EVERTON PASS THE MILLION
April 1, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Ian Hargreaves
Everton’s Easter programme, which brought them six-welcome points, was also notable for the fact that it took the club’s home attendance figures for the season past the million mark.  Although nearly a quarter of this vast total is accounted for by Cup-ties and friendlies Everton have still managed to average well over 40,000 for their League matches – a remarkable feat when one considers the dreadful start they made.  Only Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham have been able to match Everton’s drawing power in recent years and they have all featured more prominently in the championship race.  Clearly the competition of television and other sporting events has done little if anything to reduce interest in live soccer or Merseyside. 

MR. IAN BUCHAN GOES FOR TORQUAY INTERVIEW
April 3, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Mr. Ian Buchan, former-chief coach of Everton F.C., whose contract was recently terminated was one of three short-listed applicants interviewed by Torquay United yesterday for the managerial vacancy created by the ending of the agreement with Mr. Eric Webber.  Torquay did not commit themselves and stated that a decision would be announced over the week-end.  These are busy days for Mr. Buchan for while Chester refuse to say whether or not he is one of the five applicants elected for interval for the position for vacant by the appointment of manager John Harris to Sheffield United my information suggests that he is.  Chester are to interview their chosen candidates on Tuesday when it is expected they will also announce their decision.  In addition I know of at least one First Division club which would like to have Mr. Buchan or their staff and overtunes have already been made with that end in view.  Next week their may see Mr. Buchan in a new role.  I may be wrong but I should be surprised if Mr. Buchan were to commit himself before the Chester vacancy is filled.  The fact that the engagement at Goodison Park did not work out exactly as he would have liked has not in any way undermined his confidence that he will make a complete success of football management given the free hand he seeks. 

ANOTHER SEASIDE BREAK
Friday, April 3, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Everton’s game at West Ham tomorrow provides another seaside break this time with a couple of  nights at Brighton before their friendly game at Crystal Palace on Monday.  Their first-class Easter performances, coupled to their consistent home displays (their last Goodison Park League defeat was to Leicester on December 20) have put the side in a mid-way position which seems to border on the miraculous after their early season form.  They take on the powerful West Ham team full of confidence that they are “safe” and that they can concentrate on building up their team-work.  A point from Upton Park would be excellent.  That West Ham may prove too strong should not present Everton from maintaining their recent improvement which stems from the work, particularly of Meagan, Parker, and Bramwell in defence and the better display of Jimmy Harris on the right-wing.  The big features of this match however, will be the appearance on opposing sides of the two Scotland inside forwards, John Dick for West Ham and Bobby Collins for Everton.  They will be partners at Wembley a week tomorrow and I have no doubt that Collins may show the Scots new man a point or two he never know before.  Everton’s team is the same as Easter Monday as Tom Jones is not yet 100 per cent fit, but manager John Carey thinks he may be able to resume for the Crystal Palace friendly.  Bobby Laverick was released from his National Service this week and was able to join his colleagues for full-time training for the first time.  This should have a beneficial effect on the boy whose opportunities in the Army to stay match fit have been limited.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Bramwell; Harris (B), Labone, Meagan; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins, Laverick. 

EVERTON POINTS
April 4, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
As Tom Jones is still not one hundred per cent fit, Brian Labone keeps his place in an unchanged Everton team at West Ham.  This player with a future has already proved that he will not let down the side and in fact, his constructive ability might play a part in prompting the forward line into activity and with Meagan rising brilliantly to this late opportunity to re-establish himself, I should not be at all surprised to find Everton compelling the Londoners to drop a point.  These teams shared points at Goodison in the muddy days of November, but it is my belief that Everton are a sounder side today than they were them.  Colleagues in next week’s Scottish international line-up against England at Wembley, Collins (Everton) and Dick (West Ham) will be opponents today.  In their different ways, the one as a provider of opportunities and the other as a talker, both may exercise a vital role in the outcome of this game.  With only two goals in his last eight outings, it is not unreasonable to expect a scoring reply by Hickson for though he may not have hit his best form recently, Hickson has suffered such ill-luck with a number of near misses, that it is unreasonable to expect such a sequence to continue indefinitely.  He has yet to claim three in any match this term and to expect him to do it at West Ham may be a trifle unreasonable but sooner or later Hickson I think will provide a telling burst.  Parker whose omission from the Scottish side is still regarded as a major surprise by those who see him in action oftener than the Scottish selectors will show West Ham that he is a far better back now than he was when playing his second game for Everton against the London side.  West Ham’s only change from Monday’s is the return of their goalkeeper Dwyer, following injury.  West Ham United;- Dwyer; Kirkup, Cantwell; Malcomn, Brown, Smith; Grice, Obeney, Bond, Dick, Musgrove.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Bramwell; B. Harris, Labone, Meagan; J. Harris, Thomas, Hickson, Collins, Laverick. 
Willie Cook Out
I think most people will be prepared for the announcement made last night that Willie Cook, the former Everton Irish international full back and Norwich City have parted company.  There have been rumblings ever since Mr. Cook let it be known that he did not consider he was receiving adequate credit for Norwich City’s F.A Cup run.  Though the trouble was patched up on the surface, Mr. Cook’s absence from a reserve team game this week attracted renewed attention to the situation.  The Norwich manager, Mr. Archie Macauley last night stated “Mr. Cook was contacted by telephone and as from today his engagement with the club has been terminated.  Mr. Cook wished us every success in the future.” 

EVERTON FELL INTO THAT OFFSIDE TRAP TOO OFTEN
April 4, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
West Ham 3, Everton 2
By Michael Charters
West Ham United;- Dwyer, goal; Kirkup and Cantwell, backs; Malcom, Brown and Smith, half-backs; Grice, Obeney, Bond, Dick (captain), and Musgrove, forwards.  Everton; Dunlop, goal; Parker and Bramwell, backs; Harris (B), Labone and Meagan, half-backs; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins (captain) and Laverick, forwards.  Referee; Mr. W. Clements (West Bromwich). 
Referee Mr. W. Clements (West Brom) In memory of Birmingham full-back Jeff Hall, whose tragic death this morning has shocked the football would, the players lined up for a minute’s silence before the game began today.  The band played a chorus of “Aide with Me,” for an impressive little ceremony in which the crowd joined.  West Ham made their new Scottish Cap John Dick captain for the day and there was a big cheer when he and Everton skipper Bobby Collins his colleague at Wembley next week went up for the pre-match toss of the coin. 
Early Let-Off
West Ham were more impressive in the early stages and when Everton did attack they were twice held up by the home side’s offside trap.  Bond was quick to take advantage of a fauty back pass by Meagan and beat Dunlop to the ball but pushed it wide – real let-off for Everton this.  Jimmy Harris was the first to try a shot for Everton, but his bouncing effort was no trouble for Dwyer. 
A Near Thing
When Parker put up a long through ball to Hickson, Brown handled it to prevent the Everton leader from moving into the clear.  Nothing came of the free kick at the other end, but Dunlop punched a right wing corner on to the crossbar as he seemed to be troubled by his eyes.  Then came an escape for West Ham which equaled the one in the Everton goal, Laverick put a long pass through for Thomas who took it to the by-line and his cross was punched over the bar by Dwyer from where it came down and Brown hooked away as it looked as though it may rebound into the net. 
In A Tangle
West Ham got the ball into the net from a shot by Obeney but the referee blew for him being offside after Parker and Dunlop got in a real tangle over each other leaving the goal vacant.  West Ham looked the more aggressive side in attack and the ball bouncing as in table tennis in the penalty area gave the Everton defence some hectic scrambling moments. 
Seven Men Attack
Everton were working the ball well in midfield keeping it on the ground as well as they could and Malcom only just got his toe to an astute pass from Thomas to Collins to end Everton’s best movement so far.  West Ham’s wing halves were eager and ever ready to move up to make a seven man attack.  Malcolm particularly being outstanding in this respect.  West Ham took a leading goal which had been on the cards for some time.  After 25 minutes a long free kick from Cantwell was beautifully headed into the net by Bond, who beat Labone well in the air. 
Off-side Trap
Collins lying well back was putting up some tempting passes to the wings but the big, strong West Ham side were right on top just now with their offside trap working as a charm for them.  Dick’s power of shot was shown when he hit one from 35 yards which Dunlop could not handle but he pushed it away for Bramwell to clear.  In Everton’s first attack for some minutes, Dwyer did well to hold high overhead a flick from Jimmy Harris but it was the industry of Collins which had provided the chance.  West Ham tried their offside trap once too often and it gave Everton an equalizing goal after 38 minutes, Jimmy Harris flicked the ball over Brown’s head and Hickson was able to go on as the other defenders waited for the whistle that never came and he hammered the ball beautifully past Dwyer. 
Appeal Disallowed
West Ham appealed for a goal immediately afterwards when Dick headed a long cross past Dunlop and Brian Harris breasted the ball down as he stood on the line.  It was a very near thing, but the linesman who was right up with the play, made no signed despite protests by the home side.  Everton I thought had done very well to keep the scores level in by half-time for West Ham had undoubtedly looked the more penetrative side to attack and the game seemed to be going all one way until Hickson hit the equalizing goal.  Half-time; West Ham 1, Everton 1. 
Meagan was doing particularly well often coming up to help his hard pressed colleagues.  In addition to his normal full back position.  The offside trap was baffling Everton.  Twice it looked as though their were though only to find themselves being whisped up and then Grice tried a surprise shot which swerve outside with Dunlop going the other way.  Off the two current Scottish internationals on view Collins was far more impressive them Dicks for he was one man seemingly capable of bringing the ball down and making it do his bidding.  Thomas was clear through and nearing the penalty area when Bond chased right back to book him from behind.  From the free kick Collins hit a quick shot which went into Dwyer’s arms.  Fortunately the game had come back to normal tempers again and when Collins tricked Malcolm beautifully in the centre circle his long through ball to Hickson found the centre forward offside.  Collins craft and pure skill was outstanding in this game so many errors. 
Flash Of Form
For the first time in the game Dick showed a flash of the form which had given him the Scottish cap when he find a pass from Bond side-stepped Brian Harris and hit a beautiful shot past Dunlop into the far corner.  I thought Everton were a little unlucky to be behind again for they had done equally as much as the home side in this half.  A mistake by Labone and this boy had done very well again, however, let in Musgrove to centre and Bond missed a great chance by shooting over from no more than five yards range.  Now West Ham were on top again and his goal had apparently put some life in Dick for the first time for he suddenly became very dangerous with his darts through the middle.  West Ha, went further ahead with a goal from Grice after 84 minutes, Dunlop pushed out a centre from Musgroves straight to Grice’s feet and the winger had a back in the net before Dunlop had regained his feet.  But within two minutes Everton had scored again through Laverick.  Jimmy Harris headed in a swinging cross from Brian Harris, Brown headed it down for Laverick in the centre forward position to hammer it high into the net.  Final; West Ham 3, Everton 2. 

• Everton jrs 1, Preston Jrs nil

FULL EASTER RETURN WAS WELL DESERVED
April 4, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Win At Luton the Tops, Says Tom Jones
Rumours are flying.  Some say it’s only 20 years some 25, others 30, but perhaps someone with a sound memory can recall exactly how long it has been since an Everton team accomplished the feat of taking all holiday points over the Easter games.  The fact that we had two home games and the Monday fixture was against a much depleted, Luton team has no bearing on the matter.  The boys truly merited their bonuses especially after the manner they buckled down to the job at Luton on Good Friday with a much re-arranged team due to an injury to myself.  At this point I feel I must hand out a few bouquets.  Firstly, on the playing field itself, to Alex Parker for playing such a wonderful and powerful game in the unaccustomed position at centre half.  Also to Kenny Rea for filling in the full-back position so adequately to the detriment of losing his own wing half position the following day against Aston Villa.  Moving Kenny to back brought Brian Harris into the position he is enjoying immensely that of right half, Brian celebrated his return in brilliant style leaving Mr. Carey no alternative, but to retain him in this position.  I must also give the other lads a pat on the back for playing so well against the odds.  Off the field I am indebted to the Luton club doctor for his service to me.  He was so thorough that he wouldn’t allow me back on to the field without having a try-out with a ball at the back of the stand.  After my confirmation that “it felt okay” he gave me the go ahead.  That’s the spirit we need in soccer for it makes the game what it is today. 
Wonderful Finish
A few weeks back I mentioned Syd Owen and his final game in the Luton colours being captain at Wembley.  Talking last weekend, Syd emphasized that this was his most ardent wish and a wonderful finish in his career.  Here’s to a happy ending.  Reverting back to the Easter games and Aston Villa.  We had an old score to settle and the boys deserved their victory.  Young Brian Labone playing in what I considered my position proved once again that Everton have a potential star if ever there was one.  Brian has brushed up a couple of aspect of his play and he’s a better player for it.  For a lad not yet out of his teens his maturity on the field belies his youth.  Looking ahead I foresee some fierce competition for that No 5 shirt.  The most memorable moment over the week-end apart from having six points in the bag and also of having members of Ivy Benson’s band as companions on our return from Luton on Good Friday night was over Albert Dunlop’s injury when Luton equalized on Monday.  Apparently Albert had hurt his ankle rather severely but irrespective of the situation humour still prevailed.  As Dunlop lay holding his injury and mustering insinuations the referee promptly stuck his whistle into Albert’s mouth leaving him the alternative either of shutting up or whistling.   Albert is never been allowed to forget that the referee gave him the dummy.” 
Appropriate
I came across a most appropriate coat of arms on our visit to Walton Geo recently.  It was hanging on scenery decorating the stage where the panel of sports celebrities were seated.  On the background of a shield, which had been divided into four were paintings of two crossed keys two crossed screws a pick-axe and a pair of handcuff’s.  It appears that even in somber surroundings they have time for a little humour.  The questions were fast and furious but the biggest laugh of the night came when an asspeciate member inquired of a certain player stating that due to other commitments he hadn’t been able to watch football for the past 12 month’s or so.  We were pleased to oblique.  Our congratulations to Bobby Collins on his selection for international duty against England next Saturday.  Incidentally Alex Parker has taken over the duty of penalty taking since my last failure against Manchester United.  There was no indecision concerning his penalty against Aston Villa.  You’ve got the recipe Alex Don’t lose it. 

I WAS NEVER SO GLAD TO SCORE
April 4, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
My penalty Task Was Settled, Says Alex Parker
After Tommy Jones missed a penalty at Manchester United a few weeks ago, he asked me if I would like to take the next one we were awarded.  I immediately said yes, but am afraid that I probably sounded keener than I was at the time when I remembered that my previous attempts had resulted in four hits and three misses.  Still, I realized that it would give me a chance to score a goal for Everton, an ambition which I have not mentioned before as it is not quite the thing for full backs to have their eyes on beating opposing goalkeepers.  Anyway, when the referee awarded us a spot-kick against Aston Villa I thought “Well this is it” As I ran up the pitch I remember thinking that of all the teams I would love to score against the Villa was top of my list.  Not that I’ve anything against them personally but I think they knocked us out of the Cup, I think.  As I stepped back to take the kick I picked my spot in the net and hit the ball hard.  You can imagine my delight when I saw it beat Sims – and my reaction when the referee made me take it again.  I heard our skipper Bobby Collins say something about putting it in the same place and then noticed that Sims had moved a little towards the other post.  As I had shot past his right hand it was apparently convincing me to do the same thing again.  So I did and it turned out to be the winner.  All in all it was quite an Easter, what with the penalty a game as deputy centre half at Luton when Tommy Jones was hurt and six points out of six which gave us our best League position of the season.  I think our best win was the one at Luton as it was gained with virtually 10 men for Tommy Jones was injured when the game was about a minute old.  As he lay on the ground he said he wanted somebody tall to go centre half, so one Alex Parker 5ft 8in took over.  You can realize just how confident I was when I tell you that the last time I played there was for Falkirk and we lost 5-0.  However, as Luton failed to score I must have improved a lot since then, I quite enjoyed it, but there’s no place like home, and that to me is right back.  Although the winning goal was scored for us by Baynham in the last minute, our win wasn’t as narrow as that for with a bit of luck we could have had a couple of our own efforts long before.  As we beat Bolton on Boxing Day and the next day then Luton on Good Friday and Easter Monday I think Everton must like holiday games.  We’ve won every one this season.  Perhaps if every Saturday was declared a Bank Holiday we would get the double Cup and League. 
Almost Clean
As in the Bolton games, I doubt we were going to keep two clean sheets.  We probably would have done but for Albert Dunlop’s injury which prevented him getting to Morton’s shot in the Monday game.  Nevertheless Albert still managed to make a couple of good saves later on.  Just as satisfying as the points we gained over the holiday was the grand form of young Brian Labone at centre half.  Considering the lack of first team games Brian has played I must confess I was really amazed by his play.  Not only was he strong in defence but he always tried to part with the ball to advantage and while I know how dangerous football forecasting can be in my opinion Brian has a great future in the game.  Mick Meagan return to form has also been most welcoming I had heard what a great player he looked when he first came into the team 18 months ago, and apparently he has recaptured that form.  If it had come a couple of matches earlier he must have been selected by Eire along with Jimmy O’Neill.  I think Everton must be as well off for goalkeepers as any club in the country.  Tommy Jones also deserves a pat on the back for his game display on the wing at Luton.  Despite his injury he still managed to get some good balls across and brought one of the best saves of the match out of Baynham.  Although I know Tommy won’t like me mentioning this I have no hesitation in saying that the majority of players would not have returned to the pitch with an ankle as bad as his.  Not only did he play, but he played well. 
Old Friend
While I was at Luton I met an old Scottish pal in John Kilgannin any inside forward with Steinhousemuir who has just signed for Luton.  I was living in digs at Stenhousemour when I was with Falkirk and that’s how I met John.  He should do well in English football.  I’m sure that like the teams all our supporters were delighted when Bobby Collins was named to play for Scotland against England at Wembley although I don’t suppose it was any surprise.  As a professional footballer I don’t get much opportunity of seeing football from the crowd’s point of view, but I hope to remedy that soon.  Naturally I’ve read reports of matches in which I have played but next week I am going to have a go at reporting myself.  On Wednesday I shall pop along to Anfield to see the Liverpool v. Middlesbrough match and have a look at my old Scottish colleagues.  Tommy Younger I shall tell you in this column next week my views on the match. 

EVERTON RES V HUDDERSFIELD RES
April 4, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Everton Res;- Griffiths, goal; Parkes, and Tansey, backs; Sanders, Billington, and Peat, half-backs; Blain, Keeley, Wignall, Ashworth, and Godfrey, forwards.  Huddersfield Res;- Fearnley, goal; Calewell and Parker, backs; Atkins, Taylor, and K. Connor, half-backs; Ledger, Law, Tickell, France, and Dinsdale, forwards.  Referee; Mr. G. Lockett (Stoke-on-Trent).  Everton sparkled in the early stages against a side including seven players with football league experience.  The Everton forwards were quick to shoot especially Keeley who completely deceived Fearnley with one effort however dipped just too late.  Blain and Godfrey put over inviting centres from which Ashworth blazed high and wide and Fearnley brilliantly saved a downward header by Wignall.  The Everton defence had so far held the Huddersfield forwards although there were two anxious moments when Sanders and Parkes conceded corners.  Everton resumed the attack for Ashworth to shoot against Fearney’s legs while Godfrey drove inches wide with the Huddersfield goalkeeper well beaten.  Just on the interval Huddersfield made a right wing move for Griffiths to make his first notable save in cutting out Ledger’s cross.  Half-time; Everton Res nil, Huddersfield Res nil. 

EVERTON HABIT OF ODD GOAL REVERSES
April 6, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
West Ham United 3, Everton 2
By Michael Charters
Everton are making a habit of losing away from home by the odd goals.  Five of their last six visits have ended that way and it is food for thought what their League position could have been had they just managed the occasionally draw away from Goodison Park.  At Upton Park the result fell into the regular pattern and there were many observers, including the fair-minded West Ham supporters who thought they deserved a point.  West Ham had the better of matters in the first half, yet Everton were on level terms at the interval.  Afterwards Everton were as good if not better for long spells than the home side but a thrilling late burst by West Ham gave them a slight edge which I thought warranted than their victory.  That was truly a game which would have gone either way and there was an incident just on the hour which could have turned it in Everton’s favour.  West Ham’s effective if monotonous offside trap had held up Everton repeatedly until a quick one-two move between Jimmy Harris and Hickson had given the Everton leader a splendid equalizing goal in the first half.  That had shown the way, but it was not until Thomas seized a pass out of defence and burst right through with a clear run and only Dwyer to beat but Bond who had chased Thomas all the way from his own centre forward position, hooked the Everton man from behind just outside the penalty area –and Everton’s chance of taking a leading goal went as Thomas hit the ground. 
Goalmouth Thrills
Although neither side could completely master the vagaries of the light bouncing ball there was little end-of-the-season flavor about the play.  Both teams fought well with goalmouth thrills so frequent it was difficult to keep a check on them.  West Ham trying hard for talent-money place in their first season for years in the First Division are a big strong side who persist in quick dashes through the middle where Dick and Bond are expect in hitting the ball with great force.  Although Everton’s defence was not as commanding as it has been they earn full marks for the way they worried the dangerous West Ham forwards off the ball and covered up each other’s mistakes.  None did better than Bramwell and Meagan with Parker trying studiously to keep the ball on the ground in his usual cultured style Labone found the power play of West Ham a much stiffer problem then he had faced against Luton and his inexperience often put him in danger.  That is slight criticism as this boys keeps a cool head and his promise is there for all to see.  Captains for the day were Scottish internationals, Collins, and Dick –and the contrast between their styles was as conspicuous as their appearance Collins, small, neat and compact; Dick, gangling, long-legged and oft-plus.  But I preferred Collins, the only player on view who could bring the ball down instantly under control and make it do what he waited rather than having to improvise.  Collins was brilliant in midfield, but often his long-flung passes found his colleagues anticipating them too soon.  Almost inevitably they were offside.  I liked the West Ham half backs, particularly Malcolm and they were the basis of their side’s success.  Brown had a great duel with Hickson, who was Everton’s best forward after Collins and the West Ham pivot must be on the fringe of international selection.  Left back Cantwell who led the republic of Ireland side yesterday against Czechoslovakia, was excellent and the whole team has a solidity and drive which shows their League position to be no fluke.  Bong put them ahead after twenty-five minutes with a neat flick header from a free kick, which left Dunlop flat-footed.  Then Hickson burst round Brown who was beaten by an overhead pass from Jimmy Harris, held off Cantwell and hit a great shot past Dwyer.  Dick showed international class for the first and only time when with seventy-five minutes gone, he took a pass from Bond, evaded Brian Harris’s tackle and shot from twenty yards into the far corner of the net.  With only six minutes left, and after Bond had missed a sitter and Obeney had hit the post, Dunlop punched but a left wing cross to Grice.  Before he had regained his feet, the winger had put an angled, shot past him.  Two minutes later Jimmy Harris moving out to the left, headed inwards a cross from his namesake, Brown headed it further on and there was Laverick standing in the centre forward position, coolly volleying high into the net.  West Ham United;- Dwyer, goal; Kirkup and Cantwell, backs; Malcom, Brown and Smith, half-backs; Grice, Obeney, Bond, Dick (captain), and Musgrove, forwards.  Everton; Dunlop, goal; Parker and Bramwell, backs; Harris (B), Labone and Meagan, half-backs; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins (captain) and Laverick, forwards.  Referee; Mr. W. Clements (West Bromwich).   Attendance 28,500. 

EVERTON RES OUT OF LUCK
April 6, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Res 0, Huddersfield Town Res 1
After being the more impressive side for two-thirds of this Central League game Everton were unlucky to lose both points.  Play was often scrappy through the defenders tending to over kick a lively ball, yet the young Scottish international, Law fastened to a long bunt to score for Huddersfield in the 48th minute.  Everton’s effort to equalize was only brief for ill-luck in finishing still dogged their forwards who suddenly became disheartened and bedraggled despite the continued good service from wing halves Sanders and Peat.  Speedy outside right Blain was the best forward on the field although Godfrey on the opposite flank emerged from some rough treatment with credit.  Everton team was; Griffiths; Parkes, Tansey; Sanders, Billington, Peat; Blain, Keeley, Wignall, Ashworth, Godfrey. 

EVERTON FALL AGAIN BY THE ODD GOAL AWAY
April 6, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Michael Charters
There are times in football when one feels that certain blatant fouls outside the penalty area should bring more than a free kick against the offender.  You know the type of thing – when the defending side gets themselves out of real trouble by stopping play with an action which can only be described as flagrantly similar and unsportsmanlike.  Every team does it at some time or another, but in Everton’s game at West Ham on Saturday, it so happened that they were on the receiving end and either incident could have turned the match their way.  First a defence-baffling long kick by Parker was beating centre half Brown in the air and Hickson was already darting round him to collect it in the open when Brown leaped high to pull it down with his hand.  Result a free kick the West Ham defence back in position and nothing for Everton from the move.  Secondly with the score 1-1 and Everton the better side at that stage Thomas picked up a defensive pass and as the West Ham defenders moved up to set their usual offside trap Thomas burst right through with only goalkeeper Dwyer to beat.  But centre forward Bond who had chased Thomas for fully 40 yards realized that Thomas looked sure to score and hooked his feet from under him just outside the penalty area.  Bond received a warming from the referee, Everton received nothing from the free kick.  These were two of the highlights of a fast moving struggle which could have gone either way with West Ham thought just about deserving their 3-2 win, because of their late burst.  West Ham still there with a chance for talent money had more of the play in the first half but Everton were their equal after half-time until two late goals finished them.  West Ham used the offside trap almost as effectively as Nottingham Forest and Everton fell for it frequently.  These aggravating tactics plus the difficulty in controlling the lively ball on a hard surface were the reason for a large number of errors by both sides.
Commanding Side
But despite that there was enough entertainment to stamp this game as anything but an end-of-the-season clash and there was interest to the last minute, West Ham big and strong are a solid commanding side deserving their high League place and their attacks looked more dangerous than the more cultured style of Everton.  The dominance of Everton’s defence has been a feature of their play recently but here they were not as convincing as usual.  They found difficulty in judging the antics of the bouncing ball but covered up each other’s mistakes well, and none did better than Bramwell and Meagan in this respect.  Meagan particularly is back to his best and he was the best wing half on the field.  Parker always attempted to use the ball well from defence but his tackling was not quite as strong as normal, although in the long run winger Musgrove was no allowed to dominate.  Young Labone finding that the West Ham thrusts down the middle far more of a problem than either Aston Villa or Luton Town could pose kept cool but his inexperience often put him in trouble.  That will solve itself in there and his display if not as good as his previous two games, still obtained flashes of that promise which makes him an outstanding prospect.  Hickson had a fine game against brown who must be on the fringe of international class while Thomas worked untiringly in his usual quiet manner. 
A Contrast
One feature of the game was the contrast in appearance and plays of Collins and Dick, the new Scottish international inside forward.  They could not be more opposite.  Collins small, neat and precise in manner and style, Dick a towering gauging six-footer with no pretension to ball playing ability but with as good a left-foot shot as there is, in contemporary football.  I know who I’d prefer to have on my side – and that’s Collins.  He was one man who could instantly get the ball under control and make it do what he wanted rather than having to improvise as it came to him at awkward angles.  Dick is a goal snatching type who waits for the ball to be given to him rather than going to find it himself.  But he is lethal in shooting range and his goal was the best of five top class efforts which provided a suitable ration for the crowd.  His goal apart Dick was rarely in the picture as Brian Harris did well to keep a clear watch on him.  Collins was often brilliant in midfield but his long passes were rarely effective because his forward colleagues moved so frequently for offside positions.  West Ham’s strength lay in their half-backs, where wing-halves Malcolm and Smith eagerly moved into attacking positions and gave a good service to their forwards.  As a result Collins and Thomas were way back with them most of the time so that Everton’s attacks were a three-pronged affair –when they did break down the offside trap. 
Neat Header
Left back Cantwell who captained the Republic of Ireland against Czechoslovakia yesterday and flew with Everton manager John Carey to Dublin on Saturday night, vied with Bramwell for-defensive honours Dwyer was a safe goalkeepers, whereas Dunlop, possibly still feeling the effects of his ankle injury, was not so confident as usual.  He was left flat-footed when Bond neatly headed a free kick past him for the opening goal which Hickson leveled shortly afterwards with a great shot on the run as Jimmy Harris lobbed the ball over Brown’s head.  Dick put West Ham ahead again mid-way through the second half with a great left-foot shot from the edge of the area and winger Grice got the third after Dunlop had punched the ball out from a left wing cross and was still regaining his feet when the ball flashed past him on its return trip.  Within two minutes of that but with only four to go Laverick took a headed pass from Jimmy Harris (who had a leading part in both Everton goals) and neatly volleyed it home.  But West Ham held on to their lead in those hectic closing minutes and Everton had lost yet another away game by the odd goal –five in their last six visits.  What a revelation their League position would be today if they had taken the occasional point from these matches. 

PALACE GOALKEEPER GIVES GREAT DISPLAY
Tuesday, April 7, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
Crystal Palace 2, Everton 2
Everton would be the first to agree that, on the evidence of last night’s game in South London, the gulf between the top and bottom divisions of the Football League is a good deal narrower than some pundits would have people believe.  It took them nearly an hour to size up their attractive South London opponents though according to a fellow scribe who saw Everton at West Ham they played every bit as well as they did n Saturday.  What is equally true is that Crystal Palace can when the occasion demands play football well above their station.  They seemed to take an especial delight in proving to their serious that providence alone has kept them a very flourishing club in a very populous area far too long in the doldrums.  If the other teams in the Fourth Division would only allow him to show their refreshing skills more often, and not place such a decisive emphasis on brute force, they might soon be on their way back to a higher sphere.  Everton can at least console themselves that it is a good deal easier to stay in Division.  I than it is get out of Division IV a problem with which Crystal Palace are currently beset.  If ever Crystal Palace do get back to Division 2 after an absence of more than thirty years they will on this form, prove themselves a decided acquisition. 
No Easy Success
Everton found that every opening had to be worked for with as much industry and skill as in a First Division game and when they did at last succeed they still had to reckon will Crystal Palace’s last line of defence Under-23 Welsh international Vic Rouse.  Rouse made two miraculous saves from Dave Hickson after Thomas had at last restored the balance at 2-2.  Only then did Everton extra bit of class begin to tell.  Crystal Palace went into the lead in the fifteenth minutes when goalkeeper Dunlop hampered by Brian Harris, misjudged a McNichol free kick, but Parker equalizer with a penalty kick five minutes later, after Thomas had been flagrantly pushed.  Colsar restored Palace’s lead with a header following a corner kick and Everton did not get on terms again until the 57th minute when Thomas converted Jimmy Harris centre.  But they had by then got the measure of the talented Fourth Division side and were no longer of defeat which at one time seemed a distinct possibility.  Crystal Palace;- Rouse, goal; Howe and Noakes backs; McNichol, Chorley and Long, half-backs; Priestley, Summersky, Barnett, Byrner, and Colsar, forwards.  Everton; Dunlop, goal; Parker and Bramwell, backs; Harris (B), Jones (captain) and Rea, half-backs; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Meagan, and Laverick, forwards. 

PALACE GIVE EVERTON A SHOCK
Tuesday April 6, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
It would have been a distinct feather in the caps of Crystal Palace to have followed up their defeat of cup finalists Luton Town by dishing out similar treatment to Everton under floodlights last night.  But before an hour had gone Everton became so acutely aware of the possibility of this happening as to reassert themselves reshape their tactics and up by very nearly pulverizing these Fourth Division lads.  The transformation came about when inside forwards Meagan and Thomas finally cast aside the cares of defence.  Then for the first time Hickson began to get the sort of service he like –the quick through pass which enables him to use his speed off the mark to outpace the defence.  He hit one cannonball shot which goalkeeper Rouse flung himself at and just got a hand to in time.  Before Everton’s inside trio eventually found their touch, Crystal Palace had made merry in midfield and Everton were no doubt painfully surprised to find that their lowly opponents backed up real football skill with a surprising turn of speed and wholehearted enthusiasm.  The change came about when Everton discovered that they had to set a stiffer pace than the one being constantly dictated by Crystal Palace.  Then they quickly drew level for the second time through a goal by Thomas and that was how the game ended, their first goal having been scored from the penalty spot by Parker.  As for plucky Palace their next floodlight opponents will be Arsenal in the Final of the Southern Floodlight Cup.  And Everton will be the first to acknowledge that it won’t be easy for Arsenal even with the help of Mel Chartes. 

GOODISON ATTRACTION
Friday April 10, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
If those responsible for drawing in the fixture lists had tried to provide Everton with a grandstand finish at Goodison Park they could hardly have done it more effectively.  The last home game was against Cup finalists Luton Town.  Tomorrow’s match is with Luton’s Wembley opponents, Nottingham Forest and the curtain will be rung down by the visit of the potential champions, Wolves.  The Forest side has not yet been announced and we can only hope it will be a more representative team than Luton were able to field.  Because of the England v. Scotland match at Wembley, Everton will have to manage as best they can without the services of Bobby Collins and it may e enlightening to see how the team fare at this advanted stage without the prompting of possibly the most inspired signing of the season.  Ashworth is called in to deputise at inside left and Tommy Jones who was back for the friendly game with Crystal Palace displaces Labone at centre half.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Bramwell; B. Harris, Jones, Meagan; J. Harris, Thomas, Hickson, Ashworth, Laverick. 
The Everton reserve team to visit Wolves will be; O’Neill; Sanders, Tansey; Gray, Labone, Peat; Blain, Keeley, Wignall, Mackay, Godfrey. 

TALENT EVERYWHERE
April 10, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
It seems that Mr. Billy Wright the longest-serving manager in the game –and one of the shrewdest –has let his side know the difficulty of getting back to winning after taking things easily and it would not surprise me if an Everton denuded of Collins had difficulty with a team which includes no great stars but football talent in every department.  Tom Jones return coincides with the appearance as deputy No 10 of Alec Ashworth.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Bramwell; Harris (B), Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Ashworth, Laverick., 

COLLINS IS HAPPY AT GOODISON
Friday April 10, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
No Desire To Move
Statement
By Leslie Edwards
Bobby Collins pint-sized Everton and Scottish international inside-left –he plays tomorrow against England at wembley – emphasized to me today that he has no desire to go South.  From the Scotland team’s Sonning head-quarters today he told me “I’ve enjoyed all my football with my new club”  He denied that he is unhappy with Everton.  At Everton in the absence of Manager John Carey who is nursing a sore throat, the club secretary Mr. Bill Dickinson said; “So far as the club are concerned we know nothing whatever of Collins wanting a move.  Nor has there ever been a whisper to this effect.”  Three weeks ago the Collins rumour went the rounds in Liverpool.  The club were upset but took no steps (presumably because they thought it not worthy if it) so deny the story. 
One Reason
One reason behind the rumour might be the fact that Collins has said that it has taken him some time to settle down to life here, but he has been careful to explain that the fact that he was finding it easy had nothing to do with his relations with Everton which could not be happier or more cordial.  Collins joined Everton in September at a fee of £23,000.  His injection into a side which was at the foot of the table had immediate results.  Everton rose steadily in the chart from that moment and the further acquisition of Manager John Carey, a few weeks later, also had its part in a notable revival.  Everton will face Nottingham Forest’s probable Cup Final side at Goodison Park tomorrow.  After the morale sapping 3-1 thrashing at Luton last night Forest who had four reserves on duty against their Cup Final opponents will be at full strength tomorrow.  Nottingham Forest; Thomson; Whare, McDonald; Whitefoot, McKinlay, Burkitt; Dwight, Quigley, Wilson, Gray, Imlach.  

POLIO APPEAL AT MATCHES
Friday April 10, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Minister Records A Message
A message recorded by Mr. Derek Walker-Smith, Minister of Health urging young people to be inoculated against Polio, is to be replayed at football matches tomorrow.  The Minister says that like everyone else, he was grieved to hear of the death of Jeff Hall, the Birmingham footballer, and that the only way to combat Polio is to be vaccinated now before the polio season comes to a head usually in July.  The number of people up to the age of 26 presenting themselves at the Liverpool Health Clinic at Hatton Garden continues to increase daily. 

CUP FINAL TEAM?
April 11, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Horace Yates
Whether or not it was a matter of tactics that caused Nottingham Forest to play four reserves on Thursday night against Luton Town, their Wembley Cup final opponents, Forest have apparently realized the danger of mounting defeats to morale and consequently the crowd at Goodison today will see the probable Cup final team in action.   Everton followers have not seen their side defeated in a League game at Goodison Park since December 20, when Leicester City upset a sequence which began as long ago as the middle of September.  Collins playing in the international match is bound to be missed, although his absence need not necessarily upset the Everton scheme of things.  No one underestimates the difference this wonderful player has made at Goodison but those who throw up their hand in despair whenever has name is missing might gain courage and comfort from the facts.  Since he joined Everton Collins has missed only three League games –Leeds United (h) West Brom (a) and Manchester United (h) – and all those matches were won.  Ashworth is his deputy today as he was on two of the three occasions when Collins was marked absent.  Forest have been shown the same hunger for League points as they have shown determination for Cup progress but at the same time a win today would no doubt be very welcome to them and because of that Everton may find it hard to improve on a draw.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Bramwell; B. Harris, Jones, Meagan; J. Harris, Thomas, Hickson, Ashworth, Laverick.  Nottingham Forest; Thomson; Whare, McDonald; Whitefoot, McKinlay, Burkitt; Dwight, Quigley, Wilson, Gray, Imlach. 

EVERTON OUTPLAYED BY BRILLIANT FOREST TEAM
April 11, 1959.  The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
First Half Goals Put Issue Beyond Doubt
Everton 1, Notts Forest 3
By Michael Charters
Everton; Dunlop, goal; Parker and Bramwell, backs; Harris (B), Jones (captain), and Meagan,  half-backs; Harris (j), Thomas, Hickson, Ashworth, and Laverick, forwards.  Nottingham Forest;- Thomson, goal; Whare and McDonald, backs; Whitefoot, McKinlay and Burkitt, half-backs; Dwight, Quigley, Wilson, Gray, and Imlach, forwards.  Referee; Mr. C.H. Dennis (Surrey).  Rain and a cold wind kept the attendance down to the lowest of the season for the visit of the finalists Nottingham Forest, who fielded their probable Wembley side.  Forest’s neat type of on-the-ground football was quickly apparent as was their offside trap a great feature of their game.  Imlach went close in the opening minutes the ball skidding off the greasy surface to fly past the far post.  Everton were a little unlucky to be a goal down after five minutes when Wilson shot apparently well covered by Dunlop, struck Tommy Jones’s leg and was diverted just inside the post.  But the build-up work to this goal had been excellent with Gray and Quigley linking beautifully before the latter put brought the final pass.  Forest’s early dominances was such that Everton only managed one tentative attack in the first 10 minutes.  Forest on the other hand were quick and attractive in everything they did with McKinlay and Burkitt dominating the midfield.  A long pass from Whare deceived Everton’s defence and Dunlop had to make a great save to prevent the visitors from going two up off Dwight’s fierce shot. 
Like Continentals
Everton’s defence was making very heavy weather against the quick switching of the Forest inside men.  Their first time passing was reminiscent of a Continental side never brothering to control the ball but flicking it instantly to a colleague better placed.  Indicative of the pattern of play was the fact that Thompson in the Forest goal had not had one shot to deal with in the first 15 minutes.  It was also obvious that Everton sadly missed the generalship of Collins in attack for at the moment their attempts to get moving were getting nowhere.  Whenever Everton did manage to move out of their own half they were invariably pulled up by the offside trap of Forest which worked like a machine.  It was from an offside award that Forest went further ahead after 18 minutes when McDonald’s long free kick slipped right through the Everton defence and Gray was able to go on at his leisure and deliver an angled shot of surprising force when Dunlop might have been excused for thinking he would cross the ball.  Everton were lackadaisical and slipshod and there was only one team in it.  Everton’s first chance of coming back into the game came two minutes after Forest’s second goal, when Jimmy Harris flicked a free kick from Laverick towards goal, but the ball was blocked by McDonald with Thomason out of position.  Everton could make nothing of this Forest defence and even a slip by Thomson when he failed to cut out a right wing corner yielded nothing.  Hickson slipped the ball forward but Ashworth hooked it wide of the post.  Everton’s display was as poor as some of their early season games, and they should have been three down when Dwight drew Dunlop out of goal but shot wide.  Everton were in trouble again when Dwlight cut through and Jones had to concede a corner as the winger pulled the ball back.  Ashworth and Laverick were never working in unison in marked contrast to the stylish play of the Forest forwards whose linking was delightful. 
Improvement
Everton were beginning show a little more zest in their work and when Whare pushed Jimmy Harris off the ball.  I thought they deserved at least an indirect free kick if not a penalty award.  In Everton’s brightest raid they again found a defender clearing off the line with the keeper beaten.  Brian Harris took a corner and when Thomas swung it back into goal Ashworth’s slow shot was heading for the far corner when McKinlay cut it off.  I thought a harder hit shot must have entered the net before the centre half could have got there.  Almost inevitable it was Forest who next scored.  Their third goal came five minutes before half-time when Dwlight’s centre hit the crossbar and came back for Wilson to head the simplest of goals.  The danger started with indecision on Everton’s left defensive flank, it allowing Dwlight to cross the ball when it seemed difficult for him to even get a foot to it.  This very poor display by Everton was an eye-opener from the point of view of assessing the work of the absent Collins.  Without him Everton’s forward line never got going.  On the stroke of half-time Dunlop had to make a magnificent save from Quigley.  Half-time; Everton nil, Nottingham Forest 3. 
Dunlop was quickly in action in the second half with saves from Imlach and Gray, and Everton’s only reply was when Laverick waited too long for a cross from the right wing to bounce with the result that Whare was able to step in and clear.  So complete was Forest’s superiority that they were playing almost exhibition football.  I thought Parker and Bramwell were doing best of a poor Everton team, and they to be against skilful wingers.  Parker hooked a shot away by Wilson and it appeared to me that the ball was over the line before he did so.  The game continued to be of similar pattern to the first half with Forest’s cleverness dominating the proceedings.  Quigley and Bramwell were concerned in a little incident after which it appeared that the referee took both their names.  Then the followed by booking “Hickson for a reason I could not see.” Thomas had just shot and Thomson saved when the referee stopped play and spoke to Hickson.  Then followed as amazing incident when Hickson charged McKinlay fairly off the ball and McKinlay had to jump on to the terrace to save himself from failing against the concrete surround.  There followed a foul by Jimmy Harris on Imlach and suddenly the game flared up in an ugly manner.  The tension was heightened when Hickson collided with McKinlay who lay injured in the penalty area. 
Hit Crossbar
As the Forest players clustered round their colleagues Hickson went up o require and was pushed away roughly by several of the visitors.  It appeared to me that one or two Everton players were regrettably losing their heads .  Hickson slipped past Mckinlay and his shot hit the top of the crossbar and went over.  Right on time Hickson headed in a free kick from Bramwell and there was not even time to restart play before the final whistle.  As the players left the pitch, one or two hot-heads in the crowd threw paper and orange peel.  Final; Everton 1. Nottingham Forest 3. 

ENGLAND 1, SCOTLAND NIL
April 11, 1959. Notes only
Bobby Charlton scored the only goal at 58 minutes at Wembley, against Bobby Collins Scotland today.

ALEX PARKER PAYS FIRST VISIT TO ANFIELD AND, LIKE ALL OTHER NEWCOMERS, SAY…
April 11, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Kop Took My Eye –And Ear
Goodison’s Robin Hood
By Alex Parker
Well that my first visit to Anfield, and with all due respect to the players in what was a very exciting game, I must confess that it as the Kop that made the biggest impression upon me.  What support!  No wonder Liverpool like to kick into it in the second half.  I’ve never experienced anything like it, and I was told after the match that it was quiet on Wednesday!  It must be some noise when it’s on form.  I thought Liverpool did enough to deserve a point, for although Middleborough played the cleverer football the home side exerted terrific pressure in the first part of the game and for long spells in the second half.  It was my first view of Billy Liddell in his club colours although I have seen him play for Scotland.  I thought he had a great game and it’s no mystery to me that he should be so popular with the crowd, I only hope I can play as well when I’m 37.  My Old Army colleague, Jimmy Melia also played very well.  Some of his dummeys were very clever I thought the pick of what was a very good defence were Ronnie Moran and Dick White.  Anybody no at the match who read the Press reports on Brian Clough on Thursday morning could be excused for thinking that White was given a run around but that was far from the case.  In addition to Brian Clough outside left Holliday had a good match for Middleborough, while Fernie’s not playing as well as I’ve seen him for Celtic, looked very good at times.  I thought the pick of an excellent defence was goalkeeper Taylor.  His judgment of when to come out, was first-class. 
So Casual
Right half Harris must be the most casual wing half I’ve eye seen, but for all his apparent lack of urgency be still managed to put some good balls through to the forwards.  Well, those are my impressions of my first visit to Anfield, I hope that next time I go there it will be to play a derby match.  I’ve been told that no Merseyside footballers education is complete until he’s played against the enemy from across the park.  I was talking to Willie Fernie before the game and he told me he was settling down well in England.  He asked about his old club mate Bobby Collins and asked now he was playing.  I told him to ask any Evertonian, I don’t know if he did, but I do know the answer he would have received. 
Terrific Shot
Last week game at West Ham was yet another in the long line of those we have lost by the odd goal.  With a quarter of an hour to go, I thought we were going to get a point but then big John Dick showed us why he was picked for today’s international.  He collected a pass about 25 yards out moved forward a couple of paces and hit a terrific shot into the far corner I hope he’s given a couple of repeat at Wembley today.  Before the game I was talking to the hammers left half John Smith who played with me in the Army side.  Immediately after the match we set off for Brighton for a couple of days break-prior to our game with Crystal Palace.  On the Sunday afternoon Albert Dunlop, Kenny Rea, Bobby Collins, Trainer Gordon Watson and I went for a stroll and finished up in an amusement arcade on one of the piers.  It was there that some reputations were made and sad to relate broken.  If you hear any of the Everton team talking about Robin Hood they will probably be referring to Bobby Collins.  At his first attempt with the bow and arrow he scored a bull’s eye.  Me?  I had 11 tries ..And failed to score with one.  Hence Alex “Maid Marion” Parker.   Kenny Rea revealed usasuspected skill on the darts board.  You had to score 65 to win and Kenny was the only one who managed it.  I’m afraid it our wives were relying on our darts prowess for trophies the sideboard would look awfully bare.  And now meet Albert Davey Crocket” Dunlop.  On Sunday April 5, 1959 our Albert grabber himself a gun on Brighton front and taking careful aim scored 10 out of 10 I’m writing this before today’s team is picked, but if he’s at centre forward don’t be surprised.  What of the old man of the party, Gordon Watson.  Well they say that fishing is an old man’s game and Gordon did nothing to disprove that by being the only one who scored the required 45 by fishing ducks out of a pond.
Fond Farewell
However, the most profitable thing we found was a machine on which you could win streets.  You can gauge our success when I tell you we struggled home under the weight of three dozen packets.  Anybody want a mint?  Oh yes we also secured three ornamental dogs.  Our next form of amusement took us to the hall of mirrors and naturally we all had a good laugh at the different shapes reflected but the biggest laugh came at the last mirror of all.  However, our mirth was cut short when we realized that the mirror was a true one and we were laughing at ourselves as we really are.  Our faces were the colour of Liverpool’s shirts as we beat a hasty retreat.  On Monday afternoon we bade a fond farewell to Brighton land of mints and ornaments and set off for Crystal Palace.  Although a Fourth Division side Palace played extremely well but the thing that will remain most vividly in my memory is the size of their pitch.  It is terrific and must be easily the biggest on which I have played.  I had another opportunity at taking penalties when Eddie Thomas was brought down and my luck has not deserted me for I made it two out of two for Everton.  Eddie gained consolation when he scored the equalizer for us later on.  Tommy Jones has his first game since being hurt at Luton on Good Friday and he was as usual cool self.  In fact, as one-person said (it was Thomas himself, but don’t tell him I said so) be “gave the left winter an immaculate service.”  Well, if Tommy doesn’t know who does?  Anyway quite seriously welcome back Tom.  They say that London’s a big place but I have my doubts.  You may remember that the other week I bumped into Tommy Docherty in a news theate down there. 
Preston Capture
Well last Monday I was walking through London when I was approached by a sailor who said “You won’t remember me but I played against you in Cyprus.  He is a Liverpool boy by the name of Godby and is in H.M.S Contest, You scousers get everywhere.  Another Liverpudian I saw down there was Frankie Vaughan.  All the team went to see him in a show and he was better than ever.  ‘Nuff sed.  I see Preston North End signed David Sneddon.  Dundee’s wee inside forward, in the week.  The last time I saw Davy was when I was in Scotland for the international trial a few weeks ago and he was then looking forward to a trip with his club to America.  Davey and I are old friends for we played against each other when at school.  He was an outside left them.  He comes from a little place called Kilwinning which is about four miles from my home town in Ayrshire, Irvine.  Although he is only small he is a very clever player and could do Preston a power of good. 

PALACE GAVE US A SHOCK IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
April 11, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Says Everton’s Tom Jones
Our stay at Brighton last week-end brought some hidden talent to light in the amusement arcades and the break of a few days at this seaside resort was a fine form of relaxation for the boys after the arduous Easter game.  As with most resort was a fine form of relaxation for the boys after the arduous Easter games.  As with most resorts it’s wonderful when the weather is good.  We were lucky for, apart from when we were leaving for Crystal Palace on the Monday, it was grand.  It isn’t the first time an Everton team has spent a few days or even a week at Brighton.  Dave Hickson and myself were in the side, perhaps five or six seasons ago, when we spent a week on special training although at another hotel.  I shall always remember I for a remark one of the waiters passed.  As you may well imagine, footballers are blessed with huge appetites and if they have a strenuous training session, topped with the ozone in the sea air you can gather how hungry they get.  We were seated round a large table eating all and everything set before us, when we heard one waiter muttering softly to a companion.  Don’t put your hands on the table; they’ll eat them as well.”  Those associated with the hotel the lads are staying at after the Portsmouth game next Wednesday at Southsea, should be warned.  It’s intended that the party will stay at Southsea until the Saturday morning then travel to London for the game against Chelsea, winding up, we hope, with a few points. 
Surprised
Our game with Crystal Palace surprised us in more ways than one.  Surprised to find a Fourth Division club having such a wonderful ground set in a natural bowl somewhat similar to Charlton’s at the Valley.  Surprised at the huge pitch and the large stand.  Perhaps not surprisingly we found that they had more than just a workmanlike team.  Reports stated that Palace surprised us by their ability and gave us a shock.  We won’t deny it; they did.  They played good football. Moved well, held the ball when needed, and scored one extremely good goal.  One player stood out in their eleven and that was Rouse their Welsh “Under 23” international goalkeeper.  He was great and had no chance with the goals against him.
Doc’s Visit
Tommy Docherty called at our London hotel on Tuesday to talk to his international pals, Alex Parker, and Bobby Collins. As Bobby was to meet the Scottish party the following day.  Tommy had called to look after him while the Everton party returned to Liverpool.  Doc so named by all his pals, is as enthusiastic for the game as any keen youngster.  He’ll play morning noon and night.  In fact he played for Arsenal in a local cup tie against West Ham on the previous evening, when Mel Charles made his debut in the Arsenal first team.  You might not consider thus unusual but with the chance of losing a Scottish cap should he be injured this appearance might weigh heavily on another player’s shoulders, but not Doc.  According to reports he played as hard and tackled as successfully as he does always.  There’s no getting away from it, the lad’s a personality. 

WOLVES RES V EVERTON RES
April 11, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Wolverhampton Wanderers Reserves; Sidebottom, goal; Harris (J) and Tether, Kirkham, and Palin, half-backs; Cocker, Mannion, Durrandt, Stobart, Thomson, and Mullen, forwards.  Everton Res;- O’Neill, goal; Sanders and Tansey, backs; Rea, Billington, and Peat, half-backs; Blain, Keeley, Wignall, Mackay, and Godfrey, forwards.  Referee; Mr. H. Davey (Mansfield).  Everton did not look too happy in pouring rain against Wolves Reserves who have already clinched the Central League Championship for the second successive year.  After much Wolves pressure Jimmy Mullen too advantage of an Everton defensive lapse to put Wolves in front First, right back Sanders foolishly allowed himself to be dispossessed and Mullen went on to beat centre half Billington and prodded the ball into the corner of the net with his right foot.  This goal was in the 14th minute.  Everton’s short passing tactics were not paying off in the conditions and after half an hour the home side went further ahead.  On this occasion Mullen centred cross the Everton goal and Mannion headed past O’Neill.  Five minutes from half-time Keeley scored for Everton with Wolves defenders thinking him offside.  Half-time; Wolves Res 2, Everton Res 1.
Accrington S. V Everton “B”
Scrappy defensive play soon had the Blues in trouble but keeper Mailey kept the score down.  Everton’s danger came from right half Allan Bromilow who scored the equalizer and winger John Fielding.  Half-time; Accrington Stanley “A” 1, Everton “B” 1

QUITE A STIR IN THE FOREST
Monday, April13, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post 
Everton 1, Nottingham Forest 3
By Horace Yates
The second smallest crowd of the Goodison season saw Nottingham Forest not only produce a display which suggested that their abundant optimism over the outcome of the F.A Cup final next month is well founded but one that could have administered a lesson in good football had Everton been in the mood to learn.  Everton’s reaction to being as second best –I was disappointed and dismayed that the Everton reaction should have been so spontaneous and inflammatory.  Referee Dennis undoubtedly contributed to the deterioration in his disregard of pin-pricks which grew to the proportion of sword-thrusts and when he found a rough nouse on his hand, resulting in the names of three players being taken he was lucky to be able to bring the match to a close with twenty-two players still on the field.  A section of the crowd showed discipline no better than that of the erring players greeting an injury to Whare with cheers and his return with boos. 
Pretty But Lethal
While the game was still a game we sat back to never in some Nottingham Football that was not only pretty and pleasing up to the eye but carried with it a threat that was lethal.  How easy it was to admired the smooth precision of the Forest work.  In contrast the Everton passing so much of which appeared to be made for interceptions, the opposition not only fund their target but in such a way that there was no appearance of accident about it.  Players were able to run on to the ball, without half the hesitative and every man in the forward line showed himself able to hit a shot in the most rewarding direction.  Everton tolled and struggled but it was an uninspired retaliation.  They have come a long way since those days depressing days at the season’s opening and yet this was the sort of display that of might have been picked up bodily from that period.  Whether it was coincidence or not the absence of Bobby Collins saw Everton’s attack disorganized to the point of disintegration.  Hickson did not have a good game, but in fairness I doubt very much whether any other centre forward could have done much better from a similar service and at least he took his goal in the last minute of the game in the most irreproachable fashion.  Hickson has made a big effort to keep out of trouble this season but Saturday was one of the occasions when he was less successful than usual, and I rubber my eyes in disbelief when Jimmy Harris was right off balanced for a period.  I don’t say that all this was one sided but retaliation general to get a player nowhere faster than an early bath if some stern words are delivered behind closed doors at Goodison Park this week, I for one would not consider them out of turn.  In the absence of Collins Everton had nobody able to bring down the pace of the furious Forest to manageable proportions and the attack fell into the offside trap, so excellently hailed by the Cup finalists with such regularity that one might have thought Everton were being confronted with such tactics for the fast time.  I feel sure that a stir in the Forest ranks would have been caused much oftener had they been forced to contend with the thoughtful play of Collins who might well have found the answer to the snare much more successfully than anybody else seemed capable of doing.  Gray soon showed Everton the shape of things to come when he fired in two shots only narrowly off target in the opening minutes and the game was just six minutes old when Wilson scored with an in-off Jones drive.  A weak effort by Laverick produced Everton’s one shot in ten minutes.  Everton had to thank the intelligent anticipation of Dunlop in saving at point-blank range from Dwlight for not being debited with a further goal but in any event they were two down in nineteen minutes when Brian Harris (who in the first half at least earned good marks at a time when it was so difficult to pin medals on the chests of most of his colleagues) missed a free kick by McDoanld and left Gray to fasten on to it and beat Dunlop with a superb drive.  It was a measure of Forest’s defensive soundness that both Hickson and Ashworth were forced to snap at goal with almost no opportunity to take aim, and McKinlay a wonderful efficient centre half kicked an Ashworth shot off the line with Thomson beaten.  The Dwlight-Quigley partnership was quite a problem and when Quigley contributed an inswinger almost from the goalline all Dunlop could do was to hammer the ball against bar.  Back I came to the waiting Wilson and Everton were three down in forty-two minutes.  Disappointing almost to the point of depression though some of Everton’s attempts had been at least there had been the sparkle of the evergreen Forest to compel admiration but football standards went by the board in the second half in which temper held too great a sway and it was when it seemed certain to be a goalless half that from one of the many free kicks Bramwell put the ball up for HIckson to score.  Everton; Dunlop, goal; Parker and Bramwell, backs; Harris (B), Jones (captain), and Meagan,  half-backs; Harris (j), Thomas, Hickson, Ashworth, and Laverick, forwards.  Nottingham Forest;- Thomson, goal; Whare and McDonald, backs; Whitefoot, McKinlay and Burkitt, half-backs; Dwight, Quigley, Wilson, Gray, and Imlach, forwards.  Referee; Mr. C.H. Dennis (Surrey). Attendance 26,208. 

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS RESERVE 3 EVERTON RESERVES 2
April 13, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Reserves short-passing proved the wrong tactics in pouring rain in this game at Wolverhampton and they found themselves 2-1 down at the interval.  Muller and Mannion having scored for the home side before Keeley replied for Everton just before half-time when the Wolves players were expecting him to be ruled offside.  The second half when each side scored once was more even. 

EVERTON SLIP BACK TO EARLY SEASON FORM
April 13, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Michael Charters
Everton touched rock bottom in losing 3-1 to Cup Finalists Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on Saturday.  Not only were they outclassed by clever often brilliant, football, but some of their players took the thrashing in a most unsporting way, and resorted to tactics which left an unpleasant memory for most observers.  This crash-bang tackling, the bulldozing rush to get possession should have no place at Goodison.  I’m sure it’s tough to find oneself outplayed by better players, but for sanity’s sake the players should learn to take a drubbing like sportsmen.  Forest were coasting along with a 3-0 lead when a couple of ugly incidents started a spell of hot tempers and swinging feet which weren’t always aimed at the ball.  Forest themselves were guilty of gamesmanship which irritated but they were more sinned against than sinning.  Some of the crowd didn’t improve matters either with their cheering as Forest players lay injured and the senseless throwing of orange peel and papers as the players left the pitch at the end was the final scene of a disgraceful half-hour.  Little wonder that many impartial football followers believe the game has become such a “we must win at all costs business” that they are becoming more than a little tired of it all.  Forest had the game won by half-time with a display of smooth artistic football which ripped Everton to pieces.  Everton without Bobby Collins slipped back it those dark dismal days at the season’s start when they crashed so hopelessly to Preston.  Newcastle and Arsenal at home.
In Top Gear
Forest’s forwards, small and neat, switched positions and moved the ball from man to man as though it was tied by string to their feet –string which Everton could not cut as they did.  With their probable Wembley side in action, Forest clicked into top gear from the start.  Where Everton moved as units, Forest were a slick quick-thinking machine.  They passed first time with amazing accuracy on the slippery surface held the ball when needed and always found their man in an open space.  The great lesson for Everton (in a football sense) was that without Collins to guide cajole and urge his forward colleagues to respond to his prompting the Everton attack was made up of five individuals striving to make progress without a plan.  I could not believe one man could have been missed by so many.  Forest’s offside trap, for which they received no credit from me, was too good for Everton who persisted in pushing the ball through instead of dribbling it.  They had no one of the talent of Gray, Quigley or Wilson who could roam and probe in search for an opening.  Everton persisted in the high-flung cross into the goalmouth when Forest showed them that on-the-ground football was the way to success.  If Forest play like this in the Cup Final, they will delight Wembley and the millions of TV watches with their quality and polish. 
Brilliant Saves
The only Everton men to come out of the game with any satisfaction were defenders with Parker and Bramwell doing particularly well against skilful wingers, Imlach and Dwlight.  Dunlop made brilliant saves from Dwight and Quigley to keep the score down to reason able proportions whereas Thomson, in Forest’s goal had an easy afternoon.  Twice, however, he was out of position only to see McDonald and McKinlay clear shots from Jimmy Harris and Ashworth.  But against that.  Parker also hooked away a shot from Quigley which I thought was over the line before be reached it.  Burkitt and McKinlay dominated midfield for Forest, Burkitt was a commanding wing half of the Docherty type, the perfect link between defence and attack and Everton had no one to approach him.  Everton found things going against them after five minutes when Dunlop positioned himself right for Wilson’s shot only to see the ball hit Jones’s legs and turn off course just inside the upright.  From this moment, Forest were on top and stayed there.  They went further ahead after 18 minutes when Gray was allowed to pick up a long free kick unchallenged race on for 30 yards and with everyone in general and Dunlop in particular expecting a centre, the little inside man suddenly unleashed a tremendous shot on the run which was in the net before Dunlop could move.  Five minutes before half-time a swinging centre from Dwlight struck the crossbar Dunlop may just have touched it on and rebounded to leave Wilson with the simple task of heading it through.  Hickson’s headed goal from a free kick by Bramwell, came so late in the game that there was no time to restart play before the final whistle.  So ended a game, Everton sixth home defeat of the season which many will want to forget as quickly as possible.  If anything should be remembered, it is the class of Forest but the sight of the referee taking the names of Hickson, Bramwell, and Quigley in the middle of the plethora of fouls and petty uncalled for incidents in the second half spoiled it all. 

COLLINS SEES EVERTON MANAGER
Monday, April 13, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
“Happy With The Club.”
Move Denial
By Leslie Edwards
Bobby Collins, Everton and Scotland, inside forward reported last week as not being happy at Everton and anxious to move South saw Mr. John Carey, the Everton manager at Goodison Park this morning to confirm his statement published in the Echo last Friday that there was no basis for such rumours.  Collisn told Mr. Carey “I am disappointed about these stories I cannot understand why they ever started.  I’m perfectly happy with Everton and hope to be with them for a long time yet.”  This denial from Collins own lips will clear the air and will certainly relieve thousands of Everton fans who were concerned that the greatest Everton personality of recent times should leave the club within a few months of joining them and starting the revival which has enabled the team to remain in Division 1.  
Visitor to Sir Stanley Rous at the F.A offices this morning was Harry Wright, Everton trainer until Gordon Watson took over in November.  Harry has been offered the job of coaching the national F.A in Lebannon.  He is also interested in a management job in England and is hopeful that he will not have to go outside Britain to use his qualifications as a trainer and expert physiotherapist. 

COLLINS IS BACK; O’HARA TO STAY ON
Wednesday, April 14, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Bobby Collins returns to the Everton team which starts a two-day tour of the South tomorrow.  Otherwise the team is unchanged Manager Carey’s side take a hand in the relegation stakes at Portsmouth tomorrow evening and then go on London for the match at Chelsea on Saturday.  There is news today of Eddie O’Hara whose damaged ankle –quite severe trouble –was operated on some days ago.  He is now in a walking plaster.  He will stay in Liverpool awhile after this is removed so that he may do some training before he leaves for his close season holiday.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Bramwell; Harris (B), Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins, Laverick. 
Everton X1 At South Liverpool
An attractive game is held at Holy Park, Garston tomorrow (7-15 p.m) when Everton and Ryland Recreation (Warrington) meet in the semi-final of the Liverpool Junior Cup Rylands are the present leaders. 

PORTSMOUTH SIXTEEN YEAR-OLD V. EVERTON
April 15, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
What memories are stirred by an Everton trip to Portsmouth (they are there tonight) where the signature tune of Pompey chimes invariably greets the home team, and the recollection of an Everton signing from Portsmouth Albert Juliuessen still leaves the atmosphere a weenly bit tense after all these years.  It was at Portsmouth that visiting teams used to be invited with all good will, to visit the victory of some other famous battleship moored in the dockyard.  The result was a marathon tour of inspection which left players rather exhausted and not very keen about the 90 minutes football they would have to endure next day! But the late George Kay, of Anfield, took these things in his big stride and was once seen, it has to be confessed, carving with his penknife, one small silver of Victory timber to take home as a memento. 
Touchline Commentary
Mr. Kay’s running commentary from the touchline at Fratton Park (and the President Field Marshall Montgomery was present) led Mr. Mallalien, son-in-law of the then Manager of Portsmouth, Jack Tinn, to make representations that the noisy flow should be dammed.  But when these two fellow-travelling Shavians were introduced in the broadroom afterwards all anxiously was forgotten.  They became the best of friends.  In later days Portsmouth were in the charge of the former Tranmere player, Mr. Jackson whose bow tie became as much part of the Portsmouth scene as Jack Finn’s famous spats.  Everton have suffered more heavy defeats from Portsmouth post-war than one cares to detail and so this evening’s game, with Portsmouth virtually doomed to relegation still contains ‘needle,’ but not, I hope as much as made itself evident in the Notts Forest match at Goodison Park on Saturday.  With Collins back Everton look more like themselves I give them full marks for their rise from the depths, but there is still much to be done before they began to compare with the better Everton teams of the past. 
Four Harrises
One difficulty this evening will be keeping up with the Harrises –there will be four of them in all, two on either side.  Portsmouth also play, and not for the first time this season, sixteen-years-old Jimmy White, a Bournemouth amateur, at inside-right.  Saunders, a relative of the old Everton back George, gets another chance against his old club and if his form when I have seen him is any criterion he cannot be blamed for Portsmouth desperate League position.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Bramwell; Harris (B), Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins, Laverick.  Portsmouth; Brown; Rutter, Wilson; Howells, Gunter, Dickinson, Harris (P), J. White, Saunders, Harris (H), and Cutler. 

EVERTON WIN SPEEDS PORTSMOUTH TO DIVISION TWO
Thursday, April 16,1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
Portsmouth 2, Everton 3
By Leslie Edwards
Everton sped Portsmouth into the Second Division with a well-deserved 3-2 win in a rousing match at Portsmouth last night and so far as the winners are concerned they don’t mind how long Pompey stay sunk.  This has always been their bogey team and if Portsmouth were to be put out of their fixture list for another thirty years which is the length of the spell they are just completing in Division 1, Everton would at least be spared the indignity of such-defeats as they have had from this club too often in post-war seasons.  Portsmouth have not won a League match since last November, but they didn’t play like it against Everton, indeed Everton had to come from behind twice before they won the points in a match which was fast and hard, and which produced some wonderfully well worked and well taken goals.  When Portsmouth led twice it looked as though Everton would lose ironically after frequently cutting the Portsmouth defence to ribbons but justice was served in the end and the pep talk which manager John Carey almost certainly administered to his side after the unsatisfactory performance against Nottingham Forest undoubtedly had its effect.  There was more urgency about the team as a whole greater life and enthusiasm in all departments and some brilliant performance notably by Alex Parker and Bobby Collins, whose play last night would have been very useful at Wembley against England.  
No End Of Season
Everton were on top for long spells and only in the second half when Portsmouth’s sixteen-years-old White came into the picture for the first time did the home forward line function adequately and give Everton defence cause to worry.  There were only 12,000 spectators but they were sustained by a match which had no sign that it was end of season and though some of Portsmouth’s approaches were struggling and struggling Everton put on one of their best shows for months with some lovely rounds of passing and sharp incisive movement which suggest well for the future.  Laverick too, had his best game since he came from Chelsea and all told, even considering the comparative weakness of the opposition it was a highly satisfactory match from the Everton point of view.  There were four Harrises on view and Everton’s two who were always in the picture were not far ahead of the earnest Harry Harris of Portsmouth who gave his line great life and much competence.  Jimmy Harris and Hickson began with a interchange of passes with a right wing move which ended in the winger hitting a fierce shot inches over the top.  Then Laverick made a sinuous run ending with a centre from which Hickson must have scored if he had timed his shot properly, It was all Everton and nine minutes had gone when Peter Harris close in, scored from a short through pass from Cutler who had gone to the inside right position.  Brown then made a first class save from a fine volley by Collins the chance having arisen from a clever back header by Hickson.  Everton were unlucky when a Thomas shot stuck an upright from a lovely through pass by Brian Harris and then Dunlop held a good shot from half back Howells.  At thirty-five minutes Collins and Laverick brought off a brilliant left wing move begun by Collins and ended by that player was a perfect goal from a most astute pass by the North End boy.  Thus all the interval Everton were still level after having done sufficient to be well in the lead.  All the first half the dog-legged young giant White had been out of touch with the game but he improved visibly from that point, Portsmouth were all the better for it. 
Safety First
Brown saved a good volley from Hickson and Dunlop was quick to sense a fast moving bumping ball from Howells, which the goalkeeper did well to smother before the ball was put away for a safety first corner.  The game had gone sixty-five minutes when Peter Harris took up a through pass from White and fairly rammed the ball beyond Dunlop’s right hand to but Portsmouth 2-1 in front but a minute later a Hickson flick to Thomas was so beautifully taken first with a nod of the head and then with a lethal shot, that Everton were on terms without delay.  Ten minutes later Brian Harris who had been masterful all through slid the ball to Collins who produced the most glorious of through passes for Laverick to go through almost in the centre forward position and some as he pleased.  If Hickson had taken an easy chance when clean through after Portsmouth had appealed vainly that he was offside the margin would have been greater.  Parker can rarely have played better.  It was good to see Collins resume his tip-top form, though most aggravating that he should do it so quickly after his failure at Wembley.  There was life and spirit and ability all along the Everton attack and with such support as they received from the half backs the wonder was that Portsmouth made such a close thing of it.  I fear Portsmouth with this side, are due for a long term in the lower division particularly as Dickinson and Peter Harris are getting no younger.  On their form of last night Portsmouth’s complete failure to win a match for so long seemed very odd.  Portsmouth; Brown, goal; Rutter and Wilson, backs; Howells, Gunter, and Dickinson, half-backs; P. Harris, J. White, Saunders, H. Harris, and Cutler, forwards.  Everton; Dunlop, goal; Parker and Bramwell, backs; B. Harris, Jones (captain), and Meagan, half-backs; J. Harris, Thomas, Hickson, Collinsm and Laverick, forwards.  Referee; Mr. R.E. Smith (Newport Mon).  Attendance 12,714

EVERTON FORWARDS DISAPPOINTING
April 16, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Reserves 0, Bolton Reserves 0
A goalless draw was a fair result of a dull game in which the defence were invariably in command Bolton’s more varied forward play, however, created three acceptable chances, Deakin, was twice clean through with only O’Neill to beat and Gubbins placed incredible wide of an empty goal.  Everton’s forwards lacked ideas and their slowness and indecision near goal gave the Bolton defenders ample time to cover-up.  Outside right Blain spoiled a promising display with some feeble centres.  Teams; O’Neill; Parkes, Tansey; Rea, Labone, Peat; Blain, Keeley, Wignall, Ashworth, Godfrey. 

EVERTON GET RID OF BOGEY SIDE POMPEY
April 16, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Everton got rid of their hoodoo team for a while when they best Portsmouth 3-2 at Portsmouth last night, a result which meant that Portsmouth went back to the Second Division for the first time in 32 years.  If my memory serves this was Everton’s first victory at Fratton Park since the war.  When I mentioned this to Dave Hickson has comment was, “Which War? the 1914-18 one.  To those with Everton interests at heart it may seemed as far back as that but the truth is that by their excellent victory last night Everton have ensured that they suffer no more four and five-goal defeats at the hands of the side who have been particularly severe on them in the last thirteen years.  Behind a first rate-Everton victory is a remarkable story in that manager John Carey spent some time prior to the kick-off in the dressing room emphasizing on his players his desire that they should play football and nothing but football.  He argument is that only in this way can a team take the percentage of away points available to them.  With the home crowd behind them and ground advantage at Goodison Park all the ingredients for success are there, but if you are not going to set out  with the intentions of playing straightaway orthodox stuff at away grounds you are not going to get very far.  The Everton players learned this lesson quickly.  Their game last night was clean, fast and sustained; indeed this was the best Everton display for months and although the margin was narrow it might well have been a very handsome one. 
Twice In The Lead
The odd thing was that although Everton were in command for long periods Portsmouth, who have not won a League game since as far back as November 22nd, twice enjoyed the lead.  It would have been the greatest miscarriage of justice if they had won or even drawn.  Fortunately Everton crowned their work with a brilliant third goal and all was well, though Brian Harris took a knock and there must be a slight doubt about the possibility of his playing against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.  For this match Everton propose to do a little training on the common in front of their Southern headquarters but meanwhile chairman Dick Searle and Manager Carey seen well pleased with the most heartening performance against Portsmouth which was so much more in the Everton tradition than the ill-tempered match against Notts Forest at Goodison Park last Saturday.  Last night’s game was rousing fast and entertaining in all its phases with five very good goals and enough enthusiasm and ability from Portsmouth to make one marvel at their non-success over such a long period.  With a team which is ageing at many points Portsmouth may well have a long stay in the Second Division but on this occasions they did not look a bad side, though in the first half Everton put through their defence so easily and so frequently the wonder was the game was not half-won at the interval.  The position then was that Peter Harris’ excellent goal at nine minutes had been countered by a very good Collins equalizer at the 35th minute.  Portsmouth with a 16-years- old young giant White doing better in the second half came more in the picture and went to one up by an even better Peter Harris goal at 65 minutes but a minute later Thomas promised by Hickson nodded the ball forward then went only to make a judicious shot to bring the scores level again. 
Peach of a Game
Ten minutes later Brian Harris, who had a first class game started the move in which Collins offered Laverick the peach of a pass which the boy from the North-East went on to get Everton’s third and the game’s decisive goal.  Laverick had earlier done enough to suggest that he will be a much better player now he is in full training.  But the great thing about Everton last night was that they answered their manager’s plea by playing the sort of football for football for which the best Everton team have been noted.  There were no contentious moments; there was enthusiasm in all departments and the side was closely knitted into one which gives promise for the future.  Outstanding in a very good defence was Alex Parker and where on Saturday Collins had done so little right he now reverted to his happiest style and took part in forward interchanges in which Jimmy Harris bobbed up with success at centre forward.  If this game had been played at Goodison Park this would have surprised and delighted many who were disturbed by events in the Notts Forest game.  It was satisfying in every was Dunlop was not very busy and he came out with many credit marks and only  the weakness which allowed the Portsmouth right wing two well taken goals was allow.  Manager Freddie Cox has found in young Jimmy White a 16-years-old of much promise, but it seems almost unfair to put a boy of such tender years into a game of this kind, although his second half work and his part in the second goal was excellent.  The veteran Dickinson and the always menacing Peter Harris are Portsmouth’s cheet anchor and I fear this is side is due for a long spell out of the First Division. 

EVERTON MAY FINISH WITH TOP HAT-TRICK
Friday April 17, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Everton’s programme of away matches finishes tomorrow with the game at Chelsea.  If they can win there and at home the following week against Wolves they will almost certainly finish in the top half of the table.  This remembering the way they started the season, would be a feat in itself and to mark this hat-trick of victories the club’s chairman Mr. Dick Searle, would wear with pride the new hat he wagered months ago hat Everton would finish among the top 11.  Providing they remember the elicit of their manager to concentrate on football with the emphasis on the ball rather than on the foot Everton can get these two final victories and complete the season with performances which would give us great heart for next season, Mr. Carey has left no doubt in the minds of his players that he still considers entertaining football a matter of paramount importance, and this is hardly surprising since his own success as a player was always gained artistically rather than rumbusiously.  At Portsmouth where Everton won on Wednesday for the first time since 1939 the Carey chickens were both entertaining and effective.  It will be enlightening to see how the new method works at Chelsea who shocked the Cup finalists at Nottingham in midweek after a Nottingham Forest, performance at Goodison Park which left Everton breathless and pointless.  The Everton team tomorrow will almost certainly be unchanged and Chelsea too are naturally keeping the young team which won their last match so handsomely.  The 18-years-old Shellito from Hornchurch will thus make his home debut at full back in the place of Peter Sillett whose back injury persists.  Chelsea; Robertson; Shellito; Whittaker, Anderson, Mortimore; Crowther, Brabrook, Greaves, Allen, Blunstone, Harrison.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Bramwell; Harris (B), Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins, Laverick. 

EVERTON AT STAMFORD BRIDGE
April 18, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
As it took Everton nearly twenty-years to record a win at Portsmouth their task at Chelsea today would not appear to be anything like as difficult for they have been beaten on only eight of their last nine visits to Stamford Bridge actually scoring a win here in season 1954-55.  Only one point dropped from successive games against Nottingham Forest (a) Arsenal (a), Manchester City (h) and Blackpool (h) suggests that Chelsea’s season is not going out in any spirit of disinterest and if Everton were to earn a draw it would be as much as anyone might be entitled to expect.  Both teams have the advantage of playing with a formation which has given such satisfaction that changes have not been deemed necessary.  Laverick’s goal against Portsmouth brought his tally to four from nine games which is hectic going by Everton standard from outside left.  O’Hara has taken part in 21 League matches with only two goals to show for it.  Williams now with Swansea had seven outings and one goal while Brian Harris scored once in his two games in the position, leaving Ashworth to complete the circle with one goal –less match.  Laverick’s rivals therefore have produce a combined that of only four goals from thirty-one games compared with his four from nine, and remember when his boy joined Everton from Chelsea in February his experience of League football with the Londoners was no greater that seven games –and not a scope among them. 
Back Home He returns to his former home today then with the confidence produced by a regular place in the Everton side and a scoring return which is bettered over a comparable period only by centre forward Dave Hickson whose total is five.  Since Laverick’s debut on February 18 he shares second place in Everton’s scoring list with Eddie Thomas.  If there is one team more than any other against which Laverick would like to score. Is probably Chelsea, for it is only human nature to show us former pals just what he can do.  Chelsea; Robertson; Shelito, Whittaker; Anderton, Mortimore, Crowther; Brabrook, Greaves, Allen, Blunstone, Harrison.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Bramwell; B. Harris, Jones, Meagan; J. Harris, Thomas, Hickson, Collins, Laverick. 

BRAMWELL ORDERED OFF IN FIERY CHELSEA GAME
April 18, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
More Unsavoury Scenes Than Good Football
Chelsea 3, Everton 1
By Leslie Edwards
Chelsea;- Robertson, goal; Shollite and Whittaker, backs; Anderton, Mortimer, and Crowther, half-backs; Brabrook, Greaves, Allen, Blunstone, and Hanson, forwards.  Everton; Dunlop, goal; Parker and Bramwell, backs; Harris (B), Jones (captain), and Meagan, half-backs; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins, and Laverick, forwards.  Referee; Mr. J.W. Hunt (Hampshire).  Everton were unchanged for they last away fixture at Stamford Bridge which meant that Bobby Laverick appeared for the first time against his old club.  Everton played all white except for their stockings.  The ground was saturated and inclined to cut up.  Referee Hunt was the man who was in charge of Everton’s exciting Cup-tie against Charlton this season.  Chelsea started with a sustain attack in which Meagan managed to clear, Everton managed to score against the round of play while Chelsea were standing still for offside.  It was an acute through pass by Thomas which provided Laverick a chance and Referee Hunt had no hesitation in waving play on despite Chelsea’s appeal. 
Chance Missed
Laverick might well have had a second goal when Jimmy Harris put Hickson through on the right and that player’s good length centre offered Laverick’ a chance.  He just failed to volley the ball home beyond the far post.  Dunlop brought off a magnificent save from Brabrook from the closest range and though only able to turn the ball away one handed h went down a second time with great courage to crowd out Allen’s shot of the rebound.  Everton’s best move was one which took the ball downfield almost immediately after this with a round of passing which was not lost on a Chelsea crowd a little irked by their sides inability to wipe out that early goal.  Everton’s tackling was quick and persistent and it needed to be since Chelsea were so strong with Harrison on the left always creating a problem for Parker.  Jones was unlucky to lose a clinch for possession against when Blunstone with the result that Hanson forced Dunlop to save at the foot of the post for a corner and then make a first rate save a moment later from a header by Brabrook.  Hickson plouging through alone all but got through and Robertson was glad to put the ball away for a corner as a safety precaution.  Gradually Everton were getting a grip on the game and Chelsea were going back a lot.  For a while at this stage the ball was more often out of play than in, and wind was tricky, it did not wholly account for the wildness of some inaccurate clearance.  Thomas did some useful defensive chores and never more so than when covering up on the left, but Everton were soon up against it again and Dunlop who had already earned his bonus was brilliant when dealing with an in swinging corner kick by Brabrook.  Bramwell was spoken to for a foul on Brabrook and from the free kick, Brabrook’s in swinger had Dunlop watching the ball anxious as it just beat the bar. 
Incident
There was further trouble when Chelsea centre half Mortimer and another defender went down with Hickson and Hickson like Bramwell was spoken to.  A moment later Hickson had a further spot of trouble with the Chelsea centre half, then Collins and Blunstone got at cross purpose in a big way and there was more than a sign of fists before Referee Hunt spoke to the players.  It was while he was doing so that a spectator encroach on the pitch and was rudely flung aside by Laverick.  He was escorted back to the terrace by the police.  I have rarely seen a game erupt so quickly and so seriously and the crowd’s jeers persisted when the game continue its ill-nature way.  All through this the Everton captain Tom Jones was doing his best in a change characteristic peace-making role.  Parker continue to stop on the line Crowther’s low long range drive and from this Everton escaped with a corner, where a goal had seemed imment.  Half-time; Chelsea nil, Everton 1.
Everton came back after the interval to another hostile reception.  Tension about the game and ruined it, but both sides did give the impression that they had calm down in the interval. 
Two Injured
A tackle by Bramwell on Brabrook led to both being injured and Bramwell being sent off.  This happened five minutes from the restart, the Everton back was first to leave the field, assisted by trainer Gordon Watson, Brabrook was assisted off the field a few moments later.  Thus Mr. Hunt in his handling of three Everton matches this season and has ordered from the field Duff of Charlton and now an Everton player.  Bramwell trouble was a knee injury.  Everton had to re-deploy following this, Brian Harris at left back and Thomas dropping back to right half.  It remained an unsatisfactory match with little or no sustained football from either team.  Brabrook came back just as Mr. Hunt gave Chelsea a free kick from which Harrison lashed a shot high over the bar.  Chelsea had a remarkable escape when Laverick flicked upwards and advanced the line a corner by Jimmy Harris from the left but Robertson did a difficult job and that was that.  Dunlop made a remarkable catch from Brabrook shot that was flying truly towards the back of the net.  Eighteen minutes of the second half had gone when Chelsea equalized, Greaves pivoting from just inside the penalty area and producing a surprise shot which left Dunlop with no chance.  The scorer took his difficult chance extreme well.  It was now a match of mistakes and when Meagan brought down Greaves a yard inside the area the referee had no option but to award Chelsea a penalty.  There was some delay while the kick was taken, but Greaves scored cleverly to put his side 2-1 up with a placed shot just inside the upright.  There were just 16 minutes left.  Greaves made one brilliant run to put much needed artistry into a game which was still unworthy and Dunlop bravely came out to the feet of Blunstone to prevent Everton going 3-1 down.  Seven minutes from the end Allen after some brilliant work on the right by Brabrook cored Chelsea’s third, the ball striking the underside of the bar and rebounding down a foot or two over the line.  Hickson was damaged in a heading due but resumed quickly.  There was a further clash between Mortimer and Hickson in which Hickson was injured a second time and again it was a blow in the head but Hickson resume again.  Final; Chelsea 3, Everton 1.   

MORE PLEASURE IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL
April 18, 1959. The  Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Alex Parker
Last week-end I read that Bill Brown (Dundee) and Duncan McKay (Celtic) two of the Scottish team in last week’s international, are among the latest stars from north of the border who wish to come south.  Last month Davey Mackay, of Hearts, joined Spurs and within the past 12 months Bobby Collins and Graham Leggat have also entered English football not to mention a few others.  Quite a few people have asked me the obvious question –why?  I shall try to give you the picture as I see it, although I must emphasize that these views are those of Alex Parker and not necessarily the same as other Anglo-Scott.  You probably know there is no maximum wage in Scotland but generally speaking very few players up there receive as big a wage as they do in England.  Because of the smaller gates the clubs cannot afford it.  Again in Scotland, there is no maximum winning bonus.  A team at the bottom of the league may be offered as much as £10 per man, if they beat Rangers or Hearts but I doesn’t come off often enough to allow a player to reply on it.  I am a shining example of Falkirk.  Apart from the money angle I find there is much more pleasure in playing in English football.  Out of all the games I have played for Everton I have great difficulty in recalling one I didn’t enjoy whereas in Scotland the standard of play of and enjoyment of football varies a great deal.  In addition, I think English soccer offers a greater challenge.  Let me explain.  As I have mentioned As I have mentioned before players in Scotland will hold the ball more than they do here.  They will run 30 yards and pass 10, whereas English players are more inclined to do the opposite.  Consequently, in Scotland you get more tackling and less intercepting of the ball.  In England you have to try to read the play, in other words, play without the ball as well as with it.  For an ambitious player this state of affairs naturally offers a greater challenge.  I have tried to give you what may go through a Scottish players mind when he contemplating a move to England I do suggest that I have covered all the angles and there are some players who would probably disagree with me, but they are one players view –mine. 
Now Referees
Now to a different subject Referee.  There has been a good deal written about them of late probably even more than usual so I may as well get in step.  Before I go any further I would like to say that I think they have come in for more than their fair share of criticism recently.  Just as no player goes through a game without making a mistake, neither do referee.  They are not perfect and they would be the first people to say so, but whereas a player can do something which will receive acclaim from both teams the majority of decisions given by the man with the whistle will please only half the players and if he gives one against the home team he will incur the wrath or about 30 per cent of the spectators as we.   I have heard it said that in such and such game the players got very excited, but I think the spectators very often get more worked up than the players.  If the centre-half gives the opposing centre forward a bit of a jolt the home crowd may not like it.  A few minutes later the centre forward may get his own back and the players are then all square but this tends to make the crowd worse and long after the two players have forgotten about if the crowd may still be arguing.  A point a lot of you may not realize is that no matter how bad the tackles may appeal as soon as the game is over the players forget all about it.  I have known instances where two players look ready to kill each other on the pitch yet they have spent the evening together afterwards.  You may think a tackle looks fierce than it really is when I comes after a foul at the other end, but the same tackle early in the game may not raise a murmur.  Remember, a referee must give his decision on what he sees, not on what he thinks is happening. 
As A Selector
There has been talk lately of ex-professionals becoming referees, if you’re looking forward to seeing Alex Parker with a whistle in his mouth when his playing days are over you’re doomed to disappointment it’s one job in football I don’t fancy.  However, I rather fancy my chance as a selector.  You may remember that the other week I gave my England side to meet Scotland.  Well taking it that McDonald of Burnley would have played but for his broken leg, I named nine of the team that played, I had Matthews and Hogg on the wings for Douglas and Holden, although the Blackburn player was my second choice for outside right.  Another thing I am rather proud of is that I got Broadbent, Charlton and Haynes in my attack although the first two played in the opposite positions to those I named.  Still, it wasn’t a bad effort.  I saw the second half of the international on TV last Saturday and much as I hate to admit it.  England were deserving winners although Scotland could so easily have had a draw if that shot by Herd had not been blocked by Leggat.  Last Wednesday morning Everton left Lime Street Station for Wednesday’s game at Portsmouth and we stayed at Southsea prior to today’s game at Chelsea.  Next week we entertain Wolves, I remember saying after our game at Molinux earlier in the season that they were the best club side I had played against and I haven’t changed my opinion.  The lads tell me that they have done quite well against Billy Wright’s boys at Goodison over the past few years, I hope we can keen it up and finish our League programme with a win.  Still even if we don’t beat them it’s been quite a novel experience for me to play the last few matches of a season without the threat of relegation handing over the team.  Every season I had with Falkirk we ended our programme fighting to ward of relegation I see they’ve had to do it again this year.  It can be quite a nerve racking experienced playing in a Cup Final or an international, but it is nothing like as bad as playing in a match the result of which may send your club down. 

GAMESMANSHIP HAS BECOME PART OF THE GAME
April 18, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Tom Jones Discusses The Billy Wright “100”
The “Billy Wright 100” is the title given to a new trophy to commemorate Billy Wright’s 100 International caps for England.  This annual award is to be presented to a young player showing certain characteristics in his play and also his demeanour on the playing field.  The judges will be looking for players who are models of obedience on the field, never questioning or arguing a referee’s decision ability to lead’ others never to resort to gamesmanship i.e., standing too near when a free kick is about to be taken, stealing a few yards on throw-ns, petty handling offences, &c.  In a nutshell, cutting out all schoolboy type of tricks pranks a soccer professional shouldn’t resort to.  Talking about the award during the week and high-lighting some of these points one of our lads restored “if they fine such a player he should be playing, a ladies netball team.  What he meant was that no matter who the individual is there has yet to be born the footballer who some time or another hasn’t questioned a referee’s decision or resorted to some form of gamesmanship.  We know all too well that some of these instances are inclined to irk the opposition who are foiled by this gamesmanship.  But could you really went it out of this game of ours.”  I believe not for we now consider it as part of our game and I believe in some cases as tactics, where some seniors are concerned.  How many clubs detail a small forward to stand by the goalkeeper when a corner is about to be taken.  How many players are told that it’s part of their game to stand on the ball should the opponents want to take a quick free-kick.  Time wasting tactics are commonplace I’m sure you know as many as I do in this respect so I needn’t press it any further.  But these cases are so numerous that I don’t believe they will be stamped out just by awarding a trophy to players who don’t make gamesmanship in a pastime.  Going to the other extreme I remember a former Everton winger retrieving a ball which had run over the goalline for a goal kick.  He presented it to the goalkeeper who promptly kicked it outside the penalty box for his full back who incidentically should have been marked by the winger, for him to take the ball upfield and put them on the attack.  The roasting the winger got reminded him never to make the same mistake again.  It doesn’t always play to play the game.  A long the grapevine we heard that the Nottingham Forest players had received a severe wigging from their manager prior to their game against us last Saturday.  Apparently the Forest lads had been taking things a little too easy in their League programme their minds being wrapped up in Wembleyitis I can only say that they certainly got the message.  The Forest game started like a showpiece and finished as a sham.  The Nottingham lads showed their class especially the five forwards by their constant interchanging which had us perplexed I said a few choice words when the first goal was deflected off my leg and that was the start of a very unhappy birthday for me. 
Much Improved
Of all the grounds on which I have wanted to appear on the winning side Fratton Park has been high on my list.  No Everton supporter needs reminding of the thrashing Portsmouth have inflicted upon us since the war, and of the present Goodison staff I have had more experience than most if not at all.  So you can well imagine how pleased I felt after our win there on Wednesday.  A funny game this football.  Of all the teams Portsmouth have faced over the past few years there was one from which they could always be sure of grabbling a couple of points yet it is that same team which eventually ensured they were relegated.  Although the margin was only 3-2 it could and should have been much greater.  I found it hard to believe that they were the same lads I had played with against Nottingham Forest only four days previously with one exception.  The exception was Bobby Collins and he was at his brilliant best.  In addition to scoring goals he gave wonderful served to Bobby Laverick so much so that our left winger had his best game since joining Everton and scored the winning goal from a pass by Collins.  The dedence too played much better than last Saturday; although I am sure the rest of the team won’t complain if I particularly mention Brian Harris.  He had a great game, and I think he must have sensed it was his night.  He dribbled and body swerved through the Pompey team before finishing off with a beautiful supply of passes to the forwards.  Yes it was a much improved display.  I hope we have managed to keep it up today.  Next Saturday should write finis to league soccer at Goodison for one more season, and what more fitting the opposition than the champions, themselves Wolves.  You never get a drab game where me Wolves are involved and they seem to bring out something special in our players.  Here’s to a good finish after a bad start. 

EVERTON RES V. ASTON VILLA RES
April 18, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Everton Res;- O’Neill, goal; Parkes and Tansey, backs;  Meeham, Labone, and Rea, half-backs; Wignall, Peat, Gregory, Ashworth and Blain, forwards.  Aston Villa Res; Beaton, goal; Lynn and Page, backs; Birch, Sawyer, Lee and Hazeldon, half-backs; Carter, James, Deakin and Burrows, forwards.  Referee; Mr. W. Crossley (Lancashire).  The Villa bore straight down on the Everton goal and Burrows almost Wriggled through before being crowded out.  Everton soon gained the initiative Blain to narrowly miss connecting with Peat’s centre.  The experimental Everton attack played some delighted football and splendid moves by Meehan and Wignall could easily have produced goals, while Blain saw a good drive swerve the wrong way.  The Villa always suggested danger and after twice going near James but them ahead in the 16th minute.  Everton almost equalized when a shot by Ashworth was deflected by Birch but Beaton fell on the ball just in time.  Although Everton had now lost their early fire Gregory made a splendid effort to equalize but Beaton made a brilliant save.  Hazelden missed a good chance of increasing Villa’s lead by shooting wide.  Half-time Everton Res nil, Aston Villa Res 1. 

STORMY RIGHT TO BITTER END
April 20, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
Chelsea 3, Everton 1
By Leslie Edwards
The first battle of Stamford Bridge was fought in 1066 and warring factions used bows and arrows; the second battle of Stamford Bridge was fought at Chelsea on Saturday and warring factions used boots, fists and bodies.  True, there was no referee in the first battle, but Mr. J.W. Hunt who had charge of the teams at Chelsea was not inclined it seemed to interfere much when trouble started and even when he had sent off the Everton back, Bramwell early in the second-half, the game continued stormy and stayed that way until what can aptly be described as the bitter end.  It was a performance which did nothing for football except add point to the argument that it is apt to make players lose their sense of proportion.  They are all in it for their living but you would never, have thought it from some of their actions.  On the contrary.  Everton led by a Laverick goal after three minutes and were lively to improve the position when the game erupted near the end of the first-half.  One foul led to another and inevitably there was a scene.  Blunstone and Collins were involved.  While they were being calmed and the referee was busy writing in his notebook one Chelsea fan jumped the barrier and other tried unsuccessfully, to follow. 
Off Goes Bramwell
The invader was death with by Laverick, who swung him over the touchline, where police took charge.  The incident only incited further temper and the game was punctuated by one trouble or another.  Tom Jones led his team back for the second half to a storms of jeers and when Brabrook and Bramwell clashed and both swept down injured –both needed attention –the referee had no hesitation in ordering the Everton player from the field.  In my view Bramwell was (as so many others have been in the past) something of a victim of circumstances though his name had earlier gone into Mr. Hunt’s notebook.  With ten men Everton were up against it and not surprising Allen scored twice and Greaves from the penalty spot to turn a game which in other circumstances might well have gone to Everton.  Bramwell’s going had no appreciated effect on the temper of the match.  It continued highly contentious and wholly unsatisfactory.  Indeed as a game it ceased from the moment Collins and Blunstone go at cross purposes in that first-half hiatus.  If the game had gone on, on an even keel as it started, Everton must have added to Laverick’s early goal. 
Club Traditions
Bramwell’s dismissed could mean, if the League so rule that he missed a match or two at the start of next season, but that is a matter of little account compared with the harm done to both clubs by its match of  this character.  Everton tradition –and Chelsea’s for the matter –for producing entertaining attractive football is involved and authority at Goodison Park are the last people who would wish the club to be involved in whatever way in matches which no harm to the game.  Dunlop’s goalkeeping, much of it very courageous was one of the days happier features so was the play of Parker and Jones and Thomas who did surprisingly well when pressed into service in emergency, as a right half-back, Brian Harris too, made a good shot at deputing for the unfortunate Bramwell.  Reckless as the game became stronger control would have obviated many of it’s more purple passages, Mr. Hunts was the man who ordered off Duff the Charlton goalkeeper is the Cup-tie against Everton earlier in the season.  One looked for similar control on Saturday.  I fear he left it too late when deciding to make an example of Bramwell.  Chelsea;- Robertson, goal; Shollite and Whittaker, backs; Anderton, Mortimer, and Crowther, half-backs; Brabrook, Greaves, Allen, Blunstone, and Hanson, forwards.  Everton; Dunlop, goal; Parker and Bramwell, backs; Harris (B), Jones (captain), and Meagan, half-backs; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins, and Laverick, forwards.  Referee; Mr. J.W. Hunt (Hampshire). Attendance 24,366. 

EVERTON RES, FINISHING WAS FEEBLE
March 20, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton res 0, Aston Villa 1
Despite showing vast improvement upon recent displays in this Central League game Everton paid the penalty for feeble finishing Everton’s experimental attack created numerous openings from some delightful moves but all the forwards were remiss near goal although Gregory was twice foiled y first class saves.  Shortly after James had scored the only goal is the 16th minute, Everton seized the initiative to such an extent that the second half was most one-sided.  The Villa’s subjection can be attributed largely to the Everton full-backs Parkes and Tansey in over-powering clever wingers.  Right half Meehan also played strongly and revealed constructive ability. 

FOOTNOTE THEY MISSED AT CHELSEA
April 20, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
The Chelsea programme omitted one footnote; any remembrance to a football match today will be purely coincidental.  Yes it was as bad as that.  Disgraceful disgusting.  That John Bramwell should be ordered off and several other players booked is of minor importance compared with what went before and after the first-half flare-up in which little Bobby Collins and Blunstone clenched their fists and used them and Everton’s new boy, Laverick flung from the pitch the one spectator who succeeded in invading it with the light of battle in his eye.  One cannot absolve from blame Referee J.W. Hunt, the man who had handled Everton’s two Charlton Cup-ties so firmly.  The game went completely from his grip, but when a referee attention is wholly on the course of the ball as it must be cannot very well know what is going on behind the back.  Nevertheless more could have been done to leave the players in no doubt that foulness would not be tolerated.  The sequel was that Everton playing quite well and leading 1-nil, threw away two points and involved themselves in the risk of being without Bramwell at the start of next season. 
Had To Take It
That a player like Tom Jones the soul of discretion and fairness should have to take the censure of incensed spectators must be hard and that indignity others equally blameless had to share.  But this sickening match, which started impetuously and developed quickly into a contest of foulness was one of many indignities for both Chelsea and Everton and the marvel, is that others did not follow Bramwell to the dressing room.  I never want to see another like it and I am sure that view is shared by authority on both sides and by players who kept themselves outside the temptation to hit back when the going was stickiest.  As a match it was hardly reportable once the trouble started.  The first battle of Stamford Bridge was fought in 1066 a few months before Hastings.  It could scarcely have been more various and productive of causalities than this.  It was a bruised and bloody Everton which left the field and O don’t doubt that Chelsea too, had mementoes they would rather have done without.  This performance was a blat for both clubs.  You can’t build tradition or maintain one.  If you involved yourself in retaliatory measures rather than meet a challenge by the only thing which wins matches –good clean football. 
Credit Notes
After the Portsmouth victory, gained meritoriously, it was odd to find Everton involved as they had been against Nottingham Forest the week before in a match in which they were rarely seen at their best Laverick’s early goal against his old club – and he might well have popped to another suggested that the game would go against Chelsea and that it would be fought normally instead Bramwell had to go (and the foul for which he suffered was of the sort a referee –would normally pass) and the side had to be redeployed.  Not unexpectedly with tempers still affirms.  Chelsea scored through Allen and Meagan brought down Greaves a yard inside the box Greaves scored from the penalty spot to put his side in front.  Then Allen with a clever shot taken as he pivoted made it 3-1 to wipe out precisely the same score in the match at Goodison between the sides.  Thomas pressed into  service at right half-back so that Brian Harris could drop back into Bramwell’s place had a fine match.  So did Parker, so did Tom Jones, who was occupied as peace-maker as often as he was occupied by the problem of Allen.  Dunlop was excellent – courageous too.  But there were too many black moments there was too much evident of Referee Hunt’s little black book to make this a game to be proud or pleased about. 

CRITICISM OF EVERTON TACTICS
April 20, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
No Comment By manager
Chelsea Storm
By Leslie Edwards
The manager of the two Football league teams involved in one of the stormiest matches ever played at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.  Mr. John Carey (Everton) and Mr. Ted Drake (Chelsea) refused over the week-end to make any comment on the game.  Asked for his reactions to strong criticism of Everton tactics by the Nottingham Forest manager Mr. Bill Walker following Everton game with the Cup finalists at Goodison Park a week last Saturday.  Mr. Carey answered “I have no comment.”  Early in the second half of the Chelsea game, John Bramwell the Everton back was ordered off following a tackle on Brabrook the Chelsea right winger.  Earlier Referee J,W Hunt of Hampshire had booked several players after an incident which led to  spectator invading the field.  It was Mr. Hunt who ordered off, in the Charlton Everton cup tie earlier his season the Charlton goalkeeper Duff. 
Jeopardized
Manager Walker’s complaints against Everton were that “player’s used tactics as bad as any he had seen in his long career, that Everton players tried to cut down to size some of the Forest team that when McKinlay went over the wall surrounding the pitch.  Everton fans were hostile to him.  Everton fans at this match complained of Forest’s gamesmanship, which they said led to Everton players losing their tempers.  The match Everton won at Portsmouth last Wednesday was notably clean one without a single questionable tactic from either side.  Former Everton and England wing half-back Mr. Joe Mercer who now managers Aston Villa a side Everton have met three times, this season said last night.  Everton’s name is a good one, but it is being jeopardized. 
O’Neill Is Picked
Jimmy O’Neill the Everton keeper retains his place in the Ireland side to meet Czechoslovakia in Bratislava on May 10 in the second leg of the European Nations Cup.  The Irishmen won the first match 2-0 in Dublin on April 3. 

NOT SO POPULAR
April21, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Certain Everton players it seemed have become unpopular with some fans.  Reader R.I. White, who saw the game at Chelsea writes from Healthfield Road “I witnessed one of the worst exhibitions in the Forest match at Stamford Bridge I was ashamed Everton have never been so let down as by some of their players this season.  The Everton of the old days would not tolerate such sportsmanship.  Four British Railway men from Lime Street, who fall to give their names also protest at the way thing, are going at Everton.  They ask for support in their aim to try to bring clean, gentlemanly play back to Goodison Park.  My answer to them and to others who hold similar views is to trust the man in charge, Mr. John Carey and the directors.  You can be assured that they will do everything to ensure that Everton’s long-established traditions for football (and for nothing else but football) will be maintained and if possible improved.  I have implicit-faith in the Everton manager and in the club’s chairman.  Mr. Dick Searle, as guardians of Everton’s good name for fair play. 

HARRIS J. PLAYS CENTRE FORWARD
April 21, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Everton At Blackpool
Lancs. Cup
By Leslie Edwards
Jimmy Harris the Everton, winger has been chosen to fill the centre forward position in the Everton team to visit Blackpool (7.0) in the semi-final of the Lancashire Senior Cup.  It is a team composed of first and second team players and Bobby Collins is included.  The winners Liverpool in the final.  Everton; O’Neill; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Labone, Meagan; Wignall, Collins, Harris (j), Ashworth, Laverick.  Blackpool’ West; Martin, Singleton; Salt, Snowden, Wenton; Gregson, Green, Charnley, Durie, Barnes. 
Ashworth To Move
Alec Ashworth 19 years old who joined the club on leaving school made his second recent request for transfer last night and the Everton Board have agreed to list him.  Ashworth who has had several first-team appearances this season –he played in the first match at Leicester and more recently as a deputy left-winger –is a tall strong player and hard-working, put not at the moment quite up to the standards Everton require.  It is characteristic of the club that they do not wish to stand in his way.  Ashworth’s first request for transfer came last September when he had lost his first-team place.  It was not possible in Everton’s desperate position at that time to grant his request. 
Southport Boy
Ashworth who played for Southport schoolboys went on the Everton ground staff immediately on leaving school.  He played for the Liverpool County Youth team and made his First Division debut against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough 12 months ago. 

EVERTON AT BLACKPOOL
Wednesday, April 22, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton travel to Blackpool tonight in the semi-final of the Lancashire Senior Cup, the winners having to play Liverpool.  The Everton forward formation has an intriguing appearance and it might be and that Bobby Collins and Jimmy Harris have been paired in the middle of a forward line which also includes Laverick to give the match a spectators appeal rather than an experimental angle.  Blackpool have replied by including Charnley and Durie in their attack.  I gather that there was no collusion between the clubs in this arrangement although the announcement of the Everton team before that of their opponents might have resulted in the birth of this sort of check-mate idea.  Not all Everton supporters will look upon this forward positioning as an innocent exercise with names, but whether this is an unworthy thought may not be proved until later in the week.  Johnny Green the former Tranmere Rovers favourite is at inside right in the Blackpool attack.  Blackpool; West; Martin, Singleton; Salt, Snowden, Wnnton; Gregson, Gregory, Green, Charnley, Dune, Barnes.  Everton; O’Neill; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Labone, Meagan; Wignall, Collins, J. Harris, Ashworth, Laverick. 
Ashworth On Offer
At the second time of asking Alec Ashworth the former Southport schoolboy whose initial taste of First Division football came about twelve months ago finds his name on the open to transfer list at his on request.  He has been given six senior outings this season all of them goal-less and it might not be difficult o find an explanation for his desire to move.  The idea of being a permanent sort of deputy to a player in consistent and brilliant as Bobby Collins is not one likely to appeal to a nineteen-years-old youngster with high ambitions. 

EVERTON’S WELFARE
April 22, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Mr. Kenneth Ferguson, of 2 York Avenue Sefton Park writes.  To those interested in the welfare of the Everton Football Club –and they must be legion, with no club (not even Manchester United) exceeding their following, recent newspaper reports of unsavory incidents in matches in which they have participated, makes unpleasant reading more especially as the writers seem to imply that the instigation of rough play was the Everton team and not their opponents.  “To such a clean and gentlemanly player as was John Carey their manager, three recurring exhibitions of ill-temper which besmirch the honour of the club must be particularly disturbing.  “For many years –maybe unknown to the present generation of followers –the exemplary behavior of Everton players on the field was legendary and in fact set as a model for other teams, and by self-discipline even at times of great provocation, they seldom indulged in retaliation.  Hence the club built up a standard of sportsmanship second to none in professional football and this reputation so acquainted was most jealously guarded.  Alas how sadly, it must be confessed has the club fallen from grace?   “Is perchance the reason for the state of affairs to be found in the unruly times in which we are living self-discipline among the young seems non-existent.  Is behavior on the field characteristic of our times in reflecting lack of discipline and with it a lower standard of sportsmanship?   “I thrust I have not printed too gloomy a picture of the young men of today and their sporting outlook and maybe my analysis is an injustice so far as Everton team are concerned.  Nevertheless the fact remains that it behoves those responsible for the good name of the Everton club to take stock of the situation in an endeavour to retain glorious traditions for all that is best in professional football –not only for themselves but for the good name of the City in football circles and that of the football world in general.”

LANCASHIRE CUP
April 23, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Reach The Final
Blackpool 1, Everton 2
At Bloomfield Road last night Everton qualified to meet Liverpool in the final of the Lancashire Senior Cup by beating Blackpool 2-1 after Blackpool had taken an early lead in seven minutes through Snowdon.  A corner from Fawcett was headed clear but Fenton put the ball back into the goalmouth and with the Everton defence waiting for the offside whistle which never came Snowdon shot past O’Neill.  Everton were undeterred by this and with Meagan and Collins doing the prompting attacked the Blackpool goalmouth for long spells, but unfortunately their shooting was not on a par with their approach work.  The only time Blackpool looked like adding to their score was when Snowdon got his head to a centre from Green, the ex-Tranmere player and headed goalwards only to be thwarted by a magnificent save by O’Neill.  Everton equalized ten minutes after half-time when a Wignall-Collins move was finished off by Ashworth, who beat Farm from just inside the penalty area and after 69 minutes Laverick scored the winner when he volleyed a cross from Collins first time past Farm.  It was now one way traffic and on the few occasions Blackpool got anywhere near Everton’s penalty area Labone and company saw to it that they did not trouble O’Neill.
Labone In Command
After the ball play of Collins, Labone defensive play, and the most pleasing feature from Everton’s point of view although shorter than Snowdon he won almost  every ball in the air and was equally commanding on the ground.  Outside right Wignall improved in the second half after a first half in which he looked a little tentative and Jimmy Harris while not figuring on the score sheet chased every loose ball and his speedy was obviously a thorn in Blackpool’s defence.  Ashworth and Laverick the left wing pair did much useful work while Collins of course was just Collins.  He rarely wasted a ball and if the shooting had been in the better his work might have been even more productive.  Teams; Blackpool; Farm; Walker, Martin; Hause, Scott, G Fenton, Gregory, Green, Snowdon, Durie, Fawcitt.  Everton; O’Neill; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Labone, Meagan; Wignall, Collins (captain), Harris (J), Ashworth, Laverick. 
Collins Fractures Thumb
Bobby Collins Everton’s Scottish international inside forward, fractured a small bone at the base o his thumb after five minutes play in Everton’s Lancashire Senior Cup game at Blackpool last night.  Although he knew the thumb was fractured, Collins played on.  The injury is not thought to be serious and he may be able to appear against Wolves on Saturday. 

EVERTON GIVE US A ‘DERBY’ MATCH
April 23, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By David Horridge
So we are to have another “derby” match before the season closes, although Everton’s 2-1 win at Blackpool in the Lancashire Senior Cup semi-final last night was gained at the expense of a broken thumb by Bobby Collins.  It happened in the first five minutes of the game when he Scot fell in his left hand, but he played throughout and had much to do with the victory.  It is a small bone at the base of the thumb that is broken on his left hand.  Everton were worthy winners of a match that never rose much above mediocrity, for apart from Collins, and to a lesser extent Meagan, no one really managed to control a light ball on a hard, bumpy pitch.  One of the main points of interest was the return of Jimmy Harris to centre-forward.  He did not receive an awfully good service from the rest of his forwards, but his speed obviously troubled, the Blackpool defence for he chased to other wings and could not be left unmarked.  Outside-right Wignall had a disappointing first half in which he seemed a little slow and uncertain, but he did much better after the interval.  However, the most pleasing thing from Everton’s point of view was the continued good form of Brian Labone a centre-half.  Although a good two inches shorter than Snowdon, his opposite number, he was rarely beaten, in the air and when the ball was on the ground he seemed to have all the time in the world in which to do what he wanted with it, the hallmark of a great player.  On his right Rea got through a tremendous amount of work in his usual quiet manner, so much so that Durie, of the telescopic legs, was rarely seen.  It was Snowdon who put Blackpool ahead after seven minutes while the Everton defence stood still waiting for an offside whistle which never came.  Everton came nearest to equalizing when Bobby Collins broke through and smacked the ball against the upright but he was compensated when 10 minutes after the interval, he laid on the equalizer for Ashworth. 
The Winners
Receiving the ball from Wignall he squared the ball into the penalty area and Ashworth smacked a glorious shot past Farm from 16 yards.  After 69 minutes the scot chased a ball running towards the goal line and I must confess that I thought if he got it across at all it would finish behind the goal, but being Collins he dropped it on Laverick’s foot on the corner of the six yards box and Everton were in the lead.  All credit to Collins for playing so well with a damaged hand.  He made both goals distributed passes short and long to all parts of the pitch, and picked his way through the home defence almost at will.  He stood out as conspicuously as does the famous Tower over one end of the ground.  Johnny Green, the ex-Tranmere player, had a mixed game.  He put some judicious passes out in the first half and some equally as bad in the second and at times seemed to find the pace of the game a bit much for him. 

EVERTON OFFTO SPAIN
April 23, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Leave Next Week
Two Matches
By Leslie Edwards
The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain – and Everton F.C., hope in time for their matches next week at Valencia (Friday) and Barcelona (Saturday).  The party will travel by from either Manchester or London next Tuesday or Wednesday and will return the following Sunday.  Everton’s absence next week is likely to interfere with the provisional arrangements to play the final of the Lancashire Senior Cup against Liverpool at Anfield next Wednesday. It is probable that Everton will seek to have this match postponed a week so that they can play their full League teams against their City rivals.  The extension of the season due to Birmingham’s fixtures following the illness and death of full back Jeff Hall would allow them to do this.
Several Offers
Everton have had during the past week several close season tour offers.  Bolton Wanderers who were unable to accept a South American trip –they are booked for South Africa- suggested that Everton should take their places, but a further offer to Everton came from Bulgaria for  a short two match tour.  The dates for these games were not quite what Everton wanted and so they were forced to decline.  The Bulgarian Leagation official in London with whom Mr. Carey dealt said that he hoped Everton would make the tour some other time.  Everton team to meet Wolves at Goodison Park on Saturday will be announced tomorrow. 

THE SHAPE OF EVERTON ELEVENS TOCOME…
April 24, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
League champions, Wolves, whose record in the competition is phenomenally, make the opposition at Goodison Park tomorrow when if I am any judge, Manager John Carey’s team may well be the shape of Everton elevens to come.  With nothing at stake is to too much to hope that we shall be given an exhibition of the finer football arts?  I hope note.  We have been singularly unfortunate recently in missing the kind of game which delights the Everton fan and wherever the blame for this is placed the fact is that entertainment disappears when contentious niggling arrives….. The chance to see, in action, so many of Wolves England class men is always appealing, I am thinking of such players as Broadbent, Flowers, Wright, Deeley, and company.  Mr. Carey could hardly have a better test for a team which must have been chosen with an eye to season 1959-60.  It will be instructive to see how Everton fare against a club famed for its competence and for its businesslike approach to all problems.  Manager Stanley Cullis is one of the game’s most demanding chiefs –and he usually gets what he wants.  Everton have risen to the occasion frequently in recent times.  Their work against Manchester United here and at Old Trafford is recalled and maybe the importance of tomorrow’s match will enable them to step up their performance to make their last League fixture a winning one.  Certainly their survival in the First Division is remarkable considering the position they held before the advent of Bobby Collins and a new manager. 

EVERTON RETAIN ALL EXCEPT SIX
April 24, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Reserve Team Players
Unchanged
By Leslie Edwards
Everton have retained all their professionals for next season with the exception of six, all reserve team players.  They are Half-backs John Clayton, and Terry Gannon, full-back, Ian Hillsden forwards, Jimmy Gregory, Jacky Keeeley and Frank Mackay.  The team for the last League game of the season against Wolves at Goodison Park, tomorrow is unchanged from that defeat at Chelsea last week.  Wolves have two changes Showell at centre half for Billy Wright and Slater for Clamp Wright has played for some weeks with a groin injury which has bothered him and Clamp has developed a cold.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Bramwell; Harris (B), Jones,  Meagan; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins, Laverick.  Wolves; Finlayson; Stuart, Harris; Slater, Showell, Flowers; Lill, Booth, Murray, Broadbent, Deelay. 
Goodison Pitch
The Everton pitch, the draining of which was a headache for the club during the very wet winter months is to have unusually comprehensive close season renovation. It is to be harrowed to a depth  of four inches –immediately above the electric wiring system installed last summer –and a great deal of fertilizing and seeding.  The many tons of sand put on the pitch to prevent the postponement of matches when the pitch was at is heaviest have been removed and all going well the pitch should be first rate again in time for the start of next season. 
Alf Peate an 18-years-old half-back signed professional forms for the club last night, plays at left-half against Manchester United Reserves in the Central League game at Old Trafford tomorrow. 
Everton Reserves;- O’Neill; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Labone, Peate; Fielding, Wignall, Blain, Ashworth, Godfrey. 

BILLY WRIGHT MISSES GOODISON PARK LWAGUE FINALE
April 25, 1959, The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton’s League programme finishes with a flourish today when they entertain Wolverhampton Wanderers, champions for the past two seasons at Goodison Park.  Despite a late challenge by Manchester United, Wolves have rarely looked in serious danger of losing their proud title and there is no doubt that at the moment they are the country’s outstanding side.  A groin injury which has not cleared as quickly as originally expected keeps England captain Billy Wright out of their team today, and so deprives Merrseysider’s of the opportunity to pay tribute to this great gentleman in his England fernery season.  His place at centre half goes to Showell a highly competent deputy and another half back change brings in one international Slate, for another Clamp on the right flank. 
Everton Unchanged
Everton field the side beaten at Chelsea and so resist the temptation to make experiments at a time when they could hardly prove of real importance.  Jimmy Harris remains on the right wing and Hickson again leads the line.  Highlight of what should prove an entertaining game may well be the duel between Everton right back Parker and Wolves left winger Deeley who with his partner Broadbent is a member of the England party to tour the Americas this summer.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Bramwell; Harris (B), Jones, Meagan; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins, Laverick.  Wolves; Finlayson; Stuart, Harris; Slater, Showell, Flowers; Lill, Booth, Murray, Broadbent, Deeley. 
Everton have announced yesterday that they retained all but six of their professional staff for next season.  The six are; half-back Clayton and Gannon full back Hillsden, and forwards Gregory, Keeley, and Mackay.   Only one of these players, inside forward Jack Keeley has first team experience, and he has not been able to claim a place this season despite some promising display last years when his powerful shooting proved a distinct asset.  Everton have also signed nineteen-years-old Arthur Peat, a wing-half as a full time professional yesterday. 

GOODISON SEASON ENDS ON THRILLING NOTE
April 25, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Everton’s Great Fight After Goal By Murray
Everton 0, Wolves 1
Everton; Dunlop, goal; Parker and Bramwell, backs; Harris (B), Jones (captain), and Meagan, half-backs; Harris (j), Thomas, Hickson, Collins and Laverick, forwards.  Wolverhampton Wanderers;- Finlayson, goal; Stuart and Harris (G), backs; Slater, Showell, and Flowers, half-backs; Lill, Booth, Murray, Broadbent and Deeley, forwards.  Referee; Mr. N.N. Hough (Macclesfield).  This morning’s rain brought back a November-like scene to Goodison Park with pools of water lying on the pitch in places particularly in Stanley Park goalmouth and near the Goodison Road stand side.  The same rain also kept the attendance down.  The crowd, probably disappointed that Billy Wright was not playing did at least see him on the pitch when he came out as twelfth man and sat in the trainer’s box.  Wolves started on the attack immediately and Jones had to cut out a dangerous centre from Lill, but he missed a quick through ball from Booth and Broadbent seemed a little slow in taking a golden chance.  Wolves were moving the ball around slickly with the strength of their half-backs particularly obvious but they could not get within shooting range of Dunlop.  But Everton were also getting nowhere in attack and in the words of the old phrase, the defences at the moment were on top although Wolves football was the more impressive.  The rain kept driving down and Everton were playing into the teeth of it.  One reason why they could not get going was possibly the close watch.  Slater was keeping on Collins. 
First Shot
Fourteen minutes had gone before the first real shot in the game was delivered and it came from the dangerous Deeley who fired straight at Dunlop from a good pass by Booth.  Immediately afterwards Broadbent had a great chance when he was clean through with only Dunlop to beat, but he put his shot wide.  Hickson was allowed to go on from what seemed an offside position but his low cross was cut off by Showell and the Everton leader appeared to have overreached himself in collecting the ball for he had to have attention from the trainer.  Lill made on dangerous run but finished weakly.  There was much to admire in the midfield play of both sides but there was no real punch from either attack just now.  Brian Harris was doing very well against England forward Broadbent who had only been seen so far with the chance he missed.  The facility with which all the Wolves players ran into the open spaces was most noticeable but they still could not make much headway near the penalty area against the Everton defence in which Jones and Parker were doing very well.  It was Broadbent, however, when he neatly tricked Bramwell on the edge of the area who created a good chance as Flowers came steaming up to hit a first time shot just wide.  The game was most entertaining and the crowd had grown considerably. 
Dunlops Save
Dunlop made a lovely save when the skidding ball bounced over Jones head as Broadbent loomed menacingly near, then Flowers did an equally good bit of work at the other end to stop a dangerous looking Everton attack started by Collins.  I though Everton were doing very well to hold this dangerous Wolves attack, but in the same way the visiting defence was equally effective against an Everton line which never moved with the same purpose as the champions.  Murray put the ball in the Everton net after 35 minutes from a pass by Lill, and the referee signalled a goal, but changed his decision when a linesman flagged for offside against the Wolves header.  Broadbent made a beautiful 40 yards run selling the dummy three times on the way, but finished weakly when he should have gone through to shoot.  The wind was strong enough in Wolves favour to allow one kick by Finlayson to bounce straight to Dunlop and Everton had done well to keep these ramping Wolves under control.  It had been an excellent first half, highlighted by a magnificent individual display by Flowers and even the poor finishing of both sides did not detract from the quality of the play.  Half-time –Everton nil, Wolves nil. 
Wolves restarted as brightly as they had begun the game and Lill cut in from the wing to hit a shot which Dunlop collected comfortable over his head.  The midfield play was being dominated by Flowers and Brian Harris both playing superbly but all their prompting could bring little result from their forward lines. 
Inside Area
Bramwell pulled back Lill by the hand to stop him just inside the penalty area but the referee awarded an indirect free kick when it seemed a penalty award was the correct decision.  From the kick in a goalmouth scramble manages to put the ball away for a corner which they cleared.  Wolves strength in attack, despite their poor finishing had been marked, and it came as no surprise when they took the lead through Murray on the hour.  A carefully built-up attack between Slater, Broadbent and Deeley ended with Murray wheeling round in the region of the penalty spot to take the final pass and although Dunlop got his hand to the shot he could not prevent it entering the net.  Within a minute Bramwell cleared off the line from Lill with Dunlop beaten and Jones was hurt in the ensuing scramble.  Hickson responded with a galliant 60 yards dash in which he held off the attentions of three Wolves men before putting the ball back for Collins.  The Scot’s cross to Laverick was put outside for a corner by Finlayson.  Laverick was brought down by Stuart a yard outside the area and from the free kick Hickson had a chance but Finlayson came across well to block the shot for a corner.  If nothing else, Everton were fighting back hard. 
Hickson Best
Not a lot had been seen of Collins for the quick tackling Wolves’ halves had stopped him really developing, an attack .  Hickson was doing best of the forward line, without much support but the defence continued to be as capable as capable as they were in the first half.  Laverick preferred to work the ball along the penalty line instead of shooting and his pass to Hickson left the leader with little more chance than to try a snap shot which did not trouble Finlayson.  Everton set up one tremendous attack following a corner when Stuart cleared off the line from Jimmy Harris who within a second blocked as shot from Meagan inadvertently and Wolves somehow got the ball away to safety. 
Wolves In Trouble
Wolves had tended to cruise along after their goal, but Everton’s sudden burst had them troubled defensively.  Thomas headed just over from Laverick’s corner and is looked as though Everton did not mean to let the season end as it had begun with a defeat.  When right wing corner was partially cleared it was Parker who snapped up the ball and went through to hit an angled shot just wide from no more than 10 yards.  Everton were fighting as hard and as well as I have seen them all season.  It had been all Everton attacking for the past 10 minutes and Finlayson had to punch away from Hickson’s head in another move which looked like bringing the equalizer.  Thomas headed into the net but was yards offside from Jimmy Harris centre, but all credit to Everton for the tremendous pressure they were piling on.  In one fleeting Wolves attack, Dunlop made a magnificent save from a strong header by Booth and then it was Everton on the move again.  Dunlop made another splendid save from Lill after Wolves had shown that the quick method of two quick passes from defences creates the best goal chance.  Everton were a little unlucky not to get a point because of their splendid late rally but it was not to be and the season ended with a home defeat.  Final; Everton 0, Wolves 1. 

ENGLAND TOUR PARTY BLEND IS RIGHT
April 25, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Tom Jones Hands A Bouquet To Selectors (But No Clough!)
The England selectors, faced with the arduous task of selecting 18 players for the tour of the Americas, have done a reasonable job of work.  Although probably not one person in a thousand will agree entirely with their selections, you must hand them a bouquet this time.  With only one or two exceptions I’m inclined to agree with that decisions.  It appears that the selectors have plumped for a young yet comparatively experienced band to represent England, and also looking to the future with players like Hopkinson of Bolton, Armfield and Gratrix, of Blackpool; McGuinness, Bradley and Charlton of Manchester, and Jimmy Greaves of Chelsea.  I’m only too sorry to see the name of Brian Clough of Middlesbrough admitted.  Having watched him go through his paces at Anfield recently, I gained the impression that here was the complete centre forward.  The only other surprise is the omission of Derek Hogg the West Brom outside left.  I don’t personally reckon that Derek is playing quite as well s he did during his Leicester days, but as in Alex Parker’s eye, he the best left winger England posses, he has my vote too.  It will be a nice tour for those selected and they should see life, playing four matches in the space of three weeks, which on the face of it doesn’t look too strenuous.  During the midweek Lancashire Cup semi-final against Blackpool when the lads won to ensure a Derby game in the final, Bobby Collins broke his right thumb.  This occurred in the first minute or so when he happened to fail with his thumb spread-eagled but he didn’t think it would interfere with any future games. 
State of Mind
It wasn’t until we read in the papers that we learned the Nottingham Forest players or some of them took tranqualiser tablets before our game recently at Goodison.  These tables Benzedrine I believe are claimed to stimulate the nerves and relieve any anxiety.  Only one of the players claimed any real knowledge of taking them and he said they left him with mixed feelings.  Some time they put an edge on his game but an other occasions they made him feel fired and sleepy.  In both instances around about midnight following the game he had an immense appetite.  Perhaps they stimulate the palate too? We came to the conclusion that it was all a state of mind.
Bolton There Too
At Southsea last week-end the hotel looked like a footballers rest home.  We arrived on Wednesday for our game with Pompey and stayed until Friday.  A contingent arrived from Bolton on Thursday in preparation for their game with Pompey on the Saturday.  Both team turned upon Friday morning for some training on the corporation grounds along the seafront but neither Mr. Bill Ridding the Bolton manager, of Mr. Carey would risk two six-a-side games just in case anyone was injured.  One amazing coincidence came to light during our stay.  Neither Bolton nor ourselves had won at Pompey since before the war. It must have been an ominous sign for the Portsmouth players when both of us took home the points.  Talking to former clubmate Ronnie Saunders, he said that Portsmouth was a grand club.  Even allowing for the fact that relegation was inevitable made not the slightest difference regarding the treatment to the players.  Ronnie says they have some budding youngsters and are expecting to be hitting for promotion this time next season.  Good luck Ron, but it’s a hard League to get out of …Liverpool will tell you that.
With A Bang
Mick Meagan the quiet Dubliner, has come back on to his game with a bang.  Whenever the fact that he was educated by the same schoolmasters as Mr. Carey has any bearing on the matter I don’t know, but he has the same gentlemanly forbearance on the field as the “boss” did in his days.  Mick was playing grand stuff until he received a nasty back injury against West Bromwich Albion last season.  After that he went back into the reserves to fight his way back and ho he has done just that.  No one can deny that whenever the ball is in defence, Mick will be around foraging and using it to the best of his ability I heard a whisper that he had been watched in view of another Eire cap.  His consistent play surely merits some award, this direction, Maybe it went be long now, Mick. 

LOST ART OF GOAL SCORING IS BACK
April 25, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
And The Crowds With It, Says Alex Parker
By the very nature being a full back, I am automatically against the noble art of scoring goals, but I m forced to admit that it is goals which bring in the crowds.  It is a widely accepted fact that supporters would rather see their side win 8-7 than 1-0, and that may be the reason why some of the game’s missing millions have returned this season.  There have been some big scores since last August, the most recent being Tranmere’s 9-0 win over Accrington and Dunfermine’s 10-1 defeat of Patrick Thistle last Saturday.  The other week Hartlepool scored 10 and I think Tottenham did likewise earlier in the season, but I can’t remember the names of their victims.  As added proof that the lost art of goalscoring is on the way back, consider the England team problems.  Admittedly they still have forward troubles but lately they have been of a different kind.  Not so long ago their problem was who put in but now they can choose from people like Charlton, Broadbent, Kevan, Greaves, and Haynets –all goal scorers.  The Fulham man prior to this season, was more noted for his making rather than taking of chances, but now he can pop them in with the best.  The selectors are in such a position that they omit a man who is banging in 40 a season –Brian Clough.  A few years ago any player who could score near 30 a season looked good for a cap.  I suppose this is a good thing for the game in general and you fans in particular.  But me?  I’d rather play in a team that wins 1-0.  No defence likes to give seven goals away.  I see that my ex-club Falkirk have been relegated to the Scottish Second Division.  Naturally, I’m sorry to see much a fate befall my former colleagues but I’m sure they won’t stay down.  It’s funny how my soccer career has so far been connected with relegation.  When I was in Cyprus and saw the results of Everton’s opening games of the season I thought “Here we go again” but happily it has no worked out that way. 
Pompey Reunion
Just to prove how determined was fate when I was 15; Portsmouth offered to take me on their ground staff.  A week last Wednesday I played at Portsmouth helped to beat them, and they were relegated.  It was quite a reunion at Fratton Park for Brian Harris and I met a former Army colleagues in Nobody Newman the Portsmouth winger and, of course most of our team renewed acquaintance with Ronnie Saturday the ex-Everton player.  Another old friend of mine is Alex Wilson, Pompey’s left back.  In 1954 he played for Scotland’s World Cup team.  When we arrived at Waterloo Station from Portsmouth for the Chelsea game there was the usual horde of autograph hunters waiting for us.  The southern boys have this business off to a fine art.  As you sign for them they are calling to each other.  Right, off to Euston, Manchester United will be arriving there soon.  Another will call out yes and if we hurry we’ll just catch Sheffield United at King’s Cross.  They’re arriving at 6.50” They know what teams are passing through London when they arrive and where they arrive.  It’s really amazing.  Their autograph books, despite being handled by more people than most, are always clean and tidy, and they have separate pages for different teams with all the autographs neatly arranged.  Talking of autographs a small boy called round one night last week and his book must have contained every well-known sport and stage star of the last 30 years.  A quick glance through it revealed names like Elsie and Doris Waters, George Formby, Jack Buchanan, Dixie Dean (I believe he had something to do with Everton) Paul Robson, Cliff Britton, Warney Cresswell, and I felt very flattered to have been asked to add Alex Parker to the illustrious list. 
Owen’s Trophy
I see that Syd Owen was awarded the Footballer of the Year trophy; I would like to add congratulations on behalf of the whole Everton club.  Syd is not one of the glamour names of football, but that’s no fault of his.  He has all the qualities that go to make a great player, and more important the qualities of a really grand fellow.  Nobody has done more to earn the honour.  While on the subject of honours I would like to inform Tony Rowley, of Tranmere Rovers, that his selection to lead the Welsh attack provoked a good deal of very nice comment at Goodison Park.  Most of the team have played against Tony in “derby” matches with Liverpool and they all agreed it was an honour well deserved. 
A Good Reserve
Thanks to the teams who at Blackpool in the Lancashire Senior Cup semi-Final on Wednesday it looks as if I stand a chance of achieving one of my ambitions and playing in a “derby” match at Anfield probably a week on Wednesday I hope so.  I was twelfth man at Blackpool and according to Gordon Watson, a very good one.  I’m not quite sure how to take that.  Maybe he thinks I’m more use on the touchline than on the pitch.  Still as I said to some of the lads after the game, the result proves that the strength of a team is in its twelfth man, if you’re never heard that saying I’m not surprised.  I just made it up.  Next week will be my last article of the season.  Tommy Jones and I have thought up an idea for the occasion.  I think you will find it interesting, I hope so. 

MAN UTED RES V. EVERTON RES
April 25, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Everton res;- O’Neill; Sanders, Tansey; Rea, Labone, Peat; Fielding, Wignall, Blain, Ashworth, Godfrey. 
Referee; Mr. F.S Jackson.  The ground was waterlogged after heavy rain.  Ashworth was fouled but Sanders kick was saved.  Within three minutes Manchester took the lead Morgans scoring.  Everton replied with several attacks and Blain went close.  Godfrey sent in a drive but the Manchester keeper made a brilliant save.  Manchester got a second goal through Hunter and 13 minutes later Bratt made it three.  Everton did not deserve to be three goals down but just before the interval Manchester go a fourth through Morgans.  Half-time; Manchester United Reserve 4, Everton Reserves nil. 

ONLY A POINT WAS MISSING
April 27, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Jack Rowe
Everton 0, Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
There could scarcely have been a better end of the Goodison Park season than this match, the one thing missing being a point for Everton.  This point they richly deserved for a terrific fight back in the last 25 minutes or so when the defence of the champions was so rattled and sorely tried that they were happy at times to put the ball anywhere out of play.  It was remarkable how Everton generated so much fire because for an hour they had been unable to match the power and precision of the Wolves on a pitch water logged by the continuous rain of the morning which continued for most of the game.  And yet it took the Wolves exactly an hour to go into the lead with a goal made by Broadbent and taken expertly by Murray and up to that moment there had been little to suggest that Everton were capable of penetrating a defence which was without Wright and Clamp and which emphasized the fortune of manager Stan Cullis in having reserve like Showell and Slater.  In fact the situation looked set for a comfortable Wolves victory but suddenly Everton found inspiration and the next half hour was more like a first game of the season than the last as they battled valiantly for an equalizing goal.  With Collins shaking off the clamp of Slater and Jimmy Harris joining Hickson as down-the-middle thrusters, they put on so much pressure that the Wolves’ defence was in desperate straits and in one stupendous goalmouth scramble Stuart and Harris both stopped the ball in the line, while Hickson and Laverick missed chances. 
Thomas Offside
Each breasted the ball down in the clear and then gave Finlayson time to position himself as they shot from a range of no more than eight yards.  And before Thomas did get the ball into the net –the offside decision was correct – Parker almost made the game really memorable with a burst down the right and a shot which flashed just past the angle of the bar and post.  Collins and Thomas were good in this last phase and if Everton had to end the season with a defeat there was much consolation in knowing that it was at the hands of the champions who did not succeed without a grueling last half hour struggle.  Until this last period it was the Wolves who were the side of strength and skill.  That they did not have a half time lead was due to their own slack finishing on occasions and to the good work of the Everton defence at other times.  I doubt if Brian Harris has ever played better and the best tribute I can pay him is to say that for me, he and Flowers were the outstanding players of the match, Flowers takes the top place and I cannot recall a finer sustained half back display this season than the one he gave us on Saturday.  Jones and Parker also did excellently in an Everton defence which had to contend with these quick passing and slick interchanging Wolves’ forwards, Bramwell had the unhappiest time against Lill and how he escaped a penalty decision in the second half when he pulled the winger back by the arm only the referee knows. 
Changed Decision
Wolves were also put out by his changed decision in the first half when he disallowed a goal by Murray for offside, but in this case he acted on the word of the linesman after like me seeming the goal a good one.  Deeley and Lill were better wingers than Jimmy Harris and Laverick and until they emerged forcibly on the scene are on, Collins and Thomas were not comparable with Broadbent and Booth while Hickson and Murray were generally held by Showell and Jones.  Until that last half-hour there was no doubt about it the superiority of Wolves but their shooting was poor and even Broadbent could not get on the target when he was put clean through y a wonderful pass by Deeley.  Everton were fortunate not to be behind before Murray’s goal, but afterwards they were unfortunate that their sparkling revival did not earn them a point from a clean game, which rated a high entertainment value in the conditions and which must have given much satisfaction to the near 30,000 crowd, a gate in itself a tribute to the Wolves for this was an occasion when neither side had to worry about League placing.  And I reckon the crowd thought it more than worthwhile if only to see two wonder saves by Dunlop during those outstanding final 30 minutes.  Each was made when Wolves raised the siege of their goal for a moment or two and when Dunlop hurried himself aside to clutch Booth’s header and then went down to take a cracker from Lill.  The men who made the effort looked on in astonishment.  Everton; Dunlop, goal; Parker and Bramwell, backs; Harris (B), Jones (captain), and Meagan, half-backs; Harris (j), Thomas, Hickson, Collins and Laverick, forwards.  Wolverhampton Wanderers;- Finlayson, goal; Stuart and Harris (G), backs; Slater, Showell, and Flowers, half-backs; Lill, Booth, Murray, Broadbent and Deeley, forwards.  Referee; Mr. N.N. Hough (Macclesfield).  Attendance 23,414

EVERTON FAIL FOR LACK OF METHOD
April 27, 1959. The Liverpool Daily Post
Manchester United Res 5, Everton Res 2
Had Everton Reserves played as well in the first half as they did for 20 minutes in the second half when they got two goals they would not have turned round at the interval four down.  On a waterlogged pitch they persisted in the close passing game down the middle when more use of the wings would have been profitable.  This plan United exploited with success.  Three of their goals came that way.  The visitors were well served in defence and although O’Neill was beaten five times he could not be blamed.  United’s scorers were Morgan (2), Jones, Bratt and Hunter.  Everton replying through Ashworth and Wignall. 

WIGNALL’S FOUR GOALS FOR EVERTON
April 28, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Wigan Ath 2, Everton 5
Everton with a team composed mainly of Central League and “A” team players defeated Wigan Athletic at Springfield Park last night by 5-2.  The only Everton first teamer was John Bramwell who was transferred from the Athletic at the end of last season.  The match was part of the transfer agreement.  Wigan had the assistance of Eckersley (Blackburn Rovers) at full back J. Sim (Bradford City) at outside right and Campbell (Preston North End) at outside left.  Everton were the stronger side and employed more methodical tactics.  Their centre forward Wiganll scored four goals and Ashworth inside left got the other.  All Wignall’s goals were partly due to Wigan’s defensive mistakes.  Wigan centre forward Twydle got the side’s two goals, one froma free kick.  Labone at centre half and Sanders at right back were best in defence for Everton, but Bramwell was not fully extended.  Attendance 5,500. 

WHAT MUST PARKER DO TO REGAIN SCOTS CAP?
Wednesday April 29, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Michael Charters
The omission of Everton full back Alex Parker not only from Scottish team to play West Germany at Hampton Park a week today, but also from the party of 18 to go on a three match tour of the Continent which follows has mystified all Everton supporters.  They rightly ask What has Parker to do to regain his Scottish place?  Certainly he could do more on the field for his culture play has brought him solid praise whenever he has played recently.  I’m sure from conversations I’ve had with him, that he feels he is playing better than at any time in his life, and we agree.  His natural disappointment is shared by all of us.  Bobby Collins plays against Germany and is also on the tour.  Congratulations go to him but whereas Parker has kept his displays on a high level right to the end of the season I feel Collins had lost the fine edge by his game recently.  I am as full of praise as the next man for the major part Collins has played in Everton’s recovery this winter, but I believe Bobby himself feels a little stale after his massive efforts on his clubs behalf these past few months.  He is as quick-witted as the speed of his twinkling feet on the field and I’m sure he won’t mind me repeating this story about himself to illustrate the fact that it doesn’t take an outsider to tell a footballer when he has had a poor game –the player knows all about it only too well, I met him after he had played for Scotland against England at Wembley this month and told him that Everton had missed him very much in their match with Nottingham Forest at Goodison the same day.  He instant reply was “Aye and I was missing at Wemley too.”  That was as self-critical a reflection as I’ve heard and my admiration for him went even higher when he said it. 

EVERTON TOUR CUT TO ONE MATCH
Thursday, April 30, 1959. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Barcelona Game Off
Ashworth Waits
By Michael Charters
A change of mind by the Spanish F.A that cut Everton’s tour there to one-match.  The Spanish authorities have banned Barcelona from playing on Saturday and Everton will now only play Valencia tonight.  The arrangement to return home on Sunday made in view of the original Barcelona plan will stand and the party will thus have two days sight-seeing after the Valencia game. 
Everton’s transfer listed inside forward, Alec Ashworth is taking a week to decide whether or not to join Third Division Bury who have agreed terms with Everton for his signature.  The fee is said to be £9,000.  Bury were quick to make inquiries for 19 years old Ashworth when Everton agreed to his release last week.  The Lancashire club are making a fair splash in the transfer market in their aim to strengthen their team for a promotion bid next season, and they signed Leicester City winger Bill Calder for £4,000 last night. 
Southport Boy
Ashworth a Southport boy, joined Everton from school in 1957, and made his first team debut within a year.  He played in six First Division games this season, principally as deputy for Bobby Collins at inside left.  He also figured on the left wing in one game.  He is a tall forceful player who has not quite fulfilled his early promise or reached the standard.  Everton manager John Carey is seeking for his first team.  He has done well in the Central League side, however, mainly at inside left.  Bury were hoping that Ashworth decided today, but he has said he wants more time to think it over.