Everton Independent Research Data
PETER FARRELL
October 1, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Peter Farrell is still considering the transfer proposal made to him yesterday by Tranmere Rovers, whose board in turn last night discussed the point raised by Farrell. The player and club representatives will have another discussion in due course but on the basis of Tranmere’s present offer it is rather unlikely that the Evertonian will be joining his former club mates at Prenton Park.
EVERTON BACK TO FULL STRENGTH FOR VISIT TO LEICESTER CITY
October 2, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
With all their former influenza victims now well again Everton will be at full strength for their away game with Leicester City on Saturday. The team will be the same as that which did duty in the last three games and took full points from each including visits to Arsenal and Luton Town. Compared with some of their earlier engagement, particularly those with Manchester United, Wolves, Arsenal, Luton and Aston Villa a visit to Leicester hardly seems to pose so severe a test. Yet, such are the strange twists which football supplies, it might prove just the opposite. Leicester must be getting rather desperate now with only four points from 10 games which is three less than two of the clubs immediately above them, each of whom has a game in hand. Last time they came up from Division 2, along with Everton four seasons ago, Leicester survived only one year. It is stressing the obvious to say that they don’t want the same thing to happen again. With the threat of relegation once again in evidence, you can bet your last dollar Leicester will be doing everything possible to stop Everton’s recent all-conquering gallop. Despite the opposition’s lowly position this game could be a really tough task for the Blues. The Midlanders are still getting goals with considerable facility and actually have scored more than Everton -18 as against 15. It is in “goals against” that the vital difference lays. The value of Leicester’s goals on the credit side has been undermined by the frequency with which their defence has let them in. There are 26 on the debit side, Everton have only nine against. If they play as well as in their last three away matches Everton may drive another nail into Leicester’s coffin, no matter how hard the home side struggles. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Fielding, Harris (B).
Reserve Debutant
Everton will have a debutant in their Central League side to oppose Blackburn Rovers (kick-off 3.15) This is Alan Bentham, the former England and former Liverpool schoolboy full back who signed amateur forms for Liverpool just over a year ago but later changed his mind and said he wanted to play for Everton instead. Bentham is still an amateur not yet having reached the permissible age for turning professional. Everton Reserves; O’Neill; A. Bentham, Leeder; Birch, Labone, Farrell; McNamara, Thomas, Kirby, Ashworth, Williams.
Gauld’s Try-Out
Jimmy Gauld, victim of a cracked ankle bone in a preseason training game, and later laid low by flu has a trial run in the “A” team against Manchester City “A.” Gauld has been out of training so long that he is still below normal match fitness and needs a prelimary canter or two before coming up to scratch.
Farrell Declines
Peter Farrell has decided not to accept Tranmere Rovers invitation to sign for them.
WHY FARRELL SAID NO TO TRANMERE
October 3, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Leslie Edwards
Peter Farrell’s polite “No thank you” to Tranmere’s offer to join them as a player was not surprising. It is a jolt to move from Division 1 to Division 3 doubly so when the move means that the considerable perquisites one enjoys as Everton captain disappear once the break comes. No doubt the publicity Farrell has had these past few days will remind other clubs of his potential as a player and perhaps more important, as a manager Farrell’s days of retirement cannot be far away and by virtues of long experience with Everton and with international teams he is especially well fitted for management. As an Everton captain in days when the team was not always first-class Farrell did extraordinarily well. Certainly his capacity for inspiring his team led to them succeeding in league and Cup when one could hardly have anticipated success of any sort. After last week-end’s strange interlude –no Everton match and a shadow Liverpool team beaten 5-1 at Charlton –it is good to reach normally again. Everton have a big test at Leicester and Everton’s great band of flu victims have recovered and are as they were at Luton for the Leicester match.
LEICESTER FORCED TO DELAY TEAM SELECTION
October 3, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Leicester City who oppose Everton on Saturday will be able to announce their team before tomorrow, due to players being doubtful through injury or illness. Manager Dave Halliday, of Leicester, is waiting to hear later reports on his leading goal-scorer. Arthur Rowley, who has slightly pulled a thigh muscle, and centre half Jack Froggatt, victim of an ankle injury. Both have been having intensive treatment in an effort to get them fit, but at the moment are still in the doubtful category. Should Froggatt play he may switch to right half to allow 20-years-old Ian King, who recently made two very promising appearances at centre half to have another run in the pivotal position. King, who was signed by Leicester from Armiston Ranger, is a former schoolboy international. In addition to the doubts about Froggatt and Rowley, Leicester will definitely be without two stalwarts in full back Cunningham, who plays for Ireland against Scotland in Belfast and Morris, the former Manchester United and Derby County player. The latter has been suspended for a fortnight, starting last Monday, following a sending off incident in Leicester City’s public practice match. Morris more or less sent himself off in that game in a fit of mischievousness. His whimsical gesture has recoiled not only on his own head, but also on his club as well, who can ill spare him in view of their lowly position. Already Leicester have called upon the services of 29 players which is exactly the number they managed with during the whole of last season. In the past three weeks they have made several positional changes as well, but apart from a home mid-week victory against Sheffield Wednesday they have not been able to arrest their recent sequence of defeats. Seven of their last eight games have been lost but five of these have been away fixture.
TRANMERE TRY AGAIN FOR PETER FARRELL
October 4, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Leslie Edwards
Tranmere Rovers quest for the transfer of Peter Farrell, of Everton, may have a happy ending as a result of an unexpected development yesterday. Negotiations between Tranmere and Farrell which opened earlier in the week broke down on Wednesday when Farrell announced that he was not desirous of making a move. Yesterday afternoon a special meeting of Tranmere Rovers directors was hurriedly called when it was learned that Farrell had intimated that, subject to certain terms, he was prepared to reconsider his decision. Tranmere representatives are to meet Farrell today and if a satisfactory agreement is reached between them the question of the transfer fee required by Everton will then be taken up. It goes without saying that Everton, having enjoyed such splendid service from Farrell, will not want to place on his, head any fee which might prevent his joining another club.
THE LOWLIEST OPPOSITION CAN SOMETIMES SPRING A SURPISE
October 4, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton Seek Fifth Win in Succession
Everton will be seeking their fifth successive victory, and the seventh in all at the expense of Leicester City who are having a very thin times. Last time Leicester won promotion they failed to last more than one season, in the First Division. Though it is early yet to be sure, it looks as though history might repeat itself, unless the Midlanders show considerable improvement. The contrast between the performance of Leicester and their co-promotionists. Nothingham Forest, is remarkable. Forest now second to Wolves, but with a game in hand have taken First Division football in their stride. Leicester are floundering and faltering, and have secured only four points from their ten engagements. Their biggest problems is in the rear half of the team. Goals are being let in at such a rate that much of the value of Leicester’s own scoring performances is being frittered away. Though not scoring at anything like the rate they did a year ago, Leicester’s tally is a respectable one. The extreme wings are not as devastating as they were, but there is still reasonable penetrative power in the three inside forward position.
May Be Better
Apart from the outside left berth, where Brian Harris has still to get his first goal of the season, Everton are potentially as good, and possibly better than Leicester in attack. Their defence also been more reliable than that of the home side. The one thing in Leicester’s favour is that they will be in front of their own supporters. Sooner or later Everton must have occasional setbacks. Sequences of consecutive victories beyond four or five are the exception, rather than the rule. Even Manchester United, once thought to be almost impregnable have had their ego dinted a trifle lately. Nothing is more certain than that Everton will also suffer reverses from time to time. on the basis of comparative form to date, however, they look a good bet for at least a point tomorrow and two might not be beyond their compass if they are they are at their brightest and best. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Fielding. Harris (B).
Leicester are delaying selection of their side in the hope that they will have signed John Doherty, Manchester United’s reserve inside forward in time to play against Everton. The fee has been agreed. It is now up to the player, who with his wife will be looking at a club house this afternoon.
TRANMERE ROVERS GET THEIR MAN AT LAST
October 5, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Ian Hargreaves
Tranmere Rovers got their man yesterday, when after nearly a week of protracted negotiations they persuaded Everton’s long serving captain and often capped international wing-half, Peter Farrell to sign on the dotted line. So as I predicted exclusively as far back as Tuesday Farrell has joined his old comrade in arms Tommy Eglington over the water, and jumped straight into the Rovers team to play Southport at Prenton today. Deciding factor in the battle behind the scenes has been Farrell’s natural desire to safeguard his future. Preliminary overtunes, based on him, joining Tranmere as a player, with the possibility of further promotion only dimly in the background came to nothing and it was only when the club decided to commit themselves to the extent of appointing him player manager that the deal was clinched. The amount of the fee was not disclosed but I understand it was in four figures, with Everton no doubt being as accommodating as possible in order to place no obstacle in Farrell’s path. So ends one of the happiest partnerships in Everton’s long history. Since joining them in company with Eglington in 1946 Farrell has played in more than 400 Cup and League matches, and captained the side for the past six seasons. No player ever gave a club more loyal services or was more deservedly popular with their supporters.
NO MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME
October 5, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
Ranger’s Notes
Everton centre forward Dave Hickson spent a large part of yesterday trying to put back the clock – without success. Hickson, who was fined by Huddersfield Town F.C last summer for late arrival at the Exchange Hotel, Liverpool (where his team were staying immediately before a match) after his car had broken down, was yesterday due to appear before the Appeals Committee of the Football Association in Sheffield. Unfortunately Hickson again found himself unable to keep up with the clock and arrived after the appeal committee were due to hear his case. Although he waited until the end of the meeting in the hope of getting a positioned hearing, this was refused him, and he had to travel all the way back to Leicester empty handed. Delayed by his long wait in Sheffield, Hickson arrived at the Everton team’s hotel in Leicester some time after he was expected, and it was a relieved Mr. Ian Buchan who finally found his team all present and correct.
MANY MISSES MAKE IT HARD GOING FOR EVERTON
October 5, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Leicester City 2, Everton 2
By Stork
Leicester City; Anderson, goal; Milburn and Ogilvie, backs; Russell, King and Appleton, half-backs; McDonald, Doherty, Gardiner, Rowley, and Hogg, forwards. Everton; Dunlop, goal; Donovan (captain), and Tansey, backs; Rea, Jones and Meagan, half-backs; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Fielding, and Harris (B), forwards. Referee; Mr. H. Webb (Leeds). Brian Harris and Jimmy Melia will miss the floodlight game at Goodison Park next Wednesday as they will be playing for the Army side against the Portuguese Army at Lisbon. The spectators might easily have seen two goals, one to each side in the first five minutes. A neat movement by Everton saw the ball go upfield to Hickson. He pushed it out to Brian Harris, who having made his pass inside ran into position and Hickson again offered him a chance. The Army winger made an excellent effort to open the score and it was only due to the slickness of goalkeeper Anderson that he failed to put his name on the score card. Harris’s shot was travelling towards the far side of the post but the Leicester goalkeeper got his hands to it and turned it for a corner. Almost immediately Leicester hit back and when Donovan conceded a corner to Hogg – he could do nothing else in the circumstances –Hogg made a centre towards the Everton goal and the ball was well out of the reach of Dunlop and it went to the head of Rowley who nodded to towards the far post. Tansey, however had taken up position on the goal one and headed clear.
Surprise Point
The Hogg-Rowley wing was one of the danger spots to Everton and when Hogg beat Donovan he once again flung his centre towards the far post. The ball sailed over one or two Everton players and went on to Gardiner who shot it home from an angle at the eight minute. Appleton put one over the bar and there were several occasions when the Everton attack looked as though it would break down the Leicester defence. Temple headed over and a little later he was offered a sound scoring chance but tamely shot behind. There certainly had been plenty of goal incidents and when Gardiner raced through down the left wing, it looked as though another goal was on the City’s credit side. Dunlop dived at Gardiner’s feet but did not get the ball away and it was left to Meagan kick the ball off the line. Dunlop hurt his wrist in this action.
Openings Missed
Gardiner, by the old Dixie Dean method, a back-header to his oncoming forward, saw Rowley head over the bar, Everton’s football was quite as good as Leicester’s in fact I would say it was a shade better and they made some excellent openings for themselves and then did not take them, Temple for instance, following good work by Brian Harris, shot fiercely outside from close range. Donovan was finding Hogg a tough nut to crack and much of Leicester’s danger came from this quarter. Goalkeeper Anderson had to make an excellent save from Jimmy Harris and then Dunlop not to be robbed of all the limelight made an equally good save with a long shot by Gardiner. The people were getting plenty of goal incidents, and Temple narrowly missed when he flicked a ball on to the top of the crossbar. However the equalizing goal was not long delayed for Temple, out on the left wing pushed over a beautiful centre, which Hickson moved into and popped into the net. This was a really fine goal. So far young Doherty had done quite well considering that was among new colleagues. Everton were now mainly operating in enemy territory but they could not muster another goal although once or twice they looked as though they might do so. This was not the only anxious moment that the Leicester defence suffered but they were able to efy an Everton, in fact they almost took the lead “at the bell.” It was quite a nice movement which ended with Dunlop making a superlative save from Hogg who had smashed in a fast rising shot which the Everton goalkeeper turned over the bar. Half-time; Leicester City 1, Everton 1.
Everton started off the second half in nor pursuit of a leading goal, and when Brian Harris tried to find Hickson’s head the Everton centre forward had been successfully marked. Then Hogg tried a long shot but it was Everton who were how dominating matters. Their superior football often had Leicester running the wrong way and when Fielding pulled the ball back from almost off the goal-line, he gave Temple a great opportunity of notching that leading goal. The Everton inside right however, shot across the face of the City goal. Everton’s better football was undoubtedly paying dividends. If all their chances had been taken they would have held a commanding lead at this point.
Fielding’s Goal
Everton continued to be the more attractive football side although Rowley made one fierce drive as he was failing but the ball passed outside. A mispass by McDonald was the cause of his side falling in arrears. He tried to find Hogg away over on the far when but the ball went to Jimmy Harris who slipped it up for Fielding the latter was at an extreme angle, but he shot fiercely for goal and although Milburn tried to scrape the ball out I am sure it was over the line before he touched it. Time was 65 mins. Temple and Hickson both had shots following this and Everton were deprived of the services of Rea for a matter of five minutes. It was during his absence that City got back into the game again, and when Donovan conceded a corner, Hogg took the flag kick with his right foot and he scored direct from the corner. Dunlop did manage to touch the ball but could not keep it out. This was at 74 minutes.
Fighting Finish
This revived what had appeared to be a dying Leicester and they were now putting on fierce pressure, Gardiner heading outside. Hogg was without doubt the spear point of most of Leicester’s attack and from one of them, Rowley shot outside. From the way things were going it was going to take Everton all they knew to hold on to a point for Leicester were fighting with great spirit and Dunlop had to make a save from Rowley. Final; Leicester City 2, Everton 2.
IT’S A BIG WRENCH TO LEAVE GOODISON PARK
October 5, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
By Peter Farrell
All good things eventually come to an end. For the first time since I joined Everton over 11 years ago, I have been concerned during the past week, in talks regarding a move, and I have now decided to throw in my lot with Tranmere Rovers, for whom I signed last night as player-manager. I cannot hope to give Tranmere such lengthy service as I gave Everton, but I hope that the playing-time I still have left will be to Tranmere’s advantage and that long before the end of the season they will have made certain of a place in the new national Third Division. My years at Goodison Park were very happy. Obviously one cannot end such an association without a feeling of considerable regret. I leave many good friends behind me, but I will not be too far away and I hope to make many more to compensate at Prenton Park. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Everton supporters for their wonderful encouragement, not only to me but to all the other past and present players, and to wish Don Donovan and the rest of the boys, not forgetting Chief Ian Buchan the very best of good fortune.
Last Week’s Blank
When the Everton-Blackpool game last week was postponed, many fans must have looked up the list of sporting fixtures in and around Merseyside for an alternate means of satisfying their Saturday appetite for football. I know quite a few Evertonians who in view of the wretched weather conditions contented themselves with watching horse racing from Ascot on television. Yours truly, being one of the lucky ones in the Everton camp to escape the flu so far, went to Preston with a couple of friends to see Preston in action against Chelsea. The journey proved well worth while as despite the atrocious weather, I saw a really exciting game. Included in the Chelsea side was young Jimmy Greaves whom Ted Drake predicts will eventually become one of the really great players. Greaves a couple of months ago was unknown in football circles. Now, by reason of a sparkling debut, followed by a few really good games, the youngster has really hit the headlines, and been the recipient of tremendous publicity from the critics. So much so that the fans on visiting grounds such as Preston last Saturday are expecting wonders from the 17-years-old lad. Hearing some of the remarks from the fans around me, I felt a little sorry for young Jimmy. Several times during the course of the game I heard remarks such as the following. “So this is the great Greaves,” Greaves is not the footballer we were led to believe him to be.” I haven’t seen much of Greaves today.” Despite these not very flattering remarks, Greaves proved that he possesses more than ordinary football ability which with experience, will become a lot more evident. I hope in the future that Jimmy, will not get a lot of publicity, but will be allowed to develop gradually, which I am sure is what Ted Drake would also like and perhaps then the football public will not be expecting miracles from him or any other youngsters like him who have just arrived on the football man. Too often in the past promising young footballers have been ruined by being described as world beaters before they have rightly found their feet in first class football.
INJUURY TO REA TOOK RHYTHM OUT OF EVERTON
October 7, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
Leicester City 2, Everton 2
By Stork
Everton should have scored their fourth successive victory at Leicester. Their football was of such good quality it should have produced more than two goals. The ease and grace with which they made openings and then spurned them was vexatious, to say the least. They were much the superior side. Everton’s was quality football. They were unhurried and seemed to have all the time in the world to do what they wanted. But if you don’t take your chances the clever play counts for nought. This young Everton side has undoubtedly worked out some top-class football ideas. They go into the open spaces, they draw a defence, and their combination was such that a player had only to put the ball upfield and there was nearly always someone there to take it. Temple particularly is very astute at moving to the right spot but he was not nearly so efficient when he came to finishing off the action. He was not alone in this near-missing business for Fielding and others were just as guilty. But I should say that Temple had the best chance of all. It was all against the run of play when Gardiner opened the score for Leicester at the eight minutes.
Not Perturbed
But Everton were not in the least perturbed. There was still a long way to go and this present Everton have a strong belief in themselves. They continued to play football which very often had the Leicester defence bewildered. They could easily have rattled up six goals. It took Everton a long time to muster the equalizing goal they had been seeking since Gardiner popped that one in for Leicester. But when it came it was such a well-made goal that it was worth the waiting for. It was actually a two piece move, played between Temple and Hickson, Hickson applying the final move to a beautiful length centre and pass from Temple. Hickson took the ball on the volley and Anderson had no chance. In the second half it looked as though Leicester would be swamped for Everton still held the master cards and when Fielding scored from an awkward angle, the life seemed to go out of the City. When Fielding scored Milburn made a desperate effort to hook the ball out but I am assured the ball was over the line before he made contact. It was just after this that Rea had to go off injured. Whether this gave Leicester the incentive to put on more power or not I do not know but they certainly rose from a mediocre side to a strong determined fighting team, and instead of Everton going on to what seemed a comfortable victory they had in the end to fight a death-or-glory struggle to hold a point. Donovan, who all through the game had found Hogg a puzzle conceded a corner to the Leicester winger. Hogg took this himself and using his right foot he put in an inswinger which curled into the net. Dunlop did manage to get a touch of the ball but he could not keep it out. This gave Leicester even more heart and the Everton defence had to work double duty to prevent defeat. McDonald had the mortification of seeing his header turned on to the crossbar by Dunlop, the ball rebounding into play. Then Hickson was injured and right up to the final whistle, Leicester were battling to try and take the two points I don’t think they were worthy of it for Everton had played the better football throughout.
BENTHAM’S PROMISE
October 7, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Reserves 7, Blackburn Reserves 1
This match was even more one-sided than the result suggests for Everton holding a 5-1 interval lead, would undoubtedly have reached double figures had their forwards been less casual in the second half. Everton’s debutant sixteen-years-old right back Bentham, showed promise after an uncertain start, but the home defence was rarely extended by a visiting attack which included three amateurs. Kirby (3), Thomas (2), McNamara and Ashworth scored for Everton while Dobing, who missed a penalty in the dying minute, replied for Blackburn.
THE TALE OF MISSED CHANCES AT LECIESTER
October 7, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork
Leicester City were the unluckiest team under the sun to force a half from Everton, yet at the same time must be given full credit for their admirable fight-back after they had been almost played out of the game by Everton’s fluent and copybook football. Well, if that is so, why did not Everton win? That is an easy one to answer. Missed chances. So far as football was concerned, Everton were far and away a better side than Leicester City and if they had their full reward, for chances made they would not have had to fight through the last 15 minutes to hold on to a “half.” Everton are playing with a confidence which comes from success and that is why they are riding so high at the present time. Nothing succeeds like success and Everton have had their fair portion this season –for triumph has followed and I say definitely that if they can maintain their present form there is sure to be a high placing for them at the end of the season. They may even be champions. Any why do I say this? Because they are playing good football; progressive football, football that takes you forward and so becomes a menace to the opposition. They say that class will tell it should have done on Saturday; but it was just one of those days when the marksmanship was as a premium. Temple missed about three chances he would normally have taken and there were other misses to go with them.
Heavy Burden
The City are desperate. Their position must be a heavy burden on their shoulders and when a team is in that position rarely plays normal football. Yet I would not say that Leicester played badly. The City actually took the lead in eight minutes. That could have upset many a side but Everton showed not the slightest concern. They had the time and ability to make amends and slowly but surely they got on top and at the 37th minute Hickson had equalized. I was rather surprised with Leicester’s form. It was not bottom of the League football and they had reason to think that fate was playing against them when first Tansey and Meagan whipped the ball off the goalline with Dunlop beaten. True, they were lucky moments for Everton. The inclusion of City’s new man, Doherty was an improvement. Amongst strangers he had what I considered a very fair baptism. At the same time, the forward line did not move with the easy flow that stamped Everton’s play.
Successful Link
Hickson’s goal was the outcome of a link-up between himself and Temple, the latter providing a pass which left Hickson unassailable. Many more chances were to be missed before Fielding raced to the outside right position to take up a Jimmy Harris pass. Fielding closed in and when everyone expected him to pull the ball back for a colleague he let go a shot which squeezed its way between Anderson and the post. My own impression was that he fired a hard, low pass across the goal in the hope that the ball would strike someone and go in. If it was intended as a shot then all I can say is that it was a wonderful effort, for he was at an atrocious angle at the time. This seemed to knock the life out of Leicester who started to make mistakes, but there was one man, in their attack who had to be feared right through the piece –Hogg. He was the thorn in the flesh to Everton and Donovan –Everton’s new captain –n particular Hogg’s speed off the mark was terrific his long striding gait was deceiving and more than once Donovan had to concede a corner to get himself out of trouble. It was just after Fielding’s goal that Everton lost the service of Rea and it was while he was off that Donovan gave away another corner to check Hogg. The winger took the corner himself and using his right foot swung in an in swinger close to the near post. It should have been Dunlop’s ball, no matter how it swerved but the Everton goalkeeper could only get a hand to the ball and turned it against the underneath side of the crossbar and into the net.
Tremendous Pressure
I don’t think that goal would have come about had Rea been on the field. But there you are. The City saw the possibility of a win and how they strove to bring it about. They put on tremendous pressure – it may not have been super football but by jingo, it was of such a determined quality that Everton who had been so dominant, were now fighting grimly to prevent defeat. Gardiner nearly won the two points with a great shot which Dunlop turned on to his crossbar. That shook in a bit but Everton hung on and got a point. Who would I name for special mention? It is difficult to say, but If I were forced to award special praise, it would be Fielding. Wally has found a new lease of life, is playing as well as I have ever seen him play and standing the pace just as well as the youngsters. One thing I can say with surety, there is no fitter team than Everton in football today. It was a fine match a well won point and the only thing to mar it was the injury to Rea who will be nursing a damaged ankle for a few days. It was stiffening up as we journeyed home.
YOUTH CUP GAME
October 7, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
There is a special attraction at Goodison on Saturday morning next, October 12, when Everton and Liverpool meet in the first round of the Football Association Youth Cup competition. The kick-off is at 11 o’clock.
GOODISON FLOODLIT GAME MARKS BEGINNING OF A NEW SOCCER ERA
October 8, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Tomorrow will be a memorable day not only in the history of Everton, but of the Liverpool club as well and Merseyside football generally. It marks the beginning of floodlit football in this city, and we could have nothing better to usher in the new era than a meeting of our two senior sides. At one time Everton considered inviting a leading Continental team over for the occasion, I am glad they decided otherwise. We shall see the Continentals later. A “Liverton” derby is most acceptable to Merseyside football enthusasists. I shall touch only lightly on the statistical side of Everton’s floodlighting scheme. We have a special souvenir edition tomorrow which will give the full details. For the same reason I am not going at any length into past meetings, between the two clubs. This angle will also be fully covered in tomorrow’s special edition. Let me advice all football enthusiasts to make sure of their copy of the souvenir issue. It will be well worth putting away in a safe place to pass on to the younger generation in due course, or to browse over yourself from time to time in the future. The demand is sure to be tremendous for the appeal of this occasion exceeds anything I have known in football for a long time. Although all stand and paddock tickets have already been sold there will be ample room in the standing portions of the ground for pat-at-the-gate patrons tomorrow evening. The kick-off is 7-30 and the turnstiles will be opened in ample time, starting around six o’clock. Given good weather, I shall not be surprised if the attendance is around 70,000. Everton specially ask that those whose jobs permit them to get to the ground early should do so, to facilitate the quick entry of those who unavoidably must arrive later. When in the ground spectators will help towards packing if they will move well away from the passages’ entrances and exits. While most people willingly co-operate in the latter direction, there are always some who doggedly remain near the exits presumably to make a quick get-away at the finish. This causes crushing and swaying when the game starts. A little all-round consideration would make a big difference to the comfort of everybody.
Cost Around £40,000
Everton’s floodlighting scheme has cost as near as makes no difference, around £40,000. The pylons are 160 feet high, plus 1 ½ feet in the foundations, on top of which the square “frames” occupy another 24 feet, making a height of 185 ½ feet from ground level. This is the tallest installation in existence in this country. To start off there will be 36 high-powered bulbs in each frame, but the latter can take up to 54 individual lights if necessary. It is not anticipated that these will be needed, however. Prelimary tests have proved that the Everton lights though not as numerous as Manchester United’s, for instance, will be equally as effective in illuminating the ground with maximum efficiently, which is all that matters. Many people have wondered why neither Everton nor Liverpool, whose solid and loyal public support, irrespective of how the teams are faring, is the envy of almost every club in the country, did not get in on the ground floor when floodlighting first began to become the rage some years ago. The reason was that both waited to see whether night football had come to stay, or was just a novelty which would soon pall. It might easily have been the latter but for the blessing bestowed upon it, after much hesitation, by the Football Association and the Football League. Lancaster Gate took the first step when it authorized replayed F.A Cup-ties to take place under lights. The League followed the trend by permitting league games under similar conditions if both clubs were agreeable.
Outlook Transformed
That transformed the whole outlook upon floodlighting. From being a doubtful proposition which might or might not prove financially beneficial, it became almost an dispersible part of the club equipment. True there are still some sticking to hide-bound tradition and shutting their eyes to progress, but they, too are almost bound to fall in line sooner or later. Floodlighting may not be particularly attractive in the depth winter but during the late autumn and early spring it has already been proved a money-spinner compared with mid-week afternoon attendances. Quite apart from that, there is the additional revenue to be gained from first-class friendly matches against leading foreign teams, or from local or inter-city rivalry. In short thanks to F.A. and League rulings in recent seasons, floodlighting has definitely come to stay. Although tomorrow’s game I a friendly one, there is always something at stake whenever Everton and Liverpool meet even if no more honour and satisfaction the one team gets from turning the tables on the other. On this occasion there will be something more tangible for the Liverpool County Football Association, to mark whose 75th anniversary this and the return game have been arranged, are putting up a handsome silver-gilt cup worth £300. This will be won outright on the aggregate of two fixtures. The return is at Anfield in three weeks.
Everton Leading
Tomorrow’s souvenir edition will have special pages devoted to former “Liverton” derby match history, results, teams, photographs, cup-ties and so on. All it is necessary to say here is that in Football League Warfare the teams have met previously on 86 occasions, with Everton victorious 36 times, Liverpool 28 and 22 drawn. Goal average is almost level, Everton have scored 132 to Liverpool’s 123. When these old rivals meet the fact that one may be in a higher class of football society than the other is of little consequence, and not even a reliable guide to the likely outcome. Three years ago next January when Liverpool were also in Second Division and Everton in the top flight, the Anfielders went to Goodison Park in the fourth round of the F.A Cup and won 4-0. Whether they will turn the tables on their rivals again tomorrow evening is a little more doubtful. Everton have been the surprise packet of this season. Not only have they done definitely better than even the most optimistic supporter hoped, but they have been getting their points by dint of first class football, both individually and in the fullest team sense.
Close Decision
But Liverpool have also been playing very good football and apart from when they went to Charlton with a much-depleted team have been very successful in their away engagements. The result is likely to be close I should not be surprised if honours were even when the final whistle goes, but if a definite result is the outcome of the first meeting I have a fancy Everton will go into the return game with a slight lead. At the moment of writing there are still some ifs and buts about both teams due to injuries and other causes. Needless to say, both clubs will field the strongest possible sides and I think we can count on a thrilling and exciting game to usher in the new floodlit era. On recent years all Liverton tussles have been fought out in the most sporting manner possible. I trust that this will be so tomorrow and that once more as so often in the past the man with the whistle is there only in accordance with rule and not through any real necessity for his presence.
THE GOODISON GLITTER
October 9, 1957 The Liverpool Echo
-Enough Electricity To Last an ordinary House for Six Months
By Ian Severns
Enough electricity to last an ordinary house for six months will be used at Goodison Park tonight, when Everton renew their friendly rivalry with the team “across the park” under the new floodlights.
Watching the opening of a new era in this, the most soccer minded city in Britain, will be thousands of Merseyside fans, eager to pass judgment not only on their teams, but on the modern miracle that is floodlit football. Despite the fact that it was envisaged years ago and that many clubs took the plunge several seasons back, floodlighting has only just become nationally accepted as a cure for the end-of-season handover of too many matches to be played in too short a space of time.
Like TV
Neither Everton nor Liverpool were among the leaders in this ambitious but costly venture. But now they have come up with their own installations, and by the end of the season floodlit football will be well entrenched. But just now, it is brand new, and already people are asking; “How does the Goodison glitter compare with other clubs’ installations?” Well perhaps the lights are not so wonderful as those at Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday’s ground, but they are undoubtedly the best of their type and probably, for suitability of purpose, the best in the country. Judging the amount of lights to be put on a soccer pitch is rather like turning a television set. Brilliant illumination is not the be-all and end-all at the system Contrast, the ability at players to see the ball and each other, above all, the ease with which the spectators see the players and the ball, is all-important. Says Mr. H.H. Hatton assistant Liverpool branch manager of the firm who provided the lights’ “Something bright in a bright background is not so effective as something light against a dark background. “A clear definition of movement is what we aim for. We have tried to let the players see the ball and, above all, let the spectators see both the ball and the players.” Has this been successful? “After a recent practice match, Ian Buchan, the club’s chief coach, told me the system gave an extra-ordinary clear definition of the players’ movements,” said Mr. Hatton. “And the players said the same.” Only one player, in fact, had difficulty. Going to trap a high ball, which he could see clearly, he looked a little too high and was dazzled by one or two of the floodlights. The familiar blur, that comes from looking at strong light made him lose the ball when he switched his eye away. But all the flood lamps are at slightly different angles, so that no one gets full blast of the glare, no matter where he is.
High Towers
The incredible business of lighting a football pitch is really a large-scale extension of the simpier problem of lighting a billard table. If skyhooks were available that is exactly how it would be done. But skyhooks haven’t been invented, and towers –the next best thing –have to do. The higher they go the better the lighting. Everton’s towers are 185 feet high the highest in the country, and on that point they are unrivalled. Each tower containing space for 54 lamps, will operate initially with 36 lamps each. If this is found to be insufficient, the numbers on each tower will be increased. But it is thought they will provide enough light, because every lamp will be operating on boosted voltage. This means that their output will be stepped up and their useful life cut down. It is a decision well worth talking for by overrunning their voltage by 8 per cent their light output can be increased by 30 per cent. And the lamps? Normally they would last for 1,000 hours –a lot of football. By “pushing” them they will still last for at least 500 hours or 250 matches. At 25s a time, the bulbs are not costly and to save spasmodic replacement it will probably pay the club to install new lamps every three or four years. Apart from this, the lights should need no maintaining, except for painting the pylons.
A Pattern
The lights themselves consist of the hugh 1500-watt tungsten bulbs, which are like ordinary bulbs to look at except that they are much larger. Over a foot long and 18 inches in diameter, they screw into their sockets and are firmly clipped into their containers which have hugh concave mirrors at the back. Each tower of 36 lights covers the whole ground. Thus, there is no spot anywhere which has less than the power of four lights upon it. To cover the field in this way, a complex geometrical pattern was worked out, and every lamp was sighted upon a corresponding flag placed on the pitch, and when in position all were clamped firmly and permanently. Each lamp gives a cone of light, with its intensity at the centre. Complex over lapping of these cones has ensured overall uniformity. When you think that the average domestic light is 75-100 watts and that the Everton pitch will receive the light from 144 lamps of 1,500 watts, it is easy to see that the lights output is equivalent to that of 400 goodly sized houses blazing away with every light they have.
Severe Test
The towers themselves have been built to withstand hurricane force winds of up to 120 m.p.h. On Merseyside they need to last month’s gales gave all four a severe test and they came through unscathed. They can take a three inch sway at the top; people who have been up there in high winds tell me it seems more like three feet! As each lamp is separately focused at a different point, the lights can be looked at fairly comfortably as the direct glare from more than three or four lamps will never be encountered at any part. Their control is the most up-to-date in the country MANWEB engineers had to build a special transformer sub-station to provide the necessary 6,000-volt load and the control panel, is linked with the directors box for instructions. Those instructions should go something like this;
Before the match begins each of every tower will have one-third of its lamps lit (outside the ground this will help immeasurably for car parking). For the prematch kick-about, two thirds can be lit, and when the game begins each tower will blaze out in full power.
If It Fails
It was necessary, too, to increase what is called the amenity lighting at the ground. Even if the players appear in a blaze of light the spectators must be able to see their way about and passages, staircases, exits and entrances, pay booths and stands all have extra lighting. In fact, Everton have become an “electoral” team. Opportunity has been taken to improve other arrangements and facilities include electric heating of water for the players, baths and an electric laundry. All this should add up to some pretty electrifying football, the fans will say. The sub-station carries its own generator so that in the unlikely event of an electricity failure, the amenity lights on the ground can be alternatively supplied immediately this happens. This generator cannot possibly provide enough output for the floodlights…but if there is a failure –don’t go home, I have been assured by MANWEB that the ground can be linked to alternative supplies within five minutes of a mishap. What the referee will do is a different question, however. Perhaps a bounce-up will fill the bill, provided no one has stolen the ball.
HIGH PITCH
The beginning of the season is the best time to see floodlit soccer. When pitches become churned and muddy in winter or baked and brown at the end of the season, the lights will appear to have lost some of their efficiency. This is because the dull earth will absorb much of the light, instead of reflecting it as a good crop of grass will. But the difference will not be so great as to be too noticeable. When there are patches round the centre-spot and goals, however, the contrast will be apparent. Floodlighting began in a modest way for training purpose and among the first clubs to use it for match purposes were Swindon and out own South Liverpool. Everton’s scheme will prove it has quickly reached a high pitch of efficiency; indeed, the engineers believe that only more brightly lit, higher towers could improve it – and that would being about vastly increased cost. So there we are, Merseyside is about to kick-off “under the lights” Let’s hope the entertainment is bright and brilliant too!
IT’S DERBY DAY AGAIN AS THE LIGHTS GO ON AT GOODISON
October 9, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Near-Record Gate Likely
By Ranger.
This evening sees the beginning of a new era in Merseyside football when Everton inaugurate their £40,000 floodlighting scheme with a game against their traditional rivals from the other side of Stanley Park. This match, the first of two arranged to mark the 75th anniversary of Liverpool County Football Association, has aroused tremendous interest throughout the football loving public, and the crowd at Goodison Park this evening is likely to be somewhere near a record. The return game takes place at Anfield in three weeks’ time, and here also it will be the first staged under floodlights on this ground. A massive silver-gilt worth about £300, is being awarded to the victorious team, based on the aggregate score of the two engagements. This will be won outright. The city of Liverpool has, lagged well behind many other centres, some of them not blessed with the same solid football support in the provision of floodlighting facilities for reasons I will explain later. But once they had decided to go ahead with the idea, Everton made up their minds that their system should be among the finest in the country. As an article giving interesting factual details of the installation appears elsewhere in this issue, I am leaving that angle alone. Suffice it to say that Everton consulted the highest authorities and floodlighting specialists before commencing the work that they have not stinted themselves in any way, and the no club has a more efficient system.
Simple Answer
Many Merseyside football followers may have wondered why neither Everton nor Liverpool, considering the wonderfully loyal patronage accorded them, did not attempt to cash in on floodlit matches earlier than this. The answer is simple just ordinary business caution. Neither intended sinking hugh sums into something which might prove a white elephant. They wisely waited to see which way the cat was going to jump. They watched keenly the trend of support in other centres. Was it going to be merely a short-term novelty which would eventually die a natural death? Would the public turn out in cold and rainy weather to see night matches? Was the financial return likely to make the capital outlay a worth-while proposition? These were only a few of the questions to which they required an answer of reasonable certitude. For a long time they sat on the fence, patiently awaiting complete evidence. At one period it seemed as though floodlighting, was after all to prove but a temporary fashion, and that some of the novelty was wearing off. To disgress a moment, it should be understood that floodlighting is no new development in football though never has it reached such a high peak of perfection as in recent seasons. It is exactly eighty years this week since the first football game was played under artificial light. Naturally, the early pioneers who staged that ancient encounter in Sheffield had to be satisfied with something which compared with the Goodison Park lights was decidedly primitive and of doubtful attraction. Another experiment was tried the same year in London, and Manchester – for once falling to live up to the old adage –made a brief but similarly, unsuccessfully venture into the floodlit arena some 20 years later.
A Long Wait
Doubtless deterred by the very indifferent reception these enterprises were accorded nothing more was heard of floodlighting until 25 years or so ago, when a few go-ahead clubs again tried to popularize night matches. This time, however, there came an unexpected damper from official sources. The Football Association, which in these days was not so receptive to progress as today, passed a resolution brought forward by the International. Selection Committee prohibiting clubs taking part in floodlit matches. Their explanation was that “the playing of matches under such conditions undesirable.” Such a statement would sound very incongruous today. Two years later there was a temporary relaxation of the ban for a special charity match at London’s White City, but after this sign of “weakness” the F.A continued to set its face steadfastly against a fashion which, though growing rapidly on the Continent and elsewhere they still considered would be of no benefit to English Soccer. This opposition continued right up to the World Cup of 1950. On that occasion the International Federation of Football Associations suggested that some of the games in the series in Rio of Janeiro should take place under lights. The F.A opposed the idea firmly, won their point and the clock was put back further. But, Unknown to most people the seeds of progress had been sown on that trip to Brazil. Football Association officials, including Sir Stanley Rous, the F.A secretary, and one of the game’s most impressive minds, had an opportunity to, see in brazil what football at night under the most efficient lighting system was like. They were not completely converted at once but at least were sufficiently impressed with the possibilities that shortly afterwards the F.A appointed a special sub-committee of the International Selection Committee to make recommendations regarding the use of floodlighting to provide ball practice during winter months for youths and part-timer players. That was the thin end of the wedge which eventually prized open the doors to competitive floodlit football. The value of the innovation was quickly realized, as also was the fact that better and more efficient systems would easily make first-class floodlit games an attraction to the public. Even so, Everton still remained on the fence watching and waiting and weighting up the advantages and disadvantages. Then came two developments which changed the whole situation and brought floodlighting to Goodison Park, Anfield and elsewhere into the realm of practical football politics. The first occurred early in 1955 when the Football Association who had been watching the position even more closely than Everton or Liverpool, and had been receiving regular reports from various centres, took the first and rather tentative step towards popularizing night games. They stated that during the following season (1955-56) replays of F.A Cup ties, up to and including the second round could take place under lights if both clubs so desired. A further “concession” followed a little later, by which clubs taking part in the third round were permitted to kick-off later and utilize light during the second half.
League Moves
Obviously the Football League could not stand still while the F.A was relaxing its old hide-bound prohibitions. In June 1955, the annual meeting of Football League clubs adopted a proposal that postponed League matches should be permitted wholly under floodlights if both clubs agreed. A year later the League went the whole hog and agreed to permit lights for any game, providing there was mutual agreement. Since then, of course there have been many League and Cup games at night, while permission has also been given for matches to start later during the mid-winter months, with lights being used during the second half. These various alterations in their rules by the F.A and the League were the deciding factors which persuaded Everton and a little later, Liverpool that floodlighting had come to stay. They decided to join in the swim. The rest you know. Tonight we see the first game under lights at Goodison Park and no better attraction to launch the idea could have been devised than a game between the Blues and their rivals from Anfield. What of the outcome? Your guess is as good as mine; I reviewed the match fully in my Notes last night, so there is little to add now. I repeat that we can forget that this is a game between First and Second Divisions teams. When Everton and Liverpool meet one another their temporary status in the football world has little or no significance. Everton learned that just under three years ago when, with the same “social” gulf between them, the Reds went to Goodison Park and swept all before them –and Everton out of the F.A. Cup. All I went to see tonight without any thought as to who will win, is a good sporting game of Soccer comparable with the many splendid exhibitions we have had in the past between these two sides. At one time there used to be no love lost between the pair. “Derby” games were anything but what they might have been. Happily, that has not applied for many years and though to our regret we are now in the seventh season of the legal separation in a football sense one still recalls with pleasant the earlier post-war meeting and the tussles of the Liverpool Senior Cup. Nearly all these games could have been players without a referee if we see a comparable display this evening the hugh crowd will be satisfied and only the ultra-fervent fans will worry unduly over the result. This is a game put on for the public’s entertainment. It could be a memorable occasion I hope it will be.
Probable Line Up
Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Birch, Hones, Meagan; McNamara, Temple, Hickson, Fielding, Williams; Liverpool; Younger; Molyneux, Byrne; Twentyman, White, Campbell (D); Jackson, Wheeler, Arnell, Rowley, Acourt or Morrissey.
GAULD TURNS DOWN A TRANSFER TO MAINE ROAD
October 9, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
What could have been one of the speediest transfers for years almost took place last evening when Manchester City contacted Everton regarding the possibility of signing Jimmy Gauld, the former Charlton inside forward. City made their inquiry before the Everton weekly board meeting commenced. It was quickly considered by the directors, who agreed to accept a fee of around £8,000. Two hours later City’s manager Mr. Leslie McDowall, was interviewing the player at Goodison. Gauld asked for a little time to think it over but soon after Mr. McDowall had returned to Manchester the player told Mr. Ian Buchan, Everton’s chief coach, who had remained to conduct the negotiations, that he had practically, decided against the move and this morning after considering the matter further he definitely turned the offer down. Had City succeeded in their quest, I understand that they would have played him in their rearranged match against Sheffield Wednesday at Maine Road this evening. It is only a year this month since Everton signed Gauld from Charlton for a free in the neighbourhood of £10,000. He played in 23 first team matches last season, scoring seven goals. Towards the end of the season, after he had been dropped for a short while Gauld was sought by Cardiff but after interviews with the Welsh club’s manager declined to leave Goodison Park. He was restored to the team for four further matches and might well have been first choice this season had he not cracked an ankle bone in a preseason practice match. His absence opened the way for Temple, and this young player, has taken his big chance in such splendid fashion that Gauld seems to have little hope of displacing him as long as Temple is fit and maintains his form.
Tonight’s Teams
Compared with the team which drew with Leicester City last Saturday, Everton make three changes for tonight’s floodlit game with Liverpool at Goodison Park. All the alternations have been forced upon them, two because players are not fit, and the other due to the Army requiring Brian Harris for a match tomorrow in Portugal. Rea who sustained an ankle injury at Leicester, failed a fitness test yesterday, and his place is taken by Birch, who was first choice for right half in the opening matches, but has been out of the senior eleven since being injured against Chelsea a month ago. Jimmy Harris a victim of flu, misses his first game of the season. His place is taken by McNamara who was leading scorer for the club last winter with ten goals in 32 appearances. Graham Williams who played in the first game this campaign before losing his place to Brian Harris, gets another chance to show what he can do in the outside left berth.
Liverpool Absentees
Liverpool will be without Melia, Liddell, Acourt and Moran. The former after being released from his Army engagement in Portugal was recalled yesterday, Moran plays for the Football league. Liddell has been ordered a further week’s rest for a pulled muscle injury and Acourt has influence. Twenty-years old Gerry Byrne who made his first team debut at Charlton 12 days ago, deputises for Moran; Rowley switches to inside left to take Melia’s place and Arnell absent through influenza last Saturday, resumes again as stand in for Liddell. John Morrissey, the young deputy left winger plays only his second senior game in Acourt’s place. Wheeler absent through injury since the Leyton Orient match on September 21, fills the inside right berth left vacant by the Rowley switch. There is a slight doubt about Acourt and Morrissey stand by just in case. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Birch, Jones, Meagan; McNamara, Temple, Hickson, Fielding, Williams. Liverpool; Younger; Molyneux, Byrne; Campbell (D), White, Twentyman; Jackson, Wheeler, Arnell, Rowley, Morrissey.
EVERTON ALL LIT UP BY THOMAS GOALS
October 10, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 2, Liverpool 0 At Goodison Park
(Under floodlights, Attendance 58,771)
By Leslie Edwards
An historic match and they’ll be arguing its two bones of contention as long as Everton-Liverpool matches are discussed. One did Referee Mitchell of Whiston, err when he disallowed (a minute from the interval) what Liverpool claimed was a perfect goal by Rowley? Two, was Thomas, the scorer of Everton’s second goal, offside when Hickson slid the ball over to him to plant with no opposition into an empty net? These were crucial points on which the issue depended. They will provide bones of contention for rival fans to pick clean – even then, no one will reach a reliable conclusion. Thus, for what it is worth, I submit that Rowley’s goal was a good one, because most people (including the linesman who flagged for the offside decision, Referee Mitchell gave), may have overlooked the fact that when Rowley was the only player who moved forward when Molyneux, his back made that long, almost half the length of the pitch, punt from which the “goal” came. Rowley took his chance with a brilliance which did not characterize the rest of his play. As the ball dropped he glided I neatly, surely, into the net, for as fine a score as anyone could hope for. In vain did Liverpool appeal against the offside verdict. The linesman ruled Rowley offside and that was that. A moment later Fielding, limping from an ankle injury, was helped to the dressing room; a moment later the whistle went for the interval, and Liverpool’s great period of command had gone into a score of 0-0. The other great point of debate came after an innocuous looking header by Thomas (who had received the ball from a header by Hickson) lopped across the Liverpool goalmouth and found its way in by the far post. Everton’s floodlights are fine and almost too fierce on the eyes, but it was clear from this goal that many of the 58,000 people did not know a goal had come until the roar at the other end told them. There followed thirteen minutes later, a second goal which had the crowd thinking two ways –according to their Everton or Liverpool lights…
Hickson Onside
Of one thing I am sure Hickson was onside when he took up the ball at inside right in what seemed like a position yards offside. Referee Mitchell at least seemed that Gerry Byrne had, by the mere act of flicking the ball as it passed, put Hickson into a legal position. It was what followed that had an element of doubt. Hickson took the ball towards the goal line clear of all opponents and then appeared to slip it forward for Thomas (he came on after the interval as substitute for Fielding), to score as he pleased. All the congratulations were for Hickson. Thomas came later. Liverpool fans will argue for ever, I fancy that the very fact that Hickson made a forward pass was sufficient to put Thomas offside. But the goal goes into the records as one of two this talented young forward scored in his notable half-debut under floodlights. From that point, Liverpool, whose, half-back had held such command and whose general play up to then had belled their alleged team weakness, were a beaten side. Where they had been inspired they became pedestrian. It was as if these two great decisions against them took all the sting from them, Everton, whose fewer changes had seemed to be the more weakening – McNamara hardly put a foot right and little Graham Williams was hardly ever in the picture –then took hold of the game for first time. They scarcely deserved, I thought to win by two goals, indeed this was a match which might well have finished goalless –a first rate first floodlight occasion at one of our senior grounds with everything just so, except for a microphone with scrambled the Everton chairman’s speech and gave us the lights, full power, a moment or two before we expected them!
None Better
I have been floodlights in many places, but none better than these, I have rarely seen an Everton-Liverpool game in which the players of both sides, while playing flat out, took knocks and gave them in such good spirit. Hickson was the sedate old gentleman of the party. He did little but did it well. The little part he had to play was due party to the weakness on the wings and in the main to the storming centre-half play of White. His best game, this because he played constructively, too. Add at his side the fiery red haired Campbell D, who was inspired in that storming Liverpool first half and you have the guts of a Liverpool side which though so cut up performed excellently and certainly far better than had seemed possible on paper. Campbell was the evening’s outstanding player. Everton had their neat and always constructive Meagan; their solid Jones and a Birch who was ever ready to fire a shot, but Campbell outshone them all. It was thrilling football with a white ball made shiny by the dew of a day on which the sun shone not at all. Everton’s strip of slinky silk was shiny, too, but their play, except once they had clinched the game with that second goal, was not nearly as good as it has been in many of their League matches. Liverpool stood on no ceremony; they were out to repeat their Cup win and though the result was really of academic interest they could not have played harder if they had been at Wembley.
Shred Young Man
All the youngsters came through their testing well, Temple, it is true, took a long time to settle down, but once he did was penetrative as ever. Thomas, in his half-match, impressed me as a shrewd young man who makes time to do things easily and at his own pace. I noticed a glancing header by him (and a shot by Temple which was crowded out) which was more impressive than either of his goals. The surprise packet of the Liverpool attack was young Morrissey whose opening twenty minutes must have given Donovan a shock. Morrissey drifted here and there and used the ball finely. It was only when he started to overdo the bewildering of Donovan that he bewildered himself and slowed up the line. But he has a head for football. He was splendid for much of the first half. Everton and Elgar regaled us with “Pomp” and Circumstance” in the wailing moments during which the lights were on at less than half power. The first great thrill came when Arnell, with a grand long pass, enabled young Morrissey to away the crowd (and the Everton defence) by flicking the ball beyond the out coming Dunlop to a goalmouth mercifully free of red jersey. Jones made some telling tackles in these testing early minutes. Hickson, with an overhead flick from a McNamara hooked shot, slipped the ball just over the bar. Campbell D, and Morrissey had their finest moments at this point. Dunlop was the busier goalkeeper, by far, Rowley headed over from Morrissey’s corner; Twentyman, with a shot which swerved, had Dunlop fielding the ball with apprehension.
Like Satellites
Younger made a fine catch of a Williams centre after Hickson had been victim of a foul Everton did even better when Fielding found little Williams with a glorious pass and the boy hit a volley which must have stung Molyneux’s body as it cannonaded away off it for a corner. White and Hickson both went up like satellite rivals and White falling the more spectacularly, was oddly, not the man injured. Younger then went down to Hickson’s feet and Hickson sensibly took care that neither of his feet tangled with the goalkeeper’s head. Liverpool’s most vexatious miss came when Morrissey and Rowley made a splendid combined move with a tragic miss by Arnell to end it. White, facing his own goal and in possession veered wide of Younger (and put 25,000 hearts in 25,000 mouths) to enable Byrne to complete safety precautions. Temple’s long-distance shot was well taken by Younger, Campbell’s rip-roaring drive was cut off by an Everton body and then Wheeler inadvertently baulked the half-back of a second attempt. Referee Mitchell accidently intervened after Younger not for the first time, misfielded a high centre –this time from Williams. There was shouts of penalty as Jones and Rowley bumped when shaping to pick up a long through ball from Molyneux. Dunlop’s best save was low, from Rowley, at this point. Twentyman, with yet another swerving shot (this time a low one) had Dunlop worried…again his handling was sure.
Decision Rankled
Next came Rowley’s disallowed goal; Fielding’s ankle injury and the interval. At 0-0 the game was open, but in Liverpool minds at least that decision must have rankled! At seven minutes in the second half Thomas got his first with delayed –action applause from people at the other end who had not registered concurrently with the score. Birch hit a pile driven shot. Dunlop saved with difficulty, a cannon-ball Wheeler drive after that player had gone; though fast at inside right to fire from a none too easy angle. Rowley shot the ball while Dunlop was marked “not at home” but it was significant that Dunlop was there by the time he was required. Thomas, with a downward nod, put Temple in and a defender –White I think –took the force of the shot. There followed the second goal with the referee wisely ordering Hickson to play on after Byrne’s deflection of the ball had put him outside. More than once Temple, in the Everton revival, nearly surprised the defence by his speed and punch. Thomas continued to play impressively and unselfishly…Liverpool’s last shot was from the Arnell locker, Dunlop as ever, was there to take it. And so came to the end of an eventful ..entertaining first experience of soccer under lights –a success in every way with an attendance far above expectations remembering the way the teams cut up for one reason or another. But a rather raw deal, in the football sense, for the losers. Teams; Everton; Dunlop; Donovan (captain), Tansey; Birch, Jones, Meagan; McNarama, Temple, Hickson, Fielding (in second half Thomas), and Williams (G). Liverpool; Younger; Molyneux, Byrne; Campbell (D), White, Twentyman; Jackson, Wheeler, Arnell, Rowley, and Morrissey.
EVERTON GAVE SPLENDID SHOW AGAINST LUCKLESS LIVERPOOL
October 10, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
If anybody had lingering doubts regarding the drawing power of floodlit football on Merseyside they were set at rest at Goodison Park last evening, when 58,771 people watched the “Liverton” game. True, it was an extra-special occasion, but as time goes on I think the crowds in this almost fanatically enthusiastic Soccer area will continue to roll up even when there is no “derby” label to the match. Conditions of course, were all in favour of good crowd apart from a slight mist which reduced visibility a little, for it was a mild and gentle night. The light did not strike me as quite as good as those at Old Trafford, but as I saw the latter on a very clear night the comparison may not be a fair one. The haze hanging over the ground was a handicap. In any case, if Everton considered it necessary to step up the power it can be done at little cost and without loss of time. They wisely made provision for that in the original plans. Liverpool are up against a tough proposition when they entertain Everton at Anfield in the return three weeks hence for the County F.A. anniversary cup. They will start two goals in arrears and there are few, if any teams in the country today who could give this lively virile and almost classic Everton two goals start and win on the aggregate. The Anfielders missed their way in the first half, when for quarter of an hour I thought they were the better side –they certainly had much more of the play territorially –for half an hour continued to do the major portion of the attacking.
Debatable Decision
But that is of no avail unless there are goals to hammer home the advantage and that is what this erratic Liverpool forward line failed to produce. They missed the unifying influence of Liddell in the middle and the ball holding and scheming of Melia. At the same time, I thought they got a very raw deal when a “goal” by Rowley a minute from the interval was disallowed for offside. It seemed to me a perfectly good one. When Molyneux booted the ball into the penalty area from near the half-way line Rowley as well “on-side.” He ran fully 10 yards rounding the immobilized Donovan in the process, before flicking the ball into the net almost out of the hands of Dunlop. I dislike having to criticize any referee’s decision, but on this occasion I thought there had been a definite error. These sort of things do happen and are all part and parcels of the game, but the decision proved a vital turning point. had the goal counted Liverpool would have gone in for the interval break with their fails well up and with renewed confidence for the second half struggle particularly as Fielding, the arch schemer of the home-line, had gone off with a twisted ankle and could not resume. Instead of being a goal up Liverpool found themselves two down before the second half was 20 minutes old. Ironically enough, both were scored by the man who came on as substitute for Fielding youth Eddie Thomas. To add bitterness to Liverpool’s cup of woe the second of Thomas’s goal’s looked to many people to be offside. Certainly the Anfielders thought so for they surrounded the referee and begged him to consult his linesman holding up the re-start for half a minute or so as they argued the point. Hickson was certainly yards offside when the movement began but he was played on when the pass to him struck a defence (Byrne) en route. Hickson metaphorically rubbing his hands with glee at this stroke of luck took the ball on twenty yards and then squared it for the on-coming Thomas to slot it home with the greatest of ease. The angle of view from the Press-box at that point is such that I cannot express any dogmatic view as to whether Thomas was on-side or not. It was certainly a very close thing, and this and the previous doubtful decision will long be the source of argument. Liverpool must have felt it was not their lucky night, and with considerable justification. It definitely was not their lucky night in the closing stages, for now that Everton had really got their teeth into the game, and with the psychological advantage of such a useful lead, they began to play their brightest and finest football. Liverpool fought manfully but it was a hopeless struggle and from the time of Everton’s second goal onwards the Blues were well on top. They played stylishly they found each other much more accurately than Liverpool and the visiting goal had a succession of narrow escapes.
Morrissey Starred
It was a mystery why Liverpool almost starved Morrissey out of the game throughout the second half. This young debutant was their best forward in the first portion. He started off on the right foot though clearly a little nervous put across some first-class centres, and always had Donovan at full stretch. Liverpool would have done far better to bring him into the game much oftener than they did instead of trying to force a way down the middle against the rock like Jones and the keen tackling and good positioning of Meagan and Birch. Liverpool’s defence did well, despite one or two mishandlings by Younger, which in each case he retrieved before any damage was done. Byrne played coolly and competently and the wing halves, especially in the first half, rarely put a foot wrong Twentyman indeed was the Reds’ most persistent shooter throughout and Campbell a splendid tackler. Wheeler was nothing like as good in the attack as he is in the intermediate line. Arnell and Rowley seldom looked like scoring apart from the one shot Rowley netted which failed to count, and Jackson had an indifferent match, partly due to the ankle injury which limited his effectiveness in the second half.
Clean and Sporting
Although to some extent a “friendly” fixture, the game was characterized by much hard and vigorous play but it was all perfectly fair and above board and there was never an incident throughout to which the slightest exception could be taken. There was one charge in the Everton penalty area on a Liverpool man who was not within playing distance of the ball but the charge itself was fair enough.
The aftermath of last right’s game is that Wally Fielding has a badly wrenched ankle and may not be fit to resume for a couple of weeks. Jimmy Harris unable to play last night because of flu is expected to be fit by Saturday, and Brian Harris, if he comes through the Army’s game in Portugal tonight without mishap will join the Everton party at Newcastle tomorrow evening.
Soccer Stubmarks
Everton Old Boys –That is what they will soon be calling Tranmere Rovers, Peter Farrell is the fifth ex-Evertonian in the team.
Sixth Attempt –Leicester’s point against Everton was their first in any Saturday game. The others come from mid-week matches.
ANOTHER FIRST TEAM CHANCE FOR THOMAS
October 11, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton’s visit to Newcastle would seem, theoretically to be an easier proposition than some of their previous away matches, but theory and the way things actually work out in football are frequently at variance. Be that as it may, in endeavoring to weigh up the prospects we can go only on facts on which basis Everton look to have a good chance of at least one point. Last season a draw anywhere away was about the most we could hope for. Now a draw always looks on the way they have been playing lately, and against teams doing so indifferently as Newcastle, it is not mere wishful thinking to say that a victory is more than an outside possibility. The Geordies like their Sunderland neighbours, have been one of the biggest post-war spenders in the transfer market. The similarity does not end there, Newcastle have found with Sunderland, that the mere addition of star names to the playing staff is no guarantee that you are going to enjoy a highly-successful time in League affairs. Newcastle have only once finished in the top half of the table in the last five years, and that no higher than eighth. Currently they occupy eleventh position, with ten points from eleven games. They have scored more goals away than at St. James’s Park.
The Only Query
Owing to Fielding’s injury and Jimmy Harris’s bout of flu, Everton cannot field what has come to be regarded as their top strength. Thomas who quickly put himself on the scoring list when deputizing for Fielding in Wednesday’s floodlit match continues in the same berth. Should he play as well as against Liverpool he could be a rare trouble to the home defence. The 23-years old player has been scoring goals consistently in the Central League side. He has got eleven in ten outings, all but one of which have been at inside right. As a ball player and schemer he merit comparison with the man he displaces. Whether he has the stamina to keep going at full stretch throughout the game is another matter. Failure to do that was one of the reasons he did not clinch his claim to be a regular first team place when he got his big chance last season. Now opportunity knocks again. Newcastle with only one point from their last three home games, and beaten at St. James’s Park last week by Preston have made three changes in their attack. Davies, Keeble and Punton come in for Hill. Eastham, and Mitchell the latter of whom thus his ever-present record. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Birch, Jones, Meagan; McNamara, Temple, Hickson, Thomas, Harris (B). Newcastle; Simpson; Keith, Batty; Scoular, Stokoe, Franks; White, Davies, Curry, Keeble, Punton.
Everton Reserves; (home to Stoke); O’Neill; Sanders, Griffiths; King, Billington, Gannon; Keeley, N. Birch, Kirby, McKay, Williams.
THOMAS GETS HIS FIRST CHANCE
October 12, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Ian Hargreaves
From the fantasy of floodlights to the reassuring reality of an autumn afternoon. Still rubbing the bruises of Wednesday’s fiery fray - described by Goodison goalkeeper Albert Dunlop as the fastest game he’s ever played in – Everton and Liverpool return today to the less spectacular but infinitely more important task of contesting the championship of their respective leagues. For Everton, the game with Liverpool has had unfortunate consequences in that their arch schemer Wally Fielding has been put temporarily I trust out of action and it is left to young Eddie Thomas, playing his first league game of the season to outwit that mighty man of Newcastle, Scoular. Absent too, is dashing Jimmy Harris, fastest thing in football boots this side of the Thames and in his place Tony McNamara, much maligned and generally much under-rated. Everton’s chance of continuing their unbeaten run must be bright since Newcastle are not the force they used to be, though they have not fallen quite so far as their near neighbours Sunderland, now know with some truth as the International Graveyard. Goalkeeper Simpson and Scoular, toughest and most determined of wing halves, need no introduction and now centre forward Curry has reaped the reward of consistent good work by selection for England’s Under 23 team. Keeble too, is a man to watch but there are few signs that Newcastle have found a left wing successor to Mitchell. An interesting game in prospect which Everton, thanks to their pace and now found poise and fully capable of winning. Strange to think they are doing so well without Jimmy Gauld, once rated their key forward and today turning out for the Reserves under the watchful gaze of scouts from Cardiff and Manchester City among others. Teams; Newcastle; Simpson; Keith, Batty; Scoular, Stokoe, Franks; White, Davies, Curry, Keeble, Punton. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Birch, Jones, Meagan; McNamara, Temple, Hickson, Thomas, Harris (B).
EVERTON NOT AT THEIR BEST DESPITE FLYING START
October 12, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Newcastle United 2, Everton 3
By Contact
Newcastle United; Simpson, goal; Keith and Batty, backs; Scoular, Stokoe, and Franks, half-backs; White, Davies, Curry, Keeble, and Punton, forwards. Everton; Dunlop, goal; Donovan (captain) and Tansey, backs; Birch, Jones, and Meagan, half-backs; McNamara, Temple, Hickson, Thomas, and Harris (B), forwards. Referee; Mr. D. Martin (Scunthorpe). The game started dramatically with a goal and an injury to Everton in two minutes. In their first full scale attack Everton progressed down the right wing and Hickson centred for Temple to hit a shot on the half-turn against the goalkeeper’s body. Stokoe’s clearance kick struck McNamara on the head and rebounded across the goalmouth to make the easiest of chances to Brian Harris, who scored with no difficult. Harris was playing his second game within 48 hours having made a 16 hours trip from Lisbon starting at 6 a.m yesterday. McNamara was completely KO’s while Harris was getting his goal and needed attention. He played on looking a bit the worse for wear. Dunlop, throwing himself at the feet of White after Tansey and company had failed to clear a ball, was also knocked out and needed attention. It looked as though he was severely shaken.
Many Mistakes
This was a match of many mistakes and it was clear already that Everton were lacking the generating plant which Fielding supplies to their attacks. There was pattern in the Everton attack and a great deal of work, for the defence. Again Everton were fortunate to survive a penalty when Tansey tangled with White in the area and brought him down. There were roars from the crowd when a stray brown mongel made its appearance. It was not caught and taken off until after White drove in a shot which Dunlop did well to pull down. Dunlop did well to field a Keeble shot after Meagan had inadvertently headed towards his own goal. Hickson was rarely in the picture but he was very much in the move which ended in Harris slipping the ball back to Meagan to help himself to a shot which was wide. Everton had their moments of good fortune when Donovan kneed away Keeble’s header.
Painful Blow
When Stokoe bundled Hickson to the ground near the touchline the Everton player got a painful blow on the back of the head. From the free kick Brian Harris shot beyond the far angle with Simpson struggling to cover the ball. At this point the referee called Stokoe and Hickson together and had a word with them. A series of minor knocks to Everton heads continued and now Jones and Temple rubbed their top knots, after receiving blows there. Jones was lying injured when Hickson’s cross header found Brian Harris perfectly placed only to miss the sitter of a life-time. He kicked round the ball in his effort to glide it over the line. Jones trouble was a blow to the nose and while he was attended to the Newcastle trainer went on to treat Stokoe and left back Batty. The game was level when after White had hit the bar the ball rebounded and Curry fastened on to it to score at the 44th minute.
Half-time; Newcastle United 1, Everton 1.
The game had barely restarted before Newcastle took the lead. Punton’s centre was headed cross goal by Keeble and Davies adding his nod to the ball turned it completely away from the grasp of Dunlop who had no chance. Birch with a fierce drive which dipped over the bar then came within inches of making the score 2-2. This was the least distinguished Everton I have seen this season. When Newcastle got a free kick against Donovan for a foul on Punton the kick was taken with such speed that Dunlop was almost caught napping Batty strode on to the ball and delivered a shot which Dunlop saved literally with fingertips. It ran from his grasp and Curry shot wide. Dunlop hurt his knee in an excursion down the goal line to stop Curry. I have rarely known a match in which there were so many stoppages for injuries of one sort or another. Everton got level with a remarkable own goal by Keith at 57 minutes. for the first time Temple and Thomas got going as a pair, through Keith was in front of Temple and had the ball covered at the end of this down-the-centre move. But to everyone’s surprise he rammed it low like a rocket beyond Simpson. A moment later Keeble hit one of his best shots which had Dunlop at full stretch near the goal angle, but the ball soared a foot over the top. Thomas with Hickson, opened up the Newcastle defence to perfection and Thomas after making the opening cast-iron tried to place the ball, and Simpson rather fortunately was right-in the line of fire. Keeble’s apology to Dunlop after lifting his foot dangerously high in an attempt to hook the ball from Dunlop’s grasp was obviously a genuine one. Ever Keeble came back to help the Newcastle defence when Hickson, McNamara and Harris between them got the defence in a tangle. Seven minutes from the end Hickson headed a lovely goal from a cross by Temple in rain did Newcastle appeal to referee Martin who was manhandled by Scoular in his enthusiasm to suggest that the goal should not count, for what reason heaven only knows. Final; Newcastle United 2, Everton 3. Official Attendance 30,360
• F.A Youth Cup Round One-Everton 4, Liverpool 1
ON THOSE GOODISON TALKING POINTS
October 12, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
By Billy Liddell
At first when I was injured, I looked on at the game rather critically, and did not have much to shout about, and I kept trying to find a reason for the spectators getting so worked up and making such a noise about it. I still don’t know the reason for it all, but I can say that it is infectious after two or three games. Last Saturday and again on Wednesday evening I found myself caught by the fever and roaring just as loud as my next door neighbour’s. When you can’t be out on the field you have to spend your surplus energy somehow, and now I know why so many spectators are almost as worn out as the players at the end of the match. I have always been typed as “rather dour” on the field, giving the impression that I was not enjoying myself, but of course taking people at their face value can be very misleading. I don’t think anyone could have made a mistake over my expressions at the last two games, for I enjoyed both of them immensely; even though I was a bit argumentive about two of the decisions in the cup match. After taking over the decisions with friends on Wednesday night, I began to realize just now people’s views were coloured by their team bias, and that included my own. The first debatable decision was when Tony Rowley’s goal just before half-time was disallowed for offside. The Evertonians will say that it was a good decision because the lineman was standing with his flag raised before the ball reached the net. I was in Goodison Road stand with a good view of the incident. As I saw it, Tony Rowley ran a good five to ten yards as the ball was kicked, and was in fact onside when the ball was last played. Then in the second half there was the incident when Dave Hickson, in an offside position was played outside by a deflection from Gerry Byrne. Here again spilt second timing went against the Reds. When the ball was played through to Hickson by an Everton player the linesman immediately put up his flag for offside. If the referee had taken the same notice of the linesman as he had done in the first half then he must have given offside. Of course, the referee may not have seen the linesman because he was following the ball and so an unfortunate break for us, became a lucky break for the Blues. There has been much controversy in the past about a player in a bad position being put back in the game by an unfortunate deflection from the defending side. It is now of the bad rules of football, because it gives the offending team a benefit instead of penalizing them. The offside rule is tricky enough without having any loopholes. In many instances I think linesmen give wrong decisions because of their positioning. They generally line themselves up with the last man in defence, and as soon as any forward gets in line without the ball they have their flags ready to wave for offside once he moves. A long ball can be pushed through and a man can run ten yards or more in anticipation and he can be in front of the ball and the defence when he receives it. Because he receives the ball in the clear, he looks offside to a lot of people but if you understand the law you know better. I think it would be better if the linesmen kept in position with the leading attacker and not the last defender, and even though I have suggested this to referees’ meetings before today, it would not solve all the hairline decisions. Officials may say that the first aim is to watch the player but it should be to watch the ball. If you are watching the ball 20 yards away from you, it is difficult to keep your eyes on player, in the defensive set-up at the same time, so it is bound to leave room for error of judgment and argument.
Effect of the Fog
I have heard adverse comments about the game, but I thought it was very interesting. It was unfortunate that so many changes had to be made in both sides, but nevertheless there was some grand football from both sides. I thought we were the better side in the first half and the Everton got on top after they got the goals. It was a pity that there was so much fog about, because I believe it restricted the view from either end of the ground and it also stopped any proper comparison of the lighting system. One thing I noticed different from other grounds when the players lined up for the kick off, instead of having one shadow as in normal sunlight they had four shadows –one front one behind and one at each side. The players I spoke to say they had no difficulty with the lights after the first five minutes getting accustomed to them, but the mist and fog round the stands made it a bit tricky. There will be plenty of opportunity of judging the Goodison lights in the next two weeks, and then we will be all eager for the return match at Anfield to see whether our lights are as good and whether the Reds can pull back that 2-0 deficit. It looks as if there will be plenty to talk about in Liverpool and Merseyside during the next four weeks.
I MAKE MORE FRIENDS AT PRENTON PARK
October 12, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
By Peter Farrell
What a strange and unpredictable game is football! This applies not only to the uncertain happenings on the field of play during the course of a game, but also behind the scenes. Had anyone told me a fortnight ago that I should be player-manager of Tranmere Rovers today, I should have thought the chances of such a prediction coming true decidedly unlikely. Yet it has happened, and last Saturday I experienced the thrill of leading my second English League side on the field at Prenton Park. And what a thrill it was for me to start off with my new club amid such encouraging vociferous support from the 11,000 spectators. During the past week, quite a number of people have asked me, about the differences between First Division and Third Division football. I suppose it is a little early after one game to express an opinion on such a subject. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed myself against Southport last Saturday. In the early stages I felt a little lost, as you can well imagine, not knowing what to expect from my new team mates, most of whom I had only met for the first time an hour before the game started. This “lost” feeling soon disappeared as the game progressed and I fitted into the scheme of things, thanks mainly to the co-operation not only of the enthusiastic crowd but also of my new team-mates, who seemed to go out of their way to ensure a happy debut for me in Tranmere’s colours. It also made me feel very much at home to link up once again with my former colleague and close friend, Tommy Eglington, who not only scored a great goal to celebrate the occasion, but also pulled every trick out of the bag, and was easily the outstanding forward on view. It is very gratifying at a time like this when one moves to a new club, as I have done, to discover that one has so many friends. During this week I have received a bundle of letters each morning nearly all from people whom I have never met. All these letters have the same central idea; namely, thanking me for my services as an Everton player and wishing me well with my new club. I shall not be able to reply to all, but through the medium of this column I should like to thank all of you for your kind thoughts in writing to me. They say there is not a lot or sentiment in football but judging from the letters I have had this week, I doubt it. Once again many thanks for such good wishes which are very much appreciated. So, from Everton’s blue to Tranmere Rovers blue, I start on my new career. I hope I shall be lucky enough to find such a grand set of lads on the staff at Prenton Park, as I left behind me at Goodison among the players and training staff. Last Wednesday, I had the unusual experience of watching an Everton-Liverpool “derby” game from the comfort of a seat in the stands. Relieved of the terrific tension which one experiences as a player in such games, I thoroughly enjoyed it as a relaxed onlooker. Naturally, like all Evertonians I was glad to see the Blues victorious over the old “enemy” but whether it was due to the floodlights or not, I thought there wasn’t the usual electric atmosphere prevalent among the crowd an atmosphere which one usually associates with Liverpool and Everton games.
EVERTON RES V STOKE CITY RES
October 12, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Everton res;- O’Neill, goal; Sanders and Griffiths, backs; King, Billington and Gannon, half-backs; Keeley, Mackay, Kirby, Gauld, and Williams, forwards. Stoke City Res; Robertson, goal; Mountford and McCue, backs; Raynor, Ford, and Cairns, half-backs; Ward, Hutchinson, Bullock, Anderson, and Wallace, forwards. Referee; Mr. Kelly (Leeds). Club scouts were present to watch Jimmy Gauld in action today. In the first minute Gauld gave Kirby a good through pass, but the Everton leader was dilatory. It was fortunate for Everton that there was no Stoke forward up to convert a cross from the left which Griffiths completely missed. In the 27th minute Williams took a corner for Kirby to put Everton ahead, the ball appearing to touch Mountford on the way to the net. Mackay and Kirby missed good chances following good work by Gauld. Half-time; Everton Reserves 1, Stoke City Reserves nil.
NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 EVERTON 3
October 14, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Leslie Edwards
Everton’s 3-2 win at Newcastle which gives them the chance of overtaking all the clubs ahead of them when they take up their slack in fixtures, helped them to keep the rare record of having lost only once this season. All going well the 1957-58 season is going to bring the richest harvest in Everton history. Their floodlit matches on Wednesday (against Arsenal) and against Red Banner (a week next Wednesday) will produce gates of such size and richness that others must envy their accommodation and the natural pull of soccer in this football stronghold. No wonder Everton look back on the day they signed Dave Hickson as the one on which they ensured, at cheapest cost, that their predominantly young side would succeed this season. Hickson makes more and more friends and fewer and fewer enemies –which is just the reverse of the old order. He has mellowed; he has learned to take it; he has learned that three or four well executed centre-forward gambits during a match can produce goals which matter. He does not chase as he used to, but he’s still there when required and his most timely goal, shortly before the end at S. James’ Park, meant that Everton snatched two points from a match which seemed fated to go against them once Newcastle led 2-1.
One of the Finest
Oddly, though Newcastle have had such success in seasons since the war, their ground and general facilities their lights, their team compared unfavourably with Everton’s. No doubt about it. This Newcastle is not nearly good enough. I heard it said, by the Everton chairman, Dick Searle, that it was the poorest Newcastle he had ever seen. That Newcastle were able to make such a match of it was due, mainly, to the absence of Fielding from the Everton attack and to the fact that neither Donovan nor Tansey, usually so good had a happy game. But one cannot avoid the conclusion that this Everton defence is one of the finest in the land with only 13 debit goals against them and nearly half of those obtained by Manchester United! In the way of most of these Newcastle United v. Everton matches this was a tough one, but happily Master Scoular (whose treatment last season of Eglington was criticized), had no part in hostilities. Everton came out of the battle with Dunlop nursing a badly bruised back (the result of an early and most necessary dive at the feet of White), Jones enduring a quite severely bashed nose (the result of an accidental clash of heads) and Hickson musing and murmuring about the rude shaking he received when Stokoe fouled him most unnecessarily from behind near the touch-line. It is good to be assured by Ian Buchan (who didn’t rate Don Campbell’s work against Everton, last Wednesday, as highly as I did) that Jones and company will be definite starters for the Arsenal game on Wednesday.
Many Chances
Newcastle had enough chances to have won, but Dunlop played one of those extraordinary matches in which he seems incapable of a mistake. On a hard ground on which the ball bounded high, he was almost continuously in action and took some hard knocks into the bargain. The scoring was remarkable in pattern. Everton scored (Brian Harris) in their first attack (two minutes). Newcastle equalized right on the end of the half (Curry) and scored again (Davies) immediately the second half started. Then Keith leveled the score for Everton with the most shattering own-goal shot I have seen this season and finally Hickson with a lovely header, clinched the game seven minutes from the end. So we had goals almost at the beginning and end of both halves… I suppose Everton were fortunately to score so often from so few chances, one confesses that both Temple and Thomas were by-passed in this game for three quarters of the way. Then suddenly they came into the picture in a way which brought results it was Thomas completion of the move he and Temple engineered which brought results. It was Thomas completion of the move he and Temple engineered which harried Keith into shooting past his own goalkeeper and Temple had part, with McNamara, in the lead to the centre from which Hickson turned the ball over the line with a header in Dean excellence.
Remarkable Youngsters
But I am convinced Everton have two most remarkable young forwards in Thomas and Temple. The trouble is that without Fielding nearby they cannot be properly exploited fielding’s penetrating passing was the thing Everton lacked in a game which started with a lot of indifferent football and ended quite brightly. Despite his long Lisbon journey and the night hours involved in playing a match which began at 10 p.m or thereabout Brian Harris had a very good game indeed. He scored the first goal; he missed a sitter, but his general play was always thoughtful, yet decisive I wish I could say as much for McNamara, but again this was not his day. Newcastle’s left wing pair Punton and Keeble were said to be the atatck’s weakest flank. Play did not confirm this, indeed Punton’s showing against Donovan was better than any other outside left who has faced the Everton man this season, at centre forward, did many inspired things and also some unexpectedly clumsy ones. Newcastle worried an Everton who were below par but it was painfully obvious that Everton were much the more punishing finishers. The Everton record grows impressively. One cannot doubt that when opportunity comes for them to play off those games in hand they will be capable of taking most, if not all the points at stake.
WILLIAMS GETS LITTLE SUPPORT
October 14, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Res 2, Stoke City Res 1
On the run of the play Everton deserved to win, though the manner of their victory was not entirely convincing. After inside right McKay had augmented Kirby’s first-half goal after an hour. Kirby shot wide from the penalty spot a minute later. Stoke then seized the initiative reduced the arrests through Ward, and were unlucky not to get on level terms. Williams, however, who was Everton’s star forward, instigated a late rally, only to find his inside men still hesitant in front of goal. Inside left Gauld, who was being watched by several club scouts appeared to be happened by a knock received early on. Right back Sanders and centre-half Billington were the pick of a competent Everton defence.
HICKSON HEADER MEANT POINTS FOR EVERTON
October 14, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
By Contact
Everton’s progress continues majestically. They do not top the table like Liverpool but if they take full points from their three games in hand –two of them are home fixtures –they would be leaders by two clear points. The news from Goodison Park this morning is that all the players who were in the side which won 3-2 at Newcastle on Saturday will be fit for the game under floodlights against Arsenal on Wednesday. The main sufferers in a characteristically hard game at St. James’s Park, were Tom Jones who had a severely battered nose, and Albert Dunlop, whose great work in goal on a ground which was extremely hard produced some minor knocks for him, the worst of which was bruised back. With three home games in succession in the eight days starting next Wednesday, Everton look like having their most successful season financially in the history of the club. There will be a few more thousands of pounds to ho into their growing kitty, if and when Jimmy Gauld decides to leave. But at the moment he is not the least tempted to go to Manchester, Cardiff or Plymouth.
Praise For Meagan
Meantime congratulations to Meagan a half back who has been pressed into service as an inside forward by the selectors of the Eire “B” team. It is my belief that Meagan will soon get a full cap. In the absence of Fielding at Newcastle, it was Meagan who had to do most of the Everton constructional work. Fielding’s absence was felt a good deal. For three parts of the game Everton were not nearly as good as we know they can be in spite of the fact that young Brian Harris had given them the lead, after two minutes. Newcastle equalized on the interval and went ahead immediately the game had restarted but Keith when challenged by Thomas, put through his own goal and brought Everton back into the picture. Seven minutes from the end Hickson, who had a rough side from Stokoe made a glorious header from a McNamara centre to give Everton a third goal and both points. Brian Harris was Everton’s best forward Temple and Thomas only finding their goal form when the game was more than half run. It was the Everton defence who really saved the day Dunlop was brilliant behind backs who endured an enormous weight of work. The half-back line, too had a grueling time and Jones deserves credit for playing on gamely with a painful nose injury.
JIMMY HARRIS BACK FOR GAME WITH ARSENAL
October 15, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Ian Hargreaves
Welcome news for Everton yesterday was that outside right Jimmy Harris has fully recovered from the bout of influenza that has caused him to miss the last two games and will be fit to play against Arsenal tomorrow. Everton’s other two causalities; Rea and Fielding are also doing well and are back in training if not yet ready for first team duty. Accordingly Everton makes one change in the side that beat Newcastle 3-2 on Saturday. Harris returning in place of Tony McNamara it now reads Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Birch, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Thomas, Harris (B). at least three players Jones, Donovan and Dunlop still bear the scars of Saturday’s encounter but that will not prevent them from putting out a little extra against the traditional enemy of all Northern sides. Arsenal victory at Highbury last month then rated one of the season’s greatest surprises, gives Everton an excellent chance of making their first League game under the Goodison lights a memorable one. Controversy still rages over last Wednesday’s match with Liverpool. While doubts about at least one of the goals and the general standard of play can never be resolved at least two things are certain. One is that the floodlighting system is well nigh perfect – Everton goalkeeper Dunlop and Liverpool centre-half White both rate it the best they have played under – the other is that Everton are NOT, as claimed in the programme, the only survivors of the original Liverpool County Football Association. Their rivals claimants to this honour? None other than Merseyside’s oldest amateur football club, Liverpool Ramblers.
S YOU SEE IT
October 15, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
That Goal –He Disagrees
Sir-congratulations on the general excellence of your survey of the floodlit Goodison scene, but I must differ from you regarding your reading of Everton’s second goal. This was a perfectly-executed point, and as my seat was in Block H, right opposite the penalty area I had a perfect view. You, I think had a similar view at the other end of the ground and therefore behind the play. Hickson was standing four or five yards in an offside position when he received that grit deflection from Byrne. He strode on yards ahead of the field coming in with each stride. Until about six yards from the goal line. As Younger came out to narrow the angle of a possible shot Hickson glided a pass as quite a backward angle across his body and wide of his right hand. The ball arrived at the penalty spot as Thomas and a couple of trailing Liverpool defenders entered the penalty area. Thomas took the ball in his stride and pushed it home to complete a perfectly executed piece of top-class football. Even when the ball was in the net Hickson was still a yard or two nearer the goal line than Thomas (Had Thomas returned the ball from whence it came Hickson would have been offside). The only argument in my vicinity was should Hickson have been whistled before Bryne went for his interception, but all agreed that once Hickson was put in possession the rest of the move was perfectly legitimate. I thought the game an excellent one, the scene simply magnificent. Did you get the wonderful impression as I did, that when the police were dispersing the autograph fiends at the end of the game it appeared that one was looking down on an ice-rink with figures gliding over the ice-green surface. It was quite fascinating and so new. I hope to meet you as a fellow guest at the Dudley Golf Club’s annual dinner on 27th November and discuss soccer as it was when your esteemed father used to view the scene. Meanwhile all good wishes. Geo.J. Henshilwood, 40 Heskethy Road, Southport.
ARSENAL THE VISITORS IN FIRST LEAGUE MATCH UNDER GOODISON LIGHTS
October 15, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Everton play their first Football league game under the Goodison Park floodlights tomorrow evening when Arsenal are the visitors. This match was originally due last month, which would have meant an early start and consequent reduction in attendance. With their floodlighting about to be inaugurated, however, Everton suggested it should be put back a month and played entirely under lights. The Gunners who have had lights for some years and know how evening games increase midweek attendances were quite agreeable. We shall thus have an opportunity tomorrow of judging the effect upon Merseyside attendances of night matches as opposed to the mid-week afternoon or early evening games of previous years. Arsenal themselves have had one notable example during the current season. When Everton played the Gunners at highbury with a 7.30 kick-off last month the crowd was over 42,000. When Aston Villa insisted on an afternoon start at the same venue three weeks later, the attendance was only 18,472. Even assuming all the absentees were two-bobers, which is by no means likely, the gross taking were at least £1,200 down, which is no small item. Night attendances are likely to be more affected by the weather particularly later in the year, than Saturday games but given good conditions the Everton gate tomorrow should be decidedly higher than a normal Wednesday afternoon match, and possibly somewhere near the average Saturday crowd for a game of the same attractiveness.
Chance of Double
Everton won at Highbury thanks to a last minute goal by that youthful veteran. Wally Fielding, which made everybody sit back with amazement. They thus have the opportunity of registering their first “double” of the season. Arsenal sixth in the league table, have a fair away record having won at Sunderland, West Bromwich and Bolton. Away defeats have been sustained at Blackpool, Old Trafford and Tottenham. The Gunners attack, whole moderately consistent has not been as outstanding in the matter of scoring as some Highbury sides of old. The home 4-0 win against Aston Villa is the best performance to date. They also got three goals at home against Leicester, but have not scored more than twice in any other game, home or away. Defensively they have been rather in and out in four matches they have kept the opposition from scoring at all; in four others they have yielded only one goal, but Manchester United put four into the Gunners net at Old Trafford, Everton got three at Highbury and Spurs also had three last Saturday at White Hart Lane. Arsenal managed these days by Mr. Jack Crayston, their former England international have shown few changes in their team this season, and nearly all they have made have been due to injuries and illness. Goalkeeper Kelsey right back Charlton centre half Dodgin and Liverpool-born Dennis Evans, the Arsenal skipper who learned the game in his formative years with Ellesmere Port, have all been out of the team for a short while through injuries. Vic Groves has also been down recently with influenza and outside right; Clayton had to miss Saturday’s game from the same cause. Their leading marksman is David Herd, son of Alec Herd the pre-war Manchester City forward who has scored eight goals and alternated between the inside right and centre forward berths. Herd was the subject of injuries by Liverpool before he went to London but the Anfield club reckoned the fee Stockport County wanted was too much for a young and comparatively untried player, then only in his middle teens. It was certainly a big gamble but Arsenal took it, and it seems to be paying off nicely now. Groves has scored six goals in eight outings, with Tiddy, Swallow, Bloomfield, and right half Holton tieing for third place with two each. Everton make one change compared with the side which won at Newcastle on Saturday, Jimmy Harris, recovered from his bout of flu returns at outside right, to the exclusion of McNamara, Fielding although now in light training is not fit. Neither is Rea who is to have an examination of his ankle by a specialist. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Birch, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Harris (B).
GUNNERS OF HIGHBURY
October 16, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Leslie Edwards
Once again an Everton v. Arsenal match at Goodison Park links the clubs historically. It seems only yesterday since we acclaimed Dixie Dean’s sixtieth goal in a season in a match against Arsenal which was also notable because it was Charlie Buchan’s adieu as a player. Tonight all going well, we shall see Arsenal ring up the curtain on Everton’s first floodlit League game. What better opponents could have been arranged? I am told that if the weather is clear –it wasn’t a week ago when Liverpool were at Goodison Park –the lightning will seem even better, Everton coming late on the scene as a floodlit club have taken the precaution of having a few lamps up their sleeves as it were, I understand that if they wanted to they could fit many extra lamps with no trouble. Harris (J) is back on the right wing for this long awaited game, but Fielding unhappily is a non-starter just when he would have loved to operate against fellow towners, Everton won at Highbury by Fielding’s last minute goal –one of the finest he has ever scored. It is up to the new boys, Temple and Thomas to keep victories going until such time as Fielding can come back to general the attack. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Birch, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Thomas, and Harris (B). Arsenal; Kelsey; Charlton, Evans; Holton, Dodgin, Rowen; Nutt, Swallow, Herd, Bloomfield and Tiddy.
D. TEMPLE SCORES FOR YOUTH X1
October 16, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 4 Romania 2
Derek Temple (Everton) scored for England after thirty-three at white Hart Lane yesterday.
MATCH WITH EVERYTHING –IN TECHNICOLOUR!
October 17, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 2, Arsenal 2-Attendance 54,345.
By Leslie Edwards
This was the match with everything –good football, good sportsmanship, good shooting, fine goalkeeping, never a moment’s dullest, the whole in glorious technicolour with Everton’s lights even more brilliant through the clear atmosphere. Add the best refereeing of the season. Everton’s dauble rally- they had to recover from 1-0 down and then when Arsenal had gone to 2-1 did tell it all over again –a display from the Arsenal inside-forward, Bloomfield, which was nothing short of superb and you have the guts of a game which marked fittingly the first floodlit home League game in Everton history. There were times when the occasion looked like being recalled as Everton’s first home defeat of the season, but sure enough those two elusive Everton imps –Temple and Thomas –leapt to their form in the final twenty minutes to help their side fight off the effects of Arsenal’s command for a good two-thirds of the match and in the first half in particularly. Thomas scored and Temple had part in the goal Brian Harris obtained to level the scores at 2-2 in as thrilling a match as we have had for seasons. It was fast, dynamic, unendingly full of fine performance with both foot and head.
Set the Standard
Arsenal, the bigger, stronger and, for the major part of the game, the side with the initiative deserve special praise because they set the standard on which the game started, the standard Everton matched well once they found their real stride. As far as I can remember neither trainer was required; it was a hard game, but well contested. It was good to see Hickson (not one of his very best games, this) maintaining his sense of balance. He is always so much more watchable (and worthy of praise) when he concentrates solely on the game. The refereeing of Mr. Ellis of Halifax left nothing to be desired. Not often does a game contain so few debatable decisions. This was a copybook match, beautifully controlled. The attendance of 54,345 was comfortable. But in enjoying our floodlit honeymoon we must not rule out, for the future the possibility of bleak cold nights such as might tempt the greater part of 54,000 people not to stir from the Telly.
Telling Passes
But if I could be sure every time of seeing Bloomfield, of Arsenal, sending out, as he did last night, a stream of telling passes, I’d endure Spitzbergen. It was Bloomfield, plus a very good, big half back line, that did much damage to Everton in the first half. Had the Arsenal wingers, Tiddy, and Nutt, been as strong as the rest of the team I fear Everton’s chances would have gone before the end. The Arsenal side are majestic the heading of those backs was accurate, strong, goalkeeper Kelsey made no blunder if one excepts (as one must) that he lost possession of that Temple shot, the stray ball being the one which Brian Harris eventually tapped into the net for a goal which was as much due to his pertinacity and determination as anything else. Everton were comparable to Arsenal in many respects and in point of chance –taking were probably better than their rivals. But Birch was sometimes caught in possession. Tansey seemed hurried by Arsenal’s nip and speed; the two young inside forwards, Temple and Thomas must half felt rather out of it for a long time against the talent and artistry and sure touch of Arsenal men who may not be as well known as those in mercer’s team but who looked to me to be easily the best Arsenal crop since Mercer left.
Rises Like Lucas
The absence of Fielding as I explained in my Newcastle report was obvious. Meagan did his best to forge a link but brilliantly as he played a half-back cannot do all his chores and have the stamina to furnish the attack as Fielding does, with defence-breaking passes Meagan hit more than one good shot. He was the best Everton half-back. He rises to the ball with the bound of a Lucas of old. Brian Harris was the better winger, being full of life and producing on occasions a shot of the sort to make Kelsey take the ball at the second attempt. This Arsenal goalkeeper must have the strongest pair of hands in soccer if his fielding of close range shots (in the kick-in) is any criterion! The goals came at 26,76, 78 and 81 minutes, so you will see that in the game’s critical five minutes in the second half there were three –two of them to Everton. The game’s first goal was something of a freak and I doubt whether Bloomfield will ever have the luck to score another like it. He swung wildly at the ball with his right foot as it dropped in front of him, kicked right round the ball and yet recovered in time to edge it, right-footed to Dunlop’s left as it dropped from the bounce! The Everton defence were slow to allow two opportunities of this sort. Thomas, doing some quick thinking (and even quicker moving) equalized at 76 minutes after Birch’s low shot had been initially crowded out by an Arsenal man. Thomas seized on the ball, waved his way to an opening and shot the ball past Kelsey all in one movement as it were –a splendid goal. Within two minutes Arsenal were ahead again, Bowen’s through pass to Herd (who was not often seen, but who played well nevertheless) was a pippin. Herd anticipated it, strode on to the ball and scored before turning to hug for an appreciable time, the donor of the feast …as well he might! The best pass of the night.
Clutching Hands
By now Everton were lit up and ready for anything. When the ball came through to Temple and he volleyed in a hook shot, Kelsey leaped to it to make a first-class save, but lost possession. It was then Brian Harris, drifting in from the left, hit the goalkeeper with his first shot and took possession again against the clutching hands of Kelsey to put the ball into an empty net. It was left to Brian Harris to make the miss of the match for Everton and Herd to fail from an equally easy position. But no matter. A draw was a better result than most others I thought Arsenal had a slight edge, but minus Fielding. Everton did extraordinary well to come from behind twice and save their home record.
Fine Headers
Hickson started with two fine headers –both of them aimed to give another a goal –but both went unaccepted. Dunlop who got his sure hands to a great number of fast Arsenal shot might well have had no chance with some other if Arsenal had been more punishing finishers. But after such a match one hesitates to offer criticism. What we saw last night were two clubs who may well finish in the first tour in Division 1 Manchester United face a challenge from them if indications we had last night are reliable I think they are. If Red Banner next Wednesday produce football anything like Arsenal’s we shall have had a hat-trick of floodlit success in less than three weeks I doubt whether we shall see anything quite as satisfying.
ANOTHER OFFER FOR GAULD
October 17, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Jimmy Gauld Everton’s inside forward, left for Plymouth today for talks with the Devonshire club regarding a possible transfer. Jack Rowley, Plymouth’s manager, has already had preliminary discussions with the player, and the clubs have agreed on a fee. It is now up to Gauld to say whether he will join Argyle or not. Everton’s players came though last nights game without injury, but the team to meet Burnley on Saturday will not be chosen until tomorrow. Latest reports are awaited on Rea and Fielding, who are unduly treatment on ankle injuries. There is just an outside chance they may be fit in time.
SECOND GOODISON NIGHT MATCH EMPHASISES VALUE OF FLOODLIGHTS
October 17, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Last night’s Goodison Park attendance provided further evidence of the value of floodlighting for mid-week games in preference to afternoon matches. Though the fact that floodlighting is a novelty to Merseyside may have some bearing on the two games so far staged, there is room for quite a drop in subsequently gates without the figure falling below the average Saturday, never mind the Wednesday afternoon figures. Once again Everton were lucky with the weather, another very vital consideration. A mild and clear evening tempted Soccer fans in the extent of 54,345, which was under 4,000 less than for the Wolves visit on the first Saturday of the season, and over 8,000 higher than for the two Saturday games against Chelsea and Sunderland. Even allowing that Arsenal are a bigger attraction than either of these two and that Everton’s recent success has brought back the lukewarm followers, the figures for the two Goodison Park floodlit matches are decidedly impressive. It will be interesting to see how gates at Anfield measure up to these when Liverpool enter the arena in the next few weeks. I thought a draw a very fair result to a game which had much good football to commend it, some patches of very indifferent stuff, a period when Everton were laboured and irritatingly waited for the ball to come to them, and then a succession of second half thrills including three goals in five minutes which sent everybody home feeling that their time had not been well spent. So far as Everton supporters were concerned, they would have gone home happier still had the Blues taken both points. That they did not do so was due largely to the good work of the Arsenal defence, the number of Everton shots that hit defenders or various parts of their anatoms –thanks to the old Highbury cult of packing the goal-area –and the near misses of the home forwards in the second half, when they were well on top of a team which seemed content with a point without unduly striving for both of them.
Fielding was Missed
Everton worked harder than the opposition, and had far more shots. I made the ratio about four to one in Everton’s favour, with Thomas the shooter-in-chief. What is more, he was far close to the mark than any of his colleagues, and with luck might have had more than the one he did get to his credit. But the home forward line as a whole sadly missed the wise head of Fielding to transform it from five hard striving individuals into a cohesive and integrated unit. There was nobody to hold the ball and push it through to maximum effectiveness as Fielding does. Both Temple and Thomas are, more strikers than “welders,” and though Hickson did his best, he was often at a disadvantage because the ball was in the air too much. Hickson rarely got the better of dodging under such circumstances, yet was able to bear him frequently when it was on the ground. I though Meagan the best Everton player. He made only one bad pass all night. He nipped in to check Arsenal advantage many times, had some excellent shots only inches of target in the first half, and time and again dribbled his way out of a tight corner with the consummate ease and confidence of a veteran. I like this lad more every time I see him. Jones and Tansey played well, but Donovan started as though he was going to have some trouble with Tiddy then he settled down and got the measure of his man in confident fashion. The big disappointment was Birch, who had a very poor game. His passes were constantly going adrift his few shots were wild and woolly, and this is a game he will not remember with any satisfaction. At the same time there was to excise for a season of the crowd getting of him as they did. Each goal had some narrow escapes and both goalkeepers made first class saves. None was better than Kelsey’s off Hickson’s early header, which might have turned the course of the game had it gone into the net. Arsenal made most bloomers in front of goal. Nutt, Tiddy, Bloomfield and Herd all missed easy chances from eight yards or less. Everton’s only real offender in this respect was Hickson, who hit a photographer yards to the side of the goal from close range. It was not one of Dave’s best exhibitions, yet he did many clever things and showed again what I have been saying for years that he has the polish of the real artist and the touches which delights the lover of real football craft. With the right sort of support he could have done much better. Bloomfield’s opening goal at the 26th minute was well taken for the ball was almost shoulder high when he side-flicked it out of Dunlop’s reach. Thomas equalized at the 71st minute after Birch shot had been blocked. He made no mistake two minutes later Herd scored, Brian Harris equalized three minutes later for the Blues.
GAULD READY TO SIGN FOR PLYMOUTH
October 18, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Ian Hargreaves
Jimmy Gauld, the Everton inside forward, is likely to sign for Plymouth Argyle today. Argyle officials watched him in action for Everton Reserves on Saturday and liked what they saw, with the result that negotiations were set in train immediately. Plymouth and Everton agreed to terms and in the early hours of yesterday morning Gauld was contacted by telephone. The result! A long train journey to Plymouth to see the club, meet manager Jack Rowley and other Argyle officials and discuss the details of a possible move. Late last night it was stated that Gauld was very impressed by the Plymouth offer and was willing to sign for them. He is to contact the London headquarters of the form for whom he works immediately, and will attempt to get transferred to a branch in the West County. If it can be arranged his transfer will be but a matter of hours. Gauld’s departure after almost exactly a year at Everton will come as little surprise since he has been unsettled for some time. He was put on the transfer list at his own request last March, and turned down a possible move to Cardiff City only at the very last minute. More recently he has been the subject of inquires by Manchester City but once again nothing was decided apparently because he was reluctant to give up his job as a salesman in Liverpool. Gauld’s arrival last season coincided with the club’s stunning 5-2 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, and was one of the reasons why Everton were able to keep away from the foot of the table. His determined dashes upfield did much to add punch to the attack, and it was thought that in partnership with Hickson he might achieve great things this season. In fact, he injured an ankle in training before the first match, lost his place to Temple, and has since been unable to regain it. Everton have delayed selection of their team to meet Burnley at Goodison Park tomorrow, in the hope that Fielding and Rea may be fit in time. Both players recently returned to training after dropping out with ankle injuries and have made rapid progress. Although Thomas has scored three times in the two games he has played he has not Fielding’s vast experience and masterly ball control which has provided Everton with most of their attacking inspiration. Speed have determination. Everton have in abundance. They will lack the craft Fielding alone can supply.
BURNLEY’S POOR AWAY RECORD
October 18, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Burnley, visitors to Goodison Park, have a very poor away record. They have taken only one point from six such engagements, in which they have several times been heavily defeated. In two successive fixtures they had thirteen goals slipped passed them, which was nearly half the total (29) they conceded in away games throughout the whole of last season. While the old Burnley reputation for defensive solidity has been sadly deflated, this has been partly due to the absence of key defenders through flu and injury. Now that the team is back to something like normal strength opposing sides will probably find it much harder to score. The Turf Moor forward line has never been noted for prolific scoring. Throughout the post-war seasons the concentration has been more on stopping the opposition than throwing everything into counter-attacks. Despite their recent short-comings, however, Burnley are potentially a very useful side, with the power to stage an occasional outstanding performance. Everton must not take too much for granted on the basis of recent results, in case it should be one of Burnley’s bright days. The visitors make one change from the side which defeated Sunderland 6-0 last week. Irish international Jim McIlroy has recovered from a heavy cold, and takes over at inside right from Robson. The 21-years-old Pointer retains his place at centre forward. Burnley; McDonald; Smith, Winton; Seith, Adamson, Shannon; Newlands, McIlroy, Pointer, Cheeseborugh, Pilkington.
TENNYSON’S BROOK HAS NOTHING ON FIELDING…
October 19, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Leslie Edwards
Tennyson’s brook has nothing on Everton’s Wally Fielding. Nor has long-running Pater Pan. Fielding, the oldest man on the Everton books, is one of the sprightliest, thanks to Coach Ian Buchan’s rejuvenating exercises and the fact that Fielding, free from all inhibitions, can play his own game. And what a game. At Luton he waltzed about the field like a two-year-old. Both against Newcastle and again under lights against Arsenal, Everton’s attacked lacked the architect who creates football patterns of quality. I think Everton will get goals more readily, as assuredly victory, against Burnley today purely because Fielding is in the side. Burnley are not the most attractive of opponents, but such is the enthusiasm for Everton I do not doubt there will be an attendance between fifty and sixty thousands. Fielding passed his test yesterday; the other doubtful Rea, had a test too but it was felt wisest to leave him out for the time being. So Ken Birch (who must step up his speed in possession on occasion) maintains the right-half back position. Burnley looked a good side, if a trifle-small twelve months ago. Now they are struggling and so is their former manager Alan Brown at Sunderland. It will be good to renew acquaintance with Leslie Shannon, now a half-back. This son of Liverpool has had a long, successful innings since he joined Burnley as a forward from Anfield.
Home To Confer
The only other item of Everton interest this morning is that Jimmy Gauld having conferred with Plymouth Argyle has gone home to Scotland to confer with his parents. It is understood in Plymouth that he might sign for Plymouth before today, but when Mr. Gauld senior was told he suggested that he should discuss it with his son first. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Birch, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Fielding, Harris (B). Burnley; McDonald; Smith, Winton; Seith, Adamson, Shannon; Newlands, McIlroy, Pointer, Cheeseborough, Pilkington.
NOTHING TO GET LIT-UP ABOUT AT GOODISON
October 19, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Temple Cancels Out Cheeseborough Goal
Everton 1, Burnley 1
Everton; Dunlop, goal; Donovan (captain), and Tansey, backs; Birch, Jones and Meagan, half-backs; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Fielding and Harris (B), forwards. Burnley; McDonald, goal; Smith and Winton, backs; Seith, Adamson, and Shannon, half-backs; Newland, McIlroy, Pointer, Cheeseborough, and Pilkington, forwards. Referee; Mr. A. Bond (London). Two choice Meagan passes produced a shot from Temple and a header from Hickson. The latter’s effort was stopped and cleared on the line by Winton. The first ten minutes produced some very ordinary football, but when the crowd started to call for more action a through pass by Temple sent Hickson away. He let fly with a powerful drive from 18 yards. The ball struck McDonald, who knew very little about it, and rebounded for Sieth to complete the clearance. Hickson headed over after Donovan had sent across a high centre following a throw-in. Shannon was applauded for a neat bit of work which showed his confidence, for he twice “dummied” himself out of trouble inside the penalty area, when others might have been tempted to boot the ball anywhere. Neither forward line had looked very dangerous, apart from Hickson’s two efforts, and the best combination had come from Burnley’s defenders who were always seeking to use the ball to advantage.
Speedy Pilkington
Pilkington twice sped past Donovan to get over good centres but there was no one up to turn them to account. Shots were few and far between, and much of the play continued in a desultory and haphazard fashion. Everton did not look like a side that has been doing so well. It needed a goal to liven up the game. One almost came after Pilkington jinxing his way pass Donovan, let fly a powerful left foot shot which Dunlop dived to turn round the post. This was Burnley’s first shot in half an hour. Pilkington was Burnley’s most dangerous forward. He was giving Donovan a lot of trouble and first Jones and then Meagan had to come to the rescue by intercepting the winger’s centres. It was Pilkington again rounding Donovan’s who carved out a shooting chance for Cheesebrough and only a brilliant full length save by Dunlop prevented Everton being in arrears. A minute later Burnley did get the ball in the net, after McIlroy and Cheeseborough had worked their way through but Pointer who netted, was offside. After some of the promising football we have seen from Everton this season this was very disappointing. It seemed almost crude at times, and with Burnley no better, the fate was not what the crowd expected. One Burnley move took the ball three parts the length of the field without an Everton man touching it, and then having carved out an opening, Cheeseborough put the ball high amongst the crowd. He did just the same a little later from a free kick after Donovan had whipped Cheeseborough legs from under him.
Hit The Bar
The crowd had something to cheer about a couple of minutes before half-time when Temple whose earlier attempts at shooting had been poor, now unleashed a more characteristic effort which had McDonald well beaten. Unfortunately for Everton it struck the bar and although Temple had a second go from the rebound McDonald made a splendid save. This was the only bit of excitement the crowd had though just as the whistle went, Hickson headed in smartly from a corner, only to see McDonald well positioned. Half-time; Everton nil, Burnley nil.
Burnley almost took the lead immediately on resuming when Pilkington, after beating Donovan, squared a low centre which Pointer would have had only to tap in had he been on the spot. He was a bit slow in the uptake however, and could not reach it. A goal to Burnley came when McIlroy, after further good work by Pilkington squared the ball right in the path of Cheeseborough, who hit home a first time shot which gave Dunlop no chance at all. Time 47 minutes. Hickson and Brian Harris carved out a chance for Temple but once more the Everton youngsters failed to hit his shot properly. He was on the target but it was a very gentle sort of effort. A minute later Temple was unfortunate when, after beating two men, he looked a scorer all over until McDonald stuck out a foot and turned the ball away. At last Everton were putting some real fire and determination into their work and the Burnley goal had a narrow escape when Shannon cleared off the line from Jimmy Harris.
Inches Over
Brian Harris had now come into the game strongly and one long of his ended in Birch having a first time shooting chance. The half-backs effort was only inches over the bar. Everton’s persistence was beginning to shake the hitherto imperturbable Burnley defence out of its confidence and after two good efforts by Hickson, Everton got on level terms at the 56th minute. Although the scorer was Temple, Hickson takes a good share of the credit, for when he picked up a high dropping centre inside the penalty area, despite having two opponents harassing him, Hickson managed to slip the ball through into the middle. Temple’s shot appeared to hit the underside of the bar before entering the net. Temple had another chance, again from a Hickson pass, but only half hit his shot. Pointer missed the chance of the match when after beating Jones as the latter slipped he dribbled round the advancing Dunlop and then with an open goal to shoot at put the ball outside. Fielding had tried hard all through, but with little success to bind the Everton forward line together. Everton had fallen into their old habit of excessive lateral passing. Burnley had now come back strongly into the game and at this stage were serving up better football than seen from either side previously. Burnley provided some excellent midfield work, moving the ball confidently and accurately but Tansey, Jones and Meagan were cutting down their shooting opportunities by good anticipation. McIlroy beat three men with a wonderful dribble but Dunlop saved splendidly. Final; Everton 1, Burnley 1. Official attendance 44,924.
A HARD FIGHT –BUT I LIKE A CHALLENGE
October 19, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
By Peter Farrell
During the past fortnight several soccer fans have asked me what differences I find in my capacity as player-manager compared with my former role as player. From the point of view of my position on the field of play during the course of a game with my new club Tranmere Rovers, I haven’t found much difference. In my Everton days, whether in the first team or the reserves, I as captain was boos on the field, a fact which was generally accepted by the lads, and I never had any trouble in this respect. In fact, I often received words of encouragement and advice from the Everton players when things were not going too well for myself. The same has happened at Tranmere during my short term with the Birkenhead side to date. I am so to speak just carrying on where I left off at Goodison Park being skipper on the field with, of course more responsibility. It was perhaps a little embarrassing in my first game against Southport as I found myself giving orders, advice, encouragement and criticism to players, most of whom I had only met for the first time an hour before the kick-off.
Selection Worries
However, my new team mates at Tranmere helped me greatly by their co-operation and enthusiasm. Off the field of course I have found a big change as was to be expected. One of responsibilities is team selection, which I should imagine is all right when things are running smoothly and the team is in a winning way, but which I have already discovered can be a big worry, following games like last Saturday against Mansfield when the Rovers dropped two very valuable points. I have discovered many more problems, such as players coming to me with grievances about one thing or another, and I know I will encounter many more snags in the future which will be all new to me.
Hard on Meagan
Congratulations to those two promising Everton youngsters Derek Temple and Mick Meagan on being selected for representative honours this week. I was glad to see Derek scored on his debut last Tuesday I feel a little sorry for Meagan who has already made a big name for himself at left-half for the Blues this season. The Irish selectors have chosen him at inside-left for tomorrow’s game in Dublin against Romannia a position in which Meagan has not played for a very long time. It doesn’t seem fair to this brilliant young wing half to be selected for his first representative game out of position in front of his home fans in Dublin. Still Mick has the ability to make a success of his job. Good luck to him.
WEST BROMWICH RES V EVERTON RES
October 12, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
West Bromwich Res;- Jackman, goal; Whale and Williams, backs; Brook, Cram, and Styles, half-backs; Richardson, Campbell, Lee (M),Robinson, and Forrester, forwards. Everton Res; O’Neill, goal; Sanders and Leeder, backs; King, Labone, and Gannon, half-backs; McNamara, Birch, Kirby, McKay, and Williams, forwards. Referee-Mr. R.D. Kirk (Nottingham). Everton had an early escape when Sanders headed clear a header from Campbell following a right-wing corner. Williams launched Everton’s first attack with a cross which McNamara headed well, but the ball struck Kirby and was deflected over the br. Following a Kirby centre a snap shot from Williams went past the post. O’Neill saved a penalty taken by Lee after 14 minutes and in the next attack he tipped over a shot from lee. Kirby gave Everton the lead with a grit goal after 20 minutes. Cram failing to clear from McNamara. Campbell Abion’s best forward relieved some drab play with a shot which went just wide. A centre from McNamara was collected by the Albion ‘keeper before Mckay could reach it. Receiving a pass from Forrester, Lee shot on the turn and O’Neill did well to save. Half-time; West Brom Res nil, Everton Res 1.
A DERBY GAME MINUS WHEELER AND HARRIS B.
October 21, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 1, Burnley 1
By Leslie Edwards
When Liverpool and Everton renew 1957 rivalry under lights at Anfield on October 20 it looks as though we shall have a repetition of the game at Everton –a meeting of weakened sides. Already Everton are sure to be without Brian Harris (chosen to play for the Football League in Belfast that night) and Liverpool must resign themselves to being without Wheeler on reserve at Belfast for the Football league. Manager Phil Taylor said last night “I wouldn’t mind so much if Johnny Wheeler were playing. But to have him on Reserve when we have an important match against Everton is aggravating…”
While many are enjoying the surfeit of matches which floodlighting at both senior grounds has brought (and players will be picking up considerable extras for their mid-week endeavour), the signs are that too much highly competitive football causes staleness and slowness. Take the case of Everton. In addition to their normally busy start to the season, they arranged successive mid-week matches against Liverpool, Arsenal, Red Banner and (on the following Wednesday) Liverpool again. Can it be that the effort put into these games coming so quickly on others has slowed an Everton team which started the season by proving themselves to be one of the fittest, if not the fittest sides in the country? I noticed against Burnley on Saturday, more than one sign of tiredness and by the time a testing game in quite heavy conditions was over there were sagging legs in more than one department. It wasn’t all due to the considerable chasing they had done in pursuit of Burnley forwards who were much more brilliant than we anticipated. With the two centre-forward s transplanted into the other side’s attack I think Burnley might have won by four or five goals. Instead with the willing, but inadequate Pointer leading their line they had to be content with a 1-1 draw. They were just as deserving of their point as Arsenal had been. Where was imagined that the re-appearance of Fielding would automatically produce from Everton top-class form we were mistaken. Fielding did not have a very good day, but the real reason why Everton did not function properly was because Burnley held so many of the game’s triumph cards. They possessed big defenders who had the skill to use the finesse they had at outside-left the man whose very possession of the ball caused near-panic in the defence.
Not Dismayed
Pilkington is not only a great controller of the ball, he is a man who refuses to be dismayed by the best and hardest of tackles, Donovan tried every ruse to stop the Pilkington gallop and only succeeded occasionally. Burnley’s first half represented the best combined football we have seen at Goodison Park this season –up to a point. They did all the close, intricate stuff beautifully and then failed, time and again to find a billet with their far-flung passes. They have three fine half-backs, the best of them Leslie Shannon, and an all-round composure and competence which makes their League position unaccountable. Burnley’s goal came shortly after the interval. Left back Winton had his part in it, but the beauty of the score was the ferocity of the shot made by Cheeseborough after he had quickly moved the ball to his left foot. Temple the most luckless of Everton forwards on Saturday got the equalizer in a similarly direct move which started at Donovan, Hickson nodded the ball over to his young partner from the full back’s long pass, and Temple hit a shot so hard McDonald must have felt relieved it missed him. McDonald was lucky to escape a goal when stretching out a long leg against a Temple shot. The Everton forward had worse luck when picking up the rebound from the woodwork of one of his own shots he hit the ball in again with McDonald apparently in no position to save. But he saved brilliantly… McDonald and Dunlop both played faultlessly, but when Jones misjudged a header and young Pointer careered through unopposed except for Dunlop the chances were that Burnley would win. Pointer attempted that most difficult gambit – to dribble the goalkeeper, Dunlop took care to see that he was well hampered and the angled shot eventually passed harmlessly across the face of goal. On this showing Burnley have no weakness. They have great inside men in McIlroy and Cheesebough and Pilkington, alone is an embarrassment to any defence. Tom Jones was outstandingly good, even allowing for the weakness of the man he faced and Meagan, until he tired, and Fielding were always aiming at constructive stuff. But except for their second-half rally which left some of them gasping and quite leg weary Everton were not comparable with their opponents. Even Hickson had a moderate day.
NOW BRIAN GARRIS IS HONOURED
October 21, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
The football League team to meet the Irish league, in Belfast, on October 30 was selected in London yesterday and Brian Harris has been selected as outside-left.
KIRBY SCORES WINNING GOAL
October 21, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
West Bromwich Albion Res 0, Everton res 1
The enthusiasm of a young Albion side –five of the players were only seventeen –failed to save a point against their more experienced visitors. Kirby, Everton’s forceful leader scored after 20 minutes due to a defensive blunder. McNamara and Williams gave the Albion backs a trying time. O’Neill pulled off many brilliant saves to thwart Albion including a Lee penalty kick and a shot on the rebound from Richardson –son of W.G. Richardson. Albion star of the 1930’s who still holds the club record for most goals in a season.
PLAYERS DO NOT MAKE MISTAKES OUT OF SHEER CUSSEDNESS
October 21, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Although you would hardly think so from the reaction of a section of onlookers at many football matches, professional footballers are human beings like the rest of us, and as such are liable to make mistakes. Yet, such is the impatience and intolerance of a minority of those who pay to watch, one would imagine that players erred deliberately and out of sheer cussedness. Some football followers are either extraordinarily flicks or have amazingly short memories. Up to a week or so ago Everton were the darlings of, the Goodsion Park fans. They could do no wrong. Against Burnley on Saturday the first half was played in almost deathly silence, broken only by the commands of the impatient for somebody of other to get a move on. The very atmosphere was chilling, and the players were sensitive to it. It is true that there was nothing to get excited about, but it was certainly not had enough to warrant the apparently hostility of even a small proportion of onlookers. I am not making excuses for Everton’s disappointing display, which was the worst I have seen from them this season. All I am trying to do is point out that even the finest of teams have their off days occasionally –Manchester United’s followers will confirm that –and it is when those days occur that the players would welcome encouragement. They don’t need it when everything is going well, yet that is when they get it most. The mistakes Everton made were numerous and sometimes glaring, particularly in attack and in one wing half position and altogether, it was a rather lifeless and desultory display. They never really got their teeth into the game apart from one brief spell before half time and another for ten minutes or so in the second half. Yet, not many days ago the same team was being cheered to the echo and metaphorically bringing the house down. One had display occasionally a natural enough, but it should not be magnified out of proportion. Burnley were much the better side technically and tactical, yet they did not have as many shots as Everton. Twice Burnley were saved by defenders’ goal-line clearances, once by the woodwork and several times by the excellent work of goalkeeper McDonald. What seemed to upset some folk most was Everton’s return to their old tip-tapping ways in the penalty area when a first-time shot was there for the taking. The return of Fielding did not have the anticipated effect upon the forward line, which was still too individualistic. Neither winger succeeded in establishing the ascendancy which Burnley’s Pilkington exercised most of the time against Donovan who along with Birch had a very lean time. Temple’s shooting bar one powerful drive which hit the bar and Hickson made goal, was far below what he can produce at his best. Hickson had little chance to shine against Adamson, yet made two excellent headers which with a bit of luck might have produced goals.
Some Consolation
Chief honours went to Dunlop, Jones and Meagan, with Tansey reasonably good without producing his usual commanding performance. Everton’s football was not to be compared with Burnley’s in midfield. The visitors moved the ball far more accurately and confidently. It was a good thing for Everton that the opposition’s finishing was not of the same class, otherwise the Blues might have suffered their first home defeat. As it was there is some consolation to any side which can have a bad day and yet save a point. One wonders whether the strain of mid-week night matches, is having any effect on Everton. It seems unlikely, for two games a week is not very hard labour for fully fit footballers. Temple however was playing his fourth game in eight days, and that may be a bit much for a youngster not yet out of his teens. Burnley’s outstanding players were Pilkington and McIlroy in attack and Adamson, Shannon an McDonald in defence with the rest of the rearguard not far behind. The visitors showed remarkable coolness in defence, and rarely booted the ball haphazardly. They combined brilliantly right from the goal area and were always trying to play class football. For once it was Everton, who seemed the more crude and disjointed and had to play second fiddle. But that is no reason to be unduly critical. It was just one of the off days we must expect now and then. So long as they do not come too often, there seems nothing to worry about unduly.
Everton followers have an opportunity of seeing the leading Yugoslavian League team at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, and might also later on have been watching Juventus the club which signed John Charles, had not Everton floodlit programme been full for the time being. Another factor was that Juventus asked for a guarantee which despite the hugh gate of late was more than Everton felt inclined to meet.
LEADING YUGOSLAV SIDE ON VIEW AT GOODISON TOMORROW
October 22, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton stage their third successive Wednesday night floodlit game tomorrow, when Red Star, the outstanding club in Yugoslavia, are the visitors. Red Star come with a first-class record in their own country. They have won the Yugoslavia Cup three times and the League championship on four occasions since the last war. They have also provided over recent years a big proportion of players for their country’s international team. There were seven Red Star men in the Yugoslavian party at the World Cup in 1950, in Brazil and though the number was less in the 1954 series in Switzerland, they still had one of the biggest representations of any Yugoslavian club. I saw the game between Brazil and Yugoslavia at Lausanne in the latter series which went to extra time. It was one of the finest exhibitions of artistic football I have ever watched, though play of that type might nor go down well it served up regularly in this country week after week. It had not the “bite” that please an English crowd, but for sheer class subtlety, ball control, and artistic craftsmanship, it was most entrancing. On that occasion the Yugoslavian tackling was much less keen than we are accustomed to seeing here. They did not mark the opposition so closely as the English players, and rather than go into a quick tackle they often backed away, poised on their toes, waiting for the right time to pounce. They always stuck me as more intent on intercepting the pass than trying to prevent the man with the ball from making it. When defending they often had eight men in the vicinity of the penalty area, due to this tendency to backpedal, but as soon as they gained possession the boot was on the other leg and when on attack they usually had seven of eight men on the job. Their amazing speed in switching from defence to attack was one of the most notable things about the team.
Sporting Spirit
Incidentally this game at Lausanne unlike the “Battle of Berne” a fortnight later was fought out in a very clean and sporting spirit. Charlie Faultless, who referee it, told me afterwards that he had rarely had an easier game to handle throughout his career. Whether the Red Star side will play the type of football tomorrow that their national team did on that occasion I wouldn’t know. Should they do so we shall see football worth watching and something very different to a normal Football League struggle. Among the several Red Star players of international calibre is goalkeeper Beare, possessor of 46 caps and one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. He played in the second half for F.I.F.A against England at Wembley four seasons ago after Zeman had been injured, and also for his country at the same venue last season. Right full back Stankovic and outside-right Mitic, capped 57 and 59 times respectively are other outstandings players in the visiting side. centre-half Spajic is said to be one of the best pivots in European football today. He has been capped nine times. Red Star;- Beare; Stankovic, Zekovic; Popovic, Spajic, Tasic; Mitic, Cokic, Toplak, Kostic, Rudinski.
Not Sold Out
Everton have not disposed of all the stand tickets. Seats will be available by payment at the turnstiles before the start, at 10s 6d and 7s 6d, while entrance to the goal stands and parts of Goodison Road stand, at 5s can also be obtained in the same manner.
Everton have re-arranged their postponed game with Blackpool for Wednesday evening. November 20, kick-off 7.30.
Everton supporters Federation (Wavertree branch) are running a trip to the game with Preston North End at Preston on Saturday, to which non-members are invited. The branch headquarters are at the Tunnel Hotel, Tunnel Road where anybody wishes to join the party should make inquires when the committee meets on Thursday evening.
BELGRADE RED STAR AT GOODISON PARK
October 23, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Yugoslavian Champions May Face Weakened Everton Formation
By Ranger
Everton will not decide the composition of their team to oppose Red Star in the floodlit game at Goodison Park this evening until an hour or so before the start, but it already seems certain there will be several reserves in the line-out. Hickson, Fielding, Temple, and Meagan are all doubtful, Brian Harris is not available and King is likely to supplant Birch at right half. This means the possibility of six changes compared with the side which drew with Burnley last Saturday. It is unfortunate that this position should have arisen with the first floodlit game against a Continental side, which Everton had hoped would give them an idea of the public support they are likely to get for this class of match. It is also hard lines on people who have brought tickets at the increased prices. While many who did so will be going to see the Yugoslavia as much as Everton, at the same time they would rather watch a strong home team than one, which may possibly be rather a makeshift combination. Red Star come with a high reputation. They have been champions of the Yugoslavian League four times since the war runners-up or third on several other occasions and have also won the Yugoslavian Cup three times in succession –in 1942, 1949 and 1950. In short they are the Manchester United of their country and though we have no yardstick by which to compare the relative merits of success in Yugoslavia and this country from all accounts the visitors are a talented and skillful side whose ability is equivalent to that of the average First Division team here. This belief is further strengthened by their performances against other Continental clubs. In recent years they have met with considerable success on different tours. Not long ago they defeated Grondins (Bordeaux) who at the time were champions of France . They also had a 5-0 victory over Racing Club of Paris another of the leading France sides.
European Cup Games
Victory by 8-1 over La Gantoise one of Belgium’s best teams, gave them a happy Christmas last year, while other wins include one of 5-1 over Vasco (Budapest), 4-0 against Stade (Rheims) and three victories against Rapid (Vienna) another famous Continental club. Red Star were also one of the outstanding teams in the European Cup last season. After wins over the champion clubs of Holland and Bulgaria they met Florentina, the crack Italian side, in the semi-final. The Italians won the first leg 2-0 in Belgrade, an advantage which was more than Red Star could pull back in the return game, though they managed a goalless draw. Florentine them lost to Real Madrid the conquerors of Manchester United in the final. Like many Continental sides, Red Star do not run their faith to the close marking or keen tackling we are accustomed to in Football League matches. The backs and half-backs give their opponents a fair amount of liberty and space in which to work. They rely much more on Intercepting passes than seeking to dispossess the opponent in possession. That, however, does not lessen their ability to launch successful counfer –attacks, and if they are as speedy and well-trained as one is led to believe they may well prove too good for Everton tonight. Among the outstanding players in the visiting side is goalkeeper Beara. At the age of 29 he has amassed no fewer than to international caps, and is reckoned to be one of the finest of post-war Continental goalkeepers. As befits a former ballet danger, Beare is something of a showman but that does not detract from his ability as a sound and reliable goalkeeper. The veteran of the team is right-back Stankovic, now 33 who has been capped by his country on 57 occasions. I saw Stankovic give a brilliant display for Yugoslavia in a World Cup game against Brazil at Lausanne three seasons ago, on the hottest day I have ever experienced at a football match. Left-back Zekeovic, who is 23 has been capped 16 times and played in all Yugoslavia’s matches last season. Spajic centre half, nine times an international is another defensive stawart. Probably the greatest star of the side, however, is Mitic who has been in the Yugoslavian national side on 58 occasions. He has played for his country at outside right, inside right and in the half-back line. A wonderful artist when at his best, Mitic’s one of the finest wing dribbles next to Matthews and Finney, that I have seen in post-war football. He has often been sought by other Continental clubs, notably the Italians but nowadays he must be getting somewhere near the end of his career for is approaching 35. Centre forward Topiak is one of the youngest members of the team at 21. He has six caps to his name already and is expected to remain a member of the international side for a long time yet; providing he escapes injury and maintains the form which has brought him to the top class. Redstar;- Beara; Stankovic, Zekovic; Popovic, Spajic, Tasic; Milic, Cokic, Topiak, Kostic, Rudinski.
THE SHOOTING STARS OF YUGOSLAVIA…
October 24, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 2, Red Star (Yugoslavia) 3
By Leslie Edwards
This was no match. It was an exhibition of the good things of football by Red Star. Red Star, who have yet to win their first League match of the season in seven starts. Red Star, the anything but Slavish artists with a football; men who recalled the traditional Scottish style, but with important extras –tremendous speed, on occasion, and shooting so punchy and dangerous one wonders where they get the reputation for doing everything right in midfield and nothing right near goal. Some of their shots (and particularly the three with which inside-right Cokic got a wonderful hat-trick) were much too well hit, too well directed for Dunlop. I would say that the allegation that there are no shooting Red Stars is one of the greatest fallacies of soccer. They surprised the travelling Yugoslav journalist who sat next to me by the venom and regularity of their drives. This dark-visaged gentleman vouchsafed the information that he cared for Everton as far back as 25 years ago meaning that he was one of their fans in Yugoslavia! I wish I could say I cared for Everton last night, but I cannot. And not only for the reason that their play was pedestriantly poor compared with the others. I had to give away one of the 10s 6d tickets, I kind friend obtained for me. No one wanted to pay 10 s 6d to see the mixed middling Everton X1 which took the field…and I don’t blame them.
Token Resistance
A match between two Red Stars at Goodison, would produce a record gate. The pity was that Everton were so weakened as to offer only token opposition, hard as they tried to match the brilliance of opponents who brought more than one breath of freshness into the stereotyped methods of which we see so much. They ankled the ball; they inched it here and there; they back-heeled it and then rolled it forwards though it were tried to the bottom of their boots; they always seemed to have time to do what they “wanted-and space. But some of their movers were the closet combined operations we have seen on the ground since Hughie Gallacher was around. They passed Everton defenders as though they did not exist; the greatest artist of them all, the blonde Kostic took the crowd’s fancy from the start. One wonders what a player like this might fetch in our market? He had size, power, wonderful control of the ball at speed or even when merely dawdling through and his second half, from a standing start (and with his back to goal) was quite the most captivating thing of a game full of Red Star captivations. That Dunlop sensed the move and flung himself to the goal angle to put the ball away for a corner was masterly. Though the margin, thanks to two goals to Young Ashworth (playing his first game for the Everton seniors) could not have been more narrow the effort Everton had to make compared with their strolling-player opponents was prodigious. Hickson had a hand in both Everton goals, the second of which came right at the end when everyone had seemed satisfied that Red Star would safely hold their 3-1 margin.
Remarkable Goals
They were all remarkable goals, Cokic (all the ics are pronounced as itches) got his first direct from a hugh clearance from hand by the all black Beara. The ball’s bound helped to beat Jones and Cokic instead of running the ball in half-volleyed it to the dismay of Dunlop. This goal came at five minutes. at the half-hour Hickson put up a lovely through pass for Ashworth to run on to, Beara came out Ashworth rounded him and with the goalkeeper far from home and the shooting aperture dreadfully narrow the youngster hit the cross-shot into an empty net. But five minutes before the interval a lovely down-the-middle move by Red Star produced a second for Cokic. Again he took it well. This time he damaged a shoulder. Jimmy Gauld replaced Thomas (who took a severe first-half knock close on the interval) but even Gauld’s characteristically enlivening influence could not stave off that third and hat-trick goal by Cokic. But it was the effervesced not, Kostic who more than once almost walked the ball single-handed through the entire Everton defence who made the score possible. He had weaved through to have his shot charged down when Cokic seized the ball and half-volleyed it home. It took some uncompromising defence by Tom Jones, who had to bear the severity of Red Star’s fantastically good inside trio to prevent Kostic from sailing through to goals which would have brought down the house – as many of the 32,405 people present would have liked to acclaim football of such standard from their own side. Perhaps the game’s greatest move was a Red Star one, second half, down the right wing which ended with the right-back. Tomic –who is only 18 –crossing a ball from which Kostic made a stunning hook shot which flew just wide of goal. What a goal that would have been!
Expert Tactics
If we could see this sort of football week by week we should never tire of it. It is useless saying that our football is the more direct; the more effective. The Yugoslavian principle is that it is better to arrive than to travel hopefully. They posses themselves of the ball and being experts at placing their body between it and the tackle they want an awful lot of dispossessing. To rate them properly one must forget their dismal League record this season and recall that they were champions the previous two seasons and European Cup semi-finalists a year ago. Most of them are students Beara is an electrician and not a ballet dancer, as he has often been described. Outside-right, Mitic is a journalist. He would be able to send home good reports of the team as a whole, despite the fact that Donovan did everything to get shackies on outside left Durkovic a reserve. If Red Star are bottom of the Yugoslav League table, one may well ask what sort of team leads? I would like to see them play, and so, I don’t doubt would thousands who were captivated by Red Star’s easy nonchalant, almost impudent football in so many department last night.
Beara’s Class
Here is a team of eleven very good controllers of the ball big men, good sportsmen, good headers, good tacticians. It would be difficult to praise them too highly. Beara showed his class, it was Dunlop who was always in the greater peril. Ashworth’s second goal made by Hickson, made him leap for joy. Odd that both he and Thomas, both making their home –debuts under lights should each score twice. But I fear Ashworth must now return to Central League football for further polish. King looked the best of the Reserves brought in, but with Meagan and company missing and Fielding out of the attack, Everton’s progress was too laboured too obvious. If I am not mistaken it would take a combined force of the best of Everton and Liverpool to match Red Star and make them knuckle down to their real game. A pity we could not have had a stronger Everton, I fear the 30,000 mark is not going to be topped often unless people can be sure when buying their stand tickets that the full might of Everton is almost certainly going to be on view.
RED STAR GAVE GOODISON CROWD A SOCCER TREAT
October 24, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton’s first floodlit game against a Continental side, the forerunner of many to come in future seasons, provided some extremely entertaining football, and if most of it came from the visitors, that was of no great consequence. The main thing is that the spectators did not feel their evening wasted, despite Everton turning out a team containing five reserves and having to do a lot of abortive chasing of Red Shadows. It was a good thing for the home side that they were able to field their first team men at full back and centre half. Even such experienced players as Donovan, Tansey and Jones had their hands full against the speedy, tricky and constantly interchanging, Red Star inside forwards. The visitors tactical ideas have probably given Chief Coach Ian Buchan something to ponder over Centre forward Toplak, was rarely leader of the attack. He held a roving commission, foraging part of his time as a deep-lying centre forward, taking excursions to the wing, having a go, at half back, sometimes even as a full back, and acting as a general factotum and instigator of a stream of attacks. Kostic had a somewhat similar mission, though he stuck more the middle of the field and sowed the seeds of damage from a less extensive area. His ball control was amazing as indeed, was that of practically all the visitors whether forwards or defenders. They could get Everton running the wrong way with almost effortless ease. Kostic was the nearest approach I have seen to Stefano or Puskas but it was Cokic who finished off the moves from the inside right perth. Cokic got all three Red Star goals, every one of them a beauty.
Defensive Tactics
The wingers were not as dangerous as I had expected while at full-back I was disappointed not to get another view of the veteran Stankovic, a brilliant defender. Although no announcement was made of the change, or of the one at outside left. Tomic came in for Stankovic who was not fit. The Yugoslavia defensive tactics were also somewhat different from our normal set-up, for the wing halves took it in turn to keep in line abreast with the two backs and centre half making a rearguard of four whenever there was any threat of danger. Ashworth got both Everton’s goals the second a minute from the finish. Though in each case he had to thank Hickson for carving out the opening, Ashworth took the chances well particularly the first goal when he rammed the ball home down a very narrow angle after dribbling round the goalkeeper. Considering what they were up against the younger Evertonians brought into the side had no reason to be ashamed of their performance. While wing halves King and Gannon had more on their plates than they could cope with they struck to their task with grim determination and Thomas was always pegging away hopefully until he was injured. Gauld took his place in the second half and contributed some lively runs. Everton’s best shots – there were few of note –came from Jimmy Harris. It used to be said years ago that the Continentals were all right up to the penalty area but no good at shooting. Red Star proved that is not so in their case. Their shooting was strong and usually accurate. If they had regarded this less as an exhibition game and gone all out for goals, instead of demonstrating how clever they could be and how well they could dribble in confined space the result might have been very different. But, taken generally, it was a very satisfactory game all round, and the 32,405 spectators saw something to remember.
Old Colleagues
Manager Cliff Britton, whose Preston North End team on Saturday entertains that which he formerly managed at Goodison Park may have the two former Everton players, Mayers and Farrell in his attack depending on whether Tommy Thompson is able to play or not. At the moment Thompson is doubtful. A leg injury received a fortnight ago caused him to miss last week’s game at Sunderland and though he is making steady progress, he is not yet thoroughly right. Farrell deputized for him last week, and gave quite a useful display. Mayers has already played five games for Preston, three at outside right and two at outside left. He too, has been playing promisingly. Tom Finney absent on international duty last week will lead the attack. Fielding, Temple, and Meagan will all be fit for the visit to Preston, but Rea is doubtful. His instep is not yet right and rather than take any chances Everton could bring in King. Thomas injury last night was to a muscle behind the knee and he may need rest for some days.
GAULD TAKES HIS BOOTS
October 25, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Leslie Edwards
Jimmy Gauld, the forward Everton signed a season ago to get them out of trouble –he did, too –travelled to London from Liverpool yesterday with three things –transfer forms half completed by Everton F.C his football boots and the desire to become a Plymouth Argyle player. Terms have been agreed between Everton and Plymouth –the fee is said to be nearer £6,000 than £7,000 –and all going well Gauld will sign for Manager Jack Rowley sometimes this afternoon. Rowley wants him to play in London, against Crystal Palace tomorrow. But no one can say with certainly that the deal will go through. The same stage in negotiations was reached between Everton and Manchester City a week ago and when it came to signing Gauld refused… The Everton scene will be the less glamorous for Gauld’s departure. He is the fastest man in possession in football and even when brought in for the second half of Wednesday’s game against Red Star enlivened and made more effective the Everton attack.
AS YOUR SEE IT
October 25, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Leslie Edwards
Sir- I cannot help but feel amazed, although very pleased, at the transformation effected at Goodison Park. A year ago the club were almost at rock bottom. A manager with a job in a thousand had thrown his hand in and the directors were left with a baby that required a lot of nourishment. Frankly, the old School of Science had not operated since the War and we who went to watch Everton play traditional football were very disappointed. The directors stood by their guns and although all and sundry demanded the appointment of an ex-professional as a manager thank goodness a decision to stand by Mr. Ian Buchan was adhered to. This man of whom we know so little has astounded the football world. What do the critic who asked for footballers and not sprinters, think now? They who were not prepared to give Mr. Buchan an opportunity to prove himself must surely to much wiser. Not only has he produced after one full season a winning team but far more important one that plays football of the Everton vintage. Need I say more. Are not, then, the directors to be congratulated on their choice? It was a brave but wise one and Mr. Buchan deserves full praise. His was not an easy task. The team will have its ups and downs but it is based on sound principles and the present evidence tends to show that we may expect the Everton Football Club to continue in the game on the standard for which it is universally known I congratulate all concerned and I can almost sense the happiness of proved Evertonians in which I include Mr. Harry Cooke for very obvious reasons. T.W.E.H Pritchard, Alaunia, Bushell Road, Neston, Wirral.
PRESTON HAVE SPLENDID HOME RECORD
October 25, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton tackle one of the best home teams in the country when they make the short trip to Deepdale, where Preston North End have not lost a game since Mr. Cliff Britton took over their management. A year ago Preston started disastrously, with four consecutive defeats, two of them at Deepdale. After Cliff Britton’s appointment they gradually became one of the best teams in the First Division, and finished the season in third place, equal on points with the runners up, Tottenham Hotspur. Since they last suffered defeat at Deepdale on August 20, 1956, they have played 27 League and Cup games winning 21 and drawing sic and preventing the opposition scoring on no fewer than fifteen occasions; in five other instances they have limited them to a single goal. This record not only speaks for itself but indicates the nature of the task facing the Blues. Against Burnley last week Everton lacked much of the snap and fire which characterized them earlier in the season. They will need to recaptured that spirit to bring back a point from Deepdale, for Preston nowadays must be full of confidence when playing before their own supporters. This season they have won all six games at Deepdale scoring 21 goals to five. Preston, however, has been rather a favourite venue for Everton in recent seasons. They have drawn twice and won once in their last three visits. An Everton team in the form of a few weeks ago should have a good chance of another point tomorrow. Some folk are beginning to wonder whether Everton’s floodlit programme is extracting a price and taking toll of the edge of the players keenness. It is too early yet to say. Preston make three changes. As Thompson passed his fitness test this morning, he comes in at inside right in place of former Evertonians Alec Farrell who made his senior debut last week. Mayers is in the side, but switches to outside right Taylor returning at outside left, Finney also returns. Preston; Else; Cunningham. Walton; Docherty, Dunn, O’Farrell’ Mayers, Thompson, Finney, Baxter, Taylor. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; King, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Fielding, Harris (B).
GAME OF ANGLES
October 26, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Leslie Edwards
Everton will take a big contingent to Preston for a game which has innumerable angles. Everton have lost but one League game, Preston have won all six home League games. Everton give a League debut to nineteen years-old Johnny King, a former Gillmour schoolboy whose work at right half back against Red Star showed promise. Add to this the rivalry that is bound to exist between a team managed by Cliff Britton and one he managed so recently and you have the essential for a needle game. Some of the young men Cliff Britton natured in his Goodison Park nursery may well surprise their old chief by their development since being blooded quickly after he left. It should be a great battle, but if Everton hit their form of earlier away games – and why shouldn’t they? –they will continue winning. Preston; Else; Cunningham. Walton; Docherty, Dunn, O’Farrell’ Mayers, Thompson, Finney, Baxter, Taylor. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; King, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Fielding, Harris (B).
EVERTON PAST AND PRESENT SCORE AT DEEPDALE
October 26, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Preston 3, Everton 1
By Stork
Preston;- Else, goal; Cunningham and Walton, backs; Docherty, Dunn and O’Farrell, half-backs; Mayers, Thompson, Finney, Baxter, and Taylor, forwards. Everton; Dunlop, goal; Donovan (captain) and Tansey, backs; King, Jones and Meagan, half-backs; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Fielding and Harris (B), forwards. Referee; Mr. E. Crawford (Doncaster). There was a first-class crowd at Deepdale this afternoon, where North End have not suffered defeat since August 1956. Everton had King, a 19-years-old right half, making his first league appearance. He played for the seniors last Wednesday against Red Star. The Scottish selectors were taking a look at the game with their eyes especially on Taylor the North End outside left. Everton had to face the sun and this was no doubt a handicap but an even greater handicap was the Preston forward line which in the first ten minutes had several chances, Finney had a shot blocked. Thomason made two headers which went close and Taylor also put the Everton defence under fire, twice having shots cannoned out. Mayers showed his own colleagues that he is a capable winger when he pushed through a beautiful pass to Thomspon, who instead of trying a shot offered a chance one to Taylor but the little Scott scooped the ball over. Everton’s part up to now had been a half hit shot by Temple from a reasonably good scoring position.
Finney’s Miss
Finney was moving the ball about nicely and should have scored when he had dribbed his way beyond all opposition except Dunlop –then shot outside. Everton, slow to start eventually got into something like a rhythm and Hickson almost sneaked through but there was no one up to lend him a hand and his two attempted centres were both collected by the opposition. Walton neatly anticipated a pass intended for Jimmy Harris and set North End on another raiding expedition which culminated in Thompson trying an overhead shot, which went for a goal kick. Everton had come more into the game, but there always seemed to be more danger from the North End attacks. Meagan after working the ball well finished with a poor pass to end what could have been trouble for Preston. The Everton defence did not look at all too ensure under pressure. Then came a goal to Preston at the 24th minute. The Everton defence was not quite blameless for Tansey left the ball to Dunlop when Docherty made his pass and the former Everton winger Mayers nipped in and safely piloted the ball into the net. Hickson almost equalized immediately afterwards when he made a great effort to head a centre from the left wing beyond Else. The ball went across the Preston goal and there could have been very little daylight between it and the upright as it passed outside. From a quick raid by Everton King came through to try his luck with a shot which had direction but no great power behind. Right on the interval Mayers tried a header and Jim Harris had an oblique shot blocked and then Mayers again came running into the middle but also had his shot cannoned away. Half-time; Preston N.E 1 Everton nil.
The second half opened with a foul by Jones on Finney and almost immediately afterwards Thompson was through but his attempted shot became crossfield pass. Thompson tried to make amends a little later when he drove across a fast low centre and Finney threw himself full length in his attempt to head a goal –it was indeed a wonderful effort. Temple now made one of the best shots of the match and it produced an equally fine save from Else. There was definite signs of an Everton improvement although Thompson again missed a great chance. The game was 57 minutes old when Everton equalized. Fielding and Harris (J) quickly changed places and when Fielding put the ball over there was Jimmy Harris’ head to apply the touch for a leveling goal. Then followed a spell of midfield play in which Everton showed up well and Dunlop in particular with a catch from the Preston right wing. Preston now put on extra pressure. There was a heading contest in front of Dunlop and this was followed by a corner kick which Taylor put straight back to Temple. A foul by Dunn on Hickson was taken by Fielding, but it seemed that no one anticipated his lob up the middle and Else came out to collect in comfort. North End pressed incessantly although it was from full back Walton’s clearance that they regained their lead. Walton put the ball up field, Finney trapped it neatly and although Jones came up to challenge, the England forward evaded the tackle and then went on to deliver a shot which left Dunlop helpless. Time 73 minutes. Everton hit back and when Hickson got an opening the Everton leader did not master the ball quickly enough and by the time he had tried to pull it back to Temple, the Preston defence had stepped in and cleared. The Everton attack had been anything but punishing and it was Preston who always looked the most dangerous. Their third goal came at the 85th minute when Taylor swept over a long ball from his wing and Mayers cleverly judged its flight to head it beyond Dunlop at the 85th minute. With a few minutes to go Dunlop saved a close range Finney shot. Final; Preston N.E 3, Everton 1.
EVERTON’S SPEED AND SPIRIT NOT ENOUGH
October 28, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Ian Hargreaves
Preston North End 3, Everton 1
Preston gave eleven bewildered opponents, 31,448 paying spectators and a rainbow-hued harem of Bullin’s Young Ladies an object lesson in the finer arts of football at Deepdale on Saturday. Continuing where they left off at Goodison last march they completely outplayed their galliant visitors for three-quarters of the game, and forcibly demonstrated that fitness, speed and fighting spirit, however, admirable they may be in their own half, are no substitute for mastery of the ball. Everton have never fought harder, shown greater determination in the face of adversity, but it got them nowhere. They spent most of the afternoon chasing shadows, and if they covered a vast amount of ground at great speed it was generally in pursuit not in possession. They were certainly not lacking in support, though much of it was sadly misguided. At least five hundred youthful followers from the thousands who made the trip from Liverpool engulfed the pitch the moment players and officials appeared, and prevented either end enjoying the usual five minutes limber-up.
A Private Game
One group grabbed a ball and started their own private game in the goalmouth, another indulged in a whole-hearted free for all with the police on duty. Even when they were removed they were far from finished. Everton’s equalizing goal brought another surge onto the pitch, another temporary hold up in play and the entire game was punctuated with the sound of exploding crackers. No doubting these young men’s enthusiasm, only their common sense. Not only is such an exhibition a nuisance to the players, it helps to give the city of Liverpool a bad name. Fortunately there was sufficient excellent entertainment to compensate for these unseemly interruptions. Finney alone is always worth going many miles to see, and on Saturday he was simply superb, beating his man with almost contemptuous ease, setting up attack after attack and still somehow contriving to be in at the kill. In the early stages he seemed to cast a hypnotic spell over the Everton defence, who were completely overrun, but kept their goal intact, simply because the Preston forwards seemed unwilling to sully the sheer beauty of their best movements with anything so crude as a full-blooded shot. Miss followed miss so rapidly, one lost count, and it was almost a surprise when Mayers –looking much chunker than of yore –scored against his old club at the second attempt. Taylor, buzzing round the exasperated Donovan like a wasp, could have passed Coleman’s seven goals record if his shooting had been reasonably straight yet Everton reached the interval only one goal behind.
More Methodical
The second half saw a more methodical Everton playing more accurate football at a slightly slower pace. Though neither of the Harrises found it easy to beat their man, and Hickson –who had earlier been unlucky to miss with a glorious header – was generally well held by Dunn. Fielding and Temple began to come more into the game. After Temple had given Preston a rude surprise with a couple of explosive shots from the slenderest of openings, Fielding shuffled his way through on the right and lobbed over a neat centre for Harris J. to head home. Now for the first time Everton were really in the hunt. Meagan, who had taken time to settle down began to give his forwards closer support, and Cunningham, hitherto impeccable, had moments of uncertainty. But it was the incomparable Finney who had the last word. After failing with a diving header, made in the manner of a Rugby player crossing for a try, he gained possession in midfield, dribbled clean through Jones (or so it appeared) and then placed the ball carefully in the net. That sudden master stroke decided the match. Sanity was restored and when Mayers headed home Taylor’s centre to make the final score 3-1 it was only final confirmation of something everyone already knew. Preston are far from a one-man side. Thompson and Baxter showed skill and thrust if not marksmanship, of a high order, and behind then Dunn and O’Farrell were in complete command. Else made one great save from Temple, but was otherwise so well protected he had little to do.
Obvious Limitations
Everton’s limitations against a side of such class were obvious. Jones played heroically in midfield, though unable to hold Finney once the latter was in possession, but the backs were invariably going backwards and the young wing halves Meagan and King had a hectic time. King however, did quite creditably and was in no way to blame for defeat. Neither was Dunlop, whose goalkeeping left nothing to be desired. The attack never really functioned as an entity, partly because defensive clearances were often too hurried to be properly directed, and partly because only Fielding could be relied upon to beat his man. Speed is all very well, but it was craft Everton needed. If they have learned some from this match even defeat will have had its compensations.
EVERTON RES WERE WORTHY WINNERS
October 28, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Reserves 2, Chesterfield Reserves 0
Despite many shortcomings, Everton gradually wore down the stubborn Chesterfield defence, to emerge deserving winners in this Central League game. Instead of holding a comfortable interval lead as they might have done, the visitors were a goal down through some deplorable finishing. Subsequently Everton became more cohesive and gradually assumed command. McKay supplemented McNamara’s goal. Labone and Sanders were cool and constructive in a solid home rearguard, while McKay worked tirelessly to get the attack in motion.
AN OFF DAY FOR EVERTON DEFENDERS
October 28, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
By Stork
It was well for Everton that the Preston forwards
It was well for Everton that the Preston forwards were not in shooting form of Deepdale on Saturday, for if their marksmanship had been on the same level as their approach work I fear Everton would have suffered a much heavier defeat. Finney and his merry men made enough openings to have put the issue well beyond doubt before even the half way stage was reached. It is a long time since I was such flagrant misses. Nevertheless this Preston attack proved capable of boring holes in a defence which had previous to Saturday been sound and solid and without any suggestion of panic. I would not have minded if the majority of Preston’s scoring efforts had tested the capabilities of goalkeeper Dunlop but the ball was either kicked or headed wide of the target. Prior to Saturday’s game the North End’s home record reading; won 22, drawn 3, lost 0 and they were desperately keen to preserve that record but at one time just after Harris had equalized Mayer’s goal I thought they were going to run into trouble –an Everton revival which has so often pulled the game out of the fire for them this season. But Everton’s temporary supremacy was short-lived and they were back battling to hold a Preston team which was throwing everything at them. It took the Deepdale boys exactly 24 minutes to score their first goal when by rights they should have had at least three up their sleeve.
Quiet for Else
To be quite frank it was a ease of the Everton defence – not always sure of itself under pressure – versus the Preston forwards. According to my notebook Else had only one shot and a header to deal with in the first half. You don’t win matches that way and to go even further there were not a lot more in the second stanza. Even when Everton got on equal terms I still saw the threat of this Preston team. It was very very real, and paid off with a most convincing victory. Finney had missed one easy opportunity early on, but when Walton made a long clearance upfield. Finney quickly trapped the ball, escaped a tackle by Jones and then went on to sweep a left foot shot wide of Dunlop. It was a lovely goal. Mayers, a former Everton player had scored the first Preston goal. He was helped by hesitancy on the part of Tansey, who left the ball to Dunlop. The goalkeeper in my view, had no chance of getting to it before Mayers. The winger’s first shot was parried by Dunlop but Mayers collected the rebounded and whipped it into the net.
Clever Goal
Everton’s goal was cleverly made, for when Fielding went out to the wing I saw Jimmy Harris baring into the middle in anticipation of a centre which dully came, and Harris got well up to head the ball home. What were North End’s reactions? For the first and only time they lost their grip and Everton played, with such verve that I had visions of a Preston slump, but Everton’s threat was not maintained and they were once again forced on to defence. It is a long time since I saw so much uncertainty about the Everton defence. It easily got the jitters and left loopholes which North End were only too glad to exploit. Everton never gave up the flight, defensively, of course but they could not prevent Preston going further ahead five minutes from time when Taylor being watched by a Scottish representative, switched the ball across the field and Mayers came in to head it into the net.
Finney’s Genius
Finney is still a great artist. He is a genius at pulling the ball down and moving off almost in the same movement. He made one header which reminded me of the goal. Albert Stubbling scored against Birmingham a few season ago. Mayers had put across a low centre and Finney went sailing through the air to head the ball a few inches wide. The England forward, however, will not forget his “open goal” miss in the eighth minute but he made ample amends when he did score. It was certainly not Everton’s days. They were nothing like they have been against such sides as Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea. They never struck their rhythm and were easily handled by the Preston defence. Hickson strove hard but in Dunn the North End have found a strong and resourceful centre half. I am told this was a fair example of Preston’s play throughout this season. If that is so they are likely to finish well up the table but not if they refuse such openings as came their way against Everton.
STRONG SIDES
October 28, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Everton and Liverpool are expected to field their strongest available sides for Wednesday’s floodlit return match in the Anniversary Cup. Everton hope that Rea will return to the right half berth, but there will be an unavoidable change at outside left, where Brian Harris will be an absentee. If he is fit, following an injury at Preston which is doubtful he plays for the Army at Manchester. Liverpool may have Younger back in goal, but Acourt is not available. He is in the Football league side to meet the Irish League side in Belfast. Melia has fluid on the knee and is rather doubtful at the moment. Elsewhere there are not likely to be any changes.
EVERTON THE VISITORS IN LIVERPOOL’S FIRST FLOODLIT GAME
October 29, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Merseyside football enthusiasts have the opportunity of seeing another attractive floodlit match tomorrow evening, this time at Anfield, where the Liverpool club’s installation will be switched on for the first time. Liverpool were Everton’s guests for the inauguration of the Goodison lights. Now the positions are reversed, with the Anfielders acting as hosts to their neighbours in a game, beginning at 7.30, which should pull in somewhere near a capacity crowd. Although they are the hosts for this friendly encounter, no false sense of their hospitality duties will prevent Liverpool doing their utmost to win the County F.A Anniversary cup, which is the trophy at stake. Its ownership will be settled on the aggregate scores of the two floodlit games the –first of which Everton won 2-0 through goals netted by Thomas in the second half, after he had come on as substitute for the injured Fielding. Those who saw the earlier Goodison game will remember that it was not Liverpool’s lucky night. The Anfielders supporters will always contend despite what Evertonians say to the contrary that they were “robbed.” Liverpool had what appeared to be a perfectly good goal by Rowley disallowed before Everton had scored, and protested strongly about Thomas’s second goal. This came after Hickson, ten yards or more offside had been played on, and the linesman who had raised his flag quickly lowered it. Yet in the end Everton were the better side against a visiting team handicapped by the absence of Melia and Liddell in attack. The Blues deserved to win, and at the time it seemed Liverpool’s hopes of pulling back the deficit in the return game were extremely slender.
Everton Slipping?
That was three weeks ago. Up to then Everton had been playing splendidly. They looked a sound and solid slide from stem to stern. There was effective all-round combination and they had surprised even their best friends by the way in which they had beaten some of the best teams in the country. Since then they have not been quite so good. They have sacrificed points at home to Arsenal and Burnley and were dealt with so leniently by Preston’s wasteful forwards on Saturday at Deepdale that their defeat was much narrower than it might or should have been. Up to quite recently I should have said that no team could give Everton two goals start and beat them on aggregate, particularly when as in this case, the game is almost as much a “home” fixture for them as for the opposition for the vocal support each team receives will be as near equal as makes no difference. Now I am not quite so sure about the impossibility of Liverpool’s task. It is still an exceedingly stiff one, and Liverpool like Everton, have not been entirely without blemish in some recent games. But they do seem to have a better chance now than appeared likely immediately after the first leg had been decided.
Not Really Vital
It is not a matter of really vital consequence which side wins, however, so long as we have a first class exhibition of football, which must be the paramount aim in floodlit friendly encounters. If such games are to attract full support, I don’t think anybody except extraordinary fervent Reds or Blues will worry which way the aggregate result goes. Those Evertonians who can never see any good in any Liverpool team still maintain that the Reds are purely a kick and rush side. That is decidedly libelous these days. Under the Taylor’s regime Liverpool are bringing plenty of artistry and craft to their game. The difference in styles of the two teams is nowhere near as pronounced as it lised to be. Everton may seem more fanciful and intricate at times, but who is to say that this is more acceptable or efficacious than Liverpool’s more direct methods? If Everton turn in a display comparable with those they gave up to a fortnight ago I think the Cup will find a resting place at Goodison Park. Should they fall below that standard anything might happen. So long as we have another game as productive of thrills and good football as the first leg at Goodison Park –if possible without any bones of contention about the goals – most onlookers will be satisfied.
Two Changes
Everton make two changes from the side which lost at Preston on Saturday. Rea now fit after missing half a dozen games through an instep injury, resumes at right half to the exclusion of King, and Williams takes the place of Brian Harris who, if fit, will be playing for the Army against an F.A eleven at Manchester. The team reads;- Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Fielding, Williams.
Everton’s reserve inside forward Haughey, who had to have a cartilage operation following a pre-season injury, is now in full training again and may be fit to resume in the Central League side in a fornight or so.
MELIA MAY HAVE TO STAND DOWN
October 30, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Leslie Edwards
You have to have a long memory (and a longer purse) to keep pace with Everton and Liverpool fixtures this season floodlit matches, League matches (and, soon, Cup matches) follow each other bewilderingly leaving everyone a little sated with soccer. Already the signs are that the public of Liverpool will fill floodlit grounds to capacity only if, there is something vital at stake and if the opposition is very attractive. But tonight’s return match between Everton and Liverpool, at Anfield, comes into a special category of its own- it marks the first Anfield match under lights. A week ago Everton did not announce their team until a few minutes before kick-off time. This morning we not only know the shape of Everton, but of Liverpool, too. Allowing for the fact that Alan A’Court and Brian Harris are irretrievably lost to the game, and for the possibility of Jimmy Melia, of Liverpool not being fit, the sides are as strong as they can be made. Manager Phil Taylor is giving Melia an extra twenty-four hours in which to try to get his damaged knee back to normal. The fluid on it was fast disappearing yesterday. If the first game between Everton and Liverpool this season (it marked the start of Everton’s illuminations) is any criterion there will be no lack of bite tonight. And not merely because this is the second leg of a two-match contest for the Liverpool County F.A Cup but because the incentive to players of a £4 win bonus is always compelling, whatever the match. Liverpool will also want to prove that they were a trifle unlucky at Goodison Park where Rowley’s apparently “good” goal did not count and other circumstances conspired against Liverpool.
Morrissey for A’Court
Like Liverpool, Everton are minus their regular on the left wing. Graham Williams deputises for Brian Harris, John Morrissey whose debut for Liverpool at Goodison Park was so outstanding, gets a further chance in A’Court’s absence. Rea returns at right half-back in the Everton team; Younger regains his place in the Liverpool goal. I fancy Liverpool will confirm what the first match suggested –that there is not a world, of difference between top clubs in the First and Second Division. For your report and pictures of the game you will find the Daily Post most satisfying. Liverpool; Younger; Molyneux, Moran; Wheeler, White, Campbell, D. Jackson. Rowely, Liddell, Melia, and Morrissey. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan, Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; Harris J, Temple, Hickson, Fielding and Williams.
AS YOU SEE IT
October 30, 1957. The Liverpool Daily Post
A Reader’s Bouquet
Sir –I had an interesting experience in London last week along with two colleagues. We were anxious to know the result of the Everton v. Arsenal match at Goodison Park on October 16 and being in Fleet-Street thought that a newspaper office would know at 10-45 p.m. We went in the Daily –office, no knowledge or interest also the Daily – with the same result! Then we tried the Daily Post office and we received immediate interest and attention. A little tapping and in seconds a teleprinted reply – Sir, Everton play at Goodison Park. The School of Science Result 2-2.
Apart from this appreciated service, we found the reply most refreshing and the copy I posses has been shown to many people with great interest I enjoy your sports reports etc., and can assure you this little service by your London office was very much appreciated. –Stanley Willett, 23 Corbridge Road, Childwall.
He Agress, But…
Sir-while I agree with your correspondent that Everton are transformed, there is still much about their play about which they should be informed. To a clever group of eleven men (who we are led to believe follow the arch-scheming of Fielding like some set of super chess players) it is incongruous and beyond comprehension that mistakes are repeated not in the heat and excitement of running ball play but from standing kicks, viz;
1. Time and again Donovan having made several paces towards the edge of his penalty area, clears with a high kick up the centre of the field where nine times out of ten Dave Hickson is out headed and the clearance kick of Dunlop becomes a start of a movement by the other side, I have made suggestions re this to Mr. Hickson in a letter addressed to him at Goodison Park, but evidently my ideas are not suitable.
2. Temple often glides the ball in from easy scoring positions in a far too nonchalant manner and a save occurs instead of a goal, I like Temple’s play, but both he and Thomas tend to overdo this easy style and should put that little bit more snap into their play, particularly in the short pass or glide-shot sequence.
3. How many free kicks or standing centres has Jimmy Harris missed? The one in the closing stages of the Arsenal match is typical of several mistakes he has made. No wingman should grace the position unless he can lift the ball, for unless a centre on the ground is fast and strong when players are assembled to defend against a free-kick likely to come into the goal area it is far better lofted.
4. This clever start-the-game- from –a free-kick – when –the others-are- not-ready is wrong, too. On several occasions this season (the latest one in the second half of the Red Star match) Everton themselves have been found unready. –A Hughes 231, Eaton Road, Liverpool 12.
A Donovan Critic
Sir- the continued selection of Donovan in the Everton team only serves to indicated the palpable weakness in the full back department in the Everton playing staff and nothing apparently has been done to rectify this situation. The only games this season in which Donovan justified his selection were the games against Manchester United home and away and it is interesting to note that the best half back on view in the game against Manchester United at home was Birch and this in spite of the fact that two of the best half-backs in the country were on view in the Manchester United team namely Colman and Edwards in my Opinion the loss of form by Birch can in some way be attributed to Donovan’s weakness. This has been especially evident in recent games when Donovan has been unable to cope with the wingers he has been up against and Birch has had to forgo his natural attacking inclinations and concentrate more on the defensive. This was noticeable against Liverpool where younger Morrissey gave Donovan a very uncomfortable passage in the first half only to fade in the second half due to his lack of experience and lack of support. Birch showed Donovan how to stop Pilkington from running riot although unfortunately Birch’s constructive play was below the required standard for a First Division half back and this is a very puzzling when one remembers his first class display against Manchester United earlier in the season. The right half position in the Everton team will still continue to be a problem while Donovan continues to turn in such displays and while Temple refrains from putting more bite into his tackling and remembers that he is, not only present to score goals, but also to help prevent them. May I congratulate Ian Buchan on his achievement in bringing the name of Everton back on the scene as a team to be reckoned with. His preference for Youth is one of the many favourable points in the new policy of Everton. The display of Meagan has been a revelation and this young man must surely win many honours in the future. The display of Brian Harris in the last fifteen minutes of the game against Arsenal and also in the second half against Burnley showed that once Harris acquires confidence in himself then Everton will possess one of the best left wingers in the game. R. Dean, 65 Whitford Road, Birkenhead.
I disagree with my correspondent writes Leslie Edwards, Donovan not only players brilliantly in many of his club’s earlier matches, but was the inspiration behind the team. Every back has his occasional bad day and one takes leave to suggest that every back who faces Pilkington is almost certain to have a moderate match.
Football Has Made Tremendous Strides Since the Days Off –
October 30, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
The Cap and Muffler Brigade
By Ranger
Three weeks ago a new football era was ushered in at Goodison Park, when the first floodlit game was played on the famous and spacious ground, which has seen so many memorable matches in its time. Tonight Liverpool follow suit, and a new page will be written in the History of that equally famous club. It is appropriate that Everton should set the ball rolling at Anfield just as Liverpool did at Goodison Park. Football has progressed tremendously since those far-off days when the late William McGregor, of Aston Villa, first conceived the idea of forming the Football League in 1888. The early pioneers could never, in their wildest dreams have visualized the possibility that the day would come when football matches would be played at night under conditions almost comparable with Saturday afternoon, or that crowds of 50,000 and over would be tempted from their firesides to watch them. For that matter, however, the bewhiskered and top-hatted gentleman who launched the League would doubtless have taken prompt steps to have certified anybody who had at that time prophesized we should be able to sit at home and watch the unfolding of events taking place hundreds of miles away, or that artificial satellites would circle the earth at 18,000 miles an hour. Such is progress, though many of the older generation among us sigh for the days when life was more leisurely and spacious and are not enamored of some of the wonders of modern civilization. Though I cannot go back so far as many football enthusiasts, I can recall the days when the only transport to matches was either by hansom – cab, four-wheeler horse-charn or the humble tram which has now been banished from our midst, and which in those days had an open toast-rack top, with no protection against rain. One of my earliest recollections, as a youngster about six or seven, was waiting with my father outside Southport’s ground at Ash-Lane –which did not attain the dignity of Haig Avenue until after the first World War –to watch the visiting team arrive in a horse drawn charabanc. While we stood a handsome top-hatted gentleman with grey-side-whiskers and frock coat, descended from it.
Two-Penny Tip
He was the them chairman of the club, arriving with all the state which marked the gentry of those days. I will remember the cabby, spitting on his tip for luck, called down blessing on the head of his fare. Probably it was only two pence, which in those days was not to be sneezed at. Money had not lost its value then. For instance, looking through some old files, I came across an announcement of the formation of the Liverpool club in 1892. Intending patrons were advised that they could become season-ticket holders behind the goal for a mere 7s 6d or have a regular seat in the stand, numbered and reserved, for a guinea. Among the advertisements in the club’s early programmes is one offering a hand-tailored suit for 31s 6d; a first class Melton overcoat for 21s, shoes for 7s 6d and other articles at prices which seem unbelievable today. As for tobacco, cigarettes and alcoholic refreshments it just makes one’s mouth water. Things have changed since those happy and carefree days. They have changed, also in relation to the game of football itself and the exponents of it. No longer do professionals wear caps and have pints of beer shortly before the kick-off as a pick-me-up. Professional footballers today are in the £1,000 a year class. In the early days of the League 30s a week was the average pay for all except the real stars of their time. And even the latter thought they were in clover if they got a £3 a week. whatever one’s views upon the craftsmanship and individual ball-playing ability of the present day players and the old stagers, there can be little argument regarding the game’s increased speed, Casting my mind back again to the first matches I saw I can recall many players with quite substantial tummies who used to star regularly week by week. Anybody carrying superfluous fresh like that would not last half an hour at the modern pace. Whether football, as an exhibition of artistry, is any better for its hectic speed is another matter, and one into which I do not propose to enter here.
Nothing New
A paragraph which caught my eye in the Echo of October 23, 1897, reads;- “In Liverpool we have a number of clergymen who thoroughly and openly appreciate football and are not ashamed to gave their support and countenance to it. Last week’s game at Goodison Park was witnessed by quite a little crowd of parsons, who distributed themselves in different parts of the ground and I am sure none of them came away any worse for their visit.” Many ministers of religion support the game equally strongly today, and though they do not approve of the rather lurid language which they may occasionally hear, they, too, are not any worse for their visit. Yet one noted cleric, 60 years or so ago, described football as “the devil’s game.” There is a further curious report in another old issue, dated December 9, 1893 which I give because the remark at the end has a familiar ring, although the match itself was a Rugby fixture. It reads; “On Saturday the lexicographers missed an opportunity of gathering quaint and forcible sayings used within the City of Swinton, emphatically to protest against the committee of the local football club, who allowed the Wiganers to come over with 600 enthusiasts and then declared the match off. The 600 broken-quietly trudged along the clay swamp until they got within the city streets where they declared with all the purity of language at their command, that not even the railway company, who carried them should. Another item culled from an old copy of the Echo is interesting because of its relation to what takes place at Anfield this evening. It refers to early football reminiscences by John Adams, a former Walsall Town player, published in 1907, and includes the following; “I believe I took part in the first match played by electric light. If it was not actually in the first, it was one of the first decided by means of artificial illuminant. It was Burton and the sate was 1879. We met Burton Robin Hood, and the experiment was not unattended with success, for the light behaved well, and only went out twice during the game. Electric lighting was then in its infancy, and matches were played by its aid in the evening in various parts of the country.” Nowadays football journalists do their work in reasonably satisfactory conditions with either telephones at their elbows or typewriters to speed the flowing phrases. It was not always so. Things were different for reporters just as for players, clubs, and spectators, in the old days.
Pigeon Post
The football reporters then had to be tough, mighty tough. They often sat on forms alongside the touchline, exposed to hail, rain, and sometimes snow. Reports were sent to head offices by pigeon, the messages being written on extremely thin paper, then wrapped around the bird’s leg and fastened with a rubber band. Reports from longer distances had to be sent by telegraph, one veteran journalist who had much experience of this method of reporting but is now no longer with us, once told me of a trick played upon him by the reporter of a rival paper with whom he was at dagger’s drawn. I don’t know anything about pigeons, but presumably one had to keep them hungry before entrusting them with vital messages. On this, occasion unknown to the man who accompanied the reporter to release the pigeons, the opposition had surreptitiously fed all the birds in his basket. They had gorged themselves until bursting, with the consequence that as soon as they were released they circled drowsily and almost drunkenly around the field, and then perched on the roof of the stand and went to sleep. His paper had a very attenuated report of the match that evening. Happy days! You can keep your sputniks and H-bombs but give me a telephone in preference to a pigeon.
THE CUP FOR EVERTON-BUT HONOURS EASY
October 31, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Liverpool 3, Everton 2
By Leslie Edwards
Attendance 46,724
So Everton win the Liverpool County F.A Cup with a winning (floodlit) average of four goals to three, but Liverpoolians do not acre. They argue that each having won on their own ground honours are easy and the submission is proved that there is really no difference between the good First Division sides and a leading team from Division 2. In effect they are right, but there can be a vast difference in methods. There was last night. We had a rip-roaring Liverpool rampaging for the ball and usually finding it. we had an Everton shocked by the power and fire of opponents who soon wiped out the two goals debit from the first match at Everton and chalked one up to suggest that it was all over gave the Cup presentation. With twenty-three minutes gone and Liverpool three goals in front and playing well the possibility of Everton making up ground did not seem to exist. But Liverpool, a bit spent from the speed and enthusiasm of their opening – they had two goals, in successive minutes from Liddell at sixteen minutes –were not prepared for a second half Everton performance which showed them to have most of the polished moves, of the game and helped them to produce the tie’s winning goal –a low fast left foot shot by Jimmy Harris, who must surely have burned the ears of a Daily Post critics by his accurate striking last night.
Shinning with Moisture
With a white ball which shone with moisture on a pitch heavy with water the game could scarcely avoid being fast and thrilling. It was tough too; sometimes devilishly so and Fielding who was on the receiving end of one, of Campbell D’s most tempestuous tacklers would need no reminding of this. Nor would Liverpool followers whose ire against Hickson reached new heights shortly before the interval after Moran and his rivals had gone down with arms and legs all tangled. The crowd booed Hickson off at the interval and never let him forget his crime – this was the game’s only real black spot; a pity since so many of our Derby games in recent times have been so clean and lacking in foulness. Liverpool’s lights are lower than Everton’s and their pylons do not carry so many bulbs but Liverpool’s being a more intimate sort of ground, everything could be seen though it was obvious that players occasionally had difficulty in seeing the ball through a slight glare. But the glaze of the lights was as nothing to the glare Liverpool fans reserved for Hickson. His second half was difficulty free from all compliant and it was all the better for that. Liverpool were by far the more effective team for the greater part of the game, even allowing for the fact that their first goal –from a penalty against Jones –came from a decision as wrong in my mind as Rowley’s disallowed goal in the first game. Liddell and Jones went up for the ball, bumped a little and Dunlop made a fine save from the Liddell header that Jones could not prevent. To everyone’s surprise, Referee Lovelady pointed to the penalty spot. The kop roared appreciation, but few of them can have known what Jones offence was, I did not see one. Dunlop, whose great and courageous goalkeeping was the night’s outstanding contribution, never had a chance with Liddell’s converting drive. And what a roar greeted this first rubbing out of an Everton goal; But it was as nothing compared with the sound which greeted another –and greater –Liddell goal within the space of a minute. This time, young Morrissey, on the left wing had centred the ball at the second attempt in such a way that Evans must have scored had he succeeded in connecting… but he didn’t. It was Liddell, on the half-turn, who cracked a shot in brilliantly for a characteristically dramatic score.
No Counter
Thus, with only seventeen minutes gone, Liverpool were level on aggregate and Everton, shocked and palpably unhappy, seemed to have no counter, when Morrissey, with the ball coming to him so fast and so awkwardly that only perfect timing would do, hit a lovely shot against the far upright, goalkeeper Doug Rudham a Press Box neighbor, nearly lifted the roof with his leap! The ball was slipped out a second time to Morrissey. This time he bundled it between the legs of the astonished Dunlop – and over the line. The time was 23 minutes and the game was virtually over. Little Graham Williams, who showed more than one sign of spirit and ability last night, was the starting point of Everton’s revival. He crossed a ball to perfection and once Younger elected to stay at home it was always odds on the light haired Hickson beating him with a gliding header which crossed the line near the far angle. Liddell hit Dunlop from point-blank range with a shot immediately afterwards and Younger, coming out to Temple who was clean through, saved his side with similar gallantry. The Moran-Hickson clash then came to hot up the temperature more than somewhat. Jimmy Harris had given signs of his desire to hit shots of power and accuracy before he scored at 80 minutes. Williams had made his best run, ending with a shot which crossed the goal-face when Temple and Hickson between them, contrived the slight opening from which Harris scored. He was far out, he was angled he had Younger to beat. His left foot shot was a good one and seemed to surprise the goalkeeper. It is easy to argue that Younger might have reached the ball under floodlights and with a wet bat moving like lighting. It was natural that he should not.
Made by Dunlop
Dunlop had made the Everton over-all win possible with a wonderful save from Liddell moving at full pelt, and lashing the ball as though he hated the sight of it –and of Everton. No doubt that Dunlop, with only one blemish to one of the best displays he will never give, was the man on whom Everton must pin most of their honours in defeat. Liverpool must have won the tie handsomely except for his continuous sure handling of all manner of shots and headers. Everton were best in the second half when Meagan and Rea, two constructive half-backs really went to town. Meagan was the best half back of them all with a nod here and a flick of the foot there, all of them aimed constructively and most of them succeeding. After a fine start Wheeler faded out more than once he seemed baffied by the lights. The often he mis-passed where we expect him to lay on passes to the last inch. Liverpool’s half-backs had not the construction of Everton’s but the side as a whole fought magnificently and must have gone the better than 3-0 in this match, if Dunlop had not denied them. Both Liverpool backs kept a pretty tight hold on their, men. Morrissey and Jackson on the other hand often had Donovan and Tansey in trouble. Even so Tansey’s last half-hour was a good spell and the longer the game went, the more Donovan succeeded against the elusive youngster who had earlier made his job so difficult.
Everton’s Best
Temple with that deceptively easy style looked to me like Everton’s best forward. Fielding took time to recover from the blow which put him down for the count. Considering they were without Melia for whom the substitute was a John Evans who may have been a little rusty by First Division standards Liverpool’s attack moved extremely well. Evans is not the player he used to be, but some of his passes were astute. Liddell seemed to jump back to his best form in one bound in this battle against traditions rivals. But Tom Jones played him well I consider Jones to be the unluckiest man in football to give away last penalty. White, who is as tough as Hickson, came out of the duel on top; indeed the Liverpool defence, except for failing twice when Everton goals were scarcely imminent, scarcely put a foot wrong. Everton were more like themselves in this match, once they settled down to gain the initiative, than in many of their recent games. This might be an omen for the West Bromwich game. They cannot expect that match to be harder than the one Liverpool gave them at Anfield last night. Liverpool; Younger; Molynuex, Moran; Wheeler, White, Campbell (D); Jackson, Rowley, Liddell, Melia, Morrissey. Everton; Dunlop; Donovan (captain), Tansey; Rea, Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Temple, Hickson, Fielding, Williams. Referee; Mr. Lovelady.
EVERTON FOUGHT BACK TO VICTORY –LIVERPOOL OUT OF LUCK
October 31, 1957. The Liverpool Echo
Ranger’s Notes
Had Liverpool been able to turn all their scoring opportunities to full advantage the Liverpool County F.A. Anniversary Cup would now be resting on their boardroom sideboard instead of Everton’s. But only goals count, not chances either scorned or denied by good goalkeeping or the intervention of the woodwork and although Everton at one time were three goals in arrears, they pulled back to 3-2 thus winning the trophy with an aggregate score of 4-3, thanks to the two goals start from the earlier game at Goodison. It was an intensely thrilling and exciting game from the first to the last kick, far more so than many a league matches and though there were occasions when a little unnecessary toughness and feeling crept into things this trend fortunately did not get out of hand. I don’t propose to dwell unduly on that aspect of the night’s entertainment, or to attempt to lay blame on anybody’s shoulders. Moran and Hickson who had a little set-to must each bear some share of the responsibility. I propose to let it go at that except to say that to my mind there was no reason why Hickson should have been booed by a small section of the crowd. He could justly claim o be as much sinned against as sinning, no matter who started it. Although the match was punctuated throughout by a succession of exciting moments, many narrow escapes of the goals –mainly at the Everton end –and football o a speedy and determined character, the main, thrills took place in the first half. Liverpool started in the tear away fashion that has marked so many of their games this season. Within 18 minutes they had wiped out the two goals deficit and were back on level terms.
Liddell Shone
It was Liddell who sowed panic in the Everton defence almost from the very first kick. He made a great header from Wheeler’s free kick in three minutes which skimmed the bar, then a free kick of his own did likewise, followed by another shot which sizzled just past the upright. Everton had done nothing, apart from Williams twice shooting over the bar, before Liddell got the two goals which set the crowd in a ferment. The first came from a penalty after 17 minutes as Liddell and Jones had jumped for a ball and Liddell appeared to be pushed slightly I thought the penalty decision rather a harsh decision, but all is fair in love, war or a friendly game against Everton., and Liddell gave Dunlop no chance with his spot kick. Sixty seconds later it was the “old man of Anfield” who got a second goal after Rowley had completely missed an attempted drive from Morrissey’s centre. Though taken by surprise and with his back to the goal Liddell swung round and hit the ball home. This was enough to set the Kop alight but more was to follow and at the 25th minute, after Morrissey’s brilliant shot had hit the post he got a second chance when Liddell squared the ball to him.
Through His Legs
This time the little Liverpool winger partially mis-hit his shot, yet served him better than the splendid one he had turned in a moment earlier, for it went through Dunlop’s legs. This put Liverpool three up, and gave them a lead of one goal on the aggregate of the two matches. Up to this point we had seen little of nothing of Everton worth speaking of. It was Liverpool not the Blues, who had looked the First Division side. Everton, however, gradually got back on an even keel, despite Fielding being hurt in an unnecessarily severe tackle by Campbell which held the game up a couple of minutes. Everton got some reward for their painstaking but sometimes laboured efforts when Hickson equalized with a back-header from a centre by Williams. I thought Younger might have come out to this and punched it away. The game continued to provide a succession of thrills up to the interval, with Liverpool though not now so dominant as earlier still having more of the play. Another Liddell header came back off the bar, one of his shots struck Dunlop on the elbow enabling him to make a save of which he knew little, and at the other end Younger hesitated and almost let in Temple. It was ding-dong stuff throughout the second half, with the advantage resting first with one side, then the other. It seemed certain that a replay would be necessary to settle the issue, but eight minutes from the end Jimmy Harris scored with a, low cross drive from 30 yards which was in the net before Younger knew anything about it. It was a drive similar to that by which Harris surprised everybody at Higbury six weeks ago. Right on the last gasp Liverpool almost pulled the game out of the fire when Morrissey hit the bar with nobody in the Everton goal. It would have been no more than they deserved had it gone in. In a game so satisfying I prefer not to single out individuals to any extent, but would briefly mention the excellent work of Liddell and Morrissey the home side’s best forwards and that of White and Molyneux in defence. Dunlop was Everton’s hero. Only his brilliant saves prevented Liverpool going further ahead on several occasions. Meagan and Rea also earned high praise with Harris and Temple the best of the attack.
October 1957