EVERTON F.C.’S PROFIT
June 1, 1954. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton F.C. balance sheet for last season shows an increase in receipts over any previous year and a profit of £21,374 on the season’s working compared with a loss of £2,926 the previous year. The profit however, is not a record. In 1947-48 season the club had a surplus of £25,780 on a gross gate income of £117,413 and in 1945-46 there was a profit of £21,557.

DAVID BLACK DIEDS
Coventry Evening Telegraph - Wednesday 02 June 1954
David Black, aged 72. former Everton footballer, collapsed with a heart attack at the National Federation of Old Age Pensions Associations' conference at Brighton to-day and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital. He was attending the conference as national executive member for Scotland and a few minutes before he collapsed he was sitting on the platform.

HELPED EVERTON TO WIN CUP
June 4, 1954. The Liverpool Daily Post
Jimmy Settle the famous former Everton F.C., played died aged 78, at Bolton in hospital on Tuesday. (June 1). Jimmy Settle an inside forward, was a tubby player who dribbled on a sixpence. He came from Bolton and was the man who made the present Manchester United chairman Mr. Harold Hardman a brilliant left winger. Settle was also one of the reasons why Sandy Young was such an outstanding centre forward. Settle was small in stature, but was a Hungarian box of tricks and most unselfish. In the old days Settle slipped away from Trainor Elliott, the night before a Cup-tie. The Everton chairman Dr. Whitford was furious and told him quite plainly of a prospective suspension. Settle slept the night on a couch downstairs and damaged his head but next day (in the words of the Everton chairman) “played the game of his life” and suspension was forgotten. He was in 1906 Cup winning team against Newcastle United when Sandy Young scored the only goal of the match, in a team captained by John D. Taylor who died a year ago.

PETER FARRELL’S OWN STORY
June 5, 1954. The Liverpool Echo
They Carried The Whole Team Shoulder High For A Quarter Of A Mile
It was while I was playing with Cabinteely United, and towards the end of my second season with this club, that another step forward in my career took place. It was one which was later to prove a stepping stone to my eventual association with Everton, though at that time I still did not entertain an serious thoughts of adopting professional football as a means of livelihood. Actually I had never given a great deal of though to my future. I was still enjoying my life at school, the more so because I was doing well at football and whenever I did spare a moment’s consideration to the question of earning a livelihood I was content to wait and see what turned up later. So long as I got a decent education I felt that was sufficient to be going on with. I did toy occasionally with the thought of going into an insurance office, as my brother and father had done, but as things turned out, fate had something different in store for me. The first step to switch me from the insurance world to the normal of professional football, though naturally I was not aware of it at the time was towards the end of the 1938-39 season, Cabinteely United had a very successful season and had qualified to meet Munster Victoria in the final of the Leinster Schoolboy’s Cup. We did not rate our chances very high, for whereas Cabinteely ran only one team and was I explained last week –that was organized and conducted by one man and his wife. Munster Victoria who belonged to Dublin, had no fewer than four sides constantly in the field. Obviously they had plenty of reserves to call upon, whereas a Cabinteely we never had more than 15 players at the outside who were capable of going into our team.
Far Chance
The Leinster Schoolboys Cup was open to all players under the are of 16 at the start of the current season. The average age of the Munster lads were well, over that of the Cabinteely side, and they were also bigger and heavier. In addition, they had better coaching facilities than we had and altogether our prospects of pulling of the cup seemed pretty slender. But it is often when the chances look least propitious that success comes your way, I have found that out often enough not only in football but in other walks of life, as doubtless have many of my readers. And so it turned out in this case. When the great day arrived 10 special buses made the trip from Cabinteely to Dublin, where the final was to take place. It was a grand gesture by our supporters for over 300 made the journey which was fully a third of the population of the village. They were however, only a small proportion of the crowd, for the attendance was nearly 4,000. But like those loyal Everton supporters who have followed us in so many away games of recent seasons they made themselves heard well above the home crowd, and that was a great inspiration to our team. I was captain of the Cabinteely side at this time, having been appointed to the position at the end of my first season. It was a great day for me personally as well as for the team for –playing at inside left which was then my normal position –I scored a goal the last minute which enabled to draw 2-2.
Shoulder High
Naturally after having done so well, we were more hopeful when the replay came along a week later, at the same Dublin venue. Once more 300 loyal Cabinteely folk made the journey to cheer us on, and this time we went one better winning the Cup by the only goal of the match scored by a boy named Jim Leary. This boy seemed to have a good career before him as a centre forward, for he was a grand player, but he later decided to serve his time to a trade rather than try his luck at football. I shall never forget the remarkable scenes of enthusiasm in the little village of Cabinteely on that memorable might 15 years ago when we brought back the cup in triumph. Just after our coach had passed through a small hamlet with the curious name of Kill-of-the-Grange it was stopped by a crowd of cheering supporters who instead that all the players got out. We were then hoisted on the shoulders of various people and carried the remaining quarter mile to the village centre. I can recall that Sunday evening as though it happened only a few weeks back. The thing which gave the greatest pleasure was to see the happy face of Christy Devlin our secretary manager and friend, wreathed in smiles as he filled the cup with lemonade and passed it round. Afterwards he took us all to his home, where Mrs Devlin, despite the late hour had a wonderful meal for the whole team. Christy Devlin told me in later years that was the happiest day of his life and of his wife.
Precious Ball
In addition to the Cabinteely folk who witnessed this final, all my pals from Dalkey were there – and for a special reason, it had been announced that the winning captain would be given the match ball at the end of the game. It so happened that the supply of footballs, like pocket money was pretty low in Dalkey and my pals there knew that if Cabinteely pulled it off they would be assured of a good ball for the next few months. I was glad we did not let them down. About four days later, when at the excitement had died down something happened which was the first big step on the road that was eventually lead me to Goodison. A gentleman who introduced himself as Mr. Fitzpatrick called at my home. After a nice, friendly chat he informed me that Shamrock Rovers were anxious to sign me, following a report received on the game the precious Sunday from Jimmy Dunne, who will be remembered by Merseysiders for his association with Tranmere Rovers.
Lucky Shamrock
You can imagine my feelings the following night is I stepped out of the Milltown officers of Shamrock Rovers –a signed amateur player of the most famous club in Ireland. As I journeyed home by bus with my brother who had come along with me to see that everything was all right, many were the though’s and questions that ran through my mind. Would I make the grade? Would I ever play in Shamrock Rovers first team? Would I be a flop? Whatever the future held for me my fate was entirely in my own hands now. I had signed in May 1939, and I thought that early August would never come around for me to report for training. It duly arrived however, and I was greatly thrilled to find myself training alongside the stars of Shamrock Rovers cup-winning side of the previous year. One incident happened during the first training session which I shall never forget. I had been kicking a ball about for ten minutes or so with my colleagues when Jimmy Dunne (who incidentally was one of my football idols) came across to me and said “I believe your name is Peter, Mine is Jimmy anything I can do to help you will be a pleasure.” A simple enough gesture in itself, but one that touched me very deeply. The thought that the one and only Jimmy Dunne should speak to ne, an unknown youngster, with such words of encouragement and welcome was most cheering. This friendliness and team spirit is the rock of which Shamrock Rovers has been built and which down the years has made them one of the greatest teams in Ireland on the playing field.
Riches!
When the season started I was greatly surprised to find my name on the reserve team list at inside left, as I thought I would have been in one of the lower teams. It was certainly a great thrill to trot out in the famous green and white short for the first time. I admit I felt very strange in this game and rather out of place in this exalted company. It had been a big step from schoolboy football to Rovers reserve side in one jump. I hadn’t a great game by any means despite the fact that we won 3-1 against Drumcondra Reserves. At this time was still attending school and as it cost me about 5s per week for fares to matches and training I was very pleased when one of the directors of Rovers Mr. Fitzsimmons and incidentally the father of Maureen O’Hara the famous film star, informed me that the club would allow me 5s per week to cover my travelling expenses. Actually I found a way of making a profit on this traveling to Milltown via a roundabout way which although it involved some extra walking, ensured that I was 2s richer each week in my pocket money. Two shillings does not sound so much these days, but it was a useful sum before the war and certainly very welcome to me.
Next week Farrell will account how he made his debut in Shamrock Rovers first team as an amateur and later turned professional.
• Photo of Peter; in addition of his growing reputation as a footballer Peter Farrell was also distinguishing himself as a tennis player when in his early teens. He is seen here with the cup for the men’s singles which he won while a member of the Blackrock Lawn Tennis Club.

EVERTON YOUTH TEAM
June 10, 1954. The Liverpool Echo
Everton’s Youth team added their quota over Whit in Holland to the successes gained on tour by the first and Central League elevens. They won two of their three games in the Dutch Youth tournament by an aggregate of 4-0, but lost 1-2 in the other match by a goal scored half a minute from time. Finishing second in their section the Goodison youngsters were in the play-off between the four leading sides of the two groups for the trophy. This was won by a team from Ghent with Everton, who defeated the Ajax youth team from Amsterdam 3-0 occupying third place.

PETER FARRELL TELLS HIS LFE STORY
June 12, 1954. The Liverpool Echo
The Youngster Finds Football Faster, Tackling Harder, As He Steps Into Their Bigger Game
One of the greatest problems I had to overcome after signing for Shamrock Rovers, and being put straight away into their second team, was that of coping with the quicker pace and harder tackling which I came across in Leinster League football. This was not surprising, for I had made a very quick jump from schoolboy Soccer to a grade in which many experienced professionals were taking part, all of them considerably older than I was. I was not yet 17, and although fairly strongly built it was not unnatural that I should find myself knocked off the ball rather easily by older and often fully grown opponents. That is the sort of thing the majority of youngsters find themselves up against under similar circumstances. The only thing to do is to be patient in due time you find matters level themselves up all right. Experience is the greatest teacher in soccer. You can be told all sorts of things and try to put them in practice on the field, but only by the sometimes painful medium of trial and error, and the experience which comes in its train, do you gradually root out your faults and strengthen your weak points. Despite my shortcomings, which on looking back over the years seem to me now to have been many, I managed to retain my place fairly regularly in the Shamrock’s second team during my first season. It was also enjoying my football, more and more as the month’s rolled by largely, I think because I had overcome my initial nervousness and fearfulness as o whether I would succeed and was beginning to realize that there was a reasonable chance that I should eventually make good and reach the first team.
On Tenter Hooks
Towards the end of my first season with the Rovers –this was in 1939-40 –we were due to play Drumcondra Juniors one Saturday. On arriving outside the ground however I met another Shamrock player named Paddy Murphy, who told me he had been warned to turn up because he was taking my place at inside-left. This was a nasty shock, for my name had appeared on the team sheet in the dressing room on the previous Thursday evening. I felt rather upset and miserably wondering why had been dropped, I made my way towards the dressing room. There my disappointment soon turned to joy, for the Shamrock’s chairman, Mr. Joe Cunningham, the well known Dublin bookmaker, and one of the finest sportsman I have ever met told me I had not been dropped but that I had been picked as reserve for the first team’s match with Cooh Ramblers in the second round of the Irish Cup. He explained that Jimmy Buchanan the regular senior inside-left and one of the outstanding players of the side was suffering from a cold and was a rather doubtful starter. I had been chosen to take his place if needs be and the directors had accordingly pulled me out of the reserve game.
Still Wondering
Although I stayed on to watch our Leinster League game with Drumcondra, I’m afraid I can remember very little about it. I was far too excited to pay very close attention. My thoughts kept flying away to the cup-tie the following day and wondering whether I would be playing in place of Buchanan and if so, whether I would be a success or a failure. I was a long time getting to sleep that night for the same reason, but once I had dropped off I slept like a top and woke up next morning feeling ready for the fray. When I left Dalkey shortly afternoon, to make the short trip to the Shamrock’s ground at Milltown, there wasn’t a prouder lad in Ireland. Even if I was not to play, it was an honour to have been on reserve, for I was not yet 17 and was still at school. My brother Jim came along with me, but mother stayed at home. We arrived at the ground in good time, and as I sat in a corner of the dressing room, a prey to all sorts of conflicting emotions the minutes seemed like hours. Actually I had only been there about 10 minutes when the door opened and in came Jimmy Buchanan, cheery as ever and apparently completely recovered from his indisposition. Jimmy told me that he was fit and able to play. I did not know whether to be glad or sorry I was certainty relieved to some extent yet at the same time a trifle disappointed.
In Nine Words
Just as I was about to leave the dressing-room, however, in walked Jimmy Dunne to inform trainer Joe Byrne that he had a sore heel and could not play. Jimmy Dunne whom I have mentioned in a previous article was the inside right who used to play for Tranmere Rovers, Sheffield United and Arsenal and was at this time back again in his native country assisting Shamrock Rovers. Mr. Cunningham, who was in the dressing-room, turned to me straight away, I can still hear his voice ringing in my ear. He said only nine words, but they were fateful ones –“Get changed, Peter, you will play at inside right.” Jimmy Dunne had been my football idol for many years. To be taking his place in an important cup-tie was something that I had never imagined even in my wilder dreams I felt a lump in my throat as Jimmy immediately came over to me and putting his hand on my shoulder, said, “Just go out and play your own game Peter and you’ll be all right. All the lads will help you. The very best of luck.” Jimmy was a grand fellow, who showed me tremendous kindness and gave me every encouragement on scores of occasions. I shall never forget my debt to him.
Shay Scribble
The result was a very easy win for Rovers by 8-4. I was naturally delighted and as I trotted off the field at the conclusion of the game another surprise was in store for me. A youngster asked me for my autograph. This was a first-ever autograph and I am sure this boy received a very bad impression of my handwriting, for a very excited hand scribbed a rather shaky –looking Peter Farrell.”
The following week Jimmy Dunne was again unfit and I was retained at inside right for the league fixture against Cork United at Cork. The game was on a Sunday, but Cork being 160 miles from Dublin meant that we had to travel on Saturday. This was a new and quite thrilling venture for me, as I had never previously played outside Dublin. Shamrock Rovers won this game 3-2 and although not playing brilliantly by any means I felt I Had not let the side down in this my first ever league game. The following week Jimmy Dunne returned to the side and I rejoined my team mates in the Reserves where I remained to the end of the season. At the start of the following season on my 17th birthday I was signed professional and was included in the first team for the opening game of the winter against Shelbourne at inside left. During these days as now, I was very keen on tennis and had won my way to the handicap singles final at Blackrock Tennis club. The “At Home” at which all finals are decided had been fixed for August 23 which happened to be the same day as our opening fixture against Shelborne.
Stamina Test
After the game which we won 3-1 I had a quick bath and hopped on a bus to take me the six miles to the tennis club. Then a quick cup of tea, without anything to eat, and a hurried change into my tennis gear, and out on to the court for my game in the final. It was a long-drawn out arduous struggle which lasted almost two hours, and as I hit the last winning shot to ensure victory I felt a very exhausted but happy lad. I certainly enjoyed my long delayed meal at the tennis club. It seemed to give me a fresh supply of energy for I stayed on to have a great night at the annual dance and distribution of prizes afterwards which lasted till 2 a.m. I often look back with envy on that day and wonder with the passing of the years how my reserves of stamina would now stand up to such a test. My second sports love next to football is tennis which during my football career had helped to keep me fit during the close season. Every year when I return to Ireland in one summer I play league tennis for Sandycove L.T.C. This is the only competitive tennis O can now play as since coming to Everton I have to return for pre-season training in the middle of July at which time the club championship back home in Ireland are only just starting.
Next week Peter Farrell will describe his life with Shamrock Rovers help his game to switch from inside left to left half and how he stopped his working life at a builder’s clerk.

EASTHOPE MOVES
June 15, 1954. The Liverpool Echo
Don Easthope, Everton’s reserve outside left was transferred to Stockport County late last night. He was placed on Everton’s open to transfer list at the end of last season. Still in his early 20’s Easthope is Liverpool-born. He signed professional for Everton in March 1950; after having been with the Goodison club as an amateur for three months to see if he made the grade. At one time Sheffield United were seeking his signature such was his early promise. He has maintained a consistently high standard in his Central League games and only the fact that Irish international; Tommy Eglington has kept free from injury has denied Easthope possible first team status. He has had two outings with the League side – making his debut against Notts County in March last year and also playing against Fulham. Last season in 11 Central League games he scored eight goals, Gordon Stewart (now back in Canada) then taking over from him.

PETER FARRELL BECOMES A WING HALF
June 19, 1954. The Liverpool Echo
My Foraging Spell Among The Forwards Gave Me Sound Ideas About “Market”
During the early 1940’s the standard of football in Ireland was very much higher than it has been since the war ended. This was due to the cessation of transfer deals with English and Scottish clubs, and it meant that when coming stars appeared on the horizon of Irish football the clubs knew that he was likely to remain in Ireland for a number of years. This is not the case nowadays. English managers make frequent trips to Ireland in search of up and coming talent, and there are few youngsters on the other side of the Irish Sea who have the necessary ability to make good in a higher class of football who are not well known to the scouts and officials of English clubs. Naturally the tempting offer of a life as a professional in England draws many of them away from their native heath. I think the fact that the standard of League football in Ireland is so low at present as evidenced by this year’s inter-league game at Manchester is due in no small measure to the constant flow of footballers across the channel during the post-war years. There are upwards of 70 junior and senior signed players from Eire on English and Scottish club’s books, at the moment as well as a fair sprinkling from Northern Ireland. It is safe to say that if all these players were still playing in Ireland, then the standard back home would be higher. Don’t get me wrong, and read into the above any criticism of English or Scottish clubs for their raids on Irish talents I could hardly take that stand, seeing that I was “captured” in one such myself, along with Tommy Eglington. No; on the contrary, I am glad to see so many boys and young men from my native country coming over to England, and if they all land with as good a club as I have done, and have as happy a time, they will never regret taking the step. I am always glad to meet my fellow-countrymen, now assisting other clubs in England, as I move about from to town to town, and it has been pleasing to see so many of them do well, and fulfill the expectations of those who first spotted them in Irish football, and spent good money on their transfer. But to get back to my life story, I come now to the time when at last my schoolboys were over. While I was at school it seemed that the day would never come. The months went by on leaden feet, the weeks seemed like years and the day’s like months; but at last I said goodbye to school and set about the task of getting a job. I was glad of the opportunity to help my mother financially, after the years she had spent so self sacrificing after the death of my father. After considering the possibility at several openings, I decided to take a job which had been offered to me as a clerk with a local building firm in Dalkey, my home town. The prospect had been painted brightly enough with the chance that I might one day become sufficiently skilled to branch out as a quantity surveyor. Most grown ups usually impress upon children that their schoolboys are the best days of their lives. I cannot agreed with this assertion, for despite many ups and downs I have enjoyed some very pleasant years since leaving school. You may think that having remained at school until the age of 18, I should have started life in a more lucrative position than that of a builders clerk, I know that my mother had imagined me as a civil servant a solicitor or possibly even a doctor. All the same I was very happy that first day in the office for I knew well the extent of any own capabilities with my ever growing love of football, whereas to have embarked on any of the above mentioned positions would have meant continual study for years, and swotting was never a voluntary part of my makeup. Every Tuesday and Thursday night after a quick rush home from the office and a hurried meal I was off to Shamrock Rovers ground to do my training. Before the season of 1942-43 finished I managed to get a regular place in the Shamrock first team displacing Jimmy Buchanan, who had suffered a loss of form and eventually was not re-signed at the end of the season. The following year I secured my first football honour, when selected at inside left for the Irish League team to play against the Northern Ireland League on St. Patrick Day. It was not a very happy debut however. We were beaten 1-0 and I had not a very good game. Obviously this opinion was shared by the selectors for some weeks later they dropped me, along with five others for the return game in Belfast on Easter Monday. Towards the end of this season another important event happened in my football career, which was to mean my becoming a wing half. In a league game against St. James’s Gate (the team from which Jackie Carey was transferred to Manchester United) our left back, Shay Healey, was injured early on. Left half Joe Creeney was moved to full back and I went left half. This was the first occasion I had ever figured in this position and although it did seem a bit strange at first, particularly having to defend when so accustomed to attacking I gradually settled down, and towards the end of the match was really enjoying myself. We managed to draw 1-1 with our depleted forces, and the directors must have been satisfied with the new defensive formation for the following week with Healy still injured I was at left half again with a utility player, named Molloy brought in at inside left. Little did I realized as the weeks went on and I appeared regularly at left half, that had now bidden farewell to the inside forward position except for a few appearances there in later years for my country and an occasional outing for Everton about which you will hear more later in by story. Although I never regretted the change of position, which has been very beneficial during my career so far I was very grafeful for the experience gained during my few years as a forager in the forward line. Furthermore it gave me a sound idea as to what to expect in marking opposing men. At the start of the following season I had made the left-half position my own in the Shamrock side. Football can very cruel, for whereas I had arrived as a half-back in the first team, my success meant that my predecessor, although only about 30 had to take a back seat. In fact, he was not re-signed for the following season which proves the uncertainly of a professional footballer’s life. Just as the above happened at Shamrock Rovers so too, will come the day when I shall have to make way for someone else in Everton’s half-back line. Some maintain that footballers have an easy life, but they seem to forget that even the best of players have to hang up their boots while still in their prime of manhood, if not of footballs status and start life anew by looking for some alterative employment. That, however, is something which every player knows from the time he signs his first professional form. He may not think much about it when in his youth but every season which passes brings him nearer to the day when his active participation in the game must inevitably come to an end. Nowadays quite a few young players seen to think more about what they are going to do when their playing days are over than they do about concentrating with every ounce of energy and endeavour upon making themselves thoroughly competent and sufficient in every aspect of the game at which they are earning a very good living. My opinion is that League soccer these days is a full time job and that with rare exceptions, no player can serve two masters thoroughly and conscientiously. So far as my own future is concerned I have lost no sleep about what will happen when I hand up my boots for the last time. I shall start thinking about it, naturally when it gets a bit nearer, but for the time being I’m content to jog along happily doing my best for my club and waiting to come to the next bridge before I started worrying about crossing it. Next week Peter Farrell will tell of his first Irish Cup final and how he nearly came to miss it.

HAPPY EVERTON A.G.M
June 24, 1954. The Liverpool Echo
Team Work And Team Management Did It –Chairman
Stork’s Notes
Having gained promotion and a handsome profit for the season just completed, it was only natural that the Everton F.C annual general meeting went off on a happy note at Central Hall last night. Unlike some of its predecessors which were somewhat stormy there was joy on the faces of the many faces of shareholders present and they heard Mr. E. Green, the chairman of the club put great stress on team work and policy of standing on youth to bring them back to they rightful place –the First Division. In his review of the season Mr. Green said “Three years ago, at the annual general meeting I said we were determined as far as possible not to go into the transfer market. It is therefore very good to know that we achieved our ambition by sticking to that resolution. We have got back to Division 1 without buying players –and that is a matter of teamwork and team management. “The person who is responsible for the teamwork is Mr. Britton. Make no mistake about that. It is through Mr. Britton that we have attained our ambition to get back into the First Division. “It is also a very pleasing fact that the second team won the Central League championship added Mr. Green. “That again was due to teamwork. The Central League is a very good League second only in the Football League.”
Great Satisfaction
Mr. Green went on “In that reserve side seven –sometimes nine –of the players came from the club’s junior ranks. Going a little further it was highly satisfactory to find that the “C” team won the West Cheshire League. Once again it was teamwork and team management.” Referring to the successful tour of Denmark Mr. Green declared that not only did the team win all the four games played but raised the prestige of the club on the Continent. That also was due to teamwork. “It was team work from start to finish” concluded Mr. Green. Manager Britton in reply paid tribute to the directors past and present who approved the policy of giving the manner the chance to manage. “They stood by that policy through many troubled spells, when it might have been more popular to have thrown but the policy –and the manager. They stood by that policy because they believed what they were doing was in the best interests of the club.” Mr. Britton went on to say. “There is much more to do but I think we have justified –to extent the continence of the policy.
Not The Answer
“Most teams have found that spending money is not the answer to team building. The majority of clubs are now adopting the same approach to the game and trying to build their teams of their own youth schemes. I am sure it will be good for the game because this business of big transfer fees makes it difficult for the players concerned to live up to the expected high standard.” Mr. Britton paid a great tribute to the players for their devotion. training and their readiness to do themselves for the club.
Mr. Britton concludes with; “It there is a happier club in the country they must be very happy indeed. He would make no forecast as to next season except to say that if the club continued to make their present efforts their success would be maintained. With that the three retiring directors Messrs C.E. Balmforth. N.W. Coffey and T.C. Nuttall were re-elected for a further three years. Mr. Nuttall speaking on behalf of his colleagues thanked the shareholders for their confidence during the last three years. “We have done what we considered best for the club, and will continued to do so.” The meeting lasted 40 minutes. The players are due to report for training on July 20 and the practice games is on August 14.