EVERTON YOUTH TEAM TO VISIT HOLLAND
Wednesday, February 1, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
TOURNAMENT INVITATION IN JUNE
By Leslie Edwards
Everton will have two parties on tour during the close season.  The first team are due to three week’s spell, starting in May, and now the Youth eleven have been invited-the only one from an English club to take part in the International Youth tourney promoted by the A.D.O club of the Hague early in June.  Clubs from all over Europe will be taking part in the competition.  Everton coach Leslie Shannon will be in charge of the Youth X1, which currently in the last eight for the FA Youth Cup.

EVERTON YOUTH TEAM TO VISIT HOLLAND
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 01 February 1961
TOURNAMEMT INVITATION
IN JUNE
By Leslie Edwards
Everton will have two parties on tour during the close season. The first team are due to visit New York for a two to three weeks' spell, starting in May, and now the Youth eleven have been invited—the only one from an English club—to take part in the International Youth tourney promoted by the A.D.O. club of the Hague early in June. Clubs from all over Europe will be taking part in the competition, Everton coach Leslie Shannon will be in charge of the Youth Xl. which is currently in the last eight for the F.A. Youth Cup.

YOUNG AND PARKER IN EVERTON TEAM
Thursday, February 2, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
BOLTON WANDERERS VISIT GOODISON PARK
BENTLEY PLKAYS
By Leslie Edwards
Alex Young, the Everton centre-forward who has made only one League appearance since he was signed last November, leads the attack at Goodison Park on Saturday.  He has suffered no ill-effect from his first game in the friendly match last Saturday, after his long absence.  Alex Parker, who missed that game through injury, returns at right back with Tommy Jones as his partner.  Young Bentley retrain his place at outside right And Derek Temple is on the left.  Everton;- Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, Harris, Bentley, Collins, Young, Vernon, Temple. 

YOUNG AND PARKER IN EVERTON TEAM
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 02 February 1961
BOLTON VISIT GOODISON
BENTLEY
Alex Young the Everton centre-forward who has made only one League appearance since he was signed last November, leads the attack at Goodison Park against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday (writes Leslie Edwards).  He has suffered no ill-effects from his first game in the friendly match at Leeds last Saturday, after his long absence.  Alex Parker who missed that game through injury, returns at right back, with Tom Jones at his partner.  Young Bentley retains his place at outside right with Derek Temple is on the left.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bentley, Collins, Young, Vernon, Temple. 

YOUNG RETURNS TO THE GOODISON SCENE
Friday, February 3, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
BETLEY MAKES EVERTON LEAGUE DEBUT ON RIGHT WING
Everton supporters will have their second chance to see centre-forward Alex Young, signed from Hearts for £42,000 nearly three months ago, in action tomorrow, when he leads the attack against Bolton Wanderers.  Young, whose only previous League appearance was against Tottenham Hotspur on December 17 came through Saturday’s friendly game at Leeds undamaged and is now ready to start the long climb back to the top.  Another of Everton’s large Scottish colony, full back Alex Parker also returns to the side after injury, and will be partnered by Tommy Jones, with seventeen-year-old Roy Parnell the man to stand down.  Irish International right winger Billy Bingham’s injured groin has still not responded to treatment so another teenager, eighteen-year-old Jack Bentley (originally a centre forward) retains the position be occupied temporally last Saturday and makes his League debut.  With Lill and Ring still unfit remains on the left wing.  The Everton team is; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bentley, Collins, Young, Vernon, Temple. 

ROY VERNON SAYS OF U.S. TOUR
Friday, February 3, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON WILL NEVER LET BRITAIN DOWN
About a month ago the Everton manager, Mr. John Carey, broke the news to us that there was a chance we might be invited to represent England in a close season tour to America.  The weeks pass and we heard nothing more until we begin to think this was another Everton ambition to find its way into the discard bin, but this week we were all delighted to learn that we had been chosen.  We regard it as an honour, and a privilege and while undoubtedly it is a little solace for the disappointments which have come our way at the same time it is a challenge and an opportunity.  All the lads are fully conscious this is something much more than a joy trip.  We remember all too well the events of last season when things did not quite proceed according to plan.  Even if we cannot promise you we will win the competition we will conduct ourselves with dignity and responsibility. 
IMPROVEMENT SOON
By May I think it reasonable to assume that our bad spell will have passed and that we will again be playing the sort of football which caused so many nice things to be said about us.  What an incentive this trip is going to be for chaps like Mickey Lill and Tommy Ring.  If they don’t catch that plane to America I shall be surprised.  When Burnley were chosen to make the last trip there was no indication at all that they would travel as champions of the Football League.  Yet they did.  I am not, however, pretending that I think history will repeat itself and for the second year in succession England’s champions will go.  The next best thing would be for the first Football League Cup winners to represent England and of course I am implying that will be Everton.  This competition seems to have faded into the back ground now that the F.A Cup has taken over but at Goodison we are well aware of our responsibilities in this connection.  In my view the ideal thing for future seasons would be to have the final of the League Cup played before the third round ties of the F.A Cup, I know that would mean quite a hustle but only by playing the matches on a tight schedule before counter attractions drown it, can we hope to put life into the competition. 
EXPERIENCE OF AMERICA
We shall not lack experienced guides when we get to New York for I believe club skipper, Tommy Jones has been before, and both our chairman, Mr. John Moores and manager John Carey also know their way around.  From the point of view of enjoyment May is the ideal time to be going abroad, but it can hardly be called ideal for players to give of their best at the end of a hard and long season.  British clubs would fare much better, I am sure if the competition were to be held at the end of July or beginning of August when perfectly fit and fresh players would be able to give all they had.  Two of our Scots, Jimmy Gabriel and Alex Young also know what it is like in New York, for they made trips with Dundee and Hearts respectively, I have been on close season tours to Sweden, Holland, \Israel, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia, but America is a part of the world I have always wanted to go.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that nothing will happen to keep me off the plane.  It is not wishful thinking when I say I believe that Everton have at last reached the end of their depressing spell.  From now on I think we can guarantee to include victories among our results.
YOUNG SHOWS PROMISE
Sometimes it is said, it is the onlooker who sees most of the game, but that is not always the case.  I am thinking of Leeds and Alex Young in particular, if you were to decide after reading reports that Young was completely indifferent and made no sort of contribution to our success how wrong you would be.  Playing alongside him I thought there was much in his play to give reason for satisfaction.  Four of five times during the game, I found myself running into the open space knowing the ball was flowing along towards me.  The snag was that it was practically impossible to kick the ball more than five or six yards and so the passes never reached me.  But it was not Alex’s fault.  He had spotted the open space, and had done his utmost to put the ball through.  Nobody could have done more.  Under normal conditions every one of those offerings would have been a direct invitation to goal-scoring and I need no reminding that I have not scored since December 3.  It is just an example of the cussedness of life these days that when Alex Young is perfectly fit again and raring to go, we see so little of him for immediately a match is over away he has to go back to his unit.  When he was unfit and unable to join us in practice and tactics he was on hand for most of the time.  How infuriating still there are only a few months to the time when he will be able to call himself mister again and that’s a privilege that has to be experienced to be appreciated. 

TRANMERE SIGN KING FROM BOURNEMOUTH
Liverpool Echo - Friday 03 February 1961
Ex-Everton Wing Half
PLAYS TO-MORROW
By Michael Charters
Tranmere Rovers to-day signed John King, the 20- Bournemouth, wing left from Bournemouth, who left Everton for the Southern club last July at a fee of about £4,000. Manager Walter Galbraith has been negotiating for King for the past fortnight although the clubs interest in him goes back to the day when Everton rather surprisingly, put King on the transfer list last close season. Had King not decided to go to Bournemouth in the summer Tranmere would have signed him then. That interest was intensified when Tranmere played at Bournemouth three weeks ago, as Mr. Galbraith learnt that King had not settled in the South and was anxious to return to Merseyside. King, although born in wood area from childhood and left half from the start of the married a local girl only a week before his transfer from Everton.
Arrives to Night
King and Bournemouth completed their side of the transfer forms this morning and King travelled up to Liverpool with them.  He was to be met at Lime Street by Mr. Galbraith this evening and the deal would then be finalized by Mr. Galbraith’s signature. 
BOLTON CHANCES
Bolton make three changes for their game with Everton at Goodison Park to-morrow Farrimond and Deakin displace Banks and Hill, and Warwick Rimmer, a native of Birkenhead, deputises for the injured Cunliffe. This will be Rimmer's first appearance in a League match on his native Merseyside. He is the nephew of Ellis Rimmer, the former Tranmere, Sheffield Wednesday, and England outside-left Bolton;  Hopkinson: Hartle; Farrimond: Stanley, Edwards (B.), Rimmer: Birch, Stevens, McAdams, Deakin, Holden.
Roles reversed
Everton and Bolton Wanderers, reverse their usual roles at Goodison Park to-morrow, For too long Bill Ridding's team have come here—mostly with Nat Lofthouse as the spearhead—as favourites with Everton struggling in the danger area. Bolton, with Preston, are now much up against it, one through injuries and the retirement of Lofthouse and the other because they lost half a team when Finney ended his career. Everton's 3-2 win after being 2-0 down at Leeds may well be a straw indicating their revival, but we cannot be sure until they have won to-morrow. Providing we do not have the fog which clouded sight of Young on his debut game against Tottenham we should see his potential clearly and if, as everyone hopes, he has completely recovered from that expensive knee injury we shall expect him to get among the goals, Everton.- Dunlop, Parker, Jones: Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bentley, Collins, Young, Vernon, Temple.

ALL EYES ON EVERTON’S START CENTRE FORWARD
Saturday, February 4, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
ALEX YOUNG GETS ANOTHER CHANCE TO SHOW HE IS WORTH £42,000
By Ian Hargreaves
Although Everton’s fortunes have waned since that happy time just before Christmas when they were carrying all before them, the news of their selection to represent England in America this summer should do much to give their remaining matches additional interest.  When their full resources are all available Everton will again be a side to reckon with, and if supporters cannot hope to see anything concrete achieved just now, they can still enjoy watching the club prepare for the future.  This afternoon’s match against Bolton at Goodison should provide some valuable pointers in this direction for it will feature, not only the first League appearance of the club’s teenaged right winger Jack Bentley, but also the long-awaited return of centre forward Alex Young.  Ever since Young arrived at Goodison from Hearts nearly three months ago the whole of Merseyside has been waiting to get a proper look at him.  A nagging leg injury delayed his debut and when it finally came in the match with Tottenham Hotspur the encircling fog banks, left us very little wise-though it was clear he was still not fully fit.  Then came another injury immediately after and complete obscurity.  Now after six weeks patient preparation he is ready to return, and with last week’s friendly run-out against Leeds, behind him, do himself justice against Bolton opposition always renowned for their strength and determination if not for their subtlety.  The intriguing thought of a Collins-Young-Vernon inside trio should bring many to Goodison who would otherwise stay away and those who still doubt may be swayed by the knowledge of Bentley’s youthful precocity at outside right. 
TWO NOTABLE ABSENTEES
Originally a centre forward, Bentley has played mostly on the wing in the Central League side and is just another of the many youngsters, Tyrer, Parnell, Sharples, and Jarvis are others-who manager Carey is grooming for future stardom.  With Bingham, Lill, and Ring all injured Everton’s weakness on the flanks is becoming proverbial, and it will be welcome news indeed if Bentley manages to rise to the occasion.  Although the limelight will naturally be focussed on the newcomers spare a thought for two men, both centre forwards who will not be playing.  The first, Frank Wignall has had to make way for Young, but may well force his way back before too long if he maintains his steady progress.  His days of glory still lie ahead, and not too far ahead either if he can recapture his golden scoring touch.  The other, Nat Lofthouse, known whenever football is played, is fighting an injury that threatens to end his illustrious career.  From a playing point of view Everton must be glad he is far away, but none the less, Bolton won’t seen quite the same without this, lion-hearted warrior with the cannon-ball shot.  The end of the Lofthouse era largely accounts for indisinguished showing lately and at present they are very much candidates for relegation.  Another old favourite, Roy Parry is now with Blackpool.  Higgins has been injured and that craggy left back Banks has been dropped after his failure to contain Bryan Douglas in Wednesday’s Cup replay.  But England goalkeeper Hopkinson is still between the sticks, Irish International centre McAdams leads an attack which includes ball-player Denis Stevens and versatile England winger, Holden, and Rimmer, a former Tranmere youngster, who bids fair to follow in Johnny Wheeler’s footsteps is at left half, so Everton won’t have everything their own way.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bentley, Collins, Young, Vernon, Temple.  Bolton; Hopkinson; Hartle, Farrimond, Stanley, B. Edwards, Rimmer, Birch, Stevens, MacAdams, Deakin, Holden. 

A REAL CHANCE TO SEE ALEX YOUNG
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 04 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
The occasion of the match against Bolton. To-day, will give followers of Everson their first real chance to see Scottish International centre-forward. Alex Young in action. True, he has played once before at Goodison Park, but in such foggy conditions and against such a fine Tottenham side, he was scarcely seen. Young's appearance in the team and the "blooding" for the first time in a League game of the young winger, Bentley, who did well at Leeds a week ago, will make the match more compelling than it would have been in other circumstance, but with Cup interest gone and the League position neither one thing nor another, the crux is whether or not Bolton can take a step towards safety.
The pity for Everton is that Ring and Lill, two players who might well have helped them to maintain their early run of success, are still absent. There was never much chance that Ring would recover from the leg he broke at Chelsea much before March, but Lill was expected to be fit within six or seven weeks of having a cartilage removed. I gather that his knee trouble and that accidental spiking in training are still holding him back and that there is little chance for the moment of his return to the game. There can be no doubt that injuries to these two players, plus the long absence of Young at the very time he most needed, caused Everton to go off the boil at one of the season's most critical stages. What a great roar would- go up if Young marked with a goal his belated return to the League
BENTLEY'S CHANCE
Young Bentley on the right made his first appearance in the first team at Leeds: now after proving himself in Youth football he gets his big chance in a First Division match. The fact that Everton have nothing to lose and everything to gain, so far as the League is concerned, makes this a good moment to introduce young players. Most people will be glad to see Derek Temple back in the side. He may not be the ideal man for the left-wing position but at least Everton won consistently when he was there previously.  Parker's return, too, as partner to war-horse Tom Jones is one which will give fans great pleasure. He was hardly fit in the Cup game and could not go up-field inspiringly as he usually does. On the face of things and particularly as Bolton engaged in two stiff Cup games within the space of five days, Everton have all the advantages, but this is never an easy fixture to win. Manager Bill Ridding, once a hero at Tranmere, is a shrewd judge of players and tactics and like match many others he will be all-out to ensure that the Roy Vernon- Bobby Collins threat is one which receives special attention.

NO FOG-BUT A GLOOMY GAME AT GOODISON PARK
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 04 February 1961
BOLTON TAKE POINTS AFTER LATE GOAL RUSH
EVERTON 1, BOLTON 2
By Leslie Edwards
Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bentley, Collins, Young, Vernon, Temple.  Bolton Wanderers; Hopkinson; Banks, Farrimond; Stanley, Edwards (B.), Rimmer, Birch, Stevens, McAdams, Deakin, Holden.  Referee; Mr. J. Powell. 
The cold weather cut the crowd to one of about 30,000 at the start of this match which saw Bentley make his League debut on the Everton right.  The occasion was notable for the reappearance of Alex Young as leader of the Everton attack.  His only previous home game having been all but blotted out by fog.  Young Bentley started with a good stop-go movement in the first minute.  It was an untidy start from both sides, with Bolton getting a couple of free kicks, one against Gabriel, and the other against Tom Jones.  Everton were very luck to escape when Farrimond found Deakin with a lovely pass and the forward’s shot, although deflected by a defender beat the far post by only a foot or two.  From the corner, Holden swerved in a shot which seemed likely to beat Dunlop but the goalkeeper moved fast and all was well.  The crowd rose to Young for a delicious pass to Collins and it was a good mark for young Rimmer that he weighed in instantly with a first class tackle to save the situation.  Then Brian Harris got the ball back at the second attempt to Dunlop after beating Birch cleverly.  Temple tried a long shot when Vernon evidently thought a pass would have been more useful and then Geldard brought down the fiery Stevens for the second time and Stevens plainly did not like it.  Young looked pretty small against the massive Edwards and in the air there was little doubt as to who was master.
Young got into the crowd's good books with a post-hitting header after young Rimmer in attempting to head away had only succeeded in flicking the ball upwards. Certainly Young deserved what would have been his first goal for his new club for his positional sense in seizing up the chance and taking it so well. Bolton were clearly a side in trouble, for much of their work was hasty and haphazard.  Young Farrimond who had made a good reverse pass to his goalkeeper a minute before brought down Bentley heavily just outside the penalty area after the Everton boy picked up a Vernon pass
EVERTON ON TOP
Everton were now getting on top but Stevens got Birch going with a glorious header only for the winger to attempt to shoot from an impossible angle. Jones was unlucky to lose possession to Stevens and the Bolton forward went on to deliver useful low shot that Dunlop saved just inside the post. 
McAdam who had been nursing an injury a moment before was quick to seize the ball as it came from the left and produce yet another shot but one so straight at Dunlop it was posed no special difficulty. Vernon was being kept very quiet by a succession of decisive tackles.  Everton s case was not improved when Stevens hit a shot down a fine angle and Dunlop did not field the ball cleanly. Fortunately he had.  At last Young, with a flicked header, put Vernon through but Farrimond's semi rugby tackle stopped his gallop.  A free kick was inevitable; before it could be taken Stanley had to receive attention for an injury.  Bentley shot over the bar from a palpably offside Position, and Parker in a clash with Birch, got a blow to the thigh which sent him hobbling painfully to the touch line. Meanwhile Deakin hit the shot of the match and once again Dunlop saved brilliantly. Parker now also received attention from trainer Watson on the touch line before he could resume. Collins had one spell in which he showed his mastery of the ball and the situation but there could be no denying that this was a poor game from both points of view and it Bolton had been less anxious, with their finishing they must have been in the lead even now.
Bentley's play was a bit green with little coming from the Everton wings it was hardly surprising the prospect was so unpromising. Yet oddly' enough it was Bentley who made Everton's best strike to date. He hit a good shot after winning the bail unexpectedly in a clinch against Edwards; and Hopkinson had to bring off a real England-type save to get the ball round the post.
BOLTON'S CLAIM

Bolton claimed, with justice, I think, that Hopkinson handled Temple's centre only after it had gone out of play but the referee was adamant on a corner. Young took a through pass from Collins and in trying to angle his shot to be certain of beating the out coming Hopkinson pulled the ball out of play. Bolton were playing like a Pretty tired team and Everton had little, if any more zip. A timely tackle by Stevens, on Vernon prevented an almost certain goal and although Everton claimed a free-kick referee Powell waved play on. A moment later McAdams had the ball in the Everton net and seemed surprised that the referee promptly disallowed it for offside. The Bolton defence panicked easily and more than once lost the ball in the stands. Hopkinson got the ball over the bar as Collins swerved in from the right, a particularly useful of work because he was severely challenged by Young.  Steven was doing valuable work as a defence, but Bolton were only a shadow of the side they used to be, and if they had pulled up their socks Everton must surely have enjoyed a long lead at the interval.
Half-time; Everton nil, Bolton nil.
Bolton restarted with the damaged Stanley at outside right. Bitch at inside right and Stevens at right half. Temple made a glorious run beating both Stevens and Banks but he delayed his centre so long he could only get a corner.  Farrimond cut off a pass intended to go inside him and find Bentley, and Everton got another corner again without reward. A slow moving header by Young from a long through ball by Parker was caught with no difficulty by Hopkinson and in these early moments of the second half at least there was no sign of any general improvement in the game-or by Everton. Young, in the outside right position, was clearly held by Edwards, but the referee saw no infringement and it was left to Collins to follow up and force Hopkinson into giving away a corner.  A bad foul by Birch on Gabriel added to the heat of the moment, and following this Hopkinson brought off a splendid save from Parker high up, despite its long range.  Hopkinson lost grip of the ball, when challenged by Young but regained it at the second attempt, and if it were not for a few minor excitements as this it would have been a very pointless match in nearly way.  A grand pass by Young found Collins eager to shoot and the power of the drive from a fine angle caused the goalkeeper to lose possession momentarily but again he was quick to recover.  Stevens' work at right half was invaluable. He cut off in flight a good pass by Bentley which must otherwise have put Vernon through down the right wing. There followed an extra- ordinary move in which Gabriel had a shot crowded out and then found Collins who pivoted and stewed the ball a yard or two to Young who turned it straight into the net. Once again, however, the Scot was unlucky. The referee judged him offside and I think he may have been by the merest fraction. Brian Harris then hit a storming shot outside the post. Banks dispossessed Temple after the winger had taken ball half the length of the field and the crowd laughed derisively. Young Bentley might have won the match for his side after an excellent bit of work Vernon, but instead of electing to shoot he decided to make a certainty of it by someone else, and that was the end of that. Bolton got a penalty when Gabriel brought Birch down just inside the penalty box and the referee, right on the spot, had not the slightest doubt of the award. McAdams took the kick and though Dunlop stretched out his right foot at the big shot, it was to no avail, and now Everton really began to approaches how urgently they needed penetration and punch in attack.  Collins had a shot deflected and Temple came up in an attempt to side foot the ball inside the post but again Hopkinson was wise to the situation.  McAdam scored a second two minutes from the end from a lovely pass by Deakin.  This goal dispersed the crowd quicker than anything but Collins scored from a pass by Vernon a minute later.  Final; Everton 2, Bolton Wanderers 1.  Official Attendance 36,411. 

PLAYERS THRILLED OVER TOUR
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 04 February 1961
MANY HAVE BEEN BEFORE, WRITES ALEX PARKER
WE Everton players were very proud when we heard that our club had been chosen by the Football League to represent them in the International Soccer tournament in New York this summer and are all looking forward to it. If I go, it will be my first visit to America, but I think most of you reading this will be surprised at the number of players in the team who have been before. Although I had heard that Everton were interested in entering the competition the first I knew that we had been picked was when I read it in Monday's Echo. Trainer Gordon Watson confirmed it when we were at training on Tuesday morning and naturally it was that day’s topic of conversation - and every day since. Apparently I am a novice when it comes to travelling for after being told: "It's a great experience to go to the States for the first time,” I made some inquiries from these men of the world and I learned that quite a number had been before. Bobby Collins went there with Celtic, Alex Young and George Thomson with Hearts, Jimmy Gabriel with Dundee, Billy Bingham with Sunderland, and Tommy Jones and Brian Harris went on Everton's last tour.
BY YOURSELF
I hear that over there teams do not run on to the pitch as they do in England. Apparently you run on by yourself and are announced over the loudspeaker system. For instance you might hear: “Now here comes Bobby Collins. He cost 60,000 bucks." They also announce goal-scorers and the man who made the final pass. e.g.: “A goal for Roy Vernon with an assist from Alex Young." as in ice hockey, or course, about 12 ago writing about, his competition. In fact, thanks to one or two of my correspondents over there. I remember about a month ago writing about this competition.  In fact, thanks to one or two of my correspondents over there, I was able to give the full details before they became generally known over here.  Little did I think then Everton would be taking part so soon. 
Of course, I have had many letters from people over there, mostly exiled Liverpool people (or should it be Everton?) and no doubt they will be getting in touch when the club arrive. If they can turn up and cheer the boys at the matches
YOUTH TOUR
The youth team have also been rewarded for their success this season (they are in the last eight of the F.A. Youth Cup' by being invited to take part in a competition in Holland. Everybody is particularly pleased for their coach, Les Shannon, who will be in charge of the party. He has worked hard to make the side one of the best in the country. As I was unable to play at Leeds in our friendly last week. I spent the afternoon at Anfield watching the Cup- tie. I felt sorry for Liverpool having to go out after being top for practically all the second half, but must give credit to the Sunderland half-back line of Anderson, Hurley, and McNab.  Hurley is undoubtedly a great player. Normally I am never happy seeing a centre s half dribbling the ball his own penalty area, but the Sunderland player does it in such a way that his goal never seems to be in danger.  I felt particularly sorry for Alan A’Court and Kevin Lewis, whom I thought were Liverpool’s best players, whilst Dick White too played well.  He never seems to have a bad match when I am watching.
ON THE WAY
You may have seen an item in the Echo recently relating to an 11-years-old Evertonian, Walter Redpath, of 124 Lowerhouse Lane, West Derby, who has had to go into hospital for an operation on his crippled leg.  His twin brother, James, is a Liverpool fan.  This cutting was shown to me by a neighbor of mine who took the trouble to come to my home, and I have also received a letter from a “Loyal Evertonian” in Prescot.  They both ask me to get the team’s autographs for Walter, and I certainly shall.  If you read this Walter they are on their way.  We hurry up and get fit.  We want to hear you at Goodison again. 

WOLVES RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 04 February 1961
Wolves Res; - Davies; Kelly, Harris; Kirkham, Woodfield, Goodwin; Mannion, Winshurst, Stobbart, Read, Horne.  Everton Res; Mailey; Parnell, Thompson; Meagan, Gorrie, Sharples; Webber, Tyrer, Wignall, Harland, Edwards.  Referee; Mr. A. Harper (Sheffield).  A dreadful mistake by Wolves’ left back Harris gave Everton the lead after four minutes.  Webber, following up, ran round the back as he failed to trap the ball and lobbed it over Davies.  Five minutes later Everton scored a second.  Harland broke through on the left and beat the goalkeeper at his second attempt.  In the 19th minute, Stobart scored for Wolves with a grand header from a centre by Read.  Everton continued to play some fine football and three minutes after Wolves’ goal, Harland took advantage of another bad mistake by Harris and calmly side-footed the ball past Wolves’ goalkeeper.  Half-time; Wolves Res 1, Everton Res 3. 

SPOTLIGHT ON YOUNG OF EVERTON
Monday, February 6, 1961. The Liverpool daily Post
NO GOALS-BUT HE’S A FINE INSIDE FORWARD
By Ian Hargreaves
What makes a footballer, worth £42,000 or considerably more than his weight in gold.  To find out I went with a cameraman to Goodison Park on Saturday to put the spotlight on Alex Young the centre forward Everton brought for that figure last November.  It certainly wasn’t Young’s finest hour and a half-he finished on the losing side and failed to score.  But he did enough to convince most of the 36,000 present that he’s star material.  They applauded as he chipped a pass on to Collins instep from fully thirty yards; they gasped as he headed a Collins centre against the upright; and they roared when he flashed a Gabriel’s pass into the net-only to be pulled up for off-side.  Playing in an unbalanced team virtually without wingers Young failed to produce Lawton-like shots or Mortensen-style dashes.  But he succeeded to finding the open spaces and in placing his passes to perfection.  Strong on the ball and with a natural sense of position, he always looked a player of class-though more of an inside than a centre forward.  Nowhere was this more evident than in the penalty area, where he was too short to out-jump the massive Edwards.  Certainly he was much more dangerous with the ball on the ground.  With only a couple of games behind him in the last three months, he is naturally more than a little rusty, and no doubt Army life has done little to help him keep in trim for First Division football.  When he has a better knowledge of his colleagues –and when he receives better and more intelligent support than he enjoyed on Saturday- he will surely become another of the great personalities who have graced Goodison down the years.  Already the Everton fans show signs of taking him to their hearts and it was clear, most enjoyed his performances on Saturday.  As one toffee-sucking character predicted; “He’ll do.” 

BOLTON GIVE GOODISON FANS THE BLUES
Monday, February 6, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON 1, BOLTON WANDERERS 2
By Alan Pinch
There was no injustice about Everton’s fourth successive League defeat.  True, all the scoring at Goodison Park on Saturday was confine to the last six-minutes, and Bolton’s opening goal came from the penalty spot, but I thought the visitors always looked more menacing in attack and well deserved their unexpected success.  Bolton played hard no-nonsense football.  If the defence were in trouble there was no compunction about belting the ball into touch.  But the forwards while also cutting off the frills, produced neat, progressive moves running quickly into the open spaces with a facility the costly Everton stars rarely matched.  Even without inside-right Dennis Stevens who was pulled back into the defence midway through the first half when right half Stanley seemingly pulled a muscle-an injury which left him more or less a passenger on the wing for the rest of the game-Bolton’s attack by mobile switching of positions often stretched the home team’s defensive resources.  Deakin a hard-working little inside-left and Holden both brought out the best in Dunlop in the early stages, and forceful Irish centre-forward McAdams the former Manchester City player, must account himself very unlucky not to have finished with a hat-trick to his credit.  One of the big talking points of his decidedly mediocre game was McAdams’ disallowed goal after 38 minutes.  It all started when Stevens who gave a very fine performance in his unaccustomed defensive role brought off an excellent tackle to stop Vernon on the edge of Bolton’s penalty area.  A long clearance caught the Everton rearguard on the wrong foot and McAdams raced through to glide a grand shot into the net. 
SMALL CONSOLATION
The tall Irishman was surely never offside when that clearance was made, but the linesman’s flag was up and the referee awarded Everton a free kick.  It must have been a bitter blow to McAdams, who later netted the penalty, and within another four minutes fastened on to a glorious through pass from Deakin to score Bolton’s second goal in great style.  It was small consolation for the disappointed Goodison fans when in the 89th minute, Bobby Collins blasted home a centre from Vernon-but at least that goal served as a pointer to where Everton had consistently gone wrong throughout the afternoon.  So often Everton play attractively to clear the ball from their own half of the field; up to the opposition penalty area their football is intricate, if somewhat laboured; but having reached that stage they suddenly seem to become drained of ideas for getting the ball into the net.  In the face of a dour, determined defence, Everton, too often had recourse to the long, high centre, a desperation form of attack in view of the inside trio’s lack of inches.  Not until the final minutes did Vernon, who had an indifferent sort of game, move across to the right and hit a square ball along the ground to give Collins the scoring chance he relishes.  After all this is a basic –if unwritten –football rule, if your forwards are dominated in the air, probe the opposing defence for weaknesses with low through passes.  Until Everton do this, costly centre-forward, Alex Young looks likely to have a lean time.
BENTLEY’S SPIRIT
Because of the poor service he received, the Scot’s opportunities to shine were very limited.  He hit the far post with one good header and was ruled offside when he netted with a short-range shot on the turn, but whenever he was brought into the game there was a touch of class about everything he did.  Jack Bentley, Everton’s eighteen-year-old right wing debutant, obviously requires to sharpen his reactions to meet First Division standards, but although the crowd did not appear to take kindly to this well-built youngster, he showed a fair amount of pace and lacked nothing in spirit.  One wondered, however, whether the talent of Derek Temple is not being wasted at outside-left.  Temple made some promising dashes, and on one occasion he was foiled only by the daring of Hopkinson driving into the path of a fierce, point-blank drive, but the winger’s inability to get the ball across with his left foot gave Bolton’s defence precious spilt-seconds in which to tackle and smother the threat.  Labone, Parker and to a lesser extent, Harris were the pick of the home rearguard, but to me the left flank looked a little suspect.  The attendance of 36,411 –on a fine mild day-was the lowest at a Goodison, league match this season, and the short burst of slow handiclapping in the second half is clear evidence that the fans expect much better fare than that served up on Saturday. 

SOMEONE CLOSED ONE EYE FOR  REFEREE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 06 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
Referee J. Powell, of Rotherham, disallowed two goals at Goodison Park—one by McAdams of Bolton Wanderers and the other by Young of Everton. He was right, I thought, in both cases and he was right, too, when he awarded a penalty against Gabriel for tripping Birch. How ironic that a referee who must have been told many times during the afternoon to keep his eyes open should travel back to Rotherham with one of them closed and painful! Mr. Powell did not know what hit him as he strode off field towards the subway, but a missile, guided, of course did strike his eye and a linesman picked up a penny. “I was a bit distressed for five or ten minutes." Mr. Powell told me, "but treatment from the doctor eased the pain. It was pretty sore travelling home last night. I'm not going to report it, because it may have been some little kid and you can't blame Everton for it. It there had been more police round the subway it probably would not have happened. Mr. Carey told me how sorry he was." It is not so long since a visiting goalkeeper at Anfleld complained of being hit in the face by a coin. There are some people at our two city grounds who obviously have more money than sense. The city is trying to live down its notable post-war record for football incidents and things at referees is not likely to help—even though a referee elects not to make a case of it. I thought the match and the players well handled. Now if anyone had elected to throw things at the players that would have been understandable, if equally inexcusable. A match with less life would be hard to imagine. Bolton had played a hard Cup-tie a few days previously, but Everton had not: you could not have told which was the tired team or which was the one likely to be involved in a battle against relegation.
SOULLESS, GOALESS
Bolton deserved to win no more than Everton. It was that sort of match—a soulless, goalless draw almost from the first kick. And that was how it went until seven minutes from time, when Gabriel, not for the first time, fouled his man and gave away the penalty from which McAdams scored, despite the outstretched right foot of goalkeeper Dunlop. From that moment Bolton, who had played nervously, anxiously, began to believe in themselves and their second score, again by McAdams, was a well-taken goal from a peach of a pass by Deakin. There was no consoling effect from the goal Collins scored from Vernon's low centre two minutes from the end. By that time Everton followers were streaming out in thousands, content that this was another Everton defeat and that the pre-Christmas fun and games which made the first half of the season such a joy at Goodison would not return until players of the class of Ring, Bingham and Lill are back in the side. Unhappily, the news of both Ring and Lill is that neither will be back for some weeks. The only thing we can the do is sit and suffer—and be patient. Our first clear view of Young as an Everton player showed him to be an artist in the air and on the ground, neat if not dashing and a man who should be able to fit well with the style of Vernon and Collins. But Young's size, or lack of it, means that he cannot make the bodily challenge. He was luckless when making a fine header which struck an upright and again when swiveling quickly and turning the ball into the net from a position which must have been offside by a matter of a foot or two. I liked his sportsmanship and his play in general, but we can never, I think, expect him to be the tear away, battering-ram type of the kind which is popular on this side of the border.
COLLINS IN MINOR KEY
THE key to Everton success is in the hands, or feet, of Vernon and Collins. This time Collins, except occasionally, was a minor key: Vernon's play was punctuated by many severe tackles and even before an injury to Stanley took him to the right wing the busy, tough Stevens was making it his business to make himself a nuisance to the Welshman. Such attention is the penalty of fame. The ball was often got out effectively to the Everton wings, but not always did young Bentley and Temple respond. Each had their moment of inspiration—Bentley when forcing Hopkinson to one of his best saves and Temple when cutting in dangerously after one or two good dribbles. Unfortunately, he delayed his centre each time, and Everton got only corners where, with better judgment, they might have had goals. Parker took an early knock—it might so easily have been the other man who came off worst—and was clearly a bit bothered by injury from that moment. Bolton, with Ellis Rimmer's nephew at left half back (a carbon copy of his father, Sid, at the same age), would have had the match won long before they did if they had not been so affected by the relegation spectra. They shot badly, hurriedly. In the first half alone they might have scored two or three if they had been more phlegmatic. Stevens, who may have found a new niche at half back, was outstandingly good, Hopkinson could scarcely have played better, and Edwards, usually a wing half back, challenged comparison with Labone as a pivot of class. From our viewpoint, the match had little to commend it. Everton are still far below par and will remain so until those vexatious injuries are cleared up and the team gets back its strength on the wings and Collins and Vernon regain zip they seem to have lost as a consequence.

ENGLAND’S UNDER-23 TEAM AT ANFIELD
Liverpool Echo - Monday 06 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
The England Under-23 team, which will face the Under-23’s of Wales at Goodison Park on Wednesday, have a trail match against the full England eleven at Anfield this evening-behind closed doors.  Labone, the Everton centre-half and Byrne the Liverpool back, who are both under-23 man will thus get a severe testing in top-class company.  It is likely that the senior England side many have a tilt, on the same pitch tomorrow, against the Liverpool League team. 

EVERTON SIGN OUTSIDE LEFT
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 07 February 1961
PETER KAVANAGH FROM ROMFORD
Everton have signed a left winger, but not one for immediate first team duty.  He is 22-years-old Peter Kavanagh, of Romford, Essex (writes Leslie Edwards).  He signed for them in London last night will see the under-23 international game at Goodison Park tomorrow evening and will make his debut in the Central League side on the same ground on Saturday.  Kavanagh cost Everton 1,500 and is the first player Romford have ever transferred for money.  They became a professional club only last season.  Kavanagh was once on the books of Fulham, put played only in the “A” team.  He joined Romford, who are in the Southern League, at the start of last season.  Only in the last five or six weeks has he commanded a first team place.  Everton were impressed with Kavanagh, who is very one-footed player, in the home match against Weymouth and again last Saturday at Wocester, Kavanagh stands about 5ft 10ins and weighs about 11 stones. 
EVERTON TO TRAVEL
Everton who had a run of home games in the earlier rounds, have been drawn away to Sheffield Wednesday, in the fifth round of the F.A Youth Cup.  Everton were also away in the last round at Middlesbrough, were they won 2-1. 

WELSH TEAM HAS SIZE AND EXPERIENCE
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 08 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
The appearance of Brian Labone and Gerry Byrne in the England under-23 side at Goodison Park this evening (7.30) gives the match against the under-23's of Wales added point. The fact that Clark, formerly of Queens Park Rangers, will be on the England left also interests followers of Everton since Everton came close to signing him before West Bromwich Albion stepped in. A glimpse at Clark on Television, on Saturday, suggested that he can “go a bit." Both sides have been forced to make changes, but the Welsh side, even without Gammon, who broke a leg in a tempestuous match at Cardiff on Saturday, look good enough to ensure that England will not win easily. At least the Welsh are sizeable. With full caps Graham Williams, Mel Nurse and Graham Moore available their side has strength and experience. Michael England, at right half-back last played in the forward line when I saw him against the Scots at Wrexham. He is from the Mostyn Y.M.C.A. club which produced, or Blackburn and Everton, Roy Vernon. The Six-footer, Ollie Burton, who is tried as leader of the attack is more usually to be found at centre-half. Alongside him on the left will be rangy Herby Williams, of Swansea, who has the reputation for being a great ball player. Everton announce that tickets at 7s 6d for the Gwladys Street stand will be available at the turnstiles. Teams; England; banks (Leicester); Angus (Burnley), G. Byrne (Liverpool); Kirkham (Wolves), Labone (Everton), Moore (West Ham); Riley (Leicester), Crowe (Blackburn), J. Byrne (Crystal Palce), Allen (Spurs), Clark (West Brom)’  Wales; Hollins (Brighton); Hughes (B) (Swansea), Graham Williams (WBA), England (Blackburn), Nurse (Swansea Town), Hole (Swansea Town); Jones B (Swansea Town), Moore (Cardiff City), Burton (Newport), Williams H (Swansea City), Jones F. (Swindon). 
SLEEPING BEAUTIES
Pestered by those injuries which have made all the difference to them Everton cannot even please hospital patients... One, Jim Rafferty writes from Ward M 1. Walton Hospital to say that 35 men in that ward were talking all Saturday morning about the match on the wireless in the afternoon, yet before the interval, despite an excellent, honest commentary, thirty of them were fast asleep! Some of the points I give in letters below are as well appreciated at Goodison Park., as they are in the minds of the writers. For example Mr. J. R. Gillbanks, from 24 Maxton Road, Liverpool 6. Writes;-
“After watching all Everton's games at Goodison since Christmas, and particularly the one against Bolton on Saturday, it is obvious that the need for two extreme wingers is urgent , otherwise many more points will be lost. This display against Bolton was deplorable and certainly did nothing to justify the enormous amount of money spent on players who, at the moment are only succeeding in bewildering themselves. “Mr. Carey's ideas, that if you play good football goals will come, is in my opinion wrong. The trouble with Everton is too much football, and I would like to see Bobby Collins doing one man's job and not taking on an entire team by himself. Also Roy Vernon is taking too long to control the ball in the intricate, short passing moves, which invariably peter out against quick , resolute tackling. The result of this aimless trickery is that there is no methodical attacking policy!' Thus, leaving gaps which opposing teams are not stow to exploit. “Alex Young may be a great footballer, but he never show his undoubted ability with the kind of support he got against Bolton. I sincerely hope that there is no truth in the rumours that Brian Harris and George Thomson are unhappy at Everton. Mr. Carey can ill afford to lose such good club-men. Brian is a good, and more consistent than others in the team. Thomson should be persevered with. “I would hate to see Everton in this form represent English football in America this summer. Haven't we been humiliated enough?"  "If the display at the Everton versus Bolton match is a sample of the new deal Mr. Jimmy Hill says the spectators are going to get, all I can say is that his message has not yet reached Goodison Park (writes J. Curry, The Cottage, Arbour Lane. Kirkby).
“As for the talk of £30 a week for players, on this showing they are overpaid at £20 a week. It's the spectators who should go on strike and by the general opinion after the game this is not so far away either. "If Mr. Carey is as good a manager as you would have us believe it amazes me that so little of his influence shows in the general play of the team. What success the team has attained has been more from individual skill than by team work.

EVERTON AND HOLLINS
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 08 February 1961
NO INTEREST, SAYS MANAGER CAREY
By Leslie Edwards
“No fact or foundation whatever”- that was how Everton manager, John Carey, reacted today to the story that he was about to sign David Hollins, Welsh Under-23 goalkeeper, of Brighton, who plays tonight against the England Under-23 eleven at Goodison Park.  “You can also say,” added Mr. Carey, “that that goes, too for Brian Williamson, the Crewe goalkeeper, with whom our name has been connected.”  Hollins, born in Bangor, is in the Brighton second team.  “The last time I spoke to Mr. Lane, at Brighton was three months ago” said Mr. Carey.  Everton were said to be ready to sign Hollins at £10, 000 with £500 extra for every cap he gained for Wales…

ENGLAND UNDER-23 2, WALES UNDER-23 0
Thursday, February 9, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Ian Hargreaves
The England Under-23 team duly defeated Wales under the Goodison lights last night as most people anticipated, but only after a most entertaining game which produced some simply magnificent goalkeeping and one of the most controversial incidents in post-war football.  After twenty-five minutes play Brian Hughes, the Swansea right-back pulled a muscle during a fifty yards dash after left-winger Clarke, and had to go on to the wing with Centre-forward Burton moving to right back.  However, when the second half began it was seen that Hughes had gone off altogether and the nineteen-years-old Arfon Griffiths, the young inside forward whom Wrexham transferred to Arsenal for £12,000 only last week had been brought on as a substitute.  No substitutes are allowed in home international matches and even in games played under F.I.F.A rules substitutes –with the exception of a goalkeeper-are not permitted after the forty-fourth minute.  However, the two team managers Mr. Ron Greenwood and Mr. Jimmy Murphy agreed to the substitution in view of the fact that-1. Previously had reached, 2, the match was officially considered a friendly and 3; they did not want to disappoint the crowd.  For Arfon Griffiths it was indeed a night to remember.  After being overlooked by the Welsh selectors to the first place he now gained a cap-or rather half a cap- in front of an enthusiastic Merseyside crowd and if he failed to score, at least he came close with one fine header that Banks saved on the line.  Banks, together with his opposite number, Hollins in the Welsh goal was largely responsible for much of the evening’s entertainment.  His cool handling and delightful polish even under pressure offered a perfect foil to the daring dives and acrobatic leaps with which Hollins continually kept the English forwards at bay. 
BRILLIANT TRIO
The basic difference between the two sides rich in talent was in midfield, where Wales had no one to match the speed and brilliance of the English inside trio, Crowe, Bryne (J) and Allen.  These three ripped the gallant Welsh defence to shreds time and time again and but for a wonderful display by Mel Nurse, the Welsh centre-half, would have produced an utter rout.  Byrne in particular, the first player with a Fourth Division club (Crystal palace) ever to win representative honours for England, continually impressed with his speed, use of the ball and power shooting.  During the pre-match kick-about he threatened to destroy the woodwork with one or two explosive efforts and through-out the match he looked a real class player.  The thousands of Liverpool supporters present-and presumably most of the Liverpool F.C Board-must surely have wished that this talented young man was on the staff at Anfield.  Last year he was actually available for transfer at a fee of £20,000 but when no club was interested at the figure, he was subsequently withdrawn.  Now his value must have rocketed still higher, though I am assured that Crystal Palace would be receptive to any serious offer.  Perhaps Liverpool, who have not had a scoring centre forward since Liddell retired may take the final step, and go all out to sign a player who has already scored 27 goals this season.  With Bryne in the side promotion could still be a reality.  Crowe and Allen, the inside pair, provided an interesting contrast in style with the fair-haired Crowe flicking the ball accurately into the open spaces, and Allen drifting unobtrusively whence he could do most damages.  Wales had none to compare with the trio, though it must be admitted that Burton had to spend most of the game at full-back.  However, Graham Moore, showed few signs of the form that won him a full cap against England and Williams (H) did little beyond letting fly one tremendous shot that Banks managed to tip over the bar.  Wales most effective forwards were their wingers, Barry and Freddie Jones.  Barry on the right always looked dangerous and might well have proved a match winner had he not been opposed by an equally good footballer in Liverpool’s Gerry Byrne.  Bryne started rather shakily, but soon settled down in delight his admirers with a really classy display, and on this form has come on the international scene to stay.  On the other flank Freddie Jones showed speed, and enterprise against England skipper Angus who had a most impressive game. 
FATAL PENALTY
The Welsh defence did surprisingly well when one considers that at least three of them are not currently in their own club’s first teams.  Ably marshalled by Nurse they covered and tackled heroically, and Graham Williams made one simply fantastic goal-line save from a shot by Allen.  It was perhaps significant that both the England goals came from free kicks.  The first in the 30th minute followed a ferocious tackle by Burton on Clarke inside the penalty area and produced a well-taken penalty kick by Crowe.  The second, in the 66th minute, followed another heavy tackle on Allen, and saw Moore smack the ball home as the Welsh defenders hovered uncertainly in front of their goalmouth.  Hole, the young Cardiff reserve showed plenty of energy at left half, and England, one of Mr. Carey’s discoveries at Blackburn also did much useful work.  The English defence were equal to the tasks imposed upon them, and the half-back line of Kirkham, Labone and Moore always had plenty of time to spare to make extra forwards.  All in it was a most entertaining match which proved not only the value of permitting substitutes, but also the desirability of enabling these talented young players to play together in representative football from a comparatively early age.  England; Banks (Leicester City); Angus (Burnley, captain), G. Byrne (Liverpool); Kirkham (Wolves), Labone (Everton), Moore (West Ham); Riley (Leicester City), Crowe (Blackburn Rovers), J. Bryne (Crystal Palace), Allen (Tottenham Hotspur), Clarke (West Bromwich Albion).  Wales;- Hollins (Brighton); Hughes (Swansea Town), G. Williams (West Bromwich Albion); England (Blackburn Rovers), Nurse (Swansea Town, captain), Hole (Cardiff City); B. Jones (Swansea Town), Moore (Cardiff City), Burton (Newport County), H. Williams (Swansea Town), F. Jones (Swindon Town), Substitute; A. Griffiths (Arsenal).  Referee; Mr. M.G Bowman.  Attendance 27,235. 

WEST HAM TEAM
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 09 February 1961
West Ham's Scottish international inside left John Dick, recovered from a badly bruised shin, returns in place of Dunmore for the home match with Everton. This is the only change West Ham; Rhodes; Kirkup, Lyall; Malcolm, Brown, Moroe: Scott, Woosnam, Obeney, Dick., Musgrove.

LABONE PLAYED UNDER HANDICAP
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 09 February 1961
CONCUSSED IN COLLISION
RESTING TODAY
By Leslie Edwards
Brian Labone, the Everton centre half back who played brilliantly against the Welsh under-23 team at Goodison Park last night, did so under a severe handicap.  After 30 minutes he suffered a severe head knock in collision with Williams (H) of Swansea and was slightly concussed and had double vision from that point.  At the interval England Manager, Walter Winterbottom advised him to go to left-half for a time until he felt better.  Labone completed the match, but had treatment from the doctor at the finish and was still unwell when he arrived home.  Today he rested in bed at home.  It is not thought that the injury will prevent his playing against West Ham in London on Saturday. 

LABONE LIKELY TO BE FIT, BUT BINGHAM IS A DOUBTFUL STARTER
Friday, February 10, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Ian Hargreaves
Everton will not select their team to play West Ham until shortly before they set off for London today.  Apart from possible changes from choice, which are by no means unlikely after last Saturday’s rather indifferent display against Bolton there may have to be one from necessity, since centre half Brian Labone suffered concussion in Wednesday’s Under Twenty-three international and has not yet completely recovered.  Labone collided with Herbie Williams, the big Welsh inside left from Swansea, during a first half heading duel, and though not seriously hurt suffered from double vision during the remainder of the match.  He stayed at home yesterday and it is hoped he will be fit to play tomorrow.  Everton’s eighteen-year-old outside-right Jack Bentley, who made quite a promising League debut last week will probably retain his place tomorrow.  Irish International Billy Bingham was described as “Very doubtful” by Everton manager John Carey last night and the game is not sufficiently vital to warrant risks being taken with him.  Everton have suffered enough trouble with injuries this season not to tempt providence by including players, who are not 100 per cent fit.  Rumours that Everton were interested in Swansea Town’s fair haired young right winger Barry Jones, who fought out such an entertainment duel with Liverpool a Gerry Byrne on Wednesday evening have no foundation at present. 
NOT FOR TRANSFER
As Mr. Carey pointed out last night; “Jones is not available for transfer at the present time, and therefore, I can make no comment on whether we are interested in him.”  Doubtless the position, would change abruptly if Swansea decided they could afford to part, through Everton may, ironically, find themselves with an embarrassment of riches on the wings next season, when all the club’s causalities are back in action.  Everton’s opponents West Ham, who have been as invincible at home as they have been valuable away, welcome back their Scottish inside left Johnny Dick, in place of the former Tottenham player Dunmore.  Otherwise the side is unchanged, and includes that young powerhouse, of a left half Bobby Moore, who scored the second England goal against Wales from a free-kick.  Moore, who is still aged 20, won a record eighteen caps for the England Youth team, and looks like becoming a really great player.  He has strength, speed, and intelligence, and could soon become a personality of the Duncan Edwards brand, if he keeps his enthusiasm under control.  West Ham have one of soccer’s cleverest schemers Phil Woosnam at inside right –quite a test for Brian Harris –and all in all look a pretty formidable side who will make Everton go all the way to get back on the winning trial. 
YOUNG IN ARMY TEAM
Everton’s centre forward Alex Young is one of a highly distinguished inside trio named by the Army to play against the Scottish Under-23 team at Motherwell next Monday.  The others are Jimmy Byrne and Chris Crowe who played together in England’s Under-23 team and with another Young England international in John Sydenham on the left wing, it looks a most formidable attack.  The Army incidentally, evidently agree with my assessment of Young as a great inside forward since they play him at inside left with Byrne in the middle. 

ROY VERNON FLAGS THE FAIR WEATHER FANS
Friday, February 10, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
THE EVERTON MACHINE WILL SOON BE PURRING AGAIN
So now Everton are a collection of big-headed complacent, so-called stars!  The critics who once praised Everton as THE team to watch, the millionaires, are happily tearing us to ribbons.  The Everton team apparently, is a machine which never goes wrong, or rather SHOULD never go wrong, and any chance of it going right again completely disappeared on Saturday when we failed to beat a weakened Bolton team lying fourth from the foot of the First Division.  In one of my first articles after coming to Goodison (when Everton were having rather a lean time) I said I was convinced that Everton would not be relegated because of their team spirit and the ability in the side.  And that is why I now say that this losing run will soon be broken and that a successful one will take its place.  I have often praised in this column the true blue Everton fans, so that the start of a slow handicap at Goodison last Saturday gives foot for thought.  Probably our supporters are disappointed that we cannot now win the Championship or the F.A Cup and feel some resentment towards the players responsible.  How then do you imagine the players feel?  For sorely no one can think that we are not concerned over recent results.  So spare a thought for the players at times like these, the harder they try the worse they play and nothing seems to go right. Believe me I know.  Possibly many of our supporters have been led to imagine that this week, we have been training in time to the lash of a whip.  This is not so.  We have always trained hard at Goodison and while the manager and directors of the club have confidence in their team there is sound basis for success.  Remember Rome was not built in a day.  Neither can a great soccer team be built in so short a time.  I know that the majority of fans believe as I do that the best is yet to come from our team.  Of course, we have had set backs because of injury but we have tried to overcome them.  And in some measure we have succeeded for at the time of writing we are all fifth in the First Division with I sincerely hope our bad spell behind us.  I think a fair-comment to say that 95 per cent of the games in the Football league have this sort of experience some time in a season.  It’s not pleasant for players or fans, but it is a lot easier if both sides see the other’s point of view.  After all we appreciate that it is your money that pays our wages, so we are doubly anxious to please, I am confident that by the end of the season we shall both be reasonably satisfied with the season’s overall performance. 
WELSH X1 UNLUCKY
Wednesday night’s game at Goodison between the England and Wales Under-23 teams was I thought a bit disappointing, because of the lack of atmosphere.  For some reason I can never quite understand football fans seem to lose their enthusiasm when they are watching international matches, and there was little of the full-blooded cheering we normally hear at Everton.  Considering the few players they have to choose from and the fact that they had a man injured most of the time, I thought Wales put up a pretty good fight and were a bit unlucky to lose 2-0.  Incidentally four of the stars of the Walsh team all have North Wales connections which only emphasises I think, the fact that the district is a much bigger breeding ground of footballers than many people seem to appreciate.  Dave Hollins, hero of the evening with some fantastic goalkeeping as born in Bangor, Michael England, comes from my old club, Mortyn Y.M.C.A, Graham Williams used to play for Rhyl and Arfon Griffiths who came on in the second half, has been a Wrexham regular for the last two years.  
WREXHAM REWARDED
Arfon’s many friends at Wrexham were most disappointed when he was left out of the side in the first place, but he gained some compensation when they saw him in action last night.  Although wearing the number nine jersey instead of his usual number eight; he did very well, and in fact looked just about the liveliest Welsh forward.  So the Wrexham club, and in particular secretary Cliff Lloyd who first discovered Arfon, have at least gained some reward from the selectors even if their had to wait until Arfon had been transferred to Arsenal. 

EVERTON DIFFICULTIES
Liverpool Echo - Friday 10 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
Everton hope to snap out of their unsuccessful spell to-morrow at West Ham.  The absence of such players as Lill, Ring, Young, Bingham and Parker has meant that the side has scarcely ever in past weeks remained settled. We have had a succession of combinations of full-backs and inevitably even more changes in attack. With the wingers not up to standard, defences have concentrated, with success, on the mainstays of the line. Vernon and Collins.  The story is likely to be no different to-morrow. Everton fan, B. Holly, of 33 Whittle Crescent, Crosby, takes a swing at me for my knocking of an Everton player the match against Bolton.
“Euphemistically you accused the best player of being dirty '." he says. “The worst the player could be accused of would be over-enthusiasm in trying to rectify colleagues' errors. If you are looking for scapegoats you should watch the antics of some of the other players. Not long ago Mr. Donovan, one of your readers, remarked on the lack of sportsmanship in certain quarters in the Everton side. How right he was ..." Another Everton follower. J. Dearden, from 38 Alversion Road, Liverpool 18, writes: “You should speak for yourself when you say we like the battering-ram type of centre-forward. The majority of us, like John Carey, like the Alex Young type. A clever player like him has no need to stoop to any bodily challenge. It's the opposition defence who must resort to those tactics! So please don't try to make Alex into a battering-ram. Did you notice how he had time to find the open spaces and make good passes?" Mr. Dearden wrongs me. I said, "Young is not the battering-ram type popular in England." There's nothing wrong with a bodily challenge by forward or back or half-back so long as it is done fairly with the shoulder.

COLLINS IS UNFIT, YOUNG AT INSIDE RIGHT
Liverpool Echo - Friday 10 February 1961
Many Everton Changes
WIGNALL LEADS
Everton reshuffle pack for their game at West Ham to-morrow, Collins, unfit, is replaced by Alex Young; Thomson plays at left back instead of Tom Jones; Sharples returns at left half back so that Brian Harris can be moved to the problem left wing position; Bingham, fit again though there had been fears that he would not be ready in time for to-morrow, replaces Bentley on the right, and Wignall comes in as leader of the attack in the vacancy caused by Young's transfer to inside right. Thus only five players hold the positions they occupied last Saturday against Bolton Wanderers. Brian Harris has appeared more than once before this season as a left winger, but never with great success. Young is versatile enough to play any, where in the attack. With the Scots club Hearts he often played at inside forward or on the wing. Full back Thomson last played in the first team in the friendly at Leeds a fortnight ago.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Sharples; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Vernon, Harris.
Everton Reserves (v. Sheffield Utd Reserves, at Goodison Park); Dunne; Parnell, Green; Peat, Gorrie, Meagan; Bentley, Tyrer, Webber, Harland, Kavanagh. 

EVERTON’S NOW-LOOK TEAM COULD BE A BIG IMPROVEMENT
Saturday, February 11, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Ian Hargreaves
As people anticipated, Manager John Carey has made drastic changes in his side to play at West Ham today, though some of them are due to injuries.  Irish international right winger Billy Bingham DID pass a fitness test yesterday morning and so returns to the exclusion of Bentley; Scottish international inside right Bobby Collins DID NOT, and so stands down in favour of Wignall.  Wignall, however, plays at centre forward, with Young switching to inside right, which many consider his best position.  More to the point perhaps the whole left flank of the team has been remodelled Brian Harris moves forward to outside left-where he once gained an England “B” cap- George Sharples is promoted from the reserves to take Harris normal berth at left half and George Thomson is preferred to Tommy Jones at left back.  Only five players, Dunlop, parker, Gabriel, Labone, (who has recovered from the ill effects of concussion) and Vernon keep their places they occupied last week a clear sign that the manager was as dissatisfied with his team’s performance against Bolton as were most of the spectators.  Although Sharples, who is only 17, may find Scottish international inside right Dick, rather difficult to stop, there is no denying that this present Everton formation looks better equipped than they have done recently.  Wignall’s return should add some badly needed punch in the middle particularly in the air, Young should be much more effective as a creator than as a taker of chances, and Harris has the valuable asset of being able to kick with his left foot.  Temple’s dash and enthusiasm are undeniable but his value to the team has been greatly reduced by his ability to centre the ball from the left wing. 
COLLINS MISSED
Again, Thomson has the advantage over Jones of being naturally left footed, and his polish and positional sense should make up for his comparative lack of speed.  No doubt Collins inspiration will be missed at first-he has not missed a game since April 11 1959-but there is no denying he has not been quite so effective lately as he was earlier in the season, when his brilliant constructive work was largely responsible for Everton’s spectacular run of successes.  On paper Everton might well get back to winning ways today but they have been so long without a victory-Burnley on Boxing Day was the last –that their confidence has been badly upset.  So I imagine all concerned-except West Ham of course- will be very happy with a draw.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Sharples; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Vernon, Harris.  West Ham; Rhodes; Kirkup, Lyall; Malcolm, Brown, Moore, Scott, Woosnam, Obeney, Dick, Musgrove.  

HAMMERS FLUKEY GOALS AS BLUES NEW ATATCK FLOPS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 11 February 1961
WEST HAM 4, EVERTON 0
By Michael Charters
West ham United; Rhodes; Kirkup, Lyall; Malcolm, Brown, Moore, Scott, Woosham, Obeney, Dick, Musgrove.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Sharples; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Vernon, Harris.  Referee; Mr. A. Robottom (Walsall). 
Alex Parker was Everton's captain in the absence of Jones and Collins. Collins missed his first league game since April, 1959. There were about 25,000 at the start and the great interest for the few Everton supporters present was the newly-constituted Everton forward line with Young at inside right.  Everton started the first half with a strong wild behind them and immediately had the West Ham defence in trouble when Rhodes and Lyall made a mess of an attempted clearance on the edge of the penalty area and Musgrove came back to concede a corner.  West ham scored in their first attack, Thomson failed to stop Scott and conceded a corner, from which Obeney went up to beat sharples in the air.  His high dropping header slipped beyond Dunlop just under the bar.  I thought that Dunlop was a little slow to get over to it, possibly thinking that the ball was going over the bar, but the strong wind had the effect of making the ball drop just under the bar
DUNLOP SAVES
This goal, after four minutes really set West Ham alight, and Dunlop had to make saves in quick succession from Obeney and Scott.  Vernon worked the ball through to a shooting position but when he finally delivered his shot the ball cannoned away, off Lyall, harmlessly.  The combination of a firm ground and a swirling wind set problems for the players and the ball in the air must have bene a nightmare for the goalkeepers, for it was moving disconcertingly.  When Malcolm lobbed the ball forward it was easy to see it change its direction.  Dunlop hurt his knee in coming out to punch clear, but recovered after attention.  Everton should have equalized when Vernon pushed the ball through to Young, who wheeled round and shot tamely wide when it was difficult to see how he could miss.  It may have been that the Scot thought he was offside, but he had been played on by a West ham defender.
GABRIEL’S WATCH
West Ham looked more dangerous than Everton in their attacks, with Dick lying well up field to take Woosnam’s through passes. Gabriel who made his debut for Everton on this ground a year ago was shadowing Dick everywhere, but the tall Scot eluded him once to put over a dangerous centre dropped just outside the far upright. The game so far had not been good, as neither team had yet managed to control the awkward bouncing ball. Moore, who played so well the Under-23 game it Goodison on Wednesday , twice stopped Young with body checks, and was rightly pulled up. Everton, with Wignall well held by Brown, had not yet delivered a worthy shot,  Sharples looked as good as anybody on the pitch and his interceptions and tackling to break up West Ham attacks were most commendable. At last Rhodes had to do some work—and a very good bit of work, too. Young got away with a fine cross-field pass and the winger linked with Vernon take the final and burst throught the to shoot from ten yards, the goalkeeper flinging himself to turn the ball away.
FREE KICK CLEARED
This was just an isolated goalmouth incident amid a good deal of mediocre mid-field play. Gabriel and Dick got at cross purposes, and the referee was quick to separate them as they grappled on the ground.  The result was a free kick for West ham, which Everton  cleared at the expense of a corner. Lab o n e was playing brilliantly, being exceptionally sure in the air, and he Intercepted Musgrove when the winger had worked the ball through to the bye-line.  It was remarkable that with only a few minutes to go to half-time neither team had settled into any real rhythm. Everton showed, perhaps, the classier touches in midfield, but were playing without any finish. Everton had no one who wanted to try a shot. They were far too inclined to square pass in the region of the West Ham penalty, and certainly lacked a spearhead for Wignall could not get going at all.  Half-time; West Ham 1, Everton 0.
Woosnam escaped Sharples’s grip for about the first time and pushed a perfect pass through for Dick to shoot quickly but a foot wide of the post.  West Ham went further; ahead after 51 minutes with a freak goal. Woosnam tried a shot from fully 25 yards, the ball striking Labone and rebounding high over Dunlop's head to hit the crossbar. It dropped down to Obeney's feet, and the centre forward scored could not miss from two yards range.  This was very unlucky for Everton and Dunlop could not be blamed as I felt sure he had Woosnam 's shot covered but for the intervention of Labone’s body. Despite the rather fluky nature of both West Ham goals,  Everton had only themselves to blame for being two goals down, because they had no one who could shoot or trouble the West Ham defence to any extent. The West Ham dash was paying off under these conditions. Everton's forwards were having a bad day, and any honours they were getting from this poor game went to the defence
THOSE PASSES
Everton's forward display bordered on the pathetic.  This was easily the worst performance I have seen from them this season, for they seemed to come to a full stop about 30 yards from goal, with each man seemingly incensed with the idea of passing to a colleague instead of trying a shot himself.  West Ham were strolling through the game now with the defence easily containing Everton’s  forwards and their, attack breaking away occasionally and looking much more dangerous.  After Everton had kept the
ball in the West Ham half for some minutes the home team broke away and cut through for Woosnam to hit a wonderful shot from 20 yards which struck the upright with Dunlop beaten, the ball rebounding for Parker to concede a corner.  Scott and Dick each shot narrowly wide, and West Ham were cruising along to a comfortable victory at this stage. Woosnam was the next to go close, running forward to head a free kirk just wide as Everton's defence stood thinking the referee was going to blow for offside.
GOOD SUPPLY
Everton had lost now what fire they had shown in the first half but the defence were playing strongly and well, and must have been disappointed to see their forwards fail with the plentiful supply of the ball they were receiving from the half- backs. The game was now moving inefficiently to its dreary end with West Ham coasting along, and Everton still struggling to find any form at all in an attacking sense. So far they had only managed one decent shot whereas West Ham, with far less of the ball in mid-field, had kept Dunlop very busy. Everton played out the closing minutes as though they know they were fighting a lost cause. They had lost all initiative and it was just a question of whether West Ham might get another before the end. Sure enough, West Ham, did get a third, five minutes from the end. Mushgrove made It, Dick, scored it. He went through from the winger's pass and hit a strong ground shot to which Dunlop got his hands, but the ball ran under the goalkeeper's body into the net. A minute from the end Musgrove scored from a penalty for West Ham after Thomson had brought down Dick. His first shot was saved by Dunlop, but he followed up to put the ball in the net. Final; West Ham United 4, Everton 0. 
Attendance 22,322.

BRIAN LABONE FACED 10 FORWARDS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 11 February 1961
CONCUSSION BUT NO ONE KNEW, SAYS ALEX PARKER
While we having lunch at Goodison on Thursday, Brian Labone, who had not been training with us having had a match the night before, came in for a chat, and while we were congratulating him on his game for the Under-23 side he said; “Thanks but that’s the first time I have ever played against 10 forwards.”  He went on to explain that after about half an hour he received a knock on the temple and for the rest of the match had double vision.  It didn’t seem to affect his play much for we Everton players were watching and didn’t think he looked to be in any difficulty.  The Liverpool players were with us and left nobody in any doubt that they were very pleased with club mate Gerry Byrne’s display.  Naturally I don’t get many opportunities to see Liverpool players in action but must confess that for me there was no finer defender on the field than Gerry.  I had heard people say that he was only chosen because the game was being played in Liverpool, which is a usual criticism of any player picked for a representative match in the same town as his club, but Gerry soon made them eat their words. 
MOORE GREAT
After that display it will surprise me if he isn’t picked for many more big games- both in and out of Liverpool.  Bobby Moore, of West Ham, our opponents today, also had a great game.  I hope he hasn’t played as well today.  I was talking to Peter Farrell at the game and he tells me that he is now playing for Sligo Rovers in Southern Ireland and quite enjoying the experience.  On Thursday morning our trainer Gordon Watson introduced our new left winger from Romford, peter Kavavagh. 
LILL HOLIDAY
He was due to have a run out with our reserve side this afternoon, so some of you reading this will probably have seen him in action, I only hope the fans take into consideration the big step he had made playing with Romford and then jumping up into central League soccer.  So give him a chance.  Last Monday Mickey Lill and his wife left for a few days’ holiday in Harrogate.  There is still some poison in his foot following the incident when he was “spiked” in training.  It is hoped that by the time he returns from Yorkshire this will have disappeared –and he will then have another operation on his knee.  And by that time Mickey should have had enough trouble with injury to last him the rest of his career.  Next Wednesday we go to Shrewsbury Town to try to get through to the semi-final of the Football league Cup.  With our defeat in the F.A Cup we are more anxious than ever to be the first winners of the new cup.  It would be very nice to go to America as the Football League Cup winners.  I noticed Tranmere won there last Saturday despite an own goal by Johnny king, the former Everton wing half.  It will be nice to see Johnny again, for he was always popular at Goodison and will no doubt do Tranmere a lot of good.
PRESENT FOR BOY
Last week I mentioned that a keen young Evertonian, 11-years-old Walter Redpath, was going into hospital for an operation for he had a crippled leg since birth.  This week I received a parcel from Mr. J.E. Sharatt, of 75 Stalmine Road, Liverpool, who is an old Evertonian.  He has been following the club for many years and when he read my article last week about young Walter, decided to help.  He has asked me to deliver a parcel containing photographs of the Everton team, some sweets, and a large rubber ball.  Mr. Sharratt tells me he has had his share of time in hospital and knows just now Walter will feel.  I will deliver them Mr. Sharratt along with the players’ autographs I promised. 
S.O.S FOR CAT
Our manager. Mr.Carey, received a postcard recently which said: "Dear Sir. When Luton Town had their tremendous Cup run I had a baby kitten which was black and white. Needless to say I named him after one of their players. Billy Bingham (no offence to Bill). "At the beginning of the season you bought Billy and now our cat has disappeared. Please have you seen him wandering around the Everton football pitch looking for his namesake' Yours sincerely. Mary Arnold. 71 High Street, Kimpton, Hitchin. Herts.
SO if anybody sees a black and white cat that answers to the name of Billy Bingham, you know where to send it.

Bolton’s Nat Lofthouse looks at Everton and offers some advice
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 11 February 1961
These two would add the punch
Everton, the team of all the talents, dubbed the " Bank of England" side, have lost their goal-scoring touch. The " Merseyside Millionaires" have spent £200,000 on bringing top stars to Everton, but even the signing of Alex Young has not put them back on the goal trail. The reason I submit, their inside trio, Bobby Collins, Alex Young and Roy Vernon are an impressive combination of natural ball-playing artists, but they are more concerned with making chances than scoring goals themselves. After Bolton's 2-1 win against Everton on Saturday, our centre-half Dennis Edwards told me that Everton could do with a player like Tottenham's bustling Bobby Smith or forceful Ray Pointer, of Burnley. Punch in the middle, it seems, is what Everton need.

EVERTON RES V SHEFFIELD UNITED RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 11 February 1961
Everton Res; Dunne; Parnell, Green; Peat, Gorrie, Meagan; Bentley, Temple, Webber, Harland, Kavanagh.  Sheffield United Res; Thompson; Ridge, Taylor; Hoyland, Finigan, Orr, Wilson, Hamilton, Shiels, Kettlebrough, Hartle.  Referee; Mr. D. Pritchard (Blackpool). 
Harland soon brought Kavanagh into action, but after beating Ridge nicely, Everton's latest acquisition put his centre behind. A heavy shower within an hour of the kick-off made the pitch treacherous and the Everton defenders in particular had difficulty in staying upright. Dunne gave away a corner in saving from Shiels while Kettleborough drove inches wide from well out. The United were the more impressive side and Wilson headed them into the lead from Orr's free-kick in the 14th minute. The United lead, however, was short-lived for Kavanagh after being put through by Harland beat Thompson with a low-angle drive for the equaliser. The United fought back and after a further eight minutes were two goals up when Kettleborough and Shiel netted further goals. Two brilliant saves by Thompson prevented efforts from Temple and Webber from counting and Everton went near on several other occasions. Everton, however, fell further behind when Hartle and Shiels added further goals in the 34th and 44th minutes. Half-time.—Everton Reserves 1. Sheffield United Reserves 5.

TEMPLE IS HURT IN CAR CRASH
Monday, February 13, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton player Derek Temple was injured when his car was involved in a crash in Muirhead Avenue East, Liverpool.  One of his passengers Herbert King, senior of 3 Agar Road, Liverpool was last night said to be extreme ill in Broadgreen Hospital.  Twenty-two years old Temple who was married just over a month ago, injured his knee but was allowed to return to his home in Deane Road, Liverpool after treatment.  He played in the afternoon for Everton Reserves.  His car was in collision with a van at 10.50 p.m at the junction of Delamain Road West Derby.  The van driver-Bernard Farrell of 3 Palace Road Aintree and the other passenger in Temple’s car Herbert King, junior of 3 Agar-Road were both allowed home after treatment. 
EVERTON’S BLACKEST SATURDAY
Saturday was one of the blackest days in Everton’s history.  The first team lost 4-0 at West Ham, the Reserves were beaten 6-2 by Sheffield United at Goodison and the third team crashed 5-0 at home to Burnley-total of 15 goals against and only 2 for.  To add to the club’s woe utility forward Derek Temple damaged a knee in a car crash on Saturday night, to join internationals Bobby Collins and Tommy Ring and winger Mickey Lill on the casualty list. 

EVERTON’S ALARMING SLUMP GOES ON
Monday, February 13, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
THE MILLIONAIRES LOOK BANKRUPT
WEST HAM UNITED 4, EVERTON 0
By Michael Charters
The Everton slump continues- with a vengeance.  They lost their sixth successive game at West Ham on Saturday after their poorest display of the season, and the most disappointing feature of it all was their lack of fight.  They played with an apathy which does not look well for any chance they have of redeeming themselves for the rest of the season, which shared, so well but is now so disappointing.  For much of the time, in fact, the team who have been nicknamed the “Millionaires,” looked bankrupt of ideals.  Their forwards, individually and collectively had a completely off day and it was a measure of the ineffectiveness that they only managed one worthwhile shot for the whole ninety minutes-an angled drive from Harris which Rhodes saved at full stretch to extend himself for the only time in the game.  In fact the West Ham goalkeeper could never have had an easier game.  On a firm pitch, with a strong wind swirling the ball about in most disconcertainty fashion, one would have thought that first time shooting from any range and angle was the order of the day.  Certainly West Ham used this tackle effectively to keep Dunlop busy, but Everton’s forwards persisted in square passing one to each other, with no one seemingly capable of trying a shot at all. 
LABONE MAGNIFICENT
I felt sorry for the Everton defenders among whom Labone played magnificently, for any honours that Everton received from this scrappy game went to them.  The score line was not a fair reflection in that West Ham scored twice in the last five minutes and their two previous goals were of a rather fluky nature.  But West Ham’s forwards gave Everton an object lesson in moving the ball quickly.  Their forwards were always eager to dash into the open spaces, whereas the Everton men fumbled and foozled away the chances which their half backs had created for them.  Altogether a black day indeed for Everton, although I thought that Parkers and Sharples played very well and joined Labone at the three Everton players who can remember this match with any comfort.  West ham’s defence with Brown a commanding figure snuffing Wignall completely out of the match, found the powder-puff tactics of the Everton forwards made to measure for their strong brand of first-time tackling.  Malcolm and Moore played Vernon and Young out of the game and the full backs were equally dominating. 
ERROR BY DUNLOP
The first goal, after a minute was a high looping header by Obeney from a right wing corner, I thought Dunlop a little slow to move to the ball-possibly he thought it was going over the bar-but the wind affected it in flight and the ball dropped just under the bar.  Everton up to half time had more of the play than the home side with mistakes far outnumbered the periods of good play but 6 minutes after the interval, West Ham made the game safe with a freak goal again scored by the centre forward.  Woosham’s shot from 25 yards seemed to be well covered by Dunlop but the ball struck Labone and flew high in the air to hit the cross bar rebounding down to Obeney’s feet, and he could not miss from 2 yards range.  From that moment Everton slipped further and further into depressing inaccuracies and it was no surprise hen Dick made it 3-0 5 minutes from the end.  He picked up a good pass from Musgrove to burst through and hit a strong shot from 15 yards which Dunlop partially saved the ball rolling under his body over the line.  A minute from the end Thomson brought down Dick in the area, and from the penalty spot Musgrove’s first shot was well saved by Dunlop.  But the winger followed up to volley the ball over Dunlop’s body into the net.  One of the tragedies of this defeat from Everton’s point of view was that West Ham did not look a very good side on this display and had Everton’s forwards possessed any finish at all.  I felt sure they must have scored once or twice at least to put a better competition on the result.  West Ham United; Rhodes; Kirkup, Lyall; Malcom, Brown, Moore; Scott, Woosnam, Obney, Dick, Musgrove.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Shaples, Bingham, Young, Wignall, Vernon, Harris.  Attendance 22,322. 

KAVANAGH HAS A FINE DEBUT
Monday, February 13, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON RES 2, SHEFFIELD UNITED RES 6
Although unlucky to lose so heavily, Everton could not deny that the United were worthy winners.  White having at least as much of the play.  Everton received a sharp shooting lesson in the first half when the visitors went nap to turn round 5-1 up.  Kavanagh Everton’s new out-side left made a pleasing debut.  He scored a fine equalising goal, had a hand in the second netted by Bentley and showed good positional sense.  All the Sheffield forwards scored namely Shiels (2), Wilson, Kettlesborough, Hartle and Hamilton.  

EVERTON’S SLUMP GROWS WITH CRASH AT WEST HAM
Liverpool Echo - Monday 13 February 1961
By Michael Charters
Everton slipped even further from grace with their poorest display of the season to lose 4-0 at West Ham on Saturday. There was a listlessness about them which revealed their lack of drive and inability to fight back when the ball did not run kindly for them. West Ham were not four goals superior in a very indifferent game, and there was an element of luck about all the goals, but this cannot excuse Everton for a performance bordering on the pathetic for a team which played such fine football earlier in the season.  This was their sixth successive defeat and it is difficult to see when the slump will end. They are playing without confidence, without a plan, and make things difficult for themselves by failing to do the simple things well. They get into a maze of their own creation and there is no one in the side just now who can snap them out of it. They missed the generalship of Bobby Collins at West Ham. Without him, there was no one in the forward line who could drive and urge the rest to pull themselves together.
West Ham, only an average side, did have players in Dick. Woosnam, Musgrove and Scott who moved rapidly in a straight line for goal. The Everton forwards fiddled and fumbled passed square and stood still looking for someone to pass to when the situation demanded a straightforward attack. All the forwards played badly. Bingham did not look completely fit and was rarely in the game at all; Young is still far from being a £40,000 player and seems to be struggling to find form; Wignall was completely held by Brown, a magnificent centre half; Vernon beat one man and then tried to beat three or four more, rarely passed the ball at all: and Harris proved yet again that he is out of position on the left wing.
UNDER A SHADOW
Vernon has been under a shadow since his suspension and the ratio of poor games to good ones from him grows every week. Thus there were only a few who came out of this match with any credit. Labone was outstandingly successful, and I shudder to think what might have happened had he not been in such commanding form Sharpies, the youngest player on the field had a particularly fine first half but faded later after he took a knock on the ankle. Still, with so many more experienced players around him, off form, his display was first class and there is no doubt that he is going to be one of the big names in the game in future. Parker had a good match, too, while Thomson showed flashes of better form and is obviously improving. Gabriel worked very hard against the dangerous Dick but was not impressive, while Dunlop had an unlucky time in goal. You can gather from these criticisms that this was one match Everton will want to forget in a hurry. They managed one shot worthy of the name— from Harris, well-saved by Rhodes--while Young missed a sitter from close range when Everton were only one down, Rhodes can never have had an easy game.
 THE TRAGEDY
The tragedy of it was that Everton had more of the play in midfield but came to a full-stop near the West Ham penalty area. Toe Hammers' full-backs, too, were not convincing and a pre -Christmas Everton might have had a field day against them.  West Ham's strength lay in the speed and eagerness for the ball: they gave Everton an object lesson in these respects. The first goal (four minutes) was a high, looping header from Obeney off a corner which looked as though it was going over the bar but the wind suddenly dragged it down just under the bar. The light ball on a firm pitch, with the troublesome wind swirling it about disconcertingly were conditions which few players on either side could conquer. The situation cried out for first-time passing and plenty of shooting to trouble the goalkeepers. West Ham did just that.  A typical example was their second goal (51 minutes) Woosnam tried a shot from 25 yards, with Dunlop apparently covering it, but the ball struck Labone, shot high in the air over Dunlop's head to strike the crossbar and drop down to Obeney's feet. He couldn't miss
DISAPPOINTING
The game plodded on wearily until five minutes from time when Dick broke away, shot from 15 yards and Dunlop could not prevent it rolling under his body over the line although he partially saved it,  with a minute to go, Dick was roaring through again when he was brought down by Thomson.  Musgrove’s penalty shot was well saved by Dunlop, but the winger followed up to volley the ball into the net over the goalkeeper’s body.  It was all very disappointing for Everton and very frustrating for those few followers who made the long trip.  Everton’s need now is for a return of the old spirit and a convincing win to bring back their confidence.  Their fans have waited a long time since Boxing Day to see it. 

EVERTON F.C FACE A MAOR CRISIS
Liverpool Echo - Monday 13 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards and Michael Charters
Everton F.C. may face, in the next few weeks one of the greatest crises in their long history. If it materializes it would make the Cliff Britton episode of five years ago seem almost a storm in a teacup by comparison. The first spark in what could be an explosion to rock Goodison Park and the world, of football came on Tuesday at a showdown meeting attended by players, manager John Carey and multi-millionaire chairman John Moores. It was called by Mr. Moores following five successive defeats and publication of his comment that "We are not getting value for money." The meeting took place at the Everton ground. There was plain speaking on both sides, and especially be Scottish, international forward, Bobby Collins who cost the club, £22,000 when he joined it from' Glasgow Celtic and who has been by common consent, the backbone of the club in its efforts to regain lost prestige.
CRITICAL
Mr. Moores, in trying to solve the puzzle of Everton's sudden loss of form since Christmas was particularly critical of one or two recent performances by Collins. Collins was angry that he should be singled out—or that any individual should be singled out out—for the major share of the blame. He said yesterday: — "Nobody can expect a player to have 42 consecutive good games. I have been in this game long enough to know when I have had a bad match and I don't need telling. In any event, I think it is fair of me to say that I have not been playing as poorly as other members of the team. “But I was so incensed at the chairman's remarks - I thought they were so unfair- I waited when the meeting was over to see Mr. Moores Personally.  But he had left the ground immediately following the meeting and I was unable to see him that day.   "The more I thought of the injustice of the matter the more determined I was to do something about it. I thereupon decided that I must take up the matter with Mr. Moores to discuss my future with Everton I saw the Chairman on Thursday and had a frank talk on a man-to-man basis. I put my point of view to him and although he did not retract his criticism of me I left knowing that he did at least understand my feelings and my point of view—and I understand his.
INSECURITY
Collins frank statement about his own case has brought into the open the general feeling of uncertainty and insecurity which simmers dangerously near exploding point in the club following so much failure after so much success. The players and staff feel that they are not being allowed any margin for partial failure and that anything short of success, despite the long list of injured stars, is liable to bring further criticism.  It may be said in some quarters that Collins is being too sensitive to criticism, but the little Scot is a shrewd man, a great player and a first-class club man who is clearly disturbed at the trend of events at a club which, until Christmas had its best half season since the War. Everton s desire to close the gaps caused be injury to such men as Lill, Ring, Bingham and others has rebounded on then, since the widespread publicity attending their scouting of famous players has in turn upset first team men who can visualize losing their positions to newcomers. It is no use telling these men that the players sought are merely to improve the strength of the reserve, Central League, team.
KEEN FOLLOWER
Mr. Moores, who joined the board at the back-end of last season and became Chairman in July last year, has been a keen follower of football and of Everton and Liverpool all his life. He said not long after taking the Chairmanship "l ask for the co-operation of the players and staff to make a go of this" The results obtained until the current lapse in the League and defeat in the Cup proved, in a startling way, how quickly his mission was on the way to accomplishment. At the meeting last Tuesday  Mr. Moores discussed with players stratagems and tactics and it could be that famous players, such as Collins, feel that this over-zealous approach is not within the province of one so new to football directorship. The payers have appreciated their Chairman’s enthusiasm but it would seem that the straight-talking session which was meant to clear things up has only created unrest and uncertainty among the playing staff.
TEAM SPIRIT
The team’s spirit in recent matches has been negligible compared with that they showed when things were going well and they were not handicapped by so many injuries.  A further sequel to the meeting came the same evening when the Board met for their weekly conference; I gather that the question of team discipline was raised but that it was not felt generally that Mr. Carey’s system, which had paid such good dividends in the first half of the season, was any less effective than any other manager’s. 

HAS SERIOUS INJURIES
Liverpool Echo - Monday 13 February 1961
FOOTBALLER’S CAR CRASH ICTIM
Mr. Herbert King, Senior of 3 Agar Road, Liverpool, was said at Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool, today to be still seriously ill with head injuries he received while a passenger in the car of Everton player Derek Temple, which was in a crash in Muirhead Avenue East, Liverpool, last night.  Derek Temple, aged 22, who was married just over a month ago, injured his knee in the crash but after treatment was able to return to his home in Deane Road, Liverpool.  He had played in the afternoon for Everton Reserves.  His car was in collision with a van at 10,50 p.m in Delamain Road West Derby.  The van driver, Bernard Farrell, of 3 Palace Road, Aintree and the other passengers in Temple’s car Herbert King, Junior, of 3 Agar Road were both allowed to go home after treatment. 

OFFERS FROM TWO CLUBS
Liverpool Echo - Monday 13 February 1961
HARRY CATTERICK’S STATEMENT
By Leslie Edwards
Mr. Harry Catterick, the former Everton centre-forward, who is now managing the highly-successful Sheffield Wednesday club, has been sounded confidentially over the chances of his joining two famous First Division clubs when his contract at Hillsbrough ends in two months’ time.  Mr. Catterick told me; “I am not at liberty to reveal which clubs have approached me.  You can take it as certain that I will remain with Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the season.  My contract finishes then and so far Wednesday have made no move in connection with its renewal.”  Mr. Catterick, who was at Crewe and Rochdale as manager once his career at Everton ended, is known to be a manager who concentrates all his efforts on team managership, leaving the rest of the administration to other officials.  He told me this morning that if he joined any club he would expect to have the same authority in respect of players under his command. 

EVERTON WILL MEET STUBBINS’ TEAM IN NEW YORK
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 14 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
BILL COX, the promoter of the New York International tournament, and his organising committee, have already received the entries of several clubs besides Everton. Espanol, of Barcelona, Red Star Belgrade, Sporting Lisbon, Rapid Vienna, Bangu of Brazil (last year's winners), and Monaco hove all promised to appear. Other countries likely to send entries are Scotland, the Argentine, Northern Ireland, Israel, Italy and Canada. The resident team of New York Americans would make a total of fourteen clubs in the tournament. Last year, 12 clubs took part and were divided into two sections, the winners of each meeting in the final. Bangu, of Rio de Janeiro, beat Kilmarnock to become first winners. Among those taking part were OGC Nice, Munich Bayern, Glenavon, Sporting Lisbon, Noer Kopping (Sweden) and of course. Burnley. At first sight, the standard of opponents for the forthcoming competition seems to have risen. Monaco, the French league side and French Cup holders, are at present leaders of their championship with an advantage of three points over Racing Club de Paris and six points over the famous Reims side. Rapid Vienna are in the quarter-finals of the European Cup and have a formidable record of appearances abroad. In fact, the finances of Austrian clubs are such that it is almost essential for them to undertake these overseas matches, and they are sure to be tough opponents. Red Star Belgrade, are almost annual performers in the European Cup and are accepted as one of the strongest sides in Eastern Europe. Many will remember their 3-2 win over Everton, at Goodison, in October 1957. Sporting Lisbon, who have also appeared in the European Cup are at present only two points behind the wonderful Benfica team in the Portuguese league, a tribute to their quality. Espanol have for a long time suffered as the poor relations of the city of Barcelona, but with an international team that includes a Hungarian (Szolnok) and two Brazilians (Indio and Recaman) they are as colourful as any Spanish side. The host club. New York Americans. who are usually composed of exiled Central and Eastern Europeans and South American players, were augmented last year by Alf Sherwood, of Newport County; Everitt, of Arsenal; and Cliss, of Chelsea. Everton players and officials will make the acquaintance again of a player well known on Merseyside —Albert Stubbing, the old Liverpool centre forward, who is now the trainer-coach of the New York Americans.

EVERTON CHAIRMAN STARTS GAME
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 14 February 1961
Mr. John Moores, chairman of Everton Football club took part today in England’s oldest football game –the annual Shrovetide match at Ashbourne, Derbyshire.  Mr. Moore started off the match by throwing up a gaily-painted ball on Shaw Croft, a field near the town centre, and the traditional battle between the Uppards and the Downards was on.  It will rage until midnight tonight or until a “goal” is scored at one of the two mills attacked by the team-which are three miles apart.  The sides are decided by birth qualification and the game is a “free-for-all” with no rules except that the ball must not be carried in a car or on a motor-cycle.  Another traditional Shrovetide event took place at Winster, Deryshire today, when visitors to the village were invited to take part in the annual pancake races down the main street.  There were special events for housewives, men and children –with pancakes and frying-pans specially provided. 

STORM GATHERING OVER GOODISON
Tuesday, February 14, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON HIT BY MOUNTING CROP OF INJURIES
By Ian Hargreaves
The storm clouds are gathering over Goodison Park.  As Everton’s millionaire chairman, Mr. John Moores set out last night for Ashbourne to kick off in the famous Shrove Tuesday soccer-in-the-streets game there to-day, manager John Carey was still wondering what the composition of his team to play Shrewsbury tomorrow would turn out to be.  For Everton are due to meet the Shropshire Third Division side in the Football League Cup and as this is the one competition they can still conceivably win this season they are particularly keen to make no mistakes.  Yet last night Mr. Carey was faced with the knowledge that his harness team, who have lost their last six Cup and League games in succession will certainly be without right winger Bingham, injured on Saturday and utility forward Temple (hurt in a car crash), probably without Collins, suffering from a torn muscle and possibly without Vernon, who has a sore groin.  All this in addition to deep, rooted injuries which have kept regular first teamers Ring and Lill out for most of the season.  Unfortunately Everton’s physical troubles are by no means their only ones, for a statement by Scottish international inside forward Bobby Collins yesterday threw fresh light on the trouble that has apparently been going on behind the scenes.  Collins, key man in Everton’s side during the past two seasons and one of the greatest inside forwards in British football was singled out for individual criticism at a special meeting of the players called last week by chairman John Moores, and took strong exception to it. 
CRITICISM RESENTED
He said yesterday; “Nobody can expect a player to have forty-two consecutive good games.  I have been in this game long enough to know when I have had a bad match, and I don’t need telling.  In any event I think it is fair of me to say that I have not been playing as poorly as other members of the team.  “I was so incensed at the chairman’s remarks-I thought they were unfair-that I waited when the meeting was over to see Mr. Moores personally.  But he had left the ground immediately following the meeting and I was unable to see him that day.  “The more I thought of the injustice of the matter the more determined I was to do something about it.  I therefore decided I must take up the matter with Mr. Moores to discuss my future with Everton.  “I saw the chairman and had a frank talk on a man-to-man basis I put my point of view to him, and although he did not retract his criticism of me, I left knowing that he did at last understand my feeling and my point of view –and I understood his.” 
TWO TALKING POINTS
Collins statement touches off a controversy that will have all the football world discussing two points.  1. Whether it is possible to command-or buy –success and 2. Whether the chairman of a club should interfere with the management of a team.  When Everton were carrying all before them shortly before Christmas and were being hailed as second only to Tottenham as soccer artists, it seemed the acquisition of such stars as parker, Thomson, Gabriel, Bingham, Ring, Lill, Collins, Vernon, and Young- for a total of nearly £250,000- had virtually ensured the club of success.  Since then the team’s startling decline-undoubtedly helped by numerous injuries, but not entirely attributable to them- has seemed to suggest that something, whether team spirit leadership self-confidence to just plain luck, is lacking.  Certainly the side who lost their sixth game in succession last Saturday bore little resemblance-for all their seven full and Under-23 internationals –to that which humbled such teams as Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the season. 
WHO SHOULD ACT?
This brings one to thoughts of a remedy, and who should apply it.  Normally one expects the manager, who is technically in charge of the team, and whose whole career is bound up with their success or failure to be the person to act, either by imposing stricter discipline introducing different players, adopting new tactics, or insisting on stricter training, or by a combination of these measures.  No doubt Mr. Carey has done all or some of those things and is even now busily engaged on the problem.  Where, then does the chairman –in this case Mr. Moores –come in?  As the man in control of the club as a whole, the man responsible for its financial affairs and, in his case the man who has made available much of the money for buying players, it is natural he should be deeply concerned with the club’s fortunes and should do his best to rectify them.  “He, who pays the piper, calls the tune.” But how far is he justified in calling it?  Many clubs are virtually run by their directors and it is common knowledge that most of the later consider it their duty to have a say-if not a decisive one-in team selection.  But Everton, like other successful clubs such as Wolves and Manchester United, are supposed to have given their manager a free hand in team matters.  While Everton’s fortunes continue to wane so alarmingly it is not surprising that there is some measure of difference of opinion at Goodison over the remedies that should be introduced.  There is likely to be considerable activitely behind the scenes during the remainder of this season, but whatever the outcome it is to be hoped that all concerned will comport themselves with good sense and dignity.  Everton is no pretty football club it is a Merseyside institution. 

ANCIENT BRITON WITH A FOOTBALL MISSION
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 15 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
The most remarkable football spectator in Britain—and there are some pretty remarkable ones around—will be the character named Harry who will watch the Shrewsbury-Everton League Cup tie Gay Meadow this evening. He's a great follower of Shrewsbury; his help to the club saves them between two and three hundred pounds a year and he's such a personality no one ever thinks of asking his second name. The Shrewsbury ground lies close by the fast-moving Severn. The stand at that side of the ground is not massive, like those at Goodison Park, and there inevitably comes a time, mostly in the last five minutes, when a team is leading 1-0 and doesn't want to keep the ball "on the island" as they say at Holyhead. It is then the ball is frequently booted over the stand into the river. And at 7 pound a time no club can afford to have footballs lost, stolen or strayed. So Harry nips smartly through the hole in the fence made specially for the purpose, slides down the river bank and paddles away, in his ancient Briton's coracle, to fish the ball out and return it to the trainer's bench. A labour of love for Coracle Harry but real service to a club which must watch every penny it spends and must try to-night to get among the big money of the League Cup by victory over what amounts to belt a Bank of England team. Years ago when I used to see games at Shrewsbury, Coracle Harry, or his predecessor, used to walk down the hill to Gay Meadow with the rest of the crowd, coracle held over-head like an umbrella! This ritual is no longer. The coracle is now left tied up at the river-bank. Let us hope that most of the time-wasting punts Harry retrieves this evening are from Everton, not Shrewsbury. boots . . .
Extraordinary times
IN ordinary circumstances Everton would not be unduly hurt if they failed in a tie such as to-night, but these, for them, are extraordinary times and with both Collins and Bingham unavailable and Ring and Lill still marked absent the possibility of defeat has to be considered. Shrewsbury have been having quite a successful run. In their player-manager Arthur Rowley they have a man who can play well and dictate tactics. Were Everton to reach the semi-finals (which, like the final will be played on a home and away basis) there could be big money for them in the tournament. Their spell of non-success in the League: their defeat in the bigger Cup tournament by Sheffield United, make it essential that they should take this chance to give the end of the season a little of the glamour we anticipated we should get in greater measure.
LETTER
Peter Higham, 10 Whitfield Road, Walton, extracts his pound of flesh (and, so far as I am concerned, bloodlessly) with this;-
“A couple of seasons ago you gleefully reported the fact that none of the five Liverpool F.C teams had won on one particular Saturday.  Just to prove that your are an impartial observer as you so often claim to be (and are in no way afraid of incurring the wrath of a certain influential gentleman who I and many others feel that you have praised excessively), would it be asking too much to publish the results of Everton F.C’s teams for Saturday February 11-namely, West Ham 4, Everton nil; Everton Reserves 2, Sheffield United Reserves 6; Everton “A” nil, Burnley “A” 5; Manchester “B” 3, Everton “B” 2; Everton “C” 3, Burnley C 3.  I suppose it would be asking too much for you to publish this letter?

NOW YOUNG PLAYS ON EVERTON RIGHT WING
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 15 February 1961
COLLINS AND VERNON FIT
AT SHREWSBURY
By Michael Charters
Alex Young, Everton’s Scottish international, will be on the right wing tonight in the quarter-final of the Football league Cup at Shrewsbury Town.  This will be his third position for Everton in his four games.  He was at centre forward against Tottenham and Bolton and at inside right at West Ham last Saturday.  Bobby Collins has recovered from the injury which kept him out of the West Ham game and resumes at inside-right, while Wignall is replaced at centre forward by Keith Webber the Cardiff boy who leads the youth team.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson, Gabriel, Labone, Sharples; Young, Collins, Webber, Vernon, Harris.  Both Collins and Vernon had fitness tests at Goodison this morning before the team was chosen.  Bingham who played at West Ham, was not completely fit them and could not be considered for selection tonight.  This will be 17-years-old Webber’s second senior appearance; he played against Walsall in an earlier tie of the League Cup.  Draw for the League Cup semi-finals is expected to be made at the Football League management Committee meeting in London on Sunday.  Shrewsbury will be at full strength.  Poutney has recovered from the training injury which kept him out last Saturday.  Shrewsbury Town; Gibson; Walters, Skeech; Wallace, Poutney, Harley; Jones, Dolby, Baker, Rowley, McLaughlin. 
9-HOUR GAME, NO GOALS
The game of Ashbourne Shrovetide football which Me. John Moores started yesterday in the Derbyshire market town where it has been a tradition for centuries ended at midnight with a goalless draw.  After a nine-hour battle through streets, fields, gardens, and the Henmore Brook the ball was surrendered to the police on the stroke of 12-25 yards from the spot where Mr. Moores, chairman of the Everton F.C. started the game.  Earlier in the evening the ball had come within a short distance of the mill at Clifton, where the "downwards" tried to score, but slowly it was forced back into the centre of the town.

OPPORTUNIST DOLBY ENDS EVERTON HOPES OF LEAGUE CUP
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 16 February 1961
By Paul O’Brien

Two goals by inside right Dolby ended Everton hopes of becoming the first club to win the Football League Cup and Shrewsbury a 2-1 victory which on the balance of play they fully deserved at the Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury, last night.  Dolby was making only his third appearance in the Shrewsbury senior team and he has scored on each occasion. Manager Arthur Rowley brought him from Derbyshire amateur club, Heanor, as a centre half, but later recognized his possibilities as an inside forward and has groomed him as likely successor.  Dolby’s performance showed up a great weakness in the Everton attack for they obviously need someone to seize opportunist goals in the way he did.  They brought in Youth team centre forward Webber to lead the attack last night in place of Wignall, but the Everton youngster was given very little room in which to work by Shrewsbury’s centre half Puntney.  Webber tried hard but he was most unfortunate to find Puntney in aspiring form.  He could have spotted almost any centre forward in England last night.
FINE HALF BACKS

It was the Shrewsbury half-back   for which laid the foundation for victory.  Wallace the right back must have played the game of his life.  He shadowed Vernon everywhere and in the Everton inside left did gain possession on the whipped the ball away from an almost as soon as he touched it.  Harley was not quite as brilliant at left half but he kept Bobby Collins quiet for long periods and with Young and Harris although playing quite well, never really fitting the bill as wingers, the Everton attack did not function well.  Everton’s defence was greatly troubled by the deep lying centre forward play of Baker, and the Shrewsbury left wing pair Rowley and McLaughlin at times had Gabriel and Parker at full stretch.  The speedy Jones on the right wing proved a real handful for Thomson and it was his clever ball play which led to Shrewsbury’s first goal, after 35 minutes.  He beat two defenders before squaring the ball across to Rowley who slipped, but managed to flick it on to Dolby.  Rowley may have done this more by good luck than good management, but young Dolby didn’t think twice when he gained possession about six yards from goal and he gave Dunlop no chance. 
Puntney’s mistake
THIS EQUALISED Everton’s goal scored after 13 minutes by Young.  It was Pountney’s one mistake of the evening which led to the score, for he badly sliced a pass back to goalkeeper Gibson when there was not the slightest danger and the ball ran out for a corner.  Brian Harris took the flag kick on the left, placed it perfectly to Young, who was standing unmarked ten yards from goal, and the Everton outside right showed that although he has not perhaps found his best form yet, chances like that don’t go astray.  Shrewsbury also went close in the first half when at 25 yards drive from Rowley had Dunlop at full stretch to save and a drive by McLaughlin, which the Everton goalkeeper could only half stop was cleared by George Sharples.  Everton did not shoot as often as Shrewsbury, but I thought them definitely unlucky with two shots by Harris and Young, both of which skimmed the outside of the upright when Gibson was not positioned to save. 
A HALF CHANCE
The winning goal came after 54 minutes following a corner by the Shrewsbury right, Dunlop and Thomson got into a tangle as they tried to clear Jones’s flag kick and plater-manager Rowley was quick to see the half chance.  He turned the ball back again and Dolby steered it home with his head just before Dunlop could get at it.  This goal inspired Shrewsbury and they played delightful football.  McLaughlin missed a fine chance after 64 minutes and shortly afterwards Dunlop saved brilliantly from the same player.  In the closing stages both Rowley and Dolby had golden opportunities to increase Shrewsbury’s lead, but they threw them away. 
MISFORTUNE
Shrewsbury thoroughly deserved their win but they will probably be the first to admit that the ball ran kindly for them.  As teams having a bad spell often find, some of Everton’s best movements failed more by misfortune rather than anything else.  But the players really threw themselves into the game and showed a kind of spirit which must take them back to the winning trail very soon.  A good example was Vernon.  He put everything he knew into his play.  In the pre-Christmas spell he would probably have had a couple of goals and hit the headlines.  He never looked like doing anything like that last might.  “Why” The ball was just not running that way for Everton. 

EVERTON NO MATCH FOR SHREWSBURY
Thursday, February 16, 1961, The Liverpool Daily Post
DASHING DOLBY RUNS RIOT ON HIS THIRD APPEARANCE
SHREWSBURY 2, EVERTON 1
By “Daily Post” Special Correspondent Paul O’Brien
Everton’s hopes of becoming the first winners of the Football League Cup were dashed last night when Third Division Shrewsbury Town knocked them out in an exciting quarter final under the Gay Meadow flood-lights.  Although their side was considerably reshuffled Everton still fielded five full internationals and could have no excuse for going down to their seventh successive Cup and League defeat.  If the game was a shattering disappointment to Everton supporters it delighted the 15,399 Shrewsbury fans who packed the ground to its seams and swarmed all over the pitch at the finish to cheer their team to the dressing room.  Hero of the night was twenty-years-old Peter Dolby, who obtained both Shrewsbury’s goals in what was only his third game for the first team.  Signed as a centre half from Heanor Town- the Derbyshire Central Alliance club- he is being groomed by Shrewsbury player-manager Arthur Rowley as an inside forward and has scored in every one of his games to date.  Last night he showed skill and opportunism to a marked extent, and took his chances brilliantly.  Indeed he would have had a hat-trick but at least two fine saves by Everton goalkeeper Dunlop-one of the few members of the visiting team to look really impressive.  The new look Everton forward line, with youth centre forward Webber in the middle, Scottish international Alex Young on the right wing and Brian Harris on the left never really settled down, and they were well contained by a splendid Shrewsbury defence in which the half-back line of Wallace, Pountney and Harley were outstanding. 
YOUNG’S FIRST GOAL
Young did have the satisfaction of scoring his first goal for Everton since he joined them for £42,000 from Hearts way back in November, but otherwise did little of note and scarcely looked an international.  You can’t blame the lack of spirit this time-Everton showed plenty of that- but somehow they always looked like eleven individuals and never found the combination which has been missing of late. Although Dolby got Shrewsbury’s goal’s he was only converting the good work of winger’s Jones and McLaughlin who had Parker and Thomson at full stretch all evening.  Gabriel, Labone and Sharples spent so much of the evening trying to figure out Shrewsbury’s 4-2-4 plan that they had little time for constructive work, while neither Young nor Harris who repeatedly changed wings could claim to have been successful. 
DUNLOP TO RESCUE
Everton played in their secondary all-white strip, and they defended the goal at the Railway and after Collins had won the toss.  Play in the first 10 minutes was rather scrappy and the only notable shot was a 25-yard drive by Rowley for Shrewsbury, which Dunlop saved at the second attempt.  Rowley appealed for a penalty without justification I thought when he was brought down on the edge of the Everton area and shortly after this Everton went ahead.  Although the goal only came from a corner kick by Harris which found Young completely unmarked and with all the time in the world to find his shot from about 10 yards, it could be put down to a grave Shrewsbury defensive mistake.  Centre-half Puntney tapped the ball back to his goalkeeper from 40 yards out, and it was to near the corner flag that Gibson just couldn’t get near it.  Brian Harris and Young switched positions after twenty minutes but this made little impression on the Shrewsbury defence and ten minutes later they changed back again.  Dunlop dived at McLaughlin’s feet to prevent a Shrewsbury equaliser but in the 35th minute it arrived when, following a run by right winger Jones, Dolby was on hand to turn a flick from Rowley into the Everton net.  Shrewsbury regained the initiative at the beginning of the second half and Dolby was only inches wide with a header following a free kick against parker.  The Shrewsbury inside right had another narrow miss and then Dunlop brought off a great save from McLaughlin.  Shortly after this, in the 54th minute, Dolby got his side’s second goal.  It came from a corner on the right wing, which Rowley cleverly slipped into the middle and Dolby dived between Dunlop and Thomson to head the ball home. 
THE BEST TEAM AND THEY WON
Arthur Rowley, the Shrewsbury Town-player-manager told the Daily Post last night; “We are naturally delighted that we won against such famous opposition but there is no doubt that we deserved to win.  The Everton people congratulated us afterwards and said the best team had won.  “I think if we can play as we did in this match then we must stand a chance against any opposition remaining in the competition.”  

YOUR VIEWS ON COLLINS AND EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 16 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
Bobby Collins outspoken views following the showdown meeting of Everton players and their Chairman, Mr. John Moores, are still being debated by followers of the club and fans every- where. Collins is clearly basing his case on the principle that the expert player whose living the game is, can assess his own play a good deal better than anyone else.  Readers of this column who must be the best and most enthusiastic of writers to the Sports Editor, have not been slow to give their reaction to an Everton episode which could, if things went further, lead to critical days.  Here is a selection of letters received on this topic.  I was not the least surprised to read that a crisis was blowing up at Everton.  It is obvious that something has been radically wrong at the club since Christmas, and I think it was quite right for the Chairman to tackle the matter.  I think, however, that it was wrong of him to single out Collins for special blame, and can quite understand Collins feelings about it.  I have probably followed Everton for a longer period than Mr. Moores and I cannot think of any player who has given more to his club than Collins has over the last two or three years.  Not only is he one of the best inside forwards in the game, he has been the backbone of the Everton team and his services deserves appreciation, not condemnation.  He is also a very popular with the Everton crowd and I think there will be uproar if he leaves the club.  We see fated to have continual trouble at Everton.  A pity something cannot be done to eradicate it,  with best wishes from a very disappointed Evertonian.  D.L. Evans, Garth Heswall Avenue, Higher Bebington. 
When Everton were playing well and winning, I am sure their Chairman told them so, and patted them on the back as he is fully entitled to do.  Surely he is now entitled to do something now they are playing badly and losing?  When, where, and how, was Collins injured last week?  When are we going to get a captain who can urge and drive the team?  For weeks we have been waiting for the managerial strategy to make itself felt in the second half after having found the weakness of the position in the first half.  You know I know and Brian Harris knows that he is not a class outside—left, so why play him there.- Stanley Dunning, 30 Old Farm Road, Crosby. 
As an Everton supporter since I was nine, I like many other supporters am disturbed not by the run of the luck and non-success, but by the way the management have approached a problem which to be honest, affects every club from time to time.  Prior to 1939 Manchester United were never in the same class as they are now during the reign of Matt Busby.  This season West Bromwich Albion are having their lean spell.  So I must come down in favour of the players on these counts; A splendid run of success after years –periods of lean times has gone to the spectators and directors heads like wine.  Although football is said to be a business which I question, players are human and spectators and management must be tolerate.  Big transfer fees do not always bring success.  One example Bryn Jones’ transfer from Wolves to Arsenal in 1958-59 for the staggering fee of £14,000.  That fee at present standards equals £56,000 at least.  The only entertainers I know who can hold an audience for one hour are Danny Kave and Bop hope.  In football a troupe of 22 players and three assistants are expected to perform wonders for 90 minutes- R.D. Cowen, Moss Lane, Moore, Warrington.
Having read the Echo since goodness knows when this is my first letter ever.  We in North Wales are very interested in the club and in the team.  Mr. Moores may be a multi-millionaire and may be a god-send to any club, but for Everton to be depending on him to get a good team together is a baffling situation.  Without him Everton must be one of the richest clubs in the country.  For Mr. Moores to take strategy and tactics to such great players as are on the Everton books makes you think I say to Mr. Moores continue your attention to administration and the L.S.D and leave other problems to those who know more about the game.  H.Davies, Kevinlie, Bryn-aton, Bagillt, Flinshire.
As an Everton supporter for 35 years I would be Mr. Carey to know that I had many more like me feel sorry for him in what seems to be a thankless task.  I do hope that the club is not going to be dictated to by money.  Keep on trying Mr. Carey and the best of luck-Old swan Evertonian.
You cannot buy success and according to recent trends the Everton club does not appear to be very happy.  Success can only be gained by blending skill with a happy family atmosphere at all levels.  I think Mr. Moores should take a leaf out of Mr. Harold Hardman’s book.  When the club gets a settled team again, free from injury, we shall have a winning team again, and people will be flocking back to their support.  D.Shaw, Farnsworth street, Liverpool 6. 

CHELSEA REPLY ON EXPERIENCE
Friday, February 17, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Ian Hargreaves
Chelsea manager Ted Drake is banking on experience for tomorrow’s match against Everton at Goodison Park.  He has dropped three of his younger players, left back Harris, left half Bradbury and centre forward Bridges and replaced them with comparative veterans in peter Sillett, Anderton and Tindall.  Feature of the side is, of course, the right wing partnership of Brabrook and Greaves, both English internationals and men fully capable of ripping apart the strongest of defences.  Greaves started the season in tremendous form, and at one time looked almost capable of passing Dean’s First Division scoring record, but seems to have lost his scoring touch as Chelsea have lost their rhythm.  At 21 Greaves has most of his career before him, yet he has scored more than a hundred League goals for Chelsea and 6 for England this season alone.  His ball control-and speed help to put him in the right position to get his goals and it is noticeable that for such a deadly marksman he does not hit the ball unusually hard- certainly-not with the ferocious power of a Charlton or a David Herd.  Chelsea have the unenviable distinction of having been knocked out of the Cup by Crewe at Stamford Bridge this season but this is not likely to make Everton over-confident as their conquerors on Wednesday.  Shrewsbury Town had previously lost home and away to Tranmere Rovers, strong candidates for relegation to the Fourth Division.  The full Chelsea team is; Bonnett; Sillett J, Sillett P; Venables, Evans, Anderton; Brabrook, Greaves, Tindall, Tambling, Harrison. 
LACK OF THRUST
Everton will not be naming their side until nearer the game; but will doubtless concentrate on putting some added punch into the attack.  One cannot but feel that had scoring chances been taken more efficiently, the side would not only have scored more goals but would also have retained more of their confidence.  Certainly after successive defeats by Burnley (3-0), Leicester (4-1), Sheffield United (1-0, Wolves (4-1), Bolton (2-1), West Ham (4-0), and Shrewsbury (2-1) a return to winning form is long overdue.  With Collins, Young, Vernon, and Bingham there is no lack of constructive ability but oh! For a marksman like Greaves to convert some of the chances they are creating.  Everton’s £25,000 outside right Mickey Lill, is having second operation for cartilage trouble in the right knee this morning and all will join me in wishing him well.  The first operation was in October and it is now hoped Lill will be playing again in about six weeks. 

SUMMER SOCCER NOT THE ANSWER
Friday, February 17, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
Says Roy Vernon
It looks as though he move forwards summer soccer is really gathering strength at last.  For years people have been talking about it without doing anything, but now I see the Southern League have actually drawn up concrete proposals for a season running from March to November and that other bodies are likely to follow their example.  Call me reactionary if you like, but this is one new ideal I don’t agree with.  I know all about the rain, the ice and the snow that often spoils matches in the winter, but all the same I’d much rather play then than in the summer, when grounds are often bone-hard and spectators have  all sorts of other entertainment to distract them.  The maid compliant, now of course, is that many pitches become so muddy during a bad spell of weather that it is impossible to play good football on them.  It is said, and with reason, that you can’t produce soccer on a mud-heap and that to turn out successful sides in the League it is necessary to include players who are strong rather than skilful.  The summer soccer enthusiasts claim that if the League programme were switched, grounds would be firmer and more consistent and that spectators would not have to run the risk of getting soaked either during the matches or on, the way to them. 
COVERING POSSIBLE
Now I am all for getting better surfaces to play on- some club grounds are almost too bad to be true in February and March-but I think that might be achieved without altering the whole set-up of British football.  Our chairman, Mr. Moores suggested the other day that British clubs might eventually follow in the footsteps of the big American baseball clubs and adopt some kind of covering.  It wouldn’t be easy to cover a ground like Goodison Park completely or to prevent some water seeming through during a genuine downpour, but it should be possible to at least keep the pitch from getting completely drenched.  Everton, of course have already pioneered a soil warming scheme, and it would be interesting if we were to pioneer a ground covering scheme into the bargain.  Of course cricketers already cover their pitches but with due respect their problem is a lot smaller.  There are several reasons why I shouldn’t want to see the season altered drastically.  In the first place it would be a pity to add another sport to the many already played in the summer-you couldn’t just have professional games then-and in the second it would leave an awfully big blank in the year when nothing was happening at all.
A WINTER BLANK
You go into any pub or club on Merseyside during the winter, and you’ll find half the people there talking soccer.  They moan about the weather or about their team’s performance but they keep on going rain or no rain.  Take away their winter sport on a Saturday, afternoon- either playing or watching-and many of them would be completely lost, in fact they might even be forced to take their wives out bargain hunting!  In any case, although I agree some games are ruined by the mud, you can get very fine matches in bad conditions and in particular some very fine Cup-ties.  Take last season.  Crewe Alexandra almost managed to beat Tottenham when the teams met at Gresty Road, and the spectators would have missed all that excitement if they had played in perfect conditions.  Look what happened when they met again at White Hart lane.  No I am all for better pitches and more covered accommodation to keep the fans dry but I don’t like the idea of moving the season and what’s more important I don’t think many people do either.  On a nice June afternoon people have gardens to look after, families to take out for runs in the country, and all sorts of other activities to cupy their time.  No doubt most enthusiasts would watch a few games but I think you would lose the vast majority of those fans who now attend every home game as a sort if ritual.  Once disturb their habits and you’ve lost them, forever. 

ANOTHER CHELSEA TURNING POINT?
Liverpool Echo - Friday 17 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
Everton’s chance of a new deal comes against Chelsea.  For the sake of the players and everyone connected with the club let us hope they seize it and put a stop for all time, to the slide that has damaged their reputation after a magnificent start. No one will ever convince me that Everton's fall was due to anything but the epidemic of injuries which caused them to lose, not for matches but for weeks, players of the class of Ring, Lill and Young. Because these injuries came piece-meal I think we have been inclined to under-estimate their effect. After scarcely winning an away game for a season and a half and then winning all along the line, home and away, and challenging Tottenham the team looked set for its best spell since the days of Dean. But defeat on defeat has changed the climate dramatically and where every follower of the club expected the new order to continue defeat has followed and Ring and Lill are still unhappily far from being  ready to ho help put things right. All clubs suffer periods when injuries continually weaken them. Everton's position does not demand panic action, but it does demand all-out effort by the players to show that their shortcomings in recent weeks are only temporary. The Everton crowd, which revelled in the clean, clever football they saw from their team prior to Christmas, can yet be won back to intense enthusiasm if the team show, in to-morrow's game against Chelsea, their determination to prove that they can produce the goods. It was against Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge, on October 1 that Ring's quite accidental collision with a defender cost him a broken leg and his side one of the points they seemed certain to take. How fitting if Chelsea's appearance here to-morrow should prove another, happier turning point. Chelsea drop three of their youngsters, left-back Harris, left-half Bradbury and centre-forward Bridges. Into their places are brought Peter Sillett, Anderton and Tindall. Chelsea; - Bonetti; Silett (J.), Silllett (P.); Venables, Evans, Anderton, Brabrook, Greaves, Tindall, Tambling, Harrison. 

KAVAVAGH MAKES DEBUT FOR EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Friday 17 February 1961
Outside left v. Chelsea
WEBBER PLAYS
By Leslie Edwards
Two young Everton players —one of them who has been on the staff only for ten days-make their First Division on debuts at Goodison to-morrow against Chelsea.   They are centre-forward 17-years-old Keith Webber, who played for the first team at Shrewsbury on Wednesday evening and 22-years-old Peter Kavavagh, the outside-left signed at a £1,500 fee from the Romford (Essex) club a week last Wednesday.  Kavanagh played his first game for Everton in the Central League side last Saturday, got a goal against Sheffield United and made a good impression.  Few players have had such an early baptism in senior football.  Kavavagh, a Romford boy, had played only half a dozen first team games for Romford this season when he caught the eye of Everton emissaries who has attended, I understand to scout another player.  Romford, a club which went professional only at the start of last season, obtained Kavanagh after he had a spell with Fulham.  His play this season has developed from the support at left half-back, of Allison the Old West ham half back, who gave up football owing to ill-health and then recovered well enough to become active again with Romford in the Southern League. 
SIGNED FROM BARRY
Webber joined Everton as an amateur from Barry Town.  He is a sizeable lad.  The team against Chelsea will be chosen from 12 players, Alex Young is left on the right wing.  The left half-back position will be filled by Brian Harris or George Sharples.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris or Sharples; Young, Collins, Webber, Vernon, Kavanagh. 
Band leader Hal Graham tells me that Everton Supporters’ Federation, members are having a party night in their club in City road next Monday to raise funds for Liverpool schools Football Association when Hal so enthusiastically helps. 
Former Everton player Jackie Keeley playing for New Brighton against Bromsborough.
Southport are negotiating for Wigan Athletic’s transfer-listed winger John Fielding, who was put on the list at his own request.  He joined Wigan Athletic from Everton last season. 

EVERTON BLOOD TWO MORE YOUNG FORWARDS
Saturday, February 18, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
KAVANAGH, WEBBER MAKE HOME DEBUT AGAINST CHELSEA
By Ian Hargreaves
Everton introduce two more newcomers to First Division football today when youth team centre-forward Keith Webber and the club’s most recent signing, left-winger Peter Kavavagh of Romford make their debut against Chelsea at Goodison.  Webber played in the mid-week cup-tie against Shrewsbury, but Kavanagh’s only previous appearance in Everton colours was in the Central League side last week.  Whatever else can be said of Everton this season, no one can accuse them of not giving the up and coming youngsters on the books a chance to prove themselves.  Wignall, Bentley, Tyrer, Webber, and Sharples are all young men of the future, many of whom having turned in consistently fine performances in the youth team, and even if they are not yet ready to claim a regular first team place, they will be all the better for having made an occasional appearance.  Webber has been leading youth side’s attack well all season, though he is likely to find his task a good deal harder today.  He is a well-built youngster with plenty of determination and Goodison fans will all be looking to see if he has that all too rare attribute of a centre forward- speed in shooting.  I have lost count of the many centre forwards who have turned out in Everton’s team during the last few seasons- Harris, Hickson, Kirby, Glazzard, Gauld, Wignall, and Young come immediately to mind- but more of them has really shown the punch and dash possessed by men like Lawton, Lofthouse and Pointer.  None really expects Webber, to dazzle our eyes today, but it would be very pleasant if he were to demonstrate that he can at least hit a ball hard and cleanly without requiring a couple of minutes to take aim. 
KAVANAGH’S RISE
Kavanagh of course, at 22 can hardly be classed with Webber who is a mere 17, though he too has had little experience of senior football.  His rise from the obscurity of the Southern League to the glamour of the First Division has been meteoric but he won handsome laurels last Saturday from all reports, and has earned his promotion.  His selection will mean that Everton will be fielding a genuine left winger for the first time since Tommy Ring broke his leg-ironically in the previous game with Chelsea-and that Brian Harris is free to return to his normal position at left half if required.  At the moment he is bracketed for the position with George Sharples one of the brightest stars in the Goodison firmament.  The fact that Alex Young continues on the right wing, where he turned out on Wednesday is due entirely to Bingham’s injury and not to any feeling he is a better winger than an inside forward.  All the same he is no stranger to the position, and the Everton attack should be quite effective provided they remember that someone has to put the ball in the net.  Even how, with seven defeats behind them I cannot but feel that Everton’s recent form has been too bad to be true, and that a team containing so much talent must win sooner or later.  The players have smarted beneath so much criticism this last week they are sure to be fighting made by now, and frankly I would not be surprised to see them give Chelsea’s real hiding,  I hope I am right for if I’m not the prospect is bleak indeed.  Everton; Dunlop; parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (or Sharples); Young, Collins, Webber, Vernon, Kavanagh.  Chelsea; Bonetti; Sillet (J.), Sillet (P); Venables, Evans, Anderton; Brabrook, Greaves, Tindall, Tambling, Harrison. 

TWO EVERTON DEBUTANTS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 18 February 1961
KAVANAGH AND WEBBER PLAY AGAINST CHELSEA
By Leslie Edwards
IT was On October 1 last that Everton suffered the loss at Chelsea, of Tommy Ring, who broke a leg. At that late stage of the second hall they were leading 3-2 and seemed certain to put up yet another victory.  In the event they dropped a point and though the team lost little momentum for some weeks afterward, further damage to Lill and the injury, just before his signing, of Young has meant that the club have had to cut and shuffle time and time again in an endeavour to get a satisfying eleven from that stage. They have not succeeded: hence that dismal run of seven games without victory and the disappointment of thousands of fans who had every reason to think that this would be one of the most notable seasons in the club's history. It would be fitting if the wheel turned full circle to -day with the appearance aptly enough of Chelsea. They are not a great side and Everton could, all going well, snap out of their unsuccessful spell and make the best of the way home for the rest of the season. After all, they stand in no, danger of relegation: they hold a place in the first half-dozen and, finishing strongly as they started, could get among the talent money
DECISIVE
Their football for three months was all that anyone could have desired –clean, artistic, decisive. Given freedom from injury they would probably have still been up there running Spurs hard. Most people who follow the club appreciate this. Many feel that when all the injuries have been cleared up the side will continue where it left off. And if it does it will fulfil the minimum aim of Chairman John Moores, at the start of the season, to of have a place in the top half . For a time Everton's was a dynamic rise. In spite of their tall it is still possible for them to find their early season form' and play again the football which made matches at Goodison Park a delight. Chelsea have reverted to the old order, after giving some youngsters their chance. The full-back brotherhood of the Silletts looks imposing physically, but neither is quick moving as he used to be. The Everton wingers could exploit this.
WORTH STUDYING
Greases and Brabrook.  Chelsea's two England players -they were here about ten days ago in England's trial run Liverpool at Melwood -will pose special problems for the defence Greaves , with his " inching” of the ball here and there and his accurate shooting can win a match off his own bat. He is a player whose performance is well worth studying. A comparison of his play and that of Everton's inside forwards will be specially noted. The League debuts of Keith' Webber and Peter Kavanagh,  the latter after being signed only a week last Wednesday,  will certainly give the match a little "pull" it might other-wise have lost. Kavanagh, once on the books at Fulham, joined Romford and had played only half a dozen first team games this season for that club when he came to the notice of Everton scouts. 
Everton; Dunlop; parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Shaples; Young, Collins, Webber, Vernon, Kavavagh.  Chelsea; Bonetti; Sillett (J), Sillett (P); Veneables, Evans, Anderton; Brabrook, Greaves, Tindall, Tambling, Harrison. 

EVERTON STILL WITHOUT THAT VICTORY LOOK
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 18 February 1961
VERNON ONLY STAR IN EXPERIEMENT LINE
EVERTON 1, CHELSEA 1
By Michael Charters
Everton- Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Young, Collins, Webber, Vernon, Kavavagh.  Chelsea; Bonetti; Sillett (J), Sillett (P); Veneables, Evans, Anderton; Brabrook, Greaves, Tindall, Tambling, Harrison.  Referee; Mr. C.W Kingston (Newport Man.)  The crowd was only in the region of 20,000 at the start –a significant feature in view of Everton’s seven successive defeats.  After some rather inaccurate play initially Everton broke away down the right with Gabriel passing to Young who hit the face of the crossbar when standing only a yard or so from the upright in attempting to get the ball across to Vernon.  From the clearance it was Chelsea’s turn and Greaves picked up a loose ball to turn inside Harris and hit the ball hard from 20 yards but straight at Dunlop.  The goalkeeper could not hold the ball which rebounded for Labone to head away for a corner. 
SCRAMBLED AWAY
From a free kick awarded for a foul on Young by Sillett (P.) Vernon’s free kick came out to Gabriel who lobbed it forward for Collins to flick head the ball on for Young to shoot straight at Bonetti from close range.  The goalkeeper, clutching the ball, was hurt in saving and we had the usual spectacle of a bounce-up only six yards out from the goal line, but Chelsea scrambled the ball away. 
SPARKLING RUN
Brabrook made a sparkling run of over 60 yards, taking the ball from deep in his own half before slipping it inside of Tambling.  Gabriel got in Dunlop’s way as the goalkeeper went down to save and Dunlop was lucky to find the ball coming into his body as he lay on the ground.  Chelsea were now moving with more purpose than Everton and Tindall made a good header from Brabrook’s cross which Dunlop again saved well.  Everton’s defence looked very shaky in this spell of Chelsea pressure.  They were holding off from the tackle and the Chelsea support were being allowed up in shoot from just outside the box.
KEEN TACKLING
Kavanagh had seen little of the ball so far, but when Harris gave him a good pass, Sillett (J.) dispossessed him with a very firm tackle indeed.  Bonetti had not been as busy as Dunlop, but he saved courageously in one Everton attack by diving for the ball between Collins and Vernon only a couple of yards from the line.  Brabrook’s startling burst of speed had Thomson in trouble all the time, and the winger cut inside to hit a fine left foot ground shot which Dunlop saved at full stretch. 
FAST WINGERS
Everton’s attacking ideas looked ineffectual by camperison to Chelsea’s.  The visitors were making full use of two fast wingers who were opening up Everton’s defence too easily for the comfort of the crowd.  Young delighted the crowd with a lovely piece of footwork to break through the middle before passing to Kavanagh but Everton’s old trouble of lack of finish to their midfield moves, was very evident. Dunlop had made at least half a dozen first-class saves in the first half hour and he produced another to save a good header from brabrook, going up to tip the ball over the bar. From the corner Tindall tried an acrobatic hook shot which just went wide with Everton's defence scrambling to intercept it.
After 31 minutes Chelsea took a deserved lead with a simply taken goal by Greaves.  Venables made the running for it, taking the ball up without challenge by Everton for fully 30 yards, before passing to Tambling who hooked the ball across the face of goal for Greases to hit it instantly into the net from no more than six yards range. Everton’s reply to this was a 25-yards shot from Vernon which flew straight to Bonetti  and at the other end Brabrook went past Thomson brilliantly, but was stopped by a fine tackle from Harris. 
VERNON’S EFFORT
Everton's best effort so far as a fiercely hit shot from Vernon when Evans headed out between a clearance. Bonetti jumping to catch the ball, was knocked sideways by the force of the shot but still held on to the ball to make a good save. Vernon spoiled a very good mid-field break by hanging on to the ball too long, and was dispossessed by Evans, but Everton were at last playing with some real fire and had kept Chelsea pinned on defence since the visitors had opened the scoring. Chelsea brought Tindall back in defence in the absence of Evans, Peter Sillett going centre half. Chelsea made their first attack for some 10 minutes with Harrison going through the middle but putting a right foot shot high over the bar from 15 yards.  Everton equalizer three minutes before half time, through Vernon.  He got the ball from Young after a neat pass by Collins and took the ball down to the right hand edge of the penalty area before chipping over a lob which Bonetti misjudged in the air, the ball striking the inside of the far right and dropping into the net.  This was Vernon’s first goal for more than two months.  Just on half time Anderton headed a Vernon free kick into his own crossbar and over for a corner.  Half-time; Everton 1, Chelsea 1.  Evans was back for Chelsea at the start of the second half.  Everton kept up the pressure, with Parker collecting a Chelsea clearance and pushing the ball through for Young to try a shot from 2 yards, which went wide of the far post. 
VERNON’S HEADER
Vernon made a fine header from Gabriel’s free kick which Bonetti touched over the bar, and Everton were playing with quite a fair amount of dash in trying to end their run of defeats.  Chelsea had a let-off when Vernon shot from the edge of the penalty area, the ball hitting Peter Sillett on the back and bouncing over the bar for a corner.  Everton were moving better now than they had done all the match without being completely convincing.  They spilt Chelsea’s defence with a fine pass from Collins to Vernon and Webber almost connected with a diving header as the ball flew across the face of goal.  Evans made a mess of an attempted back-pass to his goalkeeper putting the ball straight to Collins who tried a chip shot with Bonetti out of position, but the ball high over the bar.  Webber dispossessed Evans in a race for a loose ball in the Chelsea penalty area, but mistimed his pass to the unmarked Vernon and a great chance was lost.  Everton were doing all the attacking now with Chelsea kept hard in defence where the experience of Peter Sillett was a strong point. 
OUTCLASSED
There were too many Everton men off form to say that the team had redeemed itself in any way.  Webber looked very raw against the experienced Evans, which Kavanagh, I fear seemed out of his class.  Vernon was the only Everton forward to show any consistent form, while Labone was brilliant in a shaky looking Everton defence.  Gabriel at last roused the crowd with a fine shot from 25 yards which Bonetti touched over the bar, but this was an isolated Everton shot.  They were having much more of the play in midfield but fell down time and again when they neared the penalty area.  Brabrook was having a field day against Thomson whose habit of holding off in the tackle enabled the Chelsea winger to make tremendous ground.  Everton were getting very bunched near the Chelsea penalty area in an attempt for a winning goal, and the their efforts bore the stamp of desperation rather than studied skill. 
RUGBY-STYLE TACKLE
Greaves broke through brilliantly between Labone and streaked away only to be chased by Gabriel who tackled him in a manner reminiscent of Rugby League style.  Brabrook almost won the game for Chelsea a few minutes from time with a finely judged centre which Dunlop missed, the ball just slipping wide of the far post.  Everton, despite their second-half dominance in midfield, had still been disappointing.  Greaves came even closer a minute later by getting his foot to a ball when he seemed to be well shadowed by Thomson and Gabriel, but the ball just went wide once again.  Final; Everton 1, Chelsea 1. 

STOKE CITY RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 18 February 1961
Stoke City res; Hickson; Robinson, Wilson (R.); Griffiths, Bloor, Philpott; Bridgewood, Matthews, Bullock, Randles, Dean.  Everton res; Dunne; Parnell, Green; Peat, Jones, Meagan; Bentley, Wignall, Gorrie, Tyrer, Harland.  Referee; Mr. F.S. Jackson, of Lea.  The visitors were soon on the attack but Bloor robbed Gorrie as he was about to shoot.  Play moved quickly from end to end and Dean tested Dunne with a hard drive.  In the next move Matthews gave Randles a chance and Gorrie saved superbly by turning shot over the bar.  It seemed certain that Harland would score when he raced away on the left, but Hickson smothered his terrific drive from close in.  After 18 minutes Everton took the lead when Bentley gave Gorrie a chance and his well-directed header beat Hickson all the way.  The success was quite short lived for ten minutes later Stoke equalized when Bullock caught Jones and Dunne in a moment of indecision.  The equalizer put spirit into the game and both goals had narrow escapes.  The visitors came more into the attack when Tyrer brought the ball through to give Wignall a chance but the move petered out with a fruitless corner.  The inside forwards Wignall and Tyrer brought the wingers into play but the Stoke defence intercepted before danger could accrue.  Half-time-Stoke City Res 1, Everton Res 1.
EVERTON B V BLACKBURN B
Bennett netted for Everton after two minutes, but was adjudged offside.  After 30 minutes Wolfe headed in a corner from Leslie to give Blackburn the lead.  Half-time; Everton B nil, Blackburn Rovers B 1.

CAN EVERTON SNAP OUT OF IT?
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 18 February 1961
SOME PLAIN TALKING BY ALEX PARKER
The million dollar question I have been asked over and over again this week is: When are you going to win again? This, of course, follows our recent spell of non-success, particularly our Football League Cup defeat at Shrewsbury on Wednesday. Before I go any further, I would like to kill the rumours that I believe have been going round the city that “Everton can't be trying.”  It only takes a little common sense to realize that this can't be true. If we win a League match we get £4 bonus. We would have had a great deal more with a win at Shrewsbury. You may think footballers are overpaid but you can take my word for it that none of us is in any position to deliberately give up the chance of making more. Then again, being in a losing side doesn't do one’s chances of gaining international caps much good. In addition to the honour, there is a little matter of £50 for playing for one's country. -Then what has gone wrong'.  Difficult as that is to answer it is not half as difficult as to suggest the remedy. Once a team gets into a run like ours it is never easy to get out of it. We had a similar experience when we were winning matches.  Everything came off.  We didn't even have to worry if we were a goal down early in the game. We knew we just and to keep playing and things would come right. Now the reverse is true. We sometimes feel that the more we keep playing the worse things will get. Consequently we try too hard by trying to be too precise — and you all know what happens when you try too hard.  It’s all a matter of confidence. I suppose. It must be admitted, of course, that some of us have lost form. That is something that has affected footballers, and other sportsmen, since sport began, and unfortunately it is not always the easiest thing to regain. Personally, I don't think that there is much wrong that one or two resounding wins couldn't put right.  Maybe we have turned over a new leaf against Chelsea to-day. If not, we'll just have to hope it comes soon. One, thing is certain. This run will end. We didn't keep winning forever and we won't keep losing forever. The ability is there. The team have already proved that, and before long we will prove it again.  
AWARD FOR TONER
Tomorrow, my wife and I are going to Kilmarnock for the Scottish "Footballer of the Year award. This year, Willie Toner, the Kilnarnock centre half, is receiving the trophy which is one of the highest honours in Scottish soccer. While congratulating Willie my sympathies go to Harry Haddock of Clyde.  As the previous winner he will have to make a speech. I know just how he feels, for I had to do just that when Dave Mackay., then with Hearts, won it in 1959.  Although I received the award in 1958. I still haven't got it.  It will not be my own property until I finish my playing, as Scottish rules don't allow players to receive such gifts during their careers, so we have to wait until our careers are over. Apparently there is more interest in award in England than I thought for the other day I received a letter from a Mr. Wilson, of Leigh, asking me to get a ticket for him.  Mr. Wilson is a Kilnarnock man, but much as I would like to have helped a fellow Scot, I could not.  Last week I wrote about 11-years-old Walter Redpath who is due to go into hospital for an operation on his crippled leg.  On Thursday morning, I went round to his house in Lower-house Lane with a parcel a supporter had asked me to deliver, plus the team’s autographs.   Unfortunately, Walter wasn’t in, but I would try to call round next week to see him.
LILL OPERATION                 
I mentioned recently a letter I had received from an exiled Evertonian in Ontario, Canada, a Mr. R.A. Smith.  I have since received a letter from his parents who live in Phipps Lane, Burtonwood, Warrington.  They saw my mention of their son.  It’s a small world.  Mickey Lill is having what everybody hopes will be his last operation this week-end.  He went into broadgreen Hospital last Wednesday after returning from his holiday in Harrogate.  I have had a letter from a Mr. K. Winterton, of 5 Washway road, Spalding, Lincolnshire, saying he has written for memebership of the Everton Supporters Club, but had not any reply.  Can anybody at the club help.? 

EVERTON REGAIN SPIRIT IF NOT SKILL
Monday, February 20, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
DIFFERENT STORY WHEN INJURED ARE FIT AGAIN
EVERTON 1, CHELSEA 1
By Ian Hargreaves
Everton’s depressing run of seven defeats ended at Goodison Park on Saturday, when they drew with Chelsea, though even their most rabid supporter would have to admit they were a trifle fortunate.  Only Dunlop’s inspired skill between the posts restricted Chelsea to a single goal- snapped up by Greaves in the thirty-first minute-and when Vernon scored the equaliser immediately before the interval, this star defender, Scottish international Bobby Evans, was off the field.  Add to that the fact that Greaves would undoubtedly have hit the winner ten minutes from time but for a Rugby tackle by Gabriel and on can understand why Chelsea felt more than a little aggrieved.  Lucky Everton?  Certainly, but in my view at least they deserved a point for their spirit if not for their skill.  Gone was that infuriating lethargy that has paralysed their efforts in the last few weeks, in its place was a grim determination to enforce success.  Glaring weaknesses remain, notably on the left wing at left back and, on occasion at wing half, but at least a faint ray of sunshine has managed to penetrate the Goodison gloom.
DUNLOP STANDS FAST
In the corresponding match last year, Everton were leading 6-1 at half-time and the score could easily have been reversed on Saturday but for the brilliance of Dunlop and centre half Labone.  In the opening minutes Brabrook waltzed past Thomson with almost contemptuous ease, and with Harris allowing Greaves far too much room in which to move, shots fairly rained on the galliant goalkeeper.  Greaves a slim wraith man, who gets up speed with the smooth surge of an electric train, twice flashed in venomous efforts.  Tambling half hit a shot from point blank range.  Tindall headed into Dunlop’s arms, and Harrison had another header finger-tipped past a post in an effortless wave of assaults that threatened to overwhelm Everton.  Somehow no goals arrived before the 31st minute, when Greaves flicked in a Tambling centre, and by then Everton were beginning to find their feet.  Vernon had already shown signs of recapturing his best form, and it was two vicious power drives of his-one of which almost took Bonetti into the net with it-that started the revival.  Webber, always game and hardworking, but previously rather out of his depth began to shake Evans composure, and Young, calm and competent if not yet a £42,000 player to find gaps in a previously compact defence.  In the 40th minute Webber went up with Bonetti and Evans for a parker free kick, and after a full-blooded collision Evans had to go off for attention.  Immediately Everton struck Vernon received from Collins and with the defence expecting a centre, chipped the ball neatly into the net over Bonett’s head-a timely goal and I submit quite intentional.  Evans resumed in the second half when Everton with the wind and 34,000 loyal supporters behind them, hurried themselves into the fray.  Webber though still finding the pace a bit much, roamed tirelessly far and wide with praiseworthy perseverance.  Collins began to probe the gaps with some of his old skill, and Vernon, right back at his best, let fly several tremendous shots, one in which passed inches over the bar off the head of Peter Sillett, sprawled on the ground.  Everton defence continued to look suspect save in the middle, where Labone held Tindall in continual subjection, and whenever Greaves decided to take a hand there was danger.  In one astonishing burst he left Labone and Thomson standing before hooking the ball inches wide and, not unnaturally became a target for some rather vigorous attentions. 
A TWICKENHAM TOUCH
With ten minutes to go, he snapped up a loose ball in midfield after a heading duel between Tindall and Labone and set off for goal.  Completely unmarked he looked a certain scorer, but Gabriel close in pursuit hurled himself full length to bring off a most spectacular Rugby tackle.  One felt a free kick just outside the area was scant compensation for such an offence, and this feeling was heightened when Tambling headed Sillett’s lob against a post with Dunlop hopelessly beaten.  Truely the righteous are not always rewarded.  Everton must be relieved to have broken their spell of no-success and to have recaptured some of their old spirit.  They still need a left winger- Kavanagh was clearly out of his class-and a more dangerous leader than Webber can hope to be for some time, and there are still obvious flaws in defence.  When all the leading players are again available it will be a very different story and one that may make entertaining reading.  To revile as some have done a team still fifth in the First Division, and who but for injuries would certainly be higher, is quite unjustified.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Young, Collins, Webber, Vernon, Kavanagh.  Chelsea; Bonetti; Sillett (J.), Sillett (P.); Venables, Evans, Anderton; Brabrook, Greaves, Tindall, Tambling, Harrison.  Referee Mr. C.W. Kingston (Newport Monmouthshire).  Attendance 34,449. 

STOKE CITY RES V EVERTON RES 2
Monday, February 20, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
The game –which opened with bright promise for Everton later deteriorated into an undistinguished affair and in the end a draw was as much as either side deserved.  After Gorrie had neatly headed home a centre by Bentley, Everton seemed to have the situation well in hand, but hesitancy enabled Bullock to equalised in the 30th minute, and the Merseyside team never regained the initiative.  Stoke went ahead through a goal by Dean in the 48th minute, but seven minutes later Wignall equalised from a penalty.  Stoke were without their clever wing half Allan Philpot for most of the second half. 

EVERTON STOP THE RIOT BUT ONLY JUST…
Liverpool Echo-Monday 20 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
THE measure of support for Everton was never better exampled than by the 34,000 who came to see the match against Chelsea. After all their team had lost seven in a row in League and Cup and it was a day on which many might have been tempted by Television progress reports of cup-ties. I could not help contrasting Saturday's game with the one between the teams, in London, last October. The Everton of that day, with Ring on one wing and Lill on the other, made Chelsea look on ordinary side, though in the end the result was 3-3. This time the reverse was the case and it was Chelsea who were unlucky not to win. It soon became clear that Everton, with the 22-years-old Romford boy, Kavanagh, on the left and 17-years-old Webber at centre forward, were carrying too much green wood to hope to beat a Chelsea experienced in every line, if nothing else. Ultimately Everton got a 1-1 draw, although if Gabriel bad made his flying Rugby tackle on Greaves a yard or two further on, in the penalty box. Chelsea would almost certainly have scored from the spot and might well have won. Tindill later struck a post with a header which seemed certain to make the score 1-2. Add to these escapes some fine goalkeeping by Dunlop —especially in the first half hour—and the evidence is that Everton had more than one fortunate break in stopping the rot which has disturbed the club and its followers. Yet there were signs, at times. Of the Everton of the first half of the season. Some moves warmed the crowd and got them roaring. In the circumstances—few clubs can ever play two debutants and get away with it—it was a more promising Everton. with Vernon almost back to his best form and Bobby Collins working like a demon and doing a great deal to go on to the credit side of the ledger.
Of special interest
LET me concentrate for a while on the three Everton players of such especial interest. First, Alex Young. Many believe it is wrong to pay £40,000 plus for a centre forward and move him, forthwith, to new positions. But the switch came purely from force of circumstance. Young heads a ball with certainty and speed: his footwork is neat; he is unhurried and unflurried. Unfortunately, he tends at times to make his feints so slowly and so ineffectually the back or half back steps in and takes the ball without a by-your-leave. At other moments when Young was maneuvering he was, like Vernon, rudely brought down by tackles which took the ball, legs and all. Venables, at right half back, was particularly prone to do this. So Young has yet to show his real form and maybe he will not do it until he gets the message of the increased pace at which the game is contested this side of the border. Webber started full of enthusiasm and fury and good intent. He is a goer, but when he was faced by the challenge of Evans or of the backs he did not always keep the ball under control. The longer the game went the better he played, however, and he was doing better at the end, when he often veered out to the right wing, than at any other time. On this display he is surely worth his chance again. Kavanagh has the look of the late Wally Keyes. It was asking a lot of him to expect him to face one of the Sillett brothers and make good. I thought he showed good sense in his general ideas and particularly when taking the throw, but he was with all the good will in the world, too green a novice to make a success of his unexpectedly early introduction to First Division football.
Faced A Flier
Another Everton player under the “microscope” of followers of the club was George Thomson, who came with Young and who still has not got the feel of football in England. He is a back who wants to use the ball, but is also one who finds the zip of wingers here a big disconcerting. Brabrook, the most brilliant player on the field, led him a dance and left him toiling, and there was one remarkable occasion when some three or four other Everton defenders were also left stranded in the wake of the Chelsea man over a run of nut less than 50 yards. Everton started to play only when Greaves tapped home the centre Tambling crossed from the right at 30 minutes. Until then Chelsea had been on top. Moreover, they had made the Everton defence look ordinary. How fortunate it was Dunlop saved so well from Greaves and again from Harrison. The best save of all came from Bonetti. He flung himself at a shot, cracked in like a cannon-ball, by Vernon, left foot, having earlier made a most valuable save from Vernon's fast-moving header. It was while Evans was off-field having treatment for a blow to the head that Vernon, almost from outside right, feinted to make a normal centre and then dug his right foot under the ball like a mashie-nib lick and "cut one up" to deceive Bonetti and find the net just inside the far angle. Vernon, who had a luckless day, must have scored in the second half if Sillett P., with the goalkeeper missing, had not somehow contrived to turn a low shot up and over the bar. Gabriel hammered in one of the best of shots, but did not have a happy game. When Greaves nodded the ball forward and got clean through it took a Rugby tackle, from behind, to cheat Chelsea of the lead for the second time. Alex Parker was similarly unlucky after being brought down at the other end, just after Tindill’s header had hit the goal frame, and he was palpably in the penalty area.

EVERTON’S PLAYERS GO TO SEASIDE
Liverpool Echo-Monday 20 February 1961
A FOUR-DAY TONIC VISIT
BINGHAM HOPES
By Leslie Edwards
Everton are sending their first team players to Blackpool for a few days for the second time this season.  They go tomorrow and will stay until Saturday morning, when they will travel to Preston for the match there.  Mickey Lill, who had a second operation last week on cartilage in his knee, is progressing well.  Tom Ring still not recovered from the effects of a broken leg, has had a bout of flu.  He attended the game against Chelsea on Saturday, but was limping slightly.  It is hoped that Billy Bingham who has had groin trouble, will be fit to play against Preston, Bobby Collins, whose injury is still bothering him, played on Saturday under the handicap.  Everton’s side against Manchester United in the Lancashire Senior Cup on Wednesday will be a reserve one. 

EVERTON FOR SEASIDE
Tuesday, February 21, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton first team players go to Blackpool today.  It is hoped that the change will help towards ending the run of eight successive matches without a win.  They will remain at Blackpool until Saturday morning when they will leave to play against Preston North End at Deepdale.

MORE ABOUT EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 21 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
Letters about Everton continue to arrive.  It is clear that everyone has their pet remedy for putting them back into their first-half-of-the-season form.  Here are some points from post;- One of the reasons for Everton’s lean patch is complacency added to team changes due to injuries and ill-luck.  The ability is there as their run of victories showed Knockers (the same people who were cheering when things were going well) should appreciate that with a little patience the club will have a great team next season.  At the moment the team need to put a lot more bite into their work-E.H. Williamson, 22 Mulberry Road, Birkenhead.  As the club can only hope for a reasonable place in the League the best in the country, have just about had enough.  Defeats have been brought about by poor team selection.  Green, Webber and Jarvis should have been brought into the side long ago-L. Smith, 16 Rowland Street, Birkenhead.  Everton’s revival last season began when they signed Tommy Ring, a bargain if ever there was one.  His presence in the forward line raised the standard of the remaining forwards from good to brilliant.  Until a suitable left-winger deputy is found and by that I mean a natural left-footer, there can be no revival –G.C Shepherd, 30 Carey Avenue, Higher Bebington. 
What are the Everton players upset about?  There must be a boss and surely every right-minded man can take a telling off? Everton want a big bustling centre-forward.  They have always done best when they had one.  Forget the row, Everton pull up your socks and show that you can still be one of the greatest teams in the country-H. Gibbens, 30 Edbinburgh Road, Liverpool 7.
I feel certain the players at present on the books at Goodison Park are fully capable of starting another unbeaten run such as they had before Christmas.  To give the club its old reputation all-round effort is required by players directorate, management and supporters.  The players should realize at this revolutionary period for football that unless they succeed the money to pay their greatly increased wages will not come into the club coffers.  If is, therefore, their duty to seek out faults and differences and get down to the solid business of making the club’s faithful supporters happy-Blue, 31 Sandyville Road, Walton.
“Use those spaces.”
I must voice my disappointment at the result of the Shrewsbury v Everton game.  Shrewsbury gave us a lesson in shooting and in how to use the open spaces.  Why do the Everton wingers always work inwards instead of making full use of the width of the pitch?  They run into trouble repeatedly-Evertonian for 40 years, Thornton Road, Everton 16. 

OLD GOODISON PARK HAD ‘BOLT’HOLE FOR REFEREE
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 22 February 1961
By Leslie Edwards
An office colleague, Mrs. Amy Gibson, has unearthed a remarkable file of sports magazines; “Out of Doors,” published in Liverpool in 1892.  The material photographs and sketches are fascinating.  Here, with sketches (see columns to the right) is what the first issue said of the original Goodison Park-a vastly different place from the palatial one we know…it cost £3,000 which represents something less than a club would pay nowadays for a very ordinary reserve team player. 
“Out of Doors” begin-
“Behold Goodison Park. The half-dozen pictures we give of this splendid enclosure must serve instead of a long description of it. In any case to substitute pictures for words is our mission in journalistic life. At the same time no single picture could take in the entire scene the ground presents; it so magnificently large, for it rivals the greater American baseball pitches. On three sides of the field of play there are tall covered stands and on the fourth side the ground has been so banked up with thousands of loads of cinders that a complete view of the game can be had from any portion. “The spectators are divided from the playing piece by a neat, low boarding and the touch-line is far enough from it to prevent those accidents which used to be predicted at Anfield Road, but never happened. In the centre of the banked-up portion, but set against the walling of the ground is the secretary’s office where Mr. Molyneux can sit ether to write out cheques in his easy chair or keep his eye on the uttermost extent of his vast dominions. The chairman (Mr. George Mahon) when play 1s on is accommodated exactly opposite and under his seat which is in the centre of the large stand, is a door leading to a passage and this is the handy way the players and referee in when the game is over, and at all events the latter personage can bid defiance to the angriest crowd. This is superfluous however, as Goodison Park spectators never throw missiles at the referee, for there is no better disposed crowd in the kingdom.
What, No Body Servant?

Inside the room, the scene is as shown in our pictures, the bathroom are models of comfort and convenience. Each of the two-rooms (one for visitors and one for the home team) contains a large double bath, not with shallow, but with perpendicular sides. The latest patent in gas water-heaters is shown at the end by the window with the marble hand-washing bowls at the side of it. The floor is a trellis work of planed boards, arranged so as to give the maximum of comfort to the feet. The gas backets are set off with opaque globes, which add a warm and pleasing softness to the scene; and even the shades above are of latest pattern. Tubbing being over the player passes through to the adjoining dressing room which is which is large enough to give even the stoutest full back all the elbow room he needs –and more. The seats are inclined to that comfortable hollow which induces you to sit a little longer than is absolutely necessary; even the pegs for your clothes are of an attractive design and there is a kind of raised platform on which your body servant if you have one, can give you a rub-down.
As shown in our drawing, there is a room again beyond this which can best be described as the place for “finishing touches.” The referee has already been mentioned but a glance at the view of his room will show how he is provided for. It seems almost a pity there is not chance of a collar Rugby game on the ground for the room would stand a large amount of bombardment! But there are even further attractions for the august personage, for if he opens the outer door which is the middle one shown on the back of the entire stand he is face to face with the pretty girl who sells hot drinks. The stairs also shown in the same view lead exclusively to the Press stand and therefore the convenient way a busy reporter can run out with an urgent message is self-evident. “Truly we might spare pages over this modern arena but space forbids. Suffice it, however, to remark an inspection of the strong and substantial foundations alone shows how carefully the whole has been planned and if it only cost £3,000, it is £3,000 well spent and Mr. Prescott, the architect himself a worthy footballer once by the way and Messrs Kelly Brothers the contractors may take all the credit for it they deserve. But the noble ground was not made with the simple wave of a magician’s wand. It is the outcome of much thought and study and Mr. Mahon and the many willing co-workers he had can now look upon the result of their efforts with the utmost pride.”

ANOTHER AMATEUR CAP FOR JARVIS
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 22 February 1961
EVERTON WING HALF BACK
By Leslie Edwards
Everton’s 17-years-old Grove Park (Wrexham) schoolboy Alan Jarvis gets his second Welsh amateur international cap, at Ton Pentre on march 4, when he appears at right half back against Scotland.  Jarvis played against England last November, but missed the game against Ireland, at Portmadoc in January, Wales won this match 4-1. 
Everton have chosen a reserve side for the Lancashire Senior Cup tie against Manchester United, at Old Trafford, this evening (7.30).  Everton; Dunne; Parnell, Green; A Jarvis, Jones, Sharples; Temple, Wignall, Webber, Turner, Edwards. 

ALEX YOUNG SHOULD BE GIVEN HIS CHANCE
Thursday, February 23, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
LEAVE CENTRE FORWARD IN HIS £40,000 POSITION
By Horace Yates
Everton, I hope, will take a leaf out of the cricketer’s notebook this week and try to hit their way out of trouble.  Stone-walling is getting them nowhere and for the visit of Preston on Saturday, a match which is vital for the relegation conscious North End side, I would like to see Alex Young restored to centre forward, and left there.  After all, Everton did pay £40,000 for him in that role and even in these days that is a sizeable cheque.  It was not paid merely because he was Scotland’s centre forward on the assumption that he must be good.  It was paid after Young had been watched several times and had measured up to requirement.  The player has had no sort of a chance so far, to prove whether or not he is equal to the switch from Scottish to England football.  Four times he had played in League games, twice at centre forward, once at inside right and again at outside right.  Is it surprising that we are still waiting to see the real Young.”  In adversity, the danger is that we began to get things a little bit out of proportion and I think that is a danger into which we are falling in regard to luckless Everton.  Not for one moment do I believe that all Everton’s present troubles are due to misfortune, but I am convinced that had injury not struck me so often and so devastatingly in a department where the club were least able to ward off the blow, the mournful run of seven games without a victory would not have happened.  The temptation to improvise is obvious, but Everton owe it to Young and to themselves that the Scot, now really fir for the first time since coming to Goodison Park, should be given the chance to reproduce the form which led to his Scottish caps.  Many examples have there been of Scots taking an uncomfortably long time to show their true worth in English soccer, but Young, I maintain has had no sort of an opportunity so far. 
Wanted by Preston
Whether he is the man to put Everton back on the rails, I do not know, but unless £40,000 is a hopelessly inflated valuation of his worth, the talent is there in more than average measure.  As if by coincidence it was Preston who challenged Everton every inch of the way for Young’s services so that the Goodison assessment of his qualities was apparently not isolated.  I have spoken to Everton players, who have been enthusiastic about Young’s promise in practice.  His ability to run into the open spaces and to put the ball through precisely for in-running forwards has excited high optimism.  Because he has played twice at centre forward in the First Division without performing wonders is no sort of basis on which to decide that this is not his true position.  I have not the slightest doubt that manager John Carey still has abundant faith in Young’s ability to prove judgement correct in bringing him to Goodison Park and that the Scot’s rotation round the forward line has been merely the most convenient way of plugging gaps left by the withdrawal of Collins and Bingham but at £40,000 is this not an expense sort of luxury?  This policy has done nothing for Young and no more for Everton and in my humble submission the time has come to call a halt to the player’s wanderings.  Everton have not been well blessed with service from centre forward this season, so that we can scarcely attribute indifferent inside forward displays recently to the change of leader.  We all know what Bobby Collins and Roy Vernon can do and criticism for criticism’s sake will get us nowhere.  Despite recent disappointments they are still potentially the best pair of inside men in the game, and I find it hard to understand why a temporary falling away by Collins should merit the sort of hostile comments that have come his way from spectators who in better times probably sang his praises loudest.  While I am the first to admit that Collins recently has been almost unrecognisable as the bundle of skill and energy we have known since he came to England in September 1958, these disappointments do not blind me to the immense accomplishments he has to his credit.
INSIDE TRIO
I know of NO modern footballer, who has given me more consistent pleasure week after week, but Collins is human and these spells of sub-normal form come to everybody in turn.  Possibly because it is the first affliction Collins has had since arriving at Goodison it seems the most difficult to bear.  Obviously it is difficult to field regular wingers in the present trying conditions, but at least let Everton be thankful for other mercies by playing what should be their best inside trio-Collins, Young, Vernon.  It is hard for anybody to settle down when he does not know with any degree of certainly which number will be on his back next.  Everton have nothing to gain, now in the honours field and for the first time for seasons can hear the word “relegation” without shuddering.  If Bingham is fit for the Preston match, Everton can start building for next season by putting the round pegs in the round holes, and feel sure it is Mr. Carey’s desire to have Young as leader- of the attack, just as soon as the opportunity is there to restore him.  On December 3 Everton enthusiasm was at its heights as the team dealt out a 4-2 beating to the mighty Sheffield Wednesday.  Apart from Jimmy Harris who was at outside left, all the players are still available, so that it does not seem asking too much to get back into the groove.  Wignall was at centre forward that day, but Everton did not buy Young because they thought Wignall was the better man.  Let them put their judgement to the test and not be dissuaded by temporary set-backs.  They cannot be accused of turning a blind eye to the need for change or of an unwillingness to give youth its chance.  In six short months they have introduced eight players Parnell, Webber, Kavanagh, Bentley, Young, Thomson, Sharples, and Green to English First Division football.  One lesson Everton appreciate to the full is that it is not enough to have an accomplished first team.  Reserves of high quality are essential to success. 

LANCS SENIOR CUP
Thursday, February 23, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON LET CHANCES GO BEGGING
MANCHESTER UNITED 1, EVERTON 0
Everton were knocked out of the Lancashire Senior Cup last evening in the last minute when outside right Warren Bradley, the former England amateur winger, scored from short range.  It was a fate they did not deserve for throughout the opening period their sparkling brand of open football should have produced victory.  They have only themselves to blame, however, for not having a winning margin in the first twenty minutes, but their forwards missed chances galore.  In the fifth minute Wignall was pushed through by Webber but with only goalkeeper Gregg to beat he fired at the goalkeeper’s body.  As he tried to recover, the ball swerved away and was scrambled clear. 
GOAL-LINE CLEARANCE
In the tenth minute a brilliant combine move by Edwards and Temple led to an opening for Tyrer who drove the ball across the open goalmouth.  Yet another chance went astray as Webber shot wide with only Gregg to beat.  United’s defence was repeatedly in trouble and Gregg did well to save a header from Wignall while another effort from Temple was cleared off the line.  The game took a rapid change in the second period when it was United who called the time and Dunne made another great save from Moir.  It needed heroic work by centre half Jones and left back Gregg to hold the United forward at bay.  Attendance 5,816. 

HARRY POTTS FINED £105
Thursday, February 23, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
The Football Association Disciplinary Committee yesterday fined Mr. Harry Potts, the Burnley Football Club manager, who admitted entering the field of play without permission in Burnley’s European Cup game with Stade De Reims on November 30 last, 100 guineas and debarred him from occupying a seat on the touchline at any match for the remainder of the current season. 

EVERTON MISFIRE IN PENALTY AREA
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 23 February 1961
Everton’s young and promising forwards marred an otherwise excellent display against Manchester United by their inability to accept their chances.  Consequently what should have been their just rights- to enter the next round of the Lancashire Senior Cup- went to the inferior constructive combination by means of a late opportunist goal.  For the first half completely Everton displayed a brand of open play that was not only attractive and entertaining but a pleasing feature in these days of the short Continental passing plan, and in doing so, the quick-switching of outside right Temple and centre forward Webber had the United defence in a tangle.  Three excellent openings in the fifth 15th and 20th minutes were ignored by Wignall, Tyrer and Webber.  It was all so frustrating especially to left half Sharples who served his forwards well with his accurate long-range distribution.  The second half revealed United in a more competent mood for after Gregg, who used the game as a try-out after injury, and will most certainly play in the League team against Nottingham Forest this week-end, had saved from a header from Wignall, United took control.  Manchester snatched the winner with 30 seconds to go when after Jones had headed behind a shot, Bradley beat Dunne with a close range effort from the subsequent corner.  Attendance 5,816. 
YOUTH MATCH DATE
Everton have arranged to play their F.A Youth Cup match against Sheffield Wednesday at Sheffield next Monday (kick-off y p.m.)

SUMMER SOCCER SHOCK
Friday, February 24, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
READERS THREE TO ONE IN FAVOUR
Say Roy Vernon
I never thought when I wrote my last article on the question of summer soccer that I would stir up such hornets’ nest, but judging from the correspondent I have received footballers deceive themselves if they pretend there is not enough public demand to make them do their work in the heart of the summer sun, or possibly in the cool of the evening.  I feel pretty confident that generally speaking professional footballers are against the change from the winter season, but as my correspondent’s are three to one in favour, I wonder if a public opinion poll might produce a verdict to stun us!  Possibly the figures are misleading and that the reformists are willing to take the trouble to write to me, while others confident there will be no change, hesitate to take up their pens.  One statistician goes into great detail to prove that the average rainfall over the period of the proposed season at almost identical with that of the existing season.  That’s rather a shocker.  We all know that our summers leave a lot to be desired, but goodness me, I had no idea that our holiday period was really as bad as all that!  This, he says, knocks on the head, my ideas about having to play on baked, pitches, and of course, not having gone, into the subject in such details as my friends, I can only accept his statement on the point.  All the same I am unrepentant. 
STILL SERVANTS
Mind you, while we may not be soccer laves in these enlightened days we are still servants of the public.  What they want they will undoubtedly get, even though it may take a trifle longer than some of them expect.  This is no mere idle chatter.  Undoubtedly the wheels are moving and when no less, a person than Sir Stanley Rous this F.A secretary, adds his weight to the call for progress, the proposals must be treated seriously.  When I think of the time involved in writing this weekly article I take off my hat in tribute to Robert Jones of Newton-le-Willows.  He feels so strongly about my views on summer soccer that not only has he taken the trouble to write to me on the topic but he has done it at as great as length as any of my articles, and he does this merely because of his belief in the justice of the demand for change not for remuneration.  Referring to my dislike of playing on bone-0hard pitches he writes “Would you admit that the present world, champions Brazil, manager on these pitches very well indeed?  So much so, that I would give the best British X1 two goals start if they were to meet at present.  Our players are inclined to use strength at the expense of skill and in any case what is wrong with watering the none-hard pitches?  It be a much simpler task than drying out on present mud-baths and science may be called in to lend a hand.  “Your suggestion of covering pitches is absolutely impossible for the like of Earlestown A.F.C or Park Road Juniors, and it is from the junior circles that most future star players will come. 
THE ONLY ANSWER
“summer soccer is the only answer to the game’s growing problems and the sooner all Super leagues, &c, start to give some consideration to soccer from the junior stage up the sooner will our future look brighter.  “What difference would it make for eighty-eight Football league pitches to be protected and dried when the many thousands of non-league and junior pitches would continue to offer the same farcical conditions which you admit exist today.  About 50 per cent of our soccer is played in conditions under which a player has to put extra brawn into his efforts to find a co-league on a muddy pitch.  That colleague either has to wait for the past for show Jesse Owen sprint qualities to reach.  Rarely does he receive the pass to his liking and efforts of this kind make players look a little ridiculous and in my opinion is largely responsible for our acknowledged decline in world soccer.  “I am assured by experts that the average temperature from April to October over the past twenty years is 62 degrees, so that cancelled matches on Saturday afternoon-because of heat would be far fewer than those called off now because of water-logged, snowbound or icy pitches, which must cost soccer thousands of pounds.  “Summer soccer would curtail the necessarily for spending much needed cash to install floodlights.  “You say that summer soccer would leave an awful gap in the winter, but what about Rugby Union and Rugby League?  They may consider summer pitches too hard for their rough and tumble game and could stick to a winter season.  Without soccer opposition all three codes could prosper. 
MISSING MILLIONS
“Have you not read about soccer’s missing millions?  They are those who prefer to watch TV when the weather is bad, even though they may have soccer in their veins.  “No, Roy, Soccer’s steadily losing the battle with the elements and TV, and nonleague soccer has almost given up the ghost.  Only when the average fan can turn out in decent weather to watch soccer played on decent pitches, by players who will be all the better for the improved conditions will the game improve and prosper.  “Those who say “Let’s stick to tradition” would look sick fighting a modern battle with bows, and arrows, I am looking forward to the first April.  October soccer season, when I hope to persuade my wife to go to the matches with me.”  Well, there you are, I am sorry I have been unable to give all Mr. Jones arguments.  He covers much of the ground on which so many more of my correspondents, embark, and I hope I have shown by publishing his letter that while summer soccer may not be my cup of tea, I am perfectly willing to do as instructed.  If summer soccer does come into being perhaps it will not be a bad thing for footballers that there is to be no limit to earning capacity for we should all have to go chasing the sun for our winter holidays.  I may be the cautious type, but I cannot imagine the Football league adopting such a change over in one fell swoop.  Supposing summer soccer proved to be a flop, what guarantee is there that spectators would not have found other sources of winter entertainment with a resultant lose or patronage, if the switch back to winter had to be made.  Damage done could prove to be irreparable.  It is quite possible that any pioneering work in this direction might have to be undertaken by organisations a little lower down the scale than the Football League.  Perhaps it would be a good idea to have a mass vote taken at all the League grounds during the opening games of next season.  At least legislators might then be given a fair idea of how the public would react to the idea.  Unless there was a decided majority in favour of the change I submit the dangers would be too obvious to carry the plan any further, but I am all for anything that is for the good of our sports. 

DOUBLY INTRIGUING
Liverpool Echo - Friday 24 February 1961
The game between Preston North End and Everton at Preston, is doubly intriguing. First, the man struggling to offset the effects of the loss of a genius such as Tom Finney (the former Everton manager Cliff Britton) will be laying plans to defeat his old club and secondly Alex Young reverts to his true position in the centre to play against the side which had such a tug-of-war against Everton for his services before John Carey succeeded in getting him to Goodison Park. It has always been clear that Everton wanted Young to lead their line; indeed I believe he was assured of his place there before he signed. The switching of this player to other spots in the attack became essential when the need for players of experience on the wings became urgent. In other circumstances Young would have stayed, of course, in the place which suits him best, as leader. There have been doubts about Collins all week. He is still suffering from the effects of a pulled muscle. But news of Bingham is brighter. He has recovered from the groin injury which keeps player out of action for longish periods. Preston are no less in trouble than Liverpool's opponents, but they have tended to show that they are going to make a belated effort to get away from the danger zone and any potential relegation side, on its own ground, wants a lot of beating. Everton have the chance to produce their first League win of the New Year and I think they will take it, but it looks like being a pretty tough match and Preston will be flat out to keep Young off the score sheet. One of the few Preston forwards the Everton defence will need to keep in careful check will be Derek Mayers. The former Everton winger Cliff Britton took from his old club not long after joining Preston.

COLLINS TO MISS GAME AT PRESTON
Liverpool Echo - Friday 24 February 1961
Young Leads Everton
BINGHAM DOUBT
By Leslie Edwards
Bobby Collins drop, out of the Everton side at Preston owing to unfitness. He has been troubled for more than a fortnight with a pulled muscle. Wignall, normally a centre forward, takes over in his position at inside right. Billy Bingham is a doubtful starter. If he is unable to play Derek Temple, recovered from the slight injuries he received in a car crash, will deputise. Scottish International centre forward Alex Young reverts to true position and young Kavanagh, who made his debut a week ago, continues in the left as partner to Vernon. Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham or Temple, Wignall, Young, Vernon, Kavavagh.  Everton Reserves (v. Burnley, at Goodison Park)- Dunne; Gannon, Green; Peat, Jones, Meagan; Bentley, Morton, Webber, Harland, Edwards.
PRESTON UNCHANGED
Preston have picked the same team that beat Fulham 2-0 at home and won 1-0 at Blackpool in a last desperate bid to avert relegation.  There is one doubt.  Full back Willie Cunningham, veteran captain of the side, has an injured back.  He will have a final fitness, Bob Wilson, who comes from the Ormskirk area and joined Preston some years ago from Burscough will deputise.  Preston; Else; Cunningham, or Wilson, O’Neill, Wylie, Singleton, O’Farrell; Mayers, Fullam, Alston, Sneddon, Thompson (P). 

PRESTON’S HOPE
Saturday, February 25, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Refreshed by Blackpool’s sea breezes, Everton desperate for a change for fortune, travel direct to Preston to try conclusion with Cliff Britton’s team, which is encouraged by earning four badly needed points from the last two outings.  Undaunted by Everton’s high spending reputation.  Preston believes that here is their great chance to escape from the bottom ring of the table for the first time since Christmas. With Blackpool their fellow sufferers at Fulham, two points could be the basis for a Preston celebration but they will find that Everton in no sort of League trouble, will be striving to the almost of their ability to end depressing run of seven Cup and League games without a single triumph.  “It often happens that a player opposing his former club makes superhuman efforts to put himself in a starring role, and Derek maters Preston’s outside right, will undoubtedly come into this category.  George Thomson has still to establish himself as the sort of defensively able full back that Everton requite and if he can subdue Mayers not only will he have helped to put his team well in line for success but he will have given a real boost to his reputation.  It is Everton’s ill-luck that this come-back effort will have to be made without Bobby Collins who is not quite fit for with the Scot out of the side I never feel that the Goodison team are best fitted to meet a challenge.  The absence of Collins could have been made the excuse to continue to play Alex Young out of position but I am delighted to see that the temptation has been resisted and that the expensive Scottish signing is selected for the position for which he was bought.  It is obviously right that if any man should be played out of position it should not be Young, who has still to have a real opportunity to prove himself.  Wignall can have no complaint at being the man asked to play at inside forward.  Bingham is a doubtful starter so that Temple could be at outside right.  If right back Cunningham is fit Preston will be unchanged but Wilson stands by in case of need.  Everton’s record at Preston is not particularly inspiring, for since promotion they have won only once (in 1955-56 season) but they also taken part in three goal-less draws.  Preston North End; Else; Cunningham, or Wilson; O’Neill, Wylie, Singleton, O’Farrell; Mayers, Fullem, Alston, Sneddon, P. Thompson.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, or Temple, Wignall, Young, Vernon, Kavanagh. 

GOAL BY FULLAM SENDS EVERTON HOME POINTLESS AGAIN
Saturday, February 25, 1961 The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
PRESTON 1, EVERTON 0
By Jack Rowe
Preston N.E;- Else; Wilson, O’Neill; Wylie, Singleon, O’Farrell; Mayers, Fullam, Alston, Sneddon, Thompson (P.).  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Temple, Wignall, Young, Vernon, Kavanagh.  Referee; Mr. J.A Cattlin (Rochdale). 
Alex Young led the Everton attack against Preston at Deepdale today, but Collins and Bingham unfit. Temple and Wignall foraged the right wing. Cunningham had not recovered from his injury, so Preston had Wilson at right back. Everton had the wind and rain at their backs and after Fullam had almost got Mayers through. O'Neill made such a bad back pass to Else that the goalkeeper could not prevent a corner, Kavanagh's kick, however, was a poor one. Preston played with plenty of spirit and the Everton goal came near to falling when Fullam got the ball over and somehow Labone beat Alston to head the ball out. Then the danger was still there, for it went straight to Smith whose prompt return missed the bar by inches. Offside first against Young and then against Wignall held up Everton, and the Preston defence looked to be in trouble. Vernon's dive in the penalty area rightly brought only a corner and after Else had caught Temple’s kick cleanly, Everton got another flag kick, this time on the left, from which Young made a flashing header which Else saved excellently. 
ELSE RACES OUT
Preston had no answer to the beautiful through ball from Young, who was showing some lovely control, and Else had to come at least 10 yards outside the penalty area to kick away as Wignall raced through. The rain came down heavily but there was much entertainment, especially from the more direct Preston, and in quick succession Mayers and Thompson caused anxiety with fast centres and an Alston back header flew narrowly over. The high ball down the middle was not much use to Young against the tall Singleton, but the Everton centre forward was a little unfortunate when, after beating the Preston man on the ground, he came down on the slippery turf. Preston still looked the more direct side against the more leisured Everton but the pace had was quite a hot one, with first Mayers and then Temple tearing through without being able to make the telling Pass. I
QUICK RECOVERY
Thomson fell and then retrieved a nasty situation by a quick recovery and tackle on Mayers, but Everton were finding the strong tackling of Singleton a bar down the middle. The ball, however, was not so easy to control in the slippy conditions and both sides found this a barrier when attacks looked like developing, promisingly. It needed a Preston mistake to hoist Everton into something like a scoring position, but when O'Neill made the error, Vernon could not get his shot in quickly enough and O'Farrell, swept the ball off his foot. Young forced a clear cut opening for Temple with a dummy and pass which was quite the best thing of the match so far. The winger's drive was so strong that Else could not hold it, but fortunately for Preston O'Neill cleared. Dunlop did well to get a fist to Thompson's centre, but Mayers failed Preston when he tried to dribble through as Alston stood unmarked.
KAVANAGH'S CHANCE
Kavanagh had a chance but shot over after Young, lying well back, had initiated the move. Preston, though, still had a slightly more dangerous look, and twice the ball flashed across the Everton goalmouth from left wing centres with no one able to apply the necessary finishing touch. Gabriel's, long range free kick was flicked over by Else and as Everton came on the scene with a bang, the Preston goalkeeper made a super effort to stop a shot from Vernon by the angle. The rain stopped, and Alston produced the next danger for Everton with an angle shot which just missed the post. Half-time.—Preston N.E. nil. Everton nil. Preston were lucky when Temple cut inside and let go a left foot shot which flashed just wide of the far post with Else scrambling.  Preston appealed for a penalty, claiming that Thomson had handled Thompson 's cross, but I saw nothing and neither, apparently, did the referees.  Everton raced away for Wignall, from the inside left position, to have a shot deflected by Singleton for a corner.
DUNLOP SAVE
The game suddenly came to, life with Dunlop tipping over a nasty swerving lob from Wilson and then Labone, while off balance, somehow managing to head away from Sneddon pass, with Alston racing in. Everton's contribution was a tenacious dribble by Temple and a shot from Kavanagh which struck Wylie and went to safety. Again Dunlop did magnificently when in the face of Alston's challenge he put a header from Mayers over and the Everton goalkeeper, and in the next second or two, went down in a crowd of players to save O'Farrell's quick ground shot. The match was now at its most interesting stage, lively and entertaining, with Dunlop for the third time doing Everton great service with a save from Thompson, but even he was well beaten when O’Farrell's drive was deflected on to the outside off the post with goalkeeper divine the other way. Everton were having their lucky moments, particularly when Dunlop, after Parker had made a rare mistake, dived and pushed out Thompson's shot and Harris just beat Mayers to the loose ball. Preston had been playing with so much endeavour that their lead in the 62nd minute was perhaps deserved. Alston out on the left, tricked Labone and coming more inside turned the ball back so that Fullam from about12 yards out, was able to shoot, and although Dunlop got a hand to the ball, it hit the inside of the post and then went into the net.
EVERTON’S CHANCE
Everton had the immediate chance of an equalizer when Fulham undid his good work with a rank bad pass which was taken up by Young, but the Everton centre forward veered away from goal and by the time he tried to find a man in the middle. Singleton recovered. Vernon had a spell on the right wing, but Everton could make little attacking progress against a side displaying much more confidence. Temple was trying hard enough but his inclination to hang on to the ball was often his downfall. Mayers missed a wonderful chance for Preston, shooting over from little more than six yards out.  Final; Preston N.E 1, Everton nil.  Official attendance 17,812.

EVERTON POINT CAN END SPELL
Saturday, February 25, 1961. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
ALEX PARKER PREDICTS BRIGHTER RESULTS TO COME
For once I am going to stick my neck out and say that I feel certain Everton have ended their bad spell. I do so knowing that many of our fans were not over-impressed by our performance in drawing with Chelsea in which I thought we played better than we have done for some time without approaching the form we showed before Christmas. Still a draw a good thing with which to start our comeback, and allied to our five days stay In Blackpool. I feel it has put us back on the right road. I have heard arguments for and against these breaks from regular training, but I believe they are a good thing, and judging front the spirit shown by the rest of the team this week.  I am fairly certain they all feel much the same. There has been a different atmosphere among the players. It's been more like the days when we had our long unbeaten run and, although recent defeats have done no damage to team spirit, there is no denying that it is possible to sense the difference among the boys when things are not going so well. We left for Blackpool on Tuesday after a practice game at Bellefield. The party included the 11 who played against Chelsea, plus Tommy Jones, Frank Wignall and Mick Meagan. After arriving at our hotel we took things easy in view of our game that morning, but on Wednesday we had hard training on the hotel golf course -and it didn't include golf.
FEW SPRINTS
As Frank Wignall, Keith Webber and Tommy Jones were playing at Old Trafford in the Lancashire Cup-tie that night, they only did a few a sprints. In the afternoon we had steam baths, followed by a swim in the pool, and finished with a shower. Then there was some sunray treatment laid on for us.  Just to keep our hand in. Billy Bingham. Jimmy Gabriel and I took a ball out for a kick-around. Thursday morning brought us another spell of training on the golf course and the afternoon was spent either strolling along the promenade or playing snooker. You can take my word for it that it has not been a holiday, for the hotel is used to accommodating football teams. They have every facility for training and we have certainly used them. Bobby Collins and Billy Bingham have also been having treatment for their injuries in the hotel treatment room,
NOT WASTED
We have been kept busy but I think the next few matches will show that our visit has not been wasted, even if the improvement has not come at Preston to-day. You will be able to see for yourselves next week when Fulham come to Goodison, and although the London side have not been doing too well lately, they still have some very good players. There is an old Scottish colleague in Graham Leggat and then, of course, they have England skipper Johnny Haynes. It's strange that we should have both England's inside forwards at Goodison in consecutive matches, with Jimmy Greaves here last week with Chelsea. As we changed ends for the kick-off, I passed Jimmy and shouted: "How are you doing?" "I’m fine, thanks." he said. And then he proceeded to show us just how fine he is by nearly scoring in the first few minutes with a shot Albert Dunlop did well to save, and then scoring on the half-hour. I think we all know he's fine, but there was no need for him to prove it quite so quickly. Incidentally, while we were at Blackpool we heard that Mickey Lill is making good progress after his latest operation, so maybe we will see him back in action soon. There was more good news in hearing Brian Labone had been selected again to play for England against Scotland in the Under-23 international at Middlesbrough on March 1, but we were all surprised to hear that Liverpool's Gerry Byrne had been left out. I thought he had a great game against Wales at Goodison recently and although he has missed this international, I don't think he should be too disappointed as he as bound to get another chance. 

EVERTON RES V BURNLEY RES
Saturday, February 23, 1961. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
Everton Res; Dunne; Gannon, Green; Peat, Jones, Meagan; Bentley, Morton, Webber, Harland, Edwards.  Burnley Res; Furnell; Smith, Marshall; Walker, Talbot, Scott; Meredith, Lawson, Lockheed, Fenton, Towers.  Referee; Mr. W.E Haynes (Newburgh).  The game opened quietly with both teams trying to adapt themselves to difficult conditions.  The ground was waterlogged in places and groundsmen were forking away surplus water right up to the kick-off.  Burnley were the first to be dangerous when Lockhead burst through, but his shot hit Dunne’s outstretched foot for Green to kick to safely.  In the 8th minute Burnley took the lead when Lawson netted easily after Meredith’s shot had hit Dunne’s body first.  Everton could not get going, although Bentley made two good runs on the right wing.  A free kick from just inside the Burnley half by Jones almost took Furnell by surprise and the Burnley goalkeeper also had to dive to prevent the Scot’s back-pass from entering his own net.  Only Webber offered much threat to the Burnley defence and when the persistence of the lively Everton leader laid on a chance for Edwards the outside left fired over the bar.  Burnley were using the open spaces better and the Everton goal had lucky escapes, notably when Lawson grazed an upright, while there was no one up to take advantage of another Meredith centre.  Half-time; Everton Res nil, Burnley Res 1. 

CLASSY YOUNG WILL REPLAY EVERTON
Monday, February 27, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
PRESTON 1, EVERTON 0
By Jack Rowe
The most fantastic feature is that Everton should go so long without winning and yet stay so high in the table.  With only one point to show since Boxing Day they remain in sixth position and the consoling thought for Goodison fans is that the finishing position will be high enough to encourage great hopes that the team, as the Australians say, will “come good” next season.  There is of course, reason for thought and wonder as the side fails to justify the high spending this season, but have never really been able to share the despondency which has prevailed.  What many people have been inclined to forget is that the Everton team was built for the future as much as anything and when that fine run came before Christmas it was perhaps as unexpected as it was welcome.  What it did was to create the impression and I do not rule myself out on that score that the answer had to come all at once, and that winning the League or Cup was just around the corner.  Looking back on those days one can appreciate now that the ball also ran for the team and that while many performances were brilliant several of the players had not had chance to mature.  Inevitably the time comes when the run of the ball is not the kindly and thing start getting tough.  It is then that maturity and experience are essential and while it was present in one or two positions it was not there in sufficient quantity. 
WAIT FOR MATURITY
I feel that here was a cause for Everton’s decline just as I feel that when the maturity comes completely to players like Gabriel and one or two others the club will be able to fulfil the high expectations.  What is needed is patience all round and make the test of assessment or success, or failure next season not this.  Another point is that the injuries in turn to Ring, Lill, Bingham, Young and Collins were grievous and the day I await is when manager John Carey an choose the side with all his strength available.  Against Preston on Saturday we had only Young and Vernon of the full forward potential and Vernon, apart from a first half shot which Else saved stupendously, had a poor day.  I give every credit to Temple, Wignall and Kavanagh.  (I think there are possibilities here) for endeavour, but can a First Division attack afford to carry and expect success with three players whose chief role is that of reserve?  Occasionally they can but generally not and the story of this Deepdale defeat is wrapped up in the fact that it was the attack which was the weak point.  The defence did a good job with Dunlop, parker and Labone the best although Harris got through a lot of work, without quite coming up to the standard I know he can.  Thomson, I thought did reasonably well in the second half when he stayed close to his winger and Gabriel was better than the last time I saw him.  The attack especially in the second half.  Even Young fell away at this, my first view of him since he came to Everton convinced me that there is a player of class and if he does not do the club a power of good in the future-with the right support on the wings and in the middle –shall be shocked.  His touches, control and distribution indeed brought the only class to a match which was saved by Preston’s tremendous fight in the second half and their all-out determination to back Cliff Britton in his battle to escape relegation.  Just before half time I thought Everton had reached the dominant stage.  They had coped with the flurry of Preston attacks and survived moments of danger to the point where they started to look the more composed and capable.  This continued for perhaps five minutes in the second half and then Preston came in with a bang.  Left winger Peter Thompson and centre forward Alston began wandering and if Else had done Preston proud with his saves from Gabriel and Vernon in the first half, I thought he was outshone by Dunlop with at least three goal-preventing acts from O’Farrell, Mayers and Thompson.  Everton were pressed back on the defensive and they escaped.  Luckily when O’Farrell’s drive was deflected on to the outside of a post with Dunlop this time right out of the picture.  It took Preston until the 52nd minute to get the goal, which gave them their third successive victory.  Then Alston on the night jinked past Labone and his pulled back centre was hit first time by Fullam and I think Dunlop did well to get a hand to the ball, thus turning it on to the inside of the post and into the net.  If only for their second half fight.  I thought Preston deserved to win.  They have a young, fast defence with centre half singleton a strong.  If at times uncompromising centre half, and on Saturday their deficiencies in fitness were amply compensated by their spirit.  Thompson and Alston were the best of the attack and they made victory possible.  Preston; Else; Wilson, O’Neill; Wylle, Singleton, O’Farrell; Maters, Fullam, Alston, Sneddon, Thompson P.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Temple, Wignall, Young, Vernon, Kavanagh.  Referee; Mr. J.A Cattin (Rochdale).  Attendance 17,812. 

EVERTON RES FINISHING WAS FEEBLE
Monday, February 27, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Res 0, Burnley Res 1
Everton Reserves suffered their second consecutive home defeat through an eight minute goal by Lawson, in this Central League game at Goodison Park.  Everton were defending for most of the first half and if the visitors had shown more urgency in front of goal, Everton would have fallen further behind despite the able resistance of Dunne, Green and Jones.  Webber had been Everton’s only effective forward, but he was more closely marked afterwards when Everton fought back with spirit.  So feebly did Everton finish that the nearest they came to scoring was when Webber claimed he had charged Furnell, the Burnley goalkeeper, over the line.  The impact damaged Furnell’s ribs so badly that he spent the last twenty minutes at outside left. 

POINTLESS FOR EVERTON-BUT VITAL FOR PRESTON
Monday, February 27, 1961 The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Jack Rowe
Preston’s whole-hearted endeavour in the second half earned them two points for a 1-0 victory over Everton at Deepdale on Saturday and helped them tremendously in their battle to avoid relegation, but it intensified the Goodison Park problem of how to end this dismal run without a success. For about a quarter of an hour of this match there was prospect that Everton might find a winning vein for after Preston's early burst had spent itself, they had the more composed look just before the interval and it seemed that they could get control. However, Preston, full of the knowledge that to stay in the First Division every point is invaluable, came out in the second half with strength and courage so that quickly it was they who had taken over the appearance of the side likely to get home, and when Fullam scored in the 62 minute, there could be few Everton supporters who would attempt to claim that it was against the run of the play. Never did the game rise to any great heights. Indeed the first half was often scrappy and it was left to Alex Young to show touches of class which did something to justify the high price he cost in the transfer market.
YOUNG PROBLEM
Whatever failings Young may have when it comes to punch and drive, he has the brilliance of ball control and ability to direct and mould an attack. So much so, that the problem. I feel, remains as to where is his best position. Unfortunately for Everton no-one else can punch or drive either, for Vernon, apart from a first half shot which Else saved brilliantly, was largely innocuous, and although Wignall, Temple, and Kavanagh strove hard enough, they could not fill the bill. Even allowing for this, Everton in the last fifteen minutes before the interval gave hope that they could end their win-less sequence. They had been excellently served by a defence in which Parker and Labone were especially good, but there was no question as to which were on top for most of the second half. It was Preston, if their goal area was not entirely without fortune on occasions, it was nothing to that which helped Everton to stay on level terms until the 62 minutes, I have in mind three superb saves by Dunlop, the couple Else made in the first half, and also that other moment when O’Farrell’s deflected shot smacked against the outside of the post with Dunlop going the other way. There were other occasions also when it seemed Preston must score but did not, and when their goal did come it went into the net from the inside of the post after Dunlop had got a hand to Fullam's shot. Preston's League position indicates the strength of the side, but on this showing the trouble seems to be at forward for the defence, in which centre half Singleton was often uncompromising but always strong and determined, has a lot of speed and is quick in the recovery. Temple found this when he tried too often to over dribble, but the problem for Everton, until their injured men can come out again, is to find some punch in attack. I doubt if Young will supply it, but by the' same token I also think that his' service to Everton in the role of provider and prompter could reach a peak which may still make him worth that £42,000.

EVERTON AND SYDENHAM
Liverpool Echo - Monday 27 February 1961
NO APPROACH TO SOUTHAMPTON
By Leslie Edwards
The urgent need at Everton of a first-class outside-left has caused the club's name to be linked with that of John Sydenham, the Southampton and England Under-23 forward, currently out of his club's side. Southampton manager, Mr. Ted Bates (a son of the old Neston cricket professional, Cedric Bates), said to-day: "Sydenham is in the reserves for the moment but that is not to say we shall let him go. We are keener on securing players than letting them go in this, our first season after promotion. "It would take a very big offer indeed to tempt us to let Sydenham go. Everton might well be interested in him, but we have had no approach from them." Everton manager John Carey said: " I have nothing to say' about Sydenham." Burnley, managed by the former Everton forward, Harry Potts, say nothing about the reported unsettlement of their outside-left. Brian Pilkington, for the second time this season, Pilkington, an England player, is also out of the first team at the moment