ROY VERNON SAYS…
Friday, September 1, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
SUCH ILL-LUCK CAN SURELY NOT LAST FOR LONG
If it is any consolation to our great and loyal band of supporters in the pangs of disappointment they are suffering just now, I can say that we at Goodison feel the position every bit as keenly.  We want to turn the tide.  We have the will to do it, but when everything you do seems to suffer the ravages of outrageous misfortune in the shape both of injuries and sickness, a lion’s heart is needed to keep hope flowing.  We are not despondent.  We know that it must be a passing phase, for such cruel ill-luck as we have experienced must have an end.  After recovering from the shock of the illnesses suffered by Derek Temple and George Sharples, I believe the cloud is beginning to lift and if progress is maintained only Bobby Collins looks like holding up the announcement of a clean bill of health so far as the more regular members of the first team are concerned.  Wednesday night victory over West Brom was just the tonic we so much required.  More than anything I think our supporters were delighted with our show of spirit and the will to win.  With this sort of approach in all our games the sky should be the limit to our ambitions.  It so often happens that when players try to pull out something extra in days of adversity they do not always achieve the results desired.  Sometimes it upsets the rhythm of the side and instead of the game flowing according to plan it moves in fits and starts.  I don’t think many would contradict me when I say we have not seen the true Everton style in any match this season, but that West Brom, victory was a giant step in the right direction.  We do not boast about the start we made last season, for we won only two of the first five games, but at least we rammed home a total of nine goals in three of those matches.  When goals are coming all things are possible.  It is when they stubbornly refuse to materialize that one begins to get worried.  At the moment it is hard to escape the feeling that we cannot afford to neglect a single chance, just in case another one doesn’t present itself and those three against West Brom were like the answer to a prayer.  We know how keen our manager Mr. Catterick will be to see us beat his former club, Sheffield Wednesday, tomorrow.  The reassurance which a victory over them would bring is almost incalculable.  Remember last season we beat them twice.  Wednesday will not have forgotten that indignity, but we shall also remember that what we did them we  can do again.  Great days still lie ahead and I am one of those optimists who believe that from now on wee can only improve.  I never dreamt that so soon in my career with Everton would I be called upon to captain the side.  Even while I realize that this very happy gesture to me at Fulham and again on Wednesday came only because skipper Bobby Collins was laid aside I would not be human if I did not have a feeling of pride and elation as I led Everton out. 
EXTRA PAY SUGGESTION
I have heard it argued, and there are some clubs who put theory into practice, that captains should be paid extra for taking on the role.  Don’t think I am starting a campaign for this to come about at Goodison Park! They way I felt on Saturday and on Wednesday I think I would have been prepared to have lost a pound or two for the distinction the appointment carried.  Of course with a regular skipper it might be different.  I wouldn’t know I have never been in that position.  I am taking no sides in the argument for in my opinion only the regulars know whether or not there is any extra work in leading a side weather it calls for extra concentration and nerve-wracking endeavour and I am happy to leave it to others to sort out for themselves.  It is not only Everton who are losing points because of inquires, Tottenham have suffered too, although I am not suggesting all or any of them resulted from unfair play, it does seem to me that referees more than ever before will have to protect players as competition intensifies.  Already Jimmy Hill has spoked along these lines and at least one manager has been outspoken. A firm-referee is a player’s friend and the classier a player is the more dependent is he on the referee to guarantee him fair play in the carrying out of duties on the field. 

INJURY-HIT EVERTON REFUSE TO RELEASE PLAYERS FOR TWO WORLD CUP PRACTICE SESSIONS
Friday, September 1, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton have declined to give permission for any of the Scottish players to take part in the practice sessions which will precede the an announcement of the team to oppose Czechoslovakia in the World Cup qualifying game on September 26.  That is the explanation behind the absence of Everton names from the twenty-nine strong party.  This get-together of Scots is on September 10 and 11. There is bound to be criticism of Everton’s action in some quarters and the players themselves may feel a pang of disappointment at the loss of possible opportunity, but in all fairness, in view of the crippling position in which the club finds itself at the moment is it reasonable to expect them to invite the possibility of further trouble by pulling star players into action on two additional occasions, with the ever-present risk of further damage?  While the injury position at Goodison Park is undoubtedly improving I regard it as common sense not to fly in the face of fortune.  It will be remembered that last season Roy Vernon was prevented from being considered for selection for Wales and Billy Bingham for Ireland, because Everton regarded the prestige match with Bangu of such consequence that they believed first loyalties on that occasion were to the club.  In general there is no departure from the age-old Everton practice of making their players available to national teams, whenever required but obviously facts must alter cases and I think the players will understand.  Club chairman Mr. John Moores told me last night “It was with reluctance that we look this step.  We felt that at the moment when the club has been so hard hit by injuries and illness we could not afford to take the risk of further injuries. 
CO-OPERATION
In fairness to our supporters and the club we just could not take the chance.  Everton always will co-operate with the national associations over international matters and once our position has cleared itself we will give permission for our players to assist their counties.” The chairman went on to indicate that if the club was free from worry over availability the personnel, they would be willing to release players required for the Ireland and Scotland game on October 7.  Manager Harry Catterick was not available last night and so no announcement has been made regarding team selection possibilities.  Naturally he will wish to wait as long as possible to see whether or not any of those injured can be passed fit to play. 

YOUNG IS BACK FOR EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Friday 01 September 1961
Only Change To-morrow
WEBBER OUT
By Leslie Edwards
Alex Young, the Everton centre-forward, who missed the matches against Fulham last Saturday and Albion on Wednesday owing to blistered feet, is back for the game to-morrow against Sheffield Wednesday, at Goodison Park. He displaces Webber, the Welsh boy, who deputised so ably for him on Wednesday. Otherwise the team unchanged, with Tyrer keeping his place at inside right and Lill at outside left , Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson, Gabriel, Labone, Meagan; Bingham, Tyrer, Young, Vernon, LIII. Sheffield Wednesday well be unchanged for the fifth successive match. Sheffield Wednesday; Springett; Johnson, Megson; MacAnearney, Swan, Kay; Wilkinson, Craig, Ellis, Fantham, Finney. 

YOUNG BACK
Saturday, September 2, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON STAR FIT AGAIN
By Horace Yates
Alex Young, Everton’s Scottish international centre forward, has recovered from the blistered feet which kept him out of the last two games and plays against Sheffield Wednesday at Goodison Park tomorrow.  He replaces Keith Webber who played against West Bromwich on Wednesday and this is the only change.  Wednesday bring with them a record of having scored more goals than any other side except Liverpool, both having 14 goals and their centre forward, the rangy Ellis, who so often last season seemed to be a player whose position was in danger claims six, with the record of a score in every game.  His height and mobility will be a test for Labone, but fortunately the Everton centre-half is playing confidently, and after the West Brom tonic victory, will have his faith in his defensive colleagues considerably increased.  It will take a display every bit as determined and powerful as that which swept Albion right out of their stride to unseat Harry Catterick’s former club, currently lying second to Manchester City.  It is a fact that since they last won promotion Wednesday have not beaten Everton in four meetings, and last season were beaten home and away by the Goodison Park side.  A cheering sigh that the Sheffield defence is more vulnerable these days in that they have already conceded seven goals-in four games.  Last season eleven matches had been played before they were debited with a similar number.  Some idea of the feat that represented may be gathered from the observation that Everton’s defence had been penetrated nineteen times in a similar number of games. 
THREE BETTER
With all their trails and misfortunes, Everton have only given away five goals this term, and only three First Division teams can point to a more impregnable defence than that, and even they—Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City-have conceded four.  Obviously then, Manager Harry Catterick has succeeded to a big extent in bringing the defensive excellence which characterized Wednesday under his management to Everton.  Goals may be scarce today but what the struggling Bolton side could achieve on Wednesday –a 4-3 victory over the Sheffield side-should not be beyond the ability of this revitalized Everton.  Encouraged by their team’s new show of spirit the crowd today should restore a bonus to Everton and I don’t think the team will be ungrateful.  Everton’s team spirit has seldom been better than that against West Brom, and against Wednesday may go down for he second time.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Meagan; Bingham, Tyrer, Young, Vernon, Lill.  Sheffield Wednesday; Springett; Johnson, Megson; McAnearney, Swan, Kay; Wilkinson, Craig, Ellis, Fatham, Finney. 

BIG GUNS IN ACTION FOR EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 02 September 1961
Sense Of Urgency Can Bring Victory
By Leslie Edwards

From one of Everton's many keen fans in North Wales --Mr. Hodgson, of 15 Tudor Avenue, Prestatyn—come discerning reasons for Everton - fine win in mid-week against West Bromwich Albion. This is how lists them;- “1 Everton because they had five forwards who could run fast. "2.—Because they pushed or transferred the ball FORWARD and quickly. Result: No onside verdicts against them; no injuries. "3.—Any player who holds the ball at the present time is asking for trouble. "4.—Some Everton players will play across the pitch sideways instead of forward. "5.—Bobby Collins when he first came to the club advanced towards goal ten yards before you could wink an eyelid: now he goes across field very often and when he takes the ball off the feet of a teammate the man in front of me goes 'mad' and says he has never seen this sort of thing anywhere." I agree with all Mr. Hodgson’s arguments except the one about Collins. There are times when it is necessary (and effective) for one player traveling in the right direction, to take the ball from the feet of another. L
OUDSPEAKER FAULTS
On the subject of Everton mail here's another letter with which I concur—heartily. It comes from Mr. Reg Gadd. 28 Sunlight Street. Liverpool 6; he asks “What is the matter with Everton's loudspeaker, it is a strain to hear the team changes." The matter, if I am - any judge, is there is too much loud and too little speaker. The records played during the interval of the Albion game were so harsh, so loud you couldn't think, much less listen.  Couldn't we have, whatever the cost, a live band and announcements of tea m changes made not only twice before kick-off but at the interval for the benefit of late comers? These may be small matters but they add to comfort for the man who is paying. He is for from satisfied with conditions. It seems, and especially with toilets which become disastrously untidy and dirty when the attendance is great.
TORN LOYALTIES
Everton were one of the few Clubs last season to get a double at the expense of their opponents of to-day, Sheffield Wednesday. Manager Harry Catterick’s former team were top of the heap on Wednesday morning, but were surprisingly toppled that evening by Bolton Wanderers. It will be a day of torn loyalties for the Everton manager and his trainer, Tom Eggleston, since both were responsible for Wednesday's rise from Division II and their subsequent success. But there can be no doubt which side they want to win to-day…. If Everton get the sense of urgency and speed which characterized the team on Wednesday they may well run Sheffield into defeat just as easily as they did West Bromwich. The reappearance of Alex Young, following the return in mid-week of Alex Parker means that three of Everton’s big guns are back. It is a good move by the Everton manager to keep Tyrer in and to let Micky Lill have further opportunity to show that he is equally effective on the left, as on the right.  Everton players should draw much crowd bonus from the match.  A pity some of the Scots cannot be spared in three weeks’ time for a chance to get further Scottish caps, but club football is more and more important and international combat less and less so. 

IT WAS WEDNESDAY WHO TURNED ON THE HEAT
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 02 September 1961
EVERTON HAD NO ANSWER TO THIS LIVELY ATTACK
EVERTON 0, SHEFF WED 4
By Michael Charters

Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Meagan; Bingham, Tyrer, Young, Vernon, Lill.  Sheffield Wednesday; Springett; Johnson, Megson; McAnearney, Swan, Kay; Wilkinson, Craig, Ellis, Fantham, Finney.  Referee; Mr. R.J. Simons (Carlise).  The Everton ground this afternoon in the heat wave presented an amazing sight with 90 per cent, of the 40.000 people present in colourful shirt- sleeves—possibly unique to see when one considers that this is the third Saturday of the football season. Everton had a wonderful chance of scoring in the first minute after a clever right wing move between Young, Tyrer and Bingham. From the winger's centre Vernon and Swan went up together and the ball spun off Swan's head to the unmarked Lill, whose right foot shot from 10 yards went over the bar.
SAVE FROM TYRER
In the next minute Everton made another good opening with Lill heading Parkers cross across the face of the goal for Springett to make a fine save from Tyrer. Everton were moving well and the Sheffield Wednesday defence with the reputation of being just about the strongest in the division, looking rather harrassed. Everton's speed to the ball was quite amazing, considering the heat of the day. But Sheffield quickly came into the picture with some first-class play particularly by Johnson and Finney, and already the match had the earmark, of being a real good one.
FINNEY—DANCER MAN
Finney was very much the danger man in the visiting side and he came inside to take al pass from Kay and hit a fine shot from 20 yards which Dunlop held at full stretch. McAnearney pushed a free-kick inside for Johnson to come roaring up and hit the ball on the run just over the bar, so that at the moment Wednesday held a slight edge, with Finney getting past Parker by sheer  speed. The Wednesday forwards moved the ball about delightfully and Everton’s defence looked a little raggwed against them without the finishing touch being applied. I Most of the danger to Everton came from their left-wing pair, with Fantham s t owing great constructive ability in midfield, and Finney having a great game on the wing. A good pass by Johnson saw Wilkinson move up to the by-line to send over a centre which beat Everton, the ball running out to Finney who hit it hard first time for Dunlop to make an unusual, but nevertheless effective save with his foot.
WEDNESDAY SHINE
Wednesday looked very calm, very precise and very good. The only Everton challenge for some 10 minutes was a long range shot from Tyrer which went well wide, but otherwise it was the Wednesday forwards versus Everton's defence. Everton never moved with the same certainty as the visiting side, whose passing from defence into attack could hardly have been better. Everton's failure was in the final pass-a good initial move now being halted by the last pass going straight to a Wednesday player.  Everton could make no head way, at all and were playing into the hands of the Wednesday defender, by inaccurate passing. On the half hour Wednesday took a deserved lead with an amazing goal from Kay.  The left half lobbed in a centre from 40 yards out, the ball bounced and as Dunlop went up to collect it Finney made a challenge and the ball went over Dunlop’s head and over the line.  Thomson’s bid to clear only shot into the roof of the net, but in any case the ball was over.  The pace of the game had become much slower- very understandable in view of the weather -but Wednesday still carried greater conviction than Everton at every point. The marvel was that they were not more than one goal in front. Vernon, who had mainly been occupied in helping the defence, unleashed one fine through pass of 30 yards for Bingham to chase, but the winger fell over Swan and the opening had gone. There was a mild outburst of slow handclapping from the crowd just before half time, and it was anybody's guess the reason for it, for their had been so much to admire in Wednesday's display, and Everton were struggling against `a superior side. Half-time.—Everton nil, Sheffield Wednesday 1.
 A minute after the restart Wednesday were two goals in front. They developed a leisurely left wing move with Finney and Kay getting the ball across to Wilkinson, who was tripped just inside the area by Thomson, and from the penalty kick McAnearney side-footed the ball just inside the upright. There was no doubt also that Wednesday deserved to be two goals in the lead. Their football had been of a higher class than Everton's.
HIS FIRST MISTAKE
Springett made his first mistake when he misjudged his attempted punch oft Bingham's centre, the ball skidding off his hands for a corner which was eventually cleared with ease. A similar thing happened at the other end when Dunlop, harassed by Fatham failed to punch away a cross from Craig, the ball eventually running out for Megson to try a quick shot from 30 yards which swung wide of the post. The slow handicap broke out again, and this time there was no doubt that it was directed against the Everton team for their inept performance.  One could not help wondering what the feelings were of manager Harry Catterick, watching his old team administer something of a lesson to his new one.   POOR FORWARD DISPLAY
Young had done very little against the England centre-half Swan but suddenly he made a good opening for Tyrer to run onto the ball and shoot, but again the little inside-forward got neither pace nor direction with his effort, and, the ball bounced wide. Everton's forwards, with the exception of Bingham who was trying his hardest as usual, can rarely have given such a poor display. Although due credit must be given to a first-class Wednesday defence.  Everton appealed, rightly in my opinion, for a penalty after Johnson had handled the ball but the referee awarded a free kick literally on the line.  From Vernon’s kick Springett punched away and the threat had disappeared. 
LITTLE TO CHEER
The crowd had little to cheer about from an Everton view-point but Gabriel earned his applause when he flashed a good header just wide from Parker’s free kick.  Despite the occasional Everton attack it was still Wednesday who were playing the better football, always well within themselves.  Young was too slow to collect Vernon’s through pass, and had the ball kicked from his feet by Megson when he had a good chance of scoring, the ball running loose for Springett to come out of goal and save.  The game now had become a rather uninteresting stalemate.  Wednesday contained all the Everton attacks with ease and occasionally launched out one of their own which invariably carried more threat.  Some of the defence, notably Labone and Thomson had done well, but for the rest this is a match they will want to forget in a hurry, Springett showed wonderful anticipation to come out almost to the edge of the penalty area to take the ball from Young-apart from this he had a very easy afternoon.  Everton’s defence was wide open when Wednesday scored their third goal after 70 minutes.  Kay sent a long pass up to the unmarked Craig who was able to race on at his leisure and when Dunlop came out to meet him he pushed it past the Everton goalkeeper quite slowly into the net.  This was one of the poorest Everton displays I have seen for seasons.  It was much worse than their game at West Bromwhich when they had the excuse of having Collins and Young injured.  After this goal the crowd began to stream away from 20 minutes from the end, a reflection of their disappointment at Everton’s display. 
THEN IT WAS FOUR!
Ten minutes from the end Sheffied Wednesday were four goals in front when a centre from Wilkinson found the unmarked Ellis who headed past Dunlop with ease.  This goal was a fair reflection of the visitor’s superiority and Everton cannot have played so badly at home since that infamous 6-1 defeat by Arsenal of three seasons ago. 
SHOUTS TO DIRECTORS
People in the stand and on the terraces in front of the directors’ box were shouting derisively towards the directors as Everton’s football became even more pathetic towards the end.  Final; Everton nil, Sheffield Wednesday 4.

OUR BEST YET BEATS WEST BROM
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 02 September 1961
WEBBER AND TYRER COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER
Says Alex Parker
So just when people were starting to say that we had got off to a disappointing start we turn on a first-rate display to beat that old bogey team, West Bromwich. And with two young reserve forwards. There is no denying that even allowing for injuries, the boys did not play well at Fulham, but on Wednesday night they turned in the best display of the four matches so far. I don’t believe anybody had an off-night the re-shuffled forward line, led by new skipper Roy Vernon, played very well and I say that because they have been subject to some criticism lately. But there are three people I would particularly like to mention.  Considering their age and limited experience of First division football, Keith Webber and Alan Tyrer could not have done better.  Theirs was obviously not an enviable job.  They had to come in for two Scottish internationals, Alex Young and Bobby Collins, and play against a side that beat us only a week ago.  Apparently it was not only Evertonians who were impressed, for after Keith had made one of his typical dashes late in the second half, Derek Kevan said to me; “That boy is going to be great player.” When it comes to dashing forwards, there are few people know more about it than big Derek.  However, he didn’t score on Wednesday, and I think much of the credit for that must go to Jimmy Gabriel.  Good to see Mickey Lill popping up with a goal.  He’s a very useful player to have around when somebody is needed to put the ball in the net, and with any luck he might well have scored a hat-trick. 
LITTLE NERVOUS
It was the first division One game Mickey had played at Goodison for about 10 months and he told me that before the game he was a little nervous, but he certainly didn’t show it in his play.  In addition to his goal celebrating his return, it also celebrated the birth of a son to Mickey’s wife Paddy on Thursday.  It looks as if Mickey’s luck has changed at long last.  At one time during the second half I must confess that I did a quick bit of counting just to check on how many players we had on the field. I could have sworn that there were about 14 blue shirts. The reason, of course, was that all our team wanted the ball and were doing more than their share of chasing to get it. If a West Brom man beat an Everton player and didn't part with the ball quickly, he soon found himself tackled by the man he had just beaten. I see that they have been improving the public address system at Goodison this week. I believe it is so good now that on Wednesday night the people behind the Gwladys Street goal had to move away because they were being deafened. It might be an idea to issue linked up with the system when the Cup-ties come round. If Cup success depends on support we should be halfway to Wembley before the third round draw was made.
LUXURIOUS
To-day we have had Sheffield Wednesday at Goodison, and we're particularly anxious to beat them as they are our manager's old club—and trainer Tom Eggleston’s, of course. Last season we took four points off them.  Another four would be more than welcome. Like last season we play Manchester City on a Wednesday night.  The Maine Road boys are here next Wednesday with new signings Peter Dobing and Bobby Kennedy, their 45,000 signing from Kilmarnock.  I played in an under-23 international with Kennedy in Holland a few seasons ago, and he looked as if he was going to be a really good player then.  Unfortunately, he suffered an illness which kept him out of the game for a year, and it says much for his ability to have come back on the scene with such a bang. I'm looking forward to seeing him play again. It was good to hear that another old friend of mine, Tommy Docherty, will be playing again. He left Arsenal for Chelsea last season as a coach, and due to injuries the Pensioners have arranged with the Gunners to have Doc reinstated as a player.  It’s a good thing for soccer, for it can always do with players like Tommy Docherty. Welcome back, Doc, but if you're in the Chelsea team when we play them, I hope you lose One of the first things we Everton players do after a game these days is ask how Liverpool have got on, and you would have been surprised at how pleased we all were on Wednesday, when we heard they had won 4-1 at Sunderland. I'm not going to say anything about this being their year in case some rabid Kopites blame me should their team fall. But they are certainly going the right way, aren't they'? From what the Liverpool Players tell me, they are really enjoying themselves.

HUDDERSFIELD RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 02 September 1961
Huddersfield Town Res; Wood; Gibson, Turner; Holden, Holt, Jones; Ledger, Balderstone, Milner, Bettany, McCann.  Everton Res; Mailey; Parnell, Green; Harris, Gorrie, Gannon; Shaw, Temple, Webber, Morton, Fell.  Referee; Mr. L. Meadows (Redcar).  Everton reserves made seven changes from the team published beforehand for their visit to Huddersfield today.  Huddersfield were first with a scoring chance, but Balderstone muffed his shot.  Everton had forced three quick corners in their reply and Webber headed inches over the bar.  Huddersfield pressed again and first Balderstone and then Ledger tested Mailey.  The ball was swinging freely from end to end and Shaw ended an Everton attack by skying the ball feet from the Town goal.  Huddersfield nearly took the lead in the 25th minute, but Balderstone’s goal was ruled offside.  A minute later Webber shot inches outside the post with only Wood to beat.  Towards the interval Mailey brilliantly saved a powerful rising shot from Bettany.  Half-time; Huddersfield Town Res nil, Everton Res nil.

CRITICISE THE PLAYERS-NOT DIRECTORS
Monday, September 4, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON 0, SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 4
By Jack Rowe
In the light of what we had hoped from Everton this season, here was sheer humiliation and the most incongruous feature of a baking day was that the players will receive a bonus for the over 40,000 gate.  If there is no improvement it may be the last crowd bonus they will get, for the fans are not going to take kindly to complete disillusionment.  They showed plainly how they felt, and who can blame them.  They are paying the [piper, and are entitled to call the tune, although one must condemn those responsible for hurling seat cushions into the directors box.  Why should they offer their criticism to directors at all?  The chairman Mr. John Moores, and manager Harry Catterick, had to make plenty, but it is the players who must provide the answers and justify their elevation to their highest pay rate in history.  It could be that Collins will make a world of difference, but a disturbing feature was the lack of fight in certain positions.  Although every side must go down during a season, all-out endeavour can minimize the blow. 
OUT OF REACH
In spite of their dismal showing and near demoralization at the finish, Everton were beaten by a first class side, which might well take over their mantle of the Spurs.  The trouble with this view is that so early it helps to dismiss the hopes that Everton could be among the honours.  If they cannot cope with a team of Wednesday’s ability, trophies are pretty well out of reach.  Wednesday had no weakness in defence or attack.  Wing halves Kay and McAnearney are the dynamic type, controlling opposing inside forwards and driving their forwards and the side plays football coolly and brilliantly with an overall impression of confidence in their ability to make the ball do their willing.  Yet in the maze of criticism which has descended on Everton over the week-end, the fantastic thing is that if was they who raised the clearest chances of all.  Twice in the first three minutes Lill and Vernon had the opportunity of shaking Wednesday perhaps beyond recovery but each time the ball was sent wide of the net and from those moments the team went out of the game as a threat.  They should have had a penalty in the second half when 3-0 down but I doubt it if this would have made great difference.  It was Wednesday who took command and Everton were reduced to a struggling side which can not only play first-class football but which also has the power in tackle and strength on the ball. 
COULD NOT MATCH
Never could Everton match their first time use of the ball and certainly they could not match Kay and McAnearney.  Meagan did not settle at all and Vernon had to do a lot of dropping back to help out, while Gabriel found Fatham too-much of a handful.  Labone was probably the best Everton player and for a spell I thought Thomson shaped well, while Parker was always struggling against the effervescent Finney.  It was remarkable Wednesday led by only a goal at half-time, the result of a blunder by Dunlop who did not impress.  That Wednesday did not run goal-riot is some tribute to the Everton defence but four are bad enough, and the trouble was that once Wednesday went into the lead there was no sign of an Everton revival.  Bingham battled unceasingly, but Tyrer was out of his class and Lill, once he had missed his chance, could do little right.  The big disappointment was Young.  His contribution was the least effective since coming to Goodison Park.  One wondered whether Webber with his enthusiasm would not have done better in a match which needed someone to offer a challenge in strength.  Kay’s lob from the wing in the thirtieth minute should not have beaten Dunlop but if did and a minute after half-time Thomson incurred a penalty award when he brought Wilkinson down and McAnearney scored.  In 73 minutes Craig was able to saunter through to finish off Kay’s long pass.  Eight minutes from the end after many spectators had left Ellis headed in Wilkinson’s centre.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Meagan; Bingham, Tyrer, Young, Vernon, Lill.  Sheffield Wednesday; Springett; Johnson, Megson; McAnerney, Swan, Kay; Wilkinson, Craig, Ellis, Fantham, Finney. 

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN RES 2 EVERTON RES 0
Monday, September 4, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
Huddersfield should have been two goals up inside ten minutes in this home game but two muffed shots by inside right Balderstone put paid to their hopes.  The miss of the match came from Everton centre forward Webber.  With all the time in the world and only goalkeeper Wood to beat he shot wide from inside the penalty area.  After the interval Huddersfield we well on top and only good work by Everton’s defence especially goalkeeper Mailey, kept them from trebling their score.  Both goals were scored by Battany. 

LIKE A BULL FIGHT-ONLY HOTTER!
Liverpool Echo - Monday 04 September 1961
By Leslie Edwards
A SPECTATOR visiting Goodison Park on A Saturday for the first time said: " Just like the bull-fight I attended a few weeks ago, but rather hotter!'' The shirt-sleeves order everywhere, the whites and reds and blues, the humid heat and the cushion throwing added to the illusion. But do we, in Liverpool, want to earn the reputation for scenes, merely because things in the arena don't go our way? Do we want raised fists, angry taunts and barracking of players and directors merely because one team demonstrates it is palpably better than another? I think not. Throwing cushions is senseless. Rating the Everton Chairman and Manager is senseless because they are among people trying their utmost to make Everton successful. They deserve at least a fair chance to show what they can do and one home defeat of the team which was virtually the same as that which entertained us so consistently a few months ago should not sour the crowd as it did on this occasion: Don't forget only four days earlier the team had left the field heroes after a magnificent performance against West Bromwich . . . Could Everton blame the excessive heat? No. because Sheffield Wednesday endured the same stresses and looked as though they could have continued tying Everton in knots for a further 90 minutes if it had been necessary. Were some Everton Scots disappointed and disturbed that their club had ruled that they should not be considered as potential caps later this month? Well, your guess is as good as mine, but I think not. The explanation. I think, was Just that Sheffield Wednesday were bigger, better and faster in every department. Their Lazy Daisy chains of passing progressed as though no opposition existed. Indeed, except for the first live minutes, there was no opposition...
One weakness
WEDNESDAY had one weakness—their attack. Any line serviced as they were from start to finish should have had ten goals. It wasn't that the Wednesday front line punished Everton; they just anaesthetized them. It wasn't effort that was lacking in Everton, but skill and brains. They chased, they raced, they attempted to find each other with far-flung passes… all in vain. Wednesday, without breaking into a gallop shrugged off tackles, even the foul ones, sauntered on impudently and generally did precisely what they wanted in their own time and at their own pace. That splendid half-back line, backed by two fine backs, was unbreakable, unshakable and so completely dominant the centre of the park was their as by right. No wonder the crowd rose to sandy-haired Kay, who reminded me as a replica of Leslie Shannon, in looks, at the same age. Gabriel and Meagan could not prevent, on their own, the steady flowing movement of the ball—often triangular —by their opponents. Vernon tried to help them and so did little Tyrer, but once Wednesday's dominance was established Everton were doomed. The crowd's displeasure sprang not so much because Everton were slowly strangled to death in a football sense, but because rarely in the past few seasons has any visiting side come here and done that job so expertly, so inevitably. It was not a match, only a procession with Everton at the trail from the first five minutes—the only spell in which they promised to repeat their excellence of the previous game. Manager Harry Catterick must have been galled to see his old side disclose Everton's many weaknesses on the day, but let no one forget that practically the same Everton side beat this Wednesday twin last season.
The Tenderfoot
EVERTON not only played extremely badly, they contributed to their failure. When Kay lobbed the ball towards goal and Fantham came in to challenge Dunlop, the goalkeeper took his eye off the ball momentarily and was beaten (as was Thomson whose "rescuing" header struck the underside of the bar) by the bound. So at the interval though it was a bare 1-0 against Everton the crowd were restive and further goals were inevitable. Wilkinson, fouled at the edge of the area by Thomson, enabled McAnearney to score from the penalty spot, Then Finney's grand through pass put Craig through for the third; Ellis with a header from a Wilkinson centre, earned the fourth and the rest was a formality punctuated by angry shouts and outburst of slow handclapping which can have done nothing to improve Everton's chances of even part-redeeming themselves. The only semblance of light relief from this grim situation came when someone aimed a good natured '' Hey Tenderfoot!" at Alex Young. He must have been long past caring about blistered feet by this time. Everton's really good moves, most of them in the first 15 minutes, numbered two, Lill hit a half volley over the bar from one and Tyrer, Parker, Bingham and Lill contrived the other, The only occasion when Everton seemed likely to score after that was from a penalty Referee R. J. Simons didn't award in the second half. Johnson handled in the penalty box. The referee saw it, but adjudged the offence to be outside the area. If it was intentional handling it was a penalty, but the incident was of purely academic interest. Everton play Manchester City at Goodison Park on Wednesday. There should be no panic meantime, this team has shown that it can do it; there's no good reason why they shouldn't do it again. The cushion-hurlers, two of whose missiles nearly struck Mrs. Bessie Braddock, were characterized as “hooligans, not sportsmen” by that M.P. “I can see no justification for anybody throwing cushions like that. They might have injured some perfectly innocent person," Mrs. Braddock said.

MEETING AT EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Monday 04 September 1961
MANAGER HOLDS INQUIRY
By Leslie Edwards
After the football death Everton died in the sun on Saturday, post - mortem Monday at Goodison Park to-day. There was, first, the inquest held by Manager Harry Catterick and the team discuss how and why the side failed so ingloriously against Sheffield Wednesday. This was a routine matter of the kind which invariably follows defeat. The inquests which followed, one at which only the players attended and the other at which Mr. Catterick sought to get to the bottom of allegations said to have been made by one of his team that changed tactics were responsible for defeat, were far from routine. The club's captain, Scottish international, Bobby Collins, who was prevented by injury from playing in the match on Saturday, held the players-only meeting after training had finished for the day. Mr. Catterick told me to-day, when advising me of the meeting, later in the day: "I am determined to get to the bottom of the allegation that we are failing because we had changed our tactics.”  In contracts signed by some Everton players is a clause for- bidding them from making any statements which could be derogatory to their club.

EVERTON PLAYERS REPLY
Tuesday, September 5, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
Following criticisms of Everton after their 4-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday the players met yesterday and afterwards issued the following statements.  On behalf of the Everton team we wish to deny categorically the statement which was issued in a national newspaper today, alleged to have come from players of this club, and in which tactics were blamed for our defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.  “We have no complaint to make about the tactics of the new management and we are confident that when all players are fit and we recover our form the results will come.” 

HOW GOOD ARE WEDNESDAY?
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 05 September 1961
By Leslie Edwards
Just how good are Sheffield Wednesday.  Many experts think good enough to stay at the top of the table, in spite of all challenges from Wolves, Spurs, Manchester United and company.  I have rarely seen a team so complete in football, in spirit, in size and in artistry.  They are playing even better than when they first convinced me, at Anfield, back in their promotion season, they were a team out of the ordinary.  Manager Harry Catterick, whose new side had to bear the hiding his old club handed out, tells me that both backs were forwards when he joined the club having made a great success of shoe-string management at Crewe and then Rochdale.  That half-back line, with Kay out-standing, is a line and a half.  Perhaps because Wednesday were so talented we judged Everton too highly.  The game tomorrow at Goodison Park against Manchester City may serve to prove whether Wednesday are the super team they looked.  If I were backing any club to win the First Division championship it would be them!  Football fame comes and goes mysteriously.  No team commands success season after season.  Arsenal, Wolves, Manchester United, Burnley, and Tottenham-all have had their turn.  I suppose the Highbury era of success in Joe Mercer’s days of captaincy will not be equally at Arsenal in our life time. 
Writing from 3 Lothair Road, Anfield, A. Eden says; “Congratulations to Liverpool on their magnificent start.  They have good all-round team spirit and plenty of guts and determination which they round off with good football.  At Goodison Park the outlook is different.  On Saturday’s performance it looks as though Everton have a tough time ahead of them.  Why was Webber dropped after having a fine game against West Bromwich?  Young is a fine player, but he lacks height.  Panic buying will not solve Everton’s problems.  The most important item needed at Goodison Park is team spirit and let us have it soon.  Those early points are precious.”
J. Parry, from 4 Stanhope Drive, Bromborough, complains about my praise of Everton’s great win against the West Bromwich Albion.  “Consider the opposition please,” he says, Albion are a very ordinary team indeed; so when Everton win again just weigh up their opponents please.  You seem to consider West Bromwich Albion as the equals of Sheffield Wednesday.” 

YOUNG IS DOUBTFUL FOR CITY MATCH
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 05 September 1961
FIFTY-FIFTH CHANCE
BLISTERED FEET
By Leslie Edwards
Alex Young, the Everton centre forward, has only a 50-50 chance of being fit to play tomorrow evening against Manchester City at Goodison Park.  His blistered feet are still troubling him.  Roy Webber, Young’s deputy a week ago in the match against W.B.A is available if required.  Tom Jones, Everton centre half and one-time captain damaged himself in training and is not completely fit.  Everton players vote of confidence in Manager Harry Catterick ends the suggestion that the team is falling because tactics have been changed.  Mr. Catterick told me today, “I was pleased to get the players reaction.  So far as I am concerned that is the end of the matter.”

ALEX YOUNG LIKELY TO BE AT INSIDE RIGHT FOR CITY’S VISIT
Wednesday, September 6, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton have an early opportunity of getting that nasty taste left by the Sheffield Wednesday drubbing, out of their system, for Manchester City are at Goodison Park tonight (kick-off 7.30 p.m) and it is a cheering though that the corresponding match last season, which produced a 4-2 Everton victory, sent everybody into raptures over one of the most captivating displays of soccer entertainment anybody could wish to see.  If only we can shout “Encore” and get it, much of the lingering displeasure may disappear.  That there will be team changes seems certain, but until manager Harry Catterick announces today, we can only surmise what they may be.  One reassuring thing is that Alex Young as disappointed with his display as any of the supporters is burning for a chance to re-establish himself and I believe he will get it.  He cannot be ruled out on the score of fitness, especially after the pitch-softening rain of yesterday and I should be surprised if he doesn’t appear wearing the No. 8 jersey.  So often last season were critics agreed that he would never truly fill the bill at centre forward that it was a surprise of the most pleasant variety when he proved us all wrong, for it you can cast your minds back to last April, Young was playing just the type of game that is bringing devastating results to Liverpool via Ian St. John.  Whether he fulfills the fetch-and-carry role of Collins to allow Vernon to move back into his striking role of not, I think Young will not pass up this new opportunity.  He is a natural and talented footballer and with him any set-backs must surely be of the most transistory kind. 
WEBBER TO LEAD?
Frank Wignall has yet to prove himself match fit following his foot injury, received in New York and he may get that opportunity any day now, but it is problematical if he will be flung into first team activity right away, no matter how great the temptation.  A try-out with the Reserves is more likely.  In that event, it would appear that Keith Webber, the lad who never gives up trying will have another chance to broaden his experience.  Meanwhile Bobby Collins is improving steadily.  Is it too much to hope I wonder for a return by Saturday week?  Jimmy Fell must come into the reckoning again and if the same could be said of Brian Harris it would bring me disappointment to many of his admirers. 

EVERTON; GET ‘BUSY’ AGAIN,PLEASE…
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 06 September 1961
By Leslie Edwards
The match to-night against Manchester City would be notable in any circumstances—Bert Trautmann will be performing—but it is doubly so in view of Everton's need for victory. Mainly due to injuries, they have failed moderately where everyone expected them to be one of the teams of the season and, say what you will, there is no denying an atmosphere of frustration. But let us maintain a sense of proportion. There is time for the team to rehabilitate itself. They have already admitted, in effect, their responsibilities for abject failure against Sheffield Wednesday. They are not seeking to place blame elsewhere, otherwise they would not have volunteered the statement that a change in strategy has had no bearing on their non-success. Like Everton. Manchester City left late selection of their team. Full-back Leivers and inside-forward Barlow have been nursing knocks. At Goodison Park Alex Young. who was far from touching his last season form on Saturday, is still bothered to some extent by blistered feet and anyone who has suffered that appreciates just what a handicap it can be to a man whose feet are his very livelihood. Everton must aim to he as “busy" as they were against West Bromwich. They gave their club and spectators complete satisfaction in that game and the chances are they will find to-night that City are not comparable, in many ways, with a Sheffield Wednesday who may be on the point of taking over as leaders of football fashion, from Tottenham. Unhappily, the return of Bobby Collins is still deferred.
Evertonian on two fronts
M WHITE, from 50 Kearsley Street, Kirkdale, was sickened listening to the slow handclap at Goodison Park. He feels he must let off steam by writing me. He continues:— The moronic mass who perpetrated this no doubt felt justified but didn't they realise the main reason for Everton's defeat was Sheffield Wednesday. They provided a brilliant display of football and if the boot had been on the other foot the crowd would have accepted it as Everton's skill rather than the opposition's inferiority. There was no need for the childish launching of missiles after the game. Some of Mrs. Moores' actions have been a little puzzling, the peremptory dismissal of Johnny Carey for instance, but it must be conceded that he has endeavored to give Everton the shot in the arm they needed. "It is indeed galling for us Evertonians to have to fight on two fronts—our own clumsy start and now some Liverpudlians brazenly displaying their moth-eaten colours. Make no mistake about it, Liverpool's re-emergence from hibernation has more than contributed to the sour taste in our mouths. But please don't forget, you slow hand clappers, that football thrives on fluctuations. Be patient and I think the tempo of your clapping will be increasing soon.

A FOOTNOTE FROM ALEX YOUNG
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 06 September 1961
“ECHO” READERS RUSHED TO MY AID
I certainly put my foot (or should it be feet) in it last week when I asked if anyone knew a cure for my sore feet! For days afterwards each mail delivery at the "Echo" and Everton club offices brought a score or more suggestions on how to get rid of my blisters, and I have read so many letters lately that it was almost (note I said ALMOST) necessary for me to find on eye strain cure this week.  Among your letters there has been free advice from a Rodney Street specialist and a number of foot consultants, along with well over 100 other suggested remedies from kind readers on Merseyside, other parts of Lancashire and Cheshire, and also North Wales. I will try to reply to you all if I can, but meanwhile may I take this opportunity to thank everyone concerned. Many of you went to a great deal of trouble to try and help me, and I very much appreciate your efforts. Your letters all made most interesting reading and contained advice which looks very sound to me. A great number came from ex-Servicemen who suffered from the same trouble themselves during their' "marching” days.
SALT WATER REMEDY
Many people suggest that by rubbing ordinary household soap inside my football stockings I could form a cushion of greasy substance would prevent irritation during matches. Others favour paddling in salt water. Well, if you are standing on the terraces at Goodison Park and see suds coming from my boots, or walk along the seafront on a winters morning and observe a lone figure at the water's edge, you'll know just why.
Among your letters was one from Robert Hayes, of Walton, a member of the crew of the Empress of Britain, who entertained us one evening during the summer when the ship and Everton team were both berthed in Montreal for a time. Mr. Hayes. I suspect light-heartedly suggests that I get in touch with boxer Terry Downes and find out whether the remedy he used for hardening his famous "hooter" before his last fight would be of any use to me. Steve Long, of Ponsonby Street, Liverpool, reminds me that Ted Burgin, the former Sheffield United goalkeeper, cured tender skin on his knuckles by "pickling" them. Mr. Long says Burgin bathed them for one to two hours a day in a bowl of brine and vinegar. After a week Ted's knuckles were bone hard. From T. Hunt, of Liverpool 6, comes the advice that if I have boots or shoes with rubber soles. I should burn them. Mr. Hunt assures me that all the treatment in the word won't cure my feet unless I wear leather soles.  Perhaps the advice of a Mr. Hunt is worth noting. After all, there is another Mr. Hunt in this city (Roger, of Liverpool F.C, of course), who has scored nine goals in five games, so there can't be anything wrong with his feet! A gipsy’s remedy is passed on by George Rogers, of Cofn Mawr, Wreitham.
PARAFFIN RECOMMENDED
"Soak your feet in paraffin, and I wager you will be all right within a fortnight," he says. Perhaps I'd better pass this one on to husbands who feel they would like some way of making their wives pack and return to live with mother. Other suggested cures include alum, goose Breese, cod liver oil (applied to the feet, of course), sulphur, washing soda, coconut oil, zinc and castor oil, and a host of patent ointment and medicines. If I miss another match through sore feet, you can rest assured that it will not be the fault of local Soccer fans. You have done much more than could be expected of you, and may I say again how much I appreciate it.
DISAPPOINTED
Believe me, the Everton players were as disappointed as the fans after their match against Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday, for it seemed that once our visitors took command there was nothing, hard as we tried, that could ,break their grip. Wednesday are certainly a fine side and seem sure to be around about at the end of April next year when major honours are being decided. But I cannot agree with those who have already written off Everton this season. To-night we entertain Manchester City in what can almost be classed as a “derby " match. I am told that our home clash with the Maine Roaders was rated as one of Goodison's highlights last season. Let's hope for a repeat performance tonight, If any young footballers on Merseyside have playing problems, such as questions on tactics, training, kit and equipment, or anything else which they think may help to improve their game, then drop me a line c/o the Liverpool Echo, Victoria Street, Liverpool 1, and I shall do my best to assist. Please keep your questions to playing matters. Statistical ones will be answered, as usual, in the Reply to Yours column.

LABONE INJURED-JONES DEPUTISES
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 06 September 1961
YOUNG PLAYS INSIDE RIGHT
EVERTON TEAM
By Michael Charters
More trouble for injury-hit Everton. Brian Labone, their England Under-23 centre half, will not play in to-night's game against Manchester City at Goodison Park (7.30). This will be the first game Labone has missed since he came into the first team regularly two seasons ago. He was an ever-present last season. He has developed muscle strain in his back, which first became evident in light training yesterday. His place is taken by Tom Jones the former first team skipper, whose (last league game was at left back last season. Another change from the team beaten by Sheffield Wednesday is the switch of Alex Young from centre forward to inside right in place of Alan Tyrer.
WEBBER RECALLED
Keith Webber, who played well against West Bromwich a week ago, is recalled to lead the attack, as Frank Wignall is still unfit after his injury in New York. Manchester City delay team selection pending late fitness tests on full back Leivers and inside forward Barlow. Everton: Dunlop: Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Jones, Meagan; Bingham, Young, Webber, Vernon. Lill.

LITTLE GOES RIGHT FOR LUCKLESS EVERTON
Thursday, September 7, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
ROY VERNON OUT FOR MONTH ITH PULLED MUSCLE
EVERTON 0, MANCHESTER CITY 2
By Horace Yates
If ever a crowd, by its enthusiasm and encouragement, could convey the message; “Come home, all is forgiven, “Everton followers did that last night, and if by this demonstration of loyalty they could also have added regret at their fail from standards on Saturday, they did this too most magnanimously, and the only other ingredient needed to complete this happy fare was a rousing victory, but this they could not have.  Disappointment there must be in seeing Everton beaten goalless at home for the second time in five days, but the picture was nothing like so gloomy as the score line.  There have been better Everton teams than this and obvious weaknesses exist, but this was no discovery, and if every man did not reach the standards of which he is capable-nobody could be faulted for lack of effort or team spirit.  Everton lost, but I say, well played Everton.  I hope I shall be exonerated from attempting to make excuses, but I am only recording facts as I saw them.  It was little short of a travesty that City should be two goals up at half-time, and in the second half when Vernon was reduced to a hobbling gilt by a thigh muscle injury, which will keep him out of action for an estimated four weeks, Everton still carried the fight into the City camp with a frequency that suggested they should at least have a consolation score.  Even that was denied them and now the worry will be whether or not the team are to be deprived of the services of their acting skipper, Vernon for very long.  Vernon, playing the unaccustomed game of firing the attack from behind left his mark all over the first half.  His was a superlative show.  No man could match the accuracy or the deadliness of his passes and his exploitation of the long ball was an object lesson to all. 
ALMOST CRIMICAL
It seemed almost criminal that such talented promptings should not be crowned with the finish they deserved, but not by any means could this be called Everton’s lucky night.  I don’t think I am colouring the scene unduly when I state that City were dangerous on only four occasions in the first half, and yet put the ball into the net three times, one of the goals being disallowed.  The fourth time a Baker header was neatly saved by Dunlop.  By comparison Everton went close at least twice as often, without ever hitting the target and in one uproarious two minutes after City’s second goal, both Lill and Bingham sent the ball beyond Trauntmann, which was no mean feat, only to find the inevitable flag of the linesman raised against them for offside.  The crowd took unkindly to these decisions, but I think it was as much from sheer frustration as genuine disagreement.  On each occasion I agreed with the offside ruling, narrow though the margin was.  One linesman in particular showed a devotion to duty of the highest order, for he ruled against Everton repeatedly, even in the heights of the demonstration, Everton’s fault was that against a defence which was exploiting the off-side rule, they still attempted to gain a flying start in anticipation of the through ball, and they were just that spilt second too fast.  Nothing could be more accurate than the saying that when a team is down everything goes against it.  The first Manchester goal was typical of this.  It came in seven minutes, from a cross shot by Dobing.  There was no reason whatever why Dunlop should not have had it well covered, but in flight and at top speed, the ball cannoned off Jones’ leg, completely changed direction and finished in the back of the net.  If that was not bad luck then somebody has changed the definition.  Tantalizingly Everton’s best efforts went just so far and no further.  We saw shots speed wide, over the top, and then there was an occasion when Webber was in the act of shooting only to find Sear taking the ball right off his toe.  Well played Sear, but hard luck Webber!  Vernon twice had shots blocked with Trauntmann down and when Gabriel joined the shooting gallery, he sent the ball beyond Trauntmann only to find Ewing kicking out no more than a yard from the goal line.  When Everton supporters were consoling themselves that such persistence could have only reward, they were shocked into finding City a further goal up.  This was a more worthy effort.  Baker was the scorer (41 minutes), and to create a scoring position he had to beat both Gabriel and Jones before firing into the top corner of the net.
HANDICAPPED DUNLOP
Here again, Dunlop was not blessed with either the height or reach, of possibly the anticipation that makes Trauntmann such an outstanding master of his craft.  He did his best but it was not good enough.  Probably the most thrilling solo run of the game saw Vernon take the ball from half way and despite the attentions of Ewing, get in a shot, but it resulted in his injury, and from then on, although they never acknowledged defeat and still contrived t have more of the play than City, nothing could save Everton from going down once again.  It was disappointing to find Young, wanting so desperately to succeed, and yet going only a minute part of the way to achieving it.  For the moment, the flash time, the trickery and the snap which characterized his play last season have gone, and I should say last night he reminded me of the player who first came to England and for whom everyone was prepared to make initial excuses.  Bingham pulled his heart out both in lying on opportunities and as a marksman.  He will play worse than this and still finish with goals to his credit.  Webber, I am afraid, has not the subtlety or speed to outwit an opponent as experienced and tough as Ewing, a regular plank in the City defence.  Of course, it was expecting a lot of the eighteen-years-old centre forward, and because he did not fill the bill last night does not say he will not in the future.  Lill could not be faulted for endeavour and he shot willingly and well whenever the chance occurred, but I would like to see at outside left a man playing more like a winger.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Jones, Meagan; Bingham, Young, Webber, Vernon, Lill.  Manchester City; Trauntmann; Betts,Sear; Cheetham, Ewing, Kennedy; Coleridge, Dobing, Baker, Hayes, Wagstaffe.  Referee Mr. A  Holland (Barnsley).  Attendance 38,023. 

MORE TROUBLE –VERNON OUT FOR FOUR WEEKS
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 07 September 1961
By Michael Charters
No cushion-throwing, no slow handclaps, no booing for Everton last night—despite another home defeat. The 2-0 win of Manchester City's was greeted by cheers because Everton played with spirit, skill, and much honest endeavour to redeem their sorry display against Sheffield Wednesday. They emerged with honour from this defeat because the soccer-wise crowd could recognise their team's resurgence of enthusiasm for the cause, and had the match been decided on territorial advantage, Everton would have won hands down. They were unquestionably, I thought, the better team, but the ball ran unkindly for them so that, in the end, City were able, with their first-rate defence, to cope with Everton attacks and emerge clear, if rather fortunate, winners. Not only did events during play go against Everton, but injury-hit side had skipper Vernon limping on  the right wing with a thigh muscle injury for of 35 minutes of the second half, and Lill also was in the wars a couple of times. These will add to the problems of manager Harry Catterick, who is now faced with another Key man in Vernon out for at least four weeks. It is trifle to say that troubles never come singly, but already at this early stage, Everton have had a packet of injury trouble which some clubs don’t face in a season.  Statistics sometimes help to asses a game, and last night they give a good impression of play.  In the first half City attacked three times and scored twice.  In the second half, they made no more than two attacks of any consequence-I can’t recall Dunlop having to make a save of note.  In the opening minutes, we had Parker, playing one of the greatest games of his life, going up to shoot wide, with Vernon also putting the ball outside shortly afterwards.  Then Young gave a superb pass to Bingham, whose centre was well headed by Webber to beat Trauntmann, but Ewing was there to intercept and put the ball away.   
Then Disaster Came
There was more good football and fire from Everton in these first few minutes than there had been in the whole of Saturday's match. The crowd loved it, but in City's first attack came disaster. Dobing moved out to the right to take Cheetham's pass, shot hard across the face of goal and Jones flung out a foot to turn it away. He turned it alright—but behind Dunlop for a crippling own goal, although City officials give the goal to Dobing.  I give Everton full marks for the way they pulled themselves together after this shock.  There was brightness and method about them snap and directness which was more like the Everton of old.  They moved the ball well and some of the triangular movements down the right wing with Parker and Gabriel involved could not have been better.  It was all Everton.  Trauntmann made a partial save from Vernon’s well hit ground shot, the ball rebounded to Webber who shot at the grounded goalkeeper and out it came again to Vernon, whose shot was blocked by Ewing.  Sear came from nowhere to take the ball off Webber’s toes, Webber headed a corner just wide, and then Trautmann made a masterly save from Lill.  Ewing saved City twice by tackling Gabriel and Vernon, and it seemed just a matter of time before Everton would equalize.  Instead, they went further behind as Baker slipped Jones’ tackle beautifully, looked up to see that Dunlop had moved out from his goal and hit a finely-judged curling shot just inside the angle of the bar and upright.  This was five minutes from half-time and before the interval came Baker had put the ball in the net but had previously fouled Dunlop, and Bingham and Lill also “scored” off-side goals.  To round off a first half of fine football from Everton, parker moved through the City defence superbly but ended a brilliant move by shooting over from no more than five yards. 
EWING MAN OF MATCH
You will note how often the name of Ewing appears in the previous paragraphs.  I rate this City veteran the man of the match.  His positional play was uncanny, his heading unfailing, his clearances and tackling crisp and certain.  With that other “old man” Trauntmann also faultless, it was fascinating to see the two oldest players on the field provide an object lesson to the youngsters that football is more than just speed and thrust.  Young Webber tried hard against Ewing, but his inexperience was evident although he did many good things.  Ewing is too wily a performer to be worried by youthful endeavor.  The second half, with Vernon practically out of the game, was never as good as before the interval.  City played confidently within themselves, although Trauntmann made a superlative full-length save from Bingham’s header and Everton slowly wore themselves out against the Ewing-bolstered defence, which exasperated the crowd with their offside tactics.  City backs Sear and Betts played well, and Kennedy is a fine defensive wing half, although his task was made easier because he was facing an out-of-form Young, whose switch to inside right was not a success because he is only a shadow of the player he was at the back end of last season.  However, some of Young’s flicked passes were delighted, but he seems short of speed and was often caught in possession.  I should like to see him at inside forward when he’s really on his game.  Vernon was Everton’s best forward before his injury, and Bingham, as ever, tried to carry a two-man burden when the line was disturbed through Vernon’s accident.  Parker has never played better, never fought with such enthusiasm to rally his side while Thomson also had a great game on the other flank.  City’s wingers were the weakest part of their side because the Everton backs were always supreme in the tackle. 
They Need Luck Now
Tom Jones, a late substitute for the injured Labone, did very well against the speedy Baker, and no one can blame him for the own goal. Considering that this was Jones' first appearance at centre half in the League side for two seasons, his performance is all the more praiseworthy. Gabriel and Meagan were superior to their City counterparts, and were 100 per cent, better than in the Sheffield match. Meagan distributed the ball excellently and Gabriel, in his tactical defensive role, linked with Jones to subdue the City inside trio who flattered in midfield only to have the ball taken off them near the penalty area. , Altogether, a much improved display from Everton. There can be little criticism of a team which plays with such snap and spirit, although and another home defeat makes their League position dangerous.  The injury to Vernon is another body blow, however, and no team in the country can expect to stand the successive shocks of minutes to players of the quality of Collins, Young, Labone, Vernon, and Wignall.  Everton need luck now and that run of the ball which all sides need, whatever their ability. Let us hope the tide will turn Everton's way soon—but will it turn too late for anything to be made of this season?

EVERTON HAVE TO FIND THIRD SKIPPER IN SIX GAMES
Friday, September 8, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
The news received by Roy Vernon, the Everton inside forward in Wednesday night’s game with Manchester City has been diagnosed as a torn hamstring which suggests that the original estimate of a month’s inactivity could be right.  He had treatment yesterday, but the leg was very sore.  As announcement that Bobby Collins has recovered and is ready for action would be the sort of tonic Everton badly need just now, but unfortunately this cannot be.  He had a run out yesterday and still felt the injury, so that further rest must obviously be the prescription.  Billy Bingham and Mickey Lill were also under treatment yesterday but in their case the damage is not serious and when manager Harry Catterick comes to marhsall his forces today for the visit to Leicester City, it seems very probable that he will be able to count on both.  Another cheering buttetin comes about Brian Labone.  Yesterday the slight back strain suffered by the centre half in training seemed very much better and while it is still too early to be definite there must be prospects of Labone’s returning. 
WIGNALL REPORT AWAITED
Mr. Catterick also awaiting reports on Frank Wignall who played at Newcastle with the reserves on Wednesday evening for the first time since his return from the Amercan tour.  All in all then, Everton look like fielding a representative side, but with the middle of the attack plucked out, they will probably find difficulty in hitting the road to recovery.  Everton will have to name another substitute captain-the third in the last six games- and if Tom Jones keeps the centre half position I would think he would be the most obvious choice.  If Labone takes over, Alex Parker will probably be asked to lead the side. 
SIGNING SCARCE
Mr. Catterick in answer to my query, said he had seen Muir of Kilmarnock, an outside left recommended early in the week by one of my correspondents, on about eight occasions.  The fact that he has made no attempts to buy him after any of the viewings tells its own story.  When I asked if there were any new signings in sight I was told that there were no immediate prospects but that hopes springs eternal.  This seems quite understandable, for clubs do not re-sign players on July 1, to sell them in the first week in September in the ordinary run of events, and of course it should be remembered that most clubs have cut their professional staffs to the bone in the economy measures which have followed the new deal.  That in itself suggests that the surplus of players of the right kind is now smaller than ever, and although some good bargains have come out of Scotland recently, the belief is growing that more than ever Scottish clubs are lying in wait ready to fleece English clubs who look in that direction to supply their wants. 

ROY VERNON SAYS-
Friday, September 8, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
ENCOURAGEMENT NOT RIDICULE IS WHAT IS NEEDED
I have long maintained that Everton and Liverpool have had one common blessing down the years-the possession of the best set of supporters to be found anywhere in the country, and my experience at Goodison Park has only served to confirm that, but my theory received a severe shaking last Saturday.  I don’t need to be told, nor do any of the players, managers or directors that we played badly.  Obviously we did and I doubt if we could ever plunge into the depths quite so dismally again.  For all that the slow hand-clap and cushion-throwing can do no good at all.  For a visiting team to come to Liverpool and hear the roar of encouragement we receive is a shattering experience it is almost the equivalent of putting them a goal down before they start.  Imagine then how our opponents must react when they hear outbursts or ridicule not against them, but against us. It intensifies their efforts and if they are getting on top, is the final stroke which helps then to tighten their grip.  What then can be the purpose of it?  The crowd obviously notice when we are below par.  Do they not think that those in authority also notice it?  Of course they do, and any act on necessary can safely be left to them.  Football is a peculiar game.  These depressing spells hit everybody in turn.  They are certainly is not wiled or welcomed by the players but they are the people who have to break them down.  Admittedly it is not a pleasant sight when one sees one’s favourite side being tramped under foot by a team apparently their superior in all departments, but if it is unpleasant for the crowd, it is no less easy to bear for the players.  I am not moaning, for I invariably take the view that the spectator pays his money and is entitled to say his piece, but if spectators believe that outbursts such as that at Goodison last week can serve our mutual cause then let me assure them that such is not the case.  When one’s supporters turn about face, the last spark of hope of pulling out of the rut dies.  Criticize the players, fairly and objectively. Pull us to pieces if you must, but not in such derisory fashion that enthusiasm is sapper. 
CAREERS AT STAKE
Every player knows when he has done badly.  Possibly that is why there was hardly a smile in our dressing-room on Saturday afternoon.  It is our careers which are at stake as well as the fortune and progress of the club.  Who then, in their right senses would accuse is of contributing to our own football demise?  I am glad we have had an opportunity of making it clear that we say no part of the blame, at the door of our manager, coaches of trainers.  They have done everything in their power to give Everton supporters what they have wanted for so long.  Our failure should not be interpreted as their failure, and I guarantee that one day the players will confound the demonstrators.  We aim for the stars, and by doing as try to ensure that our supporters not only get their money’s worth but are proud to be associated with us.  We have not made a good start and I cannot help wondering if there was not something in the taunt flung at me by one crestfallen Evertonian.  He said “In May, June and July, you are the finest team in the world, after that football starts and down you go.”  Could that be it?  Has the diet f invincibility produced a double dose of indigestion?  Let us analyze Saturday’s defeat.  Look at the goals scored against us and it will readily be seen that each one of them resulted from fallings and weaknesses which we would never have admitted could have been perpetrated by us.  Wednesday were a good side, possibly made better by our shortcomings, but we know we can measure up to them and beat them when things are running our way again.  It is early to talk of Everton having tossed overboard their championship chances, for another season, I think we are about to see the tightest competition there has been for years.
DO NOT DESPAIR
Tottenham have had their measure taken and I cannot see any side out in front of all others.  Our start has not been gold, but it is no worse than last season, and despite any apparent evidence to the contrary we are a better lot now than we were then.  We must improve and, hard though it may be for supporters to suffer pangs of disappointment I do not despair of the future.  Just one last thought.  We at Goodison are doing our best to snap out of the depression.  Are you doing anything to help? 
Postscript
By way of postscript, I would like to say how thrilled the Everton players were with the reception given the them by the spectators throughout the match with Manchester City.  This is the sort of support which makes the lads very conscious of any failures.  It was support in the old tradition, and a continuance can do nothing but good in the present trying situation.  No player welcomes the necessity of standing aside through injury, but I feel mine the more keenly because I had hoped to be in the thick of the fight to help Everton in their hour of need.  I am told it may be four weeks before I can kick a ball again in earnest.  Those weeks will seem like eternity!

OFFICIAL EVERTON VIEW OF THEIR PROBLEMS
Liverpool Echo - Friday 08 September 1961
By Michael Charters
Fate appears to have decreed that we are not to have two successful teams together in this city. The injury problem has hit Everton with such cruel force that pre-season hopes that they were to have a great season have already diminished to near vanishing point. When such star players as Collins, Young, Vernon and Labone are out of action— Collins and Vernon for several weeks—no one can expect the team to do more than struggle along until manager Harry Catterick can have his full first eleven available again. By that time, Everton could be in such a position that the rest of the season will be spent in trying to recapture lost ground, with the chase for honours already far beyond them. It must be said, too, that not everyone in authority at Everton before the season opened considered the team good enough to hit the high spots, plus the fact that the reserve strength is mainly composed of young inexperienced players not yet ready for the fierce competition of the Tint Division. Mr. Catterick told the Board many weeks ago that he considered the reserves below the minimum required. Everton also know that, at this stage, they cannot buy themselves out of trouble. Clubs will not transfer star men while the early season glut of fixtures is on. So Everton will have to soldier on, doing the best they can and hoping that luck will change for them.
THE OFFICIAL VIEW
The official Everton view on their problems and other matters was given in Wednesday night's programme. I give it now in detail because it shows how those in authority are disturbed over the current trend of events: "One cannot escape stating that Everton's display last Saturday was probably the worst they have given since Arsenal visited Goodison some three years ago and administered a 6-1 defeat.” After the bright display given against West Brom previous Wednesday and with the return of Alex Young to the team, this match proved a tremendous disappointment.  "Throughout the game, after the first few minutes, when Everton missed two chances, the Wednesday proved themselves, on this display, to be the better craftsmen both as individuals and as a team. It is easy to see why they hold such a high position in the League. On the other hand certain of the Everton players have not yet touched last season's form known that they are capable of showing.  Last season, with very little change in either side Everton took four points from the Wednesday. "The players themselves must be forgiven if they are feeling confused. When they trooped off the field after the West Brom game, they received a big ovation from the spectators. Three days later they trooped off to slow handclaps and boos instead. As the players can earn substantial bonuses by your attendance, it is only natural that they are out to please you, the spectator. "That they disappoint occasionally is inevitable: but it is becoming increasingly obvious that spectators are going to be much more critical this season and too many lapses of the kind like last Saturday will not be easily excused by those who pay their hard earned cash. The spectators have the right to and jeer (but not throw things): that is their prerogative, but will this do any good? That is for you to decide. It is a fact, however, that cheers frequently do more good than jeers when trying to spur a team to greater efforts. "The Board and Manager” are fully aware of the short- comings. Indeed, the Chairman stated in his message in the first programme, that this the first few weeks of the season would be watched closely and, if necessary, endeavours would be made to strengthen any weaknesses that become apparent. "This statement still stands and even in the first two weeks of the season has seen a wide spread net of directors and scouts around grounds all over the country, looking for talent.   "It does appear that a mistake to go to America to take part in the International Tournament. “The players appear to be jaded after playing in the intense heat over there, it will be remembered that Burnley made a poor start to the season last year after their return from USA. "The decision to go was taken before the Manager, Harry Catterick, was appointed, and he left no doubt in anyone's mind that he considered this a mistaken policy. “Not only was it a tiring tournament but it meant that the Manager was out of the country at a time when he natural could have been more valuable at home. "Whilst Everton are proud of their Youth team, they still lack experience to step up in to the first team, and the lack of suitable reserves is a constant source of worry both to the Manager and the Board. If the right players become available, they will be signed, but at the same time the Directors must into consideration that they are still in the “red" by some 77,000.”
Bridging the gap
Everton’s visit to Leicester City to-morrow is unlikely to yield much joy with the patch-work side at their disposal. They rarely do well there, although Cup Finalists Leicester have not started the season too well. But if Everton can reproduce some of the spirit they showed against Manchester City, they could surprise us and Leicester. This was such an improvement over the performance last Saturday that it was difficult to believe they were much the same side. With this sort of football and enthusiasm, they can bridge the gap until their stars are fit again. Looking back to the Sheffield game, don't think sufficient credit has been given locally to the visiting side, who looked a great team in every respect. They were far superior to Everton who have taken rather a caning for that display when few sides could have coped with the Hillsborough boys in such commanding form. They look a safe bet for honours, and in my book could approach Totten ham’s “double “of last season.

WIGNALL LEADS EVERTON AT LEICESTER
Liverpool Echo - Friday 08 September 1961
Temple Plays Inside Left
LABONE BACK
By Michael Charters
Everton centre forward Frank Wignall injured in the final of the New York tournament, plays his first game of the season at Leicester City tomorrow.  His recovery from his ankle injury means that the Cardiff boy Keith Webber drops out, and Derek Temple, also fit again after his throat trouble, will be at inside left in place of the injured Roy Vernon.  Another change from Wednesday’s team is the return of Brian labone to centre half.  He missed the mid-week match through muscle strain in the back.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Meagan; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Lill
With former Burnley player Albert Cheeseborough still unfit, Leicester will be unchanged.  Leicester; Banks; Chalmers, Norman; White, King, Appleton; Riley, Walsh, Keyworth, McIImoyle, Wills. 

WIGNALL BACK
Saturday, September 9, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
The recovery from illness of Derek Temple is timely, for manager Harry Catterick has been able to slot him into the position left vacant by Vernon’s injury for Everton’s visit to Leicester.  Unpublicized Wignall was able to try out his foot in the Central League match at Newcastle on Wednesday, and obviously came through the test satisfactorily for he takes over as leader of the attack from the younger and less experienced Webber.  Brian Labone has recovered quickly from his back strain and the player who did not miss a single game last season, displaces Tommy Jones at centre half.  Leicester’s record is little superior to Everton’s, but it is in their favour that their five points have come from four away games and two at home, while Everton have taken four points from four home and two away matches.  Leicester’s attack, however, has shown a much greater scoring consistency and with Collins and Vernon both out of the forward line, one can only be more hopeful than confident that Everton goalless in three of the games will develop more attacking power.  Mr. Catterick has high regard for the leadership of Wignall, and no doubt recalls the part his two goals played in the defeat of Sheffield Wednesday last season which made the manager’s introduction such a happy one.  This is just the opportunity for Alex Young to smile all his critics hip and thigh with the sort of show that will minimize the loss of the regular inside forwards.  Young can do it and what is more he is in the mood to do it I wish him well, for football is all the more attractive when he is in full cry.  As Cheesebrough is still worried by his knee injury Leicester retain the side which went down 2-0 at Burnley during the week.  Everton’s first draw would be regarded as a triumph, but is that expecting too much?  Leicester City; Banks; Chalmers, Norman; White, King, Appleton; Riley, Walsh, Keyworthy, McIImoyle, Wills.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Meagan; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Lill. 

EVERTON’S LEISURELY APPROACH COSTS THEM DEARLY
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 09 September 1961
LEICESTER CITY 2, EVERTON 0
By Jack Rowe
Leicester City; banks; Chalmers, Norman; White, King, Appleton; Riley, Walsh, Keyworth, McIImoyle, Wills.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker (captain), Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Meagan; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Lill.  Referee; Mr. T.W Dawes (Norwich).  Parker captained Everton and the Goodison Park club had Wignall at centre forward after his American tour injury.  Temple took over for the injured Vernon, and helped to initiate Everton’s first move, but it broke down because of too intricate passing. White quickly put the Everton goal under threat with a long throw in, and Parker had to make a cool clearance from the near the line.  King was just as cool in the manner he ended Young’s attempt to get Temple through, and the game’s first shot was delivered by Lill but it was too far out and lacked accuracy.  Everton were lucky when after Labone and Thomson had been beaten in heading duels. Walsh stumbled and fell when clean through so that Dunlop had no difficulty in leaving his goal to collect the loose ball.  Leicester’s more direct methods were in contrast to the leisurely approach of Everton.  Young contrived to get Lill away but the winger put the ball over.  Everton were facing the sun but this was no excuse for a palpably bad finish by Thomson who brought the ball fully forty yards only to shoot it wildly outside. 
FIRST TIME EFFORT
Temple made a good attempt to go through, beating three men, but in the end the ball went too far forward and Banks did the necessary, while the goalkeeper next leaped out to catch Bingham’s centre.  So far it had been a poor match, but Riley brought a spark of life with a first time effort which flew just outside and then Temple forced Banks to save after linking up with Bingham.  The 19th minute brought Leicester a leading goal scored pretty well without challenge from the Everton defences.  When a free kick was awarded on the edge of the penalty area, keyworth chipped it forward to Mollmoyle who in turn nodded it across goal to Wills, who was on his own, to plant it into the net.  Wignall was not having much success against King and the Everton attack was lacking drive.  True, Leicester were not much better, but at least there appeared to be more urgency about their work with the result that the Everton defence was under more pressure, and they had another let off when keyworth’s short-range shot struck Labone.  Riley was always lively on the Leicester right wing and in 26 minutes brought a second goal.  He cleverly evaded a tackle by Thomson and then swung over a lovely centre which Walsh headed into the net- again with no Everton defender in position to make a worthwhile challenge.  Everton’s best chance came immediately after this but neither Bingham or Young could produce the telling shot and the whole thing finished with the winger putting the ball over.  Everton scarcely looked like getting a goal, Meagan did threaten danger but his quickly-taken shot passed out-side. 
TEMPLE’S MISS
Neither was the Everton defence too happy, with Riley always giving Thomson trouble and there was some indecision in clearing which did not help matters.  Then when the chance came Everton could not take it.  It must be ranked as a bad miss by temple for, after he and Wignall had taken the ball up, the inside forward kicked right over it when it seemed that he could not fail to score.  Everton did have a spell in which they did more of the attacking with temple trying hard, and if Wignall had been a little quicker he might have contacted with a low Bingham centre.  Temple’s determination was good to see and he chased one pass from Wignall before getting in a shot which banks saved at full length. 
Half-time; Leicester City 2, Everton nil
Lill flashed a shot just out-side when the second half started, a chance which came from temple, but apart from this there was little of note until Gabriel came tearing down to drive just over from 20 yards out. 
WIGNALL VOLLEYS OVER
Everton were getting into the game more now, but again when the half chance came along Wignall could not use it, volleying high over.  At this point Temple was the most energetic forward on the field, and he carved a shooting chance for Bingham.  The ball was hit hard enough, but Banks dived to save well and then recovered to stop Temple making the most of the rebound.  Much of the play was lethargic and one felt that if Everton could get a goal they might still shake the City.  They were certainly looking much more dangerous than they had been for most of the first half, and Lill shot across goal after beating Chalmers.  Bans was having more to do than Dunlop this half and was doing it well, and his dive at Wignall’s feet to take Bingham’s low cross was excellently timed.  It was tame stuff now but Leicester were giving occasional signs of shaking themselves up, but all the same the quality of the football was pretty low.  McIImoyle produced a powerful shot which Dunlop punched away and then the goalkeeper got his feet to the drive Walsh hit from the rebound.  Seconds later McIImoyle hit the top of the bar with a first-time volley and the crowd appreciated these lively interludes Parker was also striving hard and came down into the attack on a couple of occasions and from one of his passes Banks made another well-timed catch.  Occasionally Everton did produce a flash of good football and from one of these Gabriel smashed a shot outside.  Almost immediately Wignall challenged and dispossessed King and then Lill hammered the pass wide. 
BANKS AGAIN
Everton were making a better fight of it but they could not get past Banks, whose next save was from Parker.  Bingham got a knock and had to have attention before going to the left wing where he was limping.  Final; Leicester 2, Everton Nil.  Approximate attendance 22,000
EVERTON B V LIVERPOOL B
After 14 minutes Jevons put Liverpool ahead from a free kick.  Everton equalized 14 minutes later when Wright headed home a beautiful cross from Green, but six minutes later Reason restored the Liverpool lead.  Half-time; Everton B 1, Liverpool B 2.

EVERTON RES V BURNLEY RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 09 September 1961
Everton Reserves; Mailey; Parnell, Green; Jarvis, Gorrie, Gannon; Ring, Tyrer, Webber, Morton, Fell.  Burnley Reserves; Furnell; Marshall, Buxton; Joyce, Talbut, Simpson; Meredith, Lawson, Lockhead, Fenton, Towers.  Referee; Mr. I. Steddon (Leyland).  Everton were soon struggling against a lively Burnley side and after five minutes Meredith put Burnley ahead when he shot into the empty net after Towers had outwitted the Everton defence.  The Everton defence was kept at full stretch and Burnley gained three corners from the last of which they increased their lead.  Mailey fisted out Meredith’s flag kick and the ball ran loose to Fenton who promptly drove it into the roof of the net, in the 13th minute.  So far Everton had not made a single shot at the Burnley goal, but then Fell drove in fiercely for Marshall to deflect the ball on to the upright.  In the next couple of minutes Furnell knocked a drive from Ring against the crossbar while the Burnley goalkeeper made a brilliant save from Tyrer.  Everton went further behind in the 24th minute when a drive by Fenton hit Jarvis and diverted the ball out of Mailey’s reach.  Although never as methodical as Burnley, Everton fought hard to reduce the arrears wing Ring and Morton bringing the best out of goalkeeper Furnell.  Half-time; Everton Res nil, Burnley Res 3.

EVERTON’S LUCK MUST TURN SOON
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 09 September 1961
Says Alex Parker
Two home matches, two home defeats. We have certainly hit the headlines, but not in the way we intended, yet personally I don't think the position is quite as bad as those last two results appear. Apparently our supporters agree. After the Sheffield Wednesday match they certainly left nobody in any doubt that they were disappointed, although I do not agree with the way some of them chose to show it. But I can assure you that the fans are no more disappointed than the players. Naturally, everybody connected with the club knows that we are going to lose some matches during the season. It would be stupid to think otherwise. Therefore there is no doubt in my mind that after last Saturday's match our supporters were upset because of our form rather than because we lost. This was borne out on Wednesday when we were cheered off—after losing to Manchester City. It is a certainty that many fans were at both game. So, in actual fact, although we lost two matches, we played badly only once and, without trying to make excuses, surely there is nobody , who expects us to play well every match.  Against Sheffield Wednesday we did play badly. In nearly every match there are one or two players who are off form. Last Saturday think we all hit a bad patch. There are times when a team can play badly and still win—if they have the run of the ball. But at present luck is not on our side (even our critics must concede that) and this was proved against Manchester City when I believe we did play well still -lost. No team has bad luck all season, and when ours changes I think you will find the results much different We had a bad spell alter last Christmas and followed up with some of our best displays; displays that were considered to be as good a anything seen at Goodison since the war. Practically the same team that lost to Sheffield Wednesday have proved they can do it, and we will certainly do it again.  But when we lose and we must I would appeal to those people who show their disappointment by hurling abuse, among other things, at directors and management to give it a rest.  If anybody is to blame it is the players.  We are not playing as well as we should.  Why? You tell me.  Football form is one of the big mysteries of sport, and probably one of the reasons why it is the most popular game in the world.  I take it that these same supporters go to Goodison to see us win and because they believe we are a good enough team to do so. Well, that is what the board and management believe. In other words, the rowdy fans and the club officials are in agreement, and when those same supporters think the people who run the club have made a mistake, they must remember that they (the fans) are making the same mistake. Otherwise they wouldn't be there.
SMILES SOON
I think we will soon give both parties something to smile about but until then bear in mind the injuries and other bad luck we are having. Although I believe that if anybody must take the blame it should be the players, in all fairness I must point out also that nobody is keener to do well than we are. It is not lack of effort that has brought us our spell of comparative non-success which when looked at properly boils down to just one bad performance. And now to other matters. Before last Saturday's game I was talking to Tom Finney,  who is now writing. During our conversation Tom mentioned that Bert Ormond, an ex-Falkirk player, sent me his best wishes. Now Bert is a very good friend of mine and was best man at my wedding.  He immigrated to New Zealand some time ago and for a minute I couldn't imagine how he had send a message to Tom Finney.  Then I remembered. Tom had been in charge of an F.A XI that toured New Zealand in the close season and met Bert. It's a small world.  Talking about Falkirk remands me that next Saturday we are at home Ipswich Town and I will meet another friend I made in my days with the Scottish club- Doug Moran. Doug is an inside forward who I am sure would have made a bigger name for himself if he had been with a more famous club. However, now that Ipswich have played themselves into the First Division he will probably come into his own. He scored many vital goals for us at Falkirk, but the most important was undoubtedly the one that gave us a 2-1 win in extra time against Kilmarnock in the 1957 Scottish Cup Final.  Before I close this week I would like to think Jimmy Armfield for the nice things he wrote about me in the Football Echo recently.  As regular readers of this column will know I have a great admiration for Jimmy who is considered by many to be the greatest right back in the world- and you can include me in that number.  I wonder how many Evertonians and Tranmere fans, noticed that the outside left in the League of Ireland team which gained a surprise draw with the Scottish League on Wednesday was Tommy Eglington.  Yes, it’s the same Tommy, and I hear he had a great game. 

EVERTON CHECKING UP ON YOUNG SCOTTISH GOALKEEPER
Monday, September 11, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Peter Price
Manager Harry Catterick confirmed yesterday that Everton’s chief scout, Mr. Harry Cook, had followed up a scout’s report n the promise shown by Montrose goalkeeper Phil Grive, by watching him play on Saturday.  The manager’s view is that the club cannot know too much about young players, but that it would be wrong to assume they have an intention of signing every man they go to watch.  If we did that we would have more players than any club in the League,” he said Everton are very thankful that they have no game this week for Billy Bingham is the latest to run into trouble.  He has a thigh injury, but the rest he can now take may be enough to prevent another addition to the list of non-starters. 
EVERTON DISCARD
The fine show given by Brian Godfrey of Scunthorpe against Liverpool recalls the fact that this boy from Flint made his League debut as a member of the Everton side at Fulham on January 16 last year, the day incidentially on which Alan Tyrer was also tried in senior football for the first time.  Tyrer was at outside right and Godfrey at outside left.  The Welshman has never looked back since winning a place in the Scunthorpe side.  He scored 15 goals last season and already has five this campaign.  It looks as though a change of club and a change of position can sometimes achieve remarkable results.  Everton supporters at Anfield hardly knew whether to cheer or cry over his display. 

EVERTON HAVE NO SUBSTITUTE FOR COLLINS
Monday, September 11, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
LEICESTER CITY 2, EVERTON 0
By Jack Rowe
Everton, third from bottom in the First Division, are up to their necks in trouble and for the next few weeks will have to hang on grimly with an all-out effort from everybody, because now we know how much the club relies on Collins and Vernon.  Efficient is reserves it now seems that when the drive and guiding ability of Collins is missing there’s no one to take over.  The attack becomes disjointed and there is none of the drive needed in present day football.  It is simple to say the attack at Leicester is not good enough, but if a club-and this is the Everton aim-wants to go places it has little hope of succeeding, if then two players are injured, a stump is inevitable.  Everton were no better than mediocre and I am still a little stunned that a player of Young’s ability cannot become the commander of an attack which so clearly needs one.  There were several clever flicks and lovely ball control, but the penetrative pass and the inspiration expected from a £42,500 player were missing. 
BINGAM’S OFF DAY
When Bingham also had a day on which he could not do much right –he was injured in the second half-the attack story is soon told, in spite of Temple’s energy and Wignall’s attempt to overcome the handicap of playing his first senior match since his American tour injury.  A pity one or two of the other forwards did not have some of Temple’s striving, for until Collins and Vernon are back, it is going to require a great effort to keep the club off the bottom.  The best news is that Collins had a chance of being fit for next Saturday’s, but he has not been in full training and only a superbly fit Collins can lift the attack to a height where venom and drive has a part.  The defence is having a rough time and will do well to hold on but here again there does not seem sufficient power at wing half.  You are not going to win away matches with a leisurely pace and this was how Everton played.  Leicester goalkeeper banks certainly had to make several saves in the second half when Everton did better after being 2-0 down at half-time, but one wondered how much this was due to Leicester’s seeming contentment with their lead.  For thirty minutes of a match which lacked sustained entertainment they produced the urgency and if both their goals were the result of poor covering they were fully deserved. 
“WE CAN WIN”
Frankly, Everton did not look like scoring in the first half apart from a bad Temple miss after the Leicester goals, but by then City had developed a “we can win” complex, which in the event was right.  Leicester are not a team to rave over, but they were better than Everton which is a galling thought.  Bingham, Wignall, and Temple all had shots saved, while Lill made a hash of another half chance, so that it might appear Everton were not all that dormant, but against this when Leicester did shake themselves they were able to come back into the game at will and the Everton goal was just in as much danger.  Dunlop, I thought could hardly be faulted and Parker was far the better of the full backs for Thomson was given something of a roasting by Riley in the first half.  Labone has been more commanding and in the first half the defence was not particularly happy.  Meagan improved later but neither he or Gabriel can punch holes through an opposing defence.  Walsh and Riley were always forceful forwards for Leicester and the defence was rarely extended.  The first goal came when Keyworth chipped a free kick from just outside the penalty area to McIImoyle, who had all the time possible to nod the ball across to where Wills would come in and net with the Everton defence almost at a standstill (19 minutes).  It was so statuesque that one expected a frenzied offside appeal, but even had this been so a challenge must always be made.  In 26 minutes Riley left Thomson floundering and Walsh could hardly have expected to be so wide open that he could head the centre home at will.  Leicester City; Banks; Chalmers, Norman; White, King, Appleton; Riley, Walsh, Keyworth, McIImoyle, Wills.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Meagan; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Lill.  Referee; Mr. T.W Dawes (Norwich) Attendance 19,889

EVERTON RES 0, BURNLEY RES 5
Monday, September 11, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
Perhaps the most disconcerting fact about this heavy home defeat was that Burnley could have doubled their score if they had been more punishing.  Instead the visitors proceeded to give Everton a lesson after taking a two goal lead within thirteen minutes.  Apart from a couple of good efforts before the third goal in the 24th minute, Everton were never in the hunt and only right half Jarvis and centre forward Webber earned a worthy mention.  Meredith (2), Fenton (2) and Lochhead were the marksmen. 

NO PUNCH IN EVERTON’S MAKESHIFT FORWARD LINE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 11 September 1961
By Jack Lowe
Everton sustained their third successive defeat at Leicester City on Saturday and although they can perhaps claim that Banks, the City goalkeeper, made some splendid saves in the second half, the fact remains that it was Leicester who started off with the more urgent ideas and were worthy of the 24 they had built up by half-time. That was the final score, and it must be noted that once they had got ahead. Leicester lost much of their drive so that, the match had too many periods when play was dull and lethargic and hardly fitting to First Division standards. In the first half Everton with their makeshift attack scarcely poised a real threat to the City defence, and when they did manage it. Temple missed a great chance at a point when a goal was badly needed to revitalize the sale. It was a pity that Temple should be the culprit for his industry never blackened and in the second half it was his determination which made several of the shooting chances by which Banks was able to show what a safe goalkeeper he is STANDING STILL
Leicester went in front after nineteen minutes with a goal which came with the Everton defence almost standing still and making no sort of challenge for Keyworth's free kick, which was nodded on by Mcllmoyle for Wills to net as he wished. There was also lack of covering when Walsh headed in second, seven minutes later, after Riley the City right winger had, as he often did during the game, beaten Thomson and centred. Leicester were playing in the way which suggested that they might take a complete command but there was a slacking off, so that Everton were able to do a little more towards the interval and certainly in the second half they were just as much in the game, but came up against Banks. But Leicester also might have scored two or three after the interval and on one occasion Dunlop, who also had a good game, punched out a shot from Mcllmoyle and then managed to set his foot to Walsh's shot from the rebound. The message for Everton from this game was that the attack badly needs drive, for Wignall is obviously in need of a match or two, and Young spent most of his time playing deep without really making the sort of pass which completely penetrates a defence. This was particularly noticeable in the first half, when there was much more urgency about the Leicester play. Parker, who look over the captaincy, was one whose industry could not be questioned and Labone generally kept Keyworth in check, but one felt that the task of the defence was lightened by Leicester's failure to keep up their early drive. Bingham was hurt late in the second half, which took a bit of sting out of his play, but this attack is not good enough and the hope is of course that Collins' recovery will soon be complete for much will depend on him as Everton struggle to rid themselves of the effects of this bad start.

AIRY TALK OF £200,000
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 12 September 1961
Bee’s Notes
Airy task of Everton spending another £200,000 makes me smile. Assuming they were prepared to make an outlay of that order where could they get the players ? The new pay rates have caused nearly all clubs to cut their staffs to the point at which the chances of them letting anyone go-much less their best players-are nil. This is the situation Harry Catterick faces at the moment when he so denuded, for one reason or another, of leading players. Collins is training, but cannot twist and turn or even put full force behind the ball. His return cannot come for a week or two. Vernon is suffering from a torn hamstring;
Wignall is barely fit: Sharpies (glandular fever) is not likely to be in training again inside a month; Ring , though playing, is clearly not at his best " As if this were not enough the Everton Youth side which reached the final of the national competition last season, now has only three of last season's team eligible for the first round tie to-morrow against Manchester United at Old Trafford - Sharples (unfit) Morton and Parnell. The rest will be made up largely from players who were in schoolboy teams a season ago. Mr. Catterick has never shared the optimism of those (I include myself) who suggested that he took over the perfect team when he joined Everton from Sheffield Wednesday.  Yet none can deny that the senior team were playing beautifully for most of the final couple of months last season.  The trouble at Goodison Park has been that the club have been plagued, as they were last year, with injuries to many of their best players. Mr. Catterick is continually moving in his endeavour to strengthen the team, but when all is said and done I think he will find that being patient is the only way out. There just aren't to be had the sort of players who could improve Everton. Many of the club's scouting missions in Scotland are wrongly rated as imminent moves rather than routine checking of players who have been recommended.
Impartial fan from 19 Ashby Crescent. Crosby, hits at Everton spectators. He says: " Having watched all Everton's home matches l am forced to the conclusion that their spectators must be among the worst in the country. A few examples illustrate my point: " First, there is a grave lack of understanding of the off-side law. During the Manchester City game an astonished spectator informed me that an Everton forward had been flagged off-side before the ball reached him! Everyone seemed to have a Liverpool Echo fixture list, but no-one seemed to have progressed beyond page four. Everyone should read the laws, especially Law XI,  and then no one would query the decision of such referees as Arthur Holland. Secondly, the established stars of the team are treated as gods and other players as nonentities. If a regular player is injured his deputy should be given a chance. Tyrer, who promises to be an excellent player, is frequently barracked, although he is always constructive. If reserves are called upon they must receive the encouragement they deserve. “Finally, the snobbish attitude towards the Liverpool achievements should cease. People who think there is a wide difference between First and Second Division standards should cast their minds back to January, when Everton made a rapid exit from the F.A. Cup, having been outclassed at home by Sheffield United. At the moment there is no comparison between the senior teams of this city."
THEY’RE NOT ROBOTS
McCULLEN McKIVRAGAN , writing from 152 Kingsway, Huyton, read with interest my report of the Everton Sheffield Wednesday match, and thought it very accurate and sound. He continues: "I also witnessed Everton's marked inferiority on the day.  Granted that this inferiority was so marked there seems no valid reason for showing such an ugly and unsportsmanlike disposition. It seems to be happening quite often now at our home matches. I would ask these persons whether they think Everton are a bunch of mechanical robots who must always do the right thing at the right moment. "The sooner we are without such supporters’ the better for the game and for Everton in particular. My own view is that Everton were up against a much superior side who would not let them settle down and who gave us as fine an exhibition as one could wish. It would have been a tragedy if Sheffield had lost the points. Let us not forget that whether the Everton players are the best in England or the worst while they do their best to play the game like sportsmen and not endorse by copying the ugly tactics which recently seem to have crept into the game they will find that the vast majority of supporters will follow them and cheer them. “I first saw Everton when I was seven years old, in 1901. I saw them win the Cup in 1906 and can only hope that ' Sandy scored a goal' will be sung again this coming spring.”

VERNON TRAINS AGAIN-AIMS TO BE FIT IN A WEEK
Wednesday, September 13, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Roy Vernon Everton’s Welsh international inside left, injured in last Wednesday’s League game at Goodison Park against Manchester City, is making a spectacular recovery. Less than a week after being hurt, he is back in training and has hopefully set himself a target of being able to report fit in time for the return game with Manchester City next Wednesday.  Vernon may be the super optimist in aiming at this goal but if spirit and the will to get back can help him, he may succeed, for no player could be keener to return to action. A torn hamstring muscle can be both painful and slow to mend, but prompt and correct action taken at the time of the injury may have cut the recovery time.  Everton, early this season, invested in an electric machine for providing deep heat treatment, and already it seems that the new physiotherapist employed by the club.  Mr. Norman Barrowdale is obtaining most agreeable results from it.  Vernon is delighted with the treatment and already is free from pain.  On Monday he took a gentle walk, round Goodison Park and encouraged by the lack of reaction, increased the tempo without ill effect.  Yesterday he felt so confident that he was able to trot up and down the terrace steps again without any pain.  He plans to go with the rest of the team for a game of golf this morning followed by a further training shot in the afternoon. 
CUT BY HALF
When I asked him yesterday if he was not being a trifle optimistic Roy replied “No I don’t think so.  My longest lay off from football so far was when I went down with appendicitis while with Blackburn Rovers.  “Then they told me that I could count on six weeks of inactivity, I didn’t believe them then and I was proved right when I was playing again three weeks after the operation.  “Similarly this time I was told it would be four weeks before I would be fit.  With a bit of luck I think I can halve that time, which takes me to September 29.  I admire Vernon’s determination immensely and no doubt Everton would be as happy as the player if his estimate proved correct, but a hamstring injury is so fraught with danger that Vernon might be encouraged officially to make haste a trifle more slowly.  Bobby Collins still has only restricted movement from the knee injury received on August 23 at West Brom and no-one is prepared to name a date for resumption of full activity.  It might well be that Vernon will be back before his skipper.
SOBERING THOUGH?
Everton are paying a high price just now from the lack of seasoned reserve players.  Anyone who saw their youth team last season could hardly have been other than impressed at the wealth of young talent there is coming up, but the gulf between youth team football and the First Division is great indeed.  It is sobering thought even in these disappointing days, that had the club not embarked on the greatly published spending spree which brought so many stars to Goodison Park, what would have been the position today?  I know that in the interim players like Jimmy Harris, Alan Saunders, John Bramwell, Eddie Thomas, Dave Hickson, Alan Shackleton, Alec Ashworth, Bobby Laverick, and Eddie O’Hara, among others have been allowed to leave, but could they have reached the heights as the Everton players of today have done, and most certainly will do again?  It may be argued that the mistakes was in having such a large scale clearance sale and that it might have been better policy to have retained some of them to meet just the sort of emergencies that are arising now.  Maybe so, but what a diplomat there would have had to be at Goodison Park to keep such players happy in reserve team football for so long. 
ONE MAN’S SOLUTION
“Yours born 1883; writing from Dartmoor, seek the solution to Everton troubles this way.  The basic troubles are (1) goals; (2) centre and left half (3), relegate Vernon and put Collins where he belongs with Young at inside right and a new outside left. 
“I remember vividly the half back line of years ago-Makepeace, Taylor and Abbott- aggressive and constructive and well up.  I saw Rangers on TV recently, Baxter is Everton’s man and McMillan.  The former is never afraid to go up and shoot.  There is too much hesitate in the Everton line.  “Personally I would not let the Everton team see a ball for a week and maybe they will improve.  They are definitely stale.” I think my correspondent is inclined to gloss over the most obvious explanation of Everton’s decline- an unusually vicious crop of injuries and sickness.  With full strength in the field again Everton’s improvement would be very rapid. 
GREEN WATCHED
Everton are expected to watch Witton Albion nineteen years-old goalkeeper John Green in tonight’s Cheshire League game against Wrexham Reserves at Northwich. 

YOUTH CUP
Thursday, September 14, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON LOSE LEAD
Manchester united 3, Everton 2
Everton put up a great fight at Old Trafford in the Preliminary round of the F.A Youth Cup, going down after once holding the lead and again drawing level mid-way through the second half.  Lack of finish was Everton’s failing and their forwards should have followed the example of right half Rees who had a great shot pushed away from the angle of the goal in the early stages and also hit the Manchester bar with a thirty yards drive in the second half.  Everton failed to profit from the thirty-third minute goal of Bennett who beat goalkeeper Wright for possession outside the goal to cleverly hook the ball over the line and Manchester, despite some grand defensive play by Parnell and Wakes were able to turn round with a 2-1 lead with the goals of Duff and Ackley.  Shaw made it 2-2 in the 65th minute with Everton’s second goal, cleverly beating full back Lorrimer to run the ball over the line.  Unfortunately Everton could not maintain the forward pace and Fry finished off a combined move by scoring Manchester’s winning goal in the 74th minute. 

EVERTON YOUTH TEAM BEATEN
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 14 September 1961
Everton Youth played well enough in midfield to have won their F.A. Youth Cup tie at Old Trafford last night, but they lacked the persistence of Manchester United, who hit back with a couple of first half goals through Duff and Ackerley after Bennett had given Everton the lead with a spectacular hook shot as he was standing wide of goal. The example of wing half Rees with his accurate shots, one of which hit the Manchester bar from 30 yards, was not followed, but Everton were still in the game with a chance when Shaw scored an equaliser in the 65th minute. They tried hard enough but just could not put the finishing touch to their many raids and it was Manchester who sent the 9,717 spectators home happy, after many scares, with the winning goal to Fry In the 74th minute.

ROY VERNON SAYS
Friday, September 15, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON WILL NOT FINISH LOW DOWN
All this week I have had my fingers very firmly crossed, for most footballers are a trifle superstitious, you know.  It seems almost too good to be true that I have been able to resume training this week so soon after damaging my hamstring muscle.  Every time I have gone out training I have asked a little more of myself and as I write the position as very satisfactory.  My hopes grow with the passage of every day.  Well tomorrow will be my last day out of action.  I know it sounds as though I am asking a lot but I would not dream of pretending I was fit unless I were absolutely convinced of it. In any event I would not be considered for selection until I had answered the severest tests satisfactorily for no matter how keen a player may be to get back and no matter how much his club might be in need of reinforcement a chance taken may mean a game lost and neither party would be prepared to dice with fortune.  In any event, a chance taken with a 90 per cent fit player could mean his breaking down and being out for several weeks, when the passenge of only another day or two might have made all the difference.  Injured players I believe must take just about the worst spectators imagination.  Sitting in the stand it is terribly difficult to restrain oneself and there have been occasions when I have found himself pushing my next door neighbour almost out of his seat. 
TEDIOUS WAITING
It is tedious waiting for the all clear and one’s heart sinks into one’s boots after reporting at the ground in the morning, hearing the lads cheerful chatter and see them on their way to training which at this stage with most of the hard work behind us is thoroughly enjoyable.  Then in comparative quiet if my experience is like that of others with injury-hit clubs off one goes to join the queue for the treatment table.  At this stage it might be appropriate to praise the facilities which Everton now have available for the treatment of their injured.  We call the machines magic boxes.  The result they achieve under the skilled, hands of our physiotherapist Norman Borrowdale, make them little short of that and I am convinced that they can cut a player’s inactivity considerably.  I certainly have felt the benefit of the treatment and it has replaced dark despair with hope in my heart.  How a young player must feel who is faced with the inevitability of a long layoff, I do not know.  Nor do I wish to know.  It must be ghastly.  Norman, who has spent several years treating Rugby League players, has a fund of interesting yarns to tell.  He makes lights of a player’s lack of weight compared with an opponent, and illustrates it with the theory that it is not the size of a man in the fight that matters so much as the size of the fight in the man, I think he has got something there.  Nobody needs to remind me that the start a team makes to a season is of the greatest importance but I don’t think it is necessarily decisive.  I think you can assess a team’s chances and ability far better by the results in the second month of the season than in the first.  I know Tottenham got away to a flier last season and kept on flying but it doesn’t always work out that way (although I trust Liverpool can keep it up all the way this time, for we are really looking forward to those four points from them next season). 
BEST EXAMPLES
Manchester City are one of the best examples I can call to mind of teams starting like a whirlwind and blowing itself out for most of the season.  There are others, Wolves are languishing near the foot of the table with Everton.  Does anybody imagine they will finish there? Of course not.  Neither will Everton, I know it must be tough for our supporters who are coming in for no end of leg pulling at the hands of their jubilant Anfield friends but the last act has yet to be completed.  One of the most interesting sides of the moment are undoubtedly Ipswich Town.  I heard many people last season forecast that they would be the new yo-yo team of Division One, and hurtle back to the Second Division after only one season.  That prophecy looks like dying a quick death, for Ipswich who are at Goodison tomorrow, have collected only two fewer points from their first seven games than they did last season-and they won the championship then.  I don’t expect them to win the premier championship this time, but obviously they are a better side than many people considered.  Crawford and Phillips are noted for their scoring ability and now Alex Parker tells me that Moran, the inside forward they have obtained from Falkirk is right up in the same class too.  That make a mighty imposing inside trio.  No wonder they are getting goals.  I wonder if you noticed that after Saturday’s game they had scored more goals than any club in the First or Second Division. 

CAN EVERTON AVID INDIGNITY OF BEING LAST?
Liverpool Echo - Friday 15 September 1961
By Leslie Edwards
Three tough matches within eight days—two of them away—face injury -ridden Everton. If they are to avoid the indignity of lying last in the table they must beat Ipswich in the first of the series at Goodson Park to-morrow. In their present straits they can hope for little next Wednesday at Maine Road, Manchester. The game against Burnley at Burnley the following Saturday is even more formidable. It is incredible that only a month ago we were looking forward to Everton having their best season since the War. They have since won only two matches and thanks to the absence of such players as Collins and Vernon, among others, now seem unlikely to finish in the top half of the table, much less in one of the leading positions. Some Everton fans may rate this assessment as on the pessimistic side; there are others who feel that until the club regain full playing strength they have little or no chance of getting points, home or away. The morale of the team, high at the end of last season and hardly disturbed by defeat in the final of the New York tournament, obviously must be disturbed by injury and failure in many matches early in a new season. Even when Collins and Vernon and others return it will not be easy for the side to really believe in themselves again. 
More than luck needed
With good players impossible to get, the position is that we must “sit and suffer," as the jockeys say, until some of the breaks work in Everton's favour. But you need more than luck to win consistently. You need great players: good morale, good management.  It is a sign of the times, I think, that the Cinderella clubs, such as Ipswich, Walsall, Peterborough and some others are showing the way to the rest not because they have spent fortunes on players, but because what players they have been able to get together have been well blended and well-schooled by former stars, some of whom have not been " five minutes" in management. Ipswich step on to the pitch with a formidable record. They've won their last five games, the last the Cup tie this week against Manchester City, in Manchester. No wonder former Spurs and England full-back, Alt Ramsey, is delighted with the progress of a side which has a Liverpool-born Carberry at full-back. Has Ramsey rubbed on for into his new club some of the expertise he learned at Tottenham ? I am sure he has. Strategically they are well able to take their place in the First Division I'm all for the so-called unpopular clubs making their way in the football world, though it would seem almost heresy to forecast that one day Ipswich will be joined in the top division by such unfamiliar names as Peterborough, Walsall, Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe and their like.

EVERTON'S TWO CHANGES V. IPSWICH
Liverpool Echo - Friday 15 September 1961
Fell Is On Left Wing
HARRIS BACK
By Leslie Edwards
Everton make two changes for the match against Ipswich to-morrow at Goodison Park. Harris comes an at left half for Meagan and Fell replaces at outside left. Fell last played for the first team at Fulham three weeks ago. Brian Harris has not appeared in the League side this season, but played in most of the club's matches the New York tournament. Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell. With first choice goalkeeper Roy Mailey still in hospital with a thigh injury, lpswich Town will field an unchanged side. It is the team that bent Manchester City 4-2 on Monday in the Football League Cup, and includes former Stoke City goalkeeper Wilf Hall, making his First debut. The Ipswich attack the leading goal scorers in the top two Divisions, has been ,unchanged all season.  Ipswich; Hall; Carberry, Compton; Baxter, Nelson, Elsworthy; Stephenson, Moran, Crawford, Phillips, Leadbetter. 

EVERTON EFFORT TO SIGN DIVISION ONE GOALKEEPER FAILS
Saturday, September 16, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Because there is still no news from Goodison Park of additions to the playing strength, it would be wrong to assume that there is any air of complacency.  Inquiries are being made all the time, and sadly the result is always the same-no sale.  Clubs do not usually talk about players they have sought and failed to get because of the disturbing influence it could have in two places.  Sometimes there is a leak, as for example when I was told yesterday that among Everton’s most recent inquires was one for a goalkeeper with a Lancashire First Division club, whose top class experience has been curtailed by the outstanding merit of the man holding the first team place.  As there is no chance of a deal being struck I will keep faith and not disclose the player’s identify.  But this sort of thing is going on all the time and it is amazing how manager Harry Catterick managers to retain his cheerfulness in face of disappointment after disappointment.  The fact has to be faced that there is no surplus of talented players anywhere. 
NEVER BETTER
Conditions were never better of more attractive, but apparently the new deal has not yet had an opportunity to make a mass appeal.  Fewer youngsters than ever are how choosing football as a career.  Where there is a spark of talent the scouts are there like wasps, round a jam pot, so that while the invitation held out by League clubs was never warmer, if falls largely on stony ground.  Not a single goal from Everton’s last three games is hardly the way to send enthusiasm soaring at Goodison, but today’s should be a most interesting game, for Ipswich, newcomers to the Division are playing splendidly and scoring goals with the greatest freedom.  In their last four they have collected fifteen goals, with five against, compared with Everton’s six goals from seven games.  Although Ipswich won the Second Division championship there were those who considered Sheffield United, in second place, would fare better in the higher division.  Such is not proving to be the case, and I think possibly the explanation lies in the fact that Ipswich improved out of all recognition late in the season when their strength was unmistakable.  Crawford, Phillips and Moran claim fifteen League goals between them and their ability to seize the half chance is well known. 
HARRIS TO STAYS
I am not at all surprised to find Mick Meagan being rested in favour of Brian Harris, for I believe Harris to be the stronger and more determined player, and goodness knows, Everton need all the strength and determination they can muster just now.  Meagan kept his position for the first seven games, which is three better than last season and now the chance is there for Harris to hold the place as he has done before.  Mick Lill is still a trifle hesitant which is not surprising in view of the injury troubles he has had and I think a case can be made out for restoring Jimmy Fell inconsistent though he sometimes is.  Manager Catterick could not suggest any likely date for resumption of playing activates by Collins or Vernon.  All he would say was that both are improving steadily.  I hope I am wrong, but I cannot see Everton being the third team to beat Ipswich.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell.  Ispwich Town; Hall; Carberry, Compton; Baxter, Nelson, Elseworthy; Stephenson, Moran, Crawford, Phillips, Leadbetter. 

FIRST DIVISION’S TOP MARKSMEN
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 16 September 1961
RISING IPSWICH WILL BE HARD TO BEAT
By Leslie Edwards
The former Stoke City goalkeeper, Wilf Hall, who kept for Ipswich Town in their triumphant League Cup game against Manchester City in midweek, makes his First Division bow at Goodison Park this afternoon against Everton. First choice goalkeeper, Roy Bailey, is still in hospital suffering a thigh injury. Having won their last five matches and scored more goals than any other side in the First or Second Division, Ipswich, managed by the old Tottenham and England back, Alf Ramsey, seem likely to get a point, if not two. An Everton minus both Collins and Vernon is like a battleship denuded of its biggest guns. Manager Harry Catterick makes no secret of the fact that he feels his reserve strength is inadequate and the improvisation of Alex Young at inside-forward may not be the answer to even one of the problems. My own view is that Young is best as leader of the line.
LOSS OF MORALE
Everton have suffered a tremendous loss in morale since the season started. Some of it is traceable to the number of injuries they have had; some due to the fact that the side has never "clicked" as it did last back end when delighting their supporters and promising that this would be the finest season since the war. Changes to-day aimed at getting the side back to winning affect the outside-left and left half-back position. Mickey Lill gives way to Jimmy Fell, who last played in the first team at Fulham late in August and Brian Harris comes in at left half to the exclusion of Mick Meagan. Harris played in the senior team in most of the matches in America during the close season. Meagan's return to the League side last season when things were going badly was most successful and he was scarcely ever on the losing side from that day.
MUST BE PATIENT
One wonders what effect Everton's recent failures will have on the gate. The disappointment of followers of the club is all the sharper because neighbours and rivals of the club have gone ahead so rapidly and because, before the season began, no club in the country seemed to have a better playing strength than their own. I suppose it is just a matter of being patient and waiting for things to right themselves, but Everton fans have waited so long and patiently for better days it is hard to ask them to endure further failures. Line-Up at Goodison; Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell.  Ipswich Town; Hall; Carberry, Compton; Baxter, Nelson, Elsworthy; Stephenson, Moran, Crawford, Phillips, Leadbetter.

TEMPLE HITS TREBLE IN EVERTON WIN
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 16 September 1961
DEFENSIVE LAPSES GIVE IPSWICH LATE GOALS
EVERTON 5, IPSWICH 2
By Michael Charters

Everton; DunIop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell. Ipswich Town; Hall; Carberry, Compton: Baster, Nelson, Elsworthy; Stephenson, Moran, Crawford, Phillips, Leadbetter. Referee; Mr. P. G. Brandwooll (Barnsley)  There was no incentive bonus for Everton's players this afternoon against Ipswich, as the crowd at the start was only about 30,000. Ipswich, promoted last season, looked a big rangy side in their red strip. A strong gusty wind made ball control difficult and this was soon made evident when Wignall jumped far too quickly to head the ball, and also when Compton appeared to handle just inside the penalty area but the referee waved play on as the ball came to the Ipswich full back awkwardly. Everton, trying to improve on their record of three successive defeats without scoring, made most of the early running with Bingham earning a corner on the left and Young flicking a back header straight at Hall. Bingham and Young both made ground attractively on the right with Young clipping the ball across the face of goal, where Baxter took a chance by, turning it back to his goalkeeper from close range.
DIRECT CONTRAST
Ipswich moved the ball about with long swinging passes in direct contrast to Everton's on-the-ground style and Everton in the opening 10 minutes had much the better of matters without making any impression on Hall, Labone was beaten by Crawford just outside the Everton penalty area and the Ipswich leader was coming in for goal when Parker retrieved a dangerous situation with a brilliant tackle. Following two successive corners for Everton, Carberry, the Liverpool-born player, put the ball into his own net as Wignall challenged but the referee, right on the spot, gave a foul against the Everton player. Then suddenly, after 18 minutes Temple had the crowd roaring their appreciation with a brilliant individual goal as good as any seen on the ground for years. It was really the first time I had seen Temple in the match, but what an impression he made with this goal. He gathered the ball just outside the centre circle, weaved his way quite casually through three Ipswich defenders, moved into the middle and hit a tremendous left foot shot from fully 25 yards which was in the net before Hall had taken off to intercept it. Harris was playing well on his return to the team for his first League game of the season, and with Gabriel also on good terms with himself, the Everton half back line looked pretty strong. But apart from this flash of brilliance from, Temple. Everton forwards were sadly lacking in finish against a tall Ipswich defence, which stood on no ceremony in putting the ball away for corners whenever danger threatened. Dunlop had not had a save to make in the first half-hour and then Temple scored his second goal to make the Everton crowd very pleased with the way things were going.  Wignall made the Initial opening by collecting a loose ball on the right wing and centred hard to Fell, who turned the ball inside to Temple, who beat Hall from 10 yards with a well-placed shot.  Everton top now and top now and the Ipswich defence looked rather bewildered. Everton came very close to taking a three-goal lead with a lovely move between Gabriel and Wignall, the centre forward pushing the ball through for Gabriel to hit it on the run and the shot going narrowly over the bar. Hall made a good save from Fell and then Young had a shot rather luckily blocked by Nelson,  but no one was doing more to urge Everton on than Gabriel who was having a fine match. Temple had rarely been in the game except for his two goals—a good enough contribution, however, from anybody -but when he was given the ball he looked very good. He made another startling run with his deceptive change of pace and it was only a last second interception by Carberry which prevented him getting the ball across to the unmarked Bingham. At half-time, Dunlop still hadn't made a save and Ipswich had conceded 13 corners against tremendous Everton pressure.
Half-time-Everton 2, Ipswich Town nil.
INTER-PASSING
Temple was prevented from his hat-trick by the out- stretched foot of Carberry in the opening minutes of the second half. Bingham and Young baffled the rather stolid Ipswich defence with some neat inter-passing before Young pushed the ball through to Bingham, who squared it across the goal for Temple to try to turn it in but Carberry was there to intercept. But three minutes after half time Everton were deservedly three up. From a corner, Temple pushed the ball out to Young standing just inside the area and Young, with a great shot from 20 yards beat Hall completely, the ball going into the far top corner of the net. Dunlop made his first save of the match after 53 minutes play when he dived at the feet of Phillips after a good pass by Crawford had opened the way. A minute later Crawford straight at him.
Young, having his best game so far this season, had two shots blocked by Nelson in the space of seconds and when the ball ran out to Fell, the winger sliced his shot well wide. Ipswich were moving with a little more purpose now but with their wingers completely held by Parker and Thomson, both of whom were playing brilliantly, it was only threat of Phillips which posed a problem to the Everton defence. Harris and Gabriel, too, were having a field day and Harris moved up brilliantly to take a pass from Fell, pushing the ball on to Young, who hit a tremendous shot which Hall saved excellently for a corner. From the cross Bingham pulled the ball back to Parker, ever coming up to join his forwards , and the Everton skipper hit another great shot inches over the bar. Harris made a lovely opening for Temple which the inside man accepted neatly enough by cutting inside Nelson but mis-hit his shot straight at Hall who continued to be the busiest man on the field
OUTCLASSED
There can rarely have been such a one-sided match, for Ipswich looked out of their class. Hall, lucky to get away with in a bad mistake when he went up to collect Dunlop 's clearance which went over his head on first bounce, and Temple was round him in a flash to accept the gift chance but appeared to slip and lost possession to push the ball wide of the post. Then the Ipswich goalkeeper almost dropped a shot from Wignall at Young's feet, to be followed by a tentative clutch of another hot one from Fell. 
In the next minute he was saving again from Temple's header and then Everton had their penalty appeal turned down after Compton had brought down Parker, who had advanced within 12 yards of the goal. After 70 minutes, Everton went four up with another lovely goal.  Much of the credit goes to Young, who came back into his own half to complete a clearance with Gabriel and then lobbed the ball forward for Bingham to chase. The winger just reached the ball before Compton and lobbed it cleverly over the head of Hall into the empty net. Phillips got a goal for Ipswich after 73 minutes, after Everton's defence had looked a little lax in allowing Moran to take the ball up to the by- line before turning it back for the inside-left to crack it into the corner of the net.  “Moran made the score 4-2 when he headed a simple goal for Ipswich after 78 mins. Here again Everton's defence was rather slipshod. From Stephenson's free-kick just outside the penalty area Moran was unmarked and was able to move forward at his leisure and head the ball in when only a couple of yards from the line.  Temple out the completion on the score with his third goal of the match six minutes from the end. He successfully shook off a tackle by Compton and took a pass from Wignall to score with a fine angled shot. Final; Everton 5, Ipswich Town 2.  Attendance 45,259. 

RING FIGHTING BACK TO FITNESS
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 16 September 1961
Could challenge for first team place
By Alex Parker
We have had such a bad run of injuries lately that many people seem to have overlooked the fact that there is still one player at Goodison who has only just recovered from the one he received last October. Of course, I mean Tommy Ring. But apparently he has not been completely forgotten, for quite a number of supporters, and players from other clubs, have asked me recently how he is getting on. The answer, short and sweet, is "just great" As some of you probably know, he has been playing regularly for the reserves, and although I have only seen them once I have been told that Tommy is gaining in confidence every match. I have played against him a few times in practice game and there is no doubt he is on the way back. It doesn’t t seem very long ago that he admitted to me that he was a little wary of going into a tackle or kicking a ball really hard, but there is no sign of his holding back from tackles now and he is hitting the ball on the volley with all the confidence in the world. We players can see that his stamina and strength are building up almost daily and it will be a surprise to me if he isn't challenging for a first team place soon. Still there is nothing wrong with his sense of humour. We have had so many injuries so far this season that our captaincy has had to change hands more than usual, and, as I say, Tommy is captain of the reserves. The other day there was a crowd of players in the dressing room and Tommy stood up and shouted: "Quiet, please wait outside?”
TRACK TIMES
A few weeks ago I wrote that our new trainer, Tom Eggleston had been giving us some new and interesting things to do.  Take last Monday morning, for instance. Although it is not a compulsory training day you will find that all the players turn up, unless they have to go elsewhere for treatment to injuries received in the Saturday game.  When we arrived at Goodison Tom took us straight into the gym for some exercises, then out on to the pitch. First of all, he told us he was going to time us sprinting, using the track round the pitch.  We reckoned that, running from the half-way line, round the back of the goal and up to the other half-way line was roughly 200 yards. We set off one at a time and our trainer timed us. Keith Webber was the fastest with 24 seconds,  which is very good, considering he had to make two right angle turns. My own time? 26.4 seconds. But I wasn't the slowest.  Then we came to the piece de resistance, the mile. And before I go any further I can assure Herb Elliott he has nothing to fear. Four times round the pitch is approximately one mile, and the winners, not surprisingly, were all wingers-
Mickey Lill, Billy Bingham and Jimmy Fell
JUST DEAD
Who came last? Alex Parker. Time? Six minutes dead —and I do mean dead. Actually, as I told the spectators (I wouldn't call them supporters) I think I must have done five laps. One wit, who shall remain nameless but certainly not forgotten by me, suggested that next time we do our mile I should be timed with a calendar. But, between, you and me, I wasn't really pushing myself. I was hanging back for bets.  Last Wednesday the club took us to West Derby for a day's golf and, as is usual these occasions, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Brian Harris returned the best score with a 76 and is undoubtedly our best golfer, but although my partners (Messrs. Bingham, Gabriel and Dunlop) and I did not quite match that, we still had a good day. Poor Albert was not quite at his best and lost more golf balls than he cares to remember. The reason it didn't bother him particularly was that they were mine. It was like feeding buns to an elephant. I went over to Billy Bingham one time and, in all seriousness, said: “Albert’s lost his ball." Billy put on a very pained expression and simply said: “Again?".
NO FLUKE
Jimmy Gabriel nearly had a hole in one at the ninth, his ball finishing only eight inches from the pin. It was a great shot, and to prove it was no fluke, he went all out to win the next hole, but beat him by one stroke. However, I must add that Jimmy took 19 that time. We had lunch and tea there and the players have asked me to pass on their thanks to the West Derby golf club for looking after us so well. We were it disappointed that our youngsters went out of the F.A. Youth Cup in last Wednesday's preliminary round at Old Trafford by the odd goal in five, particularly as they reached the final last year.  Over the past few year Manchester United have undoubtedly been the outstanding youth team in England, and it is really amazing the number of times our boys have been drawn against them. I didn't see the game, but as they beat Everton it looks as if they are going to have another good run.

PRESTON RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 16 September 1961
Preston Res; Barton; Wilson (R.), O’Neill; Will, Lyons, Morley; Bradshaw (D), Wilson (D), Laing, Jacques, Danson.  Everton Res; Mailey; Parnell, Green; Jarvis, Jones, Meagan; Lilla, Gannon, Webber, Morton, Ring. Referee; Mr. W. Davies (Manchester). After six minutes a North End mistake gave Morton a chance, but he shot wide.  Football was poor and was not helped by the blustery wind.  Mailey stopped the threat of Ling chasing a pass down the centre, but the ball went to Wilson, who missed the open goal.  Everton had an escape when Jones headed away Danson’s header.  The ball hit the underside of the crossbar, bounced out and was cleared.  After 28 minutes Wilson scored with a magnificent shot from 15 yards out.  When Everton replied Barton made two saves, one from Ring which he tipped over the bar, and another from Gannon.  Half-time; Preston N.E Res 1, Everton res nil.

BINGHAM JOINS EVERTON CASUALTY LIST
Monday, September 18, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
TEMPLE IN FORM AND FAVOUR WITH THREE-GOAL FEAT
EVERTON 5, IPSWICH TOWN 2
By Horace Yates
Five goals in one game, after three games without registering came as a tonic to score-starved Evertonians and they are entitled to their joy, if only because chances were made and taken, with Temple at inside left, collecting three in the way that those who have seen him in practice outings always knew he could, but those who had see him only in matches doubted.  The goals will not only encourage the youngster belong belief, but they will also give confidence where it was sadly lacking.  Temple now knows that shots that score when he is opposing his colleagues can be just as lethal when delivered in earnest, so long as he continues to hit them with the same power and the same purpose.  There was much to admire in this victory, gained against opposition visiting Everton for the first time, with firm expectations of taking away at least a point.  There record in their opening venture in First Division football had suggested an ability to put this make-shift Everton side fully to the test. 
MOST DISAPPOINTING
If we must be honest however, we must admit that Ipswich were possibly the most disappointing team to be seen at Goodison for years.  Plainly they were right out of their class, struggling against a side which had the edge over them in speed, ideas, control and shooting power.  Ipswich disappointed beyond measure, with a defence about as watertight as a sieve.  It is against such a back-ground that we have to measure the Everton performance and so gave the superlatives for a more worthy occasion.  All credit to Everton for manifesting their advantage and for providing the only sparkle the match provided but I do not believe it would be doing them any sort of injustice to say they have played better-yes, this season-and been beaten.  Therein lies the mystery, for the same Ipswich side battered the competent Burnley out of recognition.  Were Everton so good or was it merely that Ipswich did themselves no sort of justice? 
LION-HEARTED BINGHAM
How many in the crowd realized, I wonder that Billy Bingham, a restless bundle of energy, with heart big enough to overcome all sorts of handicaps, damaged a thigh muscle before the interval and stoutly resisted efforts to pull him out of the second half.  Bingham’s mishaps is another injury example in the chapter of misfortune which in turn has taken players like Young, Collins and Vernon out of the attack.  Yesterday’s preliminary assessment was that Bingham may not be fit for a week or a fortnight.  For all the pain and inconvenience he must have suffered Bingham’s courage and resolution drove him to make a superb effort to connect with a Young through ball to lob at full stretch over the goalkeeper’s head for goal No4. In seventy minutes.  If Temple had taken five goals it would have been more heartening than surprising, and in actual fact he failed with his easiest offering, with Hall helpless on the ground.  There will be more discussion over his first goal (18 minutes) than this miss however, for it was taken with all the assurance and skill of a top class artist.  In working a shooting position near the edge of the penalty area, he best two defenders and then hit the ball on the half turn with such force and accuracy that it was a goal all the way.  This was almost the first indication that Temple was in the game, but it was far from the last, and he drove home a second in the half hour. 
YOUNGF ADVANCING
The quality (or lack of it) of the opposition did nothing to detract from the impression Alex Young left with what were two of the most powers-laden drives I have seen from him.  His first was a scorer (48 minutes) and the second richly deserved to be, but Hall effected a wonderful save.  Now that we know Young can shoot and shoot hard, it is not too much to expect to see regular evidence of it.  Young is regaining his touch for that fertile brain of his put magic into many of his moves and his ready reading of possibilities, plus the ability to profit accordingly sometimes gave a completely threadbare appearance to the defence.  The restoration of Brian Harris, overdue in my opinion made an adequate half back line, in which Gabriel was much more dominant and purposeful and the ease with which they effected their tackles to convert defence into attack was too much for the struggling Ipswich. 
AGREEABLE IMPRESSION
Here again, Harris made his mistakes, invariably when trying to be constructive, but left an agreeable impression just the same.  Labone experienced one uncomfortable moment when Crawford slipped him most disconcertingly and only a brilliant recovery by Parker prevented an early disaster but it was a slip never repeated.  Dunlop such a pillar of strength and consistency last season, is passing through a trying period.  With him surely it can only result from a lost  confidence.  For example after Phillips had beaten him fairly and squarely (77 minutes) he conceded a goal to Moran (77 minutes) through failing to intercept a free kick so close to goal that it was earmarked for Dunlop.  By standing still he presented Moran with the perfect target.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell.  Ipswich Town; Hall; Carberry, Compton; Baxter, Nelson, Elsworthy; Stephenson, Moran, Crawford, Phillips, Leadbetter.  Referee; Mr. P.G. Brandwood (Barnsley). Attendance 45,259

NO REQUEST
Monday, September 18, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton manager Mr. Harry Catterick told me yesterday it was untrue that the club had notified Wales that Roy Vernon would be made available for the match against England on October 14.  We have never been contacted by the Welsh F.A about his release of Vernon or any other player, he said “We have told the Scottish Association that whenever possible in the future our players will be made available for internationals, and the also applies to all home Associations.  “We are not expecting our present injury position to continue indefinitely.  Just at the moment we cannot afford to take any risks.” 
EVERTON NET WIDE
While Everton are on the lookout all the time for reinforcements for the team, Mr. Catterick says he is unable to hold out any strong hopes of immediate developments.  Day after day the club are reported to have developed an interest in this player or that which is hardly surprising in view of the fact that every Saturday between forty and fifty players are under observation.  Sometimes this mass scouting plan goes into operation two or three days in one week,” said Mr. Catterick.  It is true that emphasis is being placed on two or three positions in particular and while Everton know several men who would meet their requirements, this knowledge and the ability to implement it are two very different things.  Everton would move immediately if there were indications that any one of the players they like was available.
HOPEFUL VERNON
Officially the news from Goodison Park is that Collins, Vernon and Bingham are unlikely to be available this week.  Collins still experiences discomfort in certain circumstances and while Vernon is making splendid progress caution may direct policy there.  Vernon trained on Saturday morning and felt no ill-effects whatever and I know he is going to be a very disappointed man if the official ruling is against him.  Players may not always be the best judges of their own conditions, but if Vernon can convince those in authority today and tomorrow that it is not more enthusiasm for the cause that provokes his optimism, his claims might not lightly be disregarded. 

PRESTON RES 1 EVERTON RES 2
Monday, September 18, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Reserves were fortunate to snatch both points at Preston.  They had difficulty in making headway against a good defence until the home centre half Lyons was taken off with a dislocated wrist just after half-time.  Ring and Lill on the wings were the strength of the Everton attack but it was Mailey in goal who stole the honours with an inspired performance and outshone even such stalwart defenders as Jones and Jarvis.  The scorers were Wilson D, for Preston and Lill and Jones (penalty) for Everton.

TEMPLE’S WONDER GOAL TURNING POINT
Liverpool Echo - Monday 18 September 1961
By Michael Charters
Ipswich Town came to Goodison Park just at the right time-for them.  They did much to restore Everton’s fast-waning confidence by an inept display which allowed Everton to dictate the game from start to finish and run out 5-2 winners after their earnest match for years.  On their previous record this season, when they have beaten Burnley and Manchester City among others.  Ipswich cannot be as poor as they seemed, but on Saturday they looked outclassed and out of their class.  Without taking credit away from Everton, who could not have dominated the game more completely, I thought it was not that Everton made Ipswich look bad, but just that the visitors played such solid uninspired football that one wondered how they had come to be so high in the First Division.  Ipswich scored twice because of some laxity in the Everton defence when they were leading 4-0.  Otherwise they never looked like scoring and 53 minutes of Everton pressure had gone by before Dunlop made his first save.  At the other end, Ipswich goalkeeper Hall, making his First Division debut, had a nightmare game and his uneasiness spread to the rest of the defenders who gave away corners with gay abandon to shield the uncertain handling of their goalkeeper, I gave up counting after Everton had won 20 corners.  Ipswich were slow, almost pedantic at times and Everton, getting better and better up to the time they were four up, riddled their defence with ease.  Everton’s football was not all that impressive-I thought they played better against Manchester City and lost-but this was very easy victory will help them to recover from their bad start, particularly in view of the two tough games this week at Manchester City and Burnley.  For 70 minutes, Everton made Ipswich appear a Second Division side, and only an average one at that.  There are some men nearing the veteran stage in the Ipswich side and Everton’s speed made them look at times as though they had reached it.  It was only when two gift goals came the way of Ipswich in five minutes that Everton suddenly looked ragged and worried.  They should never have allowed Ipswich these chances.
SENSATIONAL IMPACT
The turning point of the game to my mind came quite early, after 18 minutes, Everton had started as though they expected Ispwich to produce some power brand of football, but when they realized that they were outplaying and out-thinking their opponents, they began to move well.  The shooting had been poor until Temple out of the blue scored a wonderful goal.  It was the first time he had made any impact on the game at all, but the impact, when it happened, was sensational.  He collected the ball in midfield, weaved his way casually with his clever and deceptive change of pace through three statuesque Ipswich defenders, and cracked the ball into the net from 25 yards with his left foot.  Everton began to believe in themselves from that moment.  With Gabriel and Harris, both playing brilliantly, taking advantage of the wide-open spaces Ipswich allowed, the forwards began to crack on the pace.  Young having his best game of the season, spread the ball round.  Bingham and Fell were racing past slow-turning defenders, and had it not been for desperate and fortunate clearances they might have been four up by half-time.  As it was, Temple scored a neat goal from Fell’s dragged, inwards pass after Wignall had made the initial opening before the interval, and Everton went off to cheers to leave the crowd wondering what had happened to the Ipswich reputation.  Three minutes after half-time, Young scored another fine goal after Temple had made the chance.  Young, standing still, produced terrific power in his shot, which flashed past the unhappy Hall from 20 yards, and for the next 20 minutes Hall was the busiest man in sight.  Everton were doing as they liked, Parker and Thomson, both having great games, kept moving up to present a long line of blue which must have looked awe-inspiring to the hard-working Ipswich defenders.  This was Everton’s brightest spell and it was rounded off by a cute goal by Bingham, who raced on to Young’s lobbed pass and flicked the ball over Hall’s head into the net as Crompton tackled him.  Everton relaxed after that and then we had the unhappy sight of Ipswich, by Everton’s defensive slips rather than the visitors’ own good play, getting goals from Phillips and Moran to produce a 4-2 margin which are a travesty of the way the game had gone. 
YOUNG ENJOYED HIMSELF
But Temple put the right complexion on the result by scoring again six minutes from time from Wignall’s pass.  Temple looked great in front of goal and might have had five goals rather than three with a little more luck, but there were times when he almost disappeared from view.  But who can grumble with an inside man who can produce such a powerful shot from his slight frame? Everything went right for him and it’s a long time since he had such a fine game.  It was good to see Young playing as though he was enjoying himself rather than suffering in silence in his struggle to find his form.  I never saw the tall Elsworthy, make an effective tackle on him, and Young’s enthusiasm to fall back in defence at times was another good feature.  The best men on Everton’s side were Parker, Thomson, and the three half-backs.  Harris had an excellent match in every way.  He was ever ready to move up in support of his forwards, but he and Gabriel will be the first to admit that they were helped by the slowness of the Ipswich inside men.  Labone kept the free-scoring Crawford under complete control except for an early slip, which Parker redeemed with a great tackle on the Ipswich leader.  Thomson played like an inside forward against Stephenson, controlling the ball, beating his man, stroking the ball forward, moving up for the return pass-all delighted stuff.  Although Everton found the ball running kindly for them for the first time this season-believe it or not, the trainers were never called on once-there was a post-game aftermath which has become commonplace at Goodison these days, Bingham, it was found, had pulled a leg muscle, which will mean rest and he may not play for a fortnight. 

VERNON MAY PLAY THIS WEEK
Liverpool Echo - Monday 18 September 1961
Recovery From Injury
BINGHAM OUT
By Michael Charters
There is a possibility that Everton's Roy Vernon will have recovered from his pulled muscle injury in time to play this week with the likelihood of him being fit for Saturday's game at Burnley rather than at Manchester City on Wednesday. Both he and skipper Bobby Collins have made good progress since they resumed light training late last week, but Vernon is expected to be fit before Collins.  The latest casualty victim, outside right Billy Bingham, has a pulled thigh muscle which will rule him out this week. Manager Harry Catterick commented this morning: "We don't seem to be able to go through a game without someone being injured. “We have not been able to field an unchanged team since the second match of the season.”

LILL IS DEPUTY FOR BINGHAM
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 19 September 1961
Everton Team Change
VERNON ILL
By Michael Charters
The thigh muscle Injury Billy Bingham received on Saturday has resulted in Everton having to make one change for their game at Manchester City tomorrow night. Micky Lill returns to the right wing spot he last occupied a year ago before his double cartilage operation. His four League games this season have been on the left right. Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Lill, Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell.

FIVE GOALS-THEN BACK TO SHOOTING PRACTICE
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 20 September 1961
SAYS EVERTON'S ALEX YOUNG
Our 5-2 win over Ipswich on Saturday gave Everton supporters a little ammunition with which to defend themselves against the barrage of wisecracks they have been encountering from their workmates and friends who support that famous Second Division team across the Park, but just in case you should think that we Everton forwards are letting that success go to our heads, let you into a little secret. . When we turned out for training at Bellefield on Monday morning, a great deal of the time was devoted to SHOOTING PRACTICE. Two days before the Ipswich game, trainer Tom Eggleston and coach Les Shannon put us through a prolonged session of “target practice,” and it seemed to give us just that little edge on Saturday.  If Monday’s session produces the same results against Manchester City tonight then well all be satisfied feel we got the measure of the Maine Road team when they were at Goodison Park a fortnight ago, and I think we were a trifle unfortunate to lose.  Tonight we will make an all-out effort to recover those two points which were “stolen” by Bert Trauntmann and his co-defenders when they visited us.
FIRST GAME
 We are away again on Saturday at Burnley, where,  all being well. I hope to play my first game against the Turf Moor club. I remember sitting on the touchline at Turf Moor last Boxing Day and watching our boys gain a 3-1 win. It was a really first-class game ,but, alas, the last one we won for some time. How nice if we could beat Burnley again, and then follow up with a winning sequence, just to put matters right. Derek Temple's three goals against Ipswich took him to the top of the Everton first team scoring list, his tally now being four in three games. Derek only scored four In 20 League appearances last 'year, but he had so many near misses that it came as no surprise to me when he I notched a treble on Saturday. Well done, Derek. Carry on with the good work. What a pity our Youth team were unlucky enough to be drawn away to Manchester United in the preliminary round of the FA. Youth Cup and go down by 3-2.
UNLUCKY BREAKS
Those who went to Manchester tell me our boys had a few unlucky breaks at vital stages, but on the balance of play they were as good as the Mancunians. Only three members of the side which reached the final of the competition last season were eligible to play, and one lot them, George Sharpies, was out of action through illness. The two who did play were right back Roy Parnell, who deputised for Alex Parker in the first team earlier this season, and inside left George Morton. Most of the Everton team  have another season or two in youth football, and if what I have seen of them in training training is any guide, then watch out for them next season. Perhaps by then this competition will be run on the same lines as the F.A. Cup, with the non-League clubs playing off the preliminary rounds and the football League members coming in at a later stage.  This would prevent two good sides, such as Everton and Manchester United, meeting at an early stage and one being eliminated. Incidentally, United now play Wigan Athletic!
YOUNGSTER'S AMBITION
In the mail-bag this week there was a very nice letter from David McC, (I won’t give his full name in case he should get his leg pulled at school), of Waterloo. David, who is aged 14, says his ambition is to become a professional footballer. His 'problem is that after receiving an injury in a trial match, his chances of making the school team this year - his last at school—have gone. David thinks because of this his hopes of becoming a professional have vanished. Believe me, David, you do not necessarily have to be a success in school football to become a professional footballer. League clubs are full of players who have been spotted playing for amateur teams after leaving school. If you have the talent, the League clubs will find you. Brian G., of Liverpool 7, writes to ask my advice on increasing his stamina. Brian says he plays every Sunday, but finds great difficulty in lasting 90 minutes and asks how he can remedy this.  Well, Brian, I bet there are quite a few footballers playing in local amateur leagues who find 90 minutes' football a long time at the moment.  It is a natural reaction at the start of a season, particularly if you have not taken part in sport during the summer months.  As the season progresses, you should find your stamina increasing.  Meanwhile, if you can’t find time for a spot of extra training in the evening, try walking a little more often instead of taking a bus.  That’s all for this week, but if you have any questions about training, tactics, kit, &c., please write to me c/o the Liverpool Echo, Victoria Street, Liverpool 1. 

EVERTON BID TO STOP DOUBLE FOR CITY
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 20 September 1961
By Michael Charters
An oddity of the fixture maker has decreed that Everton and Liverpool both play away to-day. It is rare, indeed, for this to happen in the League but there have been many instances in the Cup, of course. Everton's visit to Manchester City is the last of their mid-week games for the first half of the season and manager Harry Catterick must be glad that the two matches a week spell is over so that the training staff at Goodison can have an uninterrupted week to work on the long list of injured men. Everton have Lill on the right wing in place of the injured Bingham as the only change from the team which beat Ipswich so handsomely. It they have the run of the ball, as they did on Saturday, they may surprise City who cannot assume that the double is theirs just for the taking. Everton prayed well against them fortnight ago but lost despite having 80 per cent, of the play. If Temp e and Young can retain the shooting form they showed against Ipswich. Everton stand a chance of their first away point of the season, but City are a far different proposition to Ipswich. I will be interested to-night to see how Lill plays now that he has regained his original position on the right. To me he has never looked happy on the left wing, but his enthusiasm has carried him along when he has lacked the natural left-footed ability to make his mark in the position which has been Everton's biggest headache since the accident to Tom Ring a year ago. Brian Harris brought verve and strength to the half back line which has been missing this season. In the opinion of many his recall to the senior team was long overdue; certainly, he could not have done more last Saturday to prove that he is the best left half the club have on their books.  Manchester City; Trauntmann; Betts, Sear; Cheethan, Ewing, Kennedy; Baker, Dobing, Hannah, Hayes, Wagstaff.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Lill, Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell. 

ANOTNEN BLOW
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 20 September 1961
By Michael Charters
The sudden illness of inside forward Roy Vernon is another blow to Everton, who had hoped that the Welsh international would be fit for Saturday game at Burnley after his leg injury.  Vernon was sent home from the ground yesterday with a sore throat and a high temperature.  He had reached the stage in recovering from his injury that he would have had a full-scale fitness test later this week, and manager Harry Catterick felt that Vernon would have come through that satisfaction.  Now it is probable that Vernon will not be available for another week. Everton's young Irish goa keeper, Pat Dunne reported to the ground this morning for the first time this season after his accident while on holiday in Ireland last July. Dunne injured his arm so badly while swimming –he lacerated it on a broken bottle- that two skin grafts were necessary and he was in hospital for five weeks. Now he has returned from his home for examination by the Everton doctor and will resume light training.

NOT A SINGLE WEAKNESS
Thursday, September 21, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON ARE WELL ON THE WAY BACK TO RECOVERY
MANCHESTER CITY 1, EVERTON 3
By Michael Charters
Everton were back at their very best in handsomely defeating Manchester City at Maine Road last night, to take ample and well merited revenge for the defeat they suffered a fortnight ago at Goodison.  After Everton’s improvement in beating Ipswich last Saturday I can now say after last night’s performance, that they are more than 80 per cent on the way to complete recovery from the early season disappointing form.  They played superb polished football to dominate City as that team can rarely have been dominated this season.  In the first half particularly, their skill was of the highest standard, and the only trouble they had was in beating a very pronounced offside trap which City used.  Once they had discovered that by talking the ball through instead of trying to pass it forward they had the City defenders completely baffled by their speed and clever interchanging of positions.  These were their first away points of the season, and if they can continue to produce this brilliance in future they can start the long climb up the table to the high position everyone thought they would hold this season.  There was not a single weakness on the side, I thought-however that the basis of the side’s success was a superlative exhibition by the three half backs. 
FIRST CLASS

Labone was so completely the master in midfield-his heading was particularly accurate-that City switched Baker from the wing to take over from Hannah in the second half.  But even this brought no success.  Harris and Gabriel gave first class service, almost unceasing, to their forwards and defensively Everton were as tight as a drum with Parker and Thomson controlling the City wingers and reducing them to nonentity.  The forwards could hardly fail with the service they received, and I thought Wignall had a particularly fine match against Ewing who had played so well in the first match between them a fortnight ago.  Wignall with his strength and speed was a constant worry to the veteran Ewing, who looked a very tired man along with the rest of the City defenders, towards the end.  Young showed that the improvement in the game against Ipswich was no temporary one, and he is fast regaining his old brilliant form.  His ball distribution and tactical play could not have been better.  I don’t think Everton put more than half a dozen passes wrong all night.  So complete was their control over the City whom they rarely allowed a look in that Dunlop only had two moments of trouble the whole match and City’s goal n fact, came two minutes from the end when Everton had slackened the pace.  In the first half Dunlop did not have a save to make and it was just a question of when Everton could round off their precision football with goals.  Temple missed a couple of good chances before Young and Wignall had desperately hard luck at the twenty-second minute.  Yung beat Trauntmann to the ball at the edge of the penalty area recovered marvelously when the bounce of the ball beat him and flicked it back to Wignall whose shot hit Trauntmann as the goalkeeper scrambled back towards his goal.  The long succession of Everton’s missed chances continued with Temple twice shooting straight at Trauntmann and then Lill missed an even easier one from Fell’s pass after he had cut inside Ewing cleverly.  But Everton were playing such dominating and superior football that a goal had to come.  Two minutes before half-time Wignall dispossessed Ewing with a great tackle near the half-way line, and on the left, to race forward and cut into the City penalty area.  The temptation to shoot must have been great but he wisely made a clever pass to the unmarked Young and Lill and it was Young who cracked the ball into the net to send Everton off at half time with a well deserved lead and the cheers of the big Everton contingent among the crowd.  The second half did not reach quite as high a standard as the first, but it was still Everton who had the City crowd quiet with the stranglehold they had on the team.  Seven minutes after half time, Dunlop was lucky when a corner by Wagstaffe hit the bar and came out for Baker to shoot, the ball hitting Dunlop on the leg and running clear.  Trauntmann made a wonderful save from temple, who was now in his best shooting form, before Wignall who had his name taken after an incident with Dobing, scored the second goal after 72 minutes.  From Fell’s free kick, Wignall rose high above Ewing to make a perfect header to beat Trauntmann’s outstretched arms.  Six minutes from time Temple put the seal on a memorable Everton display by scoring from close range after Harris had sent Lill away and the winger crossed the ball accurately.  Hannah ran the ball into the net for City’s goal two minutes from time but this could not take any of the glory away from an Everton the like of which we have not seen since last season.  Manchester City; Trauntmann; Betts, Sear; Cheetham, Wing, Kennedy; Baker, Dobing, Hannah, Hayes, Wagstaffe.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Lill, Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell.  Referee; Mr. J.E Carr (Sheffield) Attendance 35,102. 

EVERTON ARE BACK TO THEIR BEST
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 21 September 1961
By Michael Charters
What a night for sporting celebration in Liverpool—, Everton winning at Maine Road, Liverpool moving smoothly on their triumphant way at Newcastle. The return of those good old Goodison and Anfield “Derby “days looms nearer all the time. Everton's 3-1 win over Manchester City could not have been more satisfying, more complete. They played polished football with a drive and spirit which not only brought them most deservedly their first away points of the season, but satisfied everyone connected with the club that the disappointing days of the past few weeks have gone. The visit to top-form Burnley on Saturday, may prove a set-back, but if the evidence of last night's game is anything to go by, it would only be temporary. Everton are back to their best.  Everton not only produced precision, clock-work passing, but revealed a will to "fight" for the ball which showed that the tide has turned in their favour and a climb up the table must follow. They crushed City to such an extent that in the last 20 minutes they might have run up four or five goals had their forwards not lost a little of the edge they had shown for more than an hour. Centre half Ewing, the king-pin of the defence which kept Everton goal-less a fortnight ago, looked a tired, weary man long before the end and his co-defenders were wilting with him. Wing halves Cheetham and Kennedy were not in the game at all against an Everton forward line which switched positions, moved into the open spaces and dictated the game all through. Early in the first half, City's use of a marked offside trap had Everton bothered, but once they started to bring the ball through instead of passing it forward, the City defence was turned and twisted out of recognition. We even had the unusual, but pleasant, sight of Labone come surging forward with the ball, dribbling on himself as the City defenders moved up for the expected pass, and he went to 20 yards from Trautmann before cracking a fine shot just wide. This exemplified the Everton spirit-they were all eager for the ball, dove-tailing perfectly. Altogether, a first-class team performance in every way and especially satisfying to those who always felt they were a great team who just wanted the "breaks" to come their way, injuries or no injuries.
Wignall's best yet
ALL played well, some superbly. This must be the finest game Wignall has had. His strength and clever moving to the wings upset Ewing, and when Ewing is disturbed the City defence looks very suspect. He was a little too enthusiastic—he had his name taken over an incident with Dobing—but this was his only fault. He made the first goal, scored the second with a great header, and when one realizes that he is not yet 100 per cent fit, his display is all the more praiseworthy. Alongside him, Young and Temple worked perfectly together. Young's expert, precise passing often sent Temple striding dangerously through gaps in the City defensive cover as Wignall drew Ewing out of position. Young is rapidly coming back to his best form. He has confidence in himself now and his skill with the ball is fabulous. Had Temple been in the same shooting form of last Saturday, he could have had three or four goals, but he missed a couple of good chances, and Trautmann made two great saves from this lad with power in his boots. Lill did better on the right wing than he has ever done on the other flank, and came desperately near to scoring in the first half as Ewing tackled him, the winger hurting his ankle in the process. Fell had one of his best games. Everton's defence all round looked tremendously solid and powerful. Their covering was especially good, with each man always alert to move out of position to lend a hand when the occasion demanded. Gabriel and Harris were the great strength of the side, and their dominance at wing half was in such contrast to the struggling City men that I made them the men of the match, well as Wignall played. Labone was like a rock in midfield. His heading was always accurate and he so played Hannah out of the game in the first halt that the Liverpool-born player switched positions with Baker on the right wing later. It made not the slightest difference to Labone, who commanded his goal area. Wagstaffe out of it
Parker made two devastatingly effective tackles in the first two minutes on young Wagstaffe, whom I rate the most promising left winger in England, and that was the end of Wagstaffe, who will be glad he's not going to play against Parker again this season. Parker was in the form which makes many critics rank him the best right back in Britain. Thomson, too, was just as good and this whole effective defence reduced the City forwards to an in distinguished bunch of individuals. They scored their goal two minutes from time, when Everton had relaxed a little too soon: otherwise they only troubled Dunlop twice in the whole game. Dunlop was lucky the first time after Wagstaffe’s corner had glanced off the crossbar and a return shot by Hayes hit the goalkeeper on the leg. When Everton were two up, Parker made his only slip of the game and allowed Wagstaffe to close in and cross the ball dangerously so that there was a fantastic scramble in the goalmouth between Dunlop, Labone, Gabriel, Hayes and Hannah, with the ball bobbing to and fro like a ping-pong ball, it was the long, trusty legs of Labone which eventually clouted the ball away. Apart from these incidents, Dunlop had a comfortable time. Wignall's part in the first goal could not be overestimated. He made a brave challenge on the powerful Ewing, robbed him with a great tackle near the half-way line and then raced on. The temptation to shoot as he closed in on Trautmann must have been strong, but he wisely passed square across the goal to the unmarked Young and Lill, and it was Young who cracked the ball home. That was two minutes before half-time, and it could not have come at a better time. The next goal came at 72 minutes, when Wignall rose superbly above Ewing to beat Trautmann all ends up with a fine header from Fells free kick. Six minutes from time Harris came through 40 yards with the ball, passed to Lill, who closed up to the line before crossing it for Temple to ram it into the net at close range. Hayes got City's goal just before the end—and I can't say they deserved it. Everton simply toyed with them, and their display gave great joy to the thousands of their fans who had journeyed to Manchester. I should imagine there will be even more of them at Burnley on Saturday to see this resurgent Everton tackle the League leaders. But Everton don't seem able to get through a game without some injury. Lill must be very doubtful for Saturday with his injured ankle, although there is brighter news that skipper Bobby Collins has recovered from the knee injury he received in the second match of the season. Collins will be having a run with the Reserves at Goodison Park on Saturday, against Chesterfield.

GOODISON’S FLOODLIT CUP MATCH IS FIXED FOR OCTOBER 18
Friday, September 22, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
October 18-that is the day when Everton meet Liverpool in the first leg of the Floodlit Cup competition at Goodison Park, in a game which may well draw over 60,000 spectators for it is a match which almost everybody who can get there will want to see.  Liverpool supporters will be eager to see their team prove that they can deal with First Division adversaries with the same deadliness with which they dispatched Second Division foes.” Everton followers, on the other hand, will be living for the day that will give them the opportunity to silence the non-stop hymn of triumph which they have heard their rivals singing from the season’s opening day, and give them a real opportunity to end the gloating and leg-pulling which has been their lot.  Actually past experience has proved that division mean nothing hen these two rivals get together, and Liverpool already boast a five two advantage to date, but this, Everton contend, would make victory over the Anfield side more satisfying than ever.  The biggest attendance so far is the 48,771 which greeted the inaugural match in 1957, but in the existing fever of excitement and rivalry it would not be surprising to find that figure surpassed.  It is a remarkable fact that the seven games played (there was only one match last season when Liverpool won 3-1 at Anfield) have not produced a draw.  Could this be the occasion for it, leaving honour satisfied on both sides? 
FREEDOM FROM INJURY
Possibly even more important to both clubs the the result will be freedom from injury by the players of both sides, Everton have suffered too much already and it would be a tragedy if anything should happen to upset Liverpool’s happy position.  Still, the match will be an appetizer for the “derby” games in real earnest, which with luck, will be resumed next season, although there is still too far to go and too many games, yet to be played for anything to be taken for granted.  In fact, even now some Liverpool supporters cringe at the mere mention of the word promotion, fearful lest the spell be broken.  Liverpool’s fine football and big gates have already attracted attention on the Continent and recently they have received offers to visit Anfield from Benfica the Portuguese team, which won the European Cup lasts season, and Eintracht, the West German Cup finalists of the previous year.  Liverpool however, have one goal and one goal only on mind just now and will not consider the playing of any additional matches which might cause complications.  The invitations have been politely refused, but perhaps some other time, when present stresses and tensions are over, these leading European sides will be seen on Merseyside.  I do not think the fact that one of the clubs was asking a guarantee in the region of £7,000 entered into calculations at all.  Obviously a bargain figure might have been struck below the sum if other considerations had been right.  Some of the leading Scottish clubs have also expressed an interest in visiting Anfield, but they have fared no better than the Continentals.  Everton, whose climb up the League ladder has begun, I hope, in real earnest, have a Goodison Park fixture with Kiev, one of the leading Russian sides on November 15.  I gathered at Newcastle on Wednesday that they do not consider there is the slightest danger to their visit to Anfield on October 4 by second round League Cup obligations.  They appear to take the view that a different date will have to be found for the League Cup and certainly not for the long standing League fixtures.  I understand that there are a limited number of stand tickets still available and these may be had on application to the club offices.  Everton manager Mr. Harry Catterick may be faced with another team selection problem today for an ankle injury makes Mickey Lill a doubtful starter.  With Bingham also out of commission it is not a very agreeable position, especially with the visit to Burnley in view tomorrow. 
EVERTON SIGNING
Everton have signed on professional forms Barry Rees, a former Rhyl Welsh schoolboy international wing half, who has been on the Everton register previously as an amateur.  After playing with Rhyl last season he joined Colwyn Bay. 

FIGHTING FOR A PLACE NEVER HURT ANYONE
Friday, September 22, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
Says Roy Vernon
It rather looks as though I must have killed a Chinaman or something equally disastrous judging by the run of ill-luck which has hit me this season.  When I went to bed on Monday evening I was looking forward to my visit to Goodison Park next day, for I felt confident I would satisfy everybody of my fitness to play against Manchester City, if required.  Next morning I found myself assailed by tonsillitis and it was back to bed for me.  The friendly wager I had with Bobby Collins that I would be back in action before him, has had a set-back and now we are hoping we will be declared fit together.  That date cannot come too soon for either of us.  Our absence from football has already seemed an eternity.  Lying in bed I cast my mind back to the last time I was hit by tonsillitis.  It was when I was with Blackburn Rovers; I had just received the information that not only was I selected as a member of the Welsh under-23 team but that I was to skipper it, when down I went.  White one may not necessarily go out of one’s way to seek honours outside the club, they are always very welcome when they are received and now that is a distinction which will forever elude me.  It was my last chance, because age ruled me out. 
SMOKER’S THROAT?
“It only a smoker’s throat,” some of my pals chaffed, “you are doing too much.” How I wish that were true, for I could soon have put that right.  Actually I am smoking very little indeed these days, probably less than at any time since I fell victim to the habit.  Everton are almost, entirely non-smokers and I am told the same thing applies at Anfield, although I did see one of the players boasting a pipe only a little while ago.  The latest tip is that the pipe has been puffed for the last time.  I fully realize that smoking and football are not the best of companions, but I do not believe the amount I have been doing would make the slightest difference to anybody.  After Derek Temple’s three goals against Ipswich Town and another at Maine Road I was subject of some good-natured leg-pulling (at least I hope it was leg-pulling), I was told I would find it very difficult now to regain my place.  I was not in the least dismayed, for I have had to fight for my place before now and I don’t think I have felt any the worse for it.  Competition even of the friendliest kind, is good for the players and good for the club.  After all it is the club which comes first and if a player is not good enough to command his place by his football skill and ability, then it is hard to see how he can have any kick.  We all know that Everton will be a better side when everybody is available and there is real competition for every place in the side.  While each man naturally puts all he has into his games, there is that indefinable something which helps to pull out the super effort when he realizes his position is under fire.  A club’s difficulty is in keeping it that way without fear of the edge losing its sharpness by non selection.
FENCED IN
Because of disagreeable scenes on one of the League grounds last week I see the suggestion is being made that the day may not be far off when we shall have to adopt the Continental system of putting high wire fences on the outside of the pitch to prevent anyone encroaching.  What a dreadful thought! I can understand spectators getting excited at some needle matches.  After all that is what they go for.  They are also entitled to demonstrate vocally and no one denies them the right, but I think spectators who cannot control their emotions sufficiently to prevent them invading the field with the intention of assaulting or even remonstrating with anyone-players or officials- would be far better off a home in front of their TV set.  What possible good can it achieve? It may give the individual some momentary satisfaction often followed by speedy retribution, but it is an action entirely without merit.  If an individual believes that by taking such action he is helping his club favourites, I can tell him here and now that he could not be more mistaken.  From time to time players may have their quibbles against referees, but I would be the first to defend their integrity, I do not say they cannot be mistaken.  From time to time mistakes are inevitable; it sometimes happens that players have to pay a heavier price for their errors than do officials but I have every confidence that if referees-make a habit of mistakes then it will quickly come to official notice.  It is sometimes said that a spectators see more of the game than the players and in some cases I am willing to admit the truth of this assertion, but over and over again the players being nearer to incidents, are the better judges of what has happened.  Some incidents may look much uglier viewed from the stand than from close quarters and even when there are glaring indiscretions, obviously the only policy is to leave it to the referee to sort out.  In cold blood I know it is easier to say this and mean it than hen spirits are roused and if we were all gifted with the ability to think first and then act, how much better it would be!  By taking the law into their own hands spectators cannot help, but only harm.  Even if action is not taken against individuals it can be taken against a club, and by this means it is the vast majority which is penalized for the odd indiscretions of the most minute minority.  Headlines, of course are made of such incidents and we are apt to get an entirely wrong opinion.  The word can easily get around that British football grounds are becoming battlefields.  Yet how absurd that is!  I hope I never live to see the day when grounds have to be fenced for the protection of players and referees. 

STARTING TO CLICK AGAIN
Liverpool Echo - Friday 22 September 1961
Bee’s Notes
Burnley are top of the world just now, with a great forward line in which every member can score. A fortnight ago, one would have written off Everton's chances against them, but suddenly Everton have started to click again. It would be too much to expect them to stop a rampant Burnley whose 31 goals in nine games is clear testimony to their current form, but if they play as they did at Maine Road, Burnley will not find it easy going. Everton's defence looked very solid against City and had little difficulty in holding the small Manchester forwards. I liked particularly their spirit and there were times, when City threatened danger that three or four Everton men swooped collectively towards the man in possession. It was team-work of high class, but whether they can repeat the performance against players of the quality of Pointer, Mcllroy, Robson, Connelly and Harris remains to be seen. This is the match of the day in the First Division. Even if the result goes against Everton, the tide of events has turned for them even though Lill was yet another injury victim on Wednesday. Few teams could have withstood the flood of accidents to star players that Everton have suffered so far this season, but there is better news that Roy Vernon is much better, Billy Bingham is in light training and, best of all, Bobby Collins has recovered from the severe knee injury he sustained in the second game of the season and has a try-out with the Central League side against Chesterfield at Goodison Park to-morrow. Incidentally, Collins and Bingham were delighted spectators at Maine Road on Wednesday night. Collins, speaking to Manager Harry Catterick afterwards remarked: "It's going to be tough getting back into this team now!" That's the sort of spirit Mr. Catterick hopes will spread through the club, and he seems to be well on the way to succeeding. The side played with skill plus "light" of the right sort at City.

FITNESS TEST FOR BINGHAM
Liverpool Echo - Friday 22 September 1961
EVERTON’S RIGHT WING DOUBT
By Michael Charters
There is a chance that Irish international Billy Bingham will have recovered sufficiently from injury to play outside right for Everton at Burnley tomorrow.  He has made a rapid recovery from his thigh muscle injury received against Ipswich last Saturday, but if he fails a late fitness test, the young Welsh centre forward, Keith Webber, will be on the wing.  This is the only change from the side which beat Manchester City at Maine Road on Wednesday, when Mickey Lill received the ankle injury which rules him out tomorrow.  Burnley, who have taken 10 points from the last five games, will be unchanged for the sixth successive match.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, or Webber, Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell. Burnley; Blacklaw; Angus, Elder; Adamson, Cummins, Miller; Connelly, McIIroy, Pointer, Robson, Harris
Everton Reserves (v. Chesterfield at Goodison Park);- Mailey; Parnell, Green; Jarvis, Jones, Gannon; Tyrer, Collins, Gorrie, Meagan, Ring. 

BINGHAM FIT?
Saturday, September 23, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
When Everton travel to Burnley today, I expect Billy Bingham to be not only a member of the party, but a member of the eleven for I am told there are the highest hopes he will be declared fit to play at outside right, and thereby avoid the necessity of playing the youthful centre forward Keith Webber as a right winger for the first time.  Otherwise the team will be the same as that which sent Everton spirits soaring with such a meritorious win over Manchester City, a triumph which underlined the humbling of Ipswich Town last Saturday.  That Everton should have rallied so successfully with both Collins and Vernon out of the team is quite remarkable, proves that whatever may have been said after some of the games this season, there is nothing at all wrong with their fighting heart.  Undoubtedly the recall of Brian Harris has played a no; inconsiderable part for the sort of driving enthusiasm he produces when he is playing well is infectious.  There is not the slightest reason to suppose Everton will show any sort of inferiority complex against the League leaders.  They won there 3-1 last season and while it may be expecting too much to look for a repeat performance I believe a draw is week within their capacity-and remember, Burnley have not dropped a point in front of their own crowd so far.
TALENT TO SPARE
What a tremendous achievement it would represent for Everton to hold Burnley, but they are in the mood and frankly if Collins and Vernon had both been available, it would have been most cruel to leave out any of the lads who have sparked this revival.  Roy Vernon was able to train at Goodison yesterday and while he was perfectly happy about the thigh muscle injury, the bout of tonsillitis snapped his vitality rather more than he had expected and he had to confess that he still needs another few days before announcing himself 100 per cent fit.  Next week then, it may be that manager Harry Catterick will have an abundance of forward talent from which to choose, for Collins anticipates that his outing with the reserves will convince him of the soundness of his leg.  Burnley, scorer of 31 goals with two sixes in succession (away from home) are not only leading scorers, but have a margin of seven to spare.  They are unchanged.  Burnley; Blacklaw; Angus, Elder; Adamson, Cummings, Miller, Connolly, McIIroy, Pointer, Robson, Harris.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham (or Webber), Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell. 

THOMSON GOAL FAILS TO SAVE EVERTON FROM DEFEAT
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 23 September 1961
BURNLEY 2, EVERTON 1
Burnley; Blacklaw; Angus, Elder; Adamson, Cummins, Miller; Connelly, McIIroy, Pointer, Robson, Harris (G).  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris (B); Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell.  Referee; Mr. G. McCabe (Sheffield). 
Billy Bingham passed a fitness test and came in for the injured Lill. Everton should have been a goal up in five minutes for Wignall, after deceiving Cummings with a beautiful body feint found Blacklaw at the right hand side of the goal. Wignall, with all the goal at which to aim, fired wide and held his head in his hands in dismay at this loss of a golden opportunity. Everton had so far shown themselves to be in no way inferior to the League leaders and Wignall twice headed for goal but on the second occasion Temple was off-side. Luck was not with Everton for a move in which Temple took the ball from halfway before putting through a beautiful pass to Wignall deserved a better fate than to strike Blacklaw and pass wide of the goal. Everton looked hopefully to referee when Bingham came down in the penalty area, but obviously he had fallen over Adamson when making his shot.  Fell pulled out a surprise shot which Blacklaw covered confidently, and he was in action again when Brian Harris joined the shooting gallery.  This time Blacklaw was content to push the ball round the post for a corner kick. 
WONDERFUL SNOT
Pointer was wandering far and wide in his efforts to outwit Labone, but without much success. Burnley were employing Connelly and McIIroy for their corner kicks and, although Everton set two defenders to counter the move. It did not prevent  McIIroy from firing in a wonderful shot which brought out the best in Dunlop. Fell tricked his way round Angus and there was a groan from Everton's followers when a beautifully squared ball passed right across goal with not an Everton player near to profit from the offering. Young was coming more into the game but although there was much to admire in Everton approach play there was a lack of danger when they were in front of goal. Just how dangerous it is to give Burnley's blonde bomb-shell Pointer half a chance Everton discovered to their cost in 26 minutes when Pointer opened the scoring.  There was apparently no danger when Gordon Harris stood with the ball near the touchline, apparently wondering how he could employ it to the best advantage. Suddeny he shot into life to beat Parker and Young, and found an exposed Pointer just inside the penalty area. Pointer raced on to it and gave Dunlop no chance to save. Whatever ill fortune Everton may have suffered they had nothing to compare with that of Burnley when Connelly missed possibly the easiest scoring chance of his career. When Pointer caught the defence in a tangle he slid the ball to the in running Connelly, Dunlop did the only thing possible by leaving his goal in an effort to race Connell to the ball. The Winger won and, having tapped the ball cleverly to one side of Dunlop, was confronted with an open goal no more than ten yards out. From this glorious position he put the ball over the top. INACCURATE PASSING
Everton's passing had lost some of its accuracy and several times players had to run back yards to take the ball. A Temple –Young link-up looked promising until Young sent the ball out to Fell with Bingham shouting despairingly in front of goal for the chance to score the equalizer.  Fell’s header was no threat at all. Pointer was using the ball effectively to keep the Burnley attack flowing and with McIIroy switching with Gordon Harris, Parker and Gabriel had hectic moments.  On one occasion they were relieved to find Young scurrying back to their aid.  It was curious to find Young dispossessing Burnley left back Elder on the Everton bye-line. A wonderful save by Blacklaw five minutes from the interval robbed Everton of the equaliser. It was Brian Harris who fired the attack when, in combination with Bingham, he forced his way to the edge of the penalty area, before releasing a great drive at which Blacklaw had to hurl himself to have.  A weak goal-kick gave Everton another chance for he sent the ball to Temple who hit it first time high over the bar with Blacklaw struggling to regain position.
Half-time.—Burnley 1. Everton 1
Young began to take a much more active part in the Everton scheme of things. Dunlop was proving more confident than he has shown in several of his matches this season and he dealt superbly with a Robson header. Burnley's strength appeared, to lie mostly in the wing play of Connelly and Harris, with the ever-present danger that Pointer would apply the finishing touch to their raiding. Parker was knocked out in a collision and had to receive the attention of the trainer. One of Everton's best efforts came from Parker when he raced up to within 30 yards of the Burnley goal and hit a terrific drive. Blacklaw earned top marks for the speed with which he got to the ball and pushed it round the post. Gabriel was guilty of a foul on Robson and from a position near the corner flag McIIroy placed the ball superbly to Robson's head. Dunlop fumbled the ball on the goal line and Pointer rushed in to give it the touch home after 70 minutes. At this stage there was more interest in a scuffle in the crowd behind the Burnley goal with the police climbing the barrier in force to deal with a situation which ended in them escorting a youth from the ground. This was the third time during the afternoon the Police had I found it necessary to take such action.  The crowd behind the goal, comprised almost entirely of Everton supporters, broke into a slow handclap in a demonstration against the police activity.
GABRIEL’S NAME TAKEN
Gabriel was guilty of a foul on Pointer and then lashed the ball towards the Burnley goal-an incident which resulted in his name being taken by the referee. BY way of a change we found Pointer and Robson missing an ease chance to convert a Gordon Harris centre. Meanwhile the police were busy again and , six youths were marched out of the ground. Everton retaliated in 80 minutes when Wignall crossed the ball for Thomson who had raced up field to beat Blacklaw. By this time almost the entire force of police on duty had taken up position behind, the Burnley goal or among the spectators. The last 10 minutes found Everton infusing more vigour and spirit into their effort than at any period of the match and, plainly worried, Burnley scurried back to take up defensive positions. Peace was still not restored to the troubled scene behind the goal and the police rushed in in a body with the result that four more youths left the ground. Almost on the stroke of time Thomson came near to equalizing with a header and then Bingham hit the roof of the stand with a first-time drive Final; Burnley 2, Everton 1. Official attendance; 35,971

WE’RE FITTER AND FULL OF NEW CONFIDENCE
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 23 September 1961
WRITES ALEX PARKER
It’s amazing what a difference a couple of wins make. The atmosphere of Goodson on Thursday and Friday was the best we have had there since the end of last season, when we were doing so well. Of course, it's not only that we gained the four points, but the way we gained them, with the team playing much more confidently. But, looking back on those games, there is one thing that stands out in my mind. It is not Derek Temple's great first goal against Ipswich, or Frank Wignall's magnificent header which gave us our second at Maine Road. With all due respect to Derek and Frank for these efforts, I think the thing I noticed was even more important.  We're getting fitter it was late in the second half of our game at Maine Road that I realised it. I had chased a ball to the wing, gathered it, and then cleared it. It was then I noticed that I wasn't as puffed as I felt I should have been. I have been thinking along these lines every match season, and after Wednesday’s experience I know I am right. I think I can speak for rest of boys, too, and I know myself that I have never been fitter in my career.  There is no great mystery about it, for this season I have trained harder than I have ever done. Such is our training programme that I am sure we win become even fitter in a month or two. I have met players who dislike training, but I enjoy it, for there is no denying that all the skill in the world is no use to you unless you are fit.
EFFECTIVE
Training at Goodison these days is made as interesting and varied as possible—but it is still very effective, and the fact that it is now, in my opinion, really taking effect may have some connection with our two victories. We were much faster on the ball than both Ipswich and City—two sides who have got experience I know I am off to a great start to the right. I think I can speak for season. As we drove alone the East Lancashire Road to Manchester, it was great to see the number of Everton fans going the same way, and from the roar that greeted us as we ran on to the pitch a stranger would have been unable to tell which was the home team and which the visitors. But I think the person who takes the prize for being our most ardent fan on Wednesday goes to Albert Dunlop's father. He has been in hospital for three weeks and last Tuesday evening my wife and I visited him. As we left I said to him: "Probably see you at our next home game." He answered: "I'll see you to-morrow night at Manchester." I thought he was joking but sure enough he was there.  Also cheering us on were Bobby Collins, Billy Bingham, Les Shannon and Gordon Watson. It's a great feeling to know there are some of your own club-mates looking on especially at an away match.
EXPERIMENT
Mickey Lill laid on the pass that gave Derek Temple the chance to keep his name among the goal-scorers and the way Mickey dashed up the wing reminded me of a little experiment we carried out only the day before the match. When Mick was fighting to get fit after his cartilage operation he asked me to sprint against him. I used to gave him two yards start in a 50 yards sprint and invariably won. But last Tuesday we started level and on two occasions dead-heated. So that means Mickey has gained at least two yards. Last Monday morning, Albert Dunlop came over to me and said: "I thought you were a friend of mine." I couldn't imagine what he was talking about until he mentioned that in last week's article I wrote about the number of golf balls (mine) he lost when we played at West Derby the previous Wednesday, When he explained that, I knew he was only joking. Then he said: "You didn’t write about the number of tees Jimmy Gabriel lost.”  Actually, Jimmy only lost 18, which isn't bad when consider we only played 18 holes.  And they were my tees too.  Ah well I suppose that's another pal I've lost.
COME-BACK
Tommy Younger's many friends in this area will be interested to hear that there is a chance of his making a come-back in League soccer with Leeds United. Big Tom has been playing In Canada recently and turned out in an exhibition mat against Real Madrid. Although the Spanish side won 5-0 I hear from different reports, including one by Stanley Matthews, that Younger gave one of the best goalkeeping displays seen in Canada for some time. Obviously he likes playing against Di Stefano and company. In 1957 I was on tour with him and saw him play in the Scotland team beaten 4-2 by Spain. The Spanish forward line included people like Di Stefano, Kubala and Gento, but Tom played a blinder. Incidentally, Dave Mackay made his debut for Scotland in that match and since then course, has become one of the big names in present day soccer. He has gained Cup and League winners' medals with Spurs, and an important part of the team they hope to lift the European Cup this season. They have certainly made a good start with their 10-5 aggregate win over the Polish side Gornik. How come a team can lose 4.2 one week and win 8-1 the next? You tell me, but it certainly illustrates the ups and downs of soccer form I was talking about a fortnight ago.

EVERTON RES V CHESWTERFIELD RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 23 September 1961
Everton res;- Mailey; Parnell, Green; Jarvis, Jones, Gannon; Tyrer, Collins, Gorrie, Meagan, Ring.  Chesterfield Res; Osborne; Holmes, Iggo; Farnham, Whitham, Fowler, Wilton, Broadhurst, Marhsall, Lovie, Plant.  Referee; Mr. C.P. Ackroyd (Pool-in-Warfedale).  After a sustained Chesterfield attack had ended with Marshall shooting behind for a goalkick, Everton should have scored when Tyrer enabled Collins to give a square pass to Ring who pulled his drive wide.  Chesterfield were showing plenty of dash and Green wisely conceded a corner to stop Wilton from getting his shot in,  with Collins showing some nice touches Everton gradually got on top and Meagan twice went close.  Although Chesterfield were reduced to sporadic raiding their moves were dangerous and from a quick breakaway the visitors went ahead in the 23rd minute when Marshall side-footed Wilton’s centre into the net.  Everton retaliated strongly for Tyrer to shoot past the post while Gorrie’s diving header from Ring centre grazed the bar. 
BURNLEY B V EVERTON B
Centre forward Bennett scored for the visitors soon after the start and Grainer equalized for Burnley shortly afterwards.  Connor put Burnley ahead following a corner kick.  Bennett equalized for Everton and Gaskill put Burnley ahead from close in.  Half-time; Burnley B 3, Everton B 2.

WELCOME AWAITING COLLINS AND VERNON
Monday, September 25, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
DRAW WOULD NOT HAVE FLATTERED EVERTON’S FIGHT
BURNLEY 2, EVERTON 1
By Horace Yates
Even with two successive victories behind them, nobody expected Everton to beat Burnley, the League leaders, on their Turf Moor ground, but in fact, they might easily have shared the points and without fear of being accused of partisanship I state that such a result would have been far more equitable than defeat.  It was the old, old story, repeated so often during a season of one team snapping up its chances and the other not nearly s efficient in this connection.  Everton had no Ray Pointer but then so few teams have and even though Frank Wignall may lay claim to being the busiest and most industrious member of the Goodison team’s forward line, it has to be stated against him that he had openings to have given him two goals.  He got none, Pointer scored twice.  Therein lies the difference which helps one team to the top, and relegates the others to a place among the strugglers.  Don’t think this means that Wignall achieved nothing.  It was his persistence and accuracy of centre which laid on Everton’s only goal for George Thomson, incidentally his first in thirty-two League games the reward for the venturesome spirit which dictated his attacking excursions in the belief that Everton might as well lose by three goals as two. 
FULL BACK ATTACKERS
Parker also joined in the attack and with any sort of luck Everton might not only have taken the first home point from Burnley, but they might have done it with the unusual record of having their full backs score the goals for them.  I do not think Burnley bargained for the tough fight they had to put up to go marching on, but much of the Everton spirit was magnificent.  Burnley may not have approved of some of the first time tackling of Gabriel and Harris, but if Everton were to have any chance at all, this was the sort of approach to give it to them.  As a measure of the accomplishments of these wing halves one has only to ask what damage the much-heralded McIIroy and Robson wreak in this match?  The answer undoubtedly is that McIIroy floated over the free kick from which Robson headed to the goal line for Pointer to nudge a ball into goal, and then the story of their accomplishments is almost entirely told.  Labone similarly toiled heroically against the restless roving dead shot Pointer, and had he not been drawn out of position, following the failure of a combined Parker-Young assail on Gordon Harris, he too might have been able to boast a near 100 per cent effective game.  We can applaud the genuine ceaseless endeavour of Parker and Thomson even though theirs was the toughest task of the day, for in their wingers, Connolly and Harris Burnley’s greatest attacking strength lay and it was no means task to have to subdue them.  These two will lead full backs a merry dance before the season is through and it is their penetrative play that is helping to give Pointer the openings which at this early stage of the season have made him into England’s centre forward. 
WEAKNESS FORWARD
If this then, can be accepted as an accurate summary, the answer to the query, where did Everton fall down, answers itself.  Obviously, the weakness was forward.  Until Collins and Vernon are back there may be some encouraging displays from the side, but we shall never see the Everton we knew last season.  The line is shrieking out for their return, even if it does pose the problem, where can Young be best employed?  Young tried hard, covered a lot of ground defensively and offensively and his clever and precise passes to ideally placed colleagues, is beginning to pay more genuine tribute to his ability, but he is still not quite the Young of last season.  The difference, I think, is that he is not moving with his old speed, which almost suggested the use of starting blocks, nor does he appear to have regained completely his determination to go through on his own.  It will return, I have no doubt and with Vernon and Collins in the line, the process will be accelerated.  Neither Temple nor Fell impressed as being the answer to Everton’s requirements. 
BINGHAM’S RECOVERY
Bingham proved to everybody’s satisfaction that he has recovered completely from the injury which required a pre-match fitness test to put him into the side, but this could hardly be rated one of the Irish man’s outstanding performances.  Inspite of their fallings, Everton proved conclusively that sitting comfortably at the head of the First Division table though they may be, this Burnley side are not invulnerable and they were shaken in this match far more than they would care to admit.  In a season in which so little has gone right for him, Dunlop went a long way towards staging a complete come-back in this game, for some of his saves were quite praiseworthy, but one slice of misfortune cost him a goal, z vital goal as it turned out, but for all that he should take heart.  When he tried to thump Robson’s header clear, the ball struck the back of Thomson and dropped straight at Pointer’s feet.  Blacklaw made a more serious blunder in misfielding a shot with a greasy ball, but his good fortune was that there was no Pointer following up to extract the same penalty which Dunlop had to pay.  It took Burnley 26 minutes to go into the lead, the result of a fine bit of work by Gordon Harris, but one felt that an immediate challenge by Parker could have stopped him in his tracks Pointer was perfectly placed to hammer a fine shot past Dunlop.  Only twenty minutes were left for play when Pointer gratefully accepted the simplest of chances for his second before Thomson’s goal put Everton back in the struggle with renewed heart but with little time left.  Burnley; Blacklaw; Angus, Elder; Adamson, Cummings, Miller, Connolly, McIIroy, Pointer, Robson, G. Harris.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, B. Harris; Bingham, Young, Wignall, Temple, Fell.  Referee; Mr. G. McCabe Attendance 35,971.

COLLINS IS BEST OF PATCHY LINE
Monday, September 25, 1961 Liverpool Daily Post
EVERTON RES 1, CHESTERFIELD RES 2
Everton had most of the play and lost because they wasted chances.  Chesterfield’s rare but direct raids brought goals to Marshall and Broadhurst after 23 and 41 minutes, Meagan having got a 35th minute equalizer.  Everton dominated the goalless second half, but over-elaboration gave the resolute Chesterfield defence ample time to cover up.  Collins having his first game for a month was the best of a patchy Everton front line, and in defence only Panell showed normal form. 

THERE IS A CASH LIMIT-EVEN FOR A CLUB LIKE EVERTON
Monday, September 25, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton supporters would be wise not to bank very strongly on reports that their club may spring a spectators signing or two on them at any moment now.  It is certain that inquiries have been made and will continue to be made in many quarters, but just about every possible avenue has now been explored and unless there is a sudden and dramatic change in the attitude of clubs towards release of players, nothing can be done.  So many contacts have been made that it would not be difficult to guess at the identity of men, who have been sought with a reasonable prospect of being correct, but I think it would be wrong to assume that Everton are thinking in terms of another spectacular outlay of cash to rival the sensational spending of the last two or three years.  There is a limit even for Everton and while I believe that the cash would be found for one or two suitable replacements I do not think they plan any record outlay. 
GOALKEEPER TOP PRIORITY
Everton generally considered to include a goalkeeper signing as a top priority, could hardly have failed to visit Burnley without looking enviously at their strength in this position.  In addition to Alan Blacklaw who continues to meet all requirements satisfactorily they have Jack Furnell and Harry Thomson to call on in emergency.  Furnell has already been a target for several clubs, but there are those at Burnley who insist that Thomson is an even better prospect.  No doubt Everton took advantage of their visit to ascertain Burnley’s feelings about releasing either of them. 

BOTTLES THROWN AT GOALKEEPER
Liverpool Echo - Monday 25 September 1961
Everton Supporters in Burnley Scenes
By an Echo Correspondent
Turf Moor, headquarters of Burnley F.C., has witnessed some headline -hitting moments in the last few years, including a League championship win and two European Cup matches. But there has been nothing to equal the scenes which took place there on Saturday during the last 20 minutes of the game with Everton. More than 30 policemen were called to behind the Burnley goal just after the home side had gone two ahead... at the other end. About 16 spectators were escorted from the terraces and put out of the ground by policemen who had pushed their way into an angry, chanting mass of Everton supporters. FIREWORKS
Tough Scottish-born Burnley goalkeeper Adam Blacklaw, at whom three bottles were thrown, said after the game: "It was shocking. I've never seen anything like it. My concentration was shattered. I couldn't help glancing round to see what was coming at me next" Fireworks were let off and at police had to break up a lot of scuffling. One spectator said: “I saw a huge Everton supporter go berserk when Burnley scored their second goal. He got hold of a girl, who was wearing Burnley colours, by the throat and picked her up off the ground. He held her there for some moments. It was awful." Burnley police said to-day that no arrests had been made. Burnley chairman Bob Lord had no comment to make on the disturbances.

WINGING WEAKNESS IS EVERTON'S MAIN PROBLEM
Liverpool Echo - Monday 25 September 1961
By Horace Yates
There are no flies on Burnley, the League leaders, but there were plenty of them on their Turf Moor pitch, according to the Everton players, and some of them appeared to have left a bigger impression than the home team, for several Evertonians were bitten profusely, Gabriel in particular, seemingly having an irresistible attraction for them. But Burnley found a bite in this Everton side of such ordinary achievements this season, for which they had scarcely bargained and their 2-1 victory, to preserve their record of maximum points in home games, was not achieved without anxiety. This could easily have been much more acute had Everton's work been crowned (with the sort of finish so necessary if they are to collect reward against the stronger sides. The loss of Hitcher and Baker to Italian clubs does not seem likely to cause England selectors very much centre forward embarrassment, for in Ray Pointer they appear to have the natural successor. No centre forward in the game could have accepted his one real offering with greater deadliness or efficiency than did Pointer after both Parker and Young had failed to halt the mobile Gordon Harris and Everton were a goal down in 26 minutes, a stage at which they could have been two up if only they had been gifted with Pointer-like finish.
GIFT GOAL
All Burnley's marksmanship  was not of the quality shown by their centre forward, for they too registered alarming misses, but at least they did get the ball into the net twice compared with Everton's once. The second was in the nature of a gift for when Dunlop's clearing punch from a Robson header, rebounded from Thomson, Pointer merely had to edge the ball over the line, but at least he deserved full marks for being there when the opportunity arose. There is no disgrace in being beaten 2-1 away from home by a side which has not so far dropped a point at Turf Moor, for any other result must have ranked as one of the surprises of the day, but in fact Everton could have stunned everybody by forcing a draw. That they did not was due to' forward failings, plus that unlucky punch by a Dunlop playing much more like his old self than in some of his previous games this season. If Dunlop' should claim that when you are down on your luck, everybody hammers you, it would be hard not to sympathize with his view.  The iron grip of Burnley's' defence did not make it any easier for the Everton forwards to make an impression, but the fact that Fell, Temple and Bingham were below their best made Everton's task one of toil and struggle. It is to Wignall's credit that he was the most effective forward, for despite the close shadowing of Cummings, his restless endeavour and appetite for covering ground always made him a threat. This Burnley defence is sound and will cope with most attacks, but I would be the last to suggest it is invulnerable. In fact, had it been possible for the two teams to exchange wingers. I have little doubt that the result would also have been reversed, and Burnley could still have kept Pointer!
NOT HIS DAY
Bingham tried hard. I don't think he could ever take part in any game without doing that, but it was not his day for accomplishment.  Fell hardly ever raised hopes of shaking off the leech-like Angus, and it was rare indeed that he succeeded in crossing a ball with any sort of likelihood of producing results. How manager Harry Catterick is going to remedy this winging weakness must pose him one of his greatest problems, for then is no indication that Tommy Ring it sufficiently restored in confidence to take over where he left off.  Of course, Fell has played much better than he did at Burnley, and a recovery of that standard would undoubtedly be a help in the present trying situation Temple might plead that it is unfair to judge him on the way the game ran, for he was not over-endowed with the chance to show his shooting powers, but it is still a fact that he seldom caused any worry to the defence. After his scoring burst (four goals in two games) Temple was laying claim to serious consideration for retention against bearers of more formidable reputations, but this match did nothing to justify that theory. Just where Alex Young is to fit into the Everton scheme is something for manager Catterick to decide. His form is undoubtedly improving, and it may be that he will be dazzling everybody with his immaculate skill when the line contains the more familiar names. Such an honest trier and willing worker is Wignall that he will not lightly be discarded, but whether those claims will be considered superior to the gifts with which Young is so splendidly endowed, poses the problem.
STRENGTHENING FACTOR
I think the re-inclusion of Brian Harris in the half back line has provided the strengthening factor that was so necessary. Like Gabriel, whose name found its way into the referees book, Harris was sometimes penalized for tackles that showed no lack of determination, but there is little wrong with the dedication to duty of the defence as at present constituted. Dunlop was grateful to Thomson on one occasion when be kicked off the line after Connelly trickled a shot towards the net. Thomson also had the satisfaction of scoring Everton's goal, his first scoring contribution since coming into English football.  He tried a repeat performance with less luck a little later. I do not believe that Everton's troubles are so acute that there is any real danger of them having to struggle so ignominiously near the foot of the table. Even if the signings they would like to make are not forthcoming, and there is no indication just now that clubs are at all likely to part, with players who are most admired.

BINGHAM OUT OF IRISH TEAM
Liverpool Echo - Monday 25 September 1961
By Leslie Edwards
Billy Bingham the Everton and Irish international outside right, has not been chosen to play for Ireland against Scotland in Belfast on October 7. When the Irish F.A. asked about the possibility of Bingham being available the player was injured (he had a pulled muscle) and Everton's injury position was so vexed there was no chance of his being given permission to play. Everton took the same course I understand, when Scottish selectors sought permission to put Everton Scots in their trial teams a few weeks ago. Bingham who joined Everton from Luton Town in October, 1960 was refused permission to play for Ireland last season, and at that time was breaking a consecutive run of more than 40 matches for his country. He toured with the Irish team during the close season before Everton's game in the New York tournament.

THREE EVERTON PLAYERS CAUTIONED
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 26 September 1961
N.Y. TOURNEY SEQUAL
ALSO WARNED
By Leslie Edwards
Three Everton players, Irish international Billy Bingham, Scottish International Bobby Collins, and wing-half Brian Harris have bene cautioned and warned as to their future conduct by the F.A Disciplinary Committee.  This action is a sequel to Everton’s ill-fated American and Canadian tour during the close season.  Bingham was ordered off in the first game with Concordia, in Montreat, when according to manager Harry Catterick, “fists flew faster than they do at Liverpool Stadium.” Later in New York, in the match against Bangu, the Brazilian team which appeared at Goodison Park last season, he was sent off a second time.  In the meantime, Bobby Collins had been sent off in the match against Dynamo of Rumania on June 7.  The tour was a disastrous venture for Everton in many ways.  In addition to having Collins and Bingham sent off (the latter was fined on the spot), Roy Vernon was ordered home before the end of the club’s programme.  Wignall was injured, and the team had trouble over hotel accommodation in New York. It was anticipated that Everton might hear no more of the sending off cases, but as the tournament was under the auspices of F.I.F.A., it was hardly likely that the offence’s could be ignored.  It must be a source of satisfaction to Everton that no suspensions are involved. 

EVERTON SIGNING
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 26 September 1961
OUTSIDE LEFT VEALL FROM DONCASTER ROVERS
Everton F.C., today signed Raymond Veall, the 18-years-old Doncaster Rovers outside left, and he will make his debut for the reserves team in Saturday’s Central league game at Bolton.  Veall, who has attracted the attention of several League clubs by his skillful play, is a native played for his home town team.  Standing 5ft 8in, and weighing 10st, he made 14 League appearances for Doncaster last season, scoring two goals, and last week scored goals in victories against Chester and Crewe. 

EVERTON SIGNING
Wednesday, September 27, 1961. The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
Everton yesterday signed an outside left-Raymond Veall aged 18 from Doncaster Rovers and he will be in the reserve team for his debut at Bolton on Saturday.  Here is a youngster who has attracted consistently good reports this season and those who may be comparatively unmoved by the announcement of such a signing now might have to revise their ideas if development takes place as quickly as expected.  Veall is a lad who earned a chance for himself.  A native of Skegness he watched Doncaster in a practice season during his holiday and no doubt decided there was little the Rovers’ players could do that he couldn’t.  He asked for a chance to provide it and was such a hit, although playing in his civilian shoes that he became a Rovers player on the spot.  Strangely enough it was when Mr. Harry Catterick, then manager of Sheffield Wednesday, signed John Meredith from Doncaster Rovers last season that Veall had his first chance to step into League football.  Mr. Catterick therefore, has brought two outside lefts from the Rovers in a few months.  Veall has scored four goals this season. 
3 EVERTON PLAYERS WARNED
The F.A Disciplinary Committee announced that W. L. Bingham, R. Collins and B. Harris all Everton players have been cautioned and warned as to their future conduct.  All three were sent off playing for their club in the international soccer tournament in New York during the summer. 

RAY POINTER, AS SEEN BY EVERTON’S ALEX YOUNG
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 27 September 1961
A SHOOTING STAR WITH VERY USEFUL WINGS
With our last mid-week League match behind us, at least for the time being; our injury list down to within reasonable proportions; and three of our next four fixtures at home; it looks as if things might be starting to run in our favour. Anyway, two successive home games, against Arsenal this week-end and Nottingham Forest on October 7, should give us an opportunity to find our best form. Last Wednesday we managed to take two points from Manchester City, at Main Road, but on Saturday, at Burnley, although I thought we deserved a point we lost 2-1 to the current First Division leaders. England's new centre forward Ray Pointer was in great form, scoring both Burnley goals. He is one of the most energetic players I have seen and was constantly on the move and looking for openings. While there is no doubt that Ray is a really great player, it did seem to me that he owes some of his success to wingers John Connelly and Gordon Harris.
ROOM TO WORK
Both bring the ball quickly under control and then draw the full back down the touch-line with them, leaving Pointer plenty of room in the middle to find an opening and then work his own particular brand of "shooting magic." Ray, who has scored 11 goals so far, tops the First Division scoring chart.  If he maintains Saturday's form, there is little doubt he will still be at the top when the season ends. I had a chat with Burnley right half Jimmy Adamson after the match, and he told me that although his team had won all five home matches this season he thought they were playing much better away from Turf Moor. At home, Jimmy said Burnley were only sharing matches territorially, but by quickly turning defence into attack they were producing the vital goals.   This, however, is not surprising when you realise that 5fL 10in. Alex Elder is the smallest man in the Turf defence, the majority of whom turn the scales at over 12 stone.
THOMSON'S GOAL
Despite disturbances in the crowd which must have proved unsettling to Burnley goalkeeper Adam Blacklaw, but which did not seriously worry the rest of us, it was a hard, enjoyable game, with bright spot for us George Thomson's goal , which made him leading scorer among our full backs. At Anfield, the folly of not allowing some form of substitution when a player is injured—my own opinion is that substitutes should be allowed up to half time—was fully exposed. Bury having to struggle on with 10 men for 89 ½  minutes, after their right half Bran Turner twisted a knee in attempting a tackle and had to leave the field.  Don't misunderstand me, I  am not trying to detract from Liverpool's fine win, but the reports I read next day all implied that the game was as good as over in the first minute, and I am sure that is a state of affairs satisfying to neither players nor spectators. All the Everton Scots were pleased to see Ian St. John gain a place in Scotland's team against Czechoslovakia yesterday.  Ian scored Scotland's first goal and must have played a great game for he has been, selected for the next match, against Ireland on October 7.
DUKLA PLAYERS
The Czechoslovakian side, incidentally, contained a number of players from Dukla, the team which beat us in the final of the New York tournament this summer, but I was most surprised when the forward Czechoslovakia omitted from the six chosen was Rudolph Kecera. When we played against Dukla Kecera looked a most outstanding player. In fact, I rate him one of the best finishers I have ever seen. He is only 19, however, so there is still chance he will become a big name in International football.  I’ll end on a bright note- at any rate, for golf ball manufacturers. The Everton footballers were having a day at the golf course to-day and there is no need to tell those who have read Alex Parker's articles in the Football Echo that we usually lose quite a large quantity of golf balls. Recently Alex has given a few secrets about the standard of golf attained by some of the Everton players, so to-day we will be showing more than the usual interest us Alex's round. If it's a bad one, there is little that I shall be “persuaded" tell you something about 'next week. Meanwhile, keep on writing, It you want me to answer queries on tactics, kit, &c.,  or even give an airing to your views on substitutes, offside of other controversial issues, than drop me a line c/o the Liverpool Echo, Victoria Street,  Liverpool 1.

VEALL DOUBLES HIS MONEY
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 27 September 1961
EVERTON’S NEW OUTSIDE LEFT
Everton’s latest signing 18-years-old outside-left  Raymond Veall from Doncaster Rovers, will get twice the money at Goodison Park he was receiving with his old club. It was estimates at Doncaster that he was receiving £14 a week (writes Leslie Edwards).  Veall, a Skegness, Lincolnshire, lad, travelled to Liverpool today to join his new club and meet new club-mates.  He was met by Everton scout, Harry Cooke. There is doubt about the fee Everton paid.  Last night it was reported at £10,000.  Today in Doncaster £15,000 was mentioned.  The Everton manager said today about this new figure; “Halve it and you will be nearer the right sum.”  

BACK TO FITNESS
Thursday, September 28, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
When Everton’s new signing Raymond Veall had his first work-out at Goodison Park yesterday afternoon, it was to find the established players absent-spending an afternoon away from it all on one or other of the many golf courses in the area.  Although Jimmy Gabriel received a knock on the knee at Burnley, for which he has been receiving treatment this week, there has been no suggestion that he will not be ready for Saturday’s home game with Arsenal.  Indeed, manager Harry Catterick will be rubbing his eyes almost in disbelief when he studies the list of players fit for consideration for a team place.  Skipper Bobby Collins, deputy skipper Roy Vernon and Mickey Lill are all available for whatever duties are required of them.  What a wonderful thought –a clean bill of health for the first time since Collins was injured at West Brom on August 23. 

THE BURNLEY UPROAR
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 28 September 1961
Bee’s Notes
A Liverpool man has written the Mayor of Burnley, Councillor E. Sandy, condemning the behaviour of some Everton followers at Turf Moor last Saturday. "The residents of this fine city." he says. “Are saddened and dismayed at the behaviour of certain so-called supporters of Everton. To be thrown out of the ground was a leniency these irresponsible did not deserve. The other side of the medal comes from E. Gallacher, of Bootle. He writes: "Once again Everton supporters are accused of hooliganism. At Burnley a dozen so-called hooligans were led out of the ground. For what?  Only the police can answer. I was one led out. I was told this action was taken against me for SHOUTING. Once the police got us down that passage we were roughly treated. If this is the way police treat innocent spectators then I for one, will never travel to another away match.
Another Liverpool man who was there says: “I was with my son. We were at the opposite end of the ground when the trouble started. The police used strong-arm tactics. There was no trouble until two police jumped in among the crowd and frog-marched a young supporter out of the ground. They did it with more force than was necessary." My note on nuisance created on Spion Kop had good effect, I am told. At the nest game a constable stood at the trouble spot. But in the match against Bury the old difficulty recurred.
"Cannot a constable be posted there every home match?" asks my correspondent.
W. Moorcroft (40 Seymour Street. Liverpool 3) was not satisfied with the description of George Thomson's goal at Burnley. Mr. Catterick tells me that it followed a free-kick and a move to the right by Wignall, who crossed the ball to the head of the full-back who was following up in support of the attack. As Mr. Moorcroft, says it isn't every week a full-back scores with a header...

ROY VERNON TELLS-
Friday, September 29, 1961 Liverpool Daily Post
HOW AN INNJURED PLAYER SPENDS HIS SATURDAY
I think that during the week Bobby Collins and I proved ourselves fit and well again and ready for any task allocated to us.  It is a grand feeling to be coming back again after a period of inactivity, for it is a terrible task whiling away a Saturday afternoon while your colleagues are out on the field.  How do you think an injured player spends his Saturdays?  You are right-watching his team, of course.  In some ways it does one good to see football as the supporter sees it.  Take my experience on Saturday.  I went to Burnley by car.  Approaching the town, I was caught up innumerable traffic jams and, though I had allowed myself what I considered to be ample time, it was a struggle to get into the ground for the kick-off.  Sitting back in the Everton coach letting someone else do the driving and the worrying is one thing.  Doing it yourself is not nearly so good.  I was almost a nervous wreck by the time the ordeal was over!  My number plate did not appear to carry the magic of Everton F.C on the front of the coach.  With that every gap seems to open for us, police go out of the way to be helpful, gates open magically and hey presto, there we are at the players entrance. 
PARK HERE!
“I could have used some of that magic on Saturday.  It seemed to me that every policeman was going out of his way to prevent me seeing the match.  He wasn’t of course, it was just the new experience that made it look that way.  My hopes grew as I spotted the ground in the distance, but if I thought I was going to take my car anywhere near it how wrong I was “Park here” said the voice of authority, and park there I did despite the fact that I was left with the sort of run to the ground that would have sufficed for a training stint at Goodison.  Well, not quite that, but you get the idea.  When I have been playing I have often thought a little more weight would come in useful on the field.  It certainly would have done on Saturday.  I was tossed and pushed around by a heaving crowd intent on reaching the same gate that I wanted to go to.  I kept on brandishing my tickets, but nobody seemed to be impressed until at last I got inside the stand.  The teams were on the field and they were ready for the kick off.  The place had been surrounded by stewards on the outside, but it took an eternity for me to get one to find my seat.”  I must have been one of several thousands faithful Evertonians at Turf Moor and I know just how they felt when the senseless demonstrations of a few young lads reacted so unfavourably against the good name of the club.  Those people who were in trouble were the smallest of small minorities.  The vast majority of Everton followers will compare with any in the country for good sportsmanship and law-abiding natures.  Yet because of the activities of just a handful we are all unfairly labeled.  Everton is a great name and it would be nice to think that everybody still considers it so, for what can anyone do to protect it from minority outbursts of this nature, I am sure everybody would be glad to hear of any ready-made solution.  Every time I watch a match from the stand I kid myself what a blinder I could have played if only I had been on the field.  It is so easy upstairs to think one move ahead and imagine yourself ding this and that to spilt the defence wide open, and it would be easy if we could only operate from the same elevation.  On the ground the play and players do not open up to anything like the same extent angles are different and of course the view is restricted.  A spectator need not think anything like as fast as a player, and that is why possibly we are accused sometimes of being so slow, I found myself plotting out moves, pushing the ball here or there and then finding the man in possession doing some think different.  Had I been on the field I would probably have done just the same as my colleagues did.  I think there was much to congratulate the Everton team about at Turf Moor.  If Burnley are a top of the League side then we should not be very much behind on that showing, if it be that we can field a stronger side in the future then the margin can be cut finer still. 
POINTER POWER DRIVE
I would not like to wager that we will finish higher in the table than Burnley but I think we will certainly finish much closer to them than we are now.  I am not decrying Burnley in the least.  They are a good side, with several outstanding players but they are typical of a top team-everything is flowing their way.  Take the shot with which Ray Pointer nearly blasted the back out of the Everton net.  Nine times out of ten such a fierce first-time drive would have hit the back of the stand, but this was against an Everton down on their luck, and into the net if flew like a rocket.  We have all seen shots like that and many of is have tried them.  Sometimes they fly in, more often they fly wide.  I give Pointer every credit for hitting the ball with the lash of a mule, but this was the day.  If I tracked my next door neighbor just a shade too hard on occasion, or I pushed him out of the way in my efforts to reach the ball, I hope he will excuse me, but it was almost as exhausting sitting in a seat, playing without a ball, than the real thing.  In any event I know which I would rather do.  I was nearly worn out by the time the match was over, and then began the hardest fight of all-trying to get to the car.  Footballers don’t know they are born until they have a free afternoon.  Maybe there is something in the theory that it’s the spectators who should be paid (Note 1 am only –joking). 

STILL A GREAT DRAW
Liverpool Echo - Friday 29 September 1961
Bee’s Notes
Tomorrow, at Goodison Park, George Swindin's Arsenal tackle the Everton who have suddenly and all too belatedly come to life after many failures, some of which have been due to the number of injuries the club sustained in the early weeks of the season. Because Arsenal, with Mel Charles, are still one of the most attractive opponents in the land. Everton players should get a wage boost from a large attendance. Let us hope they pick up the winning bonus to supplement it further. Charles, almost equally as great a player as brother John, will draw many fans from Wales, a fruitful ground where Everton have always been very popular. I hope Everton narrowly beaten at Burnley, will be able to produce at least one of their forward stars, Collins or Vernon, but selection of the side was left late, Collins has had only one reserve game since his long absence; Vernon may not have recovered sufficiently from the weakening effect of tonsillitis to be risked in such an important match.
The wrong way. MR J. D. NEWTON, a spectator at Burnley a week ago, says: “The conduct of some youths, purporting to be supporters, made me ashamed to be an Evertonian.”Might I appeal to these youths, if they have any affection or loyalty to Everton (and to travel to Burnley shows they must have some) to realise that fighting, throwing missiles and bad conduct harms only the good name of Everton F.C. If they want to be proud of their team. THIS IS THE WRONG WAY TO SHOW IT. Perhaps some remarks from Burnley supporters will show them what I mean. “Said one; ' This used to be a great team. When netting the answer Everton were playing Burnley I would take a day off work to see them, but the supporters who come with Everton these days spoil all the entertainment.' “Said another: 'These supporters don't come to see a football match; they come to make trouble and spoil the enjoyment of others." "Another said: ' My place is always behind the goal, but not when that Everton mob come here. You can see some of them itching to start trouble BEFORE the game starts.' These and many others were the caustic remarks about Evertonians that assailed my ears. Sadly, there was no answer to give in reply. "Therefore, all that is left is to appeal to the Echo to use this letter to show these few so-called Evertonians that they are making the club and their many decent supporters the most hated crowd to attend away matches in the country. STOP IT, before you bring the great and honoured name of Everton F.C. to shame."

COLLINS AND VERNON RETURN
Liverpool Echo - Friday 29 September 1961
Everton Team v. Arsenal
YOUNG LEADS
By Leslie Edwards
Good news for Everton fans.  Bobby Collins, absent through injury since the second match of the season and Roy Vernon, after being troubled by injury and by tonsillitis are back tomorrow in the team to face Arsenal at Goodison Park.  Out go Frank Wignall and Derek Temple, so that Collins and Vernon may resume in their usual positions with Scottish International centre-forward, Alex Young, back as leader of the line.  The team is thus the same, except in one respect, as that which started the season, Brian Harris for Meagan is the only difference.  Vic Groves Arsenal captain, who has not played in the League side this season, returns for tomorrow’s game.  But it is not known where he will play. 
Select From 12
Arsenal will select from 12 players-the team which drew with Birmingham plus Groves –but manager George Swindin said; “George Eastham is doubtful after tonsillitis but Groves will play anyway.”  Last season Groves played at wing-half.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Arsenal (from).- Kelsey; Magill, McCullough; Brown, Sneddon, Neill, Groves; McLeod, Eastham, Charles, Henderson, Skirton. 

FULL STRENGTH EVERTON CAN MAKE A REAL START AT LAST
Saturday, September 30, 1961 The Liverpool Daily Post
By Horace Yates
This is the day Everton supporters have been waiting for-the day on which manager Harry Catterick could make his choice from a full range of players.  Doubtless, he could think of other names he might wish to add to them, but that is another story.  Since that tragic night at West Bromwich on August 23 when injury took the skipper Bobby Collins, out of the side, Everton seem to have been waging an unequal battle against misfortune.  At last there is a clean bill of health.  Apart from the substitution of Brian Harris at left half for Mick Meagan, the team to receive Arsenal is that which opened the season.  Collins has missed eight matches from which Everton have taken a miserable haul of only six points.  Many people have felt almost from the day Collins arrived at Goodison, that here was the dynamo, that vital bit of machinery that was indispensible to the team.  They will not have changed their opinion in his absence.  The true value of Collins, Vernon and Young can never be accurately assessed by what each does individually, so much as by what they accomplish together.  Collins and Vernon have shown the most staggering understanding of each other’s play and it was towards the end of the season, when Young dove-tailed perfectly that Goodison roared itself back into happiness again.  To have had to drop Frank Wignall after his business-like showing at Burnley could not have been an easy decision for Mr. Catterick to take it seems on the face of it, scant reward for unfailing endeavour, but I believe the decision is right.  Young is beginning to show some of his sparkle.  Put him back between Collins and Vernon and the hope is that he will rout his critics, as he has in the past. 
YOUNG’S CHANCE
How many, for example wrote off Young as a centre forward before that thrilling finale when he found an acceleration and skill that gave him six goals in five games, where previously he had not scored in eight outings?  It was because everyone looked to him to resume on this high note that we have been disappointed.  With the attacking triangle in being again, I think Evertonians are entitled to look for results, although it must be borne in mind that both Collins and Vernon have been out of League football for quite a spell.  Vernon has come straight back without a run in the reserves but of course, his absence has been only half as long as that of Collins.  They have both answered every demand made upon them during the week, so that one has a right to assume 100 per cent, fitness.  Arsenal wound up last season at Goodison and retired beaten 4-1.  On that occasion Vernon collected his first scoring treble.  I am expecting to see a similar story of Everton superiority today.  We shall not know until this afternoon whether or not George Eastham their expensive signing from Newcastle United will be in the London side, but the club skipper Vic Groves will be playing for the first time this season, either as left half or inside forward.  Everton; Dunlop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell.  Arsenal (from); Kelsey; Magill, McCullough; Brown, Sneddon, Neill, Groves; McLeod, Eastham, Charles, Henderson, Skirton. 

EVERTON’S BIG GUNS SHOOT DOWN ARSENAL DEFENCE
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 30 September 1961
COLLINS INSPIRES A LIVELY ATTACK
EVERTON 4, ARSENAL 1
By Leslie Edwards

Everton; DunIop; Parker, Thomson; Gabriel, Labone, Harris; Bingham, Collins, Young, Vernon, Fell. Arsenal; Kelsey; Magill, McCullough; Brown, Sneddon, Neill; McLeod, Eastham, Charles, Groves, Skirton. Referee.Mr. W. Clements (West Brom)
There was a great welcome for Bobby Collins returning after missing eight matches and it was not long before the little Scot was showing the immaculate touches and beautiful control that has made him such a great favorite at Goodison Park There followed a fantastic two minute spell in which Everton might have been three goals up, but in fact the score sheet remained blank. Vernon slipped Sneddon with all the ease imaginable and his angled shot was no more than a couple of feet wide. Almost immediately following he collected a short clearance from Kelsey and banged in a shot to which Kelsey rose confidently to clear.  Bingham joined the shooting gallery and a praiseworthy effort was only just off target.
VERNON’S GOAL
Everton went into the lead at seven minutes from a sustained attack in which Gabriel eventually found Young in the centre, whose short Crossfield pass enabled Vernon to veer slightly to the left before beating Kelsey with a low cross shot.  Dunlop facing the sunshine did well to catch high overhead a high centre from McLeod, but this instance apart it was a question of Everton all the way.  The Football was fast and furious and the size of the Arsenal defence showed that whatever happened the Everton attack would not have anything its own way.
A GREAT MOVE
A great move by Harris, Fell and Collins led to Collins cutting the ball back from the left wing goal line and Bingham hitting the underside of the bar with a header, the ball rebounding back into the play for Young from a few yards out to slash a shot right across the face of the goal.  Collins seemed as lively as ever, and chased far and wide for the ball.  A grand pass by Young and Vernon meant that Magill and Kelsey had a moment of indecision and when Vernon went down from a tackle by the full back Everton claimed without success a penalty award.
YOUNG’S FINE RUN
So far practically nothing had been seen of the Arsena l attack or anything of Mel Charles who is usually a line in himself. A magnificent run front Young from a free-kick--he infiltrated through the defence like quicksilver—enabled him, to poke in a shot which Kelsey got over the bar at the last moment and with great difficulty, Labone picking up a long clearance from hand by Kelsey tried to get the ball back to  Dunlop when Charles was challenging him and almost succeeded in putting the ball into his own net. 
BLUNDER BY PARKER
The corner led to a blunder by Parker, who inadvertently provided Charles with a first class pass when the Arsenal leader was standing in the vicinity of the penalty spot.  Dunlop advanced to try to retrieve this desperate situation and actually got his hands to Charles effort, but the ball passed on and over the line.  This goal came at 37 minutes.  While Parker lay injured a moment later, a centre by Fell was cut out by Magill and the crowd appealed vehemently for a penalty for hands, but referee Clements waved play on.  A moment later Young tripping through in characteristically neat and decisive style found himself angled, but succeeded in delivering a hard left foot shot on target which Kelsey incredibly saved.  Vernon went near with a calculated lob which his Welsh compatriot Kelsey must have been relieved to see pass over instead of under the bar. 
VERNON HURT
Bingham was having a grand game and from one of his low centres following a free kick Neill slammed the ball for a corner so hard and so haphazardly it all but found his own net.  A nasty clash between Neill and Vernon just on the interval caused the referee to have words with the Arsenal player, with Vernon lying injured on the floor.  It appeared that Neill’s stud came into contact with Vernon’s head after both had gone to earth.  The crowd was very angry, and when Arsenal were given a free kick after Vernon had recovered their anger was intensified.  Kelsey, the Arsenal goalkeeper, went to referee Clements and had a word with him as the players left the field with Arsenal on the receiving end of loud booing. Half - time. Everton 1, Arsenal 1.  The heat of battle showed no signs of abating early in the second half, and this most disappointing Arsenal attack was effective only when Charles uncorked a stunning low shot from 25 yards, Dunlop doing well to reach the ball at the far post and save brilliantly. But the Everton goalkeeper was powerless when Skirton centred and Charles, rising effortlessly, beat Dunlop to the ball and nodded it just over the bar. It was rather an untidy match for the moment, with the whistle sounding time and again, and Everton not maintaining their easy command of early in the first half.  However Gabriel scored at 52 to minutes to put them in front.   Parker's free kick in mid field was carefully calculated to land in the vicinity of the six yards line whore Gabriel had taken up position.  The Scot steered the ball in with head, and Kelsey, who stretched out a hand, touched the ball but could not stop its progress.
BINGHAM MAKES IT THREE
A minute later Everton were given another free kick just outside the penalty box, and Collins took this quickly, while Arsenal were busy appealing, with this result that Bingham from a fantastically narrow angle, was able to ram the ball in with a great shot. Kelsey again making contact, but without being able to stay the ball's progress.  Within another minute Bingham, this time with a left foot shot aimed at the far goal angle, had almost made It 4-1. The ball passed just over the far goal angle. Everton were now right back in the saddle and were shaping forwards victory by a really big margin.  While Everton were appealing that Young had bene pushed when sailing through in the penalty box, Fell stool on no ceremony and banged in a shot which Kelsey collected only at the second attempt.  Never was playing to the whistle more plainly exampled. 
GOOD MOVEMENTS
Now they Were 3-1 Everton were inclined to play for keeps moving the ball about in succession of good close passing movements which Arsenal found it difficult to cut into.  Collins was naturally tiring a bit but Gabriel was full of fire and endeavor and was a glutton for work.  Skirton was having a good innings and had a big part in Arsenal’s best move of the half which ended with McLeod rapping the ball hard across the face of the goal with no Arsenal head convenient to make the necessary deflection.
BEWILDERED
By this time Arsenal looked pretty bewildered, and when Eastham was obstructed in the penalty box by Gabriel and the referee “saw nothing” they seemed to give up the ghost.  Kelsey’s was one of the few Arsenal’s reputations untarnished and now he picked up with no difficulty a header by Bingham from a centre by Fell.  Everton’s fourth goal at 70 minutes was their best.  The referee wisely over-ruled the linesman’s upraised flag after Bingham had taken a heavy charge from McCullough, but still retained possession, and the result was that the winger went ahead to cut the ball back sharply for Vernon to ran home low almost as he pleased.
Day’s Best Attack
Bingham was almost there again in a headed challenge against Kelsey a moment later in Everton’s best attack of the day, one in which Collins sold the cleverest of dummys before crossing the ball from the left to give Bingham an outside chance of getting there before Kelsey.  Vernon fastened on to a ball which had rebounded into the air and made a header which passed over the top by a more foot or two.  I have never seen a match in which Mel Charles has been so little in the picture.  Many of Eastham’s touches were brilliant but like the rest of the line he was often impractical. 
MISSED A “SITTER”
Vernon missed a “sitter” from the six yards line when put in possession by a through pass from Bingham, who was having his best game of the season.  The chance called for the drifting of the ball past Kelsey, but somehow Vernon contrived to edge the ball outside rather than inside the post.  Final; Everton 4, Arsenal 1.  Official Attendance 43,168.

ANFIELD FAN ENJOYS GOODISON!
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 30 September 1961
BUT HE’S NOT CHANGING HIS COLOUR PREFERENCE
Writes Alex Parker
Here’s a strange thing. I have had a confession from a staunch Liverpool fan that he enjoys watching games at Goodison more than he does at Anfield. And before anybody throws this paper away in disgust and accuses me of not telling the truth, I must say that, after examining his reasons, I would not be at all surprised if there were more like him on both sides of the park, although they probably won't admit it. If there is anybody who needs convincing (and I am sure there are I will from a letter I have received from David Darley, of 120 Ince Avenue, Liverpool 4. He says; “Although I am a staunch Liverpudlian, sometimes I think I enjoy the games at Goodison more than I do those at Anfield. Not that I think you blokes are better than Dick White and company. It you beat us 6-0 I would swear that we were unlucky. “The reason is that at Anfield I spend the whole 90 minutes in a state of nail-biting frenzy, break into a cold sweat when the visitors get near our penalty area, arrive home completely exhausted.  "At Goodison I can view the game with an academic eye and appreciate the finer points of both sides. Although I see about 50 per cent, of Everton's home matches I have only seen you lose twice in the past three years—Arsenal (6-1) and Burnley (3-0)." When I had read this far I thought there was a chance of David being converted into an Evertonian. Then I came to his last paragraph. It said: "I hope we will be in a position to give you the hiding of your life in a League game next season. Well, David, I am confident that your team will be playing in the First Division next season, but about that hiding, I'm not so sure.
NO INJURIES
Still, thanks for the letter. It should certainly give some people (including Ron Yeats), something to think about. I think you have a point, and there are undoubtedly many others, including Evertonians, who share your views, although they wouldn’t all admit it.  As we came back from Burnley last Saturday, we realised we had no points- but we also had no injuries, and these days that quite something at Goodison. “In fact, probably for the first time since the opening match of the season there were no injuries to complicate the selection of the team for to-day's match against Arsenal. Of course, the talking point among Everton players this week has been George Thomson’s goal. He headed it in from Frank Wignall's cross. I never try to hide the fact that I like scoring, and have enjoyed my recent position of being the highest- scoring full back on the club's book, but, as I told George, with him being so far in front now he is going to take some catching. When we reported to Goodison last Thursday morning. Gordon Watson introduced us to young Ray Veall, our new outside left from Doncaster Rovers. He is obviously very keen to make good here and from what we have heard of his performance with Doncaster, seems capable of doing it. Here's hoping he will be very happy with us.
TEST IN GOAL
After we had finished training on Thursday, Bobby Collins asked me to go in goal so he could test his injured knee. He fired in a couple of shots from about 15 yards which frank, screamed into the net. I was determined he wouldn't score a third time. He slammed a low one towards my right hand, but I dived full-length and managed to stop it. Then I WISHED I hadn't. I was covered from head to foot in mud. Goalkeepers must be mad! I thought it was a good save and it prompted one of our trainers to shout the following “advice. “Get out of that goal, Alex,  before you do yourself an injury." End of goalkeeping career. I saw the Scotland v Czechoslovakia match on TV, the other night, and the Scots certainly played well. It was good to see Ian St. John score and on behalf of all the players at Goodison I would like to congratulate him on being picked for the next match against Ireland. I noticed that in Alex Young's article in last Wednesday's Echo he wrote that in view of what I have been saying recently about the golfing ability of certain of the team, they were going to run the rule over me playing last Wednesday.
AT ANFIELD
Well, I didn't turn up, so they will have to wait awhile. Naturally, the players asked me on Thursday why I had been missing. My reason? I told them I hadn't saved up enough golf balls for the others to lose. Before I close I would like to thank Bill Evans for sending a very good drawing of me. I have showed it to many people and they have all said what a good likeness it is. Thanks again. Bill.  As we have no mid-week match, most of the Everton players will be going to Anfield on Wednesday to see Liverpool play Newcastle . This will be the first chance I've had of seeing Liverpool this season and I'm looking forward to it Still, no matter how good the game is here', one Evertonian who would prefer playing at Goodison to watching at Anfield -or anywhere else for that matter. I'll let you know what I think of them next Saturday.

BOLTON W RES V EVERTON RES
Liverpool Echo - Saturday 30 September 1961
Bolton W Res; Dean; Threlfall, Cooper; Hatton, Oxtoby, Wilkinson; Birch, Jones (L), Shuttleworth (LB), Deakin, Sleight.  Everton Res; Mailey; Parnell, Green; Jarvis, Jones (T), Meagan; Lill, Tyrer, Webber, Temple, Veall.  Referee; Mr. Matthews (Sheffield).  Mailey saved a dangerous looking situation by diving at the feet of Jones when the Bolton inside forward broke through the middle.  Veall and Webber combined neatly in a left-wing attack but there was no forward up in the goalmouth to take advantage of Webber’s low centre.  The Bolton goal had three narrow escapes in quick succession.  Threlfall cleared off the goal line from Lill, Dean threw himself across the goal to keep out a Veall cross shot, and Cooper made another goal-line stop when Webber’s shot beat Dean.  Mailey who was virtually a spectator proved his mettle with a fine save by the post when Sleight got in a n hard drive.  The promised Everton goal came in the 35th minute when Tyrer beat Dean with a splendid rising shot from just inside the edge of the penalty area.  Half-time; Bolton Res nil, Everton Res 1. Final; Bolton Res 0, Everton Res 2
LIVERPOOL A V EVERTON A
Liverpool attacked from the start and Kinsella missed an easy scoring chance in the early stages.  Rankin was kept busy in the Everton goal.  Everton attacked and a great shot from Green hit the foot of an upright.  Half-time; Liverpool A nil, Everton A nil. Final Liverpool A 0, Everton A 3
Liverpool B 1, Everton B 3