PARKER OUT FOR REST OF SEASON
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 03 April 1962
CARTILAGE TROUBLE
Alex Parker, Everton and Scottish international full back, will be out of football for the remainder of the season.  What was thought to be knee strain, following the match last week against Blackpool, has now been diagnosed as cartilage trouble.  The operation to cure this prevents a man playing again for about two months. Parker thus misses the rearranged League match to-morrow evening at Bolton, where Mick Meagan comes in as deputy.  Everton manager, Harry Catterick, was a frustrated man when he told me the news about Parker. “Ever since January 5 we have been minus one or other of our first team full backs." he said. "Coming on top of the trouble to Thomson, Collins, Wignall and others, Parker's absence completes the cycle of misfortunes.  I have never know a season like it."  Parker was not among the Scottish players named for the match against England at Hampden, though those who have seen him this season feel he was the best back his country could have chosen.  Bolton have selected the team that defeated Chelsea on Saturday.  Bolton; Hopkinson;  Hartle, Farrimond; Threlfall,  Edwards, Rimmer; Holden, Hill t Davies, McGarry.  Pilkington.  Everton.—West; Meagan,  Thomson; Gabriel, Labone,  Harris; Bingham, Stevens,  Young, Vernon, Temple. 

ROY VERNON RECALLED BY WALES
Liverpool Daily Post, Tuesday, April 3, 1962
Roy Vernon, the Everton inside forward, who has not been in the Welsh team this season, is recalled by his country for the international against Ireland at Swansea on April 11.  Wales make six changes, one positional from the side beaten by Scotland, and Vernon takes over from Ivor Allchurch (Newcastle) at inside left. 

EVERTON TEAM 
Liverpool Echo- Monday, April 3, 1962
By Leslie Edwards
Alex Parker, Everton and Scottish international full back, will be out of football for the remainder of the season.  What was thought to be knee strain, following the match last week against Blackpool, has now been diagnosed as cartilage trouble.  The operation to cure this prevents a man playing again for about two months. Alex Parker thus misses the rearranged League match to-morrow evening at Bolton, where Mick Meagan comes in as deputy.  Everton manager, Harry Catterick, was a frustrated man when he told me the news about Parker. “Ever since January 5 we have been minus one or other of our first team full backs." he said. "Coming on top of the trouble to Thomson, Collins, Wignall and others, Parker's absence completes the cycle of misfortunes.  I have never known a season like it."  Parker was not among the Scottish players named for the match against England at Hampden, though those who have seen him this season feel he was the best back his country could have chosen.  Bolton has selected the team that defeated Chelsea on Saturday.  Bolton;  Hopkinson;  Hartle, Farrimond; Threlfall.  Edwards. Rimmer; Holden,  Hill t Davie s, McGarry.  Pilkington.  Everton.—West; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple. 

VERNON AND WILLIAMS HAVE THIS IN COMMON
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 03 April 1962
By Leslie Edwards
Mr. Elfed Ellis, of Mostyn, near Holywell, crossed swords with me recently because I said Graham Moore, of Chelsea, was the finest inside forward Wales has. As a great fan of Roy Vernon, Mr. Ellis thought I should have placed the Everton forward in a niche of his own.  Maybe he was right.  I now hear further news about Vernon and about Philip Williams, the young St. Asaph boy Blackburn are going to sign as soon as he leaves school in a few month time.  Williams is anxious to make the grade both as a professional footballer and a physical training instructor.  Oddly, both Vernon and Williams already have something in common. They were both, as youngsters, Everton discards.  It could be that Everton in 1965 may pay Blackburn Rovers £35,000 for Williams.  In late 1953 and early January, 1954, the then manager of Everton F.C. Mr. Cliff Britton; wrote: “Vernon is frail, tires quickly.  We are of the opinion that he is not up to the standard required.  "We judge Vernon by the standards of our other players which are quite high. We did not think the lad measured up in this respect."  Philip Williams, after signing amateur forms for Everton and after being given a few games found himself out of action for some weeks. He had to telephone to find out if he had been chosen to play for any of the teams. He got fed up.  Who wouldn't?" asks Mr. Ellis, who goes on: “One player who isn t an Everton discard and who will be Wales’ next centre half is Mike England, of Blackburn Rovers.  Last Wednesday he blotted out the 65,000 Byrne—never gave him a look-in."  Mr. Ellis is right. England was, in fact, chosen yesterday as Wales' centre half.  Old correspondent. Mr. A. E. Jones, of Snaefell Avenue, Liverpool 13, complained that I gave Alex Young too much credit and not enough to Roger Hunt and Alan A ‘Court. Now he adds: —  "No one realises more than I do your difficulty in trying to please everyone. It just isn't possible. I have always respected your viewpoint and still do. I have got myself into more trouble than enough supporting your opinions—you’re championing of Jimmy Melia, your criticism of certain local player's conduct, your attitude over the Liddell testimonial match, your plea last season to Liverpool to buy and buy big. Oh yes, I always salute your efforts to be fair. .  "But really did expect a better picture of that Liverpool first half against Preston. I know the sending off business took the edge off everything but people present or absent do expect more detail of the game itself.  Please do not consider me as one of the Liverpudlians who won't accept what you write about Alex Young. I do.  My complaint is that the performances of Liverpool players who were not in ' the battle ' was passed over.

FROM THE MANAGERIAL CHAIR
Liverpool Daily Post- Wednesday, April 4, 1962
IF ENGLAND ARE SUCCESSFUL IT HELPS THE CLUBS
By Harry Catterick
All eyes will be looking towards Wembley this afternoon when another new-style England side will be in action against Austria in an effort to find the right blend for Chile.  At the start of the season we all had high hopes of England-styled on a 4-2-4 tactical basis-acquitting herself well in the World championships in June.   But the manner in which our side has gone about things in their games this season has been most disappointing.  Key players have been off form, but, in most cases, they have been preserved with rather than pick the men in form at the moment.  Now, almost at the eleventh hour, the F.A. have had to recast the side mainly through the disappointing result against the Scottish League at Villa Park a fortnight ago.  Tottenham’s European Cup trial has meant that England have been without their chief goal-getter, Jimmy Greaves and without him the forward line has been strangely shot-shy.  They are without him again this afternoon and this time Roger Hunt is the stand-in, in an effort to supply the missing punch from the attack.  I’ve long campaigned for an international season and events this time would suggest that it would certainly be an improvement on the present system.  If that happened when clubs were finished with the League and Cup fixtures, the F.A would be able to call on all the likely players for intensive tactical training and, in my opinion, for greater team spirit and understanding would then evolve.  There are many people who suggest that the League clubs just do not give a dam about international football.  But that is completely wrong.  It is a great honour to be selected to play for one’s country and it would be a very strange club set-up.  Indeed if they did not went to see their own best players so honoured.  Quite the contrary is the case particularly at the present time when support is a constant worry to a great number of clubs.  Fortunately the two Liverpool clubs are happy in this respect.  Merseyside maintains its loyal following, and I for one, am extremely grateful to them.  Therefore it is common sense to realise that a successful international team, carrying all before it must give the game an uplift in every phase of the game.  It will be a year or two before the full impact of the free wage scale is felt in football.  There has to be a settling down process.  If in the meantime, our international side hits a real high then so much the better.  I certainly feel it has more opportunity to do that in an international season when every player is available- injury apart –and there will be no excuses that the best team was not available.  I know that we can now re-arrange a League fixture if two of more players are called on for international duty, but that is not satisfactory, I prefer to maintain the rhythm of weekly matches whenever possible.  Moreover I am sure the majority of clubs would prefer not to miss their regular Saturday fixture.  Most of them cannot afford to have any more fans breaking the weekly match habit.  Maybe in the reorganisation that must come within the next few years we will see a development of this policy, I am sure that it will be for the general good of the game. 

EVERTON AWAY OUTLOOK IS STILL BLEAK
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 04 April 1962
By Leslie Edwards
The absence of Alex Parker, a cartilage casualty, could not have come at a more unfortunate time for his club. They have a rearranged match to-night at Bolton (where Stevens will be competing against his former club) and another tough away fixture at Ewood Park, Blackburn, on Saturday. In view of Everton's inability to reproduce home form in away matches the outlook for these games is bleak, especially as they have a held-over fixture at Highbury and visits to Birmingham and Manchester United to complete their away programme.  It seems unlikely, on the face of it, that the club, who have been hard-hit by injury from the start of the season, will maintain their high place in the table.  At Burnden Park, to-night, they will be facing McGarry, a forward they were once interested in, and Davies, the  young Wrexham centre forward for whom they were  prepared to top all other offers. Davies has settled in well.  Both these expensive young players scored for the first time on Saturday. It looks as though Mr. Ridding has at last got the men who can put his side back into prominence.  Mick Meagan, honoured again by Eire, is given the job as deputy to Parker. He played so well at Sheffield and is such a good club man Mr. Catterick had no qualms at naming him without hesitation for the job. He would not  be the first wing half to find, late in his career, a niche  a department further back in the defence.  Temple remains on the left wing. Here is a player who can be brilliant at times and one who is sometimes not given the squarest deal by people on the terraces. If he were to hold his place for half a season I think he would gain increased confidence and show himself to be a player with a future. But at the end of his runs he still needs that bit more “divil.”   Everton—West: Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.

MARKSMAN VERNON ONE OFF CENTURY
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 04 April 1962
Says Everton’s Alex Young
I know the Liverpool fans were overjoyed when they saw Roger Hunt's name in the England team to meet Austria this afternoon, but from an Everton point of view it was equally thrilling to see our leading scorer, Roy Vernon, chosen by Wales for their match against Northern Ireland next week, and that grand clubman, Mick Meagan, selected by Eire to play against Austria on Sunday. Roy and Mick have my congratulations  on their selection,  and lam hoping there will be  another pat on the back for  our Welsh international in  next week's article, too, because  he has only to score one  more goal to complete his 100  In League football.  Roy certainly knows the way to goal, for I am told that  in just over two years with  Everton his scoring total in,  League and Cup games has  already passed the half-century mark.  However, accompanying the good fortune of Ray and Mick comes a piece of bad luck for Alex Parker. As you know, Alex is to have an operation for cartilage and will not play again this season. We all wish him a complete and quick recovery. This means that our regular full backs of Parker and Thomson will have made only two appearances together between thestart of 1962 and the end of the season.  The postponement of the  Bolton match from December  30 until to-night means that  by Saturday evening Everton  will have completed a rather  unusual hat-trick—three successive  games against the  former clubs of present  Everton first-team players.  Last Friday's match was against Blackpool, the team which Gordon West formerly played for: tonight we visit Bolton, Dennis Stevens' old club: and Saturday's trip to’ Blackburn means a match against Roy Vernon's former colleagues.  Our visits to Burnden Park, Bolton, and Ewood Park, Blackburn, both revive memories for me.  I was in the Hearts side which visited Bolton some four or five seasons ago to play the inaugural match under the club's floodlights.  Nat Lofthouse led Bolton’s attack on that occasion, and I think Dennis Stevens played 
THOMSON SWITCHED 
It was a night, too, that I am sure George Thomson will remember well. Hearts decided to experiment by switching George from his then customary wing-half position to left back. It was a turning pointin his career, for George was a great success in his new position and has never looked back.  Everton's visit to Blackburn on Good Friday last year was also a turning point. At that time little had gone right for us for some three months, and with Blackburn having played ten or so games without defeat, the odds looked stacked against Everton.  We managed to win 3-1, however, and I scored my first goals in English League football.  After this match Everton had a successful run and were eventually able to finish a respectable fifth in the First Division.  A similar run now—l'd  rather it started at Bolton  than Blackburn though—Probably  wouldn't worry Ipswich  and Burnley too much, but it  would almost certainly mean  that we finished in third place  this year. Here's hoping.
DISAPPOINTING 
Last Friday against Blackpool I was delighted to score a couple of goals, but it was disappointing we were not able to claim two points. After an indifferent first half, which I thought was due to the Blackpool defence playing exceptionally well, we had enough of the play during the second period to have put the issue beyond doubt.  Those who saw the game may have thought that after seeing Brian Harvey twice push the ball out to my feet and enabling me to score. I would have spent the weekend being grateful to Blackpool’s goalkeeper, but that was not quite so.  After scoring my second goal. I accidentally collided in mid-air with Brian and we fell to the ground, with him landing on top of me. Brian is (I am told) nearly 6ft. 2ins, tall and weighs (I know from experience) about 13st. I limped around on one good leg for the rest of the game, so, although with the expert help of our physiotherapist.  Norman Borrowdale, I am feeling OK, again now, my feelings about the Blackpool goalkeeper after the match were “painful” rather than “grateful."  Meanwhile, my F.A. Cup winning tip, Tottenham, have booked a dressing-room at Wembley on Cup Final day for the second successive year.  Burnley, however, who on form appeared to have an easier semi-final task than Spurs, must replay. It just goes to show that you never can tell what will happen in football—especially Cup football.
EUROPEAN CUP 
Perhaps it is just as well Spurs got through at the first attempt against Manchester United, for to-morrow evening they face Benfica in the second leg of their European Cup semi-final.  This time, despite the tremendous confidence I found among the Spurs players when we were at White Hart Lane ten days ago. I think Tottenham might find a three-goal winning margin a little beyond them.  I have a feeling Tottenham will beat Benfica this time, but by two clear goals, and this would mean a play-off in a neutral country.  Lastly to clear up a little difference of opinion with a Liverpool supporter. When I named Jimmy Greaves last week as the man Scotland would have to watch at Hampden. I wrote the article before the England team to meet Austria was announced and was not therefore assuming Roger Hunt would be dropped after one game for England. 

VERNON SCORES 100TH LEAGUE GOAL
Liverpool Daily Post, Thursday, April 5, 1962
EVERTON’S NEW ATTACK GAMBIT WAS NOT A SUCCESS
BOLTON WANDERERS 1, EVERTON 1
By Michael Charters
Everton tried a new attacking gambit at Bolton last night- Young played deep-at times he was behind his own half-back line-and Stevens and Vernon were employed as a double spearhead.  Although they gained a point the experiment was not a success because Everton apart from a fifteen minutes spell, in the second half once again revealed that strange and inexplicable lack of form away from Goodison Park.  The match was hard-fought and I thought a draw was a fair result with the defences at all times on top.  On balance Hopkinson was more busily employed than West who had good cover in front of him but Everton’s lack of drive amongst the forwards was once again evident.  In the opening minutes it looked as though the method of using Stevens to and shooting power to that of Vernon was going to pay off for the former Bolton player, captain for the game was put clean through from a fine pass by Meagan and his shot struck Hopkinson’s foot.  The game then settled into a stalemate and it was not until another twenty minutes had gone before either side could create a clear-cut opening and then Pilkington missed a fine chance when he failed to get the ball under control when through. 
SHOT DEFLECTED
On the half hour however Bolton took the lead through Rimmer, a hard working wing half.  It followed a free kick on the left awarded for a foul on Gabriel on Pilkington, Gabriel headed the ball out to Rimmer whose quick shot from 20 yards was deflected off a defender’s leg and went into the corner of the net giving West no chance.  Everton had not managed a single effective attack apart from the opening Steven’s move but three minutes before half-time they drew level with a penalty goal by Vernon.  On one of the few occasions Young moved up into the front line proper he flicked the ball forward to Vernon who seemed to be through but was brought down up Hartle.  Vernon made no mistake with the penalty kick, his hundredth league goal.  It was only in thee fifteen minutes or so after half time that Everton ever looked like winning their first away match since October.  Hopkinson made two fine saves from Vernon, who played much better in the second half than he did in the first when he hardly put a foot right.  To balance these Vernon efforts McGarry had two good shots just wide and West saved well from Pilkington. 
FIRST CLASS FORM
Harris also moved up to try and win the game for Everton but Hopkinson in first class form had little trouble in saving.  Apart from a great chance missed by Hill a few minutes from the end there was hardly an incident worthy of mention.  It was a dull and disappointing game hard and fast perhaps but lacking in the finer points.  The Everton players to take credit were Labone the outstanding player on the field, Gabriel and Harris with Meagan again doing quite well at full back.  I thought Temple was the best forward with some good second half runs, but generally speaking there can be little praise for this.  Everton forward line which seems to lose its way when not at Goodison Park.  Hill was Bolton’s best player and also the best forward on the field, while their half back line vied with Everton’s.  Bolton Wanderers; Hopkinson; Hartle, Farrimond; Threllfall, Edwards, Rimmer; Holden, Hill, Davies, McGarry, Pilkington.  Everton; West; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.  Referee; Mr. K.Howley (Middlesbrough).  Attendance 20,428.

HOOLIGANISM ON FANS’ TRAIN RETURNING FROM EVERTON MATCH AT BOLTON
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 05 April 1962
WINDOWS AND LAMPS BROKEN
RACKS TORN DOWN
SEATS SLASHED
There as hooliganism among the football fans returning to Liverpool last night after Everton’s Liverpool match with Bolton.  Considerable damage was caused to three compartments and a toilet on a special excursion train, which was delayed at Kirkby station for 20 minutes by someone pulling the communication cord.  As the train was passing through Orrell Station, one of the water cans, which are kept in the train toilets during the winter in case of frost, was flung through a window.  It did not hit anyone or cause any damage when it fell.  Damage in three coaches included broken windows, luggage racks torn down, seats slashed, lamp shades broken and bulbs missing.  One toilet was also damaged. 
MET BY POLICE
The train left Bolton at 9.55 p.m., and was due in Liverpool Exchange Station at 10;53 p.m.  Due to the delay at Kirkby it did not arrive at Exchange until 11;25 p.m, where it was met by railway police.  The train which stopped at Kirkby, Fazackerley and Kirkdale, arrived at Kirkby on time at 10.35 p.m.  Then someone pulled the communication cord and the train was unable to start again until the mechanism had been re-fixed.  By the time railway officials reached the compartment in which the cord had been pulled, the compartment was empty.  The train did not leave Kirkby until 10.55 p.m A British Railway spokesman said today that it had not yet been possible to assess the cost of the damage to the coaches. 

YOUNG EXPERIMENT WAS JUST TOO DEEP
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 05 April 1962
By Michael Charts
Everton's experiment, at Bolton last night, of playing  Young as a deep-lying provider of passes, with Vernon and  Stevens a double spearhead up front, failed because Young  was not happy with his task. In fact, he played so deep that  at times he could be found behind his own half-back line but  it was significant that when he moved up to do the job  intended, he made, indirectly, Everton's goal and also another  opening for Vernon which produced Everton's best shot of  the game.  The result 1-1 was a fair reflection of a hard, often disappointing game, which was saved from the mediocre by a 20-minute spell in the second half.  Bolton are a strong, forthright outfit who moved the ball swiftly and first time.  At times, this approach looked like paying off against Everton’s more skilful use of the ball, but in the end it was the defences who came out on top to produce something of a midfield stalement.  Everton’s failing-as ever in away games-was lack of thrust and enterprise by the forwards.  Vernon had a poor first half and Stevens was full of energy without achieving great results, although he had hard luck in the opening minute when a good shot was luckily diverted by Hopkinson’s foot, the Bolton goalkeeper sticking out his leg more as a reflex action than a save.  The inside men’s roles were reversed in the second half, with Vernon coming more into the game and Stevens fading against his old side.  But with Young so out of touch with the game generally, and plainly unsettled in a non-man’s land of his own making, Everton forwards disappointed once  again,  I thought Temple showed  some excellent touches at  times, but he spoiled some  brilliant approach work with  half-hearted finishing.  The Everton stars, as ever, were in defence. Labone was brilliant, commanding and masterful against the inexperienced Davies. The ex- Wrexham boy was never allowed more than a fleeting glimpse of the ball and only then in midfield when it did not matter much.  Meagan had another fine  match at full back, He compensates  for his lack of speed  with excellent positional  play and good football sense,  so that despite having a gash  on the leg which required  three stitches, he more than  satisfied with yet another  highly commendable game  out of his true position.  Thomson, I found, was  troubled with another pulled  muscle in the thigh which  kept him at half speed for an  hour, so that it was understandable  that he looked out  of touch,  Gabriel and Harris played  hard and well, while West had  very little to do because the  Bolton forwards, like  Everton's, failed to shoot  frequently.Bolton's best forward was Hill, a lovely mover with the ball, and excellent in his distribution.  McGarry, the  former Workington man in  whom Everton were  interested, hit two good shots  —one wide, one deflected  wide—in the second half, but  generally looked outpaced  and rather diffident.  Holden and Pilkington, on the wings, were more direct than their Everton counterparts but generally this was not a night for forwards.  Edwards and Farrimond stood out in a firm-tackling no-nonsense Bolton defence, with Hopkinson in great form on the few occasions Everton got through to test him. He made particularly fine saves from Vernon and Harris,but never looked likely to be beaten except by Vernon’s successful penalty kick.  This came three minutes from half-time when Young collected a poor throw by Hopkinson, slipped the ball inside to Vernon, took the return pass and chipped the ball forward. Vernon had collected the ball and was through when Hartle, the dour, uncompromising Bolton back, upended him without ceremony.  Vernon, with bitter memories of his missed penalty against Spurs, hit this one hard and true for his 100th League goal.  Bolton had taken the lead on the half-hour through wing half Rimmer, nephew of Ellis Rimmer. Gabriel headed out a free kick to Rimmer, whose shot was deflected away from West by a defender. Thiswas not a game to remember, but it brought Everton an away point and I think everyone was satisfied with the verdict.

EVERTON’S GESTURE
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, April 6, 1962
NEW CONTRACTS FOR INJURED TOM JONES AND WILLIE MAILEY
By Horace Yates
In the midst of their many problems, Everton remain true to the reputation they have gained down the years for fair treatment to their players.  Nobody was more surprised yesterday than Tommy Jones and Willie Mailey when they were called in to manager Harry Catterick’s office, presented with contracts for next season, and invited to “sign there” This they were only too happy to do, for neither of them has kicked a ball this year, following serious accidents received in Central League games earlier in the season.  Jones, a former club captain, smashed his knee cap at Barnsley on November 18, and although at first it was feared this might mark the end of a distinguished, career, he is making good progress towards recovery.  Next season will be Jones fifteenth with the club.  Mailey an eighteen-year-old Scottish goalkeeper broke his leg at Sheffield in December and it is still in plaster.  Obviously both players must have been worried about their future, and realising this chairman John Moores, put it to his directors that they should end all anxiety as soon as possible by reassuring the injured men about next season.  The board readily agreed and the two players became the first to re-sign for 1962-63. 
SAME TERMS
Their present contracts expire on June 30.  The new terms?  They will be exactly the same as those applying now.  Manager Harry Catterick told me last night; “I consider it a very fine gesture by the chairman and directors.  “I know it is one that the players concerned appreciate very much.  It has certainly helped to put their minds at rest.”  Everton’s team to visit Blackburn to-morrow will be announced today, after a decision has been taken regarding the fitness of George Thomson.  He was treated yesterday for a pull thigh muscle and last night the position was that Thomson must be considered a doubtful starter.  If Thomson should not be declared fit, it will mean that Everton will have lost both full-backs in a week for Alex Parker is to enter a nursing home on Monday, preparatory to undergoing a cartilage operation.  “I can’t complain” Alex told me.  “I am one of the lucky ones, for I am in my tenth playing season and this is the first really major injury I have suffered.  Frank Wignall is back in training and may be fit to play in the Central League team tomorrow.  Ronnie Clayton, the Blackburn right half, who had to withdraw as an England reserve against Austria because of a strained groin, hopes to be fit to play against Everton. 

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, April 6, 1962
LIVERPOOL AND EVERTON BASK IN LIMELIGHT
By Roy Vernon
Have you noticed how Everton and Liverpool players have pushed themselves into the international honours this season?  The clubs have supplied players to England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Eire!  St. John made himself Scotland’s recognised No.9, Billy Bingham kept the flag flying in the Northern Ireland team until this week, then there was great jubilation when Roger Hunt was recognised by England (with Melia as reserve, Mick Meagan has been chosen for Eire and now I have been recalled to the Welsh team.  No matter how many caps a player may collect (only Hunt is testing international soccer for the first time), the thrill of finding oneself included in a national team never rows any less.  That is as it should be, of course, for in my view once an honour becomes meaningless such a player is no longer fitted to represent his country.
NOT LOST SIGHT OF
The way in which Second Division players have been recognised this season must be a topic for them, for it has shown that they are not lost sight of, for I think it is just as difficult to shine in the lower regions as in the top flight.  One of the Welsh selections which has given me a great deal of satisfaction is that of Mike England, of Blackburn of centre half for I like to think I played some part in settling his feet on the way to a corner in football.  When I was about 16 I played with Mostyn Y.M.C., a North Wales side which had a reputation for trophy-winning and in the team was Mike’s father. We were good friends and young Mike used to come along to see the games.  He was not very big in those days (he is now over six feet) but it was obvious that he could play football.  I believe it was as an inside forward that he got into the Flintshire schoolboys side, but he was extremely versatile-and still it.  I recommended him to the Blackburn manager, who sent Mr. G. Morris, a scout who was responsible for my going to Rovers to take a look at him.  Mr. Morris liked what he saw and the result was that Mike was invited for a trial and made an immediate impression.  Since joining the ground staff he has played at full back, wing half and centre half, and both inside forward positions.  I am not joking when I say that he is quite a good goalkeeper as well!
UNLUCKIEST CLUB
In the midst of congratulations it is only appropriate we should spare a thought for Alex Parker, Everton’s Scottish right back, who has cartilage trouble.  He thought little about what seemed a slight knee injury in the Blackpool game but when the pain increased the full extent of the damage was discovered.  Alex is out for the rest of the season and if we are not the unluckiest club in the country regarding injuries then any team which takes the title from us have suffered indeed!  Check through our casualties this term-without going into the reserves.  In goal we have fared well, but George Thomson and Alex Parker, the backs have been injured, Jimmy Gabriel and Brian Labone have weathered the season pretty well, but Brian Harris had had to miss a game or two.  Billy Bingham had had his misfortunate’s, just as Bobby Collins did before leaving us for Leeds.  Alex Young had those troublesome blistered feet and Frank Wignall has had his thigh trouble.  In turn I have been out with muscle pulls and we have had problems of another sort at outside left. 

NICE GESTURE
Liverpool Echo- Friday, April 6, 1962
By Leslie Edwards
At least one Liverpool fan wrote to Rotherham thanking them for their share of an excellent game in most difficult conditions at Anfield recently.  That is why Mr. R. Hall, of Coniston Street, Liverpool, treasures this reply from Mr. G. E. Shaw the Rotherham manager:  “Thank you for your kind letter. It is always nice to hear of satisfied spectators and of a game in which both sides manage to combine good football and good sportsmanship.  We were sorry to lose, of course. as it meant the end  of our promotion hopes, but we should like to wish Liverpool  the success they so richly deserve and look forward to  seeing them do just as well in the First Division next  season as they have done in the Second this year.  Having gained a good point at Bolton, despite the absence of Alex Parker, Everton will doubtless feel more hopeful of their trip to-morrow to Blackburn where Roy Vernon will be as anxious, as Stevens was on Wednesday to do well against Ms Old team. Vernon is a football phenomenon—the Jimmy Wilde of soccer. A more unlikely looking prospect, physically, would be hard to find. He must be made of wire and whipcord to stand the bodily challenges he gets—and gives!—and there are few players stronger on the ball. How does a player so lightly built get such power into his shots? Timing! And only he knows the mysteries of that.  Meagan, it seems, has come to stay as a full-back. He’s always been a useful man to have about the place and if he had escaped that damaging back injury against Albion, at Goodison, seasons ago I think he would still have been delighting us with his wing half-back artistry.  It is significant that of all the reserve players available for the full-back vacancy Mr. Catterick has had to fall back on one of his reserve half-backs.  Blackburn can be a very good side on their own ground.  But they may be without their great motivating force. Clayton at wing-half. Douglas always poses a threat to any defence.  Matt Wood, once of Everton, we know to be a first-class  centre half-back, but will he be able to seize up and stood  the meanderings of Young' I doubt it. Given the ball where he can put it to best use—on the turf—Young could go far towards breaking Everton's aggravating spell of non-success in away games.

MR. TOMMY LEWIS
Liverpool Echo - Friday 06 April 1962
DEATH OF FORMER EVERTON PLAYER
The father of Kevin Lewis, the Liverpool F.C., player, Mr. Tommy Lewis, of Aldgate, Ellesmere Port, died suddenly at his home today.  He was 52.  Mr. Lewis, himself a well-known player in his younger days, at one time had played for Everton, Wrexham and Blackpool as a forward.  Some years ago, he had spell as team manager for Ellesmere Port Town F.C. Since 1947, Mr. Lewis had been employed as a process worker by Lobitos Oilfields Ltd at Ellesmere Port.  From 1953 until 1960 he was a member of the labour group on the Ellesmere Port Borough Council and has been chairman of the Parks Committee, he had also been prominently associated in the past with the organisation of Borough Sports Week in Ellesmere Port.  Mr. Lewis also took a deep interest in the welfare of old people in the borough and had been associated with a local organisation in that connection, often discharging the duties of compere at social and other entertainment. 

THOMSON AND VERNON ARE INJURED 
Liverpool Echo - Friday 06 April 1962
Everton Team at Blackburn 
By Leslie Edwards
Everton are forced to makes changes for the match at Blackburn to-morrow, Thomson and Vernon, both injured at Bolton on Wednesday, are not fit. Gannon comes in at left-back for Thomson, and Young fills the Vernon vacancy. Webber being introduced at centre-forward.  The club have so many injuries manager Harry Catterick jokingly suggested that selection of the team might profitably have been given to “Ernie” this week.  Everton.—West; Meagan, Gannon; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Webber, Young, Temple.  Fit again after a groin strain  which has kept him out for  two games, Ronnie Clayton,  former England skipper and  right-half, is back In Blackburn's  team. Ian Lawther, Irish international inside forward, has recovered from ‘flu which has kept him out for one game and also returns.  Blackburn Rovers; Jones; Taylor, Newton; Clayton, England, McGrath; Douglas, Lowther, Pickering, Thomas, Ratcliffe.

AND NOW VERNON
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday, April 7, 1962
By Horace Yates
The injury bogey, which has followed Everton so persistently from the beginning of the season, shows no signs of releasing its grip, even though we are now in the concluding weeks.  At Blackburn today they go into the fray with make-shift full-backs-left half Meagan reserve Gannon-and a rearranged forward line consequent on the unfitness of Vernon.  Parker is waiting a cartilage operation and Thomson after missing eleven games came back against Blackpool and pull a thigh muscle which could keep him in idleness for a fortnight or more.  This is cruel luck for Thomson-and for Everton.  Fortunately the rock of the team, the half-back line stands firm.  Without their solidity all through the season there would have been many more disappointments.  Vernon suffered a kick on the calf against Blackpool, the sort of injury which it was expected would present few problems, but in the final test Vernon had to be omitted.  Curiously enough, the match he misses is against his old colleagues at Blackburn and no player likes to stand down from these return visits.  Vernon is selected to play for Wales against Ireland at Swansea on Wednesday, and I understand he is considered to have a good chance of being ready. 
WIGNALL IN RESERVES
Young moves from centre-forward to inside left enabling Keith Webber to lead the attack in what will be his fourth senior game.  Wignall recovered from his thigh trouble plays against Barnsley in the Central League Fixture. Blackburn Rovers; Jones; Taylor, Newton; Clayton, England, McGrath; Douglas, Lawther, Pickering, Thomas, Ratcliffe.  Everton; West; Meagan, Gannon; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Webber, Young, Temple. 

YOUNG ENGINEER FIRST EVERTON GOAL FOR STEVENS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 07 April 1962
BLACKBURN 1, EVERTON 1
By Horace Yates
Blackburn Rovers; Jones; Taylor, Newton; Clayton, England, McGrath; Douglas, Lawther, Pickering, Thomas, Ratcliffe.  Everton; West; Meagan, Gannon; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Webber, Young (Captain), Temple.  Referee; Mr. T. Jennings (Stourbridge).  With Roy Vernon absent, Everton were captained for the first time by Alex Young. The ground was heavy and seemed certain to cut up.  The most thrilling incident in the opening 10 minutes was undoubtedly a save by West from Thomas. A goal appeared to be inevitable when Pickering crossed the ball to Thomas's left foot directly in front of the goal and only four or five yards out.  West got his hand to a ball destined for the top corner of net and richly deserved the ovation which came to him from all parts of the ground.  Webber was most unfortunate not to get a goal in 18 minutes for after Bingham had intercepted an ill-directed England pass, he crossed the ball invitingly.  Webber ran in at top speed success, and leaped off the ground as he tried to apply the finishing touch and it was a very relieved goalkeeper who saw the ball pass wide of the post.  Ratcliffe was having a warm time being brought down first by Gabriel and then by Gannon. Gannon followed with an obstruction on the player just inside the penalty area and from the free kick Gabriel headed clear. Young ended this period of Blackburn aggression by passing back to West for the goalkeeper to find Webber.  -This was the prelude to Everton taking the lead in 22 minutes. This goal was finely engineered by Young.  He placed the ball through so perfectly that England could not reach it and Stevens ran on to beat the advancing goalkeeper for his first goal since joining Everton from Bolton.  Everton put the Blackburn goal under severe pressure again and Bingham and Webber worked a shooting position for Stevens, who hit the ball first time, only to find Jones directly in the way.
CLEARED OFF LINE 
Blackburn strove desperately to wipe out their arrears and with Pickering struggling to reach Ratcliffe's pass, Labone was happy to concede a corner. Only a miracle clearance by Cannon prevented Blackburn from equalising for Lawther's shot had beaten West when Gannon cleared off the line.  Stevens was playing what was easily the best game I have seen from him since he joined Everton. He was looking for work, and showing a readiness with his shooting which was most encouraging.  Again Everton had West's superb goalkeeping to thank for staying in the lead.  McGrath sent Ratcliffe away and the winger crossed the ball in front of the goal, where Lawther hit a tremendous drive. West leaped up and took the ball just under the bar.  Stevens was fighting hard and strongly disputing possession of the ball time after time, and his example must have been a big encouragement to the other members of the Everton attack. Young was for the most part lying deep, with Stevens in the striker role.
AGILE WEST 
Labone, realising the power of Thomas's shot, did his side a favour when he crowded the Rovers inside forward at top speed to charge down one drive before it could go far.  Then Lawther lobbed a shot superbly to the side of West only to find the goalkeeper leaping across in the most agile fashion to bring the ball down.  The Rovers were enjoying far more of the attack than Everton and Ratcliffe and Douglas approach saw Lowther shoot just wide, with West diving across to take care of any possibility of danger.  Half-time. Blackburn nil, ‘Everton 1.  Everton turned on the pressure in the opening minutes of the second half, aided by two free kicks and a corner kick. It was the lively Bingham who came nearest to doing any damage with a finely-directed header which was only just off the target.  Temple was not able to make much of Taylor and it was Bingham on the other wing who made by far the greater progress.  Everton were worried for a moment when a free kick was awarded against them 10 yards outside the area and directly in front of the goal, but Clayton squandered the opportunity.  Meagan had his hands full with the elusive Douglas a task he tackled with greatest credit and a lot of success. 
TO THE RESCUE 
Jones came to the rescue of Blackburn in 52 minutes, when Gannon crossed the ball for Webber to head towards goal. It looked like a score all the way but Jones flung himself across to make a spectacular save. Although Meagan has an international engagement with Eire to-morrow he could not put more endeavour into his efforts.  Blackburn drew level in 55 minutes with a finely headed goal by Lawther. It was a foul by Gannon on Ratcliffe which opened up the way. Gannon was spoken to by the referee, and from the free kick Newton placed the ball invitingly high into the Everton goalmouth, Lawther went up and his header gave West no chance.  Everton struck back immediately and it was intelligent anticipation by Gabriel to allow Bingham's pass to go to the better placed Temple. The idea broke down when Temple was too surprised to avail himself of the opportunity.  Temple took a shot at goal from 15 yards outside the penalty area, but failed completely to get his weight behind the shot.  Everton were under-playing probably their strongest attacking card—Billy Bingham.  Whenever they looked threatening almost inevitably the Irishman had a part in their progress. 
WEST GOES OFF 
There was a momentary thrill when West dropped the ball from Douglas's corner kick and it was a relief to find Stevens there to kick clear.  West signalled that he had injured his hand and after receiving treatment from trainer Eggleston on the ground, West took off his jersey and handed it to Brian Harris before running into the dressing room. From the stand it looked as though West might have dislocated one or more of his fingers.  Stevens dropped back into Harris’ position and twice distinguished himself in keening the ball away from the eager Blackburn forwards.  Then there was a cheer to greet the reappearance of West, who raced back into goal.  West was still obviously affected by his hand injury and when a high ball crosses the goal he fisted it clear with the other hand.  Douglas dived spectacularly in the area, obviously in the hope that a penalty kick was merited. It was not by any, means and the referee was not deceived.  With only minutes left.  Stevens was given a chance from a free kick but sent the ball over the bar.  A second free kick taken by Bingham saw Gabriel's header lust skim the upper side of the bar. With only seconds left a McGrath shot found its way through a crowd of players in front of the goal and West had to dive across smartly to prevent a sensational finale.  Final: Blackburn Rovers 1, Everton 1.  Official attendance 13,200.

TWIST PUTS ME IN HOSPITAL
Liverpool Echo- Saturday, April 6, 1962
Writes Alex Parker
After nine years as a professional the curse of all footballers, cartilage trouble, has caught up with me.  It is only now that I realise just how little I knew about it.  People have told me they were surprised when they heard I would have to have an operation, but they were no more surprised than I was.  I have known dozens of players who have had cartilage trouble, but somehow I never thought it would happen to me.  Of course, you never do.  Although I suppose I might have expected it, as I have had everything else happen to my leg-the right one in every case- from a break when I was four to the pulled muscle which kept me out of the team at the beginning of this season.  And, knowing the way the injury jinx has been with the team lately, I suppose I should have realised it was about my turn again.  It started in the first half of our game with Blackpool as week yesterday.  With nobody near me, I twisted around to watch the flight of the ball at the other end of the pitch and I felt my right knee click.  I thought little of it, but mentioned it to our physiotherapist, Norman Borrowdale, at half-time.  I told him the knee was not bothering me, but he put something on it to keep the heat in and stop the swelling.  The knee clicked again a couple of times in the second half, and before I went home after the game Norman strapped it up. 
KNEE SWOLLEN
When I got up next morning, the knee was swollen to a fantastic size and I could hardly walk.  I reported to the ground, from where I was sent to Broadgreen Hospital.  You could have knocked me off the treatment table with a football programme when the specialist diagnosed cartilage trouble.  I had always imagined that the knee looked and you fell over, but apart from stumbling when the knee first clicked, I had felt hardly anything.  So that puts me out of the game for the rest of this season, and means I will have to spend the summer months getting the knee fit again for the big kick-off next August.  I have been up to the ground every day this week for treatment to get the swelling down.  The operation cannot be performed until my knee is back to normal size and, all being well, I shall be going into hospital on Monday.
THE FIRST
So next week’s article will probably be like an excerpt from “Emergency Ward 10” with me as the star.  This will be the first operation I have ever had in my life, but Tommy Jones, Mickey Lill and George Thomson, past cartilage trouble victims, tell me there’s nothing to worry about.  But I’ll still be glad when it is all over.  Whenever any of the players are limping it is a certainty that he will be nicknamed Chester, after the “Gun Law” character.  Guess who’s been Chester this week? On the brighter side we heard this week that Roy Vernon had been picked for Wales and Mick Meagan for Eire.  In Roy’s case it looks as if this might be the start of a long run of international appearances.  As he scored his 100th League goal on Wednesday night, it’s been quite a good week or him.  Mick’s honour was particularly welcome.  Although he has not been a regular in the first team this season, nobody deserves a cap more than he does.  He is an invaluable clubman, which has never been proved more conclusively than in the past few weeks. 
A NATURAL
He has played left half, left back and right back , and is such a natural footballer that he has never looked out of place.  Some players find it very strange to switch positions, even from left to right back.  It is not that their ability suddenly disappears, but they seem unable to adjust their positional play.  Not so with Mick.  His positional play is so good that he looks completely at home whatever number he has on his back.  And for such a small chap he has terrific courage.  He had to go off at Sheffield United to have stitches over his eye, and received a cut leg at Bolton which required another three.  So you can understand why everybody at the club is particularly delighted that he has been capped. 

EVERTON RES V BARNSLEY RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 07 April 1962
Everton Res; Dunlop; Parnell, Green; Rees, Heslop, Sharples; Lill, Shaw, Wignall, Tyrer, Veall.  Barnsley Res; Hill; Senior, Lawton; Smith, Winstanley, Rose; Mulligan, Kerr, Watson, Jagger, Wood.  Referee; Mr. F. Allerson (Rochdale).  Barnsley forced two corners in the first two minutes.  Following a right wing move, Jagger had a shot charged down by Sharples who, with Green, was being given a hectic time by the Barnsley right flank.  Mulligan burst through only to shoot hopelessly wide with only Dunlop to beat, before Sharples and Shaw enabled Lill to put in Everton’s first shot a yard beyond the far upright.  Lill sent in two good drives, one of which Hill turned over for a corner.  Rees made a good interception to Wood’s centre to prevent Watson getting in his shot, while Heslop was also doing good work in the Everton defence.  Kerr gave Dunlop no chance with a low drive after 31 minutes.  Tyrer should have equalised very soon afterwards but he ballooned his shot over the bar from eight yards.  Half-time;- Everton Res, nil, Barnsley Res 1. 

HEROIC DISPLAY BY WEST GAIMS EEVERTON POINT
Liverpool Daily Post –Monday, April 9, 1962
BLACKBURN ROVERS 1, EVERTON 1
By Horace Yates
After Everton had taken the lead in twenty-two minutes there was all the promise that this could be the first away victory since they won at Wolverhampton on October 14, but in the end it was  a game neither side deserved to win, with Everton’s chief satisfaction the superb performance of eighteen-year-old Gordon West, whose display of skill and courage in goal almost deserved a point in itself.  Two saves from Thomas in the first half were magnificent, but the shot he kept out from Lawther bordered on the miraculous Blackburn have a reputation for a shot-shy attack, but with West in this mood they might justly have claimed that nothing short of a machine gun could have made shots count. 
PAIN NO BARRIER
When West dislocated a finger in the last 20 minutes, punching clear from Douglas it was an ominous situation, but West was off the field only long enough for the Blackburn club doctor to put the finger back in place, for despite considerable pain, he raced back to finish the task so stout-heartedly begun.  Had West not resumed I believed Everton would have been beaten, for one diving save across goal demanded reach as well as anticipation, West had both.  Whether deputy Brian Harris would, we can only guess.  On a heavy, mud-bound pitch, which made a laughing stock of efforts to make the close passing game a paying proposition, both teams became leg-weary before the end.  I was disappointed to find Everton neglecting Bingham so badly in the second half after he had shown so clearly that this could have been one of his best days.  He made progress repeatedly and often got across centres very promisingly.  It was from one of his touches and Young’s best contribution of the match, that the great hearted Stevens held off two challenges to score Everton’s goal in 22 minutes and before this Bingham had laid on the opportunity of opportunities for the dashing Webber.  The centre forward beautifully placed put the ball outside when Jones task in goal was bearing such a hopeless appearance. 
DIFFERENT STEVENS
If circumstances were such that he could have a run of four or five first team outings in succession, it could be the best possible tonic for him, for it is not everybody who can step into a senior team and immediately hit peak performance.  Look at Stevens as a case in point.  Here we have a player of great experience, but in the process of settling in with new colleagues he has hardly created any great excitement.  On Saturday, however, in the first half particularly, we saw the sort of determination and drive which makes him a far different propositions.  This was outstanding thee brightest show I have seen from him and he was entirely convincing in the way he fought for the ball and so often was it.  His goal too, will be a great encouragement to him, for it was well taken and screwed out of a most reluctantly yielding defence.  Testiness, on both sides, would have been far better eliminated, and it was from a free kick against Gannon, not the first by any means, that gave Blackburn their opportunity to equalise in fifty-five minutes, Lawther heading home Newton’s inviting lob.  It was Gannon, and to a lesser extent Gabriel, whose tackles sometimes roused the crowd to outbursts of dissatisfaction, but Everton’s followers did not find it difficult to point out Blackburn indiscretions that were equally disturbing.  I have nothing but praise for Mick Meagan, who went into the match with a stitched skin, in a strange position, and with an international match in prospect the following day.  None of this worried Meagan in the slightest, not even the man-sized task of looking after Douglas.  Gabriel, despite his occasional robustness was a wonderfully effective half back, and came near to winning the game, while neither Labone nor Harris had cause to feel dissatisfied with their performance.  Blackburn Rovers; Jones; Taylor, Newton; Clayton, England, McGrath; Douglas, Lawther, Pickering, Thomas, Ratcliffe.
Everton; West; Gannon, Meagan; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Webber, Young, Temple.  Referee; Mr. E.T Jennings (Stourbridge).  Attendance 13,200. 

SENIOR CUP
Liverpool Daily Post, Monday, April 9, 1962
The date for the playing of the Everton v. Liverpool match in the semi-final of the Liverpool Senior Cup at Goodison Park, is not proving easy to fix.  Everton I believe, favour May 8, while Liverpool want May 3.  Everton are at Arsenal on May 1, and the night before Liverpool wind up their fixtures with a home game against Charlton.  It is expected that agreement will be reached this week, for what will be the last clash between the teams until they meet next season in Division One.  Presumably with Liverpool promoted, the Floodlit Cup will be put away into cold storage, and very useful purpose though it has served let us hope there will be no further need for it to be brought again. 
WEST’S X-RAY
Gordon West will probably have an X-ray taken of his injured hand today.  Such an examination had to be postponed over the week-end because of the swelling, but it seems likely that West may have to miss at least one match.  When Brian Harris deputised for a few minutes in goal at Blackburn, it was the second time he had been called on to pull the goalkeeper’s jersey over his head.  It last happened in October 1958 when a South African side were at Goodison.  O’Neill injured his knee, and subsequently required a cartilage operation.  Harris took over until Albert Dunlop could appear as substitute.  I am told that Harris has put in a little practice as a safeguard against such an eventually, but that the best non-goalkeeping goalkeeper Everton have is Frank Wignall. 

EVERTON RES 1, BARNSLEY RES 1
Liverpool Daily Post, Monday, April 9, 1962
After a most inept display Everton were lucky to salvage a point when Wignall equalised four minutes from the finish.  That they had to strive so long for a solitary goal was a sad reflection on the home attack, in which only Lill and Veall emerged with any sort of credit.  Kerr put Barnsley ahead after 31 minutes and the visitors seemed quite capable of preserving their lead until Wignall scored from an angled position. 

INJURED WEST GAVE HIS FINESTDISPLAY FOR EVERTON 
Liverpool Echo –Monday, April 9 1962
By Horace Yates
Gordon West, Everton's 18-years-old goalkeeper,will have his hand X-rayed to-day, following the dislocation of a finger in the match at Blackburn on Saturday, when he played a major part in enabling Everton to bring back a point, as a result of their 1-1 draw.  Even after his injury, when  he insisted on resuming, he  was still the man who denied  Blackburn with a magnificent  diving save that made him  wince with pain as he pushed  the ball clear with his,  damaged hand.  Three times in the first half he had kept out shots with a most remarkable series of saves, so that this was outstandingly the best display of goalkeeping I have seen from West since he joined Everton. 
DETERMINED STEVENS 
Only determination of the  highest order made this goal  possible and as this is not a  quality which it has always  been possible to praise in  Everton activities away from  home, the hope is that the  Stevens' spirit will become  infectious.  The chances were there for  Everton to have made this  their third away victory of  the season, but when one  remembers the doughty  deeds of West that kept  Blackburn at bay, it is not  too difficult to reconcile  ,oneself to the satisfaction of  a shared verdict, and as only  two teams have won at Blackburn, there must be obvious  merit in a point,  I had hoped that Young  would celebrate his firstappearance as captain of the  side with a memorable performance,  but while he  deserves every credit for his  part in the goal, he badly  missed the co-operation of  Vernon and seems happier  nearer goal than in fetching  and carrying for others.  Webber needs more experience to fit him for the hard school of First Division centre, forward play, and Temple, so promising and active against Blackpool, was hardly noticed at Blackburn. Bingham, despite having his, hand used as a stepping stone, was in his most forceful mood.  Everton's attack lost much of its incisiveness when Bingham was neglected in the second half, for he had been, with Stevens, the most progressive member of the line. Gannon must be given full credit for his goal-line save before the interval after West had been beaten, but like Gabriel, some of his tackling did nothing to endear him to the crowd.  Everton were not the only culprits in this connection, but the pity of it was that fouls should have been in evidence so much.  Webber’s task was not made any easier by the unceremonious treatmenthe received, but one thing he does not lack is courage. 
MIGHTY MEAGAN 
It was after Gannon had fallen foul of the referee following his unshipping of Ratcliffe, that Blackburn snatched their chance to equalise.  Lawther, hardly the success hoped for at Blackburn, headed home a free kick from Newton (55 minutes) and though with it, disappeared any genuine chance Everton may have had of winning the game, it would be difficult to query the justice of it.  As usual, the Everton half back play was of a high order and Pickering in particular, must have despaired of ever making much progress against Labone, but the man for whom a special word of praise undoubtedly is due, is Mick Meagan.  The task of subduing Douglas was possibly the biggest of the afternoon, and the fact that Ratcliffe turned out to be Blackburn's most dangerous forward, shows that Meagan did not strive in vain.  Certainly the thought of having to play for his country the following day did not deter Meagan from giving everything he had for Everton.  I was interested in the display of England, the new  centre half for Wales, and  found many qualities to  admire, even if, in my opinion,  they did not add up to international  standard or a regular  club plies in competition with  a fit Matt Woods.  The promise is there undoubtedly, and one day England will justify the good’ things being said of him.

EVERTON FANS WIN PRAISE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 09 April 1962
Approximately 500 Everton supporters returned from Blackburn by train on Saturday and received maximum marks from British Railways for good conduct.  A spokesman for British, Railways told the Echo to-day:  "After the extensive damage done to coaches of the special train that took Everton supporters to Bolton last Wednesday we were apprehensive about what would happen on Saturday. There was however absolutely no damage to the special train on Saturday, and we must pay tribute to the behaviour of the 500 supporters who took advantage of the facilities laid on by British Railways. We have nothing but praise for them on Saturday." 

SHAREHOLDERS OPPOSE MOVE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 09 April 1962
EVERTON BOARD PROSPAL
By Leslie Edwards
Everton F.C Shareholders Association are to oppose the proposal by the club to reduce the number of directors.  The special resolution empowering the club to do this will be voted on at the extraordinary general meeting of the company on April 17. A three-quarters majority is necessary to change the club’s Articles of Association.  Shareholders’ Association members have been circularised as follows by Mr. P.L. Parry, the association honorary secretary; “You will by now have had time to consider fully the letter received from the club giving details of the special resolution to be put at the extraordinary general meeting of the club.  “The Shareholders Association Executive has discussed this matter carefully and at length and has decided to oppose the resolution as not being in the best interests of the shareholders.  “Should you not be able to attend this meeting and like-wise wish to sign if your opposition a proxy card is enclosed for your convenience. “ 
MAJORITY VIEW
A member of the Shareholders’ Association said today.  “The Association since its foundation in 1938 has attempted to represent the opinions of what might be called the minority’ shareholders i.e., those holding small numbers of shares.  “It argues that it would not be to the best of the club or the shareholders if control of club affairs was vested in too few hands.  “It is also argued that the fewer the places on the Board the less chance there will be of ‘minority’ shareholders being represented. “ 

LETTERES
Liverpool Echo-Tuesday, April 10, 1962
B.J. Keoghan (3 School Lane, Walton), writes;- “After reading about Roy Vernon being a one-time Everton discard it made me think of other fine players who were at one time or other considered unsuitable for Everton.  Bobby Collins, George Hannah and Bill Holden were on the Everton’s books as youngster.  Matt Woods was told he was told he would never be a first timer and George Cummins was realised before his full potential was recognised.  “Recently Everton have been complaining about inadequate reserve strength; yet their cast-offs, Graham Williams and Brian Godfrey have been playing for Wales and John Bramwell is now captain of Luton.  Furthermore, how can Everton expect to get the best out of their reserves when they prefer to play men out of position rather than give a youngster a chance to gain experience?  “You may think I am being too hard on a club trying to provide a top-class team for this city.  However these blunders only serve to frustrate me and many other Evertonians who have been waiting too long for Everton to win a major honour. 
SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL
Everton and Liverpool have arranged to play their Liverpool Senior Cup semi-final at Goodison park on Tuesday, May 8 kick-off 7.30 p.m.  The winners will meet Tranmere Rovers in the final.  Everton announce that usual league prices of admission will be charged for all parts of the ground and stands.  Reserved tickets for the Bullens Road and Goodison Road stands at 8s each will be available for personal applicants at the club offices or from Messrs Jack Sharp from Wednesday April 23.  Shareholders and stand season tickets holders will be given priority if they enclose the semi-final voucher from the back of the season ticket books.  All applications by post should contain remittance and stamped, addressed envelope, marking the outside of the envelope “season” ticket holders” or “Shareholders” as the case may be. 

EVERTON NEW
Liverpool Daily Post, -Wednesday, April 11, 1962
By Horace Yates
Everton are still awaiting the X-ray verdict on Gordon West’s injured finger, before any opinion can be expressed on the likelihood of his playing against West Ham at Goodison Park on Saturday.  It seems that Everton will probably have to field reserve full back again, for manager Harry Catterick told me last night.  There is very little hope of George Thomson being fit in time.  Everton announced yesterday that May 8 has been agreed with Liverpool for the playing of the Liverpool Senior Cup semi-final at Goodison Park. 

FROM THE MANAGERIAL CHAIR
Liverpool Daily Post –Wednesday, April 11 1962
STRAIN PROVED TOO MUCH FOR GALLANT SPURS
By Harry Catterick
Hard luck Sours.  Once again the strain of a full League competition allied to a successful Cup run has proved too much for the London Club as it did for Manchester United previously.  They made a gallant effort to beat the holders, Benfica and thus qualify to be the only club from these islands to play in the European Cup final.  Not only do they drop out of the competition but they are not likely to be eligible to enter next season.  No doubt this will cause them to redouble their efforts at Wembley in May and, therefore, by winning accept a place in the European Cup Winners competition as a substitute.  As things stand Burnley look best-placed to lift the League championship, despite the magnificent challenge of Ipswich Town and renew their European Cup rivalry of a year ago.  This added plum with its financial advantage to both clubs and players makes the winning of the League championship even more attractive than ever before.  There is no club in the country that does not have an extra urge to win the honours as things are now.  But the strain of playing forty-two League matches F.A Cup and local Cup-ties and European Cup matches is tremendous.  Not only that but in this country, we have to suffer extreme weather conditions.  Once that happens with the consequent cancellation of the normal week-end programme any club so involved faces great problems.  Burnley for instance, have quite a back-log of League games to make up, and they cannot afford to relax one little bit if they want to add League honours and further Continental travelling to their future programme.  At one time I had high hopes that we would be in a challenging position to take advantage of any slips by the leaders.  Unfortunately, those hopes have not been justified by recent results. 
INJURY FACTOR
The injury situation at Goodison Park this season has been something that I have never before experienced-or even hope to again- in my unbroken connection with the game.  One has only to take a glance at the League table to see that if our away results had been just 50 per cent better we would indeed be in a very happy position for taking those Continental trips ourselves next campaign.  While we shall all battle on to the very end to attain the highest position possible, we will all be thinking very greatly of improving matters next season.  Two points at home and one away has always been the accepted formula for championship honours.  Our tally ay Goodison is well up to statistical requirement; but only at Goodison. 

POOR AWAY RECORD LED TO CHANGE IN TACTICS 
Liverpool Echo-Wednesday 11 April 1962
By Everton’s Alex Young
With only 9 points gained and 18 goals scored in 16 League matches away from Goodison Park this season, we made all-out efforts to secure an elusive away victory at Bolton and Blackburn last week, but the ball did not run as kindly for us as it might have done and we had to be content with a draw in both games.  Both matches provided a new experience for me. At Bolton I took on the role of a deeply , lying centre forward for the first time, and when I captained Everton at Blackburn, it was the first occasion during my professional career thatI should play  I have been called on to lead a side. Since the Bolton game I have spoken to one or two Everton followers who have said that in their opinion the deep lying centre forward plan was not a success, but I cannot agree. Throughout the season our usual stylea little success away from Goodison Park. Therefore the onlycourse opens to our manager. Mr Catterick, was to alter the style away from home.  So last Wednesday it was planned that I should play deep and act as a link between the half back and forward lines, taking play out towards the wings in an effort to create openings for Roy Vernon and Dennis Stevens in the middle of the field.  Although our goal came from a penalty kick, it was these tactics which produced the opening and there were several other occasions when they might have produced goals if the ball had run well for us.  They did not work as well as they might have, I admit, possibly due to the fact that not being accustomed to the deep lying game. I played it a little too deep, but nevertheless I think they are worth another try on some future occasion when conditions and the tactics of the opposition are favourable.  Roy's goal was his 100th in League football with Blackburn and Everton,but unfortunatelyinjury prevented him from starting on his second century against Blackburn on Saturday. It meant an end to my deeplying centre forward days and I moved over to play the orthodox style inside left game, with Keith Webber coming in at centre forward. 
FIRST GOAL 
This was not a great match from the football point of view and the highlights, in my opinion, were Dennis Stevens’ goal — his first for Everton-and four brilliant saves by Gordon West.  During the match, Gordon had the misfortune to dislocate a finger and retired to the dressing room for treatment.  Our goalkeeper is one of the keenest footballers, and, the Blackburn doctor told meafterwards that as soon as he replaced Gordon's finger in position, he dashed out of the dressing room and back towards the pitch, being in so much of a hurry that he slipped over on the way out.  With considerable rain during the week, the Ewood Park pitch was ankle deep in mud. These conditions mean that football becomes 10 per cent, skill and 90 per cent, brute strength, and provide, a ready-made answer to those who ask why British soccer produces so few of the type of ball artists se have come to associate with Continental and South American football.  After that hard match at Bolton and the tough tussle in the Blackburn mud, I reallyenjoyed a day's rest on Sunday, and sympathise with Micky Meagan, who played in both these games and then had to turn out for Eire against Austria on Sunday.  However, typical of the grand sportsman he is, Mick took everything in his quiet, unassuming way without a word of complaint.  Before leaving for Bolton last Wednesday, I was able to watch England's fine display against Austria, Johnny Haynes, I thought, played the best game we have seen from him for some time, while Roger Hunt also did exceptionally well.  It  is most unfortunate for  the Liverpool inside right  that England have a player  of Jimmy Greaves' calibre to  step into his place against  Scotland on Saturday, but if after this fine performance  he doesn't go to Chile, then  I'll be very surprised.  As a Scot, I am naturally hoping my home country will  be successful at Hampden, but don't think this is a  match in which it would be  wise to try and forecast the  result. England did so well against Austria, and although they have made three changes in attack this means that they now field the forward line responsible for beating the Scots 9-3 at Wembley last season.  Congratulations to Ian St.  John on again being chosen to lead the Scottish attack, and also to his Liverpool colleagues Roger Hunt and Jimmy Melia, who have been named among England’s World Cup possibles.  Some of the omissions from this list, however, surprise me, among them Brian Labone, Bolton's goalkeeper Eddie Hopkinson, and Johnny Byrne, whose new club, West Ham, visit Goodison on Saturday. 

EVERTON NEWS
Liverpool Daily Post- Friday, April 13, 1962
By Horace Yates
It must make Everton manager, Harry Catterick, slightly envious that Liverpool, with no match at all to worry them this week-end, are able to announce a completely clean bill of health, while Everton, for the visit of West Ham tomorrow, look like being without West, and again having to play substitute full backs.  The x-ray of West’s hand shows no fracture, but a rest may be considered advisable.

ROY VERNON SAYS...
Liverpool Daily Post, Friday, April 13, 1962
HURRAY ALONG LIVERPOOL, WE ARE WAITING...
The outbreak of smallpox near enough to Swansea to cause the postponement of Liverpool’s visit League game there tomorrow leaves Liverpool supporters suspense for yet another week, when all they want is to celebrate the big moment when they know beyond all doubt that next season will see them in the First Division.  I can sympathise.  I have been through the ordeal and no matter how anybody tells you to the contrary, it is an ordeal.  For all that it means the Kop will be in uproar the following Saturday if Liverpool lay the Southampton bogey before their great band of supporters. Even if they should fail on the Saturday they are at home again on Easter Monday, so that they have two bites at the promotion cherry at Anfield.  Of course, if Plymouth should go down at home to Bury on Saturday and Sunderland can do nothing better than draw at Luton then promotion is achieved without another blow being struck.  I think it is too much for Liverpool to expect Plymouth to oblige them two weeks in succession and they will have to do the last act for themselves.  We at Everton are very interested in the progress of our rivals.  We want them in Division One.  Make no mistake about that.  Football next season will be a lot livelier in this city if both camps can compare performances against the same clubs. 
QUICK REPLY
Now, when Liverpool stick out their chests and hear of their gallant deeds we find the answer too easy- “Yes against second rate stuff!  I think we shall find it a lot harder to make an effective come-back if Liverpool do an Ipswich next season.  Liverpool have revelled in the why honours have been bestowed in their players this season but I guaranteed they will not want to see the names of Roger Hunt or Jimmy Melia in the England team to oppose Switzerland on may 9.  Why?  For the very good reason that on May 8 Everton are at home to Liverpool in the semi-final of the Liverpool Senior Cup.  I am one who takes these meetings very seriously and when Everton win I like to think that we have beaten Liverpool’s strongest team.  Let us hope then that both clubs are spared further injuries and that England can manage without any of the Merseyside players against the Swiss.  By then Liverpool I believe will be a First Division club, and we shall be only too pleased to show them the type of tussle that is waiting for them just around the corner.  I am not being conceited when I say that if they can give a good show against us at Goodison Park then they can face the future full of hope, for no matter what Everton may have done away from home, we have been a match and more for most of the League clubs on our own ground. 
THOSE INJURIES
How great a part have injuries played in our results this season?  It is a problematical question for we can only guess at the answer.  But don’t you think of we had not been playing without this player or that all important members of the team, from time to time, it would have meant the difference of another five or six points to us?  Just add those points to our present total and see what the effect would have been!  Everton would have been putting the cat well and truly among the Burnley and Ipswich pigeon, and every match to the end of the season would have been like a Cup-tie.  We hear some moans and groans about Everton having let their supporters down this season, but have we?  To finish in the top four, if we can make it, will not be a bad performance and when we went out of the Cup, it was at the hands of Burnley.  Once again, let me remind you that apart from Manchester City’s 6-2 turn up, Everton’s 3-0 is still the soundness drubbing Spurs have received this season! 

WEST HAM HERE
Liverpool Echo- Friday, April 13 1962
By Leslie Edwards
The home game is at Goodison Park, where Everton heartened by draws at Bolton and Blackburn, come back to the ground which has given them the edge over so many of their opponents this season.  West Ham United, who can be a very useful side, may make a close issue of it, particularly as George Thomson and Alex Parker, the backs who have become such regulars until injury struck them down, are both unavailable.  The Press Everton have been getting from some away fixtures has disturbed some of their followers and. I daresay, people more closely connected with the club. The word brawl has appeared too often. Granted it makes two teams to make a battle, or brawl, Everton have been involved, in away matches, in too many games which have rated the use of such unsavoury words.  My view is that Everton are likely to succeed best when they set out to play artistically, entertainingly. It may be argued that this gets them nowhere against tough opponents, but equally one can be sure that they will get nowhere plus if they not out to try to match toughness with toughness. They just haven't got the physical attributes to compete with teams who are known as experts in mixing skill with power.  The referees, of course, are partly to blame for much of the foul play which occurs. By condoning one offence they encourage the commission of others and by the time the game gets under way it has gone beyond their control and anything goes—except players to the dressing-room!  The Blackburn manager, Mr. Marshall, complained of referees of this sort in his programme this week. Was it significant that he wrote immediately after the contentious game at Ewood against Everton? Your guess is as good as mine.  Everton established in pre-war days a splendid reputation for sportsmanship and good performance. This has been tarnished a little since, but I heir that the people who matter at the club are those who are most anxious that the old reputation shall be maintained. More power to their elbow. If they ever took action to back this aim all the better.

WEST UNFIT, DUNLOP PLAYS
Liverpool Echo - Friday 13 April 1962 
THOMSON BACK FOR EVERTON
By Leslie Edwards
Gordon West, the young goalkeeper Everton signed from Blackpool a month ago, misses his first match for his new club to-morrow. The index finger he dislocated at Blackburn on Saturday will prevent him from playing against West Ham, at Goodison Park, tomorrow, and will probably cause him to miss the next three games. Dunlop is chosen as deputy, Meagan remains at right back and Thomson, who unexpectedly passed a fitness test today, is his partner.  West Ham bring seven forwards.  Included is John Dick,who has missed the last five games through injury.  Alex Parker had his cartilage operation on Wednesday.  Mailey, the reserve goalkeeper, who broke a leg, is now in light training, and Tom Jones, another casualty, is doing remedial exercises.  Everton.—DunIop: Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham,  Stevens, Young, Vernon,  Temple.  West Ham;.-Leslie:  Kirkup. Bond; Hurst, Brown,  Moore; (from) Woodley, Sealey,  Woosnam, Byrne, Tindall, Dick, Musgrove.  VERNON IN WELSH TOUR PARTY 
Roy Vernon, chosen by  Wales to tour Brazil and  Mexico next month, may  have to miss the first of  three games because  Everton have an important  Cup game against  Liverpool on the day he  is due to fly with the  Welsh party from  London. May 8.  Everton manager, Harry Catterick, said to-day:  "Whether Roy stays to help us in the match against Liverpool or is released to travel with the Welsh party, is entirely a matter for the board."  The public in Liverpool,  keen on the first equal-status  match between the city rivals  —and Liverpool are almost  sure to be promoted before  the date of the match—are  anxious to see both sides at  full strength. 

THOMSON PLAYS
Liverpool Daily Post, Saturday, April 14, 1962
By Horace Yates
If Everton are to gain a place in the first four they must beat West Ham at Goodison Park today, for in view of the difficulty they find in extracting full points away from home, it is essential that no ground should be lost where they are most impressive.  George Thomson passed a fitness test yesterday and his return to left back is one of the five changes made in the team which drew at Blackburn.  If West is available for the Easter games I gather manager Harry Catterick will be pleasantly surprised, but with a capable deputy like Dunlop available, Everton have had greater worries to ponder over during the course of the season.  Meagan, the utility defender, stands in this week for Alex Parker, while Vernon returns to the forward line, enabling Young to revert to centre forward, to the exclusion of Keith Webber.  West ham’s expensive leader Byrne, is one of the seven forwards named by the Londoners, and he has yet to score his first goal for his new club. A name Everton with view with profound respect is that of John Dick, who returns after missing five games through injury.  Dick is just the sort of forward who could help to convert Everton into a much more dangerous side, for he is a remarkably dangerous shot.  Everton had the wining of the earlier game at West ham until Dick in two explosive minutes converted an Everton lead into 2-1 arrears.  I cannot see a lot of danger to Everton from this clash for West ham’s recent record could hardly have been less impressive.  They won at West Brom on March 31, but it represents their only victory in their last nine matches.  Everton; Dunlop; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.  West ham United; Leslie; Kirkup, Bond; Hurst, Brown, Moore; (from) Woodley, Sealey, Woosnam, Byrne, Tindell, Dick, Musgrove. 

THOMSON AND DUNLOP BACK TODAY
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 14 April 1962
WEST HAM’S VISIT A FAIRY STIFF TEST
By Leslie Edwards
Everton have a fairly stiff test to-day against West Ham. At full strength Everton would have a distinct "edge" but Parker, who was operated on for cartilage on Thursday is absent and so is young Gordon West, the goalkeeper who has done so well for his new club since he joined them from Blackpool about a month ago. Meagan retains the Parker position and Albert Dunlop keeps goal.  West's dislocated index finger will probably keep him out of the side for a fortnight, which means that he is likely to miss four games; Parker will not play again this season and Tom Jones and reserve goalkeeper Mailey are hardly likely to.  One way and another it has been a pretty frustrating time for Harry Catterick, so far as injuries are concerned, but ill-luck in these things seems to go in cycles and most clubs in every division suffer in their turn.  Fortunately, George Thomson, who missed the Blackburn match, passed a fitness test yesterday after it had been expected that he would not have recovered in time to play. His return to the side will stiffen the defence, which has been so fallible—especially in away games—during his long absence.  West Ham bring seven forwards from which to choose.  They can be a good side, but Everton’s record at home this season suggests that they will pick up both points and so keep themselves in the running for talent money.  Much as Everton fans will hope that Roy Vernon will be available for the big cup game against Liverpool on May 8, he can only play that night if his club refuse to release him to travel with the Welsh party which flies to South America earlier that day.  Liverpool and Everton will both want to keep faith with their public by playing their strongest possible sides, and if either team cannot put on the field their best, much of the charm of the game disappears.  That is why Everton.  I think, will ask Vernon to stay on for the match and travel later.

YOUNG MAINSPRING OF LIVELY EVERTON LINE
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 14 April 1962
DUNLOP’S EXTRAORDINARY PENALTY SAVE
EVERTON 3, WEST HAM 0
By Michael Charter
Everton; Dunlop; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.  West ham United;- Leslie; Kirkup, Bond; Hurst, Brown, Moore; Woosnam, Tindall, Byrne, Dick, Musgrove.  Referee; Mr. H.G. Wilson, (Stockton-on-Tees). 
Everton were the first to make an impression thanks to Young whose fine run took him into the penalty area, where he slipped the ball across for Stevens, but the inside forward mishit his shot and Leslie blocked the ball. The West Ham defenders, inches taller than the Everton forwards, found it easy to cut off  Everton centres in the air, but the home forwards were  moving well in these early stages with Young seeming to have a good deal of room in which to work. Young, with a superb side- footed flick pass to Vernon opened the way for Everton's leading scorer to hit the ball on the run, but Leslie made a fine full length save. Vernon seemed to have scored with a fine header from t a pass by Stevens.  Leslie mishandled the ball in the air, and it struck the inside of the upright and appeared to go over the line.  The referee first pointed to centre, but then after running over to speak to a linesman signalled play to go on. 
LATHERGIC ATATCK
West Ham at times looked  quite lethargic, particularly in  attack, and Everton were  the sharper more decisive  side at the moment,  very well again, moving about to the wings and invariably  making good use of the ball.  The first dangerous West Ham attack came after 11 minutes as Woosnam got the ball across to Tindell who brought it down well from an awkward position and then sent a volleyed shot high and wide.  Young's artistry brought plentyof appreciation from the crowd, but after their early shots at Leslie, the Everton forwards were not making much headway in the penalty area now.  Dunlop was mainly employed collecting back passes from his defenders and there were quite a few of them as Everton comfortably broke up West Ham's attacks. 
NARROW ESCAPES 
A good Everton move started by Harris and carried on by Temple ended with, Stevens ballooning the ball 20 yards over the bar from about 12 yards range. It was a difficult chance taken with a quickly moving ball coming straight at him.  Everton had more hard luck when a beautiful shot from Gabriel from the edge of thepenalty area beat Leslie but hit the cross bar and bounced out for Brown to kick hurriedly away for a corner.  From Temple's flag kick Gabriel went up well and headed just wide for two first rate efforts which deserved a better fate. 
EXCELLENT SAVE 
Leslie made another excellent save from Vernon, similar to the one he had made on the opening minutes.  Again Young was instrumental in creating the opening with the brilliant body swerve which took him away from Brown before crossing the ball to Temple whose pass gave Vernon the shooting opening.  Stevens had a wonderful chance to open the scoring forEverton; Meagan began the move when he floated the ball down to Young whose pass inside beat the West Ham defence and gave Stevens a simple looking chance. He hit the ball weakly, however,and sent it wide.  Young was delighting the crowd with his artistry and next we saw him in the role of shooter when he hit a surprise shot from 25 yards which hit the netting support outside the upright with tremendous force.  Young took a right wing corner and sent it right across goal to the unmarked Temple, whose downward header as he ran in was sent for a corner by Brown. 
STEVENS’ GOAL
Everton had won numerous corners so far but had failed to make sure any use of them, West ham’s big defence was often made to look cumbersome by the cleverness of the Everton forwards who had been unlucky with their shooting and had also found Leslie in fine form.  Four minutes before half-time Everton at last got the goal they deserved with a neat effort by Stevens.  They had been consistently on the attack and when Meagan pushed the ball up to Vernon the Welshman slipped it further on to Stevens, who seeing that Leslie had moved six yards out of goal, lobbed the ball cleverly from 20 yards over the goalkeeper’s head into the roof of the netting.  This was Stevens’ first goal at Goodison and followed the one at Blackburn last Saturday.  Just before half time Temple weaved his way clearly through a packed penalty area, but his left foot shot went just wide.  This ended a fantastic first half in which Dunlop had not had a save to make, and Everton had been on attack practically the whole time.  Half-time; Everton 1, West Ham Utd nil.  A minute after half time Everton were two goals in front, thanks to a brilliant effort by Vernon,although once more considerable credit goes to Young.  Bingham centred hard and Young brought the ball down very cleverly and flicked it only a couple of yards to Vernon. Vernon burst through, shrugged off two tackles, and crashed the ball passed Leslie front close range.  The best move West Ham had shown the entire match followed with the ball moving neatly down the left, as Moore slipped it across to Musgrove whose fierce shot when angled went high over the bar. 
AT CROSS-PURPOSES 
Bingham and Musgrove got,at cross-purposes after the referee had awarded a foul against the Everton winger.  Everton still continued in command and Vernon almost got through after Brown had failed to check a pass by Young, Leslie, coming far out of goal, was able to intercept the ball just before Vernon reached it. 
PENALTY SAVE 
Ten minutes after half-time West Ham, on one of their rare attacks, were awarded a penalty when Thomson handled the ball from a centre by Moore.  Bond took the kick and Dunlop achieved one of the most unusual penalty saves ever seen. Bond sent the ball hard and low straight at Dunlop, who trapped it between his feet and reached down to complete the clearance with his hands.  West Ham were moving with a little more purpose now although Everton were still the superior side in skill and tactics.  Byrne, who looked far from  being the high-priced player  he is, did have a chance when  he took the ball down the left,  but in trying to work his way  into a shooting position he took too much time and Harris  was able to head the ball clear.  Gabriel was unlucky again, with another fine shot which Leslie saved well, and Everton at this stage were continuing to have the command they had in the first half.  West Ham showed poor team work and a lack of snap in attack. 
MUCH TO ADMIRE 
Meagan was doing very well  at full hack once more, always  using the hall wisely, while  Lab one and Thomson were  just as effective. The game lacked sustained interest, but there was much to admire in the attack with Vernon and Young doing so well.  Young, Vernon and Stevens combined to try to force their way down the middle, and Vernon almost got there with the final pass, but the ball was cleared down the left wing to Musgrove, who tried an“impossible” shot from such an angle that he had very little chance of succeeding.  Stevens hit a shot 10 yards wide and this was followed by Bond, moving up into the attack, putting one even further wide of the post than that. West Ham's play was sluggish to a degree and their method of using so many back passes caused them to look very sow on the move.  Everton showed the right idea when Harris slipped the ball inside to Vernon and then went streaking down the gap  in the middle as Vernon  despatched a lovely through ball which Harris almost reached, but Kirkup camel  across to clear. 
EASY GOING 
Everton were finding it easy going against one of the poorest teams seen at Goodison this season, and had they been six goals in front instead of two it would only have been a true reflection of their superiority.  Hurst almost headed through his own goal in intercepting a header from Temple and it was still Everton consistently on attack.  After 73 minutes Temple scored with a suburb volleyed shot. From a centre by Bingham, Temple  moved In from the left,  waited for the ball to drop  to his right foot, and hit the  ball with such force from  only 10 yards range that  was remarkable it did not  remove the net from its supports -a perfect volley  such as one rarely see come  off. 
PONDSROUS DEFENCE 
Musgrove then came up  with West Ham's best shot of  the game—a low left footer  which flashed narrowly wide,  and then it was Everton on  attack once again with Gabriel  and Harris moving up to join  their forwards in running  rings around this ponderous  West Ham defence.  West Ham played now as though they had lost interest in attack and Everton, too, had lost something of their steam.
CROWD LEAVING 
One could understand why many people were leaving the ground ten minutes before the end as the match had become so one sided with Everton strolling along to one of their most comfortable wins of the season. 
DUNLOP'S SAVE 
Five minutes from the end Dunlop made a wonderful save from Woosnam after Everton’s defence had slackened for the first time in the game.  Final: Everton 3, West Ham United 0. Official attendance.-45,171.
Lancashire League

• Everton A 1, Man United A 3
• Everton B 6, Manchester city B nil. 

A CLOSE SEASON TO SPEND TRAINING
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 14 April 1962
NO BREAK FOR ME, SAYS ALEX PARKER

Well, that's that over. At 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday, I had my cartilage operation and now I’m just waiting to leave hospital so I can get on with what will certainly be the long job of getting fit again. I wrote the other week that we Everton players had been either training or playing since July 1960, and I confess that I was really looking forward to the coming close season for a break from football.  But I'm afraid that it's right out of the question. I shall have to spend every possible moment in a bid to get fit for the stall of next season, in August;I don’t plan on missing that. It is Thursday as I write this and my knee is still sore, but I am told that will only last a day or two.  I am keeping in touch with what is going on in the football world with the help of newspapers and visits from friends.  Perhaps I'll be able to find out for myself soon for I ant hoping to be out arid about again towards the end of next week.  It is through the papers I learned that Roy Vernon played so well for Wales against Ireland on Wednesday and that he has made sure of a place on the Welsh tour to South America this summer. 
THE STAND 
Only last Saturday, Roy was with George Thomson and I on the injured list, and the three of us were spectators at the game with Blackburn.  Much as I enjoy playing,don't think it does any harm to sit back and watch every so often.  I must say that I thought  it was one of the hardest  games I have ever seen, but  this could be because I was  sitting in the stand and not  playing.  It has long been a theory of mine that very often tackles look much tougher to the spectator than they really are.  I found it amusing to hear the comments of the crowd. There was one Blackburn fan sitting near us to whom every home player was an angel in football boots, and every Everton player dirty.  He even made out a case against Gordon West, although I must admit I found his argument a little different to follow.  Still, I have heard the same things shouted at Goodison, the only difference being that it was the other team that were the villains.  Mention of Gordon West reminds me of the fine game he had, despite his injured hand, and we were all delighted to seeDenis Stevens score his first goal for the club. 
FAN ABROAD 
In what was undoubtedly a hard match on a heavy pitch, nobody did more work than Dennis, and he fully deserved to be the one to put us in front.  While I have been in  hospital, I have had the chance of taking a closer  look at the letters I receive  from football supporters,  and have picked out three  which should give you some  idea of the Evertonian  abroad.  If you have ever wondered what our fans are like when they leave Merseyside for any length of time, here's your answer.  Pte. B. Conroy,stationed with the A.C.C. in Kenya, tells me that there is a team called Liverpool in his part of the world -and Evertonians go along to boo them!  Mr. .J. S. Scott, of 22 Spital Street, Lincoln, says:“It’s a funny thing that when I'm in Liverpool I’m 90 per cent, red and 10 per cent, blue blue-but   when playing away I’m 100 per cent, red and blue."  Now, that's more like it.  But for sheer ingenuity, I think this takes some beating. Mr. M. Connell,of 1 Felrnersham Avenue.  Liverpool 11, writes about a chap who immigratedto Australia a few years ago and formed a team called Liverpool. But to save any arguments he kitted them out with blue shirts!  Liverpool playing in blue?  Now. I've heard everything.

BURY RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo- Saturday, April 14, 1962
Bury Reserves; Adams; Robertson, Brennan; Colquhoun, Brunner, Conroy, Bradley, Beaumont, Rawley, Moulden, Hubbard.  Everton Reserves; Rankin; Gannon, Green; Rees, Helsop, Sharples; Lill, Wignall, Webber, Tyrer, Veall.  Referee; Mr. C.P. Ackroyd (Leeds).  Bury were the more aggressive in the early stages but Rankin was not seriously troubled.  The first thrill came when after Adams had raced out to kick away from Webber, Wignall got possession to lob the ball towards the empty net, but in a remarkable way Adams recovered to collect and clear off the line.  Both teams found the light ball a problem they could not banage, but gradually Everton gained control.  Adams saved from Wignall, Webber and Lill, and a shot by Tyrer went inches wide.  Everton continued to do most of the challenging raiding and a great effort by Veall almost put them into the lead.  The left winger beat four men in a thrilling run but his shot was charged down to Rees who brought Adams to a splendid save.  The Bury attack was easily contained except when Moulden broke through and Rankin made a spectatcular diving save turning the ball round the post.  Half-time; Bury Res nil, Everton Res nil. 
EVERTON A V MANCHESTER UNITED A
Both teams were fairly evenly matched and the defences gave little away.  A lob from Wright went just over the Manchester bar.  Half-time; Everton A nil, Ma United A nil. 

AWAY BLIGHT HAS KEPT EVERTON FROM TOP PLACE
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, April 16, 1962
EVERTON 3, WEST HAM UNITED 0
By Horace Yates
Everton with the best home record in the First Division, are back in the top three places which command talent money at the end of the season, but with any sort of form away from home, they might now be sitting right on top of the table.  These thoughts are prompted by the ridiculous ease with which they despatched West Ham at Goodison Park for the Londoners were well placed among the leading clubs, but plainly were hardly in Everton’s class.  Yet this side has won six games away from home compared with Everton’s two.  It may have been Everton’s good fortune to encounter United on a firm, dry pitch, for so ponderous were that they the obvious conclusion must be that they require mud and slush to compensate for their lack of speed and restricted skill. 
NOT BEST FORM
If Everton had thrashed them because they had hit one of their invincible days no one would have given the result a second though, but this was not Everton at their best.  True, they provided almost all the football and so great was the contrast that when Everton were not putting on the offering was hardly pulse-stirring.  How United can contemplate cheerfully the removal of Woosnam from one of the inside positions is not easy to see, for his removal to the wing left a glaring lack of constructive ability and with Labone, dominating the £00,000 Byrne completely West ham permitted some of the Everton defenders to indulge is dangerous dilly-dallying and trouble-inviting tactics in front of goal, without having to pay the price of their fully.  Without a doubt, the entertainment was at its greatest when Alex Young was at his brightest.  The player’s football artistry is undoubted. 
JOY TO WATCH
He is at once a joy to watch and a terror to face, and his combination with Vernon can be devastating idle power of shot belies his poor scoring record and few centre forwards can get up higher to a ball. 
Without a doubt he is one of Goodison’s greatest favourites and greatest artists but what it is that makes the gulf between his feats at home and his disappointments away, is something I have never fathomed.  Young, in this vein, would make the rest of the line pull something out, but he and the Everton attack in general have not found the way to take the worry out of excursions to other grounds.  You may rant and rave at Stevens, or applaud him as the spirit moves, but for sheer consistent endeavour he can hardly be faulted.  I rate Stevens game on Saturday his greatest test to date.  A section of the crowd had obviously decided he has now been at Goodison long enough to begin to show his true worth and when his opening efforts had only a wonderfully judged pass to Vernon to commend them, and several shocking shooting efforts to expose them to criticism, Stevens was plainly up against it.  A less stout-hearted fighter would have bucked under the strain, but not Stevens.  His failures only galvanised him into renewed activity and the start of his comeback was his finely judged lob while Leslie, who had earlier proved his competence to deal with goal worthy shots from Vernon, which gave Everton the lead in 41 minutes.  Without playing quite as well as at Blackburn last week, Stevens retrieved himself and if I mistake not it is just this willingness to hit back with redoubled spirit when things go wrong, that was the testimonial that brought him to Goodison, possibly in the hope of his example becoming infectious.  Even though he scored once (forty-six minutes) and deserved two other goals, denied him by Leslie’s brilliance, Vernon has made far greater impacts on many a game this on this.  I wonder if Temple realises how near he is to being a truly great player!  Nature has endowed him with speed well above the ordinary, ability to beat a man in his stride, and a shot that is not excelled by many a player of greater reputation.  When he releases the brake and lets himself go, Temple could provide a cheap solution to an Everton problem.  Whether it is lack of confidence in his own ability that is holding him back one can only guess, but if it is, such self criticism is entirely misplaced.  Temple can be a real winner, but no amount of coaching will bring about the transformation.  Only Temple can do it!  His goal, hit on the full from Bingham’s cross (73 minutes) was a power plus effort that leaves goalkeepers just part of the scenery.  Some there were who contended that the referee was right first time when he pointed to the middle in ten minutes after a Vernon header had stuck the inside of the post, but I am convinced the linesman was correct and that the ball never crossed the line. 
RALLY FOR DUNLOP
The biggest rally after the match was reserved for Dunlop, the king of reserve goalkeepers.  The tribute was not only for the penalty save from Bond, after a completely needless bit of handling by Thomson, but for two saves in rapid succession from Woosnam and another from Musgrove, but if you think all this adds up to an unfortunate West Ham, I can only say that the chances were there for Everton to have scored eight.  Everton; Dunlop; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.  West Ham United; Leslie; Kirkup, Bond; Hurst, Brown, Moore; Woosnam, Tindall, Bryne, Dick, Musgrove.  Referee; Mr. H.G. Wilson (Stockton-on-Tees).  Attendance 35, 171.

BURY RESERVE 0 EVERTON RES 0
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, April 16, 1962
A goal-less draw was always the most likely outcome of Everton Reserves visit to Bury for neither attack had the punch or the collective skill to make the easy scoring chances.  Both goalkeepers had to make some useful saves and on one occasion Rankin did well to turn wide a point-blank shot.  But for the greater part the forwards on both sides never mastered the light and windswept ball.  Yet Everton should have won the match in the ten minutes before the interval.  Both wingers Lill and Veall, made some good runs, but were inconsistent, and Wignall was the pick of an ineffective Everton attack.  Helsop at centre half was the best of a resolute defence. 

CONFOUNDING’ EVERTON RESERVES DO IT AGAIN
Liverpool Echo - Monday 16 April 1962
By Leslie Edwards
There were close on 133,000 at Hampden  Park on Saturday—a magnificent attendance—but  don't let us forget that an end-of-season, ordinary  fixture at Goodison Park attracted 35,000, almost  as many people as attended alt the games played by  Division IV clubs! No wonder Everton and Liverpool are envied for the loyalty of their followings.  We should have the best and most successful teams  in the land  ...  and maybe that will be the way of it  once Liverpool clinch promotion as they should, at  Anfield, against Southampton on Saturday.  Everton have suffered, in the past few months, enough injuries to have nearly put them "on the floor" for the count. The reserve strength has never satisfied Mr.  Catterick, but time and again he has been confounded on the ability of his side to win on their own ground, whatever the state of their playing resources.  The match against West Ham was a further example.
Dunlop was brought back to goal; Meagan stood at fullback:  Temple, for the want of someone more famous, kept his place on the left wing. Result: victory by three goals to nil and so many near misses in the first half it was remarkable Everton led only by a goal at that stage and faced the second half (and the wind) knowing it was possible for their opponents to snatch a draw.  That they didn't was due to their own propensity for  " progressing " backwards and to three remarks the saves  by Dunlop, one of them from a penalty-kick and the other  two in quick succession close to time.  The penalty, awarded when Thomson handled Musgrove's shot, was taken by full-back Bond. He shot straight at the goalkeeper, who took the first force of the ball on his hands; lost possession, and sight of the ball, and then discovered it safely nestled between his feet.  Moral for young goalkeepers: Always get behind the flight of the ball with your body and stance.
PERMISSIBLE GRIN…
Dunlop permitted himself a wide grin at this piece of good fortune. Soon afterwards he made two superlative saves against an attack which had seemed incapable of testing him a double-headed, most courageous one from Woosnam (whose play in general was so disappointing) and an equally valuable one from a header by Musgrove. If West Ham had scored from the penalty and from these other two "strikes" the result would have been catastrophically unfair to Everton, who were value for victory by 3-0.  A fussy, but on the whole competent, little referee.  Mr. Wilson, of Stockton-on-Tees, controlled the game well enough though one could not help sensing the frustration of Tindall at having so many free-kicks given against him.  Mr Wilson placed the ball for free-kicks rather than signal the player concerned to do so. Perhaps time was saved, but it is surely not the referee's business to act as ball M boy?  r Wilson had the courage of his convictions when  he waved play on after Vernon had headed the ball on to  the underside of the bar and Leslie had mishandled it on  to an upright before it bounded down near the line—a  difficult decision with which a linesman concurred.  Stevens, looking thoroughly unhappy, had missed an easy chance prior to this and was to miss more than one other, but in the end the crowd warmed for him for his goal and for the improvement in his play the increased  confidence produced.  Maybe a great number of the 45.000 came to see Young, not Everton. The fans loved his artistry. They had plenty of it to cheer in the first half. His flicked pass to Vernon, whose shot the excellent Leslie saved, was the finest we have seen for months. Even his gentle glancing of the ball from the side of his head so that it may reach a team-mate in the most acceptable way did not pass un-noticed by spectators who plainly prefer the rapier to the battering ram.
GABRIEL’S BEST
This was Gabriel's best (and least contentious) game for months. He struck the bar with a great shot and when the rebound was put away for a corner came up with a near-miss header from Temple's corner kick.  Leslie had denied Everton so often in a game in which the bounding ball beat all but the masters at controlling it; it looked as though the first half would pass without score.  Then Stevens, either by intent or accident, caught Leslie five yards out of goal with a looping shot which passed over his head.  Everton had suffered none of the trials of playing against the breeze, early after the re-start when Vernon bustled through the defence, beating all and sundry by his speed and cheek, to make it two-nil.  After the penalty escape and a great, but off-target volley by Woosman, we had a typical goal from Temple whose scoring feats as a Liverpool schoolboy are still unsurpassed.  Bingham, wheeling in a wide circle to cut back his centre at the line, crossed such a perfect centre Temple was able to volley it, right-foot, from less than ten yards out.  Leslie was more concerned, I thought, to escape from this one than to save it!  It was a fine piece of timing.  Temple continues to confound his critics, but he must beware of becoming too stereotyped with those corkscrew runs “inside." When they come off they are ground, but you cannot get away with it all the time and a variation of his approaches, sometimes down the wing and at other times “inside." would pay better.  His link with Bingham's back-heel flick and Stevens far flung, brilliant pass deserved a goal, too, and might have got one if Hurst had not promptly nodded the ball for a corner.  George Thomson's solid full-back contributionalthough a bit rusty-looking—was matched by the slow, but oh, so sure work of his little partner. Meagan, who scarcely put a ball wrong. Labone was Labone, unostentatious and effective and making Byrne look a rather expensive buy. Indeed, West Ham, whose forward play was only pretty-pretty invariably included one reverse pass for every one aimed sideways or ahead, were most disappointing.  They had a big advantage in size and ability to head a ball, but there was nothing to suggest that they will remain in their high position while livelier, less cumbersome opponents gallivant so easily through their defences.
EASTER BREAK
Birmingham City manager Gil Merrick has decide to give his first team a five-day pre-Easter break at Southport before their game at Everton on good Friday.  They then travel to Cardiff with the return match with Everton at St. Andrews on Easter Tuesday.  The team is expected to be unchanged against Everton- Scholfield; Foster, Sissons; Hennessey, Smith, Beard; Hellawell, Bloomfield, Harris, Leek, Auld. 

MANAGERIAL VIEWPOINT
Liverpool Daily Post –Wednesday, April 18, 1982
MORE WOMEN AT SOCCER MATCHES THN EVER
Say Harry Catterick
“National interest is very high”  That is a very significant statement in the research survey sought by the Football League ad published last week.  Despite falling gates this completely independent organisation revealed that interest in football is still remarkably high all over the country-a great relief to all.  They state emphatically that the modern fan demands more up-to-date stadiums, better seating facilities parking space and better amenities to have his half-time cup of tea.  One factor that did surprises me was that related to our women-folk.  Frankly I am in no doubt at all that there are far more women followers of football today than ever before.  Certainly very little has been done generally to cater for ladies at football matches and probably we have all been lax in that respect.  I cannot help feeling that this survey has told the League little that was new. The fan appears to demand keener competition and it is suggested that four-up-and-four down would assist in this respect.  I’m sure it would. 
Reform Denied
I feel the fan, generally has wanted this reform for a number of years but it has been denied him on many occasions when one club or another has proposed such a scheme.  I can understand clubs wanting to hold n to their status if at all possible but it does provide twice as much chance for a relegated club to stage a revival, plus the fact that all soccer history tells us that in the great majority of cases as club’s best chance of returning after a relegation season in the following season.  Four up and four down would help to prove that theory.  International matches were singled out as being added attraction.  This bears out my off-repeated assertion that a successful international side definitely helps to bolster interest in the game throughout the League system. 
STARS ATTRACT
The public are attracted by star players just as they are probably turned away by transfer tininess s and such like.  With the new wage scale the public expect to see better football more often.  That was to b expected.  Beyond the obvious however, the survey produces as panacesfor professional football in this county.  The people interviewed slashing rejected such things as summer football.  Sunday soccer and a longer season. 

AGREEMENT OF NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
Liverpool Daily Post- Wednesday, April 18, 1962
MAJOR STEP FORWARD, SAYS EVERTON F.C. SHAREHOLDERS
By A “Daily Post” Reporter
Everton Football Club shareholders agreed last night to a proposal from the Goodison Park board-room that the articles of the company should be changed to allow the number of directors to be reduced from nine to seven.  Mr. John Moores, chairman of the board, said that he and the board agreed to meet the Shareholders’ Association whenever there were matters of vital interest to be discussed; to re-introduce the allocation of four directors box tickets to shareholders on a rotation system; and to try, by every means possible to improve relationships between the two bodies.  Mr. Ronald Nuttall, chairman of the Shareholders’ Association and son of a former director of the club said after the meeting;  “This has been a major step forward in achieving greater goodwill between the board and the shareholders.  This is what we have been aiming at for years.  I think we have achieved it to-night.”  The directors now total eight and the present constitution of the board will not be changed until one or more of the directors goes out of office by voluntary retirement or in some other way apart from ordinary rotation.  Anyone who expected the meeting to be stormy was mistaken.  The only objection raised was to the clause-specifying that the minimum number on the board should be five.  And when a member of the Shareholders’ Association suggested that this was too few, Mr. Moores readily agreed to leave the minimum number at seven.  In his statement to the shareholders, Mr. Moores said that under the existing rules there was no limit, one way or the other, to the number of directors. 
LESS CHANE FOR ASSOCIATION
The board had discussed the situation and considered that the most workable maximum number would be severe.  He had heard that objections had been raised in the proposal on two grounds that the proposed reduction would leave the management in too few hands, and that the Shareholders’ Association would have less chance of getting their nominees elected to the board.  The board disagreed that complete power would be exercised by a few men.  “In their considered opinion nine directors is too unwieldy to constitute the ideal workable maximum,” he said.  This number is in excess of the number of directors on the boards of most other First Division clubs, particularly the successful ones-such as Burnley with seven, Spurs with five, Manchester United with four, Wolves with four, and so on. 
QUCIKER DECISIONS WITH FEWER PEOPLE
“Moreover, your board feel sure that it is the experience of most of you who have served ion company boards or committees of one kind or another that win in reason, the fewer the people who have to be consulted, the quicker the decisions can be made.  “To-day, in football, as you all know, things move as fast that, more often than not, time is the essence of the matter.”  In answer to the second objection, Mr. Moores said that there would still be the possibility of a complete change of directors every three years.  “Any groups of members, if sufficiently strong, could fill the whole board with their nominees in three years.  Relative strength, therefore, remains the same.  There are simply fewer seats to fill,” he said.  Then he appealed in the shareholders to vote by the merits of the proposals without any hard feelings upwards the board.  “We are surely all striving to the same end, namely the success of this great club, and it would indeed be a pity if any hostility between certain factions were permitted to obstruct our progress.  “Rightly or wrongly, I feel that we are heading for great things.  They will not come all at once, but given good will on the part of all of us, I am sure they are not too distant.  “I think I can, in fairness to myself, say that my whole heart and soul is in the club and its welfare and I am at all times willing to spend myself in its service.”  Mr. Moores said that he was aware there was antagonism towards the board because of the removal some time ago, of the shareholders’ reserved places and by the withdrawal of ladies’ tickets.  He himself disclaimed responsibility for the removal of the reserved places because he was not on the board at that time “I am not critical, however, of my colleagues for making the change, although I am bound to say that to my mind it could have been done with a little more finesse,” he said.
TO MEET DEPUTATION TOMORROW
More than sixty shareholders were present, and only three hands were raised against the modified proposals.  The shareholders also agreed to let the directors fix the number required for a quorum at board meetings.  The meeting then discussed ways of improving liaison between boardroom and shareholders.  As a first step, Mr. Moores and a number of his colleagues promised to meet a deputation of shareholders tomorrow.  “We want to clear the air so that we can all got on with the job of winning the Cup or the League or both,” said Mr. Moores. 

EVERTON DELAY CHOICE 
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 18 April 1962
BY Michael Charters
Everton delay selection until to-morrow of their teams to start the Easter programme, which should decide promotion for Liverpool and also clarify Everton’s hopes of talent money in the First Division.  Everton, home to Birmingham on Good Friday, have goalkeeper Gordon West back in training after dislocating a finger in the match at Blackburn 10 days ago. 
CITY SIDE
Birmingham City's team is unchanged from last Saturday when they beat Sheffield United 3-0. Veteran full back Stan Lynn joined the party of players enjoying a break at Southport on Tuesday but manager Gil Merrick feels that Lynn’s ankle injury is not sufficiently recovered to enable him to play, so 19-years-old Winston Foster continues to deputise.  Birmingham City. — Schofield; Foster. Sissons:  Hennessey, Smith. Beard; Hellawell, Bloomfield, Harris, Leek, Auld.

EVERTON F.C. CAN CUT BOARD TO SEVEN
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 18 April 1962
MAJOR STEP FORWARD, SAYS SHAREHOLDER
ACHIEVING GOODWILL
The Articles of Association of Everton Football Club have been changed to allow a reduction in the number of directors from nine to seven. More than sixty shareholders agreed to the change at a meeting called by the Board of Directors of the club last night.  The directors now total eight, and the present constitution of the board will not be changed until one or more of the directors goes out of office by voluntary retirement or in some other way apart from ordinary rotation.  Mr. John Moores. chairmanof the board, said that he and the board agreed to meet the  Shareholders' Association whenever there were matters  of vital interest to be  discussed; to re-introduce the allocation of four directors'  box tickets to shareholders on  a rotation system; and to try, by every means possible, to;  improve relationships between  the two bodies.  Mr. Ronald Nuttall. chairman  of the Shareholders'  Association and son of a  former director of the club, said after the meeting: " This  has been a major step forward  in achieving greater good-will  between the board and the  shareholders. This is what we have been aiming at for years. I think we have achieved it to-night." 
NO LIMIT 
In his statement to the shareholders. Mr Moores said that under the existing rules there was no limit, one way or the other, to the number of directors.  The board had discussed the situation and considered that the most workable maximum number would be seven.  He had heard that objections had been rated to the proposal on two grounds; that the proposed reduction would leave the management in too few hands, and that the Shareholders Association would have less chance of getting their nominees elected to the board.  The board disagreed that complete power would be exercised by a few men.  "In their considered opinion, nine directors is too unwieldly to constitute the ideal workable maximum," he said.  "To-day, in football, as you all know, things move so fast that, more often than not, time is the essence of the matter."
CHANCE OF CHANGE 
In answer to the second objection. Mr Moores said that there would still be the possibility of a complete change of directors every three years.  Mr Moores said that he was aware there was antagonism towards the board because of the removal, some time ago, of the shareholders' reserved places and by the withdrawal of ladies' tickets.  He himself disclaimed responsibility for the removal of the reserved places because he was not on the board at .that time. "I am not critical, however, of my colleagues for making the change, although I am bound to say that to my mind it could have been done with a little more finesse," he said.  More than sixty shareholders were present, and only three hands were raised against themodified proposals.  - The shareholders - also agreed to let the directors fix the number required for a quorum at board meetings.  The meeting then discussedways of improving liaison between boardroom and shareholders.  As a first step. Mr Moores and a number of his colleagues promised to meet a deputation of shareholders to-morrow.  We want to clear the air so that we can all get on with the job of winning the Cup or the League or both." said Mr Moores. 

EASTER NO HOLIDAY FOR FOOTBALLERS
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 18 April 1962
SAYS EVERTON’S ALEX YOUNG
The Easter holiday fixtures usually play a vital part in deciding championship, promotion and relegation issues, and one glance at any of the four English leagues shows that his is particularly so this year.  Three games in four or five days naturally pouts a tremendous strain on players and playing resources, especially at the end of a long, tiring season, and added to this there is the knowledge that none of the matches is likely to be easy.  There is always a tense atmosphere about holiday games, particularly at Easter A team involved in promotion or relegation knows that one slip could decide its fare, while a side which has interest in neither of these issues is always anxious to snatch some glory from the dying remains of the season by spoiling someone’s else’s chances of honours, or sealing their relegation fate. 
NEVER-RACKLING
In the First division we see Burnley, though by some a few weeks ago to be home and dry as champions, starting the holiday with Ipswich a point ahead.  True, Burnley have a match in hand over their East Anglian rivals, but remember that there are only 14 days between Easter Saturday and their date with Spurs at Wembley.  It’s a nerve-rackling situation, and nerves can upset the best of sides.  Then there is our battle with Tottenham and Sheffield United for third place behind these two, I can almost hear some of you saying; “Forget it, two of your Easter fixtures are away from home,” but you can be assured there is no such pessimism among the Everton players.  It is the position at the top of Division Four, however, which intrigues me.  Who could wish for a better finish to the season than one in which six clubs- Millwall, Wrexham, Colchester, Carlisle, York and Workington-are separated by only four points?  If the proposed four up and four down systems of promotion and relegation in each League could provide this kind of ending of every season, I am sure very few clubs or fans would oppose it.   An effort to remove some of this tension I mentioned earlier, we Everton players had a break  from training last Wednesday  and visited the Wootton course for a thoroughly enjoyable golfing session.  I had better not tell you how things went, however, for my account would not tally with the “line” I spun Alex Parker when I visited him in hospital on Friday.  I went along with Billy Bingham and Jimmy Gabriel, and Alex told us that his cartilage operation had gone very well.  The only thing worrying him, I think is why Everton players visiting the hospital seem to pay more attention to the fruit and sweets in the locker than they do to the patient in bed.  I guess it is just one of the occupational hazards of a hospital patient, Alex.  All Evertonians were pleased to hear that Roy Vernon had such a good game for Wales against Northern Ireland last Wednesday, and I offer him my congratulation on being chosen to visit Brazil and Mexico with Wales next month. 
TWO-WAY BOGEY
Earlier in the season there were one or two grumbles that London was a bogey city to Everton, but I wonder what the London teams think about Goodison Park?  West Ham’s failure meant that all five London First Division teams have lost at Goodison this season, and only one, Arsenal, has managed to score a goal.  After 450 minutes of football at Goodison this season, he score reads; Everton 17, Arsenal, Tottenham, Fulham, Chelsea and West ham combined 1.  Seems this bogey business can work two ways!  Lastly, my congratulations to Roger Hunt on being picked for the World Cup finals in Chile.  You can take it from me there is more than one Scotsman who is thankful England didn’t find a place for Roger at Hampden last Saturday. 

ROY VERNON ASKS-
Liverpool Daily Post- Thursday, April 19, 1962
IS GOAL CAMERA A PRACTICAL PROPOSITION?
By a coincidence, I had a goal disallowed at Goodison against West Ham United on Saturday and Johnny Haynes had one disallowed at Hampden Park against Scotland.  Mine did not matter, for we won without difficulty, but if Haynes had been credited with a score we might have been saved a lot of embarrassment in the Goodison dressing rooms this week.  The Scots boy have run riot I think they have done almost everything short of bringing out the bagpipers, and even when we tell them they might as well crow now just in case it is another twenty-five years before they get another chance, it is hard to subdue them.  What can we do to make sure these half line decisions on goals are always accurate?  Nobody will convince me that my effort was not at least a foot over the line before Leslie punched the ball against the post.  Admittedly when the ball hit the post it was on the field side of the line, but I am convinced it had been punched from behind the line.
ONLY HUMN
The Scots admitted that Haynes effort had crossed the line, and even though the referee said later it was disallowed for a prior infringement, this was hardly the impression I gathered from watching the incident on TV.  Referee ad linesmen are only human,  they cannot be right all the time.  Unfortunately when they are wrong the mistakes can be very costly.  We used to have this position in horse racing until the photo-finish camera was introduced.  Now it is very seldom indeed that any reflection can be cast on the verdict in the camera.  Will the day ever dawn when we have goal camera?  It is easy to say the idea is completely impracticable, but if you want a thing badly enough ways and means of making it work can be found.  You may say that we could not hold up the game to consult the camera every time there was a dispute but in these days of achievement I am told that a picture can be made available almost in the time it takes for players to finish arguing with the referee.  If ways and means could be found of installing cameras I don’t think my club would rule it out on the grounds of expense.  Is this fanciful dreaming on my part or is there the seed of a practical Idea?  My experience of photography goes no further than a box camera, so that my view hardly comes into the expert class.  It may be said that even if it were practical, the number of times the camera would be needed would be so few that it would not justify the expense, count me out when you are looking for supporters of that view. 
ADVICE WANTED
If it just cannot be done, that is the end of it, but until we are sure of that conclusion I think it worthwhile having the advice of the men in the best position to know.  I went round to see Alex Parker in hospital a few days ago, and there he was, as parky as ever, looking far too well to be in bed. He tells me had quite severe pain in the knee from which the cartilage has been removed, but that the worst means to be ever now.  I had an interesting chat with Bobby Collins this week.  He is enjoying life with Leeds United and from his limited knowledge of Second Division football I gather he has formed the conclusion, which I share, that very few of the loading club would live in the fierce competition of First Division football.  What a good thing it is that Liverpool are right at the hand of affairs, or I should be is real trouble for having the formerly to make such a suggestion.  It is wonderful achievement for Roger Hunt to gain a place in the England World Cup side.  To be considered second best inside right to Jimmy Greaves is something to crow about, although I expect Liverpoolians will ask me “Who said he was second to Jimmy Greaves?”  When you think Tottenham had to pay £100,000 for Greaves and Liverpool picked up Hunt from a playing field.

WEST BACK IN EVERTON GOAL TO-MORROW 
Liverpool Echo- Thursday, April 19, 1962
By Michael Charters
Goalkeeper Gordon West returns to the Everton team to play Birmingham City at Goodison Park to-morrow—the only change from last Saturday.  West dislocated a finger at Blackburn and missed the match against West Ham. He has been in training all this week.  Everton—West; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labour, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple. 

ONLY IPSWICH CAN MATCH EVERTON RECORD
Liverpool Daily Post, Saturday,  April 21, 1962
14 VICTORIES AND NOT A DFEEAT IN LAST 16 HOME GAMES
EVERTON 4, BIRMINGHAM CITY 1
By Horace Yates
Although Everton played the type of game that suggested they would do just enough and no more to put Birmingham City firmly in their place, and keep any surplus energy in reserve for the remainder of the hectic Easter programme clearly they were Birmingham’s masters, as they showed when City threatened to make a game of it, for back came Everton with yet another goal that effectively clinched the verdict.  That they can control their play in this way is just another indication of their strength, a strength which has made them almost convincible at home.  Their Goodison Park record is championship form without a doubt, for only Ipswich deposed from the leadership by Burnley yesterday can match it.  Not since Manchester City won 2-0 on September 6 have Everton supporters seen their team beaten on their own ground, so that there has been a sequence of 16 games, not only without defeat, but with 14 victories included.  It seems the easiest thing in the world, after seeing these teams in action yesterday to suggest that no matter what may happen at Manchester United’s ground today, Everton should certainly chalk up a rarity in their record a –double –at Birmingham on Tuesday.  I would not like to bank on it, such is Everton’s frailty away from home.  Everton showed us plenty of football to dazzle the eye and ratify the demand even though times there were when too many players showed a depressing inclination to stop play, when the situation was crying out for rapid movement.  It was an irritating failure for instead of exhausting a breathless defence, they gave Birmingham time to rally into position.  On a day when Everton scored four goals and might easily have got more, it may seem a little peculiar to go out of the way to compliment goalkeeper west, and yet, without his prodigious efforts at both ends of the ground Birmingham’s probing might have collected greater reward. It appeared almost criminal to depose Dunlop after his West Ham triumph but yesterday showed why West must get the vote.  His considerably greater reach kept out at least two magnificent shots from Bread and Leek, which would almost certainly have found the target against Dunlop –and Dunlop with his physical limitations, could not have been blamed in the least.  West will make it a great deal more difficult to collect goals against Everton.  I heard an interesting discussion at the end of the game.  The argument was proceeding, as to whether Young or Vernon, Bingham or Stevens had been the best forward.  For me there was no doubt whatever.  The forward of this match was Birmingham’s right winger Mike Hellawell; I find it extremely difficult to recollect a better wing display than this during the whole of the season.  Thomson is a full back who can cope adequately with most situations, but he was right out of his depth with Hellawell.  I think only once in numerous head-on meetings did Thomson win possession, and it was hardly Hellwell’s fault that this ascendancy did not bring more flattering results. 
UNCROWNED KING
If the winger has walked up and placed the ball on Jimmy Harris head after 74 minutes he could not have done it with greater accuracy or to greater advantage than did his cross from the wing.  Harris squandered the opportunity with heading inaccurate that was entirely inexcusable.  Young continues as the uncrowned king of Goodison.  Cheers come more readily to the throats when Young is in action, even sometimes flatteringly so, for all his distribution was mot as accurate as crowd reactions would have you believe.  For all that and even the wholehearted attention paid him by Smith, there was as disguising what a truly great player Young can be.  He glides so easily into movements and often gives them a greater throat to mark his intervention and with a good thrown in for good measure the Scot could be happy with his display.  Vernon can disappear from the game for quite apparent able intervals and yet he can light it up with dynamic swoops of the most penetrating character.  His power of shot is well known, so that it was agreeable to find him hitting the target with a header and making another for Young with an intelligently placed nod.  I suspect however, that Leek might easily have been a comparable marksman had opportunity passed his way more frequently.  Bingham bas not always played up to reputation this season, but he would be a hard task-master indeed, who was other than satisfied with the Irishman’s most recent showings.  What a worker was Stevens! Not the glittering, spectacular type, Stevens is an honest-to-goodness grafter with more ability, I believe, than some people have been willing to concede him. 
TEMPLE STARTS IT
That sharpshooter Temple, with the cannon-ball drive, (nine goals in fourteen games) opened the scoring for Everton in sixteen minutes when he cut inside from a Brian Harris throw-in to leave Schofield completely beaten, and in fifty-four minutes Gabriel scored his first goal since mid-October when he headed in from Bingham’s free kick.  It was Jimmy Harris offering that enabled Leek to hammer home a left foot shot which was in and out of the net before most people realised what had happened.  Vernon eased any Everton worries in sixty-six minutes by heading a Bingham cross strongly into the goal, and then raised high to bring down another Bingham centre to the foot of Young, for the centre forward to collect his fifth goal in seven games, his best return of the season.  Meagan enjoyed greater success than Thomson, but then Auld was not a Hellawell, while some of Labone’s tackling was fantastically brilliant.  For me the biggest surprise of the match was that referee Fussey did not finish up at least once head first in the crowd.  He was a great referee for all that.  Everton; Dunlop; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.  Birmingham City; Scholfield; Foster, Sissons; Hennessey’ Smith, Beard, Hellawell,Bloomfield, Harris, Leek, Auld.  Referee; Mr. M Fusse. 

THREE EVERTON GOALS MADE BY BINGHAM
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 21 April 1962
4-1 MARGIN UNJUST TO BIRMINGHAM
By Paul O’Brien
Three inch perfect crosses from Billy - Bingham and a fine solo run by Derek Temple took Everton to a 4-1 victory over Birmingham City, at Goodison Park yesterday.  This was a match in which  both sides must accept some  criticism for passing the ball  too squarely and delaying the  final pass too long, and  although Everton deserved  victory, the three goal margin  was a little flattering.  There were times when Birmingham's more direct football looked like troubling Everton, but many promising moves, usually sparked off by right winger Hellawell, died out when they neared the penalty area.  Hellawell, the best forward afield, kept Thomson at full stretch throughout, and had Jimmy Harris accepted two golden chances laid on by his right winger during them second half. Everton might have been struggling.  TEMPLE'S SOLO 
Everton took the lead after  16 minutes, Derek Temple  fastening on to a throw-in by  Brian Harris, cutting through  an astonished Birmingham  defence at tremendous speed,  and then delivering a right  footed shot from the edge of  the penalty area which gave  goalkeeper Schofield no  chance.  Three times before the interval Everton caught Birmingham centre half, Smith, off his guard with long passes down the centre of the field and only quick anticipation by Schofield stopped Stevens and Vernon from scoring.  The Birmingham defence  conceded several needless  free kicks at the start of the  second half, Bingham being  the Everton player usually in  trouble, but after 54 minutes  the Irish winger showed the  visitors the folly of their ways  by floating over a free kick  for Gabriel to head Everton's  second goal.  CLEVER CENTRE 
Five minutes later Jimmy Harris chased an intended kick for touch by Brian Labone and just stopped it short of the left corner flag.  He then centred cleverly, giving inside left Leek time to bring the ball under control and turn it past West, who had earlier distinguished himself with superb saves from Leek and Hennessey.  Everton's other goals came at the 66th and 75 minutes.  Vernon heading one Bingham centre directly into goal, and then nodding another forward for Young to score from close range.  In Everton's defence Gabriel was outstanding, while Labone and Meagan kept a tight hand on Harris and Auld. In attack it was Bingham's skill which made three of the Everton goals, while no one worked harder to bring about this success than did Dennis Stevens.

GOALINE STOP BY HARRIS SAVES POINT
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 21 April 1962
MANCHESTER UNITED 1, EVERTON 1
By Jack Lowe
Manchester United; Gaskell; Brennan, Dunne; Stiles, Foulkes, Setters; Giles, Pearson, Cantwell, Herd, Charlton.  Everton; West; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Lill, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.  Referee; Mr. P. Phodes (York). 
Everton had Lill at outside right against United at Old Trafford to-day for a match which began on a pitch sodden particularly down the middle, after the morning's heavy rain.  Everton's first attack saw Vernon trying to get Young clear, but the pace of the ball off the pitch was too much for the Everton leader.  Meagan's tackle on Herd stopped United In full cry and  the game's first she' was produced  by Stevens, a low one,  which Gaskell saved comfortably  after Vernon had beaten  his man cleverly out on the right wing. Brennan's tackle on Stevens was most unceremonious and when Thomson took Vernon’s short free kick he too appeared to be harshly impeded, but this time the referee waved play on. 
HEAVY TACKLE 
Labone made a fine headed clearance from Charlton’s corner and certainly Everton were looking the better side.  Everything Meagan had done  so far had been first-class,  and twice his anticipation  enabled him to cut out  Charlton before the England  man could become a danger,  and once more United were  penalised for the heavy  tackle and it was a heavy  one by Foulkes which downed  Young.  This free kick just outside the area was lobbed in by Vernon and punched out finally by Gaskell and straight from this the Old Trafford side swept down, for Cantwell to shoot hard and low but directly at West.  Charlton's dashes gave the game its only light at this  point, for neither side were  making much attacking progress with passes going astray  and hard, quick tackling  stopping the other moves.  United, however, were beginning to show more control and one good move saw Giles beating Thomson and centreing for Setters to shoot over. 
SHOULD HAVE SCORED 
Everton should have scored a minute later, but if they had it would have been rather unfortunate for the United because when Vernonchased Young’s through pass I thought he pushed Stiles.  Vernon rather nonchalantly shot the ball against the post and when it came out Lill put it wide, but the referee’s whistle had not gone so that United got a gal kick much to the annoyance of Stiles, who indicated very clearly what he thought about it.  Cantwell also might have scored when an Everton defender was a bit tardy in putting the ball back to West, but the goalkeeper came out to block the shot. Then it was  Everton turn for a bit of luck,  for when Setters was brought  down in the area by Vernon  and Harris the referee's decision  of a corner was, to say the  least, surprising.  Cantwell's header from Charlton's corner was a beauty, and I think westjust got a touch before the ball thudded against the bar and bounded out.  The 44th minute brought a goal to the United, when Cantwell dribbled through and parted to Pearson, who slipped the ball to one side for Herd, from about 12 yards to blast a terrific shot into the top corner of the net.  United had come back with a bang and were now clearly  the better side and Cantwell  almost got another with a shot  which West could not hold  and had to dive on as Pearson  tore in.
STEVENS EVENS— 
A couple of minutes  before the interval Cantwell  was hurt helping In  defence and no sooner had  the game restarted than  Everton were level, Stevens  shooting the ball in when it  came loose to him In front  of goal after Stiles tried to  set It back to Gaskell under  the challenge of Young-  Half-time.—Man. United 1,  Everton 1.  Almost as soon as the second  half bad started police officers  went behind the United goal  to deal with some disturbance  in the crowd, but it seemed  to quieten down as Charlton  loomed menacingly and his  cross-field pass was hit first  time by Herd, but Harris got  in the way.  The pitch was looking nothing like as wet as it did at the start of the match, but it was still muddy although the ball was not skidding quite so much. Charlton's dashes were always worrying to the Everton defence but the covering was such he was never able to get within shooting range. 
BEST CHANCE 
Indeed. Stevens had the best shooting opportunity this half when Lill nodded the ball down to him, but the inside man was much too slow. Lill had a header of no power comfortably collected by Gaskell, and although Temple worked hard to make himself a shooting opening he could not beat Foulkes.  United had more forward power than Everton and Herd should have scored from Giles, corner, but put the ball, straight at West from no more than three yards out.  In United's next attack Pearson also put the ball straight at the goalkeeper from Charlton's centre so that, all in all, Everton were a trifle lucky to be level at this point.  West, however, had to make a fine save from Herd, this time from a Giles centre, and the united pressure was beginning to build up again.  One or two more decisions by the referee had the crowd protesting and he had a word for Setters when the United man queried one free kick awarded to Everton.  Everton escaped miraculously when Harris was on the line behind a line of players to head out from Pearson with everybody beaten and there, was much desperation now about the way Everton were struggling to hang on.  Almost on time Temple got through for Everton and Gaskell made a great save.  Final; - Manchester United 1, Everton 1. 
EVERTON B V MANCHESTER UNITED B
Russell put Everton ahead after five minutes with a great shot from 20 yards.  Both teams had their chances and the goalkeepers at each and made some good saves.  Half-time; Everton B 1, Manchester United B, nil. 

HAMPDEN MEMORIES CAME BACK TO ME
Liverpool Echo- Saturday, April 21, 1962
Says Alex Parker
As you read this I should just have left hospital, for I was told last Wednesday that all being well I should be out on Saturday. And I was also told I would be taking a couple of things with me that I didn't bring in—a pair of crutches. Yes, for the next few weeks it looks as if yours truly will be getting about as best he can on crutches.  For the put few days I  have been practising on  them along the corridors  and up and down the stairs  of the hospital, so that I  would be used to them for  when I return home.  I have also been told that while in bed I must flex my leg to try to strengthen the muscles.  Although I was not playing last Saturday. I had quite a full afternoon of football.  I was not able to hear the hospital's broadcast of the Everton v. West Ham game so I watched the Amateur Cup Final on TV and listened to the Scotland v.  England game on the wireless both at the same time.  I was so delighted that Scotland won I did not miss the chance to see the highlights of the match on TV later, and it certainly brought back some memories. 
IMPOSSIBLE 
I remembered when I played in the corresponding match in 1956 and we were leading 1-0 with only a minute to go. It seemed impossible for us to miss breaking the long hoodoo of not being able to beat England at Hampden.  But then Johnny Haynes fastened on to a pass from the late Roger Byrne, fired it into the corner of the net, and we only drew.  I remembered, too, the 1958 game which England won 4-0. But the less said about that the better.  So you can imagine how I felt at seeing the Scots take their revenge.  I have heard that much about our game against West Ham last week that I feel if I played in it.  Practically all the Everton first team have been in to see me, along with our manager, Mr. Catterick,the club physiotherapist Mr.  Borrowdale, the training staff Tom Eggleston.  Gordon Watson, and Frank Blundell, BillyLiddell and Bert Slater.  So you can appreciate that there is nothing that’s happened in the world of football that I haven’t heard about. 
EASY? 
One of the team told me they had a rather easy win overWest Ham, and he said It in such a way that I didn’t know whether to feel glad or sorry.  If I had eaten all the sweets, fruit, &c., that has been brought in there would be no need for crutches, would be rolling home.  As this is the last article I shall be writing from my  bed in the Lourdes Private Hospital, I would like to  thank the matron, sisters,  nurses and staff, not forgetting  the surgeon and  anaesthetist, for all they  have done for me.  I have been given my cartilage in a jar to knee, as a souvenir, but I hope it’s the last one I ever see. Particularly mine. 
EGGS. TOO 
I have received a great many“get well" letters from Evertonians (and a few Liverpudlians too), and some of them have been accompanied by Easter eggs. Believe me, they were very welcome, I would particularly like to thank the Wilsons, and Mr. Jones, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland, and Leslie Golding and Alan Williams, of Hampden Street, Liverpool 4.  And then there was the letter from Brian Daley, which stopped any danger of my feeling sorry for myself.  Brian is nine - years -old and plays for Abbot's Lea school team. Or he did until he sprained his ankle.  So that's both of us tail up at the moment. Still, Brian, you should be fit before I am.

EVERTON RES V MANCHESTER UNITED RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 21 April 1962
Everton Res; Dunlop; Parnell, Gannon; Rees, Heslop, Sharples; Humphreys, Tyrer, Wignall, Shaw, Veall.  Manchester United Res; Briggs; A. Wardle; Lorriner, Walker, Haydock, Donaldson; Moir, Chisnall, Ackerley, Fry, Duff.  Referee; Mr. D. Pritchard (Blackburn).  Everton were the first to look dangerous with Veall having a centre put out by Haydock.  The Everton outside left soon afterwards was clean through, but he did not connect properly and Briggs saved easily.  When the United made their first attack Heslop made a couple of good interceptions while Dunlop kicked over the bar a strong drive by Ackerley.  Everton were playing more open football and the United goal escaped luckily when Veall’s hard centre slipped out of Brigg’s arms but went just the wrong side of the post for a corner.  Despite having most of the play however Everton went into arrears in the 29th minute when Dunlop only partly stopped a low drive from Chrisnall, and before Parnell could clear, the ball had gone over the line.  Five minutes before the interval the United went further ahead, Ackerley giving Dunlop no chance with a volley following a free kick.  Half-time; Everton Res nil, Manchester United Res 2.

TOUGH ENCOUNTER ON MUD-BOUND PITCH
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, April 23, 1962
EVERTON HAVE DEFENCE TO THANKS FOR THIS FORTUNATE POINT
Says Jack Rowe
MANCHESTER UNITED 1, EVERTON 1
Everton, as a team scarcely deserved this point at Old Trafford, but it would be difficult to oppose the claim of the defence that they fought hard enough and long enough to warrant a draw and the £2 bonus.  Whatever credit there is for Everton goes to the defence yet well though they played and struggled in the second half when the attack was almost non-existence, it would b squally difficult to deny United’s contention that they had  little luck and were I the wrong end of a couple of peculiar decisions by referee Rhodes of York.  They claimed they should have had a penalty in the first half when Setters was sandwiched and pulled down when going through in the area and one must confess that when the referee would give no more than a corner their amazement seemed justified.  Just before this referee Rhodes had surprised me when he failed to pull up Vernon after what appeared to be a clear case of pushing on Stiles and when Vernon put his shot against the post it was justice so far as United were concerned.  The referee’s leniency on other occasions was remarkable and there were several incidents which escaped censure or warning. 
TOUGH ENCOUNTER
It was fortunate for Setters that the referee missed his hand flickering at Stevens and because the pair came off at the finish in friendly mood it does not alter the fact that officialdom on the field must often take substantial blame for the hated reactions of players and spectators.  This was a tough encounter on a mud-bound pitch and it is perhaps worth remembering that Everton were playing their second match in two days while United were having their first outing of the holiday.  The conditions were stamina –testing and in that light a draw was nit a performance to be scored by Everton, although it would be useless to suggest otherwise than that it was a lucky one.  I have in mind the penalty refusal, Cantwell’s header against the bar, the misses by Herd and Pearson in the second half and the wonderful headed clearance by Brian Harris from Pearson’s drive when all but he had been beaten.  United, however, must shoulder most of the responsibility for their failure to win, Giles and Charlton put over a stream of centres in an almost one-sided second half, but the inside men could not make capital out of them.
LABONE SHINES
Top Everton defenders was Labone who hardly put a foot wrong.  He had great support from Gabriel and Harris while Meagan, if not always able to hold Charlton at least made him go on the outside.  West made two similar saves, the last, seconds from time, when he grabbed Pearson’s flashing drive after a free kick and off Thomson it must be said that although he was no match for Giles-the best forward on the field-he kept at it all the time and contributed much by his covering efforts.  The disappointment for Everton was in the attack, but the policy of playing Stevens as a fourth half back obviously had some effect.  Stevens lacks the glamour of Young and Vernon, but he worked non-stop, scored the goal, and if his best was in defence it was vital help.  Everton were at their best in the opening twenty minutes.  They moved well and promised much, but as Charlton kept producing his dashes and Setters began to drive forward so United got on top and stayed there. 
TOUGHH TACKLING
Their defence was often unceremonious in tackling Young and others and it had its effect to the point that in the second half Gaskell had only one save to make –in the last two minutes –when Temple was within inches of giving Everton that long delayed away victory and one which would not have been deserved.  Lill, replacing the slightly injured Bingham, did little, but on-one in the attack, except Stevens did much so that the burden of survival fell on the defence and it was well for Everton that they were able to bear it.  United had a good full back in Dunne and the all-out endeavour of Setters in defence while up front Giles, if occasionally a little too keen to go too far, had a fine match.  One can never ignore Charlton.  He is always doing something and his dash and wandering eventually helped put United on a higher place which should have yielded dividends if the inside forwards had produced any sort of finish in the second half.  Herd scored a fine goal in the fortieth minute, swivelling round and beating West with a great shot following a Cantwell and Pearson with the last kick of the first half.  He was lucky to get the chance for Stiles failed to hit an intended pass to Gaskell haard enough as Young challenged him, but it was well taken.  Manchester United; Gaskell; Brennan, Dunne; Stiles, Foukles, Setters; Giles, Pearson, Cantwell, Herd,  Charlton. Everton; West; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Lill, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.   Referee; Mr. P Rhodes, (York).  Official attendance; 31,950. 

EVERTON RES 0, MANCHESTER UNITED RES 2
Liverpool Daily Post- Monday, April 23, 1962
Manchester United Reserves won because they mastered the heavy conditions better than Everton Reserves who however had slightly more of the game.  The Everton forwards persisted in working the ball through the mud whereas United kept it on the move.  Both goals arrived in the first half, Dunlop falling to hold Chrisnall’s low drive in the 29th minute but he has no chance with Ackerley’s volley five minutes from the interval.  The nearest either side  came to scoring in a farcical second half was when Tyrer blazed over the bar from a pass by Veall who was Everton’s best forward, Gannon and Rees were the best of the home defence.

FORTUNATE AWAY POINT FOR EVERTON
Liverpool Echo –Monday, April 23, 1962
By Jack Lowe
Even If they cause win away, Everton are still managing to get a point although the one they obtained from the 1-1 draw against United at Old Trafford on Saturday could hardly have bon more fortunate. It was not so much  that their god had or two escapes, especially when Brian Harrisheaded a terrific shot from Pearson off the line, or  when Herd somewhat put the ball straight at West from three yardsout, at least a couple of peculiar decisions by Referee  of York.  To me there seemed no clearer case of a penalty than when Setters was brought down by two Everton players in the penalty area in the first half, yet all United got was a corner. Just before this the referee had allowed Vernon to go on after seemingly putting Stiles, and it was justice when the captain, who seemed as surprised as anybody when the whistle did not go, put his shot against the post. Referee Rhodes was also too tolerant of some of the tackling, or what passed for tackling, and I think that this was certainly a match which United could claim that the breaks were not with them. But Evert n got their point, and credit for it goes primarily to the defence because in the second half the attack was almost non- existent, and it would have been ironical and something of a travesty if Temple, on the only occasion when an Evert n player did get through, had scored in the final two minutes.
POOR FORWARDS
Gaskell saved his shot by pushing it around the post and it was a measure of the paucity of the Everton forward line that this was the only save he had to make after the interval. It was almost all United their pressure in the second half and they had enough chances to have won, but neither Herd nor Pearson could make use of two of the best. Then we had the Brian Harris headed clearance and, in very last seconds, a leap by West to pull down Pearsons’ shot through a crowd of players after a free kick.  Everton began the first has brightly. There was more method about their play and the United looked a poor lot for 15 minutes, in spite of thesurging and wanderings of Charlton.  It was these signings, however, which finally brought power to the United and for thelast 20 minutes of the first half they were in control, and deserved, I thought, goal Herd hammered in the 40th minute. 
STEVENS LEVELS 
It was typical perhaps, of the way things went for the United that Stevens should equalise right on the stroke of half time for the Old Trafford defence was all at sea under a challenge by Young, so that when Stiles, tried to get the ball back to his goalkeeper, it went to the wide open Stevens who shot it into the net.  Stevens, besides scoring, worked hard all through, most of the second half in defence, and he gets credit for that, but there was once when Everton looked as if they were capable of something when his slow reaction entered and ended it.  Lill, who came in for Bingham, suffering from a slight strain, did not have a good day against a goodyoung full back Dunne. The same can pretty well be said for the rest the forwards after the first 15 minutes and their most effective work was helping out the defence. The conditions were not pleasant, with a heavy pitch requiring power and stamina, but in this respect the Everton defence was as good as the United, although Thomson is clearly short of his best and could not hold winger Giles. 
MEAGAN'S PART 
Meagan, in spite of  Charlton's dashes, did pretty  well I thought, and Labone, Harris and Gabriel were  strong and dour when they  had to be, while West made  his saves coolly and well.  Giles was perhaps the best  forward on the field and it  was a pity from the United  point of view that the inside  men could not make the most  of his offerings, although Cantwell did head against  the bar in the first half with  West just managing to get  the merest touch of the  flashing effort.  United, however, will always claim that they should have had that penalty in the first half and Everton would be thankful that they were able to complete the second of their holiday matches with a tally of three points.

WEST KEPT BUSY IN EVERTON GOAL
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 24 April 1962
NO SCORE DURING FIRST HALF AT BIRMINGHAM
By Leslie Edwards
Birmingham- Scholfield; Wright, Sissons; Hennessey, Foster, Beard; Hellawell, Bloomfield, Butlock, Leek, Auld.  Everton; West; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.  Referee; Mr. H.P Hackney (Barnsley).  Everton announced to-day that Roy Vernon will not be in their side against Liverpool at Goodison Park a fortnight to-day. He has been given leave to travel earlier, that day with the Welsh team which is to tour South America.  Billy Bingham was back in the side for the game against Birmingham, for which the weather was perfect for on-looking but a little hot for the comfort of the players.  The former Everton centre forward Jimmy Harris was out of the team, losing his place to Bullock, and Birmingham had two other changes Birmingham’s tackling washard and incisive from the start. Nothing came to them from a free kick for hands against Gabriel, indeed the first worthwhile move came from Everton with Young, opening the way for a centre from the left and Stevens side  footing the ball over the bar.  West palmed away a high ball by Bloomfield and it was fortunate that Everton and not Birmingham picked up the ball as it ran loose.  Temple coming in close to goal weaved his way through and then cut the ball back squarely, when a shot might have succeeded.  West was quick to pick up a fast-moving free-kick by Auld. Then Vernon out speeded Hennessey and turned the ball in, but no one was there to accept a first-class chance.  Everton were lucky to survive  when Auld pulled back a  centre which Hellawell nodded  hard for goal, West knocking  the ball up on to the top of  the bar for a corner, which  Meagan headed away almost  underneath the bar.  A grand shot by Temple met an unkind fate, cannoning against Gabriel, who had come up in one of Everton’s many penetrating raids. 
MAGNIFICENT MEAGAN 
Meagan was having a magnificent game already, especially in his constructive work. Temple got a boot on the face when Wright hooked the ball away, and Gabriel and West, both shaping to take a centre from the right, collided heavily.  West misfielded a strong header by Hellawell, but escaped without penalty. The ability of Hellawell to outmanoeuvre Thomsonwas embarrassment to the Everton defence, and hereabouts Bloomfield was only inches high with a header.  On a hard, dry ground and with the ball bounding high, there were many mistakes, but it was good sustained football.  After a period of Everton pressure. West did well to turn over the bar a lob by Auld.  Again West mis-handled, this time from a corner on the left, but Gabriel was at hand to repair the damage.  Birmingham had been much the more dangerous side and Schofield had not been called on to save one shot of any consequence.  West brought off a glorious save from a rocket shot by Hellawell, who flew through the Everton defence as though it did not exist.  Half-time—Birmingham nil, Everton nil. 

AT GOODISON AND ANFIELD
Liverpool Daily Post- Tuesday, April 24, 1962
1,832,025 SPECTATORS SEE GAMES
By Horace Yates
If Everton are to score a third away victory this season their chances to do it is today at Birmingham, the team they beat 4-1 at Goodison Park last Friday for the Midlanders are struggling these days, while Everton are proving a very difficult side to conquer.  The recovery from injury of Bingham means that he will come on at outside right to replace Mickey Lill, who deputised against Manchester United.  The team will therefore be the same as that which has already beaten Birmingham.  For Everton there is the incentive of third place and talent money, if they can finish the season with three victories but to do that they will have to score as many wins away from home in the space of a week as they have managed all the season.  A tall order maybe, but not impossible!  Everton; West; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple. 
Everton’s figures as one might expect are slightly better.  Their League games have attracted 836,431 spectators (with Cardiff City still to come), so that their average is 41,821 if ever a city deserved two successful sides, it is Liverpool.  If we take account of the home F.A Cup attendances also, there is an aggregate of 1,832, 025 for Cup and League matches at Goodison and Anfield. 

HARRYCATTERICK SAYS...
Liverpool Daily Post- Wednesday, April 25, 1962
ENGLAND SELECTORS ARE FACED WITH MANY PROBLEMS
Chile hopes have become decidedly chilly by the recent showing of our international team against the ‘auld enemy” Scotland at Hampden Park.  This followed the easy defeat of Austria at Wembley, a game which did not do England a lot of good.  For the Austrians were surprisingly weak and the amount of space their defence allowed the England forwards was surprising in view of third publicity build-up.  It was significant that England made forward changes after this victory to bring the forward line back which scored nine goals against Scotland year ago. Was this a case of wishful thinking?  Having virtually reached the end of a season in which the entire England build-up was centred on Chile the F, A cannot be happy about the all-round performances of the national eleven.
SAME PLAYERS
They have picked pretty well the same players throughout the season, except for the usual juggling up front.  But they have, I feel, relied on players’ past performances rather than present ability.  Consequently they have several problems which will have to be solved in the heat of the World Cup preliminaries.  Clubs have an interest in this because a highly successful national team gives the game an uplift at home as well as abroad.  There are many places where England is still held up as the natural home of football and it is high time we were in a position to capitalise on this.  I am not suggesting for one moment that I, or anyone else, could do better.  There is a great shortage of top-class players as we managers are well aware when we look around to improve our own sides. 
CHARLTON –A FIXTURE
But I feel the pattern of play should be more consistent Charlton seems to be a fixture no matter how he is performing with his club, but on the other wing the selectors keep dithering between Burnley’s Connelly –a fast raiding winger- and Blackburn’s Bryan Douglas , essentially a ball-playing type.  These two are completely opposite in their approach to the game.  Whichever supersedes the other it calls for a different tactical approach to the game by virtue of their vastly contrasting styles.  We saw evidence of that at Villa Park when the English League met the Scottish league.  England brought in Brian Miller at right-half, a similar type of player to Ron Flowers of Wolves.  But his job was to take over from Bobby Robson of West Bromwich.  One simply can’t imagine two players more dissimilar than Robson and Miller!  That the selectors realised their mistake was obvious when Sunderland’s Stan Anderson was brought in for the subsequent two international matches.  At least Robson and Anderson play a similar attacking game for their clubs. 
THE MAJOR FACTOR
The international side is no different from a club side in this respect.  When making changes a managers has always to consider how the switch will affect the overall policy of the side.  We all appreciate its difficulties –none more so than myself when I have had to scan my injured list each week before even starting to write the teams down-but it is nevertheless the major factor.  England for instances adopted a 4-2-4 plan last year.  It is no use trying to switch without changing vital positions and re-planning the whole approach to the game.  Players, presumably, are picked for England on their club performances and it as therefore only right to ask them to lay the same sort of game for their country.  England meet Young England on the Cup Final eve and Switzerland five days later.  Two chances to find the right blend for Chile.  We all wish them well and trust they’ll get back to the rhythm they found last season.  Then we must be in with some sort of chance of making a good show in the World Cup preliminary matches. 

POINT WELL DESERVED
Liverpool Daily Post- Wednesday, April 25, 1962
EVERTON STILL NEED ATTACK PUNCH AWAY
BIRMINGHAM 0, EVERTON 0
By Leslie Edwards
Everton have still to overcome the long hoodoo of non-success away from home, but while they contrive to pick up a point as often as they have in the past month, they will remain in the top flight.  The one they gained yesterday in the sunshine at Birmingham, where there was an attendance of 22,000 was well deserved, and if they had been more punishing in their finishing, they might well have broken the long sequence without victory away.  This lack of punch was notable all through a quite entertaining and sporting match, and especially in the final 20 minutes, when Everton were unquestionably on top.  For Everton the match was of two distinct halves.  In the first their policy was defence in depth with attacks maturing as and when they could raise them.  Later, having survived goalless to the interval, they implemented a more adventurous tactics and played with all the forwards up and this was much the more successful gambit. 
STORMING SAVE
In the first half, West whose handling in the sunshine was not always clean, made a storming save, from a great shot by Hellawell, was saved when Meagan headed away on the line, and must have been relieved to see many strong, if not accurate Birmingham shots fizzing round the target.  In this half at least, Heliawell was all too quick and clever for Thomson who had something of   nightmare match against this winger and needed assistance more than once from Harris and Labone in times of crisis.  Birmingham were unlucky too, when the referee, Mr. Hackney, disallowed a goal scored most dramatically by Leek.  Hellswell closed on goal and hit the ball hard and wide and that the little Scots winger could get his head to a ball travelling at such speed, much less rocket it into the net, was surprising.  This must have been a hair’s breadth decision and the crowd did not like it.  Earlier Gabriel had nearly put through his own goal when turning away a particularly fast centre from Hellawell.  Everton raised only one worthwhile shot in the first half, a very good one by Vernon, at the end of their most penetrative mood, and it was well for Birmingham that Scholfield matched the excellence of West in the case of the shot from Hellawell.  From Everton’s point of view, the second half, was much the better.  Temple fired a good shot just wide after Bingham’s earlier effort had been crowded out, and then Scholfield made a glorious save of a header with a Bingham –Vernon duet all but producing the goal which would have given Everton reward for their late superiority.  Birmingham claimed a penalty after West had saved from Leek and Thomson and Gabriel had converged on the shooter to make a sandwich if not mince meat of him.  This was strong refereeing by Mr. Hackney who handled the game extremely well and kept it free of contention.  The Everton defence was the basis of their performance.  While on the first half, they received great help from the inside forwards they clamped down more and more successfully on the Birmingham attack the further the game went.  There was some good individual performances from Everton.  Meagan lifted the heart of his admirers by not only playing the nonchalant Auld well at close quarters, he twice went up field and made brave attempts to succeed where the attack had failed. 
NOT AS DOMINANT
Stevens had an excellent match too, if you for his long, beautifully jugged passes to either wing.  These stamp him as the tip top player we always knew him to be.  Young did many clever things too, but he came on the receiving end of a number of foul tackles and free kicks are often unrewarding.  Vernon was not as dominant as he is in matches at Goodison Park; indeed this seems to be a failing in the Everton attack which is so full of fire at home and so tame in much of its finishing in away games.  The half-back line, linked by Labone was a good one and if Bingham and Temple had put to better use the many passes they received when they were in the clear, Everton must have had some reward for their endeavour.  Birmingham’s Bloomfield was the brains of their attack and Auld, in the first half at least was a master of strategy and of accurate movement of the ball.  On this showing he is a great player.  Oddly enough when he came to close grips, with Meagan it was the little man who more often than not came out on top.  Considering the ease with which Hellawell strode through, puzzling Thomson time and again, the miracle was that Birmingham did not see the game up in the first half alone.  This was not a great game, but for an end of season one it was always entertaining and Everton must be in no doubt now that if they want to win away they must produce much more conviction in attack though on this occasion they almost did enough to have gained both points.  Birmingham; Scholfield; Wright, Sissons; Hennessey, Foster, Beard; Helliwell, Bloomfield, Bullock, Leek, Auld.  Everton; West; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Temple.  Referee; Mr. P. Hackney, Barnsley. 

YOUNG’S FEET ARE A BLISTERING NUISANCE
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 25 April 1962
By Leslie Edwards
People who busy themselves wondering when Everton last won an away match might more profitably ask themselves “When did they last lose away?” Despite many chances forced on them though injury, the team have won a point from each of their last four away engagements.  This, providing you win your home games- and Everton have done exceedingly well in that respect-is championship form.  Moreover, examination of the League table shows that their concession of goals away from Goodison Park is only 30 in 20 games, so there can be no doubt that whatever other failings the club has, defensive weakness is not one of them.  Alex Parker, on crutches and unable to be fit enough even to get into training again this season, was among spectators yesterday at Birminigham to see Mick Meagan do his excellent "deputy " act again. Though Mr. Catterick has always felt himself short of adequate reserves he is now becoming made aware of how close his team could have gone to rivalling Ipswich and Burnley if only the attack had played as well away as it does at Goodison Park. The answer to this puzzle (it is no less) is that there is so much less devil about the forwards when they are on their opponents’ grounds.  Yesterday the chances were there for them to have won, but shooting was not only meagre but without conviction. Only Vernon, for instance, troubled Schofield during the whole of the first half. There was improvement later, but not sufficient, even when Everton were clearly in command in the last 20 minutes, to enable them to clinch a long-awaited victory. I did not see the meeting of the sides last Friday, but this match, at least, was fought hard and fairly and a draw was not an inequitable result remembering the times Birmingham went close to scoring in the first half and the goal Mr. Hackney disallowed after Leek had bulleted in a header from more of a shot than centre by right winger Hellawell.
GOOD COVERING
Hellawell was the man whose supremacy against Thomson, who had something of a nightmare game, should have turned the game in Birmingham’s favour. But Everton’s covering was good and so was West's goalkeeping when it really mattered and so the excellence of Hellawell on one wing and the clever placement of passes by Auld on the other counted for nothing. My impression was that Everton had two distinct tactics. In the first half they defended in depth with Vernon and Stevens both contributing a great deal. After the interval they were bolder and, I think, more successful in an all-up policy. More than once they contrived chances which should have been better taken. Some desperate and not always fair tackling, notably on Young, prevented Birmingham from losing their grip on the game. And Young, it must be added, had the additional embarrassment of a recurrence of his tenderfoot blisters which made every step a painful one and necessitated, afterwards, expert attention of Tom Eggelston. That such a great player should be afflicted with foot trouble at the first hint of hard dry grounds is doubly unfortunate since it could mean that he might have to missthe Cup match against Liverpool, a game for which club was Vernon is already booked a non-starter. Whatever was said of Stevens' slowness to settle down with his new club nothing can detract from the steady progress he has made since. Three or four of his long cross-field passes now showed him to be in the Haynes or Revie class and this cousin of the late Duncan Edwards,whose family, from Dudley Port, turned out en masse to see him play far his new club, must have none home happy that he was playing well as ever he did at Bolton.
THE STRONG LINE
The Everton half back line,too, fared well, with Labone - masterly in an unobtrusive way - I wish other players woulddo their as work as well and as quietly, and fine support by Harris and Gabriel.  This line is the one which holds Everton together, though there may be more brilliant players in other departments.  Bingham a bit jaded after season without respite, was not as good as usual.  Nor was Vernon, who might have done better in the first ten minutes  to strike for goal after bursting through down the left  and leaving the defence almost fiat- footed . He elected, instead, to turn the ball inwards to make the chance more of a certainty. Temple had done similarly a minute or two before.  Birmingham have one of the best, and quaintest, footballing characters I've seen for seasons-Auld, whose legs look positively ancient, but whose spirit and football “nous” are anything but that.  He slides a pass with wonderful artistry: has plenty of bite, yet ambles about the pitch almost as if he doesn’t care-until the ball comes his way.  Then it is for the defence to beware' He did not try a personal battle against Meagan until the game was more than half over, and then Meagan did well, but while he was spreading the ball about most accurately he was  always a great nuisance. In the sunshine. West did not always handle the ball  as cleanly as he would wish, but no serious damage arose, and when he seemed likely to be beaten by an unexpected “ rebound" header Meagan was there on the line to head the ball to safety.

CIVIC HONOUR LIKELY FOR CITY FOOTBALL CLUBS
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 25 April 1962
By Echo Municipal Correspondent
Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs are likely to be entertained at Liverpool Town Hall.  The Finance and General  Purposes Committee decided  to-day to ask the Lord  Mayor( Alderman Peter  McKernan) if he would  agree to extend the invitation  in recognition of the  successes enjoyed by both  clubs during this season.  Liverpool are certain of the  Second Division Championship  and Everton stand a  good chance of finishing  third in the First Division, the highest position they  have occupied since the  war.

EVERTON GET A NOTABLE VICTORY
Liverpool Daily Post- Thursday, April 26, 1962
EVERTON RESERVES 3, LIVERPOOL RESERVES 1
Everton Reserves gained a notable victory over their more highly placed local rivals in a fast and exciting game at Goodison Park last night. The match was soon set alight by Webber who put Everton ahead in the third minute.  The move was executed so quickly that Slater had scarcely time to move to Webber’s defection of Tyrer’s cross.  Everton increased their lead in the 15th minute through a brilliant piece of work by Webber who after leaving Lawler sprawling found Slater and both full backs converging on him.  Instead of trying to beat them he side-footed the ball towards the in-running Lill who slammed it into the net.  During Liverpool’s determined efforts to reduce the arrears Parnell kicked off the line before Arrowsmith eventually netted four minutes from half time.  Wing men Wallace and Morrissey were the most effective Liverpool forwards who, however, lacked both cohesion and penetration.  On the other hand Everton’s defence has seldom played better this season.  Heslop starred at centre half and he received admirable support from Sharples and Parnell.  Webber led the Liverpool defence, in which only White and Smith produced their normal from a merry dance and he netted again eight minutes from the finish. 

GOOD SATURDAY –IF YOU DON’T PLAY ON FRIDAY
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 26 April 1962
SAYS EVERTON’S ALEX YOUNG
The Easter fixtures solved some of football's championship, promotion and relegation issues, but many questions are still to be answered, including the one which interests us at Everton—who finishes third in the First Division?  Much depends on our home match against Cardiff on Saturday, and what a game this should be, for Cardiff desperately need two pointsalso, if they are to avoid adrop into Second Division football next season.   As I mentioned last week, the Easter fixtures have a big effect on a club's chances of honours, and it is with this in mind that I would like to draw attention to the way these holiday matches are arranged.  On Good Friday there were only seven First Division matches,  which meant that eight teams could turn out for their Saturday games without feeling the after- effects of a game the day before.
SAME DAYS
Professional footballers  must be prepared to play  three matches in four or five  days at holiday time, and this  I accept as perfectly fair, but  at the same time I think it would  be more just if the games were kept to the  same time three days.  Just have a look how the eight teams that had a free day on Friday fared in their Saturday fixtures. Six won, one drew and the other lost —but to a team which had also been without a fixture the previous day.  I admit that when you check Divisions Two and three the results are not as startling, but nevertheless those Division One figures seem to indicate there is a case for uniformity of fixtures.  While on the subject of 'Easter fixtures, my heartiest’ congratulations to Liverpool on becoming Second Division champions. A city which can boast such grand supporters as Liverpool has, deserves two teams in the premier division.  I forecast both will finish nearer the top than the bottom of the table next season. 
TACTICS CHANGED 
A change of tactics away from home has improved our, form in recent matches, and; I thought the draws at Manchester United and Birmingham were brought, about by a fine Everton team effort.  Against Birmingham on Friday we won comfortably, with Derek Temple scoring a brilliant goal after a fine solo run. I know Derek has tremendous ability, and it has been heart-warming during recent home matches to hear the crowd giving him so much encouragement. He may lack a little confidence at times, but on his day I rate Derek one of the most effective left wingers in England.  During this match Referee Fussey, of Redford, produced some tremendous bursts of speed up and down the playing pitch. However. I notice that even referees don’t escape injury during the holiday matches, for while officiating at the Tranmere -Rochdale game on Saturday, Mr. Fussey was unlucky enough to pull a thigh muscle
KEEPING POSSESSION 
In the closing minutes of the Good Friday match, anxious to avoid any unnecessary knocks and preserve our strength for the two remaining holiday matches, the Everton players passed the ball around among them and did not attempt an attack on the Birmingham goal.  I have watched Real  Madrid adopt these tactics on,  several occasions, and you  may remember earlier , this  season that Sheffield  Wednesday did exactly the  same thing at Goodison.  My view is that these tactics are justified, but some of the fans last Friday gave indications that they do not share my views. Drop me a line and tell me why. 

ROY VERNON SAYS...
Liverpool Daily Post-Friday, April 27, 1962
A GOOD IDEA- BUT HARDLY WORKABLE
You know it is often said that the real fan seldom misses a trick and I am inclined to agree with that view.  This thought is prompted by receipts of a letter from Tom Evans –Wallasey, who tells me that an easy way to stir up excitement in football is to cut the season in two- and have no championship.  He points out that excitement at the top of the divisions has been building up to a peak in the last few weeks and says why not cash in on this by having two championship –one for the first half of the season and the other covering the entire season.  I agree that such a scheme would create enthusiasm always provided it was workable I hate to throw cold water on any idea, but I don’t see how it could be done.  In the first place all the clubs could not play each other in each period, at least not twice, so that League placing would hardly be a true reflection of merit.  I think he anticipates this criticism because he suggests that the two teams finishing at the top could play a final match to decide the half way champions.  It is ingenious but I don’t think it could work and in any event the top of the table is only half the story, what about the bottom of the League? Obviously there could not be two lots of relegation.  That would be distinctly unfair, and although I may be a bit of a dreamer myself, I think this plan is doomed to failure from the word go.  Still, it is good to know that readers are prepared to think out things for themselves.  The League tried to meet this mid-season void by introducing the League Cup competition, but everybody knows that this has hardly been the success anticipated.  Whether there would be a brighter future for it if it were limited to the members of the First and Second Divisions I don’t know, but I can just imagine the uproar from below.  The clubs in the lower divisions are more friendly disposed to the idea than their seniors and would not easily stand down.  You see, the idea of the League Cup is to spread interest throughout the game, not merely in one particular section.  For example I have not the slightest doubt that of a competition could be started between members of the First Division and ten leading members of the Second Division at the time the draw for the first round is made, that it would prove an attraction.  It might even by a winner, but do we really want more matches?  That is the difficulty.  Although any club would fight to qualify for a place in the money-spinning European Cup competition, generally club officials would recall in fear at the prospect of adding to the fixture list. 
SAVING GRACE
One of the saving graces of the senior competition I have outline is that only five matches would become necessary, even for the finalists (excluding the possibility of draws)  That might not be an insuperable problem.  The beauty of this sort of competition would be that the whole thing could be over in five or six weeks- before we really reached the worst of the winter.  Just about this stage of every season you find clubs bemoaning the fact that if only they had taken points from this match or that, games they considered should have been won and were lost, what a difference they could have made.  Everton just now are no exception to that, for as we have watched the tussle between Burnley and Ipswich at the top of the table, it has been hard to resist the idea that we might easily have been up there right among them.  It is just too late now, even if we won both our remaining games, but I think those who have been writing us off for a greater part of the season will be keeping very quiet just now.  It makes such a difference when an old colleague joins another club.  The lads at Everton, who otherwise could hardly have cared less whether Leeds escaped relegation to Division Three or not, have found themselves looking very keenly at the Leeds results in recent weeks, all because Bobby Collins is involved in their battle against relegation.  It looks as though they will steer clear of the big drop, but it could be a close call all the same.  Those who like to think the First Division is so much more powerful than the Second, must have had their ideas upset somewhat this season, with both Ipswich Town and Sheffield United, last season’s promoted sides, right up at the top.  I can just imagine the Liverpool supporters chipping in at this stage that they took three points out of Sheffield United in their last clashes and that Liverpool are twice as good now! We shall see. 

EVERTON TEAM
Liverpool Echo - Friday 27 April 1962
Everton are unchanged against Cardiff City at Goodison Park to-morrow.  Young, who suffered blistered feet in the match at Birmingham, has been rested from training and will be fit.  Everton: West; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple. 

VITAL FOR CARDIFF
Liverpool Daily Post- Saturday, April 28, 1962
By Horace Yates
Everton wind up their home League programme today with a visit from Cardiff City, a match which could push the Welsh team nearer to relegation and almost certainly will.  There have been signs of a late rally by Cardiff, but Everton power at home is too great to leave City with any real hope if using the match to ease their problems.  Young has recovered from his foot trouble and Cardiff may find his association with the dynamic Vernon just too much for the defence.  Everton can still command third place, and they realise that even though it may mean the coup de grace for Cardiff, this is a game they must win, following it with another at Arsenal next week, just to show that they really can still win away from home.  Everton; West; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple. 

GOALS GALORE IN FINAL FLOURISH AT GOODISON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 28 April 1962
ALL FIVE FORWARDS AMONG THE SCORERS
EVERTON 8, CARDIFF CITY 3
By Michael Charters
Everton; West; Meagan; Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.  Cardiff City; Vearncombe; Stitfall, Milne; Baker, Rankmore, Hole; King (P.), Tapscott, Charles, Durban, Pickrell.  Referee; Mr. A. Holland (Barnsley). 
A superb pass by Harris to Young opened the way for Everton’s first attack and when Young moved the ball across to Vernon, Stitfall put the ball away for a corner.  From Temple's flag kick the ball came out twice to Thomson, whose two shots were intercepted.  Everton took a fortunate leading goal after nine minutes through Young who looked to be at least three yards off side when he moved on to a long pass from Thomson. However, there was no flag from the linesman who was right on the spot and Young went on to dummy his way inside Rankmore, and hit an angled shot towhich  Vearncombe made a partial  save but could not prevent the ball going into the net just inside theright. 
THRILLING RUN
This was unfortunate for Cardiff who now began to face an Everton attack movingin its brightest form. There was some delightful combination of passes coming from deep in defence, and Vernon made a thrilling 50-yard run holding off Baker all the waybefore finding his shot blockedby the Cardiff wing half. Gabriel made a timely tackle on Durban to prevent the Cardiff man getting in a shot, and altogether the match was full of interest and good football at this stage, with Everton's wing halves playing get particularly well. Cardiff won an equaliser after 16 minutes through heading duet between Charles and Tapscott. From a long centre by Stitfall, Tapscott back-headed the ball to Charles who headed  it on and it hit the inside of an upright and slipped just over the line. bettered.  But two minutes later Everton were back in the lead again through a goal by Temple. To complete a fantastic four minute spell Vernon made the score 3-1 for Everton after 20 minutes. This was as cheeky a goal as we've seen all season. A good pass up the middle saw Vernon, shadowed by Rankmore, foot the ball past the Cardiff centre half and when Vearncombe came out rather late, he coolly lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper into the empty net. Everton's forwards wereplaying as well as they've done in any game this season and Young was the next to delight the crowd with a fierce shot from 25 yards which Vearncombe saved at full stretch. 
PUNISHING SPEED 
Cardiff were doing all they could to fight their way back  into the game, but it was  mainly a defensive chore for  them as Everton's forwards, with Vernon and Temple outstanding,  continued to play  beautiful football at punishing  speed.  Cardiff conceded corner after corner to stop the relentless tide of Everton pressure.  From one corner taken by Vernon on the right,Temple’s neat side foot pass to Stevens made a clear cut opening, but Stevens put the ball from only eight yards. 
FIVE-MAN MOVE 
Following a brilliant five- man move, Temple pushed the ball back for Harris to try a, shot, and although the wing half got plenty of power behind the ball, his direction was not so good, and Verncombo saved quite ably.  The first Cardiff shot for some time came from Hole- a good effort with the ball swinging late away from goal.  Hole was a little unlucky  a moment or so later when he moved up for a left wing  corner and hit the ball on  the run only to see it swing across the face of goal and  go just outside the far  upright.  The referee spoke to Gabriel after the Everton man had handled the ball in intercepting a pass from King, and from the free kick taken by Baker, Tapscott made a fine glancing header which went just wide.  Young lying back, was trying to get the ball through to Vernon who was the spearhead of Everton's attack, and twice Rankmore put the ball back to his goalkeeper from fully35 yards out.  Temple has never played better all season and his gathering of the ball and moving on almost in one moving on almost in one movement could not have been bettered.  A minute before half-time Cardiff put themselves back in the game with a chance from a goal by Pickrell which West should have saved.  A long centre by Milne was headed by Labone and Thomson only half completed the clearance for Pickrell to try a volleyed shot, the ball bouncing and slipping through West’s arms into the net. 
Half-time. Everton 3, Cardiff 2.  Within three minutes of the resumption Stevens had missed a sitter for Everton, and then scored in their next attack.  The first followed a beautiful bit of work between Harris and Temple with Vernon pushing the ball through to Stevens, who somehow contrived to put the ball over the bar from an easy position.  Vernon won a corner in the next minute, and from his kick Veartcombe, challenged by Young,pushed the ball out to Stevens,who immediately volleyed it back into the net. 
TWO ESCAPES 
Everton had two escapes in the next few minutes to maintain the tempo of excitement, first when Thomson and Labone between them, left the ball, thus allowing Tapscott to try a hook shot which went high over the top.  Then a good run by Pickrell and a final cross was missed by West, and the ball sailed across an empty goalmouth before Harris hooked it away to safety.  Temple continued to impress with his new-found power on the wing, but he was off target with a shot as he cut inside, and tried to beat Vearneombe from the edge of the area.  Everton were producing a brilliant brand of inter-passing and Cardiff really were no match for them.  But the Welsh side,so desperately In need of points were playing well themselves, although never matching the class of Everton. 
EXHIBITION STUFF 
If Everton had a fault at this moment it was that they were trying to be too clever, and were trying the difficult move rather than the simple one.  When it came off it looked tremendous, and they were treating the crowd to a real exhibition.  Meagan moved up to take a  short corner from Bingham,  and his strong cross caused  havoc in the Cardiff goalmouth  before Rankmore finally put  the ball away for another  corner.  Vernon had thecrowd roaring their applause with a beautiful shot which just skimmed the crossbar. 
DELIGHTFUL PLAY 
Both Everton full backs and wing halves were moving up into the attack to stagger Cardiff by their general versatility and speed of their moves. Everton were trying every attacking gambit in the game, and their football was a sheer delight.  Harris, one of the outstanding players on a day when all weredoing so well, initiated one attack from the half-way line and finished up in the centre forward position, only a yard from goal almost intercepting a header from Stevens to score what would  have been a sensational goal.  The referee brandished his notebook at Hole after he had been adjudged to have fouled Bingham but nothing came of the free kick.  In this half West had not yet had a save to make, and Everton’s attacking strength was complete.  Everton made their superiority even more pronounced with a goal by Bingham after 71 minutes.  Thomson pushed a free kick up the left wing to Harris, and when the wing -half centred Vearncombe missed it in mid-air, and the ball moved out to the unmarked Bingham who promptly put it back into the net.  Four minutes later Vernon made it 6-2 for Everton from a penalty awarded when Stitfall fouled Temple. Vernon took a corkscrew run up to the ball and cracked it smartly past Vearncombe’s left hand.  This heavy defeat for Cardiff must have signalled their relegation and there was no doubt that Everton were full value for every goal.  News of Fulham leading in London meant that Cardiff were doomed. 
IF ONLY . . . 
Everton by this victory had preserved the finest home record in the First Division, and had their away form matched their displays at Goodison Park, they could well have been League champion’s to-day.  After 80 minutes Pickrell scored a gallant goal for Cardiff, a reward for his persistence from the wing where he had been Cardiff’s best forward.  Everton's defence, understandably  lax at this time, were slow to clear a simple  situation and Pickrell tried  a shot which seemed to  swerve late and hit the  inside edge of the upright  before going into the net as  West made no attempt to  go for it.  This had been the highestscoring game of the season at Goodison Park and rounded off the season in great style.  Vernon scored his third goal, eight minutes from the end when he took a pass from Young, side-stepped Vearncombe and calmly put the ball into the net.  Just after this Vernon goal Pickersll went off the field, having been injured some 15 minutes earlier, but still managed to score in the meantime.  Gabriel completed a fantastic game by scoring Everton’s eighth goal two minutes from the end—a header from a centre by Harris.  Hundreds of boys ran on to the pitch after the final whistle and clapped the Everton team off after this fantastic finale to the home league season.  Final; Everton 8, Cardiff City 3. Official Attendance: 31,006.
EVERTON “A” V ROCHDALE RES
Humphreys went near for Everton, but the Rochdale keeper turned his shot for a fruitless corner.  Everton gradually lost the initiative and Rankin did well to deflect a rising shot from Moulson over the bar.  Half-time; - Everton “A” nil, Rochdale Res nil. 

FIT BY THE END OF MAY
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 28 April 1962
THAT IS THE HOPE OF ALEX PARKER
Last Saturday I said goodbye to the hospital  staff who had looked after me so well, then stood  for a few seconds in the main entrance sheltering  from the rain facing two things—Sefton Park and  the prospect of getting fully fit. Years ago, a cartilage operation was the fear of all footballers, but to-day it is nowhere near as serious. I KNOW I shall get fit again, but the question that has been concerning me—and apparently many others too-is, when?
I may be a wrong, but I  have often felt that the  length of time it takes a  footballer to get over  injuries of this type depends  very much on his mental  outlook,  If he thinks it is a very  serious operation, it will  take him much longer to  get back in the game than  a player who regards it as  one of the many injuries a  footballer risks, For  example, pulled muscles,  bruised legs, ankle sprains.  &c.  I have been asked many  times when I think I shall  be fit again, and it seems  to surprise people when I  answer : "The end of May."  But that is the target I have set myself, and I have  such confidence in the  specialist who is looking  after me that I feel sure  that with him, plus my own  determination, I will do it.  This week I have Just  been resting the leg but,  all being well, I will be  starting exercises next  Monday, and I hope to be  walking be the second week  in May.  By the end of the month  I should be fit, then during  June and the first two  weeks of July, I will train  hard two days a week in  order to be ready to begin  full training when the rest  of the players report to prepare  for next season. 
NO RUSH 
The specialist has told  me that if my injury had  come in the middle of the  season the aim would have  been to have me playing  about six weeks after the  operation, but with the  close season here he has  advised me not to rush  things.  I am still getting plenty of experience as a soccer spectator.  Last Saturday afternoon I went to see the reserve game at Goodison, travelledto Birmingham for the match at St. Andrews on Tuesday, watched our reserves beat Liverpool reserves on Wednesday, and saw the Czechoslovakia v.  Uruguay game on TV last Sunday afternoon.  Sitting in the stand I must be one of the most versatile players in the world. I know exactly what the man with the ball should do—no matter what position he is in—and I haven’t made a mistake yet. 
Yes, even on crutches.  Parker hasn't had a bad game this week. I've a feeling things might be a little different next August. 
HONOURS FOR TWO 
It was good to read In Thursday’s papers that Gordon 'West and Brian Labone had been picked for the Young England v.  England game at Highbury the night before the Cup Final.  It should give Gordon,  who is only 18, a terrific  boost to his confidence, and  let Brian know that the  selectors still think well of  him even though he has  missed the last two Under-23  games.  It is a coincidence that when our manager. Mr.  Catterick was at Sheffield Wednesday his team provided the goalkeeper and centre half for England.  Now he is at Everton he provides the men for the same two positions in the Young England side. And now they are all playing in the same representative game.  No, I haven't forgotten.  Liverpool must be the only club more delighted than we were at Goodison that they will be in the First Division next season. The directors, manager, players and fans deserve it, and this city needs two Division I teams.  I hope, and believe, they will do well next season.  They are a good team and I would like to see them finish as runners-up.  But although I don't like making forecasts. I feel that there are two games next season they won't win.

WOLVES RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo-Saturday, April 28 1962
Wolves Reserves; Finlayson; Kefy, Harris; Goodwin, Slater, Knighton; Read, Stobart, Galley, Conde, Hinton.  Everton Res; Dunlop; Gannon, Green; Rees, Heslop, Sharples; Lill, Tyrer, Webber, Wignall, Veall.  Referee; Mr. H. Davey (Mansfield).  Wolves quickly took the lead, Stobart giving Dunlop no chance as he met a centre from Hinton in the fourth minute.  Lill broke through the middle, but was just beaten to the ball by Finlayson.  Then the right winger, cleverly scheming an opening, shaved an upright with his final shot.  Dunlop made a splendid save from a volley by Read and then was in position to tip over a dangerous centre.  Webber, getting little change out of Slater tried one long range shot but was wide.  Rees, always prominent promptly a move which lead to Tyrer shooting just wide.  Defence were very much on top towards the interval and both goalkeepers had a quiet spell.  Half-time; Wolves Res 1, Everton Res nil. 

EVERTON SENT CARDIFF TO DIVISION TWO
Liverpool Daily Post –Monday, April 30, 1962
ROY VERNON SPEEDS CITY ON THEIR WAY
EVERTON 8, CARDIFF CITY 3
By Horace Yates
When conditions are right, with quality football to match, as they were at Goodison Park on Saturday, it is a wrench to ring down the curtain on another season, and though every goal Everton crashed into the net was akin to a nail being driven into the coffin of Cardiff’s First Division membership , there was too much to admire to spare more than a passing thought for City’s plight.  Ipswich have just been crowned champions a wonderful feat worthy of the highest commendation and congratulation, but I doubt if even they would claim to possess the glittering brilliance of this Everton side on a day such as this.  Brilliance is illuminating, but without the consistency shown by Ipswich, home and away, it is not always decisive, that is why the title race has ended as it has.  Everton’s League programme at Goodison could hardly have gone out in a greater blaze of glory.  True, Cardiff are obviously not one of the most powerful teams in the division, otherwise their situation might be different.  For that matter, neither are Chelsea and yet they spiked Burnley’s title ambitions! 
CRACKED DEFENCE
City’s defence was not only cracked, it was spilt wide open by an attack which danced daintily and devastatingly in the fulfilment of its mission. Often in display so bright as this there is a footnote to the effect that if only the finishing had matched the approach there would have been a scoring orgy.  Here we had the orgy and yet although every forward was a scorer, all five had no option but to plead guilty to missed opportunities.  Cardiff, even when they hit back bravely, never seemed in the slightest degree able to challenge an Everton, who would probably have dealt summarily with any other of their First Division rivals on this form.  Young and Vernon are artists in their own right, a delight to watch and obviously a nightmare to oppose.  Not that this was a two-man triumph by any manner of means but the two led the dance and the chorus provided a support worthy of the principals. 
SOCCER ARTISTRY
Their passing, positioning, tip-tapping and finishing, mark down the Welsh-Scottish combination as among the most eye-catching and entertaining in football.  They are a feast in themselves and plainly Everton lean heavily on their artistry for their attacking splendour.  As the season dies we are left with a intriguing conundrum.  Is Temple about to blossom into a player of the top flight?  Promise he has shown from the moment of his introduction to first team football, often fleeting and sometimes he has proved downright irritating.  On Saturday, not for the first time this season, there was all the accomplishment, more sustained determination and evidence of a top class football brian.  Have we expected too much too soon from Temple?  Have we survived the danger of rushing an assessment of his possibilities?  The more recent pointers are all in the direction that temple can not only take his place in a distinguished line, but that he can add to its glitter.  Stevens may yet prove to be the man to bully the Everton forwards into sustained  action-home and away- for few players are more restless and the fact that he is not always free from error may owe it foundation in the sheer gluttony he shows for work.  For the most part Gabriel was an extra forward and Harris, master of Tapscott, pushed into the attacking picture with good effect, Charles fell under the spell of Labone, aided and abetted by forwards incapable of causing genuine concern.  Thomson and Meagan made light of their tasks.  Possibly on occasion the defence was too light- hearted and that enabled Cardiff to accomplish a Goodison parity –three goals in the home net.  What happened to West, I don’t know, but being as charitable as I know how, it is still extremely difficult not to lay at his door the responsibility for two of the goals.  Of course, Vearncombe hardly qualified for a medal with errors of judgment not normally debited to him.  In view of what subsequently transpired I don’t think it mattered that Young was allowed to score in nine minutes from a palpably off-side position.  Decisions like these sometimes hit a visiting team hard, but Cardiff were too inferior to worry over-much about this single stroke of misfortune.  Charles equalised in 16 minutes, but Temple and Vernon goals (17 and 19) and one by Pickerell (44) left the score at half-time 3-2.  Stevens (47) and Bingham (72) left every Everton forward with a goal.  A Vernon penalty in 76 minutes and a further goal in 82 minutes gave the Welsh-man his first treble of the season, but sandwiched between the two was a Pickerwell goal for Cardiff (81) In the alst minute, up came Gabriel to claim the score he had been seeking for most of the half, after Pickerall had retired five minutes from the end.  Everton; West; Meagan, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Stevens, Young, Vernon, Temple.  Cardiff City; Vearncombe; Stitfall, Milne; Baker, Rankmore, Hold; King, Tapscott, Charles, Durban, Pickerall.  Referee Mr. A Holland, (Barnsley).  Attendance 31,000

WOLVES RES 2 V EVERTON RES 1
Liverpool Daily Post –Monday, April 30, 1962
With Lill prominent in the early stages of this Central League game Everton Reserves made a fight of it at Molineux but were beaten 2-1.  Lill made a great run early in the first half and finished with a shot which was only just wide, while afterwards Tyrer nearly converted a half chance.  It was Tyrer who scored the Everton goal in the seventieth minute with Wolves defenders wrongly expecting the referee to give a decision in their favour.  Dunlop in the Everton goal was a useful as ever, Stobart and Galley got the home side’s goals, one in each half. 

THE QUIETEST GUVNORS IN THE GAME
Liverpool Echo - Monday 30 April 1962
By Leslie Edwards
What a mercy we were spared the agonies of suspense endured in Burnley, Ipswich, Sunderland, Swansea and Leyton! The late resolving of so  many promotion battles made the final Saturday of  the League season a dramatic one. The respite of not caring much what happens at Plymouth was welcome. Nothing is better for football than that the honours should go round. That is why the success of Ipswich and Leyton gives great pleasure.  The men in charge. Messrs. Alf Ramsey and John Carey, are probably the two quietest guvnors in the game. Their own play was steeped in the tradition that if you keep aiming at good entertaining football you cannot come to harm.  Mr Carey has a point when he says that half your games are played away and therefore the ability to win only at home is of little use. To gain promotion, as he has, within a season of having a desperate fight against relegation makes success the more remarkable. And it is fitting that he should mention his aides, Eddie Bailey and trainer Leslie Gore who have done so much to make the executive team click."  I think we are destined to see Leyton in Division 1 for many, many seasons. If Ipswich stay there, too, to continue to confound those who saw little good in their performances, all the better.  It must have been a sad day at Goodison Park for Welshmen present among the 3, .000 people who saw Cardiff City beaten by eight goals to three. It is bad enough to lose a relegation-loaded game by a single goal; to have eight put in your net is rubbing it in—painfully. If Cardiff  had had the ball running for them as well as Everton did  the result could have been eight-five, an aggregate which  would have come close to matching Everton's ten-four  defeat in the Ian Buchan era. 
GOODBYE HANDSHAKENS
When Everton last suffered relegation nothing went rights for them in their final few games. Now it was Cardiff’s turn to suffer this humiliation. I don't say they are a good team, but they did this time play well enough to have escaped with a fairer (and finer) margin. In the  event they lost three quick goals, got to 3-2 on the stroke of the interval and then found Everton surging further and further ahead almost throughout the second half in which winger Pickall, who had scored twice was forced to leave the field through injury five minutes before the end.  So when the traditional handshakes came at the end of a highly-successful Everton performance-I almost said exhibition-they meant “Good-bye” and not “We’ll probably beat you when next we meet.”  As one who saw Cardiff’s great between-Wars side, with its Keenor, Farquharson, Nelson, Len Davies, Ferguson and Wake, one could not help being sorry that the club should be destined for another spell (and who can say how long it will be?) in the shadows.  But respectfully one must ask,”  if football is a matter of getting the ball into your opponents net how is it that a side in trouble can indulge itself in so many reverse passes in all departments?”  Cardiff forward passed the buck, which was the ball, back to defenders time and again and then chased up-field, leaving the Everton defence intact and still to be beaten.  Charles was unrecognisably poor compared with what we know he can be, so was goalkeeper Vearncombe, at fault in more than one case.  Only Tapscott, eager, but unlucky, and one or two others were comparable with their opposite numbers. 
FOR THE MOST PART
Everton, for the most part, were at their brilliant best.  All their forwards scored, Vernon three times (including one penalty). So did Gabriel, whose header was crossing the line when " Shirley " Temple (the nick-name is now a form of endearment, not an epithet) crashed it to the back of the net for good measure.  There were, however, two incidents which, if the  positions of the teams in the League had been reversed, would have brought howls of rage—the deliberate handling  by Gabriel when his side led 3-1 and the Rugby tackle of  Thomson on Tapscott when that player was through and  the score stood at 4-2. This really was rubbing it in. The Cardiff players were right to look a little contemptuous.  In the sunshine Everton's big victory gave the game a gala atmosphere. The crowd were holiday mood: they were very fair in rewarding the few competent efforts Cardiff made to keep the game alive. But Cardiff were lost almost from the first kick. Young, who may have been offside, weaved his way in twelve minutes to a goal with a shot Vearncombe touched but could not hold. Charles,  with a header off a back-header  by Tapscott, made it  1.1; Temple all but broke  the net with a shot that took  the score to 2-1 and Vernon,  with a cheeky lob established  it at 3-1.  Then on the interval Pickrell hit the volley West, in turn, handled, but could notstop.  Stevens after a blatant miss made good with a goal a moment later; Bingham sent the score to 5-2.  Vernon made it 6-2 and Pickrell, energetic and determined, got another for Cardiff before Vernon and then Gabriel completed the scoring.  If only Everton could catch this sort of inspiration from Young's leadership in away matches. If ever they do you can depend on another trophy arriving to supplement the one Liverpool will receive to-night at Anfield.