EVERTON READY FOR BURY’S CHALLENGE
Tuesday, November 1, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
WEBBER STARTS WITH A GOAL BUT APPRENTICESHIP IN NOT YET OVER
EVERTON 3, WALSALL 1
By Horace Yates
We are getting the League Cup preliminaries nicely out of the way, for with the defeat of Walsall at Goodison Park last night, the path was left clear for the visit of Bury in round three and if their position at the head of the Third Division accurately reflects their merit, Bury may introduce a bit more Cup-tie atmosphere into the proceedings.  Walsall are several points inferior to Bury according to the League table, and yet there were times in the first half when the crowd must have wondered if the gulf between the divisions had suddenly shrunk.  Here were Walsall playing football and playing it beautifully and Everton struggling to find a combination which eluded them for an uncomfortably long period.  When they dropped into their stride, Everton cruised along comfortably to a success which could have been marked with a much more decisive score.  The name of Walsall will always be associated with their shock defeat of Arsenal 1953 F.A Cup game, and when they took the lead in 17 minutes through Davies, they were neither flattered nor fortunate.  The goal came from an award against Green for tripping and Palin stroked the ball across goal for Davies to apply the scoring finish. 
Strangely Subdued
At this stage Vernon had been strangely subdued, suffering possibly from a sort of hangover from Saturday’s shock and Collins has many times enjoyed a greater measure of success against First Division sides.  If Everton were taking things easily, it was a misguided policy for Walsall were far from token foes.  Vernon came into the game with a typical far flung pass to the wing.  Temple seized on it and hit his shot between the goalkeeper’s legs, only to find the ball coming to rest almost on the line, for Gutteridge to kick clear.  Still, it was a sign that Everton meant business, and in 25 minutes they were level, with a cheering goal from seventeen-year-old debutant centre forward Keith Webber.  Again it was Vernon who set Temple moving and a squared centre gave Webber no time for manoeuvre.  It was essential that he should hit the ball first time, which he did, with a cracking left foot shot that fairly whistled into the net.  The goal was magnificently taken, and it was almost the first time the nicely built youngster had come into the picture.  If he could hit goals like that, could he be the answer to the Everton prayers” That was the obvious query.  Certainly he could if the rest of his play matches up to this sample of his opportunism, but as the game unfolded it was increasingly apparent that for all his shooting ability, there is the inevitable rawness while one can only expert with a beginner in a strategic position
Time Needed
This was obviously an admirable opportunity to give Webber his chance to prove whether or not Everton could afford to take a chance with him in League football.  The answer I am afraid must be that he needs further time to develop before he can reasonably be expected to do himself justice.  He could scarcely have gone nearer without collecting a second goal when the ball hit the inside of the upright and rebounded into play and one day in the near future he may be a very different proposition.  He made Christie’s hands ring with another drive but patience is obviously necessary.  Walsall, if they were to make a genuine fight of the match, could ill afford to throw away opportunities such as that when Palin shot wide when admirably placed.  They were soon to learn that while Third Division teams may be able to produce football to compel admiration, it is in the vital art of finishing that class and experience really tell their decisive tale.  They saw Brian Harris push the ball to Vernon just outside the penalty area after fifty-one minutes play and they saw the forward hit a terrific shot, almost effortlessly.  The ball flew where Christie was least able to get, despite his despairing leap and Everton were ahead.  There had been opportunity to admire the work of Guttridge, Rawlings and Davies in the Walsall side, but as play unfolded it was Christie who came in for most appreciation.  He must have been a bewildered young man as four shots were rained around him within a minute.  First Collins hit the post then Parker’s shot was beaten out by Christie; Webber hit the upright and a Collins effort was charged down.  What a shooting gallery it was and yet the Walsall goal survived.  Walsall became increasingly unable to cope with the wanderings of Collins and with Brian Harris attacking splendidly and Parker losing no opportunity to advance.  Walsall’s threat evaporated as we expected it would.  
Temple’s Progress
Occasionally Temple showed pace and progress with centres to match and it was from one of them that Collin’s steered the ball home in 59 minutes with Vernon standing alongside inviting him to take the plunge.  That as the end of the scoring and although one could plainly hear the exhortation of Palin, the Walsall centre forward to “Go on, get into it.”  Walsall had by now plainly taken on more than they could manage even if a final flourish had Dunlop diving desperately to avoid any accidents.  No-one would pretend that this game was in any way robust and yet fouls, far more serious than that which led to Vernon’s dismissal on Saturday, were passed over without a word.  One exchange between Bingham and Rawlings was so plainly tit-for-tat that it was laughed off but I shudder to think what might have happened with a referee as strict as was Mr. Reid (Letchworth) at Nottingham.  Bingham has still not dropped into his stride.  He is a better winger than his efforts so far would have us believe.  If this League Cup competition does eventually prove to be a real money-spinner what a tribute it will be to the hardiness of the football fan, for on a cold bleak November evening with mist swirling around the lights above conditions were so cheerless that only the most highly competition and entertaining match could hope to fan a warming flame of appreciation.  The trials of the competition are not recover.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Green; Gabriel, Jones, B. Harris; Bingham, Collins, Webber, Vernon, Temple.  Walsall; Christie; Sharples, Gutteridge; Hill, McPherson, Rawlings, Askey, Faulkner, Palin, Hodgksson, Davies.  Referee; Mr. R.H. Windle (Chesterfield).  Attendance 14,137.

SCOTLAND IGNORE EVERTON
Tuesday, November 1, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
Scotland have made changes as expected, for the match with Ireland at Hampden Park, on November 9, but the replacements are hardly those anticipated.  None of the Everton trio- Collins, Parker and Gabriel-is included although Manchester City’s Dennis Law is recalled.  Gabriel is in the Shadow team. 

RE-ECHOED APPLUASE FOR WALSALL...
Tuesday, November 1, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Let me re-echo here the round of applause Walsall and particularly their goalkeeper, Christie received from 14,000 followers of Everton, at Goodison Park last night.  They lost their second-round Football League Cup tie by three goals to one, but they played magnificently remembering the power of the opposition.  If any Third Division side ever played more thoughtfully or with better patterned movement I did not have the luck to see them.  Their only fault was their finishing.  They missed before and after taking a leading goal (Davies) two absolute sitters and is was therefore on the cards that Everton might arrive at the interval 3-1 down instead of level at 1-1.  In an inspired 15 minutes after the game had re-started, Everton blossomed for the first time into their full potential and gave us the game’s most enlightening phase with two and some near-miss miracles in which Christie mixed brave and good goalkeeping with the necessary luck.  The highlight moment was when Parker, bursting upfield in characteristic style, hit a shot that Christie could only “knuckle” away to Webber.  The Welsh boy hit the ball back promptly with a shot which struck a post and rebound straight to Collins whose full-blooded drive caught the goalkeeper on the body and this ended a three-second barrage the like of which one might see only once in a hundred games.  There’s hope for Third Division football while there are sides Walsall’s around.  They did not belt the ball; they played sportingly and with such aplomb that Everton until they really got going properly were a little worried.  Walsall demonstrated football fundamentals, unhurriedly and for the most accurately.  Just as well for an Everton defence in which Tom Jones was a little “rusty” they did not take all their chances.  There would have been no 3-1 ticket if they had! 
The More Remarkable
When one consider the fate of Wolves and Manchester United at the Same ground the performance of the losers was the more remarkable I give them full marks for their excellent football and if this is how British football in the lower orders is shaping we are at last learning from Continental teams the efficacy of the astute accurate pass the certainty of keeping possession compared with the battering-ram tactics so often used by Third Division teams down the ages-and I don’t doubt by the Walsall who surprised Arsenal in another Cup tournament years ago.  Everton, with Temple on the left, new boy Webber leading the attack and Tom Jones in the place usually occupied by Labone, were not impressive for half the match, but when they got going at last a galliant Walsall defence had no answer, though they kept playing without panic and still aimed at playing good football when they stood 3-1 down and it was obvious that only some calamity to Everton could help them to snatch a replay.  Webber took his equalising goal well with a screw shot left-foot from Temple’s pass.  The winger had been put through by a ball from Vernon which hugged the turf and was judged to perfection.  This my first view of Webber, showed him to be lively, hard-working and possessing a shot of power, but he is still too inexperienced to hope to play his part fully.  Vernon, sensibly forgetting his experiences of Saturday (and should I say Sunday, too?) got on with his game and crowned one of the best long-distance runs (right back to inside-left) Brian Harris ever made by rocketing the ball in, right foot, to give his side the lead and for the first time, the initiative.
And One With His Foot
Collins presented with an opening by one of the few mistakes Gutteridge made (and after seeming to be on the point of completing a fine bit of clever defence) rammed a shot against the underside of the bar and then, after that trio of shots in as many seconds, scored with a low half-hit shot which bumped over the line with Christie clearly as badly sighted as he was badly sited.  One lost count of Christie’s saves from Bingham, Collins, Parker, Temple, Vernon and when he was powerless to get his hands to the ball (as in the case of one Temple shot) he stuck out a trusty foot and saved with that too.  It was always interesting football clean except for one bad foul by Bingham on the hapless Gutteridge and more creditable to Walsall for the low status, than to Everton who had everything to lose and not a not to gain.  Brian Harris contribution was first-class again; Gabriel, having lost his place in the Scottish side (father unluckily, I feel) lost the ball “in the lights” more than once and never seemed to find his real form.  Collins and Vernon, in their contrasting but equally brilliant ways, were the men Walsall wanted to quieten, but couldn’t I foresee a great partnership between Collins and Bingham, whose understanding grows and enables them to make inter-changes of position smoothly and, for the defence devastatingly.  Both are masters of the ball slipped quickly up the wing.  Everton’s Welsh contingent-never, say the records have there been three in the team-had an auspicious beginning to their League Cup run.  Green is part of the Everton edifice and likely to stay there for seasons.  Yet no matter how you look at it this was Walsall’s night in many ways.  Though Everton go through the honours for once were almost wholly with the losers. 

WEATHER KEEPS EVERTON INDOORS
Wednesday, November 2, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
LILL AND RING EXERCISE
AT BLACKPOOL
By Leslie Edwards
Wild weather at Blackpool where they are having a few days light training prior to the match against West Browmich Albion on Saturday prevented Everton players from getting out of doors activity this morning.  The morning was confined to training indoors.  Later the team played golf.  Mickey Lill and Tom Ring both still on crutches, are doing remedial leg exercise prescribed for them by the club’s specialists.  Stanley Bentham the club reserve team trainer, a deputising at Blackpool for Gordon Watson whose due dental trouble is to gave three weeks hospital treatment starting on Friday.  No move has been made by Everton yet regaining the possibility of asking for personal hearing for Roy Vernon their forward who was sent off at Nottingham on Saturday. 

THE EVRNON CASE
Thursday, November 3, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Evertonian G Bowes of Liverpool 4, writes
“We realise that this note cannot help Roy Vernon’s cause but we nevertheless find it very hard to give explanation for his being sent off at Nottingham.  “The incident occurred immediate below us and whereas in bringing Le Flem down, a foul against Vernon was unquestionable the action was commonplace and certainly didn’t merit marching orders.  “Vernon had played very well.  He had not been previously admonished where other players had and was helping the Forest winger to his feet when Mr. Reid came up from behind and immediately ordered him off.  “We believe it was a case of mistaken identity (no names no pack drill) and certain facts support over view.  “The look of blank amazement on Vernon’s face clearly indicated that he had not spoken to the referee and Jim Iley’s appeal to let him remain on almost induced Mr. Reid to change his mind, which, of course he could hardly do.  “Forest supporters were as surprised as our party and voiced frank opinion so that nobody even the most biased could find reason for the decision.  “Incidentally we as a party, have followed Everton all season but were not able to acquire tickets for the Tottenham game, due to the early bookings.  “As usual the plums go to those who want to pick their games and the club supporters their indifference.  The booking fee is ridiculous because at Goodison Park advanced booking for stands guarantees entrance to the ground but nothing more.  “Do we assume that the Cup vouchers in the club programme will prove equally farcical or could not supporters have claimed a ticket for the Tottenham match by using a couple of them?  A lot of people look upon this as another shabby move to get money not normally obtainable and the directors might well bear in mind that these people have long memories.” 

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Friday, November 4, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton back in time for the home game with West Bromwich Albion at Goodison Park, from wind-swept and rain-lashed Blackpool, find themselves the subject of a vote of confidence for the team is unchanged.  This must be a source of great encouragement to young Colin Green, for he will play his fourth consecutive League game in the full knowledge that he has been chosen at a time when club skipper, Tom Jones is fully fit.  Green’s lack of experience is sometimes quite marked, but his youthful speed and drive and quickness in recovery, compensate in large measure for his matural shortcomings.  He should improve with every match and his potentialities are quite high.  As expected the introduction of Webber at centre forward in the League Cup games, gave him only a fleeting sample of what soccer in a higher grade entails.  At least he must be encouraged by the knowledge that the progress he has made in the lower grade has been noted and appreciated.  Everton; Dunlop’; Parker, Green; Gabriel, Labone, B. Harris; Bingham, Collins, J. Harris, Vernon, Temple. 

NOW I KNOW TALK OF QUITTING WAS ABSURD
Friday, November 4, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
SHATTERED BY THE HARDEST DECISION IN MY PLAYING MEMORY
Says Roy Vernon
First let me make this clear, I have no intention of quitting football as a result of the tragic events at Nottingham last Saturday, when I was ordered from the field only a few minutes before the end of the match.  I know I may have said such things in my moments of darkest despair, for believe me, I have never been so shattered in my life.  When I saw the referee point to the dressing room with the terse words; “Get off,” I could scarcely believe it was really happening.  Yet I knew it was true for though I tried to obey the order my legs were like jelly.  To say I was shocked would be a gross understatement.  My world simply disintegrated.  Players have been sent off the field before but only when it happens to you, and you are firmly convinced you have done no wrong, can you appreciate what a voice of doom the referee’s words appear to be.  Time, it is said, is a great healer, and that may be so, although as long as I live I shall never forget Nottingham-at 4-21 p.m. on October 29.  I am not at all surprised that I have been quoted as saying that I was finished, that I would find other ways of making a living.  So beside myself with grief was I that I really was not responsible for the words I uttered.  The pity of it was that I spoke out aloud in public.  It was all rather like a bad dream, but unfortunately, though my mood of depression has passed, there is no easy “wake-up” solution.  The future has got to be faced and I intend to face it and fight with all the strength I can command in an effort to clear my name.  I feel that I owe it not only to myself but to footballers in general to try and ensure that players on the field can expect a fair deal. 
Club Backing
I feel there have the backing of my club in the events which may lie ahead and the point which has cheered me more than anything possibly could is that 99 per cent of everybody to whom I have spoken tell me that they consider me wholly blameless.  Even when I was walking off the field two of the Forest players said, “Tough luck, you didn’t deserve that.”  People I do not know and have never seen before have offered to give evidence on my behalf when the Football Association Disciplinary Committee meet to consider my case.  I see I have been accused of saying to the referee earlier in the game, when Quigley was being cautioned “Send him off, referee.  Don’t give him another chance.”  That is not quite correct.  What I did say was, “Are you going to sent him off ref,” and quite rightly I was sent about my business by the referee, who said, “Get away, you.”  When I think back to offences which were glossed over by the referee, it makes me rebellious that I and my club should suffer this indignity for what I consider a serious error of judgement not by me, but by the referee. 
Forgotten Fact
If players are to be dismissed for what I did then football will cease to exist as we know it.  What seems to be forgotten is that we all professionals; we are all in this game for a living.  It is unreasonable to suggest that anybody is going to set out deliberately to hurt a fellow player.  If I deserved sending off at Nottingham I should have been dismissed in almost every match did no more than I have been doing in all my life, and yet it has not put me up against authority.  If the decision is upheld, it means that tackling from behind must now cease completely on pain of dismissal from the field.  Believe me, that is all I did I tried to tackle from behind.  This was the way of it.  The ball ran loose in the middle of the field.  Le Flem came into possession just inside our half.  For once, Bobby Collins who had been playing deep was caught out of position and I raced in to try to cover for him. 
Tackle From Behind
I went to try to take the ball from le Flem from behind.  As I shot out my foot so he parted with the ball as though in anticipation of the tackle.  There was nothing I could do at that stage of half the progress of my tackle and my foot went where the ball had been only a sight second previously, and over went Le Flem.  I hurried to him to pick him up, I had just got out the words, “I am sorry, intending to complete it with, “I was trying to flick the ball away,” when up came the referee “Get off” he said.  People who know my play realise fully that in almost every match I tackle from behind.  Sometimes I am penalised for a foul (unintentional) but I think oftener than not I come out with the ball.  Now I am left wondering dare I try another tackle from behind?  Is it worth the risk?  Yet I realise I must do it if I am to pull my full weight for my club.  Surely it is not difficult to differentiate between a foul tackle and an innocent event, I know players try to be helpful when they say, “I have done worse than that many a time and never had a word said to me,” but really it is only rubbing salt into the wound, I know I did no wrong. 
Not Deliberate
I am not the type to try to run away from the consequences of my actions.  If I had the remotest idea that I had fouled Le Flem deliberately there would be no application for a personal hearing, no protestations, I would be prepared to take any punishment without a word.  No matter what happens now I feel I have been branded.  That is a dreadful feeling, I suffered the indignity of walking off the field ahead of the rest of the players-at the command of the referee, and nothing can wipe that out of my memory.  It was thoughts like that, that made me say unworthy things over the week-end.  I had only to see the kiddies scrambling over my car before the match on Monday night seeking my autograph, to realise that a career doesn’t die because of one disappointment.  My love for the game is too strong to permit me in cold blood even to consider quitting it, I intend to prove that I am not a dirty player, I am no angel.  I have occasionally shown signs of resentment after being badly treated and when I think back to some of the things that have happened to me, I cannot help thinking what a contrast there is in disciplinary standards of referees. 
Glad of Match
I am glad there was a match on Monday evening.  At first I felt like a fish out of water, I was scared of putting any weight into a tackle until suddenly I realised that this was football we were playing and that unless I put my heart into it I was letting down my pals.  It was a very necessary morale booster.  I felt much better after the match.  Everything seems to happen at once.  This week I left my car outside a shop for a couple of minutes.  When I returned it had been bashed by a lorry.  Let’s hope that is the end of a sorry sequence for I make no apology for expressing the hope that I shall be considered good enough to play for Wales against England at Wembley later this month-and I earnestly hope that nothing will prevent me from playing, if selected. 

EVERTON HOPES MAY GET DOUBLE BOOST
Friday, November 4, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
By Leslie Edwards
Everton fans –and now numerous they have become –who have already brought all the available stand accommodation for the visit here of Tottenham on December 17 are awaiting the result of a fixture next Saturday with almost equal interest.  It is the match at Sheffield between Wednesday and Spurs.  This could lead to Tottenham’s first defeat and the narrowing of the gap between the leaders and their two most pressing rivals.  If Fulham were to “anticipate” Wednesday in the match at White Hart Lane tomorrow then Everton hopes of overhauling Spurs would get a double boost.  Spurs will almost certainly be without Cliff Jones, their Welsh International winger who was a casualty in the mid-week match in Italy and from what I have seen of them in recent seasons this absence is one of the man who can inspire the attack when things are going badly.  Truly, the welter of extra football we are getting means that luck in the matter of injuries plays an increasing role.  The damage to Ring and Lill of Everton, could have set the club back point after point.  It says much for the club’s ability to extemporise that they have gone on winning. 
Master of Under-Statement
Compared with the side which beat, and was somewhat shocked by the excellence of Walsall in the cup-tie on Monday the Everton side shows two changes; Brian Labone fresh from a heartening game with the England under-23 side, replaces Tom Jones and Jimmy Harris whose place went for the right to young Webber, returns to lead the attack.  West Bromwich Albion, minus Kevan whose collision with Mick Meagan has such unhappy results for the Everton player a season or two ago are always a useful side but Everton’s inspiration at times is so undeniable I cannot see them stopping Everton’s gallop.  At the outset of the season Everton fans were no more than hopeful.  Even now, when their team have proved themselves there is little talk of the side as potential champions.  It is almost as though people are so happy with the entertainment they are getting (after so many seasons when so little was offered) they are content to go from match to match and marvel at their new-found luck!  For this desirable state of affairs we must thank John Carey, a master of under-statement in a football world of over-statement.  He has proved the goods as he promised.  He will do better yet.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Green; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B); Bingham, Collins, Harris (J), Vernon, Temple. 

334,257 SEE EVERTON’S SEVEN HOME GAMES
Saturday, November 5, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
AN ADVANCE OF 73,984 AT A TIME WHEN LEAGUE GATES ARE SLUMPING
By Horace Yates
At a time when club treasures in various parts of the country are wearing worried frowns and boards are wondering what on earth they can do next to halt the slide in attendances, the position at Everton could scarcely be brighter.  This season the seven League games played at Goodison Park have been attended by 334,257 spectators, which gives an average attendance of 47,751.  What is more, so long as the team can continue to provide the same high standard of football they have been showing in succeeding matches, and can maintain their high League position, there is no indication that this highly satisfactory average is in any sort of danger.  These figures represent an advance of 73,984 on the first seven matches of last season, so that the average increase per match is over 10,000.  Three times the 50,000 mark has been exceeded, with the biggest attendance to date the 53,871 lucky people, who saw the match with Manchester City, the finest soccer advertisement Goodison has staged in years.  The lowest gate has been 36,717 for the visit of Preston, the only occasion Everton crowd has fallen below 40,000.  This is all very encouraging and seems to suggest that success can be brought-providing that in the first place, the right man to speed the cash is secured.  Manager John Carey has been fortunate to have had made available to him the cash necessary to back his fancies, but what wonderful use he has made of it and what a splendid return he promises to give on the outlay.  It remains to be seen if the high standard that has been set this season can be maintained now that two of the purchases, Lill and Ring, are out of action through injury.  There is all the promise that having been put into the right rhythm, the football flow will continue.  What might have happened if the names of Collins and Vernon had been substituted on the injured list for Lill and Ring, is the sort of unpleasant topic for which I apologise for even having mentioned. 
Everton believe in leaving well alone and while they can rely on the side that brought points back from Nottingham, struggling West Bromwich Albion are having to improvise.  Bobby Robson, England wing half, will play at inside right, his old position and Burnside, joint leading scorer, with Jackson, Kevan and Allen (five each), moves to inside left in place of the injured Kevan.  Fortunately Allen has reported fit and will lead the attack.  Drury will be at right half and Jack Bannister has his second League game of the season at left half.  If West Brom have anything to cheer them it is their record against Everton at Goodison Park, where they have lost only one of their last six games and that as long ago as season 1955-56.  The last three meeting have all ended in drawn games.  Everton supporters are looking for something better than a draw today, and I believe the Collins-Vernon combination will provide the spark for further satisfaction.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Green; Gabriel, Labone, B. Harris; Bingham, Collins, J. Harris, Vernon, Temple.  West Bromwich Albion; Potter; Howe, G. Williams; Drury, Kennedy, Bannister; Jackson, Robson, Allen, Burnside, Carter. 

OFFSIDE TRAP FOILS EVERTON’S LIVELY LINE
Saturday, November 5, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
STERN BATTLE FOR A LEADING GOAL
EVERTON 1, WEST BROM 1
By Leslie Edwards
Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Green; Sharples (G), Labone, Harris (B); Bingham, Collins, Harris (J), Vernon, Temple.  West Bromwich Albion; Potter; Howe, William (G); Drury, Kennedy, Bannister, Jackson, Robson, Allen, Burnside, Carter.  Referee; Mr. M. Dixon (York).  Everton made a change for the game against West Bromwich, Gabriel at right half was found unfit at the last minute and George Sharples who is 17 and from Ellesmere Port made his League debut at right half back.  His only other appearance for the first team was in a friendly match a season ago.  There was a full house despite the counter attraction at Aintree and conditions at the outset could not have been more perfect.  Albion shook us by appearing in an all-red strip.  Everton won the toss and oddly enough set Brian Harris and Green against the shaft of sunlight which fell on their territory in the first half.  Carter and Burnside started up straightaway in a good left wing move in which they made way against all corners and swept past Sharples as though he were not there.  Parker, however, stopped their nonsense with a characteristic sliding tackle. 
Collins Injured
Collins made one typical run in defence and then clashed devastatingly against Bannister in a determined effort to gain possession.  Both players were injured both needed attention and though Bannister was able to resume Collins hobbled painfully to the touch line with the help of Everton’s deputy trainer Stan Bentham.  His trouble looked to be a crack on the right shin bone.  Albion were given a foul as the result of Collins part in the clash, and from this Parker was glad to give away a corner.  There was no doubt about it, Everton had not settled down in these early minutes and Brian Harris did well to get the ball back to Dunlop, when Robson threatened.  Drury was penalised for a fierce foul on Vernon and before the kick could be taken, Collins reappeared to a cheer.  Everton went ahead as the result of the free kick, since the ball went straight to Bingham, whose fast low centre was swinging across the goal face, when Kennedy elected to try to clear it and succeeded only in turning it surely past his own goalkeeper and just inside the far post.  This goal came after six minutes. 
Nearly Another
There was almost another one to follow straight away.  A dallying Bingham rather luckily escaped a tackle and went on to cross the ball low to the mouth of goal where Vernon’s out-stretched foot missed connecting by a matter of inches.  Bingham was now caught offside for the second time in his eagerness to burst down the centre, and seemed to be operating at inside forward for the time being, leaving Collins to have a rest on the wing.  Sharples seemed taken aback by the game’s speed, and so far had not touched his real form.  Howe was surprised when referee Dixon adjudged him to have brought down Temple just outside the penalty box, and Vernon shaping as though to make a fierce drive, kidded the defence by digging the ball up and lobbing it on to the far goal angle, from which it rebounded out of play.  And now came a shower which set 50,000 people turning up their coat collars and making head protection for themselves out of newspapers and handkerchiefs. 
Glorious Pass
A glorious pass slid to Carter led to a tremendous shot which Dunlop did well to beat away, and when Parker fastened on the rebound and beat Carter with a glorious finesse the crowd rose to him as only Liverpool crowds do when they show their appreciation of some particularly artistic move.  Burnside with a glorious run in which he would not be denied put Robson through and the Albion edged the ball past Dunlop as he came out but could not maintain control of it or himself.  He careered right on over the wall and finished up among spectators behind goal. 
Pass-Back Danger
It was now fierce fast football with Vernon and Collins working a close-passing move that ended almost in disaster for Williams G who put the ball well out of the reach of his goalkeeper when passing back and very nearly left in Vernon.  No wonder Potter shook his fists at him.  Howe took the ball right out of his goalkeeper’s grasp rather than risk an Everton forward intervening then Collins and Bingham working a short corner in which Collins put the ball up the goal line for Bingham to run on to caused inadvertently an injury to Williams whose shoulder was damaged when flattened by a winger who could not stop.  However, all was well and Williams resumed. 
The Vernon Touch
Vernon carrying his way past first one man and then another forsook for once the chance of a big shot, and lofted the ball as Ring does to try and slot it into goal at the far corner.  He failed to get the ball on target but the crowd appreciated and acknowledged his intent.  Sharples was still strangely lethargic and heavy looking, and despite all attempts by his colleagues to get him into the picture he was not coming off.  Albion got level right on the stroke of the interval.  Allen delivered a long accurate pass from Carter on the right, and although Green seemed to have this one covered he missed it completely and let in the winger clear of all challenge.  Jackson brought the ball in and changed it from the right to the left foot before lobbing the ball over Dunlop for a goal which may have surprised the striker as much as Everton. 
Half-time; Everton 1, West Bromwich Albion 1.
The game had not started 60 seconds, before the referee for the fourth or fifth time in the match got in the way of a pass and deflected it-just pure coincidence of course.  Then from thirty yards out Vernon hit a corking shot which sped so fast Potter could not prevent it from, spinning from his hands and over his shoulder.  He regained possession as Collins came up and hopped over him, to avoid doing him damage. 
Best Move of the Game
The best move of the game was the one in which Bingham with a dug-up pass got Jimmy Harris going down the right wing and led to the centre which Howe mis-judged and which temple was able to square for Vernon to shoot at his leisure it was a fierce shot but it flew wide.  Everton were clearly going all out for the goal to restore their lead, and the offensive pattern was marked by Labone’s appearance far up field from his usual sphere of activity.  A glancing header by Bingham enabled Harris to hit a shot down a fine angle, and Potter regained possession only at the second attempt.  Albion were still succeeding in their offside tactics.  The rain which had been intermittent now came down really heavily just as Potter mid-fielded a corner by Temple and before he could regain the ball found it booted right up field by half back Drurly. 
Trap After Trap
Albion were now playing some good stuff and everybody knew it.  Temple came into the own more than once, but Albion played the offside game so astutely that there could never be any sustained Everton pressure while they continued to fall into trap after trap. 

YOU CAN’T BUY TEAM SPIRIT
Saturday, November 5, 1960. The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express
BUT EVERTON HAVE IT, SAYS ALEX PARKER
Do big money signings affect team spirit?  That is on inevitable question when a team included a number of players who have cost big transfer fees.  I must admit that there have been clubs who, despite buying a number of stars, have failed on the pitch, and the trouble has probably been that the team spirit has been lacking.  While not agreeing with this attitude by the players it is, to an extent understandable in football as in other walks of life, you will get the big headed chap, the ones who think he is better than the next man; the one who thinks he is making the team “luck.”  As a result of this experience by some clubs the saying has gone around that “you can’t buy success.”  Well, this season Tottenham and I think I can be excused if I mention Everton have proved that theory wrong.  And there’s no difficulty in finding the answer.  It’s all a matter of buying.  Give anybody a cheque book and he will tell you what players will strengthened his team, but it is not a matter of who to buy but sign how to buy.  What I mean is that a manager has to spend his money on men who are good players on the pitch and good types off it. 
Better Than Ever
We have been lucky in that respect at Goodison and I can say on all honesty that the team spirit there at present in better than any I have ever known.  And I have heard other players say the same.  There is none of this “I cost more than you so I am a better player” We all go out to play well for ourselves, each other and Everton.  Naturally when a side is doing well the team spirit is automatically good.  But it could also be argued that because the team spirit is good the team is doing well.  When any of our players get picked for representative honours everybody in the club is equally delighted.  After the recent Wales –Scotland game, Roy Vernon and Jimmy Gabriel travelled back from Cardiff together after playing against each other and on the Monday I overheard them pulling each other’s leg about who played who out of the match.  I have heard the same thing at other clubs when team mates have clashed in internationals but it has not been in the same spirit. 
The Bond
The recent crop of injuries had also strengthened the bond between the players for the unlucky once have not been short of visitors.  We have all gone along at different times.  “Young Colin Green, I’m sure will agree with me.  He has been drafted into the side at a very early age.  Good as he is, he is still a beginner as regards First Division football, but he has been made to feel at home and on the pitch he is regarded as much a part of the team as anybody else.  Whether you cost nothing or the earth at Goodison it doesn’t matter.  The fees never crop up in conversation, even when we visit each other’s houses, as we frequently do.  Yes, you can buy success and if you buy carefully you will get team spirit, Mr. Carey and we Everton players are providing it. 
Webber Goal
Last Monday night we reached the third round of the Football League Cup by beating Walsall 3-1 at Goodison Park, and although we won easily enough at the finish I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by the standard of the Third Division side’s play.  Keith Webber, our young centre-forward was given his first change with the senior team and celebrated by scoring a very good goal.  He is course another Welshman and with Colin Green and Roy Vernon in the team it looks as if they are going to challenge the Scottish boys numerical supremacy.  On Tuesday we set off for a few days special training at Blackpool, but we were not able to do as much as we hoped because of the weather.  On Wednesday we had to do our thinking indoors, in fact, between you and me, we did it in a dance hall, but not to music.  Things were a little better on Thursday morning so we were taken for a run along the promenade.  We have spent the evenings playing snooker and table tennis and if any of you have complaints about watching us play football you should be grateful you don’t have to watch us playing with a one or a bat.  I am still receiving letters for my parker pen pal feature and if any of you care to drop me a line on matters from what part of the world you can do so by writing to me c/o the Sports Department, Liverpool Echo Victoria Street, Liverpool 1.  But I would ask you not to send me queries regarding football.  I’m afraid I just do not have the information to provide the answers, I certainly couldn’t compete with the wonderful records the Echo have.  The only record I have are black with little holes in the middle and mostly refer to Dean Martin. 

GOAL THEY DIDN’T GET SAVE EVERTON
Monday, 7 November 7, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Posy
INJURED COLLINS FLAGS AND OTHER MARKSMEN FAIL
Everton 1, West Browmich Albion 1
By Horace Yates
Everton cannot complain.  They did not once beat Potter, in the West Bromwich goal, during the ninety minutes and yet managed to save a point as a result of the first goal presented to them by an opponent this season.  How wrong would be to suggest that they never looked like scoring on their own account, for only a superb display by Potter, kept a below par-Everton at bay.  In moments of elation which Everton have provided so freely in this season of achievement it has been difficult not to pose the question, how would things go if Collins one day, were to be only good instead of brilliant?  Against West Ham Collins was a casualty in 4 minutes following a collision with Bannister and thereafter his influence on the game became most uncharacteristic.  Everton might still and indeed should have risen superior to the handicap, for scoring opportunities there were in profusion but those that were not squandered recklessly by ill-directed shooting were rendered ineffective by as agile a goalkeeping display from Potter as we have been privileged to see at Goodison Park for many a match. 
Cautious Vernon
Vernon is a marksman of rare worth and it became all too apparent just how heavily Everton rely on him when defences are fight and goals scare.  Against a less formidable Porter he might have registered three or four times, and yet only once could be accused of nay real degree of recklessness.  Temple swung the ball across goal right to the foot of Vernon.  He hit it first time, a tremendous crack which sent the ball flashing yards wide of the post, when he had time to square to make a more calculated and precise attempt to pierce the Potter barrier.  The Welsh International is still not himself, however.  Without a doubt he is playing under the shadow of his dismissal at Nottingham.  His tackles are more taken than deadly and I admit that in view of his experience none can blame him for erring on the side not of caution, but of extreme caution.  Twice Vernon struck the bar, he hammered a shot of such force at Potter that the goalkeeper could only knock the ball down and retrieves it at the second attempt and with possibly the best shot of the match he directed his effort to the extreme angle of the goal.  Only a superlative save could have kept it out, but that is just what Potter produced.  Bingham could point to a goal-worthy header, plucked out of the air with the assured calm of a master goalkeeper and Brian Harris will remember a finger tip deflection that put his shot just over instead of just under the bar.  For all the Everton disappointed me, for the simple reason that they will never fulfil those high expectations we have of them so long as their shooting is as inept generally as it was against West Brom.  Give the Albion all the credit they deserve for tough, unyielding defence, but the fact remains that match-winning chances were still left over in abundance. 
Tantalising Temple
At times there were agreeable signs that Temple is really profiting from the experience he is gaining in first team football.  He moved more confidently, he beat the experienced Howe several times with praiseworthy football ability but his finishing ruined the illusion and more than once a hymn of praise became a song of despair.  It would be almost criminal not to pay tribute to the dash, enthusiasm and effort contributed by Jimmy Harris, but at the end of it what was there left?  He never escaped the attentions of Kennedy sufficiently to become the slightest threat to the Albion goal and over and over again found himself left high and dry in an offside position, completely outmancecurved by a defence which suggested it was always a love or two ahead of him.  Bingham can shoot.  We have irrefutable evidence of this, but he disguised the quality most effectively as a time when the game was crying but for some tangible evidence of his skill.  It would be argued that in addition to a sub standard Collins the absence of Gabriel’s thrust and attack was another contributing factor to Everton’s loss of effectiveness, but at least his inability to play gave the crowd an opportunity to see seventeen-years-old George Sharples who only became a professional in September in his League baptism.  The lad made mistakes rendered less costly by the fact that parker gave his best display for weeks with an all round exhibition that bore the obvious stamp of class, but I personally was thrilled with the promise of Sharples.  He reminded me for all the world of a village lad, accustomed to seeing traffic slowly winding its way through the narrow streets, suddenly being taken out for the first time to a great motorway, and standing in amazing at the sight of unrestricted speed. 
LEFT HIGH AND DRY
There were times when the lad was left high and dry by the pace of First Division football, but is this not understandable?  It is one of the most difficultly things that anybody making the jump from youth team and Central league football has to master.  This apart he showed a football brain, a wealth of real ability and an understanding of requirement that suggest here Everton have first class material on which to work.  Green made the costliest mistake of the comparatively brief League career when he failed to kill an Allen cross-field pass to Jackson.  He completely mistimed it, but if a team is to have the advantages which stem from youth, inevitably must be accepted the risks as well.  If Green did not fully realise the anger of leaving his winger exposed to a pass of this nature I guarantee he will from now on.  I greatly appreciated the astute play of Allen, whose distribution was almost faultless and there was a shooting snap about the West Brom wingers that left one a trifle envious.  Kennedy deflected Bingham’s centre past Potter in a 6 minutes and the West Bromwich equaliser came from Jackson with the ground clock showing 49 minutes.  The clock however made no allowance for lost time through injury, and the goal was 30 seconds or more inside legal limits.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Green; Sharples (G), Labone, Harris (B); Bingham, Collins, Harris (J), Vernon, Temple.  West Bromwich Albion; Potter; Howe, William (G); Drury, Kennedy, Bannister, Jackson, Robson, Allen, Burnside, Carter.  Referee; Mr. M. Dixon (York).  Attendance 40,705.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION RESERVES 2, EVERTON RESERVES 1
Monday, November 7, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton far from deserved this defeat in one of the scrappiest games at the Hawthorns this season.  They were the most enterprising team in attack thanks to inside right Tyrer’s scheming particularly in the first half.  He made the first goal for Wignall with a beautiful through pass in the 15th minute two minutes after Webber had missed from a similarly good chance.  Albion undeservedly equalised after 37 minutes through Aitken and in a spell of pressure towards the end gained the winner through the same player with a minute to go.  Webber had earlier missed a chance from five yards and Smith did likewise for Albion. 

NO ALLOWANCE ADE FOR ABSENCE STARS…
Liverpool Echo - Monday 07 November 1960
Leslie Edwards
There is a theory in soccer that you derive most benefit from special training the week afterwards. If this is not fallacy Everton should win at Cardiff next Saturday. Certainly the performance against West Bromwich left something to be desired—a second goal, for example—and tended to underline the belief that the team had lost, by their relaxation at Blackpool' for a few days, some of the edge they had showed against Manchester City. Yet I confess I was more than a little surprised to find 40,000 followers of the club showing pique when their side failed, for once, to get full points at home. West Bromwich were tough opponents and a good side at times and everyone seemed to forget that Everton lacked Gabriel, Lill and Ring. Without three players of that class you cannot expect things to function normally. Gabriel's absence was most marked. Alex Parker was forced to handle, almost single-handed, the weight of work created by Carter and Burnside. My first view of young George Sharples, who has been nursed along assiduously for so long, showed him to be too lethargic and lacking in zip to fit happily into his debut in the First Division. It could be that he is not attuned, physically or mentally, to the tremendous speed at which football is played in the top class. The usual half-back drive behind the attack was thus left wholly to Brian Harris and well as he did his job -but his keeness led him to give away two free-kicks in as many minutes—and well as Labone played the half-back line was, for once, thoroughly unbalanced. In the end, with Jackson matching Vernon's ill-fortune in shooting against the goal-frame a draw was a quite equitable result.
Where's it to end?
It is being argued, in some quarters, that Vernon’s undeserved sending-off at Nottingham so affected him he was not able to take his chances properly in this match. What with the love-lorn Dobing and now Vernon given such excuses one wonders where this futility is going to end. There was nothing wrong with Vernon's play on Saturday except.  That he was victim (as other famous players have been in the past and will be again), of unlucky shooting with good shots saved or, in the case of one free-kick and another shot from a free-kick, striking the woodwork. His best chance, I thought, came from Temple who pulled the ball back so unexpectedly Vernon could be excused hitting the crowd and not the back of the net. West Bromwich in their all-red strip became elusive red shadows once they had taken, on the stroke of the interval an equalising goal through Jackson who was lucky to find Green out of challenging range when Allen's fine cross-field pass came to him and enabled him to weave in and score with a left-foot lob which took Dunlop by surprise. It was desperately hard football all the way, with Collins and Bannister both in the wars from the outset and the trainers on almost half-a-dozen times to salve sore heads and shins and such. West Bromwich matched Everton's unrelenting fight for the ball with equal determination and the wonder was that there were twenty-two men still on the field at the finish. Collins, no doubt, felt the need to escape further damage. Thus, with Temple unable to make anything of several shooting chances and Jimmy Harris dominated by Kennedy there was not, from the Everton attack, the weight and power of movement one has come to expect.
Green's best
For a time after Kennedy had inadvertently glided the ball past his own goalkeeper from a low centre by Bingham, Everton seemed in no danger of conceding, a point, but once the game settled down it became clear that Sharpies was not happy either when in Possession or positionally. From this point Albion played as though they sensed they could net a point. Allen's distribution of the ball was brilliant; so was Potter's goalkeeping and so, at times, was the artistry of former England back. Howe. The best Everton performances came from the backs. Green has developed so quickly and well there must be no fears now that he will not fill most adequately the role of Tom Jones. This was easily the Wrexham boy's best match so far. Parker, because he did two men's work, and Harris. B. because he had to roam far afield to offset other weaknesses were equally worthy. Never can there have been a match in which so many players were injured temporarily. Never can there have been a match in which the referee (Mr. Dixon of York in this case) had to whistle offside so often and inadvertently became tangled in some move or other, I do not blame him for giving so many offside verdicts—he is dependent on his linesmen for most of these—but there is no doubt that some of the decisions were wrong and when, for a change. Albion became victims the crowd were not slow to let the linesman concerned know about it! Sheeting rain which fell for much of the match must have made the players' task doubly difficult. I wonder whether the spectator makes proper allowance for the conditions. I am sure he makes no allowance for a good team having to drop a point at home occasionally. Everton have done so well for so long a slip at home was almost inevitable. I don't think there should have been angry criticism of the team as a whole or of players who were, for a variety of reasons, not quite on top form.

YOUTH MATCH AT GOODISON
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 08 November 1960
YOUNG EVERTON MEET BLACKPOOL
By Leslie Edwards
Every player save one in the Everton Youth team to meet Blackpool at Goodison Park to-morrow night (7 pm) is 17-years-old. Odd man out is Peter Maddocks of Ellesmere Port. He's 16. This must be the youngest Everton side ever fielded. They should reach the third round of the FA. Youth Cup with no special difficulty. Most of them have been playing in the Everton Centre. League team, whose average age last Saturday, despite the presence of Tom Jones, Mick Meagan and Frank Wignall, was only 18 ½. Everton; Mailey; Parnell, Gannon; Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples; Maddicks, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Edwards. 
Everton have arranged their third round League Cup-tie against Bury at Goodison Park for Wednesday, November 23—the date of the England v. Wales match at Wembley. Bury asked for al kick-off as late as possible to 'enable their followers to attend! and the time has been fixed: for 7.30. Reserved is 7s 6d seats for this match may be had from the Everton offices or from Sharp's.

JUST WHAT LESLIE SHANNON IS DOING
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 09 November 1960
By Leslie Edwards
Young Alan Jarvis, the 17-years-old Everton half-back who plays to-night in their Youth team against Blackpool, might well have been given a first team place against West Bromwich when Gabriel was found unfit but he had a prior commitment—he was playing for Wales, as an amateur, against England, at Hove. In this match he impressed more than one critic and because his name was given in the programme as coming from Grove Park School, Wrexham, one writer said what a pity it was that he was not with a club who could develop his potential to the full. Little did they know that this is just what Leslie Shannon is doing for Jarvis at Everton! It is merely coincidence. I suppose, that Everton have on their books more Welshmen to-day than at any other time in their history. Vernon, Jarvis, Green and Griffiths, the goalkeeper come from the North and young Webber who had his debut at centre-forward against Walsall, is from the Cardiff area. Is there a Billy Meredith in the house one wonders? The man who used to fly the wing with a tooth-pick in his mouth and who died about two years ago is still the most famous footballing name in Wales despite the claims of the Charles brothers and Cliff Jones.
McBain's distinction
Talking of Meredith, there seems some doubt as to his age when he finished his career. The record books say he was 50. An old and valued reader of these notes. Mr. G. Bellamy from 13 Wapshore Road, Liverpool 11, submits that Meredith was born in 1878 and was only 45 and some months when he played his last League game. Mr. Bellamy thinks that Stanley Matthews will, if he completes this season, have played League football to a later age than Meredith. I know that Meredith's birth certificate—or a copy of it—was printed in this paper and Mr. Bellamy assures me that the date of birth was given as 1878. The man who played League football at the most advanced age was, however, Neil McBain,  the one-time Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United centre-half back—a King of pivots. He was 52 when he kept goal in an emergency for New Brighton at Hartlepools. On the score of youngest, Everton's current Central League side, whose average age a few weeks ago was 17 ½ must be a record for any club. Even Manchester United and Wolves, two clubs who began the fashion of “blooding" them early in the reserve side can never have fielded a team so young. And is Leslie Shannon says: “They’re not there because they're young enough, but because they are good enough." A reader who sends his full name and address is infuriated because I wrote that Everton fans had bought all the stand accommodation for the Sours game. He believes that many of them were. not faithful followers of the club and adds : " I wonder how many of them saw the matches against Walsall and Accrington" The programme voucher idea is a farce, he says, because you can buy as many Everton programmes as you want and never go near the inside of the ground . Next he asks who could not have done wonders with the cash made available to Mr. Carey" My answer: Practically everyone except John Carey?  It is good to know though that this complaint does enjoy my efforts in this column and that he commands: "Keep soldiering on!" If Alex Parker, he argues had to do his own washing be wouldn't slide tackle as often as he does! Warney Cresswell, he maintains could play to-day and smoke his pipe at the same time.
Voucher suggestion
Mr. P. Roscoe of 535 New Chester Road , Rock Ferry. Birkenhead. Says: "I am one of many Merseyside soccer fans who regularly attend home matches at Anfield and Goodison Park. For years now, I have kept every official programme of our two senior dubs. "In two months' time, the F.A. Cup-ties will be with us again: also the probability (the further one or the other club advances in the competition) of many hours waiting in queues for a ticket. “Liverpool have for many seasons, printed a token in their programme, which has never been brought into use. We still had to stand for hours if we wanted to see the ties at Scunthorpe, Blackburn and at home to Manchester United. “Everton this season have introduced a Cup final vouches in their programme. Cutting these out and keeping them is a waste of time. Thousands of the programmes are sold for each home League game, and there are only 12,500 ground tickets available for sale by Everton if they reach Wembley. Surely the programmes v. Accrington Stanley and Walsall should have been “vouchered" and then the loyal fans would have a better chance than those who will only watch the team in First Division matches. 

PADDOCK TICKETS FOR SPURS GAME
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 09 November 1960
ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 19
AT TURNSTILES
BY Michael Charters
Everton have decided to issue paddock tickets for the match all Merseyside wants to see - the game against Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on December 17.' This will be the first time Everton have sold tickets for the whole of the paddock for a League match, although a small proportion of the paddock capacity was "ticketed" a couple of seasons ago for a Christmas match. All stand tickets for the Tottenham game were gold some time ago. The tickets will be 4s each and will be only at the paddock entrances on Saturday. November 19, when Newcastle United visit Goodison. Turnstiles on that day will especially at 1.15 p m. Reserve tickets will not be available other than at the Newcastle game. The club points out that no postal or personal application can be considered at either club offices or Jack Sharps.

SHARPLES’ GOAL MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 10 November 1960
By Paul O’Brien
Magnificent goal by left half George Sharpies -the type every young footballer dreams of, but very rarely achieves—was not only the highlight of Everton's 3-1 F.A. Youth Cup (second round) win over Blackpool, at Goodison Park last night, but it gave the home side that little extra edge at a time when this tussle between two well matched sides seemed to be heading for a draw. The game was 61 minutes old, and the score 1-1, when Sharpies collected the bail on the Everton right, just 10 yards inside the Blackpool half. With colleagues standing unmarked and calling for a pass, a dribble on the part of Sharples seemed suicidal. He had little alternative, for the ball ran on ahead of him and he was forced to chase it towards goal. Sharples then weaved his way past five Blackpool players before crowning a most remarkable run by carefully placing the ball wide of goalkeeper West with all the calmness of a veteran. Blackpool had done most of the attacking in the early stages of the game, but it was Everton who go the first goal, after five minutes. A long, bouncing clearance from goalkeeper Mailey deceived Blackpool centre Johnstone, and Webber, the Everton who got the first goal, see the chance, and raced after the ball to glide it over West as he advanced from goal.
DYNAMIC IDIOT
Seven minutes later Blackpool were level inside left Watt sending a dynamic 20-yard free kick over a wall of defenders and into the Everton net. Very few first-class 'keepers would have stopped this one. Exchanges were fairly even for the rest or the ball, with most of the Everton menace coming from outside left Edwards, and Blackpool showing greatest danger through Napier on their right. Neither forward line worked really well, due to the grip the halves had on the game, and it looked like stalemate until sharples goal. Everton showed that little extra bite from then on, and a third goal by inside left Morton from a Webber across four minutes from time clinched the issue. In a game in which neither goalkeeper could be faulted, centre halves Gorrie (Everton) and Johnston Blackpool were solid defenders, but the forward honours undoubtedly Everton’s two-footed left winger, Stan Edwards. 

STRIKE ACTION IS NOT THE SOLUTION
Friday, November 11, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
PLAYERS SHOULD RENEW WAGE CLAIMS DIPLOMATICALLY
By Roy Vernon (Wales and Everton inside –forward)
Soccer is at the crossroads.  Make no mistake.  The decisions taken in the next few months could re-shape our national game.  It is said there is strength in numbers and there is no doubting that in given circumstances the fact is indisputable but it does not apply in every case and I venture to suggest that the Football league is not one of them.  If the present dispute over players wages leads to a re-shaping of the leagues at least it will have served its purpose.  In my opinion a Super League as it has been termed, is inevitable and the sooner it comes the sooner we will be able to say that British soccer is looking up again.  An odd performance by the England team is enough to convince some people that the worst is past, but others insist on more substantial evidence.  I think if we had the fourteen or sixteen biggest clubs in the country grouped together in one League, that would be the first real sign of progress.  By that I do not necessary mean that we should take the leading teams in Division One and call them the Super League.  That would be folly and would not provide the answer.  Notice should be taken and marks credited to clubs of the greatest potential clubs which could draw on crowds in the region of 50,000 and 60,000.  The cramped grounds and unimpressive gate figures should be swept away or at least relegated outside the Super-League I would not hospital to bring in Second Division clubs if I thought they had the necessary potential.  Obviously the Super League would command super payments to players payments which clubs in lesser divisions would not be able to approach.  That would be unfair.  The lesser clubs would not be able to hold on to their star players, I can hear you complaining.  Precisely.  The Super league would be a goal for players to aim at to prove themselves worthy of and to demand from them a super-standards.  Such players would be too hot to hold for clubs outside the select circle, and thus the supply of two-grade men to top-flight football would go on.  Present day record fees would quickly go by the board.  No longer would our John Charlesses have to seek football fortune elsewhere.  With capacity attendance week after week players would get something more in keeping with their entertainment value.  As an illustration or what might happen we need look no further than the visit of Tottenham to Sheffield Wednesday and Goodison Park.  Both clubs said their seats week in advance of the match.  It might be said that we cannot have a Tottenham attraction every week, but that would be the object of the Super League- to provide a top class attraction every week.  I was shocked at the announcement that there was to be no increase in pay whether in appearance money, bonus money or a straight-forward increment.  Possibly it might not have been so shocking had we not been led to expect something.  So confident were we that our payments would be increased that I think it is true to say that we had ceased to consider the possibility of a flat refusal.  Now we have come to earth with a bump and must re-shape our approach for obviously there will have to be further representations.  I admire courage, foresight and determination but I would hate to be termed an extremist.  Possibly that is way I recall from the word “strike.”  It is my belief that while talks are proceeding something tangible may result in an atmosphere of comparative harmony, but players have a duty to the sport which provides them with a livelihood and anything they do that undermines in any way the foundations of the game comes into the dangerous category.  I don’t think the players would achieve anything by striking that could not be achieved by diplomacy and negotiation and at the same time the entry on the debit side could be pretty substantial.  At the moment we are smarting from what looks very much like a smack in the face.  All right let us return to the attack from there and attempt to bring about are-examination of the whole position.  There will be meeting held in the next few days.  It is wrong to take important decisions when passions are inflamed. We are confident there is a case for greater rewards of players.  Let us submit our contention to channels which will ensure for us a fair and unbiased bearing.  For my part I think we are nothing like face to face with a strike decision. 

CARDIFF ARE STRUGGLING
Liverpool Echo - Friday 11 November 1960
By Michael Charters
Everton’s unbeaten record goes back to September 5, since when they have dropped three points in 11 League games, and also won two League Cup ties. This run excludes the floodlit Cup match at Anfield, of course. To-morrow they are at Cardiff for the first time since 1955 and Jimmy Gabriel is fit to return to right half for young George Sharpies. Cardiff are struggling this season after their fine performance in the Second Division last winter and their 6-1 crash at Blackpool last week will have made the Ninian Park atmosphere even more despairing. Alex Parker will be facing an old and respected opponent in Derek Hogg, signed from West Bromwich two weeks ago, but the Scot is playing so well these days that I feel he will turn in another display which makes one wonder how Scotland can continue to ignore him. Roy Vernon will be playing again on the ground where he did so well for Wales against Scotland a few weeks ago, and I feel the class and confidence of Everton will prove too much for Cardiff, who have been getting something of a ribbing from their own fans recently. Cardiff have suffered through the absence of Welsh international centre forward Graham Moore through injury, so that the major attacking burden has fallen on Derek Tapscott, the former Arsenal player. It has taken a long time for Moore to become match fit and Cardiff feels their fortunes will rise when he does return.

BINGHAM’S EARLY GOAL NO INSPIRATION FOR EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 November 1960
CARDIFF CITY 1, EVERTON 1
By Michael Charters
Cardiff City- Vearncombe; Herrington, Stitfall; Gammon, Malloy, Baker; Walsh, Tapscott, Donnelly, Watkins, Hogg.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Green; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B.); Bingham, Collins, Harris (J.), Vernon, Temple.  Referee; Mr. R.H. Mann (Worcester). 
Cardiff recalled veteran full back Stitfall for the first game of the season.  The crowd was only about 15,000 at the start due to possibly to the encounter attraction of the Cardiff-Newport R.U game at nearby Cardiff Arms Park.  Baker, initiated a couple of quick Cardiff attacks which were repelled easily, and when Everton moved into the Cardiff half for the first time they scored after two minutes through Bingham.  Brian Harris pushed the ball through perfectly for Jimmy Harris to take down the left wing, and he crossed the ball low for Bingham to turn it into the net from close range.  Hogg, the former Leicester player, looked best of the Cardiff attack, and he moved into the middle to beat Vernon and sent Tapscott away, but the inside-right’s shot went straight at Dunlop. 
Cardiff Fight Back
Cardiff were fighting back well after the shock of this early goal, and with Hogg their inspiration, they kept up a constant pressure on the Everton goal.  Watkins flashed one centre across the face of goal, but there was no Cardiff man up to take advantage of a fine opening.  Everton were taking time to get into an attacking stride, and Bingham and Jimmy Harris changed places for a spell and managed to launch one attack down the right with Gabriel pushing through a pass which Jimmy Harris almost caught before Vearncombe came out courageously to save.  It was only just that Cardiff got the equaliser after 13 minutes.  The move started with Baker pushing the ball through for Watkins to chase, and he sidestepped Gabriel to put the ball in a corner of the net from 15 yards.  Hogg and Walsh were causing a lot of damage and young Green, particularly, was finding it difficult to keep a hold on Cardiff’s elusive right winger. 
Lively Bingham
Bingham was doing most to bring Everton back into the game, and his speed was frequently too much for Stitfall.  He put across one particularly good centre which Jimmy Harris missed completely, and when the ball went on to Temple, Harrington was there to intercept.  Labone was getting through a lot of good work for Everton, and it was just as well that he was, for some of the other defenders around him were having anything but a good game.  Cardiff were playing first-time football, which was much more effective on this rather muddy pitch than Everton’s attempts at stylish play.  Everton needed to swing the ball about a little more, for their intricate passing was making little impression on Cardiff’s defence.  Cardiff broke up one Everton attack with ease, and started a forward move which should have brought a goal to Tapscott; but the inside right shot straight at Dunlop from close range when a more careful effort must have succeeded.  At last Everton produced one more worthy of their reputation with Collins and Temple working the ball down the right wing and then suddenly switching play over to the other side., where Jimmy Harris’s cracking shot flew just wide of the far post.  Stitfall was guilty of several fouls on Bingham, and from one free-kick, quickly taken by Gabriel, Bingham broke away and pulled the ball back for Collins to shoot just wide.  Everton as half-time drew near, could not manage any sort of thrust in attack and this so far had been one of their most disappointing displays of the season.  Cardiff deserved to be in front but they had lost their way through inaccurate finishing.  Cardiff were concentrating their attacks down the right wing, for it was here that
Everton’s main weakness lay and where Cardiff were strongest.  Half-time; Cardiff City 1, Everton 1.  Everton forced a couple of right-wing corners in the opening minutes of the second half, and Vearncombe dropped the second one, but there was no Everton man there to take advantage of the mistake.  Everton’s defence looked almost non-existent as Hogg went through from a perfect pass by Watkins.  The winger beat both Green and Labone in the space of a few yards, but accountably shot over the bar from a glorious chance.  I have never seen Everton’s defence penetrated so easily as it had been in this game, and the visitors just could not strike any sort of form at all.  One of the best things
Temple Hits Post
Vernon and Collins for once managed to break the midfield stranglehold  the Cardiff wing halves had on them, and Collins put a perfect pass across to the unmarked Temple, who tried an angled shot and hit an upright when he might have done better' to have pulled the ball back to his waiting forwards.  An oddity of the game was, that although Cardiff had much of the play and were far the better team in attack.  Dunlop had not had a great deal to do.  This was due rather to the shortcomings of the Cardiff inside trio rather than any brilliance on Everton’s part.  Watkins missed yet another good chance laid on by Walsh, allowing Labone to come out and clear when a goal looked certain.  Gabriel had done all match was to try a quick shot after Vernacombe had punched out Collins free kick.  The ball sailed just over the bar, but it deserved a better fate. 
Cardiff were doing in two moves what it took Everton 10 to do.  Once, when Malloy flashed the ball across fully 40 yards to the unmarked Watkins, Tapscott flung himself at the centre and it took the best save of the match from Dunlop to turn the ball just wide for a corner.  Vernon’s first contribution was a shot from 20 yards which went straight at Vearncolmbe, but this was just an isolated Everton attack against a Cardiff side, which I am told has never played better all season.
Dunlop’s Save
Dunlop made another good save from Walsh’s header, recovering attempt, and it was amazing at this stage Cardiff were still only on level terms.  Dunlop was performing wonders in preventing Everton from going behind, and he did very well to punch over a long dropping shot from Watkins when it looked as if the ball would just slip under the bar.  Final; Cardiff 1, Everton 1.

WE CAN’T WIN EVERY GAME; MENO TO CROWD
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 November 1960
Alex Parker Makes A Goodison Plea
Like every other professional footballer, ever since I began my career it has been my ambition to play in a successful team. Prior to this season that situation has not come my way, either with Falkirk or Everton. True, I enjoyed winning spells of three or four matches without losing at both clubs, but have never gone for any great length of time getting bonuses. This season, of course, things have been different. We have not been beaten in our last 13 competitive matches, 11 League and two League Cup (I'm conveniently forgetting the Floodlight Cup game against Liverpool), and yet I find there are drawbacks even now. Apparently a good side is expected to win every game. That is my impression after hearing some of the fans' remarks near the end of last week's match with West Brom. We drew 1-1, and yet with a bit of luck and the acceptance of a couple of chances the score might have been nearer 5-2 for us.
DRAW HABIT
Not that I am complaining about luck. Some matches we don't have it, but there have been one or two games this season when we have had our fair share. Over the season it balances itself out. For instance, we were fancied to beat Preston at Goodison the other week, yet if the Deepdale team had not missed two "sisters" we would have lost. Also, I think people overlook the fact that West Brom are a good side, much better than their League position indicates. They seem to make a habit of drawing at Goodison. Two years ago the result was 3-3, last a season 2-2, last week 1-1. I suppose on that basis next season's game should end 0-0. Better get your coupons marked now. It was, of course, a big day for our 17-years-old wing -half George Sharpies. There are great hopes of George at the club, and although he didn't steal all the headlines last Saturday he did enough to show that he will develop into a good player. He didn't know he was playing until the day before the game, and then he did not play in his customary position of left half, where he has been turning out for the youth team and reserves. Jimmy Gabriel had to drop out because of an abscess on his leg. He hurt the leg in a match a few weeks ago and it turned septic while we were training at Blackpool. Still, at the beginning of this week it was clearing up very nicely. While on the subject of the Goodison casualty list I must mention Mickey Lill and Tommy Ring. Every morning about nine I go to their homes in Maghull and collect them in my car. I don't know what the people living near the ground must think when, at about 9.30, they see the car pull up with three professional footballers reporting for training.
FOUR CRUTCHES
Yours truly has to open the door as Mickey and Tommy claim they are unfit to do so. I think they are just lazy. Then outcome four crutches, followed by one player with his leg in plaster (Ring) and another who can't bend his leg. Then out steps the driver and, believe me, at that time of the day I am no walking advert, for fitness myself. Then we all go inside to train. Mickey, who hopes to be running about in a couple of weeks, is lifting weights with his foot to strengthen the leg, and Tommy does likewise with his thigh to strengthen the muscles.  He hopes to have the plaster off in about a month and can now put his weight on the leg. The only trouble is that when these two are fit the rest of the team won't be, for nobody can get near the treatment tables these days. Mickey and Tommy are always on them. As some of you may know, our trainer, Gordon Watson, went into Walton Hospital a week ago for treatment. Some of the players have been in to see him, but he should not be in too long. Meanwhile, we are in the capable hands of Stan Bentham, who took over last Saturday. No doubt Gordon will read this in hospital to-night. If so, I have been instructed to tell you, Gordon that the players will be in to see you on different days next week. Well all be bringing you some sweets. We know you can't eat them, so will you give them to those of us who come in the following day? Thanks very much.
YOUTH TEAM
Last Monday I saw our youth team beat Blackpool 3-1 in the second round of the F.A. Youth Cup, and good as they were last season I think this season they are even better. Of course, most of the team played last year and have that much more experience. Although Blackpool lost they played some very good football. One of their stars was left half Edmondson who was on the Everton ground staff last season. George Sharples showed just how great a player he can be when he scored our second. He received a throw-in from Alan Jarvis midway in Blackpool's half, beat four men, stumbled, recovered, beat another two and then slotted the ball into the net. A great goal. Les Shannon, their coach, has high hopes of them doing well in the competition this season, and I think he may be right. Incidentally, another who deserved credit for the boys' showing is trainer frank Blundell. It is no reflection on his ability with the magic sponge when I say he is noted as much for his jokes and wisecracks as his ability as a trainer. A great character is Frank.

EVERTON RES V BURY RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 12 November 1960
Everton Res; Mailey; Parnell, Jones; Jarvis, Gorrie, Sharples; Peat, Tyrer, Wignall, Harland, Edwards.  Bury Reserves; Heath; Gallghan, Eastham, May, Bunner Lawman, Bartley, McInnes, Stott, Moulden, Dyson.  Referee; Mr. F. Lessey.  Parnell fouled Moulden in the game’s initial attack for Dyson’s free kick to be headed behind by Gorrie for a corner.  Wignall was almost clear of the Bury defence when he was unrooted on the edge of the penalty area while Harland had a snap-shot caught by Heath.  Bury were much the nippier inside and Mailey did extremely well to save from McInnes following good work by Dyson.  Bury deservedly went ahead in the ninth minute when Mailey only succeeded in punching out Eastham’s free kick to Lawman who carefully steered the ball into the vacant net.  Although not combining well Everton strove hard for the equaliser which almost came when Wignall took a chitte free kick on the volley but Health made a brilliant save.  In the 40th minute Everton equalised through wignall, who cleverly placed the ball beyond Health’s reach.  When similarly placed a few minutes later, Wignall almost repeated his effort, but this time the ball grazed the far post.  Half-time; Everton Res 1, Bury Res 1. 

 

EVERTON HASD MORE LUCK THAN SKILL
Monday, November 14, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
Cardiff City 1, Everton 1
By Michael Charters
Everton were very lucky to extend their run of unbeaten League games to twelve during which they have dropped four points.  Despite the incentive of a two-minute goal by Bingham in the first attack of the match at Ninian Park, they always played second fiddle to a revived Cardiff City side, which produced their finest display of the season and almost turned football form inside out by winning.  Had their inside forwards been able to finish even a few of the many excellent attacks they set up, Everton would have come away well beaten.  Cardiff with their stronger, more direct football, never allowed Everton to settle into anything resembling their normal clever style, and had it not been for the first-class work of Dunlop and Labone even these shot-shy Cardiff forwards must have scored a convincing victory.  For me, this was Everton’s most disappointing display of the season.  Defensively they left too many gaps and their positional sense was not good, so that the strong Cardiff forwards were receiving the ball almost unmarked.  Cardiff’s best were their wingers Walsh and Hogg with the former revealing all the natural inexperience of 17-years old Green, to give the lad a most testing and unhappy game.  Parker played Hogg much more firmly of course, but even so it was from the wings that most of the Cardiff attacks started, urged on by excellent halves in Gammon and Baker.  Everton’s forwards were most disappointing.  In the first half only Bingham opposed by the 34-years-old.  Stitfall, managed to pose any threat to a strong Cardiff defence, but after the interval even he and then it was Temple’s turn. 
Quiet Vernon
Vernon had one of his quietest games and only once did he manage one of his typical shots but even this he hit hard at Vearncombe.  Collins mainly occupied in defence tried hard to produce some sort of rhythm in Everton’s attacking moves but with the wing halves off form he received very little support.  Jimmy Harris was well held by Malloy and never caused the Cardiff goalkeeper any trouble.  The main difference between the sides lay in the fact that Cardiff always fought hard for the ball and succeeded in winning it, whereas Everton seemed a little stale and never produced that snap or cohesion that we have come to expect from them.  They were very luckily indeed to get a point.  Bingham’s goal came when he turned a cross from Jimmy Harris into the net from close range after two minutes, but 11 minutes later Watkins a first-class forager for Cardiff equalised with a shot from fifteen yards.  Earlier both Watkins and Tapscott had missed two good chances, while Baker a fine type of attacking wing-half also shot wide when it seemed easier to put the ball between the posts.  Close on half-time Tapscott missed an opening by shooting straight at Dunlop and the only effort Everton could fine in retaliation was a volley by Collins which flew wide. 
Worst Miss
The worst miss of the match came immediately after the interval when Hogg brilliantly sidestepped Green and Labone, but shot over from ten yards when he should have left Dunlop helpless.  Dunlop made a great save from a Tapscott header ten minutes afterwards and again saved his side with an equally good effort from Walsh.  Near the end Cardiff flung everything into an attempt to get a leading goal but somehow the Everton defence conceding corners at will and clearing anywhere, managed to survive and snatch their luckiest point of the season.  Cardiff City; Vearcombe; Harrington, Stitfall, Gammon, Malloy, Baker, Walsh, Tapscott, Donnely, Watkins, Hogg.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Green; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B); Bingham, Collins, Harris (J), Vernon, Temple.   Referee Mr. R.H Mann.  Attendance 18,000. 

DEFENCE ERRORS WIDERED THE MARGIN
Monday, November 14, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Reserve 1, Bury Reserve 5
While late defensive blunders widened the margin of Everton’s defeat, Bury were the more accomplished side.  As Everton have shown a tendency to be slow starters recently, Lawman’s ninth minute goal for Bury gave no undue cause for alarm.  It took half-an-hour of little more than honest endeavour from Everton before Wignall their chief marksman equalised.  After Battley restored Bury’s lead in the 48th minute only the good work of goalkeeper Mailey, Parnell and Gorrie kept Everton in the game until eleven minutes from the finish.  Then three goals within five minutes settled the issue, Mailey dropped a right-wing centre and a corner from the left to give Scott the gift goals before Mouldin added the fifth. 

EVERTON FALL FROM THEIR OWN HIGH STANDARDS
Liverpool Echo - Monday 14 November 1960
By Michael Charters
Everton fell well below the high standard they have set themselves in many games this season in drawing 1-1 at Cardiff City on Saturday. As it happened, Cardiff turned in what the locals regarded as their finest performance for many weeks, so that they were justified in feeling they were unlucky not to have won. In drive, chances made and general control of the game, Cardiff certainly deserved to win and yet, when Everton did produce an occasional flash of football, their class was obvious. Cardiff would have won had they possessed a forward' who could shoot with any degree of accuracy, for they created more openings than Everton in an entertaining game which' never reached great heights. They were foiled, too, by the magnificent work of Dunlop and Labone, who were Everton's stars. Labone seems to have matured as rapidly as his big frame is filling out physically and his domination of the centre was the principal reason why Everton held out for a draw to continue their unbeaten League run to 12 matches. Too many Everton players were off form together for them ever to reach the fine attacking rhythm which has been a feature of their play in so many games.  There was an unnecessary burden thrown on some and they were fortunate indeed that these few were able to withstand a great deal of strong Cardiff pressure on a difficult, holding pitch.  In attack, it was a sad Everton story. Even though they had the impetus of a two minute goat from Bingham, who slipped a cross from Jimmy Harris into the net in the first attack, they were most disappointing after that.   In the first half, Bingham was the only one of the five to sustain any sort of pressure on a Cardiff defence which had a comfortable game. Two stood chances were missed from the Jimmy Harris missed an attempted header completely and later when Collins hit one just wide after Bingham had pulled the bell back invitingly.  They were the only threatening attacks Everton could mount as against a long series of Cardiff moves which promised much yet produced little except when inside-left Watkins was given room to work the ball into shooting position and duly despatched it just inside the upright for the equaliser after 13 minutes.
FORTUNATE
With wingers Hogg and Walsh playing attractively and well, it looked long odds on Cardiff going ahead. But good saves by Dunlop brilliant work by Labone, and some rather fortunate interceptions kept Cardiff out. No team can expect to succeed with only one forward playing effectively. I exempt Collins from this criticism for much of his time was spent in helping an over-worked and badly balanced defence. He could not be in two places at once, but late in the game he began to get some response for his work and it could well have been that Everton might have snatched a late winner. This would have been a travesty of football justice, but they almost made it. Shortly before the end, Collins worked and fought, and finally pushed the ball through to provide Vernon with his only clear-cut shooting chancy of the game. Vernon hit the ball hard enough, but straight at Vearncombe, which was in keeping with the Welshman's most disappointing display for many  weeks.
For long spells, he was right out of the game. Jimmy Harris was effectively held by Malloy, and was never able to deliver one shot or header at goal, so that with Bingham falling away late on, and Temple very out of touch on the left, it was ins path' remarkable in retrospect that Everton managed a draw at all.
WALSH STARS
Gabriel, too, never looked happy and Brian Harris with weaknesses behind him and In front, had to cope with a two main job. The wing halves, I therefore, never took a grip on the game as Cardiff s Gammon and Baker did and this was the crux of the difference in the sides openings he made one when Walsh, a very fine winger who impressed greatly on his visit to Anfield last season, was too good for young Green who had a most unhappy time trying to keep tabs on an experienced performer who had far too many tricks for him.  Hogg, too, had a fine match and had a rare and entertaining struggle with parker, honours ending slightly in Hogg’s favour although the winger missed a great chance after weaving past Green and Labone before shooting over. 
Cardiff’s inside trio, despite doing much good work in midfield, were poor to finish which was perhaps just as well for Everton's piece of mind. Watkins did a lot of intelligent 'things in a constructive sense, but inside right Tapscott was off the beam when he had only Dunlop to beat. It was obvious that Everton must fall from grace at some time and Saturday was the day they chose to do it. Still all credit to than for clinging on by their fingernails to salvage a draw out of a match which did their reputation no good at all. The most consoling feature to that authority at Everton is fully aware of the two or three obvious weak links in the Chain —and I can assure you that something will be done about it.

EVERTON’S LAST LONG UNBEATEN SEQUENCE
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 15 November 1960
By Leslie Edwards
One has to go back to season 1953-54 when they were promoted from the Second Division to find Everton's last very long unbeaten run. They started that season with 11 matches without defeat and later had a run of 13 games without defeat. West Ham winning 2-1 at Goodison Park to end the sequence. To beat this record Everton have to draw with or beat Newcastle here, next Saturday and Arsenal at Highbury on the following Saturday. Though Tottenham have lost at last their visit here on December 17 is as compelling as ever and if Everton make up further arrears between now and then their chances of finishing champions would not be outlandish. Gordon Watson, the Everton trainer. Who is in Walton Hospital enduring the first of three weeks of treatment to cure ulcers had a "get well" message from the Hospitals' broadcast team which operates under Mr. Jack Worthington, but said his ulcers were worse from listening to the West Bromwich match instead of watching it! Everyone will hope Gordon Is well again soon and back on the trainer's bench which Stanley Bentham is “keeping warm" for him.
Comment superfluous
IT is obvious to me that you are very anti-Everton and pro-Liverpool.  You represent Liverpool as a potentially great team, but the ball does not quite run for them. You represent Everton as a team of ill-tempered stars who are not only in a false position high in Division 1, but how they got there is a miracle. In your opinion one "Derby" match proves your point. You praise Everton only when you have no alternative and then you manage to bring up the unfortunate past. Last week you spoke of Everton's winning form, but you had to mention their lack of success in away games last season. You portray Collins as an under-sized, less-talented, Harrower, Vernon is only a skinnier Roger Hunt and if only Harris was another Hickson. G. DOWNF.Y. 396 Edge Lane, Liverpool 7
You say you try to keep your column neutral, so far as Everton and Liverpool are concerned. Constantly when you write of Everton you refer to them as us, we, ours. Also you say Liverpool were once seniors and Everton were struggling in the Second Division and now the positions are reversed. I fail to see this as Liverpool have had an unbeaten run as long as Everton's; also at the time of writing they were the same number of points from the top team of Division II as Everton were from the top of Division I. On top of this we gave the Bank of England team a lesson in football skill when beating them 3-1 a few weeks ago. Still. I always enjoy reading your column even though I still maintain it is a bit one-sided.—W. SHARRACK. 5 Luther Street, Liverpool 5.

LILL HAS RECOVERED FROM OPERATION
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 15 November 1960
IS BACK IN TRAINING
AT BELLEFIELD
By Leslie Edwards
Mickey Lill, the Everton winger who had a cartilage operation some weeks ago, was back in training again at Bellefield, this morning. Lill broke down after the game at Fulham. He had been bothered by knee trouble since, the first match of the season at Tottenham. He joined Everton from Wolverhampton last season as a right winger, but was switched to the other wing on Bingham's arrival from Luton Town. There is no more enthusiastic player in soccer than Lill, and it could be that he will be back in the game in time for the great game against Spurs on December 17. 
Disciplinary Meeting
An F.A Disciplinary Committee, of which Mr. Tom Jackson of Hoylake will be a member, sits at Crewe tomorrow.  It is not known whether they will deal with the Roy Vernon case.  Vernon on the advice of his club, has not asked for a personal hearing Everton have submitted much evidence on his behalf. 

EVERTON SET TO SIGN YOUNG FOR £40,000
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 16 November 1960
MR. CAREY IN SCOTLAND TO COMPLETE “BIGGEST” DEAL
BRILLIANT CENTRE FORWARD
By Leslie Edwards
All going well, Everton will sign later to-day Alex Young, Scottish international and Hearts centre-forward at a fee of around £40.000, the largest sum ever paid to bring a player to Goodison Park. The Everton Manager, Mr. John Carey, left home early to-day for Edinburgh and was hopeful that he could persuade Hearts to transfer a star player 'Everton have sought for months. If the signing materialises Young would make his debut here on Saturday against Newcastle United.  He is 23-years-old: has Played for Scotland twice this season and has made many appearances in the Scottish Under-23 eleven. He is serving in the Army—he is due for release next July and is stationed at Aldershot.
ARTISTIC
Young is essentially an artistic centre, far removed from the crash-bang type. That is why the Everton manager thinks he will fit in well with 'such great inside-forwards as Roy Vernon and Bobby Collins. Jimmy Harris who has occupied the centre-forward position this season, has had few goals and has never 'touched the splendid form he showed when he first came into the side as successor to Dave Hickson. Young's arrival here would give the club their fifth Scottish international. With Vernon a Welsh fixture, and Brian Labone shaping like the next England pivot, the club are fast reaching the stage when their team is all-international. Young played in the same side as Jimmy Gabriel when the Scottish Under-23 side met the Under-23 of Wales at Wrexham, early last season. Everton's interest in Young dated, I think, from that night.  They have tried many times since then to get Hearts to change their mind and allow him to go, but only this week have they had any indication that the Scottish club were prepared to listen to an offer.
"MOMENTOUS"
On the night of the Liverpool v. Everton match at Anfield on October 5. Mr. Carey told me, confidentially, that he hoped to sign Young in time for the game against Preston the following Saturday. That was why I indicated that the week-end might be “momentous" for Everton fans. On the following Tuesday Mr. Carey learned that Hearts would not, after all, consider, Young's transfer. Now the position is completely changed. Young would be a tremendous acquisition to a side which has not success—the club have gone 12 League names without defeat—but this, Everton's greatest prospective signing, may not be the last. Mr. Carey will not be satisfied until he makes his playing strength second to none. He has hand-picked the men he has wanted, not gone for them merely because they were transfer-listed.
OVERDRAFT GONE
Everton's attendances have enabled the club to clear all their overdraft except the sum of some £56,000 which was loaned to them, interest free, by their new chairman, millionaire Mr. John Moore’s, when he first took his seat on the Board last season .  Success in the League, in the Cup and in the League Cup, would enable them to pay of this loan in quick time. Everton's history of famous centre-forwards includes Jack Cock, William Ralph Dean, Tom Lawton, and, since the war, Dave Hickson.
CATTERICK MOVE
Everton's interest in Young is matched by several other clubs, all equally anxious to get first-class centre. Mr. Carey have rivalry, for example, from the former Everton forward. Mr. Harry Catterick, now managing, Sheffield Wednesday, who was marked absent from his office —on duty bound in Scotland- a Hillsborough to -day. ‘Wednesday have more than once indicated their desire to sign Young.   

EVERTON’S RESERVE STRING
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 16 November 1960
ROBERT WEBSTER, of 31 Sandyville Road, Walton, complains that Everton's Central League side is not good enough. He says: — "Apart from the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool in the floodlit cup. Everton's first team are unbeaten since September 3—a run of 14 games—and congratulations are deserved to all concerned. But regarding the reserve team. They have not won since September 10 and the record of the last 10 games is: Won 0, drawn 3, lost 7. F. 11. A. 28. pts. 3. with perhaps barely 1.000 spectators v. Bury. "No supporter champions youth players more than I do, yet they are not ready as an en bloc team to play against older and more experienced players in the Central League. Everton F.C. have bought big and well to transform the first team. Let them now invest a Little cash in a couple of inside forwards who need 'height and plenty of experience to guide the younger lads along. Also it would appear that an older and stronger goalkeeper is a necessity, Mailey and Griffiths have promise, but it is not enough. " The notion that the result does not matter, if the game gives the youngsters experience may be a good thing for the Lancashire League sides, but the club are dabbling with the backbone of their supporters who, up to now, have stuck the Central League matches, but even "they " won't suffer much more "Despite this, I still firmly believe that the majority of the lads in the team will, within a few years' time, make the grade in League Soccer, even if with clubs of lower status. Time will tell. 
All on a Test
"T for one." says 'Mr. D. L Evans, of Garth, Heswall Avenue, Higher Bebinton. "Agreed with your summing up of the Everton-Albion game. Naturally, we were disappointed at the result, but it was unreasonable to expect a super show in the circumstances. "Everton were badly handicapped by the injury to Collins and the absence of Gabriel and Ring. However, I have one criticism. When it was found that Gabriel was unfit the experienced Meagan should have been brought in. Considering that they already had a young full-back and a reserve outside-left it was Inadvisable to bring in another youngster. Had not Parker, Labone and Brian Harris played extremely well Everton would probably have lost. As it was I thought Vernon very unlucky not to score twice."

£55,000 EVERTON DEAL FOR STARS HANGS ON BRINK
Thursday, November 17, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton attempt to pull off the biggest transfer deal in their history-the signing of Scottish international and Hearts centre-forward, Alex Young and his under-23 international club-mate, full-back George Thomson-for a fee of £55,000 hangs fire.  Manager John Carey spent yesterday in Edinburgh in an effort to complete the deal, but early this morning there were only conflicting reports about progress made.  In the absence of Mr. Carey there was no statement from Everton.  One usually reliable source said that terms had been agreed between the clubs and it was intimation from Hearts that they were willing to part with both players that had sent Mr. Carey on his mission to Scotland.  There was a statement that completion of the deal rested on the agreement of the two players to move into English football, but I was told that Mr. Carey had left Edinburgh for home and would be returning on Saturday to see the Hearts game with Clyde in which Thomson is selected to play.  Young met with a knee injury while playing for an Army side against Aberdeen on Tuesday and is not fit for Saturday’s match. 
Progress Short of Expectations? 
It is not clear why, if Mr. Carey has agreed terms, he should be retracing his steps to Scotland to see Thomson play, and the obvious conclusion would appear to be that the progress made her fallen short of expectation.  Everton have been chasing Young most of the season.  They have watched him several times, and nothing they saw of him has altered the view that he is just the man to put the finishing zeal of excellence on their all-star forward line.  Immediately it became apparent that Joe Baker of Hibernian was definitely not for sale, they threw in the full weight of their

YOUNG BID BELAYED BY EVERTON
Liverpool Echo Thursday 17 November 1960
PLAYER IS INJURED
DOUBLE MOVE
By Leslie Edwards
The signing by Everton,  of Scottish international centre - forward Alex Young, of Hearts, may hang fire until the player' is fully fit again. Young was injured on Tuesday playing for The Army at Aberdeen and it is inconceivable that any club would pay up to £40,000 for him unless he were ready to go 'straight into their team. If Chelsea are not too persistent in their bid for Scottish Under-23 full-back George Thomson, of the same club it is possible that Everton will recruit that player, too,” Manager John Carey may see Thomson in the Hearts team which faces Clyde on Saturday.  So secret was Mr. Carey's move for Young yesterday, nothing of it was learned in Scot and until late last night. The Everton manager had only Young in his sights when he embarked on his mission.  It would seem that Manager Tommy Walker, of Hearts, sprang on him on his arrival the possibility of Thomson also being available to go to Everton if required.
Cantwell Bid
A week ago Everton considered they had good chance of signing Eire and West Ham left back Noel Cantwell, but when prospects of a move seemed likely the thing fell through.  Rivals for Young’s hand (or handwriting) are Manchester United, Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday, and Preston North End.  As Mr. Walker and the Chelsea manager, Mr. Ted Drake, are old friends, it is hardly likely that Thomson would be allowed to come to Goodison Park before Chelsea who have sought the player for some time, were advised of the position.  Thomson who can play in either of the back positions, joined Hearts from the amateur club Edinburgh City in 1953.  He and Young share almost identical vital statistics.  Both are 5ft 8ins, tall and weigh about 11st 4lbs.  Young is as light-haired as Thomson is dark. 
VERNON CASE IN FORTNIGHT
HE WILL PLAY FOR wales
ROY Vernon, Everton’s Welsh international inside left, who has bene worrying lest possible suspension could cause him to miss the game against England at Wembley next Wednesday, had his fears dissolved today.  The F.A disciplinary Committee which met at Crewe yesterday did not discuss the circumstances of the ordering off Vernon at Notts Forest a fortnight last Saturday.  As Vernon’s case did not come forward it is likely that it may not be discussed for a further fortnight.  In this case any suspension might interfere with Vernon being in the side against Tottenham at Goodison Park on December 17.  My view is that when the circumstances of Vernon’s dismissal are aired, the F.A will be found to listen with a sympathetic ear. 

THE STORY OF ALEX YOUNG
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 17 November 1960
By Leslie Edwards
Alex Young the Hearts player Everton are so anxious to sign became a golden boy of Scottish football at 18, five years ago. He has fulfilled all the promise and praises that were showered on his fair head then, collected Cup and League medals, a handful of full International caps, several inter-League honours and has played for Scotland's under-23 side on about seven occasions. Before he played his first senior match for Hearts In August. 1956, a dozen clubs had tried to sign him from the junior Newton grange Star. He was by then a junior Internationalist but he had made up his mind to play for one club. Hearts in his first year in Hearts' League side he played 38 times—at outside-right. Inside-right, and at centre forward. Since then, up until last season, his appearances have continued to range over the forward line, though oddly enough he has never played on the extreme left. Late in 1958 he decided to become a full-time player and gave up his engineering job at a pit. There followed a National Service call-up, but this was deferred to allow him to go on Hearts' tour of Australia last year. The year before he had gone to the United States and Canada with his club. On his return from Australia he was called to the Army. He is now stationed at Aldershot and travels many hundreds of miles each week playing for his Unit, the Army, Hearts and Scotland.

WEMBLEY –ONE OF MY DREAMS COME TRUE
Friday, November 18, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
GREAT CHANCE FOR WALES TO CARRY OFF CHAMPIONSHIP
By Roy Vernon Wales and Everton inside-forward
As a player who has never stepped on to the famous Wembley turf, maybe you can imagine what my feelings have been these last few days.  Wondering if I would be lucky enough to gain selection for my native Wales again for the clash with England and whether or not the Disciplinary Committee would consider my appeal against being sent off against Nottingham Forest before the great day.  Don’t think that at this stage I am getting cold feet about my dismissal I feel today as I did when I was given matching orders-that I was not guilty of any serious offence, and nothing can take from me the consolation of knowing that certainly no offence was ever intended.  But for all that it is not a nice thing to have hanging over one at a time when a life’s ambition could be at stake.  I make no secret of the fact that to play at Wembley-to be considered good enough to play at Wembley-has always been one of my dreams.  It is said that achievement makes us cheeky and maybe there is some truth in that, for having been chosen by Wales for this match on Wednesday, I find myself hoping that I will be there again- this time with Everton for the F.A Cup final.
Third Ambition
Much wants more? Possibly so, but there is nothing like ambition to spur a man on.  When ambition dies, almost everything worthwhile dies with it, so I make no apology for looking so far ahead and setting such a high target.  A third goal is to be able to retain my place for the last of the Welsh home international games, for I have never played in all three so far.  Although Wednesday’s will be my third international selection this season, the first was against Eire and that of course is outside the home international series.  I don’t think I am looking through rose-coloured glasses when I forecast that Wales have a terrific chance of emerging as international champions.  Last season there was a triple tie.  If we can beat England (and I think we can) we are well on the way to achieving our ambition.  Next week’s match should be all over bar the shouting, with England as the only runner, if we were to asses’ chances of size of population and number of players available from which to make a choice, but things don’t work out that way, thanks goodness. 
Team Spirit Great
Considering that the Welsh lads are brought together from a variety of clubs, I believe the team spirit as I have seen it this season is really sensational.  It is different with a club where players are together every day, every week.  You expect team spirit in those circumstances and there would be something seriously wrong if you did not get it, but it is not everybody who pull in a team of players and find them hitting it off like a successful club side.  When we were in Eire the hotel proprietor commented how free and easy we were how much we seemed to be enjoying life, compared with the staid and serious-minded English side which had stayed there some time previously.  In that side I was told were such great names as Mathews, Finney, Haynes.  Some of the credit for taking the tension out of these games must undoubtedly go to Jimmy Murphy, our manager.  He has been through the mill himself knows all the answers, and has a knack of putting everybody at ease. 
Not On Trail
He never allows the impression to grow that any man is on trial.  All he has to do is to go out and play his best, and it is surprising how much easier it is to do just that if you are not thinking all the time that this could be your last international match.  There are some great players in this Welsh side Mr. Matt Busby, the Manchester United manager, knows what he is doing when he makes a substantial offer to Swansea for Me!  Nurse for in my opinion he is one of the best centre halves in the game and would be greater still in the First Division.  I was asked the other day if I thought any of the Welsh players were good enough to command a place in any Great Britain side.  I answered immediately-Jack Kelsey, Mel Nurse, Cliff Jones and Phil Woosnam must come in for the most careful consideration.  In reply to Mr. Jack Evans (Chester) I have to confess that I have only scored two goals in international football.  One was in my first game and the other was in the last match. 
Goal Board
Whether others, less biased believe it or not, I personally believe that my shooting has improved considerably since I became an Everton player.  Do you know why?  I will let you into a secret, I believe it is the goal board we have at our practice ground that has helped me.  It is in the shape of the goal and is divided up into sections.  As the ball comes over, one of the trainers will shout instructions such as, “top right”  “top left” and so on, and the players receiving the ball has to try to hit it to the spot indicated.  Naturally we don’t score bull’s eyes every time but I have found that I am able to direct my shots much better now than when I first arrived at Goodison.  Kicking a dead ball I have been quite surprised at the improvement and similarly with a lobbed ball, but hitting the fast rolling ball calls for much greater precision and it is not as easy to achieve.  When we miss we always have the consolation of knowing that the boss doesn’t give a hoof if we hit the top of the stand occasionally so long as we put enough into the net to win.  We had nothing like this at Blackburn; I think it is a great ideal.  I should like to conclude this article by paying tribute to the other members of the Everton team for any success, I have gained in winning international selection this season.  No player gets to the top purely on his own ability and I honestly feel that it is the co-operation and help given to me by my colleagues that have kept me in the selectors eyes.  I only hope I can play some small part in repaying the compliment for some of the other lads. 

EVERTON REGRETS
Friday, November 18, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton may have reason to regret that they were not able to strike an immediate bargain with Hearts, the Scottish League club concerning left back George Thomson for others besides Chelsea, may now become interested.  For example if manager John Carey does go to see the Heart’s game with Clyde tomorrow; he may also find sitting nearby representatives of the Newcastle United club, for they, too have a left back problem, and the Thomson credentials add up to a note-worthy interest.  Mr. Carey has not yet announced his team to entertain Newcastle but I think we may have reached the end of the “no change” sequence, which has been followed except for injury or unfitness.  For example it would not be at all surprising to find the club captain Tom Jones, now fit again, resuming at left back for Green, while a positional switch in the forward line can hardly be ruled out.   Jimmy Harris who has only scored in one of the last ten League games, must have a query after his name, I don’t pretend to know Mr. Carey’s mind on the subject at all, but it strikes me that the line might not be any poorer if Harris and Temple were to exchange positions.  Newcastle United;- Harvey; McKinney, McMichael; Scoular, Heslop, Bell; Hughes, Neale, White, Allchurch, Mitchell. 

EVERTON, PRESTON, BOTH OFFER £40,000
Liverpool Echo - Friday 18 November 1960
DECISION LIES WITH PLAYER
ALEX YOUNG
By Leslie Edward
Everton and Preston North End have each bid Heart’s price of £40,000 for Scottish International centre forward Alex Young.  The decision now lies with the player who is expected to make up his mind over the week-end.  Both managers, Mr. John Carey, of Everton, and the former Everton player and manager, Mr. Cliff Britton, of Preston, have conferred with Young, who is in the Army and stationed at Aldershot.  When Mr. Carey and Mr. Britton arrived in Scotland two days ago to make their bid for the players, other clubs who had inquired about the possibility of Young being available for transfer-West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea, Wolves and Manchester United-were informed by telephone of these developments. 
Too See Thomson?
It is understood that Mr. Carey may be in Scotland again tomorrow to see George Thomson, the Hearts’ full back, who is also for transfer and in whom Everton are interested.  It was not known in Preston today whether Mr. Britton would be seeing his team at Wolverhampton tomorrow or whether he would be off to Scotland again.  Young’s slight knee injury in a match for the Army at Aberdeen earlier in the week is not expected to keep him unfit for any length of time, but he will not play against Clyde tomorrow.

EVERTON’S CHANGES V. NEWCASTLE
Liverpool Echo - Friday 18 November 1960
JONES BACK FOR GREEN
WIGNALL LEADS
Everton have two changes and maybe three, for the match tomorrow at Goodison Park against Newcastle United.  Newcastle United. Tom Jones replaces young Colin Green at left-back and the outside-left position will be filled by either Jimmy Harris or Derek Temple. Wignall comes in as leader of the attack. Jimmy Harris had a slight injury in training this week, but there are good hopes that he be fit, in which case he would appear for the first time at outside-left.  He began his career at Everton as a centre-forward; then had long spells on the right wing before being played in the centre. Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B); Bingham, Collins, Wignall, Vernon, Harris (J), or Temple.
Stokoe Out
Newcastle make one change-Helsop for Stokoe at centre half.  Newcastle; Harvey; McKinney, McMicheal; Scoular, Helsop, Bell; Hughes, Neale, White, Allchurch, Mitchell. 

EVERTON’S NEW-LOOK ATATCK ON VIEW
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 November 1960
IMPROVING NEWCASTLE FACE A HARD TASK
By Leslie Edwards
EVERTON'S changes for to-day's match against Newcastle United were rather surprising. The outgoing of Colin Green, the introduction in his place of Tom Jones and the transference of Jimmy Harris to the left wing he has never played there before in League Football—plus the injection of Frank Wignall into the centre of the attack have caused much discussion. It will be interesting to see how things work out and if the Everton management is as astute as I think it is all will go well.  Four great players—Scoular, White, Allchurch, and left-winger Mitchell, will be in the Newcastle United side. Scoular, like Mitchell, a Scot, is one of the strongest and commanding half-backs in the game. He is also one of the few men in football who ranks as a "natural" as captain.  Len White, an Englishman, is still remembered in this city for his cracking goals for the Football League team at Anfield two years ago. Mitchell, one of the greatest weavers ever to grace a left wing, will pose special problems for full-back Alex Parker, but it is my belief that Parker will emerge in control, elusive though Mitchell is. For the Welsh contingent at the match—and judging by tunnel traffic on Saturdays when there is a game at Everton they number many thousands -part of the joy of to-day's battle will be to compare those Welsh inside forward wizards, Ivor Allchurch and Roy Vernon. WORLD CLASS
Vernon has no physique to speak of, but rates in the world class. Allchurch is a bit longer in the tooth, but in my book he's almost equally good because his arts are allied to a build which allows him to challenge the best in that respect, too. Newcastle have done rather better in their last few matches, but Everton's record home and away is so good, any side coming here, yes, even Tottenham, must have qualms before they even set foot on the field. That Vernon's ease has not yet come before the F.A. means that he can go into his International game next Wednesday with a free mind and no inhibitions when all is said he may be proved wrong to worry over much about the possibility of suspension, I think he was wise not to ask for a special hearing.  The evidence I think, will show that sending off was too harsh a sentence.

ALEX YOUNG AT GOODISON AS DEAL TALKS GO ON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 November 1960
SEE EVERTON IN THEIR MOST DOMINANT MOOD
THREE GOALS IN 8 MINS SWAMPED NEWCASTLE
EVERTON 5, NEWCASTLE UNITED 0
BY Michael Charters
Among the big crowd at Goodison Park this afternoon to see the Everton - Newcastle United game was the man of the moment -Hearts and Scotland centre-forward. Alex Young, for whom Everton offered £40,000 earlier this week. My information is that Young came down from Scotland to look around the club and stayed on to-day, while Everton manager John Carey set off for Edinburgh this morning accompanied by chairman, John Moores, to try to clinch the deal and also watch Hearts left back George Thompson play against Clyde. Everton are understood to have offered a total of £60,000 for both Young and Thompson, but Mr. Carey wanted to see the back play to-day. Young has a slight leg injury at present. Mr. Carey's rival for Young, former Everton manager Cliff Britton, now with Preston, was also in Edinburgh to-day with the express intention of trying to finalise the transfer. Preston have also offered £40,000 for Young but it would seem that Young's presence at Goodison Park to-day makes Everton favourite for his signature. Young was not expected to make a decision on which club he will join until Monday.
Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B.); Bingham, Collins, Wignall, Vernon, Temple. NEWCASTLE. Harvey; McKinney, McMichael; Scouler, Heslop, Bell; Hughes, Neale, White, Allchurch, Mitchell, Referee: Mr. S. Yates (Bristol) Jimmy Harris tailed a fitness test this morning which meant that Derek Temple retained the outside left position against Newcastle. The lights were on from the start on a misty afternoon and the crowd was in the region of 46,000. Newcastle, who have won their last three games here, made the early running and White could have put them in the lead within two minutes. Mitchell's cross evaded the defence and White, with a diving attempt,  headed the ball wide Newcastle were faster and more aggressive than Everton in the early play and Everton's first shot came from Parker, the bail going wide. Immediately after this the referee ordered the ball to be changed. Everton were at last getting into their stride and from Bingham’s corner kick Harvey made a first class double save first from Gabriel's header and then from Collins's close range shot.
VERNON'S SNOT
Vernon worked his way past Scoular and Neale brilliantly and hit a fierce 20-yard shot which flew just wide of the post -this was more like the Vernon we all know. After Mitchell had won a couple of corners for Newcastle, Everton broke away with Wignall, playing his first game at centre forward. getting a rebound off Heslop and trying a long shot which went well over the bar. The game had now settled down to be fast and entertaining with the players finding their feet on the dampish turf. A perfect pass from Vernon found Temple unable to match the speed of McKinney, who cleared comfortably. Everton pinned Newcastle in their own goal area in an amazing series of shots, with Vernon having one blocked. Wignall's header kicked off the line by McMichael, and Parker's final effort being deflected for a corner by the - left back.
SLOWNESS IN CENTRE
Everton's weakness in attack at this stage was definitely in the centre where Wignall's slowness to the ball stopped a couple of good moves from developing. This must have given food for thought to the watching Alex Young. Harvey had to go down low to take one swerving shot from Collins who almost succeeded in the next attack in getting Gabriel through for a shot at goal. Vernon's past to the unmarked Collins on the right 'wing completely split the Newcastle defence and from the long centre by Collins. Temple hit the bail first time for Harvey to make a fine diving save, the ball running loose for Heslop to scramble it away for corner.
DESPERATE DEFENCE
Collins and Harris combined excellently to have down 40 yards before Harris's centre to Temple, inch perfect, saw the winger chip the ball in from 10 yards, with Heslop again diverting it for a corner. Everton win were playing 500 per cent, better than they had done at Cardiff and they took a most deserved lead after 35 minutes. Bingham took a quick throw-in on the right to Vernon whose fine centre was headed firmly against the cross-bar by Wignall, the ball bouncing back for Collins to hit it into the net from no more than two yards range. From the kick-off a long pass by Collins sent Bingham streaking away and Harvey had to come out to the edge of the area Ito collect the ball, but in doing so he skidded forward and handled it outside the area. The free kick was quickly taken by Collins to Bingham, who shot just wide.  A superb piece of constructive work between three or four Everton player! , down the right wing saw Gabriel break through to centre across goal, but Temple, trying to volley the ball, completely mis-hit it and sent it skidding back to its starting point when a cooler shot might well have told. A fine long pass by Parker out of defence had the Newcastle defence appealing for offside by Wignall, but the leader wasn't, and he tried to chip the ball over Harvey's head, but the goalkeeper clutched it safely. This had been a brilliant half for Everton after a rather uncertain opening five minutes. Half-time; Everton 1. Newcastle United nil.
A fine drizzle allied to the mist made conditions very unpleasant but a goal from the restart had the Everton fans happy.  Gabriel lobbed the ball forward and Wignall's attempted header mis-fire: but it had the effect of making Heslop's effort also fail to make contact, and Vernon whipped round the pair of them as they lay on the ground, dribbled the ball out of the goalkeeper's grasp and slotted it home from the' narrowest of angles. This was great opportunist goal achieved out of almost nothing. Everton were going great, guns, spurred on by the , dramatic effect of this goal and Collins made a startling 70 yard run before cutting inside McMichael and trying a' left foot shot which Harvey saved at full stretch.   Everton, went three up after 49 minutes with a dramatic and sensational goal. Parker got the ball over to Coilins in the wing position and Collins moved forward and hit a fierce ground shot from 20 yards which Harvey saved at full strength. The boll spun away from his fingers literally on the goal line and Heslop, trying to clear, turned the ball into the net.
THREE IN EIGHT MINUTES
Newcastle looked a demoralised side after this and they might, and worse was to follow for them for Everton scored their third goal in eight minuses to make them four up. The move was made by a cute lob forward from Vernon which Wignall headed out to Collins, the Scot's first shot was saved at point blank range by Harvey but the ball rebounded and he made sure at the second attempt. Collins was now operating on the right wins having changed places with Bingham and brilliant he was too. HIT THE BAR
Everton were now playing remarkably brilliant football that had Newcastle spinning in circles. Collins, with a perfect pass from his own penalty area, sent Vernon clean away for the Welshman to beat two men, turn the ball back, and for Helsop to head it away straight to Collins.   The Scot picking his spot, hit the ball hard from 25 yards and beat Harvey, the ball striking the cross-bar and coming clear.  In the 10 minutes after the interval Everton had treated their delighted fans to three goals and sheer soccer sorcery.  One move involving half a dozen men saw Collins pull the ball back for Vernon to try a chip shot from 25 yards with the ball landing on the top of the netting. Wignall, with a beautiful header from Bingham's centre, put the ball in the net and with the crowd cheering for a nap hand. It was seen that the linesman had his flag up for off-side—it must have been only a matter of inches the wrong way.  Wignall, who had played very well after the interval to make up for his rather disappointing first half headed a fifth goal for Everton after 81 minutes from Collin’s right wing centre.  Everton 5, Newcastle Nil; Official attendance 41,123.

OLD ENEMY FROM BURY AGAIN
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 November 1960
HE ONCE HIT FOUR AGAINST ME, AYS ALEX PARKER
The gates for the Football league Cup matches so far have bene disappointing.  Even Everton, who have been getting big crowds for League matches, have not been able to attract anything like the same number for the Cup games, and I was surprised last Wednesday night when I went to Anfield for the match with Southampton to see that there were only 14,000 there.  However, I expect there will be a few more for our match with Bury on Wednesday night.  Of course, Bury are going great guns in the Third Division and I see they scored seven last Saturday.  All being well I shall be facing an old “enemy” in outside left Johnny Hubbard, the South Africa, who used to star with Glasgow Rangers.  I’m afraid I haven’t very pleasant memories of Mr. Hubbard.  When Rangers came to play Falkirk in a League game a few years ago, they won 4-0 and Johnny scored all four.  I must say in my own defence that two of them were from penalties and Johnny is regarded as something of an expert with these.  He seemed to have one of those days when everything went right for him.  Bert Slater, who was in Falkirk’s goal, managed to push one kick out but it went right back to the winger and he slammed it In. Then I kicked another shot off the goal line with Bert beaten. But again it went back to Hubbard and he crashed it In. Looking back, he has scored in one or two other matches we have played. I hope he doesn't continue on Wednesday. Still. I'll guarantee he doesn't get another four.
ANFIELD VISIT
I went along to Anfield last Wednesday to have another look at Liverpool, and good side though Southampton are, if the Reds had taken a few of the many chances they carved out they would have been through to the next round. Liverpool had far more of the game in the second half and it's a good job for Southampton that their goalkeeper, Reynolds, was in such great form. One save from Wheeler was tremendous. I have heard a great deal this season about outside right Terry Paine, and he certainly looks a good player. Naturally I don't see Liverpool play a great deal, but we manage to keep abreast of what they are doing by reading the papers and listening to the fans, and I understood that Alan A'Court had been playing well. Well, he was certainly in good form on Wednesday. He put in as much work as any winder I have seen for a long time, and I hope by the time I have to pay against him again he has lost some of his energy. The half-back line of Johnny Wheeler, Dick White and Bobby Campbell also worked tremendously hard, and it was a pity that despite so much effort they still had to lose.
HEAVY PITCH
We took our unbeaten League run to 12 matches at Cardiff last week, but the thing that left the biggest impression on me had nothing to do with the game. It was the pitch. Our own pitch came in for a lot of criticism last season, but nobody can say anything against it now. At Cardiff the going was very heavy as it has been on many grounds we have visited this season and it is always a pleasure to get back to ow own pitch. It must be one of the best in the country and reflects great credit on the ground staff.  I see our reserve team has come in the some criticism lately because they are having a bad run.  First of all, it must be remembered that most of them are only 17, and these same boys did very well at the beginning of the season. They are going through a bad patch just now, but they'll snap out of it. People tend to overlook the fact that when a side is undergoing big changes, like our first team has done during the last few months, it must also affect the Central League side.
SHORTAGE
Whereas most reserve X1’s are made up of men who have lost their places in the first team, plus one or two youngsters, nearly all our second string are youth players—lads who are coming up.  Just ask yourself, what does a successful Central League side mean? I have known clubs have their reserves near the top of the table, yet the first team has been struggling, and when the reserves are promoted, the senior side is no better. With our Division 1 side doing so well just now. Mr. Carey can afford to give the youngsters a go. If he can't do it with a successful senior team he will never do it with a struggling one. There is such a shortage of good players that it is a lucky club that has two successful sides. It's far better to have the first team doing well with youngsters getting valuable experience in the reserves. They will never all be called upon to play in the First Division side at once, and we can accommodate the coupe or so that may have to play when injury strikes.  I said last week that Mickey LIII was expected to be running about in a fortnight. Well, he proved me wrong for he was trotting round Goodison this week. It seems he's pretty determined to get back. This has been quit a week for football with the talk about an increase for players. Many people have asked me what I think about getting a rise. Frankly, I'd like one.

EVERTON STILL FAVOURITIES TO SIGN YOUNG
Saturday, November 19, 1960 Liverpool Daily Post
Everton supporters, who have lived through several days of excitement and tension in the hope of finding a new centre forward at Goodison Park for today’s match with Newcastle United, have a change in the leadership of the attack, but instead of the anticipated Alex Young, of Hearts, they get Frank Wignall from the reserves.  Wignall is whole hearted and enthusiastic, but this is hardly the move which will put 70,000 spectators in to the ground as would probably have happened if the announcement could have been made that Young was at No.9.  possibly this is only a pleasure deferred for it is expected that Manager John Carey will today make his second trip to Scotland in four days to assess the capabilities of Heart’s left-back George Thomson, and it would be surprising indeed if he did not grasp, the opportunity to attempt to clinch a Young deal.  The pity is that Mr. Carey’s storm tactics of Wednesday when he was first in the field did not succeed, for competition will undoubtedly complicate the issue.  I gather that Young’s knee injury is not in any way serious and appearances are now that he will not put pen to paper before Monday at the earliest, and possibly not them.  Despite everything that has happened so far, Everton I believe remain favourites to get the Scot.  All will wish the best of luck to Young Wignall in the role he has assumed in what appears to be a growing emergency Jimmy Harris, if he has recovered from a slight training knock, will be a outside left for the first time in his senior career but he cannot complain at the decision to try someone else in the middle.  Apart from his display against Manchester City when hopes were revived that he had at last re-discovered his form, he has not filled the bill as well as the clubs are entitled to expect.  Tommy Jones returns to skipper the side at left back, and acknowledge may be of the fact that Green’s enthusiastic is not an adequate compensation for lack of experience. 
Beyond 400,000
Everton’s attendances for the season should be sent soaring beyond 400,000.  The total at the moment, is 374,962, and for the objective to be missed there would have to be the lowest gate by far of this present campaign.  How many teams, I wonder can boast a better record than Everton in regard to players who have figured in every match?  Dunlop, Parker, Labone, Collins, Jimmy Harris, and Vernon have yet to be marked absent.  Today’s fixture is the thirteenth in Everton’s unbeaten League run and over the year’s Newcastle’s visit to Goodison has been more heart-breaking than heart warming.  They have won their last three matches there and since 1954-55 their record is; Won four, lost one and drawn one.  Against that it should be noted that season Everton did not exceed their present quote of League points until February 27 so that the improvement is as remarkable as it is satisfying.  Jones has missed the last five games and Green goes out of the side with a record of never having been in a losing league team in his eight outings.  Everton stand in need of an appetising recovery today for in their last three games Bingham is the only forward to have scored.  In contrast White the Newcastle leader, has found the net twice in each of the last three matches.  Everton should win of course, but Newcastle for whom Duncan Neale plays at inside right, instead of his customary half back position are always capable of a surprise Neale has only figured in the forward line three times in his career, but for his efforts he can point to four goals.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B.); Bingham, Collins, Wignall, Vernon, Harris (J), or Temple.  Newcastle –Harvey; McKinney, McMichael; Scoular, Heslop, Bell; Hughes, Neale, White, Allchurch, Mitchell.
Preston Join in Quest
Preston North End have joined in the hunt for Alex Young.  They have bid £40,000, the same figure mentioned by Everton, and this is understood to be satisfactory to the Scottish club.  Preston manager Cliff Britton spent several hours in Edinburgh interviewing Young, who asked for time to think over the move. 

NO QUESUES AT GOODISON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 November 1960
ONLY 12 WAIT FOR SPURS TICKETS
There were no big queues waiting at Goodison Park this morning for the one-for-one paddock allocation for the game with Spurs next month. At midday, 75 minutes before the turnstiles were due to begin eliciting, only 12 people, most of them boys, were waiting. A police officer, one of a number there to cheek the anticipated crowd, said. We expect they will come rolling along within the next hour when they finish work." One man who need not have turned up so early after all was Albert Woods, of 42 Monfa Road, Bootle.  He arrived at the ground about nine o'clock this morning with his 13-yearsold nephew, Kenneth Oliver.
WORTH IT
He said: "I really thought there would be big queues here this morning and I wanted to be sure of getting a ticket for the game with Tottenham. We could have stayed at home until lunchtime after all. But I'm not worrying about it—to be able to see our team against Tottenham should be worth it Ardent Evertonian Kenneth was in full agreement despite the long wait in the cold. This afternoon 9.000 paddock tickets for the Spurs game at as —an increase of 6d will be sold to those going into the paddock. It is expected the paddock will be crowded long before the game starts at 3.15. It will be the first time all paddock tickets have been sold it advance for a League game.

CHESTERFIELD RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 19 November 1960
Chesterfield Res- Osborne; Newson, Trigg; Frost, Allison, Milligan; Bowering, Holmes, Lewis, Rackstraw, Bailey.  Everton Res; Mailey; Parnell, Green; Meagan, Gorrie, Sharples, Bonner, Tyrer, Bentley, Harland, Webber.  Referee; Mr. J. Rouse (Leeds). 
Everton were soon up against it -defending stubbornly against early Chesterfieid raids.  But not for long, Everton worked smoothly into their stride and started stretching the home rear-guard with smooth man to man moves. Corner followed corner as Harland the main string of Everton's attack got the measure of his man. Chesterfield were lucky to escape when Harland put Bentley clear and it was only a panic kick by keeper Osborne that saved Chesterfield. Tyrer weighed in with a snap shot but Osborne tipped it 'over the bar. Rackstraw bundled Mailey into the net with the ball as the keeper staggered back from a Lewis drive. Despite heated home protests Everton got a free-kick. Mailey went full length to keep out a fast drive as Chesterfield put on the pressure. Half-time.—Chesterfield Res. nil Everton Res. nil. Scorers for Chesterfield Rackstraw (80 minutes), for Everton Harland (penalty 88 minutes).  Result Everton res 1, Chesterfield Res 1

AN EXPLOSIVE EVERTON DIS-UNITED NEWCASTLE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 21 November 1960
By Leslie Edwards
UNDER the brassy glare of floodlights dimmed by mist and rain Everton exploded into complete command against a Newcastle United who must have wondered what struck them. Evertonians of the 41.000 present were not surprised because Everton are so liable to do this nowadays and, ironically with a team which authority clearly believes is not quite up to standard in two places' How different from the era when success was not being obtained and no one appeared to sense the urgency of the need for new players! The Everton policy which is so delighting those whose support keeps the club going is that if you aim at creating a team of world status you must go all the way to attain it. Football such as we saw on Saturday—brilliant stuff which could with luck have doubled the bag of five goals -- is bringing back to the ground thousands of fans who tired of Everton's mediocrity season after season after the War. In short, Everton, and 'Spurs and Sheffield Wednesday for that matter are winning back to their share of the missing millions. To watch Everton now is a delight: the extraordinary artistry of Collins and Vernon who make such difficult football tasks look so easy, is persuading others in the team to try finesses and Newcastle United feat the full force of an eleven which now performs, when the mood is on them, almost as a machine. That the team won 5-0 with a makeshift left-winger: with an inexperienced centre like Wignall is a tribute to the stars of the side, although I must say that Temple himself had moments of genius and Wignall did splendidly after an indifferent beginning
Crowd rose to him
THE only tragedy of this triumph which had fans giving Everton a standing ovation as they left the field was the refusal of Referee Yates, of Bristol, to allow what looked to me like the best goal of them all and one of the finest scored this season. Temple, with a lovely through pass found Collins. Collins set Bingham on his way and the centre which arrived at Wignall's head could not have been laid on better with slide-rule calculation. Then a bullet of a header, with Wignall rising to the occasion in both senses, had the ball into the net and the crowd ecstatic at a move beautifully-engineered, perfectly completed. But the referee said: “No goal!" It happened that it didn't matter a great deal; Everton had many more shots and headers in their locker and Wignall was to console himself, and us. by a nod which got goal number five and compensated him for his earlier misfortune, but I still don't understand why the score was not allowed . . . _ In many books Collins was named as scoring three times. This was not so. Off the shot Harvey mis-fielded in the fiftieth minute—one which carried some stinging power—the ball did not roll over the line but stayed outside it until Heslop in trying to slide it clear slid it, instead into goal. One must be meticulous in these matters. The pity is that Collins who did most to deserve the credit for the goal didn't get it. This was a score which had to go to Heslop's discredit. The prospect of Newcastle United losing much less losing by Ave goals, did not occur to me in the opening half hour in which Wignall could not attune himself to the faster pace and Everton in general could not get an ignition spark to their special brand of explosive mixture.
The only tragedy
BUT at 35 minutes Vernon crossed a ball from which Wignall headed on to the underside of the bar and so to the waiting Collins who knows exactly what to do when offered such chances. The Band of the Irish Guards, wolf-hound mascot and all, had no sooner marched off into the murk when Everton went two up with a typically impertinent goal by Vernon. He got Harvey going the wrong way and then slipped the ball over the line when the narrow angle of approach might well have defeated him. Heslop's own-goal followed four minutes later and Collins, bursting through in that undeniable way of his was there again and would have had another almost forthwith it his stunning shot, the game's best, had not struck the bar and bounded on out of play. Again the crowd rose to him for what, with better fortune, must have been one of the great goals of his career. Wignall playing better the longer the game went, headed the fifth and left us in no doubt that whatever his limitations as to speed of reaction he has a good football brain and enough power from his forehead to eve a fair imitation of some of the headed strikes Dixie Dean used to make. Harvey's failure to grasp a ball that had become doubly “difficult “from the effects of rain and the fact that Vernon and Bingham both touched wood. Vernon with a lob and Bingham with a header, indicated how near Newcastle were to having a heavier hammering. Yet, hard as things went against them in the second-half, they kept playing good football up to the edge of the penalty area and Scoular's performance was worthy of a special loser's bonus, if ever we get to that!
King pin Labone
Labone except for one minor blunder which let in the, for once, unpunishing White was the king pin in a half-back line which produces the ball so often nowadays for an attack with punch in almost every quarter. Brian Harris is one of the few in the side who has no International distinction, but it won't be long. I feel, before his potential is realised. I thought at Tottenham three or four seasons ago he would make a cap as a right-winger! It was good to see Tom Jones back and better to see him justify completely the opinion that his experience make his selection essential. Parker, with his fine understanding with Gabriel, and for his customary up-field excursions (most of them stamped goal or a near-goal) deserved to get his name on the register and commended himself, as ever, for keeping his man—in this case the mercurial Mitchell—out of the picture. But it was Collins and Vernon, two irrepressible, when it is one of their days, who make the Everton attack, That Wignall got going so well; that Temple finished with two runs which could not have been battered by Puskas made a happy ending to a game which had seemed poised and ready to go either way for the first half hour. I liked Bingham's extraordinarily good propensity for putting himself where he could be found. This is the art of football without the ball: one a good many players know little if anything about. Finally a glad hand, also, to Dunlop for being inactive so long and performing brilliantly on the few occasions when it was necessary. Not to make a mistake after being in the cold War, as it were, for so long stamps him as a truly great goalkeeper and one still worthy to keep for England as well as for the Bank of England.

EVERTON’S AIM IS TO WIN THE EUROPEAN CUP
Monday, November 21, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 5, Newcastle United 0
By Jack Row
This was the most comfortable win I have seen from Everton this season.  After the first five minutes or so they did pretty well as they pleased and the evidence indicates that manager John Carey has moulded a team which, for me, is good enough to win the First Division championship.  One gathers that the First Division championship or the F.A Cup is not the pinnacle of Goodison ambition and that the European Cup hovers very largely on the horizon.  In this case, I feel Everton need two, possibly three top class players.  It may be that the next twenty four hours will show that at last the City of Liverpool has a side capable of challenging not only Tottenham Hotspur, but the Real Madrid and Barcelones as well.  Newcastle are only a shadow of the glorious days of Stan Seymour and the margin between the sides at Goodison Park was such that it seems incredible that Everton should ever be in danger of defeat from any team in the bottom half of the First Division.  Once the first ten minutes had gone it was simply a question of how many goals the score line would show.  In those opening minutes Newcastle had the one chance to deliver a telling blow, for centre forward White missed a wonderful chance from a Bobby Mitchell centre, which he headed outside and a few seconds later when he did hit the target Dunlop was there to make a save which showed again that here is a goalkeeper with the safest pair of hands I have seen for many a season. 
Everton Take Command
From that Everton began to impose their will and quickly took such a command that one felt sympathy for the endeavour of Jimmy Scoular, which brought so little response from the rest of the Newcastle side, with the possible exception of Hughes.  Nothing Scoular did could stop Everton.  Collins was superb in his application and direction and there is no doubt that when he and Vernon are smack on the job this Everton team is lifted to the greatest heights.  Wignall, who one supposes is the temporary holder of the centre forward position, played his heart out and did enough in the second half to wipe out earlier indecision and slowness especially with his goal.  In eight-one minutes but he like Temple who also had a much better second half, will have to be content with a secondary role in the Everton scheme to produce a world-beating eleven.  But they played a noble part, and so did Tommy Jones, in spite of facing the best Newcastle forward.  Everton’s big strength was in the half-back line, and it says much for Brian Harris that he was able to come out of this match with just as much tribute as Gabriel and Labone.  Indeed thought he was slightly, the better of the wing halves, but few are going to take issue on the point if they can produce form like this every week. 
Chances Missed
At half-time Everton were leading 1-0, a margin which should have been wilder, for Temple and Wignall both missed fine opportunities before the centre forward headed against the bar from Vernon’s cross in the 34th minute and Collins hit the rebound into the net.  By then Everton had the game in their grip, and immediately the second half started the Newcastle goalkeeper, Harvey and centre-half Heslop got so mixed up in trying to clear a through ball from Wignall that Vernon with the impudence that comes with skill, calmly walked round them both and put the ball into the net.  A simple goal, but one which illustrates how Everton played because for a long time afterwards Newcastle had to face some really brilliant football.  If Harvey could be faulted for failing to hold a strong ground shot from Collins, the ball rolling over the line before Heslop helped it into the net, the goal was richly deserved.  This was in fifty minute and three minutes later the magnificent Collins shot against Harvey, gathered the rebound and slammed it home for the fourth.  Before Wignall headed through Harvey’s hands he had a goal disallowed, presumably for offside, but between them Everton might have notched at least a couple of more.  Collins slammed a 25 yarder against a bar, Vernon and Bingham- a hard working player-also went close and Brian Harris was robbed of a goal by McMichael kicking off the line.  A more deserved victory could not have been desired and if the match posed defensive and forward problems-one rarely noticed Allchurch –for Newcastle is helped up to appreciate that if English football is to have a revival Everton will be in the front rank.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B.); Bingham, Collins, Wignall, Vernon, Temple.  Newcastle United; Harvey; McKinney, McMichael; Scoular, Heslop, Bell; Hughes, Neale, White, Allchurch, Mitchell.  Referee; Mr. S. Yates (Bristol).  Attendance 41,123.

HARLAND WAS STAR FORWARD#
Monday, November 21, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
Chesterfield Reserves 1, Everton Reserves 1
A penalty equaliser two minutes from time gave Everton Reserves the point they deserved in this Central League game.  It also gave a just reward to their star forward inside-left Harland- the mainspring of the attack.  His goal from the spot equalised Chesterfield’s eighteen minute goal-a beautiful 25 yards half volley from inside-left Rackstraw that simply rocketed past Mailey.  Everton deserved to draw if only for the quality of their defensive play when Chesterfield were pressing hard.  The only other player to attract attention was left half Sharples whose distribution was a joy to watch. 

MR. CAREY’S STATEMENT ON ALEX YOUNG
Liverpool Echo - Monday 21 November 1960
DELAYS IN TRANSFER MOVE
EVERTON WAIT
By Leslie Edwards
Alex Young, Scottish international and Hearts centre forward, and the most sought footballer currently in the transfer market, will not be signing for Everton today, nor will he be coming to Liverpool to see for himself the set-up at Goodison Park.  The position is that Everton manager, Mr. John Carey, saw Hearts manager Mr. Tommy Walker, at the Clyde v. Hearts match on Saturday, confirmed Everton’s offer and the guarantee to Young of the centre forwards, and returned to report to the Everton Board.  Mr. Carey said this morning; “We have agreed terms with Hearts; we have assured Young of the first-team place, of maximum wages, and when he marries-he is engaged to an Edinburgh girl- a suitable house where. We have done all we can.  That is as far as we can go. We cannot do more.”  Everton fans interested in the possibility of full back George Thomson coming this way have only this comment from Mr. Carey to work on; “I attended the Clyde v. Hearts match, it would be improper of me to say anything further until I have reported to my Board at their next meeting. “  Young, still suffering from a knee injury sustained in an Army match last week, was authoritatively reported on Friday as being in Liverpool and certain to see the Everton game against Newcastle United.  A case of mistaken identity led to him being reported in the Everton director’s box alongside the injured Tommy Ring.  Preston North End, Tottenham, Wolves, Leicester and Chelsea are all keen to sign Young.  Preston’s special interest being odd because their manager.  Mr. Cliff Britton, the former Everton manager, has never previously been involved in any transfer bigger than the £20,000 he paid Burnley for harry Potts.  I spoke to Mr. Britton last night about the possibility of Preston getting Young, and he gave me the impression that he would be almost relieved not to sign Young!  On the other hand, the whisper is that Preston have never before gone so all-out to get a player’s signature.  Young was at the Hearts’ ground.  Tynecastler, today, having treatment for his injury,.  He was still limping.  After lunch he went back to the ground for further treatment and to await any further moves coming from the South. 

THE DECISION RESTS WITH YOUNG-CAREY
Tuesday, November 22, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
NO ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLAYER TO VISIT GOODISON PARK
By Jack Rowe
Everton manager John Carey said last night that he had received no word of the decision of Alex Young, the Hearts and Scotland centre forward, who was understood to be making up his mind yesterday which club he would join.  In Edinburgh the player had long talks with the Hearts club chairman who announced afterwards that no statement would yet be made.  The situation now is that it is entirely a matter for Young himself whether or not he comes to Goodison Park.  Mr. Carey said he did not intend rushing Young for a decision because the player had all the facts, knew that the clubs had agreed terms and that if he wanted to come to Everton he could do so.  “I spoke to him this morning,” said Mr. Carey, “and he said he was not able to come down to Liverpool because he was having treatment to his leg and wanted to get fit.  “I understand there are other clubs interested in him and he is obviously finding out all about them.  We can do nothing more, it is really a question now of Young making the final decision.  No arrangements have been made for him to visit Liverpool. 
A Hitch
The Everton hope was that Young would be in Liverpool yesterday and that the signing would be finalised, but there seems to be a hitch somewhere and it looks as if Young is giving earnest consideration to other approaches one of them from Preston North End, who have also bid £40,000 for his signature.  In view of Mr. Carey’s intimation that no arrangements have been made for Young to come to Liverpool the whole business is in the air and one wonders, in spite of the Everton manager’s assurance that he is not rushing the player, for a decision.  Just how long-Everton will wait for the word.  They would, I feel, after having agreed terms with Hearts and given the player all the facts, he entitled to expect a quick decision because I have no doubt that if Young finally decides against coming to Goodison Park then the search for a centre forward would switch quickly elsewhere.  Everton have not fixed a Board meeting this week, but all directors are expected to be at the Football League Cup match against Bury tomorrow night and Mr. Carey and directors Mr. Jack Sharp and Arthur Joynson, will probably report to them then on their week-end visit to Scotland.  They saw Clyde v. Hearts game and all Mr. Carey would say was “I shall report on the players I saw to the directors.” 

YOUNG TRANSFER HANGS IN BALANCE
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 22 November 1960
CONCERN OVER INJURY
FANS PUZZLED
By Leslie Edwards
The transfer of Alex Young, Hearts and Scotland hangs fire, Everton whose hopes were high over the week-end, are clearly not now so hopeful; Preston North End, who had hoped the player would telephone them yesterday saying he would join them are now “wondering what is going to happen.”  Their manager, the former Everton player, Mr. Cliff Britton, told me today; “Everything is still very much in the air.  Young seems concerned over his knee injury, if we signed him it would be subject to him being found fit by our specialist.”  Everton were to have had a Board meeting tomorrow before the League Cup tie against Bury, but one has been found unnecessary.  This does not mean that Manager Carey cannot report to directors his reactions to the play of full back Thomson, of Hearts, in the match against Clyde on Saturday.  He is frequently in touch with members of the Board by telephone and his report could be given in that way.  The staggering thing about Young’s swing from Everton and towards  Preston is that he is choosing to join a struggling club and throwing away the chance to play between two of the finest inside forwards in the land-Collins and Vernon. 
Puzzled
One explanation given for this is Young may feel happier as the big fish in the small pool at Deepdale.  Discerning Everton fans, who appreciate that Vernon and Collins could make the most ordinary centre forward into a star, and puzzled that Young should turn down all Everton can offer- guaranteed first team place in the centre, a house, top money and the chance of success in League or Cup.  Maybe Manager Carey is a little puzzled too.
Harris Back
Bobby Collins will move to inside left and Jimmy Harris will return to the side at inside right for Everton’s League Cup game against Bury tomorrow at Goodison Park (7-30).  These are the only changes from the side which beat Newcastle United.  They arise from the absence of Roy Vernon, the Club’s Welsh international inside left, who will be playing for Wales against England at Wembley tomorrow afternoon.  Johnny Hubbard, Bury’s South African left winger, has recovered from a leg injury received in Saturday’s League match so Bury will be at full strength.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B.); Bingham, Harris (J.), Wignall, Collins, Temple.  Bury;- Adams; Robertson, Conroy; Turner, McGrath, Atherton, Calder, Holden, Watson, Jackson, Hubbard. 

WHERE COLLINS AND VERNON HAVE EDGE ON RIVALS
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 22 November 1960
By Leslie Edwards
If Woosnam and Vernon who will pose special problems for England defence at Wembley tomorrow, Wales have two of the finest inside-forwards in the game.  The quaint thing is that at least one expert finds no room whatever for Vernon in his hop-dozen!  My opinion is that both these Welshmen-one related to the famous Max Woosnam, an amateur who always carried a handkerchief on field when playing for Manchester City-are in the £40,000-plus class and rank with Collins and Greaves and Haynes.  These last two are probably more than a little over-rated from playing so often in London.  Vernon is really in a class of his own because he has such slight physical asserts.  He gives the impression physically that a puff of wind would blow him over.  Nothing could be more misleading.  He is as strong as the vest-pocket Hercules Collins and just as tenacious.  I doubt whether Vernon weighs more than a lb or two over ten stones, but he’s strong as a lion.  That he and the tiny-footed Collins can get such power into their shots and be lethal from long ranges is proof of their timing.  They have the edge on many of their rivals because they are not only artists at opening defences, they have strength of shot as a most valuable supplement. 
ANOTHER LIKE PARKER
George Thomson, the heart’s player in whom Everton are reported interested, is Scotland’s top scoring full back.  Goalkeeper’s shiver when he comes up field.  For his shooting is strong and accurate-as befits an inside forward turned defender.  He started with Hearts as inside left from the junior Edinburgh City in 1954 but had a long wait for a regular place in the League team.  After several appearances at wing half he turned out at left back in a friendly with Bolton in October 1957.  He held the position for the next League game and subdued Graham Legget, Scotland’s international right winger.  His next opponent was Rangers’ international right winger, Alex Scott.  Another good match and Thomson had arrived.  Every season since Thomson has contributed a number of remarkable long-distance goals to the Heart’s scoring total and developed into a deadly penalty kicker.  He has played in Scotland’s Under-23 side and twice for the Scottish League against the Irish League.  In emergency Hearts have brought him out of the full back position.  Last month he played three positions in successive games.  Against Airdrie in a League match it was wing half on the Saturday for a European Cup-tie in mid-week he was at full-back; the following Saturday he played at inside left! 

NEW MOVES BEHIND CURTAIN OF SECRECY?
Wednesday, November 23, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
MYSTERIOUS Mr. CAREY NOT AVAILABLE LAST NIGHT
By Horace Yates
A curtain of secrecy yesterday descended over the intentions of Alec Young, Heart’s Scottish international centre forward, whom Everton, Preston, Wolves, Leicester and West Bromwich Albion are reported to be anxious to sign.  Jumping to conclusions may be dangerous, but yesterday I was unable to contact Everton manager Mr. John Carey.  That might mean anything or nothing.  First I was informed that he was not available and later that he had not been seen at Goodison Park yesterday afternoon.  Last night, whether by curious coincidence or not, his telephone at his Southport home was stated to be “out of order” and no contact could be made with him is Mr. Carey absent with full leave, on an important new Young mission?  I managed to ascertain that following his failure to report to Goodison Park as promised on Monday a telephone call was expected from Young yesterday.  There the clue runs cold.  Whether the call was received or not nobody will say.  Young is receiving daily treatment for his knee injury at the Hearts ground and is at present on sick leave from the Army. 
Careful Thought
Yesterday he was reported as saying; “I will make no transfer decision for a day or two. I must think things over very carefully.”  Regarding his injury he said “There is no question of cartilage trouble or any club having to give me a medical examination before I sign.  It is simply ligament trouble, and I hope it will be cleared up within a couple of weeks.  “The delay has nothing to do with any difference over terms.  I just want more time to think,” If there were five clubs interested in Young at the outset of the negotiations apparently there are still five.  Yesterday Young said he had not turned down any of the clubs angling for his services.  Today could well be the day on which a decision is taken because Heart’s manager, Mr. Tommy Walker, has been attending an investiture at Buckingham Palace, and will not be back at his desk until this morning.  In view of the fact that Young will not able to play on Saturday or possibly the following Saturday because of his knee injury, it may be considered there is no need for urgent action, but the continuous waiting without hard news is wearing down the nerves of the Everton supporters.  They would welcome a decision one way or the other as soon as possible, and I know it will not be the fault of Mr. Carey if the period of “no decision,” continues a moment longer than is necessary.
999-1 Against Preston
The absence of a promised telephone call to Preston yesterday has done nothing to increase confidence at Deepdale that they will beat Everton to the signature.  Preston are every bit as bewildered as Everton about the immediate future.  From Preston I was told “Young is sitting on the fence.  We are waiting for him to jump off, to see on which side he lands,” but an opinion given to me last night was that it was considered 999-1 against Young going to Deepdale.  The odds against his arriving at Goodison Park I would put at far less than that and Chelsea appear to me to be the one club capable of thwarting Everton ambitions at least among those clubs named as interested in Young.  If there is a club which Young prefers and which has not yet entered the competition, then he declines to name it and so long as he has to select from the candidates made public, Everton must still be well in the running. 
Meanwhile George Thomson, Heart’s left back, who is also wanting a move, sits expectantly, awaiting the call from an English club willing to take him and pay the price asked.  Heart’s valuation and that of Everton do not quite coincide, but if Hearts are prepared to reduce the fee by £2,500 to £3,000 then they may still get Thomson.  Their greatest competitors were considered to be Chelsea, but yesterday they decided not to pursue the chase.  Manager Ted Drake admitted to me last night “we were interested in Thomson, but we have now decided to give our own boys every chance.  Alan Harris is playing so well at left back that he deserves his opportunity and we are going to keep him there.”  Appearances suggest that there will not be the same time required by Thomson to make up his mind, when the opportunity comes to cross the border.  The double deal anticipated as long ago as last Thursday, may still become an accomplished fact, with Everton scoring over all competitors.
League Cup
Because Roy Vernon is playing for Wales at Wembley, Everton have to make a forward change in their third round League Cup match at Goodison Park tonight, (kick-off 7.30 p.m) Jimmy Harris playing at inside left, with Frank Wignall retaining the centre forward position.  Johnny Hubbard, having recovered from a leg injury, Bury keep the side which has scored thirty goals against three in the last nine League games all of which have been won.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, B. Harris; Bingham, J. Harris, Wignall, Collins, Temple.  Bury; Adams; Robertson, Conroy; Turner, McGrath, Atherton; Calder, Holden, Watson, Jackson, Hubbard. 

YOUNG AND THOMSON TO SEE EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 23 November 1960
DUE THIS AFTERNOON WITH DIRECTORS
By Michael Charters
Alex Young and George Thomson, the Hearts players for whom Everton have offered a figure in the region of £60,000, left Edinburgh this morning for Liverpool. Accompanied be Hearts director Mr. Alec Irvine, they are coming to Everton to see the club set-up and watch to-night's League Cup-tie at Goodison Park against Bury. Thus, after several days' stalemate in the transfer negotiations, it seems that Everton must be favourites to sign both of them. They caught the 10.55. am train from Edinburgh, due in Liverpool at 4.10 p.m. It was exactly a week ago that Mr Carey went to Edinburgh and offered £40,000 for international centre forward Young, who is injured at present with knee trouble. Both Preston and; Leicester City have also made' similar bids for him and Young' has said that he wants time to think it over. Mr. Carey, accompanied by directors John Sharp and Arthur Joynson, returned to Scotland on Saturday to watch full back Thomson play for Hearts against Clyde. Earlier this week Mr. Carey confirmed his offer for Young and explained that nothing more could be done by Everton and that they were waiting to hear from Young.

YOUNG AND THOMSON SIGN AT GOODISON PARK
Thursday, November 24, 1960, The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON GET THEIR MEN AT LAST-FOR JUST, £55,000
By Horace Yates
The great chase is over.  After weeks of patient endeavour Everton last night signed Scottish international centre forward Alex Young and his team mate from Hearts (the Scottish First Division club), left back George Thomson for a fee of £55,000 to complete the biggest deal in the Goodison club’s history.  Events moved quickly yesterday after a figure had been agreed between the two clubs on Tuesday.  Young and Thomson travelled from Scotland accompanied by Hearts director Mr. Alec Irvin.  When they were not on the Scottish train which arrived at Liverpool yesterday afternoon doubts began to mount as to whether or not there had been a slip-up similar to that on Monday, when Young was expected and did not arrive.  The explanation however lay in the fact that manager John Carey had terminated their train journey at Preston and had brought them the rest of the way by road. 
May Play On Saturday
The two players were examined by the club’s specialist as a precautionary check-up on their fitness, and when both came through with flying colours they lost no time in signing for Everton.  They were taken to the home of Scottish international Bobby Collins, where they had a meal and them accompanied Bobby and his wife to last night’s League Cup match against Bury.  It is possible that Thomson at least will find a place in the Everton party to travel to London for the match against Arsenal on Saturday.  Young is still having treatment for a knee ligament injury and of course cannot be considered.  It is exactly a week ago since it was announced that Everton representatives were travelling to Scotland in an attempt to sign Young, Thomson was included in the negotiations when Mr. Carey contacted the Hearts officials and on Saturday Mr. Carey accompanied by two directors watched Thomson in action before submitting their proposals to the board.  It was not until yesterday that a firm offer was made for Thomson. 
The Costliest Club of all
The signing of the two Scots bring Everton’s outlay on signings in the last two year’s beginning with the combined O’Hara-Parker deal, to more than £220,000 which makes Everton, who now have six Scots available for their team, the costliest side in current British-football.  Everton have had a centre-forward problem ever since Hickson, was transferred to Liverpool, and though Jimmy Harris has filled the gap since then it was obvious that if Everton were to achieve the greatness which has been mapped out for them in board room planning a centre forward of the highest quality was essential.  They have looked in many directions for a solution and included in their efforts have been offers to Hibernian for Joe Baker and to Middlesbrough for Brian Clough.  As centre-forwards of quality are just the scarcest commodity in football, it was not surprising that Everton

YOUNG AND THOMSON SEE-LEAGUE CUP GAME WITH FIRST DIVISION STAMP
Thursday, November 24, 1960 The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton 3, Bury 1
By Horace Yates
The league Cup suddenly acquired fangs at Goodison Park last night and if the football served up by Bury’s visit is a sample of the quality to follow then we may be applauding the decision to launch this experimental competition before very much longer.  The display was a credit to both sides for the match was full of class football, keenly competitive spirit and all-out action to the dying minutes.  Everton will no doubt point to the fact that they carved out considerably more scoring openings as their justification for taking final victory.  Whether it was judgement tinged with sympathy for a very galliant foe, I do not know, but I found myself believing that the Third Division leaders had proved themselves worthy of a replay.  Judging by Everton’s desperate barrage as the end approached a replay was just about the last thing they fancied.  A replay it looked like being too, for not until four minutes from the end did the leading goal come from Wignall, with a clincher in the last minute from Jimmy Harris to give a score which simply did no sort of justice to Bury. 
Division Two Standard
This team which hammered Division.  Two leaders Sheffield United to defeat after conceding a goal start in the last round, struck me as being a wonderfully well balanced side, competent to the point at which one might declare with no little conviction that they are as sound and attractive as most of the teams in the Second Division, and indeed for most of this match, it would not have been difficult to imagine that this was a First Division game.  High praise for Bury!  Maybe so, but they deserve every word of it.  For much of the game they matched class with and thrust with thrust.  Those who thought that Everton had only to take the lead to shake the visitors out of their easy rhythm, were shattered by their response after Wignall’s goal in twenty-five minutes.  Instead of flaggering, their efforts were intensified.  No kicking and hoping for the best.  It was beautifully controlled football, with players running into position and placing the ball without fuss or hesitation.  Their equaliser, through Jackson after 56 minutes, when Dunlop could only finger-tip out of his goal a cross shot from Atherton for Jackson to ram the ball into the net with a magnificent shot gave them a new lease of life.  They had to endure sustained.  Everton attack and an excited crowd, which seemed to appreciate that their team needed all possible encouragement to avoid a replay, undoubtedly helped Everton when they needed aid most.  Gradually I am afraid the pace did begin to tell and Everton found tackles which had been delivered almost with precision timing just that little bit slower to give more opportunity for freedom of movement.  Collins worked like a demon in an effort to break the resistance and while nobody could complain that he failed to make an impact, he was not allowed to tear free as he does with such devastating effect on to many games. 
Classical Half-Back
While there was much to admire in the play of both sides I found myself captivated by the classical showing given by twenty-four-years-old left-half Gordon Atherton, in the Bury side.  My guess is that Bury’s biggest problems will be to hold on to this youngster, if this was a true sample of his play.  It was not only his defensive work which looked good, but the manner in which he was able to switch defence into attack and use the ball as shrewdly as one with much more experience of football of the highest grade, that made the impact.  Similarly, anybody with a weakness at inside-left could go a long way to the repairing it with the acquisition of Jackson, but Bury are a club with big ambitions and if they fall to gain promotion to Division 2 then the quality of play in the lower league must be far higher than is generally accepted.  Centre half McGrath was as dominant in his own way as Labone and that is no mean praise, while Robertson’s tackling at right back was sure and precise and in goal, Adams made save after save to give him the stamp of a master of the goalkeeping art.  Not all the bouquets belonged to Bury, of course, for Brian Harris’s form is improving by leaps and bounds, and it is no slight on Gabriel to say that on the night, the Scottish international in the £35,000 bracket remember was not at all Harris’s superior.  
Under Scrutiny
The two men under the closest scrutiny were Tommy Jones and Frank Wignall if only for the fact that everyone knew that up in the stand watching the match were George Thomson and Alex Young, whose signings must obviously put their places in the greatest jeopardy.  What a coincidence it was that Jones should turn in what was easily the most impressive showing I have seen from him all the season.  Anyone watching the match, ignorant of the circumstances would have found it hard to believe that left back had been counted one of the problem positions.  I was delighted with Wignall.  What a pity he has only come into the reckoning as a first team leader at this stage for he proved himself strong on the ball, good with his head and a ready reader of the game.  He took two scoring chances magnificently and while he missed a third possibly from the easiest offering to come his way, Wignall had every reason to be content with his exhibition.  It seemed an indisputable fact that on recent form at least Jimmy Harris has been nothing like as effective as a leader.  Harris last night looked more dangerous when he exchanged positions from time to time with Bingham to become a raiding winger.  Collins (2), Temple (2) Gabriel and Wignall were all guilty of missing scoring chances for which it was difficult to advance any sort of worthy excuse, while Adams performance in goal kept out several efforts laden with danger.  It was a measure of the excitement and interest in the game that the crowd stayed on to the end and the ovation to which both teams left the field was a tribute to the measure of enjoyment they had provided.  We have seen previous League cup games at Goodison which have been punctuated by bursts of good football, but here it was kept going for the most part, and what is just as important the match was played with all the bite and completive fervour that made it so difficult to relax in case of missing something.  Both teams really played as though they wanted to win.  What a pity it was that one had to go out.  Well played Bury!  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Jones; Gabriel, Labone, B. Harris; Bingham, J. Harris, Wignall, Collins, Temple.  Bury; Adams; Robertson, Conroy; Turner, McGrath, Atherton; Calder, Holden, Watson, Jackson, Hubbard.  Referee; Mr. A. Jobling (Morecambe).  Attendance 20,724. 

YOUNG AND THOMSON MAKE HISTORY AT EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 24 November 1960
By Michael Charters
A history-making night at Everton and a sensational one. The excellence of the League Cup-tie against Bury at Goodison Park tended to be dimmed at times as rumour and counter-rumour swept the ground with reports that Everton had signed Alex Young and George Thomson from Hearts; that they had not signed them: that they would sign to-day. It was not until after the match that it was learned officially that the Scottish stars had signed—for a club record transfer fee of £55,000.   It is also the biggest cheque paid between British clubs. All this time, the two men of the moment were sitting in the directors' box with the crowd turning enquiring eyes upwards at them. Rumour had it once that they had signed during the half-time interval. Someone immediately said they didn't blame them after watching the brilliant display their future teammates -and Bury -had provided in the first half. But the mystery, surrounding the transfer, which has lasted during the past seven days since Everton manager John' Carey first made his move for Young, was finally cleared. Both players had signed before the match. At one time this week, it 'seemed that the ifs-and-buts of the possible transfers would rival the Eastham saga in its long drawn-out negotiations. A week of anxiety for Mr. Carey ended with the decision of Young and Thomson to come down from Edinburgh yesterday to talk things over and take a look at the Everton set-up. Mr. Carey took the precaution of shielding the players from the Press reception which was all lined up at Exchange Station yesterday afternoon when the 10.55 from Edinburgh pulled in at 4.10. There was no Mr. Carey there, no players on the train. He had intercepted them at Preston, and took them on to Liverpool by car. They had tea at the Old Roan home of Bobby Collins before coming along to the ground.
DULY SIGNED
A Quick look round the impressive Goodison set-un after a medical check and both players duly signed, watched by Hearts director Alex Irvine, who had accompanied them from Edinburgh. Thus the smooth -working partnership of chairman John' Moores and manager Carey had triumphed again over much opposition for Young. This huge fee brings the total Everton have paid for players in the past two seasons to around £200,000—that is, for men still on the books, starting with Alex Parker. It does not include players signed during that time who have left subsequently. I had the chance after the match of talking to both Young and Thomson. Young the current Scottish choice at centre forward, tells me that his knee injury will keep him out for another fortnight or so. He is likely to make his debut at Birmingham a fortnight on Saturday. Thomson, the Scottish Under-23 left back, will almost certainly be playing at Arsenal this Saturday. Thomson is staying on in Liverpool, living with Bobby Collins for the time, but Young went back to Edinburgh to-day. He is due for release from the Army next July, and also plans to be married at about the same time. Both said how pleased they were to be joining Everton, how, impressed they had been with the ground and the reaction from the crowd. Young said the, great atmosphere had struck him immediately, and both were delighted that they were adding to the already large Scottish colony at Goodison. These are the sort of class players Everton intend to have to fulfil their ambition of being the greatest club in England.  They are aiming for nothing but the best—in football quality, entertainment and results. Their sights are set high, and the way the Moores-Carey partnership is going, they will hit the bull's eye very soon.
GREAT GAME
And now to the Bury match. This was a wonderful game, thrilling, fast, and packed full of excellent play from both sides. Much of Bury's work was first class and they will certainly  be an acquisition to the Second Division where they seem to be heading next season. In fact, they were as good as some of the First Division teams seen at Goodison this season, with a particularly fine defence. Everton needed two goals in the four minutes to win 3-1 and had to go all out all the time to get there. Everton, I think, would not have complained had the result been a draw and the crowd of 20,000 gave both side a fine ovation at the end.  Only the Manchester City match has provided better entertainment at Goodison this season -a reflection of Bury's outstanding display. They had in left half Atherton the man of the match, a powerhouse performer with a hunger for the ball which is the earmark of the great player. He performs like a Flowers or a Mackay, always up and doing, strong on the ball and in the tackle—a £30,000 type if ever I saw one.  The rest of the defence was strong and  held Everton calmly and competently, always trying to use the ball well Centre half McGrath and right half Turner would grace any team, while goalkeeper Adams was in tremendous form. CULTURED
Their weakness was in the right wing pair of Holden and Calder, but the great display of Hubbard and Jackson on the left compensated for that. Jackson their scorer, is a fine inside man, fast and strong, and always looking for a shooting opening.  It was coincidental that Everton's best was also their left half. Brian Harris, who played superbly all through. Labone, had a wonderful game, too, cultured and effective—he looks more like T. G. Jones every time I see him. Dunlop, inactive for long spells, made some brilliant saves when the demand came, while Parker and Jones were in top form. It was rather ironical that Jones has played two great games in succession when, Everton were signing a replacement left back in Thomson.  Wignall, with two perfectly taken goals, one foot and one head, revealed as he did on Saturday that he has improved out of all recognition from last season. He is very good in the air and yet here again, after proving the most effective leader Everton have found this season, he will have to drop out when Young is fit. Jimmy Harris, at inside right slotted in well in his new position, distributing the ball excellently at times and scored a fine goal in the dying seconds from Bingham’s perfect through pass.  Bingham was quiet for much of the game, but what a match winner he can be. He laid on Wignall's headed goal at 86 minutes after a brilliant piece of dribbling near the corner flag. All 22 players earn congratulations for a grand game. 

PLAYERS MUST THINK BEFORE THEY LEAP
Friday, November 25, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
AN ERROR CAN BE COSTLY-CAREER MAY BE PRICE OF FOLLY
By Roy Vernon Wales and Everton inside-forward.
Impatience is not always a bad thing.  When it is applied to a football crowd who cannot wait to see something accomplished which they desire most it is a healthy sign of interest in their club.  That being so I don’t think there is any need to worry about Everton.  It is a long time since I have known so much interest anywhere as there has been on Merseyside over the possibility of signing Alex Young, the Scottish international forward from Hearts.  It has been impossible to venture very far either from home or the ground without being stopped by somebody with the question.  “Do you think we will get Young” What is a poor footballer to do in such circumstances?  Because one plays for a club one is expected to know everything that is going on here.  Yet it is perfectly true that we obtain most of our club news from this newspaper.  Inquires to players and that sort of thing of course we know about, but what goes on behind the managerial scenes is a closed book until somebody in authority decides to open it.  We have been just as interested as the general public for there is always a new thrill about welcoming a signing.  If the team spirit is right players look on a recruit as somebody designed to improve the team get better results and provide greater entertainment.  Of course, we realise that it means one of our colleagues may have to drop out but that is one of the risks inherent in the game.  We never know the moment when it may be decided that it is our own position that is in jeopardy.  When that moment arrives, one has to assess the position and if a player has faith in his ability he will fight back for his place until it becomes certain beyond any reasonable doubt that this is a task beyond him.  I think most players worth their salt will flight for a place even if it means switching position to achieve his objective.  Football is like a shop window –it is only the goods, that will attract the public that can be kept on view.  It is when we arrival at the conclusion that there might be a better sale for our particular wares at a different club that three of four, or even more clubs, and in these circumstances I do not believe they get the best of their careers.  I was unhappy at Blackburn and was very glad to move, but as you may know, I turned down Everton once before, finally deciding on Goodison I realise now that any doubt I entertained at the time were groundless, but at the same time I do not regret in any way making sure before I took the plunge.  There is a lot to considered before one puts pen to paper.  It is not merely a question of top terms, for these are available at most of the leading clubs.  Housing is an important question.  There are houses and houses and some clubs have a different idea of the type of house a footballer should occupy than others.  The view of wive or wives-to-be, have to be considered too.  Do they like the district?  Will they get on well with the news people they will be called on to meet.  Some clubs allow they players to do part-time work when training duties are over.  Others refuse.  One has to consider the style of play of the team in question.  Is it easy to fit into it or will a change of style be necessary.  Is play going to be hard graft or a pleasure? These may be questions which spring readily to mind but finding the answers takes much longer.  That is why I always take the part of a player who refuses to be rushed into a decision.  In the vast majority of cases one has never even given a thought to a club who may become interested in signing him.  He has to start from scratch making his own inquiries and his own observations.  If the position is complicated by the appearance of several clubs in the queue for a signature then obviously the task is much more difficult.  Speaking personally, if half a dozen clubs had made an approach for me I would have investigated the position with each most carefully before deciding and that cannot be done in five minutes. 
Attractive Play
Young’s play has apparently been sufficiently attractive to tempt several admirers.  It causes me no wonder at all that we have had to wait for a decision.  It is said that because there are a number of Scots at Everton, this must obviously help him to decide.  That does not necessarily follow.  There are things far more important than relationships of this nature to worry about.  We are lucky at Everton.  The club’s word is their bond.  If they agree to something you can be sure they will abide faithfully by the agreement, even though there may be nothing in writing.  It is things like this that players can only discover on investigation for it is an old custom in football that if there is anything you want in the way of favours or privilege, make sure you get them or a firm promise of them before you sign on the dotted line.  Suspicious minds, you may say.  Maybe, but never forget that at the best a footballer’s life is a short one, and much may depend on him how well he uses that short span.  So when next you hear that a player is taking his time before answering a club’s invitation to join them, don’t think too harshly about him.  Generally managers are very fair in putting the position to a player, but because they are naturally anxious to succeed in their quest to sign a man, they can hardly be expected to dwell on possible drawbacks.  These are the sort of things which one can repent at leisure –when it is too late. 

ANOTHER SIDE TO EVERTON’S SPENDING SPREE
Friday, November 25, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton gave pushed Tottenham Hotspur right out of the headlines with the biggest spending spree in history, the sort of massive shopping campaign that makes the efforts of high spenders like Arsenal resemble a nosing around in a bargain basement store.  Everton have been termed the “The Bank of England side,” “John Moore’s millionaires,” “Money-bags,” and a host of other decriptions, all pointing in the same direction.  Of course, it is not really surprising that they should be regarded as a gold-plated side, for if we only turn back the page to the double deal which really set the cheque flying –the signing of O’Hara and Parker-money has flowed from Goodison Park to the tune of around £240,000 and in any language that is big spending.  In previous assessment, I omitted reference to the signing of Harburn for £8,000 and Harland for £2,000.  In times like this when consideration of the £55,000 Young-Thomson signings is still one of the principal topics of football conversation, it is natural that concentration is devoted unsurely on the out-going side with the incoming column completely ignored.  Manager John Carey is no mug no ready touch for a soft story.  He is a hard-headed businessman led by one of the greatest business success in the world Mr. John Moores, and that staggering £240,000 total is reduced fairly considerably if we consider the players who have left Everton and the money that had come in for them. 
Outgoing Players
Since Mr. Carey took over the reins of management, the following players, with their estimated valuation have left for other clubs. 
Shepherd (Crewe), £600
Watson (Chester) £800
Hood (Tranmere Rovers) £3,000
Tansy (Crewe) £1,500
Bentham, Clayton and Blain (Southport) £1,500
Fielding (Southport) £1,000
Billington (Tranmere) £2,000
Godfrey (Scunthorpe), £4,000
King (Bournemouth) £4,000
Thomas (Blackburn) £15,000
Hickson (Liverpool) £14,000
O’Neill (Stoke) £8,500
Bramwell and Ashworth (Luton) £10,000
Sanders (Swansea) £6,500
O’Hara (Rotherham) £5,000
Harburn (Scunthorpe) £3,500
Laverick (Brighton), £4,000
There may have been others but those, in cash or kind amount to more than £90,000.  How many, I wonder would have thought that there was so much on the other side of the balance sheet?  Maybe there are one or two others which have slipped my memory, but these will suffice to show that while there may still be a deep depression centred over the current financial account it has been controlled spending rather than squander mania. 
Considerable Impact
The impact on playing results has been considerable.  Now all things are possible in both League and Cup, and the attendance provide the evidence that one must speculate to accumulate.  In the last seven games of Mr. Carey’s first season at Goodison, the attendances struggled to provide an average of more than 30,000, but the following season as Mr. Carey’s buyings began to make their presence felt, we found the programme concluding with attendances of 51,135, 50,990, 50,963, 53,963, 57,959, 65,719 and 37,885.  This season the poorest gate has been 40,705, and the biggest 53,781.  It seems safe to assume that the average increase to receipts must be in the vicinity of £1,500 weekly.  In the course of a season an increase of that description begins to tell a tale, so that the high spending is proving to be the wisest of speculation.  Everton in their privileged position, will no doubt go on spending money if they see that as the only means to keep their team great but there is a confidence at Goodison Park that the youngsters now being brought along at a modest trot will be ready to provide replacements of comparable standards as the occasion arises.  It was certainly a happy day for Everton when Mr. John Moores decided to turn a passive interest into an active direction but nobody considers it at all likely that the cheque book will be the only weapon in the drive to keep Everton great.  The availability of cash has short-circuited the waiting period for good class football- and I venture to suggest-at a smaller cost than is generally acknowledged. 
Eastham Doubt
Most people regard it as a certainty that George Thomson will have his first sample of English League football at Highbury against Arsenal tomorrow, but there is nothing like the same unanimity about the other George-Eastham making his debut for the London side.  Everton will almost certainly announce their team before the party leaves for London this afternoon, but my information from Highbury is that a decision about Eastham could well be delayed until tomorrow morning. Ideally Eastham could not further training time to very good use after such a long layoff but Arsenal’s need of him is so great that the temptation to take chance may overcome caution in that direction.  As Arsenal reserve have only to travel to Tottenham for their match travelling time does not enter into consideration.  Mel Charles who missed the game at Blackpool is fit, but manager George Swindin last night said this should not be taken as implying that he will return to the team immediately.  There are hopes that Barnwell will be available and even Docherty who had seven stitches inserted in a bad gash in his leg a fortnight ago may be ready. 

EVERTOR TO VISIT TRANMERE IN FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP
Liverpool Echo - Friday 25 November 1960
Public Safety May Cause Venue To Be Switched
By Leslie Edwards
Everton have been drawn to play Tranmere Rovers in the fourth round of the Football League Cup—at Tranmere.  This was the startling link made at the Football League offices at Lytham St. Annes this morning.  The question that crops up is: “Will the game be at Tranmere? Would the police permit it to be played at Prenton (capacity about 20,000) when 30,000 people in Birkenhead and 60,000 followers of Everton would all want to see it." On the grounds of public safety, the answer, I submit could only be no.
KEEP FAITH
Mr. Peter Farrell, the Tranmere manager was clearly anxious to keep the game at Birkenhead when I spoke to him. "We want to keep faith with our supporters." he said. He thought it might de decided that the game would be all-ticket, but circumstances might not warrant authority ruling, that the game should go to Goodison Park. The directors, had not so far had a chance to discuss the tie and its implications.   Everton Secretary Mr. Dickinson, also had the feeling that Tranmere would not be called on to transfer the venue. A Football League official at Lytham St. Armes said: - Our rules state that matches must be played on the grounds of the first-named, unless otherwise mutually arranged." He thought that if the match were prevented from taking place at Tranmere on the grounds Public safety the League would probably agree its transfer to the Everton ground. The assurance that all who wanted to see the match would be able to do so if it were played at Goodson will not weigh with authority. The police, who are judges of what is safe in football accommodation, are the final arbiters. The tact that the game will be played at night could make things difficult for them. A precedent for transferring the venue was made before the war when Tranmere were drawn to play Liverpool at Prenton in the FA. Cup. On this occasion the Football Association agreed, very quickly, to allow the game to be played at Anfield where some 61,000 people at that time a record for the ground saw Tranmere beaten, but far from disgraced. The Everton ground has a capacity of nearly 80,000 and if the match were all-ticket every place in the stands and on the terraces would be filled. — Tranmere have played minor Cup ties at Goodison several times in recent year, but never before have the two clubs been drawn in a top-class knock-out tournament and as both teams have reached he last sixteen and interest in the First league Cup tourney is now increasing remarkably, support for such a clash will become white hot. The match must be played on or before December 16- the day before Everton's meeting with Tottenham Hotspur. It will be a floodlit game, of course, and as Tom Eglington, on the Tranmere left, and, Peter Farrell now manager, both played for seasons at Goodlson Park, Tranmere's, keenness to bring off what would amount to a thousand-to-one chance is all the more understandable.

YOUNG WAS EXPECTED TO JOIN PRESTON
Liverpool Echo - Friday 25 November 1960
Story Behind 'Transfer
Thomson’s Debut
By Leslie Edwards
 Why did Hearts and Scottish International centre – forward, Alex Young suddenly change his mind and agree to sign for Everton and not Preston North End.   This is a Question puzzling many. The player will tell his story, exclusively, in tomorrow's Football Echo, but one answer is that Preston were not able to implement some offers. On Tuesday, the day before Young and his full-back club-mate. George Thomson, signed for Everton at a combined fee of £55,000 the chances were that Young would go to Deepdale and even the Everton Manager. Mr. Carey, had thought that likely. The wind of change which blew in Everton's favour came suddenly. Earlier in the week they had announced: "We have agreed terms; we have guaranteed the player his first-team place at centre-forward: we have guaranteed him a house when he marries, and we have offered him top money. That is as far as we can go." The oddest side to the battle between Mr. Britton, a former Everton player and Mr. Carey for Young’s services is that a week last Wednesday (when the Echo announced, exclusively. the first news of Everton's move for the player) the two managers met, by accident, on the train to Edinburgh.
LUNCHED TOGETHER
One can imagine the conversation between men who could not have taken long to appreciate that they both were travelling North for the same purpose. They even lunched together. But it would seem that once they arrived it was a case of business only meant and that Carey, who "knew earlier in the week that Preston would 'get Young." benefited from the player’s  unexpected change of heart.  George Thomson makes his debut at left back in the Everton side at Highbury to-morrow. Young is, of course, unfit as the result of a knee injury any cannot make his bow here until a week to-morrow at the earliest. Another change brings in Jimmy Harris, vice Temple at outside left. Vernon returns after missing the Cup-tie against Bury and Collins reverts to inside- right. Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B.); Bingham, Collins, Wignall, Vernon, Harris (J).
EASTMAN IN RESERVES
Arsenal fans at the home game with Everton to-morrow will not see the new £47.500 capture from Newcastle. George Eastham, in action. Instead he and Mel Charles, the £45,000 Welsh international will be in the Arsenal reserve attack in the Football Combination "derby" with Tottenham Reserves at White Hart Lane. The Arsenal League side shows only one change from that which drew at Blackpool. Docherty returning at right half for Dennis Clapton. Arsenal; Kelsay; Willis, McCullough; Docherty, Snodden, Groves; Clapton (D.), Barnwell, Strong, Herd, Henderson. 

EVERTON AT ARSENAL
Liverpool Echo - Friday 25 November 1960
By Leslie Edwards
AN oddity of Everton's game at Arsenal is that neither of the big-money men—Everton's Young or Arsenal's George Eastham—will be playing. Young, of course, is unfit while Eastham still feels he needs more match practice before returning to League football. Young's team-mate from Hearts, full back Thomson, is expected to make his Everton debut and is looking forward to playing at Highbury for the first time Everton will be trying for their 14th League game without defeat and everyone expects them to do so, although their record at Arsenal is not good. If Collins and Vernon are on form, one can predict a victory. As these two make the forwards tick almost by themselves. It will be interesting to see how Wignall fares against the fine young centre-half Sneddon, of whom great things are expected. One of these days this Arsenal side, so good-looking on paper, will click, even without Eastham. They usually do well against Everton and if players like Clapton, Mel Charles, Docherty and Groves strike their top form, then Everton will be in for a real struggle.
EVENTON TICKETS
Everton announce that all seats in the Goodison Road and Bullens Road stands for the game at Goodison Park against Sheffield Wednesday a week to-morrow have been sold. Seats Gwladys ' Street stand are now on sale, however, at 6s each and can be obtained by application to the club offices or to Jack Sharps'. Postal inquiries should include a stamped addressed envelope.

YOUNG MAY BE FIR FOR WEDNESDAY
Saturday, November 26, 1960. The Liverpool Daily Post
SCOTTISH STAR HAS HIS FIRST GOODISON TRAINING SESSION ON TUESDAY
By Horace Yates
The exciting news for Everton fans is that there is an outside chance that £40,000 signing Alex
Young may be fit to play in next Saturday’s home game with Sheffield Wednesday.  But it you are thinking this might be the right time to dash in and book a stand seat before the rush, you may have left it too late.  Few tickets remain unsold and it is expected that by Monday the “all sold” notice will be hoisted alongside that for the Tottenham Hotspur game, and in the alter case of course, that includes paddock tickets as well.  There has been a rush on the Sheffield game this week and if Young and Thomson turn out to be the successes everybody expects, this will be the shape of things to come at Goodison Park this season.  Young, who returned to Scotland after signing on Wednesday, plans to come back to Liverpool on Monday in readiness for treatment and his first training season with his new colleagues on Tuesday.  While Saturday next would be an ideal opportunity to introduce him to what will almost certainly be the biggest crowd to date, there will have to be complete assuredness about Young fitness.  Not the slightest risk will be taken.  The double signing has captured the imagination Merseyside football fans and in the expectation of seeing Thomson travel to London yesterday quite a large crowd assembled at Lime Street Station to wish him well at the outset of his career with his new club.  Thomson, quiet and unassuming looks the rugged sort and this allied to his reputation for using the ball brilliantly makes his appearance against Arsenal today full of interest.  He told me last night that he has never played in London although he has attended as a spectator at Highbury.  I understood that Preston were out and out favourites for Young’s signature earlier in the week and it was only on Tuesday that the pendulum finally swung in Everton’s direction.  Possibly it was the news that Thomson had his sights firmly set on Everton that helped Young to a decision not to break an association which has been continued from schoolboy days.  It was a reassuring slight to find Tommy Ring’s crutches included among Everton’s baggage for return to Chelsea Hospital and while it is still too early to hazard any sort of guess at the probable date of his return to football.  I understand that Mickey Lill’s natural enthusiasm has enabled him to make such remarkable strides that not later than a fortnight today he may be pulling a jersey over his head in real earnest. 
Carey’s Quip
“It’s a good job we are not playing Arsenal Reserves” quipped manager John Carey when he heard that those £92,500 forwards George Eastham and Mel Charles were in the Highbury club’s reserve team at Tottenham.  Matt’s Busby’s current fancy George Herd will be in the team to oppose Everton- at inside left-while Tommy Docherty returns to right half in place of Clapton it could have been no sort of encouragement for Mr. Busby to hear Manager George Swindin say yesterday, “It is impossible for us to consider letting Herd go at present.”  Everton’s Tommy Jones, out to make room for Thomson will be back in his corner role of centre half in the reserve team.  Jimmy Harris returns at outside left for Temple with Frank Wignall carrying on as leader of the attack.  Everton unbeaten home or away since September 3- thirteen League games ago- are in London for the fourth time this season.  They were defeated Tottenham in the opening match drew at Chelsea when Tommy Ring broke his leg and won at Fulham.  Highbury is not traditionally one of Everton’s best ground for since their promotion the only victory there was achieved in 1957-58 season.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B); Bingham, Collins, Wignall, Vernon, Harris (J).  Arsenal; Kelsey; Wills, McCullough; Docherty, Snedden, Groves, Clapton (D), Barnwell, Strong, Herd, Henderson. 

HAT-TRICK BY HERD ENDS BLUES’ UNBEATEN RUN
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 November 1960
ARSENAL 3, EVERTON 2
By Horace Yates
Arsenal; - Kelsey; Wills, McCullough; Docherty, Snedden, Groves; Clapton (D.), Barnwell, Strong, Herd, Henderson.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B.); Bingham, Collins, Wignall, Vernon, Harris (J).  Referee; Mr. R.J. Leafe (Nottingham).
Everton came to Highbury today in an effort to improve their dismal record on the ground, for since the fixture began, in 1904-5 season they have scored only nine wins here.  Great interest of course, was centred in the first appearance of George Thomson, the left back from Hearts.  After heavy rain yesterday the referee inspected the ground at noon and declared it fit for play.  Actually, although it looked certain to cup up as the game progressed the pitch was in better condition than had been anticipated.  Thomson was soon in action and he lost his first challenge against Clapton, who beat his tackle and skipped round the Scot on the outside.  A mistake by Brian Harris could have proved costly with Barnwell cruising around for just an eventuality. 
Undeterred Dunlop saw the possibilities in a flash, dived on the ball, and all was well, Referee Leafe did not think kindly of Gabriel’s first-time tackling, and had a word with the Everton half back.  Completely undeterred, Gabriel put in a sliding tackle on Strong after Henderson had penetrated the Everton defence with an ease which was not inspiring from an Everton point of view.  Arsenal who are contemplating transferring their leading goal scorer Herd, to Manchester United saw him get in a surprise hook shot which would have taken a less alert goalkeeper than Dunlop by surprise and Everton were pinned more or less to a defensive role in the early stages. 
Close Marking
Kelsey produced a thrill when he mishandled a free kick from Gabriel, and he chased the ball outside the penalty area to kick to Thomson, but the Everton player’s shot caused no alarm Everton had not dropped into their usual rhythm, and against close marking, Vernon and Collins strove, without a lot of success, to break clear of the tentacles.  Yet Everton might well have taken the lead in 12 minutes when Bingham beat Wills, and Vernon only narrowly failed to steer the ball past Kelsey.  Fouls were frequent, none of them of a vicious character, and the referee was alive to them all.  When Vernon attempted to round Docherty with a good prospect of succeeding, Docherty did not hesitate to stop him with his arm.  This was the prelude to the best Everton move to date for Vernon skipped past two defenders in the penalty area, before slipping the ball to the middle where Jimmy Harris failed to make substantial contact and Kelsey was not troubled.  Sheer bad luck stood between Everton and a goal when Vernon was warming up and proving an increasingly difficult proposition to Arsenal.  His immaculate centre found Collins momentarily unmarked, and the Scot hit a great shot completely beating Kelsey only for the ball to hit the crossbar and come back into play. 
A Dampener
Sneddon did his side a great service when he took the ball right of Vernon’s toe as he was poised for a shot from inside the penalty area. The rain started again, and it proved a real dampener, for it coincided with Everton going a goal down in 20 minutes.  A free kick against Gabriel saw Herd advance, smash the ball through the defensive screen and a deflection take it clear of Dunlop on its way to the net.  This was disaster at a time when an Everton recovery seemed most promising.  Dunlop was in urgent action soon afterwards when he had to dive at the feet of Groves to prevent disaster, and when Collins invited Bingham to blaze away at goal he lost no time in obliging only to find Kelsey had the ball well covered.  With Wignall immaculately placed to push the ball past Kelsey, Vernon let him have the opportunity; but to the dismay of the Everton contingent the centre forward tried in avid to bring the ball down, when a score could scarcely be avoided.  Everton could ill afford slips of this nature against an Arsenal side which was increasing in confidence as play went on.  What a player this man Herd is.  He put Arsenal two up in 30 minutes with a magnificent shot from 25 yards.  Although Dunlop could see it all the way, he could not move to it fast enough to have aby chance of keeping the ball out of the net.  How Arsenal can cheerfully contemplate losing the most potent weapon in their armoury, is beyond comprehension.  That unbeaten Everton record which has extended so promisingly for 13 games was obviously now in dire danger.  And then Herd completed a splendid hat-trick for Arsenal in 25 minutes.  Groves and Barnwell made the initial running, and when Clapton put the ball across Herd hit it into the net with a cannon-ball shot.  This was certainly not Everton’s day.  Outplayed they may have been, but certainly they were out of luck.  Jimmy Harris lobbed the ball beautifully for Wignall right in front of goal, and the young centre forward headed the ball against the inside of the upright only to see it come back into play. 
Half-time; Arsenal 3, Everton nil.
By the way of a change fortune favoured Everton when Barnwell sent an express centre across the goal and Strong’s header shaved the post on the wrong side.  This was probably not the best of days for a newcomer like Thomson to make his debut in English football.  Although he went into his tackles strongly, it could not be said he exercised a restraining influence on the mobile Clapton. 
Thick Red Line
When Everton advanced they were met with a thick red line of Arsenal defenders, which suggested a great reluctance to see their lead whittled down.  Bingham almost had the ball in the net from a Vernon chip but the referee had already signalled for offside.  It seemed that Everton would never score.  Collins put his own goal in dire peril with a back pass to Dunlop which was intercepted, and was headed for a corner by Gabriel.  Strong waited to nod the ball home.  Herd was still unsatisfied.  From a free kick he raced into the penalty area, and an Everton clearance struck his legs and went only narrowly outside the post.  Everton reduced their arrears in 65 minutes through a penalty by Collins.  It was a richly merited award, for after skilful combination between Bingham and Collins had put the ball to the feet of Vernon in the penalty area; he earned himself a first-class scoring position only to find himself knocked over.  Cannon-ball Herd tried again and only a magnificent save by Dunlop prevented him registering a fourth.  It was quite a feat for Dunlop to charge down the shot at all, and as it swung back towards the goal line Brian Harris raced in to kick clear. 
Very Close
Only two minutes later Everton had the ball in the net again.  It was a beautiful through pass from Collins on to which Wignall fastened and he beat Kelsey only to find the linesman’s flag up for offside.  It must have been a very close thing.  Everton’s Gremlin’s were doing their worst.  In 67 minutes Vernon slipped the ball to the unmarked Bingham, who deflected it wide of Kelsey.  In a despairing effort, Kelsey leaped across the goal, flung out a hand, and found his fingertips pushing the ball out as Bingham was leaping in the air in the belief that he had scored.  The tale of woe was not yet done.  Wignall took the ball past Sneddon in the most thrilling way and hit a fine shot which was swinging in to goal all the way it went.  Unfortunately for Everton the swing was not quite sufficiently pronounced and the ball went outside the post.  Vernon nipped in to take the ball from Kelsey, managed to keep it in play, and beat two men on his way back infield and banged the ball into the net for a consolation goal at the 89th minute.  Final; Arsenal 3, Everton 2. 

WHY WE JOINED EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 November 1960
Their Potential Won For Me, Says Alex Young
IT took me a few days to decide whether to says sign for Everton or Preston but after my mid-week visit to Liverpool. I am positive I have made the right decision. Both clubs offered splendid terms but there were several factors which prompted me to come to Merseyside. I was very much impressed by the whole set-up. The manager and chairman stressed how anxious they were for me to join them and when I spoke to the Scots already at Goodison Park, they all told George Thomson and myself not to hesitate.
Won Easily
Then I weighed up the potential of the two sides and no one can deny that Everton have one of the best teams in England.  Finally I though about the living conditions and the fact that Everton’s attendances dwarf those at Preston.  That settled it.  I have always felt I play better when there is a big crowd with some atmosphere in the game so Everton eventually won easily. It is like a Scottish colony with six of us from the north. I'm sure the dressing room chatter will make me feel at home when I constantly hear the voices of Bobby Collins, Tommy Ring, Alex Parker,  Jimmy Gabriel and George Thomson. I stayed with Bobby on Wednesday and if I hadn't already signed he would have talked me in to it, reeling off all the advantages of being an Anglo. Although I enjoyed my football with Hearts, I have been hankering for a shift lately' without putting in a transfer request for I honestly think my game will improve here. In my opinion the standard is higher, the pace is taster and *tubs do things on a bluer and better scale in the South.
SWITCHED
For instance the facilities at Goodison are much superior to Tynecastle. This season I was constantly being switched from position to position in the Hearts forward line and despite always giving my best where-ever I was fielded, the constant moving around certainly had an adverse effect on my play. I signed for Everton as a centre-forward which has always been my favourite position but I don't know if Manager Carey will want me to play to any special instructions. Rest assured, I’ll do my best to make goals and score of them.  Everton looked a good side against Bury and with a little luck I think the team could perhaps land one of the honours.  But honestly it’s not my line to make forecasts.
MY DEBUT
I'm delighted to say that my knee injury has almost mended. A Liverpool specialist examined the leg on Wednesday and I expect to start training with my new colleagues on Monday. If everything goes well and there is a place for me, I hope to go in next Saturday. And what a thrill that will be to make my debut I n the English First Division. I still have eight months of soldiering to complete at Aldershot. Once I am demobilised in July. I can get down to concentrating on football. I was fortunate enough to win medals and saps with Hearts. I hope I can bring the same luck to Everton.

THE CLUB IS `FANTASTIC,' SAYS GEORGE THOMSON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 November 1960
I have always wanted to play England and I Everton for me, are already one of the great teams and, from what I can gather, intend to be the greatest!   And that suits me! My ambition has always been to make myself good as I can possibly be in football and' I feel I have a better chance of doing that at Everton than else. The first time I knew that Everton were interested in me was a week last Wednesday when Mr. Carey came up to Hearts to start his negotiations for Alex. I was delighted when I learnt that he was coupling me in the deal and even more pleased when I knew he was coming to see the Clyde-Hearts game last Saturday. I think I had a fairly good game that day but then I heard nothing for a few days. You can imagine how please I was on Tuesday when Mr. Alex Irvine, one of the Hearts directors, told me that he had arranged for Alex and I, with himself, to travel to Liverpool on Wednesday to see the Everton club for ourselves. Like Alex, I had made up my mind by then that if everything was all right. I would be only too glad to sign for Everton. And everything was all right! Mr. Carey met us at Preston and we went on to Bobby Collins' home for tea. As Alex has told you above, Bobby was a great salesman for Everton that day, but I didn't really need his sales talk. I knew it was Everton for me.  I can only describe my reactions to seeing the Goodison Park set-up,  the ground and the spirit of the crowd at the Bury game in one word—" fantastic." There's nothing like it in Scotland and from what I saw of the Bury match. I think the football is better too.
NY ARSENAL DEBUT
As you know, when you take sway the top half a dozen clubs in Scotland, the standards slump, but here I saw Third Division Bury playing like a First Division side. That proved to me what good football is being played in England these days, and what a great thrill it has been for me to-day to make my debut on the famous Highbury ground. Alex had said that one of the things which influenced us was the big Scottish colony already at Goodison Park. These boys—Bobby Collins, Alex Parker, Jimmy Gabriel and Tommy Ring—have been telling us this week what a great club Everton is and what a wonderful spirit there is among the team. I only hope I can Bettie down quickly and prove myself before that magnificent crowd at Goodison Park. I have played at Goodison once before. In 1958, I was at left half for the Scottish Under-23 team against England on a very fogy night. Among my team-mates then were Alex Young and Alex Parker, and, of course. I've played against Bobby Collins. Jimmy Gabriel and Tommy Ring many times in Scotland. I started my career as a left half after joining Hearts from the junior club, Edinburgh City, in 1954, and played in that position until one night in 1957, in a friendly at Bolton Wanderers. I switched positions because of injuries in the Hearts team. Since that game, I have never missed a match for Hearts, about 95 per cent, of them at left back which I consider to be my best place. I shall be living with Bobby Collins and his wife, and they couldn't be more friendly or hospitable. My first impression of everything about Everton could not have been finer; I only hope that my form is good enough for this great outfit.

ALEX PARKER GREETS THE TWO NEW EVERTON MEN
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 November 1960
THE SCOTS ACCENT DOMINATES NOW AT GOODISON PARK
Another great week for Everton with a fine display against Newcastle, a place in the last 16 of the Football League Cup, and, of course, the greatest news of all, the signing of Alex Young and George Thomson, which brings the number of Scots likely to play for the first team to six. Like everybody else in football, with the exception of the officials actually negotiating the deal, I only knew when I read in the newspapers about the proposed transfer.  Before leaving for Goodison on Wednesday for the Bury match, I read in the Echo that Alex Young and George Thomson were on their way south, and when I arrived at the ground I heard they were in the Board room and would be watching the game. During the match, I said to one of our team how well the fans were cheering us, but it wasn't until afterwards that I learned that the cheers were for the newcomers in the stand. When we arrived in the dressing room at full time, Harry Cooke, our head trainer, told us the two Scots had signed, an a few minutes later they came in to see us, accompanied by Mr. Moores and Mr. Carey.  Jimmy Gabriel introduced them to the rest of the team, with the exception of Bobby Collins and I, who have played against them many times in club games north of the border. It was obvious both players were glad the drawn out deal was all over, and it was equally obvious they were greatly impressed by the crowd and the ground. Young said: "They sure are a magnificent crowd. The way they cheered I thought there were 50,000 instead of 20,000.  It must be great to play in front of them when the ground is packed." They obviously feel they' have joined a great club, as indeed they have, and they were also pleased to be with so many Scots. They certainly shouldn't feel out of place. There seem to be more Scots accents at Goodison than English these days. Afterwards the photographers came in and took what seemed like hundreds of pictures, then the two ex- Hearts men went back up to the Board room.
Very Happy
On Thursday morning, Alex Young went back to Edinburgh with a Hearts director, and George Thomson trained with the rest of us at Bellefield. Of course, they have both already played at Goodison for they appeared in the same Under-23 team as I did early in 1958 when the spectators, saw very little of the mat because of fog. I am sure both will be very happy here, and knowing their play so well I am certain they will not let anybody down. They are both good players, but I hope the crowd don't expect them to perform wonders in their early matches. Very few of us settle down with a new team right away, so I hope our fans show Alex and George they are with them from the start. Regarding the match with Bury, I thought the Third side played exceptionally hard, and don’t mind admitting that if they had earned a replay, I for one wouldn’t have had any complaints.  They played well enough.  They all fought very well but I think their wing-half Atherton, was outstanding.
DIFFICULT
These Cup games teams against lower division are often more difficult to us than a normal League game for whereas we have little to gain the opposition have nothing to lose. It is often easier to play against a side in your own division. A coincidence about our League Cup games so far with Accrington, Walsall and Bury is that we have won all of them 3-I. Apparently I was not alone in thinking how well the team played against Newcastle, for the critics treated very well afterwards. it's not so long ago that Newcastle beat us 8-2, so it was very satisfying to bang five past them without reply, and but for goal-line clearances and the woodwork we could well have gone at least one over the eight. It was the first time I had ever seen Bobby Mitchel play, let alone face him, and it was soon clear that he must have been a great Player.   Jimmy Scoular still looks a class wing half, even if he seems a little slower nowadays. Last Monday night I went with Bert Slater to see the Tranmere-Clyde friendly and when we arrived I saw Tommy Ring, Tommy Leishman, Johnny Morrissey, Brian and Jimmy Harris there. Tranmere did very well to win after being two goals down, most of the credit for which most go to their half-back line, which looked very strong indeed.

EVERTON RES V SHEFF WED RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 26 November 1960
Everton Res;- Mailey; Parnell, Green; Harland, Jones, Meagan; Boner, Temple, Bentley, Tyrer, Webber.  Sheffield Wed Res; Beighton, Hill, Birks; Hardy, Whitham, Young, Ford, McMillian, Ballgaher, Quinn, Lodge.  Referee; Mr. W. Davies, Manchester. 
Everton were soon on mark, with Tempe and Bentley having low drives saved by the Wednesday goalkeeper. Everton maintained their encouraging start, and a nice pass from Bentley enabled Temple to force a corner. Webber just failed to divert Meagan's free-kick into the net, the ball going niches over. A free-kick given against Jones hit an Everton defender, but Mailey saved Ford's shot, taken on the re-bound. Everton had now lost their earlier accuracy and Young 'nearly scored for the Wednesday, his drive swerving just past the far upright. McMillan put Wednesday ahead with a penalty in the 29th minute. Everton fought back hard and after Boner had shot inches over. Bentley netted a brilliant equaliser in the 44th minute.
Half-time.—Everton Reserves 1, Sheffield W. Reserves 1.
EVERTON A V. ROCHDALE R
Bennett headed in Maddock’s corner after five minutes to give Everton the lead.  Ten minutes later Rochdale equalised through Richardson.  Half-time-Everton A 1, Rochdale Res 1. 

YOUNG MIGHT HA VE BEEN TOP SCORER IN ARSENAL DEBUT
Liverpool Echo - Monday 28 November 1960
By Horace Yates
Everton proved conclusively in their 3-2 defeat by Arsenal, that it is not always sufficient to be a good team, to out-play opposition and create three times as many scoring chances, to gain the victory which one might be excused for thinking should inevitably follow.  They did all of these things, after conceding a three-goal start, and if ever a display made a laughing stock of defeat, this one surely did.  I doubt if a single individual left Highbury after the match feeling that the better or more deserving side had won.  The endless whistles from the crowd for two minutes or more before the end, plainly showed that in their anxiety find time signalled they could stand the suspense no longer. With Everton beating a ceaseless tattoo on the Arsenal goal, a two goal lead and only two minutes left for play, were apparently not sufficient insurance of victory. If only Arsenal had allowed Manchester United to take Herd before this match instead of in the near future, as I am assured will almost certainly happen.  Everton would probably have won the game by as convincing a margin as that against Newcastle last week.  Without him Arsenal would have posed little threat, but here was a man, seen as well as Herd, who achieved a fifteen minute hat-trick from three contacts with the ball.  No fanciful player is this, no creator of opportunity for others, but with the kick of a mule in his goal-laden feet.  I am not decrying Wignall in any way, but the thought of Herd lying in wait for the offerings so freely made by Collins and Vernon, almost makes the mind boggle at scoring possibilities.  Wignall was unlucky in that when he did get the ball into the net, infringement prevented his effort counting, but plainly this lad who does so many things well, is still building up to his peak.  Just how effective he may become only the future can tell, but that it is at centre forward he could make his name is reasonable certain. 
Young Missed
I could not help thinking that had Young made his debut at Arsenal, herd might not have been the game’s top scorer, nor for that matter would Arsenal.  Collins could not have gone closer on two occasions without scoring and Bingham, who might have been on the Arsenal side had Clapton not shied at a move to Luton earlier in the season, saw his effort flicked off the line by the acrobatic perfection of goalkeeper Kelsey.  These were not example of bad finishing so much as sheer bad luck and one felt that time ran out just too quickly for a completely dominant Everton to beat misfortune,  Herd Arsenal and all.  A great run of freedom from defeat has ended, but it is no major tragedy.  Everton are playing football (even though the first half show was below par) and playing it well and agreeable results are inevitable.  There cannot be many more Arsenal’s.  Possibly it may be a week or two before the promise of George Thomson, which persuaded Everton to sign him from hearts, is translated into achievement in English League football for I thought he was slightly discomfited by the speed of course which has befallen many a more experienced man, but all things considered he had no reason to be dissatisfied with his baptism.  If I were to be asked where Everton could have found a more promising left back in England for 15,000 I admit I would have the greatest possible difficulty in giving an adequate answer.  There were so many things he did well and it looks as though his temper is ideally suited to the task’s ahead. 
Vernon’s Rule
Roy Vernon could well have been an Everton match-winner.  When so many players competed on unequal terms with the mud Vernon seemed to find it very little of a handicap.  This was not because of any lack of attention from Docherty, but the way in which the Welshman skipped past the tackles of the Scot left thrilling memories.  Vernon for example, had successfully accompanied all the preliminaries to a scoring shot when Docherty upset him in the penalty area and Collins scored.  Then in the last minute of the game, the speed of Vernon was phenomenal as he flicked the ball away from Kelsey’s fingers, raced to catch it on the by-line, and brought it back infield, beating two defenders in his passage, to drive the ball into goal at the second attempt  This was ability on a high plane and made a deep impression of the Highbury following.  Gabriel produced some anxious first half moments with tackles which brought him into serious conflict with referee Reg Leafe, who missed little or nothing throughout the game.  I was delighted to find Gabriel’s good sense prevailing and after raising anxiety to fever pitch, he settled down to his normal cultured game.  The fact that the Arsenal centre forward was Strong by name only was a tribute to the grip exercised by Labone, who was seldom in any difficulty, and Brian Harris could point to a similar ineffectiveness in Barnwell.  Henderson had neither the speed nor idea shown by Clapton and Parker was more than his match.  Don’t blame Dunlop for the goals.  “I thought Herd was a bit lucky with his first,” said Dunlop, and I am inclined to agree.  The goalkeeper positioned himself for a direct shot from a free kick and was left without a chance when the ball struck a defender and went off at a tangent into the net.  With the other two, despite the distance involved I doubt if any goalkeeper in the game could have got to them.  Such was the power, pace and direction of the Herd volleys. 

LIMITED OF 19,500 FOR CUP “DERBY”
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 29 November 1960
EVERTON VISIT PRENTON PARK ON DECEMBER 12
By Leslie Edwards
Tranmere Rovers have set an all-ticket limit of 19,500 for their League Cup game on Monday, December 12, at Prenton, against Everton.  This is exactly 2,000 fewer than their record attendance in the match against Tottenham Hotspur at Prenton in the F.A Cup in 1953.  Everton’s share of the 19,500 will be something until 5,000.  Tranmere will sell unreserved stand tickets (5s) paddock (3d 6d) ground (3s) and boys (1s 6d) tickets as spectators pass through the turnstiles for the Cheshire League game.  The date of the five days before Everton’s game against Tottenham at Goodison Park, is unfortunate, but the choice was unavoidance.  Everyone applauds Tranmere’s decision to keep the tie on their own ground rather than submit to the temptation to transfer the venue to the ground of their opponents as was done before the war in the case of an F.A Cup-tie against Liverpool.  It is felt that home advantage, especially if the ground is heavy, might enable Tranmere to get a replay-and the best of both worlds! 

HE GOT FOUR IN 5 MINUTES V. EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 29 November 1960
By Leslie Edwards
DAVID HERD'S quick hot-trick against Everton, at Highbury, had scarcely been scored before "Panty" Howard, a famous forward of pre-war days was telephoning reminding me of the quick hot-trick he scored years ago. Lest there are any who think Herd's three were obtained in record time let me say that the quickest hat-trick of all time-three in two minutes—was scored by J. Scarth for Gillingham against Leyton Orient, in November, 1952. Everton were once before victims of a personal goal- blitz. This was in September, 1922, when J. Mclntyre, of Blackburn Rovers, got four in five minutes against them at Ewood Park. W. G. Richardson, the famous Albion forward, equalled this feat, against West Ham, in 1931. Keetley, of Lincoln City, scored five goals in 20 minutes against Halifax, in the following year, I have a recollection of Richardson, of Albion scoring two or three very quick goals in a Cup game against Birmingham, but the statisticians, it seems, don't keep records of these things.
Both crack shots
LIKE his father, David Herd is one of the best long-range shots of his time. But from what I hear Everton had every chance to counter that early 3-0 shock and if they had taken them would have come out winners. The view that Everton would have been more considerate to announce over their loud speakers, the signings of Young and Thomson last Wednesday is taken further by Mr. Stanley Dunning, who adds, "Strange as it may seem, we are interested and the thousands in the ground that night would have shown their appreciation of the Board's efforts in no uncertain manner." Mr. Dunning must not think the move was not considered. It was, but there were circumstances which made it imprudent to make the announcement at that time. Owing to the demand for seats for the Everton v. Sheffield Wednesday game on Saturday Everton have decided to sell unreserved seats for the Stanley Park goal stand at 6s. These may be had from the club offices or from Sharp's. The last time Sheffield United played a cup-tie in this city was at Anfield, in 1938, after a great drawn battle at Bramall Lane in which "Cast Iron" Fred Rogers got seriously in the wars. The replay was the match which cost Harry Eastham. uncle of the famous Arsenal man who has been so much in the news, a broken leg in the same match the late Tom Cooper and Eph Dodds (later to be signed by Everton) got at cross purposes and crashing heads in a headlong dive finished flat out, unconscious. Charlie Leyfleld was in the Sheffield team that day and Tom Bush replaced the injured Rogers at centre halt in the Liverpool eleven Liverpool's only link with Coventry City is the fact that their old half-back. Harry Storer, now with Derby County used to manage them in the days when they were a good second Division side. Norwich. Tranmere's opponents, all going well at Prenton to-morrow, have twice beaten Liverpool in the Cup.

KNEE INJURY STILL TROUBLES ALEX YOUNG
Wednesday, November 30, 1960. 
GOODISON TRAINING SPELL SUGGESTS DEBUT MAY BE DELAYED
By Horace Yates
Alex Young, Scottish international centre forward, and at £40,000 the costliest player in Everton’s history, yesterday had his first training session at Goodison Park.  Because of his knee injury, which is still making its presence felt.  Young’s activities were not at all strenuous and he had with him as training companion, Mickey Lill, who is also recovering from a cartilage operation.  Although much may happen between now and Saturday when Sheffield Wednesday are Everton’s visitors, even with treatment at the ground daily, there seems no great optimism that Young’s debut is at hand.  It is likely he may have to wait another week in which case like George Thomson with whom was signed, his first appearance will be away from home.  Last night I received several telephone calls from irate Everton fans concerning Tranmere Rovers decision to exercise their right to play their League Cup game with Everton at Prenton Park on Monday, December 12 but I expect this would have been nothing compared with the indignation of Tranmere supporters had there been any other decision.  Obviously Tranmere had to keep faith with their following.  It is likely of course that many more people would have liked to see this game than the 19,500 which has been fixed as the ceiling figure in an all-ticket match, but these League Cup games so far have not been record-breaking from an attendance point of view.  The demand for tickets remind me of an amusing story told by Everton manager John Carey, during his managership at Blackburn. 
Record Supporter
When asked for a ticket for a particularly attractive match for which demand greatly exceeded supply, Mr. Carey protested.  “But you don’t watch our matches.”  Instantly came the reply “No but you would never have record gate if it were not for the like of me.”  Well, Tranmere know already there will be no record gate for the covering of the enclosure has taken 2,000 of the ground capacity compared with the position when the Tottenham Hotspur Cup tie in 1953 drew 21,500.  Everton’s share of the tickets will be between five and six thousand.  Tranmere’s decision to put their tickets on sale at Saturday’s Cheshire League game with Stafford Rangers at Prenton Park was arrived at not merely as a convenient method of disposing of the ticket but as insurance that their regular supporters could ensure collecting a ticket.