Everton Independent Research Data
BRIGHT, BRIEF, BUT NOT BROTHERLY
October 2, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Everton and Liverpool players entered the field last night in the customary two-by-two of Derby games and of Noah’s Ark. And lets face it, there were times when the animal angle seemed too appropriate, I never saw a better game so nearly ruined –and even in its rough state it was most exciting –by the chain reaction of one bad foul which led to so many others, even that prince of soccer gentleman W,H. Jones, once of Liverpool, seemed relieved he was on the non-combatant side of the touchline. Have footballers of our two, senior teams forgotten that their clubs long ago buried their animously and the hatches? Have they forgotten that this was meant to be a flood-lit friendly and not, as some of them seemed to think, a blood-bath feud? No wonder referee Stringer seemed a bit worried; no wonder the game got a little out of control and was brought back to sense and normally only by the good offices of certain players who went out of their way to observe the few niceties that are left in football when a £4 bonus is at stake.
Jones Showed Sportsmanship
I name Tom Jones of Everton as chief among these for his sportsmanship in removing the ball from play immediately he saw that Morrissey had fallen injured without being tackled. That is the sort of action we want, not the rough ill-tempered, dangerous stuff that is so inflammatory on such an occasion. There were times when one might have imagined that these were not Players Union members earning their living at the game. Leaving out evil intent (most of it in the first half) it was the sort of match to tingle the spine and lead one to the opinion that we have two teams in this City who can at least put on a very entertaining show. Liverpool’s victory was deserved. They won after being a goal down and for good measure struck the bar above O’Neill on two occasions. With any less expert goalkeeping at either end the score might have mounted to one in the region of 7-4. Thus a laurel at the outset for both goalkeepers for their play and for their comportment some forgiving. But these two men did not bear the brunt of all the tough stuff flung about the pitch.
Harris Mesmerized Defence
All three goals were good ones, Hickson came from a lovely header off a Jimmy Harris centre, Harris having mesmerized a phalanx of defenders into inaction and misunderstanding. Ten minutes later Arnell directed far from O’Neill’s reach the header which made the scores level and Morrissey the boy who picked up so expertly and used so brilliantly the flood of excellent Harrower passes was provider of the goal with a fine, hanging centre. And when Morrissey did not provide a lethal centre it came from the left from Arnell so that Melia could fairly stem the ball home with all the time in the world to do it. In a second half in which it was mostly Liverpool rampaging to the attack and Everton busy defending Arnell and Morrissey both cracked shots against the bar, so for once there could be no doubt that the verdict was deserved narrow as it was. But there was plenty to like about Everton. Their fault was the failure of either of their inside forwards to weld the attack as a Fielding or Collins would. In other respects they compared favourably with Liverpool. Who for example played as well as Brian Harris? Or Jones? And at outside right the 15-years-old Penman merefully kept clear of physical hurt and as all good penmen should, write his name indelibly into his first Derby match by two splendid shots –both beautifully saved by Younger.
Well Done, Young Penman
The boy has the knick of taking the ball to a back and showing it to him, his game lacks variation in that too often went inside his man when the outer circle line might have paid better dividends. Well done, sonny. Harrower too showed the ball to defenders and with these tree truck legs of his as quickly snatched it away from them and was off like a hare. He’s much too good a player and too astute a user of unsuspected angles to get himself involved in stuff which has nothing to do with the art of soccer. Arnell has rarely played with greater effect and Melia’s class was there for all to see. The ball fled fast on a greasy surface and the thrills of a second half which was satisfying plus first class goalkeeping enabled the match to finish on a level keel, though nothing could wipe out the memory of the unwanted fire of that sorry first half explosion of tempers. Morrissey, Brian Harris, the two goalkeepers the boy wonder and the sobering sense of those players who helped the referee to restore order out of what was rapidly becoming chaos –these were memorable performances and if someone can persuade these teams to give us the same sort of football without the Stadium stunts at the next meeting, Goodison Park will scarcely be large enough to hold all who want to see the fun.
COLLINS FIT FOR BIRMINGHAM MATCH
October 3, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
All Will Be Well
By Leslie Edwards
Everton’s position improves day by day, Collins and Tansey are on the way back; Brian Harris is developing into a first class half-back; young Penman is a splendid prospect; full back Parker, all going well, will be in this country about the end of the month. And six points from the last eight and the signing of Manager John Carey suggest that all will be well when the season ends. The main thing, meanwhile is for the uplift to be taken a stage further tomorrow. I think it will be, in which case joy would be shared mutually between their followers and Messrs John Carey and Ian Buchan. Birmingham are a live side, but not, I think, quite as good as they were a season or two ago. Bobby Collins passed his fitness test this morning and makes his second home appearance for his new club and Everton coach could not be more pleased, except perhaps if Jim Tansey had been fit enough to further strengthen the side. Fielding comes back, after his rest, at outside right and the Collins return means that Eddie Thomas goes out. Everton; O’Neill; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, Harris (B); Fielding, Harris (J), Hickson, Collins and O’Hara.
Jimmy Gauld
Former Everton inside forward Jimmy Gauld has had a lot to do with putting Plymouth Argyle at the top of the Third Division table in a remarkable 8-4 win at Doncaster last night he was the schemer-in-chief, paving the way for five of the goals and turning in a great display after his side had been 4-2 down at half-time. Gauld has helped to bring out the best in the men alongside him, and particularly centre forward Barrie Mayer the former Bristol Rovers player and Gloucestershire cricketer, who has scored five goals in five games since coming into the first team.
EVERTON
October 4, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Horace Yates
I expect Everton to score their fourth victory of the season as a result of the visit of Birmingham for with the restoration of a fit Collins to the forward line, the recent improvement shown by the attack must be continued and intensified. They are playing these days with a greater belief in their own ability and although problem positions still remains, the will to win may gloss them over against clubs whose worries are little, if any, less than their own. Birmingham have only won as many games as Everton but three drawn matches give them their superior League position. Tansey may be fit enough by next week to be competing for a respiration to first team duty. Everton; O’Neill; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, B. Harris; Fielding, J. Harris, Hickson, Collins, O’Hara. Birmingham; Merrick; Hall, Green; Watts, Sissons, Neal; Hellewell, Gordon, Brown, Murphy, or Jones, Astall.
ANOTHER LOOK AT COLLINS AND IMPROVING EVERTON
October 4, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Today’s visit of Birmingham to Goodison Park is notable for the reappearance in the Everton attack of wee Bobby Collins, whose early days with his new club have been so disturbed by the painful knee injury he suffered against Burnley in his home debut some weeks ago. Obviously neither Everton nor the player could afford to take chances with such an injury and it is not surprising that Collins has been well kept out of football until everyone has been satisfied that playing again would not aggravate the trouble. The fact that Everton have taken six points out of the last eight, the return of Collins and Fielding who was rested from the stormy game on Wednesday against Liverpool and the general air of up-and-up at Goodison Park, have quickened Everton interests at a time when fans needed injections of enthusiasm. The falling away of Liverpool has also given followers of Everton the satisfaction of knowing that other teams can also find trouble when it is not expected in short, they have come to believe that they are not any more the outcasts of soccer in this city. There was plenty to like about Everton’s play against Liverpool, not least the work of Brian Harris, whose transposition from the attack to the half back line is to the everlasting credit of Mr. John Sharp, a director, who was also instrumental in bringing Fielding from Army football to a long and successful career at Goodison Park. It is likely I think that an Everton side which now looks much more complete than it did will both points in which case Manager John Careys load of responsibility would be further lightened before his arrival.
EVERTON COME TO LIFE AFTER DULL OPENING
October 4, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Second Half Goals At Goodison Park
Everton 3, Birmingham 1
By Michael Charters
Everton; O’Neill, goal; Sanders and Bramwell, backs; King, Jones (captain), and B. Harris, half-backs; Fielding, J. Harris, Hickson, Collins and O’Hara, forwards. Birmingham City;- Merrick, goal; Hall and Green, backs; Watts, Sissons and Neal, half-backs; Hellawell, Gordon, Brown, Murphy, and Astall, forwards. Referee; Mr. A.W. Luty (Leeds). Birmingham settled their forward doubt for their game against Everton today by Naming Peter Murphy at inside left in place of Davy Jones, the 18-years-old formerly with Crewe. The pitch was very greasy on top and O’Neill had to be quick to snatch a long shot from Astall when it skidded through. Collins back from injury quickly earned applause with a neat inter-passing movement with Hickson but what looked a promising move petered out when Collins was ruled offside, Sanders conceded a corner to Astall and from the kick Murphy was only narrowly over the bar with his header. Collins put a beautiful through pass to the feet of Jimmy Harris, who stubbed the ground as he shot and the ball went wide. Everton were moving well in these early stages without being able to break through the strong Birmingham defence. Fielding was the first to bring Merrick into action with a long range shot which the former England goalkeeper saved comfortably. The tall powerful Neal almost went through for a goal when Jimmy Harris was slow with a back pass to O’Neill who was injured in clearing the ball for a corner.
O’Neill’s Fumble
Neither side seemed to be able to fathom the antics of the skidding the ball and O’Neill hampered by King, fumbled a lob by Watts to create a dangerous situation. The ball was eventually cleared when Fielding came back to head away in the style of a class full back. The first real excitement came after 15 minutes when O’Hara, running in like an express train, caught a centre from Jimmy Harris on the volley and the ball hit Hall and rebounded for a corner. The game had settled down to a series of dull midfield exchanges with neither goalkeeper being called upon to exert himself.
Penalty Claim
Fielding with a lovely pass sent Hickson bursting through into the penalty area where he appeared to be obstructed by Sissors when about to shoot, but the referee ignored Everton claims. From a similar movement Hickson crossed the ball and it was blocked by Green to Jimmy Harris whose shot, in turn was blocked by Hall. The ball lobbed in the air and Collins with plenty of time, headed narrowly over the bar. This was the closes approach to a goal we had seen in 35 minutes of struggling football. Hickson was again stopped by Sissons just outside the area and his time a free kick was given but from it Fielding sent the ball over the far side of the area and the chance was lost. Everton gained two corners in quick succession and from the one on the left by O’Hara, Harris (J) flicked the ball on and Collins completely missed his kick with the goal gaping in front of him. The ball ran on to Fielding, whose hurried shot went yards over the bar. The forlorn cry of “Come on The Blues” from a feather lunged supporter in the strangely quiet crowd summed up the situation. Everton were unlucky just on half-time when, from yet another corner Hickson’s header beat Merrick but was cleared off the line by Green.
Half-time; Everton nil, Birmingham nil.
Then Everton took the lead five minutes after the half time, following what appeared to be a bluder by Merrick. Bramwell sent over a long centre which the goalkeeper capless in face of the sun missed completely, Fielding returned the ball into the middle and Jimmy Harris slammed it into the net. At the other end Sanders completely missed a cross by Hellawell and the ball went straight to the unmarked Astall. In creditably Sanders recovered to harass Astall off the field and O’Neill completed the clearance. With play in midfield a flag waving linesman called the referee’s attention in an incident which had occurred between Neal and Hickson near a corner flag. Play was stopped while first the referee spoke to the linesman and Hickson had attention from the trainer. Before play resumed with a bounce up the referee spoke to Hickson.
Hickson Scores
Everton were getting completely on top now and went further ahead after 55 minutes when Brian Harris broke through and his fierce close-range shot was parried by Merrick. The ball ran out and Hickson stepped in to slam the ball in the net from a narrow angle. Watts stopped Collins by the unusual experience of putting on the elastic of his shorts but from the free kick Hall, who had been playing very well, broke up the Everton attack. Murphy collected a clearance and went on into the Everton penalty area despite the close attentions of King. He did well to keep control of the ball and slipped it past O’Neill as the goalkeeper came out. Collins-Hickson the ball out to Jimmy Harris on the edge of the penalty area, and from his lob Hickson ran in to catch the ball on the volley with his left foot to give Merrick no chance at all. Everton had switched to a more open type of play and Collins had bad luck with a shot which went just outside the upright after a brilliant cross field pass by Fielding. Merrick made a great save from King. Final; Everton 3, Birmingham 1. Official attendance 38, 408.
CAREY EVERTON’S BEST SIGNING SINCE WAR
September 4, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Joe Mercer
This is Mercer the mail-man opening the post bag at last after weeks in which the mail-box has remained untouched.
“I think Johnny Carey is a fool to leave Blackburn Rovers, where he is doing well, to take a chance as manager at Everton where they have not had a good team for years and there does not seem to be much talent on the books even in the youngest teams. “Carey may find the glittering gold of the big money and the five years contract will slip through his fingers like quicksilver,” – Albert Morton, Townsend Avenue, Liverpool.
Joe’s Jotting;
Can’t think Johnny Carey’s a fool, I know the man too well. One thing I am sure about Carey is the best signing Everton have made since the war. I know he’s a great struggle on his hands. Carey knows it. So do the Everton directors. It might be like watching oak trees grow –a slow progress. But if any man can make Everton a good team, Johnny’s the boy. I am still a Goodison shareholder and also a vice-president of the Supporters Club. So maybe I’m entitled to say; “Pleased to know Everton have you on the books, Johnny.”
SCOULAR MASTER OF CROSS PASS
October 4, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Albert Dunlop
One of the most powerful half-back lines in post-war football must been the Portsmouth one of Scoular, Flewin and Dickinson. It was good enough to help them win the First Division championship, and Everton in particular, have painful memories of it. Only Scoular and Dickinson are still playing, Flewin retiring from the game and taking up coaching a few seasons ago. Dickinson is still with Pompey and playing as well as ever, but the other half back, that hard-hitting Scot Jimmy Scoular, is the one I want to write about. Scoular now with Newcastle, looks a midget alongside the rest of the defenders. However, this is only in height, because Jimmy must be one of the most powerful half backs in the game. Someone once said to me that he just looked like a powerful body placed on two tree trucks; indeed, he must have a pair of the largest muscled legs in the game and when he hits the ball with them it certainly goes. Jimmy Scoular is the only player in the game I know who is disliked and yet admired by the crowds of the clubs he visits.
Rubust and Hard
This is because, although they know he is a good player, they do not like the way he treats his opponents. He is a very robust and hard player, and is one of the few I have heard booed before the match, which tends to gave young players up against him the wrong impression. When we played against Scoular the other evening we warned one of our youngsters what to expect. After the game we asked him now it went. He remarked that except it was like hitting a brick wall and tackling a horse, he had no complaints at the way Scoular played him.
Takes Control
Jimmy is certainly an amazing footballer. On the first occasion I played against him, my impression of the first half was of Scoular running about shouting encouragement and doing the work of two when the side were doing badly. I got the shock of my life when at half time I remarked that Scoular was a good skipper and was promptly told that Stokoe was the captain. Apparently Jimmy seems to take control of any side he plays in. I have never in my career seen a player hit a cross field ball like him, his accuracy is uncanny. Whenever he hit a cross field pass to Mitchell, the outside left it was always near perfect. I have devoted a lot of space to Jimmy Scoular, but I always like to see a player get his just rewards and he is one who gets more brick-bats than bouquets from the opposing spectators. Incidentally It may interest Everton supporters to know that Newcastle inside forward, who played against us the other evening was Kenny Hill, who was on our books as a winger a couple of seasons backs. Unfortunately for us and fortunately for Newcastle he got homesick and we had to left him go. What a good player he has turned out to be. The Magpies certainly got an up and coming inside forward.
DERBY COUNTY RES V EVERTON RES
October 4, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Derby County Res;- Adlington, goal; Patrick, and Martin, backs; Clark, Young and Richmond, half-backs; Hanaghan, Hall, Darwin, Woodhead and Womack, forwards. Everton Res; Dunlop, goal; Griffiths and Hillsdon, backs; Rea, Labone, and Meagan, half-backs; Penman, Wignall, Kirby, Ashworth, and Williams, forwards. Referee; Mr. G. Ramage (Sheffield). Straight from the kick off Darwin ran through the Everton defence to try a shot which went narrowly wide. Seconds later the Derby leader again came close to scoring but Dunlop made an excellent save from his rising shot. Everton began to settle down and after 8 minutes Williams made a splendid run at the left flank to cross to the unmarked Ashworth whose shot found the net off the upright. The visitors almost increased their lead shortly afterwards when Ashworth tried to lob over Adlington but the ball bounced off the crossbar and into touch. After 20 minutes Darwin made a solo dash but Dunlop dealt brilliantly with his shot. Everton had the ball in the net again but it was ruled that Wignall had handled the ball as he went up to head it and the goal was disallowed. Just before the interval Meagan sent a lovely through pass to Kirby but he was dispossessed by defenders. Half-time; Derby County Res nil, Everton Res 1.
WHAT WAS EVERTON FUSS ALL ABOUT?
October 6, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 3, Birmingham City 1
By Leslie Edwards
With eight points from their last five games, who can blame Everton for having a “What was all the fuss about?” Attitude this morning. If only they had started the season on these lines! This Birmingham victory, solid and well-deserved in the end, did not remove Everton from being co-list in the League table, but it did suggest that they have turned the corner and that they are a better side than they have been for months, Coach Ian Buchan is not surprised. He anticipated, even in his club’s darkest hour, the improvement of the past few weeks. It looks as though Manager John Carey will have a less onerous job than he expected when he takes up his new position in about a fortnight’s time. How much the return of Bobby Collins had to do with Everton’s win none can say, but there is no doubt that he gives the line an “air” it does not possess when he is absent. Yet it was Everton players of old rather than the new boy who were mainly responsible for success and if left back Green had not turned from the line a splendid header by Hickson (Hall on the other side had previously deflected a lovely volley by O’Hara in similar circumstances) that player would have had three goals; not two to show as proof that he is playing better now in general than at any other time in his career.
Goal-Less Half
There were no goals in a first half, notable for the number of times the greasy ball almost eluded O’Neill and for the number of times Birmingham the better team for the first half hour, promised a goal without ever actually getting one. Oddly, Everton did better from fewer chances and those goal-line interventions by the backs and some other near misses suggested, as was the case, that Everton might well get a grip of the game in the second half. This they did, though having taken a 2-0 lead they still had to fight off a Birmingham rally which produced a goal and other attacks which might well have enabled them to draw level. O’Neill’s difficulty in grasping the slippery ball was one Merrick also had to endure in a second half in which a glaring sun also bothered him when Bramwell a young back who had his best senior game, came to centre the ball beyond the far post. Merrick touched the ball but elected to get straight back to his line rather than drive at the feet of Fielding. The result was the Fielding pulled the ball back cutely for Jimmy Harris to score as he pleased. Astall was guilty of a shocking miss after a Sanders’ blunder, before Hickson put Everton further ahead. This time Brian Harris had joined the attack to make the shot which Merrick could only tuck away to hit left. Hickson angled as he was, shot the ball almost impudently. Murphy then scored for Birmingham after a first class move and a tug from behind by King which might well have produced a penalty award if the scorer had not gone on undisturbed, to beat O’Neill. The goals ended appropriately with the day’s best by Hickson whose volleying of a pass dug up cleverly on the right by J. Harris could not have been better. It remained for Collins o go very close to his first home goal (and O’Hara had a great part in providing the chance) and for King to burst through from half-back to make the run which Merrick did well to deny a goal.
Little Contention
On a pitch which churned up so much one feared that sooner or later studs must connect with those electric wires. Fielding took the place with Jones, B. Harris, Hickson and J. Harris as specially effective Everton units in a match which was often rather pedestrian and which certainly could not match the game against Liverpool for excitement and verve. Happily this was a game in which there was little “dirt” and little contention. Jones’ constructive game can never match the other side of his game. It was well on this occasion he was so good in the centre against three inside men who had speed power of shot –O’Neill had to make several very good second half saves – and the ability to penetrate. B. Harris and King, two young men who work like beavers and whose play requires the polish which can be gained by experience, also did their best work when the game was going against their side. It was not the sort of day on which Collins could employ many of his fitnesses but he played well and was prepared when things were going unfavourably to do his share of defence. Except for a moment when he appeared to say something to a linesman Hickson kept his behavior and play at a high level and these further goals of his are as valuable to him as to his club, since they must leave him in no doubt that far from seeming to be on the fringe of the eve of his career he may well be approaching the best and most level headed time of it. Everton; O’Neill, goal; Sanders and Bramwell, backs; King, Jones (captain), and B. Harris, half-backs; Fielding, J. Harris, Hickson, Collins and O’Hara, forwards. Birmingham City;- Merrick, goal; Hall and Green, backs; Watts, Sissons and Neal, half-backs; Hellawell, Gordon, Brown, Murphy, and Astall, forwards. Referee; Mr. A.W. Luty (Leeds).
DUNLOP WAS IN GRAND FORM
October 6, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
Derby County Res 0, Everton Res 1
After their goal had two narrow escapes from shots by Derby’s centre forward Darwen during the opening minutes of this Central league game, Everton reserves managed to hold a one goal lead after a hard struggle. Everton’s goal was scored by inside left Ashworth after eight minutes with a good shot which entered the net off the upright. In goal for the visitors, Dunlop was in grand form and made several excellent saves. Left back Hillsdon did not seem very safe but the Derby right wing did not offer enough danger to exploit any weakness. Everton team; Dunlop; Griffiths, Hillsdon; Rea, Labone, Meagan; Penman, Wignall, Kirby, Ashworth, Williams.
PENMAN FOR FIELDING
October 6, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Everton, who won their eight point out of the last ten when beating Birmingham 3-1 at Goodison Park will field a very strong team for the visit on Wednesday of the South African Tourists, who beat the Welsh Amateurs at Bangor on Saturday. Coach Ian Buchan will make one change – young Andrew Penman on the right for Fielding who will be rested. Mother Carey’s Everton chicks are fairly coming home to roost in his absence and if Everton match a point at their lucky ground at Tottenham next Saturday we shall be keyed up for a 70,000 gate against Manchester United the following week. No wonder Mr. Buchan is delighted that his belief that there was little seriously wrong with Everton has been justified by results after one signing –Collins. Birmingham were the better side for twenty minutes but an Everton defence in which young Bramwell had a very good game, held out, and the second half was Everton’s from end to end Hickson with two brilliant goals, touched top form, and Everton had so much life on a pitch which churned up badly one almost began to wonder why we had been so concerned about them. How different the story would have been if they had begun the season with eight points out of a possible ten.
The Harrises Part
The Harrises, Brian and Jimmy, both played big parts in a victory which sent 38,000 fans away contested that the Everton tide had turned. Jimmy got the first goal after Merrick had mis-fielded, in the glare of the sun, Bramwell’s centre; Brian made the shot which led to Merrick turning the ball out to the spot where Hickson pivoted quickly to shoot the ball home. It was Jimmy Harris’ cleverly lobbed across-goal pass that Hickson volleyed in for the third goal after Murphy had rounded off with a fine goal one of Birmingham’s several dangerous second half attacks. The Everton attack has an air about it when Collins is there, and when the going is less heavy Collins’ fitness will be seen to better purpose. As for Fielding, he stayed on remarkably well after a patchy start and settled down to do the telling things which make him one of the most artistic and effective of forwards. A great performance for the old man of the party, if you’ll excuse this term of endearment and a more than adequate one for Everton as a team. If both Birmingham backs had not done some goal-line retrieving the Everton score would have been nearer five. Jimmy O’Neill, the Everton goalkeeper, injnured yesterday in the Republic of Eire v. Polland match did not return to Liverpool today, but merely because he could not get a cabin reservation. His trouble is the recurrence of ligament trouble which has bothered him before, but he says that he feels that treatment should get him fit, if required, for the match against the South Africans on Wednesday.
That Offside Decision
Trickiest decision seen for years at Goodison was the one giving Fielding offside when he was actually standing inches outside the field of play beyond the touchline. Fielding himself evidently thought Mr. Luty’s decision wrong. Mr. Arthur Hollingworth of Beington secretary, midland Division of the Reserves’ Society explained the position to me. Though Fielding was outside the field he was technically interfering with play in that defenders would have to keep an eye on him, at least. A forward at the back of the net is similarly out of the field of play, but he, too can be given offside if the referee considers he has distracted the goalkeeper by his very presence in the back of the net.
SOUTH AFRICAN X1 HAVE HIT TOP FORM
October 7, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
The visit of South African team to Goodison Park tomorrow evening should provide an attractive game. The tourists are a good young side who are playing excellent football. Prior to arriving in this country they had no practice together as a team. Their improvement was seen at Wolverhampton last week when Wolves first team defeated them by only 1-0 –the only defeat of the tour. South Africa has produced a number of excellent players for English clubs, among them D. Kemp, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Arthur Riley, Douglas Rudham (Liverpool F.C), Perry, G. Peterson (Blackpool), J.D. Hewie, S.E. Leary, Firmani (Charlton Athletic); Edward Stuart, Demond Horne, Clifford Durandt (Wolves), D.L. Le Roux (Arsenal); A. Lightening (Notts Forest); Denis Foreman (Brighton); K. Hawkins (Fulham); Gerald Francis (Leeds United); Don Kichenbrand (Sunderland). The South Africans play attractive football and enjoying the same training facilities as our League clubs, would make a fine show in any competition. Local fans will not only see a good game, but will assist in staking a claim for more representative games in this city. The tourists did a little training at Goodison Park this morning. Everton give their following a second look at young Andrew Penman who takes Fielding’s place. There are doubts about the fitness of O’Neill injured on Sunday in a match in Dublin and if he is unavailable Dunlop will almost certainly take his place. Everton; O’Neill (or Dunlop); Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, B. Harris; Penman, J. Harris, Hickson, Collins, and O’Hara. South Africa (provisional)- Getting; Martin, Denysschent, Hauser, Peterson, Rufus; Hurley, Warren, Salton, Deerlfs, Barratt.
Chedgzoy’s Famous Corner
Reader W.B.F of Knowsley with an omnibus set of queries sets a problem. He wants to know in which Everton match Sam Chedgzoy, that stag of an outside rights, caused consternation by dribbling the ball along the goalline when taking a new-style corner kick; what Hunter Hart’s playing position was with Everton and whether he died from natural causes at his work.
Chedgzoy did his famous corner-flag dribble at Goodison Park, but no one recalls the date. Certainly it was in the mid 1920’s. The F.A had changed the laws regarding corner kicks and Chedgzoy (aided by “Bee”) discovered a flaw which would enable him play the ball up the goalline from the flag. There was consternation and some delay, but Chedgzoy proved his point; indeed the corner kick law was later re-drafted to obviate the possibility of any other winger taking advantage of it. Hunter Hart played most of his football at Everton at wing half though he did have a spell in the centre. He collapsed at his work in a ship at Ellesmere Port and died in February 1952. His son is the famous New Brighton and Cheshire Rugby player.
Back To Prescot
Prescot Cables have re-signed inside left Alan Hampson. At one time on Everton’s books, Hampson was a regular for Cables last season but joined Chorley at the start of the present campaign.
ANOTHER HODGSON?
October 8, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Most people will go along to Goodison Park tonight, (kick-off 7 p.m.) expecting to see Everton beat the South African touring team, but memory of the feats of South Africans on Merseyside and elsewhere are too recent for anyone to fall into the trap of holding the visitors too lightly. Have they another Gordon Hodgson in their midst, or perhaps another “Nivvy?” It is an intriguing thought and their record at home and in this country, suggests an entertaining struggle, a relaxation to some extent from the weekly cut-and-thrust of point hunting. This provides a readymade opportunity of showing off fifteen-year-old Scot Andy Penman, for the second time in senior company. Everton supporters with the novelty stage passed, are already preparing to treat Penman with the seriousness which his merit demands, rather than as a youngster, tossed in to provide a talking point. when I asked Chief Coach Ian Buchan, last night what sort of a report Penman received from his game on Saturday, I was told. “He did very well, in fact this lad has not had a poor game since he came to us.” If ground conditions are kindly disposed towards clever football, this could be a match in which Bobby Collins may show his real craft. Everton supporters who did not see his first game against Manchester City have not yet watched Collins at his most entertaining and effective best. When they do I can assure them it will be a real treat. Feeling his way somewhat tenderly following his leg injury, Collins had no adverse effects at all against Birmingham City, and he is bound to be a great deal more confident tonight as a result. The prospects are that O’Neill will be declared fit to play. Everton; O’Neill; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, B. Harris; Penman, J. Harris, Hickson, Collins, O’Hara. South Africa; Getting; Martin, Denyschen; Hauser, Petersen, Rufus; Hurley, Warren, Salton, Deetilifs, Barrett.
GOODISON’S “TERRIFIC”
October 8, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Tonights visit to Goodison Park of the touring South African amateur side should make an attractive floodlit match; certainly it will produce some fragrant memories of great South Africans who have played in this city –most of them in Liverpool colours. It was from the first South African touring eleven that Liverpool discerned the potential of those two warriors Gordon Hodgson and Arthur Riley. Liverpool were the first club to appreciate and capitalize, the South African nursery. Many clubs have followed their example. Unlike the last South African team here the one which plays tonight have signed no clause prohibiting them from signed professional forms for clubs have until twelve months after their return to their own country. But they have a gentleman’s agreement with the South African F.A about such things and obviously that is going to be honoured. Liverpool fans will be interested to know that Arthur Riley had a flourishing sports outfitters in Boksburg; Berry Nieuwenhuys is a fully fledged and successful professional golfers; Dick Kemp, like Riley a goalkeeper, has a very good executive position with the Cape Town transport authority. The team which plays tonight at Everton goes to Dublin tomorrow and returns to Liverpool in readiness for a match at Deepdale against Preston N.E. I asked one of them what he thought of the Everton ground; “Terrific!” he said I wonder what the adjective will be tonight when he’s seen the place lit up?
FOUR GOALS SCORED IN FIVE MINUTES
October 9, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 7, South African X! 4
By Horace Yates
Anybody who decided that the last ten minutes of this game would not amount to very much and preferred a comfortable exit, would find it hard to believe that the 6-1 score as they knew it had been converted into an exciting 7-4, with a remarkable five minute goal rush. The match seemed to be dying on its feet, with the South African forwards held in a vice like grip that made some of the attacking efforts look clumsy and uninspired when Bramwell knocked down Hurley’s centre with his hand and Petersen strode up to drive the penalty home. Inside three minutes Warren made a goal for Rufus and within another minute Salton, reveling in the temporary freedom afforded by an injury to Jones drove home the South Africans fourth goal and at 6-4 with three minutes to go, drama had entered the game for the first time. Another time and again there was a score, but this time it was a grand looking Hickson shot that did the damage. Four goals in five minutes were surely enough to satisfy anybody’s appetite and the threat of boredom was dispelled a little late maybe, but what a dying kick it gave to the match. The first goal of the game had come in three minutes from Collins and it was quickly apparent that any entertaining tricks Everton had tucked away up their sleeves could be pulled out with perfect safely for the enjoyment of the crowd. Barrett and Rufus showed occasional glimpses of good football, but the speed of the Everton tackling completely upset any rhythm they might otherwise have been able to introduce. Collins had the crowd laughing and cheering at his clever footwork and capacity for doing the unexpected and I don’t think Everton’s supporters have seen O’Hara in nineteen minutes, but the O’Hara celebrates Hickson claimed goal No 2 it seemed definely not in score that kept the crowd chattering was O’Hara’s. When Jimmy Harris put the ball over it seemed a pure waste of time, for there was scarcely an Everton jersey in sight and so it seemed definably not in reach, but along came O’Hara speeding into goal like an express train. He shot his head to the ball and it was in the net for a picture goal. With the scoring idea fresh in mind O’Hara tore down the wing as though to give a solo exhibition of how goals should be taken. Martin had different ideas and inside the penalty area, O’Hara was temporarily relieved of the use of his legs. There could be only one decision and from the penalty Jones scored, to make Everton’s advantage 4-0. The game was fifty-eight minutes old before Salton opened the South African account, but goals by J. Harris and Hickson set Everton freewheeling, with a few danger signals. Then came the goal rush, with more frills packed in five minutes than there had been in the entire half; to send the spectators away happy, not at all convinced that there is no place for friendlies. The only cloud on a peaceful and sporting scene was the retirement eleven minutes before the interval of Everton goalkeeper O’Neill with a recurrence of the knee injury he received in Ireland. He had to be carried to the dressing room and the injury certainly looked serious enough to raise genuine doubts about his ability to answer the call this week-end. Moments of hilarity were provided with Brian Harris as deputy goalkeeper. He played up to the crowd by wandering yards out of his goal with the spectators waving him back, and although he had little work to do his habit of putting clearances to the feet of opponents was obviously something he has not picked up from watching O’Neill.
Dunlop Substitutes
Dunlop came racing on to the scene as substitute goalkeeper a few minutes before the interval and was soon showing that he intended to take full advantage of this opportunity to re-emphasize his claim to a first team place. Penman did not enjoy the freedom accorded to him in the Liverpool game. Denvssohen was grimly determined that any glory Penman obtained would have to be earned and although the youngster’s start was dimmed, it was definitely not extinguished. The crowd called for a Penman goal; he being the only Everton forward not to score, and if he did not answer successfully he helped others to take goals. Three goals in this game gives Hickson eight in his last four matches (including the Liverpool friendly) which suggests a player bang in form. Everton; O’Neill (substitute Dunlop 43), goal; Sanders and Bramwell, backs; King, Jones (captain) and B. Harris, half-backs; Penman, J. Harris, Hickson, Collins, and O’Hara, forwards. South African X1;- Gething, goal; Martin and Denysschen, backs; Hauser, Petersen, and Rufus, half-backs; Hurly, Warren, Salton, Deetlifs, and Barratt, forwards. Referee; Mr. J. Mitchell (Prescot). Attendance 13,331.
A SPRING BACK BY THE SPRINGBOKS
October 9, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Why can’t we see a match like that every week? That was the reaction last night of 13,000 lucky people who saw Everton beat the touring South African amateur team by seven goals to four. Why not, indeed? This extraordinary game had everything –eleven goals (four of them in five minutes), speed, sportsmanship, football, good refereeing, determination (notably from the amateurs) and a storming finish which set the crowd yearning for South Africa to make it 6-6 after being down 6-1 and thus rank with the Sunderland 6-4 game as one of the most memorable in Everton annals. On the negative side we had a deputy goalkeeper – Brian Harris, who took over from the injured O’Neill for a spell –a substitute goalkeeper, Dunlop, who will now keep his place in the Everton team at Tottenham on Saturday, no jeers, no booing, no decisions by referee or linesmen which could lead to trouble on or off the field. What a change! And what entertainment came from a match on pitch on which one could hear the ball squelch through surface water, I give full marks to Everton for an exhibition which must bolster their ego, though in those glorious last 10 minutes their defence was shattered and shaken by the power and persistence of opponents who refused to go quietly.
Ovation For Both
No wonder the crowd gave both teams on ovation, no wonder Everton players patted their opponents on the back as they left the field and looked as though they really meant it! No wonder pressmen with the tourists (so glum when the score stood 6-1) smiled broadly as though to say, “We knew they had it in them.” Most of the goals were good. Collins got the first with a cross shot. He was denied another by young Gething’s best save, but the goalkeeper was caught half-in, half-out of goal when Hickson made it 2-0. O’Neill’s knee injury recurred and the crowd were whistling at the referee to not this while O’Hara was bulleting home, from Jimmy Harris’s pass, the header which took the score to 3-0. Tom Jones scored from the penalty spot when Martin uprooted O’Hara and that was 4-0. Dunlop took over from O’Neill’s deputy, Brian Harris five minutes before the interval. Everton’s display of artistry and cool cheek, notably by Collins, contrasted sharply with South Africa’s first half propensity for bunching and for not making their passes sharp enough.
All Over, Except
South Africa had a few first half breaks, and the second half promised little change, but for once the massive Salton eluded Tom Jones to pick up a lovely through pass by Hurly and the crowd cheered good naturedly (4-1). The Jimmy Harris slotted into goal a low pass from Hickson on the right (5-1) and Hickson returned the compliment by volleying a stunning shot from a pass by Jimmy Harris on the right. So it was all over except for the handshakes. Then came some shattering minutes for the Everton defence. Bramwell handled; centre half Peterson rammed in the penalty (6-2). The game’s outstanding figure, stocky left half Rufus, sealed a wonderful night’s play by hitting a great goal from the pass provided by Warren who feinted his way to the provision of this chance with the ability of a Matthews (6-3). By the time the crowd were enjoying, if Everton weren’t a surging South African recovery which seemed unstoppable, Dunlop just saved by giving a corner, a fine shot by Warren. From the corner Salton fairly lashed the ball in (6-4) to receive such acclaim by club mates one suspected he had scored a winning goal at Wembley. These three tourist goals and Hickson’s came within five minutes, so you can judge the extent of the drama of the game at this stage. Finally, when the odds seemed on South Africa taking it to 6-5 Hickson settled them at 7-4 with a cross-shot which of itself was almost worth the admission money.
A Different Story
The gulf between first-class professionals and first-class amateurs was never better illustrated than when Everton were on top, but what great fighters these amateurs were and how strong! Rufus, at 24, it’s the best non-stop half-back I’ve seen since Joe Mercer. And what ground he covered. The wingers, Barratt and Hurly, were excellent too, and it is clear that Salton on a dry ground, would be a very dangerous centre-forward. It was a joy to see Everton play the sort of stuff old Evertons, used to produce, but one must not forget that a side plays as well as it is allowed. They certainly gave value for money with Brian Harris, and King doing exceptionally well and Hickson proving once more that he knew something when he elected not to go to Plymouth. If this is exhibition football let’s have more of it. Why should a match like thing be so satisfying, so sporting, so thrilling, so acceptable in every way when, only a week ago, the meeting of our two city rivals was so rough con contentious and slick-making? I don’t know the answer; All I can say is a grateful thank you to last night’s 22 players, plus three officials, for the most entertaining game for seasons.
DUNLOP COMES BACK
October 9, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Albert Dunlop takes the place of the injured O’Neill in the Everton goal, at Tottenham on Saturday. Fielding returns at outside right in place of Penman. O’Neill’s injury in the match against the South African’s last night is a recurrence of the trouble he suffered in the match in Dublin last Sunday, Cartilage is feared, but nothing will be known until he has been seen by the club specialist.
RHYL COLTS GO DOWN FIGHTING
October 10, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
Rhyl Colts `1, Everton Colts 2
Everton were made to fight hard for their win under the Rhyl floodlights last night, and at one time Rhyl looked like pulling off a surprise victory. Everton well served by a sound defence, played some attractive football but a first time tackling Rhyl defence kept their movements subdued in the penalty area. Rhyl took the lead in the first half through outside left Stan Edwards and kept it in a rather unfortunate manner until after the interval, when a brilliant goal by centre forward Gearie put Everton on level terms. Eighteen minutes later McDonald notched the winner with a lob which completely deceived goalkeeper Hamilton. Nelso played a fine game for Rhyl at centre half and both goalkeepers, Hamilton and Griffiths of Everton made several breath taking saves.
HIGH HOPES FOR EVERTON
October 10, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Everton go to Tottenham with good hopes. They usually play well there and with five wins out of six –I’m including the memorable 7-4 match against the South Africans on Wednesday –they are looking for a point to send them into their match a week hence against Manchester United with new found confidence. The Everton revival during from the first appearance of Bobby Collins, is remarkable in view of the fact that it has been secured by this one outstanding signing. No doubt Liverpool’s keenness for Allchurch stems from the effect of their neighbours enterprise and determination to get their man. Fielding makes a point of being at his best against his fellow Tottenham townies. He seems to take impish delight in undoing them, and there are few Spurs fans not aware of the fact that Fielding was born almost within the sound of cheers from White Hart Lane. Everton’s precaution in resting their veteran whenever possible is a most sensible course, also in playing him on the right wing they are ensuring that his career lasts a good deal longer than if he were still set to do the fetching and carrying of an inside forward. The injury to O’Neill, who has been playing so well, means that Dunlop the club’s first choice at the start of the season, returns, but Everton, like Liverpool are fortunate to have two first class goalkeepers, and injury to one or other is not so damaging as would otherwise be the case. Tottenham Hotspur; Hollowbread; Baker, Hopkins; Blanchflower, Ryden, Illey; Medwin, Harmer, Smith, Stokes, Robb. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, Harris (B); Fielding, Harris (J), Hickson, Collins, O’Hara.
EVERTON’S FIRST DRAW?
October 11, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton, despite their depressing start, have actually won more games than eight of the rivals but the absence of draws’ leaves their yield undisturbed. In fact only Arsenal and Everton are without a draw in their record. Last season, in contrast, Everton drew eleven of their matches, a total exceeded only by West Brom, Chelsea and Sunderland. Today may find Everton making their first entry in the draws column, for at Tottenham, not one of their luckiest grounds in recent years, they will find rivals little better off than themselves for points, and just as determined to improve their position. Everton have not dropped a point on any of the last four Saturdays and statisticians will tell you that they have scored three goals in each of those games. I cannot see them coming in for a great deal of criticism if they bring back only one point from Tottenham and team selection these days is hardly the worry it was during those anxious opening days. Only the substitution of Dunlop for the injured O’Neill in goal, prevents Chief Coach, Ian Buchan, from fielding what he, and most other people, consider to be the club’s strongest side. Tottenham make this the occasion to restore Tommy Harmer one of the cleverest ball players in football at inside left, after missing four games and further team strengthening moves are the return of Blanchflower to right half and Medwin to right wing. Tottenham Hotspur; Hollowbread; Baker, Hopkins; Blanchflower, Ryden, Iley; Medwin, Harmer, Smith, Stokes, Robb. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, Harris (B); Fielding, Harris (J), Hickson, Collins, O’Hara.
EVERTON COUNTED OUT IN RECORD DEFEAT
October 11, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Spurs Run Riot With Six In First Half
Tottenham 10, Everton 4.
By Leslie Edwards
Tottenham Hotspur; Hollowbread, goal; Baker and Hopkins, backs; Blanchflower, Rydens and Iley, half-backs; Medwin, Harmer, Smith, and Stokes, and Robb. Forward. Everton; Dunlop, goal; Sanders and Bramwell, backs; King, Jones (captain), and Harris (B), half-backs; Fielding, Harris (J), Hickson, Collins and O’Hara, forwards. Referee; Mr. G.W. Pullen (Gloucestershire). Stoke scored for Tottenham in two minutes, Brian Harris lost his foothold and the ball was pushed through for Smith. He attempted to move it to right and despite and Everton men deflection it, the ball travelled on to the light-haired Stokes who smashed it into the net with Dunlop out of position. If Hickson could have timed his shot Everton might have equalized almost immediately. Everton then went even closer in scoring when Fielding, touching the ball for the first time sent it low and fast and Collins with a right foot volley was right on target only to find Hollowbread bringing off a wonder save. It was fast football and when Robb got the benefit of a clinch with Sanders he made a long low shot which Dunlop was glad to push round the foot of the post. When Everton equalized after 10 minutes the goal came from a simple throw-in. Hickson foxed Ryden, who rounded the Spurs player and despite Ryden’s Rugby tactic, went on to make a low cross-shot. This was pulled in much that it gave Jimmy Harris, standing five yards out, an easy chance to convert. At 14 minutes Spurs went in front again. This time from a goal by Smith. Harmer drifted to inside left and made an easy paced centre from which Smith was able to nod the ball past Dunlop with all the time in the world. O’Hara with a clever dribble and a lobbed centre for Fielding was worth a goal though one did not arise, Bramwell going over the half-way line to try to get his forwards moving got a knee injury and lay injured while the game went on. Peter Harburn Everton’s 12th man came to the touch line to give Fielding official instructions in the event of Bramwell not being able to resume but after attention he was fit.
Players Slip
As the game went on one was convinced that Everton’s studding was not as could be desired for they lost their grip so much more often. King bravely got his head to a centre with Blanchflower coming in fast and was lucky to escape injury and Ryden was lucky to get the better of Hickson when the latter was slap in front of goal. A Smith shot struck Dunlop at point blank range following a Harmer free kick and all told Everton were having a pretty rough time. Harmer was having a wonderful innings and as a result of his work Stokes, from point blank range, hit the body of the out coming Dunlop – another lucky escape for Everton. The Everton defence was flummoxed and flat footed when Tottenham got their third goal at 30 minutes, Robb wheeled and wheeled his way to an opening for a right foot shot without challenge, although three Everton defenders were standing within five yards of him. A minute later Smith scored the fourth, tapping the ball over the line from a low centre by Blanchflower. This was the most riotous Tottenham I have ever seen and the Everton defence just had no answer to their speed and bewildering change of pace and direction. Hickson with a short pass from Harris (J) must have made it 4-2 if he had been accurate with a left foot shot from ten yards out. Collins too should have scored from a lovely pass by Hickson but he missed his first opening and was crowded out when he got a second attempt. Stokes made it 5-1 at 34 minutes with a simple goal after Dunlop had half saved Robb’s downward header. By this time the Everton defence was not only nonplussed but almost non-existent. Blanchflower’s propensity for making himself into a sixth forward was a salient factor in Spurs astonishing burst of scoring. Everton mounted a few attacks of promise but their finishing was without confidence and punch, though Collins was unlucky not to score when he poked the ball over the top from a headed pass by Hickson. Medwin made it 6-1 two minutes from the interval with a left foot shot which crossed the line after cannoning off the inside of the post. Only Harmer of the Tottenham attack had not scored. Never was there such an Everton debacle.
Half-time; Tottenham Hotspur 6, Everton 1.
What Everton needed at 6-1 down was some of the South African spirit in the memorable match last Wednesday but they looked pretty dejected at the outset of the second half. Everton kept plugging away, but not with any luck, until Hickson won a corner which Fielding placed on the head of Harris (J), from which the ball lobbed gently into the net to everyone’s surprise. The time was 52 minutes. A strong shot by Robb crossed the face of the goal and then Smith with a jack-knife action nodded home Blanchflower’s centre for Spurs goal No. 7 at 62 minutes. Nearly all Spurs’ goals had emanated from the right wing in the first place. When King and Ryden met to heavy collision it seemed King was knocked out with a blow to the head while both players were receiving attention there were some pretty heated words between Everton and Spurs players. Ryden limped to the left wing after treatment and King looking sorry for himself seemed in only slightly better shape. Iley moved to centre half and Robb to left half. Robb hit Dunlop with one of his best shots and collected the rebound to make a second shot but this was crowded out. To the credit Everton never stopped trying but their task was hopeless and with an passenger on the left wing Spurs were still good for another goal. Hopkins was the next casualty when colliding at full speed with the solid Sanders, on the touchline. He seemed to have a head injury.
Harmer seized on a faulty clearance to score perhaps the best goal of the match from the edge of the penalty area, a glorious shot which was in the net before Dunlop could even start to move to it. Time 82 minutes. Harris (J) got Everton’s third and his hat-trick goal in the 83rd minute from a Hickson centre on the left. Smith who had a chance to make in 9-3 in this astonishing game, put the ball literally on the roof of the stand when standing three yards from the goal line. At 85 minutes the score went to 9-3 when Smith nodded the ball past Dunlop from Stoke’s centre. This surprised Everton’s previous record defeat in the post war era when the lost 8-2 at Huddersfield in April 1953. Collins scored for Everton at 87 minutes with a long distance shot which completely deceived Hollowbread. In the next minute Everton survived a tremendous appeal for a penalty against Jones. Ryden scored for Tottenham at the 88 minute making the score 1-4. He shot from close range following a free kick on the right. The only comparable match I have ever reported was the one in which Tranmere Rovers beat Oldham Athletic 13-4 at Prenton in a Christmas match a few years before the war. The last five goals came in 10 minutes. Ironically Everton’s last two games have involved them in 25 goals. Final; Tottenham 10, Everton 4.
Balance Sheet
Comment is superfluous. This was the record scoring first class match of our time, with Jimmy Harris getting a hat-trick in a side beaten 10-4. Spurs scored five goals in half an hour in the first half and the last five goals in the match came within the space of five minutes. It was a fantastic match in which Everton suffered their heaviest ever League defeat. The previous highest was in April 1953 when they lost 8-2 at Huddersfield. The crowd rose to Spurs at the interval and at the end but brilliantly as they played one must give credit to Everton for some forward play which earned four goals and might have obtained others. In Everton’s last two games 25 goals have been scored. They beat the South Africans 7-4, and now endured this amazing defeat.
SWING TO RUGBY IS PROBLEM FOR F.A.
October 11, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Joe Mercer
Former Everton and England Player, now Manager of Sheffield United.
It’s no secret that the Football Association is very worried now about the drift of grammar schools of Britain from football to Rugby. The Lancaster Gate authorities have reported and commented on it at great length, and undoubtedly one result of the continued swing among schoolboys from the nation’s top game is the recent appeal to players to cut out the “gamesmanship” and petty demonstrations. The edict will get all support from managers – they are as worried as the F.A about the Rugby drift which has become most marked in the last ten years and seems to be, drying up prospective talent for English League clubs. One of the national newspapers recently carried out an interesting investigation into the problem. Their probers discovered that since 1946, among the grammar schools of England and Wales 26 changed to Rugby, whereas only one changed from Rugby to football. Another 76 added Rugby to their sports programme, only four added soccer. That’s bad news. And before it get worse we in football must put the house in order. We’ve only ourselves to blame, Rugby people popularize their sport by going out of their way to invite the right people to their functions.
Shying Away
They have seen the value of courting headmasters and teachers. Unfortunately professional football is getting the wrong type of publicity. And even though professional play is steps ahead of schoolboy football, instinctively the scholastic minds of some tend to shy away from the round ball game because of the bad tags some of the big time footballers are attacking to themselves. To question about it – football or soccer as it is called by some is more popular than Rugby. Consequently it receives more publicity. Any infringement of the rules, any variation from the orthodox straight and narrow, any demonstrations is echoed in every newspaper in the land and EMPHASISED.
What some people seem to forget is that if Rugby Union players’ lives were pived into if 30,000 and more watched their every playing action for 90 minutes, their “naughtly boys” and old hands would soon be spirited out and given the reputations some footballers have and don’t want. However, the Football League and the F.A know the tough-stuff, whispers of illegal inducements, the regular “exposures” of professional football that appear in print must be stamped out. Football’s a fine game – and nobody must get a different impression.
Here’s A Case
My own boy David, is lucky. His school plays both football and Rugby. Naturally, I was anxious he would get the chance of soccer at school, but schooling comes first and the fact that the boys get a choice of games is good enough for me. There’s room for both games in every school. Die-hards, in any sport are no good to anyone. Rugby is quite a good game, I’ve no prejudice against it –but it’s annoying when I come across prejudice against soccer. As a manager, I found myself in a Rugby-soccer problem only last year. One of my bright young players, outside right Kevin Lewis, went to a grammar school in the Wirral. This boy was football crazy –and talented too. In fact he played in Englands youth international team against Spain only last Wednesday. He played pretty regularly in Sheffield United’s first team –pretty good for a 16-years-old. Then suddenly, young Kevin was needed on Saturday morning to play Rugby. That was the big signal, the crossroad for Lewis. If he played Rugby Saturday morning apart from the risk of injury, it would be impossible for him to travel to Sheffield United matches except when United were reasonably near the home in Ellesmere Port. And to order, the football made Kevin to stop playing the game was like telling him to cut off his right arm. The outcome was hat Lewis had to leave school and is now trying to get his G.C.E through night classes. I like to think that this is an example of prejudice going against the boy’s best interests. If school kids want football-nothing should stop it in the schools. But now it’s up to club directors and managers to go all out to woo influential headmasters and teachers. Invite them to top functions and big games and show them the great side of the game. Let them see that the unsavoury side is negligible.
Brittain Needs Football Schoolboys
And clubs are getting more dependent on finding young talent which can be developed. The ready-made stars are much too expensive for most clubs. Albert Quixall’s £45,000 transfer has raised the yard stick of prices even more. And even the poorer players are classed at exorbitant rates. After travelling about 10,000 miles already this season in the search for new players, I’m fed up hearing even Fourth Division clubs taking of £10,000 feet for their men.
NEW REFERE RULES HAVE US WORRIED
October 11, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Albert Dunlop
When we arrived at Derby last week I was astounded when one of our very young players came up to me and asked if Derby County had ever been a well-known club. To him the Baseball Ground looked a very small pitch surrounded by three stands and an enclosure. H also mentioned that their seemed to be atmosphere about the place, and that the spectators seemed to expect a lot if they wanted good football week in and week out.
Famous Players
I suppose you could not blame him for thinking along these lines, because indeed the ground is very small. It can, in fact be very dangerous because the touchline is practically against the surrounding wall, and the stands look very drab when you compare them with our. However, he did not realize that this was just a passing phase for a club who have in the past set a very high standard in the football world. No wonder the Derby County supporters expect good football, for when we told him of some of the players that have graced the colours he was amazed. They include such well known personalizes as Vic Woodley, in goal, Bert Mozley and Jack Howe, two of the best full-backs of their times. Leon Louty an England international centre half and Chick Musson wing half, both of whom died tragically within a short time of each other. The forwards include such players as Jack Stamps a Merseyside favouritie, who was one of the hardest hitters of a ball in the game, Johnny Morris who later finished with Leicester City, Billy Steel who you will remember was one of the costliest inside forwards brought at the time. Our young player really opened his eyes when we mentioned the next two, Raich Carter and Peter Doherty, and players of this calbre really put the Rams on the map.
Rules Cause A Stir
They were the first team to win the F.A Cup when it was re-started after the last World War, and their game against Charlton Athletic at Wembley will be remembered by many Merseyside people because Don Welsh played a prominent part in it. The new rules that apply to referees seem to be causing quite a stir, and after what happened at Derby it makes me wonder how they are going to be accepted. The new rules state that the referee must not consult the linesman after he has made a decision and also that a player must not question any decision he may make. Well both cases were given an airing in that game. The first incident happened when it looked as if we had scored a perfectly good goal when Frank Wignall headed home. The referee had awarded it and was running towards the centre when the home players drew his attention to a furiously waving linesman. The goal was then disallowed for handling and apparently quite right so, it seems that if the referee had not spoken to the linesman we would have had an unfair advantage. The second incident happened shortly after this when he gave a decision that no one seemed to understand and our skipper went up to him and asked him what he had given the free kick for. The skipper was then told by the referee that if he did not stop questioning his decision his name would be taken. I suppose these new rules have been brought out with the right intentions, but whether they can be correctly and fairly applied we will have to wait and see, I should imagine it all depends on the referee’s own interpretation of the rules and trying to apply them to the right situation.
EVERTON RES V BLACKBURN RES
October 11, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
Everton res; Griffiths (G), goal; Griffiths (B), and Hillsdon, backs; Rea,. Labone and Meagan, half-backs; Wignall, Thomas, Temple, Ashworth, and Williams, forwards. Blackburn Res;- Jones, goal; Taylor, and Smith, backs; England, Heron, and Clayton (K), half-backs; Isherwood, Cairns, Hudson, Daly and Kirkup, forwards. Referee; Mr. S.A Leedings (Willenhail). Everton were well on top in the early stages and Temple put them ahead with an angled drive in the sixth minute. Although Everton continued to hold the initiative at the 16th minute Blackburn equalized through Kirkup. The Rovers began to swing the ball about and the result was further goals through Hudson and Daly. Each time Isherwood made the opening. Everton had lost much of their early fire and Meagan made their best scoring attempt when he forced Jones to tip over the bar. Half-time; Everton Res 1, Blackburn Res 3.
BLACNCHFLOWER PUT TEN IN TOTTENHAM
October 13, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
Tottenham Hotspur 10, Everton 4
By Leslie Edwards
This was Everton’s biggest defeat since Huddersfield Town beat them 8-2 at Huddersfield in April 1953, their highest defeat in living memory and the greatest flood of goals for more than sixty years in a First Division match. But the odd thing that if Everton had taken their chances as avidly as Spurs the score might well have been 10-6 or 10-7. Jimmy Harris whose first League hat-trick , missed the easiest chances either side enjoyed two minutes from the end and also were at least three other occasions on which Everton should have scored if their shooting had been as good as that of their opponents. Also remembering that they were 6-1 down at the forty five minute Everton’s performance was not nearly so disastrous as it seemed on face value. The only conclusion we can draw from defeat is that the defence was not good enough against Tottenham for whom both Blanchflower and Harmer played brilliantly. It was Blanchflower’s action for coming through as well forward –and Iley on the other flank was hardly less damaging-which became such am embarrassment to Brian Harris and Bramwell and Harmer and the other Spurs forwards pulled the rest of the players out of position the wonder was that Sours goals stopped at ten. It was a fantastic game by any standards and Everton’s bewilderment at is was understanding able. It was a footballer’s nightmare especially for Dunlop.
Fielding Injured
Ironically Spurs’ manager Jimmy Anderson timed the day with, retirement (Mr. Billy Nicholson taking over) to insist with his club’s astonishingly victory within a few miles of White Hart Lane and Tottenham boys team had with an English Schools Shield victory 10-3 against Heston so that Wally Fielding home town it was a gala day and Fielding left the field with two right leg injured and prevent him from taking his place against Manchester United at Goodison Park next Saturday. Not since 1892 when Aston Villa beat Accrington Stanley in a First Division match, in a first class game provided such a crop of goals, I can recall Tranmere Rovers beating Oldham Athletic 13-4 in a Third Division match at Prenton in a pre-war game. Then as on Saturday Tottenham it seemed that a goal was scored from nearly every attack. Spurs scored five in less than 30 minutes of the first half and there were five goals in as many minutes at the end of a game witness by 37,000 Spurs fans.
Goal Catalogue
Goals began in the second minute (Stokes) Harris J made the score 1-1 after 10 minutes, then Smith (14 minutes), Robb (30 minutes), Stokes (34 minutes), and Medwin (43 minutes) took Spurs to a 6-1 lead at the interval . At 52 minutes Harris (J) got his second of his hat-trick of goals, but Smith scored again for Spurs at 59 minutes and Harmer made it 8-2 at 82 minutes. Harris (J) made it 8-3 (83 minutes), Smith got Spurs ninth two minutes later and then Collins shot Everton’s fourth. Two minutes form the end Ryden put Spurs into double figures. What were the contributing factors in Everton’s defeat? The power of the Spurs’ wing half-backs, the ability of their attack to make and take chances, the comparative inexperience of Bramwell and Harris (B) and King who, try as they would could not meet the challenge posed by a fine attack brilliantly serviced. Some might fault Dunlop since so many goals came as the result of centres, mostly from the right. But once Spurs got their teeth into the match defeat seemed inevitable. Though they won handsomely, Spurs’ defence was more than a little suspect. Everton’s should have been the day’s most successful away team attack with five or six goals to their credit. This may seem poor consolation, but it is definitely something on the credit side.
Out Of Hand
For a time in the second half the game got a little out of hand and Fielding’s injury was one result. King also took a blow to the head and Ryden and Hopkins were also in the wars. It was natural, I suppose that Everton should smart under such a hammering and that Spurs should want to rub it in when one or two of their side were hurt. The man who put ten into Tottenham was Blanchflower a brilliant player and tactician. The smallness of Fielding and Collins against a big and commanding wing half backs meant that King, and Harris (B) were apt to be over-run and there were often signs of panic in the Everton defence; yet somehow Everton contrived to mount ten attacks worthy of goals and that they succeeded only four times was more due to their own faults than to the strength of the Tottenham defence. With Collins absent next Saturday and the possibility of Fielding being unfit, Everton’s position, within ten days of the arrival of their new manager, John Carey is pretty formidable but it would be wrong to take this freakish 10-4 defeat too seriously, I don’t think there will be panic changes and I do think that the side will justify the club’s belief that beaten or not, it was their best available eleven. Tottenham Hotspur; Hollowbread, goal; Baker and Hopkins, backs; Blanchflower, Rydens and Iley, half-backs; Medwin, Harmer, Smith, and Stokes, and Robb. Forward. Everton; Dunlop, goal; Sanders and Bramwell, backs; King, Jones (captain), and Harris (B), half-backs; Fielding, Harris (J), Hickson, Collins and O’Hara, forwards. Referee; Mr. G.W. Pullen (Gloucestershire).
EVERTON RESERVE 2, BLACKBURN ROVERS 5
October 13, 1958 The Liverpool Daily Post
Against a far more versatile side Everton Reserves foundered to defeat in the Goodison Park mud. Besides Temple’s six-minute goal Everton created sufficient chances to hold a winning lead, but once Kirkup had equalized there was no stopping Blackburn. Hudson and Daly each scored twice, one in each half. Hillsdon twice cleared off the Everton goal line before Temple netted again four minutes from time. Everton’s defence was very flimsy, and in attack Temple and Williams deserved sympathy through having inadequate support.
DUNLOP’S UNHAPPY 140 MINUTES
October 13, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Albert Dunlop, the Everton goalkeeper beaten ten times at Tottenham on Saturday was ribbed unmercifully –and took it all in good part –all the way home yesterday. What co-members of the Everton team did not realize (and maybe Dunlop didn’t either) was that in his last 140 minutes of football goals have been scored against Dunlop at the rate of one every ten minutes. He endured four by the South Africans last week after taking over from the damaged Jimmy O’Neill with the game nearly half over and Tottenham supplied the others in that fantastic 90 minutes at White Hart Lane. The last time 14 goals were scored in a First Division match was way back in 1892 when Villa beat Accrington 12-2. When the engine of the train bringing Everton back from London arrived at Lime Street yesterday, it blew out steam in such clouds Jimmy Harris (hero of the defeat with a hat-trick of goals –the first hat-trick of his career) suggested the driver was mercifully producing a smoke screen to cover Everton’s arrival! Dunlop also had to endure Dave Hickson’s crack that Blackheath only beat Newport by 6-5! It is good that a defeat of this kind can be taken philosophically. It is good to be able to report that if Everton had been as punishing in their finishing as Spurs the score would have been nearer 10-7 than the rather disgracing 10-4. No away side scored more than Everton in the League on Saturday so those missed chances, some of them, so easy, were doubly vexations.
Not The Studding
For a while in the first half it looked to be as though Spurs were better shod for a rather greasy pitch, but Everton’s play after the interval –and no amendments were made to their boots meantime –proved that this was not the root cause of their failure. Not since April, 1953 have an Everton side lost so heavily. The pity is that defeat of this sort comes when all seemed set for a point and just a week before the visit to Goodison park of Matt Busby’s Manchester United. Sours won with their injured half-back Ryden, on the left wing. Everton endured defeat with Fielding nursing not one, but two knocks on the same right leg and it is a moot point whether he will be ready for Saturday’s game, which Bobby Collins must miss because he will be helping Scotland against Wales at Cardiff. Everton would be wise, I think, not to panic. The side at Tottenham has proved itself to be their best and unless Tansey is fit again, it is hard to see how it could be improved from available resources. Tottenham are liable at best to make mince-meat of any opponents at White Hart Lane and now with those two magnificent wing half-backs, Blanchflower and Iley, leading their aid as attacking forces the weight of work for the Everton defence caused them to disintegrate. Even so some of the centres which produced goals might have been better taken care of.
Much Inexperience
Everton have much inexperience in their half and full back lines and with Robb and Medwin, both far above ordinary, getting a good service of the ball the debacle was not really so surprising. Goals seemed to arise from almost every Tottenham move. Tottenham are a big competent side and Everton whose lack of inches and weight starts them at a disadvantage were never in the hunt once Spurs had re-established the lead they lost when Harris (J) countered that first goal of Stokes. From that point goals came regularly and for Tottenham, rapturously at 14 minutes (Smith), 30 minutes (Robb), 31 minutes (Smith), 34 minutes (Stokes) and 43 minutes (Medwin). So at the interval Sours went off 6-1 in front to an ovation of Cup Final proportions. Then Harris (J) got his second, with goals from Smith (69 minutes) and Harmer (82 minutes) to take the score to 8-2. Jimmy Harris made it 8-3 83 minutes, Smith scored again ay 85 minutes and then Collins and the injured Ryden rounded off the scoring to produce five goals in as many minutes –a fantastic finish.
More Propitious
There was no lack of effort from Everton as their partial second half recovery showed but equally one could not blink the fact the defences was pulled to pieces tactically by opponents who scarcely wasted a chance. In the second half Mr. Pullin, the referee could not prevent feeling entering the game, and this, more than anything I think was responsible for Spurs’ desire to rub it in. How odd that their manager Jimmy Anderson should resign on the very day of his club’s greatest triumph. And now the old Spurs half-back, Bill Nicholson, takes over, a more propitious taking over than the one which confronts John Carey when he arrives at Goodison Park a week today. Footnote to Everton’s 10-4 (shades of Highway Patrol) beating is that they lost 11-1 to Wolves at Wolverhampton on March 7, 1942 – but that was in War time soccer. On Boxing Day, 1933, Newcastle came to Goodison Park and won 7-3. Recollection of Villa’s 12-2 defeat of Accrington in 1892 suggests to me that not many people nowadays are aware of the original 12 clubs who founded the League, in 1888. So to save argument here they are; Accrington, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Derby County, Everton, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke, West Bromwich Albion, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Not one of them, you will note was placed further south than the Midlands. What a swing to the South has taken place meantime.
WELL, IS 5-0 WORSE THAN 10-4 ON AVERAGE?
October 14, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
People who follow Everton and Liverpool have been having fun with two recent scores of those clubs. Liverpool lost 5-0 at Huddersfield a week last Saturday and Everton (we can’t forget it!) lost 10-4 to Tottenham a week later. Fans have been arguing which score is the more damaging; one of them, Mr. J. Woodward, of 29 Eaton Gardens, West Derby, writes saying he is tired of telling Liverpool fans that 5-0 against is worse than 10-4 against. Well, arithmetically he’s right, since an adverse score of 10-4 works out at two-and-a-half to one against the other team’s clear five goals against but…
Judged from a goal-average standpoint it does not follow that 5-0 is worse than 10-4 or, for that matter, that 10-4 is worse than 5-0. Not being a great a=mathematician I consulted our accountant, who knows all about figure if little about soccer, and he pointed out some of the traps of goals and goal average. Assuming that two teams –A and B –have identical goal averages of 16s for and 11 against then 5-0 defeat for A would make their goals for 16 and their goals against 16 –that is, a goal scored for every goal scored against them.
MR. CAREY MAY WATCH EVERTON-UNITED GAME
October 14, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Jack Rowe
Everton’s new manager Johnny Carey, may meet his bid “boss” Matt Busby at Goodison Park on Saturday, Busby will be there with Manchester United and there is the possibility that Carey will see the match. In any event Carey is due here next Monday to begin officially his new job as Everton manager and I understand there is an opinion in Blackburn which makes it likely that he will be released before Saturday. Much, however, depends on tonight’s meeting of Blackburn Rovers directors for it is expected that Daily Duncan will put pen to the paper which makes him successor to Carey as Rovers manager. Duncan who has been Luton Town’s manager for many years said over the week-end that the Blackburn offer was too good to refuse and he is travelling to Ewood Park today. His mission is “to tie up the loose ends” of the appointment and if it becomes officials tonight –there is no doubt about this in Blackburn –then the Rovers directors may give Carey their best wishes and authority to come to Goodison Park on Saturday. Blackburn are at Burnley on Saturday and the end of this game sees the official finish of Carey’s occupation of the Ewood Park managerial chair. It would be a nice gesture by Blackburn if they made it a few hours earlier so that Carey could come to Goodison Park and begin his new task with “on the spot” congratulations and a good luck message from the man he regards so highly –Matt Busby. Carey himself would not think of asking Blackburn to release him before the 28 days period is up, and if he can see the Everton –United match on Saturday it will be due to the generosity of the Blackburn directors. Until I finish here I shall be all for the Rovers” he told me exactly three weeks ago, but it is now on the cards that he will be “all for Everton” before next Monday.”
10 GOALS DO NOT WORRY MR CAREY
October 15, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
The man you might think would be worrying most about Everton’s 10-4 thrashing at Tottenham last Saturday Johnny Carey, who will take over Everton’s chair of management on Monday morning –last night seemed to me to be anything but despondent about the role he has so willingly elected to assume. “As result such as that can happen in the best regulated circles” he said –It is just one of those things that does occur from time to time. Mr. Carey told me that he had seen Everton only once this season and that was in the floodlit game against Liverpool. You may remember that Everton were beaten in that match as well, but even defeat followed by the Tottenham shake-up has not destroyed Mr. Carey’s faith that there is hope for the Everton team. “I was not disappointment with what I saw at Anfield” he said. “I thought Everton played reasonably well and that there was the basis there for me to go to work on.” What will Mr. Carey do when he reaches Goodison? That is his secret but it will be most un-Carey-like if he wields the big stick in any direction. I think he will seek the co-operation of existing players and officials direct them along the channel, he wishes them to take and generally show itself to be the leader of a team rather than the great dictator. Outwardly I do not expect to see any startling changes. Rather would I expect him to see for himself how the present machine is functioning, and where he can improve it.
Five Year Plan
It would be wrong to expect to see any sensational and immediate improvement. Methods take time to work and even the most dynamic personally cannot translate wishes to deeds overnight. Mr. Carey knows that he will not find unlimited cash immediately at his disposal even if he were to conclude that only by going out and buying would he be given the opportunity to fashion the side according to his requirements but it is a passing phrase. Everton’s embarrassments are as transitory financially as they are in a playing sense and Mr. Carey will not find the legacy of empty coffers one which will be his constant companion. What Mr. Carey’s five year plan includes as it aims we do not know but in five years he brought promotion to Blackburn Rovers. The first stage of his new plan will be to ensure that he does not have to start that battle all over again with Everton as Blackburn’s replacements. Mr. Carey is at present showing Mr. Daily Duncan, his successor at Blackburn, round his new territory and he told me that at present it is impossible to say whether or not he would be at Goodison Park on Saturday to see his new team against his old club –Manchester United. He is employed by Blackburn Rovers until Sunday officially and he will not ask for a moment’s release to see the Everton match. If someone were to have a brain-wave and suggest that after all –there was not a lot of point in his travelling to Burnley with the Rovers, I don’t think Mr. Carey would require a lot of prompting to take a Goodison preview.
Same Again?
Mr. Ian Buchan chief coach is another man who is losing no sleep over the responsibility of choosing Everton’s next side. In what will be his final unaided selection on before fitting into the Carey pattern, which I am sure he will do to the advantage of all concerned. Mr. Buchan will not panic. He is not given to jumping off at a tangent, no matter how great others may think is the excuse, and providing Wally Fielding is fit enough to be called upon it would not surprise me at all if he were to pass a vote of confidence on players, who may benefit most by such faith in them by nominating an unchanged eleven. What a turn up it would be if the same set of players went but forget the ten holes punched in their defences, and beat the United. Wishful thinking Maybe, but how those lads would be trying to make that dream come true.
GROUSE OF AN EXILED EVERTONIAN
October 15, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Followers of Liverpool and Everton are still critical of their teams and the pity is the clubs cannot always explain the ins and outs of why they could not sign this or that player. Clearing the air in this way would obviate the writing of many letters to this columnists, but meanwhile our public (and Everton’s and Liverpool’s) are entitled to their say. Mr. J.W. Smith of Ryell Road, Kingston-on-Thames was at the Tottenham v. Everton match. He writes;-
We ardent Everton supporters who live in London and have followed out teams fortunes in the metropolis and other handy provincial towns for the past 20 years, are feeling shaken. There has not been much joy on away grounds during the past four seasons, but the latest is too much. We cannot show our faces in our clubs until this disgrace has been forgotten. Our party of loyal supporters are unanimous that blame is with the directors. The cause of the debacle in London last Saturday is all too obvious. A team without a leader, devote of purpose or plan. What can one state about a defence which concedes ten goals. Only that it was non-existent. That deterioration began on the left flank. Positional play and timing was so bad it had to be seen to be believed. Add to this the lack of interception and tackle by wing-halves and the weakness is exposed. The remainder of the team (except goalkeeper with high centres) was first class. The Everton forward line backed by the opposition halves and against the same weak defence would have scored 20 goals. Congratulations to Hickson and his other forward colleagues especially Fielding for giving we Londoners hope for the future.
Plea For Labone
Surely young Bramwell is not experienced enough yet for the first-team, although he is a good young prospect. Why not play the best player in the Reserves, Labone, the centre half at left full back. He would be ideal for covering the goal area when Jones moves out to the wing or play him at centre half and Jones at left back? An awful lot of goals are coming from opposing centre forwards and also other forwards who have come into the centre of the field –Herd (4), Hatsell (3), Smith (4). Things will probably improve when Tansey is fit (why was he ever dropped) and Parker returning from Cyprus –H. Gibbens, 30 Edinburgh Road, and Kesington.
I was glad someone asked where were the referees like Pincketon, Howcroft. Years ago I remember a match at Goodison Park between Everton and Bolton Wanderers. After ten minutes of petty fouling Howcroft called both teams including goalkeepers into the centre of the field and after a few minutes pointed to the dressing room. After that he had a good game of football and no fouls. R. Davenport, 10 Edenfield Road, Liverpool.
Is this what Everton directors meant when they said that they were going to do things bigger and better than anyone else. To be world champions you must hold records and Tottenham 10, Everton 4 is not one any losing club wants. Certainly the Arsenal of the South will never equal it. J. Thomas, Dunning Lane, Knowlsey, Liverpool.
EVERTON –BETTER THAN I THOUGHT, SAYS CAREY
October 16, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
There are two schools of thought as to what immediate effect Manager John Carey can have on his new club when he reports for duty at Goodison Park next Monday. The first says; “There can be no immediate success until he has had time to sign players.” The other argues; “A man of Carey’s factical ability must improve Everton on that quality alone.” I agree with this latter opinion, since any 11 first-class players set to play as they think fit could never weld themselves into a team without the tactical authority of a man of Carey’s football statues. He has seen Everton play once this season, but he told me yesterday. “They were a better team than I had been led to believe.” The success of Cliff Britton at Everton with a team which had few stars was an example of what could be accomplished by a manager in the true sense and surely none would deny that Manchester United, without the counsel of Matt Busby, might well be just another good First Division team. Such men as Carey and Busby earn their handsome salaries –despite what the cynics say – by their very aptitude to read a game and take steps to bolster their team where they feel it is most needed. A good manager can sometimes turn, a match from defeat to victory merely by advice at the interval. Liverpool’s last League championship season depended for two most valuable points on the removal from half-back to inside forward of W,H. Jones, for the last 10 minutes of a game at Highbury.
His Authority…
The point arises; What measure of authority will Carey have over the Everton team? The answer is a great deal, though Everton, I understand, have taken the sensible precautions, as they did with Cliff Britton, of putting in a clause giving them the right, if necessary, to put their point of view to their manager. Only in exceptional circumstances, I suppose, would they wish to avail themselves of this…
WORTH THE MONEY FOR CHARLTON ALONE
October 17, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Everton’s last match of the pre-John Carey era brings them, ironically, into competition with Manchester United, the club with whom their new manager earned most of his fame as a player – and what a player! Absent from the scene at Goodison Park tomorrow will be that other great footballing artist, both, as player and manager, Matt Busby, much of whose technique in the control of a team must have been rubbed off on to Carey in their close association at Old Trafford. Also absent, unfortunately will be Bobby Collins, of Everton, whose job this week is not to help Everton forget that awful 10-4 defeat at Tottenham, but to give Scotland a good start against Wales at Cardiff. There could have been more opportune times for his absence but Everton have never been a club to stand in the way of their players when international caps were being handed round. Only those who saw Everton lose at Tottenham know how nearly they came to rallying from 6-1 down to a score of 10-7 or thereabouts. The fact that they should have scored seven goals suggests that the match was a very freakish one in which nearly all chances were taken. Yet rabid Everton fans apparently are not prepared to forgive their side until they show tangibly that this is not the sort of thing likely to occur again. The very fact that the new Manchester United compose the next test for Everton suggests to some at least that if there is going to be any repetition of the Tottenham avalanche this is it….I do not agree and I think the team John Carey will take over on Monday will show him and coach Ian Buchan that far from losing to Manchester United they are going all out to prove the Tottenham form hopelessly wrong.
Test For Thomas, Too
For young Eddie Thomas, it will be a great test too and a chance to regain the form which suggested that he would make a first class inside forward. He will need to perform well his defensive chores if the two wing half backs are to avoid being overrun as they were at White Hart Lane. Manchester United may not be the truly great side they were but there can be no doubt that Matt Busby is fast moulding his newcomers into a team comparable with the old age one, and in Bobby Charlton he probably has the finest forward he has ever possessed. The dynamic young man, many of whose great goals have been seen on television, will help to draw a big crowd and if he scores a characteristic goal or two those alone will be worth the price of admission. Manchester United; Gregg; Foukes, Greaves; Goodwin, Cope, McGuinness, Violett, Charlton, Taylor and Scanlon.
J. HARRIS PROBLEM
October 18, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Since he switched with Fielding against Manchester City on September 13, Harris has scored six goals, compared with a blank sheet in the previous six games, but finding a satisfactory alternative to playing Harris on the wing today was a first class poser. The Central League occupant of the position is Andy Penman, the fifteen-year-old Scot. To have promoted him to League football against Manchester United was really unthinkable. Such a step could quite easily have seriously retarded his progress. Brian Harris might have been moved up and Meagan introduced at half-back but that would have meant upsetting two positions, r
Probably then, the introduction of two recognized inside-forwards, Eddie Thomas and Alec Ashworth is the most sensible way out of the difficulty. If the attack is not functioning with the required liveliness there is nothing to prevent Tommy Jones restoring Harris to an inside berth during the course of the game. Despite the trouncing Everton took at Tottenham last week there is sure to be a big crowd for Manchester United, though still building up to their pre-Munich standards, have as glamorous as assembly of players as there is to be found anywhere. First class entertainment seems assured. This will be Quixall’s first visit to Liverpool since his record transfer a few weeks ago, and even if he has not yet shown the dazzling play he is known to posses, it is only a matter of time before he does. How nice it would be to see these great expectations realized today, but how disastrous from Everton’s point of view! Alongside him as leader of the attack will be Bobby Charlton, a lad of twenty-one, with the football world at his feet, and what feet, for in each of them he packs a shot as lethal as there is to be found anywhere in the world. The side bristles with big names and the danger of another heavy Everton reverse cannot be ignored. If they can save one point from this clash I would say it would rank as their most meritorious of the season even though they will have their own supporters to encourage them. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, B. Harris; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Ashworth, O’Hara. Manchester United; Gregg; Foukes, Greaves; Goodwin, Cope, McGuinness; Violett, Quixall, Charlton, Taylor, Scanlon.
FUTURE BRIGHT WHILE BUSBY IS AT THE HELM
October 18, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Michael Charters
Manchester United, that team of not quite all the talents now, but still the greatest club draw in the game, came to Goodison Park today to tackle an Everton still smarting from their 10-4 crash at Tottenham last Saturday. The magic of United will draw the crowd – probably only a League game with neighbours Liverpool would produce a larger gate. The Busby brand of soccer has proved itself the most successful in British football since the war. Before the tragedy of Munich earlier this year, Manchester United looked capable of rolling up the honours for seasons to come with a side of brilliant stars built up by the astuteness of the Old Trafford youth policy and buying big when necessary. The galliant recovery of the club after some of its greatest names had been lost is history now – too recent to need retelling. This season manager Matt Busby is back at the helm after his own courageous fight to return to health. His team admittedly only a shadow of its former self; does not look strong enough to win either Cup or League this season and there’s no European Cup thrillers to keep them occupied either. Today United are in no more than a respectable seventh position in the League table. What is it that keeps them the glamour side of the country?
That Man Busby
It’s That Man-Busby. The fans believe; he can bring greatness to his side again and he’s certainly got the basis for it with players like Harry Gregg, Wilf McGuinness, Ron Cope, Dennis Violett, Albert Scanlon, Albert Quixall, and the king of them all –headline maker Bobby Charlton, the most talked about footballer in Britain since John Charles. The 21-years-old with the power drive in both feet, and the greatest scoring sense in the game can pull in the fans like Dixie Dean and Alex James did in days long ago. I’ll wager several thousands turn up at Goodison today just to see this lad alone, maybe taking an occasional look at £45,000 Quixall on the side. But one man doesn’t make a team, however, great he is Charlton has been getting goals for United and England but there is a distinct falling off in Busby standard at half-back and full back. The names of Goodwin-Cope-McGuinness do not inspire the same sort of confidence that Colman-Blanchflower-Edwards did. That previous vein of personality still runs through the team, however. While a team has played like United have, even in its present stage of revival, then the turnstiles will click merrily and the crowds will ignore the colder days to see them.
Rough Edges
Goodison Park will see a United with some rough edges this afternoon, not the smooth polished performance of a year ago. That is to be expected after the disaster they have been through but make no mistake about it, Manager Busby aims to get that perfection back again. So what price Everton’s chances today? Will the so near memory of their catastrophic crash last week have sapped the confidence they had gained from a run of four wins in five games. They could certainly have few more formidable opponents today to try to regain their composure with Bobby Collins and Wally Fielding absentees from the attack their inexperienced defenders may well be struggling against the explosive shooting of Charlton and the craft of Quixall and Ernie Taylor.
Best Performance
Yet again the knowledge that their new manager, Mr. Johnny Carey, arrives on Monday to take over, may bring about some of the spirit and endeavour of their game at West Bromwich, which I rate their best performance of the season. It is a pity that Collins will be away playing for Scotland against Wales and that Fielding has not recovered from the injury he received at Tottenham. They both have the skill to upset this suspect United defence. Their deputizes will do their best, have no doubt about that, but experience counts for a lot in games like this. Both Mr. Busby and his assistant, Mr. Jimmy Murphy will be at Cardiff looking after their international charges. Their team will obviously be wishing to send them a we’ve won” message after the game and on form they can get the message ready now. But Everton can rise to the occasion, match, the United power and there’s every indication of it being a great game. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, B. Harris; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Ashworth, O’Hara. Manchester United; Gregg; Foukes, Greaves; Goodwin, Cope, McGuinness; Violett, Quixall, Charlton, Taylor, Scanlon.
INJURED COPE LEADS UNITED FIGHT BACK
October 18, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Jimmy Harris Adds Great Solo Effort
Everton 3, Manchester United 2
By Jack Rowe
Everton; Dunlop, goal; Sanders and Bramwell, backs; King, Jones (captain), and Harris (B), half-backs; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Ashworth, and O’Hara, forwards. Manchester United;- Gregg, goal; Foulkes and Greaves, backs; Goodwin, Cope and McGuinness, half-backs; Violett, Quixall, Charlton, Taylor and Scanlon, forwards. Referee; Mr. P.J. Smyth (London). The crowd’s roar quickly created a cup-tie atmosphere and there were prospects for Everton in their first attack when Hickson cleverly got O’Hara away. The winger centred against Foukes, however, and from the full back’s clearance Charlton nearly beat Jones. United’s next raid produced a corner on the left and from this two Everton defenders misjudged their jumps so badly that the ball travelled on to Violett who breasted it down nicely before making a lob which Dunlop caught. A Violett dribble was an excellent piece of work and then golden boy Quixall came tearing through until Jones moved in to put the ball into touch. United’s football in these early moments certainly had more polish than Everton’s with Scanlon giving Sanders an anxious time. Twice in quick succession the Everton defence were slow in the reaction to centres from the left winger, but on each occasion the ball was just diverted from the lethal foot of Charlton.
Great Save
Sanders again had to face the torment of trying to stop Scanlon and could not do it so that the winger came in rapidly and swept in a magnificent low drive which was saved with equal brilliance by Dunlop at full length. United had wasted no time at all in getting on top and Everton next escaped because Sanders was in the way of Scanlon’s shot. Before the danger was cleared Dunlop, at full length had to collect a hasty back pass from Sanders. The crowd did not like an offside decision against Hickson but I thought the linesman’s verdict a correct one. Everton had a chance of going ahead when a quick ball through the middle caught United expecting an offside decision against Thomas. With the referee disagreeing with them the Everton man was left in the clear. He shot first time as Gregg came out and the ball scraped the bar. Hickson made a glancing header which flashed just outside and then Taylor delivered a first time hook shot from a Violett centre, but the ball passed just over the angle. Everton were showing no signs of a handover from last week’s 10-4 defeat. Indeed in 19 minutes they took the lead with a splendid opportunist goal from Thomas. Ashworth’s back pass to Bramwell was lobbed forward by the full back into the United’s penalty area and when the ball bounced, Thomas with fine anticipation, nipped in to make a header which passed into the net over the out coming Gregg. Everton had hit back splendidly from United’s opening burst and they maintained the attack, with Gregg losing his grip of a free kick from Brian Harris without paying the top penalty. At this point the crowd were now slow to show how they felt about some robust United defending. A fine shot from Goodwin was collected with certainly by Dunlop near the post and then there was a further hint of unsteadiness in United’s left flank when Greaves was almost short with a back pass to Gregg as Hickson challenged. The 37th minute brought a second goal to Everton with Thomas again the scorer. Greaves, fouled Hickson about eight yards outside the penalty area and Jimmy Harris took the free kick, Gregg could not hold the shot and as the ball bounced clear Thomas pounced on it and although his first attempt was blocked, he recovered possession and rammed the ball home. Jones promptly offered his regrets when he pulled Charlton down and there was also a charging duel between Hickson and Gregg which, however, did not merit the referee’s intervention. United were shaken and Hickson was adding to the trials of the Old Trafford defence by the way he was beating Cope in the air. Even Charlton and Taylor came back to line up when Everton got another free kick and a third goal was only inches away because Hickson took the side flick from Jimmy Harris and crashed the ball just outside the far post.
Half-time; Everton 2, Manchester United nil.
Straight from the restart Hickson got O’Hara away, and when this attack was cleared the Everton leader had Gregg coming out of goal to snatch up a pass which was on its way to Jimmy Harris. The United defence was riddled with uncertainly and hesitancy. Dunlop’s quickly going down to the feet of Quixall from a sharp Scanlon centre stopped United getting one back. When Quixall did show a flash of brilliance it was wasted because Charlton struck such a poor shot from his pass. The crowd went wild when Everton went to three up in 53 minutes and they had every reason to show their feelings for Jimmy Harris’ goal was a wonder effort. He took over the ball from Hickson in a spot just inside the Everton half, and set off on a run which had Greaves and McGuinness going all the wrong way. Harris’ speed took him into the penalty area before anyone else could hope to make a tackle, and his low, swift right foot shot, sped to the corner of the net with Gregg diving unavailingly. It is a long time since I have seen Everton playing better as a team. Cope was limping slightly and eventually went to outside right with Violett falling back and McGuinness in the centre half position. The 72nd minute brought United a goal and a good one as well. It was Taylor’s long pass a real defence splitter so that Cope could run in from the wing and crash a right foot shot past Dunlop from about 12 yards. A minute later Dunlop was diving to get his finger tips to a quickly taken cross shot from Scanlon and their goal had bucked up United to such an extent that they were looking better them at any time since the opening few minutes. The excitement continued as United came right back into the match with a second goal in 82 minutes. There was danger immediately Charlton got the ball on the fringe of the penalty, and although Dunlop managed to knock down his terrific drive he could not keep possession and Cope was there to slip the ball into the net. Result; Everton 3, Manchester United 2.
10-4 SOUNDS LIKE A NIGHTMARE-ND IT WAS JUST THAT
October 18, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Blanchflower Is Not Purely An Attacking Wing-Half
Says Tommy Jones
Reflecting on the calamitous event at White Hart Lane last Saturday, I was struck by the thought of how the tactics of successful teams are built around the players at their disposal. Tottenham, being the chief architects of this idea, should be given pride of place due to their wonderful showing against us. Looking through this team one is surprised that the mainspring of the attack, Harmer, although small, never stops moving, and the other lightweight in the eleven, Danny Blanchflower, has similar characteristics. Both players ignore defensive tendencies and concentrate on attack. We’ve been led to believe (and on other occasions they’ve been correct) that Danny is purely an attacking wing half relying on his colleagues to supply him with the ball from defence. Alas! On this occasion Danny showed adaptability both for defence and attack. The Sours tactics reply entirely on movement within the side, each player looking for the ball from a colleague and not dwelling on it. They move the ball from man to man with the greatest of ease. They have two good wingers who are not afraid to switch positions cut into the byeline and either chip or put the ball back for an in-running colleague. Smith, their captain and centre-forward is good in the air and shoots on every possible occasion. It sound like a nightmare to all Spurs opponents, and believe me, last Saturday it was just that. Take a look through the successful teams in the league and note their tactics of style of play. Take Wolverhampton Wanderers last Season’s champions. Physically they are a big side, especially so in defence and what they lack in height of weight they make up for with a toughness and speed that shows a hard training schedule.
Strong Wing Halves
The Wolves style of play is built round players with at least one of these traits in their make-up. Defence strong, revolving around Billy Wright. Two wing halves with plenty of stamina and the ability with a long through ball to which their attack responds. Both wingers are fast, and with Murray and Broadbent showing speed and control they combined well to produce a quick attacking side. Mention Blackpool and one cannot omit the name of Stan Matthews. Without detriment to the other players in the team Blackpool and Matthews go together like salt and vinegar. Blackpool’s tactics seems to be to give the ball to Stars in spells, completely ignoring him for lengthy periods. I may be wrong, but it may be to give Stan a breather; After all if you can get the best out of Matthews just for a third of the game it may mean the difference between winning and losing. Preston have Finney, Bolton with their team of locals, blending a big strong defence with a skilful forward line, Lofty being the spearhead. Burnley’s diminutive forward line, short corners etc, Liddell and Liverpool, West Ham, big, strong, bustling, Manchester United’s all attacking style. The teams and situations are endless, but they all have a basic style best suited to the individuals at their disposal. In a nutshell, tactics are built round a team, and not a team around tactics.
England’s Trouble?
Perhaps that could be the problem with our national team. I don’t wish to delve into this too deeply, as I believe letting the man for the job do the job. The international level may be a little beyond my scope, but other less knowns have dabbed and what a another viewpoint along so many? Sweden during the summer months emphasized that England’s selectors gambled on the wrong tactics; I too, am being wise after the event. But let’s learn from our mistakes. The attacking elements of the team was selected mainly on their “never say die” attitude. Players with more football ability were neglected because they “only came in spells,” a in Matthews. But look at the successful teams in the competition. The Brazilian team was comprised of ball players through and through. The runners up Sweden were the oldest team in the competition but they emphasized that there is no substitutes for talent. These countries gambled on naming footballers first, and then devising their tactics afterwards. There couldn’t be a better argument.
IT’S A WONDER IT DOESN’T HAPPEN MORE OFTEN!
October 18, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Says Albert Dunlop
I have often wondered what it would be like to play in a game when most of the shots at the goal were out of the goalkeeper’s reach, or when the deflections went between the sticks instead of just missing them. Well, it was my misfortune to play in just one of those games last Saturday at Tottenham. When nothing went right for our side and nothing wrong for the Spurs. However, do not let it be said that the ball ran luckily for Tottenham, they made it run for them and on that showing they would have taken quite a number of goals out of any side in the country. When you get two attacking wing halves of the calibre of Blanchflower and Iley hitting their top form along with forwards such as Medwin, Harmer, and Smith the side playing against them is in for a packet of trouble. Well against us they clicked and ran riot and as one of our defenders said “Their seemed to be scores of white shirts all over the place? To be a goalkeeper in a situation like that is an undesirable job, and to see the look of depression on your teammates faces every time you pick the ball from the back of the net can on quite nerve-wracking if you let I get you down. I realized on Saturday how Bert Trauntmann must have felt last season when he fished out of the net nine goals scored by West Bromwich Albion. You just cannot believe it. One point in our favour was that our boys never gave up fighting and if any luck had been coming our way at all we might had had another four goals on top of those we got. What a result that would have been yet as a goalkeeper I can honestly say that I have played in many games where if the shots that hit the woodwork had gone in, and the shots I had parried had been intercepted by forwards, then the result would have been similar to Saturday’s. Most goalkeepers will, I think back me up on this statement. One example I can proof is the Cup-tie we played against Manchester United two seasons ago when they ran off winners, one nil. People said that day that I played very well but was also very lucky. In my opinion it was luck that kept the score to that proportion in the second half. I can remember the late Tommy Taylor shooting and heading just wide on numerous occasions, in that game, where on Saturday shots and headers were just scrapping the woodwork and going in.
Superior Side
However, do not let us take away the glory of Tottenham’s win, and also our boys fight back when really up against it. We realized that we had been beaten by a far superior side on the day and fought and played as well as we were allowed. This is one of the main reasons we were not a depressed side after the game, everyone taking the ribbing about the game very well. I can assure you that most of the remarks about television shows were made by our players in the bath after the game, and one of the best was made by a spectator as we left the field; “My my, Dunlop looks tired.”
BLACKPOOL RES V EVERTON RES
October 18, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Blackpool Reserves;- Caine, goal; Martin and Singleton, backs; Hauser, Scot and Fenton, half-backs; Gregson, Salt, Field, Armstrong and Barnes, forwards. Everton Reserves;- Griffiths (G), goal; Griffiths (B), and Hillsdon, backs; Rea, Labone, and Meagan, half-backs; Penmen, Temple, Harburn, Wignall, and Williams, forwards. Referee; Mr. I. Seddon (Preston). Field kick-off for Blackpool and they broke away on the left, but the raid was quickly relieved by Hillsdon. Slowness on the part of the Blackpool defence left Temple with a good chance and he raced into the goalmouth, but shot wide. Everton were soon back when a free kick near the centre shot put Penman away. He won a corner to which Harburn rose for a header only to see Caine beautifully placed to take his effort. After 10 minutes Armstrong put Blackpool ahead with a clever lob. Hillsdon almost cleared this off the line but the referee ruled a goal. In the 19th minute Temple equalized for Everton with a splendid shot. The game was more even as the half progressed. Left winger Williams was prominent for Everton.
Half-time; Blackpool Res 1, Everton Res 1.
CHEERS ALL THE WAY FOR EVERTON
October 20, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 3, Manchester United 2
By Horace Yates
Surely, inconsistency is the only thing consistent in football! With the ghost of Tottenham past (10-4 and all that) scattered to the four corners of Goodison Park. Everton pulled out a performance that had their supporters when they could spare the time between delighted cheers, cubbing their eyes in wonderment as they saw their team dictating to an overplayed. Manchester United, packed as they were with an assembly of six full internationals, Had a turnstile been specially opened to return money to customers who considered they had been given something less than full value, I doubt it the clicks would have been sufficiently numerous to have disturbed the stumbles of any resident mouse. Any disappointments there may have been must inevitably have word a cloak of red (and not the Anfield red at that), but the fighting finish that threatened so dramatically to convert soccer justice into a laughting stock, did much to erase painful Manchester memories and produced the agreed conclusion –a spanking game. Two points helped to lift Everton from the bottom rung of the ladder and permitted Mr. Ian Buchan to hand over to Mr. Johnny Carey today, the cares of management with the report that though all may not yet be well, the patient is showing a remarkably strong determination to continue life in the exclusive society of First Division membership.
Overhead Threat
So easily the result could have been a 3-3 draw, for with time running out and United only one goal in arrears that bundle of football artistry and inteingence, Taylor, directed an overhead, kick at the Everton goal with such power and accuracy that Dunlop was beaten, and only a friendly home cross bar kept the ball in play. Undeniably, there had been other misses too, by both sides; but this was the last lingering memory of Everton deliverance. Quixall with the £45,000 price tag, suspended like a load of lead about him has scarcely accomplished anything to warrant his being termed a mascot for he has yet to help United to a victory and achieved nothing in this battle to make class speak for itself. In success failure or indifference soccer owes a resounding debt to Manchester United. How many of the crowd, I wonder, noticed that the referee had to sound his whistle twice in order to start the game. The first blast was drowned by the Cup-tie like roars of the crowd and the referee had to advance nearer and blow louder for the game to get under way. There was not long to wait for Matt Busby’s boys to show us soccer as we like to see it played. First Viollet and then Scanlon produced pace and ball control that was as pretty as it was challenging and we began to wonder how Sanders could possible live through an impending Scanlon storm.
Charlton Held
In these opening minutes of trial, Everton not only stood firm but dug themselves in First time lacking unerring and courageous first halted the United drive blunted the attack, and then captured the initiative. Charlton whose shooting reputation is in no degree misplaced, accorded to himself the freedom of Goodison Park, in that he wandered at will wherever the spirit moved him, but no matter where he went whatever subterfuge he attempted there like a shadow and a most tenacious aggressive shadow was Jones, thwarting him at every turn in as masterly a display of defensive centre half play as he has given for many a day. Alongside was Brian Harris completely dependable, worried not the slightest by the Quixall reputation and taking almost all the honours of their private tussle. Sanders found a way of dealing with Scanlon and the picture changed dramatically Everton roared into the attack and with Thomas in the clear, faced only by Gregg the stage was set for the first goal, Thomas put the ball over the bar and cheers turned to groans but there was no time to ponder over missed opportunity, for play was flowing far too fast and excitingly to worry too long about a single incident. In nineteen minutes Bramwell lofted the ball right into the United penalty area. Fortuitous bounce it may have been, but there was Thomas fastening on to the ball with the most commendable enterprise to nod it over the advancing Gregg for the first goal. There might have been a penalty when Hickson was pushed two or three yards as he waited to connect with a falling ball. The referee missed it and the thrills continued.
Thomas Again
Everton were not playing as though one goal advantage was sufficient to satisfy that appetite and the second came in thirty seven minutes when J. Harris sent his free kick to the foot of Thomas. The inside forward cracked the ball into goal and Gregg was thankful to knock it down. Thomas was there to claim the rebound and again the ball was in the United net. Seemingly this was too good to be true, but there was no doubting no denying Everton’s entitlement to their lead. Everton might have retired three goals ahead with the slightest bit of luck for Hickson flashed a shot no more than six inches wide of an upright, with Gregg beautifully placed to see what was happening but helpless to do anything constructive about it. Violett reminded us that a game is not won until it is lost with a swerving corner kick, for which Dunlop earned the highest praise in bringing the ball back from under the bar. Everton’s grip was intensified when Jimmy Harris belying the fears that his effectiveness would be impaired by his removal to the wing, streaked along the touch line, leaving a helpless McGuinness and Greaves in his wake to drive home a magnificent goal with as fine a shot as anybody could ever wish to see. The United defence seemingly full of Sergeant majors, shouting orders one to the other, was very near panic stations at times. Any hopes they may have had of mounting a challenge seemed to have faded when Cope limping from a thing injury took over from Violett and yet he was the man who fanned Manchester hopes of salvaging something from the wreck into flame. From Taylor’s prompting he scored in 72 minutes and ten minutes later after Charlton shot had been knocked down by Dunlop, Cope drove the ball home again. Everton; Dunlop, goal; Sanders and Bramwell, backs; King, Jones (captain), and Harris (B), half-backs; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Ashworth, and O’Hara, forwards. Manchester United;- Gregg, goal; Foulkes and Greaves, backs; Goodwin, Cope and McGuinness, half-backs; Violett, Quixall, Charlton, Taylor and Scanlon, forwards. Referee; Mr. P.J. Smyth (London).
WILLIAMS STARS FOR EVERTON RES
October 20, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
Blackpool Res 1, Everton Res 2
Everton Reserves thoroughly deserved their win over Blackpool Reserves at Bloomfield Road on Saturday after being a goal down within ten minutes. Their star was outside left Williams a fast and elusive winger who spelled danger every time he had the ball. The inside two of Temple, Harburn and Wignall also looked good while the defence was solid enough to check the weak Blackpool attack. The Everton goals came from Temple (19 minutes) and Harburn (70 minutes) after Armstrong had put Blackpool ahead. Everton team was; Griffiths (G); Griffiths (B), Hillsdon; Rea, Labone, Meagan; Penman, Temple, Harburn, Wignall, Williams.
BETTER TOO MANY
October 20, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Coach Ian Buchan leaves for a fortnight’s holiday in Scotland full of admiration for the co-operation of his players in making the Manchester United match such a triumphant one. “This is the last match you will play under my control,” he had told them. “Give it all you’ve got.” I doubt whether any Everton side ever put more in and when Manager John Carey arrived this morning to take over he must have murmured a silent thank you to the man who has done so well for the club during his period of caretakership.
In other circumstances John Carey might have found Everton’s First Division position almost hopeless from the outset….With Collins returning after Scotland’s great 3-0 won at Cardiff and Fielding expected to be in training within a day or two Everton changes are inevitable and the return from Cyprus this week of Alex Parker my add to the number, but no one worries. Better to have too many good players to fit in than too few. And Fielding’s career is at the stage when best effect can be gained by playing him as when necessary.
Everton’s win rubbed out a large extent memory of that painful Tottenham ten. And more than 64,000 people were witness of what can be done by a team which plays as though their lives depend on it… There were times, in the first ten minutes, when United strolled through, especially on the left, as though scoring was almost a formality, but Everton were so gritty, so determined it was no long before the vision faded. Then, with United always looking to have the better craftsmen, individually, they were so chivved and chased by half-backs –with help from young Ashworth – their cleverness and artistry was cut short before it reached finality. There were times also, when Greaves ad others in the United defence were panicked.
Particularly The First
Thomas’s two goals were well taken – particularly the first Gregg is usually not the sort to allow anyone to get there first, as Thomas did when he nodded the ball upwards and over the goalkeeper from the slightest of chances. I don’t blame Gregg for not being able to hold the cracking shot Jimmy Harris delivered from a free kick but it was splendid opportunism by Thomas which actually produced the goal. The best goal of all was Jimmy Harris’ –what a great day he had –which shot Everton into a 3-0 lead and left little margin for United’s recovery. Oddly it was only when Cope had to go on the wing, injured, that his side began to play as though they might pull the game, round. Taylor “made” Cope’s first goal with as fine a pass as there was all day; Charlton’s great shot, which Dunlop could only half-save, led to Cope’s second and it was left to Taylor (whose laces could almost be heard rasping on the ball) to produce the over-head shot that all but made the score 3-3, Dunlop edging this most unexpected missile on to the face of the cross-bar. This was one many fine pieces of work by Dunlop, not least his anticipation in dropping on to a reverse pass by Jones that was travelling too fast and too wide for any Evertonian liking.
Like A Cup-Tie
It was a wonderfully heartening victory in a match throbbing with excitement and incident; indeed no cup-tie could have been fuller of drama. United played as well as they were allowed and they weren’t allowed a lot. Yet the unmistakable genius of Charlton, the most relaxed man of 22, was always here. This boy has two good feet, as they say, and knows how to use the inside and outside of both. With the ball on its way to him he seems to have three courses open to him and usually feints to do two of them before he takes the ball away. But he was frustrated by Everton’s all-out defence in which one covered the other with such team spirit as is rarely seen. Quixall came off even worse Jones has regained his best form; he has rarely had a more commanding match. Minus Fielding and Collins Everton’s attack was likely to miss on two important cylinders. In fact it did nothing of the sort. And there, all the time, was Hickson using the ball well; heading it most effectively as focal link up of right and flanks.
Just As Well
One may have faulted Everton on their failure to find their men with long clearances, but there could be no doubt of their willingness to make a match of it and to wipe out that infamous 10-4. Thomas for his goals, Ashworth for his help to the defence, and Harris (J.) for his enlivening and highly successful right-wing sprints, played their part and the team showed such effort one almost asked “Why has it been so long in coming to the surface?” Just as well, perhaps, neither Matt Busby nor Jimmy Murphy were on hand to see their club put through the hoop. Viollet seems wasted on the wing; the attack this time, held the ball far too close and indulged (not like them) in too many individual intricacies for the good of the side.
MR. CAREY TAKES OVER AT GOODISON PARK
October 20, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Attractive Football Is Aim For Club
Welcome By Players
By Leslie Edwards
Mr. John Carey, Everton F.C’s new manager, strolled unconcernedly into the club offices this morning, at Goodison Park, with the avowed intention of making his new team the No 1 side in British football. He was welcomed by the Chairman, Mr. Dick Searle, by Directors Colin Askham and Jack Taylor, and by training and playing staff who were on parade to a man to meet the new guv’nor. With a brain as incisive as the knife-edged slacks be wore, he typified the new order of football management such as may be found only at the most successful of clubs in contemporarily soccer. One could not help being impressed by his bearing by his common sense, by his knowledge of the game and by his thankfulness that he was taking over so much more advantage after the winner the day after his appointment. Mr. Carey knows (and appreciates it seems) that Everton have won five of their last seven league matches.
Sense of Humour
Characteristically, there was no fuss about the welcome, Indeed once, he had answered the many questions one wanted to put he was keen to get down to the day’s work. He has a sense of humour, this man poured from the Matt Busby mould, a quizzical eye the slightest Irish brogue to show that though he has played and managed so long here, he is at heart an Irishman. Yet an Irishman rather more phlegmatic than most and essentially a man of balanced judgment in all things. He might have arrived, on Saturday timing his first appearance on the occasion –of a great match –and a greater victory. Instead he went secretly to Blackpool and saw Everton Reserves –the men on whom he must base his main hopes for the future. He liked what he saw, he told the team so. He was not missing this opportunity –he won’t get another for some time –or seeing the up-and- coming brigade. Mr. Carey was introduced to all the players by the club captain Tom Jones. He met the training staff. He told me he proposed no training changes for the time being. “I don’t say that I will not make them in the light of events,” he added. Similarly with tactics. The new Everton chief does not believe as some managers do, in making their players fit a slavish tactical scheme. Rather does he aim at making the tactics fit players under command. So much depends on their strengths and weaknesses. It is clear that this new broom will not make sweeping changes. He wants to see what talent he has; he believes he has a good deal and better, he considers Everton are showing wonderful team spirit. He says he is better off taking over at Everton than he was when he took over struggling Blackburn Rovers five years ago. Blackburn, he explained were a Second Division club with many ageing stars; Everton are a much younger side and Everton let’s not forget it are in Division One. If one imagined Mr. Carey’s aim was to steer Everton from relegation one would be wrong. He’s not concerned about relegation. His whole plan to make Everton great is based on the principle of producing attractive football designed to win matches. His uses of the word attractive is heartening; he seen in football more than the means to an end. Obviously the principle that if you keep playing good football you are almost invariably guaranteeing matches won is in his mind. Followers of Everton from the days when Goodison Park was known as the School of Science have found a fresh champion. Let us have winning football, if possible but football worth watching always would seen to be Mr. Carey’s dictum.
Soccer Gentleman
There is nothing grim about this former Manchester United player whose wonderful games against Everton and Liverpool stamped him as one of soccer’ a great gentleman. The only injury of the great career was a cut eye which needed two stitches. So as a player he got what he deserved. Some of the present Everton team have met the new manager on the field. I’ve been kicked by a few of them,” he said light-heartily. Mr. Carey believe that Monday should be a working day; that Wednesday should be devoted to relaxation. He favours golf on this day and maybe if he’s not too busy he’ll join the players at some local links. As manager of the Republic of Ireland team he is doubly interested in Jimmy O’Neill’s well-being. The goalkeeper come’s out of hospital today after his cartilage operation. Alec Parker, Everton’s newly signed back, who has still to kick a ball for the club, should arrive from Cyprus by air this week and will go straight to the Liverpool home, he has never seen. His return will make Mr. Carey’s task easier, though Jimmy Tansey has now damaged the other ankle and instead of returning must remain inactive for some time. I left Mr. Carey posing for a photograph against a back ground of Everton’s huge velvet-lined trophy cabinet. It was empty except for the massive gold Liverpool County F.A Cup and a plaque presented recently by the visiting South African team. It may have occurred to Mr. Carey fit certainly occurred to me) that there was room for plenty more, and if my reading of the determination of the new manager means anything it may well be a full home of trophies when he has moulded his new team to his own high standards.
MR. CAREY SAYS –CARRY ON, EVERTON
October 21, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Carry on, Everton! Under new management the club may be, but Mr. Johnny Carey’s first orders were; “Away with the brooms. There will be no clean-sweep here.” He was welcomed to Goodison by the chairman, Mr. Dick Searle, vice-chairman Mr. Fred Micklesfield and directors Mr. Colin Askman, and Mr. Jack Taylor. The training staff and players found yesterday was just another day, for they soon discovered that the “boss” had no fancy ideas about training to fling at them by way of introduction. He discussed the routine generally followed, saw no reason for any immediate change and for the time being will be he the observer instead of the observed. Changes, if they must come, will be introduced in the light of experience. Mr. Carey cannot fail to make friends. No dictator is he and yet he gave me the impression that he could achieve his ends with a player without even hinting that he was laying down the law. His attitude is that there is a great deal to be done, but that there is plenty of time to do it. No bull-at-a-gate ideas will be allowed to creep into Everton’s plans in a chase after spectacular and immediate results. In his day as a player Mr. “Gentleman John,” Carey had neither the time nor use for rough tactics. The years between have brought no change in outlook, and while obviously victories are a basic necessity entertainment value and football artistry will rank high in all future planning. Not only does Mr. Carey aim to see realized his opinion that Everton are potentially the No 1 club in the country, but he seeks also to encourage the attainment of that goal by the sort of play that will make them as welcome on any ground in the country as they will be at Goodison Park –or almost.
Photographic Memory
His alert active mind and great wealth of experience of both play and players make an immediate impact on any audience. All memory that appears almost photographic in its accuracy and observation suggests that he will never miss a trick in any game and I can imagine that when match inquests ate held players will be shattered by the way in which events are reconstructed. As well as being a business, Mr. Carey thinks football is fun good fun, and the lads are content in the knowledge that happiness in their work is assured. Impressively shrewd and clear-minded, Mr. Carey told me that he is not bringing a playing policy to Goodison and trying to make the players fit it. On the contrary he will watch the lads in their play assess the strength and weakness and formulate a plan which he considers best suited to their individual capacity. Mr. Carey is no stranger to some of the players as be recalled with a chuckle. More than one of them have taken a kick at me in the past.” The formula he laid down at Blackburn will not necessarily be that which will be adopted at Goodison. For a start he must make his own assessments, but don’t imagine that he will daily over the procedure I was told that Johnny can go to a match to watch a player, and while others are thinking about their verdict, his is made and ready for the record almost invariably with unerring accuracy. If he wished he could boast that during his five years at Blackburn, no stars slipped away though his fingers. Had he so chosen, Mr. Carey could have seen Everton’s triumph against Manchester United but he preferred to slip along to Blackpool, silently and at least for the first half unobserved.
Talent In Side
Afterwards he slipped down to the dressing room saw the players and complimented them on their game. Without going into details, Mr. Carey said he thought there was talent in the side. All in all Mr. Carey has not inherited the outsize in headaches that he must have been convinced was likely to be his when he signed his five years contract, for Goodison’s immediate outlook, if not exactly dazzling in its promise has shed the somber, depressing and unappetizing appearance produced by the opening weeks of failure. At least Mr. Carey has not taken over a bottom-of-the-table club and that is something he could never reasonably have anticipated. One thing above all others left its impression on Mr. Carey’s mind after talking with the players, and that was their tremendously high team spirit. Goodison Park was a cheering scene yesterday. Collins was back, Fielding was training, O’Neill was discharged from hospital and Scottish full back Alec Parker today begins three weeks leave. Nobody knows how fit Parker is likely to be, but he is expected at the ground during the week. Already he has been provided with a house that formerly occupied by the ex-team captain Peter Farrell. As optimism built up to encouraging proportious there was only one set back – Tansey. Ready for consideration for restoration to the first team after damaging his ankle he has the misfortune to hurt the other at Blackpool.
COLLINS RETURNS FOR EVERTON
October 22, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Parker Here Tomorrow
Fielding Rests
By Jack Rowe
Everton’s new manager Johnny Carey announced his first team today and it shows one change from last week for the match against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Saturday. Bobby Collins the Scottish international who scored a goal in his country’s 3-0 victory over Wales at Cardiff last Saturday, returns at inside left with Alec Ashworth dropping out. Eddie Thomas scorer of two goals in the 3-3 win over Manchester United, retains the inside right position with Jimmy Harris staying at outside right. Mr. Carey said to today that Wally Fielding was still feeling the effects of the injury he sustained at Tottenham Hotspur and that another week’s rest “would do him good.” Good news for Mr. Carey is that Scottish star full back Alec Parker, home after his Army duty in Cyprus, is arriving in Liverpool on leave tomorrow and will be at Goodison Park on Friday morning.
May Train
“Parker tells me he has had several games while in Cyprus and I am sure he will want to start training as soon as possible. He may even do a little on Friday,” said Mr. Carey. When I asked Mr. Carey if it was possible that Parker might play his first game for Everton in the floodlight match against Liverpool at Goodison Park next week the Everton manager was non-committal. “So many factors have to be considered he said. “Parker has just returned from Cyprus and it would not be fair to throw him straight into a local derby. Of course, much depends on the situation after I have seen and spoken to him and on how he feels but I certainly will not rush him. Mr. Carey added. Parker has a house in Liverpool and is now on leave until November 19. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, Harris (B); Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins, O’Hara.
Everton Reserves; (v Sheffield United Reserves at Goodison Park); Griffiths (G); Hillsdon, Griffiths (B); Rea, Labone, Meagan; Penman, Temple, Harburn, Kirby, Williams.
EVERTON EIRE SCOUT IN ROW
October 23, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Everton’s Eire scout Mr. Charlie Liddy has resigned from the junior Council on the Football Association of Ireland, and has also relinquished his position of chairman of the Athletic Union League. Mr. Liddy’s resignation follows the announcement of the finding of the special commission set up by the F.A.I, last month to inquire into Mr. Liddy’s eligibility to legislate in Irish football and at the same time hold a £1,000 a year, plus expenses, scouting post with Everton. Mr. Liddy informed the commission that he was willing to resign from the council but wished to continue his association with the Athletic Union League. The commission’s finding were endorsed by the full senior Council of the F.A.I and Mr. Liddy was given a month to decide between his Everton position and his various offices in Irish junior football.
PARKER READY TO PLAY TOMORROW
October 24, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Alex Parker, Everton’s Scottish international right back is home and ready for immediate duty – of the soccer variety not military for a welcome change. When Parker reports at Goodison Park this morning for the first time since he was signed by Everton during the close season, not only will he be impatient to get into training kit, but manager Johnny Carey would have to raise only one eyebrow by way of encouragement for Parker to pluck up courage to ask a favour –a game with Everton reserves tomorrow. “I would like a game on “Naturally, I would prefer to start in the reserves to give me a chance to find my feet. Any promotion I get I want to earn. “During the eighteen weeks or so I was in Cyprus my battalion averaged about one game a week. We would hunt terrorists one week and then have a week’s rest. During this time we sometimes had three games in the space of seven days, and have had two matches in successive days. “The football was not League standard, but at least it has helped to keep me fit. I have not put on any weight and am convinced that a week of solid training will put me in top match condition. “Actually I have been playing at right half in Cyprus. There was not an awful lot to do at back in these matches and I felt I was more in the game at half-back. “ Parker’s one ambition is to spend his leave playing football, I have seldom seen anybody keener to go into action. “Exciting news for Everton supporters is that they are likely to have far more opportunity of seeing Parker in action in the coming weeks than they ever expected.
View Of Goodison
Not only is he on leave now until November 19, but when he returns to his unit he expects to be there no longer than three weeks before coming on leave again until the New Year, to permit the amalgamation of the Royal Scots Fustillers with the Highland Light Infantry, so that football looks likely to play a more important part in Parker’s immediate future than matters military. Playing in the same team in Cyprus was Ritchie, the Glasgow Rangers goalkeeper and Stevenson of Ayr United with many reserve team players. From average temperatures of around 84 degrees and with only five minutes rainfall in eighteen weeks of Cyprus service, twenty three-years-old Parker will find Goodison Park much yielding than the fields that have served as pitches abroad. Today will gave Parker only the second view of the Everton ground his first being last year when he played for Scotland in the under-23 international match with England a game in which Everton’s Eddie O’Hara also figured. Parker told me he had now seen two or three English League games in his life so that he was unable to form any worthwhile opinion as to the merits of football of either side of the Border. On Wednesday he and his pals set out to watch the England v. Russia game at Wembley, but were delayed en route and were too late. The Scot will be among friends from the start, for in addition to O’Hara, he knows Bobby Collins quite well and has played in Army football with Brian Harris and Derek Temple. He has never met his new manager, and in fact the nearest approach Manager Carey has been to seeing Parker was a view of him on the television screen. Parker and his wife are living in a club house at Litherland, that was formerly occupied by Peter Farrell. It was not until Wednesday night that Parker saw his new home for the first time. Married in February and then away on the World Cup trip to Sweden, Parker returned to Scotland, one Tuesday evening in June to find a telegram awaiting him ,telling him to report to his battalion the following day and he was in Cyprus two days later. Mrs. Parker chose the home in his absence, and settled in soon afterwards.
SENSIBLE MR. CAREY
October 24, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Manager Johnny Carey’s first two Everton missions, oddly enough, have taken him to Blackpool. He was there a week ago to see the Reserves. He now goes with the first team in his first official away trip. I think he has been very wise indeed to put up the “business as usual” sign under that which reads “under new management.” There would have been no sense in making sweeping changes in a team which has done so little wrong in their last seven games. It is typical of Mr. Carey that he should not want to make headlines too early. The return of Collins was essential. His experience against a team of Blackpool’s calibre should help his club to show that they have forgotten all about Tottenham and that they remember instead only Manchester United. Though the newly-returned Parker is back from Cyprus and raring to go there was never any hope that he could make his bow in this match. Doubtless he will be on hand to tomorrow to see how his team-mates perform. His injection into the side depends on how soon he can be made fully fit. These things take time and he will want a few games before he is ready for the test imposed by an introduction into English soccer. Everton are still in the relegation area, but their new manager has said that he is not relegation-minded. He wants attractive football as an essential victories, he contends will follow. Everton will take a big contingent to see the results of Mr. Carey’s first week’s work. I do not think they will be disappointed. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, Harris (B); Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins, and O’Hara.
Blackpool delayed selection of their team until later today to see whether Stanley Matthews had recovered from a knock on the ankle, and wing half Brian Snowdon was also doubtful with a leg injury. If Matthews is unfit, there will be a forward shuffle from the side which went down 4-0 at Bolton last Saturday.
NO TEAM WORRIES
October 25, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton have no team worries all the selected players for the visit to Blackpool being fit. Alex Parker will accompany the side, but only to watch the match. He had his first training session at Goodison Park yesterday but manager Johnny Carey considers the best plan is to introduce him to serious preparation on Monday rather than rush him into premature action. With Stanley Matthews reporting fit, Bramwell could quite easily be one of the busiest men at Bloomfield Road, as for all his years, Matthews remains extremely mobile and as difficult to hold as ever he was. This will undoubtedly be Bramwell’s biggest test to date and to have to face such a problem with such comparatively little experience is certain to make his demands on the young back’s ability. Bramwell, a half-back converted to full back in emergency, has made remarkable progress and is developing nicely, and whatever his football make-up may lack in this clash it will be neither determination not courage. Thomas display will also be watched with interest for with Fielding likely to be ready for next week his inclusion in games of the immediate future could depend on the performance against Blackpool. The forwards, are sure to be better for the return of Collins and if the will to snap up chances remains even Blackpool’s defensive excellence in home games may be strained to breaking point. No visitors to Blackpool have succeeded in getting away with two points so that Everton’s task is obviously considerable. Victory in the first game under the new regime would be a tremendous aid to future events and the undeniable advance that has been made since the six opening games were lost would have to be interpreted as an improvement too pronounced to be accidental. Even Everton supporters are chary in claiming that the corner is decisively turned, but an agreeable performance at Blackpool, even though the prize were to be no more than one point, would be sufficient to give courage even to the doubters. Blackpool; Farm; Armfield, Garrett; J. Kelly, Gratrix, H. Kelly; Matthews, Mudie, Snowden, Durie, Perry. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, B. Harris; J. Harris, Thomas, Hickson, Collins, O’Hara.
CAREY’S BLUE BOYS WERE WORTH MORE THAN A POINT
October 25, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Blackpool 1, Everton 1
By Jack Rowe
Blackpool; Farm, goal; Armfield and Garrett, backs; Kelly (J), Gratrix, and Kelly (H), half-backs; Matthews, Mudie, Snowdon, Durie and Perry, forwards. Everton; Dunlop, goal; Sanders and Bramwell, backs; King, Jones (captain), and Harris (B), half-backs; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins and O’Hara, forwards. Referee; Mr. J.H. Clough (Bolton). Everton with Scottish International Bobby Collins back at inside left were watched for the first time in a League match this season, by new manager Johnny Carey, and for the first time ever by their new Scottish international full back Alec Parker, who returned home after Cyprus Army duty during the week. The first ten minutes was all excitement with both sides going within inches of goals. A minute had not gone by before Collins helped on a Dunlop goalkick and Hickson withstood the challenge by Gratrix so effectively that he was able to get in his shot which passed across goal and just outside the far post with Farm helpless.
Almost A Surprise
No sooner had this happened than Durie made a glorious header off a Perry corner which struck the knee of Sanders who was standing on the line and bounced away, while Mudie next nipped up so quickly to a cross from the left wing that he took Dunlop by surprise and his hook shot passed just over. This was stirring fast, stuff for almost immediately Hickson put a header outside from Bramwell’s long lob and Collins hit such a powerful shot from an O’Hara pass that Farm was glad to knock the ball down and then drop on.
Matthews Magic
It was several minutes before Matthews touched the ball, but when he did he went past Bramwell in a flash and it was well for Everton that Brian Harris was on hand to step in and kick away, for the famous winger was boring for a shot. The danger, however, was not properly cleared and when Blackpool got a free kick just outside the penalty area Matthews placed it so astutely that Perry had a wonderful chance but shot so hastily with his right foot that he was yards too high. Hesitancy in the Blackpool defence gave Thomas a chance of stepping in and if Armfield had not struck out a foot and suffered injury in the progress the Everton man must have scorer. The game, excellent to watch, rarely lost its pace, or thrills for that matter, and Bramwell’s next duel with Matthews ended with the Everton man the winner, and when Hickson put a past inside Garrett, Jimmy Harris went on to it so quickly that Grattis hardly knew what had hit him when the winger’s shot struck him on the head.
Brilliant Save
Durie tried a long shot which was never within sight of the target and Farm stopped Hickson scoring with a brilliant driving save when the Everton centre forward made a header for the top corner from King’s goalmouth lob. Everton were playing effectively and twice Hickson looked disappointed when his through passes to Thomas were ruined because of offside decisions and when Thomas did burst through; Farm had to knock the ball away with his hand outside the penalty area and then completed the clearance by kicking out of play. Matthews, by a long chalk was not getting his own way with Bramwell for the full back was obviously determined to try and get to the ball first. There was menace, though when the maestro did get over a high ball, but the tall Durie under the challenge of the small King, did not, on this occasion came out on top and his header was well wide.
Speedy Attack
The speed of the Everton attack often gave Blackpool anxiety especially as Hickson was distributing accurately, and on two occasions if Thomas had been more direct and Jimmy Harris quicker with their shots his passes could have brought reward. As it was Thomas shot wildly outside, while Harris look so long to make up his mind that Gratrix was able to cover quite a bit of ground to make the intervention. There was nothing wrong, however, with a drive from Thomas but this time Farm had seen the danger and moving across his goal, made a fine save at the foot of the post. Towards the interval there was a slackening in the pace, perhaps inevitable, but never did Everton lose their spirit or determination and Mr. Carey must have been quite pleased with the general performance, with a mental note to tighten up the finishing. Blackpool often applied offside trap and it was this which stopped Thomas once more when he was clear. Half-time; Blackpool nil, Everton nil. Blackpool attacked when the second half started with Dunlop going full length to save from Perry and when Bramwell misjudged a high ball it left Matthews in the clear and he went right to the line before squaring a low ball which Jones stepped in to kick away.
Narrow Squeak
Dunlop next made a fine catch from a Durie header, but Everton were in luck’s way when after a free kick the ball bounded up over Dunlop and was headed off the line by King. Thomas got the ball into the net, but offside was the decision, although I felt that Everton had cause to dispute, because it seemed to me that the Everton man was played on by the ball striking a Blackpool player. But offside it was, and decision heralded a spell strong Blackpool pressure in which Dunlop made a terrific flying save from Hugh Kelly and then jumped high to catch a header from Durie. Everton were not making so many inroads into the Blackpool defence at this point but there was anxiety for the home side when Jimmy Harris nearly got Collins through and a minute later another offside decision stopped the Scot. Excitement boiled up again when Matthews shot over and then Farm saved from Jimmy Harris, while Hickson persevered with a half chance so well that when he got in his drive it beat the goalkeeper but scraped the wrong side of the post.
Dunlop’s Dive
Seconds later Jones was almost short with a back pass to Dunlop and the goalkeeper had to fling himself at Durie’s feet right on the penalty line edge to prevent a goal. When the Everton goalkeeper next saved from Mudie there was a terrific scramble in the goal area before he got the ball away. Matthews showed us what he can still do with a brilliant dribble to beat three men in a space of yards before dropping over a centre which King headed away magnificently, but the tally of Everton misses continued when Hickson sent Thomas clear away and the inside right with Farm coming out shot over. After Hickson had broken away and shot just outside, Everton took the lead in 74 minutes, the product of a fine move which was finished off by O’Hara. Collins and Jimmy Harris got together to send Thomas away on the right wing and when the low centre came over it passed everybody at the goal area and went to O’Hara, who shot into the net off Farm.
Goalmouth Scramble
I think Everton just about deserved this lead, but it was a signal for desperate Blackpool pressure and there were two scrambles in the Everton goalmouth which was stopped by the referee ordering a bounce up. Everton were fortunate not to be penalized when Snowdon was bundled over in the penalty area and as Blackpool maintained the attack the Everton defence continued to tackle hard and cover well. Bramwell was hurt in making a saving tackle on Durie when the Blackpool man was in full flight for goal. Three minutes from the end Blackpool got an equalizer when Hugh Kelly shot the ball into a packed goalmouth and Perry was able to hook it into the roof of the net, giving Dunlop no chance. Final; Blackpool 1, Everton 1. Official attendance 19,426.
IT DOESN’T ALWAYS WORK OUT
October 25, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
But The Brian Harris Move Has Paid Off For Us
By Tommy Jones
Watching the international match on Wednesday, when the English eleven trounced an innocuous Russian team 5-0, set me thinking as to the true capabilities of two of the men who represented England –Tom Finney, of Preston, and Bobby Charlton, of Manchester United. I wondered whether these two players, who I thought didn’t enhance their selections as much as they might, were being played out of position either by their club or country. Charlton appears to be suffering from too much soccer, or, alternatively, people are expecting wonders from him. Unfortunately, since the Munich disaster, Mr. Matt Busby has been unable to find a really worthwhile centre forward to replace Tommy Taylor, Alex Dawson hasn’t reached First Division standard so he’s had to play Dennis Violet and lately, Charlton. Now Bobby is an industrious inside forward with a cannonball shot in either foot, but I believe he is wasted at centre forward. He hasn’t the height or weight and he also wants to do too much in the way of grafting to b a good centre forward. On Wednesday Bobby appeared to be lost at his former and best position. Without a doubt playing in the No.9 shirt his detrimental to his inside forward play. Tom Finney, who has given me many a headache when playing in-the-middle, is only half the player when at outside left. Never a great lover of that position Tom much prefers the other wing, but now due to the success he is having in the middle states a preference for that position. Who can blame him.” Circumstances prevent Tom from playing in the middle, for Preston, at the moment. Outside left Taylor who was injured, is now fit again but Hatsell, who came in for Finney at centre forwards, is having the proverbial “blinder” game after game. The English selectors, too, are worried about the outside left position so Finney is honoured to play for his country in a position he really doesn’t enthuse over!
Billy Top
Judging by what I have written you may have the impression that I am all against players being tried in positions different to which they consider is best, I’m not. Many is the player particularly so among those in the First Division, who started their careers in a different position to that which they occupy now. Top of my list comes Billy Wright, one cap away from his century for England. Billy’s international career has been prolonged by his move into the centre half position after almost being a “has-been” at wing half. The intervention of Wright at centre half was made this century of caps possible. Other wing halves who now play in the middle for their respective clubs, are Ray Barlow of West Brom, Bob Stokoe, Newcastle, Matt Woods, Blackburn Rovers, Jimmy Dickinson, Portsmouth, Jimmy Adamson, Burnley James Higgins, Bolton, Danny Mahoy, Cardiff and Charles, Swansea. Quite an imposing list. But one thing prevails among this galaxy of players. They all are of a big strong physique. Perhaps that’s one of the quatitles of a successful centre half.
Quite A Change
Coming nearer home, by-passing Liddell’s move from winger to centre forward, we have our most recent success as a wing half after a career on either wing –our own bomdshell Brian Harris made quite a change in more way’s than one. Seriously, Brian’s display last week in completely playing out Albert Quixell had to be seen to be believed. Wherever Quixell went Brian followed and not only did he show a new defensive tendency but also had time to be up front helping his forwards. Brian stopped John Bramwell who has surprised everyone with his tenacity and sure kicking. Don’t forget John has only played full back as long as Brian has been in front of him.
OLD MAGIC FINGERS KEEPS US ALL FIT
October 25, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Albert Dunlop
How unlucky cane one be? Jim Tansey who had just recovered from that serious ankle injury that has kept him out of soccer for the past few weeks, had another setback last Saturday. Jimmy was at last declared fit, and elected to have a run out with the “A” team at Bellefield. The game, however, had only been going 10 minutes when he was carried off again, this time the other ankle being damaged. The injury does not seem so severe and with the help of the modern treatment now available at the club, he should be playing shortly. I was only thinking the other day how lucky we are to be able to receive such a varied and successful amount of treatment it seems but a short time ago that cartilage trouble meant an operation that could finish your footballing career. Nowadays unless complications set in you can be playing inside eight weeks. The early days of professional football must have seen injuries treated very crudely compared with modern day standards, especially while trainers were feeling their way. A trainer who came through that trying period and is still as active today doing his work and passing on his accumulated knowledge to others, is our veteran by age but young at heart, Harry Cooke. Harry tells us that at first they had to treat injuries by the hot and cold water methods or by poulticling the poulticing being done with a mixture of bran and vinegar. The water method was also a bit tricky because even a club of our standing had only wooden bath tubs and no heating as we now know. Harry also made up most of his own embrocation, in those days and they proved so successful that he still makes them up today. Not having any equipment of any description, massage was a necessary art and Harry’s skill in this direction has earned him the name of “Old Magic Fingers” from many an athletic. I remember the cricket season before last when Lancashire were playing at Aigburth and Brian Statham was injured. It caused some concern because he was playing in a Test match the following day. Permission was asked for him to receive treatment at Goodison Park, which was granted and it speaks a lot for Harry Cooke that Statham played and bowled very well for England in that game.
All Mod Con
Now Harry and our training staff have all the modern appliances, a £2,000 to £3,000 treatment room can often such as radiant heat, infra red, diathermy and before long we, may even have a Gennian Ultrasonic equipment which is proving so successful for certain injuries. All this would be useless however, without the knowledge and experienced of Harry and his experience also the club doctor and specialist. I mentioned doctor and specialist because of the large part played in the treatment of injuries by injections and manipulations. While on the subject of Harry Cooke has a museum injuries and their treatment of his own at the club. He can show you the aids certain players had to wear many years ago, if they had to play, and also pieces of bones and removed cartilages of such famous players as Dixie Dean &c, all pickled. Harry has seen us pass from the wooden bucket and poultice stages to the varied electric appliance stage, but he still says that with all this, the three main factors in injury recovery are TIME, REST and NATURE.
EVERTON RES V. SHEFF UNITED RES
October 25, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Everton Reserve; Griffiths (G), goal; Griffiths (B) and Hillsdon, backs; Rea, Labone, and Meagan, half-backs; Penman, Temple, Harburn, Kirby and Williams, forwards. Sheffield United Reserves; Thompson, goal; Ridge and Mason, backs; Hoyland, Grafton, Nelson, Roy, Lewis, Stewart, Rooney, and Gould, forwards. Referee; Mr. R.A. Kibble (Walsall). The United goal was fortunate to survive when Harburn’s right wing centre was headed wide by Temple from only six yards. A minute later Thompson tipped over from Harburn who hit Penman’s corner kick on the volley. Both sides contrived to keep the ball on the ground but Everton looked the more dangerous near goal even though their forwards tended to play too close, Kirby missed a good chance when he allowed Thompson to smother his shot. Temple missed another good chance for Everton when he completely mis-kicked in the goal area from Harburn’s cross. A surprise shot by Hoyland almost sneaked in past Griffiths but the goalkeeper just managed to turn the ball away. Half-time; Everton Res nil, Sheff United Res nil.
EVERTON POINT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TWO
October 27, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Jack Rowe
Blackpool 1, Everton 1
This point welcome though an away one always is, should have been two. Everton made more chances than Blackpool and missed them and even when Perry had slotted a saving goal for Blackpool with three minutes left for play, Thomas contrived to fail with the last opportunity of all, less than a minute later. But it is difficult to be too churlish about Everton’s goal front failings because they won a point at Bloomfield Road, where the majority did not expect it, and an important feature is that it was not a point scrambled by any fortunate happenings. Everton fully deserved this draw, indeed general opinion was that Blackpool were the lucky team to come off with a half bonus I subscribe to this to a, large extent because I do not hesitate to give Everton the first half honours and for much of the second half, in spite of spells of heavy and intense Blackpool pressure, they looked the side more likely to create the opening. Another angle which must be considered is that the Everton spirit was magnificent and I know this impressed itself upon Manager Johnny Carey and new full back Alex Parker, who were seeing the team in action for the first time in a League match. When you remember that Everton have taken three points out for four after that 10-4 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, it is the clearest indication that the White Hart Lane debacle has in no way impaired morale. There is no pretence on my part that Everton have supplied all the answers to the problems which raised themselves at the start of the season, but they have gone a long way to eliminating the fear that the club would be always in the throes of a battle against relegation, and losing it. It can be said they have gone further because although the spirit and determination is a wonderful asset the side is showing it can play football, and there were few if any at Bloomfield Road who would give Blackpool top marks in this. Though Everton must have criticism for missing chances – and there was none more self-critical than the chief offender Eddie Thomas, -there is pleasure and promise in the knowledge that the chances were made, and as far as Thomas is concerned he at least did get into the positions where scoring was possible. Thomas failed with two excellent opportunities and in all might have had four goals while Jimmy Harris did not get his shot in quickly enough for another, and Hickson –how well he is playing and leading the line at the moment – saw three shots scrape the wrong sides of the post. This was the measure of how menacing Everton were in a match which I found thrilling and entertaining, Blackpool also fell down in one or two goals front finishing incidents, especially in the first ten minutes, but I never made them as good at creating the chances as Everton. They did not have Everton’s spirit either, and their best forward was Stanley Matthews, but even he did not lay on the clear-cut opening and Everton full back Bramwell need have no worries –about his performance against a man who has mesmerized the best in the land. Inevitable there were some Everton players better than others, with Brian Harris thrustrating the genius of the decision to turn him into a half back and young King playing with all the heart in the world. Jones was as strong as ever in the centre and if the backs were not quite up to half-back standard they did a good job, In the forward line Jimmy Harris did not get much chance to lay on his power shooting but he and Collins worked tremendously, both in attack and defence and Hickson is playing as well as ever he did. Thomas did not score as he should have done, but he won’t miss all the time, and O’Hara made a nice contribution with his first League goal for the club in the 74th minute. When this came I thought Everton were going to win, but one of Mr. Carey’s tasks will be to instill into them the fact that a goal lead should inspire composure and not undermine it.
Blackpool’s Rush
After O’Hara had shot into the net via Farm’s leg from a Thomas cross, Everton seemed to think all that mattered was to hand on. This allowed Blackpool to come with a rush and they threw in strong pressure, which had Everton desperate before Perry finally hooked the ball into the net after a Hugh Kelly lob into a crowded goalmouth. Farm like Dunlop was sound in goal, but Blackpool’s defence apart from the wing halves –the Kelly ‘s –did not have a sure look, and the forwards were too prone to make the extra pass. This did not pay off against the determined tackling of Everton who while reasonably happy about this away point – the first draw of the season by the way – cannot help but be annoyed that they did not take the chances to make it a couple. Blackpool; Farm, goal; Armfield and Garrett, backs; Kelly (J), Gratrix, and Kelly (H), half-backs; Matthews, Mudie, Snowdon, Durie and Perry, forwards. Everton; Dunlop, goal; Sanders and Bramwell, backs; King, Jones (captain), and Harris (B), half-backs; Harris (J), Thomas, Hickson, Collins and O’Hara, forwards. Referee; Mr. J.H. Clough (Bolton).
EVERTON RES 0 SHEFFIELD UNITED RES 1
October 27, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
The Everton forwards squandered enough first half chances to have gained a commanding lead to an indurate game. Afterwards United took control for Roy to head the solitary goal in the 56th minute. Sheffield’s pressure might have been rewarded further but for the stubbornness of Everton’s defence in which Labone, Hillsdon, and Meagan were outstanding. The Everton attack suffered from the slowness of the inside men but centre-forward Harburn was often prominent. Everton team; Griffiths (G); Griffiths (B), Hillsdon; Rea, Jones, Meagan; Penman, Temple, Harburn, Kirby, Williams.
PARKER MAY HAVE FIRST EVERTON MATCH NEXT SATURDAY.
October 27, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Jack Rowe
Alec Parker, Everton’s Scottish international full back who has yet to kick a ball for the club, saw them for the first time at Blackpool on Saturday and the indications are that he may have the first game next Saturday. Don’t expect him in the first team which meets Blackburn Rovers at Goodison Park because he has still to get into serious training, but Parker is so keen to get going that Manager Johnny Carey may meet his wishes and give him a run-out in the Reserves. We’ll see how he goes this week,” said Mr. Carey, “but it is quite likely that I shall have him playing next Saturday.” Mr. Carey was also watching his team in a League match for the first time since he became manager and although he was naturally reticent the 1-1 draw at Bloomfield Road did not leave him unimpressed. The spirit of the team registered greatly with him as it did with Parker who travelled to Blackpool with his wife and before the match was the target of hundreds of autograph hunting youngsters. The new spirit in the Everton team has been evident for the past month or so and of the last ten points at stake seven have been captured and since the opening victory of the season – at Manchester City – the total gain has been eleven out of sixteen. Frankly it should have been twelve. A point was lost at Blackpool because the Goodison Park team could not take the chances they made and there was no question of them being lucky in getting this away draw – incidentally the first of the season. Mr. Carey will have noted this deficiently in the team and while he –or myself-cannot endeavour to suggest that the Goodison Park playing problems have been solved it is not unreasonable to contend that the early-season relegation fears have been pushed quite a lot into the background.
Morale High
After all we have the unshakeable fact that Everton were thrashed 10-4 at Tottenham Hotspur little more than a fortnight ago and yet the spirit and morals is so high that in successive weeks afterwards they have beaten Manchester United and draw at Blackpool and deservedly as well. When you have that sort of spirit and determination it is wonderful ground work on which to start building and Mr. Carey knows this. I fancy his first concern could be directed towards one or two defensive positions because although Bramwell has done nobly in his emergency, role of full back the ex-Wigan Athletic player is a half-back and prefers that position and Sanders has not yet found consistency. But whatever Everton’s new manager decides he will not be unaware of the position that this first sight of the team in a League game was robbed only of victory because the forwards could not finish with accuracy. The match to me was enjoyable and entertaining because there was always incident and thrills with Everton combining much good football with speed and Hickson especially leading the line with effect. We might have had four goals in the first ten minutes two to each side –but afterwards it was Everton who made the openings and earn the chief criticism in the failure to take them.
Satisfaction
Eddie Thomas took his two goals against Manchester United excellently, I reckon he should have had another couple on Saturday and if things had gone right could have had four, Hickson also was not accurate enough on two occasions when the chance was there but against this put three shots only inches outside and was thwarted by Farm’s brilliant save in the first half. Thomas can claim –quite rightly –that even if he did not score he is getting into the right position and there must be some satisfaction in the knowledge that it is better for a team to make chances and miss them rather than not make any at all. I have all round praise for Everton’s determination and it will be consolation for Bramwell to know that Blackpool’s best forward was Matthews but even he did not make a clear-cut goal opening. Everton’s defenders never stopped chasing and all through they made it their policy to get to the ball first with Jones and Brian Harris –what a half-back he has turned out to be – taking the top honours although young King just doesn’t know what it means to be beaten. What a pity his not bigger physically. Dunlop and Farm were good goalkeepers and the wing halves named Kelly were Blackpool’s best looking defenders but I preferred the Everton inside forward trio to that of the home side.
BIMPSON KEEPS PLACE FOR DERBY CLASH
October 29, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Are Everton two goals better then Liverpool? Just before the irate Anfield fans rush in to tell me exactly what they think about a suggestion such as that even though it be in query form, let me explain that the sole purpose for putting it is to draw attention to the fact that Everton must win the second let of today’s Floodlight Challenge Cup game at Goodison Park (kick-off 7 p.m.) by that margin if they are to be out and out winners of the trophy. Liverpool’s 2-1 victory in the first leg sends them into the second stage one up and determined that Everton shall not convert their deficit into a winning margin. How fortunate it is that this decider should come at a time when both teams have struck a rich-vein of success. As in the previous meeting of the two Liverpool’s A’Court will not be available as he is assisting an F.A X1 at Newcastle, and Morrissey will again be is deputy. Those who saw Morrissey on that occasion were delighted with his display and although obviously A’Court is too valuable a member of the forward line in normal times to give Morrissey much hope of taking over there, many people felt that a player of Morrissey’s drive and ability might be accommodated elsewhere. This is his opportunity to confirm that favourable impression. There were those who were hoping A’Court’s absence would give the selectors the opportunity to reintroduce Liddell without interfering with their desire to continue their encouragement of Bimpson. They will be disappointed that the chance has been allowed to pass unaccepted. Everton are fielding the side which won a point at Blackpool on Saturday, and Morrissey is the only Liverpool change, so that the teams are near enough to full strength to make this a true test of standards.
Match of Decision
As in the first leg the controversial Liddlell will be a bystander, but on that occasion he was unfit. This time he stands down because the selectors have decided that their Bimpson experiment has not yet run its course. Though they must realize that they are courting public disfavor by continuing to keep Liddell out of action, no one can accuse them of lack of courage in their convictions. This will be Bimpson’s third outing of the season in the centre forward position and from a results point of view at least nobody could ask more than the 100 per cent record that has been returned during that time. For Bimpson this game might be a match of decision so far as his immediate future is concerned. Up against such a resolute defensive centre half as Tommy Jones, Bimpson will have to be good to make a noteworthy contribution. If in face of all experience and efficiently which Jones can offer Bimpson is a pronounced success he will have won, well and worthily the right to continue as Liverpool’s leader. He will not let down his sponsors for any lack of effort but I rate this hurdle the toughest and most challenging he has yet encountered in this controversial setting of which he finds himself the centre. Also playing for his pace will be Everton’s Eddie Thomas. When manager Johnny Carey settles down to select his team for Saturday’s League game against his former club. Blackburn Rovers it will be with the almost certain knowledge that (barring accidents today) he will have a full range of forward choice with the return to fitness of Wally Fielding. A Thomas display on the lines of that against Manchester United would set the manager a pretty poser and the knowledge that his position is in the balance is bound to give any additional incentive that may be required. Look out for some sharp shooting from this man with a mission.
Let Football Reign
It is to be hoped most earnestly that any acrimony was removed in that one fiery Anfield outburst and that the teams will settle down to the sort of sporting display furnished in the second half when football reigned supreme. Both teams have shown that for all their critics they can hit an entertaining standard of play and if Liverpool can curb their shot-shyness and Everton maintain the scoring flourish that has produced 17 goals in their last six League games this could be a game in the best “derby” traditions, packed full of excitement rivalry and dotted here and their with the goal that cheers, I doubt if any player, of either side would ever be overawed by a “derby” game so that Liverpool are not all likely to be worried by their opponents’ Division One label. In fact several of the Liverpool players maintain that they would be twice as effective in top grade soccer as in the second Division. They contended that their style is eminently suited to that more generally employed in the higher division. Having beaten Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday in successive weeks Liverpool need only the Everton scalp tonight to complete a very meritorious hat-trick. If their forwards find the shooting power for the occasion they might still do it, but my fancy is for Everton, even though they might not find it possible to find the two goals advantage that their supporters would like as a argument crusher. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, B. Harris; J. Harris, Thomas, Hickson, Collins, O’Hara. Liverpool; Younger; Molyneux, Moran; Wheeler, White, Twentyman; Morris, Melia, Bimpson, Harrower, Morrissey.
EVERTON FACE THE MORRISSEY MENACE…
October 29, 1958. The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Oddest thing about tonight’s Cup game at Goodison Park is the fact that once more John Morrissey, of Liverpool, gets opportunity to show his wares against city rivals. He must have played more games against Everton than any other club and invariably he has done well enough to suggest to Everton that he was worth a tentative inquiry. But Liverpool are well aware of his potential and they are well aware too, that he can play just as effectively on the right as on the left. Thus, it is not surprising that Morrissey stays. –and will stay –at Anfield. In the previous game at Anfield this young Liverpool boy collected every pass made though the ball skidded badly and sometimes came to him awkwardly. It will be the turn again tonight of Sanders to endure and offset when he can, the penetrativeness of a winger who would assuredly command a first team place at any club with less than an Alan A’Court on their left flank. It had been thought that Liverpool might give Liddell a game tonight but Morrissey is preferred and the centre forward position is held again by Louis Bimpson something of a lucky mascot even if he may not be to many in Liddell’s class. Everton with a 1-2 deficit to wipe out will find Liverpool a better side now that Geoff Twentyman has returned to put class into the half-back line,. With his unhurried way of doing things and hi propensity for coming out with the ball in the tackle. Twentyman has probably been less praised than he should have been. The effect of his return to the team is always dynamic. Form suggests that Everton may well continue their upward move from the days when the appointment of their new manager John Carey, was first made known; it would not surprise me if they reversed the Anfield score. Should the teams be level on goal aggregate after 90 minutes tonight, there will be no extra time. They will play a decider later in the season and the clubs will toss for choice of ground. Everton; Dunlop; Sanders, Bramwell; King, Jones, B. Harris; J. Harris, Thomas, Hickson, Collins, O’Hara. Liverpool; Younger; Molyneux, Moran; Wheeler, White, Twentyman; Morris, Melia, Bimpson, Harrower, Morrissey.
HIS AIM IS TO MAKE EVERTON ATTRACTIVE
October 29, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Highlights in the Career of John Carey
The New Manager’s Reaction To His Great Task
“Things Even Better Than I Expected”
By Leslie Edwards
Mr. John Carey, the new Everton manager, controls his team for the first time at home this evening, and what could be more fitting than that the match is against Everton’s city rivals? The Goodison Park crowd will welcome Mr. Carey because through him they are likely to get the sort of football which made them Everton fans – attractive stuff of the sort which made the club famous not only here but everywhere else in Britain, in the between wars period. It is no secret that Everton standards, post-war have often been abysmally low. What are Mr. Carey’s reactions about his new job after nearly a fortnight at it? He couldn’t be more pleased. “Things are even better than I expected,” he told me, this morning. “It’s a wonderful club –I’ve always known that –but you have to see things on the inside to appreciate just how wonderful. The greatness and tradition of Everton is not only on the surface –it permeates the club.”
Stronger Hand
Mr. Carey has made few changes since he came from Blackburn Rovers with the intention of making Everton the No.1. Club in the land. He believes in slow sure progress. The spirit of the team impresses him and the fact that full back Parker is back and that Fielding will be available again after injury mean that he will have a vastly strong hand to play in the next few weeks. I gather it is not Mr. Carey’s intention to use Fielding as and when required but rather to have him fit and available as a regular if required. Mr. Carey believes that Fielding is still a very great player and quite capable of holding a place in a First Division club. “Matt Busby told me,” Mr. Carey said, “that he reckoned he could lick a team-into shape to his own satisfaction within five seasons. These tasks take time. How sad it was that when Matt had succeeded with Manchester United the Munich tragedy should undue his magnificently work.” There seems little doubt that Mr. Carey will achieve his Everton ambitions. He has the control he desires –doubtless the Board were quite happy to get such an expert to shoulder responsibility they have had since the days of Mr. Cliff Britton – he has the knowledge of contemporary soccer; he knows tactics as few others and he is essentially well qualified in the management of men. This is probably the most important qualification of all.
No Extra Time
Everton have a 2-1 deficit to wipe out tonight and if the sides are level on goal aggregate there will be no extra half-hour, but a play-off –probably later in the season – with a toss for choice of grounds as well for choice of ends. It will be interesting to see what tactical differences there are between the old Everton and the new, Mr. Carey said at the outset that his method was to base tactics on individual ability other than impose it, slavishly, on the team. In this respect he differs from one of his predecessors, Mr. Britton, whose tactical plans at Burnley, Everton and Preston are obviously hard and fast ones to be observed by all.
SOCCER WORTHY OF THE FIRST DIVISION
October 30, 1958. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton 2, Liverpool 3
These are teams of which to be proud. If I never see a finer game this season I shall have no cause for disappointment for this Floodlight Challenge Cup clash at Goodison last night was full of the cleverest football played at a pace too hot for any side to maintain for ninety minutes and with only the odd ripple to mar the superb sportsmanship with which the teams settled their differences. The trophy belongs to Liverpool outright winners in both legs; but the credit, the glory and the satisfaction, if not the reward must be equally shared. If crowds were assured of seeing an exhibition such as this in friendly mid-week floodlit games, last night’s attendance figures of 41,610 would be maintained and beaten. Of course this was no friendly. It was a battle to the death, though fought out in the most creditable spirit, if we forget two incidents which crept into the closing minutes. Two Scots, Collins on one side and Harrower on the other, vied with each other in their efforts to show us the magic which their agile brains impart to their boots. It was a case of anything you can do I can do! If not better, then just as well. That was how it began and that was how it continued to the end. That these two players could accomplish some of the tricks they were able to produce in the thick of the struggle, stamped them as being in the very highest class of soccer craftsmen. It was Harrower who scored the first goal of the game in twelve minutes from an opportunity afforded him by Melia who could quite easily have crashed in a shot himself, but realized in a flash that harrower was between placed to choose the spot in the net he was going to hit. Melia let the ball go and Harrower did the rest. Precision passing swept the ball from man to man, judged to a fraction of an inch every time, and one early Liverpool movement in particular had the crowd roaring their appreciation. I am sure it was appreciation from friend and foe alike. That was the way of it. For me this was the best exhibition of two-sided football I have seen this season. Exhibitions by one side there have been on several occasions, but this was dramatic superb soccer, with both sides showing equal strength and incisiveness. If Everton are worthy members of Division 1, and there was nothing about their play last night to suggest otherwise, then the question is can Liverpool be far, if anything, behind them? Liverpool undoubtedly appear to be moving to a peak and the directors the most criticized football officials in the city for the last week or two could be pardoned their grins of triumph at half-time for Bimpson the man they had championed at the expense of Liddell, had given what was easily his best display. It seemed that his one big weakness was in the department where his height should have given him every advantage and that was in the air. He injured his leg later in the game but deserves to be fit for Saturday. The injury I am told is a bruised and discolored shin. Jimmy Harris emerged from the fray with his claim to being one of the most powerful marksmen in the game definitely enhanced. Certainly Bobby Charlton himself could not have infused more venom into his drives than did Harris and one effort in particular screeched over the bar like a rocket. Another hit the bar almost before Younger had time to move towards its flight. The first half hour produced only one goal, but there were almost counties near-misses by both sides. It seemed such excitement was too good to last but instead of drooping it soared and soared to new heights, and when Thomas produced the equalizer in the thirty-first minute it was with a drive worthy of the occasion. Travelling like a bullet, the ball flew away from Younger to find its place in the net. Everton had fought back and were fully entitled to be on level terms. Less than five minutes later Liverpool were a goal down following a movement started and finished by Jimmy Harris with Collins and O’Hara playing their part in between.
Morris Winded
An indication of the dynamite with which some of the shots were laden came when Morris was unlucky enough to get in the way of a full-blooded efforts from Twentyman. Down he went and it was a minute or two before he was himself again. Thomas might have sent Everton in at the break two up for when Collins dispossessed Younger, the inside forward hooked the ball over the bar with all the goal at which to aim. If Thomas hung his head in disappointment at his miss, so did Morris after the interval when Brian Harris, nothing like commanding figure he can be, hooked the ball back to give the Liverpool winger the sort of chance of which forwards dream. What a horrible awakening for Morris as he saw his shot sail wide. Morris compensation was that he had a hand or rather a foot, in the equalizer after 52 minutes, since it was from his cross that Bimpson drove the ball home. Within a minute Morris, who has never been in livier form than this, found Melia in the clear and with a stunning shot, of which few believed him capable, Melia hit what proved to be a winner. Everton simply could not have gone closer to an equalizer than when Hickson’s shot beat Younger and was actually on the line when Moran, who specializes in these last ditch saves, kicked the ball out. It was only poetic justice that this point did not count as a linesman had flagged O’Hara for offside but the referee, who handled the game extremely well, did not see the signal. It would have been easy to say of this match that the players were like clockwork footballers thoroughly wound up and displaying their mechanical movements as the spring unfolded, but that would have done less than justice. Movement’s were anything but mechanical. Many of them were entirely unorthodox the products of genuine football intelligence.
Last Ditch Save
Liverpool consolidated as the game wore on, but Everton never gave up a though they were two goals away from earning a replay, and there was a thrilling moment when Younger knocked down Hickson’s header and then had to hurt himself on the ball to prevent. Thomas sending it into the net. Thomas was there again with time running towards its close and actually found the net only to be ruled offside. There was no doubt about it. He was offside, but if the goal had counted could anyone really have been upset at the injustice of it all? Liverpool must be rubbing their hands with joy that Melia was preserved with when it would have been so easy to say that he had been given his chance and not taken it. He is unrecognizable in his recent games as the hesitant unimpressive forward who showed up so disappointingly in the season’s earlier matches. Wheeler too came right out of his shell with his best display this term and all the signs are there that Liverpool may have started a steep climb towards the target they seek – Division 1 football. Let us hope they can keep it up. O’Hara promises to be a power in the land before very much longer. Although he might not have settled immediately to the English League style of play, it has not taken him long to become acclimatized and I look forward to increasing pleasure from his enterprise. The danger of Hickson was so well appreciated that White found ready helpers on hand whenever the Everton leader promised to present difficulties. Everton; Dunlop, goal; Sanders and Bramwell, backs; King, Jones (captain) and B, Harris, half-backs; J. Harris, Thomas, Hickson, Collins, and O’Hara, forwards. Liverpool; Younger, goal; Molyneux and Moran, backs; Wheeler, White, and Twentyman, half-backs; Morris, Melia, Bimpson, Harrower, and Morrissey, forwards. Referee; Mr. J. Mitchell (Preston). Attendance 41,610.
HOW LIVERPOOL EARNED ANOTHER LEG UP
October 30, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
It was suggested after Liverpool had beaten Everton 3-2 at Goodison Park last night that if both teams could turn in this sort of stuff week by week for the rest of the season Everton would finish First Division champions and Liverpool would get promotion. Well, maybe there is something in that. Rarely have our senior teams shot so hard, so well; rarely have they played better sustained football, and rarely have spectators come away so replete, if a trifle disappointed that such a magnificent game should end not as it was contested for the most part – fiercely and fairly – but with two incidents of the sort which made the first leg of the tie memorably contentious. Still we must remember all the good stuff which went before; the fluctuating score in which Liverpool led, were themselves led, and finally triumphed to give themselves a winning two-match aggregate of five goals to three. It was first rate football by my standards, full of fire, thrilling and having enough target shot for a half a dozen other matches and some wonderful goalkeeping by Younger and Dunlop without whose contributions the score must have been phenomental. Add the fact that Everton twice struck wood and that Moran kicked from the goal line a shot by Hickson which had beaten the goalkeeper and you have an indication of the sort of incident which kept us interested (and guessing at the final score) from start to finish. Add the best half I ever saw Bimpson play and a short personal appearance of Liddell –as tweifth man he was cheered to his place on the bench –and you have as dramatic a game as you could wise for.
Searing Shots
Everton were beaten, but nothing could erase from memory those searching shots by Jimmy Harris and Collins which fairly hammered on the goal frame, and in the circumstances I suppose Everton were a little unlucky not to draw level on the night. Oddly the most spectacular shot of all which did not beat Younger or even cause him to handle was the one rocketed in by Jimmy Harris. Just as well it soared on far into the crowd. If it had struck Younger or the back netting it would have taken either on with it. There were no failures, only great successes and others who performed adequately. The goalkeepers were magnificent; so was Collins, so was Melia so was Harrower. Liverpool’s edge came from their strong commanding half backs which Everton could not match for size or strength willing though their spirit was I give the team top marks for ability to entertain and to thrill. I give referee Mitchell of Prescot ten out of ten for holding the game firmly and for taking care that whatever else happened it was not going to be ruined as was the first y displays of temper. There was few injuries few fouls. The game was sustained at high pitch and the football was enthralling not least the Liverpool move which began at left back and progressed superbly through a tremendous round of passes until it finished with a low if unsuccessful shot by Morris.
Everything Right
Bimpson did everything right in a first half in which he astonished those who had seen him play against Sheffield Wednesday. It was his centre from which Harrower hit the ball home from twenty yards for the first goal-and this after Everton had made the pace. Thomas much of whose passing was rather tentative fairly lashed the ball in for the equalizer, but when O’Hara offered Jimmy Harris’s a chance close in Everton went to 2-1 and the initiative was with them. Dunlop was unlucky to have to concede a second goal to Bimpson since he had saved Morris’ shot before Bimpson beat him at the second attempt. A minute later, with Liverpool urged by what seemed to be a predominance of Anfield spectators, made the score 3-2 with a goal by Melia. And them it stayed while the desperate last thirty five minutes were played with Everton more than once near to what would have been a salving draw.
Anfield’s Artful Dodger
To catalogue neat misses or the many splendid saves made would fill a chapter. So would description of the artistry of that Anfield artful dodger Harrower, whose stop-go style makes him a veritable traffic light of soccer. And woe betide the defence if the signal shows at green. Melia in different vein, was also excellent and so was little Collins in an Everton attack which may not have moved as combinedly as Liverpool’s, but which created and put to good use many chances. The essential difference between the teams was at half back, where King and Brian Harris did not always have the measure of their opposite numbers whereas Collins and Thomas never escaped the tactics or the threat of it. Only HIckson and Morrissey played below form. For once Morrissey, who sustained some damage, could do little right and White’s grip of Hickson allowed little latitude I liked Bramwell a much improved back who is showing good constructive ideas, and it was plain sailing for Moran and Molyneux once Jimmy Harris went into his spell after a first half in which he was always dangerous. Bimpson a great trier, showed splendid ability for one half, but was seen rarely once Jones put a clamp on him. But nothing could dull the joy of this most entertaining match. It had every ingredient to satisfy, and only a anger of those final minutes took any shine from it. Bimpson suffered a knock to the shin – a repetition of an injury he received on Saturday –but he’s a tough customer and is likely to be fit for the game at Stoke. Everton’s team for the match against Blackburn at Goodison Park will be announced tomorrow. Manager John Carey spent all today moving house from Blackburn to his new home at Southport.
WE’RE GLAD IT’S EVERTON, SAYS MR. DUNCAN
October 31, 1958. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Most discerning eyes at the Everton v. Liverpool game on Wednesday were those of Mr. Dally Duncan, the new Blackburn manager whose team are at Goodison Park tomorrow to tackle the side of the former Blackburn Rovers manager, Mr. John Carey. He told me afterwards; “I’m glad we’re playing Everton and not Liverpool. They had enthusiasm, toughness, tackled hard and went after the ball – and that’s what I like to see in a team.” It is up to the new Everton to cause Mr. Duncan to make a reassement. If they shoot as well as they did against their neighbours their former goalkeeper, Harry Leyland is destined for a busy afternoon. It should be a needle match between Mr. Carey’s old and new loves, since it was Blackburn who put Everton out of the cup a season ago. The further appearance against his old side of popular Matt Woods a big man in every sense of the phrase, adds phrase, adds extra piquancy. The fact that Eckersley, Douglas, Vernon, and Clayton –all tip-toppers –are in the Blackburn team plus Everton’s improvement suggests that the attendances may rival the 64,000 of the Manchester United game. Mr. Duncan had no sooner taken over at Ewood than there was the headache of the possibility of Roy Vernon wanting to leave, Vernon wanted to play in a charity match at Rhyl and Manager Duncan never very happy about such games was not aware that Vernon as covered for £10,000 in respect of total disablement. The misunderstanding was cleared up and all is well, but Mr. Duncan has taken the precaution of insuring his splendid young Welsh international for a further £15,000 making £25,000 in all. How wise! Those who saw Daily Duncan play (I never saw a man as he did go past defenders as though they did not exist) have often wondered how he came by the nickname. The answer is at it dated from his days as an Aberdeen schoolboy –the merest tich of a lad. He dallied with the ball so such effect, like Harrower, the name stuck where his Christian name, Douglas, was forgotten. Blackburn will test Everton fully- maybe to a greater extent than did Manchester United –but it will take a very good team indeed to beat them if they fire in shots as the sort they produced on Wednesday against Younger. Blackburn Rovers; Leyland; Taylor, Eckersley; Clayton, Woods, McGrath; Douglas, Dobing, Johnstone, Vernon, McLeod.
October 1958