EVERTON WIND UP WITHOUT AN AWAY WIN
Monday, May, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
Manchester United 5, Everton 0
By Michael Charters
So Everton completed the League programme still without an away win-and I doubt if they are happy to have a record such as this. The remarkable feature at Old Trafford was that for 67 minutes Everton had looked just as likely to score and even win a match which, for a long time, was just a pleasant exhibition of some of the better arts of football. Understandably there was not much bite in the game, although there was a great deal of fine individual play to admire in midfield from both teams, but a searing spell of three goals in eight minutes by united, followed by two other goals in the closing stages completed Everton's woeful away record. The first after 67 minutes was scored by the burly Dawson, who had done little of note to that point against Labone, but he held off a double tackle by Gabriel and Parker to control an awkward pass from Quixall and almost burst the net with the power of his shot from 10 yards. Five minutes later came the turning point of the game. Everton had fought back well after Dawson's goal but the heart seemed to go right out of them when Dunlop failed to cut off an innocuous centre from Bradley and the ball curled over his head, struck the far upright and trickled into the net.
MISSED PENALTY
The third goal came two minutes later- a beautiful header from Dawson, who beat Labone in the air and fairly bulleted the ball past Dunlop. Between this goal and United's fourth, Collins missed a penalty awarded for a foul on him by Cope. He shot against an upright (the first penalty he has missed this season). United were now completely on top, with Everton looking demoralised and 5 minutes from the end Quixall got their fourth a rather fortunate one as his shot from 20 yards struck Jones in flight and was deflected past Dunlop. The fifth goal 2 minutes from time, was the third for Dawson, who had a simple job of scoring from close range after Bradley and Quixall had cup up Everton's defence between them. I give much space to the story of the goals for really they were the only points of note in this match. United were never five goals better than Everton for the visitors had played with much skill for so long, but United certainly looked a different team once their forwards clincked for the last half hour. In many ways this was not an end of the season game, for Everton were obviously going all out to register their first away win, but with Tyrer and Vernon not hitting top form their forward line was rather lop-sided and their shorts were invariably directed straight at Gregg. The best part of Everton's team was their wing half-play where Gabriel and Brian Harris did magnificently all through. Parker and Jones had good games and Parker facing the redoubtable Charlton had much applause for the clean incisive way he tackled the United danger man, but it takes more than one man at times to cope with Charlton and I am sure Parker would be quick with thanks to Gabriel for the way he linked to stop the Charlton menace. United playing at a saunter for the first 20 minutes were well held by Everton's defence until that scoring burst shattered them. With so little at stake it is perhaps invidious to criticise too strongly, although it must be said that the Everton defenders were at sixes and sevens as United turned on the pressure late in the game. Manchester United; Gregg; Foulkes, Carolan; Setters, Cope, Brennan, Bradley, Quixall, Dawson, Pearson, Charlton. Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, B. Harris; Tyrer, Collins, Shackleton, Vernon, Ring. Referee; Mr. A.E. Ellis (Halifax).

EVERTON RES 3, PRESTON N.E. RES 0
Monday, May 2, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
There was a blank score sheet and over half an hour to go when the Everton inside right Temple, the only forward to look like scoring was carried off with a badly sprained ankle in this Central League game. This misfortune transformed Everton from a team sadly lacking in cohesion to one imbued with the will to win. Their new-found shooting powers were duly rewarded with goals from Wignall, Laverick, and finally Shepherd. Everton's strategy in attacking despite being handicapped more than atoned for their earlier aimless display, although the Everton defence notably Jarvis and Billington never gave much away.

AND HOW –WHAT OF THE HOPES FOR FUTURE?
Monday, May 2, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Michael Charters
The end of the League season for our Merseyside clubs bring inevitably thoughts on the future for there has been little to rejoice about in the programme that came to an exciting finish on Saturday. There are great hopes for Everton and Liverpool that 1960-61 will produce the sort of success that we have not experienced in the city for too many years- promotion for Liverpool and a high place for Everton. Whether that will be proved correct is a topic for the football fans to discuss all summer and there will be plenty of divided thoughts on it.
NO SO FAR
The remarkable feature of Everton's game against Manchester United was that for three-quarters of the play they were level with the home team on skill and chances made in a match of much excellent individual work even if the final drive was missing understandably in the last match on a warm day. When Dawson but United ahead after 67 minutes no one could have imagined that the score 23 minutes later would be 5-0. Everton were never that much inferior but this defensive collapse in which United scored two more good goals and two "soft" ones, is a matter which will need eradicating next season. Up to the opening goal, we had seen some beautiful touches by Gabriel and Brian Harris (both were superior to that point to United's Setters and Brennan), first-class tackling and distribution by parker, Labone and Jones, confident keeping by Dunlop and excellent displays by Collins and Ring. The winger, more direct than usual was back to something like the form he showed when he first joined Everton but Vernon and young Tyrer were nothing like as effective. The shooting of Shackleton and Vernon was frequent but off target. Had they been a little steadier it might well have been Everton who could have started the goal rush. Dawson who had missed two easy chances in the first half was well held by Labone until he produced the drive and thrust which his burly frame seems to have been created for. His second goal a wonderful header was United's 100th league score of the season, but all three of his efforts were good. The goal by Bradley a simple centre, which Dunlop missed was the turning point for Everton never looked up from that moment. They were three down when Collins put a penalty kick against an upright (the first he has missed this season) and shortly afterwards Quixall got a lucky one from 20 yards as his shot was deflected by Jones. It was all rather frustrating and an incredible end to a season which saw Everton struggling most of the time. This is the first time in their history that they have completed the season without an away win. In four seasons (18888-89, 1924-35, 1935-36, 1949-50), they won once away.
CONGRATULATIONS TO...
Some random thoughts on the performances of our two senior clubs over the season.
For Everton my congratulations go to Manager John Carey and his directors for having the initiative to out and buy the big names to save the club from the threat of relegation and bring bright hopes for the future; Bobby Collins, for a season of consistent, excellence (he didn't get another international honour but he deserves his lucrative six match visit to South African; Alex Parker and Brian Labone for class defensive displays, Jimmy Gabriel, who came with a big price tag on his head, was dropped but returned to prove his worth every penny of his fee; Brian Harris for not complaining on being dropped when Gabriel arrived came back and played wonderfully well; Jimmy Harris for making a fine success of his switch to leader Tommy Ring for his initial part in Everton's revival.

GOODISON PARK FOR FARRELL LAST MATCH
Monday, May 2, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Senior Cup Final Date
Pitch Plan
By Leslie Edwards
Everton and Tranmere Rovers have arranged the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup for Goodison Park on Thursday evening. They would have played on Wednesday but Tranmere have the Cheshire Bowl Final second leg at Stockport that night. Thus, Peter Farrell the former Everton captain and present Tranmere player manager will play his last game on the pitch on which he gained fame with Everton after joining them from a junior club in Eire. The match might well have been played on Monday, May 9 but Everton advised they opponents that the date would not suit them, presumably because another big operation on a pitch which caused great trouble in mid-winter is planned and will probably begin after Thursday's game. Neither Liverpool or Everton have announced their list of retained players.

EVERTON TOUR HAS TO BE CALLED OFF
Tuesday, May 3, 960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Unexpected Difficulties.
Disappointed
By Leslie Edwards
Everton F.C manager Mr. John Carey announced today that the club's prospected tour of Germany and Luxembourg and other Continental countries has had to be called off. The Everton agent who was attempting to arrange the tour which was to have been next week and would have lasted about 14 days, has met unexpected difficulties. Everton are most disappointed for their players sake. Brian Labone the young England centre half for the eve of the Cup-Final match at Highbury against England a most likely to be asked to play a game the previous evening in the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup against Tranmere Rovers at Goodison Park.

EVERTON NAME 14 PLAYERS FOR TRANSFER
Wednesday, May 4, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
SIX HAVE PLAYED MANY TIMES IN LEAGUE SIDE
Retained List
By Leslie Edwards
Fourteen Everton players including such famous ones as Eire international goaklkeeper, Jimmy O'Neill, Alan Shackleton, John King, Bobby Laverick, Kenny Rea, and Jim Tansey-all of them men who have played many times in the senior team-have been placed on the transfer list. This was the sensations announcement from Goodison Park this morning when the names of 26 men on the retained list and those of 14 for transfer were disclosed. Those for transfer will receive wages until June 30 when their contracts with the club expire. The for transfer lists reads as follows; Alan Bentham, Stan Billington, Brian Godfrey, Bryan Griffiths, John King, Bobby Laverick, George O'Brien, Jimmy O'Neill, John Parkes, Kenny Rea, Alan Shackleton, Jimmy Shepherd, Jim Tansey, John Watson.
A comprehensive list of unretained was expected following the club's signing in the second half of last season of many very high-priced players who succeeded in helping the team to retain its status but several of the players listed and many followers of the club will be surprised nevertheless. About five weeks ago Everton issued a statement that they were prepared to accept offers for certain players with first team experienced-a decision aimed quite clearly to give players a chance to start careers with new clubs before the general exodus began from clubs all over the country-but no signature have been reported as a result.
UNCOMMON
The non-retention of goalkeeper O'Neill, half-back King and forwards Laverick and Shackleton is uncommon. O'Neill play for Eire last season indeed he lost his first team place when injured while playing for his country in Dublin. He was Everton's regular goalkeeper for many seasons until the advent of Dunlop having joined the club from the Dublin club Bullin United in 1949.
John King a Londoner whose family came to live in Halewood joined the club in 1953 and turned professional in 1956. He has played many times at wing half-back where his energy and enthusiasm have been remarkable. Season before last from Chelsea as successor to left winger O'Hara. He comes from the same area of Durham as Liverpool trainer Bob Paisley. At the beginning of last season he suffered an operation for a perforated appendix and made only few appearances in the senior side afterwards.
Shackleton who comes from Padiham near Burnley was signed early last season and his introduction in the League team was the beginning of Dave Hickson's period of discontent at Goodison. Shackleton remained as leader of the attack after being played in several other positions until Harris (J) took over from him about two months ago.
OTHERS WHO GO
Details of the others unretained are.
Alan Bentham. A full back who once played for England as a boy formerly with Liverpool F.C.
Stan Billington, Centre-half from Wallasey. His eighth season with the club. Signed professional 1953.
Brain Godfrey. A professional for two seasons. Came from Flint. One first team appearance at Fulham on the left wing lasts season.
Bryan Griffiths. From Waterloo. A back and part-time professional. Played ones for first team in 1959.
George O'Brien. Centre-half from Liverpool.
John Parkes. Right-back. One full season with Reserve in 1957 before going into the Army. A former Cottage Homes boy.
Ken Rea. A wing-half who has played many times in the senior side. Joined Everton in 1950 and signed professional two years later.
Jimmy Shepherd. One of the Blackburn youngsters Mr. Carey brought with him from Ewood. Signed July last year and has played at inside forward many times in the Central League team.
Jim Tansey. A local and a back who gave many seasons of service from the Cliff Britton days. Joined the club in 1948 and made a few first time appearances in 1959-60.
John Watson. Centre half or full back from Wrexham. Signed professional for Everton May last year.
The retained are Ashworth, Bentley, Boner, Bramwell, Collins, Dunlop, Edwards, Gabriel, Gannon, Green, Griffiths, Harland, Harris B, Harris J, Jones, Labone, Lill, Meagan, Parker, Peat, Ring, Temple, Tyrer, Vernon, Webber, Wignall.
The Everton tam to meet Tranmere Rovers in the first of the Liverpool Senior Cup at Goodison Park tomorrow evening will be. Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Green; Gabriel, Jones, Harris (B); Lill, Vernon, Wignall, Collins, Ring.

FARRELL'S FAREWELL WILL WARM HIS HEART...
Wednesday, may 4, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
No doubt at all that Peter Farrell's farewell tomorrow at the ground where he started his grand career, Goodison Park, will be heart-warming and ill leave him in no doubt about the affection followers of Everton and Tranmere have and will always have, for him. In so many cases farewell is forced on players by injury, and crowds have no chance to show their feelings, though former Liverpool full back Spicer, after twice breaking a leg, was given a benefit game which not only did much for him financially but gave us the finest goalkeeping show, by Trautmann, ever seen at Anfield.
The most memorable final fling at the Everton ground was of course that of Charlie Buchan, and who can ever forget that it came concurrently with Dixie Dean's 60th goal of the season. Charlie always makes the point when recalling those Dean goals that people were inclined to think that Arsenal made a presentation of them. "Nothing of the sort" he says. Bill Dean got them in spite, not because of us." The roar which greets Farrell tomorrow when Everton face Tranmere in the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup (7 O'clock) will not be as massive as the one which greeted Dean's triumph, but it will be one of special quality just the same and will leave the man for whom it is intended in no doubt that soccer fans have long memories for some people even if they have pretty short shrift for others.

JOHN KING SURPRISE OF EVERTON CLEARANCE
Thursday, May 5, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everybody expected Everton to unload quite a number of their players because it had already been announced that several of them, with no names given, were available for transfer with the list privately circulated to clubs, and the spate of expensive signings carried an obvious additional threat. For once expectation have been fulfilled, with fourteen players figuring on the transfer list. They are; Alan Shackleton, Jimmy O'Neill, Bobby Laverick, John king, Ken Rea, Jim Tansey, Alan Bentham, Stan Billington, Brian Godfrey, Bryan Griffiths, George O'Brien, John Parkes, Jim Shepherd, John Watson. Nearly half of them have figured in first team football. The name that hit me more forcibly than any when I read the list, was that of John king. This I rate the surprise of surprises. A though he may not be as big as some people like their half backs to be, I doubt if there is a player in the game with a bigger heart or a greater abundance of resolution. He made his debut at Preston in October 1957 and in season 1958-59 played in 17 of 18 games after missing the opening two matches. Dropped after the game at Wolves in December, he failed to force his way back into the side until last season, but again, after three matches he clung to the right half position in 27 consecutive League and Cup outings. His advance I considered was remarkable and some of his displays were quite outstanding. At little more than twenty years of age here is a first class opportunity for some club to find themselves a highly promising half back. He has all the bull-dog tenacity that helped to make Bill Shankly such a name in his playing days and the same non-stop action, I wonder if this has registered on Mr. Shankly! No price are revealed publicly, but I cannot help thinking that Liverpool might find the sort of reinforcement for which they have been searching-right on their door-step. It was a little puzzling in January and February to find an in-form Dunlop superseded in goal by Jimmy O'Neill, but now the explanation would appear to be that this was O'Neill's opportunity to help Mr. John Carey make up his mind about retention possibilities. There are several inferior goalkeepers in the top flight of football to the Eire international. Laverick came to Goodison at a time of winger-famine but he has hardly fulfilled the early promise he showed. Alan Shackleton only joined the club this season, on November 11 from Leeds United, and made his debut at centre forward the following day against Nottingham Forest, when he helped the club to gain their first away point. He has figured in twenty-seven League and Cup games and has scored ten goals.

FORWARDS DOUBT FOR TRANMERE
Thursday, May 5, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
MEET EVERTON TO-NIGHT
SENIOR CUP
By Michael Charters
Tranmere Rovers will not decide their forward line-up for their Liverpool Senior Cup final against Everton at Goodison Park tonight (7 p.m) until just before the kick-off. Six forwards have been named but manager Peter Farrell will wait to see how if one or two have recovered from slight knocks received in the second leg of the semi-final of the Cheshire Bow at Stockport last night. The teams finished level 2-2 after the two games and the decided will be played early next season. Tranmere Rov; Payne; Jones, Firth; Heydon, Millington, Farrell; (from) McDonnell, William (K), Hood, Rowley, Barnett, Finney.
Everton Supporters Club will be making a presentation to Mr. Farrell who plays his last game tonight. The ceremony will take place into he club rooms after the match.

FARRELL'S "END OF ROAD" SEND-OFF
Friday, May 6, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON RETAIN SENIOR CLUB
Everton 5, Tranmere Rovers 2
By Michael Charters
Everton duly retained the Liverpool Senior Cup at Goodison Park last night after a match notable, of course, for the farewell appearance of Peter Farrell, former Everton captain, and now Tranmere Rovers manager (after 2 ½ seasons as player-manager). How nice it would have been if Mr. Farrell have led his team to victory on the ground where he played so many wonderful and valuable games for Everton. As Everton had practically a full strength team no-one expected the result to be other than it was. Mr. Farrell however, given a great reception from the crowd as he came out between the two teams can take consolation from the fact that the fans appreciated the many fine touches of his side- he has obviously taught them well and they were always trying to play cultured football. There was a moment of sorrow after the match when Mr. Farrell into the director's box to see Everton captain Tom Jones, receive the Cup. Over the public address system Mr. Farrell referred to his happy years at Everton and wished them well for the future but when he said. "This is the end of the road for me" the crowd rose to him and gave him wonderful applause.
TWO HALVES
Going back to the game- was a match of two definite halves, in that Everton had a three goal lead at half-time and it looked as though their superior class would mean just a matter of adding up the second half goals. But Mr. Farrell and his men had different ideas and with Jones limping on the right wing to unsettle the Everton forward line, Tranmere got two goals quickly and might well have equalised before Everton made it safe with two more in the last five minutes. During this spell of Tranmere pressure when they had Everton's defence looking rather shaky the brilliance of Millington, Heydon and Farrell stood out. The forwards were well led by Rowley with Finney sticking bravely to his unenviable task of trying to beat Parker and the only weakness in the line at this stage was at inside right, where Hood seemed to be more interested in carrying on a personal duel with Harris. Everton brilliance inspired by Collins, who had dropped back to wing half beat off the Tranmere threat and finally came through comfortably. Outstanding performance, for Everton in view of thoughts for the future was the display of sixteen-years-old Green at left back. He showed himself a great prospect as did centre forward Wignall, whose power off shot was remarkable. Everton's speed on the ball and superior touches in possession proved too much in the end for a very gallant team. The Everton goals were scored by Wignall (2), Lill (2), and Heydon (own goal) Tranmere's goals were scored by McDowell and Finney. Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Green; Gabriel, Jones (captain), Harris (B); Lill, Collins, Wignall, Vernon, Ring. Tranmere Rovers; Payne; Jones, Frith; Heydon, Millington, Farrell; McDonnell, Hood, Rowley, Barnett, Finney. Referee; Mr. J. Mitchell (Prescot) Attendance 15,316.

DOUGLAS IS NEAR HIS FINEST FOUR
Friday, May 6, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
WEMBLEY COULD THRILL TO ANOTHER MATTHEWS ACT
The Whole Truth by Roy Vernon (Everton and Wales).
Disregard those who tell you that defences will kill this season's F.A. Cup final as a spectacle. The defences, good as they are, cannot bind forwards of the calibre we shall find in this match for very long. Undoubtedly there will be goals and although I am advised that there is nothing quite so risky as rushing into print with forecasts, I do not hesitate to predict that my former Blackburn colleagues will be Cup winners. Less certain is my crystal-gazing over the likely score, but I would not bat an eye-lid if it should be Blackburn 3, Wolves 2. Moreover if we copied the Rugby League final, which will be played at Wembley, next week, and awarded a trophy for the outstanding man of the match, I would be prepared to make another forecast-that Bryan Douglas would take that award. As there is no such trophy, I content myself by forecasting that he will dominate this game. The only proviso I make is that the ball should run for him. If it is one of those days when the ball runs away from him, as it seems to do for all of us from time to time, then the Douglas menace will be tamed. It is the Wolves job of course, to make sure that he doesn't get a break, but having played with him and against him I know just how difficult it is trying to rumble this box of tricks. I suppose as long as the Cup finals are played at Wembley and maybe even beyond that the display of Matthews in Blackpool's triumph over Bolton Wanderers will always be spoken of as the classic performance the display that is recalled when other pass into obvious. Well, I am so much a Douglas fan that I truly believe he can put on a show to rival that with which Matthews lit up Wembley on that famous occasions. I have no hesitation in saying that Douglas is the best right winger in the country today, especially now that Tom Finney has decided to call it a day, and although that will not be his Wembley position he will dominate for all that. I admire Finney for taking this decision now before his decline has set in to such an extent that he is an also ran to his name.
MATTHEWS SLIP?
Maybe, it is not for me, a comparatively inexperienced youngster in the game to start handing out advice to the veterans, the men I have seen grow great while I was still a schoolboy but I cannot help feeling that if Matthews had timed his retirement announcement to coincide with Finney's he would never have regretted it. I know the electric flash is still there. I know he can still make an opponent look ridiculous but whereas he could switch on this bewildering class at any desired moment now his sorties are so rare that it is not difficult to remember them all. A lot of the youngster school if Matthews carries on, will remember Stan in his decline and wonder what all the fuss is about when others start to sing his praises. It is a calculated risk, but I hope I am wrong and that Stan shows he can still earn his keep, with a little bit over. He still has everything but in a slower motion. To revert to Douglas at Wembley, he will almost certainly be playing inside forward the team had not been announced at the time of writing, the position in which he began. I remember when I was struggling to make my mark at Blackburn, we were playing in a testimonial game at Rhys. I was outside right and Douglas inside left. Never was I more delighted than when the boss Mr. John Carey, no doubt tired of seeing good club money go to me for just watching the game, switched me with Douglas. It was the start of a new career for both of us. Douglas went into the Blackburn side as outside right and has never looked back. As a ball player he is brilliant. It takes a near-genius to take the ball right up to a player as Douglas does, and still be able to work it to his liking, almost as one is able to mould soft clay. What instructions are likely to be given to him by manager Dally Duncan before Douglas goes out on the field? I can only guess but if my ideas are on target the instructions would be, "Whatever you want to do, do it" This is a tribute to the remarkable way in which Douglas can weigh up a game. If the circumstances warrant it, I think he will take a back seat to do the prompting for the driving and striking of Dougan and Dobing, two forwards who can give Wolves a very nasty headache. Clamp is a good player, but so is Blanchflower and I doubt if the Irishman has ever been in such a whirl as he was when trying to combat Douglas. In the sixth round Douglas ran Blanchflower's legs of him. Watch him do the same to Clamp-or I am very much mistaken. You may ask, why his airy optimism in view of Blackburn's lack of result since the Cup semi-final? Let's face it. They have had nothing to play for. Wolves have had everything. They were in with a chance of the championship right to the last game of the season. All Blackburn had to do was keep out of trouble and keep the players out of trouble. They have avoided relegation even though there have been a few scares regarding some of their players. There is one danger. When a side runs down after being on top note for so long, can they come back to order? I know Blackburn and I know they are capable of really brilliant football, devastating football that can rip open almost any defence if they can turn on form to order the tap will be wide open at Wembley. The worst moments are likely to be in the first twenty minutes. If Wolves don't score in this period, there will be no Cup for them this season. They are less likely to be upset by nerves and the occasion than are Blackburn, but give them twenty minutes without serious damage having been done, and then watch out for their takeover bid. Fortunately, Dougan and Dobing are not the highly strung type and they represent as formidable a pair of strikers as there is to be found in the game. I would be amazed if Dougan did not play, for knowing Derek as I do, I think he would have to be a leg short to be kept out of the stadium tomorrow.

FINE END TO A GREAT CAREER
Friday, May 6, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Michael Charters
The drama tinged with sadness, and the sense of occasion in Peter Farrell's appearance, over shadowed all else at Goodison Park last night. The facts are that Everton retained the Liverpool Senior Cup by defeating Tranmere Rovers 5-2, but the essential romance of the game was that 15,316 people turned up to pay their tribute to a man who has been a credit to professional football and now goes into full time management at Prenton Park with the good wishes of everyone. Mr. Farrell came on to the pitch between the two teams to a fine ovation but the climax came at the end as hundreds of boys poured on to the ground to back slap the night's hero down the tunnel for the last time. Then the man who played so many wonderful and valuable games for his two clubs, Everton and Tranmere appeared in the directors' box to see Everton skipper Tom Jones receive the trophy and say a few words himself. I know he thanked everyone –and wished Everton well in the future –but the phrase I'll always remember was; "I've reached the end of the road now." In a playing sense, yes, Peter...not I'm sure, in football generally. It would have been the crowning touch if Peter could have led Tranmere to victory in his last match. But Everton's superior class and speed told in the end although Tranmere gave them a great fight by almost levelling matters after Everton had turned round with a comfortable lead through goals by Wignall, Lill and Heydown (own goal). The first half had been leisurely almost gentlemanly (with one notable and rather unnecessary exception on the Tranmere's side). Everton were unsettled, after the interval through an injury to Jones, who went on the right wing Collins dropping back, and Tranmere rattled them by scoring two pluck goals from McDonnell and Finney. Another goal then and the game would have been wide open. As it was, Wignall and Lill scored two more in the last five minutes and the result was right on the all-round ability. Everton always looked as though they could score when they wanted but a superb defensive display by Millington, Heydon and Farrell kept them out most times. It was fitting that Farrell should end his career by a display in which he showed that the thought and craft is there as in his best days, even if the passing of the years has taken those vital yards off his speed. But he has left his own legacy to his team-the teaching of a top-class craftsman which was obvious in many of the fine touches his men showed and continued to try to do even when they were behind. The crowd appreciated they attempts to play cultured football even if they lacked the positional sense and know-how of the First Division opponents. For Everton the game was remarkable for a polished and mature exhibition by 16-years-old Colin Green at left back. What a great prospect this boy looks. I also liked the efforts of Wignall at centre forward. His first goal was a scorching shot from 20 yards and he may well make his mark next season. The result didn't really seem to matter, we had gone to see the farewell of a great player- and he didn't let us down.

LIVERPOOL INTERESTED IN JIM O'NEILL
Saturday, May 7, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
EVERTON NAME £7,500 FEE
ANFIELD HOPE
By Michael Charters
There may soon be another "cross-park" transfer between Everton and Liverpool following the move Dave Hickson made to Anfield last season. I understand that Liverpool are interested in Everton's Irish international goalkeeper Jim O'Neill who was one of the 14 players placed on the Goodison transfer list this week. The retirement of Doug Yudham a need for another experienced goalkeeper at Anfield where regular Bert Slater is now being understudied by the youthful Tom Lawrence who has yet to make his League debut. Everton have placed the figure of £7,500 on O'Neill which seems to me to be high in view of the many years valuable first team service he gave to the club. No doubt this fee would be subject to negotiation and Liverpool may be prepared to discuss with Everton officials. Certainly O'Neill still has several years of top-class football let and it could well be that he will be on the Anfield staff by the time the next season comes along.

NO MOVES LIKELY YET FROM GOODISON
Monday, May 9, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
MR. CAREY GOES ON TOUR
By Leslie Edwards
Everton manager Mr. John Carey the subject of much kind comment at the banquet on Saturday evening of his former club, Blackburn Rovers was off on his football travels again today. He left Liverpool a 8 a.m by train to link-up in London with members of the Eire team which plays games in Germany and Sweden within the next ten days in a short continental tour. Mr. Carey was accompanied by Mick Meagan the Everton half-back who is also in the Eire party. Mr. Carey still suffering from the effects of a difficult tooth extraction a week ago, has had inquires for certain of the Everton players placed on the transfer list, but no definite moves are likely until he returns from the Continent. Meanwhile Everton pitch which proved so troublesome during the mid-winter months I now ready for what Secretary W. Dickinson described as a little bit of titivating." My information is that a famous firm which deals with the construction of tennis courts has been called in to do a wholesale reconstruction of the playing surface but whether this will mean taking up the pitch and the electrical wiring system or not is anybody's guess.

VERNON'S CLOSING PLEA, SUBSTITUTES NOW!
Friday, May 13, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
THEY ARE JUST AS VITAL IN LEAGUE GAMES AS AT WEMBLEY
The Whole Truth by Roy Vernon (Everton and Wales)
Substitutes! What a familiar ring that word has. It has been football conversation for years, especially just after Wembley, when the supposed showpiece of the season has been affected one way or the other by some unfortunate player having to be withdrawn from the game because of injury. You might think that as this is a hardy annual by now everything there is to be said on the point has already been said and that no useful purpose can be served by reaping it up. I disagree because for all the talk, there has been no notion and unless everybody keeps on hammering away at every opportunity there will never by any action. Changes come only slowly and then mainly because they are carried through by the weight of public opinion. Sooner or later, the rule must be changed to permit substitutes but the worrying feature is that it is much more likely to be later rather than sooner.
MY FRIEND
I feel so strongly about this at the moment because my particular friend, Dave Whelan was the unfortunate chap to have the injury blow fall on him at Wembley, and because my old team, Blackburn Rovers were deprived of any chance to stage a recovery after his withdrawal. These events may have given my feelings a new edge, but they have not changed them, I have always felt that from the standpoint of spectators as well as teams the more satisfactory way would be to keep teams at strength, or as near strength as possible. I see Mr. Stan Cullis, the Wolves manager, has gone on record as saying that substitution should be allowed only for the Wembley Final. Why, I fail to see. It is true that Wembley house the biggest crowd and that the Cup final is a special occasion, but how much more important is it than two points which would win or lose the championship? What is good in one set of circumstances is good in all in my opinion. Discussing this argument the other day with a number of footballers, I heard an interesting variation. One of them thought it might be better instead of bringing on a new man, to insist that the player occupying the same position in the opposing team should also retire. It is novel and that is just about all I can say in its favour. Certainly it makes little or no appeal to me. To ask a fully fit player to go out of the game is unthinkable.
DIFFICULTIES
Not only that but spectators come to see two full teams in action not two sides below strength. Soccer is intended to be played with eleven men a-side and that is the way we should play it. Do not think for one moment that I am glossing over the difficulties of the situation. It bristles with them and I am convinced that the stage at which the legislators really fights shy of any change is that at which the question of abuse arises. Obviously that is the big danger, but surely it is not so big that we should fight shy of it. Let us at least give the enlightened view an opportunity to be proved or disproved in many circumstances there is just no room for jiggery-pokery, fractures for example. It does not require medical men to decide that such a player is incapable of further contribution to the game. No that is the least of the problem. Merely to say that substitutes would be allowed in case of fractures, however, is insufficient for any player will tell you that a pulled muscle can at times be almost as final a bar to further participation as fractures. To allow or not allow a substitute can present a terribly difficult problem in certain circumstances.
APROVISO
I suggest that the decision should be left to a neutral medical officer. Some peoples may kid him but it is worth the risk and a proviso that shy player substituted should not be allowed to take part in the two following games, would make the wide boy, think twice. If substitutes are to be allowed they must be permitted at any stage of the game, not merely the first half. The final ten minutes could be just as vital as any other stage. We would have to be careful that no club profited from the legislation. For example, a team playing at home might have several strong reserves on hand from whom to select a deputy a player accustomed to the position to be filled. That would be most unfair for obviously visiting clubs cannot half their playing staff about the country on the off chance of needing one of them. My idea would be to allow every club to carry a party of 13 named players either home or away, and substitutes should be drawn from those reserves, if he should have to step into an unaccustomed place that is too bad, but professional footballers, should be able to play another man's game in time of emergency and I think you would find that most of them can. I am not suggesting that my ideas on the topic are infallible. Far from it. They are just thoughts, and I hope constructive thoughts. At least they must be an improvement on the present standstill attitude. Sooner or later there will be a public outcry which simply will have to be heard. They have gone on for years patiently putting up with a situation in which injury prevents any real trial of strength. In other words, they will demand the entertainment for which they pay and below strength casts cannot give the same show as a full strength company. This is the last of my present series of articles, I hope you have enjoyed reading them as much as I have writing them and I should like to take this opportunity of thinking the many readers who have written to me from time to time.

ASSAULT ON GOODISON PARK MUD
Friday, May 13, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Yesterday was the day provisionally set aside for the replaying of the F.A Cup final at Goodison Park, but thankfully in view of Saturday's exhibition it was an unnecessary precaution and Everton are now able to announce plans adopted recently for a comprehensive overhaul of their playing pitch. Up come the cables installed two years ago at a cost of £7,000 for soil warming purposes hen winter's bite is keenest, not because the wiring has proved in any way unsuccessful, but to enable a new assault to be made on the drainage problem, which has left the Goodison Park pitch in such an unsatisfactory state during wet weather. Everton are quite happy about the success of the electric wiring which has proved its worth from time to time and it is a definite intention to relay it in the future but almost certainly not earlier than twelve months from now, to give the ground an opportunity to settle down after the major operation about to be performed. When the wiring is replaced it will be done with the aid of a mole plough, which causes only the minimum of disturbance. The depth of soil above the ground's clinker bed is to be reduced by half to about five inches, which will obviously enable any future working which may be necessary, to be more direct and effective. Supporters will undoubtedly be glad that the directors have had the courage to embark on what will undoubtedly be an expensive scheme, for obviously only such an all-out assault can bring the required results. Previous patch-work plans have helped, but I think the board are right in deciding to attempt a permanent cure at one bold stroke. The work should be completed early in June. Meanwhile for one year Everton will be exposed to weather risks accepted as a matter of course by other clubs.

EVERTON PLAN WILL APPEAL TO FEW CLUBS
Tuesday, May 17, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
With Leslie Edwards
The Football League are not after all going to pay tax on the £10,000 received weekly throughout the season in respect of copyright fees for use of the fixtures. They propose to use the hugh sum pay by the Pools to run the League and give clubs surplus of money from the 4 per cent, levy fund to who all contribute out of receipts from home gates. Everton whose home gates are invariably so much better than other clubs do not favour this principle. They will seek at the League's annual meeting next week to persuade everyone that the better plan would be to let clubs keep 4 per cent of their income receipts and not pay into the fund at all. Who can blame them?
There are so many less fortunate club, interested in the League's none proposal Everton's counter-proposal is I think sure to be defeated. The Scottish football league which unlike ours is not a Limited Company paid they clubs big sums out of the money received for the copy-right of fixtures but the windfall this side of the border was with-held when it became clear that it was liable to tax. The League decision to retain the Pools payments and to recompense members out of the levy fund should effect a tremendous saving.

THE GROUNDMAN'S HEADACES WERE LES GULLS...
Wednesday, May 18, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
With Leslie Edwards
Liverpool University groundsman, Mr. Ted Ivison always eager to be first with any innovation at the University athletic grounds at Wyncote, did not take long to give a trial run to those protective polythene sheets Everton F.C used for a time to get them over their ground crisis mud-winter. But Mr. Ivison envisaged the new cover as one which might protect his cricket pitch overnight and allow play where none might otherwise be possible. As the polythene strip was not eyeleted (as are those manufactured specially for the job) he found it difficult to lay and keep in position. Then there arose a snag which no groundsman and no manufacturer could have anticipated –Les Gulls!
The sheet of the polythene mirrored by the sun caught the eye of seagulls wheeling over Wyncote awaiting their next meal. Quite clearly they mistook this form of wicket-covering for a nice stretch of calm water. They swooped patted the surface with their webbed feet and then when grub or worm emerged underneath got at it by the simple process of piercing the polythene with their beaks! A polythene sheet free of holes is difficult enough to deal with when it has been filled by rainwater; one which has become something of a colander from the attention of Les Gulls's even worse.
Early Bird
Mr. Ivison considers that treating the sheeting to make it proof against Gulls beaks would destroy part of its advantage since its transparency allow the sun's rays to do their work on the turf. His solution to the problem attendant on the use of polythene sheeting is to use the cover on speciality prepared portable frames. He has constructed four of these measuring seven yards by their feet. They are mounted on castors and can therefore be placed or removed quickly. He has had no further trouble from gulls whose propensity for grubbing through polythene is equalised out by the depreciations of lesser birds which pierce the top of my milk bottles and steal the cream and leave skimmed milk. The trouble is I am never up early enough to catch them at it. It is well there is no land-borne equivalent to Gannet, a sea bird well known off the Conway estuary whose personal drive-bombing must be seen to be believed. At Muirfield on the Forth not long ago I watched hundreds of them wheeling over a gale-swept sea and then dropping through shot to hit the water (and some luckless fish) and send up such a column of water one presumed for them nothing less than a broken neck. Hightown cricket club groundsman Mr. William Spicer is also to experiment with polythene sheeting manufactured not far away. Despite some minor snags it is certain that there is a future for the material and the cost is so considerably most local clubs here would be able to afford it.

EVERTON GET TWO MORE ON THEIR BOOKS
Tuesday, May 24, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton who slashed their professional playing strength from forty to twenty-six recently yesterday increased it to twenty eight by announcing two full time professional signings.
They are Pat Dunne a seventeen-years-old goalkeeper who was brought by manager John Carey from Dublin junior circles. Last year and David Gorrie a Merseyside grammar schoolboy who last season played in a variety of positions including centre-forward wing-half and full-back, before being played at centre half by Mr. Carey in this position he took part in several games for the Central league side.
ALL RE-SIGN
It is as a centre half that the embarks on his professional career. All Everton's retained players have resigned for next season. Bobby Collins the Scottish international forward last night left London Airport for South Africa where he is to play a series of six exhibition matches. This involves a stay of six weeks, but he will be back in time to resume training for next season with his Everton colleagues.

EVERTON'S BIG SIGNINGS BRING £49,054 LOSS
Tuesday, May 31, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
GATE RECEIPTS UP AS CUP REVENUE SLUMPS
BALANCE SHEET
By Michael Charters
Everton's big spending spree in the transfer market last season when they signed Tommy ring, Roy Vernon, Mickey Lill, and Jimmy Gabriel in the space of six weeks has resulted in a loss of £49,054 over the year. The loss was £16,712 the previous year. The balance sheet issued today shows that there was an excess of expenditure over income of £84,160 in transfer fees, but the increased support caused by the incoming of these players the club had seven successive home gates of over 50,000 meant an increase in gate receipts of £12,804 to offset that figure somewhat. Gross gate receipts were £113,442 –the previous year the figure was £100,638. Another reason for the big loss was the drop in receipts from the F.A. Cup. The defeat in the third round at Bradford City meant that income from that Cup-tie and other matches was £14,535 as compared with £41,525 the season before. Players wages and bonuses accounted for £131,358 compared with £27,033 the previous year. Travelling and match expenses were down from £13,273 to £11,240 and scouting costs also dropped from £5,954 to £3,251.
LOSS OF OFFICE
There was a payment of £1,600 to Mr. Ian Buchan for loss of office when Mr, Buchan left the position of chief coach to quit football and take up business career. The club is in dept to the bank and other creditors to the amount of £88,895 while trade and sundry creditors are owed £21,662. The value of Goodison Park including the floodlighting and soil warming installation plus property owned by the club is given as £99,005. The annual meeting will be held on June 23, when the three retiring directors –Messrs Norman Coffey, Cyril Bamforth, and Holland Hughes-offer themselves for re-election. No other nominations have been received.

SHEPHERD AND TANSEY SIGN
Tuesday, May 31, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
TRANSFER TO CREWE COMPLETED
By Michael Charters
Crewe Alexandra assistant manager Jimmy McGuigan has signed two of the players on the Everton 14 –strong transfer list-full back Jim Tansey and inside forward Jim Shepherd. The combined fee is about £1,000. Tansey a Liverpool boy signed professional for Everton in 1948 after two years as an amateur. He was a former captain of the Liverpool County F.A Youth team. He began his career as a wing half later switched to full back and from 1956 to 1958 was a regular choice for the first team. Last season Tansey turned down a chance to join Wrexham.
Shepherd joined Everton in July last year on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers where he had been signed from a Wigan club during the managership of Mr. John Carey now the Everton chief. He is only 21 and played many Central League games for Everton last season.