he and his wife and two young children have a lovely flat, with all modern conveniences, the terrific cost of living takes the cream off the high wages. “We have to watch every penny of our money,” he says, “Particularly when we don’t get a bonus. You will probably have guessed by now that I am not particularly happy. Having taken the plunge, however, I was quite prepared to stick it out until I was told I would have to pay the passages from England of my two children.” That must have been a nasty blow for him, because he had been led to expect all his family’s expenses would be paid. Worse was to follow when he was told that the balance of the signing-on fee was “not in order.” I don’t know how much he has had of what was originally promised him, but I believe it is only a comparatively small proportion. Even that is not the end of the sad story. Higgins has recently been advised that his contract, which is valid enough in Colombia, is for two years, not twelve months, that the Millionarios folk can pay the rest of his signing on fee whenever it suits them, or even cancel the contract without further payment under certain clauses which the player, owing to the language difficulty, was not aware of when he signed. He did have an interpreter to “vet” the contract. He assured Higgins that everything was in order. It might have been, from the Millionarios club’s viewpoint, but it certainly doesn’t seem to have been what Higgins was led to expect. The British Consul, when appealed to, could only say that he would ask the club to fulfill their original promises. Whether they will do so remains to be seen. Your guess on this point is as good as mine, but for Higgins’s sake I hope they will do the right thing. Unfortunately, Franklin’s case may not predispose them to be over-generous, although the Millionairos club was not the one concerned. Higgins also has something to say about the standard of football in Colombia, which he describes as the “pretty to watch tip-tap style.” Apparently the English players out there are not getting the support they are entitled to expect from their team mates. In one match in which Mitten and Mountford were playing for Santa Fe, the two Englishmen went nearly an hour without a single pass. You can’t shine much under conditions like that. Before Higgins left Liverpool I advised him he would be doubly foolish to go unless he had a written guarantee that he and his family could return, passage free, any time they wished, irrespective of the completion of any contract he might sign. I hope he has that in his possession. If he has I reckon the best thing he could be to come home as soon as possible. As he was on Everton’s transfer list when he left he has broken no rule with them, apart from the technical offence of leaving before his old contract expired at the end of July. For that Everton suspended him for fourteen days, the term of which has now expired. After July he was a free agent. I think Everton would be the last people on earth to put any obstacle in the way of Higgins getting fixed up if he returns home. There is still a transfer fee on his head, which Everton will expect to receive; but it isn’t a prohibitive one, I might safety hazard a guess, that the board would consider reducing it if it would help the player.
League and F,A View
Apart from that, however, there are the Football Association and the League to consider. The latter have a Management Committee minute still in operation –passed in 1926 – which says that anybody playing abroad without permission will not be allowed to re-sign for any Football League club until the committee has investigated all the circumstances of his departure and return. The League, however, are no more inclined to inflict penal “sentences” on a young player with comparative little experience than Everton are. I think Higgins can rely on getting a sympathetic hearing from both. Then there remains the Football Association. The offence here is that Higgins has played for Los Millionarios without the necessary clearance certificate from the F.A. If he comes back it will be the F.A’s decision which will affect him most, for they could stop him playing even for a non-league side, which neither Everton nor the League themselves can do. Here again, through I think we should find justice tempered with mercy. Higgins’ case is very different to Franklin’s. It is not only what Franklin did, but what he said about English football when he was in Colombia. Again Higgins is in a different category to Jock Dodds, whose exploits as agent for the Millionarios folk led to the expulsion from football. In a nutshell then, the advice, I give is –Come home, Billy Higgins, come home. And the sooner he can do it and forget Bogota and its glittering promises the better.
JUST HOW GOOD IS THIS BUCKLE?
August 21, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 3, Huddersfield Town 2
By Leslie Edwards
A good start, they say, is everything, and Everton had everything they could hope for in the first minute of the engaging meeting of clubs with a new lease of Division 1 life. The ball had barely moved from centre after a false start kick-off, when little Grant, coming up eagerly and with his usual purposefulness, drove the ball, left foot, into the further most crevice from Mills’ reach. But, Everton, suffered many apprehensive moments (not to mention those in which they deserved to score) before they nailed their men, by three goals to two. Huddersfield having countered leading goals twice and having near missed getting a third equalizer were “no” without credit and the margin was just –but only. The attendance numbered 51,000. “It was a game over which few could find fault, having all the qualities one hardly expects from a season-opening fixture. Speed, pattered attacking some stern and intelligent defence and goalkeepers who shook us (and themselves) in a mixture of good bad and right down indifferent. Mills who seemed so hazy about anything crossing him in the air, not only caught but held the Buckle cannon-shot which did everything but elude his grasp, he had further good fortune to find the convenient last line defender twice aiding him well all seemed lost.
Centre Slip
Grant’s goal having been wiped out by Taylor’s (and this was in part due to Burnett not dealing adequately with McKenna’s centre). It was left to the long and leggy Buckle to give his side the lead again and, after Taylor had scored again, to put Everton on top. His first goal was ordinary; the second came as the sequel to a left foot shot hit so hard that even Mills in touch with it with both hands, could not prevent its power from taking full effect. I wonder whether the general view of Buckle’s value and his intelligence in taking up position matches my own which has at least been consistently that here, but for the accident of a somewhat meagre physique is a player almost in the Matthews class. Buckle packs into his shots a greater punch than most other forwards, and his peculiar methods of “feeling” his way round or through the ranks of a defence creates havoc. Nevertheless I fear the Everton crowd is sometimes apt to treat him as their Jack Balmer. That we have arrived at the stage what many youthful buds are bursting on the football world was confirmed by the work of such players as Moore of Everton and Gallogly and Battye of Huddersfield. Moore, did nobly against that tantalizing and completely equipped ensnarer of full backs. Metcalfe and what Battye lacked in finesse when compared with the Irish man. Gallogly, he more than made up by his continuous action. He may, that is true have inclined to over-earnestness, a term some Everton forwards would probably decry as too lenient.
Busy Trio
Everton moved sweetly and with unusual fire in many of their opening forward ventures and though Huddersfield wore then down a little Everton later reasserted themselves, with Fielding, Wainwright, and Catterick all doing well enough to earn goals for themselves or for others. Fielding’s knowledgeable nudging of the ball to all quarters of the field contrasts sharply with Wainwright’s flair for the darting, quick-silver run, but Huddersfield scarcely knew which to fear most. Captain Peter Farrell in a day of near-inspiration and Grant (not so dominant as usual after his goal) usually took care of the Huddersfield inside men below the class partners McKenna and Metcalfe. McKenna’s speed is his best weapon but Saunders tackled him well, though he could not match the speed Gallogly put into his races against the enlivened Eglington. The Eglington it must be put on record who has conjured up from somewhere an almost startling accuracy and power of right foot shot. Are Huddersfield Town a far better side than they were. I think so. Time will show whether Everton’s victory will be followed by many others.
EVERTON TEAM CHANGE FOR AYRESOME PARK MATCH
August 21, 1950. The Evening Express
Goalkeeper O’Neill Makes Football league Debut
By Pilot (Don Kendall)
Jimmy O’Neill, the 19-year-old Irish goalkeeper, will make his football league debut for Everton, when he plays against Middlesbrough at Aryresome Park on Wednesday evening. O’Neill takes the place of George Burnett, who is suffering from a pulled thigh muscle. This is the only change from the team which defeated Huddersfield Town, on Saturday. O’Neill was signed from Dublin junior circles when only 17 and graduated through the junior teams. Last season, when Burnett took over first team duties, O’Neill made the Central League grade, and progressed in excellent manner. Young Jimmy was the success of the public trail match nine days ago, and he gave’s a grand display of goalkeeping for the Reserves against Newcastle United at St. James’s Park on Saturday, although the United scored five times. Everton; O’Neill; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington.
IRISH ‘SPOTTERS’ AT GOODISON
August 21, 1950. The Evening Express
Pilot’s Log (Don Kendall)
The Irish F.A. is determined to make a splash in the international field this season and to this end have already started to spot talent for the international championship in which they finished third last season. Two of the Irish F.A Selectors were at Goodison Park on Saturday, where there was quite an array of Irish talent, although most of it was from Eire. They were Messrs Cavan and Beckett, who must have been impressed by the early showing of Little McKenna, while Eglington, Farrell and Gallogly were other Irishmen who must have pleased as potentials especially if Ireland this time selects from the whole country. Curiously enough there was too, an England selector present –Mr. Will J. Harron of Liverpool, who like most of us, must have gone home in the from belief that he had seen two teams who may easily prove to be shock teams. If what we saw of Everton is true criterion of their abilities this season then I do definitely expect big things of them. And once Huddersfield follow the Everton example of shooting quickly and at the slightest chance they should keep well up the chart. This game took a lot of winning 3-2 (Everton had to gain the lead three times), but the Blues were better than one goal superior to Town. This Everton attack really did sparkle with, its speed of development and its subtle dovetailing and quick movement to position. There was a touch of unorthodoxy which pleased me, for no forward would allow himself to be a slave to position. We had in turn Fielding, Wainwright and Catterick slipping into Buckle’s outside right position. Eglington manoeurving at inside-right; Buckle shooting (and scoring) from centre-forward and inside-left. We saw Tommy Eglington showing a new-born confidence in his right foot which should make him one of football’s most-feared wingers of the season. Fielding was the fountain of so many five-point joyous movements while Buckle seemed to float to those places where Town never expected him. Wainwright by choice was quiet early on, but suddenly he sprang to life in the dynamic Wainwright way, while all the time Catterick was nursing and leading his line with skill and endeavour. Add to this the obvious eagerness by all to shoot, and you will appreciate why the Everton folk were so pleased afterwards. Falder mastered the cute accomplished Geoff Taylor excellently, while Grant besides his great goal blotted out Burke as effectively as Farrell dominated Smith and lent the willing hand in covering whenever McKenna was worrying Saunders. Moore was right on top of Metcalfe and a defender without blemish, who had no superior on the field. This was not the perfect Everton machine by any means, but it could easily have become such. The complete team does not twice relinquish the lead. Neither Huddersfield goal (both by Taylor) should have been scored. The two centres which created them should have been Everton property, and yet they were transformed into easy chances for Town. What I did like, however, was the spirit of the lads in refusing to allow themselves to be disheartened by having to twice do their work all over again.
O’NEILL’S DEBUT FOR EVERTON
August 21, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Burnett Unfit
Young Irish Goalkeeper Gets His Chance against Middlesbrough
Ranger’s Notes
Everton make one change in their side to oppose Middlesbrough at Ayresome Park on Wednesday evening. Burnett is not fit, having pulled a thigh muscle slightly, and O’Neill takes his place in goal. The side otherwise is the same as defeated Huddersfield Town. This will be O’Neill’s debut in a Football league game. Promotion has come to him quickly, for he only signed for Everton in may last year after a two months’ trial. O’Neill who is not yet 19, was formerly with a Dublin junior side. He got a school boy cap for Eire against England and last season made 19 appearances for Everton in their Central League side. He is a very capable and promising goalkeeper, through naturally lacking in experience of big-time football. Time will remedy that, Everton’s team reads;- O’Neill; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington.
Everton Shoot at Last
While Liverpool’s hopes of another sustained unbeaten sequence came to an early end, Everton gave their supporters glimpses of the possibility of a happier season than last. What I liked most about their display was the willingness of the forwards to shoot whenever a chance arose. There was far less “passing of the buck” then there used to be. With luck they might have had three or even four goals at half-time, for two shots hit the woodwork and both Fielding and Catterick went near. Another encouraging feature was Eglington’s right foot shots. The one just after the interval was a real snorter. Time was when Eglington could never be sure even to connecting when he used his “swinger.” For some months now he has been trying hard to overcome this disability. He certainly seems to be making good progress. Keep it up, Tommy. Then there was Moore’s stylish defensive play – this lad is going to be a real star if he goes on improving as he has done –Buckle’s two fine goals and the fighting display of the wing halves and the team as a whole. While one performance is no guarantee we had at least a measure of confirmation of the view expressed by manager Cliff Britton a fortnight ago, when he told me he felt pretty confident that the worst was behind him. Add to this some first class moves which just did not bring the goals they deserved and without being unduly optimistic I think Everton followers had little cause to grumble at the teams opening gambit. That doesn’t mean that this was anything like the Everton of pre-war days, or that there isn’t room for improvement. But it was certainty a better show than in most games of the past two seasons, and these days we have to be thankful for small mercies and hope for bigger and better ones.
EVERTON INTRODUCE O’NEILL
August 22, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
By John Peel
Owing to their first team goalkeeper, Burnett, being on the injured list, with a slightly pulled muscle, Everton include 19-year-old Jimmy O’Neill, who was signed from a Dublin junior side two years ago, will be making his first appearance in the League side.
O’NEILLS DEBUT
August 22, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Though Everton did sufficient against Huddersfield Town to encourage reasonable hopes that this season may be brighter than for a couple of years past, danger of drawing conclusions from too little evidence is obvious. We shall be better able to judge Everton’s promise after their north-eastern tour, which sees them opposing Middlesbrough tomorrow evening and Newcastle United on Saturday. It was a good performance by Middlesbrough to draw at Portsmouth. The Borough may well be one of the star sides this season. They finished up the last campaign with a strong burst, and if their away performances had been better they would have been in the running for the title. Owing to Burnett’s thigh muscle injury, young O’Neill, signed by Everton at the end of their Irish tour eighteen months ago, gets a chance to show his wares before a larger public. O’Neill, who stands only 5ft 9ins, seems just on the small side. He will doubtless grow, for he is not yet 19 and in any case Ted Sagar was only the same height and you couldn’t hope for anyone better then Sagar. If O’Neill turns out as good a servant Everton will be on a winner! While it is a big ordeal for any youngster to make his senior debut, O’Neill can take heart from the fact that everyone will wish him well.
O’NEILL DEBUT
August 22, 1950. The Evening Express
Pilot’s Log (Don Kendall)
Tomorrow marks the Football League debut of 19-year-old Jimmy O’Neill the shy, smiling Irishman who will be in goal for Everton at Ayresome Park. Burnett is injured, and Jimmy, who hails from Dublin, and who gave such an encouraging display for the Reserves at Newcastle last Saturday, steps in. This is a golden moment for O’Neill, who is not dissimilar to Ted Sagar, when Ted was 19, for he has that agility and quick action which always was a feature of the play of the maestro.’ It is not surprising after the grand football Everton played, when beating Huddersfield Town on Saturday that Manager Cliff Britton makes no other changes. Personality I regard this Everton combination highly, for there is any amount of football craft and every player seems to have the goal lust. The Borough are still lacking stars like Linacre and McKenna but Jackie Spunhler is taking over centre-forward duties and his place at outside right is being taken by the coloured boy, Dalaphen, who was secured from Portsmouth the close season. The draw by the Borough at Portsmouth last Saturday was, I think, one of the best achievements of the day and obviously Everton have quite a job on. The Blues have won twice at Ayresome in their last three visits –by a Wainwright goal on each occasion, while last season they completed the “double” over the Tees-siders. Everton; O’Neill; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington.
EVERTON USED THE WRONG TACTICS
August 24, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
Middlesbrough 4, Everton 0
By Ranger
No blame could be attributed to O’Neill, Everton’s eighteen-year-old goalkeeper for his side’s 4-0 defeat at Middlesbrough last night. O’Neill had no chance with three of the goals ad only the slightest hope of saving the other. He made many brilliant saves. The causes of this defeat must be looked for elsewhere and it lay mainly in Everton’s mistaken tactics against a side who were quicker to the tackle and made greater use of the wings. Middlesbrough did twice the work with half the physical effort expended by Everton who repeatedly tried to force a way down the middle when it was obvious that they could hope to make little progress against clever covering and hard-working wing half-backs. Buckle was neglected for long stretches and though Eglington was much more in the game and proved Everton’s most promising marksman the line was too lop-sided with little or no striking power in the inside forward positions. Eglington three times shot just over the angle of the bar and upright and in the closing minutes Whitaker kicked away off the goal line after Hardwick has almost turned the ball into his own net.
The Guiding Force
Everton’s defence started well enough, but soon developed shaky spells against Middlesbrough’s speedy forwards who received brilliant backing from wing halves, Bell and Gordon. The home forwards interchanged positions cleverly with Mannion always the brains and guiding force behind their movements. Some of Everton’s passing bouts were nice to watch but they kept the ball too close and too frequently did not make any ground worth speaking of. Catterick was a hard worker, but rarely got the type of passes which have him much hope against the tall and rugged Whittaker. Wainwright was off colour, though it should be said that a nasty blow which he received in the ribs from the ball early on seemed to take much of the sting out of him. For the first quarter of an hour there was no indication that Middlesbrough were likely to run riot to the extent they did but after their second goal the Everton defence, O’Neill apart were decidedly shaky and worried. At last the calming influence of Falder and Saunders put the Everton rearguard on a more even keel, though, throughout the second half there were times when they were saved more by good luck than by good judgment. McCrea opened the scoring at the 15th minute when Spuhler rounded Falder and pulled the ball task from the dead ball line for McCrae to give O’Neill no chance.
Touch of Fortune
There was a touch of fortune about the second goal three minutes later when a long clearance by Whittaker bounced high in front of Spuhler just on the edge of the penalty area, and the Middlesbrough centre forward lobbed the ball over O’Neill’s head as he came out. Opinions may vary as to the wisdom of O’Neill’s action but to my mind he did the right thing. Four minutes before the interval the home forwards swept through the Everton defence in brilliant fashion and McCrae finished off the move with a shot which no goalkeeper could have saved. McCrae completed his hat-trick at the seventy-second minute after a brilliant dribble which he beat two men and then got Falder running the wrong way with his deceptive body swerve. Middlesbrough; Ugolini, goal; Robinson and Hardwick, backs; Bell, Whittaker, and Gordon, half-backs; Delapenha, Mannion, Spuhler, McCrae, and Walker, forwards. Everton; O’Neill, goal; Moore and Saunders, backs; Grant, Falder and Farrell (captain), half-backs; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding and Eglington, forwards.
REDEEMING FEATURE
August 24, 1950. The Evening Express
Pilot’s Log (Don Kendall)
The one really redeeming feature in an unconvincing Everton showing at Ayresome Park, was the promise shown by Irish goalkeeper, Jimmy O’Neill who will not readily forget his baptism in League football, but who rose magnificently to the occasion. Beaten four times he may have been, but he could not be blamed for any of the goals. He was peppered with shots from all angles by the lively Boro’ forwards, and he brought off a number of saves, which stamped him as a player with a big future. His anticipation is good, and he gets his body behind the ball in the manner of a veteran. Yes, it was not surprising that there was a quiet “Well done, Jimmy” from Manager Cliff Britton afterwards (writes Radar). Everton could not match the Boro’ for speed. The forwards rarely looked like getting goals, and the defence, lacking a dominant influence in the middle, never recovered from those two shock goals in the first 20 minutes. Fielding strove doggedly, especially in the first half, to create openings and Eglington was industrious throughout but the attack just did not function as a penetrative force. The Everton half-backs suffered by comparison with Borough’s intermediate line, for Falder could not hold the hustling Spuhler, and neither Farrell not Grant struck a confident mood. Moore and Saunders battled willingly, but with only moderate success against the hard hitting Boro’ forwards, for whom McCrae scored three goals and Spuhler the other. It was just one of those days when much was expected but little eventuated from a Goodison viewpoint.
EVERTON’S FAULTY TACTICS
August 24, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
“Down The Middle” Complex
Ranger’s Notes
Middlesbrough, Thursday.
They tell me here that production in the Teeside Steelworks and shipyards goes up whenever Middlesbrough are doing well. If that is correct the output should take a steep upward turn for the rest of this week, for against Everton last night Middlesbrough proved themselves a speedy, accurate and very effective combination. They won just as clearly as the score suggests. By comparison with their promising display against Huddersfield, however. Everton proved a sad disappointment. Far too often the visitors played into the hands of the opposition by over elaborating their attacking moves and the defence –with the exception of debutante O’Neill –were for the most part an anxious and worried lot. Eighteen-years-old Jimmy O’Neill had nothing with which to reproach himself. Although he has had nine goals put past him in two games in this neighbourhood –Newcastle United scored five against him last Saturday –he can console himself with the reflection that on each occasion the score might have been considerably greater but for his brilliant work. He had no chance with three of the four shots which passed him and only the barest outside hope of saving the others, Middlesbrough were in great form particularly in attack. The defence was not always too happy when Everton, in the second half, hammered away in determined fashion. The Ayresome front line moved like a well-oiled precise machine, with McCrae, a brilliant marksman. Mannion a splendid schemer and with strength speed and shot on both wings.
Luckless Triers
Everton were little more than a team of hard but luckiest triers with very little effective combination. They never hit it off as a unified force and their shooting was sadly off the mark apart from three good efforts by Eglington. On top of that the defence appeared so anxious to give adequate cover to O’Neill which was quite unnecessary in view of his solid display, that they neglected to cover each other. The result was disastrous and time and again Middlesbrough slipped through with a seeming ease which rather flattered them. The luck was certainly almost entirely on one side though this by no means excuses some of the Everton players. Everything Middlesbrough tried seemed to come off successfully whereas the harder Everton struggled the more the ball seemed to run against them. Everton will have to readjust their ideas to have any hope of victory against Newcastle at St. James’s Park on Saturday.
“WING IT,” EVERTON!
August 25, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Their Newcastle Task
Ranger’s Notes
Everton, who field an unchanged side against Newcastle United at St. James’s Park, tomorrow, will need to pull out something better than they did against Middlesbrough to have any hope of bring back a point. It was not so much that there was any glaring individual weakness in the team on Wednesday as the fact that there was a lack of effective understanding in defence and finishing power in attack. The defenders frequently failed to cover one another adequately, while the forwards allowed the initiative to be wrested from them too easily. Newcastle are a big and robust side whose tall backs and half-backs will have the advantage over Everton’s small and lightly built forwards unless, the ball is kept on the ground. Even then Everton must avoid the tendency to take three moves to make ground which could be covered equally effectively in one. Close pattern weaving looks nice, but it plays into the hands of quick tackling defenders to say nothing of taking physical effort than is necessary. The more Everton bring their wings into the game the better. Eglington’s shooting has improved considerably on the showing of the two matches so far played and after Buckle’s two great goals against Huddersfield it was disappointing to see him “shelved” so much against Middlesbrough. Too slavish an adherence to down-the-middle assault which is comparatively easy to counter by defence in depth will not serve Everton half so well as a speedier and more open type of game. The visiting defence will have its work cut out to hold the speedy Newcastle attack but it can do it if the right methods are adopted. One thing is certain –that is, there need be no worry about the capabilities of O’Neill, in goal, so long as he plays as well as he did at Ayresome Park. He is sure in his catching, smart in anticipation, gets his body well behind every shot, and after the first few minutes showed not the slightest trace of nerves. O’Neill will do for me if he can keep this up. Everton; O’Neill; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington. Newcastle; Fairbrother; Cowell, McMicheal; Harvey, Brennan,Houghton; Walker, Taylor, Milburn, Robledo, Mitchell.
EVERTON AT NEWCASTLE
August 25, 1950. The Evening Express
Everton, following their splendid display against Huddersfield were unfortunate to run against a brilliant Middlesbrough on Wednesday. The defeat was due more to the skill of the ‘Brough than to Everton short-comings, but the Blues will need to show more forward power against Newcastle, who have three points out of four. The Tynesiders won at Stoke 2-1 last Saturday, but were held to a 1-1 drew on Wednesday by West Bromwich Albion at St. James’s. Seeing that Albion fell to Villa, it does not indicate that United are invulnerable. A little of that forward penetration, Everton showed last Saturday may prevent this present tour being pointless. Newcastle and Everton are unchanged. Everton; O’Neill; Moore, Saunders; Grant, Falder, Farrell; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, Eglington. Newcastle; Fairbrother; Cowell, McMicheal; Harvey, Brennan, Houghton; Walker, Taylor, Milburn, Robledo, Mitchell.
A POINT FROM NEWCASTLE
August 26, 1950. The Liverpool Football Echo
Catterick Gives Everton The First Goal
Newcastle 1, Everton 1
By Ranger
This was a tale of missed chances, misplaced passes, and lamentable shooting by both sides. There were openings enough to have led to bags of goals from both attacks. Newcastle;- Fairbrother, goal; Cowell and McMicheal, backs; Harvey, Brennan, and Houghton, half-backs; Walker, Taylor, Milburn, Robledo, and Mitchell, forwards. Everton; O’Neill, goal; Moore and Saunders, backs; Grant, Falder, and Farrell (captain), half-backs; Buckle, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding, and Eglington, forwards. Referee; Mr. R.A. Mortimer (Huddersfield). Everton were a little shaky for the first five minutes or so, when their passes repeatedly went to the opposition, but after a clever bit of combination by Fielding and Eglington the Blues settled down better and Buckle, beating McMicheal for the ball fired in a splendid shot only a few inches over the bar. A long weaving run by Mitchell came to an end through a smart interception by Grant. Newcastle looked dangerous when Taylor and Milburn wove their way through only to find a faulty pass at the final moment present Saunders with a simple clearance, when it seemed certain O’Neill would have been brought into action.
Over Again
Walker was presented with a shooting opportunity by Harvey’s upward pass into the open space. The winger left fly immediately from the edge of the penalty area only to shake his head with exasperation when the ball flew well over. The next movement saw Milburn out on his own on the right wing, and after cutting in quickly he hit the side rigging with a strong drive. Moore came well into the Newcastle half when Everton forced a corner from which the Blues’ full back lobbed in a nice effort which was not far from its billet. Newcastle were now tinged with the same inaccuracy in passing that bad marked Everton’s opening phase, but after making it easy for the visiting defence on one or two occasions, by this failing they at length came down with a brilliant five-piece movement, which produced two shots, both of which were blocked out by a defender.
Bad Miss
From the second of these the ball rebounded to Mitchell who, with only O’Neill to beat, shot ten yards over the bar from the six-yard line. This was a shocking miss and a fortunate let-off for Everton. The winger tried to make amends moment or two later by a great dribble in which he beat three men in quick succession and then shot weakly to ruin again another good opening. O’Neill did well to get back to his post, after coming out to make one save, in time to make another from a Milburn effort which was just creeping inside the post. Newcastle had certainly had the best of the argument so far but the Everton defence was sticking to its guns well, and O’Neill had no more to do than Fairbrother at the other end.
No Sting
Wainwright and Buckle were both on the mark without getting any sting behind their shots, and then a faulty pass back by McMichael, gave Wainwright half a chance. Unfortunate, there was nobody anywhere near to back him up, and Wainwright was unable to get the ball under control before he was challenged and the danger averted. Just on the half hour came the first stoppage for an injury, when Fielding, running back fully thirty yards behind Harvey, gained on the tall half-back and made a sliding tackle. Harvey eluded it, but Fielding lay on the ground with a knee which appeared to be giving him some pain. He resumed after Harry Cooke’s attentions, but for some minutes rubbed the injured member somewhat gingerly. It had not been brilliant football from either side so far. Passes were continuing to go to opposition men far too frequently, and though Newcastle had done the bulk of the attacking there was no finishing worth mentioning in the front line. Everton were still stickling too closely to their down-the-middle ideas, whereas Newcastle were bringing Walker and Mitchell into the game at every opportunity. For the first time in the match Saunders made a pass back to O’Neill. Hitherto –and this applies to Wednesday’s game at Middlesbrough –the Everton defence had sought to keep the ball away from O’Neill, though it was obvious long before this that they need have no undue worries. Robledo had a nice chance from ten yards range when Milburn flicked the ball to him cunningly, but once again weak finishing gave O’Neill a pick-up which was mere child’s play. A long crossfield pass from the right wing to outside left Mitchell saw the latter clear of all opposition but he came in goalwards slowly and then tried to beat two men when a shot was obviously called for. The result was that Falder robbed him before O’Neill was called upon.
Near Approach
The last fifteen minutes of the first half produced some splendid midfield work by the attacks, but the finishing still continued to be lamentable. The nearest approach to a goal by Newcastle followed a brilliant bit of combination by Houghton and Mitchell, which led to Robledo hitting the bar. Everton’s best effort was a long curling centre from the left wing touchline by Wainwright, which Catterick headed downwards, being a trifle unlucky to see Fairbrother stretch out a hand and save near the foot of the post. O’Neill made a splendid full-length save from Taylor just on the interval.
Half-time; Newcastle 0, Everton 0.
There was one bright spasm to relieve the increasing number of missed chances, when Catterick gave Everton the lead at the 48th minute. It was a missed chance which gave Everton their goal, for when Walker got clean through the Everton defence, he was guilty of a faulty pass which presented Moore with a simple clearance. The ball dropped just by the half way line, was seized on by Wainwright, who, after taking it forward, put Catterick in possession. Catterick neatly rounded Brennan and although partially slipping on the sodden turf, regained his balance and had the ball in the back of the net from 14 yards…just out of Fairbrother’s reach. A few minutes later Everton should have been two up, when Buckle pulled the ball back beautifully for Eglington, who had moved almost to the centre forward position. Eglington shot strongly enough, but not accurately enough, and a good chance again went begging just as it did a little later when Milburn lofted one high over the bar when the home crowd were just taking a breath to herald a goal.
Yards High
Taylor was just as much at fault when he had all the time in the world to get a Milburn pass to his liking. Again the ball was yards too high and the home crowd were now becoming a little ironical in their comments.
Offside Decision
A very doubtful offside decision pulled Catterick up when the Everton leader, who had been his side’s most effective forward, was just starting another goalward dash. There was no doubt about a similar decision a little later against Buckle, away out on the left flank and yards offside. Everton for some little time had gone back on defence which was rather a risky procedure with only a goal to the good, and might have been expensive if Newcastle had not continued to shoot anywhere but within the woodwork. Two free kicks to the home side were wasted and Taylor (twice) and Milburn finished puerility, Houghton did no better when he came up to try to show them the way, for in his case after dribbling around until he must have been dizzy, he ran the ball over the dead ball line. Then came an exciting couple of minutes in which Newcastle surrounded the Everton goal, without being able to get in a shot, until finally Milburn forced one through a ruck of players, only to see O’Neill make another grand save by diving full length at the foot of the post. Everton got away and Wainwright for once was on the mark. Unfortunately his strong shot from 20 yards out hit the bar, with Fairbrother well beaten. This was more like the Wainwright of old, and Everton could well do with more of it. Most of the time Wainwright was acting more as an auxiliary. Half-back-cum-full-back, and frequently was well behind Grant.
Losing Speed
Farrell was working in his usual energetic fashion, and though the Blues were now doing more of the attacking they did not promise to make much impression on the big Newcastle defenders for much of their earlier speed had now gone. A Newcastle attack looked promising but Walker fired outside with only O’Neill to beat from close range. Newcastle were now pilling on heavy pressure, but the Everton defence was fighting hard and contesting every inch of ground, and with Newcastle still remains in their finishing O’Neill was not yet the busy young man that he should have been. It looked pretty certain, however, that Newcastle’s pressure must bring reward sooner or later, and it came at the 84th minute, when Milburn pulled back a ball and Taylor rammed it into the net with a shot which left O’Neill helpless. Final; Newcastle United 1, Everton 1.
EVERTON RES V WEST BROM RES
August 26, 1950. The Liverpool Football Echo
Everton Res;- Sagar, goal; Clinton and Rankin, backs; Bentham, Humphreys and Melville,half-backs; Harris, Hold, McIntosh, Hampson, and Parker, forwards. West Bromwich Res; Heath, goal; Wright, and Guy, backs; Dudley, Horne, and Ryan, half-backs; Jones, Gordon, Wilcox, Betteridge, and Crowshaw, forwards. Referee; Mr. H. Freeman (Preston). West Bromwich took an early lead, Betteridge netting in four minutes. Everton improved, and in the 15th minute McIntosh equalized from a free kick. Hampson, in the 21st minute headed in to give Everton the lead. West Bromwich were not to be denied, for Gordon again brought the scores level. At 31 minutes, Hold raced through to restore Everton’s lead. Within 36 minutes he increased their lead. Five minutes from the interval Wilcox scored a third for Albion. Half-time; Everton Res 4, West Bromwich Res 3. At the re-start, Everton set up a series of raids, but Hampson, McIntosh and Hold went near the mark with fine drives. In the 55th minute Wilcox broke through to meet Sagar, and at the same time, equalized the score. Everton were next awarded a penalty, Hold took the kick and gave Heath no chance whatever.
• Everton “A” 6, Prescott BI 0
• Burtonwood OB 0, Everton “B” 5
USEFUL POINT FOR EVERTON
August 28, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Ranger
Newcastle United 1, Everton 1.
If only Everton had been able to translate their good approach work into goals; and had not surrendered the initiative to the opposition towards the finish and thus enabled Newcastle to regain their fast waning belief in their ability to save a point then this game would have been marked down as an away victory. Similarly, had Newcastle taken their scoring chances they too might have totted up a respectable score. Of the two sides, Newcastle were the more remiss in front of goal scoring some gilt-edged opening where it seemed from the stand to be easier to score than to miss. This was a much better display from Everton tan they had given in the mid-week game at Middlesbrough even after allowing for forward misses and a rather undue proportion of faulty passes. The defence played excellently throughout with none doing better than the eighteen-year-old O’Neill. This boy looks like being another Sagar. He is very like Sagar in much of his work and never made the semblance of an error. He had no chance with Taylor’s equalizing goal at the 86th minute, for not only for not only was he unsighted, but through being only half hit the ball swerved badly and actually went in off the inside of the post. Even so O’Neill made a valiant effort.
Started Shakily
Everton started a trifle shakily, but once they had settled down they progressed by clever on-the-ground football. Had their finished been of the same calibre as their approach work. Fairbrother would have been a much busier man. As it was apart from Cattericks goal, a hot shot which hit the woodwork by Wainwright, and two others which only just missed their billet. Everton had nothing much to show for their labour. A bad Newcastle miss was the start of Everton’s goal, for a shocking pass by Walker in the visiting goal area was intercepted and booted up field by Moore, slipped through to the middle by Wainwright; the temporarily at inside left and slotted safely into the net by Catterick after he had got Brennan running the wrong way. It was a splendid goal, all the more meritorious because Catterick almost lost his footing on the greasy turf when selling the dummy to Newcastle pivot.
Taylor’s Goal
Whether it was because the hot pace and sultry conditions had taken toll of them, or because they felt one goal was enough to win this match nobody can say, but halfway through the second half Everton went back on defence and for a period almost completely surrendered the initiative to the opposition. Newcastle hammered away so hard than an equalizer seemed almost a certainty. Despite their perurile finishing one felt that sooner or later somebody would squeeze one in even if only by cannoning I off the packed Everton defence which fought strongly and resolutely throughout. And so it turned out Taylor finishing off a move which started in Newcastle’s half and in which four home men took part before the ball rested in the net. Chief honours on the visiting side went to the defence, in which nobody could be faulted once they had settled down, Farrell was a terrific worker and good general, Grant his usual bustling self and the backs and Falder kept a cool head when the Newcastle pressure was strongest and most menacing.
HAT-TRICK FOR HOLD
August 28, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Res 6, West Bromwich Res 4
Everton’s victory in this high scoring Central League match at Goodison Park on Saturday was in the main chiefly due to the fine display of their inside right, Hold who accomplished the hat-trick, one of the goals being a penalty. The Albion were a clever side, however, Wilcox, who led the attack, being their best forward, Everton’s other marksmen were McIntosh, Hampson, and Parker, while Wilcox (2), Betteridge, and Gordon scored for the visitors.
BLUES’ REGAIN THEIR MEDALS
August 28, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Middlesbrough’s One Change
Ranger’s Notes
Everton have no injuries from Saturday to bother them in selecting the side to meet Middlesbrough at Goodison, on Wednesday evening but Middlesbrough have to make one change, Dicks taking over from Robinson, who received an ankle injury against Chelsea. Otherwise the visiting team is the same as that which defeated the Blues 4-0 at Ayresome Park. Namely;- Ugolini; Dicks, Hardwick; Bell, Whittaker, Gordon; Delapenha, Mannion, Spuhler, McCrae, Walker.
Everton did very well to bring back a point from Newcastle. Had the luck only held out six minutes longer it would have been a couple. This was a much improved Everton in defence, compared with that which had been so slow and hesitant against Middlesbrough three days earlier, but there was still room for greater striking power in the attack.
Dimmed The Right Spasms
This was a game which might easily have produced the highest aggregate score of the day. Instead we saw some good approach a work ruined by poor finishing in which Newcastle were the greatest offenders. In between the bright spasms there was also a curious mixture of misdirected passes and sliced clearances, no doubt due to the slippery state of the turf and the greasy ball. Catterick’s goal at the 48th minute, a worthy one to crown a bit of quick thinking by Wainwright and Catterick’s “dummy” to Brennan, might have brought both points to Everton if the Blues had not temporarily surrendered the initiative to the opposition. They had Newcastle where they wanted them, a bit jittery in defence and over-anxious in attack, but instead of cashing in on this Everton went back into their shells and concentrated for a time on defence. This gave Newcastle just the incentive they needed and though it took them a long time, for Everton fought every inch of ground with dogged determination, and blocked the route to goal, very effectively most of the time, it was no real surprise that the equalizer came at last. While it was a good performance of Everton’s to draw, it was disappointing to some extent that victory should slip from them after it was practically “in the bag.” The Blues defence was excellent, with O’Neill again proving that he is going to be one of Everton’s best signings for a long time. This 18-year-old Irish lad is another Sagar in the making if he can keep his head and stick to the same size in hats. Farrell did two men’s work, Grant stuck to the big Novocastrians and pestered the life out of them, and Falder and the backs rarely put a foot wrong. Fielding and Catterick were the pick of the forwards, though in vastly different ways; the one a fine schemer and provider and the other worrier. If Everton can translate this type of approach work into a respectable ratio of goals –and there’s the rub, of course – they will keep well out of danger. They are a long way from being world-beaters, but on the showing of the Huddersfield game and this one there are reasonably sound grounds for anticipating an improvement of last season. I want to see more of them before committing myself further than that. They have flattered to deceive before, and the side as a whole is not quite physically strong and robust to expect anything sensational, but at least they are all genuine triers, with a good team spirit, and are giving the club the best they got. Here’s wishing them luck.
ONE FAULT
August 28, 1950. The Evening Express
Pilot’s Log (Don Kendall)
Everton I am assured, had only one real fault at Newcastle this being in regard to finishing. Colleague Radar saw the lads secure their first away point of the season and comments;-
“The Blues just could not translate their joyous approach into goals, but they had good reward for a distinctly improved display. Despite the lack of striking power, it was not until six minutes from time that Taylor saved a point for United by neutralizing that gem of a Catterick goal to which Moore and Wainwright contributed so vitally. Even then there was a tinge of good fortune about the equalizer, for Taylor only half hit his shot which went in off a post, to give the diving and unsighted O’Neill no chance. There was much about it, Everton which gives rise to justifying optimism. There was another exhilating of cool, sure goalkeeping by O’Neill whose contribution included a desire to make good use of every clearance. There was the cultured defensive work of Moore; the industry of Saunders, and the increasing efficiency of the half-backs , Farrell was tireless and Falder kept a tight rein on Milburn, who was Newcastle’s No 1 danger man, while Grant enthusiasm and ferrier –like tackling meant the eventual blotting-out of Robledo. The sporting Newcastle supporters repeatedly roared approval of Everton’s delightful pattern weaving inspired by Fielding who constantly had the United defence moving the wrong way. “Catterick worried the life out of Brennan and Wainwright made great success with his individual bursts and like Robledo, struck the woodwork. “Will o’ the wisp” Buckle turned up in the most unexpected places to the obvious discomfort of Newcastle although he was inclined to be inaccurate in his use of the ball. Eglington used his speed well without showing conviction in front of goal. The general opinion on Tyneside was that Everton should have had both points.
FIRST DIVISION LEADERS AT GOODISON
August 29, 1950. The Evening Express
Middlesbrough’s Bid To Lay A Bogy’
By Pilot (Don Kendall)
Middlesbrough, the sensation club of the First Division, who, in three matches have dropped only one point and one goal, will be at Goodison Park tomorrow, seeking a “double” at the expense of Everton. It must be years since Middlesbrough came to Merseyside in the proud position of leaders of the First Division, the championship of which they have yet to win, but they will trot out as leaders, for they have a superior goal average to that of Charlton Athletic. One doubts whether the Boro’ have ever been here as leaders previously, but no matter whether we have greeted them as leaders or a struggling team, they have always pandered to the artistic side of football endeavour. Rather like Everton, the Boro are traditionally a football side, and that is why the majority of the matches between the clubs are such joyous affairs. This should be no exception, especially seeing that Everton have that four goal defeat at Ayresome to wipe out. Middlesbrough opened the season by forcing a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth where Mannion scored, and then McCrae (3) and Spuhler brought about the downfall of the Blues last Wednesday. Still taking it out of the clubs who wear blue the Boro on Saturday thrashed Chelsea 3-0, McCrae, Mannion and Walker scoring. Everton following that grand drew at Newcastle on Saturday, may be able to turn the tables, and give another kind of “blue” to the lads from Tee-side. If Everton do not win then the Boro can feel that they have laid a ‘bogy. In history, Middlesbrough have visited Goodison Park 32 times in Football League matches. They have scored only two victories. They were secured in 1914-15 and 1936-37 and on each occasion by 3-2. Add six draws to those wins, and you will see that only ten of the 64 points have gone back to Tee-side.
Blues’ Pull
Everton have won the last five matches between the clubs at Goodison, and having vivid memories of the Blues good football when defeating Huddersfield in the only home game, I fancy Everton can win this game. If Grant and Farrell can master McCrae and Mannion then much of the “sting” will be draw from the Yorkshire side, and a little of that willingness to shoot we saw against Huddersfield should gain the points. This will be the first home League appearance of Jimmy O’Neill in a side which will not show many changes. Middlesbrough will have Dicks at right back for the injured Robinson, are resting at Birkdale. The kick-off is at 6-30 p.m. Middlesbrough; Ugolini; Dicks, Hardwick; Bell, Whittaker, Gordon; Delaphens, Mannion, Spuhler, McCrae, Walker.
Promise
Everton have found quite a promising centre-forward in Frank Pennessey. This is a Liverpool-born lad, who had never taken seriously to football until he went into the Army. Hennessey is at present stationed at Stratford-on-Avol and wrote to Everton asking for a trail. This was granted and the Blues signed the player who is only 21, stands 6ft and weighs 12st.
MIDDLESBROUGH’ AT GOODISON
August 29, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton will have to be right on the top line in defence to hold the speedy and dazzling Middlesbrough forwards, who were in almost irresistible form against the Blues last week at Ayresome Park. Spuhler so far, has turned out to be a happy solution to the Borough’s centre forward problem. This former outside right took over the leadership towards the end of last season, when Peter McKennan was injured, and on his display last week he looks like holding the position down for some time. The big danger man in the Borough’s attack, however, is undoubtedly McCrae. He got three brilliant goals last week, and followed up with another against Chelsea on Saturday. His positioning is sound and his shooting accurate and strong. McCrae and Spuhler owe much to the prompting of Wilf Mannion, who still stands supreme amongst inside forwards for the scheming and generalship, while their wingers are speedy and effective. Dalapenha is the former Portsmouth inside forward, and a native of Jamaica. In defence Middleborough make one change for tomorrow’s game –the first of the season –Dicks coming in at right back for Robinson, who sustained an ankle injury against Chelsea on Saturday. Everton were below par in several positions in the match at Ayresome Park but after getting their medals back against Newcastle they should be encouraged to make a much better fight of it this time, though they will need to make the most of every scoring chance if they are to reverse last week’s result. Middleborough; Ugolini; Dicks, Hardwick; Bell, Whittaker, Gordon; Delaphens, Mannion, Spuhler, McCrae, Walker.
TWO GOALS FOR EGLINGTON
August 31, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 3, Middleborough 2
By Leslie Edwards
Like last Wednesday’s, at Anfield, this game had everything, including thunder and rain so torrential that thousands of the 43,000 people on the terraces hide themselves away to dry spots under stands and made the ground appear to be comparatively empty. Mid-way through the second half immediately after Mannion had disallowed a headed goal which would have made it 2-2, rain fell so heavily the referee stopped play and seemed about to call the game off, but after consulting the captains play went on. The referee as the sole arbiter of whether the ground was playable would have had a difficult job convincing anyone that football was impossible or ever farcical. Apart from the natural hinging of the ball where there was waterlogged turf the grim and exciting battle went on unflaggingly. Indeed, only the discordant note so foolishly struck by McIntosh when faced by the Italian goalkeeper, Ugolini blemished a wonderful night’s football. That Middlesbrough played so beautifully and with such assurance does not detract from Everton’s victory, but enhances it. It was a triumph against the grain as it were, with Everton always contriving to stay one goal ahead against the more likely looking winners. With Wainwright and Catterick absent, Everton have cause to look back upon the result as a especially happy one. If this Middleborough brilliance was no fluke –and I am sure it was not – not many sides are going to beat them 3-2 home or away. McIntosh’s brush with Ugolini was one thing; his persistence in keeping the incident open was another –a great pity, since the deputy centre forward had shown such fine football qualities with a goal to his name and a large part in the making of two others.
Incidentals
The story of the goals misses much of the earnest endeavour done by the men behind, notably the two half-back lines, but the scoring was uncommon and so were the “bar-breaking” shots by Delaphena and Buckle and the disallowed Mannion goals. Middlesbrough had been twice on the threshold of leading 1-0 and Eglington had missed scoring by paint thickness when he came along with goal. Then l number one at 27 minutes. Fielding and McIntosh conjured the ball between them on the left wing before Eglington hit home a full volley (left too) from Fielding’s centre. Spuhler’s header from Delaphena’s “here it comes partner” centre was a perfect ending to a Delaphera move which left Saunders spread-eagled (37 minutes) and at half-time Aubrey Powell said and never with more truth; “Anyone who says football isn’t what it was should see that. Three minutes after the interval Grant all hustle and pertinacity refused to be fobbed off, and went through in undeniable style, to produce the ball which McIntosh slotted beyond Ugolini when standing. I thought offside, Middlesbrough protested the goal stood. Then Hardwick going far upfield became outside left to pick up a short free kick and a quick centre ad presto Mannion was running delightedly, having headed what seemed to be a good goal. Everton asked the referee to consult the linesman (whose upraised flag I did not see). Then the goal’s disallowed and Middlesbrough’s turn to chase the 23rd man.
Cheap and Cheeky.
Spuhler turned the ball beyond O’Neill from a Mannion header in a goal-mouth mix-up difficult to see from the Press box, for Middlesbrough equalizer at 57 minutes. At 65 minutes McIntosh slipping the ball from a quick throw-in to Eglington allowed that player to get a cheap and cheeky goal which lasted Everton the remainder of the journey. By this time they were two tried team trying to fathom the puzzle of passes which hung or sped on over the watery surface. And well they might be after a game at such intense speed and with so much effort on both sides. O’Neill if only for one astonishing point-blank save from Gordon, earned his bonus for the rest with a slight emphasis in Middlesbrough’s favour, it was magnificent work in all department if Grant and Gordon were outstanding of all, none of the others was far behind. Everton; O’Neill, goal; Moore and Saunders, backs; Grant, Falder, and Farrell (captain), half-backs; Buckle, Hold, McIntosh, Fielding and Eglington, forwards. Middlesbrough; Ugolini, goal; Dick and Hardwick, backs; Bell, Whittaker, and Gordon, half-backs; Delaphena, Mannion, Spuhler, McCrae and Walker, forwards. Referee; Mr. Seymour.
MNCHESTER CITY RES V EVERTON RES
August 31, 1950. The Liverpool Daily Post
After being twice in arrears Everton fought back against City in the Central League game at Manchester last night to gain a point. Manchester took the lead after 10 minutes through Turnbull somewhat unexpectedly and held on to this until the 52 minute when Hickson equalized. Williamson regained the lead for Manchester but in a fighting finish Parker leveled the scores with a picture goal six minutes from the finish. It was only a splendid defence that prevented the visitors gaining both points.
A GOODISON THRILLER
August 31, 1950. The Liverpool Echo
Uncommon Incidents in Grand Game
Ranger’s Notes
The lightning flashed, the thunder roared.
And Goodison Park was shaken. But “Eggie” got two and “Mac” got one
And the Blues brought home the bacon!
All right, all right? I know it isn’t quite up to Longfellow’s standard, but I can only do my best, and last night’s game was worth a stanza – even if it doesn’t scan-sir. Not for years have we had a game at Goodison with so many talking points, contentious issues, uncommon incidents, or even such vile weather as we had last night when flashes of lightning overhead illumined many flashes of brilliance down below and the rain threatened to cause abandonment. Middlesbrough may claim that they were unfortunate to be beaten, but my reckoning was that Everton just deserved the points for their great night. It was a test of stamina and courage, as well as a test of football skill. When the ground became waterlogged it was a case of who could push the ball further on the dragging surface, for they still tried to play on-the-ground football even when it took a prodigious effort to move the ball more than a few yards. The visitors started as though they would repeat last week’s runaway victory, but after O’Neill had made a great save from Gordon and the coloured Delapenha had missed a sitter –heading into O’Neill’s hands when an open goal shared him in the face –Everton settled down to produce some grand football. This was encouraging enough, even if Hold was rather at sea at times but it was nothing to the dogged determination which the Blues showed in the second half when it looked as though Middlesbrough might pull the game out of the fire. There was a real rumpus when Mannion “headed” in a Hardwick centre and Referee Seymour pointed to the spot. The score than was 2-1. Half a dozen Everton players chased after the referee like a pack of hounds in full scent. The weight of “evidence” led him to consult his linesman and reverse his verdict in favour of a free kick, whereupon the Middlesbrough players immediately imitated Everton’s “hound-trailing.” The only difference was that Middlesbrough failed to make a “kill” despite Mannion’s frantic gesture in pointing to his forehead as the sole and indubitable source of netting. What a puzzled me most about the incident was that the linesman whose evidence presumably led to the reversal of the referee’s decision never raised his flag in the first place, or, if he did it was up and down so quickly I missed it. The referee told me in his dressing room afterwards that Mannion had handled the ball. He also explained the curious incident in which he began calling the players off the field during the heavy rain as being due to a remark by Hardwick, the visiting skipper, who suggested going off for a few minutes. Peter Farrell had other views, however, and as it turned out the rain slackened off considerably a few moments later.
Great Fighting Spirit
To my way of thinking, the brightest feature of the game from Everton’s point of view was the great fighting spirit and will-to-win of the Blues, in happy contrast to their defeatist attitude on so many occasions in recent seasons. Every man fought to the last ounce, and if some played better than others, at least all were triers to the best of their ability, under most wretched conditions. Top marks go to Farrell for his inspiring example, to Eglington for a couple of fine goals – he netted twice against the Borough two seasons ago –to O’Neill for many great saves, to Grant for his tenacity and Fielding for his scheming along with Moore and Saunders for excellent defensive work. Star of the visitors, were Gordon, with Whitaker, Ugolini and Spuhler not far behind. Middlesbrough were just as good as their masters in all respects, but would undoubtedly have done better had they kept to their more open game or a week ago. Instead, they passed much too close at times, and still struck to the close game even when the sodden turf acted like four-wheel brakes on the ball. Nevertheless, they were a great side, and few will get the better of them on this showing. One final point to settle arguments. According to the Middlesbrough folk, both their goals were scored by Spuhler, though the credit for the second one goes equally to Mannion for his leading-up work. McIntosh got Everton’s second thanks to Grant’s persistence.
Mr. W.R Williams (chairman) will tomorrow present maximum benefit cheques of £750 to 13 Everton players, making a total of £9,750 and bringing the number of players at Goodison Park to receive benefits in the last nine months to 17.
August 1950