SKIPPER COLLINS AND VERNON TURN ON THE SPARKLE
Monday, October 2, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON 4, ARSENAL 1
By Horace Yates
Just two names on a team sheet, but what a world of difference they made to Everton.  The return of Collins and Vernon acted like magic and transformed the while of their attack.  If Everton were to claim that this Collins, Young, Vernon triangle is as good a club, inside forward formation as any in the country, they might find a lot of people willing to go all the way with them-so long, of course, as they do not mention it too near Anfield.  Young, as I had hoped, showed his appreciation of the changed formation with a display that plainly promises a rapid return to the standard of excellence with which he thrilled spectators last season.  Before the game I was surprised at the number of people who expressed regret that Wignall had been left out.  This obviously is a mark of the undoubted progress he has made, but for me Young, good and getting better, is just the man to place between master footballers of the type of Collins and Vernon.  These three, in almost complete harmony, led Arsenal such a merry dance that one saw more fouls from the Londoners than should ever be the case.  I think Arsenal realized just how unsporting was some of their play, but the realization that to allow these phantoms in blue to go skipping past could only lead to disaster, imposed a temptation which they were powerless to resist.  For the most part it was sheer delight to sit back and watch some of the Everton football, and it was no accident that Collins, Vernon and Young were the men figuring most prominently in it.  One expected something out of the ordinary every time they touched the ball and generally there was no let down.  With Bingham also celebrating his inclusion in this august assembly with a most workmanlike effort it is hardly surprising Everton scored four times.  It might have been much oftener, for first Vernon missed a treble when his lofted header passed inches over the bar with Kelsey well out of the picture, and then flashed the ball a foot wide, Parker and Bingham congratulated themselves on the part they had played in the “score.” Bingham hit the underside of the bar without registering.  Still I think victory by 4-1 is convincing enough.  Fell was a great deal more effective than at Burnley, but it seemed to be a struggle for him to try to keep pace with the football that came apparently so naturally from his colleagues.  Too, often he slowed down movements when team mates were running into the open spaces in readiness for the quick thought and equally rapid action.  To some extent Brian Harris fell into similar criticism, for there were times when he failed to perform what seemed to be this obvious part in a movement and contrasted with precision placing from others the comparison was the more glaring.  For all that who could point a finger of criticism at him defensively? I thought his tackling like that of Gabriel was magnificent and there is a lot to be said for a man so much on top of his defence.
PROGRESS AHEAD
I think this Everton team has reached the stage at which they can only make progress providing they have seen the last of injuries for a while.  The long looked for soccer treat is at hand.  Most unlike Parker he gave a goal away.  He was probably the only man on the ground who did not see Charles take advantage of the mis-kick to send his crashing through Dunlop’s guard into the net for a score (37 minutes) which equalized Vernon’s goal after nine minutes laid on by Gabriel and Young.  Parker held his head in his hands on the turf as though afraid to look up but it may have been that he was injured, for a few minutes later he collapsed and had to receive attention.  It was a glaring error, but if any man could by subsequent effort, atone for his crime, Parker surely did.  I make no apologies for being a Parker admirer.  There is a crispness and cleanness about his tackles an intelligent reading of every move that to my mind puts Parker on a full back pedestal too lofty for most rivals to climb.  Quietly and undramatically George Thomson had advanced too.  He is a one hundred per cent superior now compared with the halting player he was against Arsenal in his first match last season, and his first time tackling, delivered with all the determination at his command, is reducing many of his opponents to hesitancy and consequent impotence.  Labone strode through the game calmly, resolutely and impressively and no-one could quarrel with Dunlop, for whom we may hope, the worst is last. 
RELUCTANT REFEREE
It is right that referees should award the penalty kick punishment sparingly, but I thought an otherwise efficient Mr. Clements was too inclined to treat it with all the solemnity of the death penalty, judging by his reluctance to impose it.  He could have relented twice without risking the label “homer.” It mattered not that Everton did not need the kicks.  If offences there were they should have been penalized.  Arsenal were in the game with a chance until the fifth-second minute when a shocking foul on Young saw Parker take a quick free kick right to the head of Gabriel who scored.  A minute later another express free kick took Arsenal by storm.  Bingham accepted a Collins prod and racing in, completely beat Kelsey.  Vernon completed the scoring in seventy minutes when Bingham turned the ball back from the by-line and the Welshman hammered it into the net without ceremony.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Arsenal; Kelsey; Magill, McCullough; Brown, Snedden, Neill; MacLeod, Eastham, Charles, Groves, Skirton.  Referee; Mr. W. Clements (West Bromwich) Attendance 43,289. 

BOLTON WANDERERS RES 0, EVERTON RES 2
Monday, October 2, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
Goalkeeper Mailey had a big hand in Everton’s win with his second half display when Bolton staged a determined rally to try and wipe out Tyrer’s 35th minute goal.  The issue was wide open until four minutes from the end when a Temple goal knocked all Bolton’s efforts for nought.  Everton played smooth attacking football in the first half when they were in command newcomer Veall on the left wing making an impressive contribution. 

WAY IS CLEAR FOR AN EVERTON REVIVAL
Liverpool Echo - Monday 02 October 1961
By Leslie Edwards
With thirteen goals from their last four matches and Collins and Vernon safely restored to the side after injury the way is clear for Everton revival. They drew the day's largest attendance 43,168 when beating Arsenal 4-1. With Notts Forest, Liverpool, Sheffield United and Tottenham due at Goodison Park within the next few weeks it looks as though Everton's crowd  bonus money is going to be very substantial.  Manager Harry Catterick who may have been skeptical of the ability of his first team and of the scarcity of adequate reserves must now be assessing his playing strength more optimistically. The truth is that no team could hope to continue to succeed in spite of the absence of such players Collins and Vernon, who would be key footballers in any club in Britain.  Mr. Catterick has, I think, improved Everton in one important respect. He has asked of the team greater physical effort. Arsenal,a big team if one excepts such average size players as McLeod and Eastham were clearly dismayed, if not astonished, by the intensity of Everton tackling in all departments. As Arsenal, too, were prepared to take physical risks the game became rugged. I put it to the credit of Referee Clements, of West Bromwich that he used the advantage rule cleverly when awarding a free-kick would only have been penalizing the innocent.  The case of Bingham's goal after a linesman had flagged a foul on the scorer near the touchline was an example of how a referee can mete out justice while seeming to ignore an offence. Mr. Clements' free-kick against Vernon on the stroke of the interval after an incident in which Vernon had to receive trainer's attention was another brave and, I think, correct decision. Vernon’s fault initially even if Neill came along with a palpable offence when both players were lying on the ground.
NEEDN’T HAVE BOTHERED
Collins rightly enough, came back after long absence to try to show spectators what they had been missing. He need not have bothered. We knew! The little man set Everton going from the first moment. It did not matter that he tired in the second half. The damage had been done and no one denied him breathing space after his return had been marked so fittingly, so competently.  Vernon, too, had a fine match, skipping over tackle after tackle judiciously and taking the first and last goals. That he missed the easiest chance of the match, a sitter from a fine through pass by Bingham did not detract much from the effectiveness of a man whose individuality, like Collins', is itself worth the admission charge. There was, also, a fine contribution from Young.  He may not be endowed with great stamina but his occasional touches of genius mark him as a player-and-a- half able to infiltrate, almost magically, into a defence with a deceptively quick dart that must be the envy of heavier-built players like Mel Charles.  I am convinced Young is best in the centre, where his major job is linking the flanks, not necessarily getting goals. The adage that art conceals art was never better emphasized than by this quiet, undemonstrative Scot who clears the decks for his manoeuvres with absurd ease.  Well as these players performed there was one other in the line who outshone them-Bingham. He has played some splendid games this season, but this one topped the lot. Not only did he hit a cross shot which the admirable Kelsey could not hold; he headed the ball against the bar, provided Vernon with the centre from which Everton madeit 4-1 and in general played himself into the hearts of people who love  a man of courage and particularly when he’s a little ‘un. NEARLY THREE IN THREE MINUTES
Everton got two goals in two minutes after Charles had brought Arsenal level at 1-1 and if Bingham had been luckier it would have been three in three minutes. What-ever hopes Arsenal had of maintaining the Interval score of a goal each went quickly in the second-half when those excellent half-backs, never leaving their opponents time orspace to develop movements , got complete command Kelsey, one of the few Arsenal players to emerge creditably was as ever. Oddly be made contact with the ball three  of the four times on which he was beaten Dunlop had similar experience with Charles' successful shot after Parker had for once, blundered by putting the ball squarely at the feet of the scorer. Gabriel with headed goal from a free-kick and with his obvious enthusiasm and daring had a memorable match. Indeed, Everton looked far the better side in nearly all departments. Only Fell, with some unaccountably inaccurate passes in the second-half, fell below standard. Of Arsenal it would he kinder to say nothing. I never saw a Highbury team with an little fight-in the proper sense: I never saw an Arsenal line seem so puny. Certainly Mel Charles has never had such a lean time when he has played here. Only the leggy Skirton, on the left, looked up to Arsenal standard. The play of Eastham was all too frothy and impractical; McLeod and one or two other seemed to give the game up as lost long before Everton established their lead. 

THEY’VE SIGNED ‘GHOST SQUAD’ OF GOALKEEPERS!
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 03 October 1961
By Leslie Edwards
Everton manager Harry Catterick is mildly amused by stories linking his club's name with that of many new players. “If what I have read these last few week-ends is any criterion, he says, “then we have eight new goalkeepers on the staff and almost as many new half-backs and forwards!"  Everton scouts watch hundreds and possibly thousands of players in the course of a season,but only a tiny percentage are signed. It would be wrong, too, to take much notice of indications that  Everton, far from buying, are thinking of selling  some . . .  A friend, Trevor Williams, whose memory for football  fact is almost photographic, tells me that he recalls  an occasion when Everton released no fewer than five of  their internationals on one day. It was long ago, of course, on a day when England played Scotland and Wales met Ireland. The club even signed a new goalkeeper, Scott,especially for the occasion.  It is good to hear that Everton have advised Wales, Ireland and Scotland that now the crop of injuries is no  more they are prepared to release players required internationally.  Surely it is time Wales, Scotland and Ireland demanded, as a right, all the players they need? England have had things their own way in this respect too long. 

KELSEY’S BOGEY?-IT MUST BE ROY VERNON
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 04 October 1961
Says Alex Young
Much has been written lately on the subject of  whether club or country should come first, but  when Arsenal come to Goodison Park on Saturday  country ties were forgotten and club allegiance was  emphatically to the fore, especially when Roy Vernon  cracked two goals past fellow Welsh international,  Jack Kelsey, in the Arsenal goal.  Since Roy donned the royal blue of Everton in February, 1960 he has played against Arsenal four times, and scored seven goals.  His tally for the four games reads and on each occasion Jack has been guarding the Gunners goal.  I doubt if there is anybody who can equal this performance against Kelsey, considered by many to be the best goalkeeper in Britain.  But before he joined Everton, Roy played three times for Blackburn against Arsenal and didn’t score once!  An attitude of disregard for  fellow countrymen was  shown by Billy Bingham and  George Thomson, both of  whom were playing directly  opposite players born in the  same country, and had out-standing games. 
OVATION FOR BOBBY 
Arsenal left back Bill McCullough, several times Billy Bingham’s colleague in the Irish team, had a busy time shadowing our ever-mobile right winger. In fact, near  the end of the match he  turned to Billy and said:  "Why don't you stand still  for a minute, then we can  both have a rest"  It was great to have our skipper  Bobby Collins back after  missing eight matches and to see him playing so well. The fine ovation he received when he took to the field expressed the feelings of everyone present,including the players, and I know Bobby greatly appreciated it.  The sight of Jimmy Gabriel placing the ball into our opponents’ net is always a source of extra inspiration, to the Everton team. Jimmy gets so excited after scoring that if there were no crowd and surroundings at Goodison.  I think he would have run twice around StanleyPark before any of us caught up to congratulate hm.  Anyway, Saturday's winsaw us creep into the top half of the league table and with our Reserves. A and B teams recording victories -the A and B teams against Liverpool—happy days could be here again.  My remarks about substitutes last week brought amost interesting letter from Thomas Hagan, of 150Stuart Road, Walton, who has just returned to thiscountry after spending a considerable time in the United States. Substitutes have been allowed in American football for soma years, so Mr.  Hagan speaks with some authority on the subject.  After watching matches at  Goodson and Anfield in  which Roy Vernon and Brian  Turner were injured, I think  it is time the F.A. amended  their rules and allowed substitutes  to replace injured  players, says Mr. Hagan.  He adds: "I have heard it argued that a player not having a good game could take an injury, but to methis seems absurd. With good wages, gate, appearance and winning bonuses, a player would be foolish to attempt this deception."  Pointing out that by leaving the field unnecessarily a player may lose his place to the man who substituted for him and thereby lose a considerable amount of money.  M. Hagan adds that football is a game for two teams of 11 players and that is what spectators pay to see.  You certainly seem to have a point Mr. Hagan.  Tony Howard,of 44 Berwick, Avenue, Ainsdale, asks several questions about dribbling and also whether it possible for a player from a school which plays Rugby to do well at Soccer.  As I have said before, not all the schoolboy wonders end up in First Division football.  If you play soccer regularly outside school and study your game and look for waysof improving it, as Tony is no doubt doing, there is no reason why one should not become a good footballer.  It would take too much space to answer questions on dribbling fully. Tony, but the public libraries haveplenty of books on soccer coaching and you will find the diagrams in these most helpful.
SHOOTING TIPS 
Ideas on improving one’s shooting are requested by P Hopkins, of 1 Delamen Green, Ellesmere Port.  Take a few friends along to the local park and get them to pass the ball to you at differentangled and heights.  You can shoot at a target marked on the wall or in some other way, and then judge your improvement by the number of hits you score out of 10.  One point to remember, however.  You have got two feet …use them both.  News of the reception we had waiting for Alex Parker at West Derby golf course last Wednesday must have got out in some way, for he did not turn up.  There will, I expect be more golfing outings to come before the season is over, though, so you can be sure he will not get away with it.  Reader Tony Howard gives this piece of advice, however, for our future ventures on the golf course.  “Tell Alex Parker and the rest of Your ‘Walker Cup’ team to insure their golf balls,” he says.  Tony, when the Everton boys are hitting golf balls about it’s life insurance that is needed.  Your letters are, as usual, most welcome, especially queries on the tactical side of the game I would also like to hear the views of one or two fans on the Club before country issue.  Write c/o Liverpool, Echo, Victoria Street Liverpool. 

ROY VERNON SAYS…
Friday, October 6, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
THE DAWN HAS BROKEN OVER GOODISON PARK
The feeling that it is good to be alive is back in the air at Goodison Park and we can even take a quick look at the League table without the precaution of putting on dark glasses! They were well-meaning chaps who told us it is always darkest before the dawn, and now that the dawn has broken it is easier to believe them.  Three wins from the last four games is just the tonic we needed and if we go on, as we expect to topple a Nottingham Forest side achieving extremely good results this season, then we will be back among the League’s upper crust again.  It is amazing how football fortunes slump and boom.  Remember when we were under the chopper at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday at the beginning of last month? Most people then said that here were the new successors to Spurs as League champions-and I must confess they played really well that day.  Now look at them! They have only the same number of points as Everton and have not won a match since that at Goodison.
SURPRISED OURSELVES
Against Arsenal, Bobby Collins and I returning after lengthy absence dropped into our game so readily that I think we surprised ourselves.  Of course, we had been through the mill in mid-week to ensure that we were hitting the necessary standard of fitness.  Those of you who play golf will know that when you hit the ball correctly, there is a lovely sweet sound about it.  So it is with football.  You can feel when a game is going right for you.  All our troubles seemed to descend on us at once.  Now the clouds have cleared.  If there is a law of averages we should how have a long run with a complete freedom from injury and of we do, Everton supporters will be able to hold their heads high n and company even Liverpool’s.  Most of the Everton boys went along to see Liverpool on Wednesday.  I am not giving away any secrets but I found n alarm or despondency in our camp over the forthcoming meeting on October 18.  I need hardly tell you how pleased the Everton boys were at the club announcement that in future Everton players will be released for international matches.  Because a man wishes to avail himself of the opportunity of playing for his national side it does not mean that he is not a good club man,
£60 PLUS…
It is not so long ago since I played for Wales that I have forgotten the financial details.  For playing in an international a man gets £60 plus, of course, his week’s basic payment from his club.  Admittedly it is very nice money, but believe me or believe me not, that is not the attraction about pulling on your country’s shirt.  Possibly because England is bigger than the Welsh, Irish and Scots territories and reservoirs of players, I believe there is far more patriotic about playing for the minnows than the England boys experience.  It has been said over and over again-pull a red jersey over the head of a Welshman and he is twice the player he is in club games.  In the vast majority of cases I would not seek to deny it.  All I would say is that I wish it applied to me.  I get the fervor all right, I am as excited as the next man and fully resolved that this is to be the game of my life, but so far it has never worked out that way.  I don’t believe I have ever played as good a game for Wales as I have when playing in league football.  Maybe I’ve been unlucky and the turn is in sight.  Here’s hoping.  Billy Bingham who must have played for Ireland almost as many times as he had played for Everton, tells me that the thrill of playing in an international will never grow less so far as he is concerned.  I believe our two Alecs, Parker and Young, and Jimmy Gabriel could make the grade this season.  In case Liverpudlians are wondering where on earth I think Young would play, let me make it clear-centre forward. 
YOUNG FOR ME-
I know that Ian St. John is a great player.  His reputation is well earned, but for me Alex Young at the height of his form, is the best Scottish centre forward playing to-day.  I do not say this merely to rouse the passions of Anfield followers, I say it because I believe it to be true, and I think the exhibition given by these two great Scottish players when in opposition at Goodison Park on October 18 could be one of the features of an outstanding match.  I know that officially it is a friendly game and that both teams could give several reasons why it would be better to keep it so, I don’t think the players or either side will be able to help themselves.  They will give all they have perfectly fairly of course, just as if it were a League meeting or even an F.A Cup clash.  This is the sort of thing that makes soccer great-to play and to watch for many of the players on both sides are the best of friends and are often to be seen in each other’s company.  I doubt if there has ever been a better spirit between members of rivals teams to this or any other city.  I would like to add a note of congratulation to my former colleagues at Blackburn, Bryan Douglas, not only on his selection for England, once again, but on the fact that in a matter of weeks he has been voted the beat English player in two positions.  That is a terrific compliment in my opinion n these days of desperate competition. 

AT BEST, HE SAYS, ONLY A MONEY SPINNER
Liverpool Echo - Friday 06 October 1961
BY Leslie Edwards
At least one reader thinks Everton and Liverpool  should delay their Floodlit Cup meeting (due a week next Wednesday) until Liverpool have assures themselves of promotion. He says: " At a  time when both clubs are afraid of allowing players  to represent their country lest they get injured why  are they willing to hazard the whole 22 in a meaningless competition unheard of outside this city?  He continues: “Mr. Shankly says Liverpool' s   supporters come first. Then please ask him to tell Everton that they can have not only the Floodlight Cup, but the F.A., Zingari and Brassey Street Mission Cups as well. We want promotion,nothing more, I know others who think, as I do, that it would be foolhardy to risk injury for the sake of what, at best, is only a money-spinner.”  I get the point, but there is a lot to be said in answer.  One, Everton and Liverpool, for the moment, Leagues apart, have only this opportunity to get on the same field and give their fans the delight of seeing them in combat, two, the money -spinning nature of the game makes a meeting essential because both clubs are spending more than they have ever spent in history on wages and transfer; three, a chance trust be taken over injury because no one can say when damage to players may arise. One might as well expect both clubs to cut out full-scale private trials for the same reason No, these matches should go on until we can get the regular home and away First Division fixture' that were such a feature of the between-Wars years. But I think the clubs should tell their players that what the crowd wants is an exhibition of football of the sort we saw at Anfield on Wednesday, not a blood-bath battering of each other, under lights.
YOUNG OF EVERTON-FOR £800
The money side of football to-day compared with the past is emphasized by the cutting I have received from Mr. J. Cadwallader, of Murrayfield Road,Liverpool 25. It is an ancient one, dated 1911:- The Wolves' directors have long been criticizedfor holding fast to their bank balance instead of speculating in new players. By the acquisition of Young, of Everton, for £800, the one admittedly weak spot in the team has to been strengthened. The amount of the transfer fee created a big surprise." It’s a far cry from £800for a player of Sandy Young's stature to the £8,000 odd Liverpool took from the Newcastle United match for the attendance of some 52,000 spectators. hat figure may well be approached, or even bettered, at Goodison Park to-morrow when very good Nottingham Forest team come here to tackle the Everton everyone hopes are going to take a further step in rehabillating themselves after many injuries. Forest, now in the charge of that forthright and most honest of men. Andy Beattie, had a pretty lean spell immediately after their Wembley final. The size of Everton's task is well known by Manager Harry Catterick who has illusions about the strength of Forest’s play. It will be good to see Collins and Vernon inspiring the Everton attack again.  They did well enough against Arsenal, now they are match-fit they should be even better.
Mr. Bob Jenkins, who was offered a trial with Everton years ago (mum thought he would be better off concentrating on music and maybe she was right) phoned me with the answer to a reader who asked. "Did either of our clubs ever possess a one-armed player?" Mr. Jenkins, now a dance band leader, recalls that in the 1914-18 War years a wounded soldier named Bain (not David Bain who later played at centre-forward with club) joined Everton and played many times for them in the days when Tom Fleetwood and Alan Grenyer were in the half-back line.   We have had in recent times a one-armed referee. Mr.   Bond. Before that another victim of the First World War, the famous Scot, Andy Wilson, of Chelsea, played despite a badly damaged arm.

EVERTON UNCHANGED 
Liverpool Echo - Friday 06 October 1961
Everton announce an unchanged team against Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park (3-15). Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Nottingham Forest; Grummitt; Baird, Gray; (or Grant); Whitefoot, McKinlay, Illey; Cobb, Booth, Addison, Quigley, Le Flem (or Julland).

LEADING PLCES
Saturday, October 7, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
No one is playing captivating football than Everton, for with Collins, Young and Vernon operating together in the front line there is almost a guarantee of first class fare, and the beauty of it all is that the quality does not by any means end there.  Everton have weathered a pretty severe storm in the shape of injuries and ill-luck and while nobody pretends that the reserve strength is adequate for a club of such high and lofty aims it is perhaps not out of place to ask how many sides could have suffered the sort of blows struck at Everton without showing some sort of damage. 
If Everton have the good fortune now to steer clear of further injury, the rise of the table which has already been noteworthy might easily be maintained until they are back where they belong-in one of the leading places.  Nottingham Forest in fourth place, are better situated that any of their followers could have thought possible when the season opened.  If we cast our minds back to near the half way stage of last season we found Forest occupying the bottom rung, and seemingly in serious danger.  Curiously enough one of the men they sought to help them out of their predicament was the present Everton manager, Mr. Harry Catterick, then with Sheffield Wednesday and when Mr. Catterick decided against a move Forest called in Mr. Andy Beattie.  It proved to be an inspired choice for Andy weathered the early storm, did not hesitate to give youth its fling and achieved an eminently respectable position before the season ended.  Forest have carried on where they left off and although they have won only one of their away fixtures, they have drawn three, so that Everton must repeat their Arsenal form to make sure of victory.  Forest cannot equal Everton for sheer artistry but they are a sound and solid combination.  It was unusual to find Everton completing a double over Nottingham last season but I shall be surprised if they do not use today’s meeting as the first leg of a possible repeat performances.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Nottingham Forest; Grummitt; Baird, Gray or Grant; Whitefoot, McKinlay, Illey; Cobb, Booth, Addison, Quigley, Le Flem or Julians. 

FOREST ARE A TOUGH TEST
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 07 October 1961
IMPROVED SIDE FACE UNCHANGED EVERTON
By Leslie Edwards
Everton, at full strength for the second week in succession, face a muchimproved Nottingham Forest, at Goodison Park, this afternoon. A season ago the opposition would not have been feared; to-day under the guidance of that shrewd manager, Andy Beattie, they are as great a force as when they went to Wembley two seasons ago. But it is in Everton's favour that Vowden, one of Nottingham Forest' s best forwards, is not available for one of the most uncommonof reasons. He was doing a cross-word at his lodgings when he asked a friend to “pass the pencil, please." The pencil, nicely sharpened, was passed in such a way that the point struck Vowden in the eye! And there and then his chances of appearing at Goodison Park to-day ended. Extraordinary the variety of contingencies which can prevent a player turning out. Marriage, tooth-ache, ear-ache, corns too painfully hacked by the player himself, missing a train connection . . . these are others.  Forest have not chosen their side, but are selecting from thirteen. Among them is little Billy Gray, the one-time Chelsea forward (now a full back) who put on one of the greatest shows of wing play at Anfield at Christmas seasons ago when he was beginning his career. It says a lot for him that he has figured in three departments of the team—forward, half-back and full-back. I doubt whether we shall ever see between the sticks—but stranger things have happened. Lley, a great half-back who joined Forest from Spurs after being with Sheffield United, can be almost a team in himself. This non-stop performer always gives value for money. Whttefoot, also in the half-back line, is the old Manchester United player whose transfer looks, on the face of the evidence, to have been startlingly premature. Everton are in better heart than they have been all season. They won readily against Arsenal. Manager Catterick well not expect his side to make such a meal of Forest . He knows, quite well, that they are a completely different, and tougher, proposition. Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Nottingham Forest; Grummitt; Bair, Gary or Grant; Whitefoot, McKinlay, Iley; Cobb, Booth, Addison, Quiglery, Le Flem or Julians. 

EVERTON DELIGHT WITH A SPARKLING DISPLAY
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 07 October 1961
FOREST NO MATCH FOR THIS LIVELY ATTACK
EVERTON 6 NOTTS FOREST 0
By Michael Charters
Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Nottingham Forest; Grummitt; Baird, Grant; Whitefoot, McKinlay, Illey; Cobb, Booth, Julians, Quigley, Addison.  Referee; Mr. R.  Harper (Sheffield). 
Both sides made something of a tentative start and the first move of note was a delightful glancing header by Bingham to Vernon, but when the centre finally came over it was deflected by Grant into the Grummitt.
CROWDED OUT
Although Everton were taking time to settle down, they looked the more dangerous side and a lovely feint by Vernon almost got him clean away, but be was crowded out at the edge of the penalty area when about to shoot. Fell was the next to beat the Forest defence, slipping neatly between Baird and Whitefoot, but his cross was blocked by McKinlay, and when Harris got the ball across Bingham was Off- side.
BEAUTIFUL PASS
The match was lukewarm at present, with Forest mainly on defence, but keeping Everton out of shooting range.  Forest in attack could not get going at all.  A beautiful pass by Vernon to Collins, racing forward into an open space, was intercepted, goalkeeper style, by Iley. But for this blatant handling offence Collins must have had a wonderful chance.  But from the free kick Everton took the lead after 14 minutes. Vernon's kick was blocked and ran out to Thomson who chipped it forward for Collins to head sideways and Gabriel, running through, steered it cleverly past Grummitt for his second goal in successive matches. Forest, by their actions, musthave thought Gabriel was offside, but it was his speed to the ball which made it appear so. Everton were moving with a good deal more zip and fire now. And Gabriel moved forward again to try a shot from, 20 yards, which Grant intercepted near the foot of the post.
SOLID AS A ROCK
Everton were well on top now as Collins and Vernon began to make their passes tell. Defensively Thomson was getting through a good deal of work in brilliant style, and Labone was solid as a rock in the centre. Grummitt hurt his left leg in attempting to save a back pass from McKinley. He dived to Young's feet and failed to collect the ball, but recovered after attention. From the corner kick McKinley beaded the ball straight out to Vernon whose volleyed shot went high over the bar.
SLIPPY SURFACE
The pitch seemed quite slippy on the surface and several of the players slipped up in trying to turn quickly. Quigley was the one Forest forward to make any impression so far, but with Julians well held be Labone there was very little thrust in the middle. Vernon and Young linked in a glorious movement down the middle with the centre forward swerving his way through to try a shot from the edge of the area which struck Grant and was deflected just wide of the post. From the corner Bingham made a fine header which Grummitt saved at full stretch.
CALCULATED PASS
Fell had not been having a good match, but he played an important part in Everton's second goal after 33 minutes. Hs sent a good Pass up the wing to the unmarked Young who took the ball right into the penalty area before sending over a carefully calculated pass to the unmarked Vernon who breasted the ball down, and hit it into thecorner of the net past the diving Grummitt. Everton were unlucky not to be three goals in front a couple of minutes later after  a complicated left wing move which ended with Young dragging the ball back to the unmarked Fell, whose shot struck the unsuspecting Collins and bounced away to safety. Before this, Bingham's header had been scrambled clear by Grummitt and altogether it was an exciting few seconds in the Forest goalmouth. Dunlop had had little to do up to this point, but he produced a wonderful save to fingertip the ball clear for a corner after Booth had tried a shot from 20 yards. BRAVE SAVE
A couple of minutes before half-time Everton's defence hesitated, thinking Booth was off-side, but play went on and Dunlop made a brave and excellent save in coming out to take the ball from the inside forward's toes. Everton fully deserved their half-time lead for they had kept Forest's attacks down to the minimum and might well have been more than two in front with a little better finish. Half-time.—Everton 2, Notts Forget nil.  A minute after half-time Everton were three goals up with a splendid headed goal by Young.  The referee awarded a free-kick against Iley for a foul on Collins just outside the penalty area which Bingham slammed hard across goal and Fell returned the ball into the middle for Young to beat Grummitt with a well-directed header.  In Everton's attack from the kick – off   only a brilliant save by Grummitt prevented Everton from going further ahead. McKinlay slipped and allowed a Young a clear run down the right and the centre forward chipped the ball across to fell to make a deliberate header which Grummitt saved at full stretch.
DEFENCE IN DEPTH
Everton’s defence in depth looked very effective, especially when Labone, Parker and Gabriel got together break up a move with Addison as its focal point. Harris, who was having one of the best games of his life, made a splendid last  ditch tackle on Booth after the inside man had broken through following a lucky deflection. Young slipped the ball out to Fell with the loveliest of passes after wheeling his wayround to make the opening, but the winger slipped and put his attempted shot yards wide. 
FELL'S FIRST GOAL
After 55 minutes Everton were four in front with a finegoal from Fell -his first this season. Harris brought the ball up the left wing with a brilliant interception off Cobb and passed inside to Young who made progress and slipped the ball out to Fell.  The winger cut inside Baird and with a great left footshot put the ball into the far corner of the net.  Everton were out-classing Forest. Some of the visitors' midfield work was quite attractive, but there was no finish at all, and their moves fizzed out yards before they reached Everton's penalty area. There wasn't a weakness in the Everton defence and when-ever Forest attacked there was always someone covering upand clearing whenever there was the slightest threat of Forest getting through to within shooting distance of Dunlop
THEN IT WAS FIVE
A classic move right out of the top drawer brought fifth goal. Young started it with a brilliant swerve and dribble down the right, flicked the ball on to Bingham who crossed it to Collins in the region of the penalty spot and Everton’s skipper back-headed the ball to the unmarked Fell who could hardly miss from no more than three or four yards out. Thus, in the space of six minutes, Fell, who had not scored in 11 League matches had now scored twice.  Everton were making Forest look a second-rate side, but it must be remembered that the visitors were fourth from top this morning, Everton produced yet another great drive with the ball moving like lightning from Collins to Young to Bingham for the winger to try an angled shot which hit the side netting. 
INTO THE CROWD
Bingham went running into the crowd in chasing a pass from Harris and the fans received him with loving arms before depositing him back on the running track.  Everton were playing some delightful football at little more than half-pace and Forest could do little about it.  Young back-heeled the ball through for Vernon to chase, and the referee waved aside Everton’s appeals for a penalty when Grant shoulder-charged Vernon down.  I have never seen Harris play a better game, and he played a vital part in another great Everton attack, flicking the ball across for Collins to side-foot it straight at Grummitt.  Everton got their sixth goal –and fully deserved every one of them- after 76 minutes, it was another top class move with Vernon playing the vital part, lobbing the ball over to far post where Bingham headed it inwards and Vernon side-footed the ball into the net.  Official attendance 42,431.

NEAREST TO GEORGE YOUNG
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 07 October 1961
RON YEATS HAS THAT GREAT LOOK
Say Alex Parker
Last week I wrote of a Liverpool fan enjoys going to Goodison. Well, this week shall tell you about an Evertonian who enjoys going to Anfield-me. I get along to watch Liverpool as often as I can, and can honestly say I have not seen a bad match there yet. Last Wednesday’s game with Newcastle was no exception. There were the usual thrills one always expects at an Anfield match and was most enjoyable to watch. When I was a schoolboy like every boy interested in soccer. I had an idol. It was big George Young, the Rangers and Scotland centre half, I thought he was terrific, as indeed was, and it was one of the biggest thrills of my career when at the age of 19, I found myself for Scotland alongside him. I remember that I always used to call him Dad when in the Scottish party. On Wednesday night the nearest equivalent that I know in League football to-day—Ron Yeats. He is much the same and has the same ability as George in appearing to make the opposing forwards to him, rather than having to go to meet them. Those of you who were at the game may remember incident in the first when a Newcastle full back cleared the ball well into Liverpool, half —and it flew straight back again via Ron's head. This prompted the remark from Tommy Ring: - Big Ron can head a ball further than I can kick it" UNBEATABLE
It must be very reassuring to the rest of the defence to see a centre half the size of Yeats in the middle. He is unbeatable in the air, and almost so on theground. It was a great pity he was injured. I only hope it doesn't keep him out of the game too long. It was also good to see fellow Scot Ian St. John in such good form. I really got to know Ian on the Scotland tour of Austria, Hungary and Turkey two years ago, and since he moved to Liverpool he has been a neighbour of mine, living only about 200 yards away.  There is no doubt he has been a good signing for Liverpool.  He certainly played well on Wednesday, and I am told he did no better than he has done all season.  I only hope he eases up a little for the Derby match.  It was also good to see Alan A'Court playing so well on his 300th appearance. But well as Ron Yeats, Ian St. John and Alan A'Court played, well as Kevin Lewis and Roger Hunt took their goals, the star of the match for me was Ivor Allchurch. I thought he was great in a Newcastle team that looked far better than their League position indicates.
LUCK IS OUT
Still. I think Liverpool will act promotion easily—or as easily as any team ever gets out of the Second Division. Manager Bill Shankly has certainly got together a good side, and it will take a very good one to pip them. Do when ever have feeling when your luck is out?   That's how I feel at the moment.  It all started two weeks ago at Turf Moor when Gordon Harris caught me a blow in the ribs that knocked me out for a couple ofminutes. When I came to I had the most unusual experience of being able to breathe in, but not out. Against Arsenal last week outside left Skirton caught me again—in exactly the same spot. Down I went again. (Some people say this was punishment for giving Mel Charles his goal.) By this time I had decided left wingers were people to keep away from. I was determined to do just that when we played a four-a-side practice match at Bellefield on Monday morning. But it caught up with me again. George Thomson, playing for the other team, charged me, I moved the wrong way and those poor old ribs got another battering.  And down I went again.  If I wasn’t feeling sorry, for my ribs I certainly had every sympathy with me, but apparently nobody else did, for trainer Tom Eggleston shouted: - “Comeon Alex,  Get off that damp grass. You'll catch cold.” What a life!  They were all accidents but they hurt just the same. Went golfing last Tuesday. Yes, I managed to turn up, and it was quite a remarkable day. Not so much for what Albert Dunlop, Jimmy Gabriel and I did, but for what we didn't.  After 18 holes the score read: no lost balls, no lost, tees. We didn't bother with the number of strokes. Fellow - columnist Alex Young did not see me play, although he had threatened he would. The previous time we had been due to play golf I didn't turn up. Last Tuesday Alex nearly failed. He forgot about the golf and reported to Goodison at 9-45 instead.  He eventually arrived at the course, but after his mistake I suppose he didn’t like coming to criticize me. 

ASTON VILLA RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 07 October 1961
Aston Villa Res; Potter; Lynn, Lee; McMorran, Sleewenhoek, Briggs; Ashe, Baker, Brown, Thomson, Fencott.  Everton; Mailey; Parnell, Green; Jarvis, Jones, Meagan; Lill, Tyrer, Wignall, Temple, Veall.  Referee; Mr. W. Nowill, Sheffield.  Villa did most of early attacking and Brown and Ashe just failed to connect with a cross from Lee right in front of goal.  A slip by Sleeuwenhoek gave Tyrer a chance and his shot from the edge of the penalty area was just over the bar.  Mailey had to come right out of his goal to dive at Ashe’s feet as the winger came through but the ball went outside.  Ashe had more success in the 20th minute when he put Villa ahead.  The Everton defence swtood still waiting for an off-side decision and he had an easy task to score.  The Everton defence as really shaky and Briggs and Ashe went near with shots.  Everton fell further behind in the 35th minute when Fencott dribbled round Mailey to shoot into the empty net, and then the Everton goalkeeper brought off a good save from a shot by Brown.  Half-time; Aston Villa Res 2, Everton Res 0.  Full-time; Aston Villa Res 3, Everton Res 1

EVERTON CAN NOW CHALLENGE FOR A TOP PLACE
Monday, October 9, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON 6, NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0
By Jack Rowe
Before this match started, Forest were fourth in the First Division.  At the end of it they were fifth and amazingly enough the team immediately above them is Ipswich Town also trampled at Goodison Park by this resurgent Everton, who still have a little way to go before reaching the placing of the two sides they have outclassed recently.  If there is any conclusion to be taken from these facts, it is that Everton, at full strength are capable yet of making a strong challenge for one of the top places, because the ease of this victory was such that Forest were made to look far from first-rate.  Forest had to come with four reserves, two at full back positions which need to be at maximum efficiency when tackling a forward line which has Collins, Young and Vernon in it, but no matter what the quality of the opposition a football side can only do its job, and that is to win convincingly, with a minimum of effort.  This is what Everton did.  They did not have to break out of a canter and if I have any reservation at all it is that if the team can perform so methodically and efficiently against wolves next week, one can really say that the revival is complete and that it no more injuries occur there is no limit to what they can achieve.  Forest were completely out-classed and in the second half the football from the forward line was superb, with Young illustrating that he can produce as much skill and brilliance, when the mood is on him, as anyone in the country. 
CALCULATING YOUNG
While it must be said that Forest’s defence, apart from the half-back line, was not the sort of offer a real testing, one cannot escape the position that the Everton forwards operated in a manner which justified their six goals and more.  Most of the credit, goes to Young for his cool, calculating destruction of the Forest defence, but this was a match which entities anyone to say that not one Everton player had an off day.  This applies to Dunlop as well, for he made three magnificent saves, none of which was equaled by Grummitt but one cannot help wondering whether the necessity for them would have been the same if Everton had not been leading so handsomely.  Forest had many good things to show in middle, but there was never any penetration at the vital moment and only Addison and perhaps Quigley, had anything to offer in attack.  Inevitably then their best players were in defence, with Grummitt, McKinlay and Iley taking the honours.  Poor Iley never outlived his first half act of catching the ball high above his head to stop Collins going clean through and for much of the match he was the recipient of boos from the crowd.  A little unfortunate in this I thought because if he was tough in his tackling at times there was reciprocal action from certain Everton players.  Most Everton spectators believed that once Collins and Vernon were at again the side would recover.  There is a lot of evidence for that contention, in spite of the fact that Collins was nothing like as dominant as he can be.  It could be that another move has done Everton a power of good, the recall of Brian Harris to left half.  Harris had a splendid match and his strength is what is needed in such an import position.  He and Gabriel clamped down on the Forest inside men to such a point that they themselves provided the illustration of Everton’s superiority by both being offside together in one second half incident.  But whether it is forward or t half back that Everton have found the means of recapturing their ability and confidence hardly matters.  What does matter is that the side can hammer in six goals so effortlessly and so brilliantly.  It was fourteen minutes before Everton led and it came because Forest bungled their offside trap.  They prepared to trap the forwards when Thomson took over a partially cleared free kick so that when the full back chipped the ball forward and Vernon nodded it down there was Gabriel steaming through to score unchallenged.  Young took the major role in the other goals.  In thirty-three minutes he dribbled down the left and put over a perfect cross to Vernon, who breasted it down and shot low into the corner of the net. 
ULUCKY ILEY
A minute after half-time brought the third goal and here I felt that Iley was unlucky in having a free kick given against him after a tussle with Collins.  But the goal was a beauty, for Fell hooked Bingham’s kick back into the middle and Young made a header of such force and direction that Grummitt did not move as the ball rebounded from the net stanchion.  Fell occasionally faltered because he ran into trouble, but there was nothing wrong with his goals in the 14th and 61st minute, his first in the League for the club.  Young made the opening for his first with a lovely pass and the shot which ended it was worthy of the move.  Fell’s second came when Young put Bingham through and Collins helped on the pass to a spot from where the left winger could hardly miss, while the last goal (76 minute) was scored by Vernon when Young raced through, chipped the ball over to Bingham who brilliantly headed it back to the scorer.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Nottingham Forest; Grummitt; Baird, Grant; Whitefoot, McKinlay, Iley; Cobb, Booth, Julians, Quigley, Addison.  Referee; Mr. R. Harper (Sheffield).  Attendance 42,431.

ASTON VILLA RES 3, EVERTON RES 1
Monday, October 9, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton’s second string weaknesses were shown up to the full by a youthful Villa side who were by no means flattered by the score line.  Everton were never really in the game with a chance and it was just really a matter of how many Villa would score.  Luckily for Everton, goalkeeper Mailey was in top form because the defence was shaky and in the attack only the two inside forwards, Tyrer, and Temple showed any fight.  Ashe (20 minutes and 70 minutes) and Fencott (35 minutes) scored for Villa and Temple got a goal for Everton two minutes from the end. 

AN ALL-THE-ARTS SHOW BY YOUNG
Liverpool Echo - Monday 09 October 1961
By Leslie Edwards
The finest exhibition of centre-forward play since the days of Dixie Dean and Tom Lawton-that is how I rate the performance of Alex Young of Everton against Nottingham Forest. His trade-mark was on all six goals and it was not his fault there were not three or four others. The crowd gave him a standing ovation. What they do not know (and could not know) is that Young's physical frailty limits his stamina to such an extent he can only go “flat out " for some of the time. Happily it is not necessary for a player with his extraordinary gifts to play a blood-and-guts centre-forward game. With a slight feint of the shoulders he gets them going the wrong way. Then he drifts past them almost lazily. Like Matthews and other men of football genius he always seems to have time to think and space in which to move. He won't get a packet of goals, but he'll make hundreds for others. His passes, planted with precision, left scorers in this game little to do. It is a long time since Everton fans had from the man in the middle such a glorious all-the-arts demonstration. So now we have, in the three inside-forward positions, men of completely different build and technique, but all possessing on their day genius of the kind ' we usually get only in one place in any team. One man, above all, I imagine will have been convinced by this performance that he has one of the finest, if not the finest centre in the game--Manager Harry Catteriek. Young, with his sore feet and his slow start to his career here last season, began none too happily. Our patience and Everton's has been fully rewarded.
RARELY, IF EVER, BETTER
As a team, Everton have rarely, if ever played better. The measure of their skill and power is best judged by the fact that Forest stand so high in the table and played so neatly. -Up to a point. They lost nothing in comparison with the winners in mid-field but once their attacks reached the stage when the decisive passes were needed Forest petered out to insignificance. Their fate must have been galling to a wing half-back like Whitefoot who paved his heart out, generating attack after attack,  none of which succeeded, though Dunlop, twice in the second half and once In the first, saved brilliantly. You would need to see a lot of football to find a match with six better-contrived goals. Everton made it all look easy as shelling peas. The attack almost carried the team by their skill and drive and understanding. If Collins and Vernon were, for once, among the supporting cast they did their jobs splendidly. I count it to Fell's utmost credit that when faced with an easy chance to complete a hat-trick, he slipped the ball inside “to Young.  It so happened that Grumrnitt saved, but Fell never made a better or more unselfish pass. This Everton attack, swiveling on the fantastically good Young , must have quelled for all time any fear of their manager that they had not the drive necessary to make an impact in football in 1961. For the first time Fell found the form which impressed everyone when he was at Grimsby Town. Admitting, Forest were without both Vowden and the veteran Gray and that young Grant at left-back was a raw newcomer it was an Everton performance which could not have been bettered.
UNFORGETTABLE, APPARENTLY
For the joy it will give to those who want to recollect great goals once again, here is a quick description of them. The first came (you wouldn't forget this!) from the handling offence by Iley. It was rough justicethat the ball should be side -footed past the goalkeeper by Gabriel from the free - kick by Young.  Quite a habit tor this half- back (sometimes a bit harsh in the tackle) to drift in and get himself on the register. The way Young ankled the ball along and then flighted it to Fell before Vernon scored with a cross-shot, was worth a goal in itself. Forest, two down at the interval, had played porno glorious stuff-in approach. Vernon's free-kick which led to Young heading in fromFells centre made it 3-0; then Young returned the compliment with an equally accurate centre and Fell scored. Young's through pass to Bingham, Collins' reverse pass with a flick of the foot gave Fell his second (5-0) Then Young, capping a magnificent game, drifted to the left, centred boldly to the far post where that incredibly resilient little man, Bingham wondrously kept the ball in play with a header which enabled Vernon to walk through for the coup.
Only then did Dunlop twice within a few minutes, begin to appreciate that Forest could finish with punch. His two one-handed saves were perhaps the best of the match.  At this stage Iley, a man the crowd had Jeered and booed from the early moment he handled to prevent what must almost certainly have been an Everton goal, was injured and needed attention.  I give full marks to the Evertonians who marked his return with applause. Does a man who makes one mistake have to suffer for it throughout the match' If he had handled on the goal- line and a penalty, not a free-kick had arisen, would his“crime” have been less heinous?  I don’t want to harp on this matter, but I do want to persist in “knocking” bad sportsmanship wherever it is found.  And this was bad sportsmanship at its worst.

“DERBY” KERFUFFLE
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 10 October 1961
By Leslie Edwards
The floodlit match between Everton and Liverpool, so desired by fans of both clubs, is causing quite a kerfuffle. You will remember that when Liverpool gave their reasons for not entering the Football League Cup this season they said: "We don't want anything to divert us from our goal of getting into the First Division." That view was, of course, respected and understood. But now the Football League must wonder. When Everton, who have also opted out of the League Cup, and their neighbours applied for permission to stage their game to-morrow week under floodlights at Goodison Park permission was given on the understanding that it was billed as a friendly and nothing more. The Floodlit Cup- I almost added competition, but that would be wrong—is promoted by the two Liverpool clubs in order to fill the "Derby" match gap caused by the teams being in different Leagues. If all the places are taken (and I fancy they will be) the clubs will share some 10,000 between them. . I know of at least one famous former Liverpool player who is paying 8s to see this friendly. He thinks the price a bit steep, but he's going just the same . . . People have argued that the date of the game is wrong. That the risk of injury is great. I hope the best referee available is recruited. I hope both clubs leave no doubt in the minds of their players that what the crowd want is an exhibition of football, not of temper. It would be tragic, in view of Everton and Liverpool precautions against having their players injured, if either club were to have players damaged in what could be a very tough battle. What is needed is a sense of proportion, and sportsmanship, on both sides.

MELIA AND HUNT RELEASED TO PLAY IN DERBY BUT IRELAND CLAIM BINGHAM
Wednesday, October 11, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
Liverpool FC were informed yesterday that permission had been granted by the FA, for the withdrawal of both Jimmy Melia and Roger Hunt from the F.A. team to oppose an Army side at Sunderland on October 18, the night of the floodlight derby game at Goodison Park, but almost simultaneously there was a new complication by the selection of Everton’s Billy Bingham as outside right in Ireland’s World Cup team against Greece on October 17.  When I informed Everton manager Mr. Harry Catterick of Bingham’s selection, he replied, “Yes, it does not come as any surprise.  We always knew it was a possibility that might have to be faced.  As far as we are concerned, it simply means we shall have to play someone else in his place.”  I asked Mr. Catterick whether or not consideration might be given to flying Bingham back to take part in the match.  “I don’t think it would be fair to ask any man to play in two matches in two days, especially involving so much travel,” replied Mr. Catterick.  In any event such an exertion might affect his performance, for the following Saturday and that is of course paramount.  “We are in this game to serve the public,” Mr.Catterick went on, “and I believe the Liverpool public is the best in the country from the point of view of football.  “Because of that it is up to us to field the strongest possible side in this match, which is being so keenly anticipated, and for which so many tickets have already been sold. 
NO GUARANTEE
“At the same time we have to face up to the position.  How can there be any positive guarantee that both clubs will be at full strength?  “What happens if players are inured on Saturday?  All we can do is to field the strongest available side, and as far as I am concerned that is what Everton will do.  Bingham’s selection is no surprise, but we are used to having to make changes at Goodison Park.  Mr. Catterick added that there had never been any thought of postponing the game.  No one can quarrel with the sentiments expressed by Mr. Catterick.  I agreed it would be unreasonable to expect Bingham to do a quick turn-around to play in the “derby” but I also think it is imperative that at the earliest possible moment both clubs should announce the names of the players they expect to take part in the match. 
Centre forward Frank Wignall is Everton’s latest causality.  He had three statutes’ inserted in a head wound received in the reserves game on Saturday but it is expected that he will be available for selection, if required, this week-end.  “We have a few knocks and bruises, but nothing to suggest that any of the players are in any way doubtful,” said Mr. Catterick.  Everton are 12-1 to win the FA Cup.

ALEX YOUNG COMMENTS ON EVERTON REVIVAL
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 11 October 1961
GIVE OUR DEFENCE THEIR SHARE OF THE CREDIT
It is frequently claimed that in football the forward gains all the glory, while the defender gets little recognition of his work. I cannot let my co-forwards down by admitting this is so, but events of the past few weeks have, however, made me realize that there is more than a grain of truth in the arguments. For instance, think back to just on a month ago. We had lost three games in succession, two of them at home, and our critics were looking for blood. With our next three matches against Ipswich, Manchester City and Burnley, the pessimists were forecasting that the next two weeks would see Everton at the bottom of the First Division. They probably had some grounds for their views, too, for Ipswich had at that time scored more goals than any other team the First 'Division; Manchester City had already won at Goodison Park: and Burnley could do nothing wrong . Then, however, Ipswich came to Goodison and were well and truly beaten 5-2, both their goals coming in the later stages of the game.
CRITICISED
"Ipswich are in a false League position. An over - rated team.”  Those were the views of many people who watched the game. Our forwards got a fair amount of praise, but the defence was criticized for conceding those two goals. Now, with Ipswich scoring decisive victories over Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham on successive Saturdays, and Ted Phillips and Ray Crawford heading the First Division scoring chart, it looks as though our defence deserved far greater praise than it received. I mention this now because the match against Ipswich appears to have become one of the season's turning points. If our defence had let Phillips-scorer of 13 League and one League Cup goals so far-and Crawford —who has 10 League and three League Cup goals to his credit—out of their grip early in the match, football's pendulum of fortune might still be pointing against us. Everyone in the Goodison camp is cock-a -hoop after Saturday's six goals against Nottingham Forest, but we realise there is a stiff task ahead next Saturday when we visit Molineux to meet Wolves, who also netted six times last weekend. Like us. Wolves did not make a happy start to the season, but despite this Stan Cullls’s' boys have managed to avoid defeat in their five home games so far.
MOLINEUX ROAR
The Molineux roar always as good as a goal start to the Wolves, and I see its power was increased recently when Mark Lazarus moved from Queen's Park Rangers to Wolverhampton. Thirty-four members of the Lazarus family travelled to Birmingham to watch Mark play last Saturday… and they hired a special bus. With four wins let the last five games and 19goals against six, there are plenty of bag smiles around Goodison Park these days, and I think one of the biggest is being worn by Brian Harris.  The reason? Brian, who now seems to be playing better than ever, won back his left-half position in the first team just five matches, ago.  When I wrote last week that a goal from Jimmy Gabriel seemed to be a great spur to the whole team. I did not think my theory would be proved correct quite so quickly. That Jimmy scored after 13 minutes against Nottingham and we followed up with another five goals seems about the most practical way to drive home my point.
FELL BREAKS “DUCK”
It was great to see Jimmy Fell breaking his “dick” this season by scoring two fine goals and Roy Vernon slipped another couple in just to make it perfectly clear that many more goalkeepers than Arsenal’s Jack Kelsey find him a bogey man.  Sunday’s televised match from Vienna between Austria and Hungary revived memories of the matches I played against them for Scotland during the 1960 close season.  We lost 4-1 to Austria in Vienna, but managed to draw 3-3 with Hungary in Budapest.  About a fortnight earlier, Hungary had beaten England 2-0.  Hof, who scored twice on Sunday also netted a couple when Austria’s other two goals against us came from Hanappi, who was again a lively member of their attack last Sunday.  During the Scottish tour I played inside left against Austria and centre forward against Hungary.  The two players who opposed me then, Skocik (Austria) and Sipos (Hungary), still hold their international places.  I noticed that Grosics, although he has now played in 76 internationals =, still looks as confident as ever in the Hungarian goal.  My sympathy to Liverpool in losing their unbeaten record at Middlesbrough in the absence of Ron Yeats and Ian St. John.  I am sorry, but it is impossible to answer queries on statistics or appeals for kit but I am always pleased to answer readers queries on tactics and other aspects of the game. 

CLUB RELEASE BINGHAM
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 11 October 1961
Misses Goodison Derby game
By Leslie Edwards
Billy Bingham, Everton’s Irish international outside right will miss the friendly match against Liverpool at Goodison Park next Wednesday.  He has been chosen to play for his country in Belfast against Greece next Tuesday, the Irish F.A. having taken advantage of Everton’s offer to release any players required by their countries now that the injury position at Goodison Park is so much better.  George Sharples, the Everton reserve wing half-back who recently recovered from glandular fever, is now back in training.  Frank Wignall’s cut head, which needed three stitches, sustained in the reserve game last Saturday, is healing nicely. 

OUR AMBITIONS –THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
Friday, October 13, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
Says Roy Vernon
October- and all’s right with the football world! At least that is how the picture appears through Everton eyes.  Make no mistake, Everton are on the road back to greatness.  How do I know?  I’ll tell you.  We can feel it in our bones.  The ball is beginning to run our way again, and I think there are some treats in store for Evertonians.  The days when our supporters had to duck smartly and dive down the nearest alley to escape the Liverpool supporters have gone!  They can hold their heads high and, if our luck holds in regard to injuries, we may be about to write Everton’s brightest page for years.  The transformation from the great depression of the recent past has been so complete that it all seems too good to be true, yet we know especially if we can whip the Wolves in their lair tomorrow, it is true.  While it may have seemed like making excuses when we said that our decline stemmed only from an impossible injury list, obviously it was nothing less than the truth and if those injuries had not been suffered, who can day that we would not have been rocking Merseyside by providing the top teams to both First and Second Division.  There is nothing fantastic about that, for having seen the way Burnley had to struggle to beat us when we were below strength and on their own ground at that, I don’t think I am being over-optimistic in suggesting they might have found it much more difficult now.  If the League leaders can be regarded in that light, then obviously the sky’s the limit for our ambitions.  The boys are full of confidence now they are in the groove again.  What a thrill it was for the boys to leave Goodison Park on Saturday with the cheers of the crowd ringing in our ears.  We were all delighted.  It was just like old times.  We do appreciate your vocal encouragement, believe me.  No matter how well we may be playing the great roar seems to squeeze still more effort out of us, and we give it gladly.  It is a most inspiring experience.  One of our followers, who takes a deep interest in our play, told me after the Nottingham match that he was disappointed with one feature of our play.  There were times,” he said, “when you were just passing the ball about apparently with no object in view and getting nowhere with it.  “I have seen this sort of thing when a team has been killing time to ensure victory, but you were doing it before the match was won.”  I know what he means, but if I could give him a tip, it is- let the opposition do the worrying not our supporters.  This is no idle bit of by-play, but part of a pattern.  If progress is barred we adopt tactics such as he describes in an effort to draw the defence.  Once that is done, away goes the ball to the player left in the clear and another attack is in being.  Remember as well that while we have the ball, the opposition can do nothing. 
DON’T WORRY!
Everything we do these days has an objective to it, so don’t worry too much if the pattern takes time to unfold.  I can remember how the heavy ground took toll of us last season and from being top of the world we went to the bottom of the ditch.  We were smashed at Leicester by a much inferior side, merely because our tactics did not match the conditions.  Now our tactics are more elastic.  I don’t think you will find us coming unstuck again when the weather tries to bog us down.  I feel that this is a suitable opportunity to compliment those responsible for the preparation of our pitch at Goodison Park, I think it must be one of the finest in the country.  It takes the water well and the surface is like a billiards table compared with many on which we have to operate.  I have said it before-and I mean it-that a team that cannot play good football at Goodison Park, these days cannot play good football at all.  I know that leaves me open to a crack about some of the fare we may have served up earlier, but you must admit there were extenuating circumstances.  Another thing which is playing off handsomely just now is the standard of fitness to which we have been brought.  It is happening time after time that during the last twenty minutes of the game when opponents are beginning to fade, we are finding a new burst of devastating energy.  Looking back I cannot help smiling when I thinking how this fitness has been achieved for it was not until you sank into a nice easy chair at home after a training session and then found yourself incapable of rising that you realized just how much work had gone into your efforts.  No kidding chaps.  We Evertonians almost shed tears at the news that Liverpool had been beaten at Middlesbrough last week, for we were quite convinced that the distinction of lowering their colours for the first time would be ours. 
A FEW IDEAS
Still if we cannot have that record, at least we can show that their defence really can be peppered.  The way we are playing just now I think we can give them a few ideas as to some of the things they will have to expect when they join us in Division One next season.  I have been asked if, in view of the position in which both clubs find themselves just now, if this meeting will really be a friendly.  My answer is that if you get a crowd of 50,000 to 60,000 spectators yelling their heads off and providing an electric atmosphere no player in the world can do anything other than go flat out.  The crowd simply winds you up and way you go.  That is why these meetings are always good to watch.  If what was meant was do, I think it will be a fierce game.  It would say I see no reason why it should exceed the standards of an important League or Cup match.  Naturally both sides will want to win for they know just what their supporters have to go through if victory goes against them! This is a match which will be played and re-played on the docks, in the factories and shipyards and in the quieter atmosphere of offices for some time to come.  The thrill of these matches does not end with the final whistle.  That is really when it starts for most people.  Good luck to both sides, I hope it is a terrific game. 

EVERTON UNCHANGED
Liverpool Echo - Friday 13 October 1961
By Michael Charters
As expected, Everton will be unchanged for the third successive match at Wolves tomorrow.  Wolves will be without their winger Bobby Mason, who scored twice against Birmingham.  He has a leg injury.  Despite reports to the contrary, Mark Lazarus is fit and will lead the attack.  In place of Mason, South African Cliff Durandt gets another chance on the right wing.  The only other change is the replacement of Ron Flowers on international duty by Johnny Kirkham at left half.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Wolverhapton; Finlayson; Stuart, Harris; Clamp, Slater, Kirkham; Durandt, Broadbent, Lazarus, Murray, Deeley. 

TODAY WILL TELL
Saturday, October 14, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Any Evertonian searching for a tonic would do well to steer clear of the record books showing the results of past visits to Wolverhampton since the Goodison’s team’s return to Division one.  The extent of their success was in the first season, when they triumphed 3-1.  Since then there has been six defeats in a row, and in four of those Everton failed to get so much as a goal.  One noteworthy feature emerges from a study of past form and that is there has not been a single draw between them in 14 meetings.  Manager Harry Catterick is not given to displays of emotion one way or the other.  When things are going badly, and he has had some experience of that since coming to Everton, he has refused to be down class and similarly now that the average individual would rejoice that the tide has decisively swung Everton’s way.  Mr. Catterick still bides his time.  “If we win at Wolverhampton,” he told me, I don’t think anyone can then doubt our recovery.”  Because Wolves have not started quite as brightly as they usually do, slight may have been lost of the fact that they are still one of the five First Division clubs not to have been beaten at home.  Victory at Molyneaux therefore, would really be something and with Everton unchanged again, and playing superb football, I would not like to rule out the possibility, although it may be that a greater likelihood in the appearance of that first draw in the records.  Even that would satisfy most people.  The Wolves are hoping that Mark Lazarus, who suffered a slight knock last Saturday, will be fit to lead the attack, Mason is injured and his place at outside right will be filled by the South African, Cliff Durandt.  The absence of Flowers, playing for England against Wales at Cardiff is bound to be seriously felt.  John Kirkham takes over at left half.  Wolverhampton Wanderers;- Finlayson; Stuart, G. Harris; Clamp, Kirkham; Durandt, Broadnurst, Lazarus, Murray, Deeley.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell. 

WOLVES WELL TAMED BY EVERTON AS MIS DESCENFS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 14 October 1961
WOLVES 0, EVERTON 3
By Jack Lowe
Wolverhampton Wanderers; Finlayson; Stuart, Harris (G); Clamp, Slater, Kirkham; Durandt, Broadbent, Lazerus, Murray, Deeley.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B); Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Referee; Mr. K.A. Collinge (Altricham). 
The Everton team travelled through heavy mist for much of the way to Wolverhamptontoday, but visibility was quite good for the game at Molineux. Wolves had Durandt on the right wing for Nathan and Kirkham deputised at left half for England – man, Flowers.   Deeley's inside excursion sparked the first Wolves attack and when he tracked Parker his pass was taken by Murray, centred from the line for Dunlop to pull the ball down to clear.  Young soon left Slater for speed, but there was no real chance as Harris came across to turned the ball back to Finlayson as the Everton leader was still a yard or two short of it. 
Dangerous cross
Next, Vernon was pulled down and Gabriel’s free kick was headed away by Slater.  As the game took on a fast pace there was danger for Everton when Durandt swept the ball over and Parker just managed to flick it away at the cost of a corner.  The Wolves were a speedy outfit with Durandt leading a couple of good raids and another centre from him put the Everton goal in jeopardy, for when Broadbent headed back Laxarus had a good chance but took so long about it that Labone was able to clear.  When Collins did open up the defence, Vernon took the ball forward before shooting outside.  The tackling of both sides was strong and Everton showed their skill with one move which took in three men before Collins surprisingly drove outside from a good position. 
OFFSIDE TRAP
The Everton attack, plus Gabriel and Harris, were caught in an offside trap.  A mis-kick by Kirkham almost let Young in but Slater made a quick recovery to get the ball back to his goalkeeper and Brian Harris also recovered well to clear when Lazarus and Murray made a dangerous looking thrust.  A shooting chance went to Fell but he was too slow and when Everton got a corner on the right Finlayson came out to make a catch from Bingham’s kick.  Wolves were often dangerous particularly with the long ball, and when Durandt shot over the Everton defence was at sixes and sevens.  Young had a shot blocked when he had ample time to get it through to the target. 
MIST AGAIN
Visibility was not as good now as the mist started to come in again but we were able to see a link up between Collins and Young and a final shot from Fell which Finlayson caught as he dived.  The in less than a minute Everton were two goals in front.  After 34 minutes Vernon and Collins got together and as Wolves prepared to operate the offside trap, the ball was switched to Gabriel who turned it aside to Young.  The Everton centre forward was fully 25 yards out when he shot with his right foot and with Finlayson two or three yards out of goal, the ball flashed over him to flick the underside of the bar and drop into the net.  Barely thirty seconds had passed before Everton swept through again, with Vernon taking the ball on almost to the line before turning it inside where Slater, apparently trying to put it wide of the post, rolled it into his own net.  Wolves were completely deflated for the next few minutes and Stuart and Finlayson almost gave away another goal.  Young demonstrated his ball-control with a pass which enabled Fell to centre at leisure and Bingham was only inches away from making contact.
DANGEROUS SITUATION
The Wolves crowd roared for a penalty when Lazarus was tackled when going through, but to me the incident called more for praise for the Everton defence for the way they faced a dangerous situation, rather than a spot kick award and that is how Mr. Collinge saw it.  The mist came rolling in just as Collins went down after challenging Finlayson, and when he went to line it wasimpossible to see the far side of the pitch. Wolves recovered some of their composure and for a short spell the Everton defence had a hectic time. Half-time; Wolves nil, Everton 2
Visibility was poor when the second half started but when the players did emerge from the mist it was Young who was in possession and the end was a hurried clearance by Harris (G.). 
GLIMPSE OF DUNLOP
We could see Finlayson make a couple of saves while on the ground following centres by Bingham and the mist lifted sufficiently for us to get a glimpse of Dunlop going down to save from a Wolves forward.  Durandt and Thomson had a clash and although the decision was a free kick against the Everton man the referee had words with Durandt.  The clearest scoring chance so far this half came to Young who after beautifully side-stepping Slater, shot straight at Finlayson.  This was one of the few incidents we could see at this stage because unless the ball was on the Press box side play was obscure.  Then it was Thomson’s turn to receive a word from Mr. Collinge and as Wolves attacked on the right they got first a free kick and then a corner, which were safely negotiated by the Everton defence.  Wolves are unbeaten at home to date but looked in danger of losing their record.  The pressure at this stage was all one way-towards the Everton goal- for Wolves were attacking with spirit without producing much goal threat as far as one could see. 
NEARLY SLATER AGAIN!
An Everton player, I think it was Bingham, hit a shot which Finlayson caught and this was just after Slater had gone near to putting through his own goal again when he diverted a shot from Thomson, who had joined the attack.  One minute one could just about see the Everton goal and the next it was obliterated and there were fears that the match might not be finished, although it was probably possible to see better from the middle of the pitch than from the stands.  An Everton player, it seemed, missed a chance when Vernon eventually emerged from the murk to slip the ball back across the goal for the shouts of the crowd indicated something had happened in front of the Wolves goal.  Suddenly Deeley flashed on to the scene and, judging from Dunlop’s dive, his shot must only just have missed the post; but this was the only time this half that the Everton goal had really looked like falling.  At last it became possible to see the other side of the pitch at the mist lifted, and immediately Deeley was trying to cut inside but the Everton defence was playing solidly and coolly.  But within minutes the mist was back again worse than ever and sections of the crowd began the slow hand-cap but play continued. 
FLOODLIGHTS
When an Everton player was injured Vernon had to come to the touchline to notify the trainer, and the crowd again signaled their view of the situation when Mr. Collinge asked for the floodlights.  The conditions were almost impossible in the last few minutes but it appeared that Mr. Collinge was determined to finish the game if he possibly could.  Everton scored a third goal almost in the last minute but I could not see who put the ball into the net or how it happened.  It appeared that Gabriel scored Everton’s third goal but the most fantastic feature about the finish was that Dunlop did not know that the whistle had gone until at least two minutes after the other players had left the field.  Final; Wolves 0, Everton 3. 

SPORTSMANSHIP-SEEN AND UNSEEN
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 14 October 1961
By Alex Parker
Amongst many criticisms levelled at professional football these days is that there is no longer any sportsmanship in the game. While it is probably true that soccer is as hard and tough as it has ever been, and that the recent increase in transfer fees and wages qualify it for the "big business" tag, I don't altogether agree that sportsmanship is dead. I know many players and officials who agree with me, and last week s match against Nottingham Forest provided two instances. One, the spectators will have seen, while the other is known only to the players. I have always been an admirer of Jim IIey, the Forest left half, and there is no denying that he played as well as ever last week. However, he apparently upset the crowd, who were not slow to let him know it. Yet, despite this, and the 6-0 defeat his team had suffered, he waited at the end of the game and clapped us off the pitch. Believe me, we Everton players noticed this and admired Jim for it. There is a very famous Scottish international wing half who always looked forward to being barracked on “foreign " grounds. He used to say : "Don't worry if you get booed on an away ground. It only proves you're having a good game.”  Maybe Jim IIey believes that, too. The second example of Forest's good sportsmanship came when we were getting changed after the match. Andy Beattie, their manager and ex-manager of the Scottish team, came in and said: "Thank: for the game, boys. You played very well and very fair. "I'm glad to see you've turned the corner and that are now playing well. I hope you do well this season and my only regret is that we had to come here to play you now that you have found your form."
GRAFEFUL
I don't think you could expect more than that in any business or sport. All the Everton team were very grateful to Mr. Beattie. It could not have been an easy thing for a manager to do after seeing his team beaten 6-0. He has gone even higher in the opinion of  everybody at Goodison Park and, on behalf of us all, I would like to say: "Thank you very much.”  I don't think you will find any better examples than those to prove that sportsmanship is far from dead in football. As we were kicking in before the match started I took a long, hard look at Forest's right back, and then discovered he was an old friend of mine. Some of you may have seen me talking to him on the pitch. His name is Doug Baird and, while I knew he was with Forest. I didn't know he would be playing. Doug is a Scot and came from Partick Thistle. While we were youngsters we were joiner apprentices with the same firm in Falkirk. When we finished our time we, set off to make our way as football professionals and I used to see Doug playing when Falkirk and Partick met, but before last Saturday I hadn't seen him for some time
EXCITEMENT
Incidentally, another apprentice at the same firm was John McCole, the Leeds United centre forward. He also signed for Falkirk. With Doug, John and myself all in the same place you can bet that on Monday mornings there wasn't an awful lot of work done. It was usually spent discussing the previous Saturday's matches. Since reporting to Goodison after my return from my Army service In Cyprus three years ago, I have played in a few "derby” matches. But never have I known one which has aroused so much excitement as next Wednesday's. The reason is not hard to find, of course, Liverpool are at the top of the Second Division and Everton have hit their form. All the players at Goodison are looking forward to it, and from conversations I have had with Liverpool player, they feel the same way. Even though the result is not as important as in a League game or Cup tie, there is certainly an electric atmosphere about these clashes, and I, for one, wouldn't miss them for anything. It was good to see that Roger Hunt and Jimmy Melia had been released from the FA.XI v. Army match and that, apart from late injuries; Liverpool will be at full strength.  I'm not kidding when I say we are glad to see that they are playing, for there is obviously more satisfaction beating a full strength team than one with reserves in two such vital positions. On the other hand, it is much worse for us if we are beaten by a weakened team. But I have a feeling we won't be However, Billy Bingham will miss the game, and while he undoubtedly would like to have played I don't think he will be too disappointed as he has been picked to play for Ireland against Greece next week. Congratulations, Bill. You will remember that the other week I wrote that George Thompson's goal at Burnley put him one up in the race to be leading full back, course, with Jimmy Gabriel scoring in successive matches he leads the race for the top-scoring defender. With Brian Harris playing as well as he is, I don't think it will be long before he gets into the act, which will leave Brian Labone, Albert Dunlop and myself trailing. Still I'd like to bet Albert doesn't finish ahead of me. Jimmy's goal last week brought back memories of one of the very few times my shooting attempts have been successful. It was against Forest in January last year and I hit a shot from 25 yards which dipped and turned unlike any other shot I have seen. It was a freak effort and left the poor goalkeeper helpless. That match was Tommy Ring's debut and we went on to win 6-1. Forest can't be blamed if they don't like playing at Goodison.

EVERTON RES V STOKE RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 14 October 1961
Everton Reserves; Mailey; Parnell, Green; Gannon, Gorrie, Sharples; Lill, Meagan, Wignall, Temple, Veall.  Stoke City Reserves; Hickson; Phillpott, Wilson; Flowers, Bloor, Griffiths; Bebington Bridgewood, Randles (W), Waiters, Coleman.  Referee; Mr. D.W.G Brady (Sheffield).  Stoke had the sun behind them and took the initiative, but Phillpott’s free-kick was headed clear by Gorrie.  Both sides had difficulty in judging the pace of the ball on the fast surface and a back pass by Griffiths nearly beat his own goalkeeper.  Defences were on top for some time until Randles and Coleman broke away only for the winger to shoot straight at Mailey.  A nice move by Lill and Gannon ended with the last named centring into Hickson’s arms but a minute later Wignall almost scored when his terrific drive dipped suddenly but bounced on the top of the crossbar.   Everton gradually gained command and the Stoke goal underwent some amazing escapes.  A  brilliant piece of work by Lill enabled Wignall to make a flying header which Hickson pushed out for a corner while the City goalkeeper also made a brilliant save from Temple.  Half-time; Everton Res nil, Stoke City Res nil. 

THAT REVIVAL IS PUT BEYOND ANY DOUBT NOW
Monday, October 16, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0, EVERTON 3
BY Jack Rowe
If one thing emerged from the swirling mist, which obliterated most of the second half, at Molineux, it was that Everton, in shattering Wolves’ unbeaten home record, put themselves back among the leading teams.  Wolves have lost snap, but Everton’s achievement rubber-stamps the revival which has also taken in three successive home victories.  More’s the pity then that the fog prevented us seeing everything because it was clear, by impression if not by sight that after the opening flurry of the Wolves their measure had been taken by a side which played with calm and poise and fully earned two points.  The mist came down suddenly just after half-time and one had to judge what was happening by the reaction of those of the crowd who could see what was going on in their particular section of the pitch.  In the last ten minutes neither goal was visible and there were demands for referee Collinge to put a stop to it.  I could not have blamed him of he had, but he was obviously satisfied that he could see sufficiently well so that  he took it to a conclusion.  And what a conclusion it was! With a minute left Gabriel I learned afterwards shot a tremendous goal when Collins beat two men in a dribble and slid the ball in front of the incoming half back near the edge of the penalty area. 
DUNLOP LOST
I saw nothing of this, but I saw Dunlop making his way to the dressing room fully two minutes after the final whistle had gone and the rest of the players had gone off.  Immersed in the mist he had not appreciated that the whistle had gone and it was not until an ambulance man informed him that he knew it was all over.  The fog was that bad just at that time and it was perhaps well that time was called, because another five minutes and the referee would have had no option, but abandonment.  Two visual second half moments were when Young with the most beautiful of side-steps left Slater standing and then shot straight at Finlayson and when Deeley flashed out of the mist and shot narrowly past the Everton goal.  This, I suspect was the nearest Wolves really came to scoring for the reaction of the crowd behind the Everton goal indicated no final flourish to whatever kick and dash the Wolves produced, so that one could rightly assume that the Goodison defence was the master of at least what it surveyed and came through it all without tarnish.  For a time in the first half when Wolves were going at rare speed, I though Everton were inclined to be a little too nonchalant, but the pattern of their play soon became apparent. 
CALM AND PRECISE
It was clam and precise from defence to attack and apart from a chance for Lazarus and another fine tackle on the centre forward when he threatened to break clear, the Everton goal did not look like falling.  One had to be impressed by the Everton team work.  Whenever Gabriel and Harris came through-on one occasion they and the whole forward line were caught in Wolves’ offside trap- there was always someone ready to cover and because of this all round application and spirit I hesitate to name any one as being particularly outstanding.  They were all good, and I rate this victory as a team triumph in every sense.  Maybe an extra word for Collins for his drive and promptings.  In spite of a knee bruise in the first half, and to Young for continuing to show such delightful footwork.  Wolves had no answer to Everton’s culture.  Their defence a creaks ominously especially in the middle where Slater is slow and the attack is ponderous with a player like Broadbent unable to make any impression.  Everton’s first two goals were scored in about half a minute.  The first, at the thirty-fourth minute, came when Wolves were trying to operate the offside trap and Gabriel just pushed the ball to Young who hammered it goalwards from fully twenty-five yards out.  Pretty well straight from the kick-off Vernon made a glorious run, beating Stuart and Clamp before middling the ball low into the goalmouth and there was Slater turning it into his own net.  From that moment Wolves were smashed.  Wolves; Finlayson; Stuart, G. Harris; Clamp, Slater, Kirkham; Durrandt, Broadbent, Lazarus, Murray, Deeley.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, B. Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Referee; Mr. K.A Collinge (Altrincham) Attendance 31,648.

EVERTON RESERVES 1, STOKE CITY RESERVES 1
Monday, October 16, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
Defences were in command for most of a cleanly fought game at Goodison Park and a draw was a fitting result.  After repelling several early raids by the visitors Everton, took the initiative but could not penetrate a compact defence before the interval although Wignall hit the bar.  At the sixty second minute Waiters put Stoke ahead.  Less than a minute later Everton equalized through outside right Lill who was the most effective forward on view.  

WIN AT WOLVES CONFIRMS THE EVERTON REVIVAL 
Liverpool Echo - Monday 16 October 1961
By Jack Lowe
The story of Everton's 3-0 victory over the Wolves at Molineux on Saturday must be as patchy as the mist which descended on the ground in the second half, as for the most part it was impossible to see what was going on.  To most of the spectators it was a wonder that the game finished at all.  In the last ten minutes I  could not see either goal, and  unless a player or players  came within 30 yards of the  touchline on the Press stand  side of the pitch, what was  going on could not be  discerned.   Visibility at the start was quite good, but it decreased towards the interval and then afterwards the mist swirled in and the vision of the game swirled out.  Occasionally it lifted, but only once could I recall seeing the other side of the field. And an indication of the conditions can be judged from the fact that Dunlop did not leave the pitch at the end until some minutes after every other player, obviously unaware that the game was over until some kind spectators told him.  The crowd, especially those who supported Wolves, did not kindly to the referee’s decision to carry on. There were several bursts of slow hand-clapping and disapproval in the second half. 
AN INJUSTICE 
Had this match been  stopped, however, it would  have been an injustice to Everson, because I have no  doubt that from the first half  and from the little I saw of  the second half that they deserved to win and one can say that this, victory has  established the revival.  Wolves arc certainly not of the strength they have been since the war. There is uncertainty in defence and even Broadbent could not bring a calming influence to the attack. They started with furious pace and kept it up, but never did their play have the calm assured pose as that of Everton, who played it without hurry and never lost the slightest poise.  In the second half, when the Wolves tried to turn on the heat the defence always seemed to have the situation in hand. And again, from what I saw, there was coolness and discretion in the clearance so that invariable an Everton man came away with the ball.  In the first half I thought at times that Everton were not quite quick enough in their use of the ball, but the longer the match went the more obvious did the pattern become. 
KEPT CALM 
They kept calm and charmed the pace admirably so that never were Wolves there with a real chance of taking any of real sense of control. In fact in second half there was only one moment when the Everton goal looked like falling, but one could judge this situation from the reaction of the crowd behind the goal.  For once, and once only, was there a roar which greeted a near miss and that was when Deeley shot just outside. On the other hand, there were much more likely scoring incidents in the Wolves end and when Everton did attack, and they did often, the movement and direction was always there.  This was Wolves' first defeat of the season at home and Everton inflicted it because they were the better side with more precision and a better plan. All the team  played admirably and if the  Wolves' tackling was fierce at  times, so was Everton's when  the occasion warranted it, and  the picture now must be of  the team which has the football  skill in Young, Collins and Vernon, and determination  and power in defence.  In the first half I felt the defence took slightly more of the honour in the attack which came in bursts. But taking the match all through and trying to assess what one could not see and had to go to a large extent on the reaction the crowd. Everton as a team triumphed. 
IN CHECK 
Broadbent is certainly not the player he was and neither is Deeley, and of the Wolves forward line only Durrant looked really menacing. But after a sprightly opening Thomson kept him nicely in check, although was spoken to by the referee after a couple of determined encounters.  It is in defence that Manager Stan Cullis will also have a lot of worries. Slater, at centre-half, was never as commanding as he can be, and there is also a lot of uncertainty in other positions.  The goals came rather amazingly, for in 34 minutes, while the Wolves tried to operate their offside trap.  Gabriel turned the ball to Young, who shot from  25 yards out, and Finlayson,  two or three yards out of his  goal, was beaten by a ball  which simply flew over him, nipped the underside of the  bar and flashed to the back of the net.  Thirty seconds after this, Vernon took off on a swerving run, and when he placed the ball to the middle, Slater contrived to turn the ball into his own net, so that Everton, from that moment, had the game won.  The third goal came when the fog at its worst, in the last minute, and Gabriel was the scorer. How he scored it, or the lead up, I just did not see. But it didn’t matter, because it simply served to emphasize Everton's, superiority.

EVERTON HAVE WING PROBLEMS
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 17 October 1961
DERBY MATCH
By Leslie Edwards
Everton players are all fit, but the place of Bingham who plays tonight against Greece, will have to be filled.  Manager Harry Catterick is hoping that Mickey Lill will be able to deputise, he received a knock on the ankle on Saturday and will have a fitness test tomorrow morning to decide whether he can go in or not.  “If Mickey is not available, I shall have to start considering the position afresh, I’ve no idea who could play if Lill were unavailable.”

LIVERPOOL PLAYERS PLEAD-PLAY OUR LEAGUE SIDE IN TONIGHT’S BATTLE OF GOODISON PARK
Wednesday, October 18, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Although officially Liverpool will not select their team for tonight’s derby game with Everton at Goodison Park (kick-off 7-30 p.m) until a few minutes before the crowd are notified of the decision over the ground’s loud speakers, I have every confidence for believing that both Yeats and White will play and that the team will be that which has carried them so triumphantly through the season so far as it has gone.  Everton are hopeful that Mickey Lill was pass a fitness test this morning in case he will be the deputy for Billy Bingham, out of the side because of yesterday’s Irish international game.  If Lill does not come through successfully it is almost anybody’s guess who will wear the No 7 jersey, for as manager Harry Catterick said last night.  “It will be an experiment.”  If Lill can play, the position regarding team selection will be very much better than seemed likely and given good weather there is no reason why this match should not be one of the most memorable played between the teams for many a long year.  Everton’s improvement since the middle of September has been spectacular, and with five matches won of the last six games, confidence simply could not be greater, while Liverpool have exceeded the wildest hopes of officials players and spectators.  The natural outcome must be a wonderful match always providing that football, at which both teams have proved so adept, is given a free rein and that as far is humanly possible feeling and excessive vigour should be conspicuous by their absence.
TREMENDOUS RIVALRY
Let this be a football classic of which both clubs can be proud regardless of the actual result, for as things stand it would be hard indeed to select any two clubs in the length and breadth of the country capable of giving a more interesting of spectacular exhibition.  Liverpool say their football is as good quality as there is to be found anywhere, but Everton rejoin; “You haven’t seen football until you have seen ours.”  I understand that the Liverpool players had a meeting with their manager to discuss this game.  By common consent it was agreed that the strongest possible side should go into the field and that if it was at all possible to play White and Yeats they should be played.  White and Yeats agreed wholeheartedly that there was nothing they would like better than to turn out.  There has been no training set-back in either case, and while I know full well that so firmly has manager Bill Shankly got promotion in view that he would not hesitate to pull either or both men out even at the eleventh hour if he thought there was the slightest risk, it is my belief that the lack of a definite announcement last night was purely cautionary in case of any untoward development.  The match has many intriguing possibilities.  I am looking forward tremendously to the duel between fellow Scots and friends.  Alex Young on one hand and Ron Yeats on the other.  Young, after a depressing start to the season, has come right out of his shell and is now near enough to his best form to make all things possible. 
STERN CHALLENGE
I am a great admirer of Young, and although he undoubtedly faced a stern challenge from Frank Wignall while Collins and Vernon came back to the side, I never doubted for one moment that Mr. Catterick had made the right decision including Young.  His speed can be devastating and I think this match will now show one way or the other the qualities of Yeats.  He has strode with a giant’s step through all the early season trails and match by match has sent his reputation soaring.  Every centre forward has been subdued and rendered important.  Can he do that with Young?  If so, it will be his greatest triumph to date, for although these two are as friendly off the field as it is possible to be, it will be war to the knife so long, as those floodlights blaze down upon them.  Last season there were those who said Liverpool could never be great until they found a new half-back line.  All that has happened is that Yeats has come in and suddenly the half-back problems appeared to vanish.  Here again, against foemen so brilliantly able as Bobby Collins and Roy Vernon, Tom Leishman and Gordon Milne face their supreme test.  They will seldom be called upon to deal with a more troublesome twosome, the one speedy and direct, with dynamite in his boots, and the other a human dynamo who never stops working and plays havoc with the most experienced defenders by the high speed employment of two of the cleverest feet in the game.  Of course, all the problems are not Liverpool’s.  Imagine for example how Brian Labone is going to be kept busy by the restless St. John, who regards Goodison Park as his happy hunting ground.  He has played there once and collected three goals.  If Everton could have had their way I think both Melia and A’Court might have been wearing blue jerseys, but of course, that goes for a good many other clubs as well, and this season the partnership the two have hit up together on the left wing, has been more penetrating and effective than ever.  If Melia can sparkle against a tackler as determined as Gabriel then he need fear no promotion to Division One, for there are few men who put more into their work-than the Scot, and A’Court opposes the man I consider without peer as a right back-Alex Parker.  There are many intriguing challenges in this match, so much so that it seems impossible for it be other than a terrific success, for I believe that despite their knowledge of future responsibilities, all other thoughts will go by the board as the teams battle for superiority.  To Brian Harris falls the task of spiking Liverpool’s (and the country’s) highest scoring gun-Roger Hunt.  Roger has missed more chances than he likes to recall, but possibly that is because so many have come his way.  Had he taken them all he would be well on the way to smashing Dixie Dean’s record by now.  Who will win?  What a question.  It will be decided by the success or failure of Liverpool in dealing with the down the middle.  Everton menace or by the grip that can be taken on St. John and Melia.  Tell me the outcome of these tussle and I will tell you the winner.  Good luck to both sides.  May this battle of honour prove to be an honorable battle, without injury to either side. 
BILLY BINGHAM INJURED
Billy Bingham the Everton outside right was assisted off the pitch at Windsor Park last night with a suspected pulled muscle, during Ireland 2-0 win against Greece.

WHAT ARE ODDS AGAINST LEAGUE DOUBLE  BY CITY CLUBS?
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 18 October 1961
Asks ALEX YOUNG, of Everton 
What the odds being offered against on Everton-  Liverpool First and Second Division championship double are at the moment I don't know, but it is certain they will have dropped rapidly during the last month or so.  A short time ago when things were not going too well for us. I told you that I did agree with those who had already written off Everton as possible honours winners this season. Now you can see why.  Six weeks have seen transformed from a side struggling near the foot of the table, to one brimful of confidence and near enough to the leaders to make them conscious of our presence.  What got us out of that rut? I think one of the main things was team spirit. I can honestly say that never before have I played in a side which possessed the fine spirit that exists at Everton now. 
HARD TO DESCRIBE
It something which is hard to describe, but I feel players, coaching management, and most important of all the loyal Everton fans, have had a hand creating it.  One man who has done great deal -but received little credit -in whipping (and I mean whipping) us into shape is senior coach Tom Eggleston. There have been times when Tom has pushed us really hard, but, believe me, there isn't a man in the team who would not go through it all again to achieve the same end.  That is why, barring another spate of injuries. I think there is a chance we shall be leading the First Division at the end of April. Anyway, it’s a possibility you can talk about tonight while you stand on the terraces, or sit in the stands, waiting for the start of what I am told is the most talked about "derby" match for years.  I am sure Liverpool's visit to Goodson is going to produce a fine game. Let's be fair about it, both teams are playing extremely well, and while I am natural-confident that we can pull out that little extra and win, anything could happen.  If the match proves as interesting as the one in which I made my “derby" debut last season, however, then everyone should be satisfied. 
MY PAL, YEATS 
This will be my first clash in English football with  Liverpool's giant center half, Ron Yeats, although we had a number of previous tussles ,  in Hearts-Dundee fixtures.  Ron, incidentally, was in the same billet as me at Alders hot during our Army days, but as he writes an article in Saturday's Football Echo, I'd better not give away any of his secrets. He might retaliate.  Ron and I are still the best of friends, despite the fact that he plays for the "opposition."  In fact, we are all quite pally with the men from across the Park and meet them fairly often for lunch and a chat.  Another old mate of mine in the Liverpool camp is goalkeeper Bert Slater. Bert and I played in the same schools select and junior teams in Scotland for a number of years before signing professional, then Bert went off to Falkirk and I joined Hearts. 
BINGHAM'S HONOUR 
Billy Bingham has our congratulations on being picked to play for Northern Ireland in their World Cup match against Greece, in Belfast.  Let's hope the injury he received is not serious.  I remember playing against the Greek Army team during my Services days and was most impressed by their clever ball play.  One who was most relieved to see our game at Wolver Hampton run the full 90 minutes was skipper Bobby Collins. This was Bobby’s fifth game at the Molineux ground, for Celtic and Everton, but the first time he has been on the winning side.  Bobby, incidentally, played a leading part in Jimmy Gabriel’s goal, but the mist was pretty thick then and I reckon this robbed the crowd of a real treat. Those who  were lucky to be close enough  saw a real flash of real  Collins brilliance as Bobby  beat three men within a space  of two yards, in a way which  only he can, before rolling the  ball forward to Jimmy, who  sent a lovely shot into the far  corner of the net.  Jimmy has now scored in each of our last three matches. Here's hoping he keeps it up!
COUNTER MOVE 
A new tactical plan designed to beat the off-aide trap produced our first goal against Wolves, just as it had done against Nottingham Forest the previous week. Last Saturday, my name went down in the
records as the scorer, but the  real credit goes to our  manager, Harry Catterick, and trainer, Tom Egglestone,  who devised the plan, and the  rest of the team, who put It  into operation so well.  Alex Parker and Albert Dunlop are the best of friends, but you wouldn't have thought so at Molineux last Saturday.  Before the game Alex Parker found himself locked out of the dressing room and his pal, Albert, refused to open the door. It seems that Alex had the last laugh though, for when the referee blew for time he walked off the field and left Albert alone in the mist until someone game over.  My congratulations to Brian Harris and Roy Vernon, both of whom got through to the final of the Professional Footballers’ Golf championship at Formby on Monday. I'm not sure how Brian, who took  second handicap prize, managed it, but I do know  that the boys seem to have lost  all faith in my mathematics  since I marked - Roy's card in  the qualifying competition at  Blackburn. 
OUR THANKS 
May I take this opportunity  of thanking all those who  have written to me and the  rest of the Everton boys  recently saying how much you  are enjoying our matches: I  assure you we will be doing  all in our power to carry on  the good work.  I am sorry to hear from L.  Ellis, of Windsor Road, Formby, that he has only recently come out of a plaster jacket after injuring his back in a Boys' Brigade matches last April, he asks for my advice on suitable training to get him back to fitness.  Much as I'd like to help, our club physiotherapist, Norman Borrowdale, says it would be best for Mr. Ellis to place himself in the hands of a doctor or physiotherapist.  Great care is needed and it is better to be under supervision all the time, rather than following a set programmer.  If you have any queries on tactics, &c., be glad to hear from you.

BURGRESS
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 18 October 1961
One-armed player who appeared in Everton team during later part of World War I was, says C. P. Love, of Woodchurch, a man named Burgess. Mr. Love has been following our clubs for 44 years and is well qualified to know.  Tom Knight, of Warrington, adds a quota to the same topic. Everton had a one-armed player, Mason, formerly of Warrington Central F.C. He played occasionally on the right wing for Everton during the First World War He had to wear a protective covering on his stump.  My thinks to Messrs. E. G. Murray, of Rock Ferry, and  S. Fellows (Anfield) for pointing out that the Young signed  by Wolves from Everton before 1914 was not Sandy of the famous Cup final goal, but Bob Young, a centre half-back who had one full season as successor to that wonderful  old Scot, Jack Taylor. 

TEMPLE  DEPUTISES FOR  BINGHAM 
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 18 October 1961
Liverpool at Goodison 
BY Leslie Edwards
Derek Temple, reserve  forward, yet co-top  scorer this season at  Everton with five goals, comes into the team at  outside right to-night in  place of Billy Bingham  for the match against  Liverpool at Goodison  Park.  Bingham, released from to-night's game because he played for Ireland against Greece last night in Belfast, pulled a muscle in that game and is likely to miss Everton’s League fixture against Sheffield United at Goodison Park on Saturday.  "I rather feel he might be out of the game for two or three weeks," said Peter Doherty, the Ireland team manager, to-day. It was most unfortunate that he should be injured just when Everton agreed to release him for the international match."  Manager Harry Catterick hoped to play Mick Lill, the reserve right winger, against Liverpool, but the former Wolves player failed a fitness test this morning.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Temple, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell. I understand that Everton and Liverpool have agreed to play substitutes if necessary in to-night's game. Doctor will make last minute examination of Liverpool centre half Yeats before Liverpool team  is announced. White is fit and is expected to play.  The 14,000 stand tickets for tonight’s game have been sold at 7s and 8s. It is a case of pay at the turnstiles for the paddock and terracing. A capacity crowd is expected, although it is only a friendly match. 

60,000 CROWD ENJOY A FOOTBALL FEAST
Thursday, October 19, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
DRAW WAS IDEAL VERDICT IN DERBY NEITHER SIDE DESERVED TO LOSE
EVERTON 2, LIVERPOOL 2
By Horace Yates

What could have been a more ideal result? It may still leave the great question unsolved as to whether Everton or Liverpool are the city’s pin-up team, but at least honour is satisfied-on both sides-and the teams, in the first leg of the Floodlight Cup match at Goodison Park last night, put on a wonderful display of football that brought the utmost credit to both.  There hardly deserved to be a winner, or probably better still, a loser.  It would not be a “derby” game without a show of spirit, and possibly an odd flash of feeling as well and in this respect this was no exception.  Fortunately the players-lost much of the needle in the first three minutes, when fouls averaged one a minute.  After the offences occurred at irregular and increasing intervals, and there was so much to enthuse over that it was easy to gloss over these indiscretions.  The only threat of injury came ten minutes from the end when A’Court went down to a Parker tackle.  Fortunately he was able to resume, apparently little the worse for his adventure, and after, the match Melia also reported a slight injury.  If this match proved anything it was that a team which can hold a great side like Everton as Liverpool did, and for a time completely outplay them, is badly out of place in Division Two, and ripe for promotion to a sphere more in keeping with their merit.  At times the class and skill of the play touched fantastic heights so that one could do little more than sit back and marvel at such artistry and if anybody in that crowd felt aggrieved at the payment of his admission fee, than I don’t know what spectators expect in these hard times.  I can well understand the Liverpool supporters regretting their decision to attend the match at all, for the first thirty minutes-not because play was uninteresting, for it was far from it-but because their side were completely second best and seemingly struggling at full stretch to maintain contact with opponents threatening to flit right out of reach. 
GABRIEL’S BAD LUCK
Thirteen minutes might have plunged them into deepest gloom, for Alex Young, who was extending Ron Yeats as no other player has done in England, slipped the ball across and the goal-hungry-Gabriel, a scorer in his last three outings, lashed the ball hard with a terrific first time shot that struck the upper side of the crossbar and skidded into the darkness of the crowd.  Slater could not have got near it, so that Liverpool were only inches from disaster.  Hard luck Gabriel.  Still Everton continued to call the tune, Vernon, darting here and there at top speed, and Collins placing the ball to perfection whenever he went, suggesting movement of machine-like smoothness and efficiently.  It all seemed so easy and yet it gave Liverpool a buffeting they will not forget.  Had Liverpool to contend only with these masterful footballers, they might have looked more comfortable, but there was also Young, seemingly determined to destroy the theory of Yeats invincibility.  What a struggle it was scrupulously fair at every turn, with never a foul action exchanged between them.  Those in the crowd who roared in the second half for an award against Yeats did so merely because Young fell over his fellow Scot.  It never came within a mile of an offence.  Certainly at this stage, if one had been forced to choose between Young and St. John, there would never have been the slightest hesitation in plumping for the Everton leader. 
MAGIFICENT YEATS
The greatest tribute to Young’s display was that Yeats was magnificent.  If he is not the greatest centre half in the county at 22 then it seems a fairly safe bet that this acknowledgement will not long be delayed.  He was the great barrier that Everton could not dent and yet, in the end he was the man who helped them to gain a draw at a time when it looked as though this solace might easily be denied them.  Liverpool were leading 2-1 and were really riding high.  Everton compared with the first half, were going through the motions but getting nowhere.  Their fangs had been drawn and the odds were definitely on a Liverpool victory.  From the most innocuous long, high ball from Brian Harris, there was Yeats with all the time in the world, to run forward and place the ball with his head wherever he chose.  For once in a way he completely misjudged the flight and took the easy way out of handling.  It was an obvious free kick, but the referee sized up the situation in a trice and decided to allow the advantage rule.  Vernon strode on menacingly and ran into the penalty area where he was brought down, I think by Tom Leishman and without hesitation the referee pointed to the spot.  He was descended on by the Liverpool players, who could not have contested, the award more hotly, but Mr. Kelly was unmoved and Vernon hit the game-saving kick past Slater in sixty-eight minutes.  I learned after the game that the reason for Liverpool’s mass protest was their contention that the referee had blown for a free kick and had then allowed play to proceed.  If ever a score revitalized a team this certainly infused new heart into a sagging Everton and yet, even then, they would have been beaten had not Dunlop, chosen to bring off one of the saves he will always remember as a career highlight.  Only four minutes after the Vernon goal, there was St. John, right in front of goal, seven or eight yards out.  He was slightly off balance as he made contact, but away went the ball leaving Dunlop all the time.  The goalkeeper flung himself and made a one-handed contact for a really superb save.  To Temple fell Everton’s last chance, but he made no sort of show with a half-hit shot.  The first goal of the match came during Everton’s period of invincibility (23 minutes).  It was a Vernon corner kick which found the head of Gabriel, who nodded on to Collins and the skipper headed into the corner of the net, well out of Slater’s reach.  Nobody could complain at this score, for the writing had been plainly on the wall but ten minutes from half-time, with the pendulum beginning to swing, a St. John who had achieved little, crossed the ball to Milne and quick as though he pushed forward to Hunt, who scored in the accomplished fashion one would expect of the No 1 scorer in the Football League.  Some there were who protested that Hunt was off-side but it was noteworthy the Everton players accepted the award without query.  Liverpool demanded a penalty when Parker unceremoniously upset St. John, who crashed headlong into the area, but the referee was absolutely right to bring the award back a yard outside, but it was a near thing.  The interval was only a temporary respite for Everton, for Liverpool were so obviously victory-bent and it seemed they might get their way in 59 minutes when Thomson was slow to clear, especially with such a dangerous customer as Hunt, at his side.  The inside forward took the ball past Thomson and gave Dunlop no sort of chance.  Then came the game-saving penalty and a revived Everton.  With forward of the caliber of Collins, Vernon, Young, Melia and St. John on view, one might expect with reasonable certainly to look among those names for the attacker of the match.  Not for me.  Unhesitatingly, my award goes to Roger Hunt, not because he scored two goals, but rather because of almost every move he made.  He never wasted a ball and no matter how it was sent to him he brought it down and used it to his purpose with an assurance and deliberation that commanded admiration.  I cannot remember Hunt ever having given a more commendable display.  Fell, too chose the occasion to suggest merit which has not always been so apparent, and this in spite of a workmanlike display by White.  Labone had no reason at all to be dissatisfied; with his handling of St.John and the tough tackling Gabriel had more success than most against Meila. Harris also gave several examples of how greatly his ability has stiffened the Everton defence and A’Court could make little of Parker.  How many of you noticed I wonder, that these were new blues.  Everton were wearing a completely new strip of darker blue and circular neck, and very smart they looked too!  Now we shall have to await the second let to decide who are the Merseyside champions but let us hope discretion will be used in fixing  date which will interfere with the ambitions of both clubs as little as possible.  Our fears about last night’s date were apparently groundless, for we had a grand game a terrific crowd, a bag full of money and most important of all, no injuries worth speaking of to complicate the future.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Temple, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Liverpool; Slater; White, Byrne, Milne; Yeats, Leishman; Lewis, Hunt, St. John, Melia, A’Court.  Referee; Mr. J. Kelly (Eccleston),  Attendance 59,304. 

BINGHAM MAY BE OUT 3 WEEKS
Thursday, October 19, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
Billy Bingham, the Everton outside-right was limping badly when he flew home from Belfast yesterday following the international between Northern Ireland and Greece.  “I rather feel he might be out of the game for two or three weeks,” said Peter Doherty, the Ireland team manager.  “It was most unfortunate that he should be injured just when Everton agreed to release him for the international match.” 

LIVERPOOL DIED BY THEIR OWN ‘HANDS’
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 19 October 1961
By Leslie Edwards
They'll be talking about last night's match until Everton and Liverpool meet again next season —in the First Division! The Liverpudlians will be  saying " When Mr. (but they won't use the Mr.)  Kelly played the advantage rule and let Everton go  on to equalise at 2-2 after Yeats had handled, the  defence stopped playing because they thought the  referee was sure to award a free-kick. The Everton reply will be “If a player handles blatantly as the big fellow did and the handling does not succeed in stopping the move the referee is right to Jet the innocent side carry on. And don't forget we didn’t get our goal until Vernon was tripped and scored from the penalty spot! “There is something to be said for both sides and Liverpool players said their piece to Mr. Kelly long before the ball was placed on the penalty spot and petulantly kicked off it by goalkeeper Slater. A similar handling offence on  the same pitch a few weeks ago, by IIey of Nottingham  Forest, cost a goal, too, but in his case he had not only  handled, he took the lace out.  This disputed goal by which Everton drew up to 2-2 after being 1-0 in the lead and then 2-1 down, was the crux of one of the finest games the clubs have ever produced in League, Cup or charity matches. It stormed and raged for ninety minutes giving 60,000 the thrill of their lives and some of the fastest hardest, finest football seen for seasons.   Salute the twenty-two men for a performance which could scarcely have been bettered. And for one which  provided hard tackles, tremendous pace, a great deal of  artistry and sufficient good will among rivals to keep the  crowd from boiling over when the intensity of effort went  a little beyond reasonable bounds. 
A little casual 
Whichever way you look at it a draw was equitable.  Everton started like whirlwinds and held the upper hand for twenty-minutes at which stage it seemed the ease with which they slid the ball about among themselves caused them to become just a bit casual. You cannot be casual with this Liverpool.  They slowly but surely moved into top gear. Then it was Everton's turn to find themselves perplexed, on the receiving end.  The second half pattern was similar with Everton snapping into action from the start and taking the initiative and Liverpool seeming likely to concede another goal. But far from that happening they made it 2-1. Only that  penalty and, later, one of the greatest saves Dunlop ever  made—a one-handed, out-of-this-world effort at the closest  range from St. John—kept the score-sheet level and sent  the factions home content that the result was just and that  we have at present two of the best sides the city has ever  known.  Perhaps the rain at kick-off helped to speed the ball  over the lush green of Goodison Park and made play seem  fast. I don't recall any game for a long time which has given such satisfaction or any in which play has been better sustained. They would both know they had been in a match. Yet with substitutes at the ready on the touch-line.  In cue of injury none, happily, was needed and the trainers were on rarely.  That may speak volumes for the propensity of players to “skip" unrelenting sliding tackles, but the main thing  was each side came unscarred, if very tired, from a magnificent  exhibition  There would have been no disgrace if either had lost; indeed it would have been the greatest pity if either had  had to walk off beaten. With both playing so well and everyone expecting so much the game might have been one of complete anti-climax. Instead, it produced climax on climax to the point when many spectators sounded fit to burst. 
One we'd yearned for 
True, the goals were not clear-cut and there was not a lot of punishing shooting, but the swing of the pendulum, the pace and the fluctuations of goal and counter-goal made it the game we'd yearned for. It was efficiently, if quietly controlled by the Cup Final referee. The pity was it wasn’t at Wembley where 40,000 more could have seen it.  I wouldn't be critical of anyone on such an occasion,  except perhaps the back who had five tries at a trip before  he finally succeeded This was one of the game's few black  spots. The high spots, for me, came first when Collins, in defence, danced his way out of trouble and set the pattern  for Young (working in square half-inches) to make a  similar breath-taking run at the other end with Yeats heading  over his own bar to quell and quench this wonderful  attacking burst.  What better than that Gabriel volley, a solid thumping of the ball as it arrived from Young on the left with Slater glad to see the top paint of the bar, and not his hands, take the force of the ball.  By this time Liverpool were settling down and St. John  with a low skidding shot which Dunlop did well to take as  it veered away from him, showed that though overplayed  they were not lying down to a hammering. Dunlop saved a hooked shot from Hunt (who has never played better) before a fast Vernon corner from the left was headed by Yeats and Gabriel before Collins steered it, also with a header, just inside the far post. Everton 1-0 at 23 minutes,  St. John and Thomson duelled for possession of one of  Yeats thumped clearances before St. John, refusing to be  denied edged the ball square to Hunt for Hunt to score in  spite of the fears that he might have been off-side. This goal came at 36 minutes. None could deny Liverpool were worth their goal and worth a “half “at the interval.   
Glorious effort 
Moments before St. John had interposed himself  between two defenders to make a glorious, but inches too  high header from an A'Court centre when his chances of  scoring was thousands to one against—a superb piece of  work.  Slater, appreciating as I do, that the law says the whole  of the ball must be over the line, threw it angrily towards  the linesman who awarded a corner against him and then  Fell made a header similar to St. John's (and just as  unlucky) after Young had won close combat battle against  Yeats.  Seventeen minutes of the second half had gone when Hunt scored in off an upright in a scrambling move in which Everton defence was caught working indecisively.  A'Court was injured when excellently tackled by Harris and for a moment the crowd and panting players were given respite they had fully earned.  There followed a David and Goliath act between Collins and Yeats with the big man hooked, but still  upright, as the whistle went in his favour. Hunt, still having his best game, shot wide from a squared pass by St. John, before that lofted pass (which was surely beating him) tempted Yeats to leap up and stop the ball with his hands. That was the intent, but it only half succeeded.  Most people and some players expected the whistle. It was silent. Vernon, seizing possession and going straight for Legal, was a scorer except for being brought down by Lishman. Liverpool protested angrily at the penalty. Mr. Kelly listened but was adamant. Vernon almost side-footed the ball in. 
The greatest roar 
Now came Dunlop's storming save, St. John was one hundred to one on in my book when the goalkeeper, with  reflexes which must have got him moving almost before the  ball had been hit, palmed the ball out one-handed and,  more, was positioned for anything which came off the  rebound. This moment produced the greatest roar of the rip-roaring ninety minutes. The save was a prestige saver for Everton.  Fell, who had his best game in Everton colours, floated  a centre clean across goal after a fine corkscrew run and  that except for the formality of the final minute or two  was " it" until the next time  This game was not only 2-2, but too, too thrilling for  anyone to hope to describe adequately in a column of print.  The reputations of the teams and of individuals are as high they were before a ball was kicked. The sooner we get the fixture off the friendly basis the better Liverpool  proved last night they are ready for Division I and Everton  that it won't be long before they are at the top of Division.  To the man called home before the start and to injured Billy Bingham who was forced to watch from the stands commiserations on missing so much.  But what more could we have asked Both sides led:  both were one down: both scored twice, both sent their following home satisfied. Perfectly simple and simply perfect.

ROY VERNON SAYS
Friday, October 20, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
LIVERPOOL LUCKY –HUNT’S GOAL WAS OFFSIDE
Clear the rails! Division Two cannot hold this Liverpool side for very much longer, I reckon they will run right out of this League at express-speed, and if they only have luck in the shape of freedom from injuries, they may even set the curious looking up records to discover whether or not they go up by a record points’ total.  That’s how good I think they are, and I believe this view is shaped by the rest of my colleagues at Goodison Park.  I got a very good impression of them when watching as a spectator, but I regard them very much more highly now, having played against them, I am not merely being kind to neighbours when I say that not only do I consider they will join us in Division 1 next season, but that at this moment they could undoubtedly hold or beat the vast majority of clubs already there.  Their football is already First Division standard and without doubt they would be a welcome addition to top class football.  Mind you, I think they were a shade fortunate not to go down at Goodison Park.  I contend we would have beaten them handsomely if Jimmy Gabriel’s shot in the opening minutes had gone just under instead of just over the bar.  There were only inches in it, but what a difference those inches made!  Not only that, but I’ll swear Roger Hunt was a clear yard offside when he was allowed to run on to score Liverpool’s equalizer.  I understand that the linesman told some of our players e had flagged for offside, but the referee had disregarded the signal.  I asked the referee to consult the linesman but he declined.  Liverpool supporters are making a great play of the claim that the referee blew for a handling offence by Yeats before I was brought down in the penalty area.  All I can say is that I was as near to the referee as anybody else, but I heard no whistle. 
FUTILE PROTEST
How foolish I would have been to go charging on knowing the whistle had blown, and penalty or no penalty, I don’t think it would have made the slightest difference to our equalizing at that point.  I was surprised at the way the Liverpool players protested, but surely they were on a hiding to nothing from the word go.  Questions of opinion may be disputed but to tell a referee he has blown a whistle when obviously he s in a better position to decide whether he has or not than anybody else seems to be flogging a dead horse.  People tell me it looked a tough game in which to play but all I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed it.  There was give and take on both sides and I don’t think anybody will claim there was any really vicious play.  I should think we are all too friendly for anything of that nature to creep into our meetings.  It was a real thrill to take part in the match for the roar from the crowd was almost continuous and think this is one of the few occasions on which it is impossible to tell whether you are playing at home or away.  With a crowd as enthusiastic as that I don’t see how two such teams could fail to put on a top class show.  We were told in advance that this was the match everybody wanted, I have not heard anybody say they were disappointed, unless of course it be supporters of one side or the other, who cannot be happy unless their side is victorious. 
STRIDE FOR STRIDE
We have found in many of our games this season that just about three-quarter time our superior stamina has began to tell a tale in our favour.  We waited for that moment in vain on Wednesday, for Liverpool matched us stride for stride.  Some are prepared to say without hesitation that Liverpool boasts two finer sides than any other town or city in the country, and that goes for London too!  Be that as it may, one claim I think I would be prepared to make is that we certainly have the two fittest sides.  The thoughts of the “derby” match are so uppermost in all our thoughts that I find I have used up practically all my space writing on that but it would be wrong not to mention the great boost we all received as a result of our victory at Wolves.  We had begun to think we were on the flood tide-again and knew that a convincing show at Wolverhampton would settle any doubts.  Well they were well and truly settled and it is a pity that our supporters could only see part of the triumph because of the fog.  In our present mood I think we can tackle anything with an excellent chance of showing some return.  What an amazing transformation.  Before Burnley can claim that this is their year, I think they are going to have to reckon with us. We will challenge them every step of the way in spite of the start we conceded. 
GOING ALL THE WAY
It takes luck to get among the honours, but honestly the way we are feeling just now we really believe we have a great chance of going all the way this time.  We are all hoping that the injury Billy Bingham suffered in the Irish international match with Greece does not prove to be serious.  Billy is a great character, a fine colleague and a first class player.  Not the least impressive part of our recent performances has been the scoring angle.  From the last three matches we have returned thirteen goals and conceded one.  Even Liverpool cannot show better figures than those.  Yet it is little more than a month ago that we failed to score at all in three successive games and gave away eight.  That’s football!  Of course the match we are all looking forward to very keenly now is that on November 4 when need I tell you, our visitors are the fabulous Spurs.  They beat us twice last season.  It will not be our fault if there is not a complete reversal this time round.  We’ll be trying. 

BILLY BINGHAM OUT AND LILL NOT LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE
Friday, October 20, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
An examination of Billy Bingham’s injury at Goodison Park yesterday showed there is no possibility of his being fit to take his place in the Everton team to receive Sheffield United tomorrow, but there is no indication yet how long he is likely to remain inactive.  When I asked what progress Mickey Lill was making Harry Catterick told me. “There is no charge in the position from yesterday.  Then he was unfit to be considered for selection for the Liverpool match.  The inference of course, is that Mr. Catterick will again have to complete his team without being able to consider Lill’s claims.  As Everton ate not over-endowed with winger substitutes they will probably content themselves by naming Wednesday’s side.  Not surprisingly Mr. Catterick would offer no sort of direct answer to the question; “Are Everton interested in Jimmy Greaves?”
NO INTEREST
Even if they were, we could hardly expect an open admission at this stage, but I should think it highly improbable.  Because Everton have acquired as the Bank of England team, it is no reason to assume that they would become involved in competition which might easily account for £100,000 of somebody’s money.  In any event, with Everton in possession of Collins and Vernon would such expenditure be justified? I hardly think so.  Another chastening reflection is that when last the curtain was lifted on Everton’s financial affairs they were said to be £77,000 in the red. 

SHEFFIELD UNITED LINK
Liverpool Echo - Friday 20 October 1961
By Leslie Edwards
Sheffield United have not a few links with Everton.  Duggie Livingstone and Joe Mercer, both old Everton defenders, managed there in their time. Now Archie Clark, one of their contemporaries in the old days, assists the one of their quiet man of football, Gentleman John Harris, son of the even more famous Neil and one of a few former Chelsea players tipped for “the chair " at Stamford Bridge. The chair in the United States and the managerial chair in football in Britain are rapidly becoming almost synonymous.  In their present form Everton could take on Real Madrid and make a match of it. The victory at Wolves, the fine spells they had against Liverpool, their quick rise in the table—all indicate that they are on the way back to produce consistently their wonderful form of the last dozen matches last season.  Bingham. a casualty from the Battle of Belfast, is certain to miss to-morrow' match, but all going well the  team should be as on Wednesday and that should be good  enough . . .  The Everton versus Dynamo (Kiev) match will be  played at Goodison Park on Wednesday, November 15  (7.30).  Tickets for reserved seats will be available shortly for the Goodison Road and Bullens Road stands at 8s each and will be available to anyone. Priority will be given to  shareholders and stand season ticket holders if they enclose  spare coupon No. 44 from their book of tickets and mark  the outside of the envelope " shareholder" or "season  ticket holder " as the case may be.  All applications by post must contain stamped addressed envelope and correct remittance and should be sent to: Secretary, Everton F.C., Goodison Park. Liverpool  4.

EVERTON HAVE LILL ON WING
Liverpool Echo - Friday 20 October 1961
Everton make one change for the match tomorrow at Goodison Park against Sheffield United.  Lill, who was unfit to take the place of Bingham against Liverpool, takes the place of Derek temple, who played on the right wing on that occasion.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Lill, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Sheffield United make one change compared with the side that beat Ipswich Town last Saturday.  Harry Orr takes the place of Gerry Summers, who has a knee injury, at left half.  Sheffield United; Hodgkinson; Coldwell, Shaw (G); Richardson, Shaw (J), Orr; Allchurch, Russell, Pace, Simpson, Hartle. 

LILL PASSES TEST
Saturday, October 21 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Nearer home we find Mickey Lill exceeding all expectations and passing a fitness test yesterday that puts him into the Everton team to receive Sheffield United as outside right deputy for Billy Bingham.  Manager Harry Catterick told me last night; “Mickey has recovered well from his injury.  We knew he was not for Wednesday, but one does not keep on giving fitness tests day by day.  By that practice you run the risk of putting players further back.  “There was no doubt yesterday, however.  He is 100 per cent fit.”  That solves one minor headache, for Derek Temple for all his virtues, hardly looks the type of winger Everton like to play.  Outside right, of course, is Lill’s favourite spot, and in his six outings this season, only two have been there.  It is Lill’s opportunism that is his greatest claim to fame, and in a forward line of such cleverness, who knows, he may have ample opportunity to make a scoring come-back?  Evertonians will not have forgotten the last appearance of United at Goodison, for a goal by Russell set the Sheffield side away on a Cup adventure which took them within an ace of Wembley.  Russell is here again today, but while United may now be clothed with the more alluring garment of First Division status, I am convinced they will find Everton a vastly different proposition this time.  Five goals for and fourteen against in only five away games hardly suggests that here is the side to half the goal stream which has begun to flow so fluently from the Everton forwards.  With Gerry Summers keeping an appointment with a specialist over his knee injury, Orr is at left half, hardly a pleasurable prospect for him, with Collins beginning to weave his spells again.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Lill, Collins, Young, Vernon, Lill.  Sheffield United; Hodgkinson; Caldwell, G. Shaw; Richardson, J. Shaw, Orr; Allchurch, Russell, Pace, Simpson, Hartle. 
EVERTON MANAGER TO WRITE EVERY WEEK
Mr. Harry Catterick, manager of Everton F.C., has contracted to write a series of weekly articles exclusively for the Daily Post.  The first will appear on Wednesday, and on each subsequent Wednesday throughout the season, Mr. Catterick has a reputation for saying what he thinks, and this applies to his writing in equal measure.  The addition of Mr. Catterick to Ian St. John, of Liverpool and Roy Vernon (Everton) as sporting contributors makes the Daily Post unrivalled for its football service to the public. 

EVERTON CAN MOVE NEARER THE TOP
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 21 October 1961
SHEFFIELD UNITED HAVE AN IMPROVED ATTACK
By Leslie Edwards
Sheffield United come to Goodison Park with the best of references-they beat Eintracht in mid-week and Eintracht drew a record crowd, 104,000, to Rangers' ground earlier in the week for a friendly. The German side are recalled as Real Madrid's final opponents in that wonderful European Cup match in Scotland two seasons ago. No wonder Manager John Harris's Sheffield team are surprised and delighted at the unexpected ease with which they beat their Continental rivals on Thursday.  To-day's game will give some indication of how Everton would fare with a first - class Continental team.  After their brilliance against Liverpool on Wednesday and their consistent form in the League in recent weeks Everton must be confident of tackling any side in Britain.  I think they will beat Sheffield United and take a further step towards closing the gap between them and the leaders.  How quickly a League, position can change. Only a few weeks ago Everton, minus Vernon and Collins, were below the halfway mark. The return of two fine inside forwards has meant that their progress from that position has scarcely been checked. 
ENGLAND CLASS
Except for injury one cannot imagine Manager Harris changing his winning team and so It is certain we shall see the England class goalkeeper, Hodgkinson, that nifty, tough little back Graham Shaw, who has also had England colours and his equally pint-sized namesake Joe, whose centre half-back play has always been so good—and sporting whenever he has played on Merseyside. We know Sheffield United of old. They came to Goodison Park two seasons ago and won a Cup-tie there, with Russell, the son of the old Rhyl manager (he'll be playing again, today) doing most of the damage. The attack has been improved by the introduction last season of the younger Allchurch, Len, Swansea Town. Goodison won't have its 60,000 as it did for the tilt against Liverpool, but the players will surely get a handsome bonus for attracting more than 32,000. If one of them, who lost an inscribed, cigarette lighter on Wednesday, will telephone me I will put him in touch with the finder.   

TUG O’ WAR FOOTBALL IN GOODISON CLASH
Saturday, October 21, 1961 The Liverpool Echo
REFEREE MISSES MANY BLANTANT INFRINGEMENTS
EVERTON 1, SHEFFIELD UNITED 0
By Leslie Edwards

Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Lill, Collins (captain), Young, Vernon, Fell.  Sheffield United; Hodgkinson; Coldwell, Shaw (G); Richardson, Shaw (J), Orr; Allchurch, Russell, Pace, Simpson, Hartle.  Referee; Mr. K.H. Burns (Dudley). 
Young with a grand solo dribble and a pass to Fell, picked up the return pass and went on to make a low shot that Hodgkinson fielded with- out trouble. All Allchurch's good work on left came undone when Parker stepped in with a good tackle to dispossess Hartle. Vernon chivvied the goalkeeper without success, and it was soon made clear to Hodgkinson that he would be given no peace when he was clearing from hand.  Referee Burns had already missed what I thought were a couple of blatant fouls, and it was to be hoped that he would not allow what looked like being a good game to get out of hand. INTENSE TACKLING
Young won a clever corner against Coldwell and Hodgkinson knocked the ball up when attended by Young before catching it at the second attempt.  The United wing half backs were playing well, but the tackling on both sides was so intense the game never really got into any sort of continuity.  Joe Shaw dummied his way out of trouble against Young, and then Vernon, winning a clinch for the ball against Richardson from a square pass by Collins, put Everton one up after 11 minutes with a low shot which just passed inside an upright Young Allchurch was beating Thomson almost at will, and now he lobbed the ball over the backs head to vary his method. Everton might well have gone two ahead through Lill at this point. He was put through by a gorgeous pass l from Harris, sailed straight into goal, but skied the ball as Shaw came out to meet him. Dunlop made a great save from a shot by Richardson and then Young unbalanced Shaw near the touchline, got away with the offence, and went through to get only a corner when a goal seemed so likely. The Sheffield United right wing was the betters one. Graham Shaw pulled down by Collins, took the foul very well, but some of Everton's pulling and tugging gave some parts of the game almost a Rugby League flavour. Both Everton wingers were inclined to miss the boat by not appreciating quickly enough the intention of their partners, but Fell slipped the ball in to Young splendidly here end only when it ran  beyond control at end of  the penalty box was so good chance missed. 
TREACHEROUS SURFACE
The ground was treacherous and Harris slipped up and got flattened in the bargain after his best run, the referee allowing Fell to go on and have the benefit of the advantage rule.  Unfortunately, the centre flew clean across the face of the goal with no Everton head or foot to intervene.  Vernon pushed Shaw to the back and caused him to collide heavily, but the referee ignored the offence, and left the crowd to marvel that things should go unpunished.  It took the referee a long time to discern a blatant handling offence by Thomson just five yards outside the penalty box; Russell's free-kick rebounded from the wall of players protecting Dunlop. 
GREAT YOUNG RUN 
Thomson was allowed to head away for a corner when embarrassed by the flying Allchurch, but no use was made of the corner, and it was left too Young to stroll through despite one challenge other, and produce the lobbed centre which fortunately for United travelled straight to the head of a defender.  The crowd rose too Young for this exceptional piece of work.   Fell was having a poor innings against Coldwell, Lill was having a pretty thin time, too, but he was the lead to a move which Young found Vernon with a back heeled with the result that the Welsh boy seemed odds on scoring. He made a waspish shot which Hodgkinson knocked upwards onehanded, the ball bounding on top of the bar and so out of play.  The goalkeeper missed his punch off the corner, and Joe Shaw kicked round an intended clearance to concede another corner from which Young s shot struck the outside netting.
GOOD COVERING 
Everton often threatened to pierce the defence again, but the United covering was good and even Vernon when put in possession in promising positions could not prise an opening.  It was fortunate for Everton that the United's attacking mostly on the right wing, was so puerile.   Young, surely the most brilliant player on ground for 50 years, now did his sixpenny dribble on the left wing and made such an opening for Lill it seems he could not possibly fail, but Hodgkinson took the force of the close in shot on his body and that was that. Hartle nearly got a goal from a centre from Allchurch while he was stumbling forward. Hodgklnson's clearance from hand caught Joe Shaw in the back and very nearly opened up a clear avenue for Vernon. Half-time —Everton 1. Sheffield United nil.
Dunlop made a save from the feet of the very useful opening minutes of the second half, and Hartle a moment later took a knock which must have impaired him more than somewhat. never saw a match in which players were tugged about or one in which the referee permitted so much tugging. Everton were not playing anything like as well as they did mid-week, with far too many misplacements, and loss of possession of the ball.
TWO YOUNG EFFORTS
Young, however, was still doing his brilliant best, and as the result of his fine work on left wing Collins was able to make a low shot which Coldwell cut off before it reached Hodgkinson. Dunlop was out to make a catch from a through pass by Simpson, and then Young lobbed the ball over Hodgkinson's head and into the net, whistle having gone for offside a moment earlier. Perhaps the effect of the hard game in mid-week was now showing on both sides.  
TELLING TACKLES
Ord made some most telling tackles, but the United attack was simply not good enough The crowd did not relish Everton’s form after the brilliance they had shown against Liverpool and things were not the improved when a big swerving put by Coldwell made a difficult bit of fielding for Dunlop who was forced to get the ball away one-handed near the far angle. At last Young brought life to the game with a shot on the half turn which fairly rapped the underside of the bar and then rebounded to play and was cleared.  Hartle was magnificent and the crowd rose to him when he kept the ball in play with a touch of football genius. United were more in the game than ever before, but their finishing was as ineffective as ever, and for that reason their case was almost hopeless.  Hodgkinson made a glorious one-handed save from a header by Vernon, a feat which caused Vernon to join in the general applause.  Little Allchurch, with a left foot shooting chance, got plenty of pace on the ball, but was very wide with it.   Young made a lovely left wing run before delivering an inch perfect lobbed centre which Vernon volleyed straight into the hands of the goalkeeper. A lovely centre by Young escaped every one as it flashed across goal otherwise Everton must have clinched it.   
BRILLIANT GOALKEEPER
Hodgkinson picked up a low shot from Vernon which came through the ruck and which might well have beaten him, and when the goalkeeper was unsighted.  Young, after beating Joe Shaw all ends up, strode through for what seemed to be the more formality of putting the ball in the net, but Hodgkinson had come out, and took the ball almost off the shooter’s feet and a moment later saved a hot drive by Vernon.  Final; Everton 1, Sheffield United nil.  Official attendance 42,888

THE MYSTERY OF THE WHISTLE THAT BLEW-OR DIDN’T!
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 21 October 1961
ADVNTAGE RULE WAS USED BY REFEREE
Alex Parker Explains Everton’s Angle
I don't know how the rival supporters felt after Wednesday’s “Derby " match, but most of the  critics thought a draw was a fair result, and I must  agree with them. It was a game that had everything.  Plenty of good football, plenty of thrills, and a crowd, while not disguising which particular team they favoured, on their very best behaviour.  Of all the "Derby" games I have played in, this was by far the best, and was a most enjoyable match to take part in.  The big talking point, of course, was the penalty. I must confess that I saw the incident in the same way as the referee.  Ron Yeats handled the ball, which fell behind him to Roy Vernon. It was plain to me that the referee had played the advantage rule by letting Roy go on, but then he was brought down in the penalty area and was awarded a spot kick.  It looked cut and dried to me, but then I saw the Liverpool players appealing against the decision. I was  talking to them afterwards  and they said that the  whistle went for a free-kick  after Ron Yeats had  handled, and therefore they  stopped playing  But my argument against  that is that if they HAD  stopped playing. Roy Vernon would never have been awarded the penalty because nobody would have tackled him. Obviously they hadn't all stopped.  I didn’t hear the whistle a foul against Yeats, but, as I was at the other end of the pitch that is not surprising. All I will say is that I didn't HEAR it. 
WAS IT OFFSIDE? 
Of course, in the hubbub over this goal many people seem to have lost sight of the fact that there was some doubt over Roger Hunt’s first.  Right at the start of the  move which led to Roger  scoring, I and a couple of  other Everton defenders  appealed for offside against  a Liverpool forward, and  apparently we were not  alone in thinking there  was something wrong for  the linesman had his flag  up. But play went on and  Roger put the ball in the net  also from a position which  might well have been offside  Obviously, the referee  didn't agree a with the Everton  appeal, and, for all I  know, may have seen something  we missed, as is often  the case.  I am not trying to criticize the referee. I am just pointing out that these things usually balance out.  Sometimes they do so during the season. In this instance it happened in the same match.  Still, I'm not complaining.  As I said before, I feel a draw was a fair result. 
LEG PULLING 
There is one point I would like to clear up about Bert Slater. While waiting for the penalty kick to be taken, he tapped the ball off the spot, and some people might have seen this as a gesture of annoyance, but it was not so He and Roy Vernon live practically opposite each other and are great friends.  So Bert decided to do a bit of leg pulling, during which he edged the ball away to put Roy off.  There was nothing more to it than that.  There has been a lot of talk this season about the number of goals Roger Hunt hat been scoring, and we players at Everton have also commented on it. Roger gave us a practical demonstration of just how good he is at this goal-scoring business by grabbing two.  But he needn't have bothered, really.  Since I have been at Everton we have always played well on our visits to Wolves, yet been beaten.  Last week we managed it, and even though fog ruined the game as a spectacle, it did nothing to curb the thrill of winning. 
ON FAR SIDE 
While we always like to do well on away grounds, there are three in particular I have always wanted to win at—Molineux, High bury and White Hart Lane. Before last Saturday I had never been in a winning side at any of them. Now there are only two. We shall attend to those in due course.  I pitied the spectators  last week, because even  though I was on the pitch  there were a lot of things  that happened I didn't know  about. It was Tuesday before I heard that Billy Bingham hit the bar!  Most of you will know that the game had been over two minutes before Albert Dunlop heard about it. I believe it was during this spell that he turned to some spectators and said: “'We're certainly doing well this half."  As we were coming off, Norman Delay, the Wolves winger said to me; "I hope to see you better in the return at Goodson."  In the second half, I was  playing on the far side from  the trainer's box and afterwards  Tom Eggleston said  that he didn't see me at all  from the time I went out  at half time until I came  off at the end.  During the match he was shouting to the Everton players on his side of the pitch: "How are the boys doing on the right?" Naturally they told him we were all playing blinders and producing some fantastic moves. But I don't think he believed them.  A quarter of an hour before the end at the match nearly all the Wolves fans had left the stand on my side of the pitch, leaving Evertonians only. As we were going off some of the fans shouted to Jimmy Gabriel: "Who scored the last goal?" Afterwards Jimmy told us: "I had great pleasure in telling them it was me."  Incidentally, I must deny the story in Alex Young’s article last Wednesday that I deliberately refused to tell Albert Dunlop the match was over. However, although I deny it that is not to say it isn't true.  It’s been quite a week for Billy Bingham. In addition to being recalled to the Ireland team, injured in a tough game with Greece, and having to watch the derby “match from the stand, his wife gave birth to a boy.  It is their second child, for they have a little girl.   Tommy Jones's wife also had a baby son recently, Congratulations! 

SHEFFIELD UNITED RES V EVERTON RES
Saturday, October 21 1961 The Liverpool Echo
Sheffield United Res; Thompson; Ridge, Mason; Hoyland, Finnigan, Matthewson; Docherty, Wagstaff, Shiels, Hodgeson, Lee.  Everton Res; Mailey; Parnell, Green; Sharples, Gorrie, Meagan; Webber, Tyrer, Wignall, Temple, Veall.  Referee; Mr. A.D. Hirst (Retford)
Everton were desperately unlucky in the first 20 minutes of their Central League match at Bramall Lane.  Their forwards hit the bar on no fewer than four occasions- and they conceded the opening goal.  Temple hit the woodwork after three minutes and second later the inside left had the same misfortune with a hard drive from the right.  Shiels put United ahead after seven minutes, hitting home the rebound after Mailey had saved from Hodgson.  Then Webber and Wignall hit the bar, with Thomspon beaten on both occasions, within the space of seconds.  Mailey had to beat out a fierce shot from Shiels, and Thompson saved from Webber as Everton hit back.  Hoyland had the ball in the net from close range right on half time but the effort was disallowed.  Half-time Sheffield United 1, Everton Res nil. 
EVERTON A V PRESTON A
Preston went ahead after 10 minutes through Higgins.  Right back Gannon nearly equalized three minutes later with a cross shot from the right which missed the Preston far post by inches.  After 35 minutes it was Gannon’s centre that Humphreys headed in for Everton’s equalizer.  Half-time; Everton A 1, Preston A 1.
EVERTON B V PRESTON B
Both teams were fairly evenly matched and it took Everton some time to take the offensive.  Wright, with only the Preston keeper to beat, put the shot right into his hands.  Green curled the ball along the ground just wide of the visitors’ post.  Half-time; Everton B nil, Preston B nil.

EVERTON DRIVE ON-PAUSE IN THIRD PLACE
Monday, October 23, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
SHEFFIELD KEPT UNITED BY ALAN HODGKINSON
EVERTON 1, SHEFFIELD UNITED 0
By Horace Yates
Third in the League table and capable of going higher still, Everton (rather more than Sheffield United) made a game of this match at Goodison Park, by their failure to convert an outright superiority into a crushing margin, and if a double attack, first by Allchurch and then by Coldwell, five minutes from the end, had produced an outrageous equality in scoring, Everton could have blamed only their own finishing shortcomings-plus Hodgkinson –for the loss of a point.  Admire Young as you will, and you simply must the way he is playing just now but the man who stood head and shoulders above all others was undoubtedly Alan Hodgkinson, the Sheffield United goalkeeper.  His display of courage and anticipation did him the utmost credit, and deprived Everton, Vernon in particular, of a rich crop of goals.  At random I remember him dashing out to force Lill to lob the ball over the cross bar when a goal appeared inevitable; on another occasion he took the full force of a Lill drive with his body, when the slightest miscalculation would have seen the ball in the net, and he dived fearlessly at the feet of Young, after one of the finest solo efforts of the match promised a goal for the centre forward.  Two of his saves from Vernon were little short of phenomenal.  He got the ball on each occasion when his seemed impossible and it was small wonder that the thwarted Vernon found time to stop and applaud his opponent’s skill.  Having said that, it is difficult to exonerate the Everton forwards from a charge of recklessly placing their shots on occasion to make saves easier for a goalkeeper who apparently needed none of their co-operation.  The crowd, at the end of the game, cheered the players from the field and reserved a sporting tribute for Hodgkinson, so that there is little doubt they enjoyed the fare.  I did not find this match anything like as easy to admire as some other Everton offerings have been.  Compared with the “derby” game on Wednesday, it was very much like flat beer after champagne.  In no way did it compare, for there was not the continuity of high speed movement, only in fleeting glimpses did the football approach the same high plane, and there was far more testiness and fouling.  Of the football we did see, I should say 99 per cent, of it, came from Everton.  While that pattern-weaving triangle of Young, Vernon, and Collins was operating.  United were always struggling and seemingly likely, at any moment to be utterly smashed but whether it was the reluctance of goals to materialize or the ever tightening grip of the United defence that was responsible we can only surmise but standards deteriorated and almost invariably it was left to either Vernon or Young to raise the level of play.  Young enjoyed another splendid game.  He could hardly have been opposed by a more rugged defender than Joe Shaw and yet this considerable barrier was beaten down over and over again.  It seemed the height of ingratitude that some of the most perfect crosses ever made on a football field were allowed to go to waste.  Certainly it was no compliment to the industry and enterprise of a centre forward whose movement is a joy to behold.  By curious coincidence, the only Sheffield forwards to impress were the wings- Allchurch and Hartle –for it was in these corresponding positions that the Everton line was most seriously substandard.  Such an iron control did the Everton half-back line exert that little or nothing was seen of the three United inside forwards and a more complete grip than that which Brian Labone maintained on Pace could hardly be imagined.  Labone was so much on top that he never appeared in the slightest difficulty and not all centre halves have the gift of using the ball to advantage, which is Labone’s in such generous measure. 
GRATEFUL THOMSON
How grateful Thomson must have been to Dunlop for a praiseworthy bit of goalkeeping (of Hodgkinson standards); which prevented an equalizer, for it was the full back’s error that gave a fleeting glimmer of hope to a side which had scarcely posed a genuine threat.  Allchurch’s ability is well-known, so that when he had Thomson struggling occasionally it was hardy sensational, but the difficulty which parker experienced from time to time in coping with 22-years-old Harry Hartle, was quite noteworthy.  It was not easy to imagine that this was only his fourth League game for United, and only his second this season.  If this was a fair sample of his wares that figure is likely to grow very rapidly.  Everton were a goal up in twelve minutes.  It was Gabriel more attack-minded these days than ever, who sought the co-operation of Collins to open up a way for Vernon.  Actually Richardson did not react anything like as quickly as Vernon and the result was the Welshman hammered the ball low into the net.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Lill, Collins (captain), Young, Vernon, Fell.  Sheffield United; Hodgkinson; Coldwell (captain), G. Shaw; Richardson, J. Shaw, Orr; Allchurch, Russell, Pace, Simpson, Hartle.  Referee; Mr. H.H. Burns (Dudley).  Attendance 42,888. 

SHEFFIELD UNITED RES 2 EVERTON RES 0
Monday, October 23, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Reserves must count themselves unlucky not to have left Bramall Lane, Sheffield on Saturday with at least one point from this Central League game.  Four times in the first 20 minutes visiting forwards hit shots against the bar-through Temple (twice) outside right Webber and centre-forward Wignall.  Shaky at first the home team rallied, and Irish centre-forward Denis Shiel added a second goal (59 minutes) to the one he had scored seven minutes after the start.  Everton tried desperately to hit back but found the home defence growing in confidence as the match progressed. 

PARKER AND YOUNG IN LINE FOR RECALL BY SCOTLAND
Monday, October 23, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Peter Price
Tucked away among the crowd at Goodison Park on Saturday was Mr. Ian McColl, the Scottish team manager.  Reputedly he was there to weigh up the form of Alex Parker, with an eye on the selection of the Scottish team to meet Wales at Hampden Park on November 8 but that did not necessarily imply that his mission began and ended there.  It was sheer bad luck for Alex that this was one of those rare games on which his natural brilliance was dimmed a little.  If Mr. McColl saw enough to impress him in this match, he will be delighted with the real Parker.  It is my guess that Scotland will avail themselves of Everton’s offer to release their players at this, the first opportunity whether it be Parker, Young or Gabriel how will be invited to play. 
YOUNG OR ST.JOHN
As hot a favourite as anybody will probably be Alex Young and if he is to be recalled that means another Merseyside Scot, Ian St. John, will be passed over.  Both are talented players, about whose superiority there is a running argument between the rival Everton and Liverpool supporters.  The pair cost around £80,000, but who will say that they have not been among the wisest investments ever made by the two clubs? 
HOPEFUL VERNON
Another Evertonian who will be watching the announcement of the teams with considerable interest is Roy Vernon and if he gets into the Welsh side again, he will not mind how many Evertonians or Liverpudlians are lined up against him.  He is back to top form just now and if Wales have a more accomplished sharpshooter than Vernon they have disguised the fact extremely well.  It could be that Vernon will be asked to lead the attack and though this may not be his idea of his best position, I think he would play in goal for Wales if he were asked.  That’s the spirit that makes the Welsh such difficult men to beat.  Vernon’s goal against Sheffield United enabled him to draw level with Alex Young and Derek Temple at the head of Everton’s scoring list.  Billy Bingham is just one behind. 

AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOT SCHOOL OF SCIENCE
Monday, October 23 1961 The Liverpool Echo
By Leslie Edwards
Everton five points behind the leaders in Division I and Liverpool five points ahead of their nearest challenger in Division 11. What more  could one ask in a season in which Everton after beginning by nearly ending up round the bend are now round-the-bend and half way up the straight in pursuit of leaders Burnley? And Burnley will surely be feeling the keener draught of Everton's breath on their necks before the season is ended. I would like to be able to record that Everton's last of four consecutive wins in the League (with fourteen goals against only one) was comparable with their performance against Liverpool, but candour dictates that I do nothing of the sort. This was in view of the almost full strength team available their least worthy 90 minutes this season. And not because they missed chances and won by a solitary goal, but because their man-handling of opponents, and sometimes of the ball, was almost completely disregarded by a referee, Mr. Burns, of Dudley. New on the Football League list and clearly not firm enough in his interpretation of the laws.  The average Everton fan, who knows as much about football and about refereeing as any other follower of football in Britain will hardly need me to tell him where Mr. Burns fell short. The spectator on the terraces must have discerned too well moments when the whistle should have gone and didn’t. I confess to surprise that Everton, one of the most expensive and certainly one of the most talented of teams in the game contemporarily, should feel it necessary to descend to the tugging and pushing one sees only from the most frustrating of Continental elevens, who don't know better . If the game did not get out of hand it was because Sheffield United remained long - suffering. Little Hartle on left, a youngster with spindly legs, but unmistakably football talent, came in for some treatment he hardly deserved and, ironically, was always punished when he,  in turn, matched foul by foul. 
EXTRAORDINARY REPUTE
Sheffield United came with the extraordinary repute (from their mid-week opponents, Eintracht) that they the best side in Europe outside Real Madrid. They were clearly not that in attack and one wonders, as in Everton’s case, too, what effect a hard, fast mid-week game had on them. Certainly the football we saw on Saturday was standards less competent that we had seen on Wednesday Conditions were easy enough. It was just that both sides started by making mistakes and never snapped out of making mistakes until the rather dreary end. The one performance which made it all worthwhile came from Young, an almost demure-looking, medium-sized, lighted-haired man who has staked his claim- one always knew he would-to being the most entertaining, most effective centre Everton have had since the fabulous William Ralph Dean. The less space and time Young has the more certain it is he will emerge from some entanglement of defenders with the ball at his feet and ready for a pass of such accuracy a goal is almost a certainty. He dug up, after literally strolling through the Sheffield defence, a pass from which Lill would have scored nine times in ten. Don't hold it against Lill that he failed. You can only make contact with a ball as quickly as possible and shoot it at goal and that is what Lill did.  Praise Hodgkinson for his courage and anticipation in getting off his line so fast that the shot was cut off early in flight. Hodgkinson did precisely the same thing when Young, sending Joe Shaw the wrong way, went through unopposed except by the goalkeeper. And Young did not score either! Nor did Vernon with a header Hodgkinson saved one- handed just as Dunlop had saved the same goal a few days before. But for these wonderful bits of goalkeeping, Sheffield United must base gone home with a solid four or five goals defeat. 
EXCELLENT WINGERS
But Manager John Harris side is not a bad one. except in the first in the paucity of their finishing. They have an excellent defence. The wingers, Hartle and Allchurch did rather better than either Fell or Lill, even having allowed for Lill's "rustiness” after so long away from the first team. One reason why Pace and the hard-working Simpson got nowhere, as they say, was the unrelenting and not particular stopping tactics of an Everton defence which has developed in recent weeks a strange "They shall not pass attitude.   The phrase is one most defences take cognisance of  but surely when a forward has won a personal duel against a defender he has the right to expect that he should  be allowed to go on with the ball. Or does the payment of some £50 a week to footballers in 1961 cause them to think that any means of stopping is legitimate, so long as no penalty is involved.  I do not want to be captious, but what a side can get way with at home does not automatically come off in away games.  And half a club’s fixtures are at he grounds of opponents.

EVERTON PLACE LILL ON TRANSFER LIST 
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 24 October 1961
At Player’s Request 
LANCS. CUP SIDE 
BY Leslie Edwards
Micky Lill, the Everton winger, has asked for a transfer. The board has decided to grant the request and will accept offers for him, Lill, a Londoner, joined Everton from Wolves in February, 1960 and made his debut against Arsenal at Highbury. He was one of three players -the others were Roy Vernon and Tom Ring—signed by Everton in the space of three weeks at a cost of £70,000.  He made his request to his  present club on the grounds  that he was not commanding  a first-team place and saw  little likelihood In future of  doing so. He said he had been happy with Everton, but felt that a move was in his best interests.   No sooner, last season, had Lill moved to the outside left position to fill the gap caused when Tom Ring broke a leg at Chelsea, than an old knee injury re-asserted itself. A cartilage operation, followed by a second operation on the same knee was necessary to bring Lill to full fitness again. He had played several times in the first team this season, the last occasion on Saturday against Sheffield United at Goodison Park. 
BIG FUTURE
At 23, Lill still has a big future in the game. He is a go-ahead young man, a splendid character, and having got over his long spell of inaction through injury should do well in another sphere.  Everton play Rochdale in the Lancashire Cup at Rochdale to-morrow evening. Everton; Rankin; Parnell, Green; Sharples, Gorrie, Meagan; Tyrer, Jarvis, Webber, Temple, Ring.

LILL, SCORER OF 11 GOALS IN 27LEAGUE GAMES, CAN LEAVE EVERTON
Wednesday, October 25, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton’s decision to invite offers  for Mickey Lill, a scoring outside right, will do nothing to ease their position regarding availability of wingers, for he has been the automatic replacement for either Jimmy Fell at outside left, or Billy Bingham at outside right, when either has not been available.  The alacrity with which his request was approved by the club suggests that they may not be unreasonable in hammering out an acceptable fee with any interested club.  Obviously, sooner or later Everton are going to plunge on the acquisition of a winger, and if Lill is unhappy, as apparently he is at not being able to command a regular place in the first team, his outgoing could expedite movement in the opposite direction.  Those who know Lill best say they are not the slightest bit surprised at his decision to try his luck elsewhere.  He is quite confident that given the opportunity he can regain the form which made him such a ready scorer for first Wolves and then Everton. 
BAD LUCK
He has experienced terrible bad luck with a knee injury, which necessitated a cartilage operation last season, followed by further surgical treatment to the same knee.  This trouble reduced the number of appearances during last season to eight League games and it was not until the New York tournament in the close season that he was reintroduced to the team.  Now he is apparently happy in the soundness of the knee and has played seven times in Everton’s League team so far, four at outside left and the remainder in his favourite position.  Although his scoring record this term has let him down somewhat, with only one goal to his credit, his dashing direct approach to the winger’s job has given him a better scoring record than most wingers can claim.  Since Everton expended £20,000 on his signing from Wolves in February 1960 when he figured in an Everton spending spree which cost the club the best part of £100,000 in adding the names of Ring, Vernon, Lill and Gabriel to the register within five or six weeks, he has given value for money.  In the first season his twelve consecutive games, following his debut at Arsenal on February 20, produced three goals, and before his cartilage trouble plucked him out of the side in October last; his eight games had given him a goal yield of seven.  So that his complete record for Everton so far is; Played 27, goals 11. 
FIGHTING HEART
It says much for Lill’s fighting heart that although he is the first to admit that Everton has been a happy home for him, he is not content to soldier on at Goodison in the role of reserve.  His club might have been very glad to have him standing by, especially when reinforcements are not so obvious in the hope that he might strike peak form once again, but apparently Mickey takes the view that he will find it easier to get back to the top while playing in a first team rather than with Everton Reserves, and the occasional first team outing.  Maybe he is the best judge of that.  My criticism of him this season has been that the electric start, which gave him such an advantage over opponents s not there at the moment.  Whether that is because of lack of confidence following his injury no one can say, but with his speed restored Lill might again be a very dangerous player.  He is still a young man and his record with both Wolves and Everton, is good enough to satisfy many people of his usefulness. 

EVERTON’S ALEX YOUNG REPORTS
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 25 October 1961
REASSURING WORDS FROM SCOTTISH TEAM MANAGER 
Every Scotsman will have on equal chance of gaining on international team place, whether he plays his football at home or across the border in England. This was the assurance given to Alex Porker, George Thomson, Jimmy Gabriel, Bobby Collins and myself by Scotland's team manager, Mr. Ian McColl, when he visited us in the dressing rooms of Goodison Park on Saturday, following our match against Sheffield United.  We were also pleased to hear Mr. McColl deny a statement attributed to him that in future no Everton player would be considered for a Scottish team. Mr. McColl's visit really put us on top of the world for, although, as I told you last week, team spirit at Everton is sky high. It was good to have the thought that we might not be given a fair chance to represent our country completely dispelled full here.  However, Mr. McColl obviously did not visit Goodison just to reassure us and it looks as if there might be a Scottish cap coming somebody's way against Wales on November 8. One thing you can be sure of, if one of the Everton Scots is lucky enough to be selected, the other four will each be as happy as if they had received the honour themselves. One of Scotland's big problems in this match could be another Evertonian, Roy Vernon. Although the Welsh selectors have not yet named their side. I just don't see how, on present form, they can afford to leave Roy out.
AMAZING HODGKINSON
Anyway, back to Saturday’s’ match. So much praise has been given to Sheffield goalkeeper, Alan Hodgkinson that I have no need to go into detail about his performance. I must say, however, that he is the best goalkeeper on the ground that I have played, against. The way he smothers the ball is quite amazing.  On one occasion I raced towards goal and Alan moved out towards me. As he did so he "dummied” me by leaving a gap on one side through which I aimed my shot.  As the ball left my foot I thought it was a goal all the way, but Alan flung himself across to make a magnificent save. The sly grin on Alan’s face told me that I had really bought a brilliant dummy. It was an occasion when a canny Scot had to bow to an uncanny Englishman.  We were perhaps a little below our best against Sheffield, but collected two points.  It is usually teams which can win when a little below their best that claim the championship.  Here's hoping!  I would like to say a word here about our own goalkeeper, Albert Dunlop, who has kept a clean sheet in our last three League matches. At the start of the season I thought Albert had a lot of bad luck.  A number of centres  and shots were deflected in  flight towards him and in consequence he was blamed by some for faults which were not his Now, Albert is playing at his brilliant best and if anyone has doubts as to whom  Everton and Liverpool fans  think are the best goalkeepers  in the country, then  they should have heard the  tremendous reception Albert  and Bert Slater received when  they ran towards their respective  goals before the start,  of last week's " derby."  WRONG CONCLUSION 
One or two people seem to have drawn the wrong conclusion from my remark last week that I was not sure how Brian Harris qualified for the final of the Professional Footballers’ Golf Championship.  What I meant was that I did not see Brian's round. How anyone can think that a bloke who puts through such inch perfect passes to me is not one of my best pals just has me beat.  Although the present soft surfaces suit my once-sore feet ideally, they are not everybody’s cup of tea, as this week’s mailbag shows. Most of the queries are from people who are having stud trouble.  A number of interesting  questions come from Danny  McCoy, of Roe Street, Birkenhead,  who plays his football  in the Birkenhead League, which I am told has produced  a number of well-known  Football League players, Brian Harris, Jimmy Harris and  John Willie Parker among  them.  Mr. McCoy encloses a stamped, addressed envelope a personal reply, but as I think there will be many young players interested in reading the questions and the answers, I trust he will forgive me for answering him in full here. 
FIVE QUESTIONS 
Mr. McCoy's five questions  are : What type of boots and  studs for heavy grounds; the  best kind of support for bad  ankles: one or two pairs of  socks when playing; the best  kind of food for building up  energy and stamina; and  which kinds of food to leave  alone: and the best type of  oil , or liniment, and what it  is made up of?   Well. Danny, the first answer is rubber studs for light grounds and leather studs for heavy ones.  Secondly it is not advisable to use ankle support all the time.  When necessary, I recommend a two-inch crepe bandage wound in figure-of-eight fashion.  In reply to your third question I would advise one pair of socks. Now your food problem.  Personally, I eat plenty of steak, eggs, cheese and vegetables and drink milk, but I leave chips and potatoes alone.  As a liniment I think you should use olive oil or the cheapest types of nut oil.   Hawkeye (True Blues will probably find his problems over if he keeps to the advice given above. He should also bear in mind that if he is playing football regularly then it is worth paying a little extra for a really first-class pair of boots.  L. W. Harding, of Childwall will also find his query is settled among Mr. McCoy’s answers, but in his case he has a choice of long plastic or leather studs for hard grounds. 
BEATING THE KEEPER
Raymond Rowlands, of  Holyhead, plays centre forward  for his school and  county, but says he finds  difficulty in beating the goalkeeper  when he comes out to  narrow the angle. He also asks whether it is easy to chip the ball over the goalkeeper’s head when he advances from goal. Raymond I adds that, although he can shoot with both feet, he cannot get the same amount of power with his left foot as with his right.  Raymond, also find difficulty beating goalkeepers.  The chipped shot is one of the most difficult to accomplish, but if you practice it often enough I'm sure you will succeed.  Goalkeepers sometimes leave a bigger space on one side than the other when they advance to narrow the angle and that is where I suggest you should try and put the ball. Also try to send the goalkeeper the wrong way by feinting.  When practicing, do everything with your left foot and I’m sure after a time your shooting will improve considerably. 

LANCASHIRE SENIOR CUP
Thursday, October 26, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON GO OUT TO LAST MINUTE GOAL
ROCHDALE 1, EVERTON 0
Everton were knocked out of the Lancashire Senior Cup with a minute to go.  On one of the few times their defence was caught napping, wingman Wragg flashed in a centre and Cairns hooked it into the net.  It was a brilliantly taken goal and gave Rochdale the victory they just about deserved for in the second half they had the ball in the net on two occasions but each time the point was disallowed.  Until cairns scored neither side looked capable of scoring a goal.  On a slippery surface, Everton played some neat football, but there was lack of punch in the penalty area.  The inside forward were largely content to try shots from twenty or thirty yards range and against a goalkeeper like Ted Burgin, this was a waste of time.  Burgin in fact, had only one worthwhile shot to deal with throughout the game, so ineffective were the Everton forwards at close range.
TIPPED OVER
It came in the first half when Webber who covered an enormous amount of ground from the centre forward position got in a 15-yards shot which Burgin tipped over.  Ring, on the Everton left wing, started in sprightly manner, but was gradually mastered by full back Hardman and apart from Temple at inside left, the Everton forwards rarely troubled Rochdale’s close marking defence.  There was not much wrong with the Everton defence, particularly wing halves Meagan and Sharples.  Both played a big part in breaking up Rochdale raids and also found time to provide a good service for their forwards.  Gorrie a hard tackling centre half, always held the whip hand over the former Liverpool forward Lou Bimpson who was seldom in the game.  Most of Rochdale’s danger was provided by Cairns.  Once he shot inches wide and a header from Wragg’s centre hit Rankin as the goalkeeper dived.  Rochdale; Burgin; Hardman, Winton; Hepton, Aspden, Birch; Wragg, Richardson, Bimpson, Cairns, Whyke.  Everton; Rankin; Parnell, Green; Sharples, Gorrie, Meagan; Tyrer, Jarvis, Webber, Temple, Ring. 

LAST MINUTE GOAL BEATS EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 26 October 1961
Everton had Interest in this year's Lancashire Senior Cup competition at Rochdale, last night, where the home side scored the only goal the match just 36 the final whistle.  Everton showed a strange reluctance to get into the Rochdale penalty box and most of their shooting was from long range stuff. Their strong point was a defence which stifled most of what Rochdale had to offer.  Time after time, Rochdale  went into the attack with,  promising movements, but invariably the Everton  defence came through with the ball—until that last minute  winner. The marksman was inside left Cairns, who flicked home a centre from the right after wingman Wragg had, for once, got the better of full back Green.  Gorrie, at centre half, and  wing halves Meagan and  Sharples had a grip on things  in mid-field, with Gorrie keeping  Rochdale's centre forward,  Bimpson, subdued.  In the second half, Rochdale twice had the ball in the Everton net for goals which were disallowed, one for a foul and the other because a free kick had been taken too quickly. Rochdale always looked capable of a goal, whereas Everton had few real threats to offer.   Tommy Ring had one or two sparkling movements in the first half but he faded away even though he was matched against a Rochdale young player, John Hardman, who has only just turned professional.  When Ring faded out, so did the Everton attack.  Temple, Webber and Jarvis all put in long range shots, but they were capably dealt with by Rochdale goalkeeper, Burgess.

SO I WASN’T SO SINGLAR…
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 26 October 1961
Everton manager, Harry Catterick and two or three renders have protested about my reading (or writing) of Everton’s push-and-pull propensities in the match against Sheffield United. Mr. Catterick added that I was the only writer who speared to see these faults which, he said, were not obvious to him. Before giving below the gist of similar complaints I put on record the fact that I was not the only one to consider these things worth noting.  Here is what went out to some 5,000,000 listeners to B B.C. radio less than an hour after the final whistle. The extract is from the report of Mr. Bernard Taylor, whose over-the-air comments on games in this city and elsewhere are always, I think, so factual and well-balanced. He said of  the Sheffield United match:—  "More than 100,000 people have watched Everton at Goodison  Park in the last four days, but many of them cannot have recognised  the game they were watching- perfect low tackles, beautiful hand-offs and plenty of barging in the line-outs, sorry, throws-in. The  referee allowed some of the most glaring fouls to go unpunished  and with the home side being the worst offenders it all added up  to being a rather dullish performance."  -Referee K. O'Grady, from 36 Coppull Road, Lydiate, is in duty bound to defend my unqualified criticism of Mr.  Burns, the referee. He adds: “Your comment regarding the knowledge of the laws of the game by the average Everton supporter is laughable. I would say that the knowledge of the laws of the game by the average TV commentator, reporter, spectator and player is practically nil."  If Mr. O'Grady will refer to what I said (which I now repeat) he will find I was comparing the knowledge of spectators here with those of spectators elsewhere. ‘The paragraph read: " The average Everton fan knows as much about football and about refereeing as any other follower of football in Britain."  I still maintain that to be true. 
A step further 
Writing from 8 Renfrew Street, Kensington, and J. Loftus says: “Your remarks about Everton's so-called dirty play were uncalled for. While admitting that Everton's defence did get away with a few fouls, other teams also escape the referee’s eye in this respect.''  Mr. Loftus, I did not suggest Everton were dirty, I merely said they pushed and pulled opponents in a most un-Everton way. 
J. D. Pritchard 'not only agrees with Mr. Loftus, but goes a step further. He adds: “I see you have joined the band of turn-coats. I refer to your new-found enlightenment that Young is the best center-forward since Dean.  Only a few weeks ago I seem to remember Mr. Catterick being told he should play Young at inside forward."  I leave yet another reader of this column to answer the taunt about Young's assessment. if Mr. Pritchard can  show me where I have ever advocated Young as better at  inside-forward (I have always argued to the contrary) I'll  buy him a new hat.  The Young situation, so far as I am concerned, is concluded by this tribute from Mr. G. Gordon, of Flat 3, Morpeth Road, Hoylake:  “Normally I write only to let off steam when I have been angered with what I have read. Therefore it comes as a pleasant change for me to write you to congratulate you rather than condemn you.  “I you'd like to thank you for the way in which you paid tribute to the outstanding skill of Young, the Everton Scottish international centre-forward. From his arrival here you have complimented this player for his great performs mances when many others did (and in cases still do) express doubt about the player.  "Long may you continue to see ability where it exists and eventually the doubters and those "too blind to see” will come to your way of thinking."  Lest people in this city don't appreciate it I make the point that you can praise all clubs all the time and they will lap it up, without a word of thanks, and come back for more.  But just let one facet of honest criticism gleam for a moment.

LABONE IN UNDER-23 TEAM AGAINST ISRAEL
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 26 October 1961
Brian Labone of Everton, who was yesterday selected to play for the Football league, at Belfast next Wednesday, was today named as centre half in the England Under-23 team which meets Israel at Leeds on November 9. 
Chelsea announces an unchanged team against Everton at Stamford Bridge, on Saturday.  Chelsea; Bonetti; Shelito, Harris; Bradbury, Scott, Anderton; Murray, Tambling, Brabrook, Bridges, Blunstone. 

EVERTON PLAY WIGNALL AT OUTSIDE-RIGHT-AND SIGN GOALKEEPER
Friday, October 27, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
With little prospect of Chelsea being able to spring a Jimmy Greaves bombshell on Everton at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, Everton themselves have sprung a surprise by nominating centre forward Frank Wignall as outside right, because of the continued absence through injury of Billy Bingham, while Lill’s claims disappeared when he became an influenza victim.  I understand there has so far been no response to the Everton announcement that they are willing to consider offers for Lill.  Manager Catterick’s attempt to find a solution to the problem by calling on Wignall is a courageous way out of a difficult situation, for while it will be a new experience for the player to figure at outside right, there is no doubt that he is a man in form.  Mr. Catterick has a high regard for his work, not only for his ability but for his ceaseless endeavour, and it goes without saying; that it will not be Wignall’s fault if he does not make a success of the new challenge.  Actually he began his First Division career as an inside right, before graduating to centre forward and I think it is true to say that his development has been such that nowhere in the forward line is there a duplication of strength to match that at No.9.  Chelsea is seldom a hospitable place for Everton.  Last season, it will be recalled Tommy Ring broke his leg there, and while he is now playing with the reserves he has not since appeared in the first team and in next to the last match of 1958-59 season, John Bramwell was sent off.  Chelsea have plenty of troubles of their own just now, propping up the table as they do with a four points leeway to make up.  Despite that they announce an unchanged team, although it was defeated at Birmingham last week.  Chelsea; Bonetti; Shellito, Harris; Bradbury, Scott, Anderton; Murray, Tambling, Brabrook, Bridges, Blunstone,.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Wignall, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell. 
FOUND –A GOALKEEPER
Everton, at last, have signed a goalkeeper.  It is a fact that they have contacted several clubs to ask whether or not they could release a player, and always they have been sent away empty-handed.  With their vast army of scouts which goes into operation every week-end, they have scoured England, Wales and Scotland pretty thoroughly and yet, where do you think they eventually found their man?- Liverpool on their own doorstep.  He is Andrew Rankin, eighteen years old, 5ft 11in tall, and weighing 11 ½ stones, who has been with Everton as an amateur since the start of the season.  It was one day recently Mr. Catterick was busying himself in the training programme at Goodison that he saw the youngster in goal.  His eye popped at the promise in the boy.  He promptly withdrew him and gave him a personal work-out.  The lad responded by answering every requirement asked of him.  The manager’s mind was made up.  This could be the lad to solve the difficulties about a deputy for Albert Dunlop.  Rankin was a police cadet and Mr. Catterick promptly discussed the position with the boy and his parents with the result that the police force has lost a recruit and Everton have gained a new full time professional.   “He is a player of tremendous promise, full of ability and enthusiasm, “Mr. Catterick told me.  With his acceptance of his new career, Rankin’s job will be to keep them out instead of to run them in. 

ROY VERNON SAYS…
Friday, October 27, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
COMPETITION OS FAR TOUGHER THESE DAYS
You may or may not have noticed that this season Everton has been criticized more than usual for robust play.  How much of it is justified you will judge for yourselves, but the criticism will not worry us.  I have never known a team yet which reached the top without somebody taking exception to their play.  How happy opponents would be if they knew that to put a leading side right out of their stride, all that was needed was a show of strength and toughness, but I suggest that such a team would not remain among the leaders for long.  Don’t get me wrong by any means.  I am not advocating rough play. How stupid I would b with my frail frame! I am merely discussing the trend of events.  The spectator does not see everything.  In a recent game, for example, flying studs whizzed past my knee, missing me by inches.  Had contact been made my interests in football would have been as an onlooker only for a spell.  Similarly, Bobby Collins had a narrow escape in the same match.  Had we both been swooning Hiles, our game would not have been improved by such an occurrence.  When we joyfully greeted the new wag deal we expected competition to be tougher.  In that we have not been disappointed-it certainly has!
WILL TO WIN
Not only is there a greater urgently about football today but there is an unmistakable purpose too, and the will to win was never greater.  I readily concede that if a team is clever enough it will be able to answer the sternest tackling without retaliation for most of the way, providing injuries can be avoided, but only by a willingness to stand up for fair play all the time can truly acceptable results be obtained.  The thing to do, of course, is to grab a game-winning lead as early as possible for that is the surest way of impressing on opponents that nothing they can do will bring them victory.  You might gather the inference that it is only the top teams which are assailed by the show of vigour against them, but in this season, short way though it has gone, we have had the experience of being down among the strugglers and up among the mighty.  I must confess I have not noticed any real difference in attitudes towards us.  We have shown how quickly it is possible to skip from one extreme in the table to the other and I believe that it is this possibility which makes every game so vital.  The struggle to keep out of trouble has never been greater.  One thing is undeniable.  This development has thrust a new and increasing burden on referees.  They have their hands full these days, and being human, they cannot spot everything.  I think the co-operation between referees and linesmen will become closer than over. 
DIRECT APPROACH
This new trend almost without noticing has brought about a more direct approach to attack.  The pretty-pretty passing at close quarters is on its way out.  Tough tacking has sounded its dash knell, for nothing is a greater invitation to defenders than this type of play.  As much as anything it has been our ability to run into the open spaces, knowing that the ball will follow that has helped us to make light work of several defences not generally famed for their concession of goals.  We were criticized for only scoring once against Sheffield United and no doubt some of it was warranted but it is only fair to point out that we created probably more scoring chances again this acknowledged tough-as-teak defence than any other side this season.  Alan Hodgkinson was a wonder man.  Success inspired success and he may play for years and never give a performance to touch that at Goodison.  He was magnificent but against that, we gave him some aid by failing to put the ball out of his reach when the chance was there.  For all that I am glad there are not a of Alan Hodgkinsons scattered about the league!
OUR CUP YEAR?
It is quite a thrill to be a member of this Everton side.  Our emphasis is on football-O contend that we can match the skill of any side in the game- and for the first time during my association with the club we have played three games in succession without conceding a goal.  Now that is the sort of defence, that wins championships, and dare I mention it, The F.A Cup.  We were all delighted that our Scottish players were able to put on an impressive shot for Scottish team manager Mr. Ian McColl, who watched our game against Sheffield United.  He came into our dressing room to meet the boys after the game and his parting shot.  I’ll be seeing you soon again, I hope could hardly fail to get up a buzz of excited conjecture.  Had the Scots done enough to convince him that their recall to Scotland’s team was pending?  I have heard there have been Welsh selectors at some of our but personally I prefer not to know anything of theirs presence until afterwards, I think there is a big danger that knowledge of their presence causes a player to try to pull out just that extra efforts with the result that instead of improving his game it detracts from it. 

 

WIGNALL EXPERIEMENTS
Saturday, October 28, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Some may have been surprised at manager Harry Catterick’s decision to experiments with Frank Wignall as an outside right but really it is so very surprising? Everton have absolutely nothing to lose by the choice, and it could well be that they might gain much.  With Lill an influenza victim, there was no ready to hand alternative and Wignall is as conversant with the fact flowing style of the Everton attack as any other substitute could have been.  A strategic switching of position with the dancing Young, might have quite an upsetting effect on the Chelsea defence, which, while it may have creaked to the tune of 25 goals in seven lost matches away from home, has conceded only ten at Stamford Bridge.  It is not every week however, they are confronted with a scoring artillery such as Everton now mount.  Fourteen goals against one in four fixtures is a remarkably fine tally and if Chelsea do penetrate the defence they will have achieved more than Sheffield United, Wolves, and Nottingham Forest in the last three outings.  Everton broke the Stamford Bridge spell last season by earning a draw the first point they had taken from there in six meeting.  Those who maintained last season that the Londoners were being bolstered by the ability of Jimmy Greaves have had plenty of opportunity for saying “I told you so, for since Greaves brought fresh problems about himself in Italy, Chelsea have slumped and gone on slumping, having gained only one point from their lasts seven games.  If this does not encourage the belief that Everton’s third away victory is coming up then at least it is difficult indeed to imagine more propitious circumstances.  Chelsea; Bonetti; Shellito, A. Harris; Bradbury, Scott, Anderton; Murray, Tambling, Brabrook, Bridges, Blunstone.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, B. Harris; Wignall, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell. 

EVERTON HAVE OFF-DAY AT STAMFORD BRIDGE
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 28 October 1961
CHELSEA 1, EVERTON 1
Chelsea; Bonetti; Shelito, Harris (A); Bradbury, Scott, Anderton, Murray, Tambling, Brabrook, Bridges, Blunstone.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B); Wignall, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Referee; Mr. H. Horner (Coventry)
An afternoon of glorious sunshine greeted Everton and Chelsea. The home team, better of the League, had one of their youngest-ever sides and Everton had the interest of trying Wignall at outside right for the first time. Everton were slow into their stride and Chelsea gained four corners very quickly. From the last, Bradbury moved up to try a shot from 30 yards but spooned it over the bar.
PARKER'S SHOT
Parker picked up a bad pass from Bridges and went through to try a 25 yards but pulled it wide of the far post.  Wignall was rarely on the right  wing when Everton attacked and he appeared in the inside left position to take a pass from Collins but his left foot shot went straight to  Bonett.
COLLINS HURT
Collins was hurt in a tackle with Allan Harris and after treatment to his right knee moved on to the right wing. Everton were not playing well up to now and they were fortunate that the inexperience of the young Chelsea forwards was responsible for them missing a lot of chances.   The game livened up momentarily when Murray took a fine pass from Tambling, but put his shot straight  at Dunlop, and from the clearance Everton went away with  a good left wing move ,which saw Vernon flick the ball through to Wignall, whose shot on the turn was beautifully saved by Bonetti. At this point Collins went off for attention to his knee and Wignall moved to centre forward with Young at inside right. Collins came back after a few minutes but Wignall stayed in the centre with the skipper on the wing.
DULL FOOTBALL 
Everton had not got moving  at all yet, while Chelsea were  guilty of putting several shots  straight at Dunlop.  Altogether  it was dull football.  The crowd was urging both teams to get on with it and produce something of note Chelsea were playing like a bottom-of-the-League side and Everton, I fear, had come right down to their level.  Chelsea at last produced a worthwhile move and the Everton defence on the left got in something of a tangle, so that when the ball came through Murray had a wonderful chance, but was dispossessed by a first-class tackle by Gabriel. From the corner the ball was never properly cleared and there was another hectic scramble in the Everton goalmouth before the ball was moved away to safety.  Everton gained their first corner after 43minutes, and the poorest 45 minutes of football I have suffered this season, dragged to a dreary close. 
Half-time; Chelsea nil, Everton nil.
Blunstone had a chance in the opening minutes of the second half when Parker failed to make contact with a bouncing ball and the Chelsea winger whipped round him cleverly but then pulled his shot so much that it ran right across the face of goal and went for a throw-in near the far corner flag.
LABONE PLAYED WELL
Labone was playing with great authority and he dispossessed Murray very well when it looked as though Chelsea’s young winger was going to burst through the middle.  Then Thomson did a similar piece of good work as he took the ball from Bridges after Brabrook had slipped the ball through.  Bonetti showed himself a very safe gandler of the ball and never better than when he caught a centre from Fell as Wignall came running to make contact.  Vernon and Young could not get going at all and when Collins put a good through pass to Vernon, the Welshman cut inside and into trouble when Wignall was unmarked on his outside.  This half so far, was no better than the first although it seemed that Chelsea were playing with a little more urgency. Everton, on the other hand, could not do anything right to attack.  A goal had seemed so unlikely that when it did come after 51 minutes it was it something of a surprise, although a good Everton move produced it.   From a throw-in  on the right, Parker and Gabriel moved up into the attack and it was Parker who  touched the  ball to Young, whose quick through pass found Vernon unmarked in the inside right position.  Vernon hit the ball instantly and it struck the inside of the near upright, rebounded along the line to the other upright and then bounced just over the line.  In fairness one could not say that Everton deserved to be in front, although at the same time neither did Chelsea.  This put some life into Everton, and Vernon failed a couple of minutes later with an equally good opportunity.  From a left wing centre Wignall headed the ball back to Vernon, but this time the shot went straight at Bonetti.  It took a very brave save by Dunlop to prevent Chelsea, getting an equaliser. Bridges opened the way with a good break on the left and crossed the ball to Murray, who held it while Bridges ran into position and his cross was well headed by the inside left for Dunlop to make a fine save.  As the Everton goalkeeper fell on the ball Bridges tackled him and Dunlop carried on after attention although he was limping.  Chelsea get a deserved equalser after 67 minutes through Brabrook.  The centre forward had been playing deep and he beat Labone in his own half before putting a good pass up to bridges, the spearhead, Bridges moved the ball back to Brabrook, who shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area to give Dunlop no chance.  At last we were getting some life and movement ion the game and Gabriel moved down the right wing to make a good centre at which Wignall made a diving header but straight at Bonetti. 
DESPERATE DEFENCE
Chelsea were having move  of the game now, and Everton  not playing within 100 per cent, of their normal form  were reduced to some pretty  desperate defensive work  to keep out the eager  young Chelsea forwards.  This had been a game free from c contention but after 75 minutes Vernon had his name taken for an incident involving Shellito on the edge of the penalty area.  The ball moved away from the players concerned and the referee did not see the incident, but had his attention drawn to it by a linesman and then took Vernon’s name.    Bonnetti made a good save from a glancing header by Vernon, but generally speaking Everton were on the defence more than offence.  Final; Chelsea 1, Everton 1. Official attendance 25,535.

EVERTON RES. V LEEDS RES. 
Liverpool Echo- October 28 1961
Everton did most of the pressing in the first few minutes and after shots by Temple and Sharples had been blocked Webber forced a, corner when he intercepted a back pass. Casey completely miskicked to let in Webber but Hallett came to the rescue at Leeds.  Leeds assumed command for Mayers, the former Everton player, to go close with two fine efforts, while Rankin made another good save from Ryden. Right on the stroke of half-time Carling’s brilliant save prevented Webber from putting Everton ahead. Half-time. Everton Res. nil. Leeds U. Res. nil. 
Bury B 1, Everton B 3

BRIAN IS IN LINE FOR CHILE TRIP
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 28 October 1961
EVERTON DELIGHTED, SAYS ALEX PARKER
Despite another League win last Saturday which took us to third in the League table, I think that everybody at Goodison is agreed that the best news we have heard for some time is that Brian Labone has been selected to play for the Football League team to meet the Irish League in Belfast next Wednesday, followed by on Under-23 appearance against Israel the week afterwards.  Of course, Brian has been picked for representative honours before, but these have special significance.  With the World Cup finals in Chile next year, the England selectors have been making their plans for some time now. With that win over Portugal last Wednesday assuring them of a trip to South America, they must now naturally be thinking of the players they are taking with them.  There is probably even more thought going into representative teams than usual, and this honor for Brian would seem to prove that the England selectors now regard him as second only to Peter Swan of Sheffield Wednesday. I know quite a number of people who would rate him top Brian has been in great form this season.
He is so  mature in his play that I  sometimes think people  forget that he Is still only  21  At Everton the players  have been discussing when  his next representative  honour might he coming  along. As the weeks went by and he was twine overlooked, we were beginning to think that our judgement was based, but obviously not. 
IMPROVEMZNT 
A good display must put him in the running for a trip to Chile, and I’m certain he will give one.  Come to think of it, I can’t remember when he didn't.  There have been various theories put forward for our recent improvement, and next time you are discussing them here’s another one for you to chew over.  The other week, when we returned from training, trainer Tom Eggleston was waiting for us with steaming cups of a well-known beverage.  It is a beef extract.  Whether this is directly responsible for our success I would not be certain, but it’s certainly doing us no harm. Tom told us the Sheffield Wednesday players used to drink it when he was at Hillsborough.  Of course, our new playing strip might have something to do with it. We have now switched from V-neck jerseys to round necks.  This prompted one of the players to remark that we looked like a group of reverend gentlemen running on to the pitch. 
SWEETS BARRAGE 
Incidentally, my story of  the beverage reminds me  that Bert Slater has also  been watching what he eats  lately There are people up  and down the country who,  for some reason best known  to themselves, get pleasure  from throwing things on to  the pitch.  Goalkeepers seem to be the main targets, and very often they are at a loss to know how to get rid of the various Items. Bert tells me that at Derby last week the fans behind his goal were throwing sweets at him.  Obviously they don't know Bert. The sweets caused him no problem at all. He ate 'ern! 
IN CAME BILL
From one kind of “present” to another.  I hear that the Everton Supporters Federation are making a presentation to the Everton boys who reached the final of the F.A. Youth Cup last season.  It is to be at their clubrooms in City Road, Walton, and next month.  I think this is a wonderful idea and one the youngster, are quite excited about.  And switching from the players who hope to be stars of the future to one of the not-so -very-long-ago.  We were having lunch at Goodison after training on Thursday when Billy Liddell walked in. He wanted us to autograph a football, which he was then taking up to Anfield.  No, not to present it to them! He was going to ask them to sign it as well, before he presents it at some function.  Even though his playing days are over, Billy is as popular as ever. He is always being invited somewhere, and gets a lot more invitations than be can possibly fit in.  As you will know, Mickey Lill was granted a transfer request this week.  We will all be sorry to see Mickey go, for he is very popular with the players.  I'm certain he will be sorry, too. He has always been happy at Everton and the only reason he wants to leave is so he can get a regular first team place. I don’t think anybody can blame him for that. 
AN APPEAL 
Among letters I have had this week is one from John Faulkner, of Sandford House, off Green Lane, Calderstones, and Liverpool.  John has asked me for some help, and I think the best way I can do that is by putting his appeal in this column.  He belongs to Bowden Albion FC, and tells me that this season they have been trying to arrange fixtures with clubs who have playing and dressing room accommodation.  So far they have had only one game and had to travel to Wrexham for it. They had arranged another for today in the same district.  The ages of the team are between 17 and 20.  If anybody can oblique John, will they please drop him a line?   

ONLY WIGNALL ATTACKED WITH DETERMINATION
Monday, October 30, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
CHELSEA 1, EVERTON 1
Says Michael Charters
Everton gained an unconvincing point at Chelsea after one of their poorest displays of the season.  I thought they were rather fortunate to draw for in the closing minutes it was only desperate defensive work that kept the eager young Chelsea side from getting both points.  It was a disappointing afternoon, with Collins and Dunlop limping from knee injuries and Vernon having his name taken fifteen minutes from the end.  This followed an incident with Shellito.  It appeared to me that Vernon was fouled and retaliated.  The referee saw neither incident and it was after consulting a linesman, who was only ten yards away, that Vernon’s name was taken.  The Everton forwards suffered from a lack of determination, the exception being Wignall, who tried hard particularly when he moved into the middle.  The match, never really warmed up in the first hour, and it was a relief when half time came.  The only incidents worth recording were the injury to Collins after fifteen minutes followed by Everton’s best effort of the half when Wignall who had moved to centre forward hit a great shot on the turn for Bonetti a very fine young goalkeeper, to save at full strength.  Chelsea had more of the play, but their inexperienced forwards, Brabrook and Blunstone apart, were guilty of wild shooting and dreadful finishing.  It came as something of a surprise when Vernon scored after fifty-eight minutes for it looked as though a goal would never come, Parker moved up the right to collect a throw-in, slipped the ball to Young who moved it on to Vernon, and his shot from twelve yards struck both uprights before finishing inches over the line. 
RELATED LIFE
That was the signal for the game to come to some belated life and Vernon had another good chance two minutes later, but shot straight at Bonetti after Wignall’s header from Fell’s centre had given him a good opening.  Brabrook got a deserved equalizer after sixty-seven minutes.  He beat Labone in his own half, pushed the ball through to Bridges (Chelsea’s spearhead) and the inside man turned it back to Brabrook to hit the ball into the corner of the net, with Dunlop having no chance.  Shortly before, Dunlop who played excellently made a brave save from Bridges and hurt his right knee.  He carried on and was at his best in the closing minutes as Chelsea inspired by Blunstone, took control.  Everton’s defence made some desperate clearances to keep out the fast moving Chelsea forwards, whose major fault was lack of finishing power. 
WING WEAKNESS
Everton were weakest in the forwards where Young could never get going against Chelsea’s best player-Scott, and there was a pronounced weakness on the wings.  Fell seemed out of touch and Wignall did beat when he played in the middle for a good portion of the first half.  Afterwards he kept on the right wing and apart from one good diving header from Gabriel’s centre did not impress.  Collins was only the shadow of the player he was last season, but due regard must be paid to his injury which slowed him up considerably.  Labone and Dunlop were Everton’s best players and Parker had a tough time against Blunstone, who beat him more frequently than most left wingers.  Everton came down to the level of the opposition for Chelsea are not a good side and are struggling with their youngsters to find a settled combination.  They have enthusiasm and dash on their side, but lack a couple of experienced players to bring their youngsters along.  Chelsea; Bonetti; Shellito, Harris (A.); Bradbury, Scott, Anderson; Murray, Tambling, Brabrook, Bridge, Blunstone.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B); Wignall, Collins (Captain), Young, Vernon, Fell.  Referee Mr. H.Horner.  Attendance 25,535.

INJURIES AGAIN
Monday, October 30, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Peter Price
Everton are not so worried by the loss of a point at Chelsea as they are over the injuries which befell their skipper Bobby Collins and goalkeeper Albert Dunlop.  Not until a further examination has been possible today can an accurate assessment of the damage be made, but yesterday Dunlop was limping badly from his thigh injury.  The greatest fear which Everton supporters are finding it so hard to dismiss is that Bobby’s trouble is a recurrence of the old muscle injury which has already kept him out of eight of the club’s matches.  With Tottenham at Goodison Park next week more than ever Everton will wish to field a full side for there is still a sense of achievement in defeating the Cup winners and League champions.
DUNLOP HOISTS 200
The injury to Dunlop helps one to recall how fortunate the goalkeeper has been in keeping out of harm’s way so successfully for so long.  If passed without notice that  when Dunlop took the field against Wolverhampton on October 14 he was playing in his two hundredth League game for Everton.  The fact that he did not make his debut until October 20, 1958 against Manchester United at Old Trafford will show just how consistently he has kept his place.  If Dunlop should have to drop out now, on whom could manager Harry Catterick call?  The new full time professional, eighteen-years-old Andy Rankin would be less than human, if he did not fancy his chance. 

EVERTON RES 2 LEEDS UNITED RES 1
Monday, October 30, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton were given a hard fight by a Leeds side which was inferior only in finishing.  Despite many brilliant saves by Carling, Everton had sufficient chances to make sure of victory in the first half-hour.  Just when Everton seemed to have lost the initiative altogether centre forward Webber proved their match-winner.  He scored a brilliant individual goal in the 56th minute and laid on the second for Temple eight minutes later.  While goalkeeper Rankin performed impressively, Everton’s outstanding defender was right back Parnell who scarcely out a foot wrong, Mayers a former Everton player, netted for Leeds three minutes from the end. 

EVERTON FORWARDS FAIL TO IMPRESS
Liverpool Echo - Monday 30 October 1961
By Michael Charters
Everton came away from Chelsea on Saturday with a point, Collins, Fell and Dunlop injured, Vernon’s name in the referee’s notebook-and a rather tarnished reputation. Never did they play within streets of their normal form and there was a notable lack of urgency shout about the forwards’ play which compared markedly with enthusiasm and dash of the young Chelsea side, with seven teenagers in the line-up.  The most alarming feature about the forward's off day was the lack of thrust and determination all along the line. Chelsea full backs Shellitoe and Harris, both 18, had Fell and Wignall well under control although Wignall when he moved into the middle, was the only Everton forward to offer any sort of sustained challenge. He did at least deliver half a dozen shots, which was more than the rest of the forwards could do together. Young never made any progress against the strong tackling Scott, one of Chelsea's successes, and Vernon rarely broke through tenacious covering by the Chelsea defence. Collins was injured after 15 minutes and was off for a brief spell receiving dressing room treatment. There is excuse therefore for his half- speed performance and the forwards never moved with any conviction because of this. Everton's captain must be doubtful for next Saturday's game with Tottenham, although first reports indicate that both Fell and Dunlop will be fit. Collin’s injury was to his right knee, the one he hurt in the second game of the season and which cost him a long lay-off.
DUNLOP SHINES 
Defensively, Everton played reasonably well, with Dunlop and Labone outstanding. Dunlop had one of his finest games and performed bravely through the final 15 minutes although limping badly with a bruised thigh and knee. He and Labone saved Everton as the eager Chelsea boys turned on full pressure for a winning goal in the closing stages.  Parker had a busy and hectic afternoon against Blunstone, the oldest Chelsea player at 26. Blunstone looked as good as ever, and extended Parker more than the Everton back is accustomed to these days. I made the Chelsea captain the best man of the day, and his clever, direct wing play was the outstanding feature of a match which never reached any heights of interest until the last half hour.  Chelsea's greatest attributes were speed and enthusiasm, and I thought Everton failed badly to master these, elementary tactics when they have such craft in their team.  It was disappointing to see the wing halves made to chase and scurry around against boys who never knew when they were beaten.  Perhaps an on-form Collins could have shown the rest the way, but it was not his day and his injury finished any hopes that he could raise Everton to their normal level.  The first half was a weary exhibition from both sides—a great deal of bustle without poise or style. Neither goalkeeper was extended with the possible exception of Chelsea’s’ Bonatti, forced into one diving save from a whiplash shot by Wignall. Bonatti is a name to remember (It should not be difficult) for this youngster has a very safe pair hands and gathers the ball beautifully. 
VERNON GOAL
 The game never really came to life until Vernon had put Everton in the lead after 58 minutes from one of the few Everton attacks worth the name. Gabriel and Parker moved up together on the right from a throw-in by Wignall and it was Parker who won possession, pushing the ball through to Young, whose pass to Vernon was his best contribution of the day.  Vernon was clear in the penalty area when he received the ball and his shot struck near upright, rebounded  along  the line to the other  post and then trickled just  over so that it was a foot  inside when Bonetti dived  back to gather it.  Immediately afterwards, Vernon put a shot straight at Bonetti after Wignall had headed the ball down to but that was the last worthwhile Everton threat Chelsea won the impetus of the equalizer and the urge to take control when Brabrook scored after 67 minutes.  The Chelsea leader, playing deep most of the game, beat Labone in his own half and sent Tambling away. The inside  right fought off several Everton  tackles before turning the ball  back to Brabrook and a  quickly-hit shot went through  the crowd of players into the  corner of the net past an  unsighted Dunlop, who had  been injured just previously.  Dunlop reached great heights subsequently and played so, well that one forgot he was limping in some pain. The Vernon incident occurred 15 minutes from the end. It seemed to me that he was fouled by Shellitoe just outside the penalty area, the referee ignored it, and then, Vernon retaliated when the ball had moved away. The referee did not see anything but a linesman, 10 yards away, called his attention and, amid a storm of boos, Vernon was “booked."  A Scottish selector saw the game, no doubt following up reports recently of Young and the other Everton Scots. I fear Young could not have done his international chances much good.  This young Chelsea team could become a fine side with a couple more years' experience. They badly need a mature inside forward or wing half who can turn the youngsters dash into more cultured football, but several of them show great promise.  Everton played almost as poorly as they had at Fulham earlier in the season—London does not seem to bring out their best.

TWICE HE DROVE AN EVERTON CUP WINNIG TEAM
Liverpool Echo-Tuesday, October 31 1961
By George Harrison
A man who has spent 70 years of his life driving horse-cabs, four - in - hands and taxis round Liverpool has just retired. John Pagendam, who lives at 40 Bailey Drive, Orrell, Bootle, is now 84 and he reckons he has earned the right to take things easily.  He had the distinction on two occasions, 27 years apart, of driving victorious Everton football team in triumph through the streets of Liverpool after they had returned home with the F.A. Cup.  "If they win it again this season, someone else will have to drive 'em," says old John.  John Pagendam, with his long whip and his fat cigar, became almost a legendary figure in Liverpool streets.  He had started straight from school in his own horse-cab business .  " I paid 20 pounds  an  enormous sum in those  days - to buy my first  mare, and she stayed  with me for 15 years." he  told me to-day. "My parents gave me the money, but the business was my own. “ It was work from daybreak to nightfall and often enough we had calls during the night in emergencies.  But I was young, and so was the mare. We didn’t mind losing our night’s sleep now and then “His business prospered.  He invested his savings in more horses and his stables saw the entry of his first wagonette, needing four horses to pull it when fully laden with passengers.  "In 1906, before they  went to the Crystal  Palace to meet Newcastle  in the Cup Final, the  Everton club approached  me and asked me to  arrange to be at Lime  Street Station to meet the  team and party on their  return journey., “ old John recalled, as we yarned.  "They were so certain they would win the Cup that they gave me the celebration route I was to take through the crowds lining the streets from the station.  And they won, just as they said.  “I took the stage coach along for this historic occasion, with my four horses.  And a right proud show we made as we drove through the cheering multitudes, with the team on top of my coach waving the Cup Dixie Held up the Cup 
The years rolled on and it came time for John Pengendam to modernize his mode of public conveyance.  For motor cars had come in, and although it was freely forecast be experts that "they will never replace the horse," old John had his doubts.  Anyway, to be on the safe side, he dipped into his bank balance to buy a motor taximeter cabriolet —or, if you like it better, a taxi-cab.  “There were only three of us with motor calm plying from Waterloo Station in those days,’ he said.  “But although the motor had captured everyone’s imagination, we still had to retain our horse-cab service, too. Folk who had never travelled by anything faster than a horse-drawn vehicle were not anxious to risk their lives and limbs, as they put it, in those newfangled motor cabs.  And in 1933, when motors were everywhere my horses came into their own once again.  “Everton had reached the Cup Final against Manchester City, at Wembley. Once more, their confidence was so great that they booked me and my four-in-hand to be at Lime Street Station to welcome them on their victorious return.  "And again, their confidence was justified. For win the Cup they did-and again we had our wonderful tour of triumph, with the great Dixie Dean holding high the Cup while the crowds went mad.  Now old John Pangendam.  Coachman and character-extraordinary, has hung up his whip on the wall for the last time.